South Africa: Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe dies in car accident Free State Education MEC Pule Herbert Makgoe, affectionately known as Tate Makgoe and his bodyguard have been killed in a car crash on the N1 outside Winburg in early hours of this morning. Briefing the media on Sunday, Free State Premier, Mxolisi Dukwana, said that the Free State Emergency Services crew responded to an accident outside Winburg on the N1 earlier this morning at about 01:30am and upon arrival they found a light motor vehicle which collided with two cows. He said that, regrettably, three occupants became trapped inside the vehicle as a result. The EMS used the jaws of life to free the occupants and unfortunately, two were declared dead on the scene. The Premier confirmed that the two deceased who were declared dead were the Education MEC Makgoe and one of his protectors who was a Warrant Officer. He added that the one driver of the vehicle suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Wynberg hospital but has now been move to the Medi-Clinic hospital. It is indeed with deep regret and sorrow, that on behalf of the Executive Council the Free State, I announce the passing of one of the members of the Executive Council for Education in Free State Pule Herbert Makgoe. On behalf of the Free State provincial government, the Executive Council the entire education sector, we join the Free State community and indeed all South Africans, in general in sending our heartfelt condolences to the family colleagues, friends, comrades, and loved ones of our now deceased MEC, Dukwana said. Premier Dukwana described Makgoe as an industrious individual who served the people of the Free State and his country with the utmost of distinctions in all His areas of deployment especially in the education sector. He was one of the longest serving members of the Executive Council, having served in various capacities with aplomb and distinction after joining government during the advent of democracy in South Africa, from the early days of the transition from the old regime to the Democratic dispensation. He was a very vibrant and politically conscious cadre of the movement, who was always aware of the delicate and political landscape in the country, or into the draconian apartheid policies. As the government of Free State we are saddened by his untimely passing and we would like to send our condolences to the family, his wife, and children of our late comrade. We would also like to extend our condolences to the people of the Free State as well as the people to the country and the education fraternity, the Premier said. Dukwana lauded Makgoe for his dedication in serving the people of South Africa which he demonstrated through his responsibilities that he was given and became an excellent administrator and leader. He dedicated his whole life in serving and making sure that he turned Free State into a winning province when it comes to education. His love for the children and his love for education was demonstrated throughout his work in doing what he loves which is serving people. We are saddened by his passing; this was a big blow to the Free State and a big blow to the education fraternity. We would like to invite all of us to respect the family during this time and afford them space to also to mourn and celebrate this wonderful life, the Premier said. Makgoe was born on 12 May 1963 in Tumahole, Parys, Free State province. He has served as the Free State MEC for Education since May 2009. Makgoe was sworn in as a member of the Free State Provincial Legislature in May 1994. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Schedules for China's "two sessions" on March 5 Xinhua) 08:33, March 05, 2023 BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The following are the schedules for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on Sunday. -- At 9 a.m., the first session of the 14th NPC will hold its opening meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. -- NPC deputies will hear the government work report to be delivered by Premier Li Keqiang. -- NPC deputies will review the report on the implementation of the 2022 plan and on the 2023 draft plan for national economic and social development, and the draft plan for national economic and social development in 2023. -- NPC deputies will review the report on the execution of the central and local budgets for 2022 and on the draft central and local budgets for 2023, and the draft central and local budgets for 2023. -- NPC deputies will hear an explanation on the draft amendment to the Legislation Law. -- NPC deputies will vote on the draft decision on establishing special committees of the 14th NPC, the draft voting method for directors, vice directors and members of the special committees, and the draft candidate lists of directors, vice directors and members of the Constitution and Law Committee and the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee. -- NPC delegations will hold meetings to deliberate the government work report. -- Members of the CPPCC National Committee will sit in on the opening meeting of the NPC session as non-voting participants. -- Members of the CPPCC National Committee will hold group meetings to deliberate the work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee and a report on the work of proposals from political advisors. -- At 3 p.m., heads of the central committees of the non-Communist political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce will meet the press at a press conference to be held by the CPPCC session. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) CAIRO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- A cargo ship was refloated after being stranded in Egypt's Suez Canal for two hours, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) announced on Sunday. Four SCA tugboats succeeded to refloat the MSC-ISTANBUL cargo vessel which went aground while crossing from the south to the north, said George Safwat, spokesperson of the SCA. Earlier, SCA Chairman Osama Rabie said the navigation movement in the Suez Canal was not affected by this emergency. Rabie affirmed the SCA's rescue expertise and navigational and technical capabilities to deal professionally with potential emergencies. The Suez Canal has witnessed a number of similar incidents, the most prominent was the giant Ever Given cargo ship which ran aground for six days in March 2021 and disrupted global trade. Since the freeing of the Ever Given, the SCA has been expanding and deepening the course of the canal. Linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, the Suez Canal was officially opened for international navigation in 1869, serving as a lifeline for global seaborne trade since it allows ships to travel between Europe and South Asia without navigating around Africa. Tulsa musician and vocalist Cathy Venable will be showcased during the Tulsa Chorales Hope & Glory, which will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 10, at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, 1301 S. Boston Ave. The program includes the Mass in G Minor by British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, considered the first distinctly English mass to be composed since the 16th century. It requires two full four-part choruses, and Venable will accompany the Chorale on the portative organ. Venable will also be the vocalist for a selection of art songs by Vaughan Williams and Roger Quilter, which use texts by Tennyson, Rossetti, Shelley and Stevenson, accompanied by pianist Dee Dueck. These pieces are some of my lifelong favorites since my graduate school days, Venable said, describing the songs as uplifting compositions by some of the finest poets in history. The program concludes with Randall Thompsons Frostiana a set of seven country songs accompanied by piano, with texts from the American poet Robert Frost. Venable has performed with just about every classical organization in Tulsa as a pianist and vocalist; she currently serves as principal pianist for the Tulsa Symphony and Bartlesville Symphony, as well as the Tulsa Chorale. She served as conductor for the touring productions of The Sound of Music, The Phantom of the Opera and Frozen for five years and previously worked in New York City as a pianist for such Broadway productions as Aladdin, Evita, Beauty and the Beast and The Light in the Piazza. Tickets for the concert are $10-$25. tulsachorale.org. Harjo wins Ucross Award Former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo was awarded the Ucross Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Arts Feb. 25. The award, presented at a ceremony at the WYO Performing Arts and Education Center in Sheridan, Wyoming, is the most recent accolade for the Tulsa native and Muscogee Nation citizen. Presented by Ucross, the renowned artist residency program, the award recognizes an individuals extraordinary impact on the nations arts and letters. Harjo is only the second person to receive this award. The first was novelist Annie Proulx, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Shipping News and Brokeback Mountain, who was presented the award in 2018. In presenting Harjo with the award, Ucross President William Belcher said, Thank you for all you have done and all you continue to do to support the arts, share and celebrate Native voices, and champion poetry, art and music. We are in awe of all you have accomplished, and we are honored that you are part of our Ucross community and part of what made our first 40 years so incredible. Harjo was an artist-in-residence at Ucross in 2013, as part of Ucrosss long-time partnership with the Sundance Institute. Since 1983, Ucross has supported more than 2,600 writers, visual artists, composers and choreographers with the gift of uninterrupted time and studio space on its 20,000-acre ranch in northern Wyoming. Akropolis Reed Quintet Since its formation in 2009, the Akropolis Reed Quintet has become one of the nations premier chamber music ensembles, noted for its innovative programs that are, in the groups words, designed to spark joy and wonder. The quintet will come to Tulsa for a three-concert run, presented by Chamber Music Tulsa, March 10-12. They will be joined by joined by pianist and composer Pascal Le Boeuf and percussionist Christian Euman for a concert at 8 p.m. Friday, March 10 at LowDown, 108 N. Detroit Ave. The program will include selections from Gershwins An American in Paris and Le Boeufs Are We Dreaming the Same Dream?, composed especially for these artists. The quintet will perform as part of the Chamber Music Tulsas Saturday Salon series, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11, in the Westby Pavilion of the Tulsa PAC, 110 E. Second St. The program will include Gershwins An American in Paris, along with selections from Arthur Cunninghams Harlem Suite and Homage to Paradise Valley by Jeff Scott. Composer Scott will present a pre-concert lecture, beginning at 2:15 p.m. prior to the quintets Sunday concert, 3 p.m. March 12 at the Tulsa PAC, 110 E. Second St. The quartet will again perform Scotts Homage to Paradise Valley, with Quraysh Ali Lansana as narrator, along with Omar Thomas Moods and Attitudes, Le Tombeau de Couperin by Ravel and Nina Simones arrangement of J. Fred Coots For All We Know. Tickets are $40 for the Friday concert, $75 for the Saturday Salon concert and $25 for the Sunday concert. 918-587-3802, chambermusictulsa.org TSO @ TU The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra will close out its Dr. David Walters Chamber Orchestra Series with a concert featuring Prokofievs Symphony No. 1, the Classical, 3 p.m. Saturday, March 11, at the Lorton Performance Center, 550 S. Gary Ave. on the University of Tulsa campus. Brett Mitchell, former music director of Colorado Symphony, will be the guest conductor for this concert, which will also feature the Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major by J. S. Bach; Ralph Vaughan Williams Concerto Grosso; and the Adagietto from the Symphony No. 5 by Mahler. Tickets are $15-$65. 918-584-3645, tulsasymphony.org. Cenicienta retells Cinderella Ten-year-old Belinda loves to tell stories, but when shes in the basement preparing for a party upstairs, shell have to get creative. Using everyday objects like teapots and napkins, Belinda recreates the classic tale of Cinderella. Glass Half Full Theatre from Austin, Texas, presents Cenicienta: A Bilingual Cinderella Story, its award-winning story within a story using puppetry, Spanish and English, with three performances, 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., Friday, March 10, at the Tulsa PAC, 110 E. Second St. As Belinda confronts her stepmother and stepsisters, shell learn to embrace her love of poetry and stand up for herself. This captivating Cinderella for all ages tackles cultural heritage, family and the power of language. Tickets are $6. 918-596-7111, tulsapac.com. Skeleton Crew Its 2008 Detroit, and a small automotive factory is on the brink of foreclosure because of the Great Recession. Over the years, the workers have become a kind of family, but the stress and uncertainty is making those family ties fray, as workers must figure what they will do should the factory close. The third in award-winning playwright Dominique Morriseaus Detroit Trilogy, Skeleton Crew was described by the New York Times as a very fine new play warm-blooded, astute, deeply moral and deeply American. American Theatre Company will present the Tulsa premiere of Skeleton Crew, directed by Keith Daniels and starring Isaiah Hamstard as Dez, Oti-Lisa Brown as Faye, Samara Cain as Shanita and Troy Knauls as Reggie. Performances are at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 5, and 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, March 9-11, at the Tulsa PAC, 110 E. Second St. Tickets are $30-$35. 918-596-7111, tulsapac.com. The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra will bookend its 2023-2024 season with a pair of Fifths one by Beethoven, one by Mahler and will include some of the most beloved works of the classical repertoire, including Berliozs Symphonie Fantastique and the Requiem in D Minor by Mozart. The conductors the orchestra has chosen for this season include many who are well-known to Tulsa Symphony audiences, including former TSO resident guest conductor and Music Director of the Wichita Symphony Daniel Hege; Marcelo Lehninger, music director of the Grand Rapids Symphony; Gerard Schwarz, music director of the All-Star Orchestra; and Sarah Hicks, principal conductor of Live at Orchestra Hall for the Minnesota Orchestra. The orchestra will also continue its two chamber music series, one of which features small ensembles drawn from the orchestras musicians, along with the chamber orchestra series that premiered this season. And as a holiday treat, the orchestra will present How the Grinch Stole Christmas, with live orchestral accompaniment, Dec. 2 at the Tulsa PAC. We are thrilled to share with Tulsa our brand new, exciting season filled with cherished works, renowned soloists and conductors, and an unforgettable live music experience, TSO Executive Director Keith Elder said. The Tulsa Symphony is incredibly proud to be this citys symphony orchestra and to have the opportunity to serve our community through the power of live music. The new season was officially announced Friday, March 3, at the Tulsa PAC, where the orchestra previewed its March 4 concert, Alluring, with opera star Sarah Coburn and Stephen Powell. The Patti Johnson Wilson Classics Series will open Sept. 9 with Prelude: Beethovens Fifth Symphony. Guest conductor Lehninger will lead the orchestra in a program featuring Beethovens iconic symphony, which also includes Le Corsaire, Op. 21, by Berlioz and the Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85 by Edward Elgar. Rising star Sterling Elliott will be the soloist for the Elgar concerto. Masquerade: Shostakovichs Ninth Symphony will be Oct. 7, with Hege conducting the Symphony No. 9, Op. 47, in D Minor by Shostakovich, along with the Masquerade Suite by Khachaturian and William Waltons Spitfire: Prelude and Fugue. Soprano Janinah Burnett will be the guest soloist, performing Samuel Barbers Knoxville: Summer, 1915, with a text drawn from James Agees Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, A Death in the Family. Florence Price became the first African-American female composer to have her work performed by a major symphony orchestra, when the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performed her Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, in 1933. This work will be the centerpiece of the Honor, Americana concert, Nov. 11, with Ward Stare conducting. The evening will also feature Lowdens Armed Forces Salute, Gershwins An American in Paris and Coplands Lincoln Portrait, with Julian Thomas as narrator. Hicks returns to conduct the Tulsa Symphony in Ebb & Flow: Brahms Third Symphony, Jan. 13, 2024. This concert features such well-known compositions as Ravels Bolero and Debussys La Mer, as well as the titular Brahms symphony. French music will provide a Fantastique Experience for the orchestras Feb. 3, 2024, concert, with Berliozs epic phantasmagoria, the Symphonie fantastique, along with Germaine Tailleferres Overture and the Symphonie espagnole, Op. 21, by Lalo. TSO concertmaster Rossitza Goza will be the soloist for the Lalo work. JoAnn Falletta will conduct. Noted choral conductor James Bagwell will be on the podium for Fame and Fate: Mozarts Requiem, April 13, 2024. The concert will feature a quartet of vocal soloists, as well as the Tulsa Chorale, directed by Zach Malavolti. In addition to the Requiem, the evening will feature Elgars Serenade for Strings and Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme of Tallis. The classics series concludes with Finale: Mahlers Fifth Symphony, May 11, 2024. Schwarz returns to the TSO podium for this concert, which will also include Haydns Symphony No. 103, the Drum Roll. All TSO Classics concerts will be presented at the Tulsa PAC. TSO @ TU, the chamber orchestra series underwritten by the David B. Waters Charitable Foundation, will have two performances, both at the Lorton Performance Center on the University of Tulsa campus. The Oct. 15 concert, conducted by David Lockington, will focus on Mozart, while the April 7 concert, conducted by Jeri Lyn Johnson, will feature Mendelssohn. The Josephine G. Winter Chamber Music Series, which is presented at Tulsas First Presbyterian Church, will have four concerts: Farrenc, Sept. 22; Mendelssohn, Nov. 17; Beethoven, March 15; and De Rivera, April 19. Season tickets are now on sale, and range from $133-$518, with single tickets $20-$78. For more information: tulsasymphony.org. Featured video: The opportunity to train more future mental health providers is certainly one of a planned Tulsa psychiatric hospital's big selling points. But what it will mean for students in other medical roles may be just as important, Dr. Johnny Stephens said. "ER physicians, our surgeons, primary care providers it's going to allow us to give exposure in appropriate mental health care to a number of training physicians," said Stephens, president of OSU Center for Health Sciences, a partner in the project. "Family medicine, internal medicine all of our disciplines on campus will benefit." Mental health training is now recognized as important, he said, whatever field of medicine one goes into. "This is going to be just a tremendous teaching and training opportunity," Stephens said. Plans for the new hospital, a partnership between the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Oklahoma State University, were first announced in 2021. They took their next step recently when officials decided on a name the Oklahoma Psychiatric Care Center and set an official groundbreaking date of March 30. The $70 million, 137,000-square-foot hospital will be built on downtown's west side next to a new Veterans Affairs hospital and OSU Medical Center, with OSU Center for Health Sciences just a mile away. The 106-bed facility, targeted for a November 2024 opening, will replace the current 56-bed Tulsa Center for Behavioral Health on South Harvard Avenue. The new hospital is projected to serve an additional 1,000-plus patients a year and help reduce mental health-related ER visits, incarcerations and homelessness. Carrie Slatton-Hodges, commissioner for the state Department of Mental Health, said the agency is excited to be working with OSU on the venture. "OSU has an outstanding reputation for its behavioral health degree programs in Tulsa, as well as its research programs," she said. "For us, this is the perfect partnership." The psychiatric hospital "will be among the best in the country," she said. "It will increase the ability of all Oklahomans to engage in services when needed, and more will be able to receive the latest in treatment advancements and access to behavioral health care than ever before." The facility will also double as a state-of-the-art teaching hospital. "I'm really passionate about the training aspect," Stephens said. "We feel that we'll be able to add close to 50 new residency slots," he said. "Medical students and nursing students from a number of different universities will train in the facility, as well." The original plan was for a new 56-bed hospital, but it was expanded thanks to $38 million in federal pandemic relief funding secured through the American Rescue Plan Act. The facility also will add 100 new jobs, with a total workforce of 270, officials said. Stephens said the COVID-19 pandemic only added to the strain on the state's mental health system. "This is going to help reduce some of that strain," he said. "And it's not just inpatient beds. This facility is forward-looking and will have crisis care beds and chairs (for shorter-term observation)." A drop-off facility for law enforcement is another important feature, he said. "Hopefully this will reduce the time that law enforcement is having to try to find a facility for those that need mental health care versus incarceration," Stephens said. "We're hoping that that's going to be a tremendous partnership." The origin story of how the North Peoria Church of Christ in Tulsa ended up with a federal grant to study the possible removal of an interstate highway began two, 10 or more than 50 years ago. Opposition to the Inner Dispersal Loop in Tulsa began in some circles before construction on the series of highways that ring downtown was launched in the 1960s. The effort in the name of transportation progress and urban renewal wiped out hundreds of homes and businesses when it was erected, with the north leg cutting through the heart of the Greenwood District. Talk of alternatives to the IDL received a boost when state House leaders in the summer of 2021 approved an interim study on the removal issue. State Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa, requested the study. Goodwin recalled conversations about removing the highway during a Friday press conference at North Peoria Church of Christ to discuss the grant award. Goodwin said when the subject came up, people would say to her, Bring down the highway? Youve got to be crazy. How are you going to do that? Well, we found that its not crazy, its been done in other cities some 25 years ago, Goodwin said. We brought in folks from across the nation that showed us that it was absolutely possible. Unbeknownst to Goodwin and others, the effort received another boost some 10 years ago when a Georgetown University undergraduate student wrote a thesis on the subject of highway removal and how it could be economically beneficial to cities, specifically looking at the issue in Tulsa. That student, Cody Brandt, is one of those who helped land the $1.6 million planning grant Tuesday from the U.S. Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of removing a section of the IDL, specifically a one-mile section of I-244 between the L.L. Tisdale Expressway and U.S. 75. Brandt also met Friday with the media to discuss the planning grant. The project is one of 45 nationwide receiving a total of $185 million in funding as part of the U.S. Department of Transportations new Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. Brandt, who works in the commercial real estate industry, said his thesis has been taking on a life of its own over the years since. Goodwin, a member of the church and proponent of removing a portion of the highway, recalled first discussing the matter with Brandt. Cody Brandt said to me: Hey, Regina, what do you think about deconstructing the expressway? Goodwin recalled. Goodwin said she thinks the grant application was picked over a competing application from the state of Oklahoma and city of Tulsa because it was a grassroots effort. The application had the support of several groups, Goodwin said, that included Langston University, the Oklahoma Eagle newspaper, Greenwood Cultural Center and other north Tulsa churches. The funding stars further aligned in November 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the $1.2 trillion spending package on infrastructure, the source of the grant funding, Goodwin said. North Peoria Church of Christ Rev. Warren Blakney said it makes sense for his church to receive the grant funding. Blakney said the civil rights movement began in Black churches in the early 1960s. The Black church for many, many years was that place where action happened, Blakney said. This church is no different. A good part of our constituency is involved in the community. We vote in high numbers in this church. So when you look at North Peoria, it isnt just a church that you come in when you have worship, he said. Blakney said those who have worked on the issue are excited about this study. We are excited because of what it can do for us here in the city and what it can do specifically for the north side in opening up Greenwood, something that we have wanted to do for a long time, Blakney said. A lot of talk has gone on about it, but at least we are getting closer to getting it done today. He cautioned though that the idea of removing the highway is far from certain. This is a feasibility study as to whether or not to open it up, Blakney said. This doesnt mean when we give this to the community that we are opening it up. This is a feasibility study. From the Tulsa Race Massacre, 100 Years Later Series:Interstate 244: It took the heart out of Greenwood Featured video: At the end of the week leading up to a special election on recreational marijuana, State Question 820 campaign adviser Ryan Kiesel is infuriated. He knows many fellow Oklahomans, including his own loved ones, plan to vote no Tuesday but hes mad about how some opponents are painting an important piece of criminal justice reform to scare voters. The question is about more than whether marijuana should be legal for anyone 21 and older, Kiesel said, or even the extra tax revenue. Everybody knows somebody either affected by the criminal justice system, or who is a current marijuana user, and realizes that this thing we have tried to use prohibition to deal with for generations just isnt worth ruining lives over, he said in a Tulsa World interview. But to hear from opponents of legal marijuana, lives are being ruined anyway, and to pass SQ820 would strengthen the black market, increase homelessness and exacerbate mental health issues. Oklahoma has had a medical marijuana program since 2018 that specifies no qualifying conditions for patients, leading many to say the state already has recreational due to low barriers of entry. Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler, part of the No on 820 campaign, said since SQ 788 passed that its made Oklahoma the largest black market marijuana network in the nation. He and others have pointed out the state has more growers and dispensaries than could possibly be needed for the 10% of Oklahomans who hold medical marijuana licenses. And Kiesel said a recent report found 100,000 Oklahomans are consuming cannabis without a patient card. But thats a point that can also be made in support of SQ 820, according to cannabis activist and business owner Dana McMurtry. She told the Tulsa World she is a definite yes on SQ 820 because legal adult-use marijuana will undercut the black market. Lets turn those criminals into customers, McMurtry said. Law enforcement concerns When asked last month about his opinion on the question of recreational marijuana for Oklahoma, Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton was candid in saying the medical program has already been a nightmare to police. Others share his concerns that the proliferation of bad actors trying to take advantage in Oklahoma have exceeded what we can keep up with from a law enforcement perspective. A spokesman for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs said those criminal enterprises can maximize their profits by moving here. Thats our concern. Weve already seen that the last two and a half years, Mark Woodward said in an interview with the Tulsa World. After a high-profile mass murder at a grow operation in rural Kingfisher County, stakeholders across the state became concerned about organized crime connected to marijuana. But Woodward said those homicides were not the first state agents have connected to black market grow operations. These are complex, violent criminal organizations that deal in hard drugs and human trafficking they just also happen to carry high-quality marijuana, he said. When asked about SQ 820, medical marijuana activist Norma Sapp said she doesnt expect it to pass and shared concerns about ongoing investigations into thousands of growers across the state. Kiesel acknowledged the struggle but said in addition to SQ 820 funding law enforcement efforts through multiple streams of tax revenue, it would address another problem county sheriffs have acknowledged. Theres a new tool in 820 that is very important that will give local law enforcement ... the ability to know if a grow operation that theyre looking at in their town is legal or illegal, Kiesel said. Right now its very difficult if not impossible for them to figure that out. It isnt clear what effect the higher tax rate on recreational marijuana, about double the excise on patients at the dispensary, might have on undercutting black market sales. However, Kiesel says its safe to say bad actors struggle to compete when anyone 21 and older can walk into a clean, safe dispensary instead of going to a drug dealer. Other concerns Some of the other benefits of legal adult-use marijuana are obvious, supporters say, including job creation in rural areas and criminal justice reform for nonviolent drug offenders. But opponents of SQ 820 worry expanding into recreational marijuana changes life in Oklahoma in ways that might be less obvious. In a Tulsa World interview about the state question, Sheriff Vic Regalado said he worries about the increased population of individuals with housing insecurity, many of whom are young people. Before you go to the ballot box, be armed with the facts and be able to make an educated decision on the future of Oklahoma, the Tulsa County sheriff said. The connections between legal marijuana and homelessness can be hard to pinpoint, but real estate professionals say developers are attracted to areas that can offer weed tourism. Researchers have found that, in addition to increased demand for commercial properties and storefronts, residential property values can increase about $500 for every $1 million in tax revenue from cannabis sales. Increasing market values can squeeze out local owners in favor of out-of-state investments, making affordable housing even harder to attain for many residents. Opponents of SQ820 also point out the intoxicating component of marijuana, THC, has been known to exacerbate mental illness in some individuals. Those with this sensitivity might suffer bipolar episodes or schizophrenia symptoms as a result of overexposure to THC. Individuals experiencing homelessness are especially at risk, according to research. Also at higher risk: young people, whose not-fully-developed brains can suffer more ill effects from THC. Among the most oft-repeated arguments against recreational marijuana is the increased access for minors. Defense attorney Brian Boheim said he wanted to talk to Tulsa World about SQ 820 after spending 10 years working numerous cases involving minors under the influence of marijuana. As he and others have pointed out, teen shootings have been an increasing concern locally, and Boheim attributes much of the violence to marijuana. The state of Oklahoma is acting as a cartel attempting to profit from selling drugs through distributors illegally to children, which are then killing themselves and killing each other, he said in an interview. Criminal justice reform A father of two, Kiesel said his concern about minors is that current law allows for their lives to be ruined if they make a mistake with marijuana. He said what got him involved with recreational marijuana is the same reason for 99% of the donations to the Yes on 820 campaign: making our criminal justice system more fair and more effective. Largest supporters of State Question 820 campaign The Just Trust for Action (grantmaker focusing on criminal justice reform): $1,171,400 New Approach PAC (supporting marijuana legalization across the U.S.): $750,319.95 ACLU (criminal justice reform advocacy): $570,476 Stacy Schusterman (Tulsa businesswoman and chair of family foundation focusing on racial and economic equity): $250,000 Drug Policy Action (advocacy on marijuana legalization and criminal justice reform): $218,000 Total contributions: $3,229,547 Source: Oklahoma Ethics Commission He said the gubernatorial debate illustrates a key point of proponents, when the moderator asked whether Gov. Kevin Stitt or his opponent had used marijuana. I think it was very cool of him to say that he had. ... Nobody in the room gasped, nobody fainted everybody just kind of chuckled, Kiesel said. It was because the governor admitted to doing something that thousands of other college kids have also done. ... I heard him say that and thought Well, I used marijuana in college, too. And the thing Gov. Stitt and I have in common is we were lucky enough not to be caught. Kiesel said as many as 60,000 Oklahomans have convictions for small amounts of marijuana, a point echoed by Tulsa County Chief Public Defender Corbin Brewster. Theres a real compelling moral argument that if ... weve accepted that marijuana should not be prosecuted as a crime, that we should address the sentences of those serving prison sentences for possessing marijuana, Brewster told the Tulsa World. Many low-income Oklahomans and people of color dont often have the same luck, Kiesel said. I dont think we should have a criminal justice system where (marijuana) is the basis of how your life turns out, he said, pointing out how hard it can be to get housing or a job even with a minor drug conviction. Kunzweiler has said Oklahoma doesnt need to legalize adult-use marijuana to achieve criminal justice reform, but lawmakers have found it challenging to take on such issues. Rep. Jon Echols, R-Okmulgee, went so far as to call the Legislature tone deaf. He pointed out Oklahoma had a chance to craft laws related to marijuana before a statewide grassroots effort quickly forced the industry into existence. He told Tulsa World in an interview that, if SQ 820 passes, the Legislature should be able to fund the criminal justice reform, an issue he says is popular now. But one of the organizers of that grassroots effort, Chip Paul, said its not ideal to put the burden on the Legislature for funding. Paul, among those who helped craft the language of SQ 788, said patients are worried theyll see program theyve come to rely on deteriorate. I dont think its right, and I certainly dont think its the right law for Oklahoma, Paul said. Staff writers Kelsy Schlotthauer and Olivia McCourry contributed reporting to this story. Where is recreational marijuana already legal? In chronological order: Colorado Washington Alaska Oregon Washington, D.C. California Maine Massachusetts Nevada Michigan Vermont Illinois Arizona Montana New Jersey New York Virginia New Mexico Connecticut Rhode Island Maryland Missouri Video: Gov. Kevin Stitt on SQ820 OKLAHOMA CITY A state lawmaker wants to make it easier for Oklahomans to obtain public records by creating a state officer who can mediate disputes over government documents and access to information. Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando, introduced legislation this year to create a public access counselor within the Attorney Generals Office who can step in if a state entity rejects a public records request. Pfeiffer said his bill is in response to some state agencies intentionally delaying responses to records requests despite the Oklahoma Open Records Act specifying that citizens are entitled to prompt, reasonable access. He declined to name specific state agencies. We can clean up this process so we dont find ourselves like we currently are where members of the media and members of the general public are waiting months and months, up to around 18 months, to get their public records, he said. Taxpayer dollars paid to produce these records. They belong to the people. The people should have a right to them. The Oklahoma Legislature is exempt from the Open Records Act. Pfeiffer said his House Bill 2287 is a work in progress because hes hammering out the details with Attorney General Gentner Drummonds office and the Oklahoma Press Association. Drummond has expressed support for making it easier for Oklahomans to obtain public records from state government entities. A spokesman for Drummond said the attorney general supports the idea of creating a public access counselor. On Friday, Drummond said he hired former GOP Sen. Anthony Sykes to serve as an open records czar tasked with helping state agencies to understand and follow public records laws. Drummond also said his office has cleared an internal public records backlog that dated back to the middle of 2021. Codifying this new position in state law would ensure future attorneys general make the same commitment to public records access, Pfeiffer said. HB 2287 outlines the process for a citizen to seek a review from the public access counselor if their records request is denied. Then, it lays out the steps the counselor and the attorney general can take if they believe the request was wrongly denied. Oklahoma Press Association Executive Vice President Mark Thomas said the bill could prevent news organizations from having to file a lawsuit if a records request is denied. Texas, Kansas and Illinois are among the states that have created similar government positions devoted to improving access to public records, Thomas said. I think that the concept would be a big step forward for Oklahoma, just as it has been for other states, he said. As part of her role as a local attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Kathryn Gardner has spent the past two years providing pro bono legal services to Oklahoma journalists who are struggling to obtain public records. She currently has three public records lawsuits pending against state entities or officials. In one lawsuit, an Oklahoma journalist who is writing a book on Indigenous rights alleges the offices of Gov. Kevin Stitt and former Attorney General John OConnor failed to provide prompt and reasonable access to public records. Gardner is also representing Oklahoma Watch in a lawsuit that asked a state agency to turn over public records showing applications for federal COVID relief funds. The public has a right to review government records to be informed about how state decisions are being made and how taxpayer dollars are being spent, Gardner said. In Oklahoma right now, legal action is the only recourse when a public records request is denied. For a journalist or an average citizen, thats a costly and time-consuming barrier that stops many people from moving forward, she said. Gardner said shes interested to see the final language of HB 2287. Any law that is going to make it easier to get public information into the hands of ordinary people is a good thing, she said HB 2287 cleared its first legislative hurdle Tuesday and is now eligible to be heard on the House floor. Featured video: Bein green: Republicans and the administration argued last week over different kinds of green money and the environment with Oklahomas congressional delegation not surprisingly on the GOP side. The House and Senate narrowly voted to overturn a new Labor Department rule that would allow retirement plan managers to consider non-pecuniary factors in their investment decisions, as long as they align with the best interests of plan participants and beneficiaries. These non-pecuniary factors consist mostly of what is commonly called ESG environment, social and governance considerations. Anyone can invest their own money in whatever way they choose with any ESG or other personal priorities they desire, but the Administration should not pressure retirement investors to put hard-working Americans money into funds with lower returns and higher fees, simply because they follow the Presidents liberal agenda, Sen. James Lankford said in a prepared statement. One problem with ESG investing is that it hasnt any firm definition. Even some ardent advocates of the concept say ESG has become mostly a marketing and public relations tool. A 2022 Harvard Business Review article concludes funds investing in companies that publicly embrace ESG sacrifice financial returns without gaining much, if anything, in terms of actually furthering ESG interests. Other analyses, though, have found more mixed results. For Oklahomans, and especially Oklahoma politicians, the real issue with ESG investing is that it shies away from carbon-based industries like fossil fuel, which in turn makes for higher capital costs for Oklahoma oil and gas companies. The Oklahoma Legislature has been open about that being the reason it barred state pension funds from doing business with financial firms that have ESG policies. Ironically, most of the states largest oil and gas producers also have ESG written into their bylaws and operating procedures. Sweet charity: Lankford and Delaware Democrat Chris Coons launched a joint effort to renew a non-itemized deduction for charitable contributions. The deduction, enacted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowed federal tax filers who take the standard deduction to get credit for their contributions. The deduction has since expired. Our safety net is not just government its our families who are our first safety net, Lankford said on ABCs GMA3. Second safety net are houses of worship, churches, nonprofits all over the country. Third is government. Made in China: In opening his first hearing as chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, 3rd District Congressman Frank Lucas left little doubt about his perceptions of Chinas advances in those areas. If (China) becomes the global leader in scientific discoveries and technology development, we should expect less privacy, less transparency, less access, and less fairness in how these systems operate, Lucas said, according to Science. It (would) mean fewer opportunities for American companies to compete in the global economy (and) increased risks to sensitive national security tools, critical technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum information sciences, and cybersecurity. Among those testifying was Kelvin Droegemeier, the University of Oklahoma professor who served as President Donald Trumps top science advisor. DEI: Speaking on Fox News Radio, U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin called President Joe Biden incompetent and possibly racist for emphasizing diversity in his administration. This is what happens when you check boxes and dont hire for the best person, Mullin said. You may be the most inclusive administration out there, but youre also the most incompetent. You didnt hire anybody based on qualifications. You hired them based on identity. And that in itself, I believe, is racism. When youre not hiring a person based on their quality, but youre judging them by their skin color, youre judging them by their identity, he said. Youre judging them based on who they are instead of on hiring the best person. In any other place, the Department of Labor would come after you as being a racist company and would sue you to no ends. Tribal law: Anyone hoping Congress will settle the questions and ambiguities raised by recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings on tribal sovereignty issues might want to look up Carcieri v. Salazar. That 2009 decision threw a monkey wrench into tribal efforts to put land into trust, and lawmakers have been trying with no success to fix it ever since. In Carcieri, the court ruled that the Secretary of Interior could put land into trust only for tribes recognized in 1934, when the Indian Reorganization Act was signed into law. That left out a lot of tribes and called into question the status of a lot of trust land. An amendment clarifying the IRA has been introduced in every Congress since the Carcieri decision, most recently by 4th District Congressman Tom Cole just last week. I am proud to reintroduce this important legislation to keep the promises made to tribes, respect their sovereign status and validate the status of tribal lands acquired in trust by the Secretary of Interior, Cole said in a written statement. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill in both chambers and get it to the presidents desk. Who knows: Lucas let his dissatisfaction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture be known after it was revealed the agency did not assess any penalties for failing to report foreign land acquisitions from 2015 to 2018. A memo cited limited staff and a new program manager for the lapse, but said penalties (albeit small ones) resumed five years ago. USDAs failure to report foreign acquisition of U.S. agricultural land between 2015 and 2018, which is required by the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act, is extremely troublesome, Lucas said in a press release. The foreign ownership of agricultural land threatens family farm operations and the overall health of the agricultural supply chain. Recent increases in foreign purchase of U.S. farmland, including across Oklahoma, is indicative for more transparency so that the federal government and states can address flaws in the current system. The USDA said foreign interests own about 3% of U.S. agricultural land, which includes forests, at the end of 2020. Almost two-thirds of foreign owners were based in Canada and Western Europe, while Chinese ownership a growing recent concern was quite small. That said, USDA officials have previously said keeping track of foreign ownership is quite difficult because it depends on county officials who often lack the training and resources to spot a foreign buyer using a corporation or stateside address. Dots and dashes: Lankford accused the Pentagon of teaching racist and leftist propaganda to members of the military First District Congressman Kevin Hern said Congressional Budget Office Director Phillip Swagel painted a dark picture of the federal debt and deficit during a presentation to the Republican Study Committee, but that it wasnt news to anyone whos paid attention to our spending problem. Lankford became the first Oklahoman to give the U.S. Senates annual reading of George Washingtons 1796 Farewell Address. Second District Congressman Josh Brecheen said he witnessed Border Patrol agents capturing a drug smuggler during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border. Lucas criticized aspects of the Biden administrations policy for distributing $52 billion for developing and manufacturing computer chips, including prioritizing union contracts, requiring childcare for employees and construction workers, and a revenue-sharing provision. Hern spent several days in Fort Worth, Texas, for a farm bill summit, according to Politico Lankford and Arizona independent Kyrsten Sinema indicated concern about Office of Personnel Management Director Kiran Ahujas job performance after two administration officials were hired despite reports of harassment and improper behavior in previous jobs. Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa World Featured video: A 20-people delegation of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and 14 largest seafood enterprises in the U.S. state are promoting the export of their seafood products to the Vietnamese market. Lawrence D. Bshnell, president of Gratia Dei Seafoods LLC, a seafood firm from Alaska, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that representatives of seafood companies in his delegation lauded Vietnams potential for consuming fresh and processed seafood products and considered the market as a seafood consumption center of the region. Alaskas seafood products have successfully gotten into the Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and South Korean markets. It is now high time to enter the Vietnamese market where the economy is growing fast and consumers are fond of seafood. Most of Alaskas seafood products are put under strict control. Salmon and pollack are frozen right after they are caught, so they are fresh. We want to access the [Vietnamese] market and provide information about the catching and preservation of U.S. seafood to more Vietnamese consumers, Bshnell said. At an event on Wednesday evening to connect Vietnamese and Alaska companies, Susan Burns, U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, said that seafood plays an important role in the two countries trade cooperation. U.S. consumers have approached Vietnams seafood, such as shrimp and tuna, while the U.S.s lobster, king crab, salmon, codfish, and pollack exports have recorded positive growth in the Southeast Asian country. Alaskas seafood exports to Vietnam have increased steadily, from US$9 million in 2018 to $27 million in 2022. This has contributed significantly to the agricultural trade relations between the two countries. Vietnam is currently the ninth-largest import market of the U.S.s agricultural products while the U.S. is the largest buyer of Vietnamese farm produce. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Vietnam-U.S. comprehensive partnership this year, I am proud to inform you that the bilateral agricultural trade rose from more than $4 billion in 2011 to nearly $10 billion in 2022, Burns said. U.S. firms forecast the growth to be faster following the promotion activities of U.S. enterprises that want to seek partners, distributors, and retailers to bring Alaskas salmon, codfish, pollack, and especially lobster to Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A 20-people delegation of the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and 14 largest seafood enterprises in the U.S. state are promoting the export of their seafood products to the Vietnamese market. Lawrence D. Bshnell, president of Gratia Dei Seafoods LLC, a seafood firm from Alaska, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that representatives of seafood companies in his delegation lauded Vietnams potential for consuming fresh and processed seafood products and considered the market as a seafood consumption center of the region. Alaskas seafood products have successfully gotten into the Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and South Korean markets. It is now high time to enter the Vietnamese market where the economy is growing fast and consumers are fond of seafood. Most of Alaskas seafood products are put under strict control. Salmon and pollack are frozen right after they are caught, so they are fresh. We want to access the [Vietnamese] market and provide information about the catching and preservation of U.S. seafood to more Vietnamese consumers, Bshnell said. At an event on Wednesday evening to connect Vietnamese and Alaska companies, Susan Burns, U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, said that seafood plays an important role in the two countries trade cooperation. U.S. consumers have approached Vietnams seafood, such as shrimp and tuna, while the U.S.s lobster, king crab, salmon, codfish, and pollack exports have recorded positive growth in the Southeast Asian country. Alaskas seafood exports to Vietnam have increased steadily, from US$9 million in 2018 to $27 million in 2022. This has contributed significantly to the agricultural trade relations between the two countries. Vietnam is currently the ninth-largest import market of the U.S.s agricultural products while the U.S. is the largest buyer of Vietnamese farm produce. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Vietnam-U.S. comprehensive partnership this year, I am proud to inform you that the bilateral agricultural trade rose from more than $4 billion in 2011 to nearly $10 billion in 2022, Burns said. U.S. firms forecast the growth to be faster following the promotion activities of U.S. enterprises that want to seek partners, distributors, and retailers to bring Alaskas salmon, codfish, pollack, and especially lobster to Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Many components for production and precision mechanical products made by Vietnamese enterprises surprised delegates at the seminar Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Joining Global Supply Chains held at REX Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday. Right after Do Phuoc Tong, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Mechanical and Electrical Enterprises, introduced a high-precision plastic billet at the seminar, a visitor showed their interest in using this product in his companys production line. This proves that many products of Vietnams supporting industry have met international standards but they are not well known. Do Phuoc Tong (L), chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Mechanical and Electrical Enterprises, introduces high precision parts at a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, February 28, 2023. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre At the event, MTS Vietnam Company, a high precision fabricator, delivered a presentation on 50 precision mechanical products for automobile manufacturing and electrical machinery, according to representative Dang Huyen. These products have successfully joined the supply chains of Japanese, American, and European enterprises, Huyen said. High precision parts are on display at a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, February 28, 2023. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre Cat Van Loi Joint Stock Company introduced its leading products for auxiliary equipment in the power industry, with many of them having been installed in large projects in Vietnam and exported to various countries. The booth of Dien Quang Light Bulb Joint Stock Company aroused curiosity with small, sophisticated modern components produced at its factory in the Saigon High-Tech Park in Thu Duc City. Cat Van Lois components are on display at a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, February 28, 2023. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre Notably, Dien Quang participated in the seminar as both a supplier and a buyer, according to chairman Ho Quynh Hung. The company has been promoting large-scale investment in electronics and engineering plastics industries, Hung said. Dien Quang Light Bulb Joint Stock Companys products are on display at a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, February 28, 2023. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre Specifically, it has invested in modern and synchronous production such as a LED Chip factory, an electronic board factory, OEM and ODM production and assembly, and many others. Duy Khanh Mechanical Company introduced spare parts for the automotive engine industry, which are the firms core products, besides mechanical products. Vngroups high precision parts are on display at a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, February 28, 2023. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre Do not fear low prices! Pham Van Tai, general director of Truong Hai Auto Corporation (THACO), advised that small businesses should not fear or give up because of low prices offered for their very first orders, but they should consider that as a pressure and challenge to overcome. Because when we overcome it, we will secure a place in the supply chain, Tai said. Tai elaborated that large customers who create price pressure often intend to ask for large quantities and expect long-term cooperation. The price pressure gives enterprises the motivation to improve their production chains, the general director said. Some customers asked us to reduce next years price by at least 20 percent compared to the previous year, Tai recalled. Pham Van Tai, general director of Truong Hai Auto Corporation (THACO), attends a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, February 28, 2023. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre If we cant reduce the price, they will show us how to do that. Streamlining the production chain, cutting costs, and avoiding waste are imperative. However, this practice is challenging for small businesses, Tai commented. They should find ways to connect with other partners, taking advantage of each other to fulfill orders, he suggested. It is important to satisfy buyers so that we can gain trust and they will make long-term purchases. My company used to accept breakeven prices in order to win long-term cooperation. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Editors note: English/Japanese Liam Langan recalls how his music taste has been shaped after living in Ho Chi Minh City: from the moment he stepped out of the Tan Son Nhat airport to when he began to come to terms with the citys noise. Ive been in Saigon for six months now. This city, which upon my arrival danced to its own quick, choppy beat, now seems to have slowed down so I can catch my breath, looking around once in a while when Im cruising its jumbled streets on my motorbike to think: Im here now. Im here. Ive settled into my new life. One with new opportunities, new people, a new routine, and more recently, a new genre of music. Ever since high school, this was how it happened. Anytime Id travel I found myself listening to a different kind of music, as if the genre were a direct channel into the new land and my state of mind there. And like a snake shedding its old and worn out skin, I was growing into one more befitting of the unfamiliar environment I was in. This thought first came to me during a particularly bleak winter when I was a teenager in Tokyo. All of a sudden, I couldnt stop listening to Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. The album encompassed everything I felt at the time, a sense of hopelessness dwelling in every corner of the city as the neon faded and there was only a suffocating collection of concrete buildings. They were stacked one atop the other, towering and towering. From there, the record on the vinyl turned to House and Techno, owing to my first real taste of independence in an English university where sleepless nights with friends became the norm. Despite the ecstasy, the move also came with bouts of homesickness where I scoured YouTube for anything Japanese. This led to my discovery of City-pop, a genre of 80s Japanese music that transported me thousands of miles back home into a time Id never known. For the duration of those songs the promise of Tokyo was alive and well, and I was all the better for it. Since then, my music tastes have fluctuated. Like some failed runaway I always return to Rock and Jazzmy favorites and the two parent genres that first really got me into musicbut I also let my ear wander. Its picked up a number of tunes along the way to either latch onto or simply, let go, but now, after six months in Saigon, I can safely say Ive developed a love for two genres in particular. A photo shows Ho Chi Minh City from above taken from a skyscraper in Binh Thanh Distict. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News Theres no use for a drum roll so Ill come out and say it: Ambient and Classical music are the two genres I cant stop listening to. Its ironic that these are the ones that have taken over, but it also makes a lot of sense. However, for you to get an idea of why they are, Ill have to give you an outline of my time here so far. The moment I stepped out the door at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, I was met with a barrage of noise. Family members wailed happy greetings, children running off into the arms of giggly grandmothers while friends and lovers reunited with hugs and kisses. Photos were taken, snapsnapsnapping and the flashes made them feel as loud as flash bangs. Id taken my earphones off and heard everything all at once. Saigon, I was here now, facing a wall of what looked like a thousand Vietnamese faces when I was struck with the fact that I knew no one. And wasnt that as exciting as it was scary? Rolling my bag along, taxi drivers waved and called me over, asking where I was going and promising to take me there for cheap. I nodded, somewhat embarrassed as I bowed my head, the noise swarming all around. From then on, the noise never stopped. I quickly realized that in Saigon, no matter where you are, youre always close enough to hear something. Whether its the incessant howl of an ambulance stuck in traffic, the bubble and pop of a boiling pot of broth, or a cats yawn as she stretches out in a sunlit alley, the notion of a complete silence escaped meThere was no such thing and had there ever been? Weeks passed. I started work as an English teacher where the noise was even more rampantClassrooms stuffed with twenty-three nine-year-olds letting off steam to smaller groups of five-year-olds where we sang, danced, and clapped our hands. Though I then believed a class of quiet, obedient students would be a godsend, my first lesson with a group of clammed up teenagers proved otherwise. I spent a whole two hours attempting to make up for their silence, feeling like some weekday clown as I cajoled and joked while they stared back blankly; one should never have to endure such humiliation. After a while of this, I began to come to terms with Saigons noise. I found my spot in the hubbub and the pitch on the speakers lowered, the never-ending honks and cheery local chatter fading out until it was all in the back, all behind me. It was like being underwater and looking up. You see the sunlight shift across the waters surface but it never touches you. You only float in deep blue space. I was no longer affected, sort of ambling on at my own pace and call it fate or call it whatever but it was around then the transition into listening to more Ambient and Classical music was made. Nowadays, Ambient artists like Brian Eno, Hiroshi Yoshimura, and Kenichiro Isoda, or Classical pianists like Chopin, Debussy, and John Fields have taken over so my flat is at all times filled with the music of their gentle peace. But is it a peace from Saigon or a peace within it? Am I running from the city-wide madness or have I adapted to it? Thats a question I still havent figured out the answer to. A greater part of me believes its the former because that ones easier to stomach, but then again, it is true that I feel more at home here now than I ever have. Its a funny thought then to imagine that maybe all the locals have some silent Ambient track or pretty Classical piece playing through their head, as if for anyone to really be able to function in this city, one needs to tune into the order amongst the chaos, be in a perpetual calm in spite of the storm. Who knows. At this point its all speculation and at the end of the day, does it even matter? All I know is that Im here now, Im here, and this is the music of my new home. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Editors note: English/Japanese Liam Langan recalls how his music taste has been shaped after living in Ho Chi Minh City: from the moment he stepped out of the Tan Son Nhat airport to when he began to come to terms with the citys noise. Ive been in Saigon for six months now. This city, which upon my arrival danced to its own quick, choppy beat, now seems to have slowed down so I can catch my breath, looking around once in a while when Im cruising its jumbled streets on my motorbike to think: Im here now. Im here. Ive settled into my new life. One with new opportunities, new people, a new routine, and more recently, a new genre of music. Ever since high school, this was how it happened. Anytime Id travel I found myself listening to a different kind of music, as if the genre were a direct channel into the new land and my state of mind there. And like a snake shedding its old and worn out skin, I was growing into one more befitting of the unfamiliar environment I was in. This thought first came to me during a particularly bleak winter when I was a teenager in Tokyo. All of a sudden, I couldnt stop listening to Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. The album encompassed everything I felt at the time, a sense of hopelessness dwelling in every corner of the city as the neon faded and there was only a suffocating collection of concrete buildings. They were stacked one atop the other, towering and towering. From there, the record on the vinyl turned to House and Techno, owing to my first real taste of independence in an English university where sleepless nights with friends became the norm. Despite the ecstasy, the move also came with bouts of homesickness where I scoured YouTube for anything Japanese. This led to my discovery of City-pop, a genre of 80s Japanese music that transported me thousands of miles back home into a time Id never known. For the duration of those songs the promise of Tokyo was alive and well, and I was all the better for it. Since then, my music tastes have fluctuated. Like some failed runaway I always return to Rock and Jazzmy favorites and the two parent genres that first really got me into musicbut I also let my ear wander. Its picked up a number of tunes along the way to either latch onto or simply, let go, but now, after six months in Saigon, I can safely say Ive developed a love for two genres in particular. A photo shows Ho Chi Minh City from above taken from a skyscraper in Binh Thanh Distict. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News Theres no use for a drum roll so Ill come out and say it: Ambient and Classical music are the two genres I cant stop listening to. Its ironic that these are the ones that have taken over, but it also makes a lot of sense. However, for you to get an idea of why they are, Ill have to give you an outline of my time here so far. The moment I stepped out the door at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, I was met with a barrage of noise. Family members wailed happy greetings, children running off into the arms of giggly grandmothers while friends and lovers reunited with hugs and kisses. Photos were taken, snapsnapsnapping and the flashes made them feel as loud as flash bangs. Id taken my earphones off and heard everything all at once. Saigon, I was here now, facing a wall of what looked like a thousand Vietnamese faces when I was struck with the fact that I knew no one. And wasnt that as exciting as it was scary? Rolling my bag along, taxi drivers waved and called me over, asking where I was going and promising to take me there for cheap. I nodded, somewhat embarrassed as I bowed my head, the noise swarming all around. From then on, the noise never stopped. I quickly realized that in Saigon, no matter where you are, youre always close enough to hear something. Whether its the incessant howl of an ambulance stuck in traffic, the bubble and pop of a boiling pot of broth, or a cats yawn as she stretches out in a sunlit alley, the notion of a complete silence escaped meThere was no such thing and had there ever been? Weeks passed. I started work as an English teacher where the noise was even more rampantClassrooms stuffed with twenty-three nine-year-olds letting off steam to smaller groups of five-year-olds where we sang, danced, and clapped our hands. Though I then believed a class of quiet, obedient students would be a godsend, my first lesson with a group of clammed up teenagers proved otherwise. I spent a whole two hours attempting to make up for their silence, feeling like some weekday clown as I cajoled and joked while they stared back blankly; one should never have to endure such humiliation. After a while of this, I began to come to terms with Saigons noise. I found my spot in the hubbub and the pitch on the speakers lowered, the never-ending honks and cheery local chatter fading out until it was all in the back, all behind me. It was like being underwater and looking up. You see the sunlight shift across the waters surface but it never touches you. You only float in deep blue space. I was no longer affected, sort of ambling on at my own pace and call it fate or call it whatever but it was around then the transition into listening to more Ambient and Classical music was made. Nowadays, Ambient artists like Brian Eno, Hiroshi Yoshimura, and Kenichiro Isoda, or Classical pianists like Chopin, Debussy, and John Fields have taken over so my flat is at all times filled with the music of their gentle peace. But is it a peace from Saigon or a peace within it? Am I running from the city-wide madness or have I adapted to it? Thats a question I still havent figured out the answer to. A greater part of me believes its the former because that ones easier to stomach, but then again, it is true that I feel more at home here now than I ever have. Its a funny thought then to imagine that maybe all the locals have some silent Ambient track or pretty Classical piece playing through their head, as if for anyone to really be able to function in this city, one needs to tune into the order amongst the chaos, be in a perpetual calm in spite of the storm. Who knows. At this point its all speculation and at the end of the day, does it even matter? All I know is that Im here now, Im here, and this is the music of my new home. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! PHNOM PENH, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has voiced his country's support for China's 12-point proposal to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying "China has played a leading role in seeking peace" between Russia and Ukraine. Cambodia supports the proposal because it states the respect for international law and principles of the United Nations Charter, Hun Sen said on Friday in a speech during the closing ceremony of an annual conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The proposal has also called for ceasing hostilities, resuming peace talks, and stopping unilateral sanctions, the Cambodian leader said. "These points are in line with Cambodia's position." "In addition, China's proposal has also focused on the humanitarian aspect, food security, and post-conflict reconstruction," Hun Sen said. "Cambodia would like to call on all concerned parties to take China's proposal into thorough consideration in order to stop the fighting, to end people's suffering and destruction of properties and infrastructure, and to bring back peace," he said. To push forward the political settlement of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Chinese Foreign Ministry released last month a paper stating Beijing's position on the issue. In the paper, China put forward a 12-point proposal to end the conflict in Ukraine by addressing both the symptoms and the root causes of the crisis, and reiterated the necessity to end the conflict through dialogue and negotiation. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined 50,000 revelers on Sunday in a march across Sydney's Harbour Bridge to celebrate the final day of WorldPride festival. The crowd, decked out in rainbow flags and colourful outfits, streamed across the bridge on Sunday morning in sight of the iconic Opera House, just off to their left. "This is just a great celebration and its symbolic of bringing people together, the unity, thats what a bridge does," said Albanese. "Over the last 17 days it has been a great moment of unity and celebrating the diversity in Australian society and also sending a message to the world that were enriched by it." People march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge for equality as part of the 2023 WorldPride festival in Sydney, Australia, March 5, 2023. Photo: Reuters Sydney is the first city in the southern hemisphere to host WorldPride, a global festival celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. The 17-day festival coincides with the fifth anniversary of Australia passing marriage equality legislation. "Im very proud to be marching with the community that I love so much and celebrate how far things have come," said "Jurassic Park" star Sam Neill during the march. Sharlene Dixon, who travelled from Perth for the march, said she was moved to tears by the procession of "78'ers" who led the march. The group is made up of participants of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1978. "I was in tears on the parade watching them, everything theyve done and where weve come has just been great. I was able to marry my wife and have a normal life, so to speak, so its pretty great." Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined 50,000 revelers on Sunday in a march across Sydney's Harbour Bridge to celebrate the final day of WorldPride festival. The crowd, decked out in rainbow flags and colourful outfits, streamed across the bridge on Sunday morning in sight of the iconic Opera House, just off to their left. "This is just a great celebration and its symbolic of bringing people together, the unity, thats what a bridge does," said Albanese. "Over the last 17 days it has been a great moment of unity and celebrating the diversity in Australian society and also sending a message to the world that were enriched by it." People march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge for equality as part of the 2023 WorldPride festival in Sydney, Australia, March 5, 2023. Photo: Reuters Sydney is the first city in the southern hemisphere to host WorldPride, a global festival celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. The 17-day festival coincides with the fifth anniversary of Australia passing marriage equality legislation. "Im very proud to be marching with the community that I love so much and celebrate how far things have come," said "Jurassic Park" star Sam Neill during the march. Sharlene Dixon, who travelled from Perth for the march, said she was moved to tears by the procession of "78'ers" who led the march. The group is made up of participants of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1978. "I was in tears on the parade watching them, everything theyve done and where weve come has just been great. I was able to marry my wife and have a normal life, so to speak, so its pretty great." It is past midnight on a beach in southern Thailand and 12-year-old Prin Uthaisangchai is anxiously staring at a leatherback turtle nest, waiting for scores of the endangered hatchlings to scrabble out from the sand. The Bangkok secondary school pupil is producing a short documentary about the snappers, under a programme run by the Environmental and Social Foundation, an NGO working to educate children about conservation. That morning a team of marine biologists noticed the sand covering one of the leatherback nests on Phang Nga beach was beginning to sink in on itself. That was a telltale sign the eggs buried inside were starting to crack and that sometime that night the hatchlings would emerge and make a dash to the ocean under the cover of darkness. But after more than 20 hours with no sign of any baby turtles, Prin and the team grew worried. Donning plastic gloves, they carefully dug into the nest to give each squirming critter a helping hand into the world. Soon the tiny turtles were scrambling towards the shore where waves swept in, taking them into their new ocean home. "I feel very disappointed how we have to interfere with a natural living thing that shouldn't need a human's help," said Prin. "But in the end, we have to help." Bangkok secondary school pupil Prin Uthaisangchai is producing a short documentary about leatherback turtles to raise conservation awareness. Photo: AFP Reclaiming the beaches Leatherbacksthe world's largest sea turtle weighing up to 500 kilogrammesare a rarity in Thailand thanks to habitat loss, plastic pollution and consumption of their eggs. The creatures are listed as vulnerable globally on The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, with many sub-populations deemed critically endangered. The pandemic allowed the turtles to reclaim beaches usually packed with tourists, with marine biologists recording an increase in nests. Better protections for the creatures have also helped. Thailand banned poaching their eggs in 1982, and locals are now awarded 20,000 baht ($570) for reporting a leatherback nestlike the one closely watched by Prin under the moonlight. But only 87 hatchlings from 126 eggs in the nest survived their short journey to the sea. "It was a good decision to lend them a hand otherwise we would see more deaths," said marine biologist Hirun Kanghae from the government-run Phuket Marine Biological Centre. Prin spent two years visiting Thailand's southern coast during school breaks, researching the animal's habitat, interviewing experts, and chasing turtle tracks on beaches. His 10-minute film, which is now in post-production, will be one of a dozen produced by the Environmental and Social Foundation in the hope of informing other young people about the endangered marine animals in their country. "I like how they're great swimmers and that they can dive the deepest," he said of the leatherbacks. "I want to spread awareness to people around me and people on the other side of the world to hear the leatherback turtle story, why they're going extinct." It is past midnight on a beach in southern Thailand and 12-year-old Prin Uthaisangchai is anxiously staring at a leatherback turtle nest, waiting for scores of the endangered hatchlings to scrabble out from the sand. The Bangkok secondary school pupil is producing a short documentary about the snappers, under a programme run by the Environmental and Social Foundation, an NGO working to educate children about conservation. That morning a team of marine biologists noticed the sand covering one of the leatherback nests on Phang Nga beach was beginning to sink in on itself. That was a telltale sign the eggs buried inside were starting to crack and that sometime that night the hatchlings would emerge and make a dash to the ocean under the cover of darkness. But after more than 20 hours with no sign of any baby turtles, Prin and the team grew worried. Donning plastic gloves, they carefully dug into the nest to give each squirming critter a helping hand into the world. Soon the tiny turtles were scrambling towards the shore where waves swept in, taking them into their new ocean home. "I feel very disappointed how we have to interfere with a natural living thing that shouldn't need a human's help," said Prin. "But in the end, we have to help." Bangkok secondary school pupil Prin Uthaisangchai is producing a short documentary about leatherback turtles to raise conservation awareness. Photo: AFP Reclaiming the beaches Leatherbacksthe world's largest sea turtle weighing up to 500 kilogrammesare a rarity in Thailand thanks to habitat loss, plastic pollution and consumption of their eggs. The creatures are listed as vulnerable globally on The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, with many sub-populations deemed critically endangered. The pandemic allowed the turtles to reclaim beaches usually packed with tourists, with marine biologists recording an increase in nests. Better protections for the creatures have also helped. Thailand banned poaching their eggs in 1982, and locals are now awarded 20,000 baht ($570) for reporting a leatherback nestlike the one closely watched by Prin under the moonlight. But only 87 hatchlings from 126 eggs in the nest survived their short journey to the sea. "It was a good decision to lend them a hand otherwise we would see more deaths," said marine biologist Hirun Kanghae from the government-run Phuket Marine Biological Centre. Prin spent two years visiting Thailand's southern coast during school breaks, researching the animal's habitat, interviewing experts, and chasing turtle tracks on beaches. His 10-minute film, which is now in post-production, will be one of a dozen produced by the Environmental and Social Foundation in the hope of informing other young people about the endangered marine animals in their country. "I like how they're great swimmers and that they can dive the deepest," he said of the leatherbacks. "I want to spread awareness to people around me and people on the other side of the world to hear the leatherback turtle story, why they're going extinct." Police in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam have arrested three suspects for robbing South Korean tourists earlier this week, sparking public concerns. On February 24, police in Tan Lap Ward, Nha Trang City received a report by Jeon Sohyun, a 27-year-old South Korean traveler who was robbed by two men riding a blue scooter on Ngo Thoi Nhiem Street in the ward. The two men snatched her bag with two iPhones, VND2 million (US$84.3), and over $200 inside. Police in Nha Trang City on Tuesday continued receiving reports that two men riding a blue scooter tried to snatch a bag from another South Korean visitor at 1:00 pm on the same day but they failed to take the bag. The visitor did not report the case to police officers but a video of it was uploaded to social media. Police officers later found that the two men involved in the two cases were the same. They were detained on Tuesday evening while riding an AirBlade-branded scooter with the number plate 79H1-996.52 on Cao Ba Quat Street in Nha Trang. They are Nguyen Dinh Quang, 44, residing in Phuoc Tan Ward, and Phan Thanh Quang, a 49-year-old resident of Van Thang Ward. Thanh Quang has two previous convictions for robbery. The two admitted to committing the two robbery cases, adding that they had another accomplice named Truong Van Phuoc, 48, who was hiding himself in Phuoc Dong Commune, Nha Trang City. Phuoc was apprehended soon later. The trio said that Phuoc and Thanh Quang had no stable jobs and accommodations, so Dinh Quang rented a room in Phuoc Dong Commune for them. Thanh Quang and Phuoc directly committed robbery cases. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam have arrested three suspects for robbing South Korean tourists earlier this week, sparking public concerns. On February 24, police in Tan Lap Ward, Nha Trang City received a report by Jeon Sohyun, a 27-year-old South Korean traveler who was robbed by two men riding a blue scooter on Ngo Thoi Nhiem Street in the ward. The two men snatched her bag with two iPhones, VND2 million (US$84.3), and over $200 inside. Police in Nha Trang City on Tuesday continued receiving reports that two men riding a blue scooter tried to snatch a bag from another South Korean visitor at 1:00 pm on the same day but they failed to take the bag. The visitor did not report the case to police officers but a video of it was uploaded to social media. Police officers later found that the two men involved in the two cases were the same. They were detained on Tuesday evening while riding an AirBlade-branded scooter with the number plate 79H1-996.52 on Cao Ba Quat Street in Nha Trang. They are Nguyen Dinh Quang, 44, residing in Phuoc Tan Ward, and Phan Thanh Quang, a 49-year-old resident of Van Thang Ward. Thanh Quang has two previous convictions for robbery. The two admitted to committing the two robbery cases, adding that they had another accomplice named Truong Van Phuoc, 48, who was hiding himself in Phuoc Dong Commune, Nha Trang City. Phuoc was apprehended soon later. The trio said that Phuoc and Thanh Quang had no stable jobs and accommodations, so Dinh Quang rented a room in Phuoc Dong Commune for them. Thanh Quang and Phuoc directly committed robbery cases. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Hanoi apprehended two babysitters of an unregistered daycare facility in Thuong Tin District on Friday for the investigation into their assault on a 17-month-old boy to death last month. Nguyen Thi An, 30, and Nguyen Thi Lanh, 31, are being investigated for murder, according to police officers. The family of the victim, 17-month-old P.T.D., reported his death following his attendance at the daycare facility run by An and Lanh to the police department of Thuong Tin District at around 5:00 pm on Wednesday. An and Lanh were immediately summoned by the police and said in their first account that the boy fell on his own and was not affected by outside forces. However, the unusual points in the account did not convince police officers. The two babysitters then gave a different account, saying that Lanh walked backward and bumped into D. and An slipped in an attempt to hold the baby, causing the victim to fall and hit his head on the floor. As this account still contradicted the injuries on the victims body, police kept questioning the two women. It took about one day until An and Lanh admitted to assaulting the baby to death. Accordingly, Lanh was angry at D. for crying and running outdoors when it was nap time at the daycare facility on the morning of February 23 and used her two hands to pick D. up and threw him down, causing his head to hit the floor. Then, Lanh slapped the victim and An kicked the babys stomach, chest, as well as booted and stepped on his head. When the childs parents came to pick him up on the same day, the two babysitters said that D. fell by himself. D.s family kept sending him to the daycare place on February 24, 25, and 26. On the morning of February 26, An kicked D.s abdomen again for crying. The kick left the victim unconscious. An and Lanh called the babys family and then took the victim to a medical facility for emergency treatment. The boy was then transferred to a hospital, which gave him a death prognosis on Wednesday afternoon. His family took him home and he passed away on Thursday afternoon. Autopsy workers determined the cause of D.s death was traumatic brain injury, bleeding, and cerebral edema. An and Lanh rented a house in Thuong Tin District to provide daycare service and have yet to make business registration. They babysat a total of six children, with D. just boarding their place for more than one week at the time of the incident. The two women made excuses for their violent behaviors as a way to train D. to follow the daycare facility's regulations. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Hanoi apprehended two babysitters of an unregistered daycare facility in Thuong Tin District on Friday for the investigation into their assault on a 17-month-old boy to death last month. Nguyen Thi An, 30, and Nguyen Thi Lanh, 31, are being investigated for murder, according to police officers. The family of the victim, 17-month-old P.T.D., reported his death following his attendance at the daycare facility run by An and Lanh to the police department of Thuong Tin District at around 5:00 pm on Wednesday. An and Lanh were immediately summoned by the police and said in their first account that the boy fell on his own and was not affected by outside forces. However, the unusual points in the account did not convince police officers. The two babysitters then gave a different account, saying that Lanh walked backward and bumped into D. and An slipped in an attempt to hold the baby, causing the victim to fall and hit his head on the floor. As this account still contradicted the injuries on the victims body, police kept questioning the two women. It took about one day until An and Lanh admitted to assaulting the baby to death. Accordingly, Lanh was angry at D. for crying and running outdoors when it was nap time at the daycare facility on the morning of February 23 and used her two hands to pick D. up and threw him down, causing his head to hit the floor. Then, Lanh slapped the victim and An kicked the babys stomach, chest, as well as booted and stepped on his head. When the childs parents came to pick him up on the same day, the two babysitters said that D. fell by himself. D.s family kept sending him to the daycare place on February 24, 25, and 26. On the morning of February 26, An kicked D.s abdomen again for crying. The kick left the victim unconscious. An and Lanh called the babys family and then took the victim to a medical facility for emergency treatment. The boy was then transferred to a hospital, which gave him a death prognosis on Wednesday afternoon. His family took him home and he passed away on Thursday afternoon. Autopsy workers determined the cause of D.s death was traumatic brain injury, bleeding, and cerebral edema. An and Lanh rented a house in Thuong Tin District to provide daycare service and have yet to make business registration. They babysat a total of six children, with D. just boarding their place for more than one week at the time of the incident. The two women made excuses for their violent behaviors as a way to train D. to follow the daycare facility's regulations. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Check out the news you should not miss today in Vietnam: Society -- Police in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam have arrested three suspects for robbing South Korean tourists, sparking public concerns. -- Ho Chi Minh City needs more than VND101 trillion (US$4.3 billion) for 120 flood control and wastewater treatment projects in the 2021-25 period. However, the city was allocated only VND17.4 trillion ($733.7 million) to develop these projects, according to the municipal Department of Construction. -- Five teen boys, aged between 14 and 18, residing in Yen Thanh and Dien Chau Districts, Nghe An Province, north-central Vietnam were detained on Saturday for throwing stones at many sleeper buses passing through Dien Chau District. -- The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the investor of Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province, has proposed delaying the planned completion time of the essential facility component of the project until 2026 instead of 2025 as initially planned, as it needs an additional six months to complete the passenger terminal. The airport project, including four components, will be the largest airport in Vietnam upon completion. -- Le Trung Chinh, chairman of the Peoples Committee of Da Nang City in central Vietnam on Saturday required relevant departments and agencies to work with the immigration unit at Da Nang International Airport to cut the immigration procedure completion time and deal with taxis overcharging customers. The requirement was made after the city received tourists complaints. Business -- Vietnamese real estate firm FLC Group will weigh transferring its stake at Bamboo Airways this year, FLC chairman Le Ba Nguyen said at the groups extraordinary shareholders meeting in Hanoi on Saturday. FLC currently holds a 21.7-percent stake in the airline. Lifestyle -- The Women's Union in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam has mobilized private capital resources to present over 2,000 ao dai (Vietnamese traditional costume) to underprivileged women in the province on the occasion of International Women's Day (March 8). -- Vietnam is listed among the top six best Asian destinations for a family holiday, according to the New Zealand Herald, a daily newspaper published in New Zealand. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Check out the news you should not miss today in Vietnam: Society -- Police in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam have arrested three suspects for robbing South Korean tourists, sparking public concerns. -- Ho Chi Minh City needs more than VND101 trillion (US$4.3 billion) for 120 flood control and wastewater treatment projects in the 2021-25 period. However, the city was allocated only VND17.4 trillion ($733.7 million) to develop these projects, according to the municipal Department of Construction. -- Five teen boys, aged between 14 and 18, residing in Yen Thanh and Dien Chau Districts, Nghe An Province, north-central Vietnam were detained on Saturday for throwing stones at many sleeper buses passing through Dien Chau District. -- The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the investor of Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province, has proposed delaying the planned completion time of the essential facility component of the project until 2026 instead of 2025 as initially planned, as it needs an additional six months to complete the passenger terminal. The airport project, including four components, will be the largest airport in Vietnam upon completion. -- Le Trung Chinh, chairman of the Peoples Committee of Da Nang City in central Vietnam on Saturday required relevant departments and agencies to work with the immigration unit at Da Nang International Airport to cut the immigration procedure completion time and deal with taxis overcharging customers. The requirement was made after the city received tourists complaints. Business -- Vietnamese real estate firm FLC Group will weigh transferring its stake at Bamboo Airways this year, FLC chairman Le Ba Nguyen said at the groups extraordinary shareholders meeting in Hanoi on Saturday. FLC currently holds a 21.7-percent stake in the airline. Lifestyle -- The Women's Union in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam has mobilized private capital resources to present over 2,000 ao dai (Vietnamese traditional costume) to underprivileged women in the province on the occasion of International Women's Day (March 8). -- Vietnam is listed among the top six best Asian destinations for a family holiday, according to the New Zealand Herald, a daily newspaper published in New Zealand. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the investor of Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam has proposed delaying the planned completion time of the essential facility component of the project until 2026 instead of 2025 as initially planned, as it needs an additional six months to complete the passenger terminal. The airport project, including four components, will be the largest airport in Vietnam upon completion. Package 5.10 to construct and install equipment at the passenger terminal of the airport belongs to the third componentessential facilities. The ACV made the proposal in a statement sent to the Ministry of Transport. According to the corporation, it asked the airport project management board to request the HAAA consulting consortium, including South Koreas Heerim, the UKs Arup, Australias Aurecon, and Frances ADPi, to review the construction time of package 5.10. The requirement was based on the experience from the failure in holding a tender for the package and the proposals of contractors. The consulting consortium later suggested that the passenger terminal be executed in 39 months, including 36 months of construction and six months of trial operation with three months of concurrent construction and trial operation. The proposal was later verified by a consortium of Consultant & Inspection JSC of Construction Technology and Equipment, Vietnam National Construction Consultants Corporation, and the Institute of Construction Economics. Following the proposal of the technical design consultant and the assessment of the verification consultant, the project management board agreed that the minimum construction time of 39 months for the passenger terminal is reasonable. The ACV informed that bidding documents for the second tender were issued on January 19 and interested enterprises should not submit their bidding dossiers later than March 28. To attract capable and experienced contractors for package 5.10, the ACV proposed adjusting the planned completion time of the third component to 2026. Package 5.10, worth over VND35.2 trillion (US$1.5 billion), is the largest package of the passenger terminal in the first phase of the Long Thanh International Airport project. In October last year, the ACV held a conference to invite tenders for the package but only one contractor submitted its bidding documents when the bid ended on November 8, 2022. As a result, the time for the submission of bidding dossiers was extended to November 23, 2022 but all bidding dossiers failed to meet the requirements. The ACV later decided to cancel the bidding. In a document sent to the prime minister, the Vietnam Association of Construction Contractors stated that it is unfeasible to complete package 5.10 within 33 months, so it attracted a few contractors. According to some foreign contractors involved in other projects in Vietnam, the workload of the Noi Bai International Airport expansion project in Hanoi is only one-third of that of Long Thanh International Airport but it needs 36 months for completion. The Long Thanh International Airport project, located some 40 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, will cover around 5,000 hectares of land and was designed to have an annual capacity of 100 million passengers and five million tons of cargo. The under-construction airport project is expected to ease pressure on the overcrowded Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. The project needs an estimated investment of some VND336.63 trillion ($14.2 billion). Of the total, VND114.45 trillion ($4.8 billion) will be poured into the first phase, in which a runway, a passenger terminal, and other supporting facilities will be developed to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo per year. The phase was earlier expected to be completed in 2025 at the latest. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the investor of Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam has proposed delaying the planned completion time of the essential facility component of the project until 2026 instead of 2025 as initially planned, as it needs an additional six months to complete the passenger terminal. The airport project, including four components, will be the largest airport in Vietnam upon completion. Package 5.10 to construct and install equipment at the passenger terminal of the airport belongs to the third componentessential facilities. The ACV made the proposal in a statement sent to the Ministry of Transport. According to the corporation, it asked the airport project management board to request the HAAA consulting consortium, including South Koreas Heerim, the UKs Arup, Australias Aurecon, and Frances ADPi, to review the construction time of package 5.10. The requirement was based on the experience from the failure in holding a tender for the package and the proposals of contractors. The consulting consortium later suggested that the passenger terminal be executed in 39 months, including 36 months of construction and six months of trial operation with three months of concurrent construction and trial operation. The proposal was later verified by a consortium of Consultant & Inspection JSC of Construction Technology and Equipment, Vietnam National Construction Consultants Corporation, and the Institute of Construction Economics. Following the proposal of the technical design consultant and the assessment of the verification consultant, the project management board agreed that the minimum construction time of 39 months for the passenger terminal is reasonable. The ACV informed that bidding documents for the second tender were issued on January 19 and interested enterprises should not submit their bidding dossiers later than March 28. To attract capable and experienced contractors for package 5.10, the ACV proposed adjusting the planned completion time of the third component to 2026. Package 5.10, worth over VND35.2 trillion (US$1.5 billion), is the largest package of the passenger terminal in the first phase of the Long Thanh International Airport project. In October last year, the ACV held a conference to invite tenders for the package but only one contractor submitted its bidding documents when the bid ended on November 8, 2022. As a result, the time for the submission of bidding dossiers was extended to November 23, 2022 but all bidding dossiers failed to meet the requirements. The ACV later decided to cancel the bidding. In a document sent to the prime minister, the Vietnam Association of Construction Contractors stated that it is unfeasible to complete package 5.10 within 33 months, so it attracted a few contractors. According to some foreign contractors involved in other projects in Vietnam, the workload of the Noi Bai International Airport expansion project in Hanoi is only one-third of that of Long Thanh International Airport but it needs 36 months for completion. The Long Thanh International Airport project, located some 40 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, will cover around 5,000 hectares of land and was designed to have an annual capacity of 100 million passengers and five million tons of cargo. The under-construction airport project is expected to ease pressure on the overcrowded Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. The project needs an estimated investment of some VND336.63 trillion ($14.2 billion). Of the total, VND114.45 trillion ($4.8 billion) will be poured into the first phase, in which a runway, a passenger terminal, and other supporting facilities will be developed to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo per year. The phase was earlier expected to be completed in 2025 at the latest. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Less than a week after a deadly migrant shipwreck off Italy, five European Union member states on the Mediterranean Sea pushed back Saturday against their northern neighbours for not accepting asylum-seekers under a voluntary relocation initiative. The ministers responsible for migration policy in Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain met in Malta's capital, Valletta, ahead of next week's EU ministerial meeting on migration in Brussels. The countries started working together as the MED 5 in 2021 to confront the challenges of illegal migration. Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum Notis Mitarachi told reporters that just 1% of the migrants who arrived in those front-line nations along the EUs southern border last year were taken in by other EU members under a voluntary relocation program. We cannot continue to talk about the need to impose more responsibility on front-line member states if there is not an equally prescriptive and mandatory solidarity mechanism toward the countries of first reception, Mitarachi said. Spains interior minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gomez, said the current process is too slow, too selective, with too few results and too little predictability. He pledged to come up with a more effective mechanism when Spain holds the EU's rotating presidency in the second half of 2023. The ministers also emphasized the need to work with the countries where many migrants are originally from and travel through. Such measures could include giving financial aid to countries of origin or transit to stem the flows to Europe, Maltas home affairs minister, Byron Camillieri, said. The officials further called for the EU border agency Frontex to deploy more resources and for stepping up the pace of returning people who do not qualify for asylum. Story continues For the credibility of the asylum system, it is critical that we distinguish between those that are entitled to international protection according to the law, and those who are not, Mitarachi said. And those who are not should be returned with safety and dignity to the country of origin. According to the UN refugee agency, some 160,100 migrants arrived in Europe via the Mediterranean Sea last year, 30% more than in 2021. Thousands of people are believed to have died trying to cross the sea to Europe in recent years. At least 70 migrants died after a wooden boat that set out from Turkey crashed on a shoal off the southern Italian coast, in Calabria, early last Sunday. CPAC attendees voted online, not using voting machines. CPAC attendees voted online, not using voting machines. OXON HILL, Md. Donald Trump topped the straw poll of declared and likely 2024 presidential candidates at this weeks Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) a shock to no one who has followed the increasingly Trump-dominated gathering of activists in recent years. Trump was the clear winner on the question of whom respondents would support if the 2024 presidential primary were held today, earning 62% of the vote. In second place was Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) with 20%. DeSantis, widely seen as Trumps chief rival, has yet to declare his candidacy officially. However, he is reportedly heading to Iowa, the first presidential nominating state for Republicans, later this month and is sitting on a massive campaign war chest. Roughly 2,000 CPAC guests voted in the poll online using their conference credentials. Kari Lake, the 2022 Arizona Republican gubernatorial nominee who spoke several times at CPAC, was the top choice for vice president. Of the respondents, 20% said they want Lake to be Trumps running mate. Support for Trump had noticeably softened from last years poll when Trump topped the hypothetical matchup, with 85% of respondents citing him as their top choice for GOP nominee. CPAC hosts conferences nationwide and internationally throughout the year, but the late-winter event is historically the countrys biggest gathering of conservative activists. Saturdays poll preceded Trumps keynote speech and was the first taken for the organization since Trump launched his third presidential campaign in November. It showed that at least the people willing to shell out roughly $300 for a CPAC ticket are still in thrall to Trump, far more than in other national polls of the 2024 field. We believe in the man, and we want him to win in his terms bigly, said Allyse Wolf, a Texan who made up one-fifth of a group whose sequined jackets spelled out T-R-U-M-P. A lot of people say, I dont like the way he tweets or I dont like the way he talks about people. Who cares? As long as he does the job of getting this country back on its feet and where it belongs. Story continues Ruth Goetz, a Maryland GOP central committee member wearing a homemade, bright red Trump 2024 dress, said she didnt get the impression that any other 2024 candidate had a major base of support. Im wearing a Trump 2024 dress, so its all they talk to me about, Goetz said. [Trump] did so much for our country. He accomplished so much. Trumps possible opponents mostly avoided the conference, and the reception wasnt necessarily warm for those who did show up. Trump backers accosted former Republican South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley after her speech, NBC News reported. Anti-woke activist Vivek Ramaswamy, who had a solo speaking slot, barely registered at 1%, along with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Only 2% of CPAC attendees were undecided. The biggest surprise was Michigan businessman Perry Johnson, whom 5% of respondents said they would vote for today (Johnson came to CPAC with a massive bus of supporters). Johnson beat Haley, Trumps former U.N. ambassador, by 2 percentage points. Related... Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5) The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested four foreign fugitives in separate operations in Cavite province and Makati City. In a statement released Sunday, the BI said one of the arrested fugitives was a Korean reportedly the subject of an arrest warrant for extortion charges. The fugitive allegedly received around $7.4 million from a compatriot through intimidation and violence. The Korean was arrested in Bacoor, Cavite last Feb. 27. On March 1, a Taiwanese was arrested in Makati City for allegedly being a member of a syndicate involved in illegal drugs trade and telecommunications fraud. Two other Taiwanese nationals were arrested in Makati on March 1 for alleged involvement in illegal drugs trade, telecommunications fraud, and kidnapping. The BI said the four fugitives were already undocumented aliens when they were arrested as their passports were already revoked by their respective governments. "They will all be deported for being undesirable aliens and will be included in our blacklist to prevent them from re-entering the Philippines. We will not allow our country to be used as a refuge for wanted foreign criminals," BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said. As of writing, the foreign fugitives are detained at the BI detention center in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation proceedings. HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the Vietnam National Innovation Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) in Ha Noi on Saturday. Visiting the NIC, PM Chinh said the building of this centre was a highly necessary and timely move to achieve the targets set by the 13th National Party Congress, including turning Viet Nam into a developing country with modernity-oriented industry that surpasses the lower-middle income level by 2025, a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed country with high income by 2045; and boosting development based on science, technology, and innovation. He wanted the NIC to become a rendezvous of intellectuals from around the world to create resources for spreading benefits and values of innovation to society. To do that, mechanisms, policies, resources, efforts, and dedication are required. The Government leader told the MPI to coordinate with other ministries, sectors, and agencies to create a favourable legal framework for the centre to operate effectively; create mechanisms and policies for attracting intellectuals, and develop an innovation ecosystem. In particular, the relevant parties should establish a fund for encouraging innovation, perfect an innovation centre model suitable for Viet Nam, invest in infrastructure and equipment to guarantee research and innovation activities, digitalise the NICs operations, and connect the NIC with the national database system to build big databases and artificial intelligence, according to the PM. Approved by the PM in 2019, the NIC is invested with VN4.04 trillion (US$10.3 million) and now undergoing final touches. The 35ha centre is set up with the aim of supporting and developing startup and innovation ecosystems in Viet Nam. Once operational, it is expected to be a location of domestic and international innovation enterprises, laboratories, and offices of major businesses, as well as leading experts and scientists. Also on Saturday, PM Chinh visited Viettel to examine its high technology research and production activities in the fields of military, telecoms infrastructure, and civilian products. He said the firm had continually invested in research and development activities, helping form a telecoms industry and ensuring safety for the development of a digital Government, a digital economy, and a digital society. He told Viettel to play the core role in the building of a high-tech defence industry complex and the development of the production of civilian devices to help turn Viet Nam into an industrialised country, efficiently serving national digital transformation, maintaining its role in leading the digital transformation process, building national databases, and enhancing telecoms and cyber security. VNS Economic development in Texas continues its award-winning roll, the state for the 11th consecutive year collecting the Governors Cup from Site Selection Magazine. The honor recognizes industry recruitment and expansion. A press release from Gov. Greg Abbotts office says Texas has captured the Governors Cup 19 times as it continues its winning streak, records unmatched by any other state. I am proud to again accept the Governors Cup recognizing Texas as the nations leader in attracting job-creating business investments, Abbott said in the press release. He accepted the award from editor-in-chief Mark Arend during a ceremony in Austin. When choosing where to relocate or expand their businesses, more and more innovative industry leaders find themselves at home in our state, Abbott said. Texas had 1,028 qualifying projects in 2022, more than doubling second-place Illinois 487 qualifiers and third-place Ohios 479. A qualifying project is one that includes a minimum investment of $1 million, creates 20 or more new jobs, or involves new construction of at least 20,000 square feet. Kris Collins, industry recruiter for the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, said Site Selections rankings include a nod to Waco, which placed ninth in the magazines top-10 list of per capita performance among metro areas with populations between 200,000 and 1 million. Waco landed just ahead of Lafayette, Louisiana, right behind the Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin area in South Carolina. Waco Day in Austin Want to talk turkey with Texas lawmakers? March 28 is Waco Day in Austin, and the Greater Waco Chamber is organizing a caravan to the Capitol to engage with state-elected and appointed officials. People taking the trip will receive specialized briefings in the Senate and House, lunch, discussions with area representatives, guest speakers and a legislative reception at the Capitol, according to a press release. Visit wacochamber.com to register or inquire about travel details. Bees and taxes Keeping bees can reduce taxes, and a seminar devoted to telling folks how and why is scheduled April 1 in Brenham. Texas law allows bees and bee hives to reduce property taxes on plots ranging from 5 to 20 acres, according to a press release from the Central Texas Beekeepers organization. The bees do not have to be owned by the landowner, the press release says. Dennis Herbert, a Bell County beekeeper 25 years, drafted legislation allowing small landowners to qualify for agricultural property valuations for tax purposes if bees are raised on their land. It became law on Jan. 1, 2012. Herbert will speak at the 13th annual Beginning Beekeeping School, hosting sessions on the law and qualifying for tax savings. He also will discuss finer points of keeping bees, harvesting honey and raising queens. One session will allow attendees to wear protective suits as a bee hive is examined. Classes range from beginner to advanced. For more information or to register, go to www.tinyurl.com/2023BeeSchool or call 979-277-0411. Brewing business downtown Downtown Waco appears to be boiling over with coffee houses. Will Suarez and Alex Sanchez have joined the percolating, opening a standalone Be Kind Coffee location at 1534 Washington Ave. Be Kind launched at Waco Custom Meats, 425 Lake Air Drive. This first location offered a drive-thru and became a staple in what was donned as a coffee desert, a press release on the new shop says. Quickly after, the second location opened up at Union Hall, giving Be Kind Coffee a chance to try out its vision on a larger scale. The Washington Avenue location affords ample parking, natural lighting inside and colorful murals by Suarez and Mick Burson. The Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 11, and the public is invited. Girls Scout cookies Girl Scouts are selling cookies, meaning much is right with the world. Girl Scouts of Central Texas for 12 years has accepted cookie donations it sends to military men and women serving overseas. It does this in conjunction with Soldiers Angels, a nonprofit providing aid, comfort and resources to military members, veterans and their families, according to a press release. Girl Scouts of Central Texas distributed 28,000 boxes of cookies to veterans last year and set a goal to follow that up with 35,000 boxes this year. However, due to economic uncertainty, ice storms, whatever, local Girl Scouts are seeing a decline in customer-donated cookie boxes. On Sunday, local Girl Scouts ask customers to make donations online. If someone knows a Girl Scout, ask for her online cookie store link and choose the Cookie Share option when ordering. Those not knowing a Girl Scout should visit www.gsctx.org/cookies to be matched with a local Girl Scout troop and follow the path to the Cookie Share site. Girl Scouts of Central Texas serves more than 12,000 girls and almost 9,000 adult members across 46 counties. Headquartered in Austin, it has centers in Brownwood, College Station, Killeen, San Angelo, Stephenville and Waco. Local pharmacies continue to struggle with a nationwide shortage of medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, leaving families and students to find new remedies and wait for answers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the shortage of the immediate release formulation of amphetamine mixed salts, known by the name brand Adderall IR, on Oct. 12. Dwayne Howard, a pharmacist with Pharmacy Plus in China Spring, said that is about the time his pharmacy noticed the shortage, which has since widened to the extended release version of Adderall and to other ADHD medications. Howard said a recent shipment of Adderalls extended release formula was sold out in 15 minutes. I do have some coming, he said of the immediate release formula. It wont last long. ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disorder, often diagnosed in childhood, is marked by trouble in paying attention and controlling impulses, as well as overactivity. Many people choose to manage ADHD symptoms with stimulant medications, including amphetamines such as Adderall. Stimulants are sometimes used for treatment of narcolepsy as well. The CDC states that 10.1% of Texas parents reported their child has been diagnosed with ADHD, and about 72% of those children diagnosed receive ADHD medication in Texas. In its October announcement, the FDA said Teva Pharmaceuticals faced intermittent manufacturing delays while other manufacturers struggled to produce enough amphetamine salts to meet U.S. market demand. The Klaras Center for Families, which provides behavioral health services to children and adolescents, experienced the shortage as early as August, said Tiffany Douglas, psychiatric services program director for Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network, which runs the center. Drug manufacturers are required to report interruptions to the FDA but are not required to report the reason for the disruption or a timeline for resolution. According to FDAs drug shortage database, many pharmaceutical companies producing amphetamines, including Alvogen, Epic Pharma, Rhodes Pharmaceuticals, SpecGX LLC and Teva, continue to report limited availability of the generic form. Higher demand Some news reports have suggested the shortage of Adderall has been exacerbated by higher demand, after the federal government loosened telehealth regulations that allowed doctors to prescribe controlled medications, including stimulants. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency proposed new rules on Feb. 24 that extend some telehealth provisions permanently, while tightening access to the prescription of controlled substances without conducting at least one in-person evaluation of the patient. DEA is committed to the expansion of telemedicine with guardrails that prevent the online overprescribing of controlled medications that can cause harm, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said in a press release on the proposed rules. Working upstream of production, the DEA also sets aggregate production quotas for controlled substances ahead of the new year to limit the amount of drug that may be produced in the United States each year. These limits are based on demand from previous years. In response to concerns of ongoing ADHD medication shortages, the DEA said in its established aggregate production quotas for 2023 that the majority of manufacturers report they have sufficient quota to meet contracted production quantities. The DEA also said that for the past three years manufacturers have not used the full allocation for amphetamine. DEA also mentions in its quota notice that mental health diagnoses and treatment increased as COVID-19 and social media exposed more people to treatment options. Douglas said the Klaras Center for Families, serving the Waco area and five other nearby counties, has not noticed an increase in ADHD diagnosis or stimulant use. However, I would say that during the pandemic there was a greater emphasis on destigmatizing mental health overall, which has led to more individuals and families seeking support and services, Douglas said. Other meds When Adderall is unavailable, the alternative is to switch medications, but that poses its own problems for pharmacies looking to fill customers needs. Midway Independent School District spokesperson Traci Marlin said the districts nurses report some students at all levels have been unable to fill Adderall prescriptions. However, most seem to be switching to the extended release (once a day before school) with no issues, Marlin said in an email. Ankit Patel, a pharmacist with West Drug Pharmacy, said every pharmacy is affected by the shortage, but as a small pharmacy looking for opportunities to serve customers, his stock changes every day. He said the stock of Adderall alternatives such as methylphenidate, brand name Concerta, is also dwindling. Patel said pharmacies contract with a wholesaler, which guarantees their stock as long as the medication is available for a set yearly price. However, as the wholesalers supply runs short, pharmacies stop receiving the product with no explanation and must pay a steep premium to go out of contract to support patients needs. Thats all the manufacturer will tell them, Patel said. What are you going to do? As larger pharmacies run out, Patel said local independent pharmacies such as his are getting more phone calls from patients as far as San Antonio, Whitney and Houston for Adderall and Concerta. He said he recently saw a two separate patients who had looked at every pharmacy in Waco and Bellmead. Its pretty sad, because every pharmacy they went through they couldnt find any Adderall and Concerta. If you put it in human perspective its not right, he said. LINCOLN The Lincoln Municipal Band is announces the 30th annual John Shildneck Young Artist Competition. The winning Young Artist will perform as a soloist with the band on a concert in the summer of 2023. The competition is open to musicians, middle school age and older, who have not reached their 22nd birthday on or before July 2, 2023, and perform on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Those auditioning must be residents of Nebraska or currently studying with a Nebraska teacher. For the preliminary round, competitors must submit a recorded audition of the piece they wish to play with the band as an mp3 via email, as well as a completed application form and $5.00 non-refundable fee. The solo must be available with band accompaniment. Applications and recordings must be received by noon on Wednesday, March 29, and finalists will be notified by Monday, April 10. Finalists will be invited to a live audition on Sunday, May 7 at 1 p.m. at Our Saviours Lutheran Church. The winner will receive a $750 prize, the opportunity to perform with the Lincoln Municipal Band at the first summer concert on Sunday, July 2, at the John Shildneck Memorial Bandshell at Antelope Park, and recognition in the program. The runner-up will receive a $250 prize and recognition in the program. For more information, please contact the Lincoln Municipal Band business office at 402-477-7899 or email lmb@artsincorporated.org. The 2022 winner is Alex Hoffman. Hoffman is a music education major, trombonist, and conductor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has been a member of the UNL Symphonic Band, UNL Wind Ensemble, UNL Symphony Orchestra and the Nebraska Trombone Ensemble. Hoffman is a substitute trombone in Lincolns Symphony Orchestra and is the trombonist in the Quintessential Brass Quintet. He has participated in both solo trombone and conducting masterclasses, including an Omaha Symphony masterclass with Maestro Ankush Kumar Bahl. He is a student of Dr. Scott Anderson at UNL and has additional studies with Dr. Jay Wise. Hoffman is a graduate of Millard West High School in Omaha. CEDAR FALLS Reconstructing Main Street will be the most expensive city construction project to happen in Cedar Falls in 2022 and 2023. But other projects also will cost millions of dollars. The remodeling of City Hall and the Center Street streetscaping will wrap up this year. Then theres the reconstruction of a section of West 27th Street, as well as the work to replace an Olive Street box culvert and expand the nearby Petersen Plaza. The cherry on top might be the long-awaited recreational improvements to the Cedar River near downtown. Like the Main Street project, the work is set to begin later this year. Cedar Falls Utilities, a separate municipal agency governed by its own board of trustees, is working on a massive expansion of its high-speed internet and other services for properties outside city limits. Growth Mayor Rob Green warns the city still has needs despite the United States Census numbers showing the citys population only increased by 1,500 people, or 3.7%, from 39,260 in 2010 to 40,713 in 2020. He feels one of the biggest indicators of growth is the capital improvements the city will be making. Were basing our decisions not necessarily off the official population numbers, but just what we see in the community as needs, Green said. Reconstructing Main Street will cost the city $31 million. The thoroughfare, from Sixth Street to almost University Avenue, will be transformed from a four-way corridor to three. Two lanes will handle vehicular traffic traveling in opposite directions with a middle turn lane. Work gets underway this spring on the north and south ends, with everything in between expected to be addressed in 2024 and 2025. I expect the same level of detours and disruption that we had when West First Street was reconstructed, said Green. We had to move people to other roads, from time to time, and we had to shift them to Second Street. We just have to be accommodating and realize that Main Street is a massive project. The decades-old infrastructure underneath the roadway including sanitary sewer, water main utilities, and storm sewer infrastructure will be ripped out and replaced, a significant piece of the overall cost. The three traffic signal-controlled intersections at 12th and 18th streets and Seerley Boulevard will be transformed into roundabouts, with six-foot bike lanes added to both sides of the street. By having these on-street bike lanes, hopefully, well show people why this is valuable and well get more non-vehicular traffic onto the sides of the roads, like electric bicycles or e-scooters, said Green. The mayor hopes residents welcome such micro-mobility options. Plus, the roundabouts and turn lanes will help keep traffic moving. The roundabouts will keep the cars from piling up together at the red lights. That will make the flow in the Main Street area more of a trickle, Green said. Other enhancements will include a gateway feature near Seventh Street, a Seerley Boulevard roundabout island with a campanile-inspired clock tower feature and other landscaping and streetscaping. Bus stops will be improved and sidewalks replaced. Bump-outs in the roadway between Sixth and 12th streets will accommodate additional parking. Green is also touting quality of life undertakings such as improvements along the river between the First and Main Street bridges. The city has awarded a construction contract and has $6.7 million set aside for the recreational improvements, including multiple kayak play areas, fishing jetties, habitat spawning pools, and water access points, along with riverbank improvements. Its a great example of needing to have things to do in the community, said Green. The government covers the cost, and makes it so people can basically do things for free. Construction is expected to take a year and is part of a larger vision to connect the Cedar Valleys cities along the Cedar River. Were Cedar Falls, so the river is a pretty important part of why were here in the first place, said Dave Deaver, who leads the fundraising for part of the cost. This project gets us back to paying attention to the river, and taking care of the riverbank. The area were focusing on is all along the downtown, so its complimentary to the downtown. The plus side is it makes a positive use of the river and gets us back to where the river becomes a more useful entity and adds to the quality of life. Nearing completion Two other projects are wrapping up this year. The $4.5 million remodeling of City Hall involves repurposing space with no change in the footprint. Work began last year and should wrap up by the spring. Its not as if we just put up a new coat of paint and added new carpeting, said Green. It was really tearing out parts of the building which just didnt work for us anymore, particularly the police station layout downstairs. Its not just about how we want city government to operate now. But by using flexible rooms and various furniture configurations, we could pivot to a new way of doing things down the road, and we wouldnt need to knock down any walls. Another landmark project in its final phase is the $1.6 million rebuild of Center Street in North Cedar between Lone Tree Road and Clair Street. It includes new curbing, drainage, sidewalks, ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, bioswales, and landscaping. The gravel shoulders have been removed, as well. Work began last year. The final phase will include adding more green space bioswales, trees and perennials on the west side of the street, said Jim Newcomb, president of the North Cedar Neighborhood Association. When you start putting in bioswales and all the green space, it changes the complexion of the roadway, Newcomb said. Its been much needed out here. Its been talked about for many, many years, and it finally came through and its a definite benefit to the community out here for sure. Its really adds a little bit more neighborhood pride for our community, he added. The enhancements should slow traffic, better accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists, improve drainage, beautify the corridor, and attract private investment and families to the area. In the works Cedar Falls Utilities began a $6 million infrastructure project last year it hopes will benefit 1,000 properties over 93 1/2 square miles in the rural parts west and northeast of city limits. It is expanding its fiber broadband services. Work continues as conduits and fiber are installed, with home connections starting this fall. Only about 200 of those properties currently have internet, and its much-slower wireless Internet. Most everybody is really, really excited. They cant wait, said Mike Litterer, customer services and business development director. Our base fiber Internet package is 250 megabits per second. If theyre lucky now, they are probably getting less than 50 from most wireless providers. Once work wraps up, Litterer said, essentially 100% of Cedar Falls electric-paying customers will have access to all of CFUs services. Also underway is a city project to replace the older bridge in the 2000 to 2100 block of Olive Street. Work began in December and will end in the replacement of the box culvert that allows for the expansion of the Pettersen Plaza on College Street. It will extend over Dry Run Creek to Olive Street and help to beautify that sector of the commercial district. Additionally, the nearly $3 million undertaking will improve water quality and address existing stream channel stability issues. Youre grabbing something to eat for lunch or if you want to meet some friends and then hit different spots on your way up the Hill, the plaza makes for a good meeting place, said Hannah Crisman, board president of the College Hill Partnership. I would definitely love to see the building that used to be the Hydrant Firehouse Grill turned into some kind of restaurant that could utilize that space as a sort of patio. Thats my dream scenario, but hopefully, well be able to get some public art in there and make for a nice pass-through between the neighborhood and the Hill. Some ecological integrity to Dry Run Creek because a lot of waste makes its way into the creek near the Hill, and thats an issue we have throughout our neighborhood. Also started in the last year is a project along West 27th Street near the UNI-Dome. The $7.5 million reconstruction project will see the roadway go from two to four lanes, beginning at Greenhill Road and then 200 feet to the west. Three roundabouts will be constructed, two serving as entrances to the future high school. A new traffic signal with additional turn lanes will be added at the intersection of Hudson Road and West 27th Street, as well as enhancements like sidewalks and a trail. Work is expected to be complete by the time the school opens in fall of 2024. Whats left? Other multi-million dollar projects have been discussed and in some cases started. A roundabout at Greenhill Road and South Main Street opened in recent months at a cost of a couple million dollars. Landscaping is the final piece before the project will be marked as complete. The city is discussing other projects, ranging from a North Cedar Heights reconstruction project to a rebuild of the Hearst Center for the Arts, the removal of the railroad tracks through town and a downtown parking ramp. But much coordination and discussion needs to happen for them and none of them are guarantees yet. Mayor Green says the city does a great job of making the best use of the infrastructure it has in place and not letting it deteriorate. Hes proud of the city because, in his mind, officials have been admirable financial stewards. City staff does a great job of being conservative with how we spend money, and it has served the city extremely well. Residents should be very proud of our debt rating, and were in an excellent financial position overall. But what that requires is a bit of sacrifice. If there were things you wanted to get done as a resident, and its a project not deemed urgent, it might be pushed to another year because we cant get all the things done right away. CEDAR FALLS The Cedar Valley Civil War Roundtable will meet at 7 p.m. on March 16. Since the February meeting was canceled, Charles Lott will present his planned program on the Rock Island Prison. Lott will discuss the organization of the prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers and the associated cemetery. The meeting will be at the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa at 317 Greenhill Circle. The entrance is on the upper level. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5) Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos swore in former Negros Oriental Vice Governor Carlo Jorge Joan Reyes as the provinces new governor Saturday night hours after his predecessor Roel Degamo was killed. Abalos also swore in board member Manuel Sagarbarria as the new vice governor on Sunday. In a Facebook post, Abalos also condemned the assassination of Degamo and other victims. Sa pinagsanib na pwersa ng kapulisyahan at militar, asahan niyong hindi tayo titigil hanggang sa makamit ang hustisya sa mga biktima ng karahasang ito, he added. [Translation: With the combined forces of the police and military, we will not stop until justice is served for the victims of this violence.] Degamo was gunned down inside his residential compound in Brgy. San Isidro in Pamplona, Negros Oriental Saturday morning. The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Degamo was in the middle of a meeting with some of his constituents at 9:50 a.m. when around 10 armed men entered the compound and opened fire. The shooters were clad in military uniform and bulletproof vests, and carried long firearms, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the PNP revealed in separate statements. The governor's wife, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, said her husband was pronounced dead at 11:41 a.m. at a hospital in Dumaguete City. READ: Negros Oriental governor assassinated inside home, 3 suspects arrested READ: Suspect in Negros Oriental governor assassination killed in encounter PNP WATERLOO Ryan Starling built his career at John Deere in Waterloo the way Deere builds tractors from the ground up. John Deere has given me the opportunity to get into a manufacturing engineering job and really grow, said Starling. The Independence resident is a manufacturing engineer at Deeres Drivetrain Operations complex on West Commercial Street near downtown. Thats where axles and transmissions are produced for Deeres large row-crop tractors. Ive been at John Deere for 16 years, he said, I started out on the wage side as an assembler with a machining background. I came to John Deere knowing thered be opportunities for me to advance with my background. I pushed to get those opportunities, put in the work, ended up going through most of the skilled trades positions and I was able to go into a salaried position. I went to college for a while for tool and die. Other than that, its just been on-the-job training. Starling said. To those considering working for Deere, he said, I would highly encourage it just because of all the opportunities coming in, if youre engaged and you work hard. Starlings testimonial about Deere Iowas largest manufacturing employer is good news for the whole Cedar Valley. Thats especially so coming on the backside of a pandemic. Innovation, investment Despite lingering supply chain issues, Deeres Waterloo operations have moved forward on a number of fronts: The company has beefed up its work force, adding nearly 800 production employees over three years following a series of hiring fairs. Total employment at Deeres Waterloo operations is at 5,500 union-wage and nonunion salaried workers. While the company was able to meet its hiring needs, it continues to look for qualified candidates as openings occur. Deere has updated virtually all models of the companys large, Waterloo-made row crop tractors and started some production of a self-propelled autonomous tractor announced a year ago. From 2020 until now weve updated every product that comes out of Waterloo, with significant improvements in comfort and productivity, said Brett Showalter, large tractor and tillage business manager. All those modifications and innovations come out of Deeres Product Engineering Center in Cedar Falls, a company research and development hub. He said the Waterloo-manufactured 7R, 8R and 9R series tractors have all received accolades and are among leaders in market share, and a new four-track 8RX model is the only one of its kind in the industry. He indicated that the autonomous tractor model and related tillage tools have had a measured, staged release which will expand as additional improvements, modifications and additions are made based on field experience. Deere has invested more than $4.4 million in community initiatives in the Cedar Valley in the fiscal year ending last Oct. 31 through John Deere Foundation in Moline, Ill. where corporate headquarters are located, as well as locally and by individual employees and a high of 34,000 volunteer hours. One of the most prominent of those investments is part of a $2 million contribution to Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity. The donation was pledged in 2021 and is being allocated over four years. The company continues to invest $130 million a year in equipment and facilities in Waterloo, according to Becky Guinn, factory manager of Deeres Waterloo Works. A 60,000-square-foot expansion at its 1.2 million-square-foot drivetrain operations complex, completed three years ago, is now full of equipment and in full production, and another 9,000 square foot expansion at the complex also is under way. Additionally the drivetrain complex has undergone significant redevelopment as new manufacturing machinery has been installed not only to improve our (manufacturing) processes, our quality, but also just the long-term sustainability of keeping that work here in Waterloo, said Brett Schlomann, business unit manager. A place to grow Schlomann, whos also been at Deere 16 years, has a stake in keeping that work in town. Im local to the area. I grew up in Denver, said the 2004 Denver High School graduate. Im a third-generation Deere employee. I also grew up on a family farm east of Denver. And the equipment on the farm, he said with a smile, was all green. He came to Deere for multiple reasons, including the opportunity I knew existed, growing up in a Deere family, he said. He started while attending the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. I was 20 years old. And once I got into the faciilty, to see the technology and work with the people, both on the production side and the salaried side, and just see the talent and the opportunity that existed here, it just is infectious, he said. It lures you in. It makes you want to learn more because of the neat things youre able to do. When you come in here every day, you are blown away with what were able to do. Jack Steuben, a supervisor and machining manufacturing engineer in the gear department in the drive train complex, has been with Deere 20 years. Like Schlomann, he started while attending UNI. So I got that experience while attending college. I went right into manufacturing engineering. I was in the cast iron area for several years; worked my way into being a project manager, and was empowered to make purchase decisions on recent equipment upgrades. Im from Jesup. Definitely knew about Deere and had lots of folks I knew work here and had very positive things to say. Im very happy with that, Steuben said. A perfect storm With the physical improvements and added personnel come added productivity, factory manager Guinn said. We continue to grow the number of castings in our foundry, she said, as well as developing innovations such as a new electric variable transmission, or EVT, designed to enhance seed control, drivability and the ability to power large implements. Its really that next generation transmission, Guinn said. That has driven a significant amount of investment in the gears and components side of the business. Then also, we set up another assembly line and test area as well. A lot of innovation in manufacturing. Theres also been an upgrading of all assembly lines, enhancing ergonomics as well as production. That and a growing agricultural market has also resulted in the employment growth. Its kind of a perfect storm, she said. We brought more work into our factories with these new product programs. At the same time, demand continues to increase significantly. Supply chain issues continue to hinder the ability to meet demand. Well get closer this year to meet demand, but well still be short. A lot of it has been supply disruption, Guinn said. Now, is production better than where we were a year ago? For sure. But we continue to see some pretty significant shortages across our supply base. And I think thats industrywide. Unlocking talent Deere continues to cultivate a work force locally. Weve partnered with the Waterloo Schools and invested over $300,000 in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education in a program that goes into the grade schools, she said. Deere supported the districts ST Math program in 11 Waterloo elementary schools, which resulted in improved overall standardized test score results and a narrowing of the achievement gap between Black and white students. Deere also has supported several educational programs, including the Iowas Jobs for Americas Graduates, or IJAG, program at East High School; a Career Inspire event with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa; programs with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley; working with the Waterloo Schools, Waterloo Career Center and Hawkeye Community College. And Deere workers support school robotics programs throughout the Cedar Valley. Guinn said Deere also supports Upward Bound through the University of Northern Iowa Center for Urban Education, or UNI-CUE, and looks for ways to help the schools reach out to underserved populations. Hiring continues, Guinn said, and UNI remains a valuable resource. We continue to unlock talent across all those areas, Guinn said. Community potential As part of overall community well-being, Deere also has supported the Northeast Iowa Food Bank and the Grow Cedar Valley economic development organization, of which Guinn is a former board president. I do think the Cedar Valley continues to be a place thats attractive for families, Guinn said. Diversity is a challenge. Were working with underserved communities to make sure that Waterloo is a great place for everybody to work and live. If we want to attract talent in here we need good press on Waterloo, so to continue to focus on that is super important, and make this a place thats attractive to people and to frame that in a positive light. We need to continue to invest in Waterloo. Its probably more important than ever, Guinn said. Its important that, as a collective, this community comes together Waterloo and Cedar Falls, the whole Cedar Valley comes together as a collective to continue to invest in amenities to make this a great place to live and work. And continue to not break ourselves down; convey a positive message, Guinn said. Waterloo is as hard on itself as any place Ive been. I fully support the mayors (Quentin Harts) initiative to Fly the W. And continue to focus on all the positives that are here. Theres so many positives. She noted its important to emphasize those in a time when technology can allow people to work anywhere. Dave Davis, manager of Deeres drivetrain operations, said that out of Deeres current workforce, I can think of a half dozen people who came out of Texas, Florida, Boston, and none of those are anxious to move back where they came from. Theyve all found ways to connect into the community, and theyre hungry to get that full-time John Deere position. That also goes for home-grown talent like Schlomann. Now, theres challenges every day, he said. But when you take a step back as the end of the day and really get to see what youve accomplished with the tractors leaving (East Donald Street) Tractor Works; the transmissions and axles coming out of here, the finished gears and shafts, and just get to be part of the continued investment to unlock more value, not only for our customers but also the Cedar Valley, its just an inspiring thing that keeps you coming back every day to really want to do more for this company and the community. WATERLOO Firefighters put out the fully engulfed engine compartment of a white Cadillac CT5 that had been traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 20 on Saturday. Three adults had been in the vehicle near the overpass at mile marker 228 shortly before the Ansborough Avenue exit when it started smoking at about 3:30 p.m. The driver pulled the vehicle off to the side of the road and all escaped safely before calling for assistance to put out the fire. One lane was closed for about an hour while first responders took care of the fire, removed the car and cleaned up the burnt debris. No one was injured. The cause of the fire was unknown, but firefighters say the vehicle didnt appear to have struck anything that sparked it. Waterloo Fire Rescue was assisted by Sheetz Towing, Waterloo Police and the Iowa State Patrol. CEDAR FALLS A casual conversation between local accountants and Rob Sand at the University of Northern Iowa on Thursday touched on a wide range of issues. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants hosted the recently reelected state auditor at the Business and Community Services Building for 90 minutes. One hot topic among the group of about 10 was the shortage of accountants. Sands office, made up of some 100 employees, was vulnerable to the crisis, as well. Amy Pilcher, assistant professor of business administration at Wartburg College, referenced a KCRG report about the problem from last year early in the discussion. It noted the struggle and how Sand said he would not discriminate against people looking to work in his office just because they have a two-year versus a four-year degree. But Sand also noted in his case its about getting people excited about working for the good of the public. When I was talking to the accounting club before this, I said you can go anywhere and get a paycheck but you come to our office to get a paycheck and you get purpose. Youre serving the state, said Sand. At the end of the day, an accounting firm might care more about the bottom line, leading a boss not to include a deficiency in a report rather than just have a conversation, out of concern that the firm might lose the client. We dont think that way in the auditors office, he said. Our client is the public, and so we just have a different culture. If someone doesnt like what we say, too bad. And if they dont want to come back to us next year because of it, hopefully people will notice and remember why. Gary Shontz, a former instructor at UNI and also the institutions former controller and treasurer, took issue with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, the agency charged with coming up with generally accepted accounting principles. He feels how the board makes changes more often than it should. With the amount of difficulties the industry has right now, just in terms of recruitment and having bodies to do the work that needs to get done, changing things and adding more requirements is not a good thing to do right now, said Sand. Its not that it doesnt make sense, but was it actually a problem the way we were doing it before, he added. The auditor touched on his frustrations, as well, with common sense proposals he feel would improve the effectiveness of his office. Often they dont go anywhere because partisanship is out of control. In addition, he answered other questions about why he ran for public office and touched on other subjects, such as his renowned Public Innovations and Efficiencies program for governments. Denise Bouska, an accountant in the private sector, asked about his offices involvement with the Iowa Department of Revenue. Sands response addressed how his staff audits the department every year. That led to another brief discussion about another audit his office completed within the last year or two of the Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training Program. Our conclusion 10 years ago ultimately was that you couldnt tell you if it was creating any new jobs and our conclusion this time was the same, he said. We cant actually tell you if its creating any new jobs. So here we are putting all this money into this program with no proof that its actually adding any jobs in the state of Iowa. WATERLOO A potential ban on conversion therapy will have its second reading Monday by the City Council. The meeting is at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers of City Hall. After more than an hour of discussion at the Feb. 20 council meeting, the proposed ordinance passed 5-1 with Councilmember Dave Boesen voting against it. All six councilmembers voted against suspending the rules to waive the second and third readings, allowing chances for future discussion. The ordinance, introduced by Ward 2 Councilmember Jonathan Grieder, would outlaw the practice of attempting to change someones sexual or gender identity in Waterloo. The proposal states the city would enforce a ban on conversion therapy through the city attorneys office. The city attorney would mail any medical or mental health professional who is in violation a written notice to immediately cease and desist. If the health professional doesnt immediately comply, the violation would become a municipal infraction pursuant to city code. In other business before the council: Four public hearings will be held to deal with the issuance of General Obligation bonds for essential and general corporate purchases. Council documents state the city is planning to sell the bonds for a number of purposes this spring. One hearing is in regards to $4.7 million for essential corporate purposes and three will be for a total of $2.1 million for general corporate purposes. Approval of a proposed $1.78 million allocation plan for the HOME Investment Partnerships Programs American Rescue Plan funds. A public hearing will be held on the plan, submitted by the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Consortium for HOME-ARP to help individuals or families who are experiencing homelessness or the risk of homelessness. The strategic plan details how these people would be assisted by providing affordable housing, rental assistance, supportive services and non-congregate shelter. A $164,500 contract award to K&W Electric of Cedar Falls for a closed-circuit TV project at the Waterloo Regional Airport airline passenger terminal building. A public hearing on bids received will be held prior to action on the contract. A planned public hearing on bids for a heating, ventilating and air conditioning project at the terminal was canceled because no bids were received. The $210,000 sale and conveyance of a home located at 514 Johnson St. to Dieu Israel Kabangu, following a public hearing, with up to $11,000 in closing costs paid for by the city. This property would be the fourth home that Waterloo partnered with Hawkeye Community College to build through its sustainable construction and design program. The home would be completed by students this spring. Approval of an application to the Iowa Grade Crossing Surface Repair Fund along with the Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad for the Rainbow Drive railroad crossing surface repair project. Approval of Clapsaddle-Garber Associates, Inc., requests for the preliminary plat in the San Marnan Business Park, located west of 4041 Hurst Drive, and the final plat of the business parks First Addition. In the aftermath of COVID-19, many restaurants still struggle with increased food costs, hiring and retaining staff and supply-chain issues. But those challenges arent stopping a number of area businesses, many who are familiar faces in the local food industry. David Grawe opened Fredericks Sips and Eats in downtown Waverly about two months ago. Grawe is no stranger to the business side of food and drink. He has owned and operated The Pour House bar on Bremer Avenue in Waverly for 19 years. He also had a restaurant in downtown Cedar Rapids for five years. Fredericks is the exact opposite of Pour House, Grawe said of his newest endeavor, located just two doors down in the former East Bemer Diner building. Pour House is a bar with frozen pizza and popcorn. Fredericks is about the food. We do have a small martini list, about 20 draft lines, Moscow mules and some wines, but the focus is the food. Im not trying to rob Peter to pay Paul. Grawe said he had been in talks with the diners owner for a couple of years, and it worked out the right way. I brought most of the menu from our Cedar Rapids site with me, and the chef who developed it was available. I kind of do things on a whim, but there were some strong reasons to open Fredericks. Downtown Waverly needed a place like this. Any successful downtown has successful restaurants and bars to draw people to the area and stay after. The other night, I noticed a lot of people downtown, and there were a lot of faces I recognized from Fredericks. Grawe said he also wanted to pay homage to Waverly and to his family whos histories are intertwined. The name Frederick goes back several generations in Grawes family. It is Grawes middle name, shared by his father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather. There is a picture of all of them on the wall at Fredericks along with a mural featuring the name of the Waverly Publishing Co., which his great-great grandfather founded in 1890. My family did a ton of stuff for Waverly, Grawe said. Its cool to be able to honor them. Grawe said his experience in the bar and restaurant industries is a huge advantage for him with Fredericks. Ive learned from my mistakes, and I know a lot of people, he said. You kind of have a built-in audience, but I still have to execute with the food and with the service. Another experienced restauranteur, Bryan Sink, opened Bryans Blue Plate in the Best Western Hotel in downtown Waterloo late last year. Sink formerly owned Bryans of 4th. That restaurant closed in 2018. Bryans Blue Plate combines three of Sinks passions food, music and art. It also has a bar. His artwork is featured throughout the establishment, which boasts two stages. He also plays drums for the house band, The Set. I retired a couple of years ago. I was playing music and painting portraits, Sink said. The business that was here before didnt take off. It just couldnt get any traction. So the timing was right and it was a great opportunity. Since opening, Sink has been tweaking the hours and trying different options for lunch. Lunch has been a failure, he said. But everything else has been a huge success. The restaurant features a unique ordering system. No servers, Sink said. Our service area is tucked inside the existing kitchen area. No servers. And its meat and three. Customers can pick one meat and three sides. Its a southern tradition. The restaurants name also comes from a tradition. In the late 1800s a restaurant would serve cheap meals on blue plates, Sink said. It became popular again during the Depression. Bryans Blue Plate features live music nearly every night. I wouldnt have a restaurant without live music, Sink said. Sink credits his daughter, Mattea, who is 15, with the look of the restaurant. She has been my artistic compass here. She chose all the colors and helped design the space. Another local restaurant is expanding its business. Starbecks Smokehouse owners Jeff Starbeck and Cindy Herman are set to open a new location in the Marriott hotel on Westfield Avenue in Waterloo on April 1 at the former site of the Blue Iguana. The pair opened at their first location on University Avenue in Cedar Falls in September 2017 and then more than doubled their space when they moved to a larger location at College Square Mall five years later. The space had been vacant for quite some time, Starbeck said. The owner approached us. He liked what we were doing in Cedar Falls. Expansion was always kind of in the works from the start, He said. We opened our first location with 21 seats to kind of test the waters, to see how the market would respond. We moved up to 75 seats, and now the new location will have a lot bigger footprint with 175 seats and a full bar. We are doing some minor remodeling and, of course, decorating with our signs and memorabilia. Were always looking to do more, to expand the operation. We are more than confident that the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area can support two locations. Its what you put into it, he said. Cindy and I are on site every day. It makes it a lot easier to get up in the morning when you are doing what you love. And if you are looking for something sweet after partaking in one of these newly-opened restaurants, the Cedar Valley is boasting some new offerings. Jennifer and Justin Roberts opened a Crumbl Cookies franchise in Waterloo in November. The company started in Logan, Utah, in 2017. The Roberts lived on a farm near that first store and worked in the area. They now split their time between Iowa and Utah, and their son, Collin, will be opening a Crumbl franchise in Cedar Falls soon near the Target store on Viking Road. The Waterloo store, 1503 Flammang Drive, boasts a crisp white and pink interior. Employees and the owners busily shape, bake and transfer cookies. Two large mixers are monitored as they help make a variety of cookie doughs. We have a rotating menu that changes every Monday, Jennifer Roberts said. Everything is made fresh every day, from the cookies to the jams to the toppings. Cookies are pulled after two hours. Recent offerings included chocolate cake, peanut butter banana, sugar and Kentucky butter cookies. Milk and ice cream are also offered. Jennifer Roberts said they have enjoyed a good response since opening Another bakery is new to the market. Bambinos opened in Waterloo, 1445 Ansborough Ave., in March of last year and will be opening a second location in downtown Cedar Falls on March 8 at 401 Main St. Originally Bambinos owner, Donna OBrien, and her sister Lori Heuthorst (who now works at the bakery), baked out of OBriens home for a cause dear to her heart the Cedar Valleys Beyond Pink Team. As a cancer survivor, OBriens bakeries are cause-based. It is a labor of love, she said. Last year, Bambinos raised $21,000 for the Beyond Pink Team. When you walk in the store, you will be greeted with Ciao bella, hello beautiful in Italian. I want everyone who comes in to feel special, OBrien said. The bakery and the baked goods pays homage to OBriens Sicilian background. The business gets its name from the sandwich cookie OBrien created. The bakeries also do custom cakes and cookie orders, cookie kits, cinnamon rolls and a variety of cookies based on family recipes. We want to do things right, for the right reasons, OBrien said. Cedar Valley animal rescues captured on video Cats rescued from burning home, Jan. 17, 2016 Fishermen rescue dog from freezing river, Feb. 5, 2017 Kitten rescued from Cedar River Firefighters rescue dog from burning home, July 5, 2021 Firefighter rescues ducklings Duckling rescue, July 7, 2021 The University of Northern Iowa continues to make pivotal new announcements to build on its reputation of high-quality affordable education. UNI is entering 2023 with strong momentum, ready to continue the work of helping students succeed and meeting Iowas critical workforce needs. Our Tomorrow campaign What does the world need from us tomorrow? is the central focus of UNIs most ambitious fundraising campaign to date. Our Tomorrow: The Campaign for UNI seeks to raise $250 million by UNIs sesquicentennial in 2026. Publicly announced in the fall, the campaign has already surpassed the $200 million mark. This historic campaign will lay the foundation for the future of this institution, said UNI President Mark A. Nook. Through investments in our students, faculty and staff, our academic programs and learning spaces, we are ensuring the promise and power of a UNI education not just for students today, but for the generations to come. In addition to supporting scholarships, engaged learning and academic programs, three of UNIs iconic spaces will be renewed for the next generation of Panthers as part of the Our Tomorrow campaign. As the Campanile approaches 100 years old in 2026, work is already underway to ensure it can continue bringing the UNI community together. Newly restored carillon bells will return to campus in May as plans to reimagine the Campanile Plaza continue to develop. Perhaps the most famous campus landmark, the UNI-Dome, is nearly 50 years old. In the first part of the three-phase renovation, the Dome will get a new roof, upgraded fan amenities and improved accessibility. Our Tomorrow is also planned to elevate the experience for patrons at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, which will feature upgrades to the facilitys interior and exterior, improvements to seating and several event space additions. Workforce demandsA February 2023 study shows the University of Northern Iowa adds $1.6 billion to the Iowa economy and supports almost 26,000 jobs, or one out of every 78 jobs, in Iowa. UNIs signature programs in education, business, accounting and management align with nine out of 10 of Iowas most in-demand careers. UNIs tremendous impact on education is undeniable. The size of the teacher education program, averaging 450 to 500 graduates each year, puts UNI in the top 1% of the country. More than 1 in 4 undergraduate students are in teacher education, and UNI-educated teachers are employed in all of Iowas 99 counties and 99% of Iowas school districts. Programs for Iowas futureWith a goal to continuously evolve to meet the needs of the community, UNI is looking to expand its impact on health sciences and will introduce its first standalone Bachelor of Science in nursing program in fall 2024. We believe UNI is uniquely positioned to provide the combination of hands-on experience and curriculum necessary to serve the students and residents of our state, said Nook. The Iowa Board of Regents approved the launch of UNIs BSN program in November, and the Iowa Board of Nursing gave interim program approval for UNIs application for a new nursing program in January. As the demand continues to grow for highly-skilled professionals in industries that rely heavily on advanced technology and applied engineering, a major $44 million renovation will expand and modernize UNIs Applied Engineering Building. The expansion of the facility by about 40,000 square feet will help the department of applied engineering and technical management achieve its goal of a 40% enrollment increase by 2025. UNIs College of Business, named one of Princeton Reviews Best Business Schools for more than a decade, announced an expansion of its top-ranked accounting program. A new hybrid online and in-person delivery will help fill a critical need for accounting professionals. The hybrid model allows adult learners who have an associates degree to obtain an accounting degree through taking business-core and elective courses online and accounting courses in person at the Des Moines Area Community College Urban Campus. Classes are set to begin in August. The University of Northern Iowa continues to challenge students to take control of their future. From personal growth, academics, professional success carried into the community, they will create a better tomorrow for Iowa. Winter Wonderloo in Waterloo through the years waterloo lights the night 2 Winter Wonder'Loo 3 Winter Wonder'Loo 2 winter wonderloo 112418tn-winter-wonderloo-1 112418tn-winter-wonderloo-2 112517mp-Winter-Wonder-Loo-2 112616mp-Winter-Wonder-Loo-1 112616mp-Winter-Wonder-Loo-4 112616mp-Winter-Wonder-Loo-3 112616mp-Winter-Wonder-Loo-2 121215tsr-winter-wonderLoo-03 y-is-for-yuletide-2 121413cc-winter-wonderloo-01 121413cc-winter-wonderloo-03 WATERLOO The Waterloo Fraternal Order of Eagles will host its annual State Charity Event Fundraiser March 18, beginning at noon at 202 E. First St. A baked potato bar will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $10. Introduction of state and local officers is at noon, followed by an auction at 12:30 p.m. Items have been donated by local businesses, including gift cards, gift baskets and miscellaneous goods such as Elvis collector plates, fall wreath, metal U.S. flag and eagle from RTP Productions in Vinton, an Iowa Lottery Tree, Longhorn Steak House gift basket and baked goods donated by members. A 50/50 raffle will take place. More than 35 years after the world's worst nuclear accident, the dogs of Chernobyl roam among decaying, abandoned buildings in and around the closed plant somehow still able to find food, breed and survive. Scientists hope that studying these dogs can teach humans new tricks about how to live in the harshest, most degraded environments, too. They published the first of what they hope will be many genetics studies on Friday in the journal Science Advances, focusing on 302 free-roaming dogs living in an officially designated "exclusion zone" around the disaster site. They identified populations whose differing levels of radiation exposure may have made them genetically distinct from one another and other dogs worldwide. "We've had this golden opportunity" to lay the groundwork for answering a crucial question: "How do you survive in a hostile environment like this for 15 generations?" said geneticist Elaine Ostrander of the National Human Genome Research Institute, one of the study's many authors. Fellow author Tim Mousseau, professor of biological sciences at the University of South Carolina, said the dogs "provide an incredible tool to look at the impacts of this kind of a setting" on mammals overall. Chernobyl's environment is singularly brutal. On April 26, 1986, an explosion and fire at the Ukraine power plant caused radioactive fallout to spew into the atmosphere. Thirty workers were killed in the immediate aftermath while the long-term death toll from radiation poisoning is estimated to eventually number in the thousands. Researchers say most of the dogs they are studying appear to be descendants of pets that residents were forced to leave behind when they evacuated the area. Mousseau has been working in the Chernobyl region since the late 1990s and began collecting blood from the dogs around 2017. Some of the dogs live in the power plant, a dystopian, industrial setting. Others are about 9 miles (15 kilometers) or 28 miles (45 kilometers) away. At first, Ostrander said, they thought the dogs might have intermingled so much over time that they'd be much the same. But through DNA, they could readily identify dogs living in areas of high, low and medium levels of radiation exposure. "That was a huge milestone for us," said Ostrander. "And what's surprising is we can even identify families" about 15 different ones. Now researchers can begin to look for alterations in the DNA. "We can compare them and we can say: OK, what's different, what's changed, what's mutated, what's evolved, what helps you, what hurts you at the DNA level?" Ostrander said. This will involve separating non-consequential DNA changes from purposeful ones. Scientists said the research could have wide applications, providing insights about how animals and humans can live now and in the future in regions of the world under "continuous environmental assault" and in the high-radiation environment of space. Dr. Kari Ekenstedt, a veterinarian who teaches at Purdue University and was not involved in the study, said it's a first step toward answering important questions about how constant exposure to higher levels of radiation affects large mammals. For example, she said, "Is it going to be changing their genomes at a rapid rate?" Researchers have already started on the follow-up research, which will mean more time with the dogs at the site about 60 miles (100 kilometers) from Kyiv. Mousseau said he and his colleagues were there most recently last October and didn't see any war-related activity. Mousseau said the team has grown close to some dogs, naming one Prancer because she excitedly prances around when she sees people. "Even though they're wild, they still very much enjoy human interaction," he said, "Especially when there's food involved." ___ Photos: Welcome to Pripyat, the ghost town of Chernobyl BAGHDAD An international archeological mission has uncovered the remnants of what is believed to be a 5,000-year-old restaurant or tavern in the ancient city of Lagash in southern Iraq. The discovery of the ancient dining hall complete with a rudimentary refrigeration system, hundreds of roughly made clay bowls and the fossilized remains of an overcooked fish announced in late January by a University of Pennsylvania-led team, generated some buzz beyond Iraqs borders. It came against the backdrop of a resurgence of archeology in a country often referred to as the cradle of civilization, but where archeological exploration has been stunted by decades of conflict before and after the U.S. invasion of 2003. Those events exposed the country's rich sites and collections to the looting of tens of thousands of artifacts. The impacts of looting on the field of archeology were very severe, Laith Majid Hussein, director of the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage of Iraq, told The Associated Press. Unfortunately, the wars and periods of instability have greatly affected the situation in the country in general. With relative calm prevailing over the past few years, the digs have returned. At the same time, thousands of stolen artifacts have been repatriated, offering hope of an archeological renaissance. Improving is a good term to describe it, or healing or recovering, said Jaafar Jotheri, a professor of archeology at University of Al-Qadisiyah, describing the current state of the field in his country. Iraq is home to six UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites, among them the ancient city of Babylon, the site of several ancient empires under rulers like Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar. In the years before the 2003 U.S. invasion, a limited number of international teams came to dig at sites in Iraq. During Saddam Husseins rule, Jotheri said, the foreign archeologists who did come were under strict monitoring by a suspicious government in Baghdad, limiting their contacts with locals. There was little opportunity to transfer skills or technology to local archeologists, he said, meaning that the international presence brought no benefit for Iraq. The country's ancient sites faced two waves of destruction, Jotheri said, the first after harsh international sanctions were imposed following Iraqs 1990 invasion of Kuwait and desperate Iraqis found artifacts and looting as a form of income and the second in 2003 following the U.S. invasion, when everything collapsed. Amid the ensuing security vacuum and rise of the Islamic State militant group, excavations all but shut down for nearly a decade in southern Iraq, while continuing in the more stable northern Kurdish-controlled area. Ancient sites were looted and artifacts smuggled abroad. The first international teams to return to southern Iraq came in 2014 but their numbers grew haltingly after that. The digs at Lagash, which was first excavated in 1968, had shut down after 1990, and the site remained dormant until 2019. Unlike many others, the site was not plundered in the interim, largely due to the efforts of tribes living in the area, said Zaid Alrawi, an Iraqi archeologist who is the project manager at the site. Would-be looters who came to the area were run off by "local villagers who consider these sites basically their own property, he said. A temple complex and the remains of institutional buildings had been uncovered in earlier digs, so when archeologists returned in 2019, Alrawi said, they focused on areas that would give clues to the lives of ordinary people. They began with what turned out to be a pottery workshop containing several kilns, complete with throwaway figurines apparently made by bored workers and date pits from their on-shift snacking. Further digging in the area surrounding the workshop found a large room containing a fireplace used for cooking. The area also held seating benches and a refrigeration system made with layers of clay jars thrust into the earth with clay shards in between. The site is believed to date to around 2700 BC. Given that beer drinking was widespread among the ancient Sumerians inhabiting Lagash at the time, many envisioned the space as a sort of ancient gastropub. But Alrawi said he believes it was more likely a cafeteria to feed workers from the pottery workshop next door. I think it was a place to serve whoever was working at the big pottery production next door, right next to the place where people work hard, and they had to eat lunch, he said. Alrawi, whose father was also an archeologist, grew up visiting sites around the country. Today, he is happy to see a full throttle of excavations returning to Iraq. Its very good for the country and for the archeologists, for the international universities and academia, he said. As archeological exploration has expanded, international dollars have flowed into restoring damaged heritage sites like the al-Nouri mosque in Mosul, and Iraqi authorities have pushed to repatriate stolen artifacts from countries as near as Lebanon and as far as the United States. Last month, Iraqs national museum began opening its doors to the public for free on Fridays a first in recent history. Ebtisam Khalaf, a history teacher who was one of the visitors to the museum on its first free day, said, This is a beautiful initiative because, we can see the things that we only used to hear about." Photos: Ancient tablet acquired by Hobby Lobby going back to Iraq Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) A suspect in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo was killed in a firefight Saturday night while three others were arrested and identified, the police said on Sunday. Negros Police Provincial Office Special Investigation Task Group spokesperson LtCol. Gerard Pelare confirmed the suspect was killed during an encounter with policemen and soldiers in a plantation in Bayawan town around 9 p.m. Saturday. He said when the unidentified suspect sensed the authorities closing in, he opened fire on them and they retaliated and killed him. Authorities also arrested three other suspects identified as Joric Labrador, Joven Javier, and Benjie Rodriguez. They recovered four assault rifles and battle gear from the suspects. Pelare confirmed that two of the three arrested suspects were dishonorably discharged from military service due to illegal drug charges and for going absent without official leave. According to a police report released Saturday, Labrador and Javier are former members of the Army. Pelare also said the death toll from the shooting rose to nine, while 13 victims sustained major injuries and four sustained minor injuries. Authorities are still determining the motive for the assassination of Degamo. We are not definite on the motive, all angles are being looked upon while investigators are still on the ground, Pelare said. The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier said more or less 10 suspects were involved, leaving six more at-large. Degamo was gunned down inside his residential compound in Brgy. San Isidro in Pamplona town, Negros Oriental Saturday morning. The PNP said Degamo was in the middle of a meeting with some of his constituents at 9:50 a.m. Saturday when around 10 armed men entered the compound and opened fire. The shooters were clad in military uniform and bulletproof vests, and carried long firearms, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the police revealed in separate statements. The governor's wife, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, said her husband was pronounced dead at 11:41 a.m. at a hospital in Dumaguete City. READ: Negros Oriental governor assassinated inside home, 3 suspects arrested It all comes down to jobs. On Tuesday, voters can help alleviate Northeast Iowas labor shortage by approving a $35 million bond referendum to support Hawkeye Community College. It will have no effect on your property tax rate; it is a renewal of a levy already in place through the year 2025. Currently, the owner of a $200,000 home pays $2.40 per month. The referendum will decide if that levy stays in place for another 10 years. At least 60% of voters must approve. Iowa needs workers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics most recent report released in December showed the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area had an unemployment rate of 3.1%, near historic lows. The baby boom generation is aging out of the workforce. Iowas political leaders acknowledge the need for more workers. They also acknowledge the best way to address it: job training. And many industries feeling the need most acutely involve occupations that dont require a four-year degree. Short-term programs confer credentials that lead to lucrative careers. The more credentials stackable credentials the more valuable the worker. Apprenticeships can train tomorrows workers as they earn a decent wage Hawkeye currently offers 400. Its a lot of hands-on training that we have, said HCC President Todd Holcomb. We get a lot of bang for our buck. Indeed they do. Hawkeye had a $444.5 million impact on the Cedar Valleys economy, including the support of 6,343 jobs, during fiscal year 2019-2020, according to a recent study by EMSI Burning Glass. According to the report, every $1 students invest in their education at Hawkeye produces a return of $4.70 in future earnings. Individuals who complete an associates degree earn $9,100 more per year on average compared with those with a high school diploma alone. Hawkeye also generates more in tax revenues than it receives. For every dollar of public money invested in Hawkeye, taxpayers receive $1.70 in return, for an annual rate of return of 4%, the study found. For every dollar invested in Hawkeye, Iowans receive a $7.10 return. And 92% of graduates stay in Iowa. Phase One Hawkeyes plan for the bond money focuses squarely on helping supply Iowas future workforce. The college has seen a 15%-20% increase in demand for hands-on training, so the top priority is renovating and expanding Butler Hall into a 60,000-square-foot center for skilled trades and apprenticeships. It will bring training programs for construction, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, automotive and diesel technology under one roof. The $20 million technical trades project would create more short-term training that gets Iowans into the workforce quickly and allows workers to advance faster. Noncredit enrollment is up 18%. Youre seeing more integration between credit and noncredit. Thats really the future of community college education, said Holcomb. Phase One also would include $5 million to repurpose about 15,000 square feet in Bremer Hall into a STEM Learning Center. The accredited Challenger Center would be used by school districts across the state to engage fifth- to eighth-grade students in science, technology, math and engineering. The name Challenger Center is a tribute to the crew of the space shuttle that exploded just after liftoff in 1986, killing all aboard. It would focus on space exploration, with simulations, role playing and hands-on learning that can be applied across multiple disciplines. The center would include interactive learning using virtual reality and augmented reality technologies. Research says thats really a key time when students are trying to decide what career field theyre going to go into, said Holcomb. He said 55% of STEM careers result from an associates degree or other post-secondary program that doesnt take four years to complete. Phase Two Phase Two would focus on a $10 million expansion of the colleges law enforcement training program. Law enforcement agencies are struggling with recruiting and hiring, and planned improvements would help address the officer shortage. Law enforcement courses would be consolidated in a single location to offer continual training. Currently classes are offered in Chickasaw Hall as well as north of the colleges Regional Transportation Training Center, which is south of the main campus. Plans call for demolition of Chickasaw Hall and construction of a new, expanded facility. Hawkeye hopes to create a level one law enforcement training academy, the second-such academy in Iowa. It would offer a 13-week training program currently only available at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in Johnston. We think itd provide better work-life balance for the recruits from Northeast Iowa, said Holcomb. We think we can do a very good job in helping to educate them and train them, and it could be a much easier recruiting sell to potential law enforcement officers to do the training locally. The expanded facility would allow the college to use technology to its full potential, creating a one-stop shop to train new officers and allow active law enforcement personnel to sharpen their skills. Tuesdays vote Hawkeye serves a 10-county service area that includes all or parts of Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Grundy, Tama, Fayette, Chickasaw, Floyd, and Benton counties. Registered voters living in the following school districts can vote Tuesday: Aplington-Parkserburg, parts of North Butler, Cedar Falls, Clarksville, Denver, Dike-New Hartford, Dunkerton, East Buchanan, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Grundy Center, Hudson, Independence, Janesville, Jesup, Nashua-Plainfield, North Tama County, Sumner-Fredericksburg, Tripoli, Union, Wapsie Valley, Waterloo, and Waverly Shell Rock. The Courier encourages voters to approve Tuesdays bond referendum to address Northeast Iowas workforce needs. Photos: 5th-graders experience EnviroFest 051419kw-EnviroFest-04 051419kw-EnviroFest-05 051419kw-EnviroFest-06 051419kw-EnviroFest-01 051419kw-EnviroFest-02 051419kw-EnviroFest-03 When you or a loved one are experiencing severe pain, discomfort, or disability from a serious or long-lasting illness, you may want to consider palliative care or hospice treatment options. They are commonly confused with one another due to their mutual focus on individuals with life-limiting conditions, but which one is the best option for you? Palliative care Palliative care is reserved for patients with a serious but non-life-threatening illness. It does not replace existing treatment, but it can provide medical support to treat symptoms of chronic illnesses. A debilitating chronic illness makes it nearly impossible to perform day-to-day activities. Older individuals, especially, may require the comprehensive and attentive treatment offered by palliative care providers during a time in their life when they can no longer do everything on their own. What does palliative care involve? Who qualifies? Palliative care is suitable for any age and at any stage of a serious illness; it can begin from the moment a diagnosis is received and treatments can be administered at home, in a hospital, at an extended care facility, or in a nursing home and can be covered by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance companies and health maintenance organizations. Because life-limiting conditions involve a variety of painful symptoms, treatment approaches will vary. Medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nutritional counseling may be utilized to manage symptoms, while emotional suffering can be alleviated through support groups, mental health professionals, and counseling. Hospice care Unlike palliative care, hospice care is intended for individuals diagnosed with an end-of-life illness. After a devastating diagnosis, it is vital to ease pain and prepare for an arduous process. Hospice care typically tends to people with under six months to live; it can be performed at home or in a hospital, nursing home, or hospice care center. What does hospice care involve? Who qualifies? Like palliative care, hospice care takes a holistic approach to ease your and your family's medical, emotional, and spiritual suffering. An expert staff of doctors, nurses, spiritual advisors, volunteers and social workers will provide hospice services. Hospice workers are available over the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hospice care can be covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance companies. Hospice care is best considered when treatments to cure a serious illness cause more damage than relief. While a physician's order is not required, you can bring it up with your doctor to discuss hospice care. People often wait too long to begin receiving assistance, which could have alleviated severe pain and discomfort. Palliative, hospice differences One key difference between palliative care and hospice care is that palliative care is for any patient not terminally ill. Some hospice care providers may offer palliative care, but it isn't standard. Hospice care is typically reserved for patients with fewer than six months to live, while palliative care has no time restrictions. Both treatment models provide symptom relief. Hospice care differs from palliative care because it prevents patients from receiving medical treatments geared toward curing their condition. Instead, hospice care takes a comfort-oriented approach. However, people on hospice have been able to improve their quality of life and graduate from hospice. If you think hospice care might be right for you or a loved one, give Beacon of Hope Hospice a call and one of our nurses can speak with you about your specific situation. Weather Alert .Warming temperatures this weekend will bring renewed snowmelt and streamflow rises, especially for snow covered terrain below about 7000 feet. Creeks that brought impacts this past week are likely to be problematic again and potentially reach higher levels, especially by late Sunday. ...FLOOD WATCH FOR SNOWMELT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Flooding caused by snowmelt continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of California and western Nevada, including the following areas, in California, Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties and Surprise Valley California. In western Nevada, Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area and Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties. * WHEN...Through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Creeks and streams will be running high and fast. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Minor mainstem flooding along the Susan River, Forks of the Carson River, and the East Walker River below Bridgeport Reservoir cannot be ruled out. Anyone participating in outdoor recreation this weekend should use caution as water will be running high, fast, and potentially out of banks for some creeks and streams. The water will be extremely cold as well, quickly causing shock. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. && This years legislative session opened with a flurry of gun bills, which I presume are intended to improve everyones safety and reduce gun-related criminal activity. To the sponsors, Ill credit them with good inclinations but ineffective means. This imperative must be compared to the impact on law-abiding gun owners. On this test, impact on criminal gun violence will be negligible, while the impact on law-abiding gun owners will be great. Why? Because in the case of a semi-automatic ban, New Mexicans will lose their best tool for self-defense one thats been around for about 250 years. No New Mexican wants to possess a six-shot revolver if theyre accosted by a criminal brandishing an illegal semi-automatic rifle with a 50-round drum magazine and suppressor. When confronted by a violent offender, legislators should want their constituents to be able to protect themselves and their families with the best equipment they can afford until law enforcement arrives. Any argument claiming public safety is so nebulous it must be discarded. In the real world, what counts is can a law-abiding New Mexican defend and prevail against an armed criminal? With this view, these bills tip the advantage to the criminal and away from the constituent. Instead, legislators should prioritize the ability for constituents to defend themselves and their families and penalize the criminal use of the subjects they seek to regulate in the form of enhancement penalties. For example, an armed robbery with an AR-15, a 50-round drum magazine, a suppressor and a fully automatic conversion kit should be dealt with much more severely as the same armed robbery with a six-shot revolver, perhaps enhancing the sentence two or three times. With this approach, law-abiding gun owners have little to nothing to oppose because as long as they dont commit a criminal action, they can continue owning, acquiring and legally using their semi-automatics, magazines and suppressors. And since some of these bills concern safety, rather than coerce behavior, nudge it. Why doesnt the state incentivize, perhaps in the form of tax credits or partial or full reimbursement, for gun owners to buy gun safes? Why dont legislators craft bills allowing gun owners to write off 100% of range fees and training classes? Training is essential for a firearms owner, but it can be expensive legislators can step in with bills that make firearms training free or nearly so. And why isnt there a state public education campaign to educate about firearms safety, the value of training, and such? This last approach is reminiscent of our approach to the war on drugs. For a time, we fought that war only with legislation and law enforcement. Then, there came an acceptance law alone cant obliterate illegal drugs, so public education campaigns, decriminalization and other methods (such as free syringes) appeared. This same acceptance needs to occur for guns. The Holy Grail is to reduce criminal gun use as far as possible without endangering the safety of New Mexicans who want a firearm for self-defense and without infringing on their Second Amendment rights to acquire one. This requires recognition firearms are here to stay, and escalating enhancements to disincentivize use in criminal ventures, an incentive campaign to encourage firearms-owning citizens to attend regular training, and a public education campaign to demystify guns and encourage proper gun use. As we approach the 20th anniversary of the Iraq invasion, its time to reflect on what lessons, if any, the United States may have gleaned from the experience and whether such lessons will deter any future military operations to effect regime change. By all accounts, the invasion has failed in achieving whatever goals U.S. policymakers had identified to justify the massive military operation in Iraq. Aside from removing Saddam Hussein from power, the country is still plagued by instability, corruption, sectarian conflicts, economic dislocation, dysfunctional infrastructure and terrorism. Several factors contributed to the post-invasion debacle. Politics, religion As a government intelligence analyst on the eve of the Iraq invasion, I was appalled by how little our senior policymakers knew about the formation of modern Iraq and the establishment of Shia Islam in the southern Iraqi city of Karbala. Nor did our leaders appreciate the depth of the grievances among Iraqs Shia majority. Irans deeply rooted geopolitical and religious interests in Iraq go back to the 16th century when Shia Islam became the official religion of Iran. Najaf and Karbala have always constituted the hub of the most influential Shia seminaries or centers of learning, also known as hawzas. This helps explain why Iran became so involved in Iraq after the invasion and the removal of Saddam Hussein in 2003. Iranian-supported and -armed Shia militias began to organize in Iraq in the ensuing years and foment an insurgency against the American invaders. Several months after the invasion, senior policymakers were asking government analysts to explain why, as they put it, the Shia thing was so important in Iraq, and why Iran was so focused on it? Day-after questions Aside from the rudimentary knowledge of Iraqi realities, senior policymakers in Washington were not focused on what would follow the Saddam regime. Reflecting a sense of can do hubris, some thought the massive American presence would by itself create and maintain stability in Iraq. Regime change was viewed by some top officials as a manageable process that included replacing one leader with another, while maintaining business as usual. Throughout Iraqs turbulent history, the Shia majority was excluded from power and never allowed to develop a leadership cadre that could one day rule the country. Consequently, top U.S. policymakers relied on Iraqi Shia exiles, such as Ahmed Chalabi, who were encouraged to return and run the country. That decision, which was made at the highest level of the U.S. government, ignored Chalabis murky background and his naked political ambitions. In their frequent briefings to senior policymakers on the eve of the invasion, government analysts raised several key questions that they felt needed to be addressed once Saddam Hussein was removed. These focused, among other things, on which tribes to engage, who will rule Iraq, which senior Shia leaders to deal with and how to distribute the oil revenues. In the run-up to the war, senior policymakers maintained Iraqis would welcome American troops as liberators and would view the occupation as liberation. Shortly after the fall of Saddam, however, the euphoria of liberation turned into occupation and the insurgency against the occupiers erupted across Iraq. De-Baathification The senior architects of the Iraq war in Washington on the eve of the invasion knew very little about the centrality of the Baath Party to all levels of Iraqi society. They were briefed that the party was the backbone of the Saddam regime in Iraq and party membership was absolutely essential to getting any job from a janitor to a university professor. But membership was not necessarily a sign of loyalty to the party, but rather a means to earn a living. De-Baathification and the dissolution of the Iraqi military were the two most disastrous decisions made by the American administration in Baghdad following Saddams fall. Lessons learned? Intelligence and policy expertise on Iraq were made available to policymakers at the highest levels, but such expertise and in-depth analysis were ignored. Groupthink and seemingly a lack of interest in what expert analysts had to offer underpinned the war decision, which, in turn, resulted in the debacle that followed. As the country observes the 20th anniversary of the Iraq invasion and before our leaders embark on another regime change adventure, they should base their decision on deep expertise about the target country, strong and verifiable intelligence, a nationally acceptable rationale, and clear end-game objectives. Above all, they should display genuine humility regarding the limits of the United States ability to control the unfolding of events, and the resulting outcomes and broader repercussions. Emile Nakhleh is a retired senior intelligence service officer, and a founding director of the CIAs Political Islam Strategic Analysis Program and the Global and the National Security Policy Institute at the University of New Mexico. Since retiring from the government, Nakhleh has consulted on national security issues, particularly Islamic radicalization, terrorism and the Arab states of the Middle East. He is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Archeological Studies firing wrong NEW MEXICO had a great gift in having Dr. Eric Blinman as director of Archeological Studies. Blinman is a dedicated, knowledgeable professional who is highly respected in New Mexico and beyond. He created a world-class specialty lab that is one of only three in the world. I have worked with Blinman; he is not only generous with his time and expertise, but also clearly loves his work. Firing Blinman is an unconscionable and serious loss, not only of his dedication and skill, but also of the historical institutional memory he represents. New Mexico has a rich cultural legacy and the Department of Cultural Affairs is crucial for maximizing this potential. The distressing litany of high-level turnovers is the last straw in (a) descent into incompetence. Blinman should be reinstated immediately. Margaret Keith Clemson, Ribera Balloongate raises lots of questions I TALKED for about an hour to a friend of mine about the recent balloon spotting and destruction by an AIM-9X missile launched from an Air Force F-22 fighter aircraft. We both were educated as astronautical engineers (and) we both were assigned to Holloman Air Force Base, (where) we both tested a captured Soviet version of the AIM-9B. Several questions arose: 1. Why wait to shoot the balloon down when any debris was likely not going to hurt civilians in the far northern USA and likely the Chinese have the ability to transfer any intel back to China before it reached the Carolinas? 2. After the shootdown, President Biden announced he ordered it to be done but the military had advised to wait till it was over water really? 3. Why was an expensive AIM-9X missile used to destroy the balloon when it could have been destroyed easily with the F-22A 20mm gun system at much less cost? 4. After I had talked with my friend, I asked an unnamed source if things would have been different under a Trump administration? She suggested that there never would have been such an incident. 5. Could this have actually been a visitor from another planet? Just kidding. According to an email I get from the History Channel, the Japanese launched killer balloons in World War II. Felix Morgan, Albuquerque ABQ pedestrians have zero vision THE ALBUQUERQUE Journal editors believe pedestrians need Vision Zero ASAP, but the problem is pedestrians already have zero vision as in zero vision when crossing an intersection or walking along a roadway. The most important habit a person can develop to keep themselves safe is to pay attention, yet it seems most people go through life oblivious to the dangers around them. I have never seen anyone in an Albuquerque crosswalk, even wide busy ones, such as at Louisiana and Indian School, who wasnt crossing the intersection with their head down, usually engrossed in their smartphones, oblivious to the numerous multi-ton behemoths moving all around them. The police can write all the tickets they want and the mayor can institute as many programs as he wishes, but unless people take responsibility for their own safety and start becoming more vigilant of their surroundings, nothing will change. Ron Spencer, Los Lunas Kudos for coverage of NM corridistas KUDOS TO the Albuquerque Journal for its excellent (Feb. 19) article about music pioneer John Donald Robb. My father, Ted Martinez, has fond memories of Robb, then UNM Dean of Fine Arts, visiting my grandfather, Luis S. Martinez, in his Martineztown home for long discussions about the folk music of the Hispanic community. Robb was particularly interested in my grandpas body of work; he was a renowned writer of corridos, or ballads, famous especially for corridos he wrote that were commissioned by political candidates, including U.S. Sen. Dennis Chavez. Luis also traveled with Robb, and UNM professor and folklorist Ruben Cobos to record musicians who resided in villages throughout the state. Robbs promotion of New Mexican corridistas leaves a legacy that extends to the present day and will not be forgotten. Demetria Martinez, Santa Fe A new month brings a new to-do list and March, with its blustery weather and onset of spring, brings calendar milestones each year. Here is a rundown of just a few: St. Patricks Day Irish or not, you likely have celebrated St. Patricks Day. St. Patrick, who lived during the Fifth Century, is the patron saint of Ireland and its national apostle. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at age 16. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people. In the centuries following Patricks death, believed to have been on March 17, 461, the mythology surrounding his life became ever more ingrained in the Irish culture: Perhaps the best-known legend of St. Patrick is that he explained the Holy Trinity Father, Son and Holy Spirit using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock. The first St. Patricks Day parade did not take place in America. It was on March 17, 1601, in a Spanish colony in what is now St. Augustine, Florida. More than a century later, homesick Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched in New York City on March 17, 1772, to honor the Irish patron saint. Until the mid-19th century, most Irish immigrants in America were members of the Protestant middle class. When the Great Potato Famine hit Ireland in 1845, close to 1 million poor and uneducated Irish Catholics began pouring into America to escape starvation. Despised by the American Protestant majority for their alien religious beliefs and unfamiliar accents, the immigrants had trouble finding even menial jobs. The American Irish soon began to realize that their large and growing numbers endowed them with a political power that had yet to be exploited. They started to organize and their voting bloc, known as the green machine, became an important swing vote for political hopefuls. Enjoying corn beef and cabbage on St. Patricks Day is not an Irish tradition. Historically, people in Ireland would enjoy Irish stew and soda bread, or pork and potatoes for the celebration. Daylight Saving Time (DST) DST is the practice of setting the clocks one hour ahead of standard time to make use of sunlight in the spring, summer and fall evenings. Thunder Bay, Canada, was the first North American location to turn its clocks forward on July 1, 1908. Other locations in Canada soon followed. The practice spread during WWI to minimize the use of artificial lighting and save fuel for the war effort. Most of Europe returned to standard time after the war. Daylight Saving made a return in Europe with WWII. Daylight Saving Time is used in over 70 countries worldwide, affecting over one billion people annually. In the United States, Hawaii and Arizona do not change their clocks. Bills have been considered in the N.M. Legislature, including this year, to eliminate the time change. After the energy crisis was over in 1976, the United States DST schedule was revised several times throughout the years. From 1987 to 2006, the country observed DST for about seven months each year. The current schedule was introduced by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and has been followed since 2007. On March 15, 2022, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act. But, for the bill to become law, allowing states to observe DST year-round, it must also be approved by the House of Representatives and signed into law by the president. This has not yet happened. This year, DST begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 12. March 20, first day of spring On this day, known as the vernal equinox vernal translates to new and fresh, and equinox is derived from the Latin aequus, equal and nox, night the suns rays cross directly over the Earths equator and provide nearly equal periods of day and night in both hemispheres, according to study.com. Our days of daylight have been growing slightly longer each day since the winter solstice. Ramadan Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims, the followers of Islam. It is celebrated as the month during which Muhammad received the initial revelations of the Quran, the holy book for Muslims. Fasting is one of the five fundamental principles of Islam. Each day during Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from dawn to sunset. They are also supposed to avoid impure thoughts and bad behavior. Muslims break their daily fasts by sharing meals with family and friends, and the end of Ramadan is celebrated with a three-day festival known as Eid al-Fitr, one of Islams major holidays. Ramadan always falls on the ninth month of the 12-month Islamic calendar. Ramadan 2023 starts on the evening of Wednesday, March 22, and lasts 30 days, ending at sundown on Thursday, April 20. Sources: history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/history-of-st-patricks-day; timeanddate.com/time/dst/history.html; farmersalmanac.com/spring-equinox-first-day-spring; and history.com/topics/holidays/ramadan. There is no shortage of opinions about what needs to be done as a state to make our communities safer. While there may not be agreement on every idea, there is one solution being considered in this years legislative session that will have an immediate impact throughout the state. Almost every community is affected by thousands of individuals with outstanding felony arrest warrants. Unfortunately, nearly every law enforcement agency is limited in what can be done to clear these warrants. This is a serious problem for many reasons, but, first and foremost, it means that too many potentially dangerous criminals are out on the streets and not in jail. If someone has a felony warrant for domestic violence in Albuquerque, that suspect could be staying with a friend in Las Vegas. Thats not just a problem for police who are trying to get this suspect in jail. It could also be a problem for Las Vegas and other communities where that suspect may commit additional crimes. A suspected sex offender from Las Cruces may be laying low in Roswell. An armed robbery suspect in Socorro may be looking for new opportunities to rob stores in Farmington. A prolific auto thief may move between several communities, such as Los Lunas, Bosque Farms and Isleta Pueblo, rather than risk being seen by police in Rio Rancho. To address the outstanding warrant crisis, there is legislation that will dedicate money for police departments, sheriffs offices, New Mexico State Police, district courts, district attorneys, the public defender, detention facilities, the adult probation and parole division of the Department of Corrections, and the Administrative Office of the Courts. Partners requested $20 million and the House version of the state budget included $7 million for warrants. The $7 million is a promising start, but $20 million is needed to address the staggering backlog. Applying agencies will need to detail to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration how they intend to use the money based on several factors, including: Focus on resolving previous crimes, while keeping dangerous criminals from committing new crimes; Paying overtime costs; Cost and total number of personnel, including officers, who will be involved; The number of outstanding felony warrants the agency intends to address; The state would also consider: Severity of the alleged crime; Date the outstanding warrant was issued; Whether the alleged perpetrator is a repeat offender; Whether the alleged crime was a violent crime, such as homicide, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, kidnapping, felony domestic violence, auto theft or burglary. This targeted approach to find, arrest and capture dangerous suspects who already have felony warrants will have an immediate impact on public safety. We hope legislators will come together and support this crucial funding for all parts of the criminal justice system. MELROSE Could it be true? Do cats really have nine lives? One cat in Melrose is offering some evidence, or at least making a comeback after a near-death experience. Tom, now a three-legged cat, was a gunshot victim last August. Staci Huggins of Melrose found him, nearly dead. He spent 30 days at the Tucumcari Animal Hospital where he lost his leg but was nursed back to health. Huggins, a hospice nurse, first became aware of Tom through his owner, one of Huggins patients. After the patient died, Huggins attempted to adopt Tom but no one could catch him. He had been a free-roaming cat since January 2021. Still, Huggins cared for him, leaving out food and letting him know he had a safe haven. She noticed something was wrong when he took to her garage in August. She realized hed been shot. I was in shock, I was completely in shock, she said. There was a lot of blood, a strange smell, and a hole in Toms body on his left side. I couldnt believe anyone around here would shoot him, she said. Huggins said she told police about the incident but the shooter has not been located. But Toms story may have a happy ending. His adversity has helped make him a contender for Americas Favorite Pet 2023. Thats a national contest that awards the title to one cat and one dog. Tom is up against an estimated 1,500 other cats, but he was sitting in third place in the quarter finals as of Saturday. No ones counting out the comeback cat. Learn more about Tom at americasfavpet.com/2023/tom-f49c. Max Garcia, standing on Feb. 20, 2023, amid the remains of his charred barn, examines whats left of his farm equipment after the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire swept through his ranch last year. The Garcias are one of three families the Journal spoke to recently about rebuilding after the catastrophic fire. (Eddie Moore/Journal) Max and Rachel Garcia on Feb. 20, 2023, describe their experience during the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire that destroyed much of their ranch, as well as several other nearby homes. The Garcias are one of three families the Journal spoke to recently about rebuilding after the catastrophic fire. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal) The Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire ravaged much of Rachel and Max Garcias 600-acre ranch. Max was able to save their house to the left, but everything else was destroyed. A new barn has since been built. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal) Max Garcia stands next to his greenhouse that was destroyed by the Calf Canyon Hermit Peak Fire pictured on Monday, February 20, 2023. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal) Max Garcias solar-powered well was a victim of the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal) Max Garcia walks through the once-scenic forest on his land south of Mora.. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal) Prev 1 of 6 Next PENDARIES Rachel Garcia has fond memories of the time she and her husband, Max, spent working for the U.S. Forest Service and Park Service. Now she deals with the backlash. Ive had some people say, Youre the ones who started the fire, arent you? They remembered me from the Forest Service, she said. She and Max lost nearly everything but their house in the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire last year, which began on federal land as separate controlled burns that got out of control. Charred equipment and sticks that were once trees surround their home, which was saved by Max and his sons hard work during the fires. The couple is proud of their Forest Service careers, but angry, along with many in the area, to see their land severely damaged by the wildfire caused, although inadvertently, by their former employer. Rachel said she still has good relationships with her neighbors who bring it up. She and her husband have lived in or near Mora and Las Vegas for most of their lives, except for about 16 years when they were stationed around the West with the Forest Service and Park Service as a dual career couple. Rachel worked a variety of jobs with both agencies and even gave tours as a park ranger. Max, whos also a Vietnam combat veteran, served in a number of roles with the Forest Service, including as a firefighter. I know fire, Max said. I know fire behavior because I had extensive training and did that for four years. Their ranch is near Pendaries, about 10 miles south of Mora. Max stayed behind during the fires with his son to make firelines, put out what he could and protect his ranch and his animals. He lost four barns and most of his equipment, which still sits on his land, some in a giant pile of metal that he cant bring himself to move. The Garcia family ranches on about 600 acres of land and very little of it was untouched by the fire. This is basically a crime scene, he said of the burnt debris and blackened forest. The fire burned a total of about 340,000 acres of land last year in the states largest wildfire. At the time, the Federal Emergency Management Agency administered more than $7 million to about 1,300 victims of the fire under its usual regulations for natural disasters. But what we have here is something completely different, U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez said. This is not disaster assistance. This is compensation for losses that were suffered because it was the United States fault, not the weather. The federal government admitted guilt and passed legislation making nearly $4 billion in relief funds available through FEMA, but those funds havent been distributed yet. FEMA spokesperson Angela Byrd said the agency is aiming to open offices to handle claims from victims in late March in Santa Fe, San Miguel and Mora counties. She added that it interviewed more than 130 local candidates and has extended 25 tentative job offers from that pool. She also said FEMA will onboard 15 to 20 new local hires in mid-March and plans to make additional offers. Leger Fernandez has been a vocal advocate for victims of the fire, and her office works with them to navigate the assistance available now and down the road. She said she requested that FEMA hire only locals for positions as navigators, who are responsible for guiding victims through the application. Its been very frustrating for a local community because weve had to educate the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) and FEMA on things like acequias, she said. Navigating aid Some victims elect to work with case workers on their applications, and some choose to consult attorneys to help them make assessments about the damage done to their property and what theyll need to recover from it. In addition to his work with the Forest Service, Max Garcia also worked with the Department of the Interior, and his son works with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Rachel Garcia said that between the three of them, they feel confident that they can adequately assess the damage done to their property and have submitted their application to FEMA without the help of a caseworker or attorneys. She said they received some help from FEMA early on, but its been slow moving. At the beginning, there was no help from anyone, she said. It was just an application. They received an initial $500 for emergency supplies and food, and then another $1,200 for emergency home repairs and $8,000 for repairs to their well. But thats a small sum considering what theyve lost. Max and Rachel bought a generator to keep the lights on and the refrigerator going, knowing that at the time, FEMA wasnt covering them. And then theres the land itself. Much of it is covered in blackened, bare trees that still stand tall, but you can see right through the forest, even at a distance. I had thinned this whole area, Max said as he walked through the forest. You can tell that everything had been thinned out really nice. Had good spacing. Max has spent much of his life tending to this land, and since the fire, hes continued that work, clearing the forest, rebuilding his damaged fences and taking care of livestock. And someones noticing namely, local elk. Theres a lot of droppings in the area, he said as he walked between the burned trees on his property. But I like that. It shows Im doing my job. Editors Note: Three families, three diverse stories. Nearly a year after the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire grew out of control, the Journal spoke with three families who are still reeling from its effects. Read the full series: Tommie Carter, 100, looks through her photos, cards and drawings, the few things she has left from her home that was destroyed by the Calf Canyon Hermit Peak Fire last spring. Carter and her family recently spoke to the Journal about rebuilding after the catastrophic fire. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal) Benito Sanchez has been living in the Crowne Point Hotel since his home was destroyed by the Calf Canyon Hermit Peak Fire last spring. Sanchez and his family recently spoke to the Journal about rebuilding after the catastrophic fire. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal) Diana Sanchez has been living in the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque hotel since her home was destroyed by the Calf Canyon Hermit Peak Fire last spring. She has decorated her hotel room with photos of her late husband Ben Sanchez. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal) A hand full of photos, cards and drawings sit next to,Tommie Carter. The memorabilia is what is left from her home that was destroyed by the Calf Canyon Hermit Peak Fire last spring. Unable to return to their home in Mora County, she, her daughter and grandson have been sharing a hotel room at the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque hotel for the last 10 months. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal) Benito Sanchez and his 100-year old grandmother Tommie Carter have been living in the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque hotel since his home was destroyed by the Calf Canyon Hermit Peak Fire 10 months ago. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal) Prev 1 of 5 Next SANTA FE Diana Sanchez brought her now 100-year-old mother Tommie Carter from San Antonio, Texas, to her home outside of Mora nearly a decade ago and in that time, theyve had a lot of debates about which is better: New Mexican or Texan cuisine. She doesnt understand red or green chile. Doesnt want either, Diana said. But now, its rare that they get either, at least not home-cooked. Last year, Diana, Tommie and Dianas son Benito lost their home in the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire. Since then, theyve stayed at the Crowne Plaza in Albuquerque, as they wait for funds to come through that would help them find more permanent housing, then rebuild. Benito, who works for the New Mexico Department of Workforce as a career consultant, said he pays for the familys food, which isnt cheap without a kitchen. We dont have a stove, Benito said. And they wont let us get a hot plate because its a fire hazard in a hotel. So instead of the traditional New Mexican fare Diana would normally cook, the three mostly eat fast food, bologna sandwiches and snacks they can keep in the hotel. They said the hotel is comfortable and the staff has become like extended family, but its not home. Tommie draws their home as she remembers it: from the dogs who died in the fire to family and friends in Western wear to Tiffany lamps that her daughter had collected. Diana said the house they lost was filled with things tied to memories, and very few items made it out with them. My whole life was there, Diana said. We came with the clothes on our backs. My mother came in her pajamas. The loss of the house and family pets came on the heels of another big loss: Dianas husband passed away just five months before the fire. Diana and Tommie keep the photos they have left along a ledge above their beds in the hotel room, and a photo of him sits at the center. One day, you wake up and your husbands no longer there by your side. Then, having the fires burn our whole lives. Together, it makes you feel like your life didnt exist, Diana said. FEMA help Benito said the Federal Emergency Management Agency offered the family a trailer to live in temporarily on their property, but his grandmothers health needs made that an unrealistic solution. FEMA spokesperson Angela Byrd said the agency has provided trailers to victims of the fire, and are currently housing 15 families in them. She added that two families are still waiting for trailers, and one is moving out. Benito paid for the hotel for the first few weeks, but racked up debt doing so. Thats when the governors office stepped in and paid for the hotel. Maddy Hayden, a spokesperson for the governor, said via email the governors office has worked with state agencies, local governments and nonprofits to offer support to fire victims. It has found and paid for shelter, provided case management and given sandbags and even freezers to families who need them to store game or prepare for floods, she said. Hayden did not provide a specific number of people the office had helped, but she did say funds for these efforts come from a myriad of places, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, FEMA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Economic Development Administration. She added the governors office plans to seek reimbursement from FEMA. Looking for an apartment Now, Benito is looking for an apartment for his family. FEMA offered them financial support for an apartment in Albuquerque through November. Benito said hes been looking for one. But the apartment market is tight and even with the help, he remains in a difficult spot financially. All the expenses the family incurred after losing their home took a big hit on his credit. Its hard to get approved, even with a huge down payment, but were trying, he said. He added the apartment also needs to be comfortable for his grandmother likely a first floor apartment with a handicap-accessible bathroom. Eventually Diana plans to rebuild and move back to her land north of Mora, where she feels she will be able to finally mourn her husband and everything shes lost since the fire. Its not a situation that we caused, Benito said. It was man-made by the government, which means theyre 100% responsible, and theyre 100% responsible to pay us back. Editors Note: Three families, three diverse stories. Nearly a year after the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire grew out of control, the Journal spoke with three families who are still reeling from its effects. Read the full series: SANTA FE The state House endorsed a plan Saturday to ask voters to end New Mexicos status as the only state without a salaried legislature a move supporters said would broaden the pool of people who can serve. It triggered intense debate over three hours on the House floor as lawmakers wrestled with the meaning of public service and whether New Mexico would benefit from restructuring its legislative body. Republicans, in particular, questioned whether a salary is appropriate for what was once envisioned as a part-time job. The legislation, House Joint Resolution 8, won approval 40-24 largely along party lines with Democrats in favor. It would amend the state Constitution to establish a citizen commission that would set a salary for the states 112 lawmakers. The measure would go before voters next year if the Senate agrees to the plan in the final two weeks of this years session. Members of the Legislature now draw per diem payments during legislative sessions and for meetings in the interim, receive mileage reimbursements and can participate in a retirement plan. But they dont get a year-round salary. Rep. Angelica Rubio, D-Las Cruces, said the lack of a salary distorts who can afford to serve in the Legislature. Were leaving a lot of people out of the conversation, Rubio said as she defended the legislation. Republicans who assailed the measure said its misleading to suggest lawmakers arent compensated. We dont have a salary, Republican Rep. James Townsend of Artesia said, but were certainly generously gifted with a retirement package. A legislator with 10 years of service could receive about $17,000 a year in retirement, according to an example calculated by the states pension system. Participation costs about $600 a year in member contributions. The legislation debated Saturday wouldnt set a particular salary. Instead a nine-member citizen commission would determine the salaries, with the extra pay starting in mid-2026. Supporters say that if the amendment is passed, they would follow up with more specific legislation designating how commission members would be selected and any limit on what salary they could set. A Republican-sponsored amendment sought to limit any potential salary to the states median household income, now about $54,000 a year. Republican lawmakers said it would be dangerous to allow an unelected commission to set salaries with no cap. But the proposed limit failed. The Democratic sponsors of the legislation said it was better to let the commission decide what factors to consider in setting a salary. Work load between sessions Rep. Susan Herrera, D-Embudo, said serving in the Legislature takes work all year, not just in regular sessions that alternate between 30 and 60 days. Critical work, she said, also happens in interim meetings that usually begin in spring and depending on the committee may continue until the session starts in January. Lawmakers are also called to the Capitol occasionally for special sessions. Herrera said she is retired and now dedicates her time to serving constituents in a northern New Mexico district the geographic size of Massachusetts, adding 25,000 to 30,000 miles a year on her vehicle. I call this a year-round job without pay, she said. Only certain people can do that. Republicans said the proposal would change the character of the Legislature for the worse. We didnt take this job to start a second career, Rep. Alan Martinez, R-Bernalillo, said. We took this job to be public servants. All Republicans present voted against the measure, as did one Democrat, Ambrose Castellano of Las Vegas. Low pay, other proposals The per diem rate, set by a federal agency, has ranged from about $178 to $210 a day this year for Santa Fe. Nearby hotel rooms this month run from about $118 a night to $315. Some states pay worse than New Mexico, even with a salary. New Hampshire, for example, grants its lawmakers a salary of just $100 a year, plus a mileage reimbursement. But the amount varies widely. In Arizona, lawmakers last year received a $24,000 salary plus mileage and per diem. Saturdays salary legislation is part of a broader package of changes lawmakers are weighing this year that would restructure the Legislature. A second measure, House Joint Resolution 2, would lengthen legislative sessions from 30 to 60 days in even-numbered years and remove a restriction on what bills can be taken up during even years. Under the current system, the election-year sessions are open to budget legislation, constitutional amendments and topics authorized by the governor. Both proposals would require voter approval if they make it through both chambers this year. The session ends at noon March 18. The family of a Navajo man who died in a Farmington hospital from an alleged misdiagnosis tied to a language barrier on Wednesday filed a motion for summary judgment in connection with a lawsuit claiming medical malpractice and wrongful death. Larry Williams, 67, died in San Juan Regional Medical Center on Feb. 8, 2018, from pneumonia and septic shock. According to the lawsuit, filed in Santa Fe County District Court on Jan. 22, 2021, Williams, who spoke primarily Navajo his entire life, went to the hospital on Feb. 7, 2018, with symptoms that included confusion, low oxygenation, underlying pulmonary disease and a recent history of pneumonia. A doctor in the hospitals emergency room diagnosed Williams with a urinary tract infection and discharged him; Williams symptoms grew worse and he returned to the hospital that evening and died the next day, the lawsuit said. The motion for summary judgment was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Fine Law Firm. According to the motion, SJRMC did not offer Mr. Williams language assistance and did not clearly inform him of the availability of language assistance in spoken and written Navajo during his first February 7, 2018 visit. San Juan Regional Medical Center did not respond to Journal requests for comment, but the medical center said in court records that they plan to call Dr. Todd Parker of Virginia Beach, Virginia, as an expert witness. Parker is expected to testify that Williams responded appropriately to IV fluids; that the imaging and choice of antibiotic given to Williams were appropriate; that Williams did not, with any reasonable degree of medical probability have signs of acute respiratory illness that required further testing; that the care Williams received in the hospitals emergency department met the applicable standard of care; and that Williams discharge from the ER was appropriate and there was no indication he required any further inpatient treatment. Attorneys for Williams maintained that because he was not provided with an interpreter, the hospital staff was unable to communicate adequately with Williams and missed his altered mental state, a symptom of a severe infection, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the ACLU. Language assistance is vital to the overall health of Indigenous people. It is unconscionable that SJRMC, a health care provider that serves a large patient population of Navajo people, failed to provide the linguistic services that Mr. Williams depended on for his health and well-being, said ACLU attorney Preston Sanchez. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russian shelling destroyed homes and killed one person in northern Ukraines Kharkiv province, the regions governor said Sunday, while fighting raged in the fiercely contested eastern city of Bakhmut. The town of Kupiansk is about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the Russian border; the region has come under frequent attacks even though Russian ground forces withdrew from the area nearly six months ago. Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said at least five homes were razed in the latest attack that left a 65-year-old man dead. Two civilians were killed over the past day in Bakhmut, Donetsk province Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said. Russian forces have spent months trying to capture the city as part of their offensive in eastern Ukraine, and the area has seen some of the bloodiest ground fighting of the war. In recent days, Ukrainian units destroyed two key bridges just outside Bakhmut, including one linking it to the nearby town of Chasiv Yar along the last remaining Ukrainian resupply route, according to U.K. military intelligence officials and other Western analysts. Associated Press journalists near Bakhmut on Saturday saw a pontoon bridge set up by Ukrainian soldiers to help the few remaining residents reach the nearby village of Khromove. Later, the AP team saw at least five houses on fire as a result of attacks in Khromove, a nearby settlement. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, assessed last week that Kyivs actions may point to a looming pullout from parts of the city. It said Ukrainian troops may conduct a limited and controlled withdrawal from particularly difficult sections of eastern Bakhmut, while seeking to inhibit Russian movement there and limit exit routes to the west. Capturing Bakhmut would not only give Russian fighters a rare battlefield gain after months of setbacks but might rupture Ukraines supply lines and allow the Kremlins forces to press on toward other Ukrainian strongholds in Donetsk province. In southern Ukraine, a woman and two children were killed in a residential building in the Kherson region village of Poniativka, the Ukrainian presidents office reported. A Russian artillery shell hit a car in Burdarky, another Kharkiv province village, killing a man and his wife, the regional prosecutors office said. Casualties increased from an attack earlier in the week. Ukraines emergency services reported Sunday that the death toll from a Russian missile strike that hit a five-story apartment building in southern Ukraine on Thursday rose to 13. One of the few areas where Russia and Ukraine have cooperated during the war is grain shipments. On that front, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Sunday his country is engaged in intense efforts to extend an agreement that allowed Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports. The deal, which the U.N. and Turkey brokered in July 2022 and was extended by four months in November, is set to expire March 18. In a speech at the opening of the U.N. Conference on Least Developed Countries in Doha, Qatar, Cavusoglu said he had discussed another extension with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The agreement, which also allows Russia to export food and fertilizers, has helped temper rising global food prices. However, Russian officials have complained that shipments of the countrys fertilizer were not being facilitated under the agreement, leaving the deals renewal in question. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine VANDALS FORCE ME TO PARK IN MY YARD: Nathan Curtner emails I have been parking without issue on my dirt setback for 12 years due to vandalism/moving truck damage/theft that arose from street parking. But in January, Nathan got a notice of violation from the city that asserts I must be parked in a driveway or drive aisle, which conflicts with other rules set out in the IDO regarding homes built before 2007. Mine is a late 1970s home. These are humble and narrow duplex homes, and with one vehicle parked at the curb I cant even put a garbage can out without blocking my own driveway. It would appear everyone in my neighborhood with similar yard parking habits on Shannon NW received this same letter. YOU CANT PARK ON LANDSCAPING: Tim Walsh, public information coordinator of Albuquerques Planning Department, says when Code Enforcement inspectors did their sweep of the area, the properties where violations were issued did not appear to have surfaces that were improved. An improved surface is defined in subsection 6-8(G)(2)(a) of the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) as, impervious surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt, or all-weather pervious surfaces, such as recycled asphalt, compacted crusher fines, or compacted angular stone. In order to enjoy nonconforming status under this Section 14-16-6-8, any such improvements must have been installed for and be suitable for the specific purpose of front-yard parking and maneuvering.' But what about older homes? Walsh says IDO subsection 6-8(G)(2)(a) Front Yard Parking Areas in Existence Prior to June 17, 2007, states, front-yard parking areas that do not satisfy the requirements of this IDO that were improved for and specifically dedicated to use as front-yard parking area prior to June 17, 2007 when City Council adopted O-07-61, which first regulated front yard parking and that otherwise satisfied the requirements of all applicable regulation in place at the time of their installation, may continue to be used as front-yard parking areas pursuant to the provisions of this IDO governing nonconforming uses and structures. And that boils down to you can park on an area that has been improved with concrete, fine rock, etc., but not on a dirt yard, dead grass or landscaping gravel. Walsh says they need to have an improved surface for and specifically dedicated to use as front-yard parking area. MORE ON THE NO-PLATE CRACKDOWN: Readers have continued to weigh in now that the Albuquerque Police Department is focusing on citing drivers of vehicles without license plates. One shares in an email the citations have a backlash to it too, because my sons license plate was stolen off of his car while he was parked in the Smiths park(ing lot) so people are getting license plates, but not the right way. And a former Texas resident here has a clarification after a reader said that state requires residents to get new plates. No, Texas does NOT require you to purchase new license plates every five years. They recommend changing them every seven years, and there are plenty of folks driving there with missing tags. At txdmv.gov theres a form to get replacement plates if yours are lost, stolen, mutilated or need replacement for cosmetic/readability reasons for a $6.50 fee. AND NO VEHICLE INSPECTIONS: Another reader asks why doesnt N.M. require regular car inspections? We are one of the few states which inexplicably ignores the danger of cars with no brakes; no working lights; and, in my observation, barely enough body metal to hold the car together. Inspections could weed out the loud louts, as well. Back in 2015 a reader shared a similar concern, and this column included some history on the topic. State Rep. Bill Rehm, R-Albuquerque, shared that we used to require annual vehicle inspections until the mid-1970s, when the law was repealed. He explains it was really just a cursory look at the headlights, tail lights, windshield and wipers; things like brakes and operations of the vehicle were not examined. Many times there was not much inspection, he said, and thus the reason to repeal. Instead, now we rely on law enforcement to cite a vehicle driver for unsafe condition/lack of required equipment under statutes 66-3-801-875 and 66-3-901. Editorial page editor DVal Westphal tackles commuter issues for the metro area on Mondays. Reach her at 823-3858; dwestphal@abqjournal.com; or 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87109. More Road Warrior A man is accused of shooting at a New Mexico State Police officers home last week in Roswell sending at least one bullet through a childs room. Jonah Flores, 25, is charged with child abuse, shooting at a dwelling or occupied building, two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with the Feb. 27 incident. His attorney could not be reached Saturday. State Police said Flores told detectives he shot at the home but did not give a reason why and said he did not know who lived there. Flores criminal history includes robbery, DWI and larceny charges, according to court records. His most recent charges date back to 2019, when his probation officer found a loaded gun on him during a home visit. Flores was satisfactorily discharged from probation on Jan. 1. The shooting happened less than two months later. A State Police officer was in bed with his wife and 3-year-old child around 9 p.m. when he heard gunshots and pieces of the wall breaking, according to a criminal complaint filed in Chaves County Magistrate Court. The officer told police he rolled off the bed holding his daughter to protect her. Police said the officer then armed himself and went outside, where he saw a vehicles tail lights down the road. Responding officers found seven 9mm casings in the street and bullet holes in the home, one of which pierced a wall by the daughters crib. A nearby surveillance camera showed a Toyota Corolla with a Zia decal in the window drive through the area at the time of the shooting, according to the complaint. An officer found a car matching the description parked outside of Flores home a few miles away. Police said they detained Flores and found a 9mm handgun in his home with seven rounds missing from the magazine. Flores reportedly told police he shot at the home but didnt know how many times he fired. Flores made statements of how he ruined his life, according to the complaint. He was emotional and remorseful for what he had done and knew what he did was wrong. Instagram Celebrity The 'Wake Up in the Sky' rapper and his wife, who welcomed their new bundle of joy in February, make use of their respective Instagram to give fans a closer look at their daughter. Mar 4, 2023 AceShowbiz - Gucci Mane and wife Keyshia Ka'Oir continue to share the joy after welcoming their second child together. Taking to their respective Instagram accounts, the couple unleashed cute photos of their new bundle of joy. In the images, baby Ireland could be seen sleeping soundly in a cute dress. The rapper captioned the post by writing, "prettiest daughter in the world Dada love you so much the So Icy Princess Iceland Davis." His wife Keyshia, meanwhile, celebrated Iceland turning 3 weeks. "I C E L A N D," she penned, adding hashtags, "#3weeksOld #IcelandKaoirDavis." Gucci and Keyshia welcomed their baby in February. When announcing her arrival, the rapper posted photos of him and the model in the hospital while she cradled her newborn daughter with an IV drip still attached to one of her hands. In the first snap, the couple shared a smooch. The second photo saw the pair staring lovingly at the baby girl, who was wrapped in a soft pink blanket. The rapper was clearly already smitten with the new bundle of joy as he flashed a smile. In the caption, the proud father revealed her daughter's name as he wrote, "Im so thankful that my baby girl is here and she so pretty and healthy 2/8/23 7lbs 2oz ICELAND DAVIS." The pair announced that they were expecting a second child together in September 2022. Later in January, she revealed the sex of their baby by sharing photos of the couple and their son Ice Davis dressing in pink. Gucci and Keyshia's first child together, Ice, was born on December 23, 2020. The "Freaky Gurl" rhymer also shares a son, Keitheon, with his ex Sheena Evans. As for Keyshia, the Jamaica-born model is also parent to two daughters and a son from a previous relationship. You can share this post! Cover Images/BauerGriffin Celebrity Tomas Mier comes under fire over his response to the Canadian star's tweet, in which he shares a video from his HBO show 'The Idol' and asks, '@RollingStone did we upset you?' Mar 5, 2023 AceShowbiz - A Rolling Stone writer came under fire for replying to The Weeknd's criticism with a monkey meme. Tomas Mier found himself being called racist by a number of Internet users over his response during a small back-and-forth with the "Blinding Lights" crooner. It all started with the Canadian star posting on Twitter a clip from "The Idol" in which he stars. He then asked, "@RollingStone did we upset you?" Tomas then replied to it with a photo of a monkey wearing a pink jacket, prompting one person to write back,"RollingStone Do better." Another penned, "This gotta be racist no way a white man using a monkey picture to reac, to a black man." A third commented, "@RollingStone this is y'all's writer? That's racist." Someone else added, "Racist much Thomas? Wtaf? @RollingStone, are you literally ok with your writers being this blatantly racist? If you don't know why this is, you are part of the [problem]." "Isn't a good take to be racist if you want to prove a point," one different user tweeted in response to Tomas' since-deleted post. "No wonder he got more likes than that article got views. It has trash like you writing for them. Makes sense why their credit is trash now. I feel sorry for [Rolling Stone] losing viewers and employing garbage." You can share this post! Instagram Movie The Broadway revival of Barbra Streisand's stage show is officially confirmed to bid farewell in September after it was 'originally only supposed to stay until June.' Mar 5, 2023 AceShowbiz - Lea Michele's stint in "Funny Girl" will conclude in September. The "Glee" actress replaced Beanie Feldstein in September 2022 and it's now been announced the Broadway revival will come to an end on September 3. "Hey, gorgeous! We're having so much fun with you on Broadway, we're sticking around until September 3rd. Don't miss @leamichele, @raminkarimloo, @grimeystepz, and @tovahfeld! Get your tickets now. #FUNNYGIRL (sic)," read a statement on the show's Instagram page tagged Lea and her co-stars Ramin Karimloo, Jared Grimes, and Tova Feldshuh. When it closed on Broadway, the production will then go on tour in North America, though the cast has yet to be announced. Following the news, Lea - who has two-year-old son Ever with husband Zandy Reich - admitted she had been supposed to leave the musical in June but ultimately agreed to extend her run. Speaking on "Live With Kelly and Ryan", she said, "I was originally only supposed to stay until June." "Signing on to this and taking on this this role with a toddler. I haven't been on Broadway in 15 years. I really didn't know how this was going to all sort of feel and be for us as a family and being back in New York." "But I'm having such an amazing time and we have the most amazing cast and it is just such a beautiful experience. So myself, Tova Feldshuh, Ramin and Jared, we've all decided that we are going to see this to the end September 3rd." The "Scream Queens" actress recently revealed she was thrilled to receive a congratulatory letter from Barbra Streisand, who played Fanny in the original 1964 Broadway production and went on to win an Oscar for the 1968 movie adaptation. She said, "She wrote me this beautiful letter. But one thing she said in was, 'It's really wonderful when your dreams come true, isn't it?' " You can share this post! Cover Images/Dutch Press Photo Celebrity In an online question and answer session with self-help guru Dr. Gabor Mate, the Duke of Sussex learns that he may be suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder. Mar 5, 2023 AceShowbiz - Prince Harry has just discovered he has Attention Deficit Disorder. After spending months opening up about his mental health struggles over the death of his mum Princess Diana and life in the spotlight, the royal, 38, met a self-help guru who told him he may be suffering the neurological condition. "Whether you like it or not, I diagnosed you with ADD. It takes one to know one, so I share that diagnosis," Dr. Gabor Mate, an expert in trauma and childhood development, told Harry in a paid-for question and answer session online on Saturday, March 4. Dad-of-two Harry, who has children Archie, three, and 20-month-old Lilibet with his wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, 41, responded, "Okay. Should I accept that or should I look into it?" He also joked to Dr. Mate during the 19-per-ticket chat, "Thanks for the free session." Dr. Mate, 79, is a controversial figure who has provoked outrage due to past comments, including a comparison of Hamas to the Jewish heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising against Nazis. The Holocaust survivor has also defended Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and he once branded the Israeli government "terrorists." In the US, any doctor can diagnose a patient with ADHD - the updated NHS term for ADD, which stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. But in Britain, it must be diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist or specialist ADHD nurse. ADHD campaigner and CEO of ADHD UK Henry Shelford told Mail Online on Saturday, March 4 Harry may not have been diagnosed with the condition at school because it wasn't recognised. He said, "Prince Harry left school before the year 2000 when ADHD was formally recognised for children in the UK meaning he, and many others, had an almost no chance of being identified in school." "ADHD was only recognised for adults in the UK in 2008. The conversation about ADHD and adults has been building since then but we still have a long way to go in terms of awareness and understanding of the condition." "ADHD impacts every aspect of your life. From the moment you wake up, through your day, and when you go to sleep. It is a very difficult condition to live with as most significantly indicated in the suicide figures, which show that adults with ADHD are five times more likely to try to take their own life than those without ADHD." You can share this post! Cover Images/Dutch Press Photo/Instagram Celebrity The 'Pitch Perfect' actress, who's a massive royalist and friend of Zara and Mike Tindall, has said the Duchess of Sussex wasn't as 'cool' as Harry after one meeting along with her 'rude' Aussie mom. Mar 5, 2023 AceShowbiz - Rebel Wilson has claimed the Duchess of Sussex isn't as "naturally warm" as her husband Prince Harry. The "Pitch Perfect" actress, 43, revealed she met the couple at their US home with her mum, and admitted duchess Meghan Markle, 41, wasn't as "cool" as 38-year-old Harry - but admitted it may have been down to her mother putting the former "Suits" actress on the spot with personal questions. "We went up to Santa Barbara, met Harry, he could not have been nicer," she told "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen" about visiting the pair with her mum. Andy, 54, asked, "Had you met them before?" and Rebel replied, "No we just had a mutual friend in common, a polo player. She then added, "But then, Meghan was not as cool. Meghan wasn't as naturally warm, but then, maybe, my mum being Australian asked her all of these slightly rude questions, like 'Where are your kids?' and things like that. And I was like, 'Mum don't ask her that!' " When Andy suggested that may have been why Meghan was "a little stand-offish," Rebel joked, "Maybe that's why she was like, 'Who are these annoying convicts from Australia?' " She spoke about meeting the couple after it emerged she was banned from Disneyland for breaking park rules. The actress, who last month was told "Yes" by her girlfriend Ramona Agruma when she proposed to her with a $150,000 diamond ring at the funpark, told "The Daily Show", "I did get banned from Disneyland for 30 days because I took a photo inside a secret bathroom, which is illegal, at Disneyland." Rebel and Ramona are reportedly looking into having a "no expenses-spared wedding" as the actress is said to be a "die-hard Disney lover." You can share this post! Instagram/Misan Harriman Celebrity Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle reportedly will always be welcomed to stay at Buckingham Palace after his estranged father evicted them from Windsor. Mar 5, 2023 AceShowbiz - King Charles is rumored to offer the Duke and Duchess of Sussex an "olive branch" by allowing them to stay at Buckingham Palace when they visit Britain in future. According to the Mail on Sunday, March 5, the monarch, 74, reportedly gives Prince Harry, 38, and his wife Meghan Markle, 41, "weeks" to move out of their grace-and-favour home of Frogmore Cottage in Windsor - which may be given to Prince Harry - but is now thought to be planning on offering them a luxury spot in the palace. The decision is made as part of the "latest move in the complex merry-go-round of royal properties set in motion by the King's plans to streamline the monarchy and remove perks from non-working Royals." Harry and Meghan now live in a nine-bedroom 12 million house in Montecito, California after they quit life as senior royals in 2020 and are said to have been told to get their belongings out of Frogmore. The Mail on Sunday added Palace sources had insisted the couple will still be invited to the king's Coronation on May 6 despite fallout from Harry's constant revelations about the royals in interviews and his book "Spare". It said sources close to King Charles, 74, and Queen Consort Camilla, 75, say the couple were "furious" and left "wearied" by the claims in Harry's autobiography, in which he said his brother Prince William pushed him to the floor. An insider added, "His Majesty is furious, as is William. But the King is not a bad man. He has no wish to see his brother Andrew homeless or penniless. Nor does he wish to deprive the Sussexes of a base in the UK. London is a better fit. The Sussexes have always wanted rooms at Buckingham Palace. They could have Andrew's old rooms there, which are currently being vacated." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity Bringing up the accusations against the 22-year-old are a waiter and the owner of Aspens Restaurant and Lounge, who claim the Internet personality both sexually assaulted and physically assaulted them on Saturday, February 25. Mar 5, 2023 AceShowbiz - Patrick Mahomes' brother found himself in trouble. Jackson Mahomes is currently under investigation in Kansas for an alleged sexual assault incident that occurred last weekend. Bringing up the accusations were a waiter and the owner of Aspens Restaurant and Lounge. They claimed the 22-year-old Internet personality both sexually assaulted and physically assaulted them on Saturday, February 25. According to the Kansas City Star, Jackson pushed the 19-year-old male waiter several times. He later forcibly kissed the 40-year-old female owner of the restaurant. The owner, whose name is Aspen Vaughn, shared the surveillance footage with the outlet and cops. In the clip, a man whom she said is Jackson, could be seen grabbing her head and forcibly kissing her. He even wrapped his arm around the woman. Police refused to release any reports about the incident or investigation, but they have issued a statement to the Kansas City Star, which read, "The Police Department is aware of an incident that occurred on Feb. 25, 2023, at a business near 151st and Metcalf." "The department is still investigating," it added. "Releasing any additional information would be inappropriate at this time. Anyone with information should contact the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS." Jackson come under fire since the clip of the incident made its way online. One Twitter user in particular argued, "I better not see any excuses for Jackson Mahomes this time. I don't care who his brother is, you can't be harassing women without consent." "Bc of his brother's status he feels entitled to whatever he wants whenever he wants. He used this power and status to take advantage of a woman who was clearly uncomfortable," another fumed. "Alcohol or not doesn't matter-alcohol lowers inhibition but it doesn't completely alter personality." You can share this post! Instagram Music The 'What's My Name' rapper, who was supposed to perform on day one of Rolling Loud California, issues his public apology via Twitter and promises fans that he will make it up. Mar 5, 2023 AceShowbiz - Fivio Foreign hates to disappoint his fans. After skipping his set at the 2023 Rolling Loud California due to his health issue, the "What's My Name" rapper took to social media to issue a public apology. On Friday, March 3, the 32-year-old wrote on Twitter, "Apologize to @RollingLoud & everybody who came out to see me I ain't make it.. My first time missing a show and I feel so crazy about it but my body dealing w some real issues." He added, "Juss keep me in yah prayers & I'll hit Tariq up to make it up." Fivio didn't reveal his illness, but fans were quick to send out well wishes. One person wrote, "Hope you feel better soon you probably need to rest praying for your recovery." Another penned, "Sorry to hear you're going through some s**t. Rest up and keep yourself healthy for April." A third commented, "I hope u feel betta Fivi. Health First." Fivio was supposed to perform on day one of Rolling Loud California, which was headlined by Playboi Carti. Other artists who were listed for the Friday show were Tyga, Trippie Redd, DaBaby, Saweetie, Soulja Boy, Rich the Kid, Kodak Black and more. There were some interesting moments at the event. One in particular was when Kodak went into full dad mode after being thrown a water bottle by someone from the crowd. Though he continues his performance, an assistant soon brought him his belt. The "Wake Up in the Sky" emcee then asked the audience, "Now who threw that water at me?!" As he didn't get a clear answer, he stressed, "Who threw that water at me?" while smiling and laughing. You can share this post! Cover Images/Dutch Press Photo Celebrity The Duke of Sussex only hopes people could benefit from his life experience as he opens up on his personal journey in documentary series, memoir, and interviews. Mar 6, 2023 AceShowbiz - Prince Harry denies claims that he's searching for sympathy over his life. During his 90-minute online sit-down with trauma specialist and self-help guru Dr. Gabor Mate on Saturday, March 4, the royal instead thinks sharing intimate details of his life is and "act of service" for the world. The doctor told Harry he was facing two kinds of people - those who had not read his memoir "Spare", which he released in January but were "resentful" towards the royal, and those who were grateful he was sharing his secrets. Harry replied, "I definitely don't see myself as a victim," and added he hoped opening up about his mental health and family life "will help some people out there," which made it feel like he was doing an "act of service." He added about going into therapy after the 1997 death of his mum Princess Diana when he was 12, "My awareness of myself was distorted by my environment but also society. When I found my therapist and started to unpack 12-year-old Harry at the point my mother died was scary." "One of the things I was most scared about was losing the memory of my mum. I thought therapy would cure me but I'd lose what I had managed to hold on to of my mother. It was the opposite. I turned the sadness into realising she just wanted me to be happy. That was a huge weight off my chest." Harry's live chat comes amid reports he and his 41-year-old wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex - with whom he shares son Archie, three, and 20-month-old Lilibet - were given "weeks" by his father King Charles to move out of their grace-and-favour home Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, which may now be handed to Prince Andrew. It is still unclear whether the couple will attend Charles' May 6 coronation, but there have been reports the pair may take front row seats at the event. You can share this post! Instagram/YouTube Celebrity The White House officials refuse to confirm whether the President of the United States will attend the upcoming coronation or send delegation on his behalf. Mar 6, 2023 AceShowbiz - Joe Biden may skip King Charles' coronation. The 80-year-old US president is expected to be invited to Westminster Abbey in London on May 6 to see the monarch formally crowned alongside his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, but White House officials have confirmed it is not yet clear if he will be there. According to a senior administration official in a statement to People magazine, "the U.S. will be represented at the coronation." But they refused to confirm if that would be through the president himself or with a delegation. They added there's nothing to announce "regarding presidential travel or regarding potential delegation at this time." The comments come after Time magazine claimed a few days ago that the politician was unlikely to be at the coronation. Stressing that the president's schedule for May has yet to be finalised, an unnamed White House official told the outlet the coronation "does not feel like an event Joe Biden will attend." According to the Sunday Telegraph newspaper, Joe - who is famously proud of his Irish heritage - is keen to visit Ireland next month to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, as well as visiting relatives in Mayo and Louth, making a second visit across the Atlantic a few weeks later more unlikely. Formal invitations for the coronation are expected to be sent out in April, by which time the US Leader will likely have formalised his trip to Ireland, which is believed to be pencilled in for April 18. When Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth - who died last September, was coronated in 1953, America's then-President Dwight Eisenhower wasn't in attendance, with a delegate taking his place to represent the US instead. You can share this post! Cover Images/JOHN NACION Celebrity When sharing her story on 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen', the Australian native reveals that she met the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Santa Barbara. Mar 6, 2023 AceShowbiz - Rebel Wilson has spilled the tea about her first meeting with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. When recalling her experience, the Fat Amy depicter in the "Pitch Perfect" film series claimed that the Duchess of Sussex "wasn't as naturally warm." The 43-year-old shared her story when appearing on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen". Noting that she met the couple in Santa Barbara, the Australian native said Meghan was a bit unfriendly but her husband was "lovely." "Meghan was not as cool," Rebel, who divulged they share a mutual friend, stated. "She wasn't as naturally warm." However, Rebel thought Meghan had her own reason why she acted that way. She said her mother Sue Bownds was a bit "intrusive" during their run-in and asked the former "Suits" actress "slightly rude" questions like, "Where are your kids?" "And I'm like, 'Mom, don't ask her that," Rebel recounted. "Maybe that's why she was like, 'Who are these annoying convicts from Australia?" As for Prince Harry, the "Senior Year" leading lady said he "could not have been nicer." The clip of the interview has made its way online and it has since drawn mixed reactions from Twitter users. While others agreed with Rebel's claims, others slammed her for saying bad things about the mom of two. "She didn't need to say that about Meghan. She knows speaking about her will only inflame the racists and the myths that Meghan is some horrible villain Do better next time Rebel," one person tweeted. Another, asked, "Why would you introduce your rude mother to people you don't know anyway? 'Not naturally warm' to a brash rude intrusive parent of someone they don't know." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity When addressing his cheating scandal, the 39-year-old 'Vanderpump Rules' star also makes a request to fans by asking them to 'leave [Tom] Schwartz my friends and family out of this situation.' Mar 6, 2023 AceShowbiz - Tom Sandoval has spoken up for the first time since his cheating scandal. In a statement shared on Instagram, the "Vanderpump Rules" star low-key admitted that he was cheating on Ariana Madix with Raquel Leviss. When addressing the matter, the 39-year-old also made a request to fans. "Hey, I fully understand and deserve ur anger & disappointment towards me, but please leave Schwartz my friends and family out of this situation," he penned in the Saturday, March 4 post. "Schwartz specifically only found out about this very recently, and most definitely did not condone my actions." "This was a very personal thing. Also Schwartz & Sandy's might have my name on it, but also there are 3 other partners and 20 employees, who especially rely on the restaurant for income for them and their families. Just like TomTom, I'm a small part of a much bigger thing," he added. "Please direct ur anger towards me and not them. They did nothing wrong. Im so sorry that my partners, Greg, Brett, and Schwartz and our employees have to suffer for my actions." Sandoval went on to note that he "will be taking a step back & taking a hiatus out of respect for my employees & partners." He further stated, "I need some time to address everything else. Sorry for everything." Since Sandoval's cheating scandal made media headlines, fans called for a "boycott" of his and Tom Schwartz's new L.A. bar, Schwartz & Sandy's. Schwartz himself has yet to respond to the backlash. Sandoval and Madix reportedly split after finding out about his and Leviss' affair on Wednesday at his band's show. It was unveiled that Madix was "blindsided" by the two's cheating, considering that she "has been hanging out with [Lewiss] recently." You can share this post! Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. "A sad soul can kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ," John Steinbeck tenderly wrote. To look around America today is to see the painful proof of this truth. COVID and other pathogens have nothing on the deleterious effects of hopelessness and despair. When people give up on themselves, their towns, and their futures, they look as if they're treading water against the current, seeking any reason just to stop kicking and sink. I don't know if there's a politician in Washington who actually knows what ails America. If there are any, I'm not sure they even care. Politics is a profession predicated on creating new problems, blaming them on someone else, pretending to solve them, and getting paid while they get worse. For half a century or more, Americans have begged politicians to secure their borders, end the heartbreaking genocide wrought by drug cartels, and protect blue-collar towns from extinction. The politicians have given them open borders, intergenerational drug addiction, cultural degradation, lost communities, and bleak prospects. Many people placed their faith in the false notion that electing a president because of his darker skin would somehow translate into policies that would help those with dark skin, too. Instead, those who clamored for "hope and change" found only more violence and murder, greater dependency, fewer opportunities, and further misery. Because politicians cultivate power by creating endless social division, they cannot ever lead desperate people toward salvation. A peaceful, happy society is a society that can be neither exploited nor tamed. Only by first breaking the people from their will to live can those with power profit from their submission. While elected officials and judges have spent decades purging religious teachings, classical virtues, and civic responsibilities from schools and the public square, they have filled those empty spaces with celebrations of sin, vice, and self-indulgence. By first creating a spiritual wasteland for America's youth and then filling that desolation with the rancid filth of a toxic junkyard, generations of Americans cannot now distinguish between what is rotten and what is priceless. Family, faith, friendship, fellowship, and freedom have slipped away for so many, while politicians distract them with the sparkly trinkets of self-gratification, sexual confusion, grievance, animosity, and the slowly suffocating weight of welfare's chains. Rather than beseech citizens to live good lives, politicians whisper devilishly, "Take what's not yours." Instead of encouraging citizens to find spiritual meaning, politicians preach that nothing means anything at all. They vilify religion and repentance, while constructing altars against racism, climate change, hate speech, and free will, so that the lost and hopeless have new things to blame or lead them astray. In carefully constructed, seductive words, America's politicians blaspheme, "God is dead; worship us instead." Then some of those same destroyers of lives look at the agony sweeping across America and incredulously wonder why things have gotten so bad. A sad soul kills far quicker than a germ. Not COVID, nor climate change, nor income inequality, nor global war kills so coldly as those who drown their countrymen with lies, extinguish purpose from their lives, and sap a nation's spirit of meaning. Political philosopher Thomas Hobbes argued that without powerful government, life in a state of nature would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." Men would kill each other, take what they want, and build nothing new. Yet those with caring families or resilient small towns know that not to be true. Furthermore, anyone who has either lived through war or has loved ones who have knows that violence does not come easily for most. One look inside a veterans' hospital or a homeless encampment filled with warriors struggling from PTSD would convince anyone that battle and bloodshed scar both mind and soul. Men quite naturally avoid violence, while governments quite naturally unleash it. Take a hard look around the country today. Under the biggest, most expensive government in the history of the world, Americans are suffering through unforgiving epidemics of loneliness, poverty, incivility, criminality, confusion, self-mutilation, suicide, and defeat. Neither politicians nor the government they revere will ever fix what troubles America. Only fools would expect those who have caused the damage capable of furnishing the repairs. What is broken cannot be restored through endless money-printing, false promises, pantomime investigations, superficial overhauls, or fake tears. If government is not the answer, though, then nobody need waste time waiting for government solutions that will never appear. Ask yourself how America has gone from a confident, capable, energetic nation of hard workers looking to be free and spread good to a country lost in its way; starving for purpose; and led by petty tyrants, backstabbing misanthropes, and chickenhawk cowards. How have American courage, ingenuity, and grit become eclipsed by pusillanimity, dullness, and lily-livered fear? A nation without spirit has no future, and a people without hearty souls can provide no spirit. The politicians may have broken the people, but only the people can heal themselves. That's good news. Does thinking about America's future in those terms change things? Yes. When we refuse to cede our fates to those we abhor and instead claim total responsibility for a future of our own making, then the things that do not matter disappear, and the things that matter most can be seen clearly. For this nation to long endure, its people must live again, and for the American people to live again, they must live beyond today. They must feel that tingle down their spines, as they remember that an Almighty God keeps them from ever being alone. They must feel that choke in the back of their throats as the inescapable truth sets in that every life has purpose. With hungry souls in desperate need of spiritual food, Americans must open their hearts and minds to the proposition that they are completely known by a loving and forgiving God graciously offering salvation. Followers of Jesus Christ learn a striking lesson from His teachings. Two thousand years ago, people lived in basic homes without modern comforts. Hunger and disease were rampant, as they still are in too many places around the world today. Political turmoil, violence, and war regularly destroyed lives, as they still do now. Most people were illiterate and had little time to create or enjoy art. Looking around at the fallen world, though, God did not send humanity an engineer, plumber, biologist, inventor, military general, author, or artist at least not in the strictest sense of those words. More than all of the other problems plaguing this world, it is mankind's suffering from sin and desperation for forgiveness that touch everything. In agony, we wretched sinners long for absolution, and in answering our prayers, God sent a Savior to offer redemption. Imagine if our political leaders spoke of forgiveness and redemption as much as they do division, blame, and hate. Society would have a completely different outlook and direction if Americans ignored those who choose to set us against each other and instead recognized that within all of us lies common suffering. The world would dance to a different tune if citizens worried about their souls as much as politicians worry about their power. That requires personal sacrifice a conscious choice to follow the hard path, even when the easy one beckons. There's a secret, though, that politicians don't know and would never tell you. When humans follow the voice inside their heads, sacrifice comes naturally. You see it on the battlefield, when a spouse loves unconditionally, and when those wronged choose to forgive wholeheartedly. Humans know what's right and wrong and can help save themselves when acting accordingly. Image: Alexas_Fotos via Pixabay, Pixabay License. March 5 marks the 70th anniversary of Joseph Stalin's death. The Russian government is looking for different ways to improve the morale of the people by emphasizing the connection of the current ruling regime, which is fighting the Ukrainian "Nazis," with the victory of the Soviet Army over the Wehrmacht. February 2, 2023 marked the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Army's victory over the German forces at Stalingrad. This battle was the bloodiest battle in history: about two million people died on both sides. To mark the occasion, a bronze bust of Generalissimo Joseph Stalin, the bloody Soviet dictator, was erected and unveiled on a granite pedestal near the Battle of Stalingrad memorial in the former city of Stalingrad, now Volgograd, a city of over a million people. The bust was unveiled during a visit to Volgograd by Vladimir Putin, the current leader of the fight against "Nazism." The ceremony included criticism of countries that destroy historical monuments -- Ukraine and the United States -- and praise for the Russians who are erecting monuments to their leaders and heroes. At the ceremony, Stalin was called the victor over Nazism. Although another victor over "Nazism," President Putin, who was in Volgograd at the time, did not attend the unveiling of the monument to his predecessor, the glory of Stalin, the "victor" of the Nazis, was also directed at him, Stalin's heir. In Volgograd, there was even talk of renaming the city Stalingrad. This city, formerly called Tsaritsyn, was called Stalingrad from 1925 to 1961. Tsaritsyn comes from the root "Tsar," that is "Caesar." Stalin was also "Caesar," but his power was much greater than that of the Russian emperors led by Peter the Great. Putin emphasizes that he surpassed Peter the Great, who only went to the Sea of Azov, whereas he, Putin, made the Sea of Azov an inland sea of the Russian Federation by annexing four provinces of Ukraine. During Stalin's reign millions of people were repressed. There was actually a "civil" war, that is, a war of the government against its citizens. When the war between the USSR and the Nazis began, called the Great Patriotic War, the socialist component of Soviet propaganda weakened, and the patriotic component came to the fore: the fatherland was in danger. The war unleashed by the Russian Federation required a forcing of the Soviet anti-Nazi past, in which the figure of Stalin reappeared next to the tallest statue of Russia, the Motherland, calling the people to fight the enemy and standing in the center of the Battle of Stalingrad memorial. On October 29, 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued Decree No. 536 on the creation of the Yunarmiya, the "Young Army," an all-Russian national military-patriotic social movement numbering a million and a quarter teenagers, with numbers growing as teachers in schools were ordered to persuade students to join the movement. The "Young Army" is supported and funded by the Russian government through the Ministry of Defense. On the movements website, it is written that among its goals are "raising the prestige and authority of military service in the society" and "preservation and multiplication of patriotic traditions." Patriotism under tyranny is associated with militarization. Young soldiers are dressed in military uniforms with red neck scarves. On the red banner and on the red beret of the Young Army men the emblem of the movement is depicted, very similar to the red star, one of the symbols of the USSR. This establishes a link between the Russian Federation and the USSR. The Yunarmeyers are dressed similarly to the members of the paramilitary youth organization of Nazi Germany, the Hitler Youth, Hitlerjugend. Like the young Nazis, members of the Russian military-patriotic movement receive military training. The Russian Federation, which has attacked Ukraine and declared its goal to "demilitarize" it, militarizes its youth. Against whom can they defend their homeland with conventional small arms? From NATO? Putin signed the decree creating the Yunarmiya not after the action demanding the defense of the homeland, but after the annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of war in Donbass. At the time the Yunarmiya was established, no country had attacked the Russian Federation. The Russian regime, which declared the "denazification" of Ukraine as the goal of the war, is busy nazifying Russia, educating its youth in a militaristic spirit with the image of an enemy who allegedly wants to attack the Russian Federation. Putin, who considers himself heir to the Soviet Union and the Russian Empire, relies on Stalin and Peter the Great. Nostalgia for the Soviet Union, for its superpower status and for Stalin's dictatorship escalated during the war in Ukraine. Young men in bright uniforms attended the unveiling of the Stalin bust. The fascist-like Yunarmiya saluted and welcomed the return of dictator Stalin under dictator Putin. Germany condemned Nazism and dictatorship and became a democratic state. The Russian Federation is a dictatorship. It needs the tradition of autocracy and dictatorship to exist as a dictatorship. Image: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons. My devastating indictment On the Brink of Judicial Reform, Israel's Leftists Grow Panicked has a new development. A mere two weeks ago, the stoked chaos between right and left was only incendiary language now, Israels leftists have turned angry demonstrations into a physical onslaught. The tensions accelerated much more rapidly than anticipated. A mild understatement. Indubitably, the left is out for blood. Excerpted from the above-mentioned analysis: But in order to fully comprehend the urgency of the absolute upheaval in Israel, a brief backgrounder is in order, as per the history, the make-up, and the impending shake-up of the Supreme Court. Revolutionary. Most significantly, for all intents and purposes, the Supreme Court in Israel operates as an oligarchy: a self-selecting/self- perpetuating fiefdom of like-minded, leftist ideologues who reflexively rule against the conservative government. Foxes guarding the hen-house. the frenzied and hostile response to the proposed reforms is a direct result of the terror these leftists feel in their hearts. Righting the ship of State will vitiate their long-held, vise-grip on power and control and they know it. Alas, as always, akin to clockwork...like night follows day...with the speed of a bullet-train, too, no sooner did the aforementioned prognostication commence its journey (as par for the course, when ricocheting around the internet), domestic-laden fireworks exploded. That fast. Wait and see. Demonstrably, consider this recent headline as an encapsulation thereof: Day Of Disruption: Tel Aviv protest against judiciary reform turns violent. From the article: Highway 1 was blocked off with chains and barbed wire, as the protesters made good on their promise to escalate their methods and move on to direct action. the protest turned violent with demonstrations moving on police barricades[.] In reality, not a day has gone by that the left hasnt shut down large swathes of the country with neither an end nor exceptions, in sight. Indeed, as leftists are wont to do, all of their (planned) chaos becomes justified under the wicked Machiavellian maxim: the ends justify the means even to the point of blocking access to hospitals and cemeteries, alike. Is nothing held sacred in their distorted worldview, namely, life-saving treatments and the burying of the dead? Rhetorical. As a topper, school children are more than encouraged (by their teachers, administrators, and diehard leftist parents) to join the uprisings despite a mandate from the Education Ministry not to bring politics into the classrooms. This is a mirror-image to the firebrands endemic within the U.S. school system and beyond. Cancerous. Not only that, and in support thereof, the above is amply illustrated within the attached video, albeit, through a sneaky, biased presentation which tilts leftward. As such, the viewer can glean a sampling of the incitement and justifications. Glaringly, the top dogs are chomping at the bit. And as predicted at this end, the Biden-Obama 3.0 shock troops synchronized, too. Inexorably, the nanosecond that judicial reform became a top electoral mandate, the fiery stage was set via top-down orders from the lefts foaming-at-the-mouth Captains of Chaos. So, on a practical basis, Israels leftward vanguard, AKA the chieftains, dutifully prepped their internal foot soldiers. Thus, as accomplished commandants, the revolutionary left stands ready to veer into hyperdrive formation (mind you, not unlike BLM/Antifa anarchists). Not too incidentally, the indoctrination spans across every age group. No group is too young, nor too old. Sound familiar? From elementary school children to the geriatric set, large swathes are recruited into action mode. Meanwhile, their rabble-rousing leaders feign that these events are merely expressions of the democratic right to protest. Hogwash. It is nothing of the sort. Rather, the rallying cry goes thusly: the ends justify the means, that is, as long as the Supreme Court remains as is. And herein lies the rub: As brilliantly exposed and analyzed by Caroline Glick, a widely-esteemed geo-strategist, the following financial dots lead straight from the underbelly of the U.S. Deep State Mafia (funneled through hostile, anti-Israel NGOs...never mind their touchy-feely monikers) to their subversive counterparts in Israel! Per Glick: Lawfare, or the use of the language of law and the judicial process to achieve political, rather than legal, outcomes, isnt the only aspect of the lefts current campaign to overturn the election results where MQG is leading the charge. The movement is also the primary organizer and sponsor of the mass protests against judicial reform. The speakers at the rallies stand under the MQG banner when they call for insurgency, civil war and violence. Since the media, as full partners in MQGs efforts, are working now as full-time propagandists, no one is asking the organizers who finances their activities. Someone is paying tens of millions of shekels to rent buses to transport scores of thousands of people to rallies, buy them flags, print banners and signs, rent stages and sound systems, and finance ad campaigns in every newspaper and on billboards across the country. Whoever is footing the bill, the front group for all of it is MQG. A look at MQGs funding reports on the Government Registrar of Non-Profits website doesnt reveal much. MQGs private and institutional donors are unnamed. But under the law, all registered nonprofits are required to report funding they receive from foreign governments. So MQGs only named donor on its annual reports is the U.S. State Department. On and on the evidentiary trails jump between the twin left-camps within the U.S. and Israel. All in all, the established connections can no longer remain under the radar. It was this blindness which left countless rational folks scratching their heads, wondering, how can this be? Are Svengalis in their midst? Inherently, as an American-Israeli and an eye/ear witness to the anarchy, watching a heretofore mostly independent-minded people behave like robotic disciples is otherworldly. Ordinarily, to corral even a fraction of the Israeli Jewish population into lock-step is about as impossible as herding up stallions or outdoor cats this writer is no exception, though raised in NYC. Inextricably, the majority Jewish population are known for their fierce independence and in-your-face ability to go it alone, regardless of ideology and it is such a brash attitude that has made Israel a worldwide power-house AKA The Start-Up Nation. Most perplexingly, and to drive the point home, many who spend significant time in the Jewish homeland come to recognize that it is culturally unnatural for a mostly independent-minded, brash population (primarily, the majority Jewish public) to fall into line other than when fighting in the IDF for national survival. Extrapolating further, just like in warfare, the left utilizes force multipliers as strategic imperatives. In no uncertain terms, the war-drums to civil war are reaching a crescendo. Adina Kutnicki is an investigative journalist, living in Israel since 2008. Her work concentrates on militant Islamic jihad and its western knock-on effects, as well as the red/green alliance. She is the co-author of BANNED: How Facebook Enables Militant Islamic Jihad, She blogs at: Adina Kutnicki, A Zionist & Conservative Blog (www.adinakutnicki.com) and is an op-ed contributor at several news sites. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. This week there was what I consider to have been extensive unwarranted attention given to the murder trial in South Carolina of Alex Murdaugh. Unwarranted because it seems to me this is at best a matter of local or regional interest. In the end, those who followed it learned one important lesson for all the coverage they saw or read: Do not carry your cell phone around when engaged in murdering your wife and son because, if you do, you leave a digital footprint easier to trace than Hansel and Gretels breadcrumb trail. Alexis de Tocqueville long ago wrote of Americans fascination with courthouse trials, calling it another theater. That was even before sensational television coverage, and while I do not pretend to understand this, I suppose its related to desire in our national character to see evil punished and justice done. I understand more clearly that the media covers some criminal cases -- usually the more sensational ones -- which do not involve prominent Democrats more than it covers others. On the other hand, I get it that when the target is a prominent Republican, especially anyone in any way connected with Donald J. Trump, the coverage of the cases is far from objective and ignores the strengths of the defense. So I was heartened to see that General Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security adviser, has sued the Department of Justice for $50 million in damages for its malicious prosecution of him in 2017. Paul Svab offers up a useful summary. The case against Flynn was riddled with contradictions and inconsistencies. FBI agents had already decided to close his case by early January 2017, but higher-ups intervened to keep it open on the justification that Flynn may have violated an obscure and antiquated law called the Logan Act by discussing with a Russian ambassador the priorities of the incoming administration during the transition period. DOJ officials at the time rejected the legal theory. The 1799 Logan Act, which prohibits certain kinds of unauthorized diplomacy, may in fact be unconstitutional, several lawyers previously told The Epoch Times. It has never been successfully prosecuted, much less aimed at an incoming national security adviser. The supine press carried government-generated damaging leaks accusing Flynn of illegal conduct in discussions -- as are perfectly normal -- with a Russian official during the transition. Then the FBI by deliberate plan sandbagged him in an informal interview for which he was unprepared and threatened his son with prosecution if he did not plead guilty to the manufactured charges against him. The DOJ dropped the charge in 2020, after then-Attorney General William Barr ordered an outside prosecutor to review the case. Then-head of the District of Columbia U.S. Attorneys Office Timothy Shea concluded that it seemed the FBIs purpose for interviewing Flynn was to elicit false statements and thereby criminalize Mr. Flynn. The judge overseeing the case refused to dismiss the charges until Trump ultimately pardoned Flynn in 2020. Flynn charges not only malicious prosecution but as well that the government abused legal process in threatening prosecution of his son if he did not plead guilty. He alleges he was damaged greatly by the governments improper conduct and on that point, there can be no contest: He was falsely branded as a traitor to his country, lost at least tens of millions of dollars of business opportunities and future lifetime earning potential, was maliciously prosecuted and spent substantial monies in his own defense, and has suffered and will continue to suffer mental and emotional pain for the rest of his life, in addition to other pecuniary harms such as costs, fees, attorneys fees, and other losses. While were on the issue of crimes, President Biden has just pulled off a fancy side step that presages his understanding that soaring crime and lack of law enforcement is weighing down his party, a party increasingly on tenterhooks as two senators are out of commission, Pennsylvanias John Fetterman because of depression and Californias Dianne Feinstein hospitalized with shingles. (Bluntly, the Republicans control the House and now the Senate is in a 49-49 tie with several Democrat senators signaling some dissent from the partys more left-wing initiatives.) The background is a bit complicated but not very hard to understand. Under the Constitution, the District of Columbia is a federal district over which, even though Congress has ceded some powers to local government, it retains a good deal of control. A far-Left majority city council passed a criminal reform act which, among other things, reduces sentences for some crimes and requires jury trial for even misdemeanors. The District is small. There are many needs for jurors -- Federal and District grand juries , certain civil cases and District and federal felony trials. Many potential jurors are ineligible because of age, prior felony convictions, non-citizen status, and such. And yet that task would be made impossible if juries also had to be empaneled to hear the countless misdemeanor cases that occur here. And this doesnt even consider the already overwhelmed judges and court system. This move was designed to utterly break down the criminal justice system in the District of Columbia. The mayor opposed this and vetoed the proposed new criminal code. The City Council overruled her veto. Congress (House and Senate) voted it down as well when it came before it for ratification into law. A significant number of Democrat congressmen joined Republicans to vote this down, but 81 percent of them thought it a grand idea to turn the Nations Capital into another Portland, Seattle, or Los Angeles. Before the vote President Biden threatened hed overrule any congressional effort to scuttle the Districts law. But when it came to that, he folded and let the congressional thumbs down stand. Surely, he folded because he knew the issue of rampant crime, fostered by nonsense like failure to prosecute criminals and defunding the police, has little support outside the DNC cloakroom, and he wanted to deflect any 2024 election claim that he was soft on crime. Jim Geraghty reports that the party is melting down in fury at Bidens action. First, Biden managed to reach his decision after 81 percent of House Democrats had voted to keep the Districts criminal-code overhaul in place, and now, some of those House Democrats are seething and spitting hot fire over Bidens unexpected stance. Secondly, Biden is telling progressives that the entire narrative on crime hasnt changed, that restorative justice is a loser, and that ordinary voters are genuinely scared about rising crime rates and voting accordingly. It's always a good thing when realism takes a victory lap, but dont believe for a moment this is a permanent Democrat or Biden shift to law and order. Image: Micheal J. Ramirez A few days back, the House Ethics Committee announced that it extended its investigation into Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, aka AOC, for a possible violation of congressional rules. This probe began last December following recommendations by the nonpartisan Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) board in June 2022. The OCE found substantial reason to believe that AOC accepted impermissible gifts at the Met Gala in 2021 where she wore that infamous white dress with Tax the Rich scrawled across the back in red. The OCE report revealed that AOC was provided with the dress, a handbag, shoes, and jewelry for the event and payments for hair, makeup, and transportation services from her hotel room to the gala. Key excerpts from the report are as follows: despite various efforts to address compliance concerns in advance of the Met Gala through counsel, and despite representations to the Committee regarding compliance with House rules, it appears several thousands of dollars worth of services may have remained unpaid absent the OCE initiating this review. payment for these goods and services did not occur until after the OCE contacted her (AOC) in connection with this review. The report cited House rules, House Gift Guidance, Committee Precedent, and even federal law, including 5 U.S.C. 7353(a), which states that: ...no Member of Congress...shall solicit or accept anything of value from a person seeking official action from, doing business with, or (in the case of executive branch officers and employees) conducting activities regulated by, the individuals employing entity; or whose interests may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the individuals official duties. The NY Post reported that Janna Pea, an executive at the far-left PR firm BerlinRosen, designer Aurora James, and the Brother Vellies brand behind the couture gown failed to cooperate in the probe. As expected, AOC took no responsibility for her actions, nor did she apologize. AOC followed maneuvers from the Clinton and Obama playbook. Like Clinton and Obama, AOC blamed everyone but herself and crawled toward victimhood. AOC told the Office of Congressional Ethics that she just saw documents about the unpaid invoices the day before they met. I just never, ever, ever would have allowed that to happen knowing what I have learned, she told investigators, But I wasn't privy to the invoices, wasnt privy to the ones that had been sent. Whenever Obama was in trouble, he would make general statements and join the criticism of the catastrophe as if he were a media commentator and was not to blame. Obama knew that the media would glorify it as a moment of introspection. AOC called it a deeply regrettable situation and claimed to feel terrible for especially the small businesses that were impacted. AOC blamed a campaign staffer who no longer works for the congresswoman. Knowing AOC, she may claim she sacked her staffer because she has zero tolerance for ethical violations. The socialist who claims to stand for the persecuted minorities had no hesitation in scapegoating her staffer. So how has AOC been with the less fortunate, apart from her campaign staffer? AOC refused to side with the exploited workers of Amazons Staten Island distribution center who were attempting to unionize. But when they did successfully unionize AOC attempted to take credit. AOC ardently supports extreme gun control measures for citizens. But for herself, she spends thousands of dollars and has armed bodyguards; obviously, it is taxpayer money. AOC supports defunding the police who protect regular citizens. For herself, she demanded around-the-clock police protection around the Capitol Building following the January 6th protests. Back to the MET gala. The event was occurring just yards from where the NYPD was arresting defund the police protesters a cause that AOC claims to support. But AOC was busy posing before cameras and enjoying luxuries at the party where tickets are priced from $35,000 to $50,000 while tables go from $200,000 to $300,000. There was no reason for the AOC to be there, as it wasnt going to benefit her constituents. But AOC allegedly used her campaign as an expense account to pay for her indulgences. This is corruption. The Tax The Rich line on the dress was clearly an afterthought, so she can claim that her attendance at the gala was an act of protest. This gives her a basis to claim she is protesting against income inequality and hence attending the event was part of her work. It could be argued that the stunt may have backfired. Had AOC not posed in that dress to receive so much attention, there probably would never have been a probe. There are myriad other instances of corruption in D.C. that never receive any attention. Perhaps it was overconfidence. Her previous amateur publicity stunts, in which AOC specializes, seem to have worked. In 2019 AOC posed before a chain link fence and appeared to be shedding tears over caged children of illegal aliens. Eventually, it was revealed that she was merely posing before a parking lot fence for the cameras. Ill never forget this, because it was the moment I saw with my own eyes that the America I love was becoming a nation that steals refugee children from their parents,& caged them. More kids died after this. To date, no one has been held accountable. We need to save these kids. https://t.co/HhdMqc5zML Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 25, 2019 Did the cars cause all that pain and anguish? pic.twitter.com/nMfIVoknsa Timmayyy Bee (@TimmaySays) June 26, 2019 Last year, AOC and others were briefly detained outside the Supreme Court following protests against the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. But AOC claimed to have been arrested and she even held her arms behind her back and wrists close to one another before cameras to give the impression she was handcuffed. .@AOC so you faked being handcuffed to keep lying to women? Abortion is legal up until birth in NY, but your voters cant afford groceries and crime is out of control. Desperate isnt a good look on you. Go back to your Insta makeup tutorials, youre actually good at those. pic.twitter.com/LYsQU75ZfB Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) July 19, 2022 Also last year, AOC claimed that she had found a unique method of displaying her commitment to the resistance by redoing her nails. AOC claimed she grew up in a socially conservative and religious household where women wearing red nail polish and lipstick were frowned upon, hence she was opting for red to signal support for abortion access. AOC is also an expert at claiming victimhood and blaming her failures on systemic sexism, racism, misogyny, etc. Dont be too surprised if she implies that the Met Gala probe was also driven by bigotry. She could claim that White men couldnt tolerate a woman of color at the prestigious gala and that her Tax the Rich protest made everyone uncomfortable and hence she was targeted. AOC will not receive any punitive measures; at worst it could be a fine. AOC may be an object of mockery among some, but she does have a loyal base. She understands her voters, particularly the younger ones very well. She knows they conflate her statements and her amateur stunts with action. She knows they will never evaluate her record in Congress but rather her videos on social media. They probably think of her as a compassionate selfless revolutionary socialist. Hence AOC will be reelected to the House for as long as she wants and someday she could become Speaker of the House. She could also become Senator or Governor of New York. Maybe she decides to run for the White House instead where she could win. AOCs attendance at the MET gala and reluctance to pay for her luxuries are not anomalies, but a norm in the entitled quarters of D.C. AOC is being probed because she was reckless and blatant; the rest find legal means of corruption and do it from within the shadows. Image: YouTube screen grab. Here is the Times headline atop a story in the March 3 print edition of the New York Times, claiming that witnesses lied to a House committee now looking into "Jan. 6": House Panel Witnesses Push Jan. 6 Falsehoods. Here is the headline for the same story as set down in the digital Times What is going on at The New York Times? Does the print side of this Demprop outlet compete with the digital side as to who can artfully come up with the most damaging, albeit, fake, headline on Trump or January 6-related propaganda stories? Note the varying emphasis in these headlines: The print editors sought to malign three witnesses before a House Judiciary subcommittee as liars, while the digital editors tried mightily to cast the witnesses as paid operatives for "Jan. 6. Conspiracies Theories." Careful scrutiny of this sorry piece of Demprop from Luke Broadwater and Adam Goldman supports the conclusion that the writers went so far as to smear one of the witnesses, Garret O'Boyle, an FBI field agent in Wichita, Kansas, as embracing "right wing" views. Special Agent O'Boyle's offense? He "compared coronavirus vaccine mandates to a Polish reserve police unit during World War II that began as a group of 'just normal people,' but ultimately 'were basically engaging in genocide just like the rest of the Nazis.'" If Broadwater and Goldman have a problem with O'Boyle's statement that some of the Poles turned bad during World War II, they should use google to find articles like this one Poles fatally betrayed most of countrys Jews in hiding from Nazis, study claims Even a year after World War II, Poles were still carrying out pogroms against Jews, as the Kielce tragedy of July 4, 1946 attests, with 42 Jews killed on a blood libel lie, and another 40 wounded. (But then, Broadwater and Goldman probably never heard of Kielce, much less the 1946 pogrom. In their rush to defend the Democrats, Broadwater and Goldman likely had been handed a Democat fake news report on the early phase of the House probe of the weaponization of January 6 to turn the American people against Republicans, in particular, MAGA Republicans. It is more likely than not that ranking member Jerry Nadler and his Democrat second, the delegate from Virgin Islands Stacey Plaskett, (who as delegate cannot cast votes on the House floor -- yet), handed their fake news report to the Timesmen, first, and then to the rest of the media a bit later. Broadwater and Goldman claim that the ranking member and the delgate wrote the report. Nadler? Three initials come to mind: LOL. Two salient points: On the digital headline "Paid by Trump Ally," that's no secret. From the Broadwater-Goldman Demprop piece: Mr. O'Boyle and [former FBI special Stephen] Friend both testifed that they had received financial support from Kash Patel, a Trump loyalist and former high-rankng official in the former president's administration. On Mr. Friend's refusal to take part in a SWAT raid on a January 6 defendant, he did not claim the raid was unauthorized, he just objected to the display of force. Retired FBI intelligence analyst George Hill is the third witness targeted by the Demprop report. Among his "falsehoods" apparently is a tweet that called the FBI "brown shirt enforcers of the @DNC." Broadwater and Goldman helpfully explained that Hill was probably referring to Nazi storm troopers to decribe the federal law enforcement agency and its relationship to the Democratic National Committee." Demprop writers Broadwater and Goldman slyly implied that Friend, Hill and O'Boyle "do not meet the definition of.a whistle-blower and... have engaged in partisan conduct that calls into conduct their credibility...." True, for Demprop artists, "whistle-blower" probably refers to a leftist who by lies supported by nothing sturdier than innuendo strives mightily to demean and denigrate American patriots. Here, however, is an accepted definition of whistle-blower from the National Whistleblower Center that well applies to witnesses Friend, Hill and O'Boyle: On the simplest level, a whistleblower is someone who reports waste, fraud, abuse, corruption , or dangers to public health and safety to someone who is in the position to rectify the wrongdoing . A whistleblower typically works inside of the organization where the wrongdoing is taking place; however, being an agency or company insider is not essential to serving as a whistleblower. What matters is that the individual discloses information about wrongdoing that otherwise would not be known. Thinking about putting your money into China? Think again. According to what respected emerging markets investor Mark Mobius described, the place has become a roach motel for investors. Money goes in, but now it can't come out. According to Asia Financial: In an interview on Fox Business, the billionaire, now 86, cautioned other investors to be very, very careful about investing in an economy under a tight government grip. I have an account with HSBC in Shanghai. I cant take my money out. The government is restricting flow of money out of the country, Mobius, founder of Mobius Capital Partners, said in an interview published on March 2. I cant get an explanation of why theyre doing this Theyre putting all kinds of barriers. They dont say: No, you cant get your money out. But they say: give us all the records from 20 years of how you made this money This is crazy. That's expropriation, a communist specialty, whether the Chicoms are going to admit it or not. Not letting someone get their money out is the same as keeping it, stealing it, helping oneself to it. Why they would do this to a famous investor with a big global audience to let the other investors know is something of a mystery, this is tremendously bad public relations for them, but based on their other actions, it seems as though at this point they don't care. Already we know they're getting mean, what with their crazed COVID lockdowns, which drew tremendous popular protests, their stepped-up spy activity against the West, their machinations in Latin America, their intimidation of their neighbors, particularly Taiwan, and their massive military buildup. Today they announced that they'd ramp up their defense spending 7.2%. Mobius added that they've been increasingly moving to take over companies and industries. That's part of the classic fascist and socialist playbook: The bottom line is that China is moving in a completely different direction than what Deng Xiaoping instituted when they started the big reform program, he said, referring to the former Chinese leader. Now you have a government which is taking golden shares in companies all over China. That means theyre going to try to control all of these companies So I dont think its a very good picture when you see the government becoming more and more control-oriented in the economy. Sound like an ideal place to invest? That might be the exact reason Mobius wants to take his money out. Like the scorpion in the Aesop fable who couldn't help himself from stinging the frog who rescued him, because he was acting according to his nature, China is acting according to its communist nature, and it's getting noticible now. Commies gonna commie. The Chicoms may have even squandered the actual money Mobius owns, the way Sam Bankman-Fried did with his investor deposits, given the recent spate of instances where China's enfeebled regional banks have refused to let consumers get their money out. They've had riots in cities such as Henan and Zhengzhou over this. While those were small rural banks in bad fiscal straits and Mobius has his money in a seemingly well-capitalized HSBC Bank, one wonders if there's some kind of problem with the money being missing in the Shanghai branch he uses and the Chicom officials attempting to stall Mobius from taking it out. Whatever it is, it doesn't make sense. Every dollar or yuan they keep of Mobius's is a dollar a foreign investor witholds from spending in that country. Every dollar withheld means that much less economic growth -- and higher borrowing costs for that 7.2% defense spending increase. You wouldn't invest in a country where they won't let you take your earnings home, would you? That kind of risk is poison to investors, that's what pariah states do, and China up until now has put on a good dog and pony show about their capitalist values and respect for private property to keep the investments incoming. Well, seems they don't want that now. They're raring for war. They're stealing from those who helped them out earlier by laying down their capital. It falls into line with everything else we see of that country in the age of pathetic Joe Biden. They'll pay big for this in lost investment -- and just as they are growing old before they grow rich. Image: PublicDomainPictures.net // CC0 public domain We hear that the migrant crisis is costing New York City $5 million a day. That's more than the Yankees and Mets are paying their rosters. We also hear that Canada is getting a little frustrated because the buses are now crossing the northern border, from Texas to Manhattan to Quebec! Check out Saturday's Dallas Morning News editorial: For those who live in places where mass migration isn't a problem, it's easy to take a tone of moral superiority and look down on those who have to balance humane treatment with security. But when the problem lands on their doorstep, it's surprising how quickly that tone changes and the attitude that something must be done takes root. We saw that when Gov. Greg Abbott sent migrants by bus to cities like New York, Chicago and Washington. Now, it seems, Canada is having second thoughts on illegal border crossings. Certain Canadian leaders have preened about their nation's welcoming spirit. In 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canadian television that "I always sort of laugh when you see people who are not many of them, but intolerant or who think, 'Go back to your own country.' No! You chose this country. This is your country more than it is for others because we take it for granted." Fast forward to this week. Trudeau is pushing the Biden administration to stem "the flow of irregular migration into Canada," Bloomberg reports. Why? Because unauthorized migrants are actually showing up to take part in the life Canada offers. So Canada is saying "no more" in English and French. The issue here is chaos, not immigration. I understand that orderly immigration can complement a country's economy. For example, nearly a million Cubans, like my case, or Vietnamese came to the U.S. and settled into productive and law-abiding residents. The big reason is that we were able to support ourselves immediately. My father had a job within two weeks of arriving in the U.S. We did get some help from a church, but that was to get us off the ground However, simply allowing people to walk in creates problems. One of the biggest challenges is that many of these people cannot work or support themselves. So they have to rely on charity or simply get into the underground economy and survive. Who knew that Governor Abbott's buses would have this impact on the national immigration debate? PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos. Image via Pxhere. Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) criticized President Joe Biden for signing legislation overturning D.C.'s revised criminal code, saying he should have given Democrats "a heads up." "If he was going to do it, I wish he would've told us first, because this was a hard vote for the House members," Pelosi said at a University of Chicago event. "And it's a hard vote for the Senate members. And the mayor of District of Columbia even differed from the legislators who passed it, so it wasn't that clear." "I'm a big supporter of statehood for the District of Columbia. I voted with the District of Columbia. I understand why some people voted against. But if the president's going to do it, hey, could you give us a heads up too in the House?" she added. In November 2022, the D.C. council unanimously voted to pass the Revised Criminal Code Act, which includes reduced maximum prison sentences, the expansion of jury trials, and the reduction of maximum criminal penalties for crimes like carjacking and robberies. In January 2023, D.C. mayor Muriel E. Bowser vetoed the legislation, but the council overruled her veto, prompting a response from GOP lawmakers. House Republicans introduced a resolution, led by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.), to repeal D.C.'s crime bill. One hundred seventy-three House Democrats voted against it, and 31 voted for it. Biden announced his intention to sign the legislation. I support D.C. Statehood and home-rule but I dont support some of the changes D.C. Council put forward over the Mayors objections such as lowering penalties for carjackings. If the Senate votes to overturn what D.C. Council did Ill sign it. President Biden (@POTUS) March 2, 2023 Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said she was "deeply disappointed" with the overturning of the law. "I'm deeply disappointed to see the president announce he will allow Congress to overturn a D.C. law for the first time in decades," Jayapal said in a statement. "This is simple: the District of Columbia must be allowed to govern itself. Democrats' commitment to Home Rule should apply regardless of the substance of the local legislation." The Home Rule Act allows D.C. to act as its own government despite not being a state. All legislative decisions must go through Congress before being enacted. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) was also upset with Biden's decision, saying D.C. has a right to make its own decisions. "This ain't it. D.C. has a right to govern itself like any other state or municipality. If the president supports D.C. statehood, he should govern like it," Ocasio-Cortez said. The bill now heads to the Senate. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) will likely side with the president. If passed, it will go to the president's desk for signature. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Reaching back through the mists of time, I am remembering the midterm elections of 1994. As the returns came in, ABC's Peter Jennings was compelled to accuse America's voters of throwing a temper tantrum for giving the GOP control of Congress for the first time in over forty years. I was later triggered to laugh so hard that I almost fell off my bicycle while riding on a major road. Two issues in particular conspired to push the results. The first was the congressional check-kiting scandal where the members' captive post office was used as a money laundry and ATM. The other was much more political. First Lady Hillary Clinton was tasked with "reinventing" health care. She held a series of secret meetings with alleged experts...thus invoking profound suspicion among much of the electorate. Then, like a bomb, the resulting package was dropped on the public. Beyond extensively micro-managing what was already a rather complicated business, Hillary's brain child went so far as to outlaw private practice. Such high-profile garbage gagged even the Democrat Congress. After Newt Gingrich became House speaker, I mused that the Republicans should erect a statue of Hillary on the Capitol grounds...in tribute to such a significant benefactor. But she wasn't finished. After carpetbagging into the vacated Senate seat of Daniel Patrick Moynihan, she was drafted by President-Elect Obama into a stint as secretary of state. Then, after languishing in the political wilderness for a while, she finally got the Democrat presidential nomination more or less by default. Huh? Beto? Bernie? Really? Hardly anyone other than Hillary could've lost to such a complete novice as Donald J. Trump. Thanks, Hillary, for paving the way for the Trump presidency. For his part, Mr. Trump made a serious suggestion that would've profoundly rationalized health care in the U.S.: providers should have published price lists. Restaurant menus usually show the prices of their offerings. Stores show the prices of their merchandise. Even car mechanics gladly estimate in advance the costs of repairs, broken down between parts and labor. Why shouldn't hospitals and clinics also show what the charges will be for various standard procedures and days of in-patient care...in advance? After recently breaking an arm, I learned a lot more about this. My provider billed me $95 and billed Medicare $12,000 (which included $675 for an EKG that took about 10 minutes plus about $5 of stick-on sensors). I talked to a friend, who's now retired from being medical director of an HMO (AKA billing dispute referee). He told me that my provider had no expectation of getting the full twelve thousand it just has to ask for it. It's a game, plain and simple. What Trump did accomplish, that may well have changed America's destiny, is that he pried the lid off the Pandora's box of political secrets. The current turmoil is due to the continuing awakening that only someone from outside the political establishment could have provoked. The real "woke" are the folks who've just gotten better at recognizing government-media attempts at creating false versions of reality. An old truism is that a conservative is just a former liberal who's been mugged by reality. I would add that this is not an event, but rather a process. A recent and conspicuous convert appears to be House speaker Kevin McCarthy. Though he was always a Republican, it was commonly thought that he was just a Mitch McConnell clone. Maybe Speaker McCarthy was always a true movement conservative, but he hid his lantern under a blanket to avoid being marginalized by the swamp-rat establishment. Nonetheless, he's been doing the Lord's work right out of the box. And, in all fairness to Mitch McConnell, he went the extra mile to keep Merrick Garland off the Supreme Court. This is a beau geste comparable to preventing Dr. Kevorkian from becoming a paramedic. Wafting up from beneath the cacophony of political exhortations is the pungent hint of desperation emanating from the progressive stalwarts. From Al Gore's "boiling oceans" to the movement to ban gas stoves, and now furnaces and water heaters, the lefties are popping off with political kamikaze efforts to rally the true believers. They continue to deceive themselves in assuming that ordinary folks are more than willing to follow absurd directions. Self-interest is the unalterable basis of a free-market economy. It is also the basis of freedom in general though requiring members to refrain from trespassing on the freedom of others. Natural gas is (ahem) natural. It oozes up from the bowels of the earth. Arbitrarily making life more miserable for one's constituents is not a path toward political success. But these folks have become slaves to silly fads...and do not have the knowledge or intelligence to figure this out. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. President Trump surprised many by delivering a four-minute speech as his newly launched presidential campaign gets going, calling for bright new "freedom cities" to be built on federal land, by private contractors. He called for beautiful cities, just as he called for elegant federal buildings, and the scrapping of ugly ones. He called for Jetsons-type vertical, or drone-type transport, which is in development now, to bridge the divide between country and city. He also sought child cash credits to encourage Americans to have babies, to ensure that the population will grow. It was a splendid concept, standing in stark contrast to Joe Biden's green new deal and Klaus Schwab's great reset -- which is all about the micromanaging of American life down to its gas stoves, the destruction of America's fossil fuel industry in the name of "going green," the shortages, the breakdown of the grid, and the soaring fuel prices on all those expensive greenie mandates, the fattening of political cronies on failed Solyndra-type boondoggles, the zero population growth, the mileage taxes, the less-is-more ethos, the small-is-beautiful philosophy, the cramped apartments, the nasty public transport filled with bums and the smell of urine, the third-world children toiling in the lithium mines, and the eating of bugs. That whole Biden vision stinks to ordinary voters and Trump's alternative clearly recognizes that. According to Politico: Trumps plan, shared in advance with POLITICO, calls for holding a contest to design and create up to ten new Freedom Cities, built from the ground up on federal land. It proposes an investment in the development of vertical-takeoff-and-landing vehicles; the creation of hives of industry sparked by cutting off imports from China; and a population surge sparked by baby bonuses to encourage would-be-parents to get on with procreation. It is all, his team says, part of a larger nationwide beautification campaign meant to inspire forward-looking visions of Americas future. Past generations of Americans pursued big dreams and daring projects that once seemed absolutely impossible. They pushed across an unsettled continent and built new cities in the wild frontier. They transformed American life with the interstate highway systemmagnificent it was. And they launched a vast network of satellites into orbit all around the earth, Trump said in his video. But today, our country has lost its boldness. Under my leadership, we will get it back in a very big way. If you look at just three years ago, what we were doing was unthinkable, how good it was, how great it was for our country. Our objective will be a quantum leap in the American standard of living, Trump said. It was classic Trump, going for something bold and wildly different, and Politico compared it to his proposal to Denmark to buy Greenland, which most of us frankly, liked. Trump draws his energy from the greatness of American history and that's a big reason why he's so insanely popular. All the same, what he was proposing was fraught with risks, given that everything he proposed pretty well has been tried before by central planners elsewhere, with, at best, mixed results, and that includes a lot of flaming failures. Brasilia, Magnitogorsk, Yamoussoukro, Nowa Huta are all famous for the dreadful awfulness of their centrally planned aesthetics. Trump, of course, isn't proposing to build ugly cities like those, all premised on the wonders of socialism. Nor is he proposing the kind of crap that went on with U.K.'s often-ugly "New Towns" where in the unfortunate town of Stevenage, one creepy socialist official told protesting locals as he bulldozed ahead: "It's no good your jeering, it's going to be done." It's fair to say that the intentions were good most of the buildings of these places but they didn't get the results they wanted. They were centrally planned with the best of intentions yet with the addition of city chaos or consumer needs, or too much cement, or the socialist worker aesthetic, they turned out ugly. Other centrally planned cities constructed out of nothing, such as Versailles, and Putrajaya, turned out quite beautiful in a regal sort of way, but they tend to be sterile places without much city dynamics. Some smaller centrally planned places, such as Coto de Caza, California, are quite beautiful and liveable, too -- and pretty much walled off literally to ensure that, ensuring static growth. Cities must be dynamic. Here's a list of all the centrally planned cities here on Wikipedia I would argue that China, with all its empty building and cities, is brimming with central planning. The city of Tijuana, with its endless cement, its undrinkable water, its sewage fouling San Diego's beaches, and its planned communities, is pretty centrally planned, too, I've talked to the mayor of that city about it. There are older beautiful centrally planned cities, such as Washington, D.C. But as the burning of Notre Dame demonstrated, it's unlikely that the work force contains sufficient numbers of artisans with the skills to duplicate the kind of ornate work seen in the cities' buildings. Yes, central planning can do great things. Trump would know all about Robert Moses, who centrally planned much of New York -- to very mixed results, including the destruction of organic and integrated neighborhoods to put highways and transit lines in (this was what Pete Buttigieg was talking about when he brought up racist highways, it was in the book "The Power Broker," by Robert Caro, which is read in colleges), and his role in the 1963 destruction of Penn Station for a vile brutalist cement concoction of unspeakable ugliness that is now loaded with bums and only now undergoing some sort of renovation that doesn't match what was lost. Glen Matsumoto, writing on LinkedIn, observed: Infrastructure investment is a unique investment class requiring consideration of many things including the public's need to be provided essential services, anticipation of future community requirements, delivering adequate returns to investors, but also occasionally requiring consideration of intangible values such as the cultural heritage of society. Which is why central planning so often falls short. It goes back to Friedrich Hayek's explanation of why socialism constantly fails -- it's because central planners simply can't plan for all the little things that make a place work, including in a great city, in the same way individual decisionmakers can and do. Once again, cities are dynamic. Which is why central planning, including in city construction, is so hard to get right. There is a place for top-down decisionmaking -- Medellin, Colombia, after all, did itself proud by revamping its water system so that every water faucet there can dispense safe drinking water -- no Montezuma's revenge in that city. Bogota, Colombia did itself proud by getting around its very difficult geography with a mountain zone of solid rock dividing the city, making the creation of a subway impossible, by simply dedicating a few existing roads solely to bus transit, creating a virtual transit system which works just as well as a subway, except with nicer scenery. Trump cited the interstate highway system and the trans-Pacific rail line, and yes, those were marvelous feats, done with central planning by the state and by the private sector. But there's a bigger place for the little guy to make the decisions in how a city emerges as a great city. Is Trump's aesthetic taste exactly what every region wants? Would a grand classical style, which is what he's aiming at, work in states as diverse as Massachusetts, Vermont, Washington state, and southern California? They really do have different architectural 'feels' in those places. Is Trump talking about his own taste in buildings, such as the brassy Trump Tower in New York (which by the way, came about with the destruction of the exquisite Bonwit Teller facade of the building, which enraged a lot of New Yorkers)? Is the private sector always successful in creating planned communities? A look at the history of California City in California suggests otherwise. Is the creation of cities an incubator for more blue voters? We all know what the U.S. political map looks like. Is Trump's drone transport proposal (which the private sector is already doing) enough to keep the "freedom cities" from going blue? It's unknown but that problem is out there. Can he get a better name for it than "Agenda47" which sounds like something Klaus Schwab would cook up? It seems that the better way to create beautiful new cities is to go the full libertarian - flat tax, low regulation, freedoms galore. Yes, open more federal land to development, but allow the development of new cities to come at a more granular level. When people feel prosperous and happy and confident and having a sense of beloning, they do create beautiful things. That's why Gov. Ron DeSantos's granular rather than grand acts, seem more likely to get the results Trump would like to see in the country in the creation of beautiful cities. Trump seems a bit top down in his call for beautiful cities while DeSantis is bottom up, and very organic in his approach. DeSantis is going after school boards and wokester investing and wokester education, and even looters, seeking to create a public that has a unified sense of belonging to the U.S. rather than the Utopian dream of socialism, along with an appreciation for America and its heritage. Trump's vision is grand, but DeSantis's is brick by brick and it might form a more solid foundation for the creation of beautiful cities based on the creation of informed and cognizant people. Too bad the two of them can't get together -- at least as of now -- they uniquely complement one another in their vision. The other thing is, there is a lot of granularity that Trump needs to finish up on -- the border wall, the need to hose out deep state, the cleanup of the elections, the rebuilding of our defense, all of which are unglamorous hard slogs. It's no fun to talk about these things the way talking about a new America with big new beautiful cities is, but these things have to be done. Trump should get credit for lightening the mood and drawing Americans to envision new heights of success with his cities proposal. He's a visionary. We love visionaries. We also know that Trump can get huge numbers of things done. Will it work? I see a lot of potential 'caution' signs knowing all that can go wrong. But it's nice to hear a creative mind at work reaching for the stars, same as Elon Musk does, instead of just the usual political pudknockery. Go get 'em, President Trump. Image: Screen shot from DonaldTrump video, via Rumble. Joe Biden will almost certainly not attend the coronation of King Charles III. The official reason is that he is making a trip to Ireland that simply cant be canceled. The media have focused on two reasons he wont be there: (1) Eisenhower didnt attend so theres no tradition for presidents to attend, and (2) Biden hates the British. I think there are two more likely reasons: (1) Charles IIIs coronation is an event without cachet, and (2) its impossible for Biden to withstand the rigors of the long coronation ceremony and any pre- and post-ceremony events. Indeed, my money is on the last reason being the real reason. The top-line story is straightforward: It is unlikely President Joe Biden will attend King Charles coronation in May, a source said. A source told the Telegraph that it was unlikely that Biden, 80, would attend the May 6 coronation as he is expected to make a trip to Ireland for the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement just a few weeks prior. So a trip to Ireland weeks before the coronation prevents Biden from attending the first British coronation in 70 years. Does that sound likely? Several papers reporting on Bidens probable absence have noted that General Eisenhower did not attend Queen Elizabeth IIs coronation in June 1953. This theory is that American presidents dont attend British coronations. Maybe, yes; maybe, no. Image: Biden meets Prince Charles. YouTube screen grab. A second reason the media are giving for Bidens coronation snub is his known disdain for the British as the reason: Biden has spoken openly about his Irish family's disdain for England and the British monarchy in his memoir, claiming that his mother once refused to sleep in a bed that the Queen had once slept in. In the book, he also recalled his aunt once saying that his dad was "not a bad man" but he was "just English. Before meeting the late Queen, his mother also apparently instructed him not to bow down to her. Given that the British did, in fact, subject the Irish to centuries of cruelty, thats not an unreasonable supposition for his absence. However, I think there are two more reasons he may be giving it a hard pass, with the second of the two being the real reason Biden is skipping the party. The first unspoken reason Biden wont go is that Charles III has no cachet, especially among the left. While leftists may forgive England for brutalizing Ireland (the Irish, after all, are as white as the English), Englands colonial history in Africa and Southeast Asia is less forgivable. That seems to be the reason that todays pop icons are turning down the opportunity to entertain at the eventthat and the fact that even Charless climate fanaticism is not enough to overcome the boredom and ick factors associated with him. After all, hes a man who cheated on a wife whom ordinary people adored and, moreover, wanted to be a tampon in his then-mistress Camilla (soon to be Queen Camilla). As I said, ick. What no official outlet will admit, but what I suspect is the real stopping point for Biden when it comes to attending an important event for an allied nation, is that hes not physically or mentally up to the task. Coronations are long affairs. Queen Elizabeth IIs took three hours. Even if Charless coronation is shortened for modern attention spans, its still going to be a long affair. Heads of state or their representatives will have to hang around in Westminster Abbey while Charles and Camilla arrive in state; then they must sit through the event; and, afterward, they must stay in place while the newly crowned King and Queen depart. Naturally, during those before and afters, the heads of state and representatives will be expected to meet, greet, and mingle. In addition, there will be myriad other events: Parties, suppers, photo opportunities, etc. It will not only be a long, busy day but also several long, busy days. Can anyone, anyone at all, imagine Biden being up to the rigors of those events? This is a president who has spent 40% of his presidency on vacationevery weekend and whenever else he can get time off, with him always being incommunicado during those times. Biden had his last press conference 109 days ago. He ignores the press whenever possible. Also, no one can forget Bidens performance in England in 2021 for the G7 Summit. He got lost in a restaurant, and the other leaders were laughing at him. That was two years ago. Bidens gotten much loopier since then. Theres no way he can survive the rigors of being a coronation guest. Sure, maybe its another event, an American tradition of avoiding coronations, a family history of hostility to England, or an uncool king, but it seems likely that, hiding behind all those theories is the fact that Biden is physically and mentally incapable of attending the coronation. (ANSA) - ROME, MAR 5 - Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Sunday that a hard line was needed after anarchists rioted in Turin on Saturday, leaving two police officers injured and massive damage in the northern city. A total of 37 people were detained in relation to the disturbances on Saturday, before being subsequently released, and hundreds of people who took part have been identified, including people from Germany and France. They were protesting in support of Alfredo Cospito, the jailed leader of the Informal Anarchist Federation (FAI) who has been on hunger strike since October to protest against the tough 41 bis prison regime usually reserved for mafia bosses that he is being held under. The windows and windscreens of many cars, shops and banks were smashed and graffiti was daubed over the walls of buildings for stretches of several hundred metres. Paint was also thrown at the Santuario della Madonna Consolata (the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of the Consolation), one of Turin's holiest sites. "Criminal vandals, so-called anarchists, brought guerilla warfare to Turin yesterday," Crosetto said via Twitter. "They destroyed shops, splattered paint over walls, used violence on people and property. "You don't negotiate with people like this. They must be stopped, judged and punished". (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, MAR 5 - A lawyer representing Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana on Sunday called on Bergamo prosecutors to halt the media appearances of an expert consultant in relation to their probe into allegedly criminal conduct in the handling of the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. Fontana is among 19 people under investigation, along with ex-premier Giuseppe Conte and former health minister Roberto Speranza, over the failure to make Nembro and Alzano Lombardo red zones early in 2020 as the authorities had done in other contagion hotspots in the province of Lodi. A Bergamo prosecutor has said that over 4,000 COVID-19 deaths could have been saved by declaring these towns red zones. On Sunday the expert, top microbiologist Andrea Crisanti, told Rai television that he believed serious misjudgements had been made in the early days of the pandemic. "If you say that we are all exonerated, I think it would open the path to a situation of unpreparedness next time," Crisanti said. "Closing your eyes to a disaster means opening the road to another disaster". Jacopo Pensa, one of Fontana's lawyers, said the defence team was "astounded" to see Crisanti "on television on a daily basis to reiterate his accusations. "The Bergamo prosecutor's office must warn its consultant about these insistent appearances," he added. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, MAR 5 - The number of people to have died in weekend road accidents in Italy has already reached 195 this year, including data from the weekend of New Year's Eve, the ASAPS association of supporters of the nation's highway police said on Sunday. The association said 73 of the victims were under 35. The data includes the deaths of two young women aged 17 and 19 who were killed when a car crashed into a tree at Motta di Livenza, in the northern province of Treviso, overnight. Two other young people were injured in that accident. "What strikes me is that this weekend we have had five accidents with two deaths each, so 10 deaths in five accidents," said ASAPS President Giordano Biserni. (ANSA). Clashes in Athens over train tragedy, 5 detained Greek PM apologizes to families of victims (ANSA) - TRIESTE, 05 MAR - Violent clashes occurred today between police and protesters in Athens on the sidelines of a demonstration after the train disaster in Greece that left 57 people dead. In front of the Parliament, where thousands had gathered, some demonstrators set fire to garbage cans and threw Molotov bottles. Police responded with tear gas, stun grenades, and lightening charges. Police detained five people; seven policemen were injured as police report accusing those detained of throwing stones and incendiary bottles at officers. This morning Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis apologized to the families of the victims. "As prime minister, I owe it to everyone, but especially to the relatives of the victims, to ask for forgiveness," he wrote in a message addressed to Greeks and posted on his Facebook account. "In the Greece of 2023, it is not possible for two trains to travel in opposite directions on the same line and not be noticed by anyone." (ANSA). Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved Governance in Northern Ireland would probably involve a joint arrangement between the UK and Irish governments if powersharing is not restored at Stormont, Michelle ONeill has said. The Sinn Fein vice president reiterated her call on the DUP to end its blockade on devolution in Belfast following the deal on post-Brexit trade struck by London and Brussels. Unionists have previously reacted angrily to any suggestion of Irish involvement in the governance of Northern Ireland in the absence of devolution. While Ms ONeill expressed a cautious welcome for the overall Windsor Framework deal she said her party had some concerns about its Stormont brake and the potential for it to create further problems around the application of future EU laws in Northern Ireland. Sinn Feins Stormont leader said the result of last Mays Assembly election has to be honoured and powersharing restored. We obviously had a very historic election last May, for the very first time a nationalist was returned as first minister, and I am in the position of first minister-designate, she told Sky News. The DUP have failed to honour that election to this point, but I still hope that they will get to that point, because powersharing is how politics works in the north. DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has insisted his party will take its time to come to a position on the Windsor Framework (PA) We have a special and unique circumstance because of the Good Friday Agreement and there isnt any other alternative. In fact, probably the alternative to powersharing would be some arrangement between the British and Irish government. The Stormont parties are due to receive briefings from UK Government officials in the week ahead on how the brake will operate. The mechanism offers a minority of MLAs (30 from at least two parties) the ability to refer to the UK Government its concerns about the introduction of new EU laws in Northern Ireland. The Government could then potentially veto the application of those laws in the region. Ms ONeill said it would be reasonable that the two parties should come from different traditions in Northern Ireland, to prevent a scenario where either unionists or nationalists could alone pull the brake. I think thats all very reasonable, she told RTE Radio One. What we dont want to see here is that in order to square the circle and to have achieved this agreement, we dont want to see that theyve created a new problem. But, yes, absolutely there shouldnt be an ability for anybody to be able to, because of political reasons, to block. This mechanism is something that apparently is something only to be used whenever there is something that has significant impact, as opposed to anything thats perhaps trivial by nature. The DUP has yet to decide whether to back the Windsor Framework. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald, flanked by colleagues Michelle ONeill and Conor Murphy, speaking after briefing party activists on the Windsor Framework (David Young/PA) The UK and EU are hoping their proposed framework to deliver changes to the contentious Northern Ireland Protocol will be enough to convince the party to return to devolved government. While the DUP has made clear it will make a collective decision, factoring in views across the party, some prominent DUP figures including Sammy Wilson, Lord Dodds and Ian Paisley have already expressed concerns whether the changes to the Irish Sea trading arrangements go far enough to address their concerns over trade and sovereignty. Ms ONeill said it was time for the DUP to show leadership and agree to restoring powersharing while still continuing its process of examining the deal. They deliberately took a tactic, they decided to walk away from the executive in order to influence the negotiation (between the UK and EU), but the negotiation is now complete, so theres no reason for them to stay outside of the executive, she told Sky News. They should be back around the executive table, taking on the matters of the day. And then, yes, let us work through all the details of this in the deal because I equally have some concerns, particularly around this issue of a Stormont brake and what that might look like and how it can be used, because I certainly dont want any deal to replace a problem with a problem. But these are things we can do whilst also being in the executive. Ms ONeill said Northern Irelands continued single market access represents a huge opportunity for the region. She said that opportunity could be maximised if powersharing is restored ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday peace agreement, with the potential of US President Joe Biden visiting and international attention focused on Northern Ireland. Ms ONeill said the DUP cannot deliberate endlessly on whether it is going to accept the Windsor Framework and return to devolution. We now have this unique selling point, and I want to maximise that, and I want the Good Friday Agreement anniversary on top of that opportunity to be a huge catalyst for investment here, and that should not be missed, she said. The DUP cannot go on in this vain endlessly. Yes, everybody wants to do their due diligence, but then get around the table and make politics work with the rest of us. The Northern Ireland Office insisted it will not countenance any joint authority arrangement in Northern Ireland involving the Irish Government. Responding to Ms ONeills comments, an NIO spokesman said: We are not considering any changes to the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and we will not consider joint authority. Our sole focus is on ensuring Northern Ireland has a locally elected, accountable and effective devolved government in line with the agreement to protect the gains it has delivered over the past 25 years. We have been clear that we will underpin arrangements in the Windsor Framework through amendments to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to provide constitutional and democratic guarantees for the people of Northern Ireland. We will set out further detail in the coming weeks. A charity says it has received an average of 128 requests per month so far this year from people looking to rehome their dogs. Spaniel Aid said the number of surrender requests has risen over the past few years, from an average of 47 a month in 2021 and 87 last year. It urged people looking to rehome their dogs to first contact the charity or similar organisations after Lancashire Police tweeted they were looking for pets to work for the force. POLICE DOG RECRUITMENTDo you have a working breed dog like a Labrador, Springer or Cocker Spaniel that is under 3 years old?Are they full of energy & enjoy ball play and searching? If yes & you want to rehome your dog please contact Anna.Woods@Lancashire.Police.uk pic.twitter.com/kavojazDw7 Lancashire Police (@LancsPolice) March 3, 2023 The force said on Twitter on Friday: Do you have a working breed dog like a Labrador, Springer or Cocker Spaniel that is under 3 years old? Are they full of energy & enjoy ball play and searching? If yes & you want to rehome your dog please contact. Spaniel Aid founder and trustee Nicola Kebbell said in response: If people are really thinking of rehoming their dog, we would urge them to come to a rehoming charity like Spaniel Aid first. If the dog has a genuine aptitude for a working role, we have good contacts with several police forces, and a record of finding dogs good homes. Buddy was rehomed by the charity (Spaniel Aid UK/PA) Spaniel Aid said the average monthly number of rehoming requests over January and February was 128. The charity told of rehoming Buddy after he was given up in April last year. It said: He had had a good few homes already in his two years was said to be reactive to other dogs and had bitten someone when provoked. It soon became clear that this boy was misunderstood. He was intelligent and fast learning and needed a job. He went through sniffer dog training with Northumbria Police and passed last month with flying colours to become a fully licensed police drugs/weapons/cash dog. Government prepares to unveil new powers to stop the boats The Prime Minister has vowed to put an end to the immoral illegal migration trade as the Government prepares to unveil new powers to crack down on small-boat crossings in the Channel. The legislation, promised as part of Government efforts to tackle illegal migration, could come as soon as Tuesday, as Home Secretary Suella Braverman said that the only way into the UK would be a safe and legal route. The legislation is expected to make asylum claims inadmissible from those who travel to the UK on small boats. It would see a duty placed on the Home Secretary to remove as soon as reasonably practicable anyone who arrives on a small boat to Rwanda or a safe third country. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he is determined to deliver on my promise to stop the boats (Dan Kitwood/PA) Arrivals will also be prevented from claiming asylum while in the UK, with plans also to ban them from returning once removed. Rishi Sunak said the new powers are a step towards fulfilling his pledge to stop the boats once and for all. He told The Mail On Sunday: Illegal migration is not fair on British taxpayers, it is not fair on those who come here legally and it is not right that criminal gangs should be allowed to continue their immoral trade. I am determined to deliver on my promise to stop the boats. So make no mistake, if you come here illegally, you will not to be able to stay. The bill will be published on Tuesday, according to The Sun On Sunday. Ms Braverman told the paper: Enough is enough. The British people want this solved. They are sick of tough talk and inadequate action. We must stop the boats. Thats why myself and the Prime Minister have been working flat out to bring forward necessary and effective laws which will tackle this problem, once and for all. It has to be that if you come here illegally you will be detained and swiftly removed. Our laws will be simple in their intention and practice the only route to the UK will be a safe and legal route. The Prime Minister has made stopping the boats one of his five priorities, while Ms Braverman has repeatedly promised to take a hard line on illegal migration and Channel crossings. But the Governments plans have also been criticised by campaigners, with concerns too about whether some of the policies are compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The Rwanda scheme too has been mired in legal challenges, and so far no flights carrying migrants to the Rwandan capital Kigali have departed. The latest Home Office figures show 2,950 migrants have crossed the Channel already this year. Mr Sunak has been under considerable pressure from his own backbenches to tackle illegal migration. Downing Street has said that the legislation will come in due course. Critics expressed concern at the plans. Christina Marriott, executive director of strategy at the Red Cross, called it extremely concerning. The Home Office knows from its own research that this will also do little to prevent people risking their lives to seek safety. Again and again, we hear from people that they have no prior knowledge of the UKs asylum system, so making it harsher is not an effective strategy, she said. Sonya Sceats, chief executive at Freedom From Torture, called the proposals vindictive and dysfunctional. This legislation will do nothing to reduce the number of deaths in the Channel or the chaos and incompetence that blights our asylum system, nor will it guarantee sanctuary for those who need it. Instead, it will lead to more torture survivors being unfairly denied protection and potentially removed to Rwanda. Presidium elected, agenda set for China's annual legislative session Xinhua) 08:35, March 05, 2023 Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), presides over a preparatory meeting for the first session of the 14th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Deputies to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) gathered here Saturday morning at a preparatory meeting to elect the presidium and set the agenda for the first session of the 14th NPC, scheduled to begin on Sunday. A 192-member presidium was elected, with Li Hongzhong as secretary-general of the NPC session, according to a statement issued after the meeting. All the preparatory work for the annual session has been done, said Chairman of the 13th NPC Standing Committee Li Zhanshu, who presided over the preparatory meeting. The session will be democratic, united, pragmatic and progressive. It will rally Chinese people of all ethnic groups more closely around the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core to strive in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts, he said. The preparatory meeting also adopted the nine-item agenda of the upcoming session. The newly-elected presidium met shortly afterward and elected Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and 10 other deputies to the 14th NPC as executive chairpersons of the presidium. Li Zhanshu shook hands with all executive chairpersons before heading out of the meeting hall amid warm applause. Later, executive chairpersons of the presidium held their first meeting, chaired by Zhao. Before the preparatory meeting on Saturday morning, chairman and vice chairpersons of the 13th NPC Standing Committee held their last meeting to make preparations for the upcoming session. The meeting, presided over by Li Zhanshu, finalized a list of candidates for the presidium and secretary-general of the first session of the 14th NPC and heard a report on the session's draft agenda. Li Zhanshu shakes hands with Zhao Leji at the first meeting of the presidium of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Zhao Leji presides over the first meeting of the presidium of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) The first meeting of the presidium of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Zhao Leji, an executive chairman of the presidium of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), chairs the first meeting of executive chairpersons of the presidium at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), presides over the 136th meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the 13th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been in email correspondence with the Kings office over whether they will attend the coronation. Following the publication of Harrys controversial memoir Spare, it has been unclear whether he and Meghan would be invited to the ceremony on May 6. The Coronation of the King and Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey on the Saturday morning, conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Dan Charity/PA) Tens of thousands of street parties are expected to be staged during the weekend, with people urged to come together across the nation for the Coronation Big Lunch on May 7. According to reports, Harry has been in contact with Charles representatives concerning their attendance. But the duke has said that he would not yet be disclosing whether a decision had been made on his and Meghans attendance. A Sussex spokesperson said: I can confirm the duke has recently received email correspondence from His Majestys office regarding the coronation. An immediate decision on whether the duke and duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time. Boris Johnson did not knowingly mislead Parliament over partygate, a senior Cabinet minister has said. Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris offered a staunch defence of the former prime minister on Sunday, after a Privileges Committee report found that evidence strongly suggested breaches of coronavirus rules would have been obvious to Mr Johnson. Mr Heaton-Harris, who served as Mr Johnsons chief whip, said he does not believe for one second that the former PM misled MPs. Speaking on Sophy Ridge On Sunday on Sky News, he said Mr Johnson is 100% a man of integrity, adding: I do not believe for one second Boris knowingly misled Parliament. I dont think he will be found to have misled Parliament. Chris Heaton-Harris said Boris Johnson is 100% a man of integrity (Jordan Pettit/PA) In this country, youre innocent until youre proven guilty. Im absolutely convinced Boris did not knowingly mislead Parliament. He later repeated his defence on the Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, but was pressed on whether this is the official Government line. Mr Heaton-Harris replied: I dont think theres a Government official position. Theres a parliamentary process going on. And I think we would wait to see what came out of that parliamentary process. The cross-party committee inquiry on Friday said the Commons may have been misled at least four times, with MPs set to cross-examine Mr Johnson later this month. Mr Johnson has claimed the inquirys preliminary report showed he was being vindicated, while he and his allies have sought to cast doubt on civil service investigator Sue Grays own report into events in Downing Street following her surprise move to Sir Keir Starmers office. According to the written evidence in the committees interim report, Mr Johnson remarked that a mid-pandemic leaving party in No 10 was probably the most unsocially distanced gathering in the UK right now. WhatsApp messages given to the inquiry show advisers struggling with how parties were within the rules, with one conceding an excuse blows another great gaping hole in the PMs account. The committee said: The evidence strongly suggests that breaches of guidance would have been obvious to Mr Johnson at the time he was at the gatherings. Then prime minister Boris Johnson, right, at a leaving gathering in the Number 10 press office while lockdown rules were in place (Cabinet Office/PA) There is evidence that those who were advising Mr Johnson about what to say to the press and in the House were themselves struggling to contend that some gatherings were within the rules. In what is likely to be a highly anticipated appearance, Mr Johnson is expected to give oral evidence as part of the inquiry, in a session broadcast live on television, in the week starting March 20. Mr Johnson received one of the 126 fines issued by Scotland Yard over lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street and Whitehall. If found to have lied to Parliament and suspended for more than 10 days, he could be forced to face a by-election. Liberal Democrat chief whip Wendy Chamberlain hit out at the comments by Mr Heaton-Harris, calling it completely inappropriate for him to assert Boris Johnsons innocence live on TV. Boris is doing his utmost to publicly discredit this inquiry and wriggle out of answering the tough questions posed to him, he does not need Heaton-Harriss help, she said. A music teacher who taught the Princess of Wales and her family to play piano has composed a song to celebrate the Kings coronation. Daniel Nicholls, 58, who lives near the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, says he wants the whole nation to learn and sing Defender Of Us All by the time of the ceremony on May 6. Mr Nicholls co-wrote the song with his wife Sandra, 65, because they were inspired by Charless desire for inclusivity and diversity. He told the PA news agency: We sent it out to schools in England and Scotland and weve had very positive responses to it. Mr Nicholls co-wrote the song with his wife Sandra (Sandra Nicholls/PA) Our aim is to get all schools to sing it on the Friday before the coronation and then have the entire nation singing it on May 6. Its all a bit grand, but what we thought would be an amazing thing to celebrate the coronation would be if the entire nation sang a song. This is really for everybody; wouldnt it be wonderful to get everyone together and have a positive attitude to things? Its what we British are good at, on the day of the coronation have the entire nation, even outside Westminster Abbey, singing together. Mr Nicholls, who taught Kate when she was between the ages of 11 and 13, joked the song could be a new national anthem which anybody can learn and sing. In 2011, he wrote a song for Kate and the Prince of Waless wedding. He also wrote a song for Kates wedding (Steve Parsons/PA Archive) Mr Nicholls added: It just seemed very appropriate to write another one for Williams dad, we have actually sent it to the Palace and the King and were awaiting a reply. He also taught Kates sister Pippa and her brother James. Mrs Nicholls said: Its just light and fun and free, schools are loving it. A few have suggested doing it at 11am on the Friday before the coronation. They want to do something for the whole celebration and this is a nice, easy song. If they dont have someone to play the piano theres backing track and a video which they can sing to. Its a nice, simple thing schools can do along with their tea parties. The recording, the sheet music and a backing track are all available at www.soundscool.org. We need less oversell and more reality on Brexit deal, DUP warns Government The DUP has urged the Government to stop overselling its new post-Brexit deal on Northern Ireland and focus on providing clarity on its detail. Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson again made clear that the DUP will take its time to consider the Windsor Framework before deciding whether to back it. Some prominent DUP figures, including Lord Dodds and MPs Sammy Wilson and Ian Paisley, have already suggested that the deal potentially does not go far enough to address their concerns over trade and sovereignty. Last week, the Government committed to amend the 1998 Northern Ireland Act to provide further reassurance to unionists about the regions constitutional status within the UK. Sir Jeffrey said his party needs to see the detail of those proposed amendments. We need to see what that looks like, he told GB News on Sunday. Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said Stormont parties will soon be given details on the brake mechanism (Brian Lawless/PA). Sir Jeffrey has also asked for clarity on the so-called Stormont brake a mechanism contained within the framework that offers a minority of MLAs (30 from at least two parties) the ability to refer to the UK Government its concerns about the introduction of new EU laws in Northern Ireland. The Government could then potentially prevent the application of those laws in the region. I think we do need that clarity from the Government, said Sir Jeffrey. Less of the oversell and more of the reality. I suspect the truth lies somewhere in the middle of all of this and thats what we need to get at. We will seek to do that ourselves with our own assessment. But I think we need to hear from the Government, particularly from the Prime Minister, on the reality of what all of this means. We need to see legislation that will put in place the Stormont brake, we need to ensure that is a robust process that does protect Northern Irelands place within the United Kingdom. And we need to see legislation that also ensures that where there is a threat to Northern Irelands place in the United Kingdom and its internal market in the future, the UK Government has a duty to ensure that this matter is resolved, that Northern Irelands place within the United Kingdom is protected at all times. The DUP leader said he and his party colleagues are going to take our time to come to a final decision. This is a very complex document, the framework and the legal text that accompanies it, and were seeking advice from experts on what this means in terms of all of the concerns that we had about the Northern Ireland Protocol, he said. We need to assess what this new framework means does it do what we need in terms of restoring Northern Irelands place within the United Kingdom and its internal market? On Sunday, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said the Government will provide further details to the Stormont parties on the brake mechanism in the week ahead. EC vice-president Maros Sefcovic has suggested the Stormont brake would be limited (PA) In an interview with Sky News, he insisted the measure represents a veto. Its a veto, he said. If its going to affect Northern Ireland in a significant way we would veto EU law. You cant be using a veto trivially, but I dont actually think the Northern Ireland Assembly would be using that trivially. Meanwhile, Sir Jeffrey was asked for his response to remarks attributed to EU vice-president Maros Sefcovic that the Windsor Framework does not represent the UK taking back control and that the Stormont brake would be very much limited in scope. There is no doubt there is a lot of spin on both sides of this and the EU are perfectly capable of spin as well, said the DUP leader. I think that Maros Sefcovic is trying to play down some aspects of the framework, particularly the Stormont brake, because theyre concerned about setting a precedent within the EU. George Osborne, who appears in some of the leaked WhatsApp messages from Matt Hancock, has defended the former health secretary as one of the sensible ministers during the pandemic. The former Conservative chancellor crops up in the leaked messages offering advice and support to Mr Hancock amid the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking on Channel 4s The Andrew Neil Show, Mr Osborne said that while he could not defend Mr Hancocks decision to hand his messages over to journalist Isabel Oakeshott, he was a rational voice in Government. In one of the published exchanges, Mr Osborne at the time editor of the London Evening Standard was quizzed by Mr Hancock about comments he had made during a radio interview about testing and the role of No 10. Former health secretary Matt Hancock (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Mr Osborne told the health secretary at the time: Trying to spread the responsibility from you to Number 10 Ive said it before. Mr Hancock replied: Ok but mass testing is going v well I fear this looks like you asked for me to be overruled The ex-chancellor replied: No-one thinks testing is going well, Matt. On another occasion, as he battled to meet his own target of 100,000 coronavirus tests per day, the leaked exchanges shows Mr Hancock texted his former boss to call in a favour. Mr Hancock said he has thousands of spare testing slots which is obvs good news about spread of virus but hard for my target as he asked for front-page coverage. Mr Osborne responded: Yes of course all you need to do tomorrow is give some exclusive words to the Standard and Ill tell the team to splash it. The then-health secretary later added: I WANT TO HIT MY TARGET! The former Tory MP laughed off that particular incident, telling the programme: Its not unheard of for newspaper editors to talk to politicians about setting up stories. You might notice he was quite disappointed because he didnt get the front page story. Boris Johnsons baby knocked him off the front page. And that is the hazard of being a politician: that you dont always get the press you want. Defending Mr Hancock, he said: I actually think that Matt this is not a fashionable view at the moment but Matt was one of the sensible people in the room in a supreme crisis for the British state and indeed lots of other countries around the world. And when you look at the conflicting scientific advice, having to work under Boris Johnsons premiership, Matt was often the person saying sensible, rational things about the policies that needed to be put in place. And although the British, they made a poor start in the pandemic, the rollout eventually of mass testing, and particularly the early adoption of vaccination, both of which came under Matts aegis, were very successful. Mr Osborne, who served in David Camerons government, also suggested that these kinds of messages show a human side of politics. The messages were shared with the Telegraph by Ms Oakeshott, who co-authored Mr Hancocks memoir the Pandemic Diaries, which covered his time as health secretary. Mr Hancock has condemned the leak as a massive betrayal designed to support an anti-lockdown agenda. I will defend Matt Hancocks decisions in the pandemic. Im not going to defend the decision to give it all to Isabel Oakeshott, Mr Osborne said. I dont think he would defend that decision today. Before we have a great shock-horror reaction if WhatsApp had existed during the Second World War, in the 19th century, at any point in British history, you would have seen something quite similar from the cast of characters running the country at that particular time. Not that it will feel like this at the moment to Matt, but it will kind of give some texture to all of the rather dry cabinet papers which will be released as part of the inquiry, because politics is about human beings working together and often disagreeing with each other. Pubs, clubs and bars will be allowed to stay open into the early hours over the Coronation weekend. Venues across England and Wales are able to continue serving customers for an extra two hours between Friday May 5 and Sunday May 7 to celebrate the Kings Coronation. Home Secretary Suella Braverman will extend licensing hours from the normal 11pm to 1am to allow people to enjoy an extra pint or two. The move was backed by a leading body in the hospitality sector as well as 77% of the public who took part in a month-long consultation. Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003 allows Ms Braverman to lay the order before Parliament on Monday to give permission for premises to stay open longer to mark occasions of exceptional significance. Ms Braverman said: His Majesty The Kings Coronation will be a momentous occasion deserving of special celebration. That is why I am extending the licensing hours over this historic Coronation weekend. Up and down the country, people can enjoy an extra pint or two in the evening while families and friends can come together to wish His Majesty The King a long and happy reign. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: This is a timely boost for the pub industry. In the midst of an acutely challenging period, I am sure our pubs will look to mark this joyous occasion by hosting special events and parties as part of national celebrations. The announcement of extended opening hours will help us all to mark this important event. It is sure to be a time for community and celebration, and the great British pub is always right at the heart of both, so I would encourage everyone to head down to their local and raise a toast to His Majesty during the Coronation weekend. Sharon Horgan has said her daughter wants Paul Mescal to beat Colin Farrell for the best actor Oscar at the 95th annual awards next week. The Irish actress and director said she could not pick between the two men, who she knows well, but that her daughter loves Paul very much. Mescal and Farrell will face off for the coveted award on March 12 after receiving wide acclaim for their performances. Mescal is Oscar nominated for his role in the independent film Aftersun (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Farrell, 46, is nominated for his role in Martin McDonaghs dark Irish comedy The Banshees Of Inisherin, in which he stars alongside Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan and Kerry Condon. Mescal, 27, is nominated for his role in the independent coming-of-age film Aftersun, in which he plays a father struggling to connect with his young daughter during a holiday in Turkey. He is also up for the gender-neutral best lead performance at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards (FISA). Speaking to the PA news agency at the FISA ceremony in Santa Monica, California, Horgan praised the work of the entire Banshees cast as well as Mescal. Colin Farrell is Oscar nominated for his role in Martin McDonaghs dark Irish comedy The Banshees Of Inisherin (Ian West/PA) Im a long-term fan of Kerry Condon, obviously Brendan and Colin and Paul its bonkers, she said. But its also unsurprising because I do think the Irish have always produced incredible acting talent historically. Its a small island and it just needed a bit of focus on it. Asked who she thought would win the best actor Oscar next week, she laughed, and said: Colin or Paul? I cant answer that. Colin has been around longer, Paul is going to have so many opportunities, but I dont know. She added: My daughter would want Paul because she loves him very much. The 95th annual Oscars, hosted by US comedian Jimmy Kimmel, will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 12. Sharon Horgan has said the success of Irish talent throughout the 2023 awards season is unsurprising and that she hopes it will mean more punts are taken on Irelands film industry. The Irish actress and director said that the island historically produced incredible acting talent but that more focus is needed on its achievements. Martin McDonaghs dark Irish comedy, The Banshees Of Inisherin, has led the charge this year, scooping top nominations and awards at all major awards ceremonies, including the Golden Globes, Critics Choice, Baftas and Screen Actors Guild (SAG). The Banshees Of Inisherin has picked up multiple nominations and wins during the 2023 awards season (Ian West/PA) It is also nominated for nine Oscars at the 95th annual ceremony on March 12. Elsewhere, Paul Mescal has won plaudits for his performance in independent film Aftersun, in which he plays a father struggling to connect with his daughter. Speaking at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards, celebrating the voices of independent storytellers, Horgan reflected on Irish success over the past months. Its nuts isnt it Im a long-term fan of Kerry Condon, obviously Brendan (Gleeson) and Colin (Farrell) and Paul (Mescal) its bonkers, she told the PA news agency. But its unsurprising because I do think the Irish have always produced incredible acting talent historically, its a small island and it just needed a bit of focus on it. Everything sort of came along at the one time. But it was exciting because of that, because when Bad Sisters came out it was right about the time that Banshees (came out) and I was just delighted to bask in whatever was going on with them. Asked how the ongoing success would affect Irish talent going forward, she said: It will affect the film industry because more punts will be taken and a lot of great films will come out of Ireland so maybe bigger distributors will get on board. Paul Mescal arrives at the Film Independent Spirit Awards (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) You have to ride those waves dont you? Who knows what will happen but it can only get better. All the talent is there. Mescal also received a nod at the Spirit Awards in the gender-neutral category of best lead performance, alongside fellow Oscar nominees Cate Blanchett and Michelle Yeoh. Everything Everywhere All At Once led the field for nominations at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, with nominations across most major categories. The ceremony is taking place in Santa Monica, California. A caseworker determined children should be removed from a residence south of Dallas on Friday, just before three of them were found dead and two injured, officials said Saturday. Shamaiya Deyonshana Hall, 25, has been charged with three counts of capital murder, the Ellis County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. She was being held at the Wayne McCollum Detention Center in lieu of $6 million bond, according to the sheriff's office and jail records. Those records give her address in nearby Forney, Texas. It wasn't clear if she has been appointed counsel in the case. The sheriff's office did not make clear what relationship, if any, she may have had to the victims. The sheriff's office not publicly identify the children, but said the three killed were a 6-year-old boy and 5-year-old twins, a girl and a boy. A 13-month-old girl and a 4-year-old boy were hospitalized with serious injuries, the office said. Sheriff's officials said a Child Protective Services caseworker on a "home visit" Friday made a determination to remove the children. The caseworker called 911 about 4 p.m. Friday, the office said. An Italy city police officer responding to the call then discovered the children harmed, the sheriff's office said. Authorities investigate the scene where three children were found dead and two others injured inside a home in the Ellis County city of Italy, Texas, on Friday. (NBC DFW) Sheriff's Deputy Jerry Cozby said at a Friday evening news conference that there was no threat to the community. In an earlier statement, the sheriff's office characterized the situation as an "isolated incident." Sheriff's investigators were called to the home in a residential area that also includes an elementary school and a Catholic church, after 4 p.m., Cozby said. Italy, Texas, police had asked the sheriff's office for help for a death investigation, it said in that earlier statement. In Saturday's statement, the sheriff's office said it fielded the initial 911 call, but it was dispatched to city police, apparently as a matter of routine. "When we arrived we found multiple victims on scene," Cozby said Friday. "Three deceased victims were found inside the home. All victims were children. Two children were taken to local hospitals." "We are shocked by this incomprehensible tragedy, and already working with law enforcement to investigate how this happened, and why," a Texas Department of Family and Protective Services spokesperson said in a statement. Italy has a population of about 2,300 and is about 44 miles south of Dallas. An express lanes highway sign marks an entrance in Dallas, Friday, March 3, 2023. There is growing interest in the South in fee-based express lanes in which some drivers can up to avoid congestion on highways where other drivers can access general lanes for free. (AP Photo/LM Otero) Trucker Tim Chelette has been making the same twice-daily drive for 16 years hauling empty whiskey barrels from Louisville, Kentucky, to the Jack Daniels distillery in Tennessee, yet his workday keeps getting longer due to time lost in Nashville traffic. Although trucks wouldn't be eligible for the pay-to-use express lanes Republican Gov. Bill Lee is advocating for some of Tennessee's most-congested highways, Chelette supports them because he thinks enough drivers in the fast-growing state capital would take advantage to benefit everyone. They're going to have to do something, said Chelette, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, who gets paid by distance, not time even when his 245-mile (394-kilometer) return trip to the Lynchburg distillery spikes by an hour or more during afternoon rush. When I get stuck in traffic, I lose money." Unlike traditional toll plazas where every vehicle that passes through pays a standard fee, price-managed lanes allow some drivers to pay up to circumvent congestion and the fee usually increases as the traffic does. According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), which lobbies on behalf of the projects, 54 of the 89 tolling facilities that opened in the U.S. in the past decade were for price-managed lanes. They can be found across the South in Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia, as well as such other places as California, Colorado, Washington and Minnesota. Opponents call them Lexus lanes, implying that only drivers of expensive cars can afford to use them, but Lee prefers another name: choice lanes. I think (the name) is brilliant. I wish I had invented it, said Robert Poole, director of transportation policy at the libertarian Reason Foundation and a vocal advocate for price-managed lanes. The marketing pitch is important, particularly in the conservative South where voters have long resisted anything resembling a tax hike. But with fuel tax revenues and federal infrastructure payments failing to keep up with the need to repair aging roads or add capacity to reduce congestion, the projects are winning favor even, and perhaps especially, in Republican-led states where toll has been considered a four-letter word in more ways than one. All youre doing is allowing those wealthy enough to use those lanes a quicker ride to work, said Terri Hall, founder and director of Texans for Toll-free Highways. Its like a scapegoat for state legislatures to say, We solved the problem. No, you kicked the can down the road. Supporters counter that the lanes are a way to pay for roads without raising taxes, though they acknowledge they're sometimes a tricky sell particularly the public-private partnerships that have funded many of the projects. If you have somebody who is anti-tax and pro-free market, they might say its a great idea," said Pat Jones, IBTTA's executive director and CEO. Then, if you tell them the company is from Spain or Australia, theyll say, I dont want there to be foreigners owning highways.' You often see opposition to toll facilities before people use them, but once theyre open and people realize theyre getting value ... the resistance tends to go down. California's experience with tolling both traditional plazas and price-managed lanes has provided fodder for advocates on both sides of the heated debate. A grand jury in Orange County examined a state agency that was created to build three traditional toll roads. Its report, issued in 2021, found that on one hand, California produced excellent roads with minimal tax dollars. But on the other, the jurors found ballooning debt and the need to change the initial plans amid financial downturns meant that drivers are on pace to shell out $28 billion by 2053 for roads that cost a tenth of that to build. The nations first price-managed lane opened in 1995 in Orange County, using a public-private partnership to fund it. Poole, who advised on the project and still calls it a model for others, said officials agreed not to add free lanes on the corridor for 35 years. Surging growth ultimately made that impossible, so the county terminated the contract and paid the company for its lost revenue. New bonds were issued, and the tolls had to stay in place to pay for them. These agencies often become self-fulfilling entities, said Jay Beeber, director of public policy for the National Motorists Association, which advocates for drivers' rights. They have huge organizations with lots of staff members, lots of salaries, huge pensions from the government, and they want to stay in business forever. Nobody wants to legislate themselves out of a job. Lee is seeking legislative support to authorize a public-private partnership for the project in Tennessee one of 14 states that don't have tolls on any roads. Republican state Sen. Frank Niceley said he expects Lee will get enough votes to pass the plan, but he strongly opposes it even pointing out that fascist Italian dictator Benito Mussolini liked public-private partnerships, too. We're not really giving these things to the private sector, Niceley said. We're kind of co-signing the note. And most people who co-sign the note end up paying the note. The governor's administration brushes off such criticism. Will Reid, chief engineer and deputy commissioner at the Tennessee Department of Transportation, said the state is uniquely positioned to establish a partnership that avoids the financial pitfalls seen in California and elsewhere. We're one of six no-debt states, Reid said. We own every piece of pavement. We own every bridge. We have a strong belief in paying as we go, and paying for the things we decide to build. Mark Burris, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Texas A&M University, researched public sentiment for price-managed lanes in four metro areas: Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami and the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. His review found widespread support from drivers in those areas, with more than three-quarters of those surveyed saying they wanted to see more price-managed lanes open. Some of the paid express lanes in Texas have allowed speed limits as much as 10 mph higher than general-purpose lanes, and Hall, with Texans for Toll-free Highways, said the fee can rise to $3 a mile when traffic is busiest. She argues that's a regressive double-tax that doesn't alleviate congestion nearly as much as building additional free lanes would something she contends the state can afford. Texas also proves how fleeting the support for these projects can be even with the same party in control. Former Gov. Rick Perry advocated for price-managed lanes, but his successor, fellow Republican Greg Abbott, has backed a moratorium on new tolls. Fifteen years ago it was all the rage, Mark Muriello, IBTTA's director of public policy and government affairs, said of the appetite for the projects in Texas. The politics tend to change. Nothing stays still. It typically takes 15 years in the U.S. for a road project to open after winning approval, though Tennessee officials are determined to cut that in half. Considering a recent study showing a $34 billion need, Reid the state transportation official acknowledges the clock is ticking. As far as whether it works 10, 20, 30 years from now, the proof will be in the pudding, Reid said. But one thing is certain in order to keep pace with the demands on our infrastructure in Tennessee, we're going to have to find a different way to generate revenue. Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy quickly initiated action by setting up a monitoring committee headed by chief secretary, with officials from CMO and the special chief secretary for industries as its members, which would meet once in a week on a regular basis and clear applications for investments. (File Photo: DC) Vijayawada: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has blunted the edge of the Opposition parties main weapon namely of "AP getting no investments" -- with the successful hosting of the two-day Global Investors Summit-2023. The event attracted offers of investment worth Rs 13 lakh crore. The offer of huge flow of investments at the GIS came as a shot in the arm for the chief minister and his YSRC party that is set to face the assembly polls a year hence. Notably, when Jagan Reddy assumed office in 2019, he first focused on stabilising the state before prioritising his welfare schemes. The opposition Telugu Desam, Jana Sena and others kept criticising him for not bringing investments to the state. They also created negative picture by alleging that AP was faced with a huge economic crisis like what happened in Sri Lanka. For the past four years, Jagan has been criticised for not focusing attention on attracting any industries to the state but concentrating only on distributing freebies to the the people in the name of welfare the sections of the population. TD and other opposition parties had also criticised the CM for "driving away already established industries as also those who were given clearances during the Telugu Desam term and were in various stages of grounding. Interestingly, the GIS-2023 proved to be a game changer. The two-day event has resurrected Jagans image as he has succeeded in getting offers of investment from top industrialists like Mukesh Ambani, Karan Adani, the Dalmias, the Jindals, the Bangars and the Oberois. So many industrialists arriving on one platform was quite unusual for AP. Ambani announced the plans of Reliance Industries to invest funds in the generation of 10GW of renewable solar energy in the AP. While Jagan claimed to have received investment proposals worth Rs 13 lakh crore that has a potential to create six lakh jobs, the Opposition parties expressed doubts about materializing of at least 10 per cent of these proposals. The chief minister quickly initiated action by setting up a monitoring committee headed by chief secretary, with officials from CMO and the special chief secretary for industries as its members, which would meet once in a week on a regular basis and clear applications for investments. Political analysts felt that the appointment of a committee to follow up on the MoUs would be a good step forward. They said that in contrast to Chandrababu Naidu, Jagan Reddy "is a man of action." Moreover, the CM has proven that he is equally keen on the states development and peoples welfare. Ministers Buggana Rajendranath, Ambati Rambabu, Karumuri Nageswara Rao, Vidadala Rajini and others said, "GIS is a game changer in AP politics as it ended the opposition outcry that no investment was coming to AP under Jagans rule." They said, "Jagan is today the brand of AP. FILE - Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan speaks at an annual leadership meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition on Nov. 18, 2022, in Las Vegas. Former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan said Sunday, March 5, 2023 he will not run for the White House in 2024, after long positioning himself as a possible alternative to the former president. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, a fierce critic of Donald Trump, said Sunday he will not run for the White House in 2024, after long positioning himself as a possible alternative to the former president. Hogan, 66, wrote in The New York Times that while he appreciated all those around the nation who have for many years encouraged me to run for president, after eight years of pouring my heart and soul into serving the people of Maryland, I have no desire to put my family through another grueling campaign just for the experience." Hogan wrapped up his second term in January, serving for eight years in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 2-to-1 margin. He was Maryland's second Republican governor ever to be reelected. Some Republicans had hoped that Hogan, emerging as the new best hope of a small group of Never Trump Republicans, would challenge Trump in 2020. But a year after Hogan's reelection in 2018, he said that while he appreciated all of the encouragement he had received to run for president, he would not. Hogan told The Associated Press he had no interest in a "kamikaze mission. Hogan has acknowledged he would be an underdog in the 2024 GOP presidential primary. But he also noted that he had been considered a long shot to become governor in in a heavily Democratic state. Is there a path, and is it worth the effort, and can I make a difference? he said in an AP interview in December, recalling his thought process on whether to run for governor. And those are the kinds of questions Ill have to try to answer. After Trump's former U.N. ambassador, Nikki Haley, announced her White House campaign in February, Hogan said he would absolutely consider sitting out the 2024 race if it appeared that Trump could benefit from a large field of rivals who could splinter support among non-Trump candidates. That would be a pretty good reason to consider not running, absolutely, Hogan said on NBCs Meet the Press." In the past two presidential elections, Hogan said he did not vote for Trump, the party nominee. Hogan said he wrote in the name of his father, former U.S. Rep. Larry Hogan Sr., in 2016 and the late President Ronald Reagan in 2020. Hogan won his first term as governor in 2014 in an upset, using public campaign financing against a better-funded candidate. Running on fiscal concerns as a moderate Republican businessman, Hogan tapped into frustration from a variety of tax and fee increases over the eight previous years to defeat then-Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown. Hogan had never held elected office before, though has the appointments secretary for Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich, a post that gave him experience working in the state capital, Annapolis. Politics also ran in Hogan family: Hogans father was the only Republican to vote for all three articles of impeachment against President Richard Nixon on the House Judiciary Committee. In his first year as governor, Hogan went right to work on pocketbook issues. He lowered tolls, an action he could take without approval from the General Assembly, long controlled by Democrats. But he was also presented with challenges, including unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray in police custody in 2015. Hogan sent the National Guard to prevent further rioting. In June of that year, he was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkins lymphoma but continued working while receiving treatment. He has been in remission since November 2015. In 2018, he became only the second Republican governor in the history of the state to win reelection, defeating former NAACP President Ben Jealous. While Hogan liked to promote bipartisan cooperation with Democrats when he could, he had no shortage of disagreements with the legislature, particularly on high-profile issues. Democratic supermajorities were able to override Hogans vetoes, especially on priority measures such as a sweeping and expensive education funding overhaul, three policing measures and legislation to expand abortion access in the state. Hogan won a long-sought victory last year by getting tax relief for retirees. And after Hogan's long criticism of the states congressional and state legislative maps for gerrymandering, a Maryland judge struck down the congressional lines last year that had drawn by Democrats. The map was redrawn, resulting in a much more competitive district in the western part of the state. Hogan has long been upfront about his distaste for Trump as president. In 2020, as chair of the National Governors Association, Hogan criticized Trump for delaying a national coronavirus testing strategy, saying the president was playing down the virus' threat despite grave warnings from top national experts. I did not go out of my way to criticize the president, Hogan said. But unlike a lot of Republicans, Im not the guy thats just going to sit down and shut up and not stand up and say something if I think somethings going wrong. Describing the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as one of the darkest days in American history," Hogan said Trump should have resigned or been removed from office. The people that try to whitewash Jan. 6 as if nothing happened are delusional. It was an assault on democracy, Hogan told the AP late last year. Trump and Hogan were engaged in a proxy battle of sorts in the 2022 election. Hogan's pick for governor was Kelly Schulz, who was labor secretary and commerce secretary in his administration. She lost in the Republican primary to Trump-endorsed Dan Cox, a state lawmaker who said President Joe Bidens 2020 victory shouldnt have been certified and who sought to impeach Hogan for his pandemic policies. Cox went on to lose the November general election by a large margin to Democrat Wes Moore. In November, two weeks after Trump announced his 2024 campaign, Hogan launched his own political action committee, saying the party and the country needs to move on" from Trump and acknowledging the speculation about his own political future. I know there is no shortage of naysayers, but Ive always been an underdog, and people have always counted us out, but every single time, weve beaten the odds, Hogan added. ___ Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP Current restrictions mean passengers must decant liquids into small plastic bags to pass through airport security (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Londons City Airport is set to become the UKs first to scrap the 100ml liquid rule in time for the Easter holidays, enabling passengers to pass through security without decanting their liquids into small plastic bags. New 3D scanners will eliminate the need to separate and restrict liquids, gels and aerosols, meaning travellers departing from the London transport hub will soon be able to travel freely with drinks, creams and make-up, according to reports. The new limit for hand luggage will be two litres, with the changes also putting an end to the current requirement to remove electronic devices and place them in a separate tray when passing through security. Airport bosses at City Airport have confirmed that all four of its security scanners will be upgraded to new-generation CT machines, similar to those used in hospitals, by the end of March. The airport, located in the Royal Docks approximately three miles east of Canary Wharf, is set to introduce the new machines ahead of the busy Easter holiday break. The good news for anyone planning a holiday or a business trip is that we will be the first mainstream UK airport to offer a fully CT security experience from the end of this month, Robert Sinclair, CEO of London City Airport, said in a statement. The new lanes will not only cut hassle but also queuing times, which I know passengers will love. The news follows an announcement by the UK government in December 2022 which confirmed that the rules around taking liquids plus laptops and electronic devices through airport security were set to be relaxed. From June 2024, passengers at most UK airports will be able to carry liquids in containers holding up to two litres in what will be the biggest relaxation of aviation security regulations in decades. Liquids have been prohibited on planes in many countries around the world since 2006, following a failed terrorist plot on a plane from London involving liquid explosives. By 2024, major airports across the UK will have the latest security tech installed, reducing queuing times, improving the passenger experience, and most importantly detecting potential threats, UK Transport Secretary Mark Harper said at the time. This wont happen straight away this is going to take two years to be fully implemented. Until then, passengers must continue following the existing rules and check before travelling. Supporters hold a banner as former President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Md. (Alex Brandon/AP) OXON HILL, Md. Former President Donald Trump regaled his faithful on Saturday evening in suburban Washington with promises of retribution against their mutual enemies, but the reception was relatively subdued compared with his past raucous speeches at the event. "In 2016, I declared I am your voice, Trump said to the ballroom packed with his most fervent loyalists at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), to some of the loudest sustained applause of the night. Today I add: I am your warrior, I am your justice and for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution. I will totally obliterate the deep state." But roughly 20% of the seats were empty, and Trump struggled at times to get a rise with his applause lines, including an extended riff about homeless military veterans being treated worse than undocumented immigrants. CPACs annual event draws a wide array of Republican Party activists, lawmakers, donors and other influential figures on the right. The event hailed by some as Woodstock for conservatives was viewed as a required campaign stop for GOP presidential hopefuls, though Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence both skipped the 2023 confab, perhaps aware that Trump would easily win its straw poll. Longtime staples of the right, like conservative media giant Fox News, also skipped the conference this year. And the crowd had fewer college Republicans than it has in recent years. Sany Dash, one of the vendors selling Trump and MAGA merchandise at the conference, said the crowd was not what it used to be just a few years ago. The exhibition hall had more space and fewer vendors and activists. Its Trumpism he opened all this up, Dash said. Its Trumps party. Former President Donald Trump. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters) DeSantis, who remains Trumps chief competitor for the nomination in early polling, wooed Republican megadonors Thursday night in Florida at a competing conference organized by the Club for Growth. The governor rallied Republicans in Texas Friday evening and will deliver a campaign-style speech at the Reagan Library in Southern California on Sunday. Other White House aspirants, however, attended CPAC, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is said to be considering a campaign, and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who recently announced her candidacy. But in the halls of the Gaylord Convention Center in suburban Washington this past weekend, Trump reigned supreme. He dominated the annual CPAC straw poll with 62% support, compared with 20% who wanted to see DeSantis win the nomination. Haley was heckled by Trump supporters after her speech. We love Trump! We love Trump! some attendees shouted. When you've got somebody who's a sitting president and a real active player, it becomes their playground, as it were, pro-Trump commentator Jeffrey Lord told Yahoo News. It was Reagan's, and in the day he came every year, in black tie, and he gave a funny speech. And everybody loved it, Lord said. But the hard fact of the matter is, he's gone. And, you know, Trump is here, and everybody loves him. Beyond the halls of CPAC, Trump also has a commanding position in the race. He recently retook the lead in a hypothetical matchup with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the nomination, with 45% favoring him and 41% backing DeSantis, according to a Yahoo News/YouGov poll released last week. Practical Move, with jockey Ramon Vazquez, wins the Grade II $400,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Saturday. (Benoit Photo via the Associated Press) It made perfect sense that Tim Yakteen would find himself in the winners circle after Saturdays running of the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes, a major prep race leading to the Kentucky Derby, at Santa Anita Park. After all, he had five starters in the race by virtue of inheriting four horses from fellow trainer Bob Baffert, so those horses would be eligible to win Derby qualifying points while Baffert is banned at Churchill Downs. What few thought, though, is the winner would be the lone entrant that Yakteen has trained since the 3-year-old started racing last year. Practical Move virtually assured himself a spot in Kentucky after gaining 50 qualifying points with his 2-length win. He now has 60 points after also winning the Los Alamitos Futurity in December. Yakteen wouldnt say if it was more satisfying to win with a horse hes had for eight months rather than one week. Winning is winning; there is nothing more satisfying, he said. The San Felipe started with Hejazi taking the lead in front of race favorite Geaux Rocket Ride. They ran down the backstretch that way with Practical Move content in fourth. Practical Move started his move around the far turn and hit the top of the stretch with a lead of 1 lengths. Practical Move paid $10.40, $5.20 and $3.20. Geaux Rocket Ride was second, followed by Skinner, Hejazi, Fort Bragg, Mr Fisk, Chase The Chaos, Genius Jimmy and Bluegrass Go Go. Yakteen also trained Hejazi, Fort Bragg and Mr Fisk. His fifth horse, the morning-line favorite National Treasure, was scratched because of a bruise on his left front hoof. Yakteen said hell return to the Derby trail hopefully this month. Jockey Ramon Vazquez celebrates after riding Practical Move to victory in the San Felipe Stakes on Saturday. (Benoit Photo via the Associated Press) This horse keeps getting better and better every day, winning jockey Ramon Vazquez said of Practical Move. He can go inside or outside. He is comfortable wherever. He lets me do my job and he does the rest. I have always dreamed of winning the Kentucky Derby. I had a previous chance in 2015 [riding Mr. Z] for Mr. [Wayne] Lukas. Im hoping for another chance here. Owners Jean Pierre and Leslie Amestoy, who primarily race quarter horses, bought the colt for $230,000 last April. He was sent to Yakteen and made his debut at the Del Mar. Weve been running against Baffert all summer, Jean Pierre Amestoy said. It was three against one and two against one, but this horse finally beat them on a disqualification [of Fort Bragg in October at Santa Anita.] And we beat him at Los Alamitos and we beat him here again. Were good. I like my horse. I like my chances. Even though Practical Move has enough points to make the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field, Amestoy plans to run him again. The plan would be well probably start him again, Yakteen said. I think well have one more stop. Yakteen would not commit to where, as he has to balance the idea of not running Practical Move against some of his other Derby hopefuls and hurting their chances. Lets just leave the canvas blank and Ill color it in a little bit later, Yakteen said. There were two other major Kentucky Derby prep races Saturday. Forte, winner of the Breeders Cup Juvenile, looked dominant in winning the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Florida's Gulfstream Park by 4 lengths. Raise Cain also looked strong while winning the Gotham Stakes at New York's Aqueduct by 7 lengths. All three Saturday preps were run at 1-1/16 miles or less. In the next round of prep races, which includes the Santa Anita Derby, the winner and runner-up get 100 and 50 points, respectively. Most of those races are run at 1-1/8 miles. The Kentucky Derby will be the first time a horse runs 1 miles. Baffert is serving a two-year suspension by Churchill Downs after his horse Medina Spirit tested positive for a medication that's banned on race day following his victory in the 2021 Kentucky Derby. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy, who is a cousin of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, has appeared twice before the agency. The CBI officials grilled him based on Google takeout data. (File Photo) Hyderabad: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), probing the murder of former minister Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, served a third notice to Kadapa YSRC MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy of Andhra Pradesh, asking him to appear at its Hyderabad office on Monday. This time, the investigation agency also served notice to his father Y.S. Bhaskar Reddy, asking him to appear along with his son for questioning in connection with the case. The Kadapa MP, who is a cousin of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, has appeared twice before the agency. The CBI officials grilled him based on Google takeout data. Earlier, Avinash Reddy demanded that officials record the questioning session. Updated data from the Church's Statistical Yearbook published by the Vatican. Asian Catholics grew by 0.99% in the last year. More than 175,000 Asian nuns, now close to 30 percent of the total in the world. The decline in seminarians continues Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The Holy See this week published in the Annuario Pontificio 2023 and the Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae 2021, which contain the most up-to-date data on all the numbers concerning the Catholic Church in the world. the editing of which was taken care of by the Central Office for Church Statistics, are in these days being distributed in bookstores, published by the Libreria editrice vaticana. On this mine of numbers L'Osservatore Romano published a long article summarizing the most important trends and within which there is also some significant news about the Churches of Asia. At the planetary level, the number of baptized Catholics increased from 1,360 million in 2020 to 1,378 million in 2021, a growth of 1.3 percent. This increase is slightly less than that of the Earth's population, which has risen over the same period from 7,667 to 7,786 million, a change of 1.6 percent. Against this backdrop, Asia remains one of the areas of the world where the number of baptized people exceeds the number of Catholics who die: in the last twelve months the increase in the total number was 0.99 percent. In comparison to the continent's inhabitants, Asian Catholics still account for about 3.3 percent of the population (compared to the figure of 17.67 percent baptized globally). However, it is interesting to remember that - Asia being the continent where most of the world's population lives - in the overall look at the universal Church, Asian Catholics represent 11 percent of the baptized. So while they are a very small flock in many of their own countries, in the overall picture of global Catholicism their numbers - along with those of African Catholics - are becoming increasingly significant, in the face of the ongoing decline in Europe and North America. A particularly significant example comes, for example, from data on women religious: in 2021 there were 608,958 nuns in the world, but of these as many as 175,494 lived in Asia (28.9 percent). And while in the breakdown by continents Europe still leads with 33 percent, the current trend clearly says that probably very soon in women's religious life Asia will become the continent with the largest number of nuns. Finally, as for the number of priests Asia during the two-year period under consideration still showed an overall growth of 1%. And it remains a continent with many priests relative to the number of the faithful: 2,137 for every baptized (compared to a global average of 3,373). But even in Asia there is a clear reversal of the trend now underway: the effects of the demographic winter in many countries are beginning to be felt, and so even the number of Asian seminarians in the past year has decreased by 1.6 percent. Thus in the world, the only continent still showing a slight increase in vocations to the priesthood remains Africa where a +0.6 percent in the number of seminarians was found. ECCLESIA IN ASIA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN ASIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SUNDAY VIA E-MAIL? SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER HERE. SUV Photo: BYD Photo: BYD Photo: BYD EV Photo: BYD BYD was interested in buying two plants from Ford: one in Brazil and the other in Germany. The Brazilian unit was an industrial complex in Camacari that used to manufacture the Ka, Ka Sedan, and EcoSport. Ford killed these three models due to its decision to focus on electric cars and more profitable products. The Saarlouis plant in Germany makes the Focus, which is still for sale but should be replaced by an electric crossover orAfter the first news came out in November 2022, BYD said the deal was not set in stone at that point. Apparently, it took the company three months to decide. Jorge Moraes wrote for Uol Carros that BYD is the new owner of the Camacari Industrial Complex, something that will be officially announced in April. A group of BYD engineers will go to the plant next week to fine-tune the role the new unit will have in the companys strategy and define the Brazilian products.BYD will have three plants in the Brazilian factory: one for lithium and iron phosphate processing, one for bus and truck chassis, and the last one for passenger cars, which will include EVs and PHEVs . At first, it should make 30,000 vehicles, but that can be expanded to 150,000 units. The factories will employ around 1,200 people, and the first two should start production by October 2024. The car plant is expected to kick off in January 2025.The latest news about the Saarlous plant was that BYD would probably build its own factory in Europe instead of buying the Ford unit. In an interview with Bloomberg, BYD executive vice president Stella Li said that the company is not focusing on purchasing anything. Instead, it wants to find the best solution for its European factory. That must have to do with negotiations.In Brazil, BYD will receive tax incentives to buy the Camacari Industrial Complex. It may be the case that the German government is not offering the Chinese carmaker the same advantages other countries may have proposed. When it comes to establishing factories, they offer incredible political benefits for the governments (and elected officials) who manage to attract them. Thats what explains this kind of auction that happens whenever a carmaker needs to manufacture its products anywhere. The best solution involves logistics, market size, and, above all, reducing production costs, which also involves tax incentives.BYD physically occupying former Ford factories is a fitting metaphor for new companies replacing legacy automakers, isnt it? However, it reflects a bigger problem, one that newcomers seem to have ignored so far: overcapacity.Traditional automakers have opened factories in the past not only to supply the demand for their cars. Most of them were also bets that these car companies could be bigger with new products. These plants were often born to make them, and they did well for a while. However, time has changed a lot of things since these factories first emerged.These cars received several new generations until the market segment they represented ceased to be attractive. We have seen that happen with sedans, subcompact cars, and compact hatchbacks, among others. Apart from that, automakers are always trying to improve productivity, which means they can make more cars in less space. Factories that could manufacture 150,000 vehicles can now make three times as much, often in smaller areas. That made other factories obsolete. Updating them to make other cars made no sense: they were already produced elsewhere, often at lower costs. Tesla is already facing that with the factories it opened recently. Giga Shanghai had to cut production because there is not enough demand for the vehicles in themakers current lineup. Tesla had to lower prices to improve demand, something that legacy carmakers classify as buying market share. New factories only make sense with new products, which Tesla failed to present for ages. One of the main reasons for the 2023 Tesla Investor Day to disappoint its target public was precisely a lack of new products. BYD did not commit that mistake, and it is constantly expanding its lineup. The new factories are a way to have local production in the markets it is starting to enter with imported vehicles. With its portfolio, the Chinese automaker may select the best models for each market instead of imposing whatever it has to sell. In Brazil, BYD should produce the Song Plus DM-i in its new factory. The plug-in hybrid SUV has the right size for the Brazilian public. It will probably also be flex-fuel, as all cars that are manufactured in the country. After all, ethanol is carbon neutral and can be easily found in any fuel station.Teslas new factory in Mexico could help the company enter new markets with which the country has free-trade agreements, such as Brazil. However, the EV makers model of direct sales (which some countries reject), Tesla Service Centers, and its own Supercharging network should postpone that indefinitely. Newcomers may become legacy automakers with idle capacity issues sooner than expected. Photo: YouTube/OFFICIALLY GASSED - OG Photo: YouTube/OFFICIALLY GASSED - OG Photo: YouTube/OFFICIALLY GASSED - OG Photo: YouTube/OFFICIALLY GASSED - OG And, if one of the three horsemen of the accelerator is looking for a fight, Porsche is never more than a gearshift away from a live ammunition training session. Because drag racing offers infinite combinations regarding competitors, the choice is always rich in variation.This time, in a showdown staged by Officially Gassed, two over-tuned machines - with vast amounts of horsepower, torque, and upgrades - touch gloves in England. The YouTubers with a lead right foot casually hold weekly quarter-mile tea parties inviting equally high-octane-addicted club members.Interestingly, a great many of the participants are allowed to open-carry German firepower dedicated to civilian use, and this episode is precisely one of those moments. A BMW M5 accepts a challenge from a Porsche 911 to battle it out on the quarter-mile straight strip of tarmac.It wouldnt be the guests best practice to accommodate ordinary attendees; therefore, both contenders are heavily jacked to keep the track occupied for as little as machinely possible. Lets make the mandatory introductions.In the very bright orange corner, we have a BMW M5. Over 1.8 tons, 801 hp (812 PS), 711 lb-ft (964 Nm), eight V-arranged cylinders, eight speeds, 4.4 liters, two turbocharges, and one torque converter to send everything to the four concrete-rippling wheels.The narrator offers the list of modifications in the video, but the specs condense to one number (and many variables). 431 hp/ton (437 PS/ton) is the magic formula, and no one would believe in it at first glance when sizing up the adversary.In the opposite corner sits BMWs other bitter rival from Stuttgart a Porsche. The brand doesnt have the same rich content in models as the Bavarians, so a Porsche-platform equivalent of an M5 is yet to arrive. Thus, lacking a direct competitor, the Rearing Horse sent its Swiss Army Knife 911 Turbo to defend the honor of the boxer engine.The sportscar makes 820 hp (831 PS) and 701 lb-ft (950 Nm) from a 3.6-liter turbo flat-six - that is no small feat. The Porsche is considerably lighter, at just under 1.6 tons. Add the following: a pair of GT2 turbos, a combustion chamber-cooling water-meth injection, an upgraded clutch and pressure plate, and an all-wheel drive, and the M5 is as good as chained to the floor.But lets not jump-start to conclusions yet, because there is one scale-tipping detail about the 911: the gearbox. A traditional, old-school manual imbued with the pull-push sequential lever. In theory, this architecture is significantly faster than the classic H-pattern. But is it better than a full-automatic ZF?Judging by the outcome of this isolated incident, no, a 518-hp/ton (525-PS/ton) streamlined Porsche 911 is by no fair playing means quicker or faster than a BMW M5 with an attitude. Although the 911 was declared the winner in the roll races, it is evident that the driver jumped the start.Even with this slight advantage, the BMW arrived a whisker late at the end of the quarter mile and scored better times in the acceleration phase. From 62 mph to 124 mph, the M5 records show a 5.79-second grade, just over one-tenth quicker than the much more powerful Porsche.If this isnt evidence enough in favor of the BMW, then maybe the drag race is a better description of this more horsepower isnt faster theorem. The orange Bavarian Barbarian pulls away shamelessly and puts a real estate between its taillights and the front bumper of the 997.1 Porsche 911 Turbo Its irrelevant whether its another case of driver and car being out of sync or the transmission in the Porsche is just not up to the task. The 2019 BMW M5 (F90) scored two undisputed wins over the conational rival, and it did so in a manner that left no room for arguments. Photo: Indian Motorcycle Even though these motorcycles bear the names of the two renowned brands, they're put together by Klock Werks Kustom Cycles, a custom motorcycle builder located in Mitchell, South Dakota. This year, the shop will produce only 177 examples of the exclusive Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse.This motorcycle is all about fundamentals and purity, as Indian Motorcycle explained. The company said, "When you get the fundamentals right, everything falls into place." This affirmation rings true, not only for motorcycles but for most things in this world.Design-wise, the motorcycle sticks to a straightforward and clean look, like the other Indian Motorcycle products you can't go wrong with something simple. But before I tell you anything more about its aesthetic, I'd like to point out perhaps the wildest feature of this two-wheeler. For the first time, the bike's Super Graphite paint contains Jack Daniel's Old No. 7. What better way to show your love for America's first registered distillery than to own a bike literally incorporating the whiskey brand's emblem?The Indian Chief Dark Horse's design is inspired by the bikes from the prohibition era. It is built around a simple steel tubed frame and features a solo saddle seat (hence the Bobber name), white center spoked wheels, and engine finishes with a raw metal look.Even though it boasts a vintage look, its maker equipped it with modern features to keep up with new motorcycles. You'll find a 4-inch touchscreen powered by Ride Command disguised as an analog gauge. It provides navigation , Bluetooth connectivity, and vehicle diagnostics. Furthermore, an LED adaptive headlight is a standard offering.Let's see what other Jack Daniel's elements you can discover on the motorcycle. On its side, there's a one-of-a-kind Montana Silversmith badge, which is engraved with each unit's unique number. Moreover, there's a simple engraving on the exhaust that reads "Jack Daniel Edition," an "Old No.7 Brand" cap, and an engraved front fender.At the core of the motorcycle is an air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 engine that outputs a maximum of 120 ft-lbs. (163 Nm) of torque at 2,900 rpm. What's more, you can choose between three throttle map options to adjust depending on your riding conditions.As I ndian Motorcycle says, "Bottles and throttles don't mix. Never drink and ride." If you own a motorcycle with real Jack Daniel's whiskey in its DNA, you may not need to drink anymore. Okay, maybe that's too far of a statement. Still, this is one cool motorcycle in the past, these limited-edition motorcycles have sold out in a matter of minutes, so there probably aren't any remaining examples of the 2023 Jack Daniel's Limited Edition Indian Chief Bobber Dark Horse already. According to sources, some stray dogs bit some tender calves in the village as also a girl. The locals complained to the panchayat officials. The Sarpanch and the panchayat secretary called the dog catchers from the Konaseema district and they came and killed the dog. This news turned viral on social media and some animal lovers brought it to the notice of Maneka Gandhi. (Image Source: Facebook) KAKINADA: Panchayat officials including the village sarpanch of Kakaraparru village in Peravali Mandal of East Godavari district have allegedly killed 11 stray dogs and the issue is being taken up by the People for Animals organisation led by former Union minister Maneka Gandhi. The entity and others brought the matter to the notice of East Godavari district collector K Madhavi Latha, who swiftly ordered a probe. According to sources, some stray dogs bit some tender calves in the village as also a girl. The locals complained to the panchayat officials. The Sarpanch and the panchayat secretary called the dog catchers from the Konaseema district and they came and killed the dog. This news turned viral on social media and some animal lovers brought it to the notice of Maneka Gandhi. Officials said, "People for Animals' Secunderabad unit, the Animal Rescue Organisation in Kakinada, the East Godavari district SPCA and others complained about the incident to the district collector. She asked the animal husbandry department to make a probe. The village secretary lodged a complaint with the Peravali police. The police dug out the remains of the dogs and conducted a postmortem with veterinary doctors." The Peravali police said a case was registered and action would be taken against the wrongdoers. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. A statement released by the Karabakh police said the officers were ambushed by an Azerbaijani sabotage squad as they rode in a car outside Stepanakert. It released a purported photograph of the vehicle riddled with bullets. Azerbaijans Defense Ministry claimed, for its part, that the car smuggled weapons from Armenia and that a shootout broke out after Azerbaijani military personnel tried to stop and check it. The Azerbaijani side suffered casualties in the firefight, it said without giving any numbers. The Karabakh premier, Gurgen Nersisian, flatly denied the claim, accusing Baku of misleading the international community. He said the Karabakh authorities will publicize irrefutable evidence of their version of events. The sole highway connecting Karabakh to Armenia has been blocked by Azerbaijani government-backed protesters since December 12. Armenia condemned the deadly shootings as an act of terrorism which it said was preplanned and ordered by Azerbaijans supreme leadership. These actions by Azerbaijan are a practical refutation of Bakus sincerity regarding the establishment of peace and stability in the region, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The ministry renewed Yerevans calls for the international community to send a fact-finding mission to the Lachin corridor and Karabakh. Nersisian linked the deadly incident to Azerbaijani ceasefire violations alleged by Stepanakert on Thursday and Friday. Russian peacekeepers likewise reported on Saturday that the ceasefire regime was violated in two Karabakh districts. The reported fighting followed talks between Azerbaijani and Karabakh officials hosted by the commander of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. The two sides gave differing accounts of the agenda and purpose of Wednesdays meeting. Karabakhs leadership said its participants discussed the restoration of unimpeded traffic thorough the Lachin corridor and Armenias electricity and natural gas supplies to Karabakh also blocked by Baku. An official Azerbaijani readout of the talks said, however, that they focused on the Karabakh Armenians integration into Azerbaijan. Stepanakert strongly denied that. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Gonzalo Santos, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of sociology at Cal State Bakersfield. A rally outside the Mesa Verde ICE-GEO Group facility in Bakersfield will be held at noon today. One Shortest Day of the Year, Eclipse on Oregon Coast Leads to Shipwreck Missing for 50 Years Published 02/28/23 at 12:22 AM By Andre' GW Hagestedt (Oregon Coast) One shortest day of the year, a funky lunar eclipse, several mesmerizing nighttime beaches, a myriad of lights and then a surprise bout of sun: it all ends with a new shipwreck find. All that happened in a few days one Oregon coast winter, all centering around the towns of Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita and Rockaway Beach. Even during the dead of the chilly season, even without any storms, the place is a mishmash of discoveries and wowing sights. (Above: photo Andre' GW Hagestedt the wreck of the Emily G. Reed had only been seen once in 50 years suddenly appeared that winter). Not that I'd even intended to discover new things except maybe chase that eclipse (which I did, as you can see in this travelogue). That early December I'd simply hit the beaches to grab shots of holiday lights and assumed I'd be hunkered down for stormy weather. Nope. Even the sun likes to visit the Oregon coast more than you think. The photo safari begins rather far into the evening, close to midnight. Late one Sunday night, Cannon Beach and its Haystack Rock show a distinctively ethereal side, as partial cloud cover reveals stars and casts a warm glow on the beach. Hotels in Cannon Beach - Where to eat - Cannon Beach Maps and Virtual Tours The next day, Manzanita is a wild and woolly mix of storm conditions and sunny moments, which light up the dramatic waves and intense chunks of angry clouds. Not to be outdone, apparently the Nehalem area decides to show off by sprouting a rainbow, which arcs over the snowy bluffs of nearby mountains that hover around the Nehalem Bay, like the famous Onion Peak seen here. Up the road, in Oswald State Park, a wooded stream gets especially lovely and soothing, as the path takes you towards the beach. Just before you hit the beach of Short Sands, this scene presents itself highly reminiscent of the Ken Burns film about Lewis and Clark. In fact, this whole day reminds me of that documentary. Much of the parts covering the Corps of Discovery's time on the Oregon coast and south Washington coast shows gray, drab days. Though there is nothing really drab about these shades lingering in the real world. A few minutes later, the last remaining rays of sunlight, on the day before the shortest day of the year, get sucked up by a particularly dramatic squall off on the horizon. Hotels in Manzanita, Wheeler - Where to eat - Manzanita, Wheeler Maps and Virtual Tours Later that night, Seaside gets ethereal and surreal, as Tillamook Head is seen under various nocturnal lighting conditions. One moment, the lights of the city dominate the colors of the clouds, and street lights paint the beach and surf some strange hues. Hotels in Seaside - Where to eat - Seaside Maps and Virtual Tours Another moment, the full moon which is about to go crazy with its eclipse dominates the clouds, putting the sky in more of a blue mood (more on the eclipse from an Oregon coast point of view). On Tuesday night, the constant cloud cover doesnt let you see the last sunset of this downward-turning part of the year. Its the shortest day of the year, but theres no way of knowing by looking at it. They all feel that way around this point. Christmas is gearing up fast. On the Oregon coastline, the place is no shirker to blinkage and festivities, though no doubt those holiday lights would have to be heartier than even the Griswolds would have grabbed. Winter storms can be a bit Grinchy with those lovely bulbs. And then, if there were a climax to this novella, it happens. A shipwreck that has been missing for about 50 years suddenly pops up out of nowhere in Rockaway Beach. It makes only a minor stir at the time: the internet is not yet crammed full of cell selfies and throngs documenting every inch in 2010. The day I show up, it's lit nicely by full sun and blue skies. Hotels in Rockaway Beach - Where to eat - Rockaway Beach Maps and Virtual Tours Every detail of the Emily G. Reed becomes apparent, and if it revealed itself today there would've been hundreds, if not thousands, milling about each few days. She crashed in the surf closer to the mouth of the Nehalem River, a ways to the north. Its been popping up out of the sand only periodically over the last century since its demise, and meanwhile has been working its way southward in the sand. Further south, closer to Tillamook, theres Oceanside, which manages to bask in the bright sun and chilly temps. The sun doesnt last long here, however, and soon shies away from Maxwell Point and its famous Three Arch Rocks. It doesnt seem to want to return, either. Yet a quick trip back towards Tillamook, even just a bit south to Netarts, and the sun is strong again. [The Emily G. Reed shows up now and again] Hotels in Oceanside - Where to eat - Oceanside Maps and Virtual Tours - A curious sidenote / post script: back in 2010, I actually got the thing on TV by sending the tip to regional news outlets. Only KGW - I believe - ran it. Now, everybody and their dog (and blog) would be all over it MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Alliance would prefer political agreement on changing Stormonts voting structures rather than having to challenge them in the courts, Naomi Long has insisted. However, the Alliance leader again warned that her party is willing to test the legality of the powersharing arrangements if changes are not delivered through negotiation. Mrs Long used her party conference address on Saturday to warn of potential legal action if the UK and Irish governments fail to deliver reform of the Stormont institutions to release them from the unionist/nationalist straitjacket created by the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Last year, the cross-community party proposed changes to voting systems within both the Stormont Assembly chamber and at the Executive table to ensure votes cast by MLAs who consider themselves neither unionist nor nationalist are given the same weight as others. Alliance has also proposed ending the ability of any Stormont party to veto the formation of a ministerial executive. On Sunday, Mrs Long confirmed the party had sought legal advice on whether the existing arrangements are human rights compliant. We have sought legal advice on this particular point a number of times, we are now in the process of considering whether or not it is something that we want to challenge, she told BBC NIs Sunday Politics programme. Its not the route that we would want to take. We would rather do this by persuasion and agreement because it is a political agreement that were seeking. We will continue to explore that with the two governments. The DUP is currently exercising its veto in protest at Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol meaning the Assembly cannot conduct business and a ministerial executive cannot function. Sinn Fein previously used its veto to collapse the executive in 2017. Mrs Long said the two main Stormont parties would not agree to changing the current system. The main two parties are not going to support it because it gives them an inherent veto, she said. And as with the kind of Orwells Animal Farm, I guess were all equal, but some are more equal than others and theyre not going to want to give up that power. But, look, we have other options that were exploring. I said very clearly yesterday I dont believe that our votes counting for less than other people is actually legal and were willing to explore that route to challenge what is I think a fundamental inequality at the heart of our government. On Sunday, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill insisted her party was open to a conversation on reform. However, she said that could only happen once the institutions in Belfast were restored. We are absolutely open to the issue of reform, she told RTE Radio One. But we have a particular set of arrangements here because we have a peace process, because we have the Good Friday Agreement. Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill (PA) Liam McBurney But the Alliance Party and others know that were very much up for that conversation. But we just fought an election back in May on the rules as they currently stand. What I want to do is get in around the table, get the Executive up and running, get the Assembly sitting, and then, yes, absolutely, lets have conversations around how we can look at making things work better. The Alliance Party, which aligns as neither unionist nor nationalist, has been boosted by a series of successful recent elections. In last Mays Assembly poll, it emerged as the third largest party with 17 seats more than doubling its representation in the devolved legislature. Mrs Long told conference delegates at the Stormont Hotel on Saturday that powersharing was at risk of death by a thousand collapses. The former justice minister said it was time to implement her partys reform proposals. The 1998 Good Friday peace agreement saw the creation of a system that required the biggest political bloc of unionists to share power with the biggest bloc of nationalists in a mandatory coalition. Naomi Long speaking during her partys annual conference (Neil Harrison/Alliance Party/PA) Neil Harrison/Alliance Party Currently, an administration cannot be formed unless the biggest unionist party and the biggest nationalist party agree to participate in it. Alliance wants to change this mandatory coalition system, thus removing the ability of any big party to prevent an executive being established. The party also wants to reform the community designation system at Stormont, which effectively hands blocs of unionists or nationalists a veto in contentious votes in both the Assembly and Executive. The controversial method means parties, such as Alliance, that designate as neither cannot influence votes where the results are determined by how many unionists and nationalists support or reject a proposal. Alliance insists this system is no longer fit for purpose, as an increasing number of MLAs in the Assembly are designated as others and are unable to have a say in contentious decisions. It favours an alternative method whereby controversial votes require a weighted majority to pass. Mrs Long insisted it has always been envisaged that the Good Friday Agreement arrangements could be adjusted as politics developed in Northern Ireland. If I was sitting here as a member of any other party and saying that my vote counted for less than other peoples nobody would accept that, she said on Sunday. So why should it be acceptable for Alliance and for our voters? A man in his forties has been arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life with intent after a shed was set alight in Co Londonderry. The incident occurred in the Rathbeg Crescent area of Limavady around 8.25am on Sunday. The blaze spread to an adjoining shed and caused minor damage to two houses. Damage was also caused to an electricity supply. Police are appealing for information and witness. Firefighters battle a blaze at a property in the Rathbeg Crescent area of Limavady A spokesperson for the PSNI said: Police attended the scene, together with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who managed to bring the blaze under control. Fortunately, there were no reports of any injuries, however had the fire spread further, this incident could have resulted in serious consequences. One man aged in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life with intent, and remains in police custody at this time. Enquiries are continuing, and we are appealing to anyone who may have any information which may assist, to call 101, quoting reference number 520 of 05/04/23. Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. (Photo:Twitter) Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao was part of an Opposition team, including three other Chief Ministers, who wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in condemnation of the Central government misusing central investigative agencies to quell dissenters. Taking strong issue with the arrest of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the Delhi liquor scam case, the leaders questioned the Prime Minister if India had become an autocracy. "Blatant misuse of central agencies against the members of the Opposition appeared to suggest that the country had transitioned from being a democracy to an autocracy," the letter stated. The letter highlighted several incidents of central agencies, such as the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate, repeatedly targeting Opposition leaders to erase their credibility in the public eye. "Out of the key politicians booked, arrested, raided or interrogated by the investigation agencies under your administration since 2014, the maximum belongs to the Opposition," the letter read. The signatories to the latter included Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamul Congress, Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann of the Aam Aadmi Party. Others were Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD, Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference, Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party, Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena-UBT and Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party. Terming Sisodias arrest on February 26 a "witch-hunt", done "without a shred of evidence against him," the letter stated: "The allegations against Sisodia are outrightly baseless and smack of a political conspiracy." "Interestingly, investigation agencies go slow in cases against Opposition politicians who join the BJP. For example, former Congress member and current Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was probed by the CBI and the ED in 2014 and 2015 over the Saradha Chit Fund scam. However, the case didnt progress after he joined the BJP," the letter read. "Former TMC leaders Suvendu Adhikari and Mukul Roy were under the ED and CBI scanner in the Narada sting operation case but the cases didnt progress after they joined the BJP... There are many such examples, including that of Narayan Rane of Maharashtra," the letter stated. "Be it Lalu Prasad Yadav (Rashtriya Janata Dal), Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena), Azam Khan (Samajwadi Party), Nawab Malik and Anil Deshmukh (NCP) or Abhishek Banerjee (TMC), central agencies have often sparked suspicion that they were working as extended wings of the ruling dispensation at the Centre. In many such cases, the timings of the cases lodged or arrests made have coincided with elections, making it abundantly clear that they were politically motivated," the letter read. "The manner in which prominent members of the Opposition have been targeted lends credence to the allegation that your government is using investigating agencies to target or eliminate the Opposition. The list of the agencies your government has been accused of using against the Opposition isnt limited to the Enforcement Directorate," the Opposition leaders said in the letter. "It is clear that these agencies have their priorities misplaced. Following the publication of an international forensic financial research report, SBI and LIC have reportedly lost over `78,000 crore in market capitalisation of their shares due to exposure to a certain firm. Why have the central agencies not been pressed into service to investigate the firm's financial irregularities despite the public money at stake?" they said, in reference to the Adani Group, without mentioning it by name. They also alleged that Governors were being used by the BJP in "a war" against federalism. Pointing to Governors of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Punjab, West Bengal, Telangana and the Lt Governor of Delhi, the letter said: "The offices of the Governors across the country are acting in violation of the constitutional provisions and frequently hindering the governance of the state. They are wilfully undermining democratically-elected state governments and choosing, instead, to obstruct governance as per their whims and fancies." "The misuse of central agencies and constitutional offices like that of the Governor to settle scores outside of the electoral battlefield is strongly condemnable as it does not bode well for our democracy. The manner in which these agencies have been used since 2014 has tarnished their image and raised questions about their autonomy and impartiality. The faith of the people of India in these agencies continues to erode," they stated. Attempted ATM theft in Toomebridge near Lough Neagh in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Picture By: Pacemaker Press. Police are on the search for two men who reportedly attempted to break into an ATM machine in Co Antrim early this morning. The incident occurred in the Roguery Road area of Toome on Sunday at around 4:30am. Detective Chief Inspector Thornton said: "It was reported to police that two men were observed trying to gain entrance to a door of an ATM in a forecourt in the area. "As a vehicle entered the forecourt, it was reported the two men made off empty handed with damage caused to the ATM following the incident. Enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident / both incidents and police would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area at that time, to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 373 05/03/23. "Alternatively, information can also be provided by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ . The news comes after police revealed to the Belfast Telegraph that they are already investigating four reports of successful ATM thefts across Northern Ireland this year. The thefts happened in the Portadown, Dungiven, Cabragh and Articlave areas. In 2022, officers investigated an ATM theft at the Richhill area in Co Armagh, as well as two attempted ATM thefts in both the north Belfast and Temple areas. GB News has confirmed it will broadcast this years Twelfth of July parades after announcing former DUP leader Dame Arlene Fosters role has been expanded on the channel. Dame Arlene joined the broadcaster in July, 2021, in her first role after stepping down as First Minister. She currently hosts a one hour show on GB News every Friday, but her expanded role will see her become a regular presenter across the channels programming throughout the week. Dame Arlene will also be involved in making documentaries under the GB News Investigates brand, with her first show looking at the role of faith in politics, to come out later this year. The ex-DUP leader will also lead coverage of the Twelfth of July celebrations for GB News again this year. The channel announced it will deliver live broadcasting of the parades after the BBC dropped its live coverage of the event last year. Dame Arlene said she was delighted with her expanded role. As recent events have shown, Northern Ireland is absolutely critical to the political landscape and future of the UK, she said. Its vital that Northern Irish voices are always heard, not just on stories about Northern Ireland, but in every political discussion coming out of Westminster. Michael Brooker, GB News editorial director, said: Arlenes wisdom and foresight about Northern Ireland is unparalleled when it comes to any analysis of UK politics. It will be great to hear more from her throughout all our programming. Dame Arlene will also stand in for hosts, including Michael Portillo, when they are away. GB News recently hired former Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg to host a chat show, and Christopher Hope as the broadcasters head of politics. Upon joining GB News back in 2021, Dame Arlene said it was for two reasons. First of all I see it as an opportunity to have a space for a civilised discussion in a meaningful way. Very often political programmes are very short and snappy and theres not enough opportunity to develop stories, she said. The second reason is to bring Northern Ireland into the mainstream of UK politics. Its something I feel very passionate about, something that I have thought of as a student, a very long time ago. The EU's chief Brexit negotiator has poured cold water on any notion that Rishi Sunak's Windsor Framework deal represents the UK "taking back control" from Brussels when it comes to Northern Ireland affairs. European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic has also said the deal was designed simply to avoid negative headlines in the British press, according to a recording obtained by The Telegraph. The recording is of Mr Sefcovic debriefing members of the European Parliament's Brexit committees on the deal. Mr Sefcovic also dismissed any suggestion that the 'Stormont Brake' in the deal gives the UK an effective veto over any new EU relates that would affect Northern Ireland. This [Stormont Brake] is very much limited in the scope, and it's really under very strict conditions, the diplomat told committee members. On top of that, if we do not feel convinced, we have our joint bodies to deal with this issue, or eventually this case could be presented to the arbitration. If we don't feel the third parties perspective, we will have the possibility to take limited remedial measures because we can tell them it's affecting the functioning of our single market." Read more DUP reaction to Windsor Framework could drive us towards a border poll The European Commission vice-president also claimed that the European Court of Justice still oversees swathes of EU rules that continue to apply in Northern Ireland - an arrangement that has angered unionists. "Be under no impression that there will be a diminishing of the role of the European Court of Justice," Mr Sefcovic said. "We've been very clear from the beginning until the end, the role of the ECJ as the sole and final arbiter of EU law stays in place." Mr Sefcovic added that the Windsor Framework was designed to prevent future disputes over EU rules in Northern Ireland from reaching a "level that would generate political headlines". Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has said, with the framework, the UK is "decisively taking back control in a host of areas from Brussels". "It ensures unfettered access for Northern Ireland made goods to the whole UK market, restores the balance of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and provides Stormont with the opportunity to reject the application of any harmful new EU rules in the few areas in which they remain," he said. DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said his party will be receiving legal advice over the Windsor Framework and analysing whether it meets the DUP's seven tests for new Northern Ireland Protocol arrangements that would pave the way for the party to re-enter the Executive. Speaking on GB News on Sunday, Sir Jeffrey was asked about Mr Sefcovic's comments. The DUP leader said it has been clear there has been a "lot of spin" from both the UK and EU over the deal, and he feels that Mr Sefcovic is trying to play down some aspects of the framework as the European Commission is concerned about "setting a precedent" that other EU members could follow. Sir Jeffrey added that he is waiting to see what additional legislation is laid before Parliament and what amendments to the framework are possible. Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry has said he broadly welcomes the protocol deal but wants to see Northern Ireland back in the EU as soon as possible. Speaking at his partys annual conference, he said: The protocol, and now its revised version through the Windsor Framework, offers Northern Ireland a softer landing from Brexit. But let me be clear: we are and will remain opposed to Brexit. It is a terrible idea, and the costs are increasingly clear. We want to see Northern Ireland back into the EU at an early opportunity. With this deal, we can at least move on from the protocol wars. Northern Ireland needs stability and certainty. Unionisms interests alongside the rest of us lies in ensuring that Northern Ireland can work. On the Windsor Framework, he said: Overall, it does present a significant number of solutions to a wide range of problems. It addresses many of the practical challenges, and reduces the friction, barriers and bureaucracy. Nevertheless, we do have some concerns around the concept and operation of the proposed Stormont Brake which has the potential to bring more Stormont vetoes and instability, plus uncertainty for businesses. The democratic deficit is an issue. It wasnt before we left the EU as the UK, including Northern Ireland, was fully represented. From now, the real action lies in Northern Ireland getting access to the decision-making process when new applicable EU law is being first developed. Read more Long insists political agreement on Stormont changes preferable to legal bid Mr Farry challenged the DUPs assertion that its tactics had reaped rewards: I see some are claiming that the politics of boycott and belligerence have brought the EU to this position. In fact, this deal could have been done two years ago. The problem was an absence of trust, and threats of unilateral action and breaches of international law. Alliances deputy leader claimed there still was a fundamental dishonesty and delusional lack of reality among many Brexiteers. With Brexit, there are essentially three options: a soft Brexit, a land border on the island of Ireland, or special arrangements for Northern Ireland. Anything else is a unicorn. We all need to be pragmatic, he added. Mr Farry said the international scene was more unstable than at any time in recent decades with the war in Ukraine and crises in Afghanistan, Iran, Syria and Ethiopia. We are seeing repeated examples of conflict, persecution, gross human rights abuses and even genocide, he said. Currently there are over 100m refugees or internally displaced people in the world. Read more DUP reaction to Windsor Framework could drive us towards a border poll My team and I have been proudly helping some refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine. Some people are claiming the UK is being invaded. These are dangerous and reprehensible words. The frontline in the manufactured culture war. The reality is that the UK is only being asked to manage a small fraction of the global refugee situation per capita it is one of the least sought in Europe. The vast majority of asylum claims are actually granted. They are genuine. We need to see the provision of more safe and legal routes and a quicker decision-making process. Notorious prisoner Charles Bronson will make his latest bid for freedom at a public parole hearing this week. The Parole Board review of one of the UKs longest serving prisoners to decide whether he should remain behind bars begins on Monday, making him the second inmate in UK legal history to have his case heard in public. Dubbed one of Britains most violent offenders, Bronson who changed his surname to Salvador in 2014 after the artist Salvador Dali, has been in prison for much of the last 50 years, often spending time in solitary confinement or specialist units. Charles Bronson is one of the UKs longest-serving prisoners (Elizabeth Cook/PA) Elizabeth Cook Bronson previously told how he was first sent to jail in 1968 and has held 11 hostages in nine different sieges with victims including governors, doctors, staff and, on one occasion, his own solicitor. He was sentenced in 2000 to a discretionary life term with a minimum of four years for taking a prison teacher at HMP Hull hostage for 44 hours. Since then, the Parole Board has repeatedly refused to direct his release. In a Channel 4 documentary which aired last week, he said he can smell and taste freedom ahead of the parole hearing. During the programme, he is seen video calling his son George Bamby from his maximum security cell, reportedly at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. Discussing the prospect of his parole review, Bronson insisted he had reformed, talked about how he has turned to art while behind bars and hopes to be released so he can enjoy whats left of his life. Ive got a horrible, nasty, vicious, violent past (but) Ive never killed anyone, Ive never harmed a woman, never harmed a child, he said. Im focused, Im settled, I can actually smell and taste freedom like Ive never, ever done in (my) life. Im now anti-crime, anti-violent. What the f*** am I still in prison for? Bronson was the first prisoner to formally ask for a public hearing after rules changed last year in a bid to remove the secrecy around the parole process. Members of the public and the press will be able to observe the proceedings which continue on Wednesday via a live stream. But the third and final day of the hearing will take place behind closed doors on Friday. EXCLUSIVE | Pals of jailed ex-British soldier set up DCI John Caldwell shooting Associates of rogue former soldier recruited dissidents behind murder bid in revenge for major cocaine bust, but police do not believe the jailed Tyrone cocaine baron played a role Sunday Life can reveal the attempted hit was sanctioned by associates of cocaine baron Ashley McLean (inset), who was caged for two years last summer for possessing 500,000 of drugs with intent to supply. Ciaran Barnes Sunday Life Sun 5 Mar 2023 at 08:10 A jet-setting pensioner accused of diamond smuggling and selling fake designer goods worth more than 130,000 has been granted bail for a sun-soaked holiday in the Canary Islands. Anne Rosaleen Darcy (66), who admits going on regular jaunts to Dubai, is said to have been found in possession of 80,000 worth of diamonds and nearly 500 fake designer items during a police raid last September. The accused, of Windsor Bank in Newry, faces a string of charges, including fraud, selling counterfeit goods and possessing criminal property. Police told previous court hearings they believe the secretary, who works for a commercial vehicle dealer in Newry, had been involved in smuggling and selling counterfeit items and diamonds for more than 16 years. During a contested bail hearing at Newry Magistrates Court, she was granted a variation so she could go on holiday with her husband to Gran Canaria next week. Darcys solicitor told Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes her partner bought her the trip to Gran Canaria as a Christmas present, adding despite fresh objections the police had let her go on holiday previously and she came back. The judge told cops objecting to her bail application, You let her go before and she came back, so really, you cannot object now, before altering her bail conditions and allowing her to travel to Gran Canaria for a week from March 13. Darcy answers the door to our reporter Following the hearing, Sunday Life approached Darcy at her Newry home, but she declined to discuss the charges against her. She faces five charges in total, including fraud by false representation, possessing items in breach of registered trademarks, possessing articles in connection with a fraud or cheat, selling suspect counterfeit goods and possessing criminal property. Newry Magistrates Court heard the charges arose from a police raid on her home on September 1 last year during which cops seized 245 fake designer handbags. Darcy admitted making 200 to 250 on each bag, the court heard, with the minimum profit reaching up to 49,000 for that seizure alone. The charges allege that she possessed and sold various suspected counterfeit items... to make a gain for yourself or another or to cause loss to various fashion houses. According to a statement from the PSNIs Organised Crime Unit, the charges followed a search where nearly 500 items of suspected counterfeit designer goods and a BMW car were seized. An earlier court hearing was told how cops discovered a room stuffed with suspected counterfeit handbags, belts, shoes and purses. Officers also said they uncovered 80,000 worth of diamonds wrapped in paper, as well as a diamond grading report from a business in Dubai dated January 1, 2011. Police said Darcy made full admissions, admitting she had been travelling back and forth to Dubai and confirming the items in her house were fake. Since her initial interview, the court heard police had further questioned her for offences including money laundering, tax evasion and VAT fraud, as well as having restrained a couple of bank accounts. No pleas have been entered. The case continues. Among several charges, producer accused of diverting domestic supply to a factory One of Northern Irelands largest pig producers has been charged with dodging paying for water by diverting a domestic supply to one of its factories. JMW Farms Ltd is accused of using a household water pipe to service one of its sites outside Killylea in Co Armagh. The multi-million-pound cross-border pork firm faces a total of seven charges all dated in May last year. Its accused of interfering with a water supply pipe to service a commercial premises on Kennedies Road. Another charge alleges that it obtained services by a dishonest act by evading connections charges and payment for a water supply. The firm is also accused of using water supplied by NI Water to the same address for a domestic supply to service a commercial premises. It is further accused of attaching a pipe or apparatus to a main water pipe owned by NI Water and of misusing or unduly consuming water at the address. The case against the company is due to be mentioned at Armagh Departmental Magistrates Court tomorrow. Sunday Life approached the company for comment but didnt receive a reply. JMW Farms Ltd JMW Farms is one of the most successful pig producers in Northern Ireland, with operations in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. According to Companies House filings, in 2021 it recorded a turnover of almost 63m with an average of 115 employees, generating a profit of 5.8m. That same year it was announced the firm was behind plans to develop a 75m pork processing plant in Ballymoney, Co Antrim. Last November the company was named Pig Producer of the Year at the National Pig Awards at a ceremony in London. JMW Farms was founded in 1989 and is owned by brothers James and Mark Wright along with Andrew Irwin, but there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on their part. James told The Irish Times how he was given two breeding sows as a 14th birthday present from his parents from which he started selling pigs before leaving school at 16 to go into farming full-time. In 2021, James was named the Sustainable Farmer of the Year at the British Farming Awards. At the forefront of our minds is sustainability, environmental planning and a carbon-free system. Our aim, which we are very close to achieving, is zero carbon pork, he said after winning the award. In 2018, it was also revealed the company was among the businesses in Northern Ireland which was given millions of pounds in public subsidies for operating a biogas energy plant. Peaky Blinders star returns to stage for first time in 10 years to play Adams in Good Friday Agreement play at the Lyric From left: Rufus Wright, Owen McCafferty, Andrea Irvine, Patrick O'Kane, Richard Croxford, Ronan Leahy, Dan Gordon and Packy Lee at the Lyric ahead of the play's run A Peaky Blinders star portraying former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams in a play about the Good Friday Agreement has said it is an honour to tell the story of the peace process. Packy Lee (41), from west Belfast, said the production penned by Owen McCafferty was for everyone and served as a timely reminder of the 1998 peace accord. The actor, who also starred in The Witcher and Derry Girls, stressed he would play Adams in the same way he would portray any key figure of the peace process. Speaking ahead of a month-long run of Agreement at Belfasts Lyric Theatre, Packy said: I would have been comfortable playing any of the guys involved in the Good Friday Agreement. What was achieved was incredible. We must never forget that. I know were still working through issues, but Im not a politician whos going to answer those questions. Im an actor. I love playing characters with a fascinating way about them and an incredible history. Im from west Belfast, so its an honour to play a character like Gerry Adams. It would (also) be an honour to play someone like David Trimble or John Hume. These guys shouldnt be taken lightly for what they did and what they sacrificed back then. Gerry Adams on the campaign trail in 2001 Packy, known for playing Johnny Dogs in Peaky Blinders, stars in Agreement alongside Give My Head Peace actor Dan Gordon and other famous faces. He continued: Its good to tackle these kind of characters realistically. I dont think theres an actor among us who wouldnt be proud of who they are portraying based on the knowledge we have gained about them. Im very happy and honoured to be sharing the stage with the rest of the cast. Its important people know were not trying to impersonate anyone its not Spitting Image. Were trying to play the real-life characters from the time and tell the truth of them, rather than trying to imitate them. Were doing our very best to make the characters look right. Ive grown a beard and let my hair grow for the part, but this is Owens version of what was said between these people at the time. Thats whats wonderful about it. Its fascinating the lengths these guys went to in order to make this happen. I think all these years later, some people have forgotten that, and it would be nice for them to be reminded. Packy and Peaky co-star Sophie Rundle Lets not forget what was achieved during those talks and lets not shy away from what can still be achieved. Its a fantastic history lesson and a wonderful drama. Packy, who was a teenager when the Good Friday Agreement was signed, hopes to see younger people in the audience of his new play. Im hoping there might be one or two audience members who werent alive in 1998. It would be great for them to know the lengths these guys went to in order to make this happen, he said. Peace is something Ive always wanted. Im an actor, I like to work with everybody and everything, and when peace came I wasnt even old enough to buy a beer. I was a young lad, just becoming an adult, but I have to say it has helped me in my career and my life by enabling greater cross-community engagement. Its been great for me. Its meant Ive been able to work with people from different backgrounds from no age. Were still working through issues, but its been very good for a lot of people. It (the agreement) is something Ill never forget. I remember the cheers and celebrations as a young lad when it was announced, and then weeks and weeks going by without people dying. Packy Lee pictured in Belfast's Falls Park in 2001 Im in favour of peace and life. We have enough illness in the world without adding to our problems. It had a massive part in my life growing up, so I am just proud to be telling some of that story on stage. Playing Gerry Adams is massive pressure but something I cherish and enjoy. Packy, who spent six seasons on Peaky Blinders working alongside Cillian Murphy and the late Helen McCrory, was also full of praise for his co-stars in the play, including former Sunday Life columnist Dan, who plays John Hume. He said: Were very happy with what were doing and the fact were doing it. Its a massive thing and Im very proud to be involved in a project thats going to tell a side of that story. Packy as Johnny Dogs in Peaky Blinders I was asked to play Gerry Adams by Owen, and to be honest, four pages into the script I put it down and said yes. I love his work and Ive been involved in a lot of his plays in Londons West End, Manchester and elsewhere. Im very lucky to be involved with this. His dialogue is fantastic. Its been 10 years since Ive been on stage. I stepped away to do a lot of TV and film, so its a nice opportunity to get back to what I love doing performing. Im sure he (Adams) would enjoy a pint of Guinness and the show, and Im sure hed be with us in terms of the importance of sharing the story. Agreement runs at Belfasts Lyric from March 25 to April 22. Tickets available from https://lyrictheatre.co.uk Rishi Sunak. (AP Photo/Aberto Pezzali) London: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Sunday announced a clamp down on illegal migration with a new proposed law to tackle the issue of migrants crossing over into the UK illegally and dangerously in small boats from across the English Channel. The British Indian leader had made cracking down on this illegal route between the UK's sea border with neighbouring France among his top priorities for the year. Along with his Indian-origin Home Secretary Suella Braverman, the Sunak-led government is now planning to table the legislation in Parliament next week to address the issue. Make no mistake, if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay, Sunak told the Sunday Express' newspaper. I have made the issue of illegal migration one of my top five priorities pledging to stop the boats once and for all. Illegal migration is not fair on British taxpayers, it is not fair on those who come here legally and it is not right that criminal gangs should be allowed to continue their immoral trade. I'm determined to deliver on my promise to stop the boats, he said. According to the newspaper, Sunak believes he has found the answer to a problem which has dogged the government for the past four years after weeks of work carried out in relative secrecy by senior aides in the UK Home Office and at No. 10 Downing Street. The group has now drawn up new laws to slam a brake on any abuse of human rights laws that allows illegal migrants to escape deportation from the UK. It is hoped the new law will stop activist lawyers using the right to family life and legislation created to combat modern slavery to stop their clients being deported. Braverman wrote in the Sun on Sunday' to say "enough is enough and that the British people want the issue solved. They're sick of tough talk and inadequate action. We must stop the boats. That's why myself and the Prime Minister have been working flat out to bring forward necessary and effective laws which will tackle this problem, once and for all," she writes. She adds: "It has to be that if you come here illegally you will be detained and swiftly removed. Our laws will be simple in their intention and practice the only route to the UK will be a safe and legal route. "So far, [Opposition] Labour has opposed every effort to bring a stop to illegal migration. They are not serious about tackling the issue that is only becoming ever more serious and allows criminal gangs to exploit vulnerable people. The Prime Minister and I will do whatever it takes. You can judge us by our actions." The law is expected to give powers to the Home Secretary to remove anyone who arrives on a small boat "as soon as reasonably practicable" to Rwanda, with which the UK clinched a bilateral agreement, or a "safe third country". Sunak and Braverman are also expected to travel to Paris towards the end of next week for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron to explore an enhanced agreement over the issue of small boats crossing over from Calais in France to Dover in England. A council has been branded nitpickers for prosecuting one of the north coasts most popular venues for allegedly submitting the wrong form for outside seating. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has accused Portrushs Habour Bistro of putting furniture in a public area without a valid pavement cafe licence. According to court documents, the alleged breach of the law began on May 4, 2021, days after coronavirus restrictions were lifted to allow outdoor hospitality to reopen, and ended that July. During a brief hearing at Coleraine Departmental Magistrates Court last week, a lawyer for the council said they believed the alleged breach occurred because an application for a temporary licence was made in error. The prosecution is being taken against the parent company, Owey Enterprises Ltd, the address of which was given as the Upper Newtownards Road in east Belfast. District Judge Peter King adjourned the case until May for another application to be made to the council. The Ramore group of restaurants Ulster Unionist councillor Norman Hillis told Sunday Life the case could have been avoided if common sense had been applied. Surely to God a phone call [from the council] could have resolved this? he said. I am a bit disappointed that something which strikes me as minor has ended up in a court. Everybody was under a fair amount of stress with Covid, and we were just starting to emerge from [lockdown]. This could have been solved without the heavy hand. Theres a lot of nitpickers running around. Is there no common sense? I think common sense has gone out the window, to be honest. These were people who were shut for months. Its a bit unfortunate as somebody could have lifted the phone. If we could only just apply a little bit of common sense, we would save people stress, bother and expense. In the run-up to bars and restaurants being allowed to reopen, there was widespread confusion on what outdoor spaces met the guidelines. Some venues were told just days before the restrictions were due to be lifted that their outdoor seating areas were not suitable, despite some being the same spaces that were allowed when restrictions were lifted the previous year. The Habour Bistro is part of the Ramore group, which also includes a wine bar, the cafe of the same name and the famous Harbour Bar itself. It was set up by husband-and-wife chef team George and Jane McAlpin in 1986, starting with the Ramore restaurant. It is now a multimillion-pound concern and one of the most popular destinations for holidaymakers and day trippers visiting the seaside town. The businesss contribution to the local area was acknowledged in the 2019 New Years Honours, when both George and Jane were awarded the British Empire Medal for services to tourism. The bistro was approached for comment. Violent pervert offended the last time he was freed A serial sex attacker considered one of Northern Irelands most dangerous inmates is being fast-tracked for early release. Tom Ward is being held on the relaxed Wilson House unit of Maghaberry Prison ahead of being transferred to the Burren House open jail in Belfast. The move has spooked staff who believe the 35-year-old Traveller from Coalisland should never be freed. Ward is a Category Three sex offender, considered to be a huge risk to the public, with convictions for sexually assaulting two women. The first was a lady he falsely imprisoned in 2006 and whose teeth he knocked out when she tried to fight back. The second was a middle-aged woman who he stalked for a mile in 2011 as she exercised in Cookstown. Ward served two-and-a-half years in prison for the first sex assault and was given an indeterminate custodial sentence for the second. He has been behind bars for the past decade but according to security sources is now being fast-tracked for release. This has perplexed Maghaberry staff because of his appalling behaviour behind bars. In 2015 the pervert was convicted of brutally assaulting a prison officer and is suspected of selling drugs to other inmates. Id love to know why the Prison Service thinks its a good idea to keep Tom Ward in Wilson House when he does nothing but bully other inmates, a security source told Sunday Life. He calls himself Muscles but only picks on those who are smaller than him. Inmates getting a move to Burren House are supposed to show awareness and contrition for their crimes, but Ward couldnt care less. He runs about shouting, Im the king of the gypsies and the roots, thinking its a laugh. Other lifers and long-term prisoners are being shafted to accommodate him. It must be very frustrating because they are the ones who are behaving themselves and who deserve a chance. Tom Ward A Northern Ireland Prison Service spokesperson said: People in our care approaching the end of their sentence will be tested prior to release back into the community. Individuals will have fully engaged in a number of tests, which challenge and support them to make positive change in their lives. After being fully risk-assessed, they begin a graduated release programme into the community, firstly under supervision then progressing to short time bounded periods of unaccompanied release where they work in the community. Preparing people for release is a vital part of rehabilitation as it reduces their risk of re-offending which helps to make the community safer. To prepare for life on the outside, Ward has been on several UTRs (unaccompanied temporary releases) with family. He has also been approved access to female relatives despite being a danger to women and being deemed the most high-risk Category Three sex offender. A Maghaberry insider said: The Prison Service needs to explain why this was approved when other convicted sex offenders are banned from seeing their relatives. The Wilson House unit where Ward is being held is mainly occupied by prisoners coming to the end of long sentences. They cater for themselves and enjoy greater freedom of movement, with cells being unlocked for longer periods. Inmates who perform well in testing there are granted unaccompanied temporary releases before being moved to the Burren House open prison, where they are allowed out during the day and at weekends. When Ward was sent to prison for an indeterminate period, the husband of the woman who he falsely imprisoned and sexually assaulted in 2006 warned he should never be released. He said: That animal will attack another woman, I have no doubt about it. He wrecked my wifes life and all he served was two-and-a-half years of a five-year jail sentence. People like Ward should never get a second chance to do what he did to my wife. Parts of Northern Ireland will be affected by snow showers this week. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images. Getty Images The Met Office has confirmed snow showers will affect some parts of Northern Ireland this week but some areas may get lucky and avoid the frost. It comes as a yellow weather warning for snow and ice was issued in parts of Scotland and England until Tuesday night. The Met Office has warned five to 10cm of snow could accumulate over northern Scotland this week, with icy conditions likely to cause travel disruption. The Met Office said: The area of high pressure that has brought recent benign conditions will move away to the west at the start of next week, allowing a northerly airflow to sweep across the UK. "The introduction of an arctic maritime air mass will bring snow showers to Scotland, Northern Ireland and along the east coast of England from Monday. Greg Dewhurst, a senior operational meteorologist, believes Northern Ireland will be spared most of the bad weather, however, the country will experience some snow showers during the beginning of the week. Colder air from the Arctic will move across Northern Ireland from Monday and bring a mixture of sunny spells and snow showers, he explained. Snow showers will move in from the north, so some southern parts of Northern Ireland may miss them altogether. Read more Met Office predicts snow for Northern Ireland next week Northern Ireland is braced for snow and hail showers tonight, however, Mr Dewhurst believed we wont experience the same level of snowfall that was expected in Scotland. Snow showers will continue in Northern Ireland through Tuesday but will ease on Wednesday. We could see one to three centimetres of snow over the hills and perhaps a temporary covering to lower levels at times, he said. Tuesday is expected to be the coldest day of the week in Northern Ireland with lows of -5C. Mr Dewhurst also cautioned the public on widespread ice and frost throughout Northern Ireland during this week that will create hazardous driving conditions. Deputy chief meteorologist Chris Almond, warned frosty conditions across the UK will cause disruptions throughout the week. With freezing overnight temperatures and the risk of ice, theres a risk of some travel disruption and wintry hazards are likely to persist through much of next week, even further south for a time, he said. Read more Northern Ireland records driest February in 30 years: Met Office But Mr Dewhurst was optimistic the weather will improve by the end of the week. Thursday, at the moment, should be a dry day in Northern Ireland, ahead of rain moving in for Friday from the Atlantic, but some uncertainties with the details of this at this stage, he said. The Met Office is unsure how the weather will progress towards the end of the week, saying: Some uncertainty remains on exact positioning and timing of further wintry hazards as milder air attempts to move in from the southwest. "Details will be refined for the latter half of the week, but broadly cold conditions with further wintry hazards is the most likely scenario. It is, however, expected that towards the weekend temperatures across Northern Ireland will increase, with highs of 9C expected on Saturday. A man walks past the residence of the late provincial governor, Roel Degamo, in Pamplona town in Negros Oriental, on March 5, 2023, a day after the governor and eight others were killed in a mass shooting at the compound. Police have updated the death toll in a brazen political shooting in the central Philippines to nine but say they are still investigating its motive. Senior officials including President Ferdinand E. Marcos Jr. have condemned the attack targeting Roel Degamo, 56, the governor of Negros Oriental province. Degamo was meeting with local people at his official residence Saturday when a group of about 10 armed men clad in battle gear arrived and asked to speak with the governor, then fired on people inside the compound. Degamo was rushed to the hospital but passed away hours later due to wounds he sustained. Police initially said six people died, but later updated the toll to nine, and said 13 others injured in the attack were still in hospital. We are not yet definite on the motive and all angles are being looked upon. Our investigators are still on the ground, regional police spokesman Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare said in a statement. Three suspects were in custody while a fourth was shot during a hot pursuit operation, Pelare said. He fired at the composite team and [they] retaliated, resulting in the death of the suspect, he said. As of late Saturday, nine victims succumbed to death in various hospitals, 13 are confined with various injuries and four incurred minor injuries and are now out of the hospital, Pelares statement said. In addition to Degamo, the dead were named as local village officials Jose Marie Ramirez and Florenda Quinikito, and civilians Jessie Bot-ay, Jomar Canseco, Crispin Vallega, Jerome Maguiling, Joseph Retada and Michael Fabugais. Among those injured were a doctor, a local broadcaster and two soldiers, it said. Lawmen on Sunday displayed evidence they had gathered from the suspects, including four assault rifles, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with ammunition, four bandoliers fully loaded with plates, a rifle case, a caliber 5.56 with six magazines, and assorted ammunition. In Manila, armed forces spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar condemned the attack as a cowardly act and promised the military would help the police in the apprehension of the suspects. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, meanwhile, offered a 5-million-peso reward (US$ 91,305) for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the attackers. Degamo assumed the governship of Negros Oriental last month after a recount unseated his rival, who had been declared the victor following a contentious election, according to AFP. Marcos, a political ally of the slain governor, condemned the attack and vowed that justice would be done. My government will not rest until we have brought the perpetrators of this dastardly and heinous crime to justice, the president said Saturday. We have received much information and now have a clear direction on how to proceed to bring to justice those behind this killing, he added. Degamos killing was the third incident in a series of high-profile attacks against local government officials in the country in a month. On Feb. 17, four policemen were killed and three other people, including a provincial governor, were wounded in a roadside ambush in the volatile southern Philippines. Police officers were escorting a convoy transporting Gov. Mamintal Adiong when unidentified gunmen attacked them on a highway near Maguing town in Lanao del Sur province. A police operation resulted in the death of one of the suspects. Also last month, gunmen disguised as police officers waylaid a van of Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda of Aparri town in Nueva Vizcaya province, in the northern Philippines, killing him and five companions. Froilan Gallardo and Richel V. Umel in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines and Roel Pareno in Zamboanga City, Philippines contributed to this report A quick update on todays earlier article: Proposed legislation in Montana would ban vaccinated people from donating blood Last year this substack reported on the increasing dangers of the global blood supply: Thankfully, lawmakers are finally starting to realize that these slow kill bioweapon injections are genetically modifying human beings into walking spike protein factories that could, via shedding, transfusions, etc., further poison society as a whole; in particular, t Sadly, the venal and sociopathic politicians that are actively working against We the People have yet again shown their true colors, preventing the prohibiting of the ongoing eugenics program: The House Human Services committee has killed a bill that would have made it illegal to donate blood or tissue if the donor had received any mRNA vaccines or treatments. The bill called for perpetrators who knowingly collect and distribute blood or tissue containing gene-altering proteins or other isolates introduced by mRNA or DNA vaccines or chemotherapies, to face a misdemeanor charge punishable by a fine up to $500. The Billings Gazette article continues with their reality inversion conspiracy theories: Misinformation about messenger RNA has been rampant among the far right since COVID-19 vaccinations were developed in record time using this biotechnology and vaccination mandates hit health care facilities. Politicians and bureaucrats on either side of the aisle its called the Uniparty for good reason despise their constituents: Rep. Greg Kmetz, R-Miles City, explained that House Bill 645 is a constituent bill, saying the legislation arose from safety concerns among the residents in his district. Because legitimate data-backed safety concerns are far right and domestic terrorism for these bought and paid for WEF penetrator politicians. They want you dead. Do NOT comply. Another Norfolk Southern, $NSC, train has derailed in Ohio, per Reuters. Currently the local officials have asked the residents to shelter in place. Norfolk Southern said the train that derailed near Springfield, Ohio was not carrying any hazardous materials and that no one was hurt. "No hazardous materials are involved and there have been no reported injuries," Norfolk Southern said in the statement. "Our teams are en route to the site to begin cleanup operations." Last month, Norfolk Southern, $NSC, has made another $1.1 million in cash donations to East Palestine, Ohio. They have given $4.9 million in direct payments to 3,000 households. Norfolk Southern, $NSC, whose trains derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, spilling toxic vinyl chloride, has announced it is creating a $1 million fund for the victims. Well see whether the investigation of the Ohio disaster pins blame on the trains braking system. Im not betting it does. But if it does, Im sure Norfolk Southern Railway will find a way to squirm out of their problem by paying a large fine from the fund theyve set side aside for just such situations. Monday, February 27, 2023 - Food Industry Insider Warns Of Contaminated Crops As A Result Of The East Palestine Environmental Disaster The horrific environmental disaster in East Palestine, Ohio has contaminated the air, the soil and the water in much of the region. So how much, if any, of the food that is grown in that part of the country will be safe to eat? Residents of East Palestine, Ohio have been reporting bizarre symptoms following the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern train derailment and subsequent toxic explosion, the NY Post reports. Russian Su-57 Felon drew first blood in actual combat, acquiring its first aerial kills of the Ukraine War. It took down a Ukraine Air Force Su-27 and Su-24 in an aerial engagement, Russian Su-57 Felon Scores in Actual Combat These reports from western sources like the UK have confirmed that VKS's next-gen fighter can dogfight not only on paper. Its dual kills show that Russia's stealth fighter is lethal at any range, reports Bulgarian Military. Information from October mentioned that the Felon is an aggressor that fought other planes, not static ground targets. Several Ukrainian jets were downed by the Russian criminal as far as 217 km away with long-range missiles in Belgorod. The January incident was verified by British intelligence, saying it was a long-range air-to-air kill. The same sources added that the Felon has been pounding Ukraine since June 2022. Reports indicate the Su-57's participation in air combat from the end of 2022, stating the Su-57 was used in air strikes against designated ground targets. The R-37M missiles with a 400 km range are used to kill the UAF jets, but another Chinese missile can hit far as 200 km, based on Sandboxx. Sources revealed in February revealed the Su-57 escorted the MiG-31 in a standoff attack, per The Conversation. This sortie used the R-37M to pick off enemy planes flying as fast as Mach 5 or 6 with excellent guidance systems to hit a target, states Military Today. An effective range of the air-to-air missile (AAM) is best from 150 to 398 km as its optimal range. Guiding it to the target is an inertial combination with course correction equipped with semi-active and active radar homing. Read Also: Russian Military Confirms Sukhoi Su-57 Felon Used in Ukraine, Encountered the F-35 in Syria Aerial Kills Against Lethal Weapon Systems The VKS needs to engage better air defenses like the F-35, and the Ukraine conflict pushes Russian aviation to its limits. While Western forces don't risk the F-35 or F-22 in fierce combat or the PLA yet to test its J-20. But the younger Felon has seen real action in such a short time. In contrast to other 5th gen fighters showing the Felon as inferior is mistaken due to its exploits yet to be outdone. The Russian VKS is developing this platform quickly, but the west is wary. By 2023 there will be 22 of them in service as more will be built. The Russians focus on building enough numbers of Su-57 with technologies that will optimize it. The Felon has caught critics off guard and called it a super fighter. Even if delayed by five years, it has seen considerable effectiveness compared to older stealth fighters. The US F-35 and F-22 have downed a drone, balloon only, not capable frontline fighters that are not substantive. Success in actual battle has opened interest with India to a joint program to develop it further. New Delhi is assured that only the Felon has experience over other stealth fighters. Sources verifying the Russian Su-57 Felon and its aerial kills gained from actual combat shows the VKS developing a critical asset. Related Article: Russia Su-57 Felon Soon To Be Armed with Kh-69 Missiles for Ground Attack @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. And for much of 2020, The West flattered McGowan and his government, even depicting him as a superhero dubbed Captain Westralia after the budget that year. For his part, Seven Group chief executive Ryan Stokes, who is Kerry Stokes son, said there was no editorial interference in Seven West Media, including The West. He also denies that the feud has anything to do with Forrests decision to buy alternative trucks (others inside Seven say there is no feud at all). De Ceglie told ABC program Media Watch two weeks ago: Everyone is focusing on the individual billionaires versus billionaire aspect but in reality we have a massive $69 billion mining company upset because it doesnt like the reporting of facts or news. Fortescue Metals Group is behaving in the manner that should be a concern to anyone who believes in journalism without fear or favour. Forrests core argument is one of bias. Proving that is difficult and subjective. The answer isnt as simple as what stories ran or how many appeared over a certain period (those numbers arent anything unusual). It is more likely to lie in what stories never appeared, which ones were buried in the back pages of the print edition, and the behind-the-scenes relationship between journalists and Forrests communication advisers. But none of this can be analysed without important context: De Ceglie is known for going hard on issues that matter to him (his journalists won a Walkley for a previous investigation into sexual harassment and assault in WA mines). The articles needed to also consider the financial performance of FMG, and the events or exits that have taken place over the period. So, did Forrest have a fair point? The West published 49 articles predominantly focused on Forrest between June 2022 (when he signed the deal with Liebherr) and mid-February, when the video was released. Between December 2022 and mid-February (when Forrest claimed the dispute ramped up), The West published 20 articles. Thats an average of about 5 stories per month between June and December, and an average of about eight in the period between December and mid-February. The Australian Financial Review and The Australian published 16 articles in that same period, while The Sydney Morning Herald published eight about Forrest and his businesses. Obviously, a West Australian-focused publication would devote more attention to Forrest than the others whose audiences are concentrated on the east coast (his company employs about 20,000 in the state). The West Australian editor Anthony De Ceglie. Credit: Peter de Kruijff While the numbers arent particularly unusual, the content is different. Analysis of the articles that appeared in The West between December and February shows most of them cast Forrest or his businesses in a negative light. A number of stories specifically those with a focus on overseas projects were not covered by other publications including The Australian Financial Review, The Australian, or this masthead. There was merit to a number of these stories specifically the abrupt exit of FMGs chief financial officer, Ian Wells, the collapse of an agreement between Mike Cannon-Brookes and Forrest over Sun Cable, and a financial results story, most of which were covered by newspaper rivals. A major sexual harassment case where FMG was charged with failing to supply documents related to 34 cases and mass redundancies at Fortescue was also newsworthy, particularly given The Wests broader coverage of sexual assault allegations at West Australian mine sites over the past few years. A story about Forrests investment in the troubled cosmetics business BWX was brought into the news pages of The West. Forrests investment in BWX is 1 per cent of his total investment portfolio. The interest in the failure of BWX is a story worth reporting, but is it more important than the largest green energy transaction in Australian history? Apparently so. A piece about Forrests $4 billion acquisition of CWP Renewables ran on page 47 of The West Australian, but ran on page one of The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald and led The Australians business section. The West Australian isnt a business publication. Yet it ran a story about a memorandum of understanding on page one. A story which The West was told had been reported previously about FFI abandoning green energy plans in Afghanistan, which alleged hypocrisy in Forrests work on reducing slavery, was on page two on Christmas Eve. Forrests people problem also ran on page one and the sexual harassment case also did but used the words sex assault charges (which FMG says was factually inaccurate). The Wests results coverage ran on page one and pages eight and nine, but BHP and Rios results coverage ran on pages 37 and 23 respectively. And what wasnt covered? An article that ran in The Australian about Forrests philanthropic arm calling for a plastic tax, or Forrests investment in an AI tech firm, which ran in the Australian Financial Review. Loading Forrests team claimed there were other issues too: tight deadlines, a refusal to change the facts, and a decision not to run a letter to the editor, which Fortescue sent in response to an editorial defending news coverage (The West said it did not make the print deadline). The West declined to comment beyond the statement provided to the ABC. But privately, it wont deny it has been critical of Forrest. It argues the stories are based on merit and are in the public interest because one of Australias richest people deserves scrutiny. Its worth pointing out that Forrest also took no issue with Stokes other media asset, Seven Network, and its coverage. News reporting is not simple. On any given day, an editor will have a different view on what is important or takes priority over another story. They will also commission stories from reporters based on ideas. Placement of these stories is usually decided by a group of editors that meet in newsrooms to discuss the days topics. The corporate regulator ASIC is using an automated system to dismiss allegations of serious wrongdoing by company directors in as little as 38 seconds, allowing thousands of bosses who oversaw failed firms to escape scrutiny over the past five years. One report lodged by veteran liquidator Michael Brereton, of firm William Buck, accused the directors of a company that failed while owing creditors up to $250,000 of withholding records, trading while insolvent for more than two years, and breaching their legal duties. ASIC only fully investigates less than 3 per cent of liquidators reports that include allegations of offences by directors. Credit: Fairfax Despite Brereton telling the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) that he had documentary evidence to back up his claims, the regulator responded with an auto-generated email sent just 38 seconds later declining to investigate. New figures from ASIC show that of the more than 30,000 reports from liquidators it received between the 2018 and 2022 financial years, more than 28,000 included allegations that directors had broken the law. Teenagers are being employed at record levels with more than half of over-15s having a job, leading to fears that young people may be bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis. As of January, 850,000 teens aged 15 to 19 54.4 per cent were employed across the country. Teenagers are entering the workplace at historic levels. Credit: iStock, Alamy This is up from last years average of 52 per cent a 20-year high which ended with 55.7 per cent in December, the highest percentage since the Australian Bureau of Statistics started collecting data in 1978. University of Melbourne economist Jeff Borland said employment rates for young people had bounced back stronger than any other demographic since the pandemic. About eight years ago, inner-west primary school Kegworth Public embarked on a plan to eliminate homework for students. The primary school has stood out for their approach, but among parents, the policy has been controversial. There are parents who have chosen Kegworth because of our no homework policy, principal Phil Toovey said. But weve realised there is this appetite among some parents for homework and we aim to work in partnership with all families at the school and achieve the best outcomes for students. Kegworth Public School has reversed its no homework policy and now has an opt-in approach for years 3 to 6. Credit: Brook Mitchell In 2016, the Leichhardt school scrapped traditional homework after extensive consultation with parents and a review of the research. But from term 2 this year, Kegworth will relax the policy and parents of students in years 3 to 6 can now opt-in to complete at-home maths, spelling and comprehension tasks. Discovery of unknown Ice Age Europeans who lived through the worst parts of the last glacial maximum, despite surviving the worst of the earth's frigid era only to die out when warm weather started 15,000 years ago. Ice Age European Lineage Remains Hidden Scientific disclosure shows the DNA of these ancient Europeans who were hunter-gatherers, as reported by Live Science. About 100,000 years, the earth was a snowball that covered Europe, where humans migrated freely. It was 45,000 years ago when early visitors traveled to Europe via Africa through the near east. the coldest temperatures of the Last Glacial Maximum from 25,000 to 19,000 years ago were recorded. Scientists found tools the ancient peoples used as artifacts left where they resided according to Science. Genetic Study Reveals Secrets of Ancient Human DNA Ancient genomes from 356 hunter-gatherers that existed between 35,000 and 5,000 years ago in the Eurasian region, which reveals the Gravettian culture, were analyzed. These cultures flourished in Europe about 33,000 and 26,000 years ago with two different genetic groups. They shared the same art and weapons, remarked lead author Cosimo Posth from the University of Tubingen in Germany. Read Also: Stonehenge Toolkit Shows High Degree of Gold Artisanship in the Bronze Age 4,000 Years Ago Several locations of the Gravettian lineage called Fournol from a French location as the first genetic cluster in France and Spain. Another cluster is Vestonice in a Czech site extending from the Czech Republic to Italy. Fournol origins from Aurignacians are the first hunter-gatherer culture from 43,000 to 33,000 years ago. Vestonice came from the Kostenki and Sunghir groups in the east of western Russia, where the Aurignacians lived. Fournol would lay their dead inside caves and cut the bones of the corpses. The Vestonice were more elaborate with funerary practice than the Fournol. Vestonice had funeral goods, and personal ornaments, with red mineral ochre and placed the dead in open-air graves or cave sites; proof from 116 buried individuals backed up the findings. Physical Differences Between Two Lineages The Ice Age people had darker skin and eyes, which later lineages followed. But the author said there is no way to know for sure due to other genes. Fournol genetic signature survived the ice age of about 20,000 years in Spain and France to disperse later. Vestonice disappeared through Italy, where the Gravettian survived the coldest parts of the Last Glacial Maximum. They made up the Epigravettian culture much later when the sheet ice retreated but disappeared. Another group, the Epigravettians, came from the Balkan region in Italy as far back as 17,000 years ago. The Fournol and Vestonice developed the Magdalenians and Epigravettians in Europe over time, showing how the human genome varied cited Nature. This genetic study traced previous lineages of Ice Age Europeans like the Fournol and Vestonice, revealing people changed. Related Article: Scientists Suggest Bering Land Bridge Existed Before the Last Ice Age, Rewriting Earth's Geological History @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A man has been charged with manslaughter after a teenager riding a dirt bike was killed in Logan, south of Brisbane. Police allege a black Toyota Hilux utility was being driven dangerously on Bourke Street at Waterford West about 8pm on Saturday when it struck a white dirt bike. The driver, a 21-year-old Thornlands man, was taken into custody without incident. The 17-year-old rider died from his injuries at the scene and a 19-year-old pillion passenger suffered serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, where he remains. Investigators will further claim the driver fled the scene in the vehicle without rendering assistance to the pair. As prime minister, Anthony Albanese gets plenty of generous gifts and advice, solicited or unsolicited. The latest item to land on Albos desk? A copy of Dick Smiths memoir My Adventurous Life, sent by the eccentric, folksy entrepreneur-cum-anti-immigration campaigner himself. Smith told CBD he considered Albanese a mate since the now-PMs days as infrastructure and transport minister and felt the book might be up Albaneses alley. Illustration: Joe Benke Credit: I think Albos a good bloke, and I reckon hed appreciate some light reading, he said. There was even a slightly subtle policy-related message for the PM. Smiths book has a chapter called Dont complain about your tax, which is a plea for more taxes on the wealthy. Well, what a dispiriting week! Has there been a more perfect demonstration of the hopelessly petty place to which Australian politics has descended? It is probably too early to give up on politics altogether; but if, eventually, that is what it comes to, then surely our minds will return to last week and think, The signs were clear. That was when we should have known. The summary is simple. The government proposed a minor change to the way earnings on superannuation held by rich people are taxed. Quickly, the opposition summoned outrage. The media went in several directions: some sided with the opposition, declaring it a betrayal, a mistake and a harbinger of awful things to come; some said it was responsible, even important in some ways; others that it was not significant but still fundamentally suggestive of a serious government. There did seem to be consensus, however, that this was an important moment, deserving of lengthy and serious discussion. Illustration by Jim Pavlidis Credit: It wasnt. Still, you can understand how each of the individual groups reached its conclusion. The government wants to start a discussion, it is always telling us, and action is better than words for doing so. The opposition is desperate for something, anything, to attack on. The media can be forgiven for giving attention to something the prime minister and treasurer decided to announce together. The point is not that any of them were, individually, mistaken. The point is the awful place the country has reached, together, made obvious in a plain description of the facts: a government doing very little, facing an opposition determined to oppose that very little, judged by a media willing to describe that very little as huge. A major review into the nations immigration program will urge the Albanese government to remove a blanket requirement that employers put out job advertisements before recruiting skilled migrants. Under the plan, the rule would be replaced by an independent assessment to determine where there are skills shortages, in a bid to stop Australia losing top-end talent to rival destinations. The review will be handed to Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil this week. Credit: James Brickwood An interim report from a four-month inquiry, to be handed to Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil this week, will raise the alarm on a talent drain. Australia is losing skilled migrants to other countries because visa processing waiting times have stretched out to as long as 18 months. The review, by former public service chief Martin Parkinson, University of Adelaide law professor Joanna Howe and former Deloitte partner John Azarias, will urge the government to consider overhauling labour market testing rules that require businesses to advertise locally before recruiting skilled migrants. Thousands of welfare recipients could be forced to remain on a much-maligned cashless card for months longer than expected after the federal government was urged to delay the wider rollout of its replacement. Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth will this week table legislation to transition about 24,000 Australians on the Basics Card to a new cashless card which she says will use superior smart card technology. Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth recently received advice from her department that rushing ahead with the wider rollout of the card was risky. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Public service sources, who were not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed the government had planned to give people a choice to move off the Basics Card and onto the Smart Card from July 1. However, Rishworth in recent weeks received advice from Services Australia and her department that the wider rollout of the new card should be delayed until September at the earliest to avoid serious risks in the transition. London: The Russian gymnast believed to be Vladimir Putins lover said she was with her ideal man who bought her fur coats in an unearthed interview. Alina Kabaeva and the president have never admitted to being romantically involved despite persistent allegations since 2008 when a Moscow-based newspaper first reported the romance. Former gymnast Alina Kabaeva and her ideal man Russian President Vladimir Putin. Credit: AP That year, it appears Kabaeva, a celebrated athlete, did once publicly speak about her relationship without naming the president. In the 2008 video, first reported by Mail Online, Kabaeva, who was aged 24 at the time, takes questions from an audience of young Russians. Washington: Kellyanne Conway, a Republican strategist and long-time adviser to former US president Donald Trump; and George Conway, a conservative lawyer who became one of Trumps fiercest critics, are planning to divorce after 22 years of marriage. The development, reported earlier by The New York Post, surprised few people in Washington, who for four years of the Trump presidency were bewildered by the sometimes publicly hostile dynamic between the one-time Republican power couple. Kellyanne and George Conway arrive for a ball on the eve of Donald Trumps inauguration in 2017. Credit: AP The animosity on display made it apparent that this was not a DC odd couple for the Trump era, like Mary Matalin and James Carville, but a unit more seriously threatened by their political disagreements. The public unravelling of the Conways was viewed as yet another casualty of an association with Trump, a break-up of a couple who seemed suited for each other until a president and a Twitter handle got in the way. In a similar vein, the kicker to her campaign announcement speech was not only stunningly literal And when you kick back, it hurts them more if youre wearing heels it also came from the regressive stilettoed playbook of Melania-Ivanka-Kellyanne. As Haley declared in her 2022 book, If You Want Something Done: Leadership Lessons From Bold Women, when people try to tell her what she can and cant do, her strategy is to push back harder: Your life the life you want is worth fighting for. Throughout her career, Haley has enjoyed the image of herself as an underdog and outsider willing to stand up to her party. But exposing and exploiting racism in the Republican Party isnt the same as confronting it head on. Nor has she risked doing so except in rare moments. While governor of South Carolina in 2015, Haley called for the Confederate flag to be removed from the state Capitol but only after the murderous rampage of an avowed white nationalist. A 2010 video recently shown by CNN reveals this less as a moment of principled bravery than of political expediency. In that video, she defended the display of the Confederate flag and the observance of Confederate History Month. Asked how she would respond to those who objected, she replied, I will work to talk to them about the heritage and how this is not something thats racist. She repeated this defence again in 2019 in an interview with Glenn Beck in which she described the flag as a symbol of service, sacrifice and heritage. Loading With equally dexterous flair, Haley emphasises her relative youth at 51 (a new generation of leadership), her identity as a woman and her Indian heritage as the child of immigrants while repeatedly condemning identity politics. I dont believe in that, she said while campaigning recently in South Carolina, before neatly wrapping up with as I set out on this new journey, I will simply say this may the best woman win. According to a recent poll, Haley is 1 point ahead of Pence, exciting about 5 per cent of Republican voters. In all likelihood, she will wind up Sarah Palin-ed into the vice-presidential candidate pool. But with her long-shot win of the South Carolina governorship, Haley has previously proved the unbelievers wrong. She may be hoping that a record of equivocation will be perceived as one of mediation, and her brand of hypocrisy mistaken for one of moderation. Its on voters to decide, when choosing between her and those Republican candidates who are ideological to their core, whether they prefer a candidate with no core at all. WE ARE ELECTRIC: Inside the 200-Year Hunt for Our Bodys Bioelectric Code, and What the Future Holds Author: Sally Adee : Inside the 200-Year Hunt for Our Bodys Bioelectric Code, and What the Future Holds Publisher: Hachette Pages: 352 : Hachette Price: $30 In the spring of 1969, I was committed to a British hospital asylum was the word chiselled on its Victorian archway where during my weeks of enforced residence I was given six memorably disagreeable jolts of electricity through my brain. It was the same treatment electro-convulsive therapy, ECT as was infamously administered to R P McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest. Though things didnt turn out too well for the character, in my case it worked, impeccably. Whatever had ailed me promptly went away and has never once recurred. And so I am a fan, a committed believer in the use of the medically prescribed marriage of high voltage and brain matter in helping to improve the occasional disarrangements of the human condition. Also Read Explainer: What will happen if Covid asylum restrictions in the US end Covid-19 infection increases risk of severe blood clots for one year: Study New York declares state of emergency amid rising influx of asylum seekers US govt appeals ruling that would lift asylum restrictions for migrants Plan for asylum seekers' deportation to Rwanda lawful, says British court A classical understanding of Chinese exceptionalism Personal finance 101 from an industry veteran A bird's eye view of India's long history The Dalai Lama's pursuit of united Tibet Unlikely rebels with a cause Most of us are familiar with those biological terms ending with ome and implying a totality: Genome, biome, proteome. The very new concept of the electrome is entirely different: The others all have mass. But the electrome has no mass at all, nor any weight; it is simply the electricity that courses through your body and its 40 trillion cells, and which transmits encoded signals through and between everything, head to toe. More than half a century later, the engaging science writer Sally Adee volunteered to endure much the same assault though at a gentler voltage on her own grey matter. But for different and much more interesting (and maybe disturbing) reasons, as she relates in her excellent first book, We Are Electric, about the newly discovered world of the bodys so-called electrome. A decade ago, Ms Adee became intrigued by some highly secret taxpayer-funded work performed by the Pentagons ultra-costly fun factory, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), inventors (they claim) of the internet. Lately the agency has been conducting, if that be the word, experiments on how best to harness the bodys minute pulses of cellular battery power, and turn them to military advantage. Might electricity help our GIs to whack our enemies ever more quickly and efficiently, tuning a soldiers brain by jolting it with carefully targeted surges of electric shocks? The divinely-minded will be tempted to conceptualise the electrome as the human soul. But Ms Adee has no truck with such fancies. Soul or not, though bioelectricity weighs nothing it can do fantastic things. Ms Adee knows; she has read for our benefit what seems like the entire history of bodily battery power especially the delicious 18th-century tussle between the Signori Volta and Galvani, in the matter of the twitching of frogs legs. She has also slogged through all the later research papers on electricity-related cellular biology. And all of this eventually led her into the long grass of some mightily weird modern research. The lights dim, and a tsunami of simulated assaults then commences, overwhelming the scene. Computer-generated enemy troops flood onto the field, squadrons of Humvees, faceless men with suicide belts, all attacking without mercy, and at all of which Ms Adee fires her gun, wildly. Mostly, she misses. We Are Electric begins with a highly seductive scenario: Ms Adee is flown from Europe to a clandestine Pentagon facility in the mountains of Southern California. Here she signs waivers and NDAs and suchlike, has neon green goop slapped onto her temples and strange daisy-like electrodes clamped to her head and wires tucked into the back of her bra. She is led into an immense hangar-like building kitted out to look like a US Army desert outpost, is given an M4 rifle and, protected behind a wall of sandbags, is ordered to stand sentry at a checkpoint and defend it with as much efficiency as she can muster. How many did I get? she asks, high on electrically-induced adrenaline. All of them, she is told. Then the smoke clears, her DARPA handler-bros return and this time they turn on the juice. The lights dim once again, the faux-soldiers pour in and everything changes. Through the smoke and din and confusion of battle, there emerges from within Ms Adees terrified mind the calculating confidence of a cool and logically-directed assassin. One by one she picks off the invaders. She fires and fires until her magazine is depleted. The battlespace falls silent. The smoke clears once again. And it is not just the military who sees the potential. Medicine in particular has plans to crack the codes of the electrical microcurrents that trickle and cascade through us all, and by manipulating those codes all manner of ailments can perhaps be cured or mitigated this time with power, not pills. By now the DARPA project, known as transcranial direct-current stimulation, tDCS, has moved well beyond the mere proof-of-concept with which Ms Adee was toying. Word has hit the street: Do-it-yourself mind-enhancement kits have appeared on the market. The Pentagon now believes all manner of improvement can be made to soldiers brains languages can be learned more quickly, weapons maintenance can be performed better, logistical problems solved more effectively. Tinkering with the bodys electrome may yet be a more risky venture than we suppose. Ms Adee has performed sterling service in persuading us to contemplate the benefits and possible implications of what seems our inevitable electric future. Sally Adee has written an absorbing and fast-paced account of a field of research that could thus herald a whole new era of paradigm-shifting medicine. Moreover, she has done so without apparently drinking the Kool-Aid of todays many bioelectricity boosters. 2023 The New York Times News Service FMCG major Britannia Industries is aiming to increase its women workforce to 50 per cent from the present 41 per cent by 2024, a senior company official said on Sunday. With 15 company-owned manufacturing plants and 35 contract and franchisee units across India having a workforce of over one lakh people, Britannia currently has 41 per cent women employees and would increase the strength to 50 per cent by the end of 2024, Head of Manufacturing, Owned Factories, Indranil Gupta said. The company has about 1,400 workers in its Madurai unit of which 65 per cent comprise women, Gupta said. The female workforce in the plant will be increased to 70 per cent by 2024, since it produced 190 tonnes of various food products per day, the senior official told journalists. When asked about the reason behind pushing for more women employees, Gupta said: "They are more hygienic, and more suitable for these type of jobs, which is an important requirement in food making facilities and disciplined compared to male workers." Having a higher representation of women has benefitted the plant operations by increasing efficiency and productivity while it has also helped in reducing attrition, he said. Diversity is an important pillar of Britannia's sustainability framework to become a responsible global food company, Regional Manufacturing Head, South, C S Guruprasad said. Also Read Britannia Q2 net up 28.5% to Rs 490 cr, records 'highest quarterly revenue' Britannia investors see 'Good Day' after strong Q2, stock surges 9% Britannia Industries enters into a JV with French cheese maker Bel SA CLAT 2024 Exam Schedule: Test in December 2023; registrations to begin soon More price increase unlikely this financial year: Britannia MD Varun Berry Adani has $2 bn foreign-currency bonds coming up for repayment in 2024 NCLAT rejects plea against McDowell Holdings' insolvency proceedings Agritech firm DeHaat's FY23 revenue set to rise by over 80% to Rs 2,300 cr RIL, First Solar, Shirdi Sai bid for 15.5 Gw end-to-end solar manufacturing Berger's largest plant to enhance profit margins in company's 100th year He added that women are confident to continue in the unit since majority of them belong to agricultural background and also supported their families during the worst period of the Covid pandemic when their husbands or parents were out of jobs. Besides, the company has the best working environment in addition to pay and social security measures with transport facilities as the workers have five to 20 years experience, the official added. India gets Russian oil cheaper than the price cap recommended by the G7 nations to sanction crude from Russia. The US has been trying to convince New Delhi to join the Group of Seven in an oil embargo but to no avail. India Gets Russian Oil Below the G7 Price Cap Despite the independent thrust of New Delhi that has chosen Moscow as its benefactor, State Department officials verified the discounted sale last Wednesday. This is a sore point between the Modi government which has shrugged off constant attempts by Washington to follow its policies. These officials say India benefits its economy by regulating oil markets with cheap crude purchases, reported Al Arabiya. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attended the meeting of the G20 foreign ministers in New Delhi. Joe Biden has attempted to convince others to embargo Moscow but failed. The US has been unable to force other nations to blame Moscow for food insecurity and expensive energy prices, as noted by Financial Post. Others preferred a neutral stance and chose to secure themselves. Problems crop up in the western alliance, causing ripples, but it is denied. Read Also: Russian Oil Imports Barely Affected by Price Cap US Wants To Enforce Price Cap on Russian Oil Machinations of the US and allies to force New Delhi to reconsider defense and diplomatic ties with Moscow failed. Even condemnation of Russia in the United Nations assembly, where some officials had negative comments about it, had still abstained. New Delhi had availed of cheap crude when it barely purchased any a year back. Buyers from Asia have become market that has opted for Russian energy to become a top provider. The west attempted to tighten the noose on lower prices not offered to those Russia sees as bad actors. The Group of Seven price limit of $60-a-barrel will be affected by extra measures that have not affected Moscow's earnings much. An outcome of the summit of G20 nations is yet to be determined, even as Washington is risking to convince others to condemn Moscow. But New Delhi chooses another path from what Joe Biden wants that has seen criticism. China has been accused of considering giving the Kremlin aid in arms, which the US says. One reaction by US critics is that the US has given billions of its own money and resources to Zelensly with no visible effect. Moscow Says Sanctions on Russian Oil a Failure Last Monday, the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mocked the European Union's ineffective attempts to impose new sanctions, citing Straits Times. The EU and US are convinced they have the clout to force punitive measures on Moscow. Peskov called it absurd that the bloc could even imagine they could overcome their problems. These sanctions target Russia's income and military hardware that keeps coming. While the west is complaining of arms shortages, Peskov calls it illogical and nonsensical to punish people. India buys Russian oil cheaper than the price cap of the G7, but attempts to crack down have failed. Related Article: Vladimir Putin Restricts Oil Deliveries to Nations Supporting G7 Price Cap @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Proptech firm Square Yards, which recently entered into the business of helping investors in having fractional ownership of commercial properties, has raised Rs 112 crore from high net-worth individuals for the purchase of over 1 lakh square feet office space in Hyderabad. This is the first property being offered by the company to investors for fractional ownership, said Square Yards which is mainly in the property and loans brokerage business. PropsAMC, the asset management services and data intelligence arm of Square Yards, has raised Rs 112 crore for its first Grade A commercial project in Hyderabad, according to a statement issued on Sunday. The project is Square Yards' maiden venture into the fractional product category, with an average investment of Rs 40 lakh from a pool of over 250 investors. This over Rs 100 crore AUM (asset under management) milestone is a testament to the unbridled faith reposed by investors on our platform... " said Tanuj Shori, founder and CEO of Square Yards. He said the prime focus is to help investors earn lucrative returns through rental income and capital appreciation of the property. Also Read Post pandemic pent-up demand surge, realty space may face global headwinds Flex spaces in demand as 35-40% of firms prefer hybrid working: Awfis study New funding mechanism takes wing for HNIs bidding Rs 2-10 lakh in an IPO Office space demand can translate into high returns, say experts Hyderabad to commemorate 75 years of liberation with year-long celebrations IndiGo to enable codeshare connectivity to US, Canada with Turkish Airlines RIL, First Solar, Shirdi Sai bid for 15.5 Gw end-to-end solar manufacturing Growth booster nano-DAP's production may kick off in Paradeep soon Essar group returns to steel business with $8-billion investment Resilience to global macro-economic headwinds makes India key focus market "We plan to reach AUM of Rs 1,000 crore within the next six months by building a gamut of assets across tier-I cities while focusing on properties that offer better periodic yields and exit returns," Shori said. The Hyderabad commercial property will provide investors with 8 per cent gross returns on their investment and a targeted XIRR (extended internal rate of returns) of 14-15 per cent, post fees and pre-tax. In fractional ownership, properties are acquired into an SPV (special purpose vehicle which is a private limited company) and proportional stakeholding of the SPV is allocated to the investors. Square Yards, the facilitator, will list the assets on its platform and raise funds from HNIs for the acquisition of properties. Square Yards will serve as the asset manager of the investors, the property, and the SPV. The tenant continues to pay rental to the SPV on a monthly basis, which in turn gets distributed to all investors proportionately. Amid the digital transformation of the commercial real estate sector, investing in commercial assets through fractional ownership is slowly becoming popular. The fractional ownership market in India is at a very nascent stage and have 4-5 players collectively today, having approx Rs 1,200 crore AUM," said Anand Moorthy, CBO, Asset Management Services and Data Intelligence, Square Yards. Myre Capital, Strata, hBits, Propcatalyst are the major players in this domain. Moorthy said the players could start fractional offering in industrial assets, schools, student housing, hospitals, land etc. beyond just commercial assets in the coming years. "I have an account with HSBC in Shanghai. I can't take my money out. The government is restricting flow of money out of the country," Mobius, founder of Mobius Capital Partners, told FOX Business in an interview published on March 2. Billionaire investor Mark Mobius told FOX Business he cannot take his money out of China due to the country's capital controls, cautioning investors to be "very, very careful" about investing in an economy under a tight government grip. Mobius led emerging market investment at Franklin Templeton Investments for three decades and is known for his bullish view on China. Now, though, he said, he "would be very, very careful" investing in the country. "I can't get an explanation of why they're doing this ...They're putting all kinds of barriers. They don't say: No, you can't get your money out. But they say: give us all the records from 20 years of how you made this money ... This is crazy." Mobius' comments were circulated on Chinese social media site WeChat at the weekend. "Now you have a government which is taking golden shares in companies all over China. That means they're going to try to control all of these companies ... So I don't think it's a very good picture when you see the government becoming more and more control-oriented in the economy." "The bottom line is that China is moving in a completely different direction than what Deng Xiaoping instituted when they started the big reform program," he said, referring to the former Chinese leader. Also Read Mumbai Indians appoint South African legend Mark Boucher as head coach TMS Ep291: WhatsApp service, GM mustard, airline stocks, GSLV Mark III How reliable is India's China trade data? Are the rising Covid-19 cases in China a worry for India? Nestle to invest Rs 5K crore in India by 2025: CEO Mark Schneider Case filed in American Airlines urination incident, accused out: Police Online gaming sector hails govt's move to make IT ministry as nodal agency Govt to develop 23 river systems to use inland waterways for cargo: Sonowal Brahmapuram fire under control, no need for concern, says Kerala govt After North East sweep, BJP looks south to boost tally before 2024 polls Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday said if the Union government did not conduct a survey of eligible beneficiaries for a housing scheme, the state government will carry it out itself. Replying to the debate on the motion of thanks on the Governor's address in the Legislative Assembly, Baghel said his government was committed to provide pucca houses to all eligible beneficiaries. The motion of thanks was passed after discussion. The last Census took place in 2011 and it was necessary to collect information about the changes in the lives of common citizens so that eligible beneficiaries could get the benefit of welfare schemes, the chief minister said. The Union government should ascertain the details of constructed pucca houses, toilets built under the Swachh Bharat mission, benefits under the Ujjwala gas Scheme, 'doubling' of farmers' income, household electrification and the status of employment of beneficiaries of skill development programs in the last 12 years, he said. Members of the opposition (BJP and others) should join him to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and urge them to conduct the Census, Baghel said. As many as 8.44 lakh houses have been constructed in Chhattisgarh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural), he said. Against the target of 11,76,150 houses, 11,76, 067 houses or 99.99 percent of the target have been sanctioned, he added. Further, 71.79 per cent of houses have been completed and Chhattisgarh was better than Assam, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka on this score, the CM said. If the Central government does not conduct a survey of eligible beneficiaries under the housing scheme, then the state government will hold a fresh survey between April 1 and June 30, he added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday urged various manufacturing companies investing in the state to work towards developing skills of the local youth along while expanding through operations of new units. During the inauguration of Berger Paints' manufacturing facility at Sandila (Hardoi) virtually, the chief minister said, "Companies investing in the state along with starting their manufacturing units should commence skill development centres for the local youth. We must work together to ensure skilled manpower for the future. "Recently our government entered into an MoA (memorandum of association) with Tata Technologies to upgrade 150 ITIs in the state to take forward the skill development programme for the youth with new age trades. At least one skill development centre should be established in Hardoi, Sandila, for which full cooperation will be provided by UP State Industrial Development Authority," he added. He said on the eve of Holi, an investment of over Rs 1,000 crore on the ground marks a new industrial revolution in UP. In the midst of numerous challenges, the state's industrial development department tried to create an opportunity in Sandila. As a result, the new unit of Berger Paints was set up. "We all know that with such a huge investment, the unit of Berger Paints began operation in the short span of just 30 months. This also reflects that the state is emerging as the most prominent destination for industrial investment in the country today," he said. Also Read Yogi Adityanath govt to present its largest-ever annual budget today UP CM Yogi orders investigation of all properties registered under Waqf UP govt plans 300 km 'immune belt' to check lumpy virus spread in animals Yogi govt to boost real estate sector for achieving $1 trn economy goal CM Yogi Adityanath chairs high-level meet to review flood situation in UP Hope WPL inspires young girls to follow dreams, take up sports: Nita Ambani NIMAS cycling expedition connects people across 6 ASEAN countries Speeding up judicial processes: How AI is reshaping Indian legal system India climate policy aims at sustainable development: Environment minister Billionaire investor Mark Mobius says he cannot take money out of China Emphasising that investments are being made in every part of the state, the chief minister said that earlier whenever there were talks of investment, it was considered to mean for the NCR areas-- Noida, Greater Noida, Yamuna Authority and Ghaziabad. "Before 2017, the challenge before us was what should be done to remove the regional economic disparity. The investment could reach Lucknow to a great extent. Apart from this, there was no fifth place where one could go ahead with huge investment. However, all myths were destroyed by the Global Investors Summit", he said. Investment proposals worth about Rs 35 lakh crore have been received by the state, proposals worth Rs 10 lakh crore and Rs 4.29 lakh crore have been received by eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand region respectively, Adityanath said. Investment proposals have been received for all 75 districts. It projects Uttar Pradesh to the country and the world as one of the best investment destinations in the country, he added. "Today, the law and order situation of Uttar Pradesh is an example in front of the country. Uttar Pradesh no longer has to pick and choose as it has sectoral policies now. We are also making the best use of technology, single window system, MoU monitoring system, Udyami Mitra and incentive monitoring system, leaving no room for human intervention and the results are in front of everyone," he said. On this occasion, the chief minister also appealed to all the public representatives of Hardoi to contribute to encouraging investment proposals to accelerate development and enhance employment prospects for thousands of people directly and indirectly. "This is an opportunity for us to better utilise the potential of our region for its development. For some time now we have seen in Sandila, especially after Berger Paints, there are various companies like Varun Beverages (Pepsi), ITC, Green Ply, Haldiram, Weebly Scott, Austin Ply, Pidilite, in the process of setting up their units. Currently, we are in the process of providing land to these companies," he said. "I assure all the investors making investments that the state government guarantees the security of every investment made by them. The government will contribute to the growth of your business through not only safe but fruitful investments," he said. Iraqi int'l security, defense exhibition opens in Baghdad Xinhua) 09:11, March 05, 2023 BAGHDAD, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's 11th edition of the International Security and Defense Exhibition opened on Saturday in the capital Baghdad, with the participation of 78 weapons production companies from 19 countries. Adel al-Masoudi, head of the State Company for Iraqi Fairs and Commercial Services, said in a statement that some local weapons production companies affiliated with the ministries of defense, interior, and industry are participating in the four-day exhibition. Companies from Britain, Bulgaria, China, France, Italy, the Republic of Korea and other countries have also taken part in the exhibition. Light, medium, and heavy weapons, towed and self-propelled artillery of various calibers, combat aircraft, drones, tanks, armored personnel carriers, counter-battery radar, and metal detectors are among the items in the exhibition. Mustafa Ati Hassan, head of the Iraqi Defense Industry Commission, told Xinhua that the defense exhibition is a great opportunity for the commission to cooperate with weapons-producing companies. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) Finland has beagn constructing a fence that begins from Pelkola on the Russian border. The alleged purpose of the partition is to keep Russia out with barbed wires as physical sign that it wants nothing to do with Moscow, Finland Erects Symbolic Fence Sources say the parts of the border fence will be placed under construction from 2023 to 2025. Border crossing points will be included in the nearby areas thought as crucial by the Finns. Details indicate that funds have been provided to complete the 70-kilometer span that stretches from the southeast of Finland, North Karelia, Kainuu, and Lapland. Finland has already began is the forest clearance with a road built and a three-meter partition, and to equip with a technical surveillance system to monitor activity as well. A three-kilometer stretch at Pelkola, which is close to the Imatra border crossing, will be done by June, as reported by Sputnik News. The Finnish Border Guard suggested, in early 2022, that a barrier be made to cover approximately 10 to 20 percent of the east side border, around 260 km, which is a small portion of the total massive 1,300 km border. This is the longest border shared with the Russian Federation, noted Reuters. One of the reasons why the border guard wanted partial fencing is to prevent illegal border crossing from the other side. However, scientists say the barrier will keep the movement of wildlife all over regions in the area. This barrier is three meters tall with barbed wires on top that would keep animals from crossing over the opposite side. Scientists say that the barrier will impact animals living in these regions too. Read Also: Finland Ignores EU Sanctions, Opens Canal To Enable Trade With Russia The border project with a cost of $404Mln is deemed not a priority for the national budget of Helsinki. The project requires the procurement of technology to monitor the border at all times, which includes road construction relevant things to build the wall. One of the most serious implications of the barrier is the Finns would alienate its Moscow relations in an unfavorable way. They would lose the trade and economic relationship which started in the Soviet Era. Now more than ever the ideological difference has taken a worse turn as US-backed NATO would inadvertently throw the Finns in the line of fire. No more neutrality as they become part of NATO expansion. Russia's Special Operation in Ukraine Prompts Fencing of Borders Everything changed when the special operation of Russia commenced in Ukraine, which made smaller European countries consider their options. Helsinki decided to file a bid to join NATO, together with Sweden, and even agreed on punitive actions against Russia, cited AP News. The Finns would make border crossing hard and make visas hard to get. One of the worst consequences of turning away Russian tourists is no income for communities near the border, which depends their business on Russian tourists. After Helsinki, a spate of barriers rose in eastern Europe, which is what Latvia did in 2021 on the border with Belarus. Countries like Lithuania, Estonia even Poland are part of locking out Moscow physically. This year, Finland has began building a fence that starts at Pelkola which will be 70 km from the border close to Russia. Related Article: Finland Applies for NATO Membership After Putin Draws Red Line @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory in view of the reopening of the Ashram Flyover from 5 pm on Monday following the inauguration of an extension. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will inaugurate the Ashram flyover extension on Monday. In its advisory issued on Sunday, the Delhi Traffic Police advised commuters to plan their journey as usual and to follow the directions of its personnel posted in the area to avoid inconvenience. It said commuters using Barapulla Flyover are advised to use Ashram Flyover for the following destinations. According to the advisory, only light vehicles coming from DND and going towards Gurugram, Chirag Delhi, Kalkaji, Khanpur, Greater Kailash, Saket, AIIMS, INA and Safdarjung are advised to take the Ashram Flyover instead of Barapulla Flyover. Only light vehicles coming from Gurugram, Chirag Delhi, Kalkaji, Khanpur, Greater Kailash, Saket, AIIMS, INA, Sadarjung and Dhaula Kuan sides and going towards Sarai Kale Khan, Gaziabad, DND, Noida and Trans-Yamuna areas area advised to take the Ashram Flyover instead of Barapulla Flyover, it said. Also Read Ashram flyover closed for traffic: Delhi Police issues traffic advisory Heavy traffic near Ashram, commuters asked to take alternative route CM Arvind Kejriwal to inaugurate Ashram flyover extension on Monday Delhi traffic police issues advisory in view of R-Day parade rehearsals Delhi: Ring Road traffic to be hit for 11 mths due to flyover construction Uttarakhand CM celebrates Holi with people at his residence in Khatima Iconic chocolate Toblerone to change packing design under new Swiss laws Indian Navy successfully test-fires BrahMos; hits target with precision Car rally with unique themes organized ahead of International Women's Day Airfares on Holi high: Travel firms witness a rise in advance bookings "Heavy vehicles such as buses, trucks, etc. still not allowed on both carriageway of Ashram Flyover till further information. Commuters coming from Sarai Kale Khan are advised not to use the Ashram Flyover," it added. Commuting between Delhi and Noida will become hassle-free after the Ashram flyover extension is opened to public. The construction work of the flyover extension started in June 2020. The total cost of the project is Rs 128.25 crore while the total length of the flyover including the ramp is 1,425 metres. The United States has said that "each country is going to make its own decision" when asked about India's ties with Russia and purchase of oil from Russia. US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said in an exclusive interview with ANI that, "Our understanding is that of course each country is going to make their own decisions. But the one thing that we've been clear about on Russia and specifically Russian energy sales is...why we've been such a big advocate for the oil price cap. Because what the price cap does is that it keeps oil and energy flowing onto the market and making sure that supply meets demands. But it also ensures that Russia doesn't get a windfall of profits to fund its war machine. We've never intended for anybody to try and keep energy off of the market." Asked about India's stance on recent international events including the Ukraine conflict, Vedant Patel said that New Delhi has taken on an incredible role and they have an "ambitious agenda" for their G20 Presidency. He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have been clear that "this is not the time of war" and a resolution needs to be made based on the United Nations charter. "I think India has taken on an incredibly important role. You have to remember that one of the key things about this year 2023 is that India has the G20 Presidency and they have a very ambitious agenda for their G20 Presidency, one that the United States is ready to partner with them on. And as it relates to Ukraine, you have seen Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar be very clear about how this is not the time for war and that a resolution needs to come one that is consistent with the UN charter. These are all values that we share also," Patel said. During his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Samarkand last year, PM Narendra Modi said, "today's era is not of war." Since the beginning of the war between Russia and Ukraine in February last year, India has insisted on resolving the dispute through dialogue and diplomacy. Vedant Patel also spoke about the agenda of the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting held on March 2 in New Delhi. He said, "You saw in the opening and second session talking about very important issues that are affecting every corner of the planet, whether it be food security, energy security, economic ties and things of that nature." Also Read Do India-Bangladesh ties still lack depth? US responsible for Ukraine crisis, seeks to reap economic benefits: Lavrov FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023: Obstacles India will face on its home turf One year since Tatas took over Air India, here's how the journey has been Russian-made missile fell in eastern part of our country, killing 2: Poland China and India promise to improve bilateral relations, says report Top headlines: Subway's sale draws Goldman, US-India navies hold 6th meet India to manufacture $300 bn electronic goods by 2026: Rajeev Chandrasekhar India offers remarkable opportunities for entrepreneurs: CTS co-founder LIVE: People of northeast reiterated their trust in PM Modi, says Assam CM In an exclusive interview with ANI, Vedant Patel termed India-US ties as "one of the most consequential bilateral relationships." He called India a critical partner for the US in various sectors, including maintaining the rules-based order and shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. "I think that our bilateral relationship, the United States' bilateral relationship with India is one of the most consequential bilateral relationships that we have. And India is a critical partner in a number of areas, certainly to maintaining the rules-based international order, our vision, our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. You have to remember that we are two of the world's largest democracies, and so we have a lot of shared values and shared priorities," he said. Born in Ahmedabad, Vedant Patel moved to the US when he was very young. He created history last September by becoming the first Indian-American to hold the daily State Department press conference. Speaking to ANI, he said that he still has a lot of extended family in the city. "One of my favourite things about Ahmedabad which I know that a lot of people share and is really special trait about Gujarat as a whole, is just the really amazing and delicious special street food that exists. And I know that is something that a lot of people, not just the Prime Minister, think is really great about," he said. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday urged students to utilise their abilities to overcome the challenges in life with determination and self-belief to achieve success. He was addressing students of a Sainik School at Sujanpur Tihra here. Schools are the temples of learning and the treasure house of knowledge, which teaches us to face the day-to-day challenges and instill a sense of responsibility and discipline in us, Sukhu said. He emphasised on the need to develop skills and shape the students' careers as per the requirements of the fast-changing world. The chief minister praised the school authorities for admitting girls in the institute. On the occasion, school principal Manoj Kumar Mahawar presented several demands of the institute before the chief minister, who assured him of considering them and taking them up with the Defence Ministry. Samay Singh, a mustard seed grower in Gudawali village, is busy harvesting but is worried that he may not get a better price for his produce this year as the wholesale rate in mandi here has already crashed below the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 5,450 per quintal. Last year, Singh had harvested three quintals of mustard seed in his half acre land and sold at an average rate of Rs 7,000 per quintal. This year, yield is higher as there was no pest infestation and he expects production of at least four quintals but fears he may not get even MSP this time. Harikishan Sharma, a farmer from Dheeg block, is shocked at the mustard prices which began falling from October 2022 onwards, much before the harvesting and somewhere feels the cheaper palmolien imports is the culprit. In the last three months, mustard prices have fallen from Rs 8,000 per quintal to Rs 5,200 per quintal in Bharatpur mandis, the hub for mustard production and processors, according to these farmers. Farmers in this district have only two options now to sell their produce. One is in mandis and the other one to millers or processors. There was a third option i.e. commodity derivatives market, but extension of ban on mustard derivatives till December this year has left them with no choice. However, the first two options are not free from difficulties as at every step of the transaction farmers are exploited and cheated and at the end get less price for the produce, says Devraj Fouzadar, CEO of Dheeg Wheat and Mustard Producers Company. Also Read India's palm oil imports to jump 9% on rising demand, lower prices IIT Mandi, NSDC tie up to offer two certification courses in emerging tech Himachal polls: Counting of votes to begin at 8 am; BJP eyes new record India's palm oil imports jumed 29% to 1.14 million tonnes in Nov: Report NIT Hamirpur signs MoU with IIT Mandi for research, academic workshops Startup founders find it difficult to raise funds, investors step back Swearing-in-ceremony of Meghalaya's NPP-led govt likely on Tuesday IMA advises against antibiotic use amid rising H3N2 flu cases in India Infra development is the driving force of country's economy: PM Modi Kapil Sibal announces new platform 'Insaaf' to fight 'injustice' in India Narrating his recent experience, Fouzadar said farmers take the produce with great difficulty to the mandis. In April 2021 at the peak of the harvesting season, an aggregated stock of mustard was taken to a mandi and given to the lab for testing the oil content based on which the price is determined. Oil content in mustard seed is around 42 per cent in this area, but the lab report showed as low as 37-38 per cent and accordingly the price we got was less, he told PTI. Even millers and processors were no less as they manipulated the weighing scale and made less payment to the farmers. About 3 per cent difference in 100 kg of mustard is a loss to the farmers, he added. "Fed up with the mandi and processors experience, we were looking at different avenues to sell our produce," Fouzadar said and added he learnt about the commodity derivatives market in one of the workshops during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 when carrying the produce to physical mandis had become difficult. "We tried our hands in 'put option' hedging about 1,000 quintal mustard at a specified rate of Rs 5,050 per quintal on NCDEX. In April 2021, we saw the actual rates in the market were ruling at Rs 6,500 per quintal. So, we did not exercise the put option and decided to hedge in futures but by then the ban was imposed," he said. Just before the ban on mustard derivatives in December 2021, mustard prices had touched as high as Rs 8,300 per quintal, but the price fell immediately after the ban. Fouzadar said he had to sell the produce at Rs 7,600 per quintal in the mandi before prices fell further. Ramchandra Choudhary, a farmer and retired officer in a cooperative bank, said a little exposure that farmers had with mustard derivatives through the Dheeg Wheat and Mustard Producers Company helped them get the daily mandi rates on their mobile phones and were aware of the daily price trend. Farmers have now got this awareness that they should not sell the produce at one go and should wait for price to improve. They are also convinced of hassle-free trading on the derivatives market where assaying and testing of the grain is done scientifically. Even the price farmers get is at least Rs 250-300 per quintal higher than the mandi rate. Roop Singh, CEO of Uthan Mustard Producers Company in Astawan village, said he waited till end of December 2022 to take advantage of the derivatives market. "Hoping the ban will be lifted after December 2022, we purchased from farmers about 412 quintals of mustard at Rs 7,000 per quintal. But the ban was extended for another one year and we were forced to sell in the range of Rs 6,041-6650 per quintal. Our FPO faced a cumulative loss of Rs 3 lakh," he said. Now in the absence of derivatives trade in mustard, Singh is left with no option but to sell at mandi or to millers/processors this time. Farmers in Bharatpur are heavily dependent on mustard crop for their livelihood as this is the only cash crop grown during the rabi season. Farmers cannot take any major crops in the kharif season due to poor soil quality, lack of rains and hard ground water. The same situation prevails in other districts like Alwar, Dholpur, Dausa and Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan. Expressing concern over fall in mustard prices, edible oil industry body SEA has demanded the government to commence procurement and restrict imports of refined palm oil as part of steps to arrest the price drop. The country's total mustard production is estimated to be record at 12.81 million tonnes in the 2022-23 crop year (July-June) as per the second estimate of the agriculture ministry. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh contribute 75 per cent of the country's total mustard production. Giant plumes of toxic smoke continued to rise from the Brahmapuram waste plant here on Sunday evening as hundreds of firefighters, including Naval personnel, battled to bring the blaze that has gone on for four days under control. A senior police officer said that the fire appeared to be extinguished, but huge amounts of smoke was still rising from the site and therefore, it may not have been quelled completely. Aerial visuals of the site aired on various channels showed huge and thick plumes of smoke billowing from the site which appeared to be completely ravaged by the fire. Meanwhile, the district administration declared Monday as a holiday for Anganwadis, kindergartens, day care centres and children of classes 1 to 7 of government, aided, unaided, CBSE and ICSE schools located in Kochi city and neighbouring gram panchayats and municipalities. Earlier in the day, Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeeve said that the fire was under control and would hopefully be extinguished by evening. He and State Health Minister Veena George said that the smoke due to the blaze was not a matter of concern. Also Read Brahmapuram fire under control, no need for concern, says Kerala govt Cabinet approves Kochi Metro Rail project's 2nd phase, to cost Rs 1,957 cr World Bank grants $8.86 mn to improve Lebanon's solid waste management How did India waste over 100 million Covid vaccines? European inflation eases slightly, consumer pain from higher costs persists If everybody saying same thing then it can't be lie: Vinesh Phogat on WFI Tamil Nadu health dept to hold 1,000 fever camps on Mar 10 as cases rise Odisha CM inaugurates economic corridor on Biju Patnaik's birth anniversary 20 million youths to get employment in 3-4 years, says UP CM Adityanath Embrace challenges in life: Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to students Their announcements came while speaking to reporters after a high-level meeting at the Ernakulam District Collectorate here. They said that people need not stay indoors as recommended on Saturday and can move out by taking precautions, like wearing N95 masks. However, those with breathing problems, like asthma, the elderly, children and pregnant women should try and avoid getting exposed to the smoke and should wear masks if going out, the Ministers said. George also said hospital records of the city do not indicate any medical cases due to the smoke. Nevertheless, arrangements, like dedicated beds for those affected by the smoke generated due to the fire, have been made in all government hospitals and medical colleges in the city. Besides, two oxygen parlours and a round the clock medical team of doctors have been put in place in Brahmapuram. Regarding the decisions taken in the meeting, Rajeeve said that all stakeholders were of the view that there needs to be a coordinated effort to deal with such situations. In lieu of that, it was decided to put in place a system comprising a coordination committee of representatives from the Kochi Corporation, fire services, police, health services, electricity board and fire safety officials of Bharat Petroleum and CIAL. Also, it was decided in the meeting that a panel comprising officials of the corporation and the panchayat, where the waste plant is set up, and including the District Collector and the local MLA will meet every three months to discuss problems in that area. After the prevailing issue is resolved, the corporation will also take urgent steps to ensure proper road connectivity to the area -- another decision taken in the meeting according to Rajeeve. The Minister further said as a result of the more than 3-day long fire, waste collection in Kochi has come to a standstill and therefore, in the meeting it was resolved that the corporation and the District Collector would take steps to put in place a temporary arrangement for removing garbage from the city. The issue of bio-mining, which has not been taking place at the waste plant for some time, will be tackled by Local Self Government Minister M B Rajesh. Earlier in the day, a fire officer engaged in the fire-fighting at the waste plant said it was taking time to quell the flames as there were layers of plastic underneath which got heated up and prevented the fire at the top from cooling down. Lack of rains and wind also played spoilsport against the fire-fighting efforts and there was a second instance of a fire breaking out during the operations. He said the fire tenders have been mobilised from divisions of other districts like Kottayam and Alappuzha. In addition to all these, the phosgene gas generated by the fire is leading to nausea, dizziness among the firefighters which also affected operations. According to police, 25 fire-fighting units, which included tenders from Thrissur, Kottayam and Idukki districts as well as those of the Indian Navy and Bharat Petroleum, battled the blaze since morning. Air quality in parts of this port city was found to be poor this morning due to the fire. According to the data on the Kerala Pollution Control Board website, the PM 2.5 and PM 10 particulates' level in the air in Kochi were way above the prescribed standards. The level of PM 2.5, tiny particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter that can enter deep into the lungs and even the bloodstream, was found to be 279.58 ug/m3, at around 8.30 AM today, as against the normal standard of 60. PM 10, particles with diameter less than 10 micrometres, level were recorded at 324.65 as against a normal of 100. The fire broke out in the waste dumped at the plant on Thursday. Officials had maintained that such incidents happen every year around this time due to the extreme heat. The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to close the institutions with a low enrolment of students. The state education department has identified and decided to shut down 286 primary and high schools with zero enrolment of students in different parts of the state. The staff of these schools would be shifted to the other schools, said Himachal Pradesh Education Minister Rohit Thakur on Sunday. "There has been a bad condition of the Education System in the state during five years of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governance. The fact-finding reports of ASAR (Annual Status of Education Report) and also the Performance Grading Index conditions are not good. There are over 3,000 schools where we have only a single teacher in primary school and over 12,000 posts of teaching and non-teaching staff are lying vacant," Thakur said. The Minister said there are 286 schools functioning where there are zero enrolments in schools including 228 primary schools and 56 middle schools. He said the state government has decided to close these schools and the staff would be shifted to schools with a shortage. There are vacancies of over 12,000 teaching and non-teaching staff in the schools in the state, Thakur said. "Out of the 920 institutions opened by the BJP government "just to seek votes" were reviewed by the state government and out of these institutions there are nearly 320 schools at different levels and keeping the liberal approach the congress government has set an enrolment even below the set parameters and will not be denotified if these schools fulfill the criterion. He said the schools with zero enrolment will be shut from the new academic session. "For these 320 institutions we have fixed a number the Primary schools with a strength of over 10 students will not be closed, middle schools with a strength of 15 students will be functional, The High Schools with a number of 20 schools will not be denotified and a maximum number of students to remain functional for Senior Secondary School has been fixed at 25. We have kept a liberal idea on it and have fixed the number for these 320 schools even below the basic parameters," Thakur told ANI. Also Read Himachal polls: Counting of votes to begin at 8 am; BJP eyes new record Himachal Pradesh elections: Congress to release first list of 57 candidates J P Nadda begins whirlwind tour of Himachal for pro-incumbency votes Plea seeks waiver of enrolment fees for transgenders as lawyers, SC refuses Enrolment of ST students in higher education up by 47% since 2014-15: AISHE Shah Rukh Khan's 'Pathaan' becomes all-time No. 1 Hindi film in India Judiciary must be allowed to interpret Constitution, says SC judge Kohli Companies investing in UP should work on skilling youth: Adityanath Hope WPL inspires young girls to follow dreams, take up sports: Nita Ambani NIMAS cycling expedition connects people across 6 ASEAN countries He said that certain parameters are set by the education department to shut down the institutions. "As far as the parameters for the functioning of the schools in the state are concerned we have a parameter on the basis of the survey done by the education department in the state. For Primary schools it is mandatory for 25 students enrolment mandatory, for High school it is 40 and for Senior Secondary it is 60. We will also keep in mind that on a need basis, the schools will be opened but there will not be any political parameter for it. The need of the hour is to provide a quality of education and job-based education in the state," the Minister added. As far as technical education is concerned, Thakur said the previous government had opened 18 institutions, the present government has kept 13 functional but five including pharmacy colleges have been closed as they were neither needed nor functional. Thakur said that the staff of the closed institutes would be shifted to other schools with a shortage of staff. "We will have to do the rationalization. There was a school at Nankhari in Shimla district where the student enrolment was two and the teachers were five. So we shall rationalise and as far as the students below 10 in a school is concerned we shall arrange transport for those students to nearby schools and the department is working on calculating the number of all such institutions to be closed in future," said Thakur Asked about BJP stating that they will soon form the government in Himachal Pradesh he said BJP was daydreaming to topple the Congress government in the state and there is no harm in dreaming. He said the previous BJP government was dreaming to be in power for 25 to 50 years and the people of the state had given a reply to them in the Assembly elections. "During the five years of the BJP government in Himachal Pradesh the governance has completely shattered and there was a complete failure in the state in each department including education. The financial condition of the state is in bad shape and there is a debt of Rs 75,000 crore direct debt and Rs 11,000 crore are other debt which includes the arrears and DA pending of employees and pensioners in the state. The BJP had been talking about coming back to power and continuing in the government in the state for 25 to 50 years but the people of the state have shown them the face," Thakur said. Alex Murdaugh, convicted of double murder, used the death of his housekeeper to commit another financial scam. The family allows the victim's body to be exhumed to correct the results of the first autopsy. Murdaugh Housekeeper's Mysterious Death The deaths of Murdaugh's wife and son might be more, said the source, as several deaths occurred with a connection to his alleged fraud, as mentioned by South Carolina investigators in the death of Gloria Satterfield, his housekeeper, Express UK reported. The body will be exhumed to examine it and determine if the convicted man is guilty of any wrongdoing. Based on details that in 2018 that Satterfield slipped on the family dog when going into the residence, noted the Daily Mail. Her injuries resulted in her passing away in the hospital. The deceased Satterfield has worked for the family for the last twenty years. Sources speculated shady details like alleged involvement with drugs and even fraud. It came to light that her now-convicted boss gave them legal advice on what to do. During the woman's funeral, he approached them, saying to sue via attorney Corey Fleming to get an insurance payout. The advice was taken, but how much they were supposed to get was unknown. Sons of the house help engaged in a court case after the untimely death, filed in September 2021 by Michael Antony Satterfield and Brian Harriot, to get compensation for the alleged accident at the Murdaugh home. Read Also: Louisiana Boy Brogan Duhon Starved to Death by Abusive Parents Alex Murdaugh Used Legal Influence Recovery of more than $ 7.5 million meant for the Satterfields coming from several banks and law offices which are part of the disgraced lawyer's alleged insurance scams, cited New York Post. This was mentioned by South Carolina attorney Eric Bland who represented the two sons and said Gloria dying led to justice for all the victims. The attorney was able to trace and retrieve an additional $ 4.3 million that Murdaugh took from other victims. Reveal was that many were defrauded by financial crimes perpetrated by the convicted lawyer. When Satterfield died, there was no attempt to do an autopsy on the housekeeper, as shown in court documents. Hampton County Coroner Angela Topper, in a letter to South Carolina authorities, said that the death had nothing irregular and it was natural. Contradicting the woman had suffered injuries caused by tripping then falling, no tying up. The new angle shows that the death was covered up with Murdaugh's influence. An upcoming Netflix serial will examine a scandal connected to the lawyer that never caught attention. One conclusion is that the law clan kept the housekeeper's death under wraps. The accused family is entrenched in a powerful legal firm in South Carolina. Bland said the family allows the exhumation, but privacy is maintained during the process. Two more deaths are linked to a 2019 boat crash involving the son of the convicted lawyer. His son was drunk when it happened as well. Alex Murdaugh got funds via the accident of his housekeeper in a financial scam revealed by Satterfield's counsel. Related Article: Lindsay Clancy's Friend Claims Drugs Influenced Her To Kill Own Children @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. India, which has evolved from a USD 300 billion economy to a USD 3.5 trillion economy in three decades, offers remarkable opportunities for entrepreneurs and companies over the next few decades, especially in two areas -- India for India and India for the world -- a top Indian American entrepreneur has said. "The opportunity (in India) is remarkable and that is an incredible testament to the incredible work that the (Indian) government, the public sector, the private sector and the not-for-profit sector in India have done altogether. There is an incredible upside in India," said Indian American Frank D'Souza, co-founder and former CEO of Cognizant Technology Solutions. In a fireside chat with Suresh Kumar, professor and director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programmes at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, at a TiE New Jersey event wherein he was presented with the inaugural Excelsior Award for Lifetime Achievement and Contribution to Entrepreneurship, D'Souza said there are two big opportunities for entrepreneurs and companies in India. "One is India for India, I think doing all sorts of things in India for consumption in India is a large opportunity. And then of course, I think given everything that is going on in the world, the India for the rest of the world opportunity, which is, the world that I played at Cognizant, but not just IT, I think India is going to have the opportunity to export all sorts of things over the next two decades," he said. "So both India for India and India for the rest of the world are remarkable in the next few years," D'Souza told an eminent group of Indian-origin entrepreneurs at the TiE New Jersey gala this past week. The next decade, he said, is going to be the one when finally, India produces real IP software-based companies for the world. "I think that is going to happen now. For years we have been talking about it. And for years it has been happening in small pockets and we have started to see more and more," he said, referring to the fact that India is now producing one unicorn every nine days. Also Read Bengaluru may see highest growth in office rent at 5-7% next year: Report Sentiment in realty sector drops in Dec qtr but remains positive: Report 67% housing demand in Mumbai from affordable segment: Knight Frank-Naredco Want more Indian-origin candidates in fray: Unity Fiji on Independence day Retail sales in shopping malls to grow 29% annually to reach $39 bn by FY28 LIVE: People of northeast reiterated their trust in PM Modi, says Assam CM People of northeast reiterated their trust in PM Modi, says Assam CM Sarma Yogi Adityanath govt to exempt EV buyers from tax, registration fees Conrad Sangma stakes claim to form Meghalaya govt, oath ceremony on March 7 NCPCR writes to Delhi CP against AAP's Atishi for misusing children "I think that is where it is going to come from. You might see the next, the next Oracle, the next Google, the next Microsoft coming from India. That is what excites me. Services will continue to be incredibly vibrant. I am investing in services. But what is the next frontier for India? In technology, India is going to make the next big global scale software company. That should be our goal," he said. In response to a question, D'Souza said Indian American IT professionals are the best and the brightest. "The first generation that comes from India...are sort of the best and the brightest," he said. Many of them quickly rise to the ranks of leadership roles in companies mainly due to the experience they gain during their stint on H-1B visas, Kumar said. India and Sri Lanka are exploring the possibility of using the Indian Rupee for economic transactions and have discussed the initiative that will help in building a stronger and closer partnership through trade and investment-led measures between the two countries. The High Commission of India here organised a discussion on the use of the Indian Rupee (INR) for transactions between India and Sri Lanka on Thursday. "Representatives from the Bank of Ceylon, State Bank of India and the Indian Bank shared their experiences and informed the audience that they had started carrying out INR-denominated trade transactions through respective Vostro/Nostro accounts after the creation of enabling framework by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) in 2022," the High Commission said in a statement. The participating banks also outlined the benefits of settlements denominated in INR which includes shorter timelines, lower exchange costs and easier availability of trade credits. The beneficial impact of this initiative on the tourism and hospitality industry was also highlighted including its role in helping increase collections which could be utilised by other sectors. High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay highlighted the positive impact that the initiative will have in the joint efforts for building a stronger and closer economic partnership between the two countries through trade and investment-led measures. Also Read India vs Sri Lanka, Super 4 Asia Cup 2022: Live streaming, where to watch? What are the implications of Rupee staying beyond 80? India vs Sri Lanka head-to-head in T20Is: Leading batters and bowlers Rupee loses 10% vs USD over a year, FX reserves fall to near 2-yr low What does e-rupee mean for you? Nano DAP important step towards making life easier for farmers: PM Modi PM Modi to address webinar on 'Health and Medical Research' on Monday Labourers attack: Police book TN BJP chief Annamalai for inciting violence Indian Judiciary can never be forced to play roles of Oppn party: Rijiju Karnataka govt calls meeting with experts to discuss Influenza A subtype Sri Lanka's finance minister Shehan Semasinghe appreciated the close economic relationship between the two countries and the financial and humanitarian support extended by India over the past year, including the strong financing assurances provided by New Delhi, in the context of the IMF support programme for Sri Lanka. India extended assistance worth over USD 3.8 billion to Sri Lanka last year to help it deal with the economic crisis. Governor of the CBSL, Dr. P Nandalal Weerasinghe, highlighted the strong desire among Indian and Sri Lankan business communities for enabling trade settlements in INR. He called for expanding this facility, over a period of time, to utilise it for the full range of capital and current account transactions. He also appreciated the wide-ranging participation from stakeholders in Sri Lanka and India which included more than 300 attendees in the physical format, apart from those that joined online, according to a report in The Island newspaper. A team from RBI joined the discussion in the online format and indicated the possibility of settlement of current account transactions in goods, as well as services, in INR, apart from the option of undertaking permitted capital account transactions. The RBI team referred to the close cooperation with CBSL and RBI's commitment to further facilitate this process, it said. Sri Lanka was hit by an unprecedented financial crisis in 2022, the worst since its independence from Britain in 1948, due to a severe paucity of foreign exchange reserves, sparking political turmoil in the country which led to the ouster of the all-powerful Rajapaksa family. The IMF in September last year approved Sri Lanka a USD 2.9 billion bailout package over 4 years pending Sri Lanka's ability to restructure its debt with creditors - both bilateral and sovereign bondholders. With assurances from creditors, the USD 2.9 billion facilities could get the IMF board approval in March. Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the "gang" getting support from the "anti-India foreign entities" in a bid to launch "frontal attack against India", alleging that they will assault the credibility of Indian democracy and Judiciary. The Minister stressed that the Indian Judiciary is independent and cannot be forced to play the role of the Opposition parties. "When we want to make India a safe and secure nation, we need stringent laws. Without that, freedom does not exist. As long as we have a secure boundary, as long as we have a strong state, all things which are constitutional will prevail. Otherwise, there will be complete lawlessness. In the name of freedom, if everybody runs freely, where will law and order be? No political party can question the wisdom of the Indian Judiciary. No campaign whatsoever with all alternate motives can succeed in defaming India and its democratic setup. We Indians are inherently democratic. That is why we proudly claim that we are the mother of democracy in the world," Rijiju said while addressing at Central Govt Law Officers Conference at Bhubaneswar on Saturday. "Judiciary decision has to be respected. This is the mandate. Some people want to play some kind of role and want to force the judiciary to play the role of Opposition parties. Indian Judiciary will never accept this situation. Indian Judiciary itself resists this attempt to make the Judiciary play the role of Opposition parties. The judiciary is independent. The independence of the Judiciary cannot be questioned by anybody," he added. Taking to Twitter on Sunday, the Minister said that democracy runs in the veins of Indians and cannot be questioned. "Indian Judiciary is independent. And Indian Judiciary can never be forced to play the roles of opposition Party. Nobody can even question Indian democracy because democracy runs in our blood. These gang get active support from Anti-India foreign entities to launch frontal attack against India. Systematically they will assault the credibility of the Indian democracy, Indian Govt, Judiciary & all Critical Organs like Defence, Election Commision, Investigating Agencies," he tweeted. Also Read Law minister Rijiju reviews performance of matters on railway litigations No provision for reservation in judiciary, says Kiren Rijiju in Parliament Prioritise regional languages in court activities, says Law Minister Rijiju Vacancies in judiciary to linger till a new system is created, says Rijiju Modi govt giving full support to judiciary to resolve pending cases: Rijiju Karnataka govt calls meeting with experts to discuss Influenza A subtype Big fish cannot ignore political stature of Manjhi, Chirag Paswan Odisha CM unveils Biju Patnaik's iconic Dakota aircraft for public display Judiciary dealt with attempts at interference appropriately: Ex-CJI Lalit Rajnath to address Naval Commanders conference onboard INS Vikrant Monday Rijiju said that India has set its journey towards rejuvenation under PM Modi. "The Members of Tukde-Tukde Gang should better understand that India has embarked upon journey of great rejuvenation under the leadership of PM Modi. We the people of INDIA will give them a befitting reply," the Minister tweeted. The Minister's remarks came days after Rahul Gandhi during his lecture at the Cambridge University alleged that constraints were being put on the Parliament, press and the Judiciary in the country. "Everybody knows and it's been in the news a lot that Indian democracy is under pressure and under attack. I am an Opposition leader in India, we are navigating that (Opposition) space. The institutional framework which is required for a democracy -- Parliament, free press, the judiciary, just the idea of mobilisation, moving around -- all are getting constrained. So, we are facing an attack on the basic structure of Indian democracy," the Congress MP had alleged. Karnataka Lokayukta has formed seven teams headed by Deputy Superintendents to arrest BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa, who is the prime accused in the bribery case. Sources said that the teams have already begun tracking and search operations across the state. The sources also said that the teams have launched a hunt in various locations of Bengaluru and Davangere cities. At the same time, they have also prepared to issue him a notice of inquiry to appear before the Lokayukta police. The notice will be sent to accused BJP MLA's residences in Bengaluru, Davanagere, legislatures' house and office of Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL). MLA Virupakshappa was the Chairman of KSDL and he resigned from the post following the trap incident. The Lokayukta sleuths are also probing the source of more than Rs 6 crore cash found at the residence of Prashanth Madal and Rs 2 crore at the private office. Prashanth Madal, the son of MLA Virupakshappa, was caught red-handed while accepting Rs 40 lakh cash allegedly towards allotment of a tender for procuring raw materials for KSDL on behalf of his father. Prashanth Madal has been arrested and presently is in judicial custody. The authorities have seized Rs 8 crore from residences and offices later. The development is seen as a serious setback to the ruling BJP government. Also Read Deepak Kesarkar introduces Maharashtra Lokayukta Bill 2022 in Assembly Lokayukta raid on K'taka BJP MLA's son: Rs 7.62 cr found at houses Lokayukta police registers case against Yediyurappa, family members Bribe case: No question of interference with Lokayukta, says Yediyurappa Maha Assembly passes Lokayukta Bill, brings CM under anti-corruption lens American Airline flyer urinates on fellow passenger in drunken state: Rpt Domestic gas cylinder prices up by 56% in 4 years; hefty drop in subsidy Declare cow a protected national animal, says Allahabad HC to Centre Each country to make own decision: US official on India buying Russian oil China and India promise to improve bilateral relations, says report --IANS mka/dpb Former US President Donald Trump handily won the Conservative Political Action Conference's (CPAC) carefully monitored straw poll on Saturday. It is considered a symbolic success among the Republican base, as he aims to return to the White House in 2024. Donald Trump received 62% of the vote to the 20% of his closest competitor, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R). Perry Johnson, a businessman who declared his campaign for president this week, took home 5 percent, according to The Hill. Arizona Republican governor contender Kari Lake polled highest among potential vice presidential candidates, with 20% of the vote. In CPAC's 2024 vice presidential poll, DeSantis garnered 14% support. The survey had almost 2,000 responses from participants, according to the event's organizers. Donald Trump won last year's CPAC straw polls in Orlando, Florida, and Dallas, Texas. The former president, who announced his 2024 run last November and remains the GOP's most popular and powerful leader two years after leaving the White House, won 69% of Dallas' anonymous online straw poll last August and 59% in Orlando past February, per a Fox News report. Trump Blasts Rivals In his keynote presentation at CPAC Saturday night, Donald Trump criticized President Joe Biden, the Department of Justice, and his many court battles. Trump, who is now formally running for president and is anticipated to face a wide field of rivals, also made subtle jabs at his possible rivals. He noted that any Republican candidate other than him symbolizes a system that should be left for good. He said, as an added advantage, "Now I am experienced, and I know the people of Washington." Donald Trump also noted that they will "appropriately deal" with RINOs or "Republicans In Name Only," saying that the group of Paul Ryan, Karl Rove, and Jeb Bush "is history." Ryan, the 2012 Republican vice presidential nominee, has declared he would back "anybody but Trump" in the 2024 election, and Rove just attended a donor conference in Austin, Texas, where numerous possible 2024 election contenders were present.. Read Also: Hungary Accusses Sweden of Spreading Fake News Without identifying them, Donald Trump said that certain Republicans, like his former vice president Mike Pence, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and former U.S. envoy to the UN Nikki Haley, have backed changes to social security and Medicare. Trump remarked that there will be no turning back to those who want to undermine the US "great social security system." The Republican Presidential Candidate Once Again Makes False Claim On foreign policy, another subject that has split Donald Trump from other prospective opponents, he regularly spoke about limiting US engagement in conflicts. The Republican leader said that he "will prevent, very easily, World War III," per CBS News. Donald Trump also called both Black women, James and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, "racist." He also joked that he didn't learn the meaning of the phrase "subpoena" until he became president and said that as his popularity grew, so did the craziness of the prosecutors seeking his conviction. "They're not coming after me, they're coming after you, and that's why I'm standing here today," Trump said, adding that he wants to complete "the mission" he began. Donald Trump once again falsely claimed that he "won the second election," reiterating his conspiracy theories about the stolen 2020 election. Republicans have openly blamed the language for the party's poor showing in the 2022 midterms. Related Article: Joe Biden Health Update @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday inaugurated the Biju Expressway and the Biju Economic Corridor during his visit to the western districts of the state, besides attending a slew of programmes in the region. Patnaik also held road shows in Kalahandi and Bargarh districts, the two BJP strongholds. The CM's show in the saffron corridor sparked strong reactions from BJP leaders who termed the the visit to as a "political gimmick" ahead of the 2024 elections to Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly. The saffron party leaders claimed that the the state government, despite building the expressway "with allocations made under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund", did not invite any central leaders for the event. Marking 107th birth anniversary of his father and legendary leader Biju Patnaik, the CM, during his visit to Nuapada district, inaugurated the 174.5-km-long four-lane Biju Expressway -- connecting Ghatipada with Ampani built at a cost of Rs 590.84-crore. At Bargarh, he unveiled the Biju Economic Corridor, spanning from Sohela to Ampani, and asserted that the incentives and subsidies provided by his government will attract investments to the region in the days to come. Also Read Odisha CM unveils Biju Patnaik's iconic Dakota aircraft for public display Naveen Patnaik urges Sitharaman to withdraw 18% GST on Kendu leaf Adani Enterprises secures funds to build Ganga Expressway at Rs 23,000 cr Patnaik announces Rs 146 cr winter aid for needy as Odisha shivers in cold Odisha receives 145 proposals worth Rs 7.26 trn so far in biz conclave 20 million youths to get employment in 3-4 years, says UP CM Adityanath Embrace challenges in life: Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to students E-auction of gifts received by Haryana CM Khattar gets nearly Rs 1.15 cr CM Arvind Kejriwal to inaugurate Ashram flyover extension on Monday Uttarakhand GST dept busts syndicate that covered-up illegal timber sale Patnaik, on the occasion, also inaugurated and laid the foundation of various projects to the tune of Rs 3,081 crore in the three western Odisha districts of Kalahandi, Nuapada and Bargarh. Addressing people, he said that the Biju Expressway is not just a road but the "lifeline of this region". "The Biju Expressway will open up opportunities for many people, including farmers and students, provide a much-needed boost to businesses, offer improved health services and facilitate east of transportation," the CM pointed out. He said necessary work, including land acquisition, has been initiated to facilitate industrial development at the Biju Economic Corridor, which, in turn, will benefit the people of eight districts -- Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri. Besides an increase in economic exchanges between west and south Odisha, the corridor will also boost tourism in the region, Patnaik underlined. Noting that his father Biju Patnaik, as the then chief minister, had created Nuapada district, the CM said, "Biju Babu had played a leading role in the development of infrastructure in Odisha. My government is also working to build a strong Odisha on lines of Biju Babu's work." State ministers, local MLAs and three-tire panchayat functionaries were among those present at the programmes held in western Odisha during the day. Meanwhile, Kalahandi BJP MP Basant Panda termed Patnaik's visit to three western Odisha districts as nothing short of a "show-off". "The CM's tour to this region is an attempt to clean his image after the brutal murder of ex-health minister Naba Das. The Biju Expressway was constructed with the help of money allocated under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund. However, not even a single minister from the Centre was invited to the inauguration. People of Kalahandi and western Odisha will rightfully show him his proper place," Panda claimed. Similarly, Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra, who hails from Bolangir district in western Odisha, criticised the chief minister "for not fulfilling some of the promises" he made to people. "What happened to the CM's promise of providing irrigation facilities to 30 per cent of agricultural land? Where is the second agriculture university in western region, as he had assured?" Mishra maintained. Former MLA and BJP leader Pradip Purohit also slammed Patnaik "for not giving additional Rs 100 subsidy on every quintal of paddy being procured in government marketplaces". The CM had made the announcement in 2016, but the farmers are yet to get the additional subsidy as promised by the chief minister," he added. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said the state government will make every possible effort to get back the deposits of victims of Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society scam. Gehlot said this after meeting a delegation of the victims of the fraud here, an official release said. The victims, who came from different districts of the state, apprised the chief minister about the cheating of their crores of rupees as well as their deteriorating financial conditions. CM Gehlot has been repeatedly accusing Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who is the MP from Jodhpur, of being involved in the scam, a charge rejected by Shekhawat. The Union minister on Saturday also filed a complaint before a Delhi court accusing Chief Minister Gehlot of defaming him with remarks on the Sanjivani scam. According to the release, the victims of the scam reached the chief minister's residence and expressed their anguish. Also Read Gehlot alleges Union min's involvement in Sanjivani Credit Society scam CM Ashok Gehlot woos investors; says Rajasthan has friendly govt policies Rajasthan govt working to uplift every section of society, says CM Gehlot Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot to present state budget for FY24 on February 8 Ahead of Delhi visit, Rajasthan CM Gehlot summons meeting of Cong MLAs Delhi Police issues traffic advisory in view of Ashram Flyover reopening Uttarakhand CM celebrates Holi with people at his residence in Khatima Iconic chocolate Toblerone to change packing design under new Swiss laws Indian Navy successfully test-fires BrahMos; hits target with precision Car rally with unique themes organized ahead of International Women's Day Several victims took the names of Shekhawat and Society's managing director Vikram Singh during the meeting with the CM, the release said. One of the victims, Shakuntala Sharma, said the agents had told her that the money is safe. Sharma said that she had invested Rs 25 lakh in the society, it said. Another victim Usha said that she had invested in the society and also got other women invested in it. A sum of Rs 20 lakh was invested and now those women ask her daily to get the money back, the release said. A resident of Malpura in Jaipur, Vishnu said that along with himself, he got an investment of about Rs 5 crore from his relatives. Now due to non-receipt of funds, the relations have turned sour, the release said. The chief minister said this matter is serious and assured the victims of justifiable action after listening to them, it said. I am sorry to hear of your pain. If there is a need to change the law at the state government level, it will be done. Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society has embezzled the hard earned money of thousands of people, the CM said. He said that the state government will make every possible effort to get back the deposits of the victims. Gehlot has also appealed to the general public to make wise decisions while investing. Investing after consulting experts is the only way to avoid fraud, the CM added. In the Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society, thousands of investors allegedly lost Rs 900 crore. Rajasthan Police's Special Operations Group has been investigating the case since August 2019. With Indias military still undecided about whether to build a second indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-2), or to make do with its two current 45,000-tonne carriers INS Vikramaditya bought from Russia, and the first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-1), called INS Vikrant, which was built in Cochin experts from the Indian and US navies met in Delhi last week to discuss cooperating on aircraft carrier technology. Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Indian Oil Corporation have completed online sealing of the crude oil pipeline to prevent any further damage following the leakage that occurred last week on the Nagore Pattinacherry coast in Tamil Nadu, officials said on Sunday. Currently, the officials of the Indian Oil group company are engaged in the flushing of the pipeline in a controlled manner to make the pipeline "hydrocarbon free". "No abnormality was observed today," CPCL said in its update today. A mobile oil recovery unit and oil dispersants were used to avoid any impact to the environment due to the leakage, it said. Officials from CPCL and IOCL were working round the clock while the Nagapattinam district administration has been extending its full support to the operation. Meanwhile, fishermen from the village in Nagapattinam district reportedly continued their agitation today demanding the authorities to remove the underwater pipeline. Also Read What are the Nord Stream 1 & 2 pipelines? Leak detected in pipeline that brings Russian crude oil to Germany Oil plunges as China's Covid-19 spike dampens global demand outlook First phase of Mumbai coastal road likely to be completed by Nov: BMC First phase of smart traffic management system completed in Jammu Kerala police conducts 'search' of Asianet News office in Kozhikode Atmanirbhar push: Rs 7,000-cr PLI boost for toys, bicycle components soon Govt to set up more 'technology centres' for growth of MSMEs: Minister Old pension scheme bad for India: PFRDA ex-boss Supratim Bandhyopadhyay Bank of Ceylon, SBI, Indian Bank talk benefit of rupee trade in Colombo Fishermen claimed fish died due to the oil spill which posed health hazards for them. The leak in the pipeline of Cauvery Basin Refinery of CPCL occurred on Thursday night, apparently due to the damage to the old pipeline used to transport crude oil to the Karaikal port once in one-and-a-half months. The pipeline, laid about 20 years ago, remained idle for most part of the month. It is suspected that the residue in the pipeline could have caused the minor leak leading to the oil spill for about 50 metres. British military intelligence reported on Saturday that severe action was taking place in the eastern city of Bakhmut, where Ukrainian troops were defending it from Russian soldiers. The British Defense Ministry's daily intelligence briefing said that elite Ukrainian soldiers are reinforcing the region, while the regular Russian army and Wagner group fighters had advanced toward Bakhmut's northern suburbs, according to Reuters. In a Facebook post published late Saturday, the Ukrainian military's general staff said that Russian soldiers were attempting but failing to encircle Bakhmut and that defenders had successfully resisted repeated assaults inside and outside the city. It's been seven months since the fighting in Bakhmut began. Moscow's first big prize in a costly winter assault would be a success in the city, which had a population of approximately 70,000 before the Russia-Ukraine war started. On Saturday night, renowned Ukrainian military expert Oleh Zhdanov said he saw no imminent indications that Kyiv would order a withdrawal from the city. Zelensky Admits Bakhmut Situation Getting Worse Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of a "more and more difficult" scenario this week, but the country's armed forces said on Tuesday that they had successfully repulsed several assaults since last Friday. Oleksandr Marchenko, deputy mayor of Bakhmut, noted that they should not "give any inch of our land" to the invaders. "We should protect our land, we should protect our people, and we should protect the businesses that are on this land," he remarked. Bakhmut was almost ruined, with bridges damaged and communications severed, Marchenko said, accusing the Russians of wanting to "demolish Bakhmut" as they did with Mariupol and Popasna, the two Ukrainian cities in the east that are currently under Russian control in the Russia Ukraine war, per BBC. Read Also: Donald Trump Easily Wins CPAC Straw Poll US, Germany To Continue Sanctions on Russia US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have pledged to keep Russia's conflict in Ukraine expensive, while a European Union official suggested China's military sales to Moscow will result in penalties. On Friday, Biden and Scholz met in Washington, DC, as the US unveiled a $400 million military assistance package for Ukraine that included weaponry and tactical bridges for moving tanks and armored vehicles. The shipment of more ammo is meant to increase stockpiles in preparation for the Ukrainian spring assault in the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukraine, according to US authorities, is preparing for a fresh Russian onslaught in the coming weeks, prompting the meeting between the presidents of the United States and Germany. The last time we were here together, Russia was amassing its troops on Ukraines border. @Bundeskanzler and I made it clear that Putin would face grave consequences if he launched his assault. Together, we made good on that promise. pic.twitter.com/sFKT0DPpkw President Biden (@POTUS) March 3, 2023 According to Washington officials, the leaders discussed the current condition of the fight and how to react if China were to send military help to Russia. The two presidents, who were seated next to each other in the Oval Office on Friday, praised Scholz's decision to significantly boost Germany's defense expenditure and diversify Germany's energy supplies away from Russia. Joe Biden also claimed that the two leaders had collaborated closely with other allies to assist Ukraine, according to an Al Jazeera report. Joe Biden said the US and its NATO members were strengthening the alliance. Olaf Scholz said it was crucial to show that the allies will support Kyiv "as long as it takes and as long as is necessary." Related Article: Vladimir Putin Blasts Ukraine For 'Terrorist Act' @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As part of its cost-cutting effort, Amazon plans to shut eight of its Go convenience stores in the US. According to CNBC, the tech giant will close two Go stores in New York City, two locations in Seattle, and four stores in San Francisco on April 1. In addition, the company said it will work to help affected employees secure other roles at the company. "Like any physical retailer, we periodically assess our portfolio of stores and make optimisation decisions along the way," Amazon spokesperson Jessica Martin, was quoted as saying. "In this case, we've decided to close a small number of Amazon Go stores in Seattle, New York City, and San Francisco. We remain committed to the Amazon Go format, operate more than 20 Amazon Go stores across the US, and will continue to learn which locations and features resonate most with customers as we keep evolving our Amazon Go stores," she added. Moreover, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said that the company is also temporarily pausing expansion of the Fresh grocery chain until it can find a format that resonates with customers and "where we like the economics", the report mentioned. Also Read Amazon sues Washington's labour agency for fines over alleged hazards Amazon now shuts wholesale distribution biz in India as a part of cost-cuts Amazon adds free music videos from independent labels to Fire TV in US Amazon closes $3.9 bn acquisition of healthcare provider One Medical Myntra's EORS 17 to cater 5 mn shoppers with 1.7 mn styles from Dec 10-16 Foxconn reports 11.65% fall in February sales, sticks to Q1 outlook Twitter CEO Musk announces roll out of individual DM replies, encryption Amazon halts construction of its second headquarters in US to cut costs Chinese company BGI Group rejects rights accusation after US sanctions Meta to modify its controversial cross-check programme on FB, Insta In 2018, the first Amazon Go store opened to the public at the company's headquarters in Seattle. --IANS shs/svn/ China on Sunday set a five per cent growth target for 2023 as the countrys rubber-stamp Parliament commenced its annual session which also heralded a new era for Xi Jinpings presidency as he began an unprecedented third five-year term. China unveiled its lowest growth target in more than a quarter-century as Beijing faces challenges in the domestic and global economy following its emergence from three years of strict Covid-19 measures. Premier Li Keqiang, 67, the Number 2 ranked leader after Xi and is widely regarded as far less powerful than his predecessors, signed off his 10-year stint by presenting his last work report to the National Peoples Congress (NPC) in which China, the worlds second-largest economy, set a five per cent growth target for 2023, lowest in decades. Li, an economist and a contender for the post of General Secretary of the CPC in 2012 along with Xi, settled for a number two position after his mentor and former president Hu Jintao backed Xi at the last minute, enabling him to emerge as the most powerful leader heading the party, the military and the Presidency. As Xi became more powerful, Li mostly confined himself to managing the economy, unlike his predecessors who enjoyed more power in running the government. He also firmly warned of escalating external attempts to suppress, and contain China. The term of this government is about to come to a close, said Li, as he began his 39-page address to NPC, the national legislature, outlining the decade-old achievement of his administration which included seismic changes in China and its relations with the world. The NPC during the session will herald new official appointments at the top expected to be packed with Xis loyalists many of whom were elected along with him at the last October's once-in-a-five-year Congress of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC). The session formally heralded the beginning of the unprecedented third five-year term for Xi. The Congress, besides electing Xi, 69, for an unprecedented third term also chose most of his loyalists for key bodies consolidating his power at all levels. A group of European countries expressed grave concern Saturday that recent violence in the West Bank could derail efforts to rekindle peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians as they called on both sides to restore calm. The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain issued a joint statement condemning attacks against both Israelis and Palestinians following an outbreak of violence that left three people dead in the occupied West Bank town of Hawara. These acts can lead nowhere, except to more violence, the European nations said. Those responsible must face full accountability and legal prosecution. All unilateral actions that threaten peace and incitement to violence must cease.'' Scores of Israeli settlers rampaged through Hawara on Feb. 26, setting dozens of cars and homes on fire after two settlers were killed by a Palestinian gunman. Palestinian medics said one man was killed and four others were badly wounded in one of the worst outbreaks of settler violence in decades. The violence took place the same day that Israeli and Palestinian representatives joined U.S., Egyptian and Jordanian officials in Aqaba, Jordan, for the first high-level talks in years aimed at defusing tensions in the regions. Also Read Talks between rival Palestinian factions to resume in Algeria in October Palestinians rally in western Gaza against Israel's 15-year blockade Nobel Peace Prize 2022: A look at the past 10 awards and their work Palestine urges Europe to put pressure on Israel against West Bank conflict Blinken to travel to Mideast amid US concern over Israel-Palestine violence 6 killed, 30 injured in explosion at oxygen plant in Bangladesh: Police China to increase military budget by 'appropriate and reasonable' level Islamabad has 'unique distinction' for hosting terrorists: India to Pak NASA MRO spacecraft captures unusual circles of sand dunes on Mars UN nuclear head meets Iranian officials amid enrichment concerns The attacks raised doubts about a statement released after the talks in which Israeli and Palestinian officials reaffirmed their commitment to de-escalation on the ground and the need to prevent further violence. Tensions in the West Bank have soared in recent months. Near-daily Israeli arrest raids have sparked gunfights that killed over 60 Palestinians so far this year the highest death toll in the first two months of the year since 2000. Hawara, a town of 7,000 Palestinians surrounded by ideological Jewish settlements, has long been a flash point for violence between Israelis and Palestinians. The six European nations said the talks in Aqaba created a spark of hope, and they urged both sides to work toward a lasting peace based on a two-state solution. We urge all parties to refrain from making this fragile process derail, and call on all parties to make good on the commitments they made in the Aqaba meeting by de-escalating in words and deeds and to restore calm, in order for those efforts to blossom, they said. They also urged the Israeli government to reverse a recent decision to permit the construction of more than 7,000 new housing units in the West Bank and to legalise other settlements. Israel's new government, the most right-wing in its history, has vowed to expand settlements on occupied land that Palestinians seek for a future state. Most of the world considers Israeli settlements a violation of international law and a roadblock to peace. Republican presidential aspirant Nikki Haley took a dig on Saturday at two former presidents of her party, George W Bush and Donald Trump, for massive spending and adding USD 10 trillion to America's national debt as she slammed President Joe Biden for his record-breaking spending, which she said would add USD 20 trillion in the national debt in 10 years. Haley said when she was elected governor of North Carolina in 2010, the national debt stood at USD 13 trillion. "Thirteen years later, we are at more than USD 31 trillion. And because of Joe Biden, we will add USD 20 trillion more to the national debt in the next 10 years," said the former governor, who on February 14 declared her decision to enter the race to the White House. Addressing the Club for Growth, a conservative group, retreat in Miami, Florida, Haley alleged that Biden's platform for 2024 can basically be summed up as "spend even more, tax even more and let the children figure out how to deal with it". "The only thing Joe Biden should be allowed to spend is more time in retirement. Every dollar we take out of the economy makes our people poorer," she said. Haley went on to criticise the two previous Republican presidents -- Bush and Trump -- without naming them. "Lots of Republican politicians love spending and wasting taxpayer money almost as much as Democrats," she said. Also Read Nikki Haley planning February 15 launch for 2024 presidential campaign Can Nikki Haley be the Kamala Harris of the Republican Party If voted, I will cut aid to countries which hate America: Nikki Haley Nikki Haley accused of plotting a bid to become Trump's vice-president Indian-origin politicians who are making a mark in global politics European nations condemn West Bank violence, urge to rekindle peace talks 6 killed, 30 injured in explosion at oxygen plant in Bangladesh: Police China to increase military budget by 'appropriate and reasonable' level Islamabad has 'unique distinction' for hosting terrorists: India to Pak NASA MRO spacecraft captures unusual circles of sand dunes on Mars "The last two Republican presidents added more than USD 10 trillion to the national debt. Think about that. A third of our debt happened under just two Republicans," she said. The Congress is not far behind, she noted. "Republicans got the ball rolling on the trillion-dollar pandemic blowouts, with all the bailouts and fraud and abuse that followed. In one bill alone, they spent USD 2.2 trillion, and the vote was 419-6 in the House and 96-0 in the Senate," she said. "Do not let the media tell you Republicans and Democrats cannot work together. They always seem to work just fine when they are spending your money. And then there are earmarks. Do not even get me started on earmarks," she said. Haley, 51, told the conservative group that she announced her presidential run the moment she decided about it. "It has been just over two weeks since I announced I am running for president. I know there is a Republican candidate out there who you did not invite to this conference," she said referring to Trump, who has not been invited to the conference. "I appreciate being the one you did invite. Others are hemming and hawing on the sidelines, waiting to decide what to do. I have always been a decisive person. Once I decided I was going to run, I did not see the point in waiting. When it comes to saving America, being decisive matters," she said, making her case. "I am running for president to stop socialism in its tracks. Importantly, I am also running to restore respect for capitalism. Obviously, the socialist left hates economic freedom. But so do some of our fellow Republicans," she said. Arguing that a strong economy is essential to national security, Haley said the United States will never stay ahead of communist China with socialist spending sprees. "We will lose our place in the world if we continue to devalue our own currency. Economic freedom is the only way to protect our people and preserve peace through strength," she said. "There is one more reason we need a booming economy. It will help us pull out of this spiral of self-loathing. We need growth to defeat the woke. I firmly believe that one of the reasons our country is so divided and distracted is because our economy is stuck in neutral," she said. This was Haley's second major speech in two days. On Friday, she addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference -- the top annual event of the Republican Party and its support base. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday summoned the Swiss envoy and raised issue of "malicious" anti-India posters in front of UN building in Geneva, official sources said. The Swiss Ambassador conveyed to the ministry that India's concerns would be conveyed to Berne with all the seriousness it deserves. "The Secretary (West), MEA, today called in the Swiss Ambassador and raised the issue of unfounded and malicious anti-India posters in front of the UN building in Geneva," sources said, as per reports. The envoy said the posters in Geneva are part of the space provided to all, but in no way, does the government endorse the claims, nor do they reflect the position of the Swiss government. --IANS ans/vd A scene from the series "Divorce Attorney Shin" / Courtesy of JTBC By Lee Gyu-lee Actor Cho Seung-woo's new series "Divorce Attorney Shin" got off to a good start, Saturday. JTBC's new series, based on a webcomic by the same name, follows a divorce lawyer, Shin Sung-han (Cho), who is a former pianist and music professor. After a personal tragedy, he becomes a lawyer and starts navigating the complex world of divorce with two of his best friends by his side, paralegal Jang Hyeong-geun (Kim Sung-kyun) and realtor Jo Jeong-sik (Jung Moon-sung). It is led by director Lee Jae-hun whose previous works include the romance series "Run On" (2020) and the comedy series "Good Manager" (2017), and is penned by Yu Young-a, who scripted the 2018 romance series "Encounter." The first episode showed actress-turned-radio host Lee Seo-jin (Han Hye-jin) facing a divorce, after a video of her affair with another man was leaked. She requests Sung-han to represent her, revealing she has been abused by her husband, and all she wants is custody of her son. Sung-han decides to take her case and attempts to settle her divorce through mediation. When the attempt fails, the lawyer prepares to wage a messy battle on behalf of his client. The premiere episode saw a 7.3 percent viewership rating. From left, Kim Sung-kyun, Cho Seung-woo, Han Hye-jin and Jung Moon-sung pose during the online press conference for the series "Divorce Attorney Shin," Thursday. Courtesy of JTBC Apple's business-oriented Mac notebook upgrade programme, which let businesses lease new M1 Macs for as low as $30 per month has now been discontinued, a media outlet reported. CIT Group (an American financial services company), which partnered with Apple has confirmed that the Mac notebook upgrade programme has ended, reports The Verge. In 2021, the tech giant partnered with the bank to let small businesses lease new M1 Macs for as low as $30 per month, with easy options to upgrade if and when more powerful devices are released. Businesses that had signed up for the programme will now have to sign up for a different programme from CIT Group, or find another way to get their computers, said the report. The bank is now requesting that the company switch to an FMV (Fair Market Value) lease or continue leasing the equipment at the same monthly rate -- though the lease would run indefinitely with no buyout option. However, CIT and Apple have not confirmed the programme's status, the report mentioned. Also Read Chip maker Intel unveils 13th Gen Intel Core family desktop processors Apple may launch macOS Ventura this month supporting upcoming MacBook Pro Tech giant Microsoft now supports Windows 11 on Apple's M1, M2 Macs Refurbished 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 available for sale in US, Canada Intel unveils 4th Gen Xeon Scalable processors with better performance Samsung Galaxy S23+ outperforms competitors with top features, technology Facebook increases reels' length to 90 seconds, adds new features: Meta Moderation assurances from developers; Apple approves ChatGPT-driven app Amazon reveals Prime Gaming's free titles for 'March 2023' lineup Tech giant Apple now offers 'Depth and Water Seal Test' for Watch Ultra Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly planning to release a new MacBook Air with a larger 15-inch display in April 2023. According to display analyst Ross Young, the laptop is expected to be powered by the M2 chip and will likely support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. --IANS shs/sha A promotional image for the Korean Cultural Center New York's upcoming exhibition "The Wonder Unbound" / Courtesy of KCCNY By Park Han-sol It was centuries ago when Korea, known as Joseon (1392-1910), earned a curious nickname the hermit kingdom. The term came from American author William Elliot Griffis' "Korea: The Hermit Nation" (1882) when recounting stories related to the country, which had deliberately shut itself off from the rest of the world. Still, a select few foreigners were able to set foot inside this reclusive nation: missionaries, diplomats, soldiers, historians and adventurers. The Korean Cultural Center New York's (KCCNY) upcoming exhibition, "The Wonder Unbound," spotlights the written and illustrated documents on the country from the early 18th to mid-20th centuries penned by these very Westerners as a lens to examine pre-modern Korea's cultural, economic, sociopolitical and religious practices. Starting on March 15, the show coincides with Asia Week New York, a citywide celebration of Asian art held among art specialists, museums, cultural institutions and auction houses every spring. Pages from "Glimpses of Korea" (1932), written by American missionary E. J. Urquhart / Courtesy of KCCNY Kakum National Park in Ghana / Courtesy of Embassy of Ghana in Korea By Charis Obetsebi-Lamptey Zwennes Ambassador of Ghana to Korea Charis Obetsebi-Lamptey Zwennes / Courtesy of Embassy of Ghana in Korea As Ghana celebrates its 66th year of independence, our government would like to pay tribute to its relations with Korea and highlight the potential benefits of further cooperation between the two countries. Today, Ghana has become a beacon of democracy and stability in West Africa and its success has inspired similar movements for independence and self-rule in other countries across the continent. Our country has also?remained committed to the ideals of freedom and self-determination, which were at the core of the struggle for independence. The Republics of Ghana and Korea established diplomatic relations in 1977 by signing a joint communique to that effect. Since then, the two countries have maintained strong, mutually respectful and cooperative relations,?characterized by political, economic and technical cooperation. In the 1990s, the two countries expanded their cooperation to include cultural and educational exchanges. Ghanaian students began to study in South Korea and South Korean cultural groups started to perform in Ghana. Ghana attaches great importance to the friendly relations it enjoys with Korea. Therefore, on this 66th anniversary of our independence, we are seeking to enhance cooperation by expanding exchanges in all fields, particularly the tourism industry. Tourism is presently the third largest contributor to Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), demonstrating the effectiveness of Ghana's marketing initiatives. The objective of the Akufo-Addo administration is to make tourism the largest contributor to Ghana's GDP?and a tourism hub in West Africa. Ghana boasts of more UNESCO world heritage sites than any other country in Africa. Our country hosts 32 historic forts and castles and 13 traditional Ashanti buildings. Another six are currently nominated for approval to be added to the magnificent list of UNESCO world heritage sites.?These castles and forts are important reminders of Ghana's past in the transatlantic slave trade and the colonization of Africa. The Elmina Castle, renowned for being the first notable European structure in tropical Africa, is located in Elmina, a city in the central region of Ghana. The Portuguese constructed the fortress in 1482, and it provided them with a trade monopoly and access to the region's wealth. The castle was constructed in a favorable location near the Atlantic Ocean and the Benya River, the low headland giving a natural harbor. The fortress of St. George also housed slaves. When taking a tour of this majestic castle, you must visit the dungeons to observe where the slaves were held. Originally constructed by the Swedes in 1653 for the trading and fortification of timber and gold, Cape Coast Castle later served as the last hub or depot from which Ghanaian slaves were put onto ships and transported to the Americas and the Caribbean. Today, visitors can tour the castle and learn about its history, as well as pay their respects at the neighboring "Door of No Return," the final halt before the long voyage over the Atlantic. The Asante Traditional Buildings are a collection of 13 buildings (Abirim, Asawase, Asenemaso, Bodwease, Ejisu Besease, Adarko Jachie, Edwenase, Kentinkrono, Patakro and Saaman) in 10 places that are authentic and distinctive. These exquisitely embellished structures from 100 to 200 years ago are likely the remaining original architectural remnants of the opulent Asante Empire. The Empire's golden age occurred in the 18th century. During the 19th-century British raids, sadly, the majority of shrines were destroyed. The Asante Traditional Buildings have been inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites since 1980. These are not merely structures, but religious and spiritual history that has been preserved. Wli waterfall in Ghana / gettyimagesbank In?addition?to?Ghana's?castles?and?forts,?there?are?a?number?of?additional?UNESCO?World?Heritage?Sites?that?are?worthy?of?a?visit.?Being Ghana's largest wildlife refuge in the country's Savannah region, the Mole National park is an excellent escape from your mundane routine. Mole National Park, located about 200 km north of Salaga, is a natural heritage site that is home to several species of wildlife, including elephants, antelopes, and baboons. The Nzulezu Stilt Settlement is located in the western region of Ghana. This watery community is remarkably self-sufficient, with its own chief, stores, schools, churches, and movie theater, among other amenities. The homes are constructed on stilts composed of coconut trees and other hardwoods. A trip to Nzulezu begins in the village of Beyin, where, following a safety briefing, life jackets are provided along with a guide who will accompany you on the 150-meter hike to the wooden boardwalk where you will board rafts to tour the settlement. Kakum National Park is a 357-kilometer unspoiled rainforest national park. This conservation area is comprised of Kakum National Park and the adjoining Assin Attandaso Resource Reserve, which is one of the oldest national parks in the physical center of the world. Due to its proximity to Cape Coast and Elmina Castle, Kakum is a must-see for all tourists in Ghana's central region, the indisputable tourism hub of the country. It was founded in 1932 and is a must-see for all animal and environmental enthusiasts. There are approximately 500 butterfly species, seven primate species, including the Diana monkey, 253 bird species, including five hornbill species, the Frazer-eagle owl, and the African grey and Senegal parrots, plus over 100 species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, and forty kinds of larger animals. Shai Hills Resource Reserve is located in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including baboons, antelopes, and several species of birds. The reserve also features several caves and rock formations that are of historical and cultural significance. Wli Waterfalls is located in the Volta Region of Ghana, near the border with Togo. It is the highest waterfall in Ghana, with a drop of over 60 meters. Visitors can hike through the lush forest to reach the base of the falls, and swim in the natural pool. As?these?are?only?a?few?of?the?culturally?rich?sites?and?experiences?that?await?tourists?on?Ghana's?coast,?it?is?clear?that?the?country's?coastline?is?brimming?with?opportunities?for?cultural?immersion. I wish to reaffirm our government's commitment to promoting our country's tourist attractions to the government and people of Korea. I am confident that cooperation between our two countries has the potential to generate substantial economic, cultural, and environmental benefits for both countries. Charis Obetsebi-Lamptey Zwennes is the ambassador of Ghana to Korea since July 2021. Moonbug Managing director Andy Yeatman, a former Disney and Netflix employee, recently spoke with us about those difficult questions, his companys core values, the inner workings of an acquisition, and much more. We began by talking about what Moonbug needs to see in a property before an acquisition can even be considered. Popularity For any property to catch the eye of Moonbug, or almost any other big media company for that matter, it needs to have an audience. We look at different metrics, but ultimately engagement is kind of the biggest thing, explained Yeatman. The size of the audience is important, but we look at the watch time and how the audience is engaging. Are they coming back? According to Yeatman, Moonbug considers two key metrics when looking at a new IP, awareness and affinity. For Moonbug, awareness is purely statistical, as in how many people are watching. Affinity is a bit harder to gauge, but Yeatman says it can be boiled down to Do people love the show? Are they passionate about it? Core Values The second thing we consider is: Does the property have certain core values that fit our curriculum? Examples provided by Yeatman included major topics such as social and emotional life skills development down to simple everyday things like brushing your teeth, eating your vegetables, or cleaning your room. A Franchise for the Future The third consideration is if we think a property can be a true franchise for the future. Is this just a flash in the pan? Or is it something that can be built around for years to come? When Moonbug is considering the future of a property, its thinking in years and decades, not weeks and months. This criteria is one reason why core values are so important in any IP because those themes tend to be timeless. For a franchise to have a future, it needs to possess Yeatmans fourth criteria Room for Growth The first thing Moonbug considers when checking out a property is its popularity. That being said, an IP can be too popular for Moonbug if the company doesnt see room for fairly significant growth. The fourth thing we consider is if we believe we can really grow a property, said Yeatman. We want to grow our acquisitions three-to-five times over a five-year period. So, our bread and butter is usually IP which was independently created, has been around for years, has built up its audience, and is produced by a small team. Its also usually only on one or two platforms so we know we have new areas where we can grow them. Moonbug grows its properties in several different ways. Merchandising is the most obvious, but Yeatman discussed publishing, music, podcasts, live shows, and more when talking about seeing potential in an IP. We need to see something beyond the core show because otherwise, its unlikely well see that three-to-five times growth were looking to create, he explained. Behind Every Acquisition For Moonbug, each acquisition is unique in many ways, but certain characteristics hold for all of them. Every acquisition is emotional at times, said Yeatman. Every one is the biggest decision of the creators career. Because of that, they often take months or years to finalize. So, we really have to get to know the creators and structure the deal around what they want to do. Every property that were a part of at Moonbug someone started doing it while they still had a day job. They started making content, putting it out there, paying close attention to what they heard from the audience, and adapting to that. And then, over many weeks, months, and years, created something with a large, passionate audience. After an Acquisition Moonbugs biggest acquisitions usually end up finding homes on linear tv, streaming platforms, and digital channels. But when an acquisition is new and the company is still building up an audience, platforms that allow Moonbug to distribute its content directly to the consumer are preferred. Our strategy is to have a direct connection with the consumer. In our case, thats typically through Youtube first, Yeatman explained. So initially, there is no gatekeeper. We dont have to work with Netflix or Disney or Sky right away. We certainly want to, and thats part of our long-term strategy, but its helpful that its not something we must do to get these properties to their audiences. A Bit of Advice When asked for a word of advice for independent web-based creators looking to grow their IP, Yeatman pointed out that Moonbug has inherited its share of bad deals with some of its acquisitions. He says that creators should be careful of deals that would take creative control away from the propertys creators, but recognized that sometimes in order to grow, a property needs to take on partners. With his answer, Yeatman explained that sometimes its easy to say That was a bad deal when looking back five years. But when youre just a year in and someone offers you money and the chance to make some merchandise, it might have made sense at the time. As long as your partner is going to help grow awareness and affinity and you havent lost creative control, then I think it depends on the situation. According to Yeatman, There is no one-size-fits-all strategy that creators can follow to create a successful property with commercial value. Its worth keeping an eye out for red flags, but at some point, risks will need to be taken. This Nov. 13, 2022 file photo provided by the President of South Korea Press Office shows Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida holding a meeting during ASEAN in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Yonhap Korea and Japan have tentatively agreed to create a "future youth fund" to sponsor scholarships for students, as part of a deal on settling the issue of compensation for Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor, sources said Sunday. The fund will be jointly formed by the Federation of Korean Industries, Korea's big business lobby, and the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), according to the government sources. The Korean foreign ministry is expected to announce the details along with the details of a broader agreement reached between the two countries to settle the issue of compensation for Korean victims of forced labor during World War II, the sources said. "There's a high chance Korea and Japan will form a fund under the aim of moving toward the future and not the past," a senior official told Yonhap News Agency. In 2018, Korea's Supreme Court ordered Japan's Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to pay compensation to Korean forced labor victims who were mobilized during Japan's 1910-45 colonial occupation of Korea. The two companies are expected to indirectly contribute to the new fund in the form of Keidanren membership fees or donations. National Security Adviser Kim Sung-han speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, west of Seoul, March 5, ahead of his visit to Washington. Yonhap Activists lay flowers in front of a statue symbolizing the victims of Japan's wartime forced labor, in Seoul, March 1, Independence Movement Day. The Korean government is expected to announce its solution to settle a dispute with Japan over the issue on Monday. Yonhap Japan refuses to compensate victims, but agrees to join fund to improve relations By Jung Min-ho Korea will announce its solution to settle a dispute over wartime forced labor caused by Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule on Monday as part of a diplomatic deal to restore the two countries' relations after nearly five years of tensions. According to government sources and Japanese media reports, Sunday, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Steel the Japanese companies ordered in 2018 by the Supreme Court here to compensate South Korean victims of slave labor will not pay damages. Instead, they are expected to contribute to a fund set up to improve relations between the two countries. The Future Youth Fund, which is likely to be co-created by the Federation of Korean Industries, Korea's big-business lobby group, and its counterpart the Japan Business Federation, will use the generated money to sponsor student exchange programs. Foreign Minister Park Jin is expected to announce the details of the agreement. The deal, however, will almost certainly draw criticism from the victims, who have been demanding direct compensation and apologies from the Japanese companies, which, along with the Japanese government, have maintained that the issue was settled as part of the two countries' 1965 treaty. Under the agreement, Tokyo provided Seoul with $300 million (388 billion won) in grants and $200 million in loans as a way of paying back Korea after occupying it for 35 years. The compensation will instead come from the Foundation for Victims of Forced Mobilization by Imperial Japan, which was established in 2014 to raise donations from Korean companies that had benefited from the 1965 treaty, such as POSCO. How the Japanese government will react to the decision is less clear. According to the Asahi Shimbun and the Yomiuri Shimbun, the Fumio Kishida administration may suggest that President Yoon Suk Yeol hold a summit in Tokyo and issue a statement to succeed the 1998 joint declaration in which Japan apologizes for the immense pains and damage it caused to the people of Korea during its occupation. The Japanese government also plans to lift restrictions on some tech material exports to Korea and restore its status as one of its trusted trade partners on its "whitelist." Moreover, the two countries are considering resuming the past bilateral practice in which their leaders regularly visited each other's country, typically once a year. National Security Adviser Kim Sung-han speaks to the press at Incheon International Airport before leaving for bilateral security talks with the U.S. in Washington, D.C., Sunday. Yonhap Teresa and Joe Giudice have been fixtures on The Real Housewives of New Jersey for years, and their four children have grown up in front of cameras. Their eldest child, Gia, is preparing to graduate college with a degree in criminal justice and wants to become a lawyer. One case shes already been working on is that of her fathers. Gia Giudice | Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Joe Giudice was deported after serving his prison sentence In October 2014, Teresa and Joe Giudice were sentenced to spend time in prison for their involvement in bankruptcy fraud. Teresa went to prison first, serving her sentence from January to December of 2015. Her husband went in to serve his sentence in March 2016. Joe was released from prison in March 2019. But he didnt get to go back to his family, as Teresa did. A judge ordered that Joe be deported back to his native Italy upon release. Hes been living out of the country ever since. In 2021, he moved to the Bahamas to be closer to his family. Gia Giudice wants to help her father Joe Giudices immigration case Though Joe gets to see his children every now and then, his inability to be in the country has weighed heavy on the family, including daughter Gia. The senior at Rutgers University is earning a degree in criminal justice and has started working at an immigration law firm to get experience. Gia opened up about her fathers case and her work to get him back in the US in a February 2023 interview with Page Six. We have such a big family, and no matter what the situation is, gathering all of us to go visit him [is hard]. Even though he did move to the Bahamas [in 2021] for us, for him to be closer, for the flight to be easier like, plane tickets are still crazy expensive, and especially when everybody has off around the holidays [and] the airlines jump the prices up, she said. It is hard for everybody to see him, rather than just one person being able to come here, like during holidays or birthdays, would just be like a dream come true, she continued, adding that he was never a flight risk or a threat to society. I just feel like that if that whole aspect of it can get reevaluated, that maybe he could have a chance of coming back temporarily here and there, she wished. Gia Giudice has a matching tattoo with her father Joe Even though she may be far away from her father, Gia keeps him close to her heart figuratively and literally. The 22-year-old has a matching tattoo with her father to remind her of him whenever she needs it. I have a little bird, and [my dad] has [a matching] eagle on his chest. Just means we can fly to each other whenever we want, and we are always a flight away, Gia explained in a May 2020 Instagram post, according to Bravos Style & Living. Christine Browns first cousin Anna LeBaron, who hails from a rival polygamist community, looks nearly identical to the Sister Wives star. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, the two women are practically doppelgangers. Christine Brown, Sister Wives | TLC Inside the rival between the Allreds and the LaBarons The Brown family practices polygamy or plural marriage based on their belief system taught by the Mormon fundamentalist group called the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB). Christine is considered polygamist royalty as the granddaughter of the founder of the AUB, Rulon C. Allred. Anna LeBaron is the daughter of Ervil LeBaron, who created a competing grouping of Mormon fundamentalists called The Church of the Firstborn (or the LaBaron Family), which stretched to Chihuahua, Mexico. Ervil is known in the media as The Mormon Manson, who was responsible for more than 25 murders carried out by his followers in both the US and Mexico, which continued after his death thanks to the hit list he left behind. Some of the murders include rival polygamist leaders, his own family members, and even some supporters. In 1977, Annas father, Ervil, ordered the killing of Christines grandfather, Rulon. In 1979, Ervil was arrested for four murders in Texas and sentenced to life in prison. He was found dead in his prison cell within the year. Ervil left behind 13 wives and over fifty children, one of which was Anna. Christines maternal grandfather, Floren LeBaron, is brothers with Annas father making them first cousins, one generation removed. The polygamist rivalry has continued to this day, with both families reportedly still engaged in hostile activities toward each other. Christine Browns first cousin Anna LeBaron is her doppelganger Despite Christine and Anna coming from different backgrounds, the two women have an uncanny resemblance. Anna and Christine look so alike they could easily pass off as twins. Both women have the same facial features, hair color, and reportedly even the same mannerisms. My father and Christines grandfather are brothers, making us first cousins, one generation removed, Anna revealed (via Reddit). I have never met Christine because we were raised in separate polygamist communities. I follow her on Twitter; that is the extent of our relationship, she wrote. Its funny to me that even though weve never met, we look alike, sound alike and talk alike, and have many of the same mannerisms. The DNA of our family origin evidences itself in the fact that we are each others doppelganger, Anna revealed. How Anna and Christines childhood differed Christine talks about being raised in the AUB in the Sister Wives 2012 memoir, Becoming Sister Wives: The Story of an Unconventional Marriage. Christine was raised in Utah in what seemed to be a happy polygamous family. However, her mother, Ruthanne Annie Allred, left Christines father and the church after being unhappy in her plural marriage for many years. Despite this, Christine believed in the covenant of plural marriage and wanted desperately to be a mans third wife. At 22 years old, Christine married Kody Brown as his third wife, joining her sister wives Meri Brown and Janelle Brown. However, after 26 years of plural marriage, Christine divorced Kody and left the AUB, just like her mother. Kody Brown and Christine Brown, Sister Wives | TLC Meanwhile, Annas childhood was much darker. Anna was born in Mexico at a cult hideout where the family was on the run from the law. At an early age, she was separated from her mother, Anna-Mae Marston, who was Ervils fourth wife. She was shuttled from one packed house to the next, where she recounted sleeping on filthy foam mattresses and scavenging for food in the trash among Ervils other children. The kids werent entirely cut off from the outside world as they were allowed to go to school but were taught to lie about their home life. Ervils children were used as unpaid labor in the appliance repair shops that the cult ran as their primary source of income. Anna recalls being forced to scrub grease from kitchen appliances for over 12 hours a day on her days off from school. I watched siblings of mine receive horrific beatings for any type of attitude, Anna recalls in an interview with BBC. And these are young kids. Theyre kids. How much work can you really get out of a 10-year-old, or an 11-year-old, really? You can get work out of them if you are beating them. Anna escaped her murderous fathers cult at 13, just before the marriageable age within the cult, which was 15 years old. I escaped by the skin of my teeth, Anna said. The similarities between Christine and Anna are a testament to the power of genetics. Despite growing up in vastly different environments, the two women share a remarkable resemblance that cannot be denied. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close U.S. Treasurer Lynn Malerba, Mohegan Tribe, and Fatima Abbas, director of the Office of Tribal and Native Affairs, during a visit with young people from the Center for Native American Youth. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 I like to think that if Im lost while driving and pull into a gas station to ask a resident for directions, I will get a legitimate answer. However, one womans story proves that isnt always the case. In 2010, she was making the super long drive from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Eugene, Oregon. She was all by herself, except for her two-year-old pit bull. She was driving with him and her belongings in a U-Haul truck. Smartphones werent as popular or accessible then, so she only had a flip phone and was using printed driving instructions to get her to her destination. One night, she was driving along a lonely highway through Texas when she realized that she hadnt come across a town or exit in miles. Her U-Haul was getting low on gas, so she pulled into a small, eerie town and got gas from a local station. Once the U-Haul was filled up, she paid at the pump and drove to get back onto the highway. However, for the life of her, she could not figure out how to get back on it. I can literally see the highway but cant get to it, she recalled. I return to the gas station to ask for directions. She went inside the station to ask the attendant for directions. He was an odd-seeming man who never even lifted his eyes from the magazine he read while speaking to her. He instructed her to go down a certain road for 17 miles to get back onto the highway. Red flag, much? When she tried to explain to him that it didnt take her long to get off the highway and into the gas station, he gave her some weird excuse about the local roads that gave her an uneasy feeling. Something definitely wasnt right about this mans intentions. She got into her truck and burst into tears, knowing that her safety could be at risk if she didnt leave that town as soon as possible. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Actress who was almost aborted, sex trafficked now uses platform to empower others Actress Nicole Abisinio is the first to acknowledge she shouldnt even be alive. Before she was born, her father attempted to kill her pregnant mother because she refused to get an abortion. And after she was born, her mother was forced to go into hiding to protect her infant daughters life. I like to say I kind of came out fighting, Abisinio told The Christian Post. Throughout her young life and even to adulthood, Abisinio experienced shocking and unlikely events. She helped capture a predator who was targeting her and her friends, and later, survived being stalked and an attempted kidnapping and sex trafficking. It began this journey of really understanding that there was a lot of evil out there, and what was I going to do for protection, she said. I didn't understand that the Lord was going to protect me and He was really the only One that could take care of me. I thought He was this far-off God. I definitely believed in Jesus, I believe that there was a God, I just thought He didn't care about me. It wasnt until Abisinio launched a successful career in Hollywood that she began to sense the deep emptiness in her life and need for a Savior, a feeling fueled by the deep darkness she saw around her. All these years that I fought to be in the industry, and I'm on the red carpet, in 2009 or 2010, and I had this out-of-body experience, she recalled. It was supposed to be this amazing, you've arrived moment. The world told you, get success, get these things and you'll have everything and you'll be fulfilled and happy. And it was the opposite. It was actually the most empty [Ive felt]. I just knew that I needed to find God. And I didn't even know what that meant. I just knew I needed to find a church. I literally ran out of Cannes Film Festival in France from a Woody Allen premiere in this big handmade gown, like, I need to find a church. I didn't even know what it meant, which is what's so funny about how the Holy Spirit works I didn't even think I could find a church in France; I felt that I needed to get back to the U.S. to find a church. And find a church she did: I remember the exact moment that I got saved, and the Holy Spirit it was incredible. After embracing Christianity, Abisinios life looks drastically different from what she once knew. She committed to using her talents to promote uplifting and faith-based content, and today, she stars in PureFlixs "The Advocate." The five-part series is a family-friendly yet informative story of one child protective service agent on a mission to use her God-given gifts to help children in danger. Abisinio both directed the series and stars in it as Amber, the child protective service agent. She sees The Advocate as both a way to uplift and inform viewers; every episode includes safety tips to teach viewers how to protect themselves in precarious situations. The actress sees every difficult experience shes endured as a way for God to empower others to protect themselves. Ive prayed, Lord, why would you even allow this; these were terrifying experiences, she said. And first, the Lord was like, Are you safe? And I said, Yes, I am, technically. And He said, Think about all the girls, the women, the families that don't have the background that you have. They didn't grow up with that constant ability to know what to look for. And that was when I realized how many people would have never been seen again in those same circumstances, she continued. And I thought, how could I tell them in an entertaining, positive, uplifting, edifying way how to protect their families? The show also touches on unseen evil. Abisinio emphasized the importance of understanding the reality of spiritual warfare, warning that the best thing the enemy ever did was make people believe that he didn't exist, or he's not doing that much. "Jesus says that [Satan] is constantly prowling. He's constantly looking for someone to devour, and not to go to sleep, not to let our guard down. Reflecting on her time in Hollywood, Abisinio said that she, like many others, had no idea that the content she was producing was evil. I literally just thought I was entertaining people, she said. I was kind of a product of my environment when my stuff had a lot of violence in it or cursing or these types of things because I was just a reflection of the world. I had no idea that my gifts belong to God, and that they should be used for Him. The enemy always wants to use whatever our gifts are; he wants to twist them and use them for him instead. She stressed the importance of excellence when it comes to faith-based film and movies and challenged Christian filmmakers to take the charge. She pointed out that several decades ago, the church was heavily involved in filmmaking and influenced what kind of projects were successful but that is no longer the case. God wants excellence; He wants our films to be high quality, she said. They should be the best. What happens a lot in faith films is we try to look like [Hollywood] as opposed to just being our own unique thing and letting them look like us. They're not leading; we need to lead. Abisinio said shes excited to have a small part of bringing that excellence to the big screen. Her next film, R.A.D.A.R. Adventures of the Bionic Dog" with Dean Cain, will be released in May. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Abisinio said, shes recovered from the trauma of her past experiences. She said believes God is calling her to fight sex trafficking and bring healing to others through her work and platform. Every year I look in the mirror and I'm a new creation, another new creation that's not recognizable from the year before because I keep going to Him to transform me, to transform my soul, she said. Its all Him, and Im just forever grateful. The Advocate is now streaming on PureFlix. Cmdr. Charles Cooper, left, commanding officer of USS Rafael Peralta, greeting Korean military officers during a scheduled port visit to the southern island of Jeju on Feb. 27. Courtesy of U.S. Pacific Command website A U.S. guided-missile destroyer visited South Korea's southern island of Jeju last week, the U.S. Pacific Command said Sunday, in an apparent show of force and a warning to North Korea against missile provocations. It said the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta docked at Jeju on Monday last week and left the island Friday after a "scheduled port visit." Rafael Peralta, the 9,200-ton forward-deployed vessel commissioned in 2017, is the U.S. 7th Fleet's principal surface force, capable of a variety of missions from intercepting low- and high-altitude missiles and attacking fighter jets to conducting anti-submarine warfare with two MH-60 Seahawk helicopters on board. Its Jeju stay coincides with the visit of the 6,000-ton Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Springfield to the southern port of Busan from Feb. 23-March 1. "Rafael Peralta's visit underscores the strategic importance of Republic of Korea to an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific by enabling presence, assured access, and defense to the global commons," the U.S. Pacific Command said in a statement posted on its web site. "Visits with the Republic of Korea allows the U.S. Navy to strengthen relationships with like-minded Allies and improve interoperability between the two countries." Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea. The disclosure of the United States' latest destroyer's deployment to the South appears intended at sending a stern warning to North Korea following repeated missile provocations. North Korea has strongly protested the U.S. deployment of its strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula and the allies' combined drills. (Yonhap) Hindu nationalists protest distribution of Bibles at World Book Fair A group of Hindu nationalists shouted slogans, tore posters and took away books, disrupting the free distribution of copies of the Bible by Gideons International at the New Delhi World Book Fair this week. Meanwhile, other stalls have been able to sell Hindu and Sikh scriptures without protest. According to NDTV, a video of the incident has gone viral on social media, showing men shouting religious slogans and demanding an end to the distribution of free Bibles. It also shows one of the protesters claiming to be the Delhi head of Hindu United Front, with others arguing with him about Indias Constitution and the rights enshrined under it. Many visitors at the book fair expressed that the chaos due to the protest was not befitting of an event of this stature, the media outlet said, adding that the police said no complaint had been filed by either the organizers of the book fair or Gideons International and that there was no violence. However, NDTV reported that the protesters tore posters that said people could get a Free Holy Bible and took away books from The Gideons stall at the event, which began on Feb. 25 and will conclude Sunday. The Hindu nationalist group Vishwa Hindu Parishad accused Christian groups of trapping the Hindus. The members protesting were not related to us directly. Distributing free books or not isnt the matter ... it is basically a question of mentality. It is the way they were distributing, pursuing or cheating people, denigrating other religions thats what got the people agitated, VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal was quoted as saying. Volunteers at the Gideon stall were quoted as saying they are not forcing anyone to take the Bible. I have been manning a stall at the book fair for 10 years, but this is the first time something like this happened, a volunteer said. Close to the Gideons stall, free yoga classes are being offered, and the Hindu holy book Bhagavad Gita was being sold, NDTV noted, adding that several other stores at the literary event featured religious text on Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam and Christianity. Gideons International is an Association of Christian business and professional men and their wives dedicated to telling people about Jesus through associating together for service, sharing personal testimony, and by providing Bibles and New Testaments, according to its website. The group Release International has predicted that persecution is likely to increase in India, where radical Hindus appear increasingly emboldened by the dominance of the nation's right-wing BJP government. Religious freedom conditions in India have drastically deteriorated in recent years following the election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the rise of the BJP in 2014, a report by the group said. Christians comprise only 2.3% of Indias population, and Hindus account for about 80%. Open Doors USA, an organization that monitors persecution in over 60 countries, ranks India as the 10th-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution. The organization reports that Hindu extremists aim to cleanse the country of their presence and influence. The driving force behind this is Hindutva, an ideology that disregards Indian Christians and other religious minorities as true Indians because they have allegiances that lie outside India, and asserts the country should be purified of their presence," an Open Doors factsheet on India reads. This is leading to a systemic, and often violent and carefully orchestrated, targeting of Christians and other religious minorities, including use of social media to spread disinformation and stir up hatred. After 52 years of ministry, skydiving 98-year-old preacher wants people to see Jesus in his life At 98, North Carolina preacher Roy Jernigan is still excited about sharing the Gospel. Even after serving as a missionary on Indian reservations across the country for 52 years, Jernigan wont stop preaching because his life is his ministry, and he wants people to see Jesus when they see him. After resigning from full-time duties as a pastor in Texas just over a year ago to live with his daughter Linda Williams in La Grange, Jernigan has continued preaching to hundreds of people weekly through his Facebook ministry, Preacher Roy Ministries. And he remains energized to keep himself available for the Lords service by taking care of his body physically and spiritually. Well, I'm going to be honest with you. In my life, [I] just simply stayed with the Lord. He saved me when I was 28 years of age. I turned my life over to the Lord. And from that time on, I have tried to eat properly. And I have exercised, kept my body in good condition, and I live right, he explained in a recent interview with The Christians Post. Had it not been for age-related macular degeneration an eye disease that blurs central vision Jernigan would still be leading his church in Texas. My vision and my hearing are my two greatest problems. I have macular degeneration. Been getting shots in each eye for the past 11 years, he said. That's one of the reasons I left the mission. In the pastorate in Texas, I could no longer see the people. I could see, but I couldn't identify them. And I'd have funerals and I couldn't read the Bible. Now I have to quote from the Scriptures I'd memorized through the years. Jernigan now depends on his daughter, Linda, to drive him around but insists that as long as he can find alternative ways to study and read, he will continue doing ministry online. Apart from his vision, Jernigan says his health remains strong. As you probably are aware, I don't have a doctor and I'm on no medication and I have been doing exercises. I do body exercises or push-ups every day. And I generally walk about a mile or two. And I've been doing that for years and [this] has kept my physical body in good condition, Jernigan said when asked how he has managed to stay so healthy in his old age. My whole life, people say, Why don't you retire? My life, really, to be honest with you, my life is my ministry. Jernigan recently made national headlines after deciding, with encouragement from his family, to go skydiving to celebrate his milestone just two years shy of his centennial. He told CP that the reason he decided to take the plunge was to use the moment to glorify God, and he has gotten the opportunity to do so already in several media interviews. In about September, October (2022), I started praying about this thing. And I said, 'Lord, if you can get the glory out of it, Ill do it. But it's not for me. I'm not a thrill seeker. I have nothing to prove. I have been up the mountain, down the mountain, through the valleys. I'm not trying to prove anything. But if I can give you the glory out of this, and you will give us the weather fitting, I'll jump unless you tell me no,' Jernigan said. If it's a bad day, I'll know it's a no. And so I left it and I prayed continually every day. And the day of the jump, Jan. 24, turned out to be a bright sunny day in North Carolina. Jernigan took the jump with Skydive Coastal Carolinas and survived, much like he did in World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars as a Naval Corpsman. Though he was recently diagnosed with COVID-19, Jernigan, who got vaccinated for the virus, said God protected him from getting sick at the height of the pandemic even as he lost several church and family members. I did have several of my members, as I say, who died with this. And I have a nephew that died with that thing in Virginia. But the Lord, my body was in good condition. And I feel like really it's the Lord's hand was with me, Jernigan said. The strongest challenge to Jernigans faith In his 52 years of ministry, Jernigan recalled facing many challenges along the way but none more challenging than losing his wife, Lizzie, in January 2011. I suppose the worst time that I've had in the in those years, the worst part was my wife had a heart attack down in Hollywood, Florida, he said. Even though doctors managed to revive his wife, Jernigan said she suffered brain damage and slowly deteriorated over a period of about five or six years until her death. She started off a slow process of degenerating in the mind and the doctor told me it would probably be slow but the brain ... would probably die. Those were tough times for me, Jernigan recalled. We had done everything together from our childhood on. Once you saw one, you saw the other. We traveled together. We worked together. And she started losing her mind. And it took about five or six years. And let me say to you, any person that has not been through that cannot know exactly how a person feels when someone they love [is taken from them], he said. When that mind begins to fail and you know that they don't know what is taking place, it just breaks your heart. That was the toughest few years for me. And as we prayed together every night, I'd put her to bed and I'd say, Honey, I love you. Then shed say, I love you, he continued. On Sunday night of January 9, 2011, I put her to bed that night and I said, I love you. The last word she ever spoke was, I love you too. Jernigan said after his wifes death he spent his life living alone until November 2021 when, after Lindas husband died, they both decided to move back to North Carolina where they would be closer to family. When she was going through the great difficulties it was very tough, but prayer and trusting the Lord, He brought me through it, he said of his wifes passing. I didn't really see any purpose. But then I recognized that I had a lot of people that loved and prayed for me and wanted me to keep going. So I picked up the pieces and by God's grace and mercy, I have continued on, he said. There's no doubt about it. When my wife died, part of me died. One of the people said the best part. On pastors and the state of the Church Asked to comment on the state of the American Church today, Jernigan quickly explained that the main driver of his faith is the Bible without the trappings of denominational restrictions. I'm not a denominational man. I don't criticize the denominations but think about this: we have all kinds of denominations Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, you name it, and every one of them has a different doctrine, he explained. They can't all be right. And so, consequently, I don't claim a denomination. I claim to be a Christian. And as a Christian, I follow the New Testament teachings on the Apostle Paul. And Jernigans nondenominational approach to ministry aligns with the direction of the American Church today. Data from the 2020 U.S. Religion Census show that in the last 10 years, the number of American Christian adherents in nondenominational churches nearly doubled in number and surpassed America's largest Protestant denomination, Southern Baptist, by several million adherents. Other recent studies also show that while America remains a highly religious nation, with seven in 10 claiming affiliation with some kind of organized religion, for the first time in nearly 80 years, fewer than half now say they have formal membership in a specific house of worship. Church attendance has also continued to decline in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. While he admits that being a Christian today is much harder than it was 50 years ago when fewer distractions were competing for peoples attention, Jernigan believes that the model of many church ministries today is partly to blame for people deserting the pews. I'll be honest with you, one of the biggest problems that pastors have today is trying to build a church on their own, Jernigan told CP. Today, preachers have gotten themselves into such a rut by building big buildings with stained glass windows and everything. And the people have deserted them because they get tired of being bled to death [financially]. And hear the preacher say, 'you got to give, you got to give, you got to give.' My conviction is you don't have to hound Christians to give. If they are saved, they love the Lord, they will give, he said. Jernigan also criticized preachers who treat their ministry as a business. I think it's the wrong approach. Commercial? You don't commercialize God. I believe this is a gross mistake, that people, you see so much of this today, trying to commercialize and put things into a peaceful type of thing rather than teaching the Bible, he said. I do believe if preachers would come down off the high horse, and quit preaching, what I call cotton candy messages, that's all fluff and no substance, I believe there'd be a great difference in the world today. And as the church continues to compete for the attention of society today, Jernigan is worried that current social trends might lead to a point in society where Jesus is completely rejected. Today, there is much more to pull a person away than there was in my day, he said. It is much more difficult. And it does appear to me that as time approaches, that things are going full circle to the extent that Christ is going to be completely rejected. He urged Christians who left institutional churches but still want to maintain their Christian faith to keep reading the Bible and praying to God for direction. My heart goes out to so many people, it really does, he said. There are a lot of people out there that are hungry, and they're thirsting for the Word of God, but they don't have anyone to give it to them. Texas bill calling abortion a 'murderous act' would block websites that sell abortion pills A Texas bill that condemns abortion as a murderous act of violence would require internet providers to block any website that sells or assists in obtaining abortion pills. If passed, the Women And Child Safety Act, sponsored by state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, would compel any ISPs that host websites with abortion pill information in Texas to be taken offline, including Aid Access, Hey Jane, Plan C Pills, and others. The legislation would also open up abortion funds and staff members to potential criminal liability for assisting anyone in obtaining an abortion, even if they travel outside of Texas to do so. Citing the historic U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs vs. Jackson last June, the proposed legislation aims to ensure that "unborn human beings are entitled to the full and equal protection of the laws that prohibit violence against other human beings." An outspoken Christian conservative, Toth, who represents The Woodlands/Conroe area, is also a member of the Texas Legislative Prayer Caucus and an ordained minister. In a Feb. 26 Facebook post, Toth wrote: God doesnt trouble a nation with every kind of distress because of the actions of the lost, rather He causes distress on a nation because of the failure of our Pastors to be a prophetic voice against the sin of a generation. The Body of Christ is Americas only hope. God, please bless America once again. The proposed legislation comes as a ruling from a Texas judge could potentially end the use of mifepristone, also known as RU-486 and other abortion-inducing drugs. In a chemical abortion (also known as medical abortion), women are given two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone works by blocking the effects of the natural pregnancy hormone progesterone. Misoprostol induces contractions and a miscarriage. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a federal judge for the Amarillo division of the Northern District of Texas, is expected to rule on a lawsuit seeking to revoke the federal regulators' approval of mifepristone. If Kacsmaryk rules in favor of the plaintiff in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Biden administration has reportedly already signaled it would appeal the ruling. Toths bill is believed to be the first of its kind and marks the latest efforts by Texas lawmakers to further reduce the number of abortions in the state after its law banning abortion went into effect on June 24, 2022. Texas' abortion law provides exceptions for medical emergencies and ectopic pregnancies and does not prevent women from receiving healthcare for a miscarriage. Prior to the Dobbs ruling last June that enabled Texas' abortion law to go into effect, more than four dozen cities in Texas, including the large cities of Abilene, Lubbock, Odessa and San Angelo became sanctuary cities for the unborn. On Thursday, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of a pro-life activist who found himself subject to a lawsuit for saying that abortion advocacy organizations murder innocent unborn children. The Texas Supreme Court issued a Feb. 24 ruling in the consolidated cases of The Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity v. Mark Lee Dicksonand Right to Life East Texas and Mark Lee Dickson and Right to Life East Texas v. The Afiya Center and Texas Equal Access Fund. The cases concerned pro-life activist Mark Lee Dicksons advocacy on behalf of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn movement, specifically his effort to craft an ordinance to ban abortion in the city of Waskom, Texas, and his comments about abortion advocacy groups. Texas churches pledge to sponsor exiled Mayflower Church members Churches in Texas have pledged to sponsor the resettlement of 64 Christians from Chinas persecuted Mayflower Church who fled to South Korea in 2019 but were denied asylum. Southern Baptist congregations and other churches in East Texas have said they will sponsor the exiled members of Shenzhen Holy Reformed house church, which came to be known as Mayflower Church after some 60 Chinese Christians, including 32 children, arrived in South Koreas Jeju Island in 2019. Sixteen families are now in Thailand awaiting responses to their refugee applications first submitted to the U.N.'s refugee agency UNCHR on Sept. 5, 2022. The name Mayflower comes from the English ship that carried passengers some of whom were Protestant separatists seeking religious freedom from the Church of England who traveled to the colonies in the 17th century. Deana Brown, the founder and CEO of Freedom Seekers International, and Bob Fu of ChinaAid have been collaborating to help resettle the Chinese Christians who fear repatriation to China after South Koreas Gwangju High Court rejected their final asylum appeal. The Midland, Texas-based ChinaAid, which monitors human rights violations inside China, said 10 more families still need resettlement sponsors. Members of the church have applied for refugee status with the U.N., but are still awaiting approval from the office in Thailand, added ChinaAid, which is assisting the 64 Chinese Christians living in Thailand, while Freedom Seekers International in Tyler is seeking sponsors for their resettlement to the U.S. So far, only two of the 16 families have been granted a second refugee determination interview with the U.N., said Brown of FSI, a former Southern Baptist missionary, in an interview with Baptist Standard. The sponsoring churches include First Baptist Church, Tylers South Spring Baptist Church, Flint Baptist Church, Sylvania Church in Tyler, Grace Community Church and Rose Heights Church. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, recently sent a letter on behalf of the Mayflower Church to Rashad Hussain, U.S. ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, and Julieta Valls Noyes, assistant secretary of the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Immigration, urging them to speak to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees about their status. In the letter dated Feb. 24, McCaul also raised concerns about China's "ability to compel the repatriation of Chinese citizens who have sought refugee status." The letter stated in part: At every step of the journey for the Mayflower Church, there has been substantial opposition from the PRC. When the group first sought asylum in the Republic of Korea, the PRC Consulate refused to issue a passport to a members newborn child, rendering the baby stateless and unable to travel. In interrogations with family members who remained in China, Ministry of Public Security agents have accused the church members of treason, collusion with foreign forces, and subversion of state powers for their desire to practice religion independent of the State. Church members have also received dozens of phone calls from Chinese government officials accusing the church of committing national security offenses by leaving China. Furthermore, in October 2022, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand demanded the Thai police send over all 58 passports to be examined, implying that they may be illegal. ... "The United States must intervene to help ensure the safety of the group, protect them against refoulement and continued harassment by the PRC, and support their prompt assessment for protection as refugees, including consideration by the United States Refugee Admission Program." Last March, Doug Bandow, a senior fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based Libertarian think-tank the Cato Institute, wrote in an op-ed published by Foreign Policy that refusal to give asylum to the Chinese Christians was a particularly bizarre stance for outgoing President Moon Jae-ins government. It is not hard to envision the reception Mayflower refugees will face if forcibly repatriated to China, Bandow continued. Bandow noted that in 2018, Pan Yongguang, pastor of the Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church, signed a statement along with 456 other house church pastors and his friend Wang Yi, who led a 500-member unregistered home church, to protest against the increasing persecution of Christians. Later that year, the authorities arrested Wang and about 100 members of his church during a Sunday evening service. Wang was tried and convicted in 2019, receiving a nine-year prison sentence for the charge of subversion of state power. ChinaAid said that another reason for the Christians' decision to flee China was related to the ongoing interrogations they endured during the Hong Kong protests in 2019. Even though members of the church did not participate in the Hong Kong protests, they faced tremendous pressure and were interrogated by authorities in Shenzhen, which is near Hong Kong. Repeated threats and interrogation led members to vote en masse to flee China. The Wall Street Journal reported in June 2021 that the Chinese Christian families wanted to resettle in the U.S. A couple of church members who had returned to China after fleeing to South Korea faced retribution. Their homes were raided by police who confiscated Christian books and electronic devices and monitored and restricted their movements. Open Doors USA, which monitors the persecution of Christians in over 60 countries, estimates that China has more than 97 million Christians, many of whom worship in unregistered or illegal underground churches. The five state-sanctioned religious groups in China are the Buddhist Association of China, the Chinese Taoist Association, the Islamic Association of China, the Protestant Three-Self Patriotic Movement and the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. Even the organizations affiliated with the five authorized religions can be subject to surveillance and monitoring. In 2018, the communist regime released a document titled Chinas Policies and Practices on Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief. It declared that Chinese faith communities should adhere to the direction of localizing the religion, practice the core values of socialism, develop and expand the fine Chinese tradition and actively explore the religious thought which accords with China's national circumstances. The Gospel Coalition takes down 'Sex Won't Save You' article; Rick Warren calls for apology TGC editor's note says adapted book excerpt 'lacked sufficient context' The Gospel Coalition faced calls for an apology Friday over a now-deleted post on its website in which the author discusses salvation and the Church in the context of sexual intercourse that some critics say approaches erotic literature. Authored by Arizona Pastor Josh Butler, the article published on Wednesday, originally titled "Sex Wont Save You (But It Points to the One Who Will)," is an excerpt from Butlers book, Beautiful Union released last month. In the excerpt, Butler, who pastors Redemption Church Tempe, starts out by confessing that he used to look to sex for salvation before realizing that idolizing sex results in slavery. As he recounts a series of failed romantic adventures, Butler then quotes Taylor Swift and asserts that sex is an icon of Christ and the church. He then delves into the Apostle Pauls famous marriage analogy in Ephesians 5, where Paul writes, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mysterybut I am talking about Christ and the church. According to Butler, Now, the context here is marriage. Leave and cleave is marriage language and the surrounding verses are all about husbands and wives, not hook-up culture. Yet that second part, about the two becoming one flesh, is consummation language that refers to the union of husband and wife. Paul says both are about Christ and the Church. This should be shocking! Its not only the giving of your vows at the altar but what happens in the honeymoon suite afterward that speaks to the life you were made for with God. In what he termed a gospel bombshell, Butler then states sex is an icon of salvation and uses the sexual act to describe our relationship to Christ: Generosity and hospitality are both embodied in the sexual act. Think about it. Generosity involves giving extravagantly to someone. You give the best youve got to give, lavishly pouring out your time, energy, or money. At a deeper level, generosity is giving not just your resources but your very self. And what deeper form of self-giving is there than sexual union where the husband pours out his very presence not only upon but within his wife? Hospitality, on the other hand, involves receiving the life of the other. Its at this point in the essay when Butler uses sexually suggestive language to describe how he views hospitality: You prepare a space for the guest to enter your home, welcoming him warmly into your circle of intimacy, to share your dwelling place with you. Here again, what deeper form of hospitality is there than sexual union where the wife welcomes her husband into the sanctuary of her very self? Giving and receiving are at the heart of sex. Neither Butler nor The Gospel Coalition returned a request Friday for comment from The Christian Post. A spokesman for Redemption Church Tempe told CP Butler was out of town and would respond when he returns. The article is no longer on The Gospel Coalition website, but the link is still active with a new headline that reads Beautiful Union Book and this brief statement: We recognize that the adapted excerpt from Josh Butlers forthcoming book Beautiful Union lacked sufficient context to be helpful in this format. The statement also included a link to a preview sample of the book. TGC also removed the link from its social media, where some users werent ready to move on. I will be proud that I called out your egregious heresy in a sexually fetishized gospel message. What an appalling public stance to take, made worse by your unwillingness to acknowledge that stain and taking redemptive steps. Come on already. Gigi Marie (@ResearchGigi) March 2, 2023 Well, Paul directed Timothy to command certain teachers to cease teaching false doctrines and spouting meaningless talk. Your recent article was such as this. Steve Frederick (@steve_freddo) March 2, 2023 The fact that the tomb was empty means that the greatest gift a man can give a woman in bed is for him to have an orgasm. Did I misinterpret the article? Douglas Wolf (@Douglas33683734) March 1, 2023 Read the room. Everyone called out that article for idolizing sex. Your next article should be either about 1. taking responsibility to correct an error, or 2. respecting women. Not necessarily in that order. Rawls ???????????????? (@RawlsResist) March 2, 2023 Are you going to look back and be proud of the published articles about how God's grace is like ejaculation? Jim Gass ????????????? (@jimgass) March 2, 2023 Rick Warren, the former pastor of Saddleback Church and author of the bestselling book The Purpose-Driven Life, called for TGC to apologize for the article. I'm glad TGC removed yesterday's article that was both offensive and erroneous theology. But no apology? he wrote. I'm glad TGC removed yesterday's article that was both offensive and erroneous theology. But no apology? Rick Warren (@RickWarren) March 2, 2023 Rich Villodas, pastor of New Life Fellowship in New York, issued a statement retracting his initial endorsement of Beautiful Union and said Butlers exegesis of Ephesians 5 is not just problematic, its dangerous. I was wrong to write an endorsement for something I didnt fully read." My statement and retraction of my endorsement for Joshua Butlers forthcoming book. pic.twitter.com/qrQFQI6bkB Rich Villodas (@richvillodas) March 3, 2023 On the TGC website, Butler was listed as a fellow with The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, which was launched in February to help pastors, young people and other Christian leaders adapt to a "post-Christendom culture." As of Friday afternoon, however, Butler's bio no longer appeared on the page. He is still listed as a fellow with The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics on his personal website. It's unclear whether any change to his status was made. Launched in 2004 by New York City's Redeemer Presbyterian Church's then-Pastor Tim Keller and Canadian Reformed theologian D. A. Carson, TGC has undergone several changes in recent years, including several high-profile departures from the Reformed site in 2014. TGC faced criticism in 2013 when three key members, Don Carson, Kevin DeYoung, and Justin Taylor published a statement on TGC website in defense of C. J. Mahaney, the founder of Sovereign Grace Ministries. Mahaney and other SGM leaders were sued for an alleged conspiracy to "permit sexual deviants to have unfettered access to children for purposes of predation and to obstruct justice by covering up ongoing past predation." Wife of pastor killed in crash caused by intoxicated red light runner breaks down in testimony The wife of Aaron Strong, a Wisconsin pastor who died in a car crash caused by a 23-year-old man driving through red lights while intoxicated, made an emotional appeal to lawmakers at the state Capitol to pass a pair of bills that would increase the penalty for reckless driving. As Abbie Strong held up a picture of her family the last one taken before her husband Aaron was killed in October she broke down in front of lawmakers this week, NBC Milwaukee affiliate TMJ4 reported. So reckless that the driver was driving over 70 miles per hour on the wrong side of the road through four red lights before colliding with his Nissan sedan, she said about the crash that killed her 40-year-old husband, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in downtown Milwaukee, on Oct. 12, 2022. Last week, Jose Silva, who crashed into the pastors car, pleaded guilty. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 20. Silva had previously been charged with second-degree reckless homicide. The pastor died at a local hospital and an autopsy suggested he died from multiple blunt-force injuries. Authorities estimated Silva was speeding at 74 mph just before the accident, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said at the time. He told police he was running late for jury duty at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Surveillance from Marquette University showed Silvas car speeding prior to the crash, according to the complaint, which also said he didnt apply the brakes until two seconds before the crash. The video also showed the car running a red light while driving the wrong way. Prosecutors said he ran four red lights before crashing into the pastors car while intoxicated. My son is not going to get to go on that camping, backpacking adventure this summer, Abbie was quoted as saying. My daughters not going to have her dad walk her down the aisle. So I need to do my part to prevent other families from having to face that loss. There are two pending bills related to reckless driving. The first bill would double the maximum fine for reckless driving citations, as well as increase the maximum jail sentence for certain felony-reckless driving offenses. The second bill would permit cities to pass ordinances authorizing police to tow vehicles if a person is caught driving recklessly and has an outstanding unpaid fine for a previous reckless driving offense. Abbie said she feels responsible for representing her husband and other families who have suffered similar losses. She believes that since they are not the first family to experience such tragedy, it is crucial for her to be the face and voice of their cause. She added that although the two bills might not eradicate reckless driving, they would still have an impact. Grace Downtown announced Strongs death on Facebook last October, asking people to keep Abbie Strong and their children, Hannah and Elijah, in your prayers. Like Job, the question Why? troubles all of us regarding this tragedy. Like Job, we are reminded that our majestic God does not always provide an answer to that question. But what brings us everlasting comfort is that Gods mercy shines as bright as his majesty, stated the church. The Rev. Brian Hackmann, an outreach pastor at Grace, remembered Pastor Strong as a person that was full of joy. He was full of life, Hackman was quoted as saying. He had a smile on his face, an infectious laugh. He was a person that was pretty easy to get along with. He had the love of Jesus in his heart in a big way. Trump dominates CPAC straw poll, DeSantis comes in distant second Former President Donald Trump is the clear favorite among a slate of declared Republican presidential candidates and potential candidates, according to voters in a straw poll at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. CPAC conducted a straw poll in conjunction with Real Americas Voice and McLaughlin & Associates measuring attendees presidential preference heading into the 2024 Republican presidential primaries. The poll, which surveyed 2,028 people who attended the event and was released Saturday, found former President Donald Trump securing 62% of the vote, followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 20%. DeSantis is widely thought to be considering a presidential bid but has not formally declared an interest in running for the top spot. Perry Johnson, a little-known declared presidential candidate who spoke at the convention, received 5% support as the partys presidential nominee while declared candidate and former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley captured 3% of the vote. Vivek Ramaswamy, another declared Republican presidential candidate, secured the support of 1% of respondents, along with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The poll also asked who attendees would like to see as the Republican vice-presidential nominee in 2024. 2022 Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake won the support of 20% of respondents, followed by DeSantis (14%), Haley (10%), Ramaswamy (6%), Pompeo (6%), South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (5%), Paul (4%), Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., (4%) and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (4%). Unsuccessful 2016 Republican presidential hopefuls Dr. Ben Carson and Cruz each received 3% support as the vice-presidential candidate, while former Vice President Mike Pence, who served alongside Trump for four years, only received 1% support. The previous CPAC straw poll, conducted at the Dallas conference last summer, found Trump winning 69% of the vote, followed by DeSantis (24%) and Cruz (2%). All other candidates and potential candidates included in the poll received 1% of the vote or less. When asked if they ever felt personally or professionally threatened because of their political beliefs, 73% answered in the affirmative, while 22% said no. The overwhelming majority of attendees (89%) indicated they had no plans of getting a coronavirus shot in the future while 5% said they already had. Nearly three-fourths of those surveyed (74%) expressed a desire for laws regulating abortion at the state level following the overturning of the U.S. Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, which determined that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion. Thirteen percent thought abortion laws should be made at the federal level, while an additional 13% were not sure. Seventy-nine percent of participants expressed disapproval of the U.S. government giving billions of dollars in aid and military weapons to help Ukraine fight the war against Russia, with 61% strongly disapproving. Only 16% of those surveyed supported giving money and weapons to Ukraine. The survey also asked attendees who they thought would be the Democratic nominee for president in 2024. Just 39% predicted that incumbent President Joe Biden would be his partys standard bearer in 2024, while 21% thought that California Gov. Gavin Newsom would capture the nomination. Fourteen percent forecasted former first lady Michelle Obama winning the Democratic nomination, while 6% thought Vice President Kamala Harris would become the nominee. Additional candidates received a minimal amount of support, including 2016 Democratic nominee and former first lady Hillary Clinton (3%), Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (2%), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., (1%), talk show host Oprah Winfrey (1%) and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W-Va. (1%). Trump: If you put me back in the White House, 'America will be a free nation once again' Former President Donald Trump promised that America will be a free nation once again if elected in 2024 after attendees of the Conservative Political Action Conference gave him a strong vote of confidence in a straw poll on Saturday. The annual gathering of conservative activists and politicians culminated with Trump's speech that came after CPAC released a straw poll finding that 62% of attendees wanted Trump to win the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 After thanking the crowd gathered at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, for their support, the Republican presidential candidate reflected on his tenure in office and criticized the Biden administration. Trump looked ahead at what his second term in the White House might look like if he were to win the 2024 presidential election: America will be a free nation once again. Were not a free nation right now. We dont have a free press, we dont have free anything. Addressing LGBT ideology in his remarks, the former president proclaimed: I will revoke every Biden policy promoting the chemical castration and sexual [mutilation] of our youth and ask Congress to send me a bill prohibiting child sexual mutilation in all 50 states. He also promised to enact policies that keep men out of womens sports. Trump also pledged to totally obliterate the deep state and fire the unelected bureaucrats and shadow forces who have weaponized our justice system like it has never been weaponized before. At the top of his priority list, he added, would be stopping the slide into costly and never-ending wars and touted his ability to easily prevent World War III from breaking out. Reflecting on the positive relationships he developed with the leaders of adversarial nations, he also warned that youre going to have World War III if something doesnt happen fast. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, I will have the disastrous war between Russia and Ukraine settled. The CPAC straw poll revealed that 79% of attendees opposed giving additional money and military support to Ukraine as it battles Russia's invasion. Under my leadership, we will defend our borders first, he said. Three years ago, we had the safest border in the history of our country, and I will quickly do that again. Trump continued his nearly two hourlong speech by outlining his immigration agenda, which includes the construction of 200 additional miles of a border wall and a massive increase in border patrol and a colossal increase in the number of [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] deportation officers and the largest domestic deportation operation in American history. When discussing his public safety agenda, the former president insisted that he would direct the Department of Justice to go after Marxist prosecutors offices to make them pay for their illegal race-based enforcement of the law and send in federal assets including the national guard to cities where theres been a complete breakdown of public safety until law and order is restored. He listed tough consequences on juvenile criminals as an important plank of his second administration. Trump also expressed a desire to end the scourge of homelessness taking over our cities and suburbs, specifically by taking the homeless, drug addicted and severely deranged, [getting] them off our streets and [creating] tent cities where we will get them the help they so desperately need. The former president spoke of his intention to revoke President Joe Bidens executive order installing Marxist diversity, equity and inclusion czars in every federal agency in addition to terminating all staffers hired to implement this horrible agenda. He maintained that if elected, he would call on Congress to create a restitution fund for Americans who have been unjustly discriminated against by these Biden policies, and we will ban all racial discrimination by the government. Another part of his agenda is education, for which he proposed universal school choice and the direct election of school principals by the parents to advance parental rights. The former president added that he would also resurrect the 1776 Commission and teach our values and promote our history and our traditions to our children. I will destroy the illegal censorship regime and bring back free speech in America, he continued. Describing economic security as national security, Trump discussed a plan to revoke Chinas most favored nation trade status in addition to creating a four-year plan to phase out all Chinese imports of essential goods and gain total independence from China as well as holding China financially accountable for unleashing the coronavirus. Deriding the World Health Organization and suggesting that its acronym actually stands for we hide outbreaks, Trump said he would withdraw from it once again. Other policy proposals included in his speech were seeking to regain energy independence, imposing term limits on members of Congress and providing baby bonuses in the hope of unleashing a new baby boom. He concluded his speech by predicting that our country will shine, thrive and prosper like never before if he wins the 2024 election. Trump was one of four Republican presidential candidates to speak at CPAC. Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and businessman Perry Johnson also addressed the crowd. The RealClearPolitics average of polls asking Republican primary voters who they support for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 shows Trump with 45.2% support, followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 29.2% and former Vice President Mike Pence in a distant third at 6.8%. Haley has 5.3% support two weeks after entering the race. DeSantis and Pence have not announced White House bids but are thought to be considering joining the field. Tulsi Gabbard encourages Americans to 'recognize each other as children of God' A former Democratic presidential candidate condemned the partys hostility toward religious people and encouraged Americans to view one another as children of God. Tulsi Gabbard, a former member of the United States House of Representatives who has since left the party to become an Independent, addressed the crowd gathered on the final day of the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, on Saturday. After outlining her disillusion with the present state of the Democratic Party, especially when it comes to foreign policy, she lamented that her former party is openly hostile towards people of faith and spirituality. Democratic Party leaders are actively trying to undermine our religious freedom and, therefore, the spiritual foundation of this country, added Gabbard, who cited the treatment of Catholic United States Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett as an example of how party leaders mock or openly discriminate against people of faith, especially Christians. In 2017, as Barrett was nominated for a seat on a lower court, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., expressed concern that the dogma lives loudly within you, reflecting a fear that her religious beliefs would impact her ability to serve as an impartial jurist. Additionally, Gabbard took issue with the FBI's targeting of Americans it labeled as radical traditional Catholics. The FBIs Richmond Field Office circulated a document earlier this year labeling the increasingly observed interest of racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists (RMVEs) in radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology as a national security threat. The memo listed characteristics of radical-traditionalist Catholics as those who reject the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) as a valid church council and have disdain for most of the popes elected since Vatican II, particularly Pope Francis and Pope John Paul. It also listed adherence to anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBT, and white supremacist ideology as common attributes of radical-traditionalist Catholics. At the same time, the document attempted to clarify that radical-traditionalist Catholics compose a small minority of overall Roman Catholic adherents and are separate and distinct from traditionalist Catholics who prefer the Traditional Latin Mass and pre-Vatican II teachings and traditions, but without the more extremist ideological beliefs and violent rhetoric. After facing criticism, the FBI later apologized for the document, which it insisted does not meet the exacting standards of the FBI. Critics decried the documents use of the Southern Poverty Law Center as a source. The organization has repeatedly labeled Christians (including Dr. Ben Carson) and socially conservative groups as "hate groups" because of their support of traditional marriage, among other issues. It's not only Christians who the SPLC has targeted. As part of a $3.3 million settlement in 2018, the SPLC issued a formal apology to Maajid Nawaz and his organization, the Quilliam Foundation, for including them in a report on anti-Muslim activity. Gabbard quoted Thomas Jefferson, who said, God who gave us life gave us liberty before positing, Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed the conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Gabbard, the first Hindu to ever serve in the U.S. Congress, stressed the importance that Americans recognize each other as children of God. She noted that doing so enables people to appreciate that every one of us belongs to God and to no one else. She added, No government, no person, no individual has the right to take away the freedom that God has given us as the foundation of the social construct that is the United States of America and the core of who we are as Americans. We love and respect each other, recognizing that we are all children of God. We recognize that each of us has this intrinsic right within our own hearts to have a deeply personal relationship with God and the freedom to express and practice that faith without fear of any state-sponsored reprisal or censorship or discrimination. She also stated that Democrats want to erase the presence of God from every facet of public life, insisting that they cannot be trusted to protect our inalienable God-given rights enshrined in the Constitution and should not be in power. Gabbard told the CPAC audience that they refuse to recognize that we are all Gods children and therefore they reduce each of us to the color of our skin. The former congresswoman also raised concerns that they reject things like objective truth, specifically the fact that there is such a thing as a woman. Gabbards comment alluded to Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jacksons refusal to define the word woman during her confirmation hearings, which was seen as an overture to the idea that men who identify as female are women. The Biden administration, she added, was spitting in the face of every one of us as women by rejecting the fact that we as women exist and are not just a construct of someones mind, adding, There is no greater expression of hatred and hostility towards women than trying to erase us as an entire category of people. Gabbard further ripped the characterization of not referring to someone by their chosen pronouns as sexual harassment before maintaining that when those in power deny the existence of objective truth, we take away all boundaries in our society and the truth becomes whatever those in power say it is at any given time. She expressed particular concern about the embrace of pedophilia, so-called minor-attracted persons, the mutilation of children through the use of puberty blockers and chemical castration and irreversible surgeries and the promotion of infanticide by advocating for abortion on demand without exception even up to and after birth. US demands release of Baptist pastor imprisoned in Myanmar The U.S. government is calling for the immediate release of imprisoned Baptist bishop Hkalam Samson, who was arrested and detained by Myanmar's junta three months ago. Samson, an adviser to the Kachin Baptist Convention, was arrested in early December on charges of meeting with members of an ethnic armed group and holding a prayer meeting with members of the parallel civilian government of Myanmar, also known as Burma. We condemn the Burma military regimes arrest and detention of prominent ethnic Kachin Christian leader, Reverend Dr. Hkalam Samson, State Department spokesman Ned Price said at a recent press briefing. The conflict between the military, locally known as Tatmadaw, and ethnic minority militias has escalated since the military's coup in February 2021, as the ethnic militias have been supporting pro-democracy protesters. The junta has killed more than 3,000 people and arrested nearly 20,000 others, as of last Friday, according to The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. We are extremely concerned for his well-being and safety, and urge our partners and allies to join us in calling on the regime to drop all charges and immediately and unconditionally release Reverend Samson, Price said. Samson, who previously served as KBC president and secretary, is president of the Kachin National Consultative Assembly, a group of local religious and political leaders who help foster communication between the Kachin Independence Organization, or KIO, which is the political wing of the Kachin Independence Army, and the local community. The Southeast Asian country is home to the worlds longest Civil War, which began in 1948. The conflict zones are along Myanmars borders with India, Thailand and China. Christians comprise just over 7% of the majority-Buddhist nation but are a majority in Chin State, which borders India, and Kachin State, which borders China. Christians also make up a substantial part of the population of Kayah State, which borders Thailand. The detained bishop arranged the funerals of more than 60 victims of the juntas airstrike on a KIO anniversary concert in Hpakant township last October and tried to arrange for the seriously injured to receive emergency medical treatment at the nearest hospitals. A month after the incident, he participated in a prayer meeting in Myitkyina, organized by the Myanmar Council of Churches, which represents the countrys Christian groups, to commemorate the victims. Price praised Samsons incredible work advocating for religious freedom, justice, peace, and accountability. He said it should be celebrated and replicated, not condemned. We additionally urge the regime to cease its unconscionable repression against religious actors and communities in Burma and end the violence. Last November, the military junta bombed a Baptist seminary in Shan State, injuring at least four men in the dormitory. Last June, multiple reports, including by the U.N., revealed that the junta had disproportionately targeted religious minorities, including Christians, and brutally attacked and killed hundreds of children since the military coup. Tom Andrews, the U.N. special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, said in a report at the time that the juntas relentless attacks on children underscore the generals depravity and willingness to inflict immense suffering on innocent victims in its attempt to subjugate the people of Myanmar. Focusing on the killing of children, the U.N. rapporteur said during his fact-finding for the report, I received information about children who were beaten, stabbed, burned with cigarettes, and subjected to mock executions, and who had their fingernails and teeth pulled out during lengthy interrogation sessions. China to encourage, support private sector Xinhua) 10:02, March 05, 2023 BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China will unswervingly consolidate and develop the public sector and unswervingly encourage, support and guide the development of the non-public sector, according to a government work report submitted Sunday to the national legislature for deliberation. China will deepen reform of state-owned capital and state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and enhance the core competitiveness of the SOEs, said the report. China will also encourage and support the private sector and private businesses in growing and expanding and support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed individuals in business development, the report said. China will create an environment in which enterprises under all forms of ownership can compete and grow on a level playing field, it added. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun) Gender Equality and Family Minister Kim Hyun-sook speaks about the government's preparations for the 25th World Scout Jamboree during a media briefing held at the Government Complex in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap 43,000 teenagers from around the world to gather in Saemangeum By Jun Ji-hye Korea is finalizing its preparations for the 25th World Scout Jamboree that will take place this August on reclaimed land at Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, on the west coast, bringing together some 43,000 teenagers from 170 countries, according to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Sunday. Organized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the World Scout Jamboree is the world's largest youth camp held every four years, offering a venue for young people from around the world to learn about each other's cultures and build friendships. Korea was chosen to host the Jamboree event at the 41st World Scout Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, in August 2017. This will be the second Jamboree to be held in Korea after the one held in Goseong, Gangwon Province, in 1991. Poster for the 25th World Scout Jamboree / Courtesy of Ministry of Gender Equality and Family In a bid to discuss measures to support the event and ensure the safety of participants, the government held a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Friday. "The upcoming event will be meaningful in that some 43,000 youngsters from 170 countries will have a chance to gather for cultural exchanges at a time when people around the world are returning to normality after the COVID-19 pandemic," Han said. "The government will focus all of its administrative capability on operating a variety of programs and ensuring safety." During the meeting, the government decided to simplify visa issuance procedures and operate exclusive immigration checkpoints at Incheon International Airport to make sure that overseas participants do not experience any inconveniences. The government will also provide transportation and traffic information as well as police personnel so participants from overseas can move to the event site promptly and safely. Various safety measures have been planned to prevent infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and any accidents that could be caused by high temperatures or heavy rainfall. The Korean summer is usually in full swing in August and heavy rain and floods are common. Seventeen medical facilities, including eight offering emergency medical services, will be operated at the event site, which will be backed by nearby Wonkwang University Hospital. The government will install a temporary meteorological observatory to offer up-to-date weather information and utilize nearby schools and gymnasiums as emergency shelters in case of natural disasters. The left photo shows the map location of Saemangeum, the country's largest-ever land reclamation project, where the 25th World Scout Jamboree will take place this August, while the right photo shows a computer-generated aerial image of the event site. Captured from 25th World Scout Jamboree official website Dangerous liaisons: Nicaragua, China and Catholic integralism Catholic leaders in Nicaragua and China are facing extreme persecution by their governments. That's primarily the fault of those countries horrible rulers, of course but it should also remind us that when representatives of the Church cozy up to authoritarian governments, ordinary believers end up paying the price. The relationship between the Catholic Church and the Nicaraguan government of Daniel Ortega is an example. Ortega first came to power in the predominantly Catholic country back in 1979 when the Sandinistas, his Marxist revolutionary group, overthrew the brutal right-wing dictatorship of President Anastasio Somoza. Supporters of liberation theology, then the flavor of the month in many Catholic liberal circles, threw discretion to the winds. Some of them talked as if the Kingdom of Heaven had just materialized in Central America. The Sandinistas minister of culture was a Catholic priest and poet, Father Ernesto Cardenal. Enter Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. During his 1983 visit to Nicaragua, John Paul famously chastised Father Cardenal for holding office in a secular government, something strictly forbidden by the Code of Canon Law. Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo who today is the countrys vice president were eyewitnesses to the papal rebuke. The following year, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued an Instruction on Certain Aspects of Theologies of Liberation. The instruction cautioned against the temptation to place oneself within the perspective of a temporal messianism, which is one of the most radical of the expressions of secularization of the Kingdom of God and of its absorption into the immanence of human history. It adds that in giving such priority to the political dimension, one is led to deny the radical newness of the New Testament and above all to misunderstand the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true man, and thus the specific character of the salvation he gave us, that is above all liberation from sin, which is the source of all evils. This was a desperately needed corrective to liberation theologys clumsy fusion of the gospels of Jesus and Marx. John Pauls intervention, along with Cardinal Ratzingers instruction, were welcomed by many priests in the Americas. Among them was a future Nicaraguan prelate, Rolando Alvarez, now bishop of Matagalpa. Bishop Alvarez, an influential member of Nicaraguas Conference of Catholic Bishops, has watched while Ortega who to the horror of his Western admirers was voted out of office in 1990 has twice reinvented himself. On becoming president again in 2006, Ortega ruled like a traditional Latin American leftist dictator, but with the unexpected twist that he presented himself as a devoted Catholic. He even banned abortion. The Vaticans Secretariat of State, never an infallible judge of authoritarian rulers, was so impressed that it paid insufficient attention to the steady crushing of Nicaraguan democracy. But the Nicaraguan bishops were paying attention and none more so than Father Alvarez, made a bishop by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011 at the remarkably young age of 44. He has opposed Ortegas brutal policies for years, and last year went on hunger strike in protest against them. He was put under house arrest and has now been sentenced to 26 years and four months in prison for being a traitor to the homeland. Heroically, he could have avoided imprisonment when Ortega offered him the alternative of expulsion from Nicaragua along with 222 other political prisoners, including priests and seminarians. He refused and is now being held in a maximum-security prison in Managua a living symbol of the Churchs commitment to human rights. Across the world another bishop who endures persecution for the same reason Cardinal Joseph Zen, the 91-year-old bishop emeritus of Hong Kong was already a priest and theologian when Ricardo Alvarez was born. Since 2018, the Holy See and the Chinese government have operated under a pact that allows the government to choose bishops subject only to a veto by the Pope. The pact, it seems, is not worth the paper it is written on. China has brazenly ordained an auxiliary bishop recently for a diocese that is not recognized by the Vatican just as Cardinal Zen predicted it would. Like Bishop Alvarez, Cardinal Zen has been targeted with trumped-up charges for his pro-democracy views. He was convicted of failing to register a humanitarian relief fund and fined for supporting pro-democracy demonstrators during the mass protests in Hong Kong in 2019. Cardinal Zen is not alone in standing up to Chinas assault on democracy. Jimmy Lai, a Catholic pro-democracy advocate and the founder of the Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily, is also one of Chinas victims. Lai will stand trial on charges under the terms of the Hong Kong National Security Law. He faces a life sentence. Unbelievably, a tiny but vocal minority of American Catholic conservatives praise China and have been disturbingly silent on their persecution. They belong to a school of thought known by various names, the best known of which is integralism. That label has been used before: by fascists and other autocratic movements in 20th-century Europe that wanted to subordinate their national politics to the spiritual authority of the Catholic Church (or, at least, their understanding of it). Alarmingly, this revived American version of Catholic integralism is attracting the interest of some young orthodox Catholics. A handful of experts in political thought are trying to bring them back to clear thinking. In a commentary piece for The Washington Post, for example, University of Texas professor Justin Dyer observes that integralism is a reaction to the illiberalism of the far left. As a political vision, it is monumentally imprudent. Among the problems Dyer identifies are the very characteristics celebrated by its chief proponents a return of confessional states, religion-based citizenship, and enforced orthodoxy. According to James Patterson, professor at Ave Maria University and scholar at the Catholic University of Americas Institute for Human Ecology, neo-integralists, as he calls them, openly admire authoritarian regimes. They have embraced leaders of European parties with historical ties to fascism and contemporary ties to Russias government and some of them are mysteriously well disposed to the government of China, which is engaged in the largest-scale persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in the world today. But then Beijing has its admirers in the Vatican, too. In 2018, Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, the Argentinian prelate who was then chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, announced: Right now, those who are best implementing the social doctrine of the Church are the Chinese. Sordono astonishingly claimed that the Chinese government was defending the dignity of the person in its pursuit of the common good. Such naivety, to put it charitably, was a reminder that a minority of Christians will always be susceptible to the temptation to secularize the Kingdom of God and the charms of repressive governments. They do not represent the authentic voice of the Church. Unfortunately, those faithful in persecuted communities who do uphold the dignity of the person run the risk of terrible retribution. Therefore, it is incumbent on us, as ordinary Christians, to watch their situation closely and make sure their heroic witness is never ignored. My Christian experience with secularism and its 'holy grail' A cultural misunderstanding of the Christian faith is that its boring. Secularism excites by emphasizing reason, science, and free thought, that is, free from any theistic influences. Humanitys experience of reality is described and explained with inspiration for the unnecessariness of God. Culture finds this fascinating and establishes trends that are unnerving even for devout Christians. Thus an intellectually rigorous discernment of secularism is necessary for continued confidence in the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4). Believers require a fresh realization that the Christian faith does provide existential and intellectual fulfillment, and makes reality intelligible. Secularism should be criticized for its self-entitled interpretations of reality, and its dubious propositions for humanity. Alluding to the saying of the late Carl Sagan, its often said among the intelligentsia that, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Quoting a pithy saying of famous scientists, however, is not interchangeable with well-documented knowledge. Extraordinary evidence has become a game for the secular narrative, as its applied unilaterally to the Christian faith. God created the universe ex nihilo, and the resurrection of Christ, are beliefs framed as unsatisfiable outside of Scripture. The beliefs may be true, but the secular mind requires them to be placed under a microscope and confirmatory data to emerge. Thats how unreasonable secular thought is becoming in its demands on the Christian faith. Secular beliefs are not questioned so rigorously. They are accepted gratuitously and by trust in authority figures. For example, everyone acknowledges that the natural world appears designed. Yet secularism adamantly refuses to acknowledge that the specified complexity and fine-tuning confirmed by microscopic and telescopic observations are suggesting actual design. Such acknowledgment would be a game changer, and so its mortally contested by secularism. Secular thought is scaffolded on the belief that the world is assembled on its own by natural laws, and evolutionary theory is the holy grail. In Enlightenment Now, Steven Pinker seeks to refresh humanity by appreciating the ideas of The Enlightenment for today, and onward for a brighter future. Pinker writes, I will first lay out a framework for understanding the human condition informed by modern science who we are, where we came from, what our challenges are, and how we can meet them.1 Pinkers questions are paramount and the answers affect subsequent claims. His task is noble, but much is self-entitled by a selective interpretation of modern science. Some readers are grimacing now, believing that its not such a big deal. After all, its the ideas that count. Critical thought, however, should not allow special pleas, especially when a worldview makes extraordinary claims in answering Pinkers foregoing questions. Modern science has observed specified complexity but mainstream science has not explained how it is assembled naturally. Yet secular culture carries on as if it were scientific truth. Thankfully, some scientists have the courage to speak up. Michael Behe says outrightly: No papers are to be found that discuss detailed models for intermediates in the development of complex biomolecular structures in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Nature, Science, the Journal of Molecular Biology or, to my knowledge, any science journal whatsoever. . . . If a theory claims to be able to explain some phenomenon but does not generate even an attempt at an explanation, then it should be banished. Despite comparing sequences, molecular evolution has never addressed the question of how complex structures came to be.2 Secular thinkers respond with a stack of published material as proof for a natural explanation of specified complexity, but like Behe, I have yet to read anything that explains how complex structures came to be. Regardless, the evolutionary theory remains non-negotiable for secular thought. Dissent is frowned upon. Its often met with histrionics and ridicule, which can be intimidating. A highly respected contemporary philosopher, an open-minded atheist, has described it as browbeating. Thomas Nagel wrote: It is prima facie highly improbable that life as we know it is the result of a sequence of physical accidents together with the mechanism of natural selection. . . . I realize that such doubts will strike many people as outrageous, but that is because almost everyone in our secular culture has been browbeaten. . . . It is an assumption governing the scientific project rather than a well-confirmed scientific hypothesis. . . . And if physical science . . . leaves us necessarily in the dark about consciousness, that shows that it cannot provide the basic form of intelligibility for this world.3 It is an assumption governing the scientific project rather than a well-confirmed scientific hypothesis. Consequently, Nagel suggests fairly that it cannot provide the basic form of intelligibility for this world. So why doesnt secular thought negotiate its views? Educated people and professors have confessed to me privately that evolutionary theory doesnt make sense. They nevertheless do not see any harm in going along with it and have advised me to do likewise so as not to appear anti-science. Isnt that tantamount to checking our brains at the door? Arent we to exercise critical thinking? Isnt science supposed to go wherever the evidence leads? Nagel is correct that almost everyone in our secular culture has been browbeaten, Christians too. When engaging with secular thought, we should not accept gratuitously the intellectual hocus-pocus that interprets scientific data with the aid of artistic illustrations. Explanations should be based on experiments, clear sequencing, falsification, and intelligible demonstrations. Beware that questioning may encounter voice raising, condescension, name-calling, and a browbeating. The exquisite designs everyone observes are not merely apparent. They are actual and irreducibly complex, a nettlesome phenomenon for the secular agenda. We were intended and purposed to be in relationship with our Maker. A genuine encounter with Gods grace is the beginning of an exciting journey. For those who believe the cultural trend that the Christian faith is boring, I invite them to taste the Bread of Life. I would encourage them to experience Gods Logos as the source of humanitys consciousness and ability to reason. Lets not allow culture to rest conveniently in the assumptions and dogmas of secularism. People should be encouraged to exercise independent thinking and decide for themselves. They may discover how powerfully real are the words of Christ, You must be born again (John 3:7). As was penned in that great hymn that remains relevant, Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound . . . I was once blind but now I see. 1 Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress (Penguin Books: New York, 2019), 5-6. 2 A Mousetrap for Darwin (Discovery Institute Press: Seattle, 2020), 30-31. Italics on how are mine. 3 Mind & Cosmos: Why the Material Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature Is Almost Certainly False (Oxford University Press: New York, 2012), 6, 7, 11, 53. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Conservative MPs Colin Carrie, left, Leslyn Lewis, second left, and Dean Allison, right, with Christine Anderson. Ms. Anderson, a member of the German parliament, disputes Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievres claim that three of his MPs did not know about her far-right politics before meeting her for lunch in Toronto Feb. 21. Handout By Michael Bergmann No one expects Korea to take a leading role in helping Ukraine survive Russia's criminal war of aggression. And I should also say that I find Korean public opinion on the issue quite bearable. The most horrible crimes against humanity in Europe since World War II may, seemingly far away, not top people's list of concerns. But I rarely encounter the moral confusion, misinformation mixed with pieces of Putin's propaganda or irresponsible talk of "neutrality" which are spreading even in countries that support Ukraine more actively, not to mention the cynical glee heard from parts of the developing world. The fact that South Korea is among the very few countries outside Europe, North America and Oceania which have made some sacrifices, materially supporting Ukraine or sanctioning Russia, is not to be belittled as just another expression of the desire to appear on the same page with the world's leading democracies. Korean sympathy for the victimized nation is genuine and deeply rooted in historic experience. But it has gone nearly unnoticed how illogically, even hypocritically, the South Korean government answers requests for military aid to Ukraine. Western diplomats hinting at the contradiction are told that it is the government's "position not to supply arms to countries engaged in conflict." This means that Ukraine is disqualified as a receiver of weapons made in Korea precisely by actually being invaded. Other countries in central and eastern Europe, seeing themselves "only" threatened by Russia and not (yet) "engaged in war," are warmly welcomed, in contrast, as customers of Korea's arms industry. I absolutely agree that governments should strictly control arms exports to rule out any abuse of dangerous products. But if you help politically trustworthy countries prepare for self-defense, how can you not help those already under attack? Whether a country actually "engages" in self-defense is, unfortunately, not its own choice. Of course, no country with neighbors that South Korea has would risk its own preparedness out of solidarity with fellow democracies. But to reach President Yoon Suk Yeol's declared goal of making South Korea the world's number 4 arms exporter by 2027, the government is so eager to grab the "opportunity" of Russia's aggression and to satisfy the rapidly growing demand by its horrified neighbors that concerns have been raised about the capacities for simultaneous self-supply. The real reason for not providing the one country under actual attack with means of defense is, then, obvious: Forced to "engage" in a struggle to survive, Ukraine is basically bankrupt and needs military aid in contrast to "arms imports." It is good to cooperate with other potential victims of Russia's aggression who, mostly NATO- and EU members, can still pay. But ironic "principles" will sooner or later damage Korea's credibility. Michael Bergmann (bergmann2473@yahoo.de) is a teacher in Seoul. By Sean O'Malley What a difference an administration makes. Japan has transformed from a "perpetrator" of "crimes against humanity" under the former Moon Jae-in administration into a "partner that shares universal values with us" under the current Yoon Suk Yeol administration, at least according to March 1 Independence Movement Day speeches. The contrast is sharp and shows quite clearly the difficulty Japan faces in relations with South Korea. The current administration's latest attempt to end the dispute with Japan regarding forced labor during World War II has garnered much debate and criticism. To get past the deadlock in relations, the latest proposal introduces a rather novel idea to end the spat: third-party compensation paid primarily by Korean companies that benefitted from grants and loans provided by the 1965 "Agreement on the Settlement of Problems Concerning Property and Claims and on Economic Co-operation between Japan and the Republic of Korea." Even if this plan is implemented it will fail to gain acceptance among the South Korean public. This is because opponents of the plan South Korean victims, civil activists, and many politicians seemingly will get neither restitution from Japanese companies nor an apology from the government of Japan for the forced labor policies of the past. The hard truth is that the forced labor issue is simply one tree in a deep forest of mistrust. In conflict resolution terms, we would refer to the bundle of historical grievances between Korea and Japan as an intractable issue that is not ripe for resolution. This means the issue is difficult or impossible to solve (e.g. intractable) and that it has not reached a point where participants are prepared to accept a resolution (e.g. ripe for resolution). The truth is that the people and governments of both countries feel like victims, and they have for a long time. Just over 20 years ago, I witnessed a verbal argument of recriminations and accusations nearly turn physically violent. Ironically, the argument took place in my graduate school seminar class on conflict resolution. The participants in this particular exchange were a Korean student and a Japanese student, two young women on very friendly terms until a class discussion that day. Both women felt as though their nation was the victim of decades of mistreatment by the other and their raw emotions poured out for all to see. The old cliche is that it takes two to tango, but Japan and South Korea are dancing to different beats. For decades, Japan has claimed steadfastly that all compensation issues were settled completely and finally by the 1965 Agreement. Meanwhile, successive Korean administrations have tried ever-changing policies to get redress for wrongs committed by colonial Japan. The Yoon administration's approach to the forced labor issue is yet another such attempt. Unfortunately, successive administrations' policies have fueled a lack of trust between these states. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe allegedly quipped that he would trust the Chinese before the Koreans. This lack of trust seeps down to ordinary Japanese citizens, as I learned 20 years ago. Following President Yoon's Independence Movement Day speech, the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) aided that lack of trust once again by stating the Yoon administration is "maintaining a submissive stance toward Japan" and negotiating a plan that "is shameful to our ancestors who fought for independence." As such, the majority party in the legislature signaled to Japan that it will not support the current direction of negotiations and will likely overturn any finalized plan if it regains the presidency. Regrettably, a major obstacle to improved relations is that politicians in both countries gain little from their respective publics by trying to settle these difficult historical issues. Japan-bashing in Korea is an easy way for politicians to show their nationalist credentials. Generally speaking, all Korean politicians can benefit from Japan-bashing, but it is progressives who most need Japan as a foe. With Japan as a foe, progressives can redirect South Korean anxiety away from North Korea and China. Meanwhile "Korea fatigue," a euphemism for anti-Korea sentiment, is rising among the Japanese public. The conservative Yoon administration rightly recognizes that South Korea can no longer sacrifice national security for the sake of Japan-bashing. North Korean provocations that increased near the end of the Moon administration have continued to increase under the Yoon administration, and therefore, closer security coordination between South Korea and Japan must be enhanced, whether bilaterally or under trilateral terms with the United States. President Yoon and his administration cannot overcome the lack of trust in both countries, and subsequently, they cannot solve the intractable issues of historical grievances between them. Therefore, they are walking a delicate tightrope. To placate domestic interests, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin has called for Japan "to make political decisions in sincere response (to South Korea's efforts)" while the foreign ministry continues working-level consultations with Japan over the issue of forced labor. Simultaneously, the administration is enhancing security and intelligence cooperation with Japan, which is in the interests of both countries. In essence, the administration seemingly has managed to extricate security policy from historical grievances and seen no major backlash in domestic polling numbers. So, has the South Korean president found a sweet spot in relations with Japan? With increased security cooperation, communication lines to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida more open, and poll numbers stabilized, perhaps it is best for the president and his team to remain patient and stay the course. Forcing an unsupported agreement regarding forced labor on the Korean public can only hurt this delicate balance and damage overall policies toward Japan. Building trust in any agreement, both domestically and with the Japanese, will take time. The president should remember: patience is a virtue and the fruits of labor ripen with time. Sean O'Malley (seanmo@dongseo.ac.kr) is a professor of international studies at Dongseo University, where he teaches classes on U.S.-Korea Relations and regionalism. His most recent paper, "Nationalism as a Primary Institution in Northeast Asia" can be found in Asia Review. Humanitarian aid needed to ease military tension Well-fed people are rarely seen in photos and videos of North Korea. One notable exception is its leader Kim Jong-un who is severely obese. Kim's second child, his daughter Ju-ae, who has been seen accompanying her father frequently at official events in recent months, also appears to be very well-fed. According to Radio Free Asia, North Koreans were angered to watch the plump, well-clothed third grader, comparing her with their skinny children. Food shortages have been a chronic problem in the isolated country. Nearly half of its residents are malnourished, with one-fifth of children having stunted growth problems. And the food crisis seems to have aggravated sharply in recent years. Last Thursday, Kim called on state-managed farms to step up their grain production and meet their goals for this year "without fail," wrapping up a four-day plenary meeting of the Workers' Party of Korea. It was unusual for Pyongyang to hold the yearly or twice-yearly plenary session in little more than two months. At a similar meeting in December, the North identified grain production as the No. 1 task among 12 major economic priorities for 2023. Some watchers say the reclusive country could face the worst famine since the "Arduous March" of the late 1990s when 3 percent to 5 percent of its 20 million population starved to death. Reasons vary. Some things are beyond the North's control, such as its mountainous terrain and increasingly frequent droughts and floods. Prolonged economic sanctions, though resulting from North Korea's violation of international rules, are also an external factor. The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdowns for nearly three years were critical blows to grain imports. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war sharply raised grain prices. However, the food shortage is also an artificial crisis for at least two reasons. One is military. According to a unification ministry spokesperson, if North Korea had spent the money for all its missile launches last year on food imports, it would have been able to buy more than 1 million tons of grain to cover its annual food shortage. The other is systemic. For unknown reasons, Kim recently tightened the state's grip on "free economic activities," banning private trading of grain and limiting its distribution to government shops. Some pundits say Kim's U-turn to complete control of the economy reflects his fear of the free market and capitalism. The situation is unlikely to get any better this year, and may become far worse. The U.S. and South Korea will conduct joint military drills at a greater scale and frequency. North Korea vows to respond in kind, depleting its already-scarce financial resources. Both sides will blame each other for escalating tensions, as they have been doing for decades. Kim and his cronies deserve international condemnation for failing to feed people under the pretext of defending their country, a socialist regime or a modern-day dynasty. But Washington and Seoul are not entirely free from criticism if their strategy risks another humanitarian disaster. The allies have expressed their intention to provide help on condition that the North returns to the dialogue table. Pyongyang has also reportedly requested aid from the U.N. World Food Programme unofficially. If past experiences are any guide, however, the sides will spend months arguing over terms and preconditions and thousands, if not tens of thousands, of North Korean children will die in the process. Now is the time for Seoul to take a more positive stance. Upon his inauguration in May last year, President Yoon Suk Yeol proposed "unsparing support" to help North fight against COVID-19. Yoon should make a similar offer of food aid "without preconditions." Yoon's North Korean "audacious initiative" policy also begins with inter-Korean exchanges between the North's mineral resources and the South's daily necessities, including food. The U.S. should also realize that further pressuring North Korea will only drive Pyongyang closer to its archrival, China. All peace-loving people will love to see humanitarian exchanges on the inter-Korean border replacing hostile tirades and war games this year. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Offer a personal message of sympathy... By sharing a fond memory or writing a kind tribute, you will be providing a comforting keepsake to those in mourning. If you have an existing account with this site, you may log in with that below. Otherwise, you can create an account by clicking on the Log in button below, and then register to create your account. A photograph of Geunjeongjeon in Gyeongbok Palace taken by Percival Lowell in early 1884 Robert Neff Collection By Robert Neff In the final days of February 1885, Seoul was awash with activity. The main city streets (especially the street running between Gyeongbok and Changdeok palaces), notorious for being cluttered with squatters' shacks, unauthorized booths and extensions to the shops of merchants, were cleared out and all the debris was removed. The gutters infamous for the amount and type of nefarious waste they contained were also cleared. These were the preparations being made for March 3, when the king and the whole royal household would leave Changdeok Palace and move to the new palace (Gyeongbok) which they would henceforth occupy. The handful of Americans residing in Seoul were also busy preparing for the move. Horace N. Allen and his wife, Fannie, were provided access to the newly reconstructed palace a week or so earlier so that they could take some pictures. A photograph of King Gojong by Percival Lowell in early 1884 Robert Neff Collection Allen's attempts to take photographs of the palace were thwarted "by a rough Chinese soldier who kept obstinately getting in the road till he spoiled my [picture]." Allen was a fairly large man and "thrashed" the soldier "soundly" and threatened to tell the Chinese minister to Korea of the soldier's mischievousness. Allen's threat was real and the soldier knew it. The American doctor helped treat a number of Chinese soldiers wounded during the failed coup in December and the Chinese minister was known (at least to Allen) for his cold and callous treatment of his soldiers. He refused to let Allen amputate the limb of one of the soldiers because the handicapped man would be useless to society the soldier soon died. Because of the Chinese soldier, Allen's day (along with his pictures) was ruined, but he hoped to return the following day with George C. Foulk the acting American representative to Korea to try again. It is a shame Allen did not describe the palace in his diary or include any pictures taken of it before it was re-occupied by the royal family. The only images and descriptions we have are from the previous year when it was still being repaired. A photograph of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion taken by Percival Lowell in early 1884 Robert Neff Collection In March 1884, one American naval officer wrote in his journal: "The paved walks are admirably laid, and in the outer courts are crossed by canals walled up with granite, on the borders of which are couching tigers, in the same enduring stone, dipping their heads in the water as though to drink. "Hundreds of buildings are still standing, probably the former residences of minor officials, servants, and soldiers; but the subdivision which contained the King's apartments, and those of the royal court nearest to his person, is but an enclosure of ruins. They were fine structures raised upon terraces with stone facings; but now nothing remains but granite walls blackened by fire, and the tall chimneys connected with the numerous kangs." The naval officer was especially impressed with Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, which he declared was "built for the recreation of the Queen, and ladies of the court an army of maids of honor, at present numbering over two hundred." A photograph of the interior of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion taken by Percival Lowell in early 1884 Robert Neff Collection Apparently, the sight of this pavilion had an impact on his imagination and pen: "Here the Queen and her dames d'honneur spent the long summer days floating upon the lake in gaily painted pleasure boats with silken coverings, amongst the pink and white blossoms of the lotus, perhaps to land on the little shady spots of earth which dot the surface of the water, to light a pipe, and dream the hours away; or in the pavilion, reclining on couches covered with embroidered silks, or leopard and tiger skins, listening to the music, and enjoying the dancing of the Geisha girls while sipping cha, and nibbling the sweets in which Corea is so prolific." There were other Western visitors to the palace in 1884 each with an interesting opinion (and a liberal dash of fantasy) but those accounts will have to wait for another time. The beauty of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in the summer of 2006 Robert Neff Collection Finally, on March 3, the royal family moved from Changdeok Palace to Gyeongbok Palace. In his diary, Allen described the day as having "an event equal in importance to the Coreans with the Inauguration of our President Grover Cleveland tomorrow took place." Allen and his wife were provided an excellent view of the royal procession as it passed through the city due to "the voluntary kindness" of Min Yeong-ik Allen's patient and a relative of the queen. Min had secured a room in one of the few two-story buildings surrounding the big bell at Jongno and had it furnished with chairs, mats and "quite a spread of champagne and Corean sweetmeats." From this lofty perch Allen and his wife, along with Foulk and the British consul and his staff, viewed the crowds of Korean spectators waiting for the royal procession. According to Allen's diary: "Early this morning crowds of people began to throng the streets, women being borne in chair to some place where they could observe unseen and the poorer class going early to get a good place. Every window and door had a fine bamboo blind over it which allowed the women behind to see without being seen." Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in the summer of 2006. In the past, it was much easier to take a picture of the pavilion and its pond sans crowds of excited tourists and visitors. Robert Neff Collection The Westerners were somewhat surprised when they discovered that they were not the only guests. "Through some mistake the Japanese Charge d'Affaires Kondo got in there with his officers while his soldiers beat back the curious crowd in front." It would be interesting to know from where the Chinese minister and his staff observed the procession especially considering the Chinese role in the move. Rather than trying to describe the royal procession, I think it is better to allow Allen to narrate it through his diary entry: "First came a company bearing the King's banner, a large yellow flag with two dragons pictured on it and surrounded by warriors with matchlocks guns and ancient armor all covered with metal. They also had helmets of the same material. Then came soldiers followed by men in queer costumes surrounding the King's chair borne on the shoulders of many men. The King's chair red resembled a throne and was covered in back and side by fur. When it came opposite us it stopped and the King bowed to us several times." Gyeonghoeru Pavilion is beautiful in all seasons, including winter 2012. Robert Neff Collection Allen was impressed with the Korean monarch and described him as "good looking" and "real anxious to see as well as be seen." Following the king was 11-year-old Crown Prince Sunjong in a similar chair. "He is really pretty, wore glasses and looked very contented. His chair also stopped where we were and he bowed several times, we returning it," wrote Allen. His and other Western visitors' descriptions of the crown prince in the 1880s are very flattering and the complete opposite of their later descriptions in the 1890s and early 1900s where they describe him as weak, mentally slow and unfit. Following a group of soldiers and their banners was "a very gaudy closed chair containing the Queen. We could not see her but she of course saw us and as her chair stopped where the others had we bowed and Mrs. Allen waved her kerchief. Other similar processions were followed in turn by the King's mother in a similar chair, then the wife of the little boy Prince (she is the sister of Min Yeong-ik)." Allen noted that these last chairs and each was followed "by two very pretty 'Gaeshy' or dancing girls, bestride a horse and holding on to the saddle low with their little hands as [if] they [were] afraid of falling off." A group of people in the streets of Seoul are captured in Percival Lowell's camera lens in early 1884. Robert Neff Collection Just before Christmas, Ministers took the fateful and controversial decision to block Scotlands new Gender Recognition Bill. Inside the London Government, there had been an intense debate about the best way to prevent legislation that would lower the age at which children could apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate from 18 to 16. But there was unanimity that action needed to be taken due to its impact on the Equality Act. All except from one very senior Government official. On December 22, Sue Gray, Second Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, sent an email to those discussing the legislation. I found reference to S35 [the section of the Scotland Act that allows the Scottish Secretary to exercise a veto] difficult, she wrote, but I found even more difficult the words about stopping the Bill. But as you say, this seems to have been agreed. One Minister who was involved in the discussions responded by saying: It was strange. We were trying to stop a piece of legislation that was dangerous for women and children. Its true Sue Grays (pictured) independent report into the No 10 lockdown breaches has been seemingly tarnished by her move to Labour And one of the most senior civil servants in the country was attempting to block us. We couldnt understand why. Some inside Government think that question was answered last week, when it was announced that Gray had resigned from the Civil Service to become Sir Keir Starmers chief of staff. As another Minister said: Labour in Scotland supported the Gender Recognition Bill. And the last thing Starmer wanted was a big row about it. The fact Sue Gray was preparing to jump ship to him brings her whole stance into doubt. Over the past few days, the fury over Grays appointment has primarily been led by supporters of Boris Johnson, who claimed her appointment proved the former PM had been the victim of a Left-wing stitch-up over Partygate. Its true Grays independent report into the No 10 lockdown breaches has been seemingly tarnished by her move to Labour. But the basic facts of what Johnson did and said during lockdown are a matter of public record. And they are not altered by Grays sudden career move. However, what her dramatic leap across the political divide does expose is the fiction of British Civil Service neutrality, the fickle nature of the way the British political establishment polices itself, and the ongoing hypocrisy and self-righteousness of Starmer. Grays supporters have furiously denied any wrongdoing on her part. In her role as Head of Ethics and Propriety, she acted with enormous diligence, integrity and professionalism, earning her the trust of successive Prime Ministers and Ministers, even when she was giving them some very difficult messages, wrote former Civil Service head Lord (Bob) Kerslake, who incidentally did some work for the Labour Party when it was led by Jeremy Corbyn. It is very hard to imagine her departing from those principles now. Well, its only hard if you totally ignore the fact Gray has spent the past few months advising Ministers on the most sensitive issues in government, while secretly preparing to jump ship to their political opponents, and help oust them from office. The Civil Service Code is clear. It explains that signatories are obliged to always act in a way that is professional and that deserves and retains the confidence of all those with whom you have dealings. And it adds: You must not deceive or knowingly mislead Ministers. Gray did, indeed, manage to retain the confidence of Ministers. But only because she kept them in the dark over her negotiations to join Sir Keir Starmers party. As one said to me hours after her appointment emerged: At the start of this week, Sue Gray was sitting in a meeting with every Cabinet Minister, in which the most sensitive details about the Governments EU negotiations were discussed. Three days later she pops up working for Keir Starmer. Its a disgrace. A key part of Grays defence is that her appointment will be fully scrutinised by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA). But again, the regulations are crystal clear. The Business Appointment Rules for Crown Servants state that people leaving the Civil Service should not accept or announce a new appointment or offer of employment before it has been approved. What Gray's dramatic leap across the political divide does expose is the fiction of British Civil Service neutrality, the fickle nature of the way the British political establishment polices itself, and the ongoing hypocrisy and self-righteousness of Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) But last Thursday, a Labour spokesman confirmed: The Labour Party has offered Sue Gray the role of chief of staff to the Leader of the Opposition. We understand she hopes to accept the role subject to the normal procedures. Labour and Gray are self-evidently flouting these procedures. And going to increasingly desperate lengths to cover up that fact. Starmer and his colleagues have repeatedly been asked how long they were in discussion with Gray before her appointment was announced. Repeatedly, they have refused to answer. When asked about the propriety of Gray potentially using information gleaned from her time serving in some of the most sensitive areas of government to assist Labour into power, they ludicrously claimed the role that Sue will be doing is entirely separate from our Election operation. Yet they know full well that, in opposition, everything a political party does forms part of their attempt to secure the seals of office. And as chief of staff, Gray will now be Starmers most senior adviser in the run-up to, and through, a bitterly fought Election campaign. When asked, Starmer defended her appointment by claiming: I want to ensure that were in a position to deliver for the whole of the United Kingdom and thats why Im so pleased that people of real quality, really respected, want to join the Labour team. But as one of the UKs highest-profile civil servants, she could have helped deliver his agenda in her current role. The only logical rationale for the move is that Starmer and Gray want the flexibility of operating in a more overtly political way. A pattern is starting to emerge here. Labours leader likes nothing better than to lecture others on the need for integrity and transparency in public office. But when it come to his own operation, the rules suddenly seem to change. There was the making, then breaking, of his 10 Pledges. The ruthless defenestration of his colleague and friend Jeremy Corbyn. An opportunistic repudiation of his long-held commitment to reversing Brexit. And now the grubby recruitment of Gray. Starmers allies respond by claiming politics is a rough trade, and his own sharp practice is justified by the need to transform his party, and end a decade of Tory misrule. And the polls certainly indicate such steely-eyed cynicism is reaping its reward. But Labours butter wouldnt melt in our mouths preaching is starting to grate. Over the past few days, the fury over Grays appointment has primarily been led by supporters of Boris Johnson (pictured), who claimed her appointment proved the former PM had been the victim of a Left-wing stitch-up over Partygate Last year, Starmer set out the principles he claimed would underpin his premiership. They were selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. At some point over the past few weeks, Sue Gray would have sat down with Starmer, or one of his allies, and agreed to assist them in their stated mission of driving the Tories from power. Then she would have shaken hands, said her goodbyes, and returned to her work briefing a completely unsuspecting Rishi Sunak and his Ministers. Integrity. Openness. Honesty. If the former occupant of the Governments post of Director General, Propriety and Ethics represents the epitome of these values, the British state is in an even worse mess than many of us feared. Samsung SDI CEO Choi Yoon-ho, left, and General Motors CEO Mary Barra / Courtesy of each company Samsung SDI to build battery plant with GM By Park Jae-hyuk Samsung SDI is set to establish a joint venture with General Motors, joining the latest trend of Korean electric vehicle (EV) battery makers diversifying their partnerships with global carmakers, according to industry officials, Sunday. The battery manufacturing unit of Samsung Group will reportedly sign a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. carmaker in the state of Michigan on Wednesday, in order to build a joint battery plant. Samsung SDI CEO Choi Yoon-ho and GM CEO Mary Barra are expected to attend the signing ceremony. Until last year, GM was considering building a fourth EV battery plant in Indiana with LG Energy Solution (LGES), as the two companies had been operating their joint venture named Ultium Cells. LGES, however, remained skeptical about the plan due to the uncertain macroeconomic outlook and a conflict with the U.S. carmaker over how to respond to a unionization drive by workers at Ultium Cells' Ohio factory. As a result, GM started looking for another partner for the project, sparking speculation that Samsung SDI may replace LGES for the construction of GM's fourth EV battery plant. During January's conference call on its fourth-quarter earnings, Samsung SDI also indicated its intention to set up another joint venture with a U.S. carmaker, following one it established in collaboration with Stellantis. In response to questions about the potential new joint venture, the Korean EV battery maker said it was in talks with its multiple customer companies regarding this issue. "There have been more opportunities for carmakers and battery manufacturers targeting the U.S. market, and our company has also seized plenty of opportunities under the circumstances," Samsung SDI Executive Vice President Michael Son said at the time. LGES, on the other hand, started the construction of a joint battery plant in Ohio with Japan's Honda Motor, while joining hands with Ford Motor to set up a joint venture in Turkey. Ford had initially sought to establish a Turkey joint venture with SK On, as the two companies have been running their U.S. joint venture named BlueOval SK. Their efforts to set up a new one in Turkey, however, could not bear fruit for unknown reasons. In addition, Ford announced last month that it will build a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant in Michigan by licensing technologies from China's CATL, which has the world's largest market share. Although SK On and Ford reaffirmed their strong ties last Friday by inviting U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to the construction site of BlueOval SK's Kentucky battery plant, SK On will also build a joint battery plant in Georgia with Hyundai Motor Group. "Korean battery makers and U.S. carmakers had maintained exclusive partnerships in the past, but diversified demand for batteries for different types of cars and various regions made it difficult for a certain battery maker to completely satisfy the demands of a certain carmaker," Samsung Securities analyst Chang Jung-hoon said. Of all P .G. Wodehouse's wonderful gallery of blundering oafs, terrifying aunts and all-knowing manservants, the monocled Psmith the P is silent is one of his most endearing creations. Psmith, who first appeared in 1908, is a languid young man who has been kicked out of Eton, only to glide effortlessly from one scrape to another. He is a clever, good-humoured fellow, like a blend of Wodehouse's more famous creations, Jeeves and Wooster. No sane person, no matter how suffused with the mania of wokery, could possibly find Psmith offensive. Or so you might think. BBC Radio 4 Extra has been repeating an adaptation of Psmith In The City, in which the hero gets a job at a thinly disguised Hongkong and Shanghai Bank (now HSBC), where Wodehouse himself had worked as a young man. News Quiz regular, comedian Andy Parsons But when I tuned in, the first thing I heard wasn't Wodehouse's peerless comic prose. It was a BBC announcer, piously warning that I was about to hear 'some dated attitudes and language'. At first I wondered if this must be some mistake. Perhaps the warning had been transposed from some more dangerous programme, such as a stand-up show by Bernard Manning, or a story by Roald Dahl? But the warning was meant for Psmith. So what were these toxic and potentially traumatising attitudes? For the life of me, I still don't really know. What were these toxic and traumatising attitudes? I still don't know At one point, Psmith talks of going 'out East', where you have 'a dozen native clerks under you, all looking up to you as the Last Word in magnificence'. But was that it? Did that merit a warning? As it happens, this radio adaptation was made in 2008. Did the actors realise they were participating in something steeped in sick imperialistic assumptions? I doubt it. Venturing into the cesspit of social media, I often find Left-wing pundits insisting there is no such thing as cancel culture and that the whole thing is an evil Tory myth. But when people are sticking warning labels on P. G. Wodehouse, something is seriously wrong. Indeed, you could hardly find a more ludicrous target, because he was one of most tolerant, generous-spirited writers imaginable. So generous-spirited that he'd probably have laughed this off. 'I never was interested in politics,' Wodehouse once remarked. 'I'm quite unable to work up any kind of belligerent feeling.' Being cut from a meaner cloth, however, I do feel worked up about it. When I think of these finger-wagging commissars sitting in judgment on a writer who has given so much pleasure to so many readers, I feel like Bertie Wooster's Aunt Agatha, gearing herself up before a titanic tirade. Do we really need a warning that P. G. Wodehouse is 'dated'? What next? A lecture before Hamlet, to warn us that poisoning your wife or killing your uncle is now considered poor form? A warning before Roald Dahl or Ian Fleming? But, of course, Dahl and Fleming don't need warnings now, for they have been posthumously updated. The book that troubled Radio 4 bosses Dahl has been at the centre of a bitter censorship storm, after it emerged that his publisher, Puffin, had subjected his books to rewriting by 'sensitivity readers', whose qualifications seem to be that they can't write and don't like reading. As for Fleming, his estate has been rewriting the James Bond books, removing some of the reactionary and let's be honest racist sentiments in novels such as Goldfinger and Live And Let Die. Were given a stern talking-to first, in case we rush off to buy pith helmets and invade Africa Even by modern publishing standards, this is absurd. Fleming was a very Right-wing writer even in the 1950s, and Bond was always a very reactionary character, endlessly grumbling about high taxes, homosexuality and other supposed ills of the modern world. That was the point. It was what made Bond Bond. Not even the stupidest 'sensitivity reader' could open one of Fleming's books and not know what's coming. Yet now all the Bond books are to carry a health warning 'This book was written at a time when terms and attitudes which might be considered offensive by modern readers were commonplace' and so on. This stuff is so excruciating that I can't bring myself to write it down. For me, there are two glaring problems with all this. The first is that it's so patronising towards the past. By definition, any writer from a previous generation is dated that's the occupational hazard of being human. Language changes, attitudes change, taboos change. So Wodehouse used the word 'natives', and the smug know-nothings at the BBC reach for their pearls. Yet on Radio 4, the comedian Andy Parsons jokes about exposing his penis to the audience as he did on The News Quiz last weekend and everybody roars with laughter. I don't mean to criticise Mr Parsons. If he wants to joke about exposing himself to a Radio 4 audience or even if he goes ahead and does it I couldn't care less. The issue is that this would have once been utterly taboo, but today it isn't and tomorrow it might be again. That's how history works. To slap warnings on the past just because it conflicts with the latest narcissistic obsessions racism, the Empire, you know the drill strikes me as not just colossally stupid but colossally arrogant. The other problem is that these people are so horribly patronising towards the present. I've long been struck by the fact that so many cultural bigwigs BBC commissars, publishing bosses, museum curators, academics of all shapes and sizes regard the public with such sneering condescension. For example, we can't be trusted to walk around a country house without being lectured about the iniquity of slavery, as if we haven't heard it a thousand times before. And we certainly can't be allowed to open P. G. Wodehouse and Ian Fleming without being given a stern talking-to first, in case we rush off to buy pith helmets and invade Africa. When the censors came for Roald Dahl, Sir Salman Rushdie who knows a thing or two about the perils of censorship led the case for the defence. But he can't do it all on his own. Cultural bigwigs regard the public with such sneering condescension It's time more writers stood up against these reincarnations of Thomas Bowdler, the early 19th Century editor who butchered Shakespeare in the name of 'propriety'. After all, who's next? As it happens, just before I listened to Psmith In The City, I'd been reading an essay about the Roald Dahl furore in the US magazine National Review. The critic Charles Cooke predicted that given their outrage at Dahl's 'fat-shaming', the censors would soon come for none other than P. G. Wodehouse, who wrote some of the very finest jokes about fat people. 'He was a tubby little chap,' reads one of my favourite lines, 'who looked as if he had been poured into his clothes and had forgotten to say 'When!' ' Sadly, whenever my wife hears that sentence, she points an accusing finger at my own admittedly sturdy frame. But should she now preface it with a trigger warning? Should I reprove her dated attitudes? Should we Wodehouse enthusiasts be carted off for compulsory re-education? What a strange world we live in. Still, the wheel of history turns. The censors themselves will be on the receiving end soon enough, damned for some sin we can't even imagine. Wodehouse, though, will endure, because he's so good and so funny. Good writing and good humour: two things these progressive prigs will never understand. Now, FEMAIL reveals all the pregnancy tragedies that have riddled the women The Duggar family found fame on the small screen thanks to their enormous brood of children - with parents Jim Bob and Michelle documenting their ever-growing family in a series of reality TV hits. Together, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have welcomed and raised 19 children - many of whom have gone on to welcome kids of their own. But while the family's popular TLC shows - which included hits like 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On - focused entirely on their ever-expanding dynasty, the Duggar siblings have since brought to light the devastating tragedies and upsets that they have dealt with while trying to build their families. Most recently, Jessa, 30, revealed she suffered an incomplete miscarriage over the holidays while pregnant with her fifth child and had to undergo a life-saving abortion. After Jessa detailed the pain when left with no other choice but to have a life-saving abortion, FEMAIL reveals the all the pregnancy tragedies that have riddled the Duggar women. 'Nothing could've prepared me': Jessa had a life-saving abortion to treat her miscarriage Jessa Duggar revealed that she suffered a miscarriage over the holidays, while pregnant with her fifth child The reality TV star, 30, shared her loss in a YouTube video titled Heartbreak Over the Holidays, which documented her pregnancy as well as the aftermath of her miscarriage The 19 Kids and Counting alum recalled the moment she found out about the miscarriage, when her ultrasound technician told her, 'The sac looks good. The baby does not' A few days ago, Jessa - who's been married to Ben Seewald, 27, since 2014 and who welcomed her fourth child in July 2021 - recalled the moment she found out about the miscarriage. The 19 Kids and Counting alum detailed her loss in a nearly 19-minute long video titled Heartbreak Over the Holidays, which documented her pregnancy journey and the aftermath of the news that she had lost the baby. She revealed that she was having minimal spotting during her first trimester, which prompted her to make an appointment with her doctor. Jessa recalled the moment she found out about the miscarriage, when her ultrasound technician told her, 'The sac looks good. The baby does not.' 'Nothing could've prepared me for the weight of those words at that moment,' she shared, adding, 'At that moment I was just in complete shock. I didn't have words. I just immediately started crying.' Jessa - who shares sons Spurgeon, 7, and Henry, 6, and daughters Ivy, 3, and Fern, 19 months, with Ben - detailed how the ultrasound technician then left the room as she and her husband began 'trying to process the loss [while] sitting there and holding hands and crying.' 'Nothing could've prepared me for the weight of those words at that moment,' she shared, adding, 'I didn't have words. I just immediately started crying' Jessa - who's been married to Ben Seewald, 27, since 2014 - remembered how the technician left the room as she and her husband began 'trying to process the loss [while] sitting there and holding hands and crying' She started out the video with touching footage of her and Ben telling their four kids that she was pregnant To treat the miscarriage, Jessa was left with no other choice but to undergo a dilation and curettage procedure, which is known as an early abortion, and is legal in Arkansas, because it saves the life of the mother. A dilation and curettage procedure, or a D&C, is a procedure performed to remove pregnancy tissue from the womb, following a miscarriage, according to Reproductivefacts.org. She recalled the heartbreaking moments leading up to it: 'Right as they were wheeling me back [to the operating room], I just wanted to ask, like, "Just, can I please have one more ultrasound? Please, somebody check, make sure,"' she said. 'I was having all these fears that maybe they got something wrong You know Its irrational, but you just feel scared.' The star was emotional as she discussed how she felt after the procedure, recalling the 'hollow feeling inside' because 'the life that was in you is no longer there and you never did get to see your baby and say those goodbyes.' The couple share sons Spurgeon, 7, and Henry, 6, and daughters Ivy, 3, and Fern, 19 months Jessa and Ben announced that they were expecting their fourth child in February 2021, and welcomed Fern in July of that year The reality TV star started out the video with touching footage of her and Ben telling their kids that she was pregnant. Just a few minutes later she gave a pregnancy update at 11 weeks along, and shared that things have been going really well overall, but she has been feeling 'really sick' and had 'some spotting.' 'It does seem a bit concerning,' she stated, adding that she scheduled an ultrasound for the next day to 'see how everything is going.' Later she spoke about the appointment, revealing that the technician sounded concerned as soon as she took a look at the baby, before informing her what had happened. Jessa is best known for being part of the cast of TLC's reality shows 19 Kids and Counting, and Counting On, both of which have since been cancelled 'I feel like in some ways miscarriages can be so jarring because you don't have clear signs of something going wrong,' she said. 'I had minimal spotting for 24 hours, and that was it.' Because of complication risks, Jessa checked in to a hospital and had a dilation and curettage procedure. However, Jessa found solace in her Christian faith, sharing: 'I was able to thank God in that moment for giving us this life, even if we wouldn't be able to hold this baby in our arms.' 'When you lose someone so dear to you, it does makes heaven that much sweeter. We talked about that with the kids. We cant wait to meet this little one in heaven one day,' she added. This recent abortion marks Jessa's second pregnancy tragedy. In 2020, Jessa revealed she and Ben had a suffered a quiet miscarriage, and didn't share any further details. 'Our baby doesn't get to live here with us on Earth': Jill suffered a devastating miscarriage just days after learning she was expecting her third child in 2021 Jill Duggar and her husband Derick Dillard revealed they suffered a miscarriage in 2021, days after learning they were pregnant The couple paid tribute to their lost baby, who they named River Bliss, in a video montage posted online, in which they are seen celebrating their pregnancy news Process: In the video, Jill can be seen shopping for pregnancy tests at a local pharmacy with Derick In 2021, Jill, revealed that she suffered a devastating miscarriage, just days after she learned she was expecting her third child. The 31-year-old and her husband Derick Dillard, 33, shared the devastating news in a video posted to their website, YouTube and social media accounts. They detailed how their 'happiness' over their third pregnancy quick 'turned to heartbreak' when they discovered they had lost their unborn child. In the clip, the couple - who tied the knot in 2014 and share sons Israel David, seven, and Samuel Scott, five, together - showed the heartwarming moment they told their children they would be older brothers to their baby sibling. 'We recently found out that we were expecting our third baby,' Jill and Derick wrote on their website, while sharing footage of the happy family celebrating the news with a pizza party in their Arkansas home. Heartbreak: The video cuts to an image of Jill mourning the loss of her baby - who would have been younger sibling to the couple's two sons, Samuel, four, and Israel, six 'We were all thrilled! It was fun to see so much joy in the boys faces as we shared the news with them. They were full of questions and so excited as we talked about the pregnancy and how they would get to be involved along the way and after baby was born. 'However, a few days later we started miscarrying.' Jill and Derick revealed that they were not far enough along in their pregnancy to have learned the gender of their unborn child - suggesting that the mother-of-two suffered a first-trimester miscarriage - however they chose to give their baby a name that they feel 'encompasses [their] significance': River Bliss Dillard. The name holds special meaning for the Arkansas-based couple - who explained that it has several different inspirations behind it. 'One meaning for River is tranquiland here in Arkansas, rivers are often a serene, beautiful escape in nature,' they explained. In the clip, the couple also captured the moment they told their sons their happy news On their website, Jill and Derick said that their boys were 'full of questions and so excited' about the pregnancy 'We also like how the River talked about in the Bible (Rev. 22:1-5) represents Gods life-giving presence. The river of life (Holy Spirit), flows from the throne of God, and with the tree of life is for the healing of the nations. 'Our baby doesnt get to live here with us on earth, but is forever with the source of the river of life, in the presence of the Lord!' They added that the middle name Bliss is intended to represent the fact that their baby is now living in 'perfect bliss with the Lord', while also paying tribute to the 'immense joy and happiness' their unborn child brought them. 'We chose Bliss for a middle name because our baby is living in perfect bliss with the Lord and was such a gift that brought immense joy and happiness to us even though only with us here on earth for a short time,' the post concluded. Although the couple were not far enough along in the pregnancy to have learned the gender of their child, they chose the name River Bliss to 'express their baby's significance' Jill and Derick - who tied the knot in 2014 - have two sons together, Samuel, five, and Israel, seven In recent years, Jill has rebelled against her parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's strict upbringing and distanced herself from her uber-religious family Jill and Derick's video tribute to their unborn child was quickly flooded with words of sympathy from their fans and supporters, with one person writing: 'Jill and Derick, I am so sorry for your loss. I know how much you wanted this baby. 'Know there are so many of us that are thinking of you and lifting you up with positive thoughts and prayers.' The parents have not revealed whether or not they are trying to have another child following the devastation. However, in an interview with Us Weekly, the couple did reveal that they were open to adopting another child and explained that they were 'open to wherever God leads us'. 'Tears filled my eyes, sadness cloaked my soul': Jinger opened up about the 'overwhelming feelings of sadness and loss' after experience a miscarriage in 2020 Jinger opened up about the 'overwhelming feelings of sadness and loss' she experienced when she suffered a miscarriage (pictured after her grandmother's death) She and husband Jeremy revealed the miscarriage in 2020, while announcing that Jinger is pregnant with their second child, another girl 'Within moments I knew that Id lost the baby. Tears filled my eyes, sadness cloaked my soul,' she said (pictured after the death of her grandmother in June 2019) In 2020, Jinger opened up about the sadness that overcame her when she suffered a miscarriage. The 29-year-old reflected on the loss just days after she announced her and her husband Jeremy Vuolo, 35, were excitedly anticipating the arrival of their second child. In a lengthy Instagram post, the mom said, 'tears filled [her] eyes' and 'sadness cloaked [her] soul' when she realized she'd lost the baby just one day after sharing her pregnancy news with her family She recalled the devastating incident just one day after she revealed she was 165 weeks pregnant with another little girl. 'Im excited! Yet, the overwhelming feelings of joy and anticipation that Im feeling today are a sharp reminder of the overwhelming feelings of sadness and loss I felt last November,' she wrote. 'On a Monday evening, Jer and I were rejoicing with our families as we announced that I was pregnant. Yet, in Gods perfect timing, it was the next morning that I awoke knowing something wasnt right. 'Within moments I knew that Id lost the baby. Tears filled my eyes, sadness cloaked my soul. Having just lost my grandmother months before, the news of new life was like spring lilies blossoming after a dark, cold winter. And in a moment, that life was gone.' Jinger said: 'In those times when your faith is tried, you just run to God all the more' Jinger said it was especially sad because her Grandma Mary Duggar had passed months earlier 'I know many of you can relate,' she went on. 'The minutes feel like hours, the hours like days, dont they? I was helpless nothing I could do would restore the lost life. Yet, I was never hopeless. 'In those moments, I did the only thing I could. I rehearsed the timeless truths upon which Ive anchored my soul the truth that God is sovereign and he is good,' she said. 'The truth that Job recited, thousands of years ago, in his agony: The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. 'The pain doesnt leave quickly. Its not meant to. But in the midst of pain, the hope we hold is in God who works all things together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Rom 8:28). Dear friends, the reality is, at times we are helpless. But never, and I mean never, do we have to be hopeless.' The pair (pictured in 2020) had kept quite about the miscarriage at the time, but revealed it as they announced their baby news Jeremy, too, shared his thoughts on the loss. 'Todays joy is not without sorrow,' he wrote. 'Ill never forget that moment when we realized wed lost the baby.' He went on to say how he, too, looked to his faith for comfort, concluding: 'As we pray for her safe development in the womb, we cant help but rejoice, even if theres sorrow mixed in.' The pair had kept quite about the miscarriage at the time, but revealed it as they announced their baby news. 'That was very difficult and definitely a trial for us,' Jeremy said. 'In those times when your faith is tried, you just run to God all the more,' Jinger added. 'We were just praying together, talking with family, had friends at our church here that just surrounded us. Jinger opened about her 'cult-like' childhood that saw her living in 'fear' and detailing how she escaped the 'harmful' environment The 19 Kids and Counting star explained that the strict religious beliefs she grew up under 'threatened' her to 'leave Jesus' Jinger spoke about her book Becoming Free Indeed and how she 'detangled' the web of 'truth and error' to ultimately 'find freedom' 'It was such a hard time, but Jer just really supported me, and it was just such a tremendous blessing to have many people who loved on us in that difficulty.' But most of their announcement was focused on their baby joy, Jinger wrote on Instagram: 'Well definitely have our hands full! But theres nothing else wed rather carry.' Now, the couple shares daughters Felicity Nicole, four, and Evangeline Jo, two, and have yet to share any news about expanding their family. However, most recently, Jinger has opened up about the 'cult-like' environment she grow up in. She slammed her ultra-religious parents' 'harmful' beliefs and said that they were so severe were so severe that she was tempted at one point to abandon her faith altogether and 'leave Jesus'. Lauren recalls her miscarriage as the 'worst day' of her life after wished she would 'wake up and it would all be fine' after losing her baby in 2019 Lauren Duggar wiped away tears as she spoke about miscarrying her first baby with new husband Josiah 'It was the worst day of my life,' sobbed 19-year-old Lauren said I was hoping it was a mad nightmare. I was wishing I would wake up and it would all be fine,' she said In 2019, Lauren wiped away tears as she recalled the moment she miscarried her first baby with her husband Josiah. Lauren sobbed as she explained: 'It was the worst day of my life.' She continued: 'I was hoping it was a mad nightmare. I was wishing I would wake up and it would all be fine.' Lauren and her Josiah had just surprised their family with the news of the pregnancy with her having donned a 'Mama in the Making' T-shirt. The first signs of trouble for Lauren's pregnancy came when she began feeling extreme nauseous and suffering from severe cramping. She recalled: 'It was later at night and I went to use the restroom and right there was the baby. Gone. 'I couldn't believe it and I was hoping it wasn't true. I was hoping it was a mad nightmare. I was wishing I would wake up and it would all be fine.' Sobbing, she said: 'No one can ever heal from losing their only child. It's always gonna be a reminder ... it's always going to sting, especially when you see other babies. Josiah and Lauren, stars of TLC's reality show Counting On, were ridiculed as 'greedy,' 'tacky,' and 'trashy' after soliciting gifts from fans on social media They referred to the baby as their 'second child' after suffering a miscarriage She tried to smile as she said: 'My comfort is that my baby is with Jesus and that I one day get to see my baby' 'They say time will heal but it's different.' She tried to smile as she said: 'My comfort is that my baby is with Jesus and that I one day get to see my baby. 'I may never got to have memories, like get to take pictures or hold or kiss my baby, but will get to one day get to hold my baby.' She insisted she had no regrets telling family members so early in the pregnancy, saying: 'I am so glad that we told our whole family that we were expecting, that they could help Josiah and I through this time. We couldn't have done it without their support and prayers.' And she called her husband 'amazing,' adding: 'He took care of me, supported me, cried with me. 'We were able to write letters to our baby. Make a little box with special memories the pregnancy test,' she said, crying as she recalled only taking one photo of her pregnant, which was shown onscreen. The couple announced that they were expecting this spring after a miscarriage last year, and are calling this 'baby #2' They have repeatedly referred to the pregnancy as their second baby. The couple now shares two daughters, Bella and Daisy Josiah said: 'Maybe the Lord will bless us with another baby, a sibling for this one that has gone. That's our hope. We take it one day at a time.' Now, Lauren and Josiah remain extremely private and have removed all photos form their shared social media account. However, it has been reported that the couple now shares two daughters, Bella and Daisy. Later in 2019, the couple announced they were expecting their first child and sparked criticism after sharing their baby registry to social media. They referred to the baby as their 'baby number two' after suffering a miscarriage. 'We have cried countless tears': Joy-Anna revealed she suffered a miscarriage while five months pregnant with her second child Joy-Anna Duggar Forsyth and her husband Austin, shared an intimate moment in a hospital bed, as they shared the news of her miscarriage in 2019 Joy-Anna and Austin shared photos of themselves cradling the baby girl they miscarried at 20 weeks in an emotional Instagram post The couple were joined in their hospital room by Joy-Anna's older sister Jill (far left) and her mother Michelle (left), who also posed with the baby girl In 2019, Joy-Anna revealed she experienced a devastating miscarriage when she was five months pregnant. She bared her soul about the loss of her child in an Instagram post. Joy-Anna and her husband Austin shared an intimate photo of themselves in the hospital as they shared the sad news. The somber photo was accompanied by a lengthy post on their joint social account, detailing their personal tragedy and how they are moving forward. 'Today marks one week since we heard these words "So this is your babys heart (pointing to the ultrasound screen). I dont hear a heartbeat or see any movement,"' it began. The fifth daughter of 19 children learned of the miscarriage at their 20-week ultrasound appointment, when they were simply expecting to learn the gender of their baby. Joy-Anna had her hair and makeup done for the shoot, and took the time to pay tribute to her best friend, fellow reality TV star Carlin Bates, for taking the time to help her with it In their Instagram post, Joy-Anna and Austin shared a photo of their daughter's footprints (left), which her best friend Carlin also posted on her own account 'It was a baby girl,' the post continued. 'We named her Annabell Elise. Annabell means God has favored me, and Elise means God satisfies."' In the photo Austin sat on the edge of the bed resting his head against his wife's. The caption continued: 'Although we dont understand why, God has given us unexplainable peace and comfort during this very difficult time.' 'Yes, it still hurts and we have cried countless tears, but we know that we can trust the Lord.' The couple, who wed in 2017 and welcomed son Gideon in 2018, said they were relying on their faith during the difficult time. As well as writing about her love for her daughter, who she named Annabell Elise, Joy-Anna praised Carlin for being there for her during such a difficult time Bringing Up Bates star Carlin also shared several photos on her own Instagram account, while writing of her upset over the couple's devastating news 'We dont grieve as those who have no hope because we trust that we will see this little one again,' they wrote. 'Please pray for continued healing, not only physically but for our hearts as well.' She and Austin have paid tribute to the baby she miscarried at 20 weeks by posing for an emotional photo shoot in which they are seen cradling their little girl. The couple posted the photos to their Instagram, along with an emotional caption in which they celebrated their daughter - while thanking Joy-Anna's best friend for 'doing her hair and makeup' for the shoot. They had previously celebrated the news of their pregnancy on social media as well, posting ultrasound updates. On their 10-week ultrasound their shared grabs of the growing baby. 'Looking forward to meeting this baby in 6 & 1/2 months!' they said. Now, the lovebirds share two children together, son Gideon, five, and daughter Evelyn, two. Mama bear faces tragedy! Michelle has suffered multiple miscarriages Michelle, 56, (pictured at an abortion protest in 2013) has previously detailed the pain she felt when she lost her baby multiple times The mom-of-19 also tragically lost her baby after she publicly announced she was expecting her 20th child The mom of the bunch has tragically suffered two miscarriages throughout her life. Michelle, 56, has previously detailed the pain she felt when she lost her baby multiple times. Her first miscarriage was after her son Josh was born. Michelle and her husband Jim Bob, 57, believed they lost their baby because of the mom's previous use of birth control, so she abstained from birth control going forward. The mom-of-19 also tragically lost her baby after she publicly announced she was expecting her 20th child. She revealed she was going to name their 20th child Jubilee. Michelle spoke candidly about her miscarriage to Lauren on Counting On. After discovering Jubilee had no heartbeat, Jim Bob said: 'It was a very traumatic time for us and then we had to come home and tell all the children what had happened.' Michelle has also previously discussed how she miscarried when on oral birth control 'I think just the joy of looking forward to new young life in our family and then going to the ultra sound and finding out our baby had no heartbeat was devastating,' Michelle said during an interview with Today. 'I think many others have experienced very similar situations because we've heard from many others and I think probably the hardest part is when a loss occurs like this people really don't know what to say. 'We realize our sweet little Jubilee is with the lord and we will see her again.' Michelle has also previously discussed how she miscarried when on oral birth control. 'We gave that area of our life to the Lord, and right after that, he gave us twins.' Q: I am nearly 80 and have been widowed for a year. My husband left me enough money to live a reasonably comfortable life. Both he and I have always been generous towards our only son, who knows that I am financially secure. However, I am now wondering if he is taking advantage. Even though he and his wife both work hard and bring in good money, he never manages to save and seems to be living beyond his means. I have bailed him out on a few occasions and am getting fed up They go on plenty of holidays abroad and like a few nights out. They also have dogs, which cost a lot in vet bills and care. My son phones often to make sure I am all right which I appreciate but I always get a rundown of his finances, or lack of them. I have bailed him out on a few occasions and Im getting fed up with what feels like pouring money into a black hole. Even though he and his wife both work hard and bring in good money, he never manages to save and seems to be living beyond his means (file image) All my other family members have died so I only have my son, daughter-in-law and 14-year-old granddaughter. I dont want to fall out with them. Im fit and active for my age, and I could have another 20 years of life. But Im worried that if I keep funding them, I might not have any money left for my own care if I need it. They need to sort out their finances but I feel awkward telling them. A: Unfortunately it does sound as if your son is taking advantage of you to fund a lifestyle that he and his wife cant afford. Its a vicious circle if you keep giving him money he will never learn to be self-sufficient or to budget properly. This is not fair on you because, as you point out, it could compromise your future care. Neither is it good for your son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. So you do need to gently call a halt to this and talk to your son. I know you are worried that it will upset him and cause bad feelings or a rift, but I suspect that your son might be using your worry about this to keep you sweet, which is unfair. However I am sure that he also loves you, and, while he might initially be annoyed or put out, he will not want to lose his (and his wife and daughters) relationship with you any more than you do. He could have an emotional problem with money And he needs to understand that you have to make provision for your care. Your son could even have an emotional problem with money, in which case he may be grateful if you start helping him get his finances under control. You could continue to help them if you wish, but in a way that is carefully planned. All my other family members have died so I only have my son, daughter-in-law and 14-year-old granddaughter (file image) So please find a reliable financial advisor there is excellent advice on how to do this at citizensadvice.org.uk or get a personal recommendation from friends. Your son should also seek help at the government-run website moneyhelper.org.uk. My friends affair is making me envious Q: Im a happily married 62-year-old man. Recently, one of my best friends, whos my age, confided he was having an affair. While he said he felt a bit guilty, he was also fizzing with excitement and told me he never expected to be having such amazing sex at his time of life. I should be shocked, but actually I feel envious. Ive been married for 30 years and love my wife, but things have become a bit routine. We have great sex, but Im not sure its ever amazing. I dont want to hurt my wife, but I cant stop thinking about wanting that sexual passion again. Ive started having ridiculous fantasies about a younger woman at work who is always flirting with me. How do I stop feeling this way? A: People have affairs for many reasons often unhappiness and we shouldnt rush to judge. However, there is a distinction to be drawn over players: those who have affairs because they can, with little care given for the people they hurt. I wonder if your friend falls into this category. There may be a bit of schoolboy boasting going on and perhaps his amazing sex isnt that different from your great sex. I suspect it is the illicit thrill of his experience that heightens the emotional intensity.So please be careful. People who have affairs may be alive with excitement at one level, but often tormented by guilt and exhausted by the need to keep it secret. They also live in fear of discovery, and if that does happen, usually find the fallout and distress hugely outweigh the excitement of the affair. So be flattered by this younger woman we all like an ego boost but dont risk your happy marriage. If you have a problem, write to Caroline West-Meads at YOU, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY, or email c.west-meads@mailonsunday.co.uk. You can follow Caroline on Twitter @Ask_Caroline_ Perth car broker Loraine Martin admits it wasn't that long ago that she was just a regular retail shopper, albeit one with a background in fashion and eye for a bargain. A former wholesale fashion agent for label giants like Lee and Oakley, Loraine developed a keen sense of style and would often splurge on high-end labels and designer outfits. But a chance encounter with a stylish woman at a luxury car show seven years would ultimately change her life forever. Martin (right) with friend, decked out in a thrift store purchase. The car broker has become a cult figure in bargain shopping Yes, even swimwear. Martin flashes a Seafolly bikini snapped up at a thrift store 'I had left the fashion industry and was working for Mercedes Benz on the Sunshine Coast and we were holding an event for our VIP clients and some celebrities,' Loraine tells Daily Mail Australia. Loraine's tips for op-shop success IGNORE SIZES Sizing is so different in charity stores because there are garments from manufacturers from all over the world. So ignore what the tag says, try it on and get a feel for the fit and the fabric. LOOK FOR LABELS I do this not because I am a label queen but because often the fabric is a better quality and the garment will have a better second life down the track. DISREGARD THE LOCATION Posh suburbs don't mean better stock. Often charities sort and stockpile at one big location then send everything out to all areas so the stock is evenly distributed anyway. ALTER THINGS This is a big one. Sometimes people throw something out because its missing buttons or its too long. Altering is cheap so its worth spending a few dollars on some buttons if it means getting more life out of it. BE MINDFUL OF FABRICS Retail fashion today is all nylon and polyester and that stuff is basically like plastic. It doesn't break down in the ground. In op shops look for fabrics like cotton, linen and silk - you can often find great things of really high quality that aren't going to harm the environment. BUY LEATHER Always keep an eye out for leather. Belts, jackets or shoes, whatever. Leather can be conditioned. It has such a long lifespan. I can't believe anyone ever throws out leather. WEDDING AND FORMAL DRESSES It's always worth looking at these in a charity store. These dresses are, with few exceptions, only worn once. So amazing things can be found. MAKE A LIST Whenever you think of something you need or want, put it in a list in your phone. Then, when you're shopping you can refer to it. It's amazing how quick you tick things off. Advertisement 'There were so many well-dressed people there and wearing the most incredible designer label outfits, you know, Gucci and Saba things like that. 'But there was the one woman there who stood out from everyone else. She looked absolutely stunning and I couldn't stop admiring her outfit. 'Finally, I actually, you know, had to walk up to her and tell her she looked amazing and ask her where she got it. 'But she didn't say anything at the time and just smiled politely and thanked me. 'And then right at the end of the event when everyone was leaving she, sort of, quietly walked up to me and leaned in and said "the whole thing cost me $5 from an op shop". 'Well that was it. It was like a light bulb went off. I realised you really don't have to spend a lot of money to look incredible. 'And that's when it all started.' Now a self-described 'pre-loved pro', Loraine - with the exception of buying underwear - has not set foot in a retail store in years and has thrown herself into the 'sustainable shopping' movement which rejects fast fashion and aims to reduce global textile waste. The 53-year-old has become something of a cult figure in the world of op-shopping, regularly posting her incredible finds on Facebook and Instagram where she posts under the handle 'The Feel Good Fashionista'. Her recent buys include a Scanlan and Theodore sequin top (tag still on) worth $650 which she snapped up for $67, a $695 Zimmerman dress for $39 and a $1,300 Muubaa leather jacket purchased for just $25. Loraine is also lauded for her uncanny knack of being able to pull an outfit together from multiple pieces - some of which cost just one or two dollars. She volunteers at a local cancer charity store near her home in Perth and teaches fledgling thrift-shoppers how to hone their foraging skills. Their are several key factors, she says, to always bagging a bargain. The most important are time and patience. 'So many friends of mine say they can't find anything decent when they go into an op shop and I say "that's because you're in and out in five minutes". 'I would rather spend three hours in one shop as opposed to hitting five shops in an hour. 'I look at every single rack, because most of the time the staff are volunteers. They're not retail experts so sometimes you might find a woman's garment hanging in the kids section. 'So it's worth taking the time to look through absolutely everything.' Another important tip, Martin says, is to always try clothes on before buying, and style the outfit with whatever is on hand in the store to get an idea of different ways it can be worn. Martin is also lauded for her styling prowess; her uncanny knack for being able to pull an outfit together from multiple pieces - some of which cost just one or two dollars. 'A $25 Zara dress that is now 3 summers in topped off with my $7 Tokito jacket'; Martin shows off a bargain outfit 'For example, I always go into the change rooms with a couple of belts or a couple of pairs of shoes so I can see how I can wear it once I get it home. 'That is also another way to find amazing accessories. I am always buying belts. They're often good quality leather and they're usually no more than a couple of dollars.' Loraine says she is often asked by fans and followers what her favourite charity shop is but she says she doesn't have one and dispels the myth that the best stores are in affluent suburbs. 'I always say my favourite op-shop is one that is open,' she says. 'And I will pull over and have a look anywhere regardless of where it is. In my experience, the suburb doesn't matter. Treasures can be found anywhere.' But despite building a profile as the poster-girl for thrift shop culture, Loraine says more still needs to be done to win over the new generation of young - mostly female - shoppers seduced by cheap, online shopping giants. Silk and leather are some of the fabric Martin says shopper should keep an eye out for due to its long lifespan 'They're hardest to get through to I think...because they're sold this lie that 'more' equates to 'better',' Loraine says. 'I see these videos of girls pouring out their Shein order bags filled with mountains of stuff. And you can tell the fabric is horrible and the quality is bad. 'But it's the volume of garments that they think is impressive and that's the part that is so wrong. 'When I talk to younger women I explain that the woman who made those clothes is probably working 14 hours a day in Bangladesh, and getting paid the equivalent of what a cup of coffee costs here. 'That is the message that we need to be trying to get across. And that your self-worth shouldn't come from quantity but quality.' She encountered a group in a car park that didn't believe she was disabled A young woman with an 'invisible illness' has described the horrifying moment a group of girls threw McDonald's soft serve ice cream at her car for parking in a disabled spot. Stephanie Kelly, from Sydney, was born with life-threatening heart conditions and a potassium wasting disorder that saw her spend her teenage years in a wheelchair, but a horror car accident in 2018 left her stomach and intestines 'paralysed' - forcing her to be fed by a tube for 16 hours a day. So while it's not outwardly obvious to strangers that she requires a disabled parking permit, she does all the same. 'They had their P-plates, they were probably 18, 19 maybe 20,' Ms Kelly, 27, explained in a recent TikTok video. 'At this point, my disabled permit is on the dash - you can see it, it's very hard to miss.' A young woman with an 'invisible illness' has described the horrifying moment a group of girls threw McDonald's soft serve ice cream at her car for parking in a disabled spot 'They looked at us with frowns, they were like "ugh that's a disabled spot" and then went into the McDonald's drive-thru which was right next to where we were parking.' Ms Kelly thought nothing of the interaction with the ladies and walked into the pharmacy next door with her fiance Adam Tompkin to collect her medication. 'First thing Adam notices when we return is ice cream all over the front bonnet and front guard... they went through the McDonald's drive-thru, came back out and threw an entire soft serve cone onto our car,' she said. 'We never got to ask them why they did that. I wear clothes that cover everything [my tubes] so I get that it looks like I'm not disabled and I'm parking there for the convenience but just ask me.' Plenty of Ms Kelly's followers shared similar experiences with strangers who just simply didn't believe they had a chronic illness. 'A friend of mine in her early 20s with cancer parked in a disabled space and a lady came and complained so she ripped off her wig in front of her,' said one woman. 'I had a lady stand in the middle of the bay and not let me husband park. The next minute I walk out to the car with my walking frame,' said another. Ms Kelly thought nothing of the interaction with the ladies and walked into the pharmacy next door with her fiance Adam Tompkin to collect her medication Not only was Stephanie born with a multitude of life threatening heart conditions and a potassium wasting disorder that saw her spend her teenage years in a wheelchair, but a horror car accident in 2018 left her stomach and intestines 'paralysed' 'I was the first diagnosed case of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) at the Sydney Royal Children's Hospital,' Ms Kelly told FEMAIL of the condition that affects her blood flow. For Stephanie the disease meant she couldn't stand up without fainting for years, and resigned herself to rehab and a wheelchair while doctors frantically tried to find the right concoction of medication that would allow her to stand unaided. She was also diagnosed with heart complications like Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and Atrial fibrillation (AF) as a young child, both of which saw her ending up needing a defibrillator 'more times than she could count'. 'I would be sleeping... doing nothing and suddenly my heart would be beating at 200 beats a minute,' she said. 'They had to use these medications that stop your heart'. Stephanie was such a firm fixture at the children's hospital until she was 17 that the young woman was granted a 'Make A Wish' by the Starlight Foundation. She settled on a trip to Perth with her mum over a 'crowded' encounter with her teen crush at the time, Justin Bieber. 'I would be sleeping... doing nothing and suddenly my heart would be beating at 200 beats a minute,' she said. 'They had to use these medications that stop your heart' (Pictured with Adam) She was also diagnosed with heart complications like Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and Atrial fibrillation (AF) as a young child, both of which saw her ending up needing a defibrillator 'more times than she could count' After finishing school in the hospital and working with a renowned doctor on her POTS, Stephanie was finally able to stand again in 2013. With the world at her feet the remarkable woman chose to study nursing to give back to the professionals who had been her constant support for so long. She got a job at Westmead Children's Hospital in 2014 after completing her assistant nursing course. Then came TAFE to study as an enrolled nurse before she landed her dream job in 2016 at the children's hospital she grew up in. 'I was quite well during this time, I was sort of used to it. I didn't have any heart surgeries while I worked,' she said. Stephanie was studying to become a registered nurse in March 2018 when a fateful trip to Max Brenner with Adam after work one night saw another driver T-bone their car at a roundabout. The car slammed into her on the passenger side. She got a job at Westmead hospital in 2014 after completing her assistant nursing course. Then came TAFE to study as an enrolled nurse before she landed her dream job in 2016 at the children's hospital she grew up in (Pictured on the wards second in from the right) 'It basically means your stomach and intestines can no longer absorb nutrients like they used to. They're asleep, or paralysed. I was given a number of types of feeding tubes - NJ, GJ, G and J - but ultimately I was losing too much weight to sustain just these measures,' she said 'I immediately remember having no feeling in my left arm and feeling really sore around my ribcage. It was a whirlwind of a year from then,' she said. Stephanie had a left brachial plexus injury, two slipped discs in her neck and a twisted ribcage after the accident, seeing her return to the familiar white walls of the hospital once again. She was on medication for nerve pain for 18 months before doctors started to note down peculiar symptoms she was experiencing: vomiting, a lack of hunger and terrible stomach pain. 'I was losing weight extremely fast. I was 75 kilos after the accident, went down to 65 in a month, and then 60,' she said. The young nurse was eventually diagnosed with Gastroparesis and Intestinal Failure, a rare result of the nerve medication coupled with her pre-existing medical conditions. 'It basically means your stomach and intestines can no longer absorb nutrients like they used to. They're asleep, or paralysed. I was given a number of types of feeding tubes - NJ, GJ, G and J - but ultimately I was losing too much weight to sustain just these measures,' she said. 'I was so depressed after that. Adam and I ended up doing a 30-hour round trip to Adelaide to pick up our poodle Oatley, which did end up making me feel a whole lot better,' she said Stephanie got engaged to Adam in November last year. They plan to wed in mid next year In 2020, just after Covid hit and hospitals were essentially locked down from the rest of society, doctors decided Stephanie would need a TPN, or total parenteral nutrition, which is a method of feeding that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. 'I knew what a TPN was, I'm a nurse after all. I wasn't totally sold on the idea at first because it can lead to metabolic issues and even sepsis later on,' she said. 'So I agreed to do it in the hospital rather than at home because it would mean I'd spend two weeks in hospital out of every month, rather than having to use the tube every day.' Stephanie did gain some much-needed weight after her first TPN stint but unfortunately the kilos would fall off as soon as she left the hospital room. It was an uphill battle for months. She lost her gall bladder to sepsis after a particularly nasty infection entered her central line and was starting to give up on ever feeling 'better' again. 'I was so depressed after that. Adam and I ended up doing a 30-hour round trip to Adelaide to pick up our poodle Oatley, which did end up making me feel a whole lot better,' she said. Stephanie can still eat certain foods with her family and friends but she has to empty the contents of her stomach using a special tube because it won't be absorbed At the beginning of 2021 Stephanie agreed to having her TPN at home, which involves hooking up the fluid to a Hickman line in her chest for up to 16 hours a day. 'I use the IV pole when I'm at home but I also have a backpack I can carry around with the liquid in it, so I can go out while it's working,' she said. Stephanie can still eat certain foods with her family and friends but she has to empty the contents of her stomach using a special tube because it won't be absorbed. 'I'll eat for the social and mental aspect of it, not because it provides me with any nutrition,' she explained. 'It's funny because I'm technically the sickest I've ever been but I'm also the most stable I've ever been.' While her goal isn't to be on TPN forever - she hopes further research will result in a better method in time - Stephanie is using her platform on social media - and at the upcoming fashion show - to show how 'tubies' can live a fairly normal life and thrive. 'I'm hoping my journey will spread awareness and promote diversity and inclusivity by showing everyone that I can live a normal, wholesome life even with medical devices,' she said. 'There are so many young men and women who have these devices, that are consumers in fashion, beauty and tech. More importantly there are so many children who have feeding tubes, central lines, wheelchair users, amputees and much more. 'I think that people from all walks of life should be represented in mainstream media.' You can find Stephanie Kelly on her Instagram page or on TikTok. America's enthusiasm for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has been put under strain following their string of bombshell interviews, a royal expert has claimed the couple have 'lacked decorum'. As Prince Harry, 38, and Megan Markle, mark three years this month since they began their new life in California, journalist Kinsey Schofield said the couple had now been 'snubbed by Hollywood'. Speaking to Fox News Digital, the royal correspondent opined: 'I do think that Harry and Meghan expected more support from Hollywood than they have recently received.' Recent months have seen the release of the Netflix docuseries, and the Duke of Sussex's bombshell memoir Spare. She continued: 'I think Harry and Meghan had an amazing opportunity to elevate themselves and actually be Hollywood royalty, but their decorum is making people think twice about the association' America's infatuation with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is fading, according to the opinion of one royal expert, who claimed the couple are being 'snubbed' by Hollywood following their bombshell revelations The express.co.uk speculated that the couple thought they would be welcomed by Hollywood but Harry's claims about the Royal Family have stopped this from happening. Harry and Meghan did not receive an invite to any of the 2023 BAFTA events, with claims that they were 'not welcomed' at the 2023 BAFTA Tea Part hosted in Los Angeles last month. However, the Prince and Princess of Wales were in attendance at the main event in London, with royal fans thrilled to see the couple on the red carpet. Harry and Meghan however are allegedly receiving fewer invitations to glamorous events as A-listers fear they will become the focus of attention. It has been speculated that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle expected to have more support from their Hollywood friends when they moved to California three years ago Since the release of their explosive Netflix docu-series, exasperated by Prince Harry's memoir Spare, the Sussexes popularity in the US has been fading The couple, who were previously hugely popular in the US, sunk in the polls after Prince Harry launched a fresh attack on the royal family and revealed a range of intimate details such as how he lost his virginity to Sasha Walpole. Prior to publication, Harry had a favorability rating of +38, according to a December 5 poll of 2,000 US voters. That plunged to -7 by January 16, pollsters Redfield & Wilton found - while Meghan Markle dropped to -13, compared to +23 on December 5. The lack of welcome from the Hollywood industry was further pushed by the Sussex's inclusion in the satirical cartoon South Park. Last month, an episode depicting the 'Prince and Princess of Canada' - a young royal couple who loudly beg for privacy while drawing attention to themselves aired. The red-headed prince and his wife, who wears the exact same dusty pink outfit that Meghan donned for Trooping the Colour in 2018, are seen promoting the prince's book - Waaagh - the cover of which strongly resembles Harry's memoir Spare. The episode is filled with swipes at the Sussexes, with main character Stan branding their cartoon equivalents the 'dumb prince and his stupid wife', while Kyle complains about the private jet parked outside their home. Kinsey Schofield told GB News: 'What they're saying is, these two are not sincere people, they say that they want their privacy while going on every television show, writing books, doing six hours of Netflix. 'They broke it down and said.... they're not very likeable... people are tired of them.' TV presenter Nick Ede, who claimed to have had a friendship with the Duchess of Sussex, 41, before she met Harry claimed that the couple did not realise they wouldn't be accepted as 'Hollywood royalty' when they moved to California. Speaking to the express.co.uk he said: 'They're kind of quite far down really in that pecking order, and I think that's been an issue with them, in that sense of stepping down. 'I think the thing is that you forget that in Hollywood, royalty isn't somebody with a title. 'It's JLo, it's Sharon Sone, its Beyonce, its the Kardashians. Thats their royalty.' The Queen's horse Steal a March is set to run at Cheltenham next week King Charles could attend Cheltenham Festival next week for the first time in 17 years, to show support for a gelding bred by his mother that's set to run. Last week, the late Queen's granddaughter Zara Tindall hinted that the King and Queen Consort Camilla could join spectators at the historic race event, to show enthusiasm for his mother's favourite sport. She told The Sun: 'I think with Steal A March it would be great to see Charles and Camilla back at Cheltenham', adding: 'We'll see what happens it's a changing of the times.' Cheltenham Racecourse director, Ian Renton, said it would 'be a special moment in the history of the event if the King and Queen' attended. Steal a March, the Queen's bay gelding, is currently at 16-1 odds to race to victory in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle, which takes place on Thursday 16th March. Poignant: The late Queen looking delighted to be watching the Cheltenham Gold Cup back in 2009, a bay gelding she bred, Steal a March, will run at the Festival next Thursday Last year, the late Queen watched Cheltenham at home and, on her Platinum Jubilee weekend, she saw Steal a March win at Worcester, again watching from her Windsor home. King Charles could be keen to show his commitment to continue the Queen's love of horses; he inherited 37 upon her death on September 8th but decided to sell a number of them a month later, for a sum thought to be around 1million, reports The Sunday Times. Cheltenham Racecourse director Ian Renton told the newspaper: 'It will be especially poignant if Steal A March runs, given that he was bred by the late Queen herself. 'It would be a special moment in the history of the event if the King and Queen also decided to attend on the day.' Cheltenham Racecourse director, Ian Renton, said it would 'be a special moment in the history of the event if the King and Queen' attended to watch the Queen's horse race Steal A March, ridden by Nico de Boinville at Newbury Racecourse in November in Berkshire The royal family have been back in the headlines this week after it was revealed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been invited to the coronation of King Charles later this year. Prince Harry, who along with his wife Meghan, has launched a series of extraordinary attacks against the Royal Family in recent months, has confirmed he received an email from his father about the event. The coronation, which is set to be seen by millions of people in the UK and potentially billions around the world, will take place on May 6 - the same day as the fourth birthday of Archie, Harry's son. The news comes days after Charles asked his son and daughter-in-law to vacate their British home, Frogmore Cottage, a move that is thought to complicate any future visits to the UK from the California-based couple. On Saturday, Harry spoke candidly about his childhood 'trauma' during an intimate chat with 'toxic trauma' expert Dr Gabor Mate in an online livestream. Martin Lewis has revealed how Britons can get back thousands on their council tax bills. Speaking with his team, the money saving expert, 50, explained that there are thousands of households in the wrong council tax band. With bills set to rise in April, the financial guru is encouraging people to check if they are in the wrong band as it could help to save them thousands of pounds. Councils were given the green light in the last year's Autumn Statement to raise the levy by as much as 5 per cent from April. Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis, 50, (pictured) and his team have revealed how Britons could be owed thousands after being left on the wrong Council Tax band Local authorities were previously only allowed to raise council tax by 2.99 per cent and anything higher would have required a local vote. However, The Sun has claimed that some authorities have been allowed to raise the levy by as much as 15 per cent. Thousands of households will pay an average council tax rate of more than 2,400 from April. Martin explained that the amount you will pay will be determined by the local council and depends on the band your property falls under. This is based on the house's value - and the more expensive the property the higher your council tax will be. Some councils have already revealed how much they will be raising tax by, for example, residents in Conwy will see an increase of 9.9 per cent, while Nottingham City Council will raise theirs by 5 per cent. What the money saving expert suggests is to challenge your council tax if you believe that it could be incorrect. If it is incorrect not only will you pay less moving forward but you will be entitled to a refund on payments of which you've overpaid since moving into the property. One happy homeowner revealed how they received a refund of 8,000. Speaking to Martin Lewis they said: 'Our thanks go to your team for giving my husband the confidence to get in touch with our council. Martin explained that the amount you will pay will be determined by the local council and depends on the band your property falls under. This is based on the house's value and the more expensive the property the higher your council tax will be 'We have lived in our house for over 30 years and always felt our council tax was too high. 'We live in the smallest house in our close, but were paying the same as the rest. 'After months of communication, we are delighted to report we have had a refund of over 8,000 plus a reduction of 50 a month going forward. This is going to help us tremendously. ' Since 1991 properties across the UK have been branded from A to H, dictating how much tax you should pay. Martin explained: 'Once upon a time, way back in 1991, in time for the launch of its new council tax system, the Government needed every property in the land to be put in a valuation band. 'But time was short, and the job large, so the people in charge asked estate agents and others to help. 'Yet even with all the estate agents' help, they didn't have time to get the detailed information together, so they set about doing it quickly by pairing up and driving down countless streets, allocating each property a band with just a glance. 'They became known as "second-gear valuations" as they mostly never even stopped their cars, never mind got out of them.' Therefore, many households have been on the wrong council tax band since 1991 and many find that they should be on a different band today. The financial guru has explained how you can challenge your band if you think it is wrong and recoup the money you might have overpaid. However, it is worth noting that you might be re-banded and have to pay more council tax, so be careful before you do make the challenge. Martin explained that people in England and Wales should submit their challenges to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), which you can access on the government's website. Alternatively, you can call the VOA on 03000 501 501 for England or 03000 505 505 for Wales or email on ctinbox@voa.gov.uk. You will need to give the addresses of up to five similar properties in a lower council tax band in your immediate area, plus give detailed information on the type of property you live in. The challenging process is different if you live in Scotland and Martin says that you should visit the Scottish government's website for more information. I am writing this ahead of the 95th Academy awards this Sunday. One of the quieter films nominated that I hope makes some noise is actor-director Sarah Polley's Women Talking with its cast of female powerhouse talent, including Claire Foy, Rooney Mara, Jessie Buckley, Frances McDormand and Judith Ivey. Polley adapted the film from Miriam Toews' 2018 novel of the same name. She, in turn, was inspired by real events at a remote ultra-conservative Mennonite Christian colony in Bolivia in the 2000s. Over a period of years, women and girls report being drugged and raped in the night. The women, whose claims were at first dismissed, are put under immense pressure to forgive and forget. In fiction, female-only spaces are often depicted as a bulwark against male violence Eight women meet in a hayloft to debate their best course of action: should they stay and forgive; stay and fight for justice, or flee? The traumatised illiterate women are fearful of what life will be if they leave. But they are also terrified about their afterlife: the elders have told them that salvation is dependent on their forgiving the men. In fiction, female-only spaces are often depicted as a bulwark against male violence. Matrix by Lauren Groff is set in a medieval English abbey. Its leader is Marie de France, who arrives as a gangly French teenager, aggrieved at having been exiled from the court of Eleanor of Aquitaine, with whom she has a weird psycho-sexual obsession. In time, Marie will build up the abbey and its wealth into a mighty female fortress protected by a maze. Sophie Mackintosh's uncanny The Water Cure is a dystopian feminist fable. Grace, Lia and Sky are three sisters, brought up in isolation on an island. They have been raised to believe that contact with the outside world, especially men, will be toxic to them. If these all sound too heavy-going, The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim is a joyous novel about a group of women holidaying together on the Italian Riviera. All these make for rewarding female company. Family life is far from straightforward for childrens author Thomas Leeds, his wife Sophie and their two young daughters. In the mornings Sophie might wake her husband, not with the words, Good morning but rather, Who am I? or, Whats my name? If he replies, Youre my wife, Sophie, she feels reassured that he is having what he calls a good brain day and can confidently leave him in charge as a stay-at-home dad while she heads to her online sales publishing job in London. If, however, he is having what he calls a bad brain day, and cant quite place her, she will arrange to work from their home in Essex so she can do the school pick-up, cook tea and allow her husband the rest he needs for his memory to recover. This is the reality, she says, of being married to someone with a hidden disability caused by a traumatic brain injury which has left him with face blindness, epilepsy and absolutely no memory of his life before the road accident which almost killed him. Family life is far from straightforward for childrens author Thomas Leeds, his wife Sophie and their two young daughters People look at Thomas and say: Oh, youre not disabled because hes so smart, capable and a good communicator, but the disability is very real, says Sophie. There are days, when Thomas is not feeling well, or has had a major seizure, when its a case of him asking me: Who are you again? throughout the day. All you can do is watch him to make sure he is OK, wait for his brain to settle down and for him to come back to us. To watch Thomas playing with his daughters, aged seven and four, he gives the appearance of being just like any other devoted, doting dad. Intelligent and articulate, he looks and sounds completely normal but at times, he loses the thread as we speak, apologising: Sorry, I cant remember what I was just saying. My memory can be very sketchy, he says. There have been a couple of occasions in the park when I havent been able to recognise my own children. You would imagine that such a scenario would fill a mother with absolute terror, but Sophie, 38, and Thomas, 39, say they have systems in place to minimise risks and maximise safety. Thomas may not instantly recognise faces outside familiar contexts, like the home, but he can recognise voices so in the park the girls know to call out or wave if he is having trouble picking them out of a crowd of kids. When Thomas takes them out alone, he will also take photos of what they are wearing. His camera is always snapping away, says Sophie. He takes photos of everything, documenting huge parts of our life to help him remember. He usually recognises me because of my dyed bright red hair. Even so, it must be tempting to check in constantly when shes not there. I feel we do have a lot of trust, but we have to be completely open and honest with each other. If I ask Thomas How are you feeling? in the morning then he has to tell me the truth, she says. When hes feeling well, Thomas is actually one of the most organised and well-prepared people that I know. His planning is meticulous because it has to be. Thomas adds: Sometimes it might seem like I have forgotten someone completely, but I havent, its just that I have forgotten their face and I cant recognise them, so its a strange and complex thing. Im much better than I used to be. Being a parent means you have to be organised, but my memory is sometimes not solid, so I can be quite forgetful. Some days Im better than others. I can only hang onto a few things at a time. If I try to remember too many things, then it wipes everything. It can be scary and frustrating, but Im very lucky because I know when Im having a bad brain day from the moment I wake up. If I have to leave the house then a friend will accompany me. In the mornings Sophie might wake her husband Thomas (pictured), not with the words, Good morning but rather, Who am I? or, Whats my name? Im very lucky that my wife has a flexible job which means she can work from home, so the girls are never alone with me when Im not well. For extra peace of mind, I wear a medical alert bracelet with all my details and Sophies contacts on it. As for their daughters coping with his disability, he says: Ive always been like this so they dont know anything different and weve explained it in a way they can understand. They know that sometimes Daddy isnt feeling very well and we have to stay at home so I can rest, but we have many family and friends nearby who help out. Thomas was just 19 when he suffered a traumatic brain injury. He was struck by a taxi as he crossed the road in London after a day out with a friend. Thrown over the roof of the vehicle, he landed on his head; the impact so great it left the bonnet wrecked, the windscreen smashed and the roof concaved. Rushed to hospital, it was initially thought that Thomas had miraculously escaped with a minor head injury, cuts and bruises, but over the next couple of days he complained of a terrible headache, nausea and severe back pain. Not only had he broken his back in three places, an emergency scan revealed a large blood clot on his brain. He was 24 hours away from death when doctors operated. When Thomas came round, his intelligence, understanding and speech remained unaffected, but every memory of his life before the accident had been wiped. Scar tissue on the brain also left him suffering from epilepsy and prosopagnosia also known as face blindness which meant he no longer recognised his family, friends or the house he grew up in and was left unable to read and write. Some part of his brain instinctively knew who his family were and registered that they looked familiar, but all facial recognition and the shared memories which bound them all together had been lost. Everything was new to me. I was like a baby, he says. He met Sophie through a dating internet site seven years after the accident. Sophie recalls: From the start he told me hed suffered a brain injury in a road accident and had epilepsy. I fell in love with the person he was, not the person he had been or might have been had he not had the accident. He had all those qualities that make you go tick, tick, tick. I never thought about what he couldnt give me because he gave me so much happiness. Sophies only fear in those early days was how she would react if she saw Thomas suffering a seizure. Once, before we were meant to meet on a date, a friend of Thomass phoned to let me know he couldnt make it because hed had a major seizure and I burst into tears, she recalls. I was so upset I went round to my eldest sister who said: Dont cry about it, hes got epilepsy, hes going to have seizures. If you cry about it, you may as well break up with him and not mess him around. I thought, Good point, dry your eyes. Ive always been a very pragmatic and practical person and later, when he had another seizure with me before we married, I knew I could deal with it. I was worried about him, of course, but not sad or upset for myself. Thomas proposed with a ruby and diamond ring on the anniversary of their first date, dropping to one knee amid the Christmas fairy lights of Londons West End and they married in 2014 at Hengrave Hall in Suffolk. The day went ahead without a hitch even though their wedding preparations had to include contingency plans for a bad brain day. I had to ring up the deacon and explain that if Thomas had a seizure, we wouldnt be able to get married because he wouldnt know who I was, says Sophie. The plan was that, if the wedding couldnt go ahead, we would just do it another time and I would have a party for all our guests instead. Thomas adds: I was very happy I woke up that day with a brain which wasnt misbehaving. The couple married in 2014 at Hengrave Hall in Suffolk The couple were thrilled when Sophie became pregnant with their first daughter, even if Thomas kept muddling up his wife with her sister, who was also pregnant at the time. I went back to my natural brown hair colour when I was pregnant so Thomas had trouble telling us apart when we were in the same room, says Sophie, who quickly reverted to bright red again to avoid further confusion. The couple moved in with Sophies parents in East London during the pregnancy and ended up staying there for two years. We were very lucky to have their help, says Sophie. The early years were filled with so much joy but it was also very hard work and I took on most of the childcare burden. Today, the couple live in their own home in Southend, Essex, near Sophies siblings. Although Thomass epilepsy is well controlled with medication, they live with the constant risk that he could suffer a major seizure in front of the children. Thomas says: When our daughters have been around me or known Ive had a seizure, we always talk about it and they have been amazing. Sophie adds: Any time they ask, we talk about it. We put it in child language, telling them Daddy will be all right again afterwards. His last major seizure happened when their eldest was three and youngest a baby, triggered by the stress, grief and lack of sleep caused by the death of Sophies mother from breast cancer in 2018. Sophie was thankfully home at the time. You never want your kids to be frightened, so his parents came round and took the children out for the day. His father, who is a medical doctor, checked he was OK and I watched over him as he lay unconscious on the floor, waiting for him to wake up, she says. When he did, he didnt know where he was. We were in a house with white walls and he thought he was in Spain, with the sun coming in. He thought it was about 2005. I didnt want to cause him distress, so I said: This is my house, youve not been feeling well and you are ill at the moment. I had to keep repeating that and he would drift off to sleep and after a while, he was sitting up more, but kept asking: Who are you again?. When the girls were due home, I had to tell him that actually, were married and our kids are coming home. It felt cruel doing this to him, he was almost like a stranger, but it would have been horrible for the kids to feel rejected by him. He was still very confused, but was able to say to them: Im going to be OK, before they went to bed. Thomas has now written a childrens fantasy adventure book inspired by his experience of living with a brain injury. An epileptic fit is depicted by a blank page with exploding stars, which Thomas says is not only a publishing first but an accurate reflection of what it feels like. After my accident I could no longer recognise words and was having to sound them out phonetically like a child, says Thomas, who has been visiting schools to celebrate World Book Day. I even struggled to read picture books to my nephew. My challenge every day was to read a tiny bit of my fathers newspaper and try to remember it. I never thought Id be able to do something like this. But my mantra is that if something is not impossible then you can do it. Disability may be something you cant get over, but you can learn to live with it. If you can do one thing you can be amazing at it. His remarkable book is symbolic of his own journey. Its not frightening, its an adventure. Its a story of hope and courage, he says. Jayben And The Golden Torch by Thomas Leeds is available now (Hodder Childrens Books, 7.99). A delegation of high-level government officials of Korea and Colombia attend a meeting, March 1 (local time). Courtesy of Rural Development Administration By Lee Kyung-min A delegation of high-level government officials has discussed ways to fortify cooperation with three Central and South American countries in the areas of agriculture and spatial data management, the land ministry said Sunday. Among the priorities of the delegation was to promote Korea's bid to host World Expo 2030 in Busan, mostly by strengthening ties with policymakers in Paraguay, Colombia and Guyana. They are members of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the intergovernmental organization in charge of overseeing and regulating World Expos. The land and foreign ministries, two of the agriculture ministry-affiliated agencies Rural Development Administration (RDA) and Korea Forest Service as well as the Korea Real Estate Board, a land ministry-affiliated organization, visited the countires from Feb. 27 to March 3 (local time). The delegation spent two of the five-day trip in Paraguay to discuss cooperation in agriculture research, forest services and spatial data management. During the meeting, Edgar Esteche, the president of the Paraguayan Institute of Agrarian Technology (IPTA), expressed great interest in expanding cooperation with Korea, as cemented by Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA), an RDA-led global development project. The IPTA head said more public-private partnerships between the two countries will bear outcomes to the advantage of both in the long term. Gloria Padres, the country's land administration head, and Paraguari Mayor Ariel Simbron showed particular interest in Korea's experience in spatial data management and land administration. Christina Goralewski, president of the Paraguay's National Forestry Institute, highly assessed and praised the performance of Korea's forestry business firms operating in the country. She said that the stalled talks due to the pandemic to advance the forestry businesses between the two countries should promptly resume. The delegation had a two-day visit to Colombia thereafter from March 1 to March 2. The visit was in response to Colombia's repeated request for Korea to help it innovate and reform its land administration, as sought by the country's rural administration, environment and foreign and land administration authorities. Colombia's minister of agriculture and rural development Cecilia Lopez Montano was among the top policymakers who said that Korea's help is vital to land reforms for "permanent peace and just distribution of wealth," according to the delegation. The two countries held a forum to discuss policy steps, as tested and revised by previous case studies. Among the topics of heated discussion were low-carbon agricultural technology and genetic resource preservation as part of a long-term growth strategy to tackle climate change. The meetings with officials of Guyana focused on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+), a goal for the global forest circle to better achieve sustainable management of forests and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks. I have just counted 29 bras nestling in my wardrobe. I think that's a lot, but we never know how many bras others own because women tend not to discuss the contents of their underwear drawers. I admit to keeping some just because they look pretty, like the 50 triangle of red velvet I bought five years ago that gleams like a Christmas bauble and is more decorative than useful. But the main reason for this abundance of bras is that, like all women I suspect, I am driven by hope over experience in search of The Perfect One. The definition of that depends on the individual, but I'm searching for something that looks delicious, feels like a whisper on the skin and gives my bust some curvaceous, contained shape. No boulder-holder effect please. I haven't always owned 29 bras or anything like that number. For decades, I didn't own one. As an early developer of breasts, I was the first of my school class to wear one, which was a bit of a double-edged sword. The bra whisperer: Alexandra Shulman and Susana Lorena. For decades, Alexandra didn't own even one On one hand, it represented a kind of sophistication, a pass into womanhood that contemporaries still in their Chilprufe vests stared at with curiosity as we changed at dance class. On the other, there was something deeply embarrassing about these small but expanding mounds, when no one else appeared to possess them. I remember the excitement of my first suspender belt but have no recollection of that first bra. I can't even remember its size, 32A or B probably, but I doubt there was anything attractive about it. Bras in the late 1960s, even for adults, were fairly serviceable cross-your-heart numbers. Maybe that's what encouraged me at 17 to ditch them for the next 19 years. As far as I was concerned, they were uncomfortable, restrictive insults to my free-spirited flesh. I was lucky (and I write this from distant memory) in having breasts that looked after themselves. No sag or spread or aches. They just kind of perched there, pleasantly independent. Although ditching the bra was a conscious decision, it was in no way a political statement. And I had no thoughts of rejecting conformity to male expectations of a woman's body. Far from it. The only time I remember being uncomfortable about not wearing a bra was briefly in my mid-20s when I worked on a newspaper with a predominantly male staff. Going into news conference to discuss the Piper Alpha oil rig disaster, I was acutely aware of the appearance of my nipples drawing attention. The solution was not to wear a bra but to appear in a jacket or cardigan. Alexandra calls Susana Lorena (pictured) the 'bra whisperer' because without a tape measure, only a few questions and a quick glance, she can find you the perfect bra At the time, I had the usual complicated romantic life of a single young woman. I recall one period where I compared my love life to a plait, with three gentlemen visitors being woven in and out of the front door. I don't remember them paying much attention to whether I wore a bra. In general, men then seemed keener on what one wasn't wearing. But by 36, when I became pregnant, all this changed and so came an end to my bra-free state of affairs. I had to re-enter the bra world to deal with breasts that were becoming large shapeless appendages, unrecognisable to me. Even amid the joy of having a son, I recall feeling resentful that I needed to wear a bra. And that remains, 27 years on, as my breasts never returned to their pre-child perkiness. For me, there is a highly emotional aspect to bras. They say something about your identity and state of mind. There is a big contrast between a plain, seamless T-shirt bra and an ornate, wired construction. Not only do they look different but the wearer feels different. Knowing you are wearing a beautiful piece of kit that no one can see is one reason why so many women who wear uniforms splash out on underwear. Now Alexandra (pictured) is the proud possessor of 200 worth of wireless bras, which 'seem to support her without cutting into her flesh' It's why my friend, the late war correspondent Marie Colvin who was murdered in Syria, travelled with an arsenal of La Perla. But shopping can be nightmarish. How many hours I have stood in a cubicle as I stare at myself in the mirror under unflattering light! Am I really a 34 or is a 36 just more comfortable? Am I D or DD or E? Of course the answer can only be found in each bra because, as with a pair of jeans, there is little size uniformity within brands. Then there are straps. My eye always turns to tiny rose-printed spaghetti straps, only to drag myself away to something more substantial if the bra is to give any support. Somewhere in the early Noughties, bras became big business. They moved out of the lingerie department into booming High Street stores such as Top Shop and Gap. For Alexandra, who expressed her distress at bra shopping, there is a highly emotional aspect to the clothing item Young women who hadn't paid much attention to bras were snapping up neon yellow padded numbers and cyclamen balconettes with skinny jeans and ballerina pumps. Then came expensive shops on London's Bond Street and Sloane Street such as Agent Provocateur and Coco de Mer. These tried to make luxury underwear more fun and sexy than traditional corsetieres such as Rigby & Peller. Some have floundered and there's now a slew of online brands with more emphasis on comfort such as Tanya Robertson's Womanhood with its naturalistic images, or the more fun- loving The Pantry Underwear. So shopping, with such choice, should surely be a breeze. Except a year ago, a tumour was found in my breast and I had a lumpectomy. I was lucky not to lose the breast but, even so, it has a different shape to the other and there is an uncomfortable scar. I was so relieved the tumour had been excised that I returned to bra business as usual, ignoring the surgeon's suggestion that I wear sports-style bras for some time. That was a mistake as underwiring irritates the scar an obvious fact you might think, but it took the woman who founded my local lingerie Maison SL, in West London, to draw my attention to it. I call Susana Lorena the 'bra whisperer' because without a tape measure, only a few questions and a quick glance, she can find you the perfect bra. As she explains, fitting is a world apart from measurement as it takes into account the breasts' shape and condition. And experience counts. She has had 25 years of sizing up women's breasts. Now I am the proud possessor of 200 worth of wireless bras, which seem to support me without cutting into my flesh and give a smooth outline that works with T-shirts and evening wear. What's more, Susana keeps her customers' sizes on file so that menfolk buying them come birthdays don't need to rifle through their other half's drawers beforehand. Which makes it easier than ever not only to find The Perfect One, but to get him to pay for it, too. She samples festive cakes, liqueur, spreads and even an ale ahead of Easter A month to go until Easter and the annual crop of weird hot cross bun flavours has hit the shelves. Anyone for lemon curd, cheese-and-Marmite, or masala-and-chilli? Bacon hot cross buns are now 'a thing', too. But the twist on the traditional bun is different this year. Instead of just changing the taste of the actual bun, supermarkets are changing the product enter a whole host of new hot cross-flavoured foods and tipples: fudge, breakfast spread, rum, even beer, all with the spicy, fruity, cinnamon tang of the original... PIECE OF CAKE M&S Hot Cross Bun Cake (2, Marks & Spencer, in store) M&S Hot Cross Bun Cake (2, Marks & Spencer, in store) A cupcake, or is it a hot cross cake? A fudgy, nutty sponge peppered with satisfying chunks of peel and raisins, finished with a spice-infused butter cream and hand decorated with an iced cross. Cupcakes can often be overly sweet and heavy on the topping, but this is nicely balanced, moist and 100 per cent moreish. VERDICT: Better than the original thing. Purists may disagree but, given the choice, I would definitely opt for one of these with a cup of tea over a boring old bun any day. A RUM DO Sweet Little Hot Cross Rum Liqueur (24.95 for 500ml, masterofmalt.com) Sweet Little Hot Cross Rum Liqueur (24.95 for 500ml, masterofmalt.com) A retro tipple at its finest, this hot cross rum liqueur comes in a fancy heart-shaped bottle. At 18 per cent proof, it's best drunk with ice so the alcohol doesn't overpower the flavours, or blended with soda water to make a simple cocktail. On first sip, sweet orange peel and cinnamon greets you but these sadly drown out any raisins and malted bread flavours you might be expecting. VERDICT: A fun after-dinner tipple that doesn't quite tick all the boxes but nevertheless would look good on a bar trolley. Not forgetting liqueurs are every cook's secret weapon to add oomph to glazes and sauces or whipped into cream for trifles and desserts. SPREAD THE WORD Joe & Seph's Hot Cross Bun Caramel Spread (4.99 for 230g, joeand sephs.co.uk) Joe & Seph's Hot Cross Bun Caramel Spread (4.99 for 230g, joeand sephs.co.uk) Wowsers! Silky caramel, fat sultanas, mixed fruit peel, warming spices and a pinch of sea salt this hot cross bun spread is something else. Spread over toast or pancakes in the morning, add a dollop to your porridge or swirl over yoghurt or ice cream. Or why not go the whole hog and add to buns for a double whammy of hot cross-ness! VERDICT: Dangerously indulgent. Needs serious willpower not to eat it straight from the jar save it for Easter itself. HOPPY EASTER Hop Cross Bun Ale (1.65 for 500ml, sainsburys.co.uk) Hop Cross Bun Ale (1.65 for 500ml, sainsburys.co.uk) For anyone who likes their beer with more depth of flavour than a wishy-washy lager, this seasonal edition amber ale from Dorset brewery Hall & Woodhouse is for you. VERDICT: It's sweet but not overly so with subtle hints of cinnamon and nutmeg that work well with the toasted biscuity notes, but it's missing the fruity tang of raisins and orange peel that would make this really stand out. It's an enjoyable beer that's easy to drink and doesn't scream 'novelty'. TEA'S UP! Hot Cross Tea (3.50, bird andblendtea.com, available from March 12) Hot Cross Tea (3.50, bird andblendtea.com, available from March 12) We were expecting a musty hit of cinnamon to whack us round the chops with this tea but no. Brighton-based tea experts, Bird & Blend, specialise in 'tea mixology' and this softly spiced limited edition blend has sophisticated notes of hibiscus, apple, rosehip and orange peel blended with rooibos, Sri Lankan black and lapsang souchong teas. It tastes like Easter in a cup. VERDICT: This is a delight. DAIRY MILK DREAM Cadbury Dairy Milk Hot Cross Bun Chocolate (1.25 for 110g, morrisons.com) Cadbury Dairy Milk Hot Cross Bun Chocolate (1.25 for 110g, morrisons.com) When Cadbury's does anything quirky to its Dairy Milk, the nation likes to have its say, so when this launched last year, the internet weighed in with criticism. It is actually a nice bar. Hints of spice and chewy raisins are well balanced, while crisped rice adds a toasted flavour. VERDICT: Ignore the keyboard warriors, it's a treat. Be quick it's selling out everywhere. SWEET SOMETHING Hot Cross Bun Fudge (6, shop.rnli.org) Hot Cross Bun Fudge (6, shop.rnli.org) Creamy fudge with vanilla, cinnamon and juicy raisins make perfect bedfellows and this offering, from family-run Cornish business Buttermilk, delivers on every level. Soft and crumbly but not too sweet and no sickly aftertaste you sometimes get with cheaper fondant. VERDICT: The pretty box makes this a lovely gift. EGGS-TRAORDINARY Extremely Chocolatey Giant Hot Cross Bun Egg (9, ocado.com) Extremely Chocolatey Giant Hot Cross Bun Egg (9, ocado.com) Full marks for ingenuity because at first glance this textured hot cross egg really does look like a giant bun. Unfortunately, that's where the similarity ends. Infused with spice and dotted with raisins and chunks of orange jelly, it's the least convincing Hot Cross treat we tasted. VERDICT: It may not score highly on authenticity but the creamy, thick chocolate makes up for it. Is that sniffle a cold, or have I caught Covid? It's a question you've likely asked and answered yourself dozens of times over the last three years thanks to the rise of DIY testing kits. But you might soon be asking similar questions about whether or not the blood in your poo is cancer, if test manufacturers get their way. Not only did the pandemic lead to a huge surge in demand for Covid home testing kits, but it radically reshaped the market for at-home medical diagnostics. Yet, not every expert is convinced that the post-pandemic boom is a good thing. The DIY home health testing kit market was already growing, but Covid accustomed many more people to self-testing Professor Jon Deeks, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Birmingham warned that it's not yet clear how these tests are being regulated nationwide. He told MailOnline: 'We don't want people to be mislead by these tests. We're not sure how they're being regulated Such tests whether for bowel issues, heart ailments or any other health concern can give 'a false sense of security', top voices in the diagnostics field say. And it's not just that, for others warn they have the potential 'to cause direct harm'. Often patients also make GP appointments for help analysing their results, 'in many cases not really needing medical assistance'. This piles even more pressure on the already overstretched NHS, commentators on the issue say. Professor Jon Deeks, a biostatistician at the University of Birmingham who analysed the data on Covid tests rigorously through the pandemic, warned it is not yet clear how these tests are being regulated nationwide. Read more: At-home kits now on sale at Tesco will let you test yourself for CANCER Advertisement He told MailOnline: 'We don't want people to be misled by these tests. We're not sure how they're being regulated. 'The people who are producing these tests, they're telling us how well they work. But we don't know how good that data is.' While he acknowledged there are 'good examples' of home testing kits, 'we've also seen some poor ones', he said. 'People might go to the doctors more quickly if they've found something. But it might mean they don't go to the doctors when they should be. I'm very concerned about their regulation.' Medics believe the rise in demand could also be due to fewer people accessing NHS services over the course of the pandemic. Last month, fresh NHS figures revealed cancer waiting times to be the worst on record last year, with more than 50,000 people a month waiting at least two weeks to see a specialist. Some 25,000 patients in England were forced to wait more than a month for treatment last year five times as many as a decade before, according to Macmillan Cancer Support. Meanwhile in November, the British Heart Foundation revealed 43 per cent of heart patients they had recently surveyed who needed medical treatment for their heart condition over the past year, had put off seeking NHS help 'due mostly to ongoing fears of catching Covid or burdening NHS services'. As of February 12, there were also almost 40,000 (39,903) patients across England still waiting more than 18 months for NHS elective care. Dr Bernie Croal, a consultant chemical pathologist and president of the association for clinical biochemistry and laboratory medicine, told MailOnline: 'The public has been taking a bigger interest in their own health, especially since the pandemic and likely driven by an apparent and in many cases real difficulty in accessing NHS services.' Medics also believe rise in demand for home health testing kits could also be due to fewer people able to access NHS services during this time. Tesco is now selling at-home kits that will let you test yourself for conditions such as bowel cancer and kidney problems Earlier this week, Tesco announced it is now selling at-home kits which will let you test yourself for conditions such as bowel cancer and kidney problems. Striking a first-of-its-kind deal with provider Newfoundland - a leading UK provider of diagnostic tests - supermarket shoppers can also get their hands on tests for the menopause, iron and vitamin D deficiencies, thyroid problems, Covid, flu and male fertility. The kits cost around 10. But some self-testing kits are already available in high street pharmacies at the likes of Superdrug, Boots and Lloydspharmacy. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, told MailOnline: 'We'd always encourage our patients to take an interest in their own health. 'Some self-testing works well, for example it was used to good effect during the Covid pandemic to help manage the spread of the virus; and some parts of the NHS, such as sexual and reproductive health services, routinely offer patients at-home testing kits to positive effect.' Home testing kits 'can of course provide some peace of mind for patients' and 'for relatively minor conditions, with clear and easy to access treatment options, they may avoid the patient having to seek medical assistance', she added. 'However, self-testing products, available over the counter without prescription, come with pros and cons,' she said. 'We know from experience, many patients make appointments with their GP for help analysing the results of at-home tests and to discuss the implications of them, in many cases not really needing medical assistance. 'This also takes up valuable GP time when we and our teams are working under considerable pressure, and patients who really need our care and services are struggling to access them.' Dr James Gill, a GP and teaching fellow at Warwick Medical School, also told MailOnline: 'Being able to access home testing kits on the face of it, sounds like an excellent idea. 'If you have a family history of bowel cancer, it's understandable that you would want to be able do a check in the comfort of your own home. 'However, one of the things I always highlight to my patients, is that 'We do not treat the computer, We treat a patient'.' He added: 'I don't like the idea of these tests, particularly because when it comes to bowel cancer, for example, blood in the stool is merely one of the symptoms which we would look for in terms of making a diagnosis. 'What that means is a negative home bowel cancer test does not necessarily mean that you don't have bowel cancer, and may give false sense of security.' Not only did the pandemic led to a huge surge in demand for Covid home testing kits as people took an increased interest in managing their personal health, but radically reshaped the market for at-home medical diagnostics The supermarket giant struck a first-of-its-kind deal with provider Newfoundland, a leading UK provider of diagnostic tests. The deal with Tesco marks the first time self-diagnostic test kits for widespread health conditions will be available with a major UK retailer There is also 'the potential for these tests to cause direct harm,' he said. 'Somebody checks their vitamin D levels at home, finding the levels are low decides to purchase high-dose supplements over the counter. 'In this particular situation, we haven't identified what cause of the vitamin deficiency is, and similarly, we haven't been able to confirm that the patient is taking the correct supplements and dose - with issues of overdose possible as well,' he said. Equally, while health testing kits have high sensitivity when conducted by trained healthcare professionals, experts warned this may reduce when used by patients. Dr Croal told MailOnline: 'Unnecessary testing, especially if sensitivity is high, can lead to many false positive results. 'Five per cent of normal people will have an abnormal flag for any test, even if nothing is wrong.' He added: 'Relative lack of regulation, quality checking, and appropriateness in home testing remains of great concern to the professional community.' Meanwhile, Professor Hawthorne said: 'Without the appropriate aftercare services, patients may not know how to properly interpret results, or safely and appropriately act on them. 'In the case of more serious conditions, such as cancer, people may not have the appropriate support in place to deal with what could be very distressing news. 'Some tests are also quite general, not testing for a specific condition, carrying the risk that some of the results will be unimportant or of dubious value and could leave people unnecessarily confused and distressed. She added: 'That is why we would only suggest that if people are going to use self tests, they only use kits that are evidence based and have been quality assured.' 'Medical advances in testing are welcome, so long as they are fully researched and the lab tests are approved by medical regulators. But we would discourage patients from paying for tests that, if appropriate, are available free of charge on the NHS.' A spokesperson for test provider, Newfoundland, told MailOnline: 'Many of these types of tests have been used by the NHS and private hospitals in the UK. All of the Newfoundland tests are heavily regulated, both with the independent notified body CE marking for self-testing and are registered by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK. 'They have been validated with both clinical studies for scientific accuracy and also usability studies to ensure that they are easy and simple to use by the layman.' They added: 'All Newfoundland tests come with comprehensive information and advice derived from the NHS. 'Each test contains an information leaflet and a specially dedicated app and website to show precisely how to use the test, how to interpret the results, what next steps to take after the result and general health advice regarding each specific test. 'The accuracy of each test is displayed clearly on the box of every single one of the tests and is above 95 per cent. 'These tests are designed to be complementary to a visit to the doctor, and not instead of. 'Tests can act as a helpful tool for the consumer to monitor their health, for example, their iron deficiency or vitamin D levels, and this can be valuable information for both the consumer and their GP. 'The tests provide valuable information specific to their own health anxieties and even something that they have previously seen a doctor for.' This in turn released hydrogen chloride and WWI chemical weapon phosgene used to choke people It was burned during Norfolk Southern's controlled release of the substances days later to avoid an explosion Cancer-causing vinyl chloride was one of the six chemicals on board the trains which derailed on February 3 Advertisement Fears about the toxic train explosion in Ohio were amplified this week when independent researchers determined the air in East Palestine has 'unusually high' levels of toxic chemicals. That assessment contradicted an early conclusion made by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that said it was safe despite dozens of substances being released into the area, either by the derailment itself or a by-product of the combustion of the chemicals. Many commentators have described the toxic train incident as 'Ohio's Chernobyl' and there are growing fears of health problems down the line. DailyMail.com has investigated the chemicals found in the air of East Palestine and documented their health risks: Independent testing done by Texas A&M and Carnegie Mellon University published last week found that the air in East Palestine contains 'higher than normal' concentrations of nine potentially harmful chemicals. These were: acrolein, benzene, vinyl chloride, butadiene, naphthalene, o-Xylene, trichloroethylene, trichloroethane and p-Xylene. Acrolein a gas that can cause excess fluid in the lungs Acrolein was calculated to be the biggest concern for residents, the Texas A&M and Carnegie Mellon University researchers said. This was because they found it to have the highest level above safe limits. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), acrolein is either a clear, colorless gas or a pale yellow, strong-smelling liquid. It evaporates easily at normal temperatures, producing toxic concentrations, and is poisonous when consumed, no matter whether the exposure route is inhaled or through skin contact. It causes inflammation and irritation of the skin, respiratory tract and mucus membranes. After it is inhaled, it can cause delayed pulmonary edema excess fluid in the lungs. This can lead to coughs, chest pain and fatigue. It is formed when fossil fuels are burnt and is also a by-product of fires. Local resident and mother-of-two Ayla Antoniazzi told CNN: 'I did allow my four-year-old to return to preschool, which is in the East Palestine Elementary School. She went back for two days and developed another rash her hands and started complaining of itching, so I pulled her back out.' A giant plume of smoke from the aftermath of the incident could be seen from miles away Ayla Antoniazz's four-year-old daughter's hands Benzene a deadly industrial chemical Benzene is a colorless or pale yellow liquid with a sweet scent which burns easily and evaporates into the air rapidly. Remnants of the liquid was also on board two of the fifty derailed cars. The substance is formed naturally from volcanoes and forest fires and is a natural part of crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke. It is also used to make plastics, nylon and some types of lubricants, drugs and pesticides. Minutes to hours after breathing benzene in, it can bring on symptoms including drowsiness, dizziness, increased or irregular heartbeat, headaches, confusion, unconsciousness and even death at very high levels. According to the CDC, eating food or drinking water that is contaminated with benzene can lead to sleepiness, vomiting and convulsions within minutes to several hours. It can also cause death at very high levels. It is a known carcinogen strongly linked to leukemia and other blood disorders. The EPA reported a median of 0.00084 (mg/m3) in East Palestine, but the Texas A&M researchers found 0.03. Butadiene a gas that can lead to vertigo Butadiene is a clear gas with a gasoline-like odor. It is formed during the processing of the fossil fuel crude oil and is used in the production of synthetic rubber, but is also found in plastics. Short-term low exposure can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat. Exposure to higher concentrations can damage the central nervous system and lead to blurred vision, vertigo, tiredness, decreased blood pressure, headache, nausea, decreased pulse rate, and fainting. The long-term health effects of butadiene exposure are unclear and disputed. Multiple disease studies in humans have demonstrated an increase in cardiovascular disease and cancer, but due to other factors such as smoking and simultaneous exposure to benzene, scientists cannot be sure of a true causal relationship. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has designated butadiene as a suspected human carcinogen. Naphthalene a gas that can cause organ damage Naphthalene, a type of hydrocarbon, is found in fossil fuels, but is also formed as a by-product when fossil fuels are burned. It usually occurs as a white solid substance, but it can also be released as a gas into the air when gases or vapors are released from a pressurized container. Outdoor sources can also contribute to low indoor levels, as naphthalene can be a gas at room temperature. The main way people are exposed is through breathing in air in homes and other buildings. According to the EPA, short-term exposure to naphthalene via inhalation, ingestion or skin contact is linked to brain and liver damage. It is also associated with hemolytic anemia, a disorder where red blood cells are destroyed or altered so they cannot carry oxygen, which can lead to organ damage. Long-term exposure has been reported to cause cataracts and damage to retinas in the eyes. There is insufficient data to determine a causal relationship between exposure to naphthalene and cancer in humans, but the EPA has classified it as a possible human carcinogen. o-Xylene and p-Xylene gases that can lead to dizziness O-xylene and p-xylene are types of xylene, an sweet-smelling, transparent liquid or gas naturally found in crude oil and coal. It is involved in making rubber, paint and leather. People can be exposed to xylene by breathing it in the air, and there is a low potential for accumulation in the body. Short-term health effects can be caused in less than 14 days and long-term ones after a year's exposure. The major effects of inhaling the vapor are headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. As exposure levels increase, symptoms can include irritability, slower reaction times, giddiness, confusion, slurred speech and ringing in the ears. Information on the longer-term impacts of xylene exposure specifically is limited, but potential symptoms include depression, insomnia, tremors and impaired short-term memory functioning. Trichloroethylene and trichloroethane liquids that could cause cancer Trichloroethylene is a clear liquid that smells like chloroform, mainly used as a solvent to clean grease from metal parts. It is also an ingredient in typewriter correction fluids, paint removers and glues. It is found in the air, soil and water at places where it is made or used. While it will break down, it stays in the environment for a very long time, passes easily through soil and can build up in groundwater. Trichloroethylene is a known carcinogen, as prolonged or repeated exposure causes kidney cancer. Some evidence also links it to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and possibly liver cancer. Trichloroethane is a clear liquid used as a solvent in for rubbers, fats, oils, waxes and resins. It dissolves in water and evaporates easily. The vapor breaks down gradually in the air and can travel for long distances. Like trichloroethylene, it does not stick to soil. This means it can filter down into groundwater. However, only infrequently has it been found to get into water and homes from a contaminated site. According to the New Jersey Department of Health, it is a possible carcinogen. Inhaling the substance can irritate the nose and throat, causing headaches and dizzines. In some cases, someone exposed will pass out. Damage can also occur to the liver and kidneys. The majority of the information surrounding the health impacts comes from animal studies. Animals that inhaled high levels suffered effects on the nervous system, where they became drowsy and moved around more slowly. They also had damage to their lungs and the cells in their nose. Vinyl chloride a carcinogen that can shut down the central nervous system Vinyl chloride was also on board the trains that derailed. It is a colorless manmade gas which burns easily. It is mainly used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a hard plastic resin used to make plastic products including PVC pipe, wire coating, upholstery, plastic cooking utensils. The substance is not known or suspected to cause cancer, but vinyl chloride is associated with a higher risk of a rare form of liver cancer (hepatic angiosarcoma), as well as primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), brain and lung cancers, lymphoma and leukemia. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists vinyl chloride as carcinogenic to humans, which means it has sufficient scientific proof that it causes cancer in people. People exposed to vinyl chloride over many years are likely to get liver damage and cancer. It will most likely enter someone's body by breathing it in, but it can also be ingested via contaminated drinking water. The chemical travels through the body in the blood and the liver will break it down into other chemicals, some of which can cause more damage than the vinyl chloride itself. The gas has a faint sweet odor, but the threshold at which it will smell is 'too high to provide an adequate warning of hazardous concentrations', according to the CDC. This means people can be overexposed to it without being aware it is even in the air. A five-minute exposure to over twice the level it can be smelt at can cause dizziness. At levels five times that high, exposure can cause drowsiness, a loss of coordination, issues with sight and hearing, disorientation, nausea, headache, and burning or tingling in the arms and legs. Sustained exposure can lead to death due to the central nervous system shutting down. The gas is also found in tobacco smoke. When burned, as it was during the Norfolk Southern's controlled release of the train chemicals in East Palestine, vinyl chloride produces hydrogen chloride and phosgene. Norfolk Southern claimed the release was necessary to prevent a larger explosion. When vinyl chloride was burned during the controlled exposure, phosgene and hydrogen chloride would have been released. The plume of smoke is seen above East Palestine following the February 3 train crash Phosgene a WWI chemical weapon that can choke people Phosgene is a colorless, non-flammable gas and poisonous gas with the odor of freshly cut hay. The odor may not be noticeable to everyone exposed to the gas. It would have been released when vinyl chloride was burnt at the site. It is a man-made, major industrial chemical used to create pharmaceuticals, dyes and lots of other chemicals, including pesticides. The gas weighs more than air, causing it to collect in low-lying areas. It was extensively used as a chemical weapon in World War I, estimated to cause as many as 85 percent of the 91,000 gas deaths. It would kill enemy soldiers by forcing them to choke on it, and eventually suffocating them. If phosgene gas is let off into the air, people can be exposed to it through the skin or eyes or by breathing it in. If it is released into water, people can become exposed if they touch or drink the water. A cough, burning sensation in the throat and eyes, watery eyes and blurred vision can occur during or immediately following toxic concentrations of phosgene. Other symptoms include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting. If it comes into contact with the skin, lesions that look like frostbite or burns can develop. After exposure to high concentrations of the gas, fluid in the lungs can develop, known as a pulmonary edema, between two to six hours later. Death may occur within 36 hours after inhalation, caused by heart failure. The majority of people who recover from phosgene exposure have no long-term health benefits, but chronic bronchitis and emphysema have occurred in some cases. East Palestine resident Melissa Henry told the Associated Press a week after the derailment occurred that her youngest son's 'eyes turned red as tomato and he was coughing a lot' before the family moved to her parents' house outside the evacuation zone. Raven Ramsey, who lives in Niles, Ohio, roughly 27 miles from East Palestine, said on Facebook: 'All three of my kids have had coughs, watery puffy eyes, nausea and headaches.' And Melissa Ryan, a mum of two living six miles away from the derailment, said there was a giant black cloud directly over her house. She said: We were away the weekend of the derailment but when I came back that Sunday my eyes started burning and have been doing so since. I have a cough, both my kids have a cough.' Industry, Pennsylvania resident Nate Stewart, lives roughly 19 miles from the derailment site. Him and his wife have been suffering lesions popping up on different parts of their body. He said: 'Almost seems like a GIANT mosquito bite. It doesn't pop, sometimes bleeds if itched enough... Starting to get concerned because they keep coming back in different places.' He described the lesions as 'extremely itchy, swells the skin until it's stretched and painful, secretes clear liquid from the broken skin once they process. They are in different parts of the process from one location to the other'. Mr Stewart added that him and his wife had also had: 'Head cold symptoms, headaches, fatigue and consistent bloody noses to pair with these legions.' Another member of the Facebook group, Lisa Ann Sims, replied to Mr Stewart's post, saying: 'I too have them on my hands, arms and legs. Then they dry up and leave scars.' East Palestine Facebook group member Lisa Ann Sims said she had suffered lesions on her 'hands, arms and legs' (pictured left). Industry, Pennsylvania resident Nate Stewart lives roughly 19 miles from the derailment site. Pictured are the lesions on his toe (pictured right) Hydrogen chloride a gas that can cause the throat to spasm Hydrogen chloride is a colorless to slightly yellow corrosive gas with a pungent odor. It would have been released when vinyl chloride was burnt at the site. When it is exposed to air, it makes white corrosive vapors. It has a variety of uses, including cleaning, pickling and tanning leather, as well as refining mineral ore and oil drilling. It is corrosive to the eyes, skin, throat and voice box. When it meets water, it forms hydrochloric acid, which is also corrosive. Like phosgene, it weighs more than air, so will gravitate towards low-lying areas. Brief exposure to small amounts irritates the throat. Exposure to higher concentrations can lead to quickened breathing, narrowing of airways in the lungs, people turning blue, fluid building up in the lungs or even death. If people become exposed to even higher levels, the throat can swell and spasm, leading to suffocation. Others may develop a type of asthma in response to the gas, known as reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS). Hydrogen chloride can also result in severe eye and skin burns, dependent on exposure levels. If exposed over a longer period, there can also be respiratory problems and discoloration of the teeth. Tests for the presence of hydrogen chloride in blood or urine are not generally useful, according to the CDC. If intense exposure has occurred, the tests can show if the lungs or the gastrointestinal tract is damaged. Some of the tests required can be done in a doctor's office, but some may need hospital facilities. Other chemicals on board the train were isobutylene, glycol monobutyl ether, ethylhexyl acrylate and butyl acrylate. Wade Lovett, 40, claims he has developed a high-pitched, Michael-Jackson-like voice and trouble breathing since the chemical incident. He told DailyMail.com the problem 'just keeps getting worse and worse'. Mr Lovett, an auto detailer, lives with his fiancee about 15 minutes from where the trains derailed but he works close to the site, which is why he believes he had been so severely affected. Barbara Levy, a marketing coordinator living in Youngstown in Ohio, a 30-minute drive from East Palestine, said she was suffering what felt and looked like sunburn on her face and was 'really itchy'. Wade Lovett, 40, has suffered breathing difficulties and his previously low voice now sounds high-pitched and squeaky. He has had to go off work sick as a result Isobutylene a sweet-smelling gas that can kill at high concentrations Isobutylene is a transparent gas on board the train cars that derailed. It has a sweet, gasoline-like odor and is used to produce gasoline for planes and food packaging, chewing gum and tires. When breathed in, isobutylene can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. It can also cause headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness and drowsiness. At high levels, the substance can cause coma and death, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. Chronic health effects of isobutylene can last for years but may not appear until some time after exposure. A severe reaction to the gas initially does not guarantee long-term effects. At the same time, long-term impacts can come about from ongoing exposure to chemicals at levels that are not high enough to make someone instantly ill. This means even residents around the derailment site who are not yet experiencing symptoms may still be at risk. The New Jersey health department said the gas had not been tested for its ability to cause cancer or affect reproduction. It added that exposures in the community are much lower than those in environments where people are working with the chemical, except potentially in the cases of fires and spills. People in the community might come into contact with isobutylene through contaminated water or continued air exposure and may cause more issues for those who are already ill. There is no test for isobutylene, but medical attention is recommended if symptoms occur or overexposure is suspected. Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether a liquid used in paint stripper that can cause vomiting Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, also known as 2-butoxyethanol, is a clear liquid used in paint strippers and thinners and household cleaning products. It has a mild, pleasant odor and was also on board the Ohio train cars. The gas may be released into the air as paints and cleaners dry. When the substance reaches 68 F, it can evaporate and contaminate the air. The most common route of exposure is through breathing in the vapor or touching the liquid. If ingested, it can be toxic. If the liquid touches the skin, it can cause it to dry out and crack. The vapor can cause irritation to the nose and eyes, and may cause a runny nose, as well as headaches, a metallic taste and vomiting. Landfills and hazardous waste sites can release the substance to water that is under the ground, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Exposure can also happen through the accidental ingestion of contaminated food or water. Ethylhexyl acrylate a substance in glue that causes drowsiness Ethylhexyl acrylate, also on board the train, is a see through liquid, used by manufacturers to make paint, glue, leather finishes and coatings for paper. If inhaled, over exposure to the chemical can lead to irritation and drowsiness, and throat and mouth irritation when swallowed, as per chemical distribution company ThermoFisher Scientific. The chemical should not be not released into the environment, it said. In some news coverage of the derailment, the substance has been confused with ethyl acrylate, which is thought to cause cancer. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) said there is insufficient evidence in humans that ethylhexyl acrylate is a carcinogen, and only limited evidence in experimental animals. In 2021, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) listed the chemical as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans' based on 'sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animals'. People overexposed to the chemical can suffer headaches, nausea and vomiting. If people have trouble breathing, rash, itching, swelling, tingling of the hands and feet, chest and muscle pain or flushed skin, it could be a sign of an allergic reaction. East Palestine resident Candice DeSanzo evacuated the area along with her five sons after the derailment but returned when federal authorities lifted the evacuation order. She told an Ideastream reporter at a community meeting: 'We all have red rashes, loose stool, congestion, eyes burning. Everything smells. I've been having terrible headaches.' Ya'oh-Khanah Ashath Shamashon, who lives in Campbell in Ohio, said herself and two of her daughters have been getting 'hive-like rashes all over our bodies and headaches' for 'over a week'. Butyl acrylate a chemical that can cause skin to ooze Butyl acrylate is another colorless liquid used to make paints, coatings, sealant and glues. Unlike vinyl chloride, it has a strong, fruity odor. It was on board the trains that derailed. According to the CDC, severe exposure to its vapor can lead to irritation in the eyes, including redness and tearing up, a scratchy throat, issues with breathing and redness and cracking of the skin. Continued exposure over months and years can cause the skin to itch and affected areas to ooze. Behavioral and nervous system effects are also possible. Melissa Blake lives within a mile radius of the crash site in East Palestine. She told NBC News she began coughing up gray mucus and struggled to breathe two days after the train derailment on February 3. She left her home and went straight to the emergency room, where doctors diagnosed her with 'acute bronchitis due to chemical fumes'. Ms Blake was given a breathing machine, oxygen, and three types of steroids. She was discharged from the hospital but is yet to return to her home. A night of passion turned to disaster for an Indian man who suffered a fatal stroke after drinking while on impotence pills. The 41-year-old man, from India, consumed twice the usual dose of sildenafil the main ingredient in Viagra. Doctors who shared the case revealed he had met up with a female friend at a hotel where he downed two 50mg sildenafil tablets. The unidentified man, who had high blood pressure, had also drunk. Tests after his death showed his blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal UK driving limit. He experienced a headache and was vomiting the next morning. Despite pleas from his companion to call for medical help, he declined, claiming he had experienced similar symptoms before. Post-mortem scans of the man's head revealed he had suffered a stroke, resulting in a 300g mass of clotted blood, pink and blue lines. Yellow arrows indicate blood vessels in the brain that have been extended as a result of the haemorrhage Indian doctors claimed the man's death could be a result of taking both the erectile dysfunction medication sildenafil and alcohol at the same time He then deteriorated and was whisked to hospital. The man was declared dead on arrival. Detailing his autopsy in the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, experts found he had suffered a cerebrovascular haemorrhage. This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Dr Jay Narayan Pandit, from the Department of Forensic Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, said post-mortem scans revealed a 300g mass of clotted blood. Investigations found the man did not have a prescription for sildenafil. Authors said they published the case to raise awareness about the risks of taking the erectile dysfunction medication without medical advice. Read more: Woman, 29, needs dildo removed from her BLADDER after accidentally pushing 10cm-long, 2.5cm-wide sex toy into wrong hole The unidentified 29-year-old, from Israel, showed up at an emergency unit complaining of discomfort when passing urine and abdominal pain. She revealed that she had put a crystal dildo into her urethra the tube that allows urine to exit the body during sex by mistake Advertisement They said that sildenafil is now being used for recreational purpose by men without issues getting an erection wanting to enhance their sexual performance. The pathologists also said the man's fatal stroke could have occurred through the combination of sildenafil and alcohol dilating blood vessels in his body. This combined with a pre-existing blood pressure disorder put his vessels in his brain under pressure, leading to the stroke, they said. This increase in blood flow is how sildenafil helps men with ED maintain erections by increasing blood flow to the penis. Alcohol can also increase blood flow at certain levels of intoxication. A post-mortem blood test on the man revealed he had a blood alcohol level of 186.61mg/100 ml of blood. For comparison the legal drink driving limit is 80mg/100 ml of blood. He also consumed two 50mg grams of sildenafil that night. This is twice the recommended dose for most men, according to the NHS. Dr Narayan Pandit and colleagues said recreational use of sildenafil without prescription was a growing problem and said the drug should be added to the screening tests done to determine case of death. 'As forensic pathologists, we should be aware of this emerging problem and toxicological screening for sildenafil should become routine in deaths occurring under such suspicious circumstances suggesting recent sexual activity of any kind, autoerotism, or men with erectile dysfunctions,' they wrote. The medics did not detail what brand of sildenafil medication he took, or where in India or when the case took place. Sildenafil can be purchased over the counter in the UK though men must have a discussion with the pharmacists first to rule out any potential health conditions that could make taking the drug dangerous. The NHS says people taking medication for chest pain, have serious heart or liver problems, or have recently had a heart attack or stroke as some of conditions that might make taking sildenafil dangerous. However, the health service says taking sildenafil with alcohol is safe but as drinking can make it difficult to get an erection, recommends abstaining from booze to get the most benefit. Viagra, which is made by pharmaceutical company Viatris, and is not available on the NHS, carries a warning that it may cause a stroke in up to one in 1,000 people who take it. Official NHS advice adds there does not seem to be any lasting harmful effects from taking sildenafil, even over the course of months and years. Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. Ms S.M. writes: Last August 31, I boarded the 4.30pm Wizz Air flight from Larnaca in Cyprus to Gatwick. Two and a half hours later, we were told the flight was cancelled. I got off the plane, retrieved my luggage, and then found no one from Wizz Air was available. In fact, there were no Wizz Air flights available for eight days. I had to book with BA. Wizz Air said it would refund my costs for a hotel and the BA ticket, totalling 1,411, but later I was told this was 'against their policy' and they have offered 108 (about 95). Result: Ms S.M. received 1,266 to settle her claim against Wizz Air when it left her stranded in Larnaca last year Tony Hetherington replies: You are a single mum and this was your first holiday in years, to attend a friend's wedding. But Wizz Air abandoned you at Larnaca Airport, with no help to get home to your children and your job. And when you made your own way home, Wizz Air left you hugely out of pocket. It did not even refund the cost of your ticket for the flight that was cancelled. You told me: 'I do not have that type of money available to just give up, but Wizz Air are impossible to try to claim from.' You contacted me after I reported that Wizz Air was not just failing to compensate passengers it had let down, but was even failing to pay passengers who had sued it in the county court and won. And the Civil Aviation Authority revealed it was far and away the most complained-about airline in the country. I asked Wizz Air why nobody was there to offer help when your flight was cancelled. And I asked the airline to explain what it meant when it told you that compensation was 'based on our policy'. What policy? I did not get an answer to either question, but you suddenly received a message from the Hungarian-owned airline. It apologised, adding that 'after reviewing your claim, we came to the conclusion that our resolution of your case was incorrect'. You told me: 'I'm in shock. Wizz Air has refunded all of my expenses.' A total of 1,266 landed in your bank account. You have not had to sue Wizz Air to get your money, but others are less lucky. The CAA instructed the airline to make County Court Judgment payments a priority, hoping for all such debts to be cleared by the end of January. I commented at the time that I was not optimistic. I had found 533 CCJs against Wizz Air UK, with 478 listed as unsatisfied. So is the picture any better now? No, it is worse. When I checked court records a few days ago, I found 960 CCJs against the airline, with 865 shown as unsatisfied. The most recent cases show debts of 2,105, 1,621, and 1,550. Time for the watchdog CAA to step in again, I think, and to bark even louder this time. Why can't SSE install a smart meter? D.C. writes: I rent my brother's flat and we are currently stuck with SSE owned by Ovo constantly saying it will replace our broken gas meter with a new smart meter. We have now booked ten appointments for the smart meter to be fitted, but each time SSE has cancelled on the day and failed to give us the 25 they promise in these situations. Reliable? Ovo-owned SSE has failed to replace a broken gas meter Tony Hetherington replies: On top of the inconvenience of broken appointments, you told me that because the meter is broken you have had to pay estimated bills. You reckon that SSE has been charging you for four times the consumption that was shown before the meter failed. I asked SSE's owner Ovo to look into what you told me, and staff there quickly contacted you. You have now told me that, in fact, there were only three broken appointments, and Ovo has now paid 90 into your bank account by way of saying sorry for this. You have also received a vastly reduced estimated bill which could be reduced further when your new meter is fitted and a clear picture of your average consumption emerges. WE'RE WATCHING YOU Last September, I reported how a reader Ms J.S. lost a 41,627 inheritance when a cheque made out to her was stolen and then paid into an account at Barclays. The thief had opened an account some months earlier but barely used it. She then simply told Barclays she was changing her name to match the name on the cheque, paid it in, and then withdrew all but a few pounds. Barclays told Ms S. to contact Action Fraud, but it replied, refusing to investigate on the grounds that it could not see any possible line of enquiry. This was despite the fact that the bank had a copy of the thief's driving licence, giving her name and address, and a recent image of her using the bank's online video service. I asked Barclays why nobody had noticed that the cheque had been altered with Tippex to erase Ms S's own bank details and insert the thief's account number. And I asked why nobody spotted that the thief only changed her name after the date on the cheque. The bank was not happy to give any detailed explanation except to say that it followed its rules. Well, since then Ms S. has complained to the Financial Ombudsman Service and she has won her case. The Ombudsman decided that Barclays was negligent in not flagging suspicious activity on the account. He has ruled: 'The account was opened with very little activity taking place, followed by an unexpected and uncharacteristic large credit.' The Ombudsman added that this 'coupled together with the change of name to that of a different ethnicity two days prior, should have prompted further review.' And he criticised Barclays for failing to notice that the deed changing the thief's name was dated after the cheque was written. The bank has now paid Ms S. the full 41,627 plus interest at 8 per cent. As things stand, the thief and any accomplices have been allowed to keep the stolen money. However, one praiseworthy local policeman is still making enquiries, despite Action Fraud's rejection of the case. And Ms S. has contacted the Financial Conduct Authority, making the very valid point that it should not be this easy to change the name on a bank account without the same level of checks that are made on a completely new account. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. When the going gets tough, man's best friend sometimes has to take a back seat. That's a problem for Dechra Pharmaceuticals, the firm your vet turns to when your cat needs a laxative, or your salamander wants some antibiotics. The animal healthcare company is firefighting on several fronts. Its 'companion animal' business (that's pets to you and me) seems likely to suffer from a cost-of-living crisis that has already seen some families abandon their dogs and cats and many more plan to spend less on Tiddles' wellbeing. After a boom in pet ownership in lockdown that gave Dechra a boost, any slowdown in this market will create unflattering comparisons. Health: Pharmaceuticals for pets are big business - but the industry could suffer from a cost-of-living crisis Elsewhere, the company has a division providing treatments for farm animals, where high costs of raw materials as well as disease outbreaks such as avian flu, make the market uncertain. This combination of issues has made the market nervous, which might explain the collapse in the company's share price after Dechra reported interim figures this week. Numbers were in line with the lower end of expectations, but sales and profits have been dampened by several separate issues, causing analysts to trim their forecasts for the full year. The question now is whether those issues are temporary, and if so, how long some of them might last. Some answers are easier than others. Dechra's decision to open its own sales and marketing arm in South Korea, losing a distribution partner may have temporarily hit sales in the region but that's already back on track. The change of nutrition partner in Japan, which also weighed on sales, looks similarly fixable. Analysts are more focused on 'destocking' in the US, where Dechra says wholesalers seem to be holding less inventory, creating a blip in sales. It's unclear how quickly this might unwind and whether it is a more general trend. Dechra shares fell by over 15 per cent initially, but have since recovered slightly at 27.56 on Friday they are down 33 per cent on this time a year ago. Many analysts believe the fall is overdone. Andrew Whitney, at Investec, points out that the animal healthcare market is 'resilient', and adds that the company's new pipeline of drugs, including a long-acting dog insulin, should help it to outperform its peers. Max Herrmann, at investment banker Stifel, says that the company's lower figures reflect a positive decision to invest in research and development, and expects a return to more normal growth patterns in the rest of the year. The question investors must ask themselves is whether a still robust petcare market is enough to keep Dechra afloat, or whether the dog has had its day. Midas verdict: For a company that makes equine sedatives, Dechra certainly still managed to scare the horses this week. The collapse in the company's share price indicates that many were unprepared for the weaker figures and are nervous about the market that Dechra operates in. However, this may represent a buying opportunity for the brave. Midas has long been a fan of Dechra, tipping the shares first at 3.97 in 2008, but urging investors to sell out when they hit nearly 50 in September 2021. At 27.56 this weekend, the shares trade on 24 times forward earnings and are far below this level. Despite the cost-of-living crisis, the petcare market seems relatively robust and Dechra's pipeline is strong. Buy on this weakness. Traded on: Main market Ticker: DPH Contact: dechra.com or 01939 211200 Tens of thousands of investors who thought they were doing the right thing by buying a green fund will soon face a difficult decision whether to stick or twist. New regulations, to be finalised this July by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), could result in hundreds of green investment funds being declassified as the regulator clamps down on greenwashing the cynical marketing of a fund as green when it isn't. Those investors caught in such mislabelled funds will face a stark choice to stay put and compromise their principles; or switch to an alternative fund that meets the FCA's new criteria. Investment manager Alan Miller, who has led the way in exposing greenwashing across the investment funds industry, says investors should not have to bear the cost of any switching or resulting tax charges such as capital gains tax. Shock: Georgia Elliott-Smith found her green pension was invested in Shell Miller, co-founder of wealth manager SCM Direct, told The Mail on Sunday: 'You can argue whether the new labelling regime for green funds is right or wrong. But the result is that there will be a cost that the FCA should have considered and someone should pay.' He added: 'Consumers thought they were holding a green fund. If they are now being told that is not the case, they should not have to pay the cost of switching to an alternative fund that is deemed green by the FCA. 'If you buy a new electric car which turns out to be oil powered, you would expect to be switched free of charge.' Miller said the overall cost of this switching for investors could be more than 600 million and is adamant that investment management groups guilty of fund mislabelling should pick up the tab. 'Surely, it is the fund groups which should pay the switching fees,' he said. 'In no other commercial field would the consumer be left to pay the bill caused by the misrepresentation of others.' Miller's back-of-the-envelope 600 million calculation is based on a statistic disclosed late last month by the head of the investment funds trade organisation the Investment Association (IA) before the powerful Commons Treasury Select Committee (TSC). According to the IA, 95 billion of investors' money is held in 'responsible' funds. But under the new labelling regime put together by the FCA, IA boss Chris Cummings says 70 per cent of funds will no longer be able to market themselves as appropriate for green investors. If green funds have been mislabelled, it seems clear that the offending fund groups not the investors must be made to pay any transfer fees investors face in moving to authenticated products Georgia Elliott-Smith, Element Four Assuming half of the investors in these non-compliant funds shift out their money and taking into account fund switching costs and capital gains tax bills Miller has arrived at his potential consumer bill of 600 million. Georgia Elliott-Smith is managing director of London-based sustainability consultant Element Four. She was horrified to discover the company pension scheme she thought was green was invested in oil giant Shell. She moved it to another provider. 'Investors buy green funds because they want to do their bit to save the world,' she says. 'To find the product you have bought is not as green as you thought is deeply disappointing.' She adds: 'If green funds have been mislabelled, it seems clear that the offending fund groups not the investors must be made to pay any transfer fees investors face in moving to authenticated products.' Cummings warned members of the TSC that market 'bubbles' could result from money being moved into a narrower range of FCA- approved funds. Yet he was given short shrift from some members. Angela Eagle, Labour MP for Wallasey, accused Cummings of not thinking about the best interests of consumers. Like Elliott-Smith, she said no consumer investing in a green fund would 'expect it to have exposure to energy companies'. She added: 'If consumers feel they are being conned by greenwashing claims they are at the moment and, unless we get it right, they will in the future they are going to get very cynical and not invest at all.' The Committee also extracted the admission from the FCA that in constructing its new labelling regime, the regulator had not worked out the cost to investors of wanting to switch funds. On Friday, Harriett Baldwin, TSC chair, told the MoS: 'I am especially keen that consumers who invested in funds believing they were doing their bit to save the planet don't bear the cost of moving their investment if they find out their fund isn't so green after all.' The term 'responsible' as adopted by the IA covers a number of green and ethical investment strategies. These include exclusions (funds that exclude sin stocks such as tobacco, oil and arms manufacturers) and sustainability (investing in companies that adhere to high Environmental, Social and Governance ESG standards). Also, impact investing funds that invest in companies which are having a positive impact on the environment such as generators of wind and solar energy. Funds under this responsible banner have a multitude of labels, all designed to appeal to consumers who want to do their bit to save the planet. They include environmental, ethical, green, socially responsible and sustainable. How will fund labelling rules change? Under the new FCA regime, green funds will be categorised under one of three labels 'sustainable focus', 'improvers' and 'impact'. A fund can categorise itself as sustainable focus if 70 per cent of its assets meet 'a credible standard of environmental and/or social responsibility'. 'Improvers' will be funds which hold companies set on improving their sustainability credentials over time. The 'impact' group will comprise funds invested in firms actively improving the environment. Fund platform Interactive Investor provides investors with a list of green fund recommendations and uses consultant SRI Services to draw up the 41 recommended funds. On Friday, it told the MoS that until the FCA comes up with its final rules in the summer, it cannot 'gauge the future direction of the list'. Interactive also says it 'broadly' supports the new FCA labels, although funds excluded under the new regime should carry a 'not promoted as sustainable' label in the interests of investor clarity. Lloyd's of London is facing a mammoth legal battle over hundreds of airliners stolen by Russia's president Vladimir Putin. Dozens of claimants, including Dubai's ruling royal family, have launched multi-billion pound claims against the historic insurance market and underwriters including AIG and Chubb. The case the biggest-ever insurance dispute over aviation has been brought after more than 400 Western jets worth 8 billion were seized by Putin's government in the wake of his invasion of Ukraine last February. It is alleged the move by senior Kremlin figures was in retaliation against UK and EU sanctions. Retaliation: More than 400 Western jets worth 8 billion were seized by Vladimir Putin's government in the wake of his invasion of Ukraine Putin set out his position in a public address last March when he stressed that 'foreign-leased aircraft would not be returned to the foreign lessors'. The Kremlin's aim was to keep them as a source of spare parts for Russian airlines such as ex-Manchester United sponsor Aeroflot which are already heavily reliant on leased foreign aircraft. Russian engineers are now able to cannibalise stolen Boeing and Airbus aircraft to secure the spare parts which they can no longer buy abroad because of sanctions. This has sparked safety fears among aviation experts and forced the head of Russia's Federal Agency for Air Transport to issue a statement insisting 'it has not become more dangerous to fly' in Russia. Lawyers for Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, led by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and other claimants have argued that the planes are 'likely to be retained' for years as 'there is no current prospect of the conflict in Ukraine being resolved'. The Kremlin is out of the reach of London's High Court, so the aircraft owners are targeting insurers for billions in losses. But the insurers claim they are not liable because the planes have not been damaged or lost. They are arguing that Russia's seizure of aircraft is 'not sufficiently permanent' meaning that leasing firms could still get the planes back when the war ends. Dubai Aerospace Enterprise is leading one case against the insurers, while a parallel claim has also been lodged by Irish leasing giant AerCap, the world's largest aircraft lessor. A court hearing is set to take place later this month. A City source said this could attract other interested parties who are yet to file claims. Leading City lawyer Ned Beale, who has specialised in Russia-related litigation, said: 'This is the biggest aviation dispute by value of all time. And one of the most politically charged.' He said he expects the insurers to drag their heels over such a potentially costly settlement, adding: 'Nobody knows what is going to happen [in the war]. The insurers will hope for a radical change to avoid paying out billions.' All parties were contacted for comment. Profits at Britain's biggest North Sea oil and gas company are set to rocket 750 per cent after the surge in energy prices. Harbour Energy is expected to have made 2.2 billion before tax last year, up from 260 million in 2021, according to City forecasts compiled by Refinitiv. In profit: Harbour Energy is expected to have made 2.2 billion before tax last year The profit surge at the firm the biggest producer in the North Sea has been driven by soaring oil and gas prices since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which also sent household bills rocketing. But the company is braced to take a significant hit from the Government's windfall tax. Harbour which also works in Indonesia, Vietnam, Mexico and Norway lost its place in the FTSE 100 in December following a share price slide triggered by an extension of the windfall tax in November. Its chief executive, 64-year-old American Linda Cook, had pleaded publicly with the Chancellor not to expand the levy, saying it would risk 'driving investment out of the UK altogether'. The 2.5 billion company has since said that its shareholders have urged it to focus new investments overseas. KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won, left, delivers a personal letter from President Yoon Suk Yeol to Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Luis Santos da Costa at the Prime Minister's Residence in Lisbon, Friday (local time). Courtesy of KCCI By Kim Hyun-bin Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman Chey Tae-won held meetings with the prime ministers of Portugal and Demark to win support for Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030, according to the KCCI, Sunday. Chey met with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Luis Santos da Costa at the Prime Minister's Residence in Lisbon, Friday (local time). During the meeting, plans to expand economic cooperation between the two countries and Korea's efforts for hosting the Expo in Busan were discussed. "As Portugal is a leading country in new and renewable energy, where renewable energy accounts for 54 percent of its electricity production, we are looking forward to cooperation between the two countries in energy conversion and new and renewable energy. We will be able to seek ways to cooperate at the private level," Chey said. "The World Expo 2030 in Busan will serve as a platform to discuss problems facing humanity and find solutions." "Portugal is located at a strategic point connecting Europe and South America and plays an important role in the global supply chain," Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said. "We look forward to expanding cooperation with companies in fields such as batteries, semiconductors and green hydrogen." KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won, left, delivers a personal letter from President Yoon Suk-yeol to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during his visit to Copenhagen, March 2 (local time). Courtesy of KCCI 'Caffe Zero': The company has paid just 2m in corporation tax over the past two years Caffe Nero has posted an annual loss despite demand for its coffees and snacks returning to pre-pandemic levels. The red ink means the company, which has previously been branded 'Caffe Zero' over its contributions to the Treasury, paid just 2 million in corporation tax over the past two years. That was despite sales of almost 350 million last year, according to the filings at Caffe Nero's parent. The chain runs more than 600 coffee shops in the UK and employs 6,000 people. There is no suggestion Caffe Nero has broken any tax rules and the firm insists it pays significant sums in business rates, VAT and through employee contributions. But its meagre corporation tax contributions have sparked criticism in the past. Caffe Nero's profit was wiped out after it paid 35 million on finance costs and interest to service its debt pile. Documents also show it has received 45 million in Government support since 2021. A spokesman said: 'Over the last two years, Caffe Nero has paid over 80 million in Government tax. 'The furlough money which we (and the rest of the country) received during Covid meant we could protect the jobs of our employees as the business struggled . . . caused by the forced closure of our business.' Earlier this month, it said it had experienced a 'very encouraging first half of the financial year'. Leading financial companies and trade associations are urging the Government to relax pension rules in order to encourage more people in their late-50s and early-60s back into the workforce and help stimulate the economy. The group believes that current restrictions to the amount people can contribute to a pension if they have previously accessed it for cash are deterring many from returning to work. In a joint letter to the Treasury, the group comprising the likes of The Association of British Insurers, asset manager Fidelity and fund platform Interactive Investor says the rules present 'a barrier to retirement saving'. Looking ahead: Government is being urged to relax pension rules in order to encourage more people in their late-50s and early-60s back into the workforce, and help the economy The bugbear is the money purchase annual allowance (MPAA). This defines the maximum pension contributions a person (and their employer) can make if they have already dipped into their pension for cash without compromising their right to tax relief on the payments made. In 2017, it was cut from 10,000 to 4,000. This reduction has caught out many people. During the pandemic, some people accessed their pensions to support their household finances not knowing they were impacting their ability to save into their pension. Canada Life says the allowance is now an issue for anyone earning 33,334 where pension contributions (from a mix of employer, tax relief and employee) are 12 per cent. Up to one million people are hit by the allowance. The insurer says that if the allowance was pushed back up to 10,000, the annual cost to the Treasury would be 75 million, but this would be offset by resulting tax revenues of 400 million. In the letter to the Treasury, Tom McPhail, director of public affairs at financial consultant The Lang Cat, says the MPAA acts as an 'older worker penalty'. The allowance does not apply to defined benefit pensions, just money purchase schemes which most people now contribute to. Certain pension withdrawals such as accessing tax-free cash do not count towards the MPAA. The Government has embarked on a campaign to get older people back into work and will form a key component of the Budget a week on Wednesday. On Friday, the Treasury said: 'We are committed to supporting savers and have a range of incentives in place to encourage people to invest for their retirement.' A young Australian transgender woman and aspiring musician and model has shared her amazing comeback story. Monique Parker, 27, survived a house fire that killed her mother and brother in 1997 followed by a long recovery from third degrees burns, only to spiral into drug addiction, violent relationships, sexual abuse, crime, jail, homelessness and mental health issues, before turning her life around. 'I've been burned, almost been blown up and stabbed, I've been arrested over 25 times, I've been chased, beaten, robbed and raped,' Ms Parker told Daily Mail Australia. None of those constituted her lowest point though; that was living in an 'ice den' at Narellan in south-west Sydney at age 17. 'I was addicted to ice and never looked or felt worse in my whole life at that point, I'd take just about anything from you if you weren't looking, I was violent and angry.' While she models with conventional ideas of beauty in mind, she also describes herself as 'an anti-model' - an emerging form of modelling practised by people who challenge ideas about having the perfect body At 19, Monique Parker was Jessie, drug-addicted and deeply angry at the world. Eight years later she is '1,000 per cent happier and healthier' Fast forward 10 years, Ms Parker lives a far more peaceful life in Sydney's LGBTQI-friendly inner west with her long-term girlfriend and has been clean from drugs for six years. 'South-west Sydney is the not the easiest place to live for people from the LGBTQI community,' she said. Using the name Monni.P, she now writes and releases electronic music and has started a career as an online model using the OnlyFans platform. She also studies ethics, philosophy and human rights in her spare time and cooks dinner at home every night. 'It's a gentler life cooking a meal every night from scratch instead of getting into fights,' Ms Parker said. 'Now my life is eventful in much different ways. I get to make friends that I'm not scared of and I don't have to worry about police at every corner now. 'I can focus on the things I should have worried about when I was that 12-year-old thug like education, relationships, friendships and self-care. 'My depression has gotten a lot more manageable with a more relaxed life and I'm 1,000 per cent happier and healthier.' Ms Parker is telling her story now because she wants people to know that no matter how bad things get, they can always improve. Her number one piece of advice is to work through problems slowly, one by one, identify solutions and find a supportive community that will back you. 'I was in the darkest place anyone could be at multiple times in my life but you can always make it better. 'It comes down to the problem are you are having. What can you do about it?' For her drug addiction, that meant surrendering to a year-long rehab stint at William Booth House in Sydney. The then little Monique (Jessie) was pronounced dead from smoke inhalation and had to wear a burns suit for two years (Pictured, Jessie Clarke in hospital after the fire) Twenty-plus years later, Monique Parker does not find it hard to forgive herself for the chaotic life of crime that followed 'If I hadn't stopped all the crazy stuff I was doing, like drugs and crime I don't think I would have been able to enjoy life either way.' she said. From there, the decision that changed everything was starting the journey to becoming a woman. Between the ages of 25 and 27, she has let go of her former self, the deeply unhappy Jessie Clarke, and embraced the far more at-peace Monique Parker. 'It was both one of the most scary things but one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done, it gave me the ability to put my whole ego aside and start living a genuine life,' Ms Parker said. The physical changes are remarkable and obvious. She puts them down to taking oestrogen and progesterone. 'It's supposed to speed up results. It's a bit expensive though.' Unlike some trans people she isn't offended by use of of her pre-transition name. 'I like the name Jessie, but I have always liked the name Monique and I took my mum's last name to honour her.' Donna Ann Parker died in the house fire that burned down the family home at Kirrawee in Sydney's south in 1997. It also took the life of Monique's older brother Jay. And as if Ms Parker's comeback story isn't remarkable enough, she also shares that then-two-year-old Jessie was was pronounced dead from smoke inhalation on the lawn of the family home. All she knows about the cause was that it was 'a gas fire'. After the trauma of the fire came the trauma of the recovery, which required wearing a full body burn suit for two years. 'Thirty per cent of my face is covered in a big scar, 50 percent of my legs have scarring. There's also scarring on my left hand and a large patch on chest and stomach.' A family member told Daily Mail Australia that little Jessie's nappy prevented her receiving burns 'to the genital area'. 'But school was rough with half of the skin on my face and legs missing,' she said. Using the name Monni.P, she now writes and releases electronic music, has started a career as an online model using the OnlyFans platform and studies ethics and philosophy part-time By the age of 12, and low on self-esteem Ms Parker had fallen in with the wrong crowd. The powerful combination of body shame, peer pressure and substance abuse began a dangerous spiral that she can see now got worse year by year. She started on cigarettes at 12, quickly followed by marijuana, then drinking with a group that was into shoplifting and vandalism. 'By age 15 I was on ecstasy, acid and magic mushrooms and committing petty crimes such as stealing valuable items from cars and construction sites,' she said. At 16 she was raped in a bathroom stall after experimenting with her sexuality in online chat rooms. By 17 she wad addicted to ice and was diagnosed with severe depression, anxiety, and complex PTSD. Under the cloud of ice her solution was to start doing sex work. At age 18 she was convicted for aggravated break and enter, larceny, distribution of a prohibited drug and stealing a car. While the court cases 'dragged on' for a year she again got arrested for possession of drugs and for breaching her bail roughly 20 times. Monique Parker, a young Australian transgender woman and aspiring musician and model, says transitioning and giving up drugs and crime has made her life '1000 per cent happier' 'At 19 I finally got sent to prison after being intercepted by police on the way to sell some weed.' She was on the way to probation and parole appointments at the same time. On the way to Silverwater prison in a transport van she was beaten up by a former drug dealer and had her shoes stolen. A sympathetic magistrate granted her bail before final sentencing and she was allowed to attend rehab. She came out as bisexual in rehab after a fight with a staff member who confronted her about her early attempts to use drugs and do treatment. After a year-long stay in rehab stay she managed to stay clean, but fell again into abusive relationships and homelessness. Ms Parker says the motivation to make her transition work prevented her from going back to the bad decisions that characterised her teens. She got her first job in years, rented an apartment and started not just modeling but also 'anti-modelling'. While she models with conventional ideas of beauty in mind, she also describes herself as 'an anti-model' - an emerging form of modelling practised by people who challenge ideas about having the perfect body. And although she's proud of her feminine appearance, she's equally proud of her scars - which have defined so much of her life. 'Through both anti-modelling and modelling I will show off my scars to let people know they can beautiful.' 'Through both anti-modelling and modelling I will show off my scars to let people know they can beautiful.' In May 2022 she met her current partner Erika. Nine months into the most stable relationship of her adult life, Ms Parker felt ready to begin telling her story. She is well aware she navigating changing gender at a time there is a very public backlash against transgender rights. 'There does seem to be so much negative media coverage about trans people. It feels like every day I log on and someone has been killed just for being trans. 'If I can spread any positivity I will. I like to use who I used to be to show that anyone can be a better person. 'Ultimately it doesn't matter what your gender is, being a better person is about your lifestyle, the people you hang around and the things that you choose to do each day. 'I believe I was suppressed by a criminal lifestyle. 'The world is a much happier safer place now, trust me, I was an absolute maggot. 'But I don't find it hard to forgive myself now.' In 1993, teenager Stefanie Hinrichs was dreaming of owning a horse, leaving school, and marrying Hollywood heart-throb Keanu Reeves. But God had other plans for the dreamy 13-year-old. Stefanie's devout German family belonged to a controversial Doomsday cult led by self-proclaimed Australian prophet William Kamm, then 44. Kamm was building a new promised land for his followers deep in the bush at Cambewarra, outside Nowra on the NSW south coast. According to the charismatic guru - known among his flock as 'Little Pebble' - God's divine plans for the schoolgirl involved her becoming his child bride. Stefanie Hinrichs came to Australia from Germany looking for paradise in Willam Kamm's Doomsday cult on the NSW south coast but found herself trapped in hell. She is pictured in a Munich restaurant enjoying a meal with Kamm and her sisters around 1988 William Kamm - known to his flock as 'Little Pebble' - had divine plans for Stefanie which included her becoming his child bride. He tricked her into having sex when she was just 14 and five years later Stefanie gave birth to Kamm's son Kilian at Shoalhaven Hospital (above) The double-storey brick house Kamm built for his family in Cambewarra on the NSW south coast Stefanie would be one of Kamm's 84 'mystical spouses,' chosen to immaculately conceive his Holy Seed, and bring forth a new race of people at the end of the world. But while the other trusting members of his isolated Catholic Order of St Charbel blindly accepted the new world saviour's bizarre story, Stefanie was not convinced the match made in heaven was the blessing she'd been told it was. She didn't want to marry her portly brother-in-law, who was already married to her eldest sister, Bettina, 19. But in Kamm's strict religious community where everyone believed he spoke for the Lord, the girl was in a quandary. Warned by her fanatically religious mother that questioning God's will was a sin and that her doubts had been planted by the Devil, she flirted with the idea of suicide, which was also a mortal sin. 'Then William suggested I should write to the Holy Mother for advice,' recalls Stefanie. 'And since we all believed Mary appeared to him and delivered God's messages to him every month, I started writing letters which he promised to pass on when they next met.' Kamm's followers believed the Virgin Mary appeared to him and delivered God's messages every month. Stefanie wrote letters Kamm told her he would pass onto Mary to answer. In this note 'Mary' warned Stefanie to be careful around the opposite sex and not to excite them Nine-year-old Stefanie poses in front of her mother's shrine to Mary at the family apartment in Munich. Stefanie is wearing the long clothes worn by Kamm's followers When the bogus Blessed Virgin first flagged the idea a husband had been chosen for Stefanie she naively assumed God had chosen Keanu Reeves, the man of her dreams. 'It was ages before I realised the husband God had in mind was William, and that I was supposed to conceive 24 children from his Holy Seed by immaculate conception and live in a fairytale castle in Bavaria in his glorious new era,' she says. Stefanie's family had first met Kamm in Germany in 1987 on one of his global religious roadshows where her pious mother and four siblings, as well as Stefanie, were immediately on his radar. By 1991, he'd proposed to Stefanie's 17-year-old sister Bettina, spinning the yarn that his Australian wife Ann was about to be stricken by terminal cancer. But like all Kamm's other crazy Doomsday prophecies, Ann didn't die. She left with the couple's four children after discovering there was more to the relationship between Kamm and their foreign 'nanny.' The sham correspondence between heaven and earth continued, though the gullible schoolgirl had no idea it was Kamm penning the manipulative replies. 'Dear Mother, you know how I should say "yes" to Our Lord and my mission, well I'm saying "yes",' she wrote in late 1993. 'I hope Our Lord will take that Yes.' The crafty Kamm advised her not to be hasty. Stefanie did not want to marry the portly Kamm, who was already married to her eldest sister, Bettina, but everyone in his strict religious community believed he spoke for the Lord. Stefanie is pictured as a teenager in the scapular worn by Kamm's young devotees on Atonement Day 'The choice of husband is yours dearest child,' he wrote. 'If you say No, you will continue lie as normal as most of our children on earth.' If Stefanie rejected the marriage, she would not lose her angels, but her happiness would be brief and her life on earth very ordinary. But if she said yes, Stefanie would have happiness beyond her wildest dreams, the veiled threat eliciting the answer Kamm wanted to hear. The elaborate charade - which was already working on Kamm's other young disciples - continued, as the phoney Mary seduced Stefanie into accepting that underage sex with him was the Lord's will. 'I know now it was all a trick and that William grooming me to have underage sex,' says Stefanie, now 43. But by late 1993 God changed his mind about the immaculate conception, just as he had about Doomsday. In another letter, 'Mary' told the confused teenager she would not be taking the spiritual path to paradise, but the 'natural' path instead. 'It made no difference,' says Stefanie, wryly. 'All roads to paradise led to sex with William Kamm. That was God's will.' Kamm's elaborate charade continued as the bogus Mary seduced Stefanie into accepting that underage sex with his was the Lord's will. In this letter Stefanie said 'Yes' to the spiritual sex Kamm offered which turned out to be not so pure Stefanie was 14 when the perverted guru finally drove her to a motel outside Wollongong where he forced her to have sex with him. Their illicit sexual relationship continued for the next five years and ended in 1999 when Stefanie, then 19, gave birth to Kamm's son Kilian. 'He said I wasn't to tell anyone he was the father and told me to write on Kilian's birth certificate "father unknown" or I wouldn't get the single parent's pension,' she says. With hindsight, Stefanie believes it was a scam to avoid unwanted attention from the child support agency who would chase him for money. It's now believed Kamm sired as many as 20 babies in his cult. In 2002 Stefanie finally fled the community with Kamm's child after forming a secret romance with a divorced father-of-two she'd met on a telephone dating site. 'When he finally found out who Kilian's father was he was shocked, as he knew William was married to my sister who had six of his kids,' she says. He was even more amazed when Stefanie told him the sexual relationship had begun when she was 14, and urged her to go to the police. 'Until then, I didn't know that being forced to have sex against your will was a crime,' says Stefanie, who despite her detailed statement had no hard evidence to support her allegations. In 2002 Stefanie finally fled the community with Kamm's child after forming a secret romance with a divorced father-of-two she'd met on a telephone dating site. Kamm is pictured three years later outside court But then another young one of Kamm's 'queens' came forward with similar allegations, and a parcel arrived from Stefanie's mother in Cambewarra, bearing some of her personal belongings. Miraculously, amongst Stefanie's childhood memorabilia, were her painful childhood scribblings, and more significantly Kamm's seductive replies. The incriminating correspondence provided irrefutable evidence of the underage sexual relationship Stefanie had described to police. In 2007, the damning letters were enough to convince a jury that he was a liar, a conman and a dangerous predator who had manipulated his trusting flock's beliefs to gratify his desires to have sex with their daughters. 'His letters proved I'd been groomed for months to have a sex with him, and my own writings revealed it was a relationship I had not wanted,' she says. At the time, Kamm was two years into an earlier five year jail sentence for his sex crimes involving the other underage girl. Judge Peter Berman, extended his sentence by another five and a half years, to begin in 2009 when his original sentence expired. Today, Kamm, 73, is a free man though his sleazy writings have returned to haunt him in my new book The Messiah's Bride which lifts a lid on the secret world of the false prophet whose unholy appetite for sex with young girls brought his heavenly dynasty down. Without Stefanie's childhood scribblings which were dated and detailed - and Kamm's replies - the Crown would have had an uphill battle proving her allegations of underage sex and it's possible he might have got away with it. But it was all there in black and white for the jury to see, and it ultimately took him down. Today, Stefanie has not only relived that dark chapter in her life for The Messiah's Bride, but has forced herself to return to the scene of the crimes with a TV crew. 'It was empowering and helped me reclaim some of the power William stole from me as a helpless little girl,' she says. Without Stefanie's childhood scribblings which were dated and detailed - and Kamm's replies - it would have been hard to prove her allegations of underage sex and it's possible he might have got away with his crimes. Stefanie is pictured with her son Kilian, 22, two years ago Today Stefanie hopes The Messiah's Bride will be a warning story that will prevent other little girls falling into the clutches of one of Australia's most incorrigible paedophiles. 'He's never apologised for what he did to me, and is as dangerous now as the day I met him,' she says. The Messiah's Bride by Megan Norris is published by Penguin and available now And despite Kamm's claims his new heavenly dynasty is currently on hold until after the 'second coming', his recent stint behind bars for contacting another young woman in the Philippines suggests otherwise. In November 2022 Kamm was sentenced to a year in jail for breaching an extended supervision order imposed by the courts to restrict his movements in the community. But while the young woman was over 18, he had contacted her via his new wife's Facebook account, which is prohibited under the three-year order. Kamm had already spent a year on remand, which counted as time served, and was released with a resumed order which expires in 2025. 'He won't change,' says Stefanie, who now lives on Queensland Gold coast with her 23-year-old son and is reconciled with the mother who once sacrificed her to a monster. 'He can't be treated and he can't be cured so it's just a matter of time until he does it again,' Stefanie says. The Messiah's Bride by Megan Norris is published by Penguin and is available here. Through more than 15 years of fierce activism, Raquel Saraswati cemented herself as a champion of the oppressed. A queer, Muslim woman of Arab, Latin and South Asian descent, Saraswati overcame crippling prejudice to become a celebrated voice for marginalized groups - and won a series of plaudits along the way. Then, last week, the reputation she worked so hard to build came crashing down. Saraswati was 'outed' as a white American woman, with European ancestry, who grew up in New Jersey as Rachel Seidel and attended a prestigious boarding school. In the words of one of her own relatives, she was a 'true blue American kid'. Childhood photographs obtained by DailyMail.com show her as a light-skinned girl with fair hair, blue eyes and a toothy grin - in marked contrast to the dark-skinned woman with black hair in Saraswati's adult photos. Raquel Saraswati (pictured left as a child, right as an adult) built a reputation as an activist who championed marginalized groups, before she was 'outed' as a white American with European ancestry The story of Raquel Saraswati was likened to that of Rachel Dolezal (pictured left as a child, right as an adult), who claimed to be a black woman and became a chapter president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Aside from the disgust and disappointment expressed by colleagues, friends and relatives, the outrageous and duplicitous lie spun by Saraswati drew comparisons with other 'race fakers' who've posed as minorities and achieved acclaim as activists. Rachel Dolezal is the most high-profile example. She spent more than 10 years posing as a black woman, rising to become a chapter president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and a teacher of Africana studies at East Washington University. Dolezal resigned in disgrace after it emerged she was a white woman from Montana. Another, Jessica Krug, a white woman raised in a Jewish family in Kansas, posed as black and forged a successful career in academia - writing extensively about African American history - before her true heritage was revealed. What pushed these women not only to spin such an elaborate (and offensive) web of lies, but also live out their assumed identities to the extent they became champions of the minorities they claimed to represent? Psychiatrists interviewed by DailyMail.com explained triggers can range from the need to be seen as a victim to childhood experiences that create a crisis of identity. Experts also indicate other reasons: the perceived 'cultural credit' of identifying as a minority and achieving 'hero' status through their activism. Some even believe the prevalence of race fakers such as Saraswati and Dolezal could be far more widespread. After all, what could be more offensive than questioning a person's race or the hardship they claim to have faced? Dr Gail Saltz, a professor of psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, said individuals like Dolezal and Saraswati indicate a 'need to identify with people who are essentially victims' and 'be the best of that identity that they can be'. 'They need to be the rescuer, they need to be representing the victims and they need to get reward for it,' Dr Saltz told DailyMail.com. 'All of those women got rewards.' Jessica Krug was a respected academic whose writing on African and African American history was well-received. Her reputation was ruined after it emerged she had lied about being black Krug, like Saraswati and Dolezal, became a prominent activist while posing as a black woman. She's pictured with her book Fugitive Modernities, which was well-received by academics Dr Saltz added: 'It's not just that they received rewards like a great salary or recognition because they worked hard in a field. It's specifically a reward associated with representing a victim group and being championed as a savior of sorts.' The desire to associate with the victim over the perpetrator can be traced back to disruption in childhood, which can 'feel like abandonment from the inside', Dr Saltz said. Dolezal has made disputed claims that she was abused by her parents and acted as mother figure to four African American children who were adopted by the family. Saraswati became estranged from her family following her graduation for reasons that remain unclear. Dr Gail Saltz, a professor of psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, said race fakers indicate a 'need to identify with people who are essentially victims' Individuals who are victimized as children can develop a 'need to be able to be seen in the world as a victim, unfairly perpetrated upon', Dr Saltz added. Posing as a member of a marginalized group and 'championing that victim group in some meaningful way' could become a way of 'undoing their victimization'. A similar theory was expressed by Dr Marc Feldman, a renowned psychiatrist who specializes in factitious disorders like Munchausen Syndrome, whereby an individual fabricates or induces illness with no obvious benefit. Dr Feldman gave the example of how a patient with factitious disorders might claim to be a cancer patient, shave their head and claim it's because of chemotherapy, then 'suddenly they know who they are'. The behavior was highlighted in December when it emerged Grey's Anatomy writer Elisabeth Finch faked cancer and an abortion, then based episodes of the show on her lies. She claimed the duplicity was a result of childhood trauma and a desire to receive constant care. 'I think that may be true for these other imposters in a sense,' he told DailyMail.com. 'They may be struggling with a sense of self - and what is more defined than being a racial or other minority in our society who triumphs over that in order to become the leader and become well known? 'They never have to again confront the ambiguity of who they are because they have painted a picture of who they are that they adhere to.' He pointed to the similarities in how women like Dolezal, Saraswati and Krug were viewed by some as 'heroes' for their achievements in the face of apparent discrimination. 'Whenever we see factitious victimization, we always see factitious heroism and vice versa, overcoming something that seems like it would take incredible personal fortitude to overcome,' said Dr Feldman. Saraswati claimed to be of Arab, Latina and South Asian origin, before it emerged she was actually born to white parents and grew up in New Jersey as Rachel Seidel Dr Feldman notes several race fakers appear to suffer from borderline personality disorder, a condition that can impact how a person views themselves or others around them, and they lack 'a firm sense of identity'. Dr Saltz added: 'You can choose certain identities and certain identities you cannot choose... There are people that do feel that they can choose or not choose any identity.' Comparisons have also been drawn between race fakers and individuals who've invented stories of profound suffering then built lives on top of these fabricated foundations. There are several cases of people who claimed to have survived the Holocaust, only to be exposed as liars. The same happened after 9/11, when cases emerged of people posing as survivors. In the case of race fakers, it's been speculated that they seek a degree of 'cultural credit' by posing as an oppressed minority. In the case of academics like Krug, Ayendy Bonifacio, an assistant professor of U.S. ethnic literary studies at the University of Toledo, told The Atlantic 'embodying that same identity that she writes about, and teaches, could lend her more cultural credit, to a certain extent, but also more trust from her readers, from her students, from other scholars in the field'. Dr Marc Feldman, a clinical professor of psychiatry, believes the issue of race fakers is 'without a doubt more prominent than we realize' Contributing to the same article, Brandi Adams, an assistant professor of English at Arizona State University, said Krug 'also made life difficult for a lot of black and latinx scholars, which is inexcusable. During the deception, she made other scholars feel that they were not black or latina enough. She was policing blackness.' Dr Saltz said: 'Taking on a position in a duplicitous way, where you are representing people who are depending on you having that particular identity, harms people. It harms people's trust.' Worryingly, Dr Feldman believes the issue of race fakers is 'without a doubt more prominent than we realize'. 'No one would ever think that someone would have the sheer audacity to feign illness or another race, or even to take a leadership role that is based in advocacy for a race that you do not have,' he said. Challenging someone about their race or background and getting it wrong 'would be the most insensitive thing you can imagine, the worst faux-pas of all time', he said. The point is highlighted by the fact questions were first raised about Saraswati's heritage in 2015, when media commentator Sana Saeed described her as the 'Dolezal in the Muslim community', who used a 'fake' name and makeup. It took seven years for the truth about Saraswati to finally be made public. And along with the social and psychological theories behind the race fakers, there is the accepted premise that a lie can snowball until a the liar feels there's no going back. 'It seems like if you repeat a lie enough times, you start to believe it,' said Dr Feldman. There are dilapidated, vacant towns from by-gone ages all across the US Across the US, there are dozens of dilapidated, vacant towns that are still standing despite their residents fleeing decades - and sometimes centuries - ago. Visitors can still creep around the eerie locations today, and see the crumbling saloons from the Wild West days, single-cell jails, and haunting graveyards. In some abandoned locations, there's still furniture in houses and litter on the ground - alongside vacant buildings which are on the brink of tumbling down. Many are towns and camps which once bustled because of the Gold Rush, mining boom, or because of new highways being built near them. But for one reason or another, they now stand alone - giving passersby a snapshot of a by-gone era. Here are 11 of the creepiest ghost towns scattered across the US. Bodie, California: At its height in 1879, there were about 10,000 residents living in the gold mine town - but by 1915 it was officially described as a ghost town Cahaba, Alabama used to be a major cotton-distribution area - but now it is a ghost town South Pass City, Wyoming South Pass City is one of Wyoming's largest historic sites, and the abandoned site is open to visitors every year from mid-May to mid-October. The area used to be home to over 30 gold mines on the Oregon Trial - but soon after they closed, it became a ghost town. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the town also played an important role in women's history. South Pass City was where a bill was passed to make Wyoming the first territory where women could vote and hold public office after a law was signed in 1869. This freedom was not granted to women nationally until 1920. By the mid-1870s South Pass City's population was reduced to about 100 people. In the years following, many of the city's homes and businesses began to fall into disrepair. South Pass City, Wyoming: It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the town also played an important role in women's history By the mid-1870s South Pass City's population was reduced to about 100 people. In the years following, many of the city's homes and businesses began to fall into disrepair Bodie, California Bodie, located near the Nevada state line in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and 75 miles southeast of Lake Tahoe, has been described as a real ghost town - with buildings still falling down today. The ghost town is on a 8,500-foot elevation, and again was one of the boom town during the Gold Rush. At its height in 1879, there were about 10,000 residents living in the gold mine town - but by 1915 it was officially described as a ghost town. Bodie was made a California Historic Landmark, meaning the town will be preserved in the years to come - and it receives about 200,000 visitors yearly. Among the buildings lost in time in the Wild West ghost town is a wooden church and gas pumps - with the remains of old trucks still nearby. The interiors of some dilapidated 110 buildings can still be seen today - and often still contain mundane objects, like china plates and newspaper snippings. The buildings left in the abandoned town of Bodie, California Among the buildings lost in time in the Wild West ghost town is a wooden church and gas pumps - with the remains of old trucks still nearby Texola, Oklahoma Texola is located along America's most famous route Route 66 - but the population as of 2010 is just 36. The ghost town has actually gone through name changes across the years - reflecting the change in state lines. It used to be called Texokla and Texoma, after both Texas and Oklahoma. Texola grew rapidly in the 1920s - and its population peaked at 581 in the 1930 census, and the area had a booming local economy following the creation of Route 66. Texola, Oklahoma once had a booming local economy following the creation of Route 66 But in the decades following, the number of people living in the area slowly declined because of the lack of cotton production - what the town was known for in its earlier years. One of the only things that visitors can see when they come to Texola is a quirky roadside One Room Jail. Built in the late 19th century, its a single-cell entity with an iron-barred door and window. Centralia, Pennsylvania There were just five residents living in this town in 2020, due to a fire that has been burning beneath the borough since 1962. Once a booming mining town, the area went into steep decline. At its peak, the town had seven churches, 27 saloons, two theaters, and a bank. There were also five hotels, a post office, 14 general and grocery stores in Centralia - but as many of the miners enlisted in the military during World War One, the population started to decline. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 also caused havoc for the town. The Lehigh Valley Coal Company closed five of its Centralia-local mines, causing further hardship for the local economy. Once a booming mining town, the area is went into steep decline. At its peak, the town had seven churches, 27 saloons, two theaters, and a bank Centralia, Pennsylvania: The eerie buildings which still stand have been overtaken by nature as the fire still bellows in the labyrinth of abandoned coal mines below As many of the miners enlisted in the military during World War One, the population started to decline Mines then started to collapse as people tried to pillage off them. This complicated the prevention of the mine fire in 1962. The fire still burns across 400 acres spreading along four fronts, 300ft underground. There is still steam and smoke coming from abandoned portions of the area, and unstable ground and dangerous levels of carbon monoxide all also point towards the underground fire still burning. The eerie buildings which still stand have been overtaken by nature as the fire still bellows in the labyrinth of abandoned coal mines below. Experts believe it could still be burning for the next 250 years. North Brother Island, New York North Brother Island is a 20-acre island in the Bronx, found near Rikers Island and the Bronx. Up until 1964, it housed Riverside Hospital and its patients, who has quarantinable, contagious diseases. The hospital used to be on Roosevelt Island - but moved in the 1880s. People who were in hospitals on the island were treated for smallpox, tuberculosis, polio, and typhoid. In 2007, the island was given to the City - who turned it into a sanctuary for water birds. It is closed to the general public, and most of the original 25 building still stand, but are dilapidated. North Brother Island is a 20-acre island in the Bronx, found near Rikers Island and the Bronx - but it is no longer accessible to the public New York's ghost town: People who were in hospitals on the island were treated for smallpox, tuberculosis, polio, and typhoid Ruby, Arizona Ruby is 50 miles southwest of Tucson, and was once the largest mining camp in southwest Arizona. But it is now officially a ghost town, despite its thriving business in the 1930s and housing a population of 1,200. It's activity as a mining hub was massively helped by the Montana Mine and the Eagle-Picher Mining Company, however when that ended in 1941, the town also went into decline. Between 1920 and 1922, the town also saw three double homicides - named the Ruby Murders. The crimes led to the largest manhunt in the history of the Southwest. Today, visitors can see around 25 buildings, including the jail and school - for a fee of around $12. Ruby, Arizona: It is now officially a ghost town, despite its thriving business in the 1930s and housing a population of 1,200 Cahaba, Alabama Cahaba was once Alabama's first permanent state capital in the 1820s - and served as a major cotton-distribution area. Residents often endured floods - and soon the area became near uninhabitable. It stopped appearing on census rolls after 1880. The area is now run by Alabama Historical Commission who maintains the site as Old Cahawba Archeological Park. Visitors can see the antebellum architecture, old streets, cemeteries, and ruins of the old state capital. Cahaba was once Alabama's first permanent state capital in the 1820s - but it soon fell from prominence Alabama: Visitors can see the antebellum architecture, old streets, cemeteries, and ruins of the old state capital Spokane, South Dakota Located about 10 miles southeast of Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota's Black Hills, Spokane used to be a mining camp. The area is now riddled with ghost town buildings, which used to surround lucrative gold, silver and copper mines. Once the mine stated to fail, it was closed in 1940 - and the town was largely abandoned within the next decade. A watchman remained in the town until the mid 1980s, but then it was officially abandoned. In Spokane, visitors can still see the large schoolhouse and several old cars lining the streets. Spokane, South Dakota: Once the mine stated to fail, it was closed in 1940 - and the town was largely abandoned within the next decade Blue Heron, Kentucky This area along the Big South Fork River near the Kentucky-Tennessee border once used to have a busting mine, which was in operation from 1937 to 1962. The town was then abandoned after the coal mines closed - and its buildings were either removed or decayed. But in the 1980s, there was an attempt to re-create the town, which has now been opened as a 'ghost structures.' People can visit Blue Heron and experience what it was like in the isolated mining community. There are 'ghost' structures all around Blue Heron, Kentucky now, which visitors can check out Frisco, Utah At its peak in 1885, Frisco was a thriving town of 6,000 people thanks to its active mining caps between 1879 and 1929. By 1885, Frisco had mined over $60million worth of zinc, copper, lead, silver and gold. The town had a total of 23 saloons, and was known for being the wildest town in the Great Basin - ravaged by murders occurring nearly everyday. However, the bustling town's lucrative industry came crashing down on February 13, 1885. The Horn Silver Mine completely caved in, causing a slow decline in economy. Frisco, Utah: This mining town used to thrive - but is now just held up by dilapidated buildings Goodsprings, Nevada Goodsprings is situated around 45 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip - and is frozen in time. Visitors can see the Pioneer Saloon - which used to service one of the most bountiful mining districts in southern Nevada. By World War I, Goodsprings had a population of about 800 people, but this dwindled significantly after World War II as mining families slowly moved away. Today, there is a population of around 200. The Pioneer Saloon used to service one of the most bountiful mining districts in southern Nevada As the deadline to file tax returns fast approaches, scammers are stepping up efforts to swindle hard-working Americans as they rush to submit paperwork. Whether by posing as IRS officers to trick workers into handing over personal details, or stealing people's identities to claim refunds, crooks pocket billions of dollars through tax scams every year. Nearly eight million reports of suspected scams were made in 2022 - and estimates put the annual cost to businesses and consumers as high as $27billion. As IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig explains: 'With filing season underway, this is a prime period for identity thieves to hit people with realistic-looking emails and texts about their tax returns and refunds.' Here, DailyMail.com outlines some of the most common tactics used by fraudsters - and expert tips on how to protect your cash this tax season. As the April 18 tax return deadline approaches, scammers step up efforts to target millions of Americans as they rush to file their paperwork. It's estimated the annual cost to businesses and consumers of tax scams like phishing and identity fraud is up to $28billion each year Phishing emails Phishing emails are deployed by scammers year-round to trick victims into handing over personal information and bank details - but cases soar during the tax filing season. Scammers pose as IRS officers and send convincing emails that make a variety of claims, from threats of fines for 'unfiled returns' to notices that the victim is owed a refund. In many cases, the emails, which often include IRS branding, ask the target to click a link to submit or verify their information. Scammers often include the IRS logo to give their fake documents an air of authenticity The link then directs the victim to a fake website and they are either asked to make payments or hand over sensitive personal information, like bank details or their social security number. Some phishing emails may also ask the victim to call a telephone number. In these cases, the scammer will pose as an IRS officer and take the person's details over the phone. One common demand is that a victim pays a bill using gift cards. They're prompted to purchase a gift card from a popular store like Target or Best Buy, then hand over the card's code to cover their unpaid bill. The IRS never asks for payments by gift card. In fact, any circumstances where someone who claims to be from an official agency asks for a payment by gift card is almost certainly a scam. Smishing Scammers deploy a range of tactics in their 'smishing' texts. In examples like this, they claim the target faces a lawsuit for unpaid taxes. Others say the target is eligible for a tax refund. In both cases, the scammers then tell the victim to hand over sensitive personal information Smishing is phishing by SMS and text message. These text scams have become increasingly common in recent years - and more sinister, too. The crooks set up a fake phone numbers then send out text messages en masse to hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of unsuspecting targets. There are several ways scammers obtain the cell numbers of their victims - but usually they're scraped from huge online databases. Messages are often threatening and claim a lawsuit has been filed against the target by the IRS. Sometimes they claim a warrant has been issued for the person's arrest. The text will then prompt the victim to call a number or click a link. Either way, they're directed to a fake website or fraudster posing as an IRS official and prompted to hand over sensitive personal details or make payments. Rettig said: 'In recent months, the IRS has reported multiple large-scale smishing campaigns that have delivered thousands and even hundreds of thousands of IRS-themed messages in hours or a few days, far exceeding previous levels of activity.' Door to door scammers While in-person scams are less common, the IRS warns these still take place across the country. Real IRS agents occasionally make unannounced visits to homes and businesses to discuss taxes owed, or returns due. Scammers try to take advantage of this by posing as officials, often with convincing ID or paperwork, to trick victims into giving over information or making payments You are right to be suspicious if someone shows up unannounced and claims to be an IRS officer - especially if you've got no reason to expect it. Taxpayers generally receive several letters before an official will go to their home or business. First, always check a person's ID. Revenue officers carry two forms of official ID, IRS-issued credentials (also called a pocket commission) and a HSPD-12 card, which is a government-wide standard form of identification for federal employees. Both forms of identification have serial numbers and photos of the employee and you can ask to see both. If you are still suspicious, a real IRS officer will have no issue with letting you call their hotline to check if it's a legitimate visit. Taxpayers can call 800-366-4484 to report impersonation scams. The deadline to file taxes is April 18 and scammers take advantage of the last-minute rush with a range of tactics. They usually pose as IRS officers, either in person or in emails and by phone, then demand cash and personal information Phone scams One of the most common techniques deployed by scammers is cold calling individuals and businesses and posing as an IRS officer. They are often aggressive and claim the target must immediately settle an unpaid bill. Sometimes, the victim will be threatened with legal action or a visit from police if they don't pay. In other cases, the caller will say the victim is eligible for a tax refund, then ask for personal information and bank details so the payment can be made. If it seems suspicious - or you had no reason to suspect a call - hang up and dial the hotline to report a scam. The IRS will never: Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes. Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying. Demand that taxes be paid without giving taxpayers the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed. Call unexpectedly about a tax refund. Identity fraud The IRS warns that organized crime rings often steal people's identities to make fraudulent unemployment claims to collect benefits across multiple states. Tell-tale signs that someone has fallen victim include receiving mail from a government agency about a claim they didn't file or receiving an IRS Form 1099-G reflecting unemployment benefits they weren't expecting. Anyone who thinks they've fallen victim to identity fraud should visit http://www.dol.gov/fraud The Better Business Bureau also warns of a similar scam whereby crooks will use a victim's personal details, including their Social Security Number, to submit fake tax returns and collect a refund. Individuals usually don't realize they have fallen victim until they receive a letter from the IRS which says more than one tax return has been filed. Fake tax experts Scammers don't just impersonate IRS officers, they're also known to pose as tax experts offering cheap filing services. Avoid services advertised on social media and always check an individual is reputable and has the relevant accreditation before using them Finally, scammers don't just pose as IRS agents to trick victims during filing season, they also pose as tax experts, offering to help victims with their returns. These crooks usually promote their fake services through social media and offer cheap rates to lure in their victims. Sometimes, they build fake websites to give the impression of credibility. In a recent case in South Bend, Indiana, around 20 women claim they were tricked by a fake company who promised to complete their returns for a fee of $500. After handing over their personal information - and cash - many of the victims realized they'd been scammed. When some tried to access their records on the IRS website, they received error messages which said their information was incorrect. Other victims claimed they later received letters from the IRS that said their returns were being reviewed. Always check and double check an individual or company before paying them to help with your taxes. Never sign up with a stranger through Facebook simply because of the promise of low rates. Where possible, check out a company's reviews. If in doubt, shop around. Thousands of 10 and 11-year-old pupils in England have missed out on their first-choice of secondary school place this year due to a postcode lottery. Data revealed - on Wednesday 1 March - that three in 10 primary school children in London missed out on a place in their top choice of secondary, and more than half of 33 councils surveyed saw a fall in successful applications. England's school system is already under pressure due to a population 'bulge' moving from primary to secondary schools following a high birth rate year in 2012. A Press Association survey has now shown that this year fewer children appeared to have gained places at their first choice. And the fall in applications for places at secondary schools in the capital is partly due to families leaving London because of different 'working patterns', councils have claimed. What are the chances of securing a first choice in your area? Use our interactive map below. Findings from the survey of local authorities show that, of the 68 councils that gave comparable data, 39 (57%) have seen a fall in the proportion of pupils getting their first choice compared with last year, while 25 (37%) have seen a rise. And four (6%) councils have seen no change; East Sussex, Redcar and Cleveland, Sefton and Torbay. In addition to this, of 54 councils in England that gave information on application numbers, 35 (65%) have seen at least a slight increase in applications this year, while 19 (35%) have seen a drop. And as hundreds of thousands of families across England found out which secondary school their youngsters will be joining this September on Wednesday - on what is commonly known as National Offer Day - the expected increase in demand for year 7 places in some big cities once again failed to materialise. While competition for places in the capital remains fierce, applications for September 2023 fell slightly to 92,641, from 92,672 in 2022 and 93,727 in 2021. Like last year, three out of 10 students missed their first choice and almost nine out of 10 (89%) in the top three, while almost 5,500 children received no offer at all. And there are big differences in the number of applications between the capital's boroughs. Lambeth had the lowest proportion of children getting their top choice at 61.56%, and in Redbridge just 62.79% secured their first preference. Barking and Dagenham had the highest proportion of first preferences at 81.67%, followed by the City of London where 81.25% secured their preferred school. Outside London of in areas such as Liverpool, only 67.2% of children got their first preference, while in Birmingham 71.68% got their top choice. Meanwhile, Wiltshire saw a whopping 95.05% students get their first drop, with Stockton following closely with 93%. In Manchester, applications were up from 6,832 in 2022 to 6,859, resulting in a slight decline in the proportion of children offered a place at their first-choice secondary school (File image) On the contrary, there were predictions that the proportion of children getting a spot in their first choice could have hit a record low nationwide this year due to the baby boom 11 years ago. However, the survey shows that in London and Birmingham the number of applications and success rates were similar to last year. In total 92,641 pupils applied for a secondary school place in London - only a minor 0.03 per cent decrease on last year. Families have recently been moving away from London due to high rents, and the cost of living crisis. Job applications in the capital have been hit by the impact of the Covid pandemic and Brexit in recent years. A spokesman for London Councils, which collated this data, said applications were affected by 'varying pressures on different schools and local authority areas'. He added: 'Other important factors include migration changes, such as families moving due to changes in their circumstances and working patterns, along with the localised effect of the UK leaving the EU in some areas.' And further out of the capital, competition remained intense. Success rates in Wiltshire meant that far more families were celebrating their child's first-choice place - with 95.05% of applicants having obtained it. In Bath and North East Somerset, there was a rise in children being offered their first choice, from 89.20% in 2022 to 91.70% this year. And in Wakefield, 93.6% were offered their first pick. While Reading saw 74% of pupils getting gong into their first choice. Essex also saw the most amount of year 6 pupils applying to secondary schools, with a rise of 16,945 this year, from 16,554 in 2022. In Manchester, applications were marginally up from 6,832 in 2022 to 6,859. This resulted in a slight decline in the proportion of children offered a place at their first-choice school, down from 77% to 76%. And in Kent, a record numbers of children applied for a place at secondary school. Although the number of schoolchildren offered a place at their first-preference went up, the percentage fell from 79.59% to 78.21%. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders said: 'The number of pupils in secondary schools has been rising in recent years and is expected to continue to do so through to 2025.' While Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said that parents should not be disheartened if their child has not received their first choice. EXPLAINED: How to appeal? If you've just found out that your child hasn't got a place in the school they wanted, the good news is that you can appeal the decision. Here's how: Accept the place you have been given, and go on waiting list for your preferred schools. Obtain an appeals form, which is provided by the local authority. State your reasons for appeal clearly and concisely. Now wait for a hearing. Appeals will be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for making an appeal. Advertisement He said: 'This can be an anxious time for families.' Mr Whiteman added: 'There is extra pressure on secondary admissions this year as the pupil population bulge that has been moving through primary schools is currently hitting secondary schools. 'Many schools are particularly oversubscribed, especially in certain areas of the country.' Speaking about this drop in first-place admissions a DoE spokesperson said: 'The vast majority of families will be offered a place at one of their preferred schools and most will be offered their top place. 'We have already created over one million school places in the last decade the largest increase in school capacity for at least two generations. We have also announced nearly 530 million to provide both primary and secondary places needed for 2023, and 940m for places needed for 2024 and 2025. 'Last year, 94.4% of applicants for a secondary school place received an offer from one of their top three choices, while 83.3% were offered their first-choice secondary school.' The Department of Education will be collecting data from local authorities and plans to publish official statistics covering both primary and secondary preference data in June 2023. How parents feel following National Offer Day? Speaking to MailOnline, parents around the country have been left feeling differently towards their children's secondary school places. Some are feeling elated after their 10 or 11-year-olds were offered their first choice, while others are now going through the appeals route. Sandwell resident Lisa Haywood, 44, says that her daughter, Estelle Knock, 11, did not get the school she wanted to - despite putting down a whopping six preferences. Lisa has blamed the lack of 'decent' schools in the area as the reason behind her daughter not getting the school she wanted. She said: 'My daughter had six preferences listed and we got none. We were offered a school that was not even on our radar. 'We were both shocked to find out about this, but after further research we will be going to the one that she was given after visiting it.' The mum continued to say that her 'her worst nightmare' would have been that her 11-year-old was given a 'rubbish school'. She said that while they were initially shocked, her daughter feels 'ok about it now as the school we have been offered is similar to the school she wanted. 'As we applied only to outstanding Ofsted schools, as I want the best for my daughter.' She also did not think of appealing because 'we have no grounds of appeal due to not living in close proximity to the good schools. And there are children who may live closer who might appeal so it is all just a numbers game.' She has claimed that around 18,000 pupils applied for 200 places in one Sandwell secondary school, urging the council to open more schools in the area. However, she is just one of many parents who have had the 'best outcome from a bad situation'. Meanwhile, Tara Godin, 29, says that her 10-year-old Callum got his first choice. Tara Godin, 29, and her son Callum Godin, 10, who received his first choice secondary school in Oxfordshire this March The Oxfordshire resident says that while they were 'nervous at first', they are both feeling 'happy and over the moon' that he received his first choice. They only selected three choices for their local schools, with Tara revealing that she is 'quite excited' he is going to his first pick. She continued to say that around 90% of Year 6 parents have told her that their child also received the first choice, saying: 'From what I've heard from people I've spoken to it feels alright this year. 'However, last year many parents didn't get their first choice.' Tara, who also has a six-year-old daughter, says that she is confident her youngest will get the school she wants when the time comes as 'having a sibling helps you get into the school you want.' What do the headteachers think about this? Alison Kriel, a former headteacher who now works with a number of other educational leaders and heads, spoke to MailOnline on the reasoning behind why some children may not have got their first choice on Wednesday, what parents can do about it and how to break it down to their child. The ex-headteacher said: 'What children and their parents need to know is that school placements are a lottery and therefore they shouldn't see it as a failure, but unluckiness more than anything else. 'If you don't get the school that you want, I would recommend accepting the school where you have a place, and ask to go on the waiting list for the school you do want to go to. Because what happens is that for the first 6 weeks in the Autumn term, schools have to give everyone the opportunity to arrive, but there is always a percentage of people who are a no-show, not letting the school know they do not want the place. 'Schools have to go through this huge administrative process, which is why it usually takes until half term. But they will then look at the waiting list and offer places.' In the meantime, she advised that if possible, parents and carers should try to connect with that school and let them know directly that they are keen to switch schools and why. This is because when they look at the list of appeals, they may be more likely to consider your place. Ms Kirel continued: 'Children can feel really upset, especially if they aren't going to be going with their friends. So I think it's about letting their child know that they really are good enough, that they're going to be fine, and that secondary school is a chance to make new friends. To try and give them hope, rather than heartbreak and disappointment because they haven't got the place they wanted.' How to appeal? Speaking to MailOnline, educational lawyer Graham Jones has advised what disheartened parents whose children didn't receive their first choice should do. While not everyone will got into their first choice for a number of reasons, parents can appeal against the decision. To do so, you must obtain an appeals form which is provided by the local authority, and should either be submitted to the local authority (for schools they run) or to the school itself (if they are not run by the local authority). Graham, from Maidstone-based Whitehead Monckton, explains that 'parental choice does come first if you're not living in the school area, haven't got siblings in the school, or don't score highly on the schools published admission criteria you may not get your first choice.' Therefore, if you haven't got your first choice, you can submit the appeals process online by filling the application form to outline your grounds for appeal. He continued: 'They will then list it before an appeal panel. In advance of an appeal, you put in a written note saying why your child should go to the selected school and the school will say why the child can't. 'At the panel hearing, the panel will hear from both sides and will then make the decision. 'There's always a problem at this time of year because the popular schools are often oversubscribed. 'If the school is full, this conjures budgetary concerns for the school, as they'd then have to put on another class and fill it.' The education expert said that legal disputes between parents over where to send their child to school is on the rise as it is an 'exercise of parental responsibility'. The full extent of the unlikely friendship between late Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsberg is revealed in a new biography. Despite their political divides Scalia was a staunch conservative and Ginsberg was a liberal icon the two shared affectionate notes about their work. A biography of Scalia's early years by journalist James Rosen says that they bonded while serving at the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, long known as a stepping stone to the Supreme Court. Scalia: Rise to Greatness reveals that Ginsburg praised Scalia for a 'beautifully done' decision while they both served at the District of Columbia Circuit Court in the 1980s. She repeatedly apologized for his heavy workload, once telling him: 'Sorry you have to go through this labor' and even griping about another judge for being 'ineffective'. For his part, Scalia hailed one of Ginsberg's rulings as a 'superb job' and supposedly 'let his hair down' in the marks on her draft judgements, Rosen writes. New book Scalia: Rise to Greatness reveals that RBG and Antonin Scalia became close friends while serving at the District of Columbia Circuit Court in the 1980s. Pictured together in 2014 The SCOTUS justices are seen posing with members of the cast of 'Ariadne auf Naxos' following a performance at the Washington Opera in 1994. The justices, both opera lovers, appeared as extras during the performance The book, which is out March 7, shows how the judges were able to breach their political differences to form a solid friendship, which now seems quaint given the partisan bickering over the Supreme Court. Both were from New York - Scalia from Queens and Ginsberg from Brooklyn and she was a Jew while he was a Catholic and Italian American. They were fellow academics, Scalia having taught at the University of Virginia and University of Chicago law schools, Ginsburg at Rutgers and Columbia. After Scalia's death in 2016 aged 79, Ginsberg said she was 'blessed' to have been his friend and said they were 'best buddies'. The book, which is out March 7, is written by journalist James Rosen Scalia, who was known as 'Nino', once said: 'What's not to like? Except her views on the law', referring to Ginsberg who died in 2020 aged 87. Ginsberg served on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Court from 1980-93 while Scalia served from 1982-86. Rosen writes that during that time Ginsberg exhibited an 'almost maternal attitude towards Scalia' and repeatedly and 'needlessly' expressed concern over his workload, offering to trade cases to make it easier for him. In one private note, Ginsberg wrote: 'Sorry about the headache the case is giving you.' In another she wrote: 'Sorry to have you go through this labor.' At one point Ginsberg made a joke about 'puntas', which was a reference to a 1914 novel by French laureate Andrew Gide, followed by a second note to make sure that Scalia got her point. On one Scalia draft, Ginsberg wrote: 'Just right. I concur.' On another she wrote: 'Beautifully done.' She even complained about another judge, Pat Wald, telling Scalia: 'PMW (Weld) is least effective when she attempts to build a case from her own interpretation.' Scalia's notes to Ginsberg on her drafts included 'A superb job,' 'I could suggest no improvements' and 'excellent as usual.' The book says that in the notes to Ginsberg, Scalia could 'let down his hair.' When Ginsberg urged him to change his vote on a ruling, he did so the next day, telling her: 'Let's be unanimous.' While apologizing for delivering a reply late, he chastised himself for being the 'sloth that I am.' The public appeared to enjoy the friendship between the two judges and when they appeared together at George Washington University in 2015, the first 350 tickets were bought in less than three hours. The previous year they had been made the subject of the comic opera 'Scalia/Ginsberg' by Derrick Wang. After Scalia's death in 2016 aged 79, Ginsberg said she was 'blessed' to have been his friend and said they were 'best buddies.' She is pictured speaking at his memorial service The justices put their political differences aside and praised each other's work. Scalia hailed one of Ginsberg's rulings as a 'superb job' and supposedly 'let his hair down' in the marks on her draft judgements, Rosen writes Scalia once said, 'What's not to like? Except her views on the law,' referring to Ginsberg who died in 2020 aged 87 Describing the friendship, Scalia once said: 'I attack ideas. I don't attack people. Some very good people have some very bad ideas'. Another time Scalia said: 'We agree on a whole lot of stuff.' In her memoir 'My Own Words', Ginsberg said that Scalia had a 'captivating brilliance, high spirits and quick wit.' Among the other revelations in Rise to Greatness is that Scalia's father was so exacting that he made him a perfectionist for life and he even corrected his legal briefs in pen when he was a federal judge, despite having no legal training. When the late judge Robert Bork was overlooked for a Supreme Court seat in favor of Scalia by Ronald Reagan in 1986, he blamed the fact that Scalia was the first Italian American to be given the honor. Rosen claims that Reagan had another reason for choosing Scalia: Bork was older and smoked, meaning he wouldn't live long enough to make an impact on the court although he did go on to nominate him unsuccessfully the following year. Scalia endured discrimination because of his Italian American background and was called names such as 'Fat Tony' on account of his weight. While Scalia's hard-charging personality impressed some it infuriated others and some thought he was an 'a******'. Scalia also had a habit of getting into fights at restaurants such as when he lost it at staff who told him he couldn't smoke his pipe while smoking cigarettes was fine. Another time he got into an argument with a friend when he tried to tip the waitress a dime then flew into a rage when challenged about it. Angry families of victims of a serial killer dubbed the Devil's Disciple are demanding he is left to die in prison as he prepares to plead for freedom at a parole hearing. Patrick Mackay, now 70, was jailed after killing two elderly women and a priest in 1975 and admitting eight other murders. After 48 years in jail, he is believed to be Britain's longest-serving killer, but has a parole hearing next month. His victims' relatives and the former police chief who caught Mackay warn that he remains a danger to the public. Retired Detective Inspector Ken Tappenden, one of the Kent Police team who apprehended Mackay, said: 'He should never be freed. He could turn and become extremely dangerous.' Patrick Mackay (pictured), now 70, was jailed after killing two elderly women and a priest in 1975 and admitting eight other murders Ken Tappenden (pictured), who caught Mackay, with the axe Mackay used to kill priest Anthony Crean And Gareth Johnson, MP for Dartford in Kent, where Mackay was raised, fears his freedom bid may succeed because he isn't as notorious as other killers, such as Moors murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley. If he's free, I don't think the country will be safe 'The public don't know about Mackay and must be made aware,' he said. 'The nature of his crimes is so severe he should die in prison.' Although he was jailed for a minimum of 20 years, it was assumed that Mackay, who was diagnosed as a psychopath at 15, would never be released. Now he has a new identity, is in an open prison near Bristol and enjoys day-release trips. The Parole Board will want to know if he feels remorse and if his other murder 'confessions' were fantasies of a mentally-ill man. Grandmother Adele Price, 89 (left), was strangled in Kensington, and widow Isabella Griffiths (middle), 87, was murdered in Chelsea. Mackay also confessed to a series of unsolved murders including 17-year-old Heiddi Mnilk (right) Mackay the subject of a new Amazon Prime documentary, Confessions Of A Psycho Killer was jailed for strangling 87-year-old widow Isabella Griffiths in Chelsea and Adele Price, 89, in Kensington. He also killed Catholic priest Anthony Crean, 62, with an axe in Kent. After his arrest, he said he had killed eight more: throwing au pair Heidi Mnilk off a train, killing Mary Hynes, 79, in 1973, knifing a woman and her little grandson in 1974, and pushing a homeless man off Hungerford bridge into the Thames. He also said he clubbed tobacconist Frank Goodman, 62, to death, punched a woman of 92 to death and killed Ivy Davies, 42, in Southend. Mackay later retracted his confessions to the eight killings and no one has been convicted. Mr Tappenden said: 'If Mackay is ever released, police should reopen these other deaths as cold cases.' He said police probed Mackay's claims, once taking him to a spot where he said he had discarded his shoes which had traces of his victim's blood. When the cases were brought to court, the judge felt that having been jailed for three killings, Mackay would never be freed so there was no need to proceed. Last night Ivy Davies's son Vic said: 'He's shown no remorse. If he is released, I don't think the country will be safe.' Former prison officer David Berridge, 62, who guarded him at Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight, said: 'His unit held those deemed too dangerous even for Broadmoor. 'Mackay was one of the most frightening I ever met.' David Goodman, 75, wants Mackay prosecuted over the death of his father Frank. He said: 'He should never go free.' Mary Hynes's nephew Michael said: 'How can a man like Mackay ever be released? The cases against him should be investigated further.' The Parole Board said: 'Protecting the public is our top priority.' The opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4. Xinhua-Yonhap China's rubber-stamp parliament kicks off nine days of meetings Sunday, with lawmakers set to hand Xi Jinping a third term as president as well as unveil fresh growth targets and an increase in defense spending. There will be few surprises at the carefully choreographed National People's Congress, analysts say, with thousands of politicians flown in from across China to vote on laws and personnel changes pre-approved by the ruling Communist Party (CCP). Top of the agenda will be the norm-busting reappointment of Xi as president, after he locked in another five years as head of the party and the military the two more significant leadership positions in Chinese politics in an October congress. Since then, the 69-year-old Xi's leadership has faced unexpected challenges and scrutiny, with mass protests over his zero-COVID policy and its subsequent abandonment that saw a deadly coronavirus surge. But those issues are almost certain to be avoided at this week's Beijing conclave, which will also see the unveiling of a Xi confidant and former Shanghai party chief as the new premier. Security was tighter than usual around the capital's center on Saturday ahead of the meeting, with clusters of guards and armed police stationed along major roads and at junctions and bridges. Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and outgoing Premier Li Keqiang attend the opening session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, March 4. EPA-Yonhap A landlord has sparked outrage after they turfed out their tenant so they could re-list their rental property for an extra $120 a week. Laura was shocked after receiving written notice informing her she had 30 days to leave her two bedroom unit at Coogee, in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The surprising notice came despite Laura previously agreeing to a rent hike only six months beforehand. She took the unit for $620 during the Covid pandemic before the rent was increased by $60 in mid 2022. Laura was taken aback when she was told she would have to pack up her bags because the landlord wanted an extra $120 a week. A landlord has sparked outrage after they turfed out their tenant so they could re-list their rental property for an extra $120 a week (stock image) Laura said she feared she could end up homeless if evicted as increasing rent costs and a shortage of properties in Sydney could make it difficult to find another home (stock image) 'I was so shocked I called my agent straight away and they said its because my landlord wants even more rent they say they could get $750-$800 a week,' she told news.com.au. Laura said she feared she could end up homeless if evicted as increasing rent costs and a shortage of properties in Sydney could make it difficult to find another home. Sydney unit rent prices increased 18.6 percent in the 12 months to December 2022, reaching a record $575, the biggest jump since records were first kept in 2004. The residential vacancy rate - the percentage of rental properties that are not occupied by tenants - is extremely low in Coogee at just 0.5 per cent. That's compared to 1.3 per cent for the whole of Sydney. Early in the pandemic the residential vacancy rate peaked at 16.6 per cent in Sydney. The tenant has raised questions whether the landlord had a right to evict her from their property so they could rent it out for a higher price. Maurice Blackburn lawyers and sisters Alison and Jillian Barrett said it all depends on the existing tenancy agreement between the landlord and the tenant. If a tenant is on a fixed-term lease, the landlord cannot toss out a tenant with 30 day's notice without sufficient grounds. They can only terminate the tenancy agreement if a tenant has breached the agreement or on the grounds of hardship. Common breaches of the agreement include not paying rent, keeping a pet that wasn't allowed, allowing more people to live in the property than specified, damaging the property or failing to keep it tidy Under a breach of agreement a landlord is only required to provide 14 days notice to end the agreement and may need to apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Laura, who rents a two bedroom unit in beachside Coogee in Sydney's eastern suburbs, was given written notice to move out within 30 days, despite agreeing to a rent hike only six months before But trying to argue they could get more rent from another tenant, as a reason on its own, is not a legal basis to kick a tenant out, according to the Barrett sisters. 'It is highly unlikely the Tribunal would allow termination on hardship grounds just because the landlord could increase the rent with another tenant,' they said. If a tenancy agreement was for a fixed period of two years or more, then the rent can only be increased once in a 12-month period. The tenant must also be given with at least 60 days written notice of an increase. Tenants on a periodic agreement where the fixed term has expired, or there is no fixed term - can be given 90 days notice to leave. According to a survey by Choice 83 per cent of people renting in Australia have no fixed-term lease or are on a lease less than 12 months long Scientists seeking evidence of alien life believe they will spot telltale signs on thousands of planets within the next 20 years. Increasingly powerful telescopes will be able to examine the atmospheres of planets hundreds of light years away for evidence that we are not alone in the universe. And if experts find enough clues, they will even be able to hypothesise how the extraterrestrial life compares to species found on Earth. Cambridge scientist Emily Mitchell said she believed life was probably quite common across the cosmos, and is hoping to find the evidence. The evolutionary zoologist is researching whether it was a fluke that single-celled life developed on Earth and evolved into complex animals over billions of years, or whether this process was been repeated across the universe. Signs of life on a planet are called biosignatures, and Dr Mitchell said: Weve only got one biosignature, here on Earth. But if we have in ten or 20 years, as my optimistic colleagues suggest, thousands of biosignatures, we can start addressing [the question of whether we are alone in the cosmos]. In 2021, Nasa launched the James Webb Space Telescope, which has allowed scientists to see further and in more detail than the 33-year-old Hubble telescope There is this wonderful potential that if we have enough biosignatures we can do the number-crunching and try to work out how we compare to life on other planets. In 2021, Nasa launched the James Webb Space Telescope, which has allowed scientists to see further and in more detail than the 33-year-old Hubble telescope. It can capture starlight passing through a distant planets atmosphere and analyse it for signs of chemicals generated by living organisms. The telescope has already given a detailed breakdown of the air on a planet called Wasp-39B, about 700 light years away. Nasa is planning aggressive technology development towards a possible future project called the Habitable Worlds Observatory, which will specifically examine the air of Earth-like exoplanets for signs they could sustain life. Dr Mitchell said that if oxygen, water and methane were all found in one atmosphere you could be like, Yeah, thats definitely life. Biosignatures could reveal whether the origin of life on Earth is just a happy accident or part of the fundamental nature of the universe. More than 5,300 exoplanets the name given to planets outside our solar system have been discovered so far, including one in another galaxy. Scientist say there are likely to be trillions in the Milky Way alone. Dr Mitchell shared her thoughts at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington yesterday. Also speaking at the event was Swiss astronomer Didier Queloz, a Cambridge fellow who won a Nobel Prize for discovering the first exoplanet in the 1990s. Nasa is planning aggressive technology development towards a possible future project called the Habitable Worlds Observatory, which will specifically examine the air of Earth-like exoplanets for signs they could sustain life He said it would be foolish to predict when extraterrestrial life might be discovered, adding: Maybe in a couple of years someone with the James Webb telescope will detect an atmosphere that will look Earth-like. Or maybe we will find out that most planets have no atmosphere and realise we are bloody lucky on Earth. But he also said that if we did find signs of extraterrestrial life it may be very different to the carbon-based forms we have on Earth, as there may be more than one chemical scenario leading to life. Cambridge is collaborating with other universities on the research through a consortium called The Origins Federation. The group warned that humanity has a long way to go before we fully understand the fundamental aspects of what life is and how it forms. Prof Queloz, 57, added: We are working on it. Hopefully within my lifetime I will see something significant. An Australian baby who was stranded in Bali with a bacterial infection before she was flown back home for specialist treatment has been discharged from hospital. Lucky Love captured the hearts of Australians last month when her mother Honey Ahimsa launched a desperate bid to get her then-seven-week-old daughter home for life-saving treatment. Lucky had been diagnosed with sepsis, severe pneumonia, organ failure (lungs) and RSV-bronchiolitis. She was medically evacuated to Brisbane on February 13 with a 50 per cent chance of survival, with her family racking up more than $100,000 in bills to keep her alive. Almost three weeks since returning home, Ms Ahimsa revealed on Sunday her 'miracle baby' was finally on the mend. Lucky Love (pictured with mum Honey Ahimsa) has been discharged from hospital following her health scare in Bali 'Best news Lucky Love is home,' she wrote on Instagram. 'Lucky has been discharged from hospital .... she is not fully recovered though doctors have said that she is well enough to continue her recovery at home. 'It's also more dangerous for her to stay in hospital as the chances of her getting another infection is high in that environment. 'We are overwhelmed by how blessed we have been to have our baby girl survive when the odds were against her. 'She is a true miracle baby and a pillar of love (and) hope for everyone to witness.' Lucky's family rushed her to a hospital in Bali on February 8 after a seemingly innocent cough suddenly turned severe, leaving the infant gasping for air. She was diagnosed with sepsis, severe pneumonia, organ failure (lungs) and RSV-bronchiolitis and placed on a ventilator as she struggled to breathe. Stuck in South East Asia paying $8,000-a-day to keep her alive, Lucky's family issued an urgent plea for donations to secure a medical evacuation back to Australia where their little girl could receive life-saving treatment. Lucky's story made international headlines as people from around the globe donated money and sent the family well wishes as they fought to get her home. The flight to Brisbane was quoted at $106,000, with an online fundraiser for the cause reaching over $190,000 within a few days of being launched. Honey Ahimsa and her fiance Pan launched a plea for help getting Lucky airlifted to Australia so she could get the best care she urgently needed Ms Ahimsa was in tears last month as she opened up about Lucky's urgent need to return to Australia to receive life-saving treatment On Sunday, Ms Ahisma shared her gratitude to 'god, doctors, nurses, lactation consultant's, friends, family and random beautiful strangers' who all made Lucky's recovery possible. Detailing the family's journey over the past month, Ms Ahisma said the pain she experienced was 'unlike anything I will ever be able to explain.' 'Most days I didn't sleep, eat, drink, brush my teeth, shower, I was a mess. I never left my babies side, staying with her day and night,' she wrote. 'The first few days our son slept on the metal hospital chairs outside of the ICU. Not nice for a child or anyone but none of us could leave her scared to miss a single moment. 'We had no clothing and our whole family wore hospital gowns until kind souls donated us some things. 'Food was brought to the hospital for us, essential oils, bedding, prayer blankets, breast pump, bottle sanitiser. I can't even list the ways that people showed up for us that was never seen.' Ms Ahimsa said her daughter is 'such a powerful soul' and it is clear their special girl is 'here with purpose'. Many followers shared in her joy and relief, describing Lucky's recovery as a 'miracle' and saying 'this little girl has big big plans'. 'This is so wonderful. Tear jerkingly beautiful. What a universal blessing,' one person commented. 'THANK GOD!!! So so relieved for you and your family. What a miracle it is,' another added. 'So happy for the positive outcome,' a third wrote. 'May Lucky continue to thrive and lead a life of purpose. You all are a beacon of hope for babies and families going through similar circumstances when modern medicine has reached it's limits.' An eight-week-old puppy has had its leg amputated after it was allegedly thrown against a wall with a teenager charged and accused of assaulting a man. The 18-year-old is accused of hurling the puppy, named Dax, against a wall and inflicting eye injuries on a 24-year-old man in the Hunter region of NSW on Friday. Dax, a cattle cross kelpie, sustained a broken leg which vets were forced to amputate. A teenager has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly hurling a puppy against a wall ( stock image) Dax, an eight-week-old cattle cross kelpie, lost a leg in the alleged incident (stock image) Police were called to the alleged dispute at Raymond Terrace, north of Newcastle, after they received reports of animal cruelty. The teenager was arrested by police in Maitland at about 7pm on Friday and charged with domestic assault occasioning bodily harm and animal cruelty. He was refused bail and appeared at Newcastle Court on Saturday. Police have appealed to anyone with further information on the matter to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Leaked emails from a Colorado elementary school revealed administrators going behind a parent's back to secretly transition a student. Laurel Elementary School Assistant Principal, Amanda Pawelski, and Poudre School District Chief Equity Officer, Marlena Gross-Taylor, were caught in leaked emails discussing going behind a parent's back to instruct an elementary school student by their preferred pronouns. On March 31, 2022, Amanda reached out to Marlena, who was only a few months into her new position, about an unidentified student who has 'expressed their pronouns and chosen name but their parents directly [told] school staff not to call the students by those pronouns.' 'I feel very strongly about supporting the student, but have heard that we legally have to follow the parent's decision due to the age of the child (elementary school),' she wrote in the email to Marlena. In the same email, she revealed she learned during 'ABCs training' that that 'we should follow the student, not the parents' and asked Marlena to provide a more 'definite answer.' 'We want to support the student. We also want to be covered legally,' she wrote. Laurel Elementary School Assistant Principal, Amanda Pawelski, and Poudre School District Chief Equity Officer, Marlena Gross-Taylor (pictured), were caught in leaked emails discussing going behind a parent's back to school an elementary school student by their preferred pronouns Amanda (pictured) was worried about the legal aspect of supporting the child, and Marlena and the district's LGBTQIA+ Coordinator, Shayna Seitchik agreed the state law allowed the school to refer to the child by their chosen name behind the parent's back and refer to them as their legal name in front of guardians Six days later, Marlena responded, confirming that 'schools should use the student's affirming name and pronouns and use their legal name and corresponding pronouns when talking with the family until they are supportive of the student's new name and pronouns.' Marlena also referred Amanda to the district's new LGBTQIA+ Coordinator, Shayna Seitchik, who also reiterated to Marlena that her and Darcie Votipka, the Director of Student Services for the district, agreed with using the student's chosen pronouns and names while the parents were not present. Despite the consensus, Amanda seemed worried that the parent's definite disapproval of using the chosen names and pronouns with the elementary student might prove to be an issue due to age. The emails, from March and April 2022, were leaked online and revealed the state's policy was to use the student's chosen name and pronouns regardless of age or grade-level 'I am wondering about the direct "do not" nature of what they said and in light of them being in elementary school. I want to make sure we are still covered if we use the student's chosen name, even in this case?' she wrote. She also revealed the student had 'asked a few of us to be present when they came out to their mom.' The mother was reportedly okay with the revelation while in the meeting, but afterward, had directed the school 'not to continue' to use the new name and pronouns. It is unclear if Marlena ever responded, as the emails post April 5 were not leaked. DailyMail.com has reached out to Poudre School District and Marlena for comment. When Amanda was reached for comment, she referred to the PSD Communications Department for comment. Marlena joined the school district in January 2022, and she overlooks several departments, including Curriculum and Instruction, Professional Learning, Student Services, Language, Culture and Equity, Career and Innovation, and Integrated Services, according to the district. She is a mother-of-two - Daniel, 22, and Collin, 20 - and said her boys are the perfect example of finding what a child's passion is and 'customizing the learning experience from there' as her boys have always been respectively interested in marine biology and paleontology and are now studying the topics in school. January Littlejohn accused a Florida school last month of making a big mistake after it kept them in the dark about their 14-year-old being bullied and assaulted in the boys' restroom - and ultimately ran away and into the hands of an abusive online groomer Amanda won the Colorado Assistant Elementary School Principal of the Year in 2023. It is the second year a Poudre assistant teacher has won the award. Amanda has served as an assistant principal in the district since 2019 and has been with the district since 2013. The situation at Laurel is nothing new as plenty of parents across the country have been fighting to control their children's pronouns at school. Last month, the parents of a 14-year-old girl who was allowed to secretly change gender at school have accused teachers of making a huge mistake by keeping them in the dark after she was bullied, assaulted in the boys' restroom - and ultimately ran away and into the hands of an abusive online groomer. Michele and Roger Blair told DailyMail.com that their daughter, Sage, was allowed to change her name to Draco and use the boys' restrooms at Appomattox County High School in central Virginia without their permission. The couple said teachers effectively sidelined them from supporting their daughter, who suffered from depression, during her at-school transition. Ultimately, they only discovered she was trans after finding a hall pass in Draco's name. 'Why they didn't tell me or at least request a parents' meeting to this day is just way beyond my understanding,' said Michele. 'This school made a very poor decision that was not in my child's best interest. And it was at the cost of my daughter's mental health.' Michele and Roger Blair told DailyMail.com last year that their daughter, Sage, was allowed to change her name to Draco and use the boys' restrooms at Appomattox County High School in central Virginia without them knowing. She ran away after her parents' discovered she had secretly transitioned, and spent a year in court protection away from her family Sage Blair for short time identified as the trans boy, Draco (pictured) Such cases are becoming more common as teachers grapple with the small-but-growing number of children wanting to change gender at school, and the especially tricky ones who don't want their parents to know about it. In May, a mother sued a Florida school after teachers created a 'transgender support plan' without her consent. January Littlejohn said her then 13-year-old daughter had a group of friends who were 'obsessed' with anything to do with the LGBTQ community. She told how when three of them began identifying as trans or non-binary her daughter said she was confused about her own gender. She said she and her husband brought their daughter to a councilor to help her work through her confusion and began doing research to understand the subject. But weeks later Littlejohn revealed school bosses had spoken to the youngster about changing her name and which bathroom she wanted to use. When school resumed in 2020, Littlejohn told a teacher at the Deerlake Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida, about the situation and informed her that she and her husband were not affirming their daughter's new preferred name and pronouns at home while they were working through her feelings, and that they did not feel that transitioning was in her best interest. Parents are clashing with teachers across the US over whether transgender teenagers can transition in classrooms without their knowledge - and most cases are not always solved in the principals' office, and often end up in court. Some states have put safeguards in place - in Virginia, a lawmaker is proposing a law to ensure parents are made aware. And in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has cracked down on teacher gender identity with the Parental Rights in Education Act Littlejohn also told the teacher that she was okay with her daughter adopting her preferred name as a nickname at school. But weeks later Littlejohn said after one day school her daughter happily told her she had spoken with officials about changing her name, and they'd asked her which bathroom she wanted to use. Aghast by the discussion the school had had with her daughter without parental consent, Littlejohn called them immediately and asked them about it. She was told by the school guidance councilor and vice-principal that they could not disclose what had been talked about in the meeting, and that Littlejohn's daughter needed to give consent by-law for her parents to be informed about or be present for future discussions. 'My 13-year-old daughter who can't vote, drink, or enter into any other legal contract without our permission or input,' Littlejohn said in 2021. Littlejohn says that after several weeks of back-and-forths with the school district, the principal finally showed her a 'transgender non conforming student support plan' that the school had filled out with her daughter. Former President Donald Trump weighed in on the case of Alex Murdaugh for the first time on Saturday, but said he did not know whether he should have faced the death penalty for killing his wife and youngest son. But he also told DailyMail.com: 'It looked bad, OK. 'It looked very bad to me. He looked guilty to me. I will say that.' A day earlier, Murdaugh was sentenced to life in prison for the 2021 murders of his wife Maggie, 52, and son Paul, 22. The case qualified for the death penalty in South Carolina, but prosecutors opted not to pursue it. Analysts suggested they may have wanted not to heap more scrutiny of their case, which was based on largely circumstantial evidence. Alex Murdaugh was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences on Friday for the 2021 murders of his wife Maggie, 52 and youngest son Paul, 22 Former President Donald Trump said he didn't want to get into the debate about whether Murdaugh should have faced a death sentence. 'He looked guilty to me. I will say that,' he said But it has led to questions about whether Murdaugh may have enjoyed one last perk of his status as a member of a wealthy, white family that had dominated the local legal scene for generations. Trump deflected when asked about the sentence during a short questio-and-answer session with a small number of journalists at the Conservative Political Action Conference just outside Washington, D.C. 'I don't know. I don't want to get involved with that,' he said before dismissing any suggestion that he may be soft on crime. 'But a lot of people should face the death penalty ... the people that are destroying our country with drugs, 'If you gave the death penalty to drug dealers who bring in vast amount of drugs ... that kill hundreds of people every year, those people should be given the death penalty and you wouldn't have a drug problem. 'That problem would disappear.' He spoke as Murdaugh, 54, completed his first 24 hours in a state prison surrounded by the country's most violent offenders. He will not be on death row. Instead he will spend the next few weeks at the Kirkland Correctional Center while authorities conduct an evaluation to decide where he should spend his sentence. Judge Clifton Newman gave a searing assessment of Murdaugh's 'duplicitous'; character But in a searing sentencing Judge Clifton Newman described him as as a 'monster' who continued to lie even when the evidence was damning. 'This case qualifies under our death penalty statue based on the statutory aggravating circumstances of two or more people being murdered by the defendant by one act or pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct,' he said. 'I don't question at all the decision of the state not to pursue the death penalty. 'But as I sit here in this courtroom and look around at the many portraits of judges and other court officials and reflect on the fact that over the past century, your family, including you, have been prosecuting people here in this courtroom and many have received the death penalty, probably for lesser conduct.' Alex Murdaugh is led out of the courthouse to a waiting prison van to begin his life sentence Murdaugh leaves the courthouse in a Colleton County Jail jumpsuit on Friday A juror in Alex Murdaugh's double homicide trial said he believed the legal scion's slain son Paul helped solve his own murder after police found cell phone video placing Murdaugh at the crime scene minutes before the killings. James, who is 22 years old, the same age Paul was when he was gunned down, along with his mother Maggie, told Fox News Digital that the jury prayed together before delivering the guilty verdict in the rural South Carolina courtroom on Thursday. 'We prayed before we went in, we prayed before we came out to give the verdict,' James said. 'That was a huge factor in us being able to sit comfortably with our decision.' After six weeks of dramatic testimony, the jury took just less than three hours to deliver a guilty verdict. James revealed that initially, nine out of the 12 jurors voted guilty and three voted not guilty. They continued to deliberate, discussing the evidence including the dog kennel video which James called a 'crucial piece of evidence,' before voting again. This time, the vote was unanimous. Murdaugh was found guilty and sentenced the following day to two life sentences, which he will serve consecutively. Alex and Buster Murdaugh got 'very drunk' at a South Carolina justice convention just two months after the patriarch massacred half their family, witnesses have said. Buster, 26, kept quiet throughout the trial which saw dad Alex found guilty of slaying Maggie and Paul Murdaugh on June 7, 2021. Sources say the surviving family members drunkenly showed up 'en masse' to the convention in August the same year- prompting guests to leave the room amid concerns they would 'wind up in some brawl under a pile of Murdaughs.' Randolph 'Randy' Murdaugh - Alex's brother and Buster's uncle - was also in attendance. The revelations come after Buster was said to have broken down crying as jurors unanimously convicted his father on Thursday. Alex (left) and Buster (right) got 'very drunk' during raucous night out just two months after the patriarch massacred Maggie and Paul Alex was sentenced to life for the murders of Maggie and Paul on June7, 2021. The family are pictured on Father's Day 2020 Randal 'Randy' Murdaugh also attended the raucous night out. He is pictured attending his brother's trial at Colleton County Court on February 27 It marked a rare outburst for the youngest son who told the Daily Mail he didn't 'want to see it written anywhere that I'm supporting my father' in November 2022. Speaking about the party, a source told the New York Post: 'They showed up en masse, and a lot of them got very drunk, including Buster. 'It got bad enough that some of us had to leave and go upstairs to get away from them. We didnt want to wind up in some brawl under a pile of Murdaughs.' It had previously been reported that Randy and Buster were at the event but Alex's presence is new information. 'It was kind of surprising to see,' the source said. 'Your whole family has just been slaughtered and you should be worried about assassins lurking around every corner but instead youre whooping it up and drinking.' Members of Alex's former law firm PMPED were also reportedly with the pair that night. The event was in aid of the South Carolina Association for Justice, of which Alex was president in 2016. Buster broke cover earlier on Saturday as pictures emerged of him walking his dog with girlfriend Brooklynn White in South Carolina. He had a strained look on his face as he wandered through the Hilton Head neighborhood. He and White share a modest $180,000 one-bedroom condo in the area, which is around one hour away from where the brutal murders took place. Buster's antics following the death of his mother and brother have repeatedly raised eyebrows. In October 2021, he was pictured at a gambling table in Las Vegas with his uncle John Marvin Murdaugh - just four months after the murders. Buster was spotted wearing a Vineyard Vines t-shirt, shorts and a ball cap as he walked his dogs on a sunny Saturday in Hilton Head, South Carolina The only surviving Murdaugh son strains a half smile while walking his dogs in Hilton Head on Saturday morning Buster's future remains uncertain after his father's trial opened up a can of worms for the Murdaugh family who are linked to a host of criminal allegations Buster and girlfriend Brooklyn White walk around their neighborhood with their two dogs He is understood to have complained to his dad in a jailhouse call about the pictures at which point Alex advised him to start 'wearing a hat' in public. Buster's future looks uncertain following the scandal, which opened up a can of worms for the Murdaugh family which exposed a litany of criminal allegations to their name. They included Buster's links to the 2015 death of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old nursing student whose body was found on the side of a Hampton County Road. His skull was partially crushed, there was a hole in his forehead and his shoulder had been dislocated, according to documents in the case and photos seen by his mother Sandy. Sandy has repeatedly insisted the Murdaughs had something to do with her son's death and Buster's name was mentioned multiple times in the investigation. An onlooker at Alex's sentencing on Friday morning could be heard yelling: 'Buster is next... your son is next, Alex!' Buster Murdaugh, 26, held up pretty well after his father Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murder, but a source says he then collapsed into tears outside a South Carolina courthouse Murdaugh is pictured in a new mugshot with his head shaved and wearing a yellow jumpsuit after being booked into South Carolina's Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center on Friday He had been pursuing a law degree at the University of South Carolina. Reports stated he had been expelled over a plagiarism incident but his family paid a well-connected Columbian lawyer to secure his readmittance. At one point Buster is also said to have worked for his father's law firm. Paris Hilton has revealed how she endured sexual abuse when she was sent to 'tough love' boarding schools as a teenager. The heiress to the 11.6 billion Hilton hotels empire writes in her memoir that she suffered the ordeals when her parents sent her to boarding schools for troubled youths in a bid to tame her rebellious behaviour. At one of the schools, Provo Canyon School in the US state of Utah, Paris said she was sometimes drugged before being molested. 'I swallowed the pills and stared at the wall with the flawless mask of a runway model,' she writes in an excerpt published yesterday in The Times. 'Whatever they were giving me made me feel like my head was disconnected from my body. Paris Hilton (pictured), heiress to the 11.6 billion Hilton hotels empire, writes in her memoir that she suffered the ordeals when her parents sent her to boarding schools for troubled youths in a bid to tame her rebellious behaviour At one of the schools, Provo Canyon School in the US state of Utah, Paris said she was sometimes drugged before being molested. 'I swallowed the pills and stared at the wall with the flawless mask of a runway model,' she writes in an excerpt published yesterday in The Times 'That scared me, so I tucked the capsules inside my lower lip and waited for an opportunity to spit them out. He clamped a sweaty palm over my mouth 'The staff at Provo had their favourites. Always pretty girls. But I don't think it was about pretty. 'I think these were weak people in the outside world, men and women who got off on the power they had over us. 'They took us to the infirmary and made us lie on the table. Made us open our legs for their stubby fingers. If we resisted, there was always a tray with syringes. 'I don't know what was in the 'booty juice', but I saw kids hit the floor the moment it was injected.' READ MORE: Paris Hilton gushes about son Phoenix and reveals the unique name she will give her future daughter while promoting her upcoming memoir Advertisement At another school she recalls being awoken in the middle of the night, manhandled and then handcuffed when workers at the school arrived to take her away. 'I was sound asleep at about 4.30 in the morning when my bedroom door crashed open. 'A thick hand grabbed my ankle and dragged me off the mattress. I was instantly awake hyperawake in a state of panic. I'm about to be raped. I'm about to be murdered. 'One man clamped a sweaty palm over my mouth, wrenching my head back. The other held up a pair of handcuffs.' Hilton grew up living in New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel with her parents, Rick and Kathy Hilton, and her younger siblings, Nicky, Barron and Conrad. Her parents sent her to 'therapeutic' boarding schools run by a company called CEDU when she was 15 after their attempts to discipline her for sneaking out to nightclubs failed. She attended four different CEDU establishments before leaving aged 18. She never told her parents about any of the abuse at the schools saying staff threatened that she would never be able to leave if she did. After graduating from the second school, Paris said her parents forced her to go to a third. She writes: 'I graduated, and my parents came to get me. Dad was crisp and well-groomed, as he always is. Mom smelled like a lavender patch in God's backyard. 'When she brought up the topic of yet another CEDU programme, I begged: 'Mom, please, please, please take me home.' She writes in her memoir: 'I graduated, and my parents came to get me. Dad was crisp and well-groomed, as he always is. Mom smelled like a lavender patch in God's backyard' The socialite escaped from her third boarding school and lived under a pseudonym with a friend in New York using makeup and a new wardrobe as a disguise. 'I created a character named Amber Taylor, because of Amber Valletta and Niki Taylor [both American models],' she writes. 'I scrounged thrift stores. Amber wore black, mostly. Baggy skater clothes. Amber was more than a disguise; Amber was a totally different person.' She was sent to the fourth CEDU school when her parents finally tracked her down. In 2020 Paris led a protest calling for Provo Canyon to be shut down. Several hundred others attended the demo, with many sharing stories of abuse they say they suffered there or at similar schools. In October 2021, Hilton also attended a Washington DC event calling for reform in child care facilities. Paris rose to fame in her early 20s thanks to her starring role alongside fellow socialite Nicole Richie in hit TV series The Simple Life, which saw the pair take on jobs such as serving in fast-food restaurants. If we resisted, there was always a tray of syringes She then started modelling after signing with former US president Donald Trump's agency, T Management. Her notoriety reached another level when a sex tape featuring her and boyfriend Rick Salomon was leaked in 2004. In a statement on its website in 2020, officials at Provo Canyon school said the institution was under different ownership prior to 2000, and 'therefore cannot comment on the operations or patient experience prior to that time'. A man has died after being shot in the chest by police on a suburban street in Sydney's southwest. Police were reportedly called to a domestic violence incident on William Street, Yagoona, just after 9am on Sunday to reports a man was threatening another person with a knife. Officers tried to use a taser to subdue the 29-year-old man, but he managed to attack one of the cops. The other officer then reportedly shot the man in the chest. Police are pictured at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney's southwest on Sunday morning The man was rushed to hospital in a critical condition with wounds to his chest The man was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition but later died. A local resident told Daily Mail Australia they heard the gun fire then someone screaming: 'You shot my brother! You shot my brother!'. The family declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. A critical incident team comprised of officers from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad will now investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the discharge of a police firearm. That investigation will be subject to independent review. A report will be prepared for the coroner. The incident comes just days after a man was shot dead in Auburn police station after lunging at officers with a knife. The Indian national had moments earlier stabbed a cleaner at nearby Auburn train station about 12am on Tuesday. The officers worked to save the 32-year-old man's life but he was later declared dead at the scene by paramedics. Detectives from the counter terrorism squad are investigating the stabbing. Their roasting on US show South Park might have been painful, but worse could be to come for Harry and Meghan. The Mail on Sunday has learned that the Sussexes will be mercilessly mocked in a one-off special of Channel 4's The Windsors, with a plotline based on their as-yet unconfirmed attendance at the Coronation on May 6. With Channel 4 bosses deciding to centre their Coronation coverage around the hit sitcom, the episode's producers say they are spoiled for choice on plotlines thanks to the real-life drama unfolding on a daily basis. Filming began last week and an on-set source has described the Harry and Meghan debacle as 'manna from Heaven' for the writers but they will not include the Sussexes' recent Frogmore Cottage eviction to maintain the surprise ending. A source said that Meghan and Harry are expected to attend the Coronation in the show as they badly need the money. Harry Enfield as King Charles 'The "will-they-won't-they" return of Harry and Meghan is absolutely part of the storyline in the series... the writers are loving it,' the source added. Another plotline will see King Charles, played by Harry Enfield, battle it out with Prince William, played by Hugh Skinner, over whether or not to streamline the ceremony. The writers are loving it... it's manna from Heaven The most recent hour-long episode of the show was in 2018, when the Royal Wedding Special aired to celebrate the marriage of Meghan and Harry. 'It was written that Harry and Meghan quit the UK after their wedding to move to America,' the source added. 'Then it happened in real life. It's amazing how in-touch with things the writers are.' The first three series of The Windsors were so popular that, in 2021, it was adapted into a West End show. A fourth series will air later this year. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General, Rafael Grossi, left, addresses the media at Vienna International Airport in Schwechat, Austria, Feb. 4, after high-level meetings with Iran's government in Tehran. AP-Yonhap Iran has agreed to reconnect surveillance cameras at several nuclear sites and increase the pace of inspections, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said on Saturday. UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi hailed "a marked improvement" in his discussions with the Iranian government. Grossi has been in Tehran for talks with Iranian officials following the discovery of uranium particles enriched to near weapons-grade level. On his return to Vienna, Grossi recalled there had been "a reduction in monitoring activities related to cameras and monitoring systems" and said "we have agreed that those will be operating again". "This is very, very important" in terms of continuity of knowledge, "in particular in the context of the possibility of the revival of JCPOA", he said. Grossi arrived in Iran on Friday with talks deadlocked on reviving the landmark 2015 accord on Iran's nuclear activity, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. On Saturday evening, he told reporters: "We have put a tourniquet on the bleeding of information and lack of continuity of knowledge we had so now we can start working again, reconstructing these baselines of information." He said the measures should be in place "very soon" following a technical meeting, but no precise timings were outlined in a joint statement with the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). Inspections Grossi's two-day visit came as the Vienna-based IAEA seeks greater cooperation with Iran over its nuclear activities. In his series of meetings with Iranian officials, Grossi met President Ebrahim Raisi. Raisi acknowledged that "cooperation is a two-way street... (and) can continue based on maintaining the agency's independence and the rights of the Iranian nation," the political deputy of Iran's presidency, Mohammad Jamshidi tweeted. A diplomatic source earlier told AFP the meeting with Raisi was designed to "relaunch the dialogue" on Iran's atomic work and to "reset the relationship at the highest level". Uranium particles enriched up to 83.7 percent just under the 90 percent needed to produce an atomic bomb had been detected at Iran's underground Fordo plant about 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Tehran, according to a confidential IAEA report seen by AFP this week. Grossi said the IAEA needed to further inspect the facility and that Iran had agreed to "50 percent more inspections" there. Iran denies wanting to acquire atomic weapons, and says it had made no attempt to enrich uranium beyond 60-percent purity. Iran's government has said, however, that "unintended fluctuations... may have occurred" during the enrichment process. The discovery came after Iran had substantially modified an interconnection between two centrifuge clusters enriching uranium, without declaring it to the IAEA. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi meets with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi in Tehran, Iran, March 4. Reuters-Yonhap When the Prime Minister meets President Macron this week, he will see first-hand how British money is being spent on tackling the small boats problem. Their summit, the first of its kind since 2018, will focus on further co-operation to curb illegal migration across the Channel. Relations have improved since Mr Sunak agreed a Brexit deal for Northern Ireland with the EU a week ago. French government sources are said to regard him as a 'friend' a pointed reference to Liz Truss, who questioned whether Mr Macron was friend or foe. The Prime Minister will travel to Paris on Friday, when 'discussing how to stop the small boats' will be a priority, said a French government source in Paris. 'Mr Sunak is considered a friend of France who will be offered full co-operation.' French President Emmanuel Macron and Rishi Sunak will focus on further co-operation to curb illegal migration across the Channel when they meet this week. Pictured: The pair at Cop27 in November 2022 There has been friction over claims that the French are not bothering to strengthen security on a migrant route that last year saw more than 45,000 people illegally cross the English Channel. Pictured: Migrants arriving in Dover last Apri The so-called Sandhurst II accord is meant to involve a 40 per cent increase in the number of French police patrolling beaches in northern France. The source added: 'All the information Mr Sunak requires will be made available to him.' When Mr Sunak arrives, he will be offered the chance to check that new French security measures are being implemented. There has been friction over claims that the French are not bothering to strengthen security on a migrant route that last year saw more than 45,000 people illegally cross the English Channel. This was an increase of more than 17,000 on the 28,500 who arrived in 2021, according to UK Home Office figures. But in one of Mr Sunak's first moves as PM last year, he agreed a deal that will step up payments to France to collaborate more closely. For the first time, British officers will also sit in French control rooms to observe operations. And the French pledged to start using more sophisticated technology, including night-time drone surveillance. 'All of this is meant to be implemented by the end of March, which is the end of the British financial year,' said the source. 'The British will want to scrutinise that everything is being done properly, and Mr Sunak's visit to Paris is the perfect opportunity for that.' There have been numerous quarrels between Mr Macron's administration and the British in recent years, particularly over Channel-related issues including migration and fishing rights. Stopping the Channel boats is one of Mr Sunak's five pledges that he says voters should judge him against at the next election. Stopping the Channel boats is one of Mr Sunak's five pledges he says voters should judge him against at the next election. Pictured: Migrants are helped ashore at Dungeness in December Menna Rawlings, Britain's ambassador to France, said that the summit was 'good news' as it was a chance to tackle 'shared challenges in the areas of immigration, defence, the war in Ukraine, nuclear power, renewable energy, culture' and other key subjects. She visited Calais in January and said at the time: 'I have seen the impact of this phenomenon [illegal immigration] on the beaches and roads of the coast. 'It is painful to see the movement of families, of children in this region. 'I am more determined for there to be more co-operation with our French friends to prevent the activity of smugglers here but also around Europe. 'The French prevented the crossing of 33,000 people last year.' Mr Sunak and Mr Macron are also expected to discuss co-operating on areas including security, climate and energy, the economy, migration, youth and foreign policy goals. A young motorcyclist who was killed in a horror crash has been remembered as the 'life of the party' by devastated family and friends. Alek 'Tucka' Henschke crashed his Yamaha bike into four stationary cars on Port Road at Thebarton, inner north Adelaide, on Friday. The 23-year-old was thrown from his bike when it hit the cars stopped for a red light at the James Congdon Drive intersection. Alek 'Tucka' Henschke has been remembered as a loyal and kind friend by family and friends after his life was tragically cut short by a motorcycle crash A witness in one of the cars said she believed Henschke clipped a vehicle at high speed and then ricocheted off three others, including her own vehicle. He was rushed to Royal Adelaide Hospital in a critical condition but died a short time later. Family and friends have remembered Henschke as a 'great mate' who 'was the life of the party' and will never be forgotten. 'I'm literally speechless. I still can't believe that you are gone,' one friend wrote on Facebook. 'In such a little time you became one of the best mates anyone could ask for. I sat in your room today waiting for you to come home in disbelief. 'Rest easy bro, forever missed but never forgotten. I love you brother.' Another added: 'RIP Tucka Henschke. Thankyou for all the good times we had, they will not be forgotten. Always the life of the party. Fly high bro.' A third friend said he would live forever within their hearts. He was described by another as one of the 'hardest, kindest and most special people I could ever know'. His brother Kamryn said Alek had been an amazing sibling who would be dearly missed. 'He was like, "Blood is blood, don't forget that. You're the most important thing to me",' he told Channel Seven. 'It was amazing to see so many people coming out and giving their love (for him).' A woman living with autism phoned police for help after she was assaulted by her partner before she was mistakenly identified as the aggressor. Anna* was heaped with the blame despite her partner crushing her into a door at his home in southern Tasmania during an argument over money in 2021. Her story comes after a report was released this week showing people who were mistakenly identified as aggressors were struggling to have their names cleared. Frightened when he refused to stop, Anna lashed out, smashing a hole in the wall of his home with his musical instruments. 'I was telling him that he was hurting me and I screamed. I was horrified, he'd never done anything like that before,' Anna told the ABC. Anna then phoned police and admitted to officers she had put the hole in the wall but said she wasn't given the opportunity to make a full statement. A woman living with autism phoned police for help after she was assaulted by her partner before she was mistakenly identified as the aggressor (stock image) Her story comes after a report was released this week showing people who were mistakenly identified as aggressors were struggling to have their names cleared (stock image) After speaking to her partner police informed her they deemed her 'the aggressor'. They told Anna she would be listed as the respondent on a police family violence order (PFVO). She claims the consequences were not explained fully to her. PFVOs are 12 month protection orders which place conditions on someone police believe 'has committed, or is likely to commit, family violence. In Anna's case, the PFVO meant the loss of her home, the relationship, a lost sense of safety and mistrust in the police. Tasmanian family violence service Engender Equality released a report this week showing people mistakenly identified as aggressors were struggling to have their PFVOs revoked. 'I have seen many women's lives changed forever after being misidentified by police as the perpetrator it is such an enormous experience of injustice,' chief executive Alina Thomas said. The issue has gained attention in Tasmania after a disproportionate number of women were named as perpetrators in the state. Police issued protection orders against female respondents at more than triple the rate of the courts in 2022 almost 30 per cent of PFVOs listed a female aggressor compared with 9 per cent of court orders. PFVOs have proved 'near impossible' to revoke even when it is likely the perpetrator has been 'misidentified', according to Ms Thomas. Dr Ellen Reeves, a researcher at the Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre, claimed there is 'a trend of misidentification' of victims of domestic violence Tasmanian police spokesman Rob Blackwood said the increasing number and proportion of women listed on PFVOs could be down to reduced stigma for male victims reporting abuse. He also said it could be that more women are perpetrating family violence. Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre researcher Dr Ellen Reeves disagreed saying there was a 'trend of misidentification' of victims of domestic violence. She believes the Tasmanian system puts too much power in the hands of police. Dr Reeves said in Tasmania the vital decision about who is the victim and who is the perpetrator is made in the heat of the moment at the scene, without the 'safety net' of courts to weight up all the evidence. Tasmanian police responded to Daily Mail Australia with a detailed statement, saying it has a detailed policy for managing family violence incidents. 'Where family violence is reported directly to, or is identified by, a member of Tasmania Police, it is the responsibility of the member taking the report to: adopt a pro-intervention response; conduct a thorough investigation into the matter; gather sufficient information to identify the nature of the parties relationship; establish what has occurred, and address issues of victim safety, safety of affected children and prevent harm.' It said police's 'frontline response to family violence is monitored and overseen by the sergeant of the Family Violence Unit (FVU)' and that a weekly process means 'where every matter reported to police is reviewed and discussed'. It said its recruits 'are provided extensive family violence training at the Tasmania Police Academy, in conjunction with the University of Tasmania'... and provided training from Family Violence Counselling Support Services, Child Safety Service and the Victims Assistance Unit.' 'Recruits are taught not just about offences and legislation, but how to understand and support victims, and what support services are available. 'To prevent misidentification, family violence reports must be validated by a supervisor (usually a sergeant of police) and a Police Family Violence Order can only be issued by a Sergeant, or a police officer authorised by the Commissioner.' It added that Tasmania Police is currently reviewing recruit training on this matter. Tasmania police added that they 'can issue PFVOs if a sergeant or authorised constable is satisfied that a person has committed, or is likely to commit, a family violence offence'. 'A PFVO can be issued where the risk assessment indicates a low or medium risk of a further family violence offending, and where such an order is necessary to protect the safety, wellbeing and interests of adult and child victims.' *Name has been changed to protect the identity of the woman. Former President Donald Trump urged Republicans to 'swamp' Democrats at the ballot box with early votes and ballot harvesting of the sort he once condemned, during a speech to the MAGA faithful on Saturday. He is the latest senior conservative to call for Republicans to beat Democrats at their own game after disappointing results in November's midterms. After weeks of hints that his stance was softening, reversing course from the president who once condemned mail-in ballots and dropboxes, he said: 'Until we can eliminate ballot harvesting, we will become masters at ballot harvesting. 'We have no choice ... beating the Democrats at their own game.' His one hour, 45-minute speech hit all the usual marks, with a greatest hits rundown including attacks on Joe Biden and his withdrawal from Afghanistan, to promises that he would quickly end the war in Ukraine on taking office. After weeks of hints that his stance was softening, reversing course from the president who once warned against early voting, Donald Trump said on Saturday: 'Until we can eliminate ballot harvesting, we will become masters at ballot harvesting.' But he made news at the end of his address to supporters at the Conservative Political Action Conference, held just outside Washington, D.C. Although he said mail-in votes should be reserved for the legitimately sick or overseas on military duty, he said there was little immediate prospect of controls being tightened soon. 'But until that day comes Republicans must compete using every lawful means to win. That means swamping the left with melon votes, early votes and Election Day votes,' he said. 'We have to change our thinking.' If people like Mark Zuckerberg were funding projects to encourage voting, then Republicans must do the same. 'Where we can't get rid of drop boxes, we need them in every church,' he said. It comes after rivals such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley have said the party shot itself in the foot by being too focused on Election Day turnout. It was just December when Trump told Breitbart News that 'a mail-in ballot will always be corrupt' and that Republicans should seek to change laws. 'I am your warrior, I am your justice, and for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution,' he told the enthusiastic crowd Supporters, including a man who dresses like Trump's border wall, cheered on the ex-president Saturday at CPAC during his one-hour, 45-minute speech Trump's control over the CPAC movement was demonstrated with publication of the results of its straw poll asking who attendees would like to see as Republican nominee The Conservative Political Action Conference held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center is Trump territory, a gathering of the MAGA faithful And he was blamed in January 2021 for defeat in Georgia Senate run-offs when his repeated attacks on voting systems may have deterred some Republicans from turning out. But much of his speech was dedicated to demonstrating his continuing hold on the GOP. He bashed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, labeling him a 'China-loving politician,' got the crowd to boo Sen. Mitt Romney and took on Republicans in the Senate who dared hint that Social Security and Medicare be cut. 'We are never going back to the party of Paul Ryan, Karl Rove and Jeb Bush,' Trump proclaimed from the ballroom stage - shortly after he decisively won the CPAC straw poll, with 62 percent of conference attendees surveyed saying they wanted him to be the 2024 GOP nominee. In 2016 I declared I am your voice. Today I add, I am your warrior, I am your justice, and for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution,' he told the enthusiastic crowd. Former President Donald Trump returned to the Conservative Political Action Conference stage Saturday to leave no doubt that he owns the modern GOP Trump knocked Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, labeling him a 'China-loving politician,' got the crowd to boo Sen. Mitt Romney and took on Republicans in the Senate who dared hint that Social Security and Medicare be cut He had plenty of negative things to say about Democrats too - including mocking President Joe Biden for falling off his bike and stumbling on Air Force One's stairs - but told the crowd the Republican Party was previously run by 'freaks' and 'neocons.' At one point, Trump's speech was interrupted by a protester who loudly played the song FDT (F**k Donald Trump). Trump was given top billing at the three and a half day conference that returned to suburban Washington after being held for two years in Florida amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to Trump's arrival the crowd was entertained by the ex-president's 2020 playlist that included YMCA and Gloria. And his speech hit many of the same themes from both his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns. Trump hit President Joe Biden hard on illegal immigration. 'Illegal immigrants come in and we house them in the Waldorf Astoria. But our soldiers, we did nothing for them,' Trump complained, suggesting that illegal immigrants were watching his speech on TV from their 'beautiful hotel suites.' Trump went on a long riff about the president and his son Hunter. 'Hunter Biden is a criminal and nothing happened to him,' the ex-president said. 'Joe Biden is a criminal and nothing ever seems to happen to him.' Audience members at CPAC hold up a 'Thank You Trump' banner as the former president speaks Saturday evening Trump is shown on one of the jumbotrons at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland during his CPAC address Trump is still the most lucrative figure for vendors. Only a handful of DeSantis hats were on display among the dozens and dozens of Trump-branded headgear Trump, again, took on Black Lives Matter and called on the preservation of Confederate monuments, saying 'the most beautiful artwork, the most beautiful statues' were being desecrated. The 2024 hopeful teased that he was going to outline his agenda for his current presidential campaign. 'At the top of my list, will be the slide into costly and never-ending wars,' he then said, an idea he has long espoused. Trump bragged that a new war wasn't started during his four years in office. 'I was also the only president where Russia didn't take over a country during my tenure,' he boasted. 'Because I got along with Vladimir Putin very well. I said "Vladimir, don't do it, you know you and I are friends, don't take over any countries, because, you know, Moscow will be hit very hard."' On the Ukraine war, Trump complained that NATO wasn't paying its fair share. And he knocked Biden for his pull-out of Afghanistan, something that was negotiated during Trump's tenure. 'No, we left the dogs behind and the Taliban doesn't like dogs. But we left in disgrace. And it was the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country, probably.' Trump then said he'd prevent World War III. 'Before I even arrived at the Oval Office, I will have the disastrous war between Russia and Ukraine settled, it will be settled quickly,' he said. This year's CPAC speakers spent hours discussing trans people and Trump threw the crowd some red meat. 'I will revoke every Biden policy promoting the chemical castration and sexual mutualization of our youth. And ask Congress to send me a bill prohibiting child sexual mutilation, in all 50 states,' he said. 'And will keep men out of women's sports,' the former president added. Trump again said he would back term limits for members of Congress, something he had previously pitched. And he continued to back elections conducted only with paper ballots, with rare exceptions granted for individuals wanting to vote absentee. That being said, he encouraged Republicans to use all means of voting, after the party lost the White House in 2020 and had underwhelming midterm results in 2022. 'Republicans must compete using every lawful means to win. That means swamping the left with mail-in votes, early votes and Election Day votes,' Trump said. 'We have to change our thinking.' Matt Hancock told aides he wanted to 'frighten the pants off everyone' to ensure compliance with Covid-19 restrictions, leaked messages reveal, as it emerges he told top London lawyers he should be immune from prosecution just days before the WhatsApp scandal broke. In an online Q&A with law firm Mishcon de Reya, Matt Hancock accused those prosecuting Secretaries of State as 'chasing tabloid headlines' just 12 days ago, The Mirror reports. It comes as a new swathe of messages from Mr Hancock's WhatsApp account were revealed today, involving discussions over how to scare the public to limit the spread of coronavirus, and when to 'deploy' details of a new strain. The latest set of WhatsApp exchanges show Mr Hancock and others discussed how to use an announcement about the Kent variant of the virus to scare the public into changing their behaviour. The messages, among more than 100,000 WhatsApps passed to the Telegraph by journalist Isabel Oakeshott, show that Cabinet Secretary Simon Case suggested in January 2021 that the 'fear' factor would be 'vital' in stopping the spread of the virus. The latest set of WhatsApp exchanges show Mr Hancock and others discussed how to use an announcement about the Kent variant of the virus to scare the public into changing their behaviour The discussion took place in December, just three weeks before the whole of the country was placed back under lockdown rules In December 2020, the exchanges show concern that London Mayor Sadiq Khan could follow the example of Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who had clashed with the Government over the decision to impose stringent lockdown restrictions on the region. Mr Hancock's adviser said: 'Rather than doing too much forward signalling, we can roll pitch with the new strain.' 'We frighten the pants of everyone with the new strain,' the then Health Secretary responded. 'But the complication with that Brexit is taking the top line,' he said, in an apparent reference to media coverage of the UK's EU exit. 'Yep that's what will get proper behaviour change,' the adviser said. 'When do we deploy the new variant,' Mr Hancock said. The conversation, on December 13, came amid concerns about the rapid spread of the virus in south-east England. Mr Hancock announced that a new Covid-19 variant had been identified in the UK on December 14. London and south-east England were to enter a new Tier 4 alert level, it was announced on December 19, when then prime minister Boris Johnson also cancelled a promised Christmas 'bubbles' policy allowing families to meet. The entirety of England entered the third national lockdown on January 6 2021. Messages from January 10 show Mr Hancock and the Cabinet Secretary discussing ways to ensure compliance. 'More mask-wearing might be the only thing to consider. 'Effectively free and has a very visible impact? Wear masks in all settings outside home and in more workplaces? 'Am not sure that got us much further, did it? Basically, we need to get compliance up.' The conversation, on December 13, came amid concerns about the rapid spread of the virus in south-east England Matt Hancock speaks at a coronavirus briefing in Downing Street on April 28, 2021 Mr Hancock tells him, after a brief discussion on angling, that he 'honestly wouldn't move on any small things unless we move on a lot'. Mr Case agrees: 'I think that is exactly right. Small stuff looks ridiculous. Ramping up messaging - the fear/guilt factor vital. 'I suspect London Nightingale coming into use will feel like a big public moment. 'Especially as I guess it will be full with a couple of days (based on current data).' READ MORE: PETER HITCHENS: Now we know for sure that our leaders lost their heads over Covid Advertisement The leak has already revealed Rishi Sunak and Mr Hancock complaining about Dominic Cummings' 'nightmare' tenure in Downing Street, as well as the then health secretary's repeated concerns that the then chancellor's signature Eat Out To Help Out initiative was contributing to the spread of Covid-19. It has also shown Mr Hancock's desperate 41-hour scramble to try and save his career after The Sun was handed photos revealing his affair with Gina Coladangelo, featuring the pair kissing in breach of his own social distancing rules. As revelations continue to emerge, it has been reported that just days before the first WhatsApp messages were made public Mr Hancock told a top law firm he should not be personally prosecuted over failures by his department such as the failure to protect care homes. Among the first set of exchanges to be made public appeared to show Mr Hancock ignoring expert medical advise on the need to test all residents entering care homes for Covid-19 - not just those coming from hospital. The former Health Secretary denied this was the case and accused The Telegraph of leaving out vital context from the conversation. Sir Chris Whitty told him there should be Covid testing for 'all going into care homes'. But Mr Hancock's WhatsApp messages revealed he did not follow the guidance, instead telling advisers it 'muddies the waters'. He told Sir Chris: 'I do not think the community commitment adds anything and it muddies the waters.' Speaking online to Mishcon de Reya almost two weeks ago, Mr Hancock is said to have called for the whole government to be prosecuted and held accountable in the case of government failings, not just one department and therefore one Secretary of State. Mr Hancock said: 'I don't think it's an appropriate use of the courts to essentially go chasing tabloid headlines. You know, "Hancock broke the law" I didn't break the law.' His insistence that he did not break the law echoes messages sent as he, girlfriend Gina and special advisor Simon Poole discussed how to manage the publication of photos revealing his affair. While discussing strategies, Mr Hancock said: 'WE DIDN'T BREAK THE F***ING LAW OK.' Mr Hancock sent a series of messages to his top team and girlfriend in an effort to save his career - in which his media advisor described the photos as 'a snog and heavy petting' In the Q&A he also claimed to have banned alcohol in his department, The Mirror reports. But messages revealed this week showed this ban was not instated until nine months into the pandemic in January 2021. A spokesperson for Matt Hancock told MailOnline: 'There is absolutely no public interest case for this huge breach. 'All the materials for the book have already been made available to the Inquiry, which is the right, and only, place for everything to be considered properly and the right lessons to be learned. 'As we have seen, releasing them in this way gives a partial, biased account to suit an anti-lockdown agenda.' Ms Oakeshott was originally given the material by Mr Hancock while they were collaborating on his memoir of his time in government during the pandemic. He has condemned the leak as a 'massive betrayal' designed to support an 'anti-lockdown agenda'. In a statement this week, Mr Hancock said that all the materials for his book have been made available to the official Covid-19 inquiry. Ms Oakeshott has said the disclosures are in the public interest. Some of the messages also offered an insight into Boris Johnson's thinking at various stages of the pandemic. For instance in August 2020, he warned that government messaging was becoming 'mangled', referencing 'private focus groups'. 'Folks my private focus groups telling me our messaging now so mangled as to be totally incomprehensible. 'We need big reset and simple themes pumped over the airwaves especially on social distancing and how many people you can have in your house etc,' he wrote. A spokesman for the former prime minister said: 'It is not appropriate to comment on these leaks. 'The public inquiry provides the right process for these issues to be examined.' Ministers are at war over fears that a new trade deal could allow Canada and Mexico to flood the UK with cheap beef and pork, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. As talks go down to the wire, Environment Secretary Therese Coffey is said to be pushing to limit their quotas to protect British farmers. But Government sources close to the talks, led by Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, insist the country will not lower its food standards. The UK is expected within days to reach an agreement in principle to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The issue of access to the UK beef and pork markets is understood to be one of the key issues still under negotiation. Talks with the 11-nation bloc whose members also include New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Chile, Vietnam and Malaysia have been going on since 2021. As talks go down to the wire, Environment Secretary Therese Coffey (pictured) is said to be pushing to limit their quotas to protect British farmers Concerns were raised initially over Canadas bid to get Britain to drop a ban on hormone-treated beef but UK Ministers have insisted this will not happen. However, there has also been a push from Canada and Mexico for access to Britains agricultural market, specifically beef and pork. They are understood to want the same terms as those granted to Australia and New Zealand in their own trade deals with the UK where tariffs on beef and sheep meat will be phased out and quotas on the quantities they can send will rise in the next ten to 15 years. But there are concerns that lower animal welfare standards in countries in the Trans-Pacific trade bloc mean members will be able to undercut UK farmers if they are allowed high quotas. According to sources, Ms Coffey is said to be fighting for the farmers and has made her position on access clear. Another Government insider close to the talks said: We will not sign a deal that forces the UK to lower our food standards in any area whatsoever. Meanwhile, joining CPTPP means 99 per cent of UK goods exports will be eligible for tariff-free trade to a market of 500 million new customers. Were rightly told by our farmers that they have the best produce in the world so go sell it to the world and thrive! The Mail on Sunday has campaigned for protections against poor-quality foreign food and to save British farms from being put out of business by cheap imports. National Farming Union (NFU) President Minette Batters has said that she is now really wary of the Governments approach to trade in wake of the deal with Australia and New Zealand. She said that farmers were seen as an inconvenience to UK trade policy and were sacrificed in favour of the services sector in Britains first post-Brexit deals. Former Environment Secretary George Eustice is among those who have argued that the UKs deal with Australia is bad for farmers. As a result, Ms Batters said she was watching negotiations on the future Trans-Pacific deal like a hawk after arguing that agriculture was sacrificed on the back of the service sector in the Australia and New Zealand trade deals. Government sources close to the talks, led by Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch (pictured), insist the country will not lower its food standards She said yesterday that Rishi Sunak had signalled during the leadership race that he would tread carefully when it came to trade deals. She added she hoped he would continue this approach in Government. But of previous trade deals, she said: You cant be under any illusions as to the damage already done. During his first attempt at becoming Prime Minister last year, Mr Sunak described the deals as a one-sided agreement. However, he has described the Trans-Pacific deal as a fantastic opportunity for the country. If the UK were to join, it would account for 16 per cent of the worlds GDP. Ms Badenoch has previously said: No matter how nice the deal is, there will always be a group of people who see it as a zero-sum game, and weve got something that they havent got. She added that improving the message on how trade is good for farming is one of the challenges that I need to tackle and help them feel more reassured. Former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has said mobile phones should be banned to stop riots being recorded on TikTok. Schools across the country have been hit by protests spreading like wildfire on the popular social media platform. Mr Williamson firm intimated his plan to block phones from the classroom during his time as Education Secretary, The Sun reports. His plans were called off by his successors, who decided headteachers should determine whether phones were appropriate or not. Mr Williamson said: 'Getting rid of mobile phones in schools will help improve discipline and behaviour. Former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has said mobile phones should be banned to stop riots being recorded on TikTok Mr Williamson said: 'Getting rid of mobile phones in schools will help improve discipline and behaviour' 'Whether it is tackling issues like TikTok riots or making sure children maintain their attention on their work in school, all the evidence suggests banning mobiles in schools is the way to go.' Last week, it was reported teachers set off fire alarms in a bid to quell 'TikTok riots' organised by secondary school pupils protesting unisex toilets as the social media movement continues to rock Britain's classrooms. Oasis Academy Mayfield school in Southampton was at the centre of protests this week as around 300 students chanted 'toilet rights' amidst anger against 'unfair' new toilet rules. Similar protests occurred at nearby Weston Secondary School, Hampshire, as pupils took to the playground to vocalise how 'uncomfortable' they feel having to use unisex loos and rules dictating when they are allowed to go. A Department for Education spokesman said: 'We are concerned at the reports of disruption and will be in touch with all schools and local authorities to ensure they are supported at this time. 'We will always back headteachers to take the action required to maintain calm and supportive classroom environments as they are best placed to work with their teachers, parents, pupils and local communities when developing and implementing policies. 'Our current guidance is clear headteachers should consider restricting or prohibiting mobile phones to reduce the risk of distraction, disruption, bullying and abuse, and that phones can be a detriment to learning.' The cost-of-living crisis has now hit prisoners as they demand a pay rise to cover the rise of prices in their jail shop. The inmates at HMP Wakefield are struggling to afford their vaping products and basic items such as toothpaste and shower gel. Other essentials such as the price of Weetabix are also escalating in price, according to The Sun. It was reported that those serving life sentences for crimes such as murder are also raising concerns as they complained that the food in the dining hall is served too early. The prisoners also moaned about how they are not given access to kettles. The cost-of-living crisis has now hit prisoners as inmates at HMP Wakefield demand a pay rise to cover the rise of prices in their jail shop Inmates who work or are in education can earn a wage of between 10 and 20 per week David Hine, of Victim Care, said to The Sun: 'It's ridiculous when 0.01 per cent of the justice budget is spent on caring for the victims of homicide and violent crime. 'No one cares about them having a hard time in prison, they should be.' Inmates who work or are in education can earn a wage of between 10 and 20 per week- this can be spent in the prison's catalogue. The report by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons states: 'Prisoners could access an impressive range of catalogues. 'Sixty per cent of respondents said the shop provided things that they needed. 'Throughout the inspection, prisoners, especially those waiting for jobs, complained at wages not keeping pace with the increasing price of goods.' His Majesty's Prison Wakefield is a Category is a men's prison in Wakefield, West Yorkshire and houses around 600 prisoners. The Mail Online has asked The Prison Service for a comment. All SAS operatives have been banned from using TikTok and other social media apps on their military-issue smartphones. Members of the elite unit, as well as those in other Special Forces outfits, are also urged not to use the apps on their own personal phones. It comes amid growing concerns that the apps, especially China-owned TikTok, could lead to top-secret data being accessed by spies. It is understood the warning was issued by the Special Forces Group Intelligence and Security unit. Intelligence experts fear the apps could provide countries such as China and Russia with data that could help identify Special Forces members, covert locations within the UK and abroad, and even compromise operations. All SAS operatives have been banned from using TikTok and other social media apps on their military-issue smartphones Britain's Special Forces, which include the Special Boat Service and Special Reconnaissance Regiment, work closely with members of MI5 and MI6 (File pic) Britain's Special Forces, which include the Special Boat Service and Special Reconnaissance Regiment, work closely with members of MI5 and MI6. Individuals' identities are state secrets and their publication is effectively banned under a DSMA-Notice meaning members cannot be named in the media. Colonel Phil Ingram, a former military intelligence officer, said: 'Apps are one of the biggest emerging threats for hostile intelligence services to use to target individuals. 'It is not just the data they collect legally when a user accepts the terms and conditions, which is often excessive, but it is the additional data that could be collected.' He added: 'Chinese-developed apps are subject to article seven of China's National Intelligence Law, which states that all Chinese organisations and citizens should 'support, assist and co-operate' with Chinese intelligence efforts. 'No app from a Chinese source should be on any device, official or private, for any member of the military the risk of data compromise is simply too great.' The order follows similar bans affecting the military in the US, Canada and parts of the EU. It comes after a Norfolk Southern train sparked a massive fire after it was derailed one month ago The company says nobody is injured and no hazardous materials involved - though 1,500 residents are left without power A Norfolk Southern train was derailed in Ohio on Saturday, just two days after the scandal-hit firm's CEO failed to show up to a meeting to discuss another fiery crash last month. More than 1,500 Clark County residents were left without power after the derailment and locals within 1,000-feet of the scene were told to shelter in place 'out of an abundance of caution,' officials said. The freight railroad company claims there were no hazardous materials involved - but first responders and emergency officials remain on scene to 'confirm their report.' Nobody is thought to have been injured and no evacuation orders have yet been made. Hazmat crews are said to be on the scene. Ohio governor Mike DeWine told his Twitter followers on Saturday night that 'we don't believe hazardous materials were on-board.' A Norfolk Southern train was derailed in Ohio on Saturday as officials urged residents to seek shelter Drone footage captured on Saturday evening captures the extent of the crash. Norfolk Southern says no hazardous materials were involved Some 1,500 Clark County residents have been left without power as a result of the derailment He added that both President Biden and transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg had called to 'offer help from the federal government.' Approximately 20 cars of a 212-car train derailed while travelling through Springfield. It comes after another Norfolk Southern train was derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3, sparking huge fires and the release of hazardous chemicals. Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate and many say they are suffering from projectile vomiting and skin rashes due to their exposure to the toxins. The firm's CEO Alan Shaw - who earns $4.5 million a year for the role - has faced backlash for his handling of the disaster, with renowned activist Erin Brockovich labelling it a 'cover-up' this week. The latest crash happened at Ohio 41, near the Prime Ohio Business Park. Locals and state officials were on the scene, including the Springfield Fire Rescue Division and the Springfield Police Department. A Facebook post for Clark County said that its emergency management agency was asking residents within 1,000 feet of a train derailment 'to shelter-in-place out of an abundance of caution.' It posted an update at 8.50pm said: 'Norfolk Southern has told authorities that hazardous materials are not involved in this incident. 'First responders and emergency officials are currently working at the site to confirm their report.' A spokesman for Norfolk Southern said: 'No hazardous materials are involved and there have been no reported injuries. Our teams are en route to the site to begin cleanup operations.' A scene from the derailment is pictured on Saturday night Approximately 20 cars of a 212-car Norfolk Southern train derailed while traveling Southbound Twitter users were quick to share photos of the wreckage. Nobody is thought to have been injured Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw, who earns $4.5 million for his role, has faced backlash for his handling of a fiery derailment in East Palestine on February 3 #BREAKING: Hazmats crews are heading massive train derailment site with residence told to shelter in place #Springfield | #Ohio Currently A larger emergency response along with hazmat crews are underway to a massive train derailment in Springfield, Ohio where approximately https://t.co/reKZVZdr6Q pic.twitter.com/Wupxv1oDo9 R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 5, 2023 It spells further bad news for Norfolk Southern which is still grappling with the fall-out from the East Palestine crash. On Thursday CEO Shaw failed to turn up to a town meeting to discuss the fall-out of the derailment - prompting residents to heckle 'where's Alan?' It is the second time he has been a no-show at the meetings. His representative was left to face the music alone, telling the crowd the company 'feels horrible' about the crash. Erin Brockovich - who was played by Julia Roberts in a 2000 film about her activism - launched a blistering attack on the firm's handling of the disaster. She labelled it a 'classic cover-up,' before adding 'something is not right here.' The US Environmental Protection Agency is now requiring Norfolk Southern to test for dioxin levels in the area - though the agency says its analysis indicates the likelihood of pollutants being present following the accident is low. The derailment of the Norfolk Southern train one month ago in the town of East Palestine caused a massive fire and prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents Amid the train crash hazardous materials were released into the air, soil and nearby surface waters on Feburary 3 Norfolk Suffolk CEO has come under scrutiny for failing to show up to two town meetings in East Palestine to discuss the crash. East Palestine, Ohio, is pictured on February 3 Authorities have also promised a full investigation and ordered Norfolk Southern to pay for the cleanup. But residents are especially fearful their air, soil and water has been contaminated following the controlled release of the toxic vinyl chloride to avoid a possible explosion. Chinese military to carry out military operations, boost combat preparedness, enhance military capabilities Xinhua) 10:20, March 05, 2023 BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China's armed forces, with a focus on the goals for the centenary of the People's Liberation Army in 2027, should work to carry out military operations, boost combat preparedness and enhance military capabilities so as to accomplish the tasks entrusted to them by the Party and the people, said a government work report. The armed forces should intensify military training and preparedness across the board, develop new military strategic guidance, devote greater energy to training under combat conditions, and make well-coordinated efforts to strengthen military work in all directions and domains, said the government work report submitted Sunday to the national legislature for deliberation. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun) Demonstrators take part in a protest in front of the parliament, in Athens, Saturday. AP-Yonhap The Greek prime minister on Sunday asked for forgiveness from the families of the 57 dead in the nation's worst rail disaster ahead of a major rally by students and rail workers in Athens. "As prime minister, I owe it to everyone, but especially to the victims' relatives, (to ask for) forgiveness," Kyriakos Mitsotakis wrote in a message addressed to the nation. The crash between passenger and freight trains has sparked widespread outrage across Greece. "For the Greece of 2023, two trains heading in different directions cannot run on the same line and no one notice," Mitsotakis said in the message posted on his Facebook page. Relatives and loved ones of those killed in Tuesday's devastating train crash were also expected to gather Sunday for a memorial outside Larissa station, central Greece, near the site of the accident. The station master implicated in the disaster was due in court on Sunday, a hearing postponed from the previous day, where he may face charges of negligent homicide. Hellenic Train, the rail company that has become the focus of some of the anger expressed in the wake of the crash, released a statement late Saturday defending its actions. Hundreds of people had demonstrated during the week outside their Athens headquarters, and one legal source has said that investigators are looking at the possibility of bringing charges against senior members of the company. Over the last few days, rail union officials have insisted they warned the company about the safety issues on the line. Hard questions are also being asked of the government over its failure to pursue rail safety reforms. The demonstrations and vigils across Greece have expressed a combination of grief and anger at the disaster, which happened when a passenger train and a freight train collided. Sunday's demonstration in Athens will be in the capital's Syntagma Square, next to parliament, already the scene of clashes between police and angry protesters on Friday night. Candle-lit marches and ceremonies have been held in memory of the victims of the accident, many of them students who were returning from a weekend break. "What happened was not an accident, it was a crime," said one protester, Sophia Hatzopoulou, 23, a philosophy student in Thessaloniki. "We can't watch all this happen and remain indifferent." At least nine young people studying at Thessaloniki's Aristotle University were among those killed on the passenger train. The station master at Larissa, whose identity has not been made public, has admitted responsibility for the accident, which happened after the two trains ran along the same track for several kilometres. The 59-year-old man, if he is charged with negligent homicide, faces life in jail if convicted. But his lawyer Stefanos Pantzartsidis insisted Saturday: "In the case, there are important new elements that need to be examined." Details have emerged in Greek media of the station master's relative inexperience in the post and the fact that he was left unsupervised during a busy holiday weekend. "These are particularly difficult days for the country and for our company," Hellenic Train said in a statement late Saturday, pointing out that it had lost nine of its own employees in the crash. Its staff were quick to reach the scene of the disaster and had been working closely with rescue teams and the authorities ever since, the company added. Kostas Genidounias, the head of the train drivers' union OSE, has said they had already warned the authorities about safety failings on the line where the crash happened. And union leaders at Hellenic Train sounded the alarm just three weeks ago. "We are not going to wait for the accident to happen to see those responsible shed crocodile tears," they said at the time. (AFP) When Jo Alexander's car was pranged by a learner driver, she expected the scratches and dents to take a couple of weeks to sort out. But insurance company squabbles kept her Audi A4 off the road for more than a year while the cost of replacement vehicles and garage storage sent the total bill spiralling to a staggering 75,000. Delays caused by wrangling over who was to blame for the damage and even where the repairs should be carried out meant the final total reached 75,320, more than four times the value of 49-year-old Jo's 17,000 second-hand car. It was finally returned to her last week, 325 days after the accident. The bookbinder and mother of one said: 'Every time I phoned or emailed the insurance company, I was told there were hold-ups and that I would have to be patient. When Jo Alexander's car was pranged by a learner driver, she expected the scratches and dents to take a couple of weeks to sort out (pictured: Jo Alexander) But insurance company squabbles kept her Audi A4 off the road for more than a year while the cost of replacement vehicles and garage storage sent the total bill spiralling to a staggering 75,000 'The insurance companies didn't seem to be speaking to each other. 'They just kept leaving messages and sending emails but not following them up for weeks on end. 'It was just a dent and a few scratches. 'It was clearly the other driver's fault, so I assumed it would take a couple of weeks, a month at most. 'I feel slightly guilty about the costs that were racked up. 'But I dread to think how often this happens. 'I can't be the only person, and it all makes premiums more expensive for everyone else.' When her car was first taken to the garage, Jo was given a flash royal blue Jaguar XF as a courtesy car, costing insurers almost 145 a day. But she had it for so long that the hire bill exceeded 53,000 way more than the 40,000 it would have cost to buy outright as new. Last month, the Jaguar was recalled by the hire firm because it needed a new MoT, and Jo was handed a 42,000 Audi A4 S Line 35 TDI, costing 181 a day. That came to more than 2,600 in total. Storage costs at the garage where Jo's scratched car was lying idle came to 9,858. The repairs themselves, finally carried out at Pentagon Paint & Body in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, cost 9,040. The company said it was 'ludicrous' how long Jo had to wait. A spokesman said: 'We were all ready to do the work as soon as the insurance companies sorted things out, but they took almost a year. 'It only took us a few days to get the car back looking good as new and Jo has been very patient.' Insurers Vision Vehicles, which handled Jo's case, said the other driver's insurers often failed to reply to messages. That firm, Gallagher Bassett, did not respond to a request for comment yesterday. Last year, car insurance costs went up by around 19 per cent, with the average annual premium rising by 100, to 629. Stephanie Hoggan sent text by someone claiming to be from NAB A bride-to-be has lost $40,000 that she had been saving up for her dream wedding after falling victim to a phone banking scam. Melbourne woman Stephanie Hoggan, 30, became engaged to her partner, Matty, 30, after he popped the question in May 2022. The couple started saving money for their big day in November but their dreams of a perfect wedding were dashed when Ms Hoggan was fleeced out of her money by a scammer pretending to be from the National Australia Bank. Ms Hoggan explained that she was having a 'super busy' day at work when she received an unusual text message. Stephanie Hoggan (pictured left with her fiance, Matty), 30, lost $40,000 that she had saved up for her wedding to a phone banking scam Ms Hoggan received a text message from someone claiming to be a NAB employee who told her that she had authorised $900 to be paid to a different account 'I got this text message that said it was from NAB,' she told news.com.au. 'It stated that I'd authorised $900 to be paid to this person, but if it wasn't me than to let them know. 'It had a number to call, so of course I called it as I was freaking out. I didn't want to lose that money.' Ms Hoggan explained that she spoke to a man on the line who had a British accent and continuously claimed to be an NAB employee. She felt the man sounded calm and professional and not what a 'typical scammer' would sound like. Ms Hoggan spoke to the man for about 20 minutes and was convinced to transfer money to another account. When she returned home from her job, Ms Hoggan realised something was off and called up NAB who informed her that her money had been transferred to an account with the Commonwealth Bank and there was nothing that could be done. Ms Hoggan said she was left in complete shock and thought there would have at least been a 'holding' period before all the money was transferred. She said she became suspicious when she was waiting on the hold line. The automated message said 'Welcome to National Australia Bank'. She pointed out a call from a genuine NAB phone would open with the line 'Welcome to NAB'. NAB said it was looking into the scam. They gave her $10,000 as compensation, something she said she was 'grateful' for. However, there was nothing that could be done in retrieving the rest of her money. Ms Hoggan has called on the banks to step up their game and enforce stronger measures to stop scammers. She added that she was 'thankful' she still had money left over to pay for her bills and her home. Her wedding is still going ahead in November despite the unfortunate series of events. Ms Hoggan contacted NAB who informed her that her money was lost and could not be retrieved. NAB is currently looking into the scam and implementing new measures to stop swindlers (pictured, NAB branch in Melbourne) NAB says new measures are being implemented but customers needed to be cautious when receiving messages from people claiming to be an employee from their bank. It comes weeks after the bank warned customers about a new PayID impersonation scam. The scammers will pretend to be representatives from PayID and target people selling items on the internet. They send emails to victims telling them that payment for the items they're selling has been withheld due to the fact the seller does not have a 'business account'. The scammers advise victims to transfer an additional payment in order to overcome a payment limit and allow the transaction to go through. NAB Executive Group Executive and Fraud, Chris Sheehan, said PayID deception was the latest impersonation scam targeting Aussies and the number of people impacted by the scam was expected to be higher as many cases aren't reported. 'No one wants to try to sell their old couch, fridge, phone or pram and it inadvertently ends up costing them. Unfortunately, that's what's happening more and more when people try to sell items online,' he said. 'Just as online marketplaces have replaced garage sales as the go-to option to sell second-hand items, the way we make and receive payments is also changing. The PayID rort involves scammers sending emails to victims telling them that payment for the items they're selling online has been withheld due to the fact the seller does not have a 'business account'. Sellers are then advised to send through additional payments 'PayID is a relatively new payment method and is quick, safe and simple. It is also free - and the biggest red flag of any PayID-related scam is often if someone asks you for money to upgrade an account or to access PayID. Mr Sheehan explained that PayID never charges people for using the system and never sends emails or text messages to sellers. 'If you receive one of these, it is a scam,' he continued. 'Cyber criminals are sophisticated and we're unfortunately now seeing them try to exploit PayID given, on the whole, it isn't as familiar to the community as other ways to send and receive money.' Australians lost $260,000 to PayID-specific impersonation scams last year, according to Scam Watch. NAB has also recorded a 38 per cent year-on-year increase in total scam reports. Ukrainian and Russian forces fought street battles in Bakhmut yesterday as desperate residents tried to flee the eastern city amid fears it will fall to Vladimir Putins advancing troops. A woman was killed and two men were badly wounded by shelling while trying to cross a makeshift bridge out of the city in Donetsk province, according to Ukrainian troops who were helping them. An army representative said it was now too dangerous for civilians to leave Bakhmut by vehicle and residents had to flee on foot. Bakhmut has for months been a prime target of Moscows grinding eastern offensive in the war, with Russian troops including forces from the private Wagner Group inching ever closer. A pontoon bridge was set up by Ukrainian soldiers to help the few remaining residents escape to the village of Khromove. Witnesses later saw at least five houses on fire as a result of attacks in the village. Ukrainian units destroyed two key bridges just outside Bakhmut in the past two days, including one linking it to the nearby town of Chasiv Yar along the last remaining Ukrainian resupply route. A Ukrainian serviceman poses for photo in front of a memorial in Bakhmut region amid Russia-Ukraine war in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine Bakhmut has for months been a prime target of Moscows grinding eastern offensive in the war, with Russian troops including forces from the private Wagner Group inching ever closer READ MORE: Column of advancing Russian tanks and armoured vehicles is obliterated by Ukrainian artillery At least one of the tanks appears to explode in a giant fireball, with smoke billowing into the sky Advertisement Britains Ministry of Defence said in a Twitter update that the destruction of the bridges came as Russian fighters made further inroads into Bakhmuts northern suburbs. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think-tank, said Ukrainian troops may conduct a limited and controlled withdrawal from particularly difficult sections of eastern Bakhmut, while seeking to inhibit Russian movement there and limit exit routes to the west. Capturing Bakhmut would not only give Russian fighters a rare battlefield gain after months of setbacks, but it might rupture Ukraines supply lines and allow the Kremlins forces to press towards other Ukrainian strongholds in the Donetsk region. Civilians spoke about daily struggles as the fighting raged on nearly non-stop, reducing much of Bakhmut to rubble. Husband and wife Hennadiy Mazepa and Natalia Ishkova said they lacked food and basic utilities. Humanitarian (aid) is given to us only once a month. There is no electricity, no water, no gas, Natalia said. I pray to God that all who remain here will survive. Russias defence chief travelled to eastern Ukraine yesterday to inspect troops and award them with state decorations. Sergei Shoigu visited a command post where he was briefed by regional commander Rustam Muradov, according to a video published by Russias defence ministry. Britains Ministry of Defence said in a Twitter update that the destruction of the bridges came as Russian fighters made further inroads into Bakhmuts northern suburbs Elsewhere, Ukraines emergency services reported that the death toll from a Russian missile strike that hit a five-storey apartment building in southern Ukraine on Thursday had risen to 11. Emergency services said rescuers pulled three more bodies from the wreckage overnight 36 hours after a missile tore through four floors of the building in the riverside city of Zaporizhzhia. In the western city of Lviv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, who said that all those responsible for suspected Russian war crimes in Ukraine, including Putin, must be brought to justice before a durable peace is achieved. The FBI is investigating after a business jet was hit by severe turbulence over New England, causing a rare passenger death and forcing the aircraft to divert to Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, officials said Saturday. Five people were aboard the Bombardier executive jet that was shaken by turbulence late Friday afternoon while traveling from Keene, New Hampshire, to Leesburg, Virginia, said Sarah Sulick, a spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board. The extent of the damage to the aircraft was unclear and the NTSB did not provide details including whether the victim was wearing a seatbelt. The jet is owned by Conexon, a company based in Kansas City, Missouri, according to a Federal Aviation Administration database. The company, which brings high-speed internet to rural communities, declined comment Saturday. NTSB investigators were interviewing the two crew members and surviving passengers as part of a probe into the deadly encounter with turbulence, Sulick said. The jet's cockpit voice and data recorders were sent to NTSB headquarters for analysis, she said. The plane shown here shortly after making its emergency landing in Connecticut According to Flight Aware data, the plane made the reverse journey from Leesburg to Dillant/Hopkins on Thursday. Bradley International is around 70 miles from Keene, New Hampshire, where the plane took off from. 'On 03/03/2023, at approximately 3:49 PM, Connecticut State Troopers responded to a medical assist call at Bradley International Airport. One patient was subsequently transported to an area hospital via ambulance. Our agency is assisting as needed; however, the NTSB and the FBI are investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. For further information please contact those agencies directly,' a Connecticut State Police spokesperson told DailyMail.com. Flight data shows the plane took in Keene, New Hampshire, around 3:35 pm and began traveling south along the Connecticut River. It reached a peak altitude of 26,000 feet before descending and landing around 3:45 pm. Turbulence, which is unstable air in the atmosphere, remains a cause for injury for airline passengers despite airline safety improvements over the years. Earlier this week, seven people where hurt badly enough to be transported to hospitals after a Lufthansa Airbus A330 experienced turbulence while flying from Texas to Germany. The plane was diverted to Virginia's Washington Dulles International Airport. Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey's wife, Camila, was among the passengers. She described it was 'chaos' and added 'the turbulence kept on coming.' But deaths are extremely rare. A preliminary report will be published in two weeks. 'I can't remember the last fatality due to turbulence,' said Robert Sumwalt, a former NTSB chair and executive director of the Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Turbulence accounted for more than a third of accidents on larger commercial airlines between 2009 and 2018, according to the NTSB. The plane was bound for Leesburg Executive Airport in the DC suburbs The plane is a Bombardier Challenge 300 twin-jet According to Flight Aware data, the plane made the reverse journey from Leesburg to Dillant/Hopkins on Thursday In December, an investigation was launched after severe turbulence injured 36 people aboard an Hawaiian Airlines, while five people were hospitalized in Houston days earlier after a second flight was rocked by turbulence en route from Brazil. There was no indication that the two instances of turbulence were related. Air travel is exceptionally busy around the world this week due to the winter holidays. The Hawaiian Airlines flight departed Phoenix and was nearing Honolulu when it hit the turbulence. Video of the aftermath shows passengers scrambling to secure luggage that had fallen from the overhead bins, as children can be heard wailing in the background. A flight attendant is heard making an appeal over the intercom: 'Ladies and gentlemen, attention onboard: do we have any trained medical personnel? Do we have any doctors, nurses, firefighters?' In all, 36 people on board the plane received medical treatment for bumps, bruises, cuts and nausea. Twenty people were taken to hospitals, including 11 in serious condition. 'My mom wasn't buckled and she flew up and hit the ceiling, then hit the floor. 'There were several other people that hit their head. When we landed, paramedics came and had to wheel people out. Quite a few people had lacerations on their head and blood dripping down,' she added. A body has been discovered during the search for a missing teenage boy who disappeared off a popular Sydney beach. Emergency services found a man's body off Freshwater Beach on Sunday morning. Police confirmed in a statement that the body 'was recovered at 9.25am in the water'. It is not yet confirmed whether the body is of a young man, 18, who vanished from the same beach on Saturday but officers are liaising with his parents. A man's body has been discovered off Freshwater Beach in Sydney during the search for a missing teen The young man had been swimming with friends at the beach but failed to return to shore on Saturday evening. His group of friends told police they lost sight of him during their swim. They looked for him from the shore and called emergency services when he couldn't be found. Emergency services immediately launched a search and rescue mission working through the night to try and find him. Local police, the Marine Area Command, Surf Life Saving NSW, Marine Rescue, Polair and the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter scoured the area from North Curl Curl headland along the coastline to Bluefish Point and further out to sea. Marine officers patrolled the water on Sunday night, while police scoured the beach. The extensive search operation continued in the morning when the body was discovered. A report will be prepared for the coroner. It was in early April 2020, at the start of the first national lockdown, when The Mail on Sunday became the first mainstream media outlet in the world to reveal fears that the virus had leaked from a Chinese laboratory. A member of Cobra, the Governments secret emergency committee, told us that Ministers were studying intelligence about an accident at Wuhans Institute of Virology as a credible alternative view to the idea that it was first passed to humans at an animal market in the city. Scientists at the institute were carrying out high-risk experiments to manipulate coronaviruses, sampled from bats in caves nearly 1,000 miles away, to make them more transmissible. The source said: Perhaps it is no coincidence that there is that laboratory in Wuhan. Perhaps indeed. The story made headlines around the world, but the silence from the British political and scientific establishment was deafening. Rather than risk accusing Beijing of culpability for one of the most devastating pandemics in history the world death toll is now placed conservatively at seven million the official line remained that the virus had been passed on zoonotically at the wet market, despite DNA analysis of Covid-19 tracing it to bats found only in those distant caves. Sceptics conflated the thesis with the notion that China had deliberately released the virus as the by-product of a weapons programme something this newspaper had never claimed and branded it a conspiracy theory. Last week, nearly three years after our first report, FBI director Christopher Wray declared that the bureau believed that Covid most likely originated in a Chinese government-controlled lab. This was the first public confirmation of the FBIs classified judgment of how the virus had emerged. It was in early April 2020, at the start of the first national lockdown, when The Mail on Sunday became the first mainstream media outlet in the world to reveal fears that the virus had leaked from a Chinese laboratory. Pictured: Scientists testing bats in Wuhan So why did it take so long for the theory to gain wide acceptance? The controversial role played by the World Health Organisation (WHO) was key. In tandem with our coverage of the scientific evidence pointing to a leak, investigative journalist Ian Birrell led the way in exposing the disturbing links between China and the WHOs supine director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Despite months of stonewalling and obstruction by Beijing at the start of the outbreak, Dr Tedros went out of his way to praise President Xi Jinpings very rare leadership and Chinas transparency. Ultimately, Tedros was forced to backtrack on an early WHO judgment which ruled out a leak and he now says publicly that all options are on the table. Privately, he is understood to have admitted that a leak is the most likely explanation. Birrell also forensically picked apart the undeclared interests of the scientists who banded together to rule out a laboratory-based scenario without offering any plausible alternative theory. He revealed that an article in esteemed medical journal The Lancet which denied any possibility of a lab leak had been orchestrated by Peter Daszak, a researcher who had worked with the Wuhan institute. The Lancets astonishing statement in support of the scientists, public health professionals and medical professionals of China attacked what they described as conspiracy theories suggesting that Covid-19 does not have a natural origin. It also praised Beijings rapid, open and transparent sharing of data on this outbreak, warning that this supposed openness was threatened by rumours and misinformation on the viruss origins. The letter, signed by 27 experts, played a key part in silencing scientific, political and media discussion of any idea that this pandemic might have begun with a lab incident. It was even used by Facebook to flag articles and posts exploring the lab leak hypothesis as false information. Last week, nearly three years after our first report, FBI director Christopher Wray (pictured) declared that the bureau believed that Covid most likely originated in a Chinese government-controlled lab But Birrell revealed that the statement had been covertly drafted by Dr Daszak. The British scientist is the 300,000-a-year president of EcoHealth Alliance, a New York-based charity which funnelled funds to Shi Zhengli, the Wuhan virologist known as Batwoman for her work in collecting samples from the animals. Birrell has also asked searching questions about the roles played in stifling discussion by Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific officer, and Sir Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust health research charity. The Mail on Sundays revelation that the experiments at the laboratory had been part-funded by the US Government prompted the then-President, Donald Trump, to immediately cancel the funding. Trumps belief in the leak theory, shared by senior members of his administration, encouraged his critics to dismiss the idea on the basis that it stemmed from his racist dislike of China, a view parroted by Left-wing newspapers such as The Guardian. Still our revelations kept on coming, including pictures showing the shoddy state of some of the equipment in the institute; its deputy director admitting to concerns over safety and maintenance; evidence that the cases had emerged in China months before Beijing claimed; and that an Australian survey had found that the virus was uniquely adapted to infect humans. The MoS marked the first anniversary of news of the outbreak in January 2021 by setting out the lab-leak theory in its entirety. We wrote: Leaked diplomatic cables reveal that US officials who visited the lab two years ago warned about safety weaknesses and the risks of a new Sars-like epidemic emerging from the site. The labs own safety chief also publicly admitted concerns over flawed security systems. We all do science and indeed, investigative reporting a disservice if this idea is discarded without being properly disproved. We owe this to a world dislocated so terribly by this pandemic. Scientists at the institute were carrying out high-risk experiments to manipulate coronaviruses, sampled from bats in caves nearly 1,000 miles away, to make them more transmissible. The source said: Perhaps it is no coincidence that there is that laboratory in Wuhan. Pictured: A worker inside the P4 laboratory in Wuhan We subsequently reported that a US State Department official had established that some of the Wuhan researchers had fallen sick with a mysterious respiratory condition six weeks before China admitted to the pandemic outbreak, and that scores of athletes in Wuhan fell sick with debilitating respiratory illness two months before the official outbreak of Covid. In September last year, The Lancet finally conceded that Covid could have resulted from lab engineering by scientists. Last weeks breakthrough announcement by the FBI was reported by most media outlets in dispassionate fashion. Over at The Guardian, however, it was business as usual. Opponents say there is still no hard evidence for a lab leak, as many scientists still believe the virus most probably came from animals, mutated and jumped into people, the newspaper wrote. They note that the loudest champions of the lab leak hypothesis are often also trafficking in Right-wing conspiracy theories. A British woman has become Nasa's chief scientist, saying she has landed 'the best job on the planet'. Nicola Fox, who was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, said it was 'the role of a lifetime' and compared it to winning a Grammy or an Oscar. She is the first Briton and only the second woman to hold the role in the 65-year history of the US space agency and will manage a budget of almost $8 billion (6.65 billion). Dr Fox has held a lifelong interest in space ever since her father held her up to the television to witness astronaut Neil Armstrong's first steps on the Moon in 1969, when she was just nine months old. 'I apparently stirred in my crib so my father propped me up in front of the TV so I could watch this momentous event,' she said. Nicola Fox, who was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, said it was 'the role of a lifetime' as she becomes Nasa's chief scientist Fox is the first Briton and only the second woman to hold the role in the 65-year history of the US space agency 'He gave me a running commentary through the entire thing and now takes full credit for my interest in space.' However, the 54-year-old believed she would never fulfil her ambitions as for many years Britain didn't have an active space programme. She said: 'Growing up in Hitchin, you might dream of working for Nasa but it certainly doesn't seem as if it could ever be a reality.' She told Radio 4's Today programme: 'Whatever you're interested in, whatever your heart tells you you're interested in, that's what you should do.' Dr Fox has previously spoken about how the sudden death of her husband in 2010 as her biggest personal challenge after she was left to bring up two children, then aged one and three, while working as a senior scientist. At the time of his death, she was leading a team on the Parker Solar Probe, a spacecraft that will orbit the Sun at up to 430,000mph, making it the fastest object ever built. She described the project as 'deeply personal' and she put her husband's name on the spacecraft when it was launched in 2018. She tells her children that their father is 'going to orbit the Sun for ever'. Dr Fox was appointed as associate administrator for Nasa's science department after the previous science chief quit following a dispute with bosses over plans to explore Mars. Dr Fox attended the all-girls St Francis' College in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, in the 1980s, then studied physics at Imperial College London and completed a master's degree in satellite and computer engineering at the University of Surrey, where she was one of just four women in a cohort of 280 students. She went back to Imperial to complete a PhD before moving to an American university, where she became involved in Nasa. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's children 'may not have a close relationship with the King' following the couple's eviction from Frogmore Cottage, a source has claimed. Harry and Meghan were allegedly given 'weeks' to pack up their British home at Frogmore Cottage after Harry's memoir Spare hit the shelves in January. But in an olive branch to the couple, King Charles may offer Prince Harry and Meghan Prince Andrew's Buckingham Palace apartment. It comes as a source said the couple are concerned that future visits will be 'incredibly complicated' if they are forced to stay outside the security perimeters of a royal estate', The Sunday Telegraph reported. The couple, who moved to California three years ago, are said to be concerned over how the move will impact Archie, three, and one-year-old Lilibet's relationship with their grandfather. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to be concerned that future visits to the UK will be 'incredibly complicated', a source claims Following Harry and Meghan's eviction from Frogmore Cottage at Windsor, it is now feared that King Charles's relationship with his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet could be impacted Earlier this week, journalist Omid Scobie claimed that some members of the Royal Family were 'appalled' by the decision to evict Harry and Meghan, with the couple also said to have felt 'stunned'. An insider allegedly told him: 'It all feels very final and like a cruel punishment. It's like [the family] want to cut them out of the picture for good.' But the couple are not as 'stunned' about leaving as previous reports have suggested, believing that 'if we need to move out, we will get ourselves out', a source told The Times. King Charles reportedly decided to evict Harry and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage due to the repeated broadsides at Queen Consort Camilla in his younger son's memoir, Spare. READ MORE: King Charles will offer Prince Harry and Meghan a Buckingham Palace apartment when they visit UK Advertisement The monarch issued a notice to the Sussexes on Tuesday to vacate the the five-bedroom mansion on the Windsor Estate - a move said to be backed by his wife and the Prince and Princess of Wales. The decision was apparently a difficult one for the King, particularly as he was keen not to add fuel to the fire of the ongoing row with Harry. But he is understood to have reached a point where he believed Harry had 'crossed a line' following claims made in their Netflix series and the prince's bombshell memoir. Yesterday the Duke of Sussex sat down with controversial 'toxic trauma' expert Dr Gabor Mate for a 90-minute conversation in which he spoke about grief, healing and mental health. Royal watchers said Harry was cautious not to attack members of the royal family during the conversation in which he made no mention of his brother, Kate or Camilla. In the 17-per-ticket livestream event that included a free copy of his memoir, Spare, Harry discussed his drug use, his views on the war in Afghanistan and how he 'felt different' from family growing up. It comes as preparations are taking place for King Charles' Coronation in May amid speculation that Harry may not attend his father's crowning. But many hope relations may be thawing between the two sides after the Mail on Sunday revealed that King Charles may offer Prince Harry and Meghan Prince Andrew's old suite in Buckingham Palace when they visit the UK. In another royal property merry-go-round, it was also revealed that the Duke of York could get a 1.5 million windfall if he leaves Royal Lodge this year. A Government document seen by The Mail on Sunday reveals that Prince Andrew would be entitled to a rebate from the money he spent refurbishing the 30-room Windsor property when he first moved in two decades ago. The Duke of York who was pictured on the Windsor estate yesterday, smiling broadly at a jogger from behind the wheel of his Range Rover acquired the lease in August 2003, a year after the death of the Queen Mother who had lived there He then spent more than 7.5 million on renovations. Under the terms of the lease, he is entitled to a rebate if he moves out within 25 years. It is calculated on a sliding scale, so if he leaves this year 20 years into the agreement he could get back 1.5 million. The document states: Should the Duke wish to terminate the lease, the property would then revert to the Crown Estate. St James's Palace is the oldest royal palace in London Prince Andrew may be forced out of the Royal Lodge in Windsor and into Frogmore Cottage Prince Andrew, pictured driving his hybrid Range Rover on The Long Walk in the Windsor estate yesterday, could receive a 1.5m rebate in cash he spent renovating his home The Estate may then be required to pay him compensation in respect of the refurbishment costs incurred. The maximum compensation of just under 7 million is subject to annual reductions over the first 25 years. At the end of that period, there is nil compensation payable. King Charles is said to be exasperated that Andrew insists on wanting to stay at Royal Lodge, which costs an estimated 3 million a year to guard. Plans are now under way for Andrew to be offered Frogmore Cottage when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex move out. The Duke of York was photograph out riding a horse. Details of his lease at the Royal Lodge were made public in 2005 after Labour MP Ian Davison requested the information A source said: Royal Lodge is just not suitable for the Duke any more. Hes a single man living with his ex-wife who has a property of her own in London. The scale of Royal Lodge means it requires two teams [of bodyguards] a mobile team and a static team and that is a considerable expense. The King is happy to provide security for his brother but a better use of resources would be to house him at Frogmore Cottage. The details of the lease were published in a parliamentary document in 2005 after Labour MP Ian Davidson requested the information. The document explains how Andrew approached the Crown Estate about acquiring the leasehold to the sprawling estate which includes a swimming pool and several cottages in the grounds for staff after the Queen Mothers death. The Royal Family instead suggested the commercial leasing agreement. However the property is said to be too expensive to protect now, since the Duke lost his state-funded police detail on being forced to step back from Royal duties in 2019. He now relies on bodyguards paid for by the King. Ukrainian parents have shared their heartbreak at not knowing where their children are or if they will ever see them again after Russian forces kidnapped thousands of youngsters and transported them to 're-education camps' in Russia - in a policy likened to abductions carried out by terror group ISIS. A study by Yale University last month found more than 6,000 children aged between four months and 17 years have been taken to 43 camps across Russia, including in Moscow-annexed Crimea and Siberia, for 'pro-Russia patriotic and military-related education'. It is thought the true number is far higher. Russia has tried to cast the relocation of the children as saving orphans or bringing them to camps for medical care - but Ukrainians say children are either being abducted outright or their parents are pressured or tricked into giving them up. But International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan has this week likened the large-scale kidnappings to those carried out by terror groups such as ISIS, who took Yazidi girls from their homes. Mr Khan, who has visited Ukraine three times, told The Sunday Times he has 'never seen anything like this'. Seven-and-a-half million children are thought to have been impacted by the war in Ukraine Russia has tried to cast the relocation of the children as saving orphans or bringing them to camps for medical care - but Ukrainians say children are either being abducted outright or their parents are pressured or tricked into giving them up (Pictured: Ukrainian children in Russian-controlled Donetsk) 'Isis snatched Yazidi girls for sex slaves and boys to train as fighters, and Pol Pot forced urban families into the countryside but this is different,' he said. Mr Khan is due to speak about the issue in Geneva on Thursday. Speaking to the paper, parents of missing children described becoming suspicious when children came home describing so-called summer camps which would see them leave for several weeks with less than one day's notice. Some of these camps were in Russian-occupied territory, others in the Russian-annexed region of Crimea. The few times parents have managed to contact their children, they were initially told of fun activities - but also that everything was in Russian and that they were made to sing the Russian national anthem every morning. Several parents described being informed that their children's return home would be delayed by a few days, then a few weeks, then more than a month. Their children would be moved to different camps, and eventually would become uncontactable. It has even been reported some Ukrainian parents were offered money to travel to Russia or its annexed areas, where they could be reunited with their children if they agreed to live there. Just 300 children are believed to have made it back to Ukraine, out of tens of thousands of potential victims. On February 23, Ukrainians left hundreds of teddy bears outside the European Commission to try and raise awareness of their children's plight. Russia has held at least 6,000 children from Ukraine in camps aimed at re-education in what could constitute a war crime, a US study has said. Pictured, a woman and child in the Ukrainian city of Bucha Ukrainian refugees install thousands of children's teddy bears and toys at Schuman Roundabout in front of the European Commission to highlight the abduction of thousands of Ukrainian children Ukraine's government say they have confirmed that more than 16,000 children have been deported to Russia (file image) Nathaniel Raymond, a Yale researcher at the Humanitarian Research Lab - funded by the US State Department - said that Russia was in 'clear violation' of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the treatment of civilians during war. The activity 'in some cases may constitute a war crime and a crime against humanity', he told reporters. The report called for a neutral body to be granted access to the camps and for Russia immediately to stop adoptions of Ukrainian children. Ukraine's government say more than 16,000 children have been deported to Russia where some have been sexually exploited. The study said that Putin aides have been closely involved in the operation, including Maria Lvova-Belova, the presidential commissioner for children's rights. It quoted her as saying that 350 children have been adopted by Russian families and that more than 1,000 were awaiting adoption. She herself has reportedly boasted about adopting a child from Mariupol since the start of the invasion. The US report, which relied on satellite imagery and public accounts, said that at least 6,000 children have been sent to camps but that the number is 'likely significantly higher'. Last month's report said that Russian authorities have sought to provide a pro-Moscow viewpoint to children through school curricula as well as through field trips to patriotic sites and talks from veterans. Some children have also been given firearms training, although Mr Raymond said there was no evidence they were being sent to fight. It has been a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, with President Vladimir Putin denying the historical legitimacy of the neighbouring country and in September formally declaring four regions to be part of Russia. But Ukraine's commissioner for children's rights Daria Herasymchuk says it is likely to be far more. 'Today the Russians say they have 738,000 Ukrainian kids they evacuated but it's not evacuation, it's abduction and brain-washing and it's an act of genocide,' she told The Sunday Times. 'We don't believe it's as many as that we have so far documented 16,221 but I think it's a few hundred thousand.' More than 460 children have been killed and almost 1,000 wounded since the war began, with seven-and-a-half million affected. Save the Children estimates that the average child in Ukraine spent more than 900 hours underground over the past year about 40 days. Some 1500 schools have been destroyed or damaged. It is best known to the sweet-toothed for creating the Milkybar. But Nestle is now helping to develop an 'expanding' weight-loss pill leading to accusations that it is trying to have its cake and eat it. The Swiss multi-national, which also makes KitKat and Yorkie bars, has partnered with a small company which has invented the pill. It does not contain a drug, but is a capsule which breaks open after being swallowed to release a tightly-wrapped, triangular bag. This quickly unfolds and 'inflates' in the stomach, filling with liquid and turning into a jelly-like object about the size of the palm of a hand, which gives the feeling of fullness. In a pilot 12-week trial, seven in ten testers lost weight. Swiss multi-national Nestle has partnered with Israeli company Epitomee to produce the capsule, which contains a triangular bag that unfolds after swallowing and 'inflates' in the stomach to provide a feeling of fullness The triangular bag inside the capsule fills with liquid and turns into a jelly-like object about the size of the palm of a hand, which gives the feeling of fullness. Most of that 70 per cent lost a 'clinically meaningful' amount of weight about a twelfth of their total mass while many also saw their blood pressure and blood sugar levels drop to healthier levels. A larger six-month trial, with hundreds of participants, is due to start soon in the US with results expected by the end of the year. The pill is the brainchild of Israeli company Epitomee. Nestle Health Science the research arm of the conglomerate says it has 'exclusive rights to commercialise the capsule globally'. Last night Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said: 'Technology appears to have come on a lot since the nauseous days of gastric balloons but the devil is in the detail. 'Wait until results of the American trial come in before deciding if swallowing them is for you.' In 2019 Nestle and Cadbury were criticised for increasing sugar in their chocolate bars by more than 10 per cent, on average, since 1992. Cost is one reason: Sugar is much cheaper than cocoa, which has risen in price over the years. But it is also much less nutritious. In 2019 Nestle and Cadbury were criticised for increasing sugar in their chocolate bars by more than 10 per cent, on average, since 1992 Mr Fry said: 'Nestle is constantly trying to prove it is not all bad. 'It will never give up on the millions who love their chocolate so Nestle Health Science gambling a bit on capsules is probably good public relations and the gamble just might pay off.' Safi Landskroner, an executive at Epitomee, said the capsule gave a subtle feeling of being full as it pressed gently on a stomach wall. She said: 'There's no discomfort, just a feeling of fullness that stops people wanting to overeat. 'That's the beauty of the device. It creates enough pressure to do its work, without you knowing.' Patients take two pills a day, one an hour before lunch and the other an hour before dinner. It expands within minutes and stays in the stomach for several hours before being naturally moved to the intestines where it soon disintegrates. The idea is it reduces the desire to overeat at mealtimes, or to snack afterwards. Ms Landskroner stressed it was 'safe to use', being made from a digestible polymer used to coat pills, capsules and M&M sweets (made by Mars, not Nestle). She said the company had obtained 'very good results' from the first trial, which included 52 overweight or obese volunteers. Epitomee has a European 'CE' mark, which is a legal requirement for medical devices to be sold across Europe. But it is likely the company and Nestle will wait for the results of the larger trial before marketing the pill. Dr Yu Cheng, Global Head of Metabolic Health at Nestle Health Science, said the pill would be 'an effective and convenient solution for people who struggle with their weight'. Protesters gather for a demonstration, Jan. 31, in Paris. French senators start debating President Emmanuel Macron's contested pension plan on March 2, as the centrist government hopes to find a compromise with the conservatives at the upper house of parliament to be able to push the bill through. AP-Yonhap French trade unions are heading for what is expected to be a decisive showdown with President Emmanuel Macron over pension reform, with massive strikes from Tuesday aiming to bring the country "to a standstill". After five separate days of protests so far this year, this week's stoppages herald a new phase in the battle between the centrist government and opponents of the changes, which includes an overwhelmingly majority of French voters. "We always said that we would go into a higher gear if necessary," the head of the influential hard-left CGT union, Philippe Martinez, told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper on Sunday. "It will be the case on Tuesday." More than 260 demonstrations are expected nation-wide, many in small and medium-sized towns where opposition to the reform is strong, while strikes will affect transport, the energy sector and public services. Police are expecting between 1.1-1.4 million people to hit the streets, a source told AFP on condition of anonymity. The upper limit of that range would represent the biggest day of protests in decades, higher than the 1.27 million who took part in demonstrations on January 31, and bigger than previous pension reform protests in 2010. Unions representing workers on the national SNCF railways, the Paris metro and the energy sector, including refineries, have called for rolling strikes for the first time, with other industries expected to join in. All eight major French trade unions have called for the stoppages to bring the country "to a standstill" on Tuesday, with shopkeepers also encouraged to down shutters. "The 7th (Tuesday) is going to be very difficult," Transport Minister Clement Beaune admitted on Friday, calling on workers to stay home where possible. Macron's plan to raise the official age of retirement from 62 to 64 is a flagship policy of his second term in office, which began last year after he defeated far-right leader Marine Le Pen. He has called the change "essential" because of deficits forecast for the system for most of the next 25 years, according to analysis by the independent pensions ombudsman. France also lags behind its neighbours and other major European economies where the retirement age has already been hiked to 65 or above to reflect higher life expectancy. But opponents see the changes as unfair, penalising low-skilled workers who start their careers early, while reducing the right to leisure and a long retirement at the end of working life. Labour Minister Olivier Dussopt insisted in an interview on Saturday that 1.8 million low-income retirees would see their pensions increase by up to 100 euros a month from September if the reform is enacted. "That won't make them rich, but it's a substantial effort that has never been carried out despite announcements over the last 20 years," he said. Time is running out for the unions and other opponents of the reform to force the government into a U-turn. The legislation has already been discussed in the lower house National Assembly, and is currently being debated in the upper-house Senate, where it is expected to be amended but approved. A final vote from both chambers is expected from the middle of March and by March 26 at the latest. Macron has faced numerous challenges from the unions in the past and, almost without exception, has succeeded in pushing through his pro-business agenda and social security reforms. The former investment banker, often accused of being aloof and out of touch, has tasked Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne with being the face of the pension reform and leading negotiations with opposition parties and labour leaders. (AFP) Matt Hancock launched an expletive-laden attack on Michael Gove during the height of the pandemic, it was claimed last night. The then Health Secretary accused Mr Gove of wanting his job in June 2021 after Gove promised to reduce NHS waiting times. And when told Mr Gove, then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, would ring to explain, Mr Hancock is said to have replied: He f*****g should. This will be interpreted as a play for my job. According to the latest batch of Mr Hancocks pandemic-era leaked WhatsApp messages, published by the Telegraph, it was not the only time he resorted to expletives. As part of what was said to be a campaign to get rid of then NHS chief Sir Simon Stevens, Mr Hancock wrote in April 2020 how he needs to know he is massively f*****g up. Based on the leaked messages, Mr Hancock and Dominic Cummings, then Boris Johnsons chief adviser, were reportedly trying to get rid of the NHS chief executive for at least 18 months until he stepped down in July 2021. Matt Hancock (right) launched an expletive-laden attack on Michael Gove (left) during the height of the pandemic, it was claimed last night But Mr Hancock also wanted to get rid of Covid scientist Sir Jeremy Farrar, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) for criticising Government decisions. In one message in April 2020 he branded Sir Jeremy, a tropical diseases expert who is now the World Health Organisations chief scientist as totally offside who adds no value internally. The attack on Mr Gove came after Mr Hancock said that he was not at all happy that his Cabinet rival gave an interview to a national newspaper talking about the impact of the pandemic on the health service. Mr Gove appeared to reveal that his intervention outside his ministerial brief would be controversial, forwarding the article to Mr Hancock and saying: Hope not too annoying. However, in May 2021, the two men both known to favour strict lockdowns exchanged friendly messages after Mr Hancock asked Mr Gove what they were trying to achieve in a meeting. Mr Gove answered letting people express concerns. before you and I decide the policy. The Health Secretary replied: You are glorious. Six days later, Mr Gove responded with I [HEART SYMBOL] you. As part of what was said to be a campaign to get rid of then NHS chief Sir Simon Stevens (pictured), Mr Hancock wrote in April 2020 how he needs to know he is massively f*****g up In a further message exchange reported last night, Rishi Sunak then the Chancellor appeared to tell Mr Hancock that Mr Cummingss time in Downing Street was a nightmare. In messages to the future Prime Minister in May 2021, Mr Hancock said: Of all the bonkersness about Doms circus, the one I enjoy most is that hes doing this to secure his place at the heart of the future Sunak administration. When Mr Hancock added that it was a stark reminder of how hard governing was, Mr Sunak replied: It was such a difficult time for all of us. A nightmare I hope we never ever have to repeat. Last night, a spokesman for Mr Hancock repeated his belief that there was no public interest in releasing all his messages ahead of the Covid public inquiry and that he would respond in the appropriate place, at the inquiry. A Wall Street financier is suing a stripper after he leant her hundreds of thousands of dollars and a Gucci scarf when COVID shut down her club. John Leahy, of Union, Michigan, filed the suit against Aline Luz Dunga and her mother, Annalu Gomez, in Manhattan Supreme Court on February 24, alleging that they never paid him back the money he leant them over a three year span. He claims in the suit that he fell for Aline Luz Dunga when he first met her at her job as an exotic dancer, and thought they were in a serious relationship as he spent $125,000 to help her through the global pandemic. Leahy also claimed he once leant Dunga his Gucci scarf, which she never gave back, and helped pay her mother's cancer treatments and Massachusetts state taxes before they stopped speaking with him. John Leahy, a Wall Street financier, has retained Cesar de Castro (pictured) to represent him in a lawsuit against a stripper Leahy claims he believed he was in a serious relationship with Aline Luz Dunga when he leant her and her mother $125,000 over the course of three years According to the lawsuit, obtained by the New York Daily News, Leahy set up a sort of stimulus package for the struggling stripper, lending her money on a regular basis for 'maintenance.' He also spent several thousand to help Gomez, Dunga's mother, pay off her state taxes and cancer treatments Documents obtained by DailyMail.com show Gomez had a history of defaulted loans in the past. In total, he says, he doled out $125,000 from 2019 through 2021, believing Dunga would eventually pay him back and that they were in a serious relationship. 'Between the years 2019 and 2021, [Dunga] made false representations that she and [Leahy] were in a legitimate relationship to induce him to make payments to her creditors for her maintenance,' it explains. He is now suing for the money back, as well as a Gucci scarf he leant Dunga like the one seen here But the money dried up when Leahy finally realized in August 2021 that Dunga was only interested in his cash, the lawsuit claims, at which point he forced her to pay back $10,000, Just a few months later, in November, though, Gomez borrowed $6,000 more to pay off her Massachusetts Toll and Excise Tax, and borrowed another $8,000 shortly thereafter, the suit claims. She allegedly never paid Leahy back for that money, and soon she and Dunga cut off all contact with Leahy while ignoring his pleas to refund the money, the suit claims. He is now asking a judge to force the two women to pay all of his money back and return the scarf. DailyMail.com has reached out to Leahy's attorney for more information. It remains unclear whether Dunga or Gomez have retained lawyers who could speak on their behalf. Valerie Elliott, a hugely popular Mail on Sunday journalist whose career in newspapers spanned more than four decades, has died aged 67. During her distinguished Fleet Street career, Valerie was a political correspondent at the Sunday Telegraph and The Times, where she was also consumer editor and countryside editor. She joined the MoS in 2011, bringing expertise across a broad number of areas. Colleagues recall her kindness, warmth and generosity. She was particularly encouraging to young reporters. Her family said Valerie was still digging out stories shortly before her death. Mail on Sunday Editor David Dillon said: 'Val was a brilliant journalist of the old school. Her many scoops were won through charm and an impeccable contacts book. She also brought a touch of class to our newsroom. 'She will be sadly missed.' Valerie met her future husband, Tony, while working as a trainee reporter on the Western Mail in Cardiff. She also leaves two sons, James and Charles. Donald Trump mercilessly mocked President Joe Biden for repeatedly tripping up stairs and falling off his bike at CPAC. Trump, 76, who once boarded Air Force One with toilet paper on his shoe, took a dig at the president, 80, at the Conservative Political Action Coalition (CPAC) on Saturday night. 'We all smile when he falls down stairs and things, it's cute, when he falls off his bicycle,' he joked with the crowd, who met him with a roar of laughter. 'You know what amazes me?' he continued. 'The reporters didn't catch him when the bike was going down, they were standing right next to him. They let him fall,' he said nonchalantly. 'It's amazing.' Biden tripped up the stairs of Air Force One last month after a three-day whirlwind visit to Europe, which included a sleepless 10-hour train journey to Ukraine. He also tripped up the same stairs in March 2021 while boarding a flight to Georgia. He also famously fell off his bike near his Delaware beach home after he had trouble removing his feet from the toe clips. Trump, 76, who once boarded Air Force One with toilet paper on his shoe, took a dig at the president, 80, at the Conservative Political Action Coalition (CPAC) on Saturday night. 'We all smile when he falls down stairs and things, it's cute, when he falls off his bicycle,' he joked Biden has fallen multiple nights, including last month while boarding Air Force One (pictured) Trump's dig came just one night after former Arizona governor nominee Kari Lake took a swipe at Hillary Clinton, 76, saying 'she's looking more and more like George Soros,' who is 92. 'I'm not trying to be mean here,' she said. 'I know they think alike, but they're starting to look alike - it's like an old married couple, they're starting to look alike.' The former president also said Biden is 'leading us into oblivion,' before touting off his deportation plans if he is elected president in 2024. 'Under my leadership, we will use all necessary state, local, federal and military resources to carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history,' he said. 'We will pick them up, and we will throw them out of our country and there will be no questions asked.' He also famously fell off his bike near his Delaware home after he had trouble removing his feet from the pedals He also tripped up the same stairs in March while boarding a flight to Georgia (pictured) He can be seen gripping the handrail to hold himself steady Trump also had a special message for the men in the audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference Saturday when he detailed his plans to have 'baby bonuses' for couples - part of his pitch to take the White House again. 'We will support baby boomers and we will support baby bonuses for a new baby boom, how does that sound? I want a baby boom,' Trump said, chuckling, 'You men are so lucky out there. You are so lucky, men.' On Friday, Trump announced he wanted to build up to 10 so-called 'freedom cities,' with flying cars and lots of babies - launching a 'quantum leap' agenda as part of his 2024 presidential run. 'We will hold a competition to build new freedom cities on the frontier to give countless Americans a new shot at home ownership and the American dream,' Trump said during Saturday's address, which ran nearly an hour and 45 minutes. 'We will rename our schools and boulevards not after communists but after great, American patriots,' he continued. 'We will get rid of bad and ugly buildings and return to the magnificent classical style of western civilization.' Oops! President Donald Trump boarded Air Force One with toilet paper stuck onto his left foot in 2018 In a video posted to Truth Social, the ex-president explained that he'd take a tiny percentage of federally owned land and hold a contest for the best ideas, to then build as many as 10 'freedom cities' from scratch. In those cities, there would be 'towering monuments to our true American heroes' and 'vertical take-off and landing vehicles.' 'Just as the United States led the automotive revolution in the last century, I want to ensure that America, not China, leads this revolution in air mobility,' Trump said. Additionally, the cities would be filled with children, with Trump suggesting the federal government during his second term would give out 'baby bonuses' to increase procreation. One of the men arrested after Australian police thwarted an attempt by a Mexican cartel to bring 2.4tonnes of cocaine worth $1billion into the country was reported missing by his family. Filipe Valesu, 30, vanished from his home in Sydney on November 18 sparking a bulletin from NSW Police 12 days later with his picture asking for his whereabouts. He was one of 12 people arrested following the largest drug bust in the history of the country. US authorities intercepted the shipment off the South American coast in late November and alerted WA Police. Australian authorities switched the drugs with fake packages filled with plaster-of-paris before then dropping them off in the ocean 80 kilometres off the coast of WA. The covert international operation saw police drop a fake shipment of cocaine about 40 nautical miles west of Perth, where a shore party allegedly made multiple efforts to locate and retrieve it leading to their arrests WA police make an arrest of one of the alleged smugglers at Hillary's Boat Harbour in WA Filipe Valesu, 30, was reported missing by his Sydney family in November before his arrest on December 31 following the cocaine bust A shore party then allegedly made multiple efforts to locate and retrieve it - as police kept a close watch. They allegedly used two boats, Cool Runnings and The Catalina, to make a number of trips in the vicinity of the dropped packages before they located them. WA Police released extraordinary footage showing several stages of the dramatic operation. In one clip officers heave dozens of large packages, weighing up to 1.2 tonnes, into the ocean during a night-time operation. The huge parcels were so heavy officers were seen having to kick them off the back of the boat before waving goodbye to them. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the team watched the drop-off point for two days using drones and ground crew. They then spotted one boat trying to find the cargo while a second boat joined in. Aerial footage showed three officers sprinting across the beach at Moore River to arrest three of the alleged smugglers in one of the boats. The Catalina searched for the massive drug shipment off the WA coast Cool Runnings also joined the search for the fake drugs on behalf of police and its crew allegedly found them On December 31, nine men were charged with attempting to possess 1.2 tonne of cocaine after search warrants were executed across the metropolitan area. Filipe Valesu was among them after going missing a month earlier when police issued the alert citing concerns from his family over his 'out-of-character' disappearance. 'He was last seen at Sydney Domestic Airport about 8am on Friday (18 November 2022),' police wrote. 'Filipe is described as being of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance, about 175cm tall, of solid build, with black hair and a black beard. He has tribal tattoos on both arms.' It is unclear if his sighting at the airport is linked to his alleged travel to WA. The others arrested include Laban Joshua Saininaivalu, of Champion Lakes, William Seru, of NSW, and Reremoana Kahui Patrick Stanley, of no fixed address, who were allegedly aboard the vessel Cool Runnings, reports The West Australian. American Justin Lujan Wetherbee, and NSW residents Neil Michael McGregor, Kelepi Lovodua, Paul Anthony Masterson, and Issac Henry Rabuatoka were arrested aboard the Catalina and in raids following raids on Perth hotels. They have been charged with attempting to possess cocaine with intent to sell or supply. WA police make an arrest at Hillary's Boat Harbour near Perth following the massive operation Police used drones to keep watch on the decoy drug shipment Following New Year's Eve, another man, Kenny Chen, was arrested and charged with attempting to possess 200kg of cocaine. Further intelligence led officers to a vehicle travelling on the Great Eastern Highway, where they discovered more than $2million in cash and charged another man and a woman. Commissioner Blanch said it was a complex operation involving dozens of specialist officers and detectives. 'This operation has enabled us to draw out those members of the syndicate who were equipped and prepared to receive and distribute a significant amount of illicit drugs within the community, who may have otherwise gone undetected and waited for the next consignment,' he said. 'Our objective is to identify and apprehend those responsible for sending the drugs, but also those onshore criminal syndicates set to receive and profit through distribution in our community. A shattered couple who lost their beloved dog in a rip at a popular beach have shared the last photo they have together with the treasured pet. Georgia Crook was swimming at 11 Mile Beach in Esperance, Western Australia, with her partner Ash Bowman and their two dogs last Saturday. All four had been enjoying an idyllic day at the beach before their Australian Shepherd was sucked into a gap in the nearby reef and carried away. The pair shared the last photo of their precious dog Mushu as they demanded proper warning signs be installed along the beach to prevent a similar tragedy. The last photo Georgia Crook has of her with her beloved dog Mushu, before it got carried away in a rip at 11 Mile Beach Esperenace Dog-owner, Georgia Crook (pictured right), lost her dog Mushu (pictured) after a rip dragged the Australian Shepard into a gap in a reef The photo shows Mushu and another dog playing in the crystal clear water as Ms Crook stands knee deep in the surf. Ms Crook and her partner scoured the area and dove underwater to try and find Mushu after he was taken by the rip but his body never resurfaced. 'It all happened in about in about two seconds and in front of our eyes,' Ms Crook told 7News. 'I knew instantly he was gone and we weren't getting him back. He was helpless. 'It was so heartbreaking.' Mr Bowman attempted to jump into the gap immediately after, calling out to Mushu, but it was too late. The couple turned to a community Facebook group to ask if Mushu had been found by anyone else in the area. It was then that they learnt numerous other dogs have been killed at the same location. The couple scoured the area and dove underwater to try and find Mushu (pictured) but his body tragically never resurfaced A spokesperson for the Shire of Esperance said that they are prioritising the update of safety signage after it was revealed that Mushu is one of many dogs to have been killed there 'So sorry to hear this. Unfortunately, it's not the first time this has happened. It really is dangerous,' one user wrote. 'I worry for anyone swimming near these spots. It should be covered with mesh and sign-posted,' another wrote. 'Sorry to hear about this. I lost my dog many years ago in the same spot,' one pet owner said. Ms Crook said she was concerned about children getting caught in the rip. The Shire of Esperance council said that they are taking steps to prioritise updating signage on water safety. 'The Shire does not have management over this beach, which is why the safety signage we provide is located at the access points,' a spokesperson said. 'We can confirm that Shire officers have already been working in partnership with Surf Life Saving WA, who have carried out a coastal risk assessment and advised on updated signage. 'The coastal hazard signage on the Esperance tourist loop and town areas will be updated as a priority.' Assault happened around 4.15 am on Sunday A man has been rushed to hospital after being found with multiple stab wounds. The 39-year-old was discovered by police after they were called to Binna Burra Street in Villawood, western Sydney, at around 4.15am on Sunday. Police were called out in response to reports of an assault. A man has been rushed to hospital after being found with multiple stab wounds in Sydney's west (stock image) Police are investigating the matter and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward (stock image) Since being taken to hospital the man is reported to be in a serious condition. Police have established a crime scene and are investigating. Anyone with any information about the matter is urged to contact Crimestoppers. Saturday Night Live cold opened with MyPillow's Mike Lindell spouting off that every Dominion voting machine has a 'Venezuelan oompah loompah inside' after he was told by Fox News hosts to 'not say anything crazy' amidst the $1.6billion lawsuit. SNL opened with Fox and Friends anchor impersonators hosting the morning show, tentatively warning their guest 'not to say anything crazy' after Dominion sued the company for billions after hosts endorsed 'stolen election lies.' As MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, played by James Austin Johnson, appeared on the fake show, he immediately been spouting out how he was at a 'Biden dunk tank,' where people can dunk an impersonator underwater, calling the activity a 'blast.' Brian Kilmeade, played by Bowen Yang, immediately begins to warn the CEO, who frequents the real network, to 'please' not 'say anything crazy about dominion' due to the lawsuit. 'Don't worry, I've been briefed, I know the rules,' Lindell confidently says before explaining that 'every Dominion machine has a Venezuelan oompah loompah inside that eats the votes with its little mouth.' SNL opened with MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, played by James Austin Johnson (pictured), spouting off lies about Dominion voting machines amidst the $1.6B lawsuit 'Every Dominion machine has a Venezuelan oompah loompah inside that eats the votes with its little mouth,' Lindell claimed before hosts told him to reel it in Mike Lindell calls into Fox & Friends from this years CPAC pic.twitter.com/OS0vUxuq9I Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) March 5, 2023 Steve Doocy, played by Mikey Day, cuts him off, saying: 'Mike...Mike, got to cut you off there, pal. You know we can't just be saying whatever anymore.' Lindell agrees, saying he'll choose his words carefully. Seconds later, in a sales pitch voice, he spouts off: 'Dominion voting machines give triple votes to Democrats, illegals, and that lady M&M that stopped shaving her pits.' Doocy yells: 'Mike! Mike! We're going to have to end it there!' Lindell agrees its 'for the best' before pulling out a MyPillow with a woman's face drawn on it which he called his 'wife,' before revealing the Dominion lawsuit has been a 'nightmare' for him and his business. Last month, Fox Corporation Chairman Rupert Murdoch admitted that some of his Fox News hosts 'endorsed' false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump in his deposition for the $1.6 billion lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems. Murdoch denied that Fox as a network endorsed the claims, but admitted a collection of his hosts shared the 'stolen election lies', according to a transcript of the billionaire's sworn testimony from last month. 'They endorsed,' Murdoch said of hosts Jeanine Pirro, Sean Hannity, Lou Dobbs and Maria Bartiromo. He said that former host Dobbs did 'a lot' and Hannity did 'a bit.' 'I would have liked us to be stronger in denouncing it in hindsight,' Murdoch added. Brian Kilmeade, played by Bowen Yang (right), immediately begins to warn the CEO, who frequents the real network, to 'please don't say anything crazy about dominion' due to the lawsuit Mikey Day played Fox and Friends host Steve Doocy (left), Heidi Garner played Ainsley Earhardt (middle), and Yang played Kilmeade (right) Fox Corp's Rupert Murdoch admitted that his Fox News hosts promoted false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump in a court deposition Dominion alleged that Fox broadcast comments made by Trump-affiliated lawyers Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani that defamed the voting company. A Fox News spokeswoman called Dominion's argument in the filing 'an extreme, unsupported view of defamation law that would prevent journalists from basic reporting.' The representative also claimed the company is 'cherry-picking soundbites, omitting key context and mischaracterizing the record.' In his deposition, Murdoch also said that hosts who knew they were promoting lies should be 'reprimanded, maybe got rid of.' China announced it will boost its military budget by nearly $230 billion this year amid concerns it will launch an invasion of Taiwan. The money is set to 'boost combat preparedness and enhance military capabilities,' claimed Premier Li Keqiang ahead of a draft budget presented to the National People's Congress in Beijing. It means China's military spending will grow at its fastest pace in four years and take up a larger share of its economy, marking the reversal of a two-decade trend which has seen the nation prioritize growth over its military capabilities. Defense expenditure will increase by 7.2 percent in 2023 which works out as $224 billion - way ahead of the 5.7 percent increase in general public expenditure. The move will no doubt spook the US government which is concerned by Beijing's strategic intentions in the wake of rising tensions with Taiwan. President Xi Jinping attends China's National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing China announced it will boost its military budget by nearly $230 billion this year - or 7.2 percent of its spending It marks the reversal of a two-decade trend in which China has prioritized economic growth over military spending In his work report to the annual session of parliament, Li said: 'Our armed forces, with a focus on the goals for the centenary of the People's Liberation Army in 2027, should work to carry out military operations, boost combat preparedness and enhance military capabilities.' Beijing is nervous about challenges on fronts including Taiwan - the self-governing island democracy that China claims as its territory to be brought under its control by force if necessary. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spiked China's rage last August with a visit to Taipei. In retaliation, China staged war games near Taiwan. There has since been a steady flow of weapons sales to the island from the U.S., including ground systems, air defense missiles and F-16 fighters. Taiwan itself recently extended mandatory military service from four months to one year and has been revitalizing its own defense industries, including building submarines for the first time. In his remarks on Taiwan, Li said the government had followed the partys 'overall policy for the new era on resolving the Taiwan question and resolutely fought against separatism and countered interference.' Along with Taiwan, tensions have been rising with the U.S. over China's militarization of islands in the South China Sea, which it claims virtually in its entirety, and most recently, the shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon over the U.S. east coast. Attendees of the National People's Congress were all flanked in face masks (L-R) Li Zhanshu of National People's Congress, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang arrive for the opening session of the conference on March 4 The huge capacity of China's defense industry and Russias massive expenditures of artillery shells and other materiel in its war on Ukraine have raised concerns in the U.S. and elsewhere that Beijing may provide Moscow with military assistance. The 2 million-member People's Liberation Army is the military wing of the ruling Communist Party, commanded by a party commission led by president and party leader Xi Jinping. On Sunday Premier Li Keqiang said that over the past year, 'We remained committed to the Partys absolute leadership over the peoples armed forces.' 'The peoples armed forces intensified efforts to enhance their political loyalty, to strengthen themselves through reform, scientific and technological advances, and personnel training, and to practice law-based governance,' he said. Li went on to hail a number of 'major achievements' in national defense and military development that have made the PLA a 'more modernized and capable fighting force.' China spent 1.7% of GDP on its military in 2021, according to the World Bank, while the U.S., with its massive overseas obligations, spent a relatively high 3.5%. But China's defense spending has remained relatively high despite skyrocketing levels of government debt. It also comes as the nation's economy grew at its slowest level in at least four decades last year. Li set a growth target of around 5% in his address, as he announced plans for a consumer-led revival of the economy still struggling to shake off the effects of 'zero-COVID.' While the government says most of the spending increases will go toward improving welfare for troops, the PLA has greatly expanded its overseas presence in recent years. China has already established one foreign military base in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti and is refurbishing Cambodias Ream Naval Base that could give it at least a semi-permanent presence on the Gulf of Thailand facing the disputed South China Sea. Many of the half million international students studying in Australia have found their living conditions are far worse than their home countries. Busted toilets, bed bugs and overcrowded apartments are just some of what they are forced to put up with, with one student saying his flat is 'a thousand times worse than Bangladesh'. Australia's broader rental crisis has also been made worse by restrictions on the hours foreign students are allowed to work, restricting their scope for affording a nicer place. When engineering student Rafiul Hossain was about to leave Bangladesh for Sydney he knew from online searches that it would be tough to find accommodation. He hoped to at least find a place to live close to his Macquarie University campus in northern Sydney, but ended up in a 'barely liveable' unit in Lakemba - about an hour away on public transport. Rafiul Hossain from Bangladesh (pictured) hoped to find a place close to his Macquarie University campus in northern Sydney, but ended up in a 'barely liveable' place 20km away His flat had a broken door, a busted toilet and a bed with bugs crawling all over it. Mr Hossain said his homeland of Bangladesh is well known as a third-world country, 'but the place I'm currently staying is a thousand times worse than Bangladesh. 'After two days of long flights, I was hoping to get a good night's sleep, only to end up in a bed full of mites,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald. Mr Hossain's flat had a broken door, a busted toilet and a bed with bugs (pictured) crawling around it Another international student, Anna, paid $180 a week to share her first apartment in Haymarket in the Sydney CBD with 11 others four people per room in bunk beds. They couldn't open the blinds because the building management sometimes flew drones to see how many people were living there, as the building was known for people leasing it out to more than legally allowed. A survey of 7,000 international students found a quarter were sharing a bedroom with someone who wasn't their partner, and 3 per cent were 'hot-bedding'. Hot-bedding is where multiple students share one bed on a roster. Though the survey was carried out pre-Covid, the problem is likely to be even worse now with students flooding back to Australia in the midst of a rental crisis where national vacancy rates are at a record low of 1 per cent. A major factor in preventing foreign students finding a better place to live is the cost, which is not helped by the limit placed on the hours they can can legally work. The pre-pandemic limit of 40 hours per fortnight has been raised to 48 by the federal government, but Indian student Kartika Dilip Kharat said an extra four hours a week won't make much difference. The Macquarie University master's student pointed out that Sydney is an expensive place to live and that she 'would prefer to work as much as possible'. She said there should be no restrictions on how many hours foreign students are allowed to work as it helps them to pay their fees, accommodation and expenses. It is not just the students who want to be able to work more hours, employers do too, including Ken Rosebery, the former managing director of The Cheesecake Shop. Sydney-based Indian student Kartika Dilip Kharat (pictured) would like to be able to work more hours than the 48 hours per fortnight she is limited to In a submission to the Senate's economics reference committee, he wrote 'What's the government doing in the business of trying to determine what the appropriate hours of work are for a student? 'They don't do it for domestic students,' he said. 'It seems like you're punishing both the foreign students and the employers for no particular gain.' Top 10 countries for international students studying in Australia China - 156,217 students India - 100,302 Nepal - 57,182 Colombia - 22,662 Vietnam - 22,521 Thailand - 19,362 Brazil - 19,057 Philippines - 17,976 Indonesia - 16,914 Pakistan - 15,875 Source: Department of Education, January-December 2022 Advertisement The work restrictions can also lead to students working cash-in-hand jobs to get around the limits. But this often means they will be paid far below the minimum wage and are unlikely to complain in case it affects their visa. An arrangement between the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Department of Home Affairs allows student visa holders to report being underpaid without fear of their visa being cancelled, even if they've breached their conditions. But fewer than 200 international students used the amnesty. A study of 2,472 students by the Migrant Justice Institute found 77 per cent of them were paid below the minimum casual wage, with 26 per cent getting $12 an hour or less. The institute's co-executive director Bassina Farbenblum said 'if international students are too scared to come forward because they think it will affect their visa nothing's going to work'. And nothing is likely to change in the immediate future, with international students being very attractive to Australian universities because of the huge fees they pay. For example, in the University of Sydney, international students pay about $48,000 a year for an undergraduate business degree, but local students pay less than a third of that - $15,142. Fees paid by foreign students make up 38 per cent of the University of Sydney's total operating revenue and 77 per cent of its income from all students. Natasya Zahra, an Indonesian woman who studied in Sydney, said that the fees for international students compared to what domestic students are charged leaves a bad taste in her mouth. 'I feel like studying and living are almost two separate experiences in Australia,' she said. Firefighters and tactical officers pictured at the scene A man has been arrested after barricading himself inside a home for several hours and allegedly surrounding himself with fire accelerant. The man, 45, locked himself inside a home on Richmond Avenue in Auburn, in Sydney's west, at about 1:35pm on Sunday afternoon. Police, firefighters and tactical officers in camouflage gear have been pictured standing outside the house. Daily Mail Australia understands the man had poured a fire accelerant throughout the home. A NSW Police spokesperson said police had responded to reports of a domestic incident at the Richmond Avenue home. A man has barricaded himself inside a home in an ongoing standoff with police (pictured, tactical officers outside the home) The man locked himself inside a home in Auburn, in Sydney's west, at about 1:30pm on Sunday (pictured, fire crews outside the house) Officers spent almost four hours negotiating with the man before he was arrested. 'On arrival, officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command found a man had barricaded himself within the premises,' the statement read. 'A perimeter was established, and with assistance from police negotiators and the Tactical Operations Unit, the man was arrested about 5.20pm. 'The 45-year-old was arrested and taken to hospital for observation.' A man shot dead by police had been threatening family members with a shovel before he lunged at officers with two knives. Two general duties cops attended a house in Yagoona in Sydney's south-west shortly before 9am on Sunday on a domestic violence call-out when they were confronted by Hilal Barbour, 29, reports 9 News. NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith confirmed he had earlier wielded the shovel at members of his household, sparking the call to police, but had switched to the knives before police knocked on the door. He said the officers backed away from the house but the man then pursued them outside, wildly slashing in their direction. 'The junior officer deployed a taser, and that had an impact on the 29-year-old, however he used the knives to disable that device,' he told reporters. William Street in Yagoona, south-west Sydney was swarming with police on Sunday after a man brandishing two knives attacked police and was shot The knife-wielding man was rushed to hospital in a critical condition with wounds to his chest 'The individual tried to slash and stab the female officer. She lost her footing, she fell backwards. He continued the attack.' The assailant's attention was drawn to the male officer, who then fired three rounds, hitting the man in the chest. The two officers then performed CPR until paramedics arrived. 'I can only describe it as a very frightening event for both police and anyone who witnessed it,' Assistant Commissioner Smith said. '(The officers) didn't expect to be confronted by such a vicious attack.' The man was rushed to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition but later died. The two officers were uninjured apart from a small knife wound on the male officer's neck. A local resident told Daily Mail Australia they heard gun shots then someone screaming: 'You shot my brother! You shot my brother!'. A large group of men claiming to be relatives of the man were later seen briefly arguing with officers after they were prevented from crossing police tape. It is understood the man had a history of mental health problems. It is not known if any people inside the house were injured. The family declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. A critical incident team comprised of officers from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad will now investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the discharge of a police firearm. Bodycam and CCTV footage will be examined and the investigation will be subject to independent review. A report will be prepared for the coroner. A large group of people gathered near the cordoned off area on the suburban street The incident will be investigated by detectives form the homicide squad and be subject to an independent review The incident follows another man who was shot dead by officers in Auburn police station after lunging at officers with a knife. The Indian national had moments earlier stabbed a cleaner at nearby Auburn train station about 12am on Tuesday. The officers worked to save the 32-year-old man's life but he was later declared dead at the scene by paramedics. Detectives from the counter terrorism squad are investigating that stabbing. The US military is training two Ukrainian pilots on American soil to gauge how much time they would need in order to learn how to fly fighter jets such as the F-16. The pair are being taught using flight simulators at a base in Tucson, Arizona, a senior US official told NBC News. The official said that neither pilot will fly actual aircraft during their time in the US. As many as ten more pilots will arrive this month for similar training referred to as a 'familiarization event.' 'The program is about assessing their abilities as pilots so we can better advise them on how to use capabilities they have and we have given them,' the official told the network. The official went on to 'stress' that this is not an official training program and is not an indicator that President Joe Biden will be sending F-16s to Ukraine, amid calls from both sides of aisle for him to do so. Biden said in an ABC News interview last week that hes not ready to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine The president continues to face calls from both sides of the aisle to send F-16s to help the Ukrainian effort The Biden administration and Congress has set aside a staggering $113 billion in American taxpayer funds for Ukraine in a conflict that has no end in sight Biden said in an ABC News interview last week that hes not ready to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been pressing the US and allies for jets, but White House officials have pushed back that they are not the weaponry that Ukrainians need in the near term. 'There is no basis on which there is a rationale, according to our military now to provide F-16s,' Biden said. 'I am ruling it out for now.' The Washington Post editorial board called on Biden to send F-16s, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. said in a tweet Biden ruling it out was 'disappointing.' 'It has been like pulling teeth with this Administration to get every weapons system requested by Ukraine to the battlefield.' On the other hand Smith defended the Biden administration, arguing 'what we are giving Ukraine is those weapons systems they need.' 'There is not a decision being made about whether it is too escalatory,' he insisted. In total, Ukraine is ready to send 20 pilots to the US for training. 'It is a routine activity as part of our military-to-military dialogue with Ukraine,' the official said. 'The familiarization event is essentially a discussion between the Air Force personnel and an observation of how the U.S. Air Force operates. This event allows us to better help Ukrainian pilots become more effective pilots and better advise them on how to develop their own capabilities,' they continued. Colin Kahl, undersecretary of defense policy, insisted US F-16 fighter jets are not a top priority for Ukraine and would take 18-24 months to get them up and running in the war zone This week, Colin Kahl, undersecretary of defense policy, also insisted US F-16 fighter jets are not a top priority for Ukraine and would take 18-24 months to get them up and running in the war zone. The comments came at a House Armed Services Committee (HASC) hearing on Ukraine oversight Tuesday. It comes amid a growing split in the Republican Party between those who favor more aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia and those who have grown tired of pouring billions into an overseas war that's now lasted over a year. 'US military aid to Ukraine exceeds the costs of Afghanistan. Enough is enough,' Texas GOP Rep. Troy Nehls tweeted Tuesday. F-16 fighter jet Origin: US Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corp. Manufactured: 1978 to present Speed: 1,500 mph (Mach 2) Range: 2,002 miles Armor: 20mm cannon; external stations can carry up to six air-to-air missiles Cost: $18million Advertisement Robert Storch, Inspector General of the Department of Defense, insisted that there are over 20 ongoing and planned audits and evaluations of the over $113 billion in combined military, economic and humanitarian aid the U.S. has given Ukraine since Russia invaded. He said his agency would have an oversight report on Ukraine aid made available in April. 'We don't see any evidence of diversion in our reporting,' Kahl added. 'We think the Ukrainians are using properly what they've been given.' But Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz was not convinced. He asked Storch four times in a row to say whether the aid to Ukraine complied with End Use Monitoring, a provision of the 1996 Arms Control Act that requires the U.S. to ensure weapons it hands over to other nations are being used for their intended purposes. 'You cannot testify truthfully under oath that the DOD has complied with the policy and law regarding end use monitoring during all times of this conflict, isn't that right?' Gaetz pressed. 'I wanna be careful here,' Storch said. 'We are conducting a series of evaluations that look at the controls that DOD has in place to ensure that they are taking the steps required.' 'You're sorta dodging the question,' he told Storch as the OIG repeated that investigations were ongoing. 'I get that it's ongoing - I'm looking backwards. You cannot testify that everything has complied with the law of end use monitoring can you?' Gaetz said. 'So some of that gets into the classified report,' said Storch. Officials say that the Ukrainian pilots are in the US to be assessed 'I don't know why that report's classified. I think the American people deserve to know if the 1996 law is being followed,' said Gaetz. 'You can't testify that it is being followed so I think they can draw reasonable conclusions from that.' Asked if the 20 audits did anything to assuage his concerns, Gaetz told DailyMail.com: 'I've read the results of some of those audits. And having read the results i remain deeply concerned about End Use Monitoring.' Armed Services chairman Rep. Mike Rogers instead criticized President Biden for being 'overly worried that giving Ukraine what it needs to win would be too escalatory.' Democrat Ranking Member Adam Smith, meanwhile, struck a more cautious tone with Ukraine aid. 'No blank check means no blank check. It means we don't just send everything that people ask for in the blink of an eye without even thinking about it. Okay, we think about it and we get the Ukrainians what they really need,' he said. Meanwhile, another four lawmakers, mostly on the Armed Services Committee, signed onto a 16-member bipartisan letter calling on the Biden administration to give F-16 fighter jets or similar fourth generation aircraft to Ukraine. But Smith poured cold water on the idea of giving F-16s to Ukraine. 'We determined that is not a wise use of the resources that are necessary to win the fight. That's what no blank check means,' he said. US aerospace company Lockheed Martin said it will build more F-16s (pictured) to 'backfill' any European countries who wish to supply their own jets to Ukraine via a third-party transfer Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured on January 24) is now pushing for Western fourth generation fighter jets such as the US F-16, which can reach speeds of more than 1,200mph, to be sent to Ukraine after securing supplies of main battle tanks from Germany and the US Kahl had said that it would take 18-24 months to get a full fleet of operational F-16s in Ukraine as he said Ukrainians are more concerned with other weapons systems. 'It is a priority for the Ukrainians, but it is not one of their top three priorities,' Kahl said. Kahl said at the hearing the U.S. had not begun any sort of training of Ukraine pilots on the F-16. 'I think it's crazy,' Gaetz told DailyMail.com of the F-16 push from his colleagues on Armed Services. 'I'm worried when I hear the push [for F-16s] because it seems as though the thing that directly precedes us sending something to Ukraine is the Biden administration saying we're not gonna do it,' Gaetz said. 'That's what they said about the stingers, the Abrams, the HIMARS, now its what they're saying about the F-16s. Certainly Lockheed thinks there's gonna be F-16s going they're already spinning up production.' Kahl also pushed back about the assertion that the Biden administration had been behind the ball on providing Ukraine with assistance over concerns of escalation. 'As a general matter I do not think we are holding back security assistance from Ukraine largely for escalatory reasons,' he said, adding he was 'relatively comfortable about where we are on the escalatory dynamic.' Kahl, meanwhile, insisted that Ukraine will not lose, despite reports that Russia is readying a spring offensive. 'I think we know one conclusion for sure: Russia has lost,' he said. They will emerge from this conflict a shattered military power.' 'Ukraine is not going to lose,' said Kahl, adding that there could be minor territorial changes over the coming months but nothing major. 'The Russians do not have the capacity to take over Ukraine,' he added. Kahl said he does not anticipate Russia will use nuclear weapons, even though Vladimir Putin officially signed a law Tuesday suspending the new START treaty, Russia's last standing arms control treaty with the U.S. 'We've made it very clear to Russia at the highest levels that any use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine on any scale would be considered a world-changing event,' Kahl said. He issued a threat: 'A lot of restraints we've been operating under would no longer pertain.' Kahl said that Russia suspending START was Putin's way to 'generate some rhetorical headlines' but will have little practical effect. But asked about his GOP colleagues' claims the Biden administration was too hesitant to provide weapons based on fears of escalation, Gaetz said: 'I fear nuclear weapons from Russia more than I fear broken tanks from Russia.' Runaway aristocrat Constance Marten was allegedly 'groomed' by the leader of a Nigerian sect as a teenager, it is being reported. The 35-year-old, who has been charged with manslaughter of her baby 'Victoria' by way of gross neglect along with her lover Mark Gordon, spent six months in a compound near the country's capital of Lagos as a teen. While there it is thought she was forced to stay in a dormitory of 50 girls who were watched over by armed guards, starved, woken for biblical readings and made to call the leader 'daddy'. One ex-partner said her time there had left her traumatised, while a former member of the same cult revealed she would have been forced to take part in 'intense' work while on the compound. Marten and Gordon currently remain in custody after a seven-week manhunt for them and their child came to an end last week, ahead of a hearing at the Old Bailey later this month about their involvement in Victoria's death. Constance Marten, pictured, was allegedly 'groomed' by a Nigerian sect leader after being sent to Lagos as a teen Constance Marten (far right), pictured here with her lover Mark Gordon (far left) in a courtroom sketch, is accused of manslaughter by way of gross neglect Marten, who grew up on a 100million estate in Dorset and whose grandmother was goddaughter of the late Queen Mother, is believed to have travelled to Nigeria when she was in her teens. In Lagos she joined the Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), a Christian sect led by televangelist Temitope Balogun Joshua, more popularly known as TB Joshua. Joe Hurst, a former British soldier who joined the group but left before Marten arrived in 2006, said she spoke to him years later to say she and other white people at the compound were humiliated by the controversial pastor. Speaking to The Independent, Mr Hurst said she claimed she had been forced to eat Joshua's leftovers and had been placed in social exile - a punishment given to members who were not 'focused enough' on the pastor or who spoke about their lives before entering the compound. He added that when speaking about what happened in the compound, she asked: 'How could God allow this to happen to us?' Matthew McNaught, author of a book about the megachurch, said she had contacted him several years later as she was 'trying to get her head around what happened to her', adding: 'she was confused and traumatised'. The church has been involved in a number of controversies, with fellow other Nigerian pastors calling Joshua, who died in 2021 at the age of 57, an 'imposter'. In April 2021 YouTube suspended his channel, Emmanuel TV, after he claimed homosexuality was the result of possession by demonic spirits. It is claimed that Marten spent time in a compound run by the Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), a Christian sect led by televangelist Temitope Balogun Joshua (pictured) Marten, pictured here leaving Crawley Magistrates' Court on Friday, has been charged with manslaughter by way of gross neglect, concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice Marten's ex-partner Francis Agolo, 44, was quoted by The Sun as saying the experience in Nigeria seemed to have been 'traumatic' for her, adding: 'She [Marten] would clam up when talking about her time there.' He added: 'When I knew Constance, she was caring and loving. It seems very out of character.' Marten had previously opened up about the experience in an interview with Cosmopolitan magazine, in which she revealed she was one of 50 girls who shared a dormitory in a religious cult. She added: 'The leader looked me in the eye and said, "Your family doesn't matter anymore. I'm your father now."' Marten and Gordon, 48, have been charged with manslaughter by way of gross neglect, concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice after 'Victoria' was found in a shed in Brighton on Wednesday. A hearing before magistrates in Crawley on Friday was told the girl was found wrapped in a plastic bag and buried under a pile of nappies in an allotment. It was a tragic conclusion to a 53-day nationwide search for the couple, who went missing in January, sparking concern for their welfare and that of the child. The aristocrat was seen smiling and blowing a kiss at Gordon in front of a packed courtroom hearing, during which they spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth and that they were of no fixed abode. Jeremy King, prosecuting, told Court 1 in Crawley Magistrates': 'It was on Jan 5 this year a placenta was discovered in an abandoned motor vehicle with Miss Marten's passport next to it. Miss Marten had been in a relationship with Mr Gordon since 2015.' He said a missing person campaign was launched. Mr King said the couple had been travelling around the country by using taxis and staying in hotels. In Whitechapel they were spotted buying camping equipment and were last seen in Newhaven on CCTV close to the ferry. Mr King said: 'Initially they refused to answer any questions by the police. An extensive search was carried out in an overgrown allotment plot. 'Inside a locked shed, wrapped in plastic bag under nappies the baby was found inside. Life was pronounced extinct.' Floral tributes left to baby Victoria close to the allotment where her body was found in a plastic bag The magistrates in Crawley were told the court case was going to be transferred to the Central Criminal Court in London. Lewes Power KQ , defending for Marten, said that while there would be no application for bail on behalf of Marten today but he was 'putting the court on notice' there would be one at a future date. Marten and Gordon had been arrested by police in the Hollingbury area of Brighton on Monday night, after they were spotted earlier in the day by a member of the public. It brought to an end a nationwide police hunt that began when they fled seven weeks ago with their baby - but when they were found by police the child was nowhere to be seen, However the couple were without their baby newborn when officers swooped in to arrest them. Detectives from Sussex and the Metropolitan Police launched a huge search of an public allotments close to where they were arrested. Search teams with sniffer dogs, drones, helicopters and officers using heat-seeking equipment struggled to find the body. They alerted police who immediately swooped on an area of woodland and allotments not yet searched by officers. At a press conference Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford of the Met Police said it was clear the baby's remains had been there for 'several weeks'. Marten and Gordon are set to appear before the Old Bailey on March 31. Workers could get annual 'health appraisals' under government plans to crack down on long-term sickness. Ministers are looking at giving companies generous subsidies to provide occupational health services. The move - a trial of which is expected to be announced by Jeremy Hunt in the Budget next week - has emerged from Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride's review of surging economic inactivity. The number of working-age people who are classed as inactive has topped nine million - 6.6million excluding students - with health issues often blamed. According to the Sunday Times, the initiative could mean annual 'health MOTs' alongside normal appraisals to identify issues such as obesity. It has apparently been backed by Health Secretary Steve Barclay who wants a greater focus on illness prevention to reduce the pressure on the NHS. Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride has been carrying out a review of surging economic inactivity in the labour force The scale of the Covid hit to the UK workforce was laid bare last week as ONS figures showed inactivity numbers have risen nearly twice as fast as expected ONS projections have found that based on population changes alone inactivity could see a further 317,000 rise by 2026 A government source told the paper: 'The more we can mobilise employers to do more testing, the quicker we can start to pick up on conditions before employees even know they have got a problem. 'Just like having an annual appraisal, you would have an annual health MoT, which would then be used to direct individuals to the most appropriate place for support.' In a worrying sign for Mr Hunt's Budget package, the OBR watchdog is said to be sceptical about the government's prospects of cutting inactivity levels - which will be key for future economic performance. Discussions have been held with bodies such as the Confederation of British Industry, British Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses. Large companies typically have in-house occupational health, or use private providers. However, ministers acknowledge it can be prohibitively expensive for smaller firms. Mr Hunt is expected to announce a trial that could allow SMEs to claim back 80 per cent of the costs of occupational health services. The scheme would be expanded later if it shows promise. The scale of the Covid hit to the UK workforce was laid bare last week as figures showed inactivity numbers have risen nearly twice as fast as expected. Just 59 per cent of the half-a-million strong increase in those classed as economically inactive - not working despite being the right age - can be explained by demographic changes. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) modelled how factors such as the ageing population should be affecting the workforce, and then compared those estimates to what had actually happened. It concluded that overall around 200,000 of the rise was not down to demographics. That change was focused almost entirely in two age groups. In the 18-24 range inactivity was projected to fall by 18,000 - but in fact had risen 29,000 by the third quarter of last year. Jeremy Hunt is expected to use his Budget next week to announce a trial that could allow SMEs to claim back 80 per cent of the costs of occupational health services Despite the surge, inactivity numbers look to have been offset by a dramatic fall in stay-at-home parents In the 45-59 age band there was expected to be a fall of 5,000 in inactivity, but the number actually rose 200,000. The article examined reasons for inactivity, and found that long-term sickness increased by 462,000 over the three years. The model suggested the figure should have been just 41,000. In the younger age groups increases were attributed to more people being students, but also a surge in 'mental illness and nervous disorders'. In the older age bracket the issues seem to be more to do with health than early retirement, as has been mooted previously. It was mainly attributed to 'other health problems or disabilities' - which could include long Covid - and 'problems connected with back or neck'. There was a 44,000 spike in numbers who were inactive because they had retired early, but the demographic model suggested that figure should have been 87,000. 'The increase in the number of people retiring early may be smaller than expected because of the recent policy changes to the state pension age,' the article said. If you need support, call Lifeline on 13 11 144 She was left nothing of his $1million estate in will Former escort and exotic dancer Gabi Grecko has revealed she suffered 'brutal verbal attacks' during her marriage to businessman Geoffrey Edelsten. The aspiring rapper said after being subject to a particularly harsh verbal spray she threw herself off the fourth-floor balcony of their Melbourne apartment. Ms Grecko first met the former doctor on a dating app in 2014. She boarded a flight from New York a week later and married the businessman in June, 2015. When Edelsten died in June of 2021, Ms Grecko said she believed they were still legally married and referred to herself as his 'widow'. But she received nothing of Edelston's estate, estimated to be worth about $1million, in his final will and has launched legal action with the Supreme Court of Victoria. In an affidavit submitted to the court, Ms Grecko said she had miscarried after the suicide attempt and was left with numerous broken bones, the Herald Sun reports. Former high-class escort Gabi Grecko has revealed she suffered 'brutal verbal attacks' during her marriage to businessman Geoffrey Edelsten (the pair are pictured in 2014) Ms Grecko (pictured) said after being subject to a particularly harsh verbal spray she threw herself off the fourth-floor balcony of their Melbourne apartment 'Despite our marriage, sadly, Geoffrey was often unpleasant and verbally abusive to me,' she claims in the legal document. 'He was extremely controlling, constantly wanting to know what I was doing. After a particularly brutal verbal attack from Geoffrey in 2015, I jumped from the apartment's fourth floor balcony.' Ms Grecko said she suffered broken ribs, a fractured hip, chronic pain and a collapsed lung, resulting in four weeks of treatment at The Alfred Hospital. 'I was pregnant at the time of the suicide attempt and as a result of the fall I miscarried,' she wrote. 'Unfortunately, despite my suicide attempt, Geoffrey's behaviour towards me continued to be abusive, controlling and quite frightening.' Ms Grecko said after she threatened to return to New York, Edelsten would hide her passport and mobile phone and accuse of her taking items from their apartment. Edelston asked Ms Grecko to marry him in the Flemington Birdcage on Melbourne Cup Day in 2014, with a $50,000 engagement ring. They tied the knot in an elaborate ceremony in June, 2015 when Ms Grecko was 26 and Edelston was 72, an age difference of 46 years. The pair had an on-again-off-again relationship and had an age difference of 46 years Ms Grecko received nothing of Edelston's estate, estimated to be worth about $1million, in his will and has launched legal action with the Supreme Court of Victoria However, the marriage was short-lived, with the couple splitting a few months later. In 2017, they had some 'frank discussions' about Edelsten's 'abusive behaviour' toward her, Ms Grecko states in the affidavit. 'Those discussions were positive and we agreed that we would renew our marriage vows in a Jewish synagogue in New York. Geoffrey asked me to convert to Judaism and I agreed to do so,' she said. While their marriage vows were never renewed, Ms Grecko wrote that they usually reconciled after disagreements before finally becoming estranged in 2020. 'For the last year of Geoffrey's life, we were estranged, although I had hoped that we might reconcile. I had always considered myself married to Geoffrey,' she said. The former escort claimed that up until a few weeks ago she had thought she was still legally married to Edelston when he died. The former escort and exotic dancer (pictured) has claimed that up until a few weeks ago she had thought she was still legally married to Edelston when he died Edelsten's second wife Brynne Gordon (left) and his son Matthew Beard (right) have also launched legal action in order to contest the will. She claims she was served divorce papers electronically in September 2019 to two email accounts she hadn't used in years. Ms Grecko has admitted to struggling to make ends meet and is asking the court to provide her with funds from his estate for her 'proper maintenance and support'. 'I am a person for whom my Geoffrey had a moral responsibility to provide for my proper maintenance and support, and that he failed to make adequate provision for me in his last will,' she states. Edelsten's second wife Brynne Gordon and his son Matthew Beard have also launched legal action in order to contest the will. Mr Beard, who lives in America, is arguing he deserves bigger portion of his father's assets, while Ms Gordon claims she is entitled to a slice of what's left. This is the moment a violent thug launched an unprovoked attack on a young woman and man near Glasgow train station. Shocking footage shows the man viciously punching the pair as they stood outside the offices of a charity in Argyle Street, near Glasgow Central train station. The incident, which took place at around 11pm on Friday night, is alleged to have left the pair with a 'sore head' and 'sore face', with the police now believed to be involved. CCTV footage shows a man, who can be seen carrying a bottle, stagger past the pair, before turning around and facing up to the young woman. He continues to follow her in an aggressive manner as she tries to get away, before she pushes him away and her male friend tries to intervene. CCTV footage shows the thug viscously attacking the young woman and man as they stood outside a building in Glasgow city centre The thug then launches a vicious attack, punching the young man in the head and throwing a second punch at him as his victim staggers back. He then turns around and hits the woman in the head, causing her to drop her phone on the floor, before moving out of shot. The man and woman were helped by volunteers from local charity Homeless Project Scotland, who gave them first aid. Footage of the attack shared on social media has been viewed more than 2million times on Twitter, with a man claiming to be the woman's uncle saying: 'This d**k attacked my niece and her pal for no reason.' CCTV footage shows a man, who can be seen carrying a bottle, stagger past the pair, before turning around and facing up to the young woman Footage shows the man punching one of the victims in the head He added that his niece had a 'sore head' and her friend a 'sore face', before adding the police will be 'visiting her on Wednesday, thankfully Homeless Project Scotland were fantastic with them'. A spokesperson from Homeless Project Scotland told GlasgowLive: 'Last week it was food crashed to the ground this week, it's members of the public minding there own business and getting attacked. 'Homeless Project Scotland volunteers provided first aid and supported the people who where assaulted and they where advised it was best to report it to the police. 'We really need a building to bring people inside to a warm safe space. We hope people decide to donate instead of show hate.' A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 1.45 pm on Saturday, 4 March 2023, a report was made to police with regard to the assault of a woman and man on Argyle Street, under the Central Station Bridge, on Friday, 3 March 2023, around 11.10 pm. Enquiries in to the incident are ongoing.' A spokesperson for the force later confirmed: 'A 33-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident. He is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, 6 March, 2023. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.' But TfL now looking at how ANPR cameras could form part of road user charging Sadiq Khan has asked Transport for London to look into using ULEZ cameras to charge car users in a 'pay-as-you-drive' scheme in the capital. The London Mayor has faced a backlash over the expansion to Outer London, dragging millions more into the orbit of paying 12.50 a day for using polluting from August. Tory MPs, amid growing signs of unrest within Mr Khan's own Labour party, have been vocal in their criticism of the scheme, with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson accusing the Mayor of wanting to 'rake in money from motorists'. But the Mr Khan has now admitted Transport for London is also looking into developing a scheme in which more 'sophisticated technology' could be used to charge road users, The Telegraph reports. Speaking at the London Assembly this week in response to a question, he added: 'ANPR cameras could form part of the potential operation of such a scheme but no proposals have been developed.' The London mayor pictured at a People's Question Time in Ealing, west London, on Thursday night Tory MPs, as well as growing signs of unrest within Mr Khan's own party, have been vocal in their criticism of the ULEZ expansion As part of the ULEZ expansion, TfL is planning to erect around 2,750 additional cameras - with 300 already installed across some boroughs. But Tory members of the London Assembly argue Mr Khan's response is an indication of his plans to use the camera network to implement road user charging. READ MORE: Fury as 'disgraceful' Sadiq Khan is slammed for 'smearing' critics of his war on London's motorists as 'far Right' and 'Covid deniers' London mayor Sadiq Khan was holding a People's Question Time in Ealing when the extraordinary confrontation developed Advertisement Mr Khan has previously revealed he wants to impose a network of 'Singapore-style' toll roads throughout London as part of efforts to improve the capital's air quality. He said the 'nearest comparator' for his road user charging plans was Singapore, which has 'electronic road pricing' which uses sensors attached to gantries over main roads to capture number plates. These sensors track at what time drivers are using certain roads and charges them a toll based on these factors, for example rush-hour traffic on a busy road being more expensive. But this change is not currently possible in London as 'the technology is not there' However, cameras introduced as part of the ULEZ expansion could be used to monitor the distances drivers travel, where they are travelling and the level of emissions their vehicles emit - with fears drivers may be charged by the mile. It comes as City Hall's Transport Committee last month launched a consultation into the 'potential introduction of variable or distanced-based smarter road user charging'. The scope of the consultation adds: 'For Londoners, the potential introduction of variable or distanced-based smarter road user charging would be the biggest change in how daily transport is paid for since the introduction of Oyster and the Congestion Charge nearly 20 years ago.' And during a City Hall Transport Committee meeting on Tuesday, TfL's director of strategy Christina Calderato said it was keen to plough ahead with the plan at the 'earliest possible stage'. Protestors took to the streets of London calling for the proposed 'Khanage' to be halted A mayoral answer last week is understood to have said the latest any new system is introduced should be no later than the end of the decade, while TfL began hiring software engineers last summer. But a spokesperson for Mr Khan said the road user charging scheme is just one of multiple options being assessed and would look at the availability of public transport in the given area, along with employment and income. A statement added: 'Any formal proposals which could be developed in the future would be subject to consultation with information provided on detailed scheme proposals and their likely impacts.' It comes as furious drivers earlier this week slammed the Mayor after he branded some ULEZ opponents 'far-Right' and 'Covid deniers'. The London mayor was holding a People's Question Time in Ealing, west London on Thursday night when the extraordinary confrontation developed. During the bad-tempered session, Mr Khan said: 'Some of you have got good reasons to oppose Ulez, but you are in coalition with Covid deniers... you may not like it... you are in coalition with the far-Right. And you are in coalition with vaccine deniers as well.' Britain will see the coldest day of the year so far on Monday as snow blankets parts of the country, sending many back into the cupboard for their winter clothes. Temperatures will plummet overnight tonight with the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning from 6pm for snow and ice for parts of Scotland. Snow and ice are predicted across north England and Scotland on Monday and Tuesday and it will be noticeably cooler than usual for the beginning of spring. Freezing Artic air will mean that in some places it will feel as cold as -4C and the chances of snow in the south are highest after Tuesday. A Met Office yellow warning is also in force for Monday and Tuesday and the UK Health Security Agency has also issued a cold weather alert between 1am tonight and midnight on Thursday. Your browser does not support iframes. A family enjoys the snow in Tomintoul today. Kate and Fraser Gormley were out in the cold weather with their four-year-old twins The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning from 6pm this evening for snow and ice for parts of Scotland (Sunday weather warnings) The Met Office said the start of next week will be the coldest day of the year so far, with temperatures dropping to near freezing in northern parts of the UK. Pictured: Monday weather warnings (left) and Tuesday weather warnings (right) The cold weather could cause blackouts and travel disruption in places where it snows. Some rural communities could be cut off by the extreme weather and the UK Health Security Agency reminded people to look after the vulnerable. Its cold weather alert will take force from early on Monday and last until midnight on Thursday. The north east of England, north west of England and Yorkshire are all under a level three alert, while the rest of the country remain at a level two. A level three alert means there is a 90 per cent chance of severely cold weather, icy conditions or heavy snow, which could increase the health risk to vulnerable patients, the NHS said. The agency said if a person is over the age of 65 or has a pre-existing medical condition, they should try to heat their home to at least 18C during the cold snap. Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: 'During periods like this, it is important to check in on family, friends and relatives who may be more vulnerable to the cold weather, as it can have a serious impact on health. A car in the snow near Tomintoul, a village in Scotland, on Sunday. A Met Office yellow warning for snow comes into force at 6pm A piste machine clears fresh snowfall from The Lecht ski area in the Scottish highlands on Sunday 'If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat your home to at least 18C if you can.' For those worried about the cost of heating their home, the agency recommends heating the living room during the day and the bedroom just before you go to sleep. Temperatures are likely to remain well below the average for March over the next week, the Met Office said. Senior meteorologist Craig Snell said: 'Going into next week we do see a bit of a change with even colder air coming through and then an increase in risk of sudden disruption due to some sleet, snow and some ice. A map showing the probability of snow (in purple) falling across the UK on Thursday, March 9 The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a cold weather alert and has placed north-east England, north-west England and Yorkshire under a level three alert, with the rest of England at level two. [File image] 'So at the moment, the main focus is across northern and eastern parts of the UK where we have issued warnings already for Monday and Tuesday for the risk of some snow showers moving in from the north. 'Highest accumulations will be across the high ground. But even at lower levels, we are likely to see some disruption in places as the showers come through.' Mr Snell said the Met Office yellow warnings, which are in place for all of Monday and Tuesday, are unlikely to change. Read more: When will the Beast from the East hit YOUR home? Advertisement He added: 'Scotland and some eastern parts of England have warnings going throughout Monday and Tuesday. In other parts of the country, we are keeping a close eye on it, there is a chance that we could see some snow further south as we kind of go through the week ahead. 'Some uncertainty still on where that snow is going to be because at the same time we will be seeing a milder air trying to come in from the Atlantic. 'So some places may well see some rain and other places may well see some snow.' Guidance on staying warm includes wearing several thin layers of clothing, which will keep you warmer than one thick layer. Drinking hot drinks, like tea, coffee or hot chocolate as well as eating warm foods can help raise body temperature. The severe weather, which is the result of an Artic Maritime Airmass sweeping across the UK, comes after a drier February than usual. The UK saw just 45 per cent of its average rainfall for the month, with 43.4mm of rain in February, making it the driest in 30 years. A minister today urged Keir Starmer to publish details of his contacts with Sue Gray - amid claims she will tell a government watchdog she has only been in talks about the chief of staff job for 'weeks'. The Partygate investigator is said to be formally notifying the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) tomorrow that she intends to take up the political post. The step comes amid a rising clamour from Tories for the move to be blocked to avoid 'poiticising' the civil service. Boris Johnson's allies have also insisted that Ms Gray's new allegiance taints the findings of her probe into lockdown-busting bashes in Whitehall. That evidence is being used in a Commons Privileges Committee report into whether the ex-PM misled Parliament - which could potentially leave him facing a by-election. In interviews this morning, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris urged Sir Keir to 'help out' his new key aide by being transparent about their contacts. Mr Heaton-Harris acknowledged that having held long-standing duties over propriety in government Ms Gray would have a great deal of sensitive information. But he told Sky News' Ridge on Sunday programme: 'I truly believe she is a lady of integrity so I'm not worried about that.' Sue Gray is expected to tell a government watchdog she has only been in talks with Labour over becoming Keir Starmer's chief of staff for 'weeks' Boris Johnson's (left) allies have insisted that Ms Gray's new allegiance to Keir Starmer (right) taints the findings of her probe into lockdown-busting bashes in Whitehall Sir Keir has so far dodged questions about when conversations began with Ms Gray, who is awaiting Acoba's decision before accepting the role. Mr Heaton-Harris said: 'This is where Keir can help out his new chief of staff by just publishing all the messages and things he might have had with her at that point in time. 'I've dealt with Sue Gray in the Northern Ireland Office as a civil servant. 'I see her as a woman of integrity as well. So I have no issue with that. 'I think Keir can clear this up in seconds by saying this is what we talked about at that time, there's nothing to see here.' Top mandarin admits issues with Sue Gray's Labour move A top mandarin has admitted there is 'difficulty' about Sue Gray's abrupt move to by Keir Starmer's chief of staff. Department for Education permanent secretary Susa Acland-Hood voiced concerns in a Zoom call with officials on Friday. According to the Sunday Telegraph, she said: 'People who are saying there is a difficulty with this appointment because if Sue has ever held Labour Party-like political beliefs in her career she can't have been a proper civil servant, don't get that what the Civil Service code requires is not that we don't have any political beliefs, but that we don't allow our political beliefs to influence the way we do our jobs.' ' 'The next bit is the bit where I think some... people are right to think there is a difficulty about this appointment. 'So you have to act in away that deserves and retains the confidence of ministers, while at the same time ensuring that you will be able to establish the same relationship with those who you may be required to serve in some future government. 'All I will say is I think that there is a real challenge to acting in away that deserves and retains the confidence of ministers for someone so senior to go so quickly to a position in this way.' She added: 'I don't really understand how this can possibly have happened without there being contact in advance which you shouldn't be having without reporting it.' Ms Acland-Hood warned staff that 'if anybody receives contact from the Leader of the Opposition or a member of the Shadow Cabinet you should tell your permanent secretary right away'. Advertisement According to the Sunday Times, Ms Gray will tell the watchdog that talks were happening with Labour 'several weeks' - instead of the months that has been speculated by some. Acoba can recommend waiting periods before civil servants take on other jobs, with the PM taking the final decision. Mr Heaton-Harris, who served as Mr Johnson's chief whip, offered a robust defence of his former boss, saying he 'does not believe for one second' that Mr Johnson misled MPs. He said Mr Johnson is '100 per cent' a man of integrity, adding: 'I do not believe for one second Boris knowingly misled Parliament. 'I don't think he will be found to have misled Parliament. 'In this country, you're innocent until you're proven guilty. I'm absolutely convinced Boris did not knowingly mislead Parliament.' Over the weekend Labour chairwoman Anneliese Dodds rejected the suggestion that the move was a 'distraction' from the Privileges Committee inquiry as she insisted that all necessary procedures would be followed. 'Sue Gray is a person of enormous integrity. Someone who served in the civil service under ministers of a number of parties actually, someone who's always served with that integrity', she told Sky News. 'I'm really delighted she's joining the Labour team at that point where we're readying ourselves for government if the British public backs us at the next general election. 'What's important to us as Labour, as ever, is that we see the same rules and approaches being applied to this, as she would see with any other appointment. That's why the civil service procedures on confidentiality will be followed. 'It's why the civil service watchdog Acoba will need to look at this, just as it would with any other appointment, and it's quite right those procedures will be followed. They will be for Sue Gray, just as they would be for any other senior civil servant.' But former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith questioned the wisdom of the move. 'There needs to be a much clearer sense for civil servants that once you go into politics it's a different game altogether,' he told Times Radio. 'You have to therefore have a big break between taking off from your job and going in, particularly if you're senior.' An Islamic schools trust that was praised for promoting British values is allegedly facing watchdog questions after describing gay people as 'evil'. The Charity Commission has launched a compliance case against the Abu Bakr Trust, which runs three schools and a nursery in Walsall, West Midlands, after staff used social media platforms to promote anti-gay views, it is claimed. While one of its schools was found to be inadequate at the last inspection, another was praised by Ofsted for promoting equality and British values, according to the Sunday Telegraph. Just months after the inspection last year the trust reportedly posted on Facebook that accepting homosexuality was part of a 'fallen culture', and shared a video saying 'when homosexuality is praised and elevated you know the culture has fallen'. The video also told followers to engage in prayer for 'protection against LGBTQ' which it described as 'evil deeds', commenting: 'My Lord, save me and my family from what they do'. An Islamic schools trust that was praised for promoting British values is facing watchdog questions over posts describing gay people as 'evil', it is claimed. [File image] According to the Sunday Telegraph, the trust has also shared a video of a Taliban cleric discussing women's rights following the group's takeover of Afghanistan, stating that 'every country is independent'. The posts seemed to undermine the Ofsted inspection which apparently thought students at Abu Bakr girls' school 'talk confidently about tolerance, acceptance and respect' and that the work in pupils' books clearly shows that fundamental British values are being actively promoted'. The disclosure comes at the same time as an online petition to Parliament to 'remove LGBT content from the relationships education curriculum' from primary schools surpassed 200,000 signatures. The Henry Jackson Society, which identified the concerns at Abu Bakr, is worried about a campaign against inclusive teaching in Birmingham, where protests have occurred outside schools in recent years. The trust, which frequently posts on Facebook, runs three schools and a nursery in Walsall, West Midlands, from which staff reportedly used social media platforms to promote anti-gay views Charlotte Littlewood, a research fellow at the think tank that compiled the research, said: 'The efforts of hate preachers, activists, community organisations and even schools to oppose teaching on inclusion and equality in the UK should be a major concern for the DfE.' A spokesperson for Charity Commission told MailOnline: 'We have opened a compliance case into the Abu Bakr Trust regarding social media activity and are currently assessing information to inform our next steps.' The Department of Education has the power to order Ofsted to launch an investigation into independent schools and said that any form of discrimination was unlawful. MailOnline has approached the Abu Bakr Trust for comment. A 100million designer shopping outlet in Hackney has seen all but one of the shops close down as business dwindled. Billed as London's first luxury shopping outlet, Hackney Walk was given 1.5million from City Hall under then-mayor Boris Johnson in 2011, in an attempt to rival the likes of Oxfordshire's Bicester Village. It launched in 2017 with 14 high-end shops, including bespoke men's tailor Gieves and Hawkes and the Nike Factory - which shut in October. Lab C-Estate Ltd, the leaseholder for the units, is in liquidation while the owner The Arch Company claimed to be working to 'regain control'. The hopes for the outlet have been dashed as just one store remains, Present - which sells designer outerwear from C.P. Company, Stone Island and Woolrich. A 100million designer shopping outlet in Hackney has seen all but one of the shops close down as business dwindled Billed as London's first luxury shopping outlet, Hackney Walk was given 1.5million from City Hall under Boris Johnson in an attempt to rival the likes of Oxfordshire's Bicester Village It launched in 2017 with 14 high-end shops, including the Nike Factory, which shut in October, and Gieves and Hawkes - a bespoke men's tailor Laura Mival (pictured), a producer who lives in Hackney, said the outlet is on the outskirts and doesn't get much foot traffic A council spokesman said the complex needs to be restored and back up and running for the benefit of the Hackney community. Nick Perry, secretary of the Hackney Society Planning Group, told the BBC the appeal from locals was that the outlet would bring lots of job opportunities to the London borough. 'It was never really about them going into Gieves and Hawkes. Kids around here don't wear that.' He added that two of the units are boarded up as they have been 'ram-raided twice, because they did have stuff that was attractive but not that anybody could afford to pay for.' Many doors underneath the train archways are boarded up and graffiti has been sprayed across the site. Looking through the windows of the abandoned outlets the rooms appear bare and purposeless, with very few people walking by. Shay, who works at the last shop standing, partially blames Covid-19 for the closure of shops across the outlet. She said: 'Most of the shops closed just after Covid. There were three or four that stayed afterwards but they have all closed now. 'Before Covid it was busy and the shops were doing well.' Looking into the future Shay hopes that the empty space is given a purpose again. She said: 'It would be good if they make it into a more community based place and use the space to benefit everyone.' Many Hackney locals have never visited the outlet, with some claiming its location means it goes unnoticed. Laura Mival, a producer who lives in Hackney, said the outlet is on the outskirts and doesn't get much foot traffic. Lisa Nathan works at The Globe pub in the area and feels that the outlet is not accessible to everyone. Looking through the windows of the abandoned outlets the rooms appear bare and purposeless, with very few people walking by The hopes for the outlet have been dashed as just one store remains, Present - which sells designer outerwear from C.P. Company, Stone Island and Woolrich Nick Perry, secretary of the Hackney Society Planning Group, said the appeal from locals was that the outlet would bring lots of job opportunities to the London borough She said: 'The price is too much for Hackney - people don't want to shop there. 'There are lots of good shops around that are much cheaper so people don't need to go. I have been here 51 years and I have never been in and I wouldn't want to.' Ms Nathan hopes the space can be used to help the children in the area. She added: 'There are a lot of children in this area so it should be put to good use helping children and teenagers. It would be good to do something for them.' A Council spokesperson said: 'We share the concerns about the impact the now-empty Hackney Walk units are having on the neighbourhood and wider town centre. 'The Council does not own or manage these arches, but we have been clear with the owners, The Arch Company, about the need for them to be brought back into use for the benefit of the local community and the wider town centre. 'We understand that The Arch Company is in the process of regaining control of the arches from the current leaseholders, and we are ready and willing to work with them to ensure any plans brought forward reflect the interests of the community. The spokesperson added that it recently secured 19million from the government's levelling up fund for Hackney Central,which will in part be spent on helping bring empty spaces back into use. Current owners Arch Company added: 'The current leaseholder Lab C-Estate Ltd is in liquidation. We are working to regain control of the units so that we can bring them back into productive use. We look forward to working with the council to do so.' The desperate screams of an Aboriginal prisoner crying out for her late father as she died alone in her cell has exposed the dark reality of Australia's prison system. Victoria Nelson, 37, was suffering from a undiagnosed stomach condition and heroin withdrawal when she died at the Dame Phyllis Frost jail on January 1, 2020. She was taken into custody for shop-lifting and handed over to CorrectCare, a private health provider hired by the Victorian government. After two long nights and over 49 cries for help, including heart-wrenching wails of 'Daddy, daddy, daddy', Ms Nelson's body was discovered at 8am. Her cell had flooded, with the shower still on when guards finally came to her aid. Victoria Nelson was suffering from a undiagnosed stomach condition and heroin withdrawal when she died at the Dame Phyllis Frost jail on January 1, 2020 (she is pictured in her cell) An investigation into the tragedy by CorrectCare would rule that her death had been 'unavoidable' however two years later a coronial inquest would disagree. Her story comes amid calls for an urgent investigation into Aboriginal deaths in custody with over 525 prisoners dying in the three decades since the 1991 royal commission. It's estimated that Indigenous Australians are 10 times more likely to die in jail cells than non-Indigenous inmates. Ms Nelson's mother, Donna, said she had been in pain and screaming out for help, telling guards she had vomited in her cell and was experiencing painful cramps. Despite being unsteady on her feet, unable to hold her head up or remain still, Ms Nelson's cries for help fell on deaf ears as she continued to pace in her cell. Stephanie Hills had been working for CorrectCare on the night Ms Nelson arrived and described her as the 'most unwell' inmate she had ever processed. Despite being unsteady on her feet, unable to hold her head up or remain still, Ms Nelson's cries for help fell on deaf ears as she continued to pace in her cell Ms Nelson's mother, Donna, (centre) said she had been in pain and screaming out for help, telling guards she had vomited in her cell and was experiencing painful cramps 'She couldn't sit up in the chair. She was slumped over the armrest. Because of the vomiting, I suggested she be taken to hospital,' she said. When it was announced Ms Nelson's death would be investigated by the coroner, Ms Hill decided to contact the court directly with her evidence. She claims her efforts to give her evidence to CorrectCare were twice rebuffed, leaving her with take matters into her own hands. 'It was horrifying to watch and I still hold a lot of guilt,' she said. 'It was necessary because it was the truth, and the truth needed to be told. It was a preventable death, and it should have been prevented.' In January, Coroner Simon McGregor found that Ms Nelson had suffered 'cruel and degrading' treatment in the jail before her preventable death. The five-week coronial inquest found the failure to enact the over 500 recommendations from the Royal Commission in 1991 was also to blame. Ms Nelson was taken into custody for shop-lifting and handed over to CorrectCare, a private health provider hired by the Victorian government (pictured, the Dame Phyllis Frost jail) Indigenous activist and Labor senator Pat Dodson (pictured) described Ms Nelson's death was 'one of the most shameful things you could ever witness' Indigenous activist and Labor senator Pat Dodson described Ms Nelson's death was 'one of the most shameful things you could ever witness' . He said those who who failed to provide the inmate with even the most basic medical checks should be held 'criminally responsible' for her death. Mr Dodson has called on Anthony Albanese to take urgent action and form a national Indigenous justice committee to oversee state coronial inquests. The number of Indigenous deaths in custody has ballooned in the three decades after the royal commission, from an average of 11 to 16.6 deaths. In a statement, CorrectCare said it extended its condolences to Veronica Nelson's family and that it was reviewing the coroner's findings, the Herald reports. An Amazon driver taking a cheeky toilet break outside her van was captured on CCTV by the homeowners she was delivering to. Les Watson, 54, and Emma Marsden, 44, had been eagerly awaiting the delivery of their new hair trimmer. Tracking the delivery, they were keeping an eye on the CTTV camera positioned outside their front door on February 28. When the delivery driver arrived that evening, they noticed that she had fallen over and were worried that she was hurt. But when they checked the footage again after the delivery, they discovered the truth - that she has been urinating at the bottom of their driveway. The Amazon Prime delivery van pulling up outside the home of Les Watson and Emma Marsden on February 28 The delivery driver can be seen squatting behind her open van door before she urinates at the bottom of the driveway The CCTV footage sees the Amazon Prime van pull up outside the house before the woman jumps out of the cab. Hunching over behind the open van door, she quickly pulls down her trousers and urinates, before standing up again a few seconds later. She checks around to see if anyone has noticed before grabbing the package for Mr Watson and Ms Marsden and delivering it to their home. The couple, who were watching the camera at home, thought she might have been hurt as she crouches down after jumping out of the van. After a few seconds, she quickly pulls up her trousers and gets back to the delivery of the hair trimmer The Amazon driver delivered the package after her quick toilet break and was soon driving off to complete other deliveries Amazon has previously faced criticism from drivers for not allowing enough time for bathroom breaks on delivery routes. Members of the GMB union based at a Coventry warehouse walked out earlier this week in a dispute over pay after voting in favour of taking industrial action. The union, which isn't recognised by the retail giant, is asking for a base pay of 15. Warehouse operatives for Amazon are currently being recruited for wages of 10.75 an hour, which equates to nearly 21,000 per annum for those working 37 and a half hours a week. Operatives also have the option of working overtime. An Amazon spokesperson said: 'We have very high standards for the delivery service providers we work with and how they serve customers. We will contact the customer to apologise for the experience and make this right.' The spokesperson said they were committed to treating drivers with respect and set 'realistic performance expectations'. They continued: 'We use sophisticated technology to plan delivery routes to ensure that drivers arent receiving and driving with too many packages. 'Drivers deliver at their own pace and take breaks at their discretion and this is clearly communicated during training.' Residents of Britain's smallest town have gone to war with a city council over plans to build a bypass that many fear would 'destroy' the landscape. The historic town of Fordwich - home to around 300 people - has locked horns with Canterbury City Council following proposals to put a ring-road straight through a conservation site. Adrian McCarthy, mayor of the 180-home town, claimed it would 'dominate' the area, adding that plans were 'designed to benefit Canterbury, not Fordwich'. Fordwich's status as the smallest town in Britain could also be threatened, he feared, with the road potentially piling on more pressure to build on green spaces. 'The beautiful fields we have surrounding us to one side will be gone. It will destroy ancient woodland that Henry VIII hunted on. It will make farmland unfarmable,' he said. Residents of Britain's smallest town have gone to war with a city council over plans to build a bypass. Pictured: The route of Canterbury City Council's proposed ring-road The new ring-road would follow the tree line behind the campaigners in Fordwich, Canterbury 'It goes straight through a conservation area. It will cut off footpaths and cycle paths. It will destroy important Kentish landscape features. It will bring air, noise and light pollution to our town. It's a massive issue. 'The bypass is designed to benefit Canterbury, not Fordwich. The road goes straight through the middle of us and cuts us in half.' The controversial ring-road proposals appeared in Canterbury City Council's (CCC) draft Local Plan, which outlines intentions to build 13,000 homes and to convert the city into five zones. Traffic mitigating solutions are required as part of the housing target, which includes building the bypass through Fordwich. But Adrian claimed the ring-road would only worsen traffic, with Fordwich already used as rat-run to-and-from Canterbury. He continued: 'Recent traffic monitoring revealed that on one day as many as 6,000 cars passed through the town. 'My gut feeling is the draft Local Plan, as it stands, will be submitted if there's no change in leadership come the May elections.' Fordwich Town Council is challenging proposals with the expert help of resident Greg Jones KC, who specialises in planning law. Town Mayor Adrian McCarthy (pictured), claimed the road would 'dominate' the area Greg has written a 185-page document contesting the arguments put forward by Canterbury City Council in favour of the housing target. His report concludes that the city council has 'failed' to make a proper assessment of the environmental impact the bypass would have on Fordwich. Greg wrote: 'Overall, due to failure to make any proper assessment, there is a massive lack of detail which is really unhelpful. It's impossible to effectively judge effects as we have no knowledge of the amount of cut and fill which could drastically affect the amount of land taken and therefore effects on things like TPO woodlands and Ancient Woodland. This is also likely to add massively to the costs and viability. 'Also, effects visually would depend on the cut and fill amongst other things. A line on a plan provides scant little information in this respect, for example there no assessment on things like lighting. 'The same criticism can be made of the lack of assessment of the adverse impact of the currently preferred Eastern Bypass route on ecology including on legally protected species and their habitats. 'This lack of detail means it is extremely difficult to draw the full final conclusions on the adverse effect of the Eastern Bypass on the Fordwich Landscape, other than the points above, all detrimental. Leader of Canterbury City Council, Councillor Ben Fitter-Harding (pictured), is a 'strong advocate of an Eastern Bypass for Canterbury'but sai that countryside needs protecting 'Moreover, more widely, the simple fact that the currently preferred Eastern Bypass route is so much longer means that its effects on the overall landscape and visual resource are likely to be greater than the other routes.' However, Councillor Ben Fitter-Harding, leader of Canterbury City Council and the Conservative Group, believes the new bypass would ease congestion within Fordwich. He said: 'I am a strong advocate of an Eastern Bypass for Canterbury. Drivers are fed up with the congestion in the city, and Fordwich is fed up with vehicles trying to use its tiny roads. 'People are smart, given the option of driving via a new road they're going to use it and that should mean any sort of zoning for Canterbury can be ruled out. 'Fordwich is, however, a very beautiful and historic town in our district surrounded by countryside and it needs to be protected. 'The route for the Eastern Bypass has not been finalised yet and I'm supporting Fordwich Town Council and our city councillors for the area, Cllr Harvey-Quirke and Cllr Glover, to ensure that both the city council and the county council hear our concerns loud and clear.' Canterbury City Council said it is currently working through feedback to the draft Local Plan and will decide its next steps after the local election in May. A spokesman added: 'The consultation on the draft Local Plan closed in January. We had more than 2,000 responses and are now working our way through that feedback before reporting to councillors and deciding on our next steps. 'This will be at some point after our election in May as national guidance around elections makes it clear that important or controversial decisions should not be made in the period running up to the public going to the polls.' A British man has been arrested in Magaluf on suspicion of raping a woman in a hotel room on the party island of Mallorca. The 26-year-old man is said to have resisted arrest and headbutted one of the Civil Guard officers called to the scene. The alleged sex attack happened inside a room at a hotel in the popular resort of Santa Ponsa near Magaluf. A friend of the woman said to have suffered the sex attack alerted a receptionist who called police, around 7pm on Friday. The friend told officers the man held had tried to force her into the room after raping her pal. A British tourist has been arrested in the party resort of Magaluf (pictured) after a woman reported him to police for raping her Magaluf has long been renowned as a major party destination for people across Europe, particularly Brits (file image) The Civil Guard, which made the arrest, could not be reached on Sunday for comment. It was not immediately clear if the suspect has already appeared in court and whether he has been remanded in custody or released on bail pending an ongoing investigation. The nationality of the woman allegedly raped has not been revealed. In July 2022 a British tourist was arrested in the party resort after a woman 'blacked out' and woke to find him 'on top of her'. Magaluf has long been renowned as a major party destination for people across Europe, particularly Brits. But its reputation has declined as authorities in Magaluf and all across Majorca have become increasingly fed up with the behaviour of British tourists visiting the island. Physical violence and drunken, loutish behaviour are commonplace, and the party resort has also seen a host of sexual assault claims come to light in recent years. Bakhmut has been 'nearly destroyed' like the besieged port city of Mariupol as Russian forces encircle the Ukrainian town on three sides amid fierce street battles. The town, around 400 miles south east of Kyiv, has for months been a prime target of Moscows grinding eastern offensive in the war, with Russian forces and private Wagner Group surrounding Ukrainian units. It has now become too dangerous for the last remaining residents to make it out the area by vehicle, with a woman killed and two men badly wounded by shelling as they tried to cross a makeshift bridge yesterday. Putin's forces have been relentlessly attacking the small mining town as part of efforts that would give them a first major victory in more than half a year. But both sides are said to have suffered huge losses during the fighting, with Kyiv officials claim seven Russian soldiers have been killed for every Ukrainian troop who has died in the area, The Sunday Times reports. Ukrainian servicemen fire a 105mm Howitzer towards Russian positions, near the city of Bakhmut Soldiers from a Ukrainian assault brigade prepare to fire a British made L118 105mm Howitzer on Russian trenches Undertakers lower the coffin of Volodymyr Hurieiev, a Ukrainian soldier killed in the Bakhmut area Much of the town has now been reduced to rubble following repeated shelling, with around 4,000 residents said to still be living in the area. Bakhmut's deputy mayor Oleksandr Marchenko has accused Russian troops of turning the town into a new Mariupol. READ MORE: Woman killed and others injured as Ukrainian and Russian forces fight in Bakhmut Advertisement He told the BBC: 'Not a single building remains untouched. They want to destroy Bakhmut like they did with Mariupol.' Mariupol is now fully in the hands of Russian forces, having been cut off from the rest of Ukraine early in the war and subjected to horrifying barrages and a siege. Civilians were left without heat, food or water for weeks and described melting snow for something to drink before drinking from radiators when the snow ran out. It was the scene of perhaps the deadliest single attack of the war when a Russian jet bombed a theatre with the word 'children' scrawled on the pavement outside, killing up to 600 people sheltering inside. Thousands are known to have died in the siege, with their bodies often piled into mass graves hastily dug alongside roads. Alexander Rodnyansky, an economic adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, noted that Russia was using the best troops of the Wagner Group to try to encircle the city, while Zelensky accused Moscow of throwing waves of men into Bakhmut with no regard to their lives. Recent drone footage shows the scale of devastation in the city, while Zelensky has said it has been 'destroyed.' Flames and smoke rise into the sky from blazing buildings while constant gunfire and explosions ring out from within the city's crumbling walls. It comes amid fears of a looming withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Bakhmut, with units having destroyed two key bridges in the past two days - including one linking it to the nearby town of Chasiv Yar along the last remaining resupply route. Britains Ministry of Defence said in a Twitter update that the destruction of the bridges came as Russian fighters made further inroads into Bakhmuts northern suburbs Bakhmut has for months been a prime target of Moscows grinding eastern offensive in the war, with Russian troops including forces from the private Wagner Group inching ever closer The destruction of the bridges prevents Russian forces from taking them and themselves gaining a pivotal supply route. Britains Ministry of Defence said in a Twitter update that the destruction of the bridges came as Russian fighters made further inroads into Bakhmuts northern suburbs. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think-tank, said Ukrainian troops may conduct a limited and controlled withdrawal from particularly difficult sections of eastern Bakhmut, while seeking to inhibit Russian movement there and limit exit routes to the west. Capturing Bakhmut would not only give Russian fighters a rare battlefield gain after months of setbacks, but it might rupture Ukraines supply lines and allow the Kremlins forces to press towards other Ukrainian strongholds in the Donetsk region. But Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidential office, said yesterday that its forces will not be leaving the area. Some reports also told of plans for reinforcements, despite President Zelensky last week saying the situation in the town was becoming 'more and more difficult'. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, a rogue millionaire with longtime links to Putin, also said on Wednesday that he so far had seen no signs of a Ukrainian withdrawal from the city. He claimed that Kyiv has in fact been reinforcing its positions there. A soldier from a Ukrainian assault brigade walks along a muddy road used to transport and position British made L118 105mm Howitzers Ukrainian servicemen prepare munitions to fire with a 105mm Howitzer towards Russian positions in Bakhmut 'The Ukrainian army is deploying additional troops and is doing what it can to retain control of the city,' Prigozhin said. 'Tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are offering fierce resistance, and the fighting is getting increasingly bloody by day.' Meanwhile, a defence source told The Sunday Times that, even if Bakhmut was to fall, it would 'not make much difference strategically as Russian forces had already occupied the hills around [Bakhmut] but would certainly be totemic'. After losing extensive territory in the second half of 2022, Russian forces have been replenished by hundreds of thousands of reservists. Kyiv, for its part, has stuck mainly to defence over the past three months, hoping Russia's assault will exhaust Moscow's forces before Ukraine launches a counter-attack with new weapons promised by the West. Commuters are 'relieved' on strike days because they can work from home, a railway boss has said ahead of fresh walk outs. Andrew Haines, 57, who earns 588,000 a year as CEO of Network Rail, which controls the nation's track and signals and owns some of its biggest stations, including Birmingham New Street and London King's Cross, said people would get used to not going to work by train. Signallers at Network Rail who are members of the RMT union will strike again on March 16. This will be alongside walk outs by staff at 14 train firms on March 16, 18, and 30, and on April 1. The railways have been struggling to restore passenger numbers to pre-pandemic levels and Mr Haines' comments come as the biggest price increase in a decade is implemented across the network. Andrew Haines, Chief Executive of Network Rail, said commuters were 'relieved' not to have to travel into work on strike days Empty platforms at London Paddington on February 3. Further strikes will take place throughout March Mr Haines, who since 2021 has also been in charge of the Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT), told The Sunday Times that commuters were relieved to save the cost of their travel on strike days. 'On strike days, the horrible thing is that people are now so used to alternative ways of working [after the pandemic], that commuters, frankly, are often quite relieved. 'They haven't bought a season ticket in most cases... So they save the money.' Read more: Commuters face biggest rail fare rise in more than a decade from TODAY Advertisement 'If we keep having to turn people away, day after day, then they will find alternatives,' he added. He said the decline in daily commuter numbers on strike days made it easier for the government to stand against unions. The RMT rejected a third pay offer of 9 per cent over two years last month, without allowing members to vote on the proposal. Rail journeys have recovered to 89 per cent of what they were before the Covid pandemic but prices have been increased from today. Rail fares will soar by their biggest amount in more than a decade from today just as the network faces being paralysed by repairs over Easter. The price rise of 5.9 per cent is the biggest since the 6.2 per cent increase in 2011. Meanwhile, fed-up passengers already bracing themselves for more strikes will see many of the ten million planned journeys over the holiday weekend affected. Seven of Britains eight main rail lines will be hit by Network Rail projects over the four days from April 7 to 10, and some journey times will treble. Former Transport Minister Norman Baker, now a spokesman for the Campaign for Better Transport, said: 'Passengers are already having a tough time with fares increasing and strikes. 'So Easter engineering works will be more misery for people who want to travel then. 'A lot of Easter works will take place, and they need to be undertaken. But Network Rail must do the work efficiently and minimise track closures.' The RMT, led by Secretary-General Mick Lynch, rejected a third pay offer of 9 per cent over two years last month, without allowing members to vote on the proposal (pictured in February) The price rise of 5.9 per cent is the biggest since the 6.2 per cent increase in 2011 One of the worst-ever Easter rail shutdowns will see dozens of planned schemes cost Network Rail tens of millions of pounds, with up to 20,000 engineers expected to be called in. Britains busiest line, the West Coast Main Line, will be completely shut between London Euston and Milton Keynes from Good Friday to Easter Monday. Usually 32 minutes direct, the journey will take more than an hour and a half via a replacement bus service and alternative train route. Trains from Liverpool will terminate at Rugby. Other works on the line will cause serious delays between Carlisle and Glasgow, and Stafford and Crewe. The Gatwick Express is scrapped for four days, with London Victoria shut to most trains. No Southeastern services will go from London Charing Cross on April 8 and 9, some lines from London Liverpool Street will close, and the new Elizabeth line will not run through Central London. Buses will replace trains between Reading and Newbury and Woking and Winchester. Some services from Leeds will be axed and all lines are shut between Peterborough and Norwich, and Cambridge and Ely. Other routes are braced for knock-on overcrowding, especially Chiltern Railways, whose rural services are likely to be swamped by passengers unable to travel between London and Birmingham on the West Coast Main Line. Figures from the Governments Office of Rail and Road show that the equivalent of one in 25 train services was cancelled in the year to February 4, representing the worst-ever reliability in records dating back to 2014. A minister today dismissed leaked Covid-era WhatsApps as a 'view into the psyche of Matt Hancock after it emerged the ex-health secretary told aides he wanted to 'frighten the pants off everyone'. Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris insisted the huge trove of messages did not give huge insight into 'actual decision-making'. The comments came after the latest disclosures showed discussions over how to scare the public into limiting the spread of coronavirus, and when to 'deploy' details of a new strain. The messages, among more than 100,000 WhatsApps passed to the Telegraph by journalist Isabel Oakeshott, show that Cabinet Secretary Simon Case suggested in January 2021 that the 'fear' factor would be 'vital' in stopping the spread of the virus. The latest set of WhatsApp exchanges show Mr Hancock and others discussed how to use an announcement about the Kent variant of the virus to scare the public into changing their behaviour Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris insisted the huge trove of messages did not give huge insight into 'actual decision-making' The discussion took place in December 2020, just three weeks before the whole of the country was placed back under lockdown rules Exchanges from December 2020 show concern that London Mayor Sadiq Khan could follow the example of Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who had criticised stringent lockdown restrictions on his region. In an apparent reference to the Kent variant, Mr Hancock's adviser Damon Poole said: 'Rather than doing too much forward signalling, we can roll pitch with the new strain.' 'We frighten the pants of everyone with the new strain,' the then-Health Secretary responded. He expressed concern that 'Brexit is taking the top line' as the UK's departure from the EU was finalised. 'When do we deploy the new variant,' Mr Hancock said. The conversation, on December 13, came amid concerns about the rapid spread of the virus in south-east England. Mr Hancock announced that a new strain - the Kent variant - had been identified in the UK on December 14. London and south-east England were to enter a new Tier 4 alert level, it was announced on December 19, when then-PM Boris Johnson also cancelled a promised Christmas 'bubbles' policy allowing families to meet. The entirety of England entered the third national lockdown on January 6 2021. Messages from January 10 show Mr Hancock and the Cabinet Secretary discussing ways to tighten lockdown. Mr Case wrote: 'More mask-wearing might be the only thing to consider. 'Effectively free and has a very visible impact? Wear masks in all settings outside home and in more workplaces? 'Am not sure that got us much further, did it? Basically, we need to get compliance up.' The pair agreed that merely cracking down on anglers would be ridiculed, with Mr Hancock saying he 'honestly wouldn't move on any small things unless we move on a lot'. Mr Case said: 'I think that is exactly right. Small stuff looks ridiculous. Ramping up messaging - the fear/guilt factor vital. 'I suspect London Nightingale coming into use will feel like a big public moment. 'Especially as I guess it will be full with a couple of days (based on current data).' Mr Heaton-Harris denied that it was Government strategy to scare the public. 'I think the Government strategy was to try and protect the British public as best it possibly could... and to try and give as much information as it possibly could at the right times,' he told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg. Asked about the evolving story portrayed in the messages, Mr Heaton-Harris said: 'It really is a partial account of what was going on and almost a view into the psyche of Matt Hancock rather than into the actual decision-making.' Pressed on whether he was comfortable with the tone of conversation revealed in the messages, Mr Heaton-Harris said: 'I think viewers would expect that politicians being human beings would express things in a human way, and I don't think that you would find one politician that wasn't afraid at the beginning of the lockdown - first lockdown, when we had no idea what the pandemic was going to be. 'Today's revelations were around the time where there were no vaccines, there was limited testing. I think you have got to put it in the time context as well as everything else, which is why it's important to wait for the inquiry.' The leak has already revealed Rishi Sunak and Mr Hancock complaining about Dominic Cummings' 'nightmare' tenure in Downing Street, as well as the then health secretary's repeated concerns that the then-chancellor's signature Eat Out To Help Out initiative was contributing to the spread of Covid-19. It has also shown Mr Hancock's desperate 41-hour scramble to try and save his career after The Sun was handed photos revealing his affair with Gina Coladangelo, featuring the pair kissing in breach of his own social distancing rules. The first set of exchanges to be made public appeared to show Mr Hancock ignoring expert medical advise on the need to test all residents entering care homes for Covid-19 - not just those coming from hospital. The former Health Secretary denied this was the case and accused The Telegraph of leaving out vital context from the conversation. Sir Chris Whitty told him there should be Covid testing for 'all going into care homes'. But Mr Hancock's WhatsApp messages revealed he did not follow the guidance, instead telling advisers it 'muddies the waters'. He told Sir Chris: 'I do not think the community commitment adds anything and it muddies the waters.' Mr Hancock sent a series of messages to his top team and girlfriend in an effort to save his career - in which his media advisor described the photos as 'a snog and heavy petting' Ms Oakeshott was originally given the material by Mr Hancock while they were collaborating on his memoir of his time in government during the pandemic. He has condemned the leak as a 'massive betrayal' designed to support an 'anti-lockdown agenda'. In a statement this week, Mr Hancock said that all the materials for his book have been made available to the official Covid-19 inquiry. Ms Oakeshott has said the disclosures are in the public interest. Business can be brutal, but an Australian nightclub has called out it's competitors for going too far. The Precinct Nightclub in Adelaide's CBD opened in February 2021 and was on February 28 this year locked out of the premises by their landlord over tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid rent. Rival clubs Red Square and Zhivago posted memes to social media last week of a man looking chuffed over a grave with Precinct's logo pasted over the tombstone. 'Tonight we pay our respects, with $3 vodkas 'til 12am,' Red Square's post read. 'We are honouring all Precinct drinkcards. To any staff that hadn't already left, feel free to apply for work with us here.' Popular Adelaide club Precinct shut its doors last week with outstanding rent debts Competitor Red Square posted a meme mocking the business shutting its doors with another club Zhivago also piling on Precinct said it was low to mock its staff who were now out of work Zhivago wrote: 'Red Square and I currently busy attending a funeral atm. See you all tonight from 9pm'. The Precinct, a hip hop venue run by the registered business Precinct27 Pty Ltd, owed $37,786.07 in outstanding rent to landlords Duke King William Pty Ltd, reports The Adelaide Advertiser. On Saturday night the business owners issued a statement to their supporters and hit out at their rivals over their pointed posts. 'It saddens us to let all our awesome patrons know that Precinct closed this week,' Precinct said. 'It saddens us that a venue would make fun of the fact our staff are now unemployed. Poll Did Red Square and Zhivago's posts go too far? Yes, people are out of work No, that's business Did Red Square and Zhivago's posts go too far? Yes, people are out of work 21 votes No, that's business 28 votes Now share your opinion 'We would like to thank (fellow CBD venue) Dog and Duck for showing some respect in a very hard time for a lot of people. I guess all the staff and DJs will be at Dogs tonight.' Dog and Duck had drawn its line in the sand earlier in the day when it posted a message in support of the club and slamming Red Square. 'We would like to think patrons who loved Precinct would be as upset as the ex Precinct staff to see this kind of post,' it wrote. 'Any venue that thinks the loss of 70 jobs is something to joke about, shows a complete disregard for all the staff who lost their jobs.' Commenters on the post sided up with their favourite clubs. Some took issue with Red Square and Zhivago's 'distasteful' posts. 'What's Red Square's problem?' one person said. 'It's Red Square, what else would you expect? If only it was them that were shutting their doors for good,' another added. 'Wow that sucks Precinct nightclub was the best club in Adelaide gonna miss the place,' added a third. 'I really enjoyed working with you all, the best team I've ever had the opportunity to know,' a fourth said. The Precinct billed itself as Adelaide's premier hip hop superclub Another venue the Dog and Duck showed their support for Precinct But others took issue that some Precinct staff weren't told they'd lost their jobs personally. 'We know a staff member who only found about this through the posts,' one person said. 'Precinct has no-one to blame but themselves,' another added. Another said any club closing was a blow to the city. 'No matter your favourite club bartenders, glassies and security staff loosing shifts is never nice,' one person wrote. 'Everyone who works in this industry has something in common and that is the passion and love we all have for our work. 'Get out there and support the clubs as we all want a thriving Adelaide nightlife.' Attorney Ben Crump said the suspect should be extradited or charged in the US Robinson died on a trip to Mexico in October and video showed her being beaten The family of a US influencer who died after she was filmed being violently beaten up while on vacation in Mexico has called for the government to take action against her suspected killer. Shanquella Robinson, 25, died in October in Cabo - and now attorneys have joined her family to demand the State Department and Department of Justice either extradite the suspect to face justice in Mexico or prosecute them in the US. Robinson's case has been taken on by famous civil rights attorney Ben Crump - who represented the family of George Floyd and recently announced he would be suing over the death of Malcolm X. Crump said during a press conference in Washington DC that his office confirmed the Mexican government had identified a suspect in Robinson's murder - and that they were currently free in the US. Robinson, from Charlotte, North Carolina, was found dead in San Jose Del Cabo while on vacation. Initially, the group she was with allegedly blamed her death on alcohol poisoning - but an autopsy later concluded her neck and spine had been broken. The family of Shanquella Robinson, who died in October during a trip to Mexico and was filmed being beaten shortly beforehand, have demanded that her suspected killer face justice Robinson's family is being represented by famous civil rights attorney Ben Crump (pictured), who said Mexico had completed its own investigation and identified a suspect who is now free in the US. Sallamondra Robinson, her mother, is to the left of Crump Soon after her death, a video went viral in which she was seen being severely beaten by another woman in a hotel room - while at least two people watched and recorded. Her family members called on President Joe Biden and the US State Department to help bring the people responsible to justice. 'I plan on talking to the highest levels of our government to say Shanquella Robinson is not irrelevant and you all need to give her the same dignity and respect as any citizen in the United States with merit,' Crump said during the conference on Friday. He added: 'The United States government should do one of two things. One, they should either extradite the person who murdered Shanquella Robinson to Mexico to face the charges and the crimes that have been alleged against her. 'Or two, they should take jurisdiction. Mexico is willing to give jurisdiction to the United States to bring a case for those responsible for killing Shanquella Robinson. 'The only question is State Department, President Biden, what are you going to do to bring justice for this broken hearted family? Especially this mother of Shanquella Robinson?' Sue Ann Robinson (pictured) traveled to Mexico to learn about the status of the Mexican government's investigation into Robinson's death A woman, whose name has not been released, is seen in footage attacking Shanquella Robinson at the villa they rented out for the birthday of one of their friends in Cabo, Mexico, in late October Crump said that an attorney from his office had been sent to Mexico in order to collect evidence and understand the status of the Mexican investigation. That attorney, Sue Ann Robinson, concluded that the investigation was complete and that a suspect who is now free in the US had been identified. 'The ball is clearly in the United States' court, the State Department the Department of Justice, the ball is in your court. Do what you have to do,' said Robinson, who is not related to Shanquella. Sallamondra Robinson, Shanquella's mother also spoke on Friday. 'I am here as an American citizen to ask our president and everyone with the power to get Justice for my daughter to help me please help me and my family,' she said. Her sister Quilla Long described the family's difficulties in securing justice. 'This journey has been frustrating, the feeling of disheartenment towards our government. I feel like our government has failed us,' she said. Also addressing the media on Friday was activist Tamika Mallory. 'It is all too often that when black women are harmed people don't show up and fight,' she said. 'What we see is very clear. She was beaten to death. And if she wasn't beaten to death, the somebody needs to come and tell us exactly what happened,' she added. Charlotte resident Shanquella Robinson died while on vacation in Cabo, Mexico, on October 29. Video footage surfaced of one of her friends violently beating her in a villa In the month after her death Mexican officials confirmed they were investigating Robinson's death as femicide, which is regional terminology for the intentional killing of a woman. Officials also revealed that her neck had been broken and her spine had been severed, both discovered during an autopsy. That news came after a video surfaced that appeared to show Shanquella being beaten while naked in her hotel room. Robinson's mother said her daughter's friends initially called her and said she had died of alcohol poisoning. 'My heart just, like, it went into pieces,' said her mom. 'Shanquella was my heart.' 'Saturday evening, I got a call saying that Shanquella wasn't feeling well,' she said, but added that she quickly figured out there was more to the story. 'By the time that we questioned each one of them, and each one of them gave us a different statement,' she told GMA on Friday. 'I did not believe them because actually before they even got back to Charlotte... someone had already called us and said that someone was fighting her over there,' she added. She also said Shanquella was with someone her mom knew 'very well' and hoped he would look out for her daughter, but 'that's not what it was.' 'I don't wish the terrible nightmare on anyone,' said her mother on Friday. 'My daughter was brutally beaten on a video. She was undressed, and there were many people that could have helped her. They laughed and joked instead. Shanquella came back from a vacation dead with a broken neck and spine.' A suburban Atlanta police officer has been charged in the kidnapping and murder of a girl who disappeared last July after her naked body was found stashed in a forest. Miles Bryant, a 22-year-old ex-cop with the Doraville Police Department, is now being held without bond for the 16-year-old girl's death - and is facing additional charges of conspiring to conceal his alleged crimes after the fact. The charges center around the disappearance of Susanna Morales, 16, who cops said had no relationship to Bryant, but lived just a few miles away from the disgraced officer. Her skeletal remains were discovered and identified by cops last month, in woods near Dacula, an exurb of Atlanta less than 20 miles from her last known location. Detectives have not revealed a motive - but have said the accused 'is known or suspected of' rape, murder, and other felonies. Over the weekend, Bryant was hit with another unrelated charge of burglary, after a former classmate of his accused him of stalking her and breaking into her home in a recorded encounter in 2019. Miles Bryant, a 22-year-old ex-cop with the Doraville Police Department, is now being held without bond for the 16-year-old girl's death The charges center around the disappearance of 16-year-old Susanna Morales (pictured) who cops said had no relationship to Bryant, but lived just a few miles away from the disgraced officer Since stripped of his police credentials and put in custody, Bryant is facing charges of concealing her death, filing a false report of a crime, murder and kidnapping. As of Sunday, cops have not filed any charges associated with rape. The concealment charge, meanwhile, is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The initial charges against Bryant came less than three weeks ago, after investigators confirmed Morales' remains were found, naked, in a wooded area along Highway 316. That discovery was made nearly six months after Morales' family reported her missing, sparking a search throughout the Atlanta area the bore little - until last month when police provided an update on the investigation. 'On Monday, Feb 06, 2023, shortly after 6:30 p.m., Gwinnett Police responded to Hwy 316 between Drowning Creek and the Barrow County Line after receiving a call from a passerby stating they saw what they believed to be human remains in the woods,' cops in in Gwinnett County wrote at the time. 'Detectives and CSI responded to the scene, and the Gwinnett Medical Examiners' office took possession of the remains,' the department - set just a few miles from Doraville - added, remarking that the force was 'investigating the manner and cause of death of Morales,' who was identified from her dental records. Over the weekend, Bryant was hit with another unrelated charge of burglary, after a former classmate of his accused him of stalking her and breaking into her home in a recorded encounter in 2019 (a photo of which can be seen here) The body was found, police said, after officers received a call from a passerby who said they had spotted what they had believed to be human remains in brush at the side of the highway, which links the Atlanta communities. Cops added that Morales' family told the department the when the teen disappeared the night of July 26, her cell phone and video footage showed her walking towards her home, but police have reason to believe she may have gotten into a vehicle. Bryant, meanwhile, lived in Norcross - 'in close proximity to [the] victim and dumped her naked body in the woods,' Gwinnett Detective Angela Carter said upon announcing his arrest as the sole suspect in the case less than two weeks later. An initial warrant application would see the relatively green Georgia peace officer - a who has work history in the Army National Guard, deputy at the Forsyth County Jail, and various security jobs - charged with one count of concealing the death of another and one count of false report of a crime. Bryant is being held without bond at the Gwinnett County Adult Detention Center (pictured) on charges of concealing the death of another, filing a false report of a crime, murder and kidnapping The false report of a crime charge, a misdemeanor, and the concealment charge, cops said, stemmed from Bryant attempting to conceal Morales death during a time period between July 26, 2022, at 10:20 pm to 1:40 am on July 27, 2022. During those hours, detectives alleged, the cop - who may have had a history of stalking women that went unchecked - unlawfully 'hindering the discovery of whether or not such person was unlawfully killed.' Police added that Bryant also falsely filed a police report claiming his gun was stolen after his car was broken into. Cops did not elaborate how the charges are connected to the Morales case. Bryant remained in jail Sunday after a judge denied him bail earlier in the week, with a local judge citing investigators belief that the officer - who was fired after he was charged - is a danger to the community. As cops continue to build a case against Bryant, more of his alleged misdeeds have begun to come to light, as he faces new charges in connection with the alleged stalking and burglary of another woman, Elesha Bates, a former classmate of Bryant who claims the suspect showed up to her home in Snellville unannounced in May 2019 and on several other occasions. As cops continue to build a case against Bryant faces new charges in connection with the alleged stalking and burglary of another woman, Elesha Bates, who claims the suspect showed up to her home in Snellville unannounced several times in 2019 Bates submitted Ring camera video of the scary encounter to both the Gwinnett County Police Department and the Doraville Police Department in December as evidence, after she told cops that Bryant, who was employed with the Doraville Police officer at the time, was stalking her. In response to the neighbor's account, the Doraville Police Department reveled it conducted an administrative investigation into the incident, but closed Bates' case because of a lack of leads. Doraville Police said they told Bates to report any potential criminal charges to the Gwinnett County Police Department, due to the apartment complex being in their jurisdiction. That said, late last month, as new information on Bryant's other cases came to light, an investigation into Bates' allegations was reopened. Cops said Bryant allegedly tampered with a locked bedroom window during the break-in, which was recorded by a neighbor's doorbell camera. He is now facing charges of first-degree burglary in addition to the murder, kidnapping, and concealment charges, and remains incarcerated. Larry Hogan has decided he will not make a bid for the White House in 2024, appearing to bow out because the Republican field is already shaping up to be crowded. The former Maryland governor gave a realist perspective to why he isn't joining the race and said he knew he wouldn't be a front-runner and wouldn't be able to make the difference he wants to make as a presidential candidate. 'I didn't want to have a pile up of a bunch of people fighting,' Hogan said in an interview airing on CBS News' Face the Nation on Sunday morning. 'Right now, you have you know, Trump and DeSantis at the top of the field, they're soaking up all the oxygen, getting all the attention,' he explained to CBS election and campaign correspondent Robert Costa. 'And then a whole lot of the rest of us in single digits and the more of them you have, the less chance you have for somebody rising up.' Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said in an interview aired Sunday that he will not seek the GOP presidential nomination in 2024 BREAKING NEWS: Former MD @GovLarryHogan tells @costareports, in a @FaceTheNation with @margbrennan exclusive, that he will not seek the GOP presidential nomination in 2024. I didnt want to have a pileup of a bunch of people fighting, he says. More at 10:30am ET. Tune in. pic.twitter.com/1voXeWfwTW Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) March 5, 2023 Hogan said that former President Donald Trump's candidacy was not the biggest consideration in his decision not to make a White House bid, but rather the ever-growing field and competition 'Right now, you have you know, Trump and DeSantis at the top of the field, they're soaking up all the oxygen, getting all the attention. And then a whole lot of the rest of us in single digits and the more of them you have, the less chance you have for somebody rising up,' Hogan explained even though Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (pictured) has not yet announced a bid So far, former President Donald Trump and his once Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley have announced they are running in 2024. They are the most name-recognizable candidates to announce so far. A few other Republicans have also jumped into the running, including biotech multi-millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has not yet joined the race, but is making his first visit to the first-in-the-nation primary contest state of Iowa next week sparking speculation that an announcement is impending any day now. 'I did give it serious consideration and I talked to people everywhere and I talked to my family. And it was a tough decision,' Hogan said. 'But I've decided that I will not be a candidate for the Republican nomination for president.' Hogan, an anti-Trumper since Day One, was lauded as one of the most pragmatic and moderate Republican politicians, leaving his post earlier this year as governor of the blue state of Maryland after his two terms. There were whispers that Hogan would join the 2024 race for president after leaving the State House in Maryland. 'It's mostly about the country and about the party,' Hogan told Costa. 'It was a personal decision.' 'It was like, 'I didn't need that job. I didn't need to run for another office,' he added. 'I was considering it because I thought it was public service and maybe I can make a difference.' 'I didn't want to have a pile up of a bunch of people fighting,' Hogan said in an interview airing on CBS News' Face the Nation on Sunday morning Besides Trump, former Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley (left) and biotech 'anti-woke' millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy (right) have also announced their candidacies for president Despite not wanting to muddy the already-growing field of Republicans, Hogan insisted that the Trump factor didn't play into his decision on whether to launch a bid. 'This is not just a decision about running for president,' Costa said in the pre-recorded interview. 'It's a decision about running against former President Trump who's as tough in his opponent as anyone I've ever covered. Merciless.' 'Well, that didn't really scare me,' Hogan said. 'You're right. It would be a tough race. And he's very tough.' 'But, you know, I beat life-threatening cancer,' he added. 'So having Trump call me names on Twitter didn't - didn't really scare me off.' The public school district is now under investigation by the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights A theatre production at Newton North High School has landed the school district under federal investigation by the Department of Education after the company barred white students from auditioning. The Massachusetts school's Theater Ink program put on a show titled 'Lost and Found: Our Stories as People of Color,' which according to the show's audition packet acted as 'a reserved safe space for this exploration and for people of color to be vulnerable and support one another.' At the time of auditions last fall, the student director posted a video to the company's website declaring that 'All BIPOC [Black, indigenous and people of color] students at North are invited to audition.' It was at that point that the grassroots national movement Parents Defending Education got involved and filed a complaint with the federal government that the school districted discriminated against students on the basis of race. Some of the exclusively not-white cast and crew of Newton North High School's show Lost & Found: Our Stories as People of Color Newton North High School in an affluent suburb of Boston, Massachusetts The claim noted that the audition criteria, which included asking students about their race and ethnic identities violated 'both Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.' PDE President and Founder Nicole Neily told Fox that the school's administration 'failed their student body by allowing a racially-segregated production to move forward - and missed the opportunity to impart the lesson that racial discrimination is always wrong.' In the Lost and Found audition packet, students were told that weekly rehearsals for the production would include 'organized discussions about race and identity in our lives.' The Newton Public School system, which is the entity being investigated by DOE, previously told Fox Digital that it is committed to encouraging all of its students to participate in the theatre program, 'particularly students of color, who have been vastly underrepresented in our programs.' 'While centered in the stories of the lives of our students of color, no one is turned away or excluded from participating or having a role in the Lost and Found production of Theatre Ink, Newton North's teaching and working theater program,' said the district. 'The Newton Public Schools do not exclude students based upon color, race, ethnicity, or religious background.' However, NPS also condoned and offered a message of support for the Lost and Found theatrical endeavor, seemingly offering a stamp of approval for the high schoolers' casting practices. 'We are proud of our students for the hard work they do to not only assemble a diverse group of performers, but also to challenge each other to have difficult conversations around societal issues,' said the district. 'Theatre Ink has consistently provided opportunities for students to tell and celebrate the narratives and stories of those who have been historically underrepresented. 'Amplifying the stories, experiences, and history of students of color is just one component of our diverse fine and performing arts programs,' the statement continued, additionally offering that it fully supports 'the premise and educational value of this performance.' One graduate of Newton North High School shared on Facebook how disheartened she was by the news that her alma mater had segregated its theatre program and is now facing an investigation. 'What on Earth, I am appalled,' she wrote, sharing a link to coverage of the story. 'This is not the High School I graduated from. We were All Tigers. Apparently not anymore. Its Time to clean house and remove activist educators.' A school poster for performances of Lost and Found: Our Stories as People of Color An invitation to BIPOC students at Newton North High School to audition for Lost and Found Pages from Lost & Found's audition packet for students The segment of the show's audition packet featured by PDE online The DOE's Office of Civil Rights enforces Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in any program that received federal financial assistance from DOE. NPS is a public entity that receives federal funding, so it falls under the department's jurisdiction and must comply with federal civil rights law. In a letter describing the ongoing investigation, DOE wrote that despite the investigation being opened, that 'in no way implies that OCR has made a determination on the merits of the complaint.' 'During the investigation, OCR is a neutral fact- finder, collecting and analyzing relevant evidence from you, the District, and other sources, as appropriate.' Violent clashes erupted between police and protestors in Athens today - as the Greek Prime Minister begged for forgiveness from families of the 57 who died in the nation's worst rail disaster. The crash between passenger and freight trains near the city of Larissa on Tuesday has sparked widespread outrage across Greece. Thousands of angry demonstrators gathered outside the parliament in Athens today following a call by students, rail workers and public sector employees. In a message addressed to the nation, PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis wrote: 'As prime minister, I owe it to everyone, but especially to the victims' relatives, (to ask for) forgiveness. 'For the Greece of 2023, two trains heading in different directions cannot run on the same line and no one notice,' Mitsotakis added in the message posted on his Facebook page. Violent clashes erupted between police and protestors in Athens today as the Greek Prime Minister begged for forgiveness from families of the 57 who died in the nation's worst rail disaster Thousands of angry demonstrators gathered outside the parliament in Athens today following a call by students, rail workers and public sector employees Violent clashes have broken out between police and protesters since the train crash on Tuesday The demonstrations and vigils across Greece have expressed a combination of grief and anger at the disaster, which happened when a passenger train and a freight train collided Police and protestors were pictured fighting on escalators and stairs in Athens today Meanwhile, violent clashes have erupted between police and the protesters. They had released hundreds of black balloons into the sky in memory of the dead, with some holding signs reading 'Down with killer governments', while train and metro services were paralysed by strike action. Michalis Hasiotis, head of the chartered accountants' union, said they felt 'an immense anger', blaming 'the thirst for profit, the lack of measures taken for the passengers' protection' for the disaster. Relatives and loved ones of those killed were also expected to gather today for a memorial outside Larissa station, central Greece, near the site of the accident. The station master implicated in the disaster was due in court on Sunday, a hearing postponed from the previous day, where he may face charges of negligent homicide. Hellenic Train, the rail company that has become the focus of some of the anger expressed in the wake of the crash, released a statement yesterday evening defending its actions. Hundreds of people had demonstrated during the week outside their Athens headquarters, and one legal source said that investigators are looking at the possibility of bringing charges against senior members of the company. Protestors clashed with police firing tear gas during a demonstration in Athens today Thousands of angry demonstrators gathered in protest of the train crash which killed 57 people on Tuesday Riot police stood in the street during clashes with protestors at a demonstration in Athens Protestors chanted slogans as they withdrew from clashes during a rally to commemorate the victims of Greece's deadliest train crash A protestor threw a projectile during clashes with police at a demonstration in Athens today Greek riot police chased protestors today with smoke and fire visible at the scene Protestors ran from tear gas during the riot today after 57 people died on Tuesday Over the last few days, rail union officials have insisted they warned the company about the safety issues on the line. Hard questions are also being asked of the government over its failure to pursue rail safety reforms. The demonstrations and vigils across Greece have expressed a combination of grief and anger at the disaster, which happened when a passenger train and a freight train collided. Syntagma Square, next to the Greek parliament in Athens, was the scene of clashes between police and angry protesters on Friday night. Candle-lit marches and ceremonies have also been held in memory of the victims, many of them students who were returning from a weekend break. 'What happened was not an accident, it was a crime,' said one protester, Sophia Hatzopoulou, a 23-year-old philosophy student in Thessaloniki. 'We can't watch all this happen and remain indifferent.' At least nine young people studying at Thessaloniki's Aristotle University were among those killed on the passenger train. The station master at Larissa, whose identity has not been made public, has admitted responsibility for the accident, which happened after the two trains ran along the same track for several kilometres. Protestors tried to protect themselves from tear gas thrown by riot policemen during clashes Riot police detained a protestor during a demonstration in Athens today Protestors tried to protect themselves from tear gas during violent clashes The demonstrations and vigils across Greece have expressed a combination of grief and anger at the disaster, which happened when a passenger train and a freight train collided Riot police detained a protestor during a rally to commemorate the 57 victims Motorised police moved to disperse protestors who were gathered together in the street The 59-year-old man, if charged with negligent homicide, faces life in jail if he is convicted. But his lawyer Stefanos Pantzartsidis insisted yesterday: 'In the case, there are important new elements that need to be examined.' Details have emerged in Greek media of the station master's relative inexperience in the post and the fact that he was left unsupervised during a busy holiday weekend. 'These are particularly difficult days for the country and for our company,' Hellenic Train said in a statement yesterday evening, pointing out that it had lost nine of its own employees in the crash. Its staff were quick to reach the scene of the disaster and had been working closely with rescue teams and the authorities ever since, the company added. Kostas Genidounias, the head of the train drivers' union OSE, said they had already warned the authorities about safety failings on the line where the crash happened. And union leaders at Hellenic Train sounded the alarm just three weeks ago. 'We are not going to wait for the accident to happen to see those responsible shed crocodile tears,' they said at the time. The BBC has renamed the John Peel Wing at its Broadcasting House headquarters 'to help staff and visitors navigate the building' - after historical sexual abuse claim were made against the late DJ. The corporation is understood to have sent an internal email to staff last month explaining it was simplifying the entire campus to become London Broadcasting House. It comes after the site of the former Egton wing, where the former BBC Radio 1 DJ broadcast until 1996, was renamed in his honour in March 2012. Peel, who died suddenly from a heart attack in Peru aged 65 in October 2004, was then described as a 'one of the BBCs great radio talents' who 'personified so much of what the BBC stands for quality, creativity and innovation'. But campaigners have been calling for Peel's name to be removed from the BBC's offices, as well as a stage at Glastonbury, after historical sexual abuse claims came to light. Peel, who died suddenly from a heart attack in Peru aged 65 in October 2004, was then described as a 'one of the BBCs great radio talents' The BBC has renamed the John Peel Wing at its Broadcasting House headquarters (pictured) 'to help staff and visitors navigate the building' Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis revealed this week that the John Peel Stage (pictured), which replaced the New Bands Tent in 2005, will now be called Woodsie Allegations included one from a woman who claimed in 2012 that she became pregnant by Peel during a three-month affair when she was a 15-year-old schoolgirl in 1969. Both the BBC and Glastonbury have denied the allegations were responsible for the decisions. READM MORE: John Peel is 'cancelled': Glastonbury RENAME stage dedicated to BBC DJ after 18 years Advertisement The BBC's campus in west London is now understood to comprise of zones A to H, rather than the now former names of Old Broadcasting House, the Bridge, the Peel wing and New Broadcasting House. The Peel Wing, now Zone H, was opened as the Egton wing by the late Queen in 2006. It went on to house BBC London and the corporation's Arabic and Persian television services. Meanwhile, Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis revealed this week that the John Peel Stage, which replaced the New Bands Tent in 2005, will now be called Woodsies. She said the decision was part of a push to name stages after the fields they stand in, such as West Holts and Silver Hayes. It followed a petition last summer calling on the festival to take action following the allegations, though it received fewer than 2,000 allegations. Ms Eavis added: ''We've had 20 years of John Peel and it's been an honour to use his name,' she told The Guardian. Ms Eavis then insisted that the name change was not a response to the petition, saying: 'I haven't got involved in that because it's not our area. 'We've had a really good relationship with the Peel family and everyone's on board.' Glastonbury's New Bands Tent took its new name following Peel's death in Peru. He is alleged to have met the woman at a Black Sabbath concert when he was 30. She claims he had sex with her in the BBC studio and backstage at concerts. Peel, born John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, worked as a DJ for the BBC from 1967 till he died suddenly in Peru In an interview with The Sunday Correspondent in 1989, Peel said: 'Girls used to queue up outside. By and large not usually for sh*****g.' Peel added: 'Oral sex they were particularly keen on, I remember. One of my, er, regular customers, as it were, turned out to be 13, though she looked older.' An interview originally published in The Herald in April 2004 stated that Peel admitted to sexual contact with 'an awful lot' of underage girls. In an interview with The Guardian in 1975 while discussing women, Peel said: 'All they wanted me to do was abuse them, sexually, which, of course, I was only too happy to do.' Peel, born John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, worked as a DJ for the BBC from 1967 till he died. Moves: Ms Eavis said the decision to rename the stage - pictured last year - was part of a push to name stages after the fields they stand in, such as West Holts and Silver Hayes In 1965, Peel - then 26 - married a 15-year-old American girl called Shirley Anne Milburn. He later claimed she and her family had lied about her age. They divorced in 1973 and years later she reportedly took her own life. In 2012, eight years after Peel's death, a woman came forward with claims of an affair with the respected DJ. She said she had a 'traumatic' abortion in Ealing, west London, after he got her pregnant. A postcard, allegedly sent to the woman from Peel after she contacted him about their relationship 30 years later, read: 'Jane, Well, you've scared the daylights out of me. For years I've been expecting a letter starting, "In the 70s we had a brief affair - and your now son/daughter, aged 27, wants to meet you". 'What exactly do you want me to do. I live near Ipswich so Croydon is pretty inaccessible. I'll wait to hear from you again. John.' One of two thieves ran off with the key to the car his associate was trying to steal Houston police have released footage of an attempted carjacking that went catastrophically wrong after one bungling thief accidentally ran off with the car key. The video, released on Friday, captured the moment one of the two robbers ran off on foot with a backpack containing the key to the Jeep they were trying to steal, preventing the other from starting the car. As the owner of the Jeep chased the thief that took his backpack, the other who was trying to start the car gave up and fired his pistol. On hearing gunfire, the thief with the backpack dropped it, enabling the owner to recover the bag and its contents. The two crooks were picked up in a blue Chevrolet Camaro driven by a third suspect, but all three left empty handed, according to the Houston Police Department. Houston Police Department released surveillance footage of a carjacking that goes wrong after one of the two thieves runs off with the car keys The keys to the Jeep the two were trying to steal were in a backpack (pictured) which one ran off with, but eventually dropped, allowing the victim to recover all of his items The attempted carjacking happened on a January afternoon after the victim believes he was followed to his home in the Newcastle neighborhood of Houston. He said that they had seen and followed him from a nearby gas station. The homeowner described the experience to Fox 26 Houston, but said he wanted to remain unidentified. 'Came up on me with a loaded 9mm gun with an extended clip, at least 40 bullets or so. They wanted the car,' he said. 'Shouted give me your keys, kept my hands up, tried to stay as calm as possible.' Video shows the man was putting something into a wheeled outdoor trash can beside his garage when the armed assailant tapped him on the shoulder and points the pistol at him with just one hand. 'The gun was in my face the whole time,' he said. He said that when asked where the keys were, he truthfully told them that they were in a bag in the passenger seat of the car. The gunman and his co-conspirator then entered the garage. The one with the gun approached the driver's side while engaging in an exchange with the owner. Meanwhile, the other approaches from the passenger side and grabs the backpack on the seat before running off with it in his hands. The panicked homeowner then appears conflicted between chasing after the thief who took his backpack and keeping his eyes on the armed man who was in his car, but eventually decides to give chase. Houston police are appealing for information regarding the two thieves, both of whom were wearing tracksuits and the lower halves of their faces concealed. A third suspect was driving a blue Chevrolet Camaro which they used to flee The homeowner chased the man who stole his backpack. The other thief fired a shot at the two, causing the man with the bag to drop it Both the thieves ran away on foot before eventually catching up with a blue Camaro which let them into the car and drove off. The thief who had the backpack can be seen running on the grass on the sidewalk this image Once the gunman realized he was unable to start the car he abandoned the project and ran off in the same direction as the other two. As he did he fired gun, startling the thief with the backpack, who then dropped in on the ground as he continued to run off. 'The complainant started to run after the suspect that had his backpack and heard gunshots coming from the first suspect, who was running behind him. The suspect that had the backpack also heard the gunshots, causing him to drop the backpack,' the police said in a statement. 'The kid got out of my car who had the gun, and he took a shot at me and his friend, buddy, accomplice, whatever you want to call him,' the homeowner said. 'I continued to chase him up to where I saw him get in the car, out on Holcombe, right in front of Herman Urgent Care,' he added. The two thieved then ran to catch up with a blue Chevrolet Camaro which drove past the house did not come to a total stop. Eventually the two reach the car and make off. 'Usually when they say give me your keys, somebody gives it to them right away, and they're gone. It didn't happen that way, so they were bamboozled,' he said. 'They didn't know what to do. Luckily, it was a bunch of errors, or I probably wouldn't be talking to you today.' Houston Police Department said it is now appealing to members of the public for information regarding the attempted robbery and released descriptions who both had the bottom halves of their faces concealed. It said information leading to charges could earn up to $5,000 in cash. A man has allegedly raped a 21-year-old woman in the stairwell of her New York City apartment building - while threatening to kill her if she did not comply. Cops are now on the hunt for the unidentified perpetrator, who was captured on security camera shortly after the attack, that happened just after 1am Saturday on Manhattan's Upper West Side. According to investigators, the man followed the young woman into her building, located near West 65th Street and West End Avenue, and into its elevator. At that point, the suspect - a black man described as a 5'8' approximately 150-lbs and believed to be in his 30s - forced the woman out of the elevator and into the stairwell, where he carried out the rape. Allegedly threatening her life throughout the entirety of the altercation, the stranger is said to have forced his victim back out of the building and into the pouring rain, before fleeing the scene in an unknown direction. Scroll down for video: A still-at-large suspect allegedly raped a 21-year-old woman in the stairwell of her New York City apartment building - threatening to kill her if she did not comply. Cops are now on the hunt for the unidentified perpetrator, who was captured on security camera shortly after the attack - which happened just after 1 am Saturday 'It was reported to police that on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at approximately 1:20 am, an unknown male individual followed a 21-year-old female into a building in the vicinity of West End Avenue and West 65th Street,' the NYPD said Sunday morning. 'Once inside, the individual followed the victim into an elevator and then forced her out of the elevator and into a stairwell where he raped her. 'The individual then forced the victim outside of the building and fled the location,' cops added, revealing, that the victim was taken to an area hospital. The extent of the woman's injuries, as well as her identity, remain unreported as of 11:30am. Surveillance video captured outside the woman's residence - as well as inside the stairwell itself - showed the suspected attacker directly after the attack. Now being circulated to citizens across the five boroughs, one snippet show the suspect ditching his jacket despite teeming rain seen that night, tossing it over a fence before walking away. It is not immediately clear where exactly the short clip was captured, though cops confirmed it was near the woman's residence in the affluent neighborhood. Surveillance video captured outside the woman's residence shows the suspected attacker directly after the attack The recording shows that the slim, dark-skinned man had been wearing a black jacket - with he ditched - as well as a gray sweatshirt and black pants Another still released by cops, snapped in the stairwell where the woman underwent her ordeal, showed the alleged attacker's face, shrouded with his hood as he presumably made his escape. Both recordings show that the slim man had been wearing a black jacket - with he ditched - as well as a gray sweatshirt and black pants. Cops Sunday said that the woman did not see which direction in which the man fled. Authorities are now asking New Yorkers to keep their eyes peeled for the attacker, and contact the NYPD's Crime Stoppers taskforce with any information relevant to the case. The incident serves as the latest in a string of rapes plaguing the Big Apple, with the largely residential Upper West Side in particular surfacing as a hotbed for such attacks. In January, 74-year-old Maria Hernandez, who lived in a one-bedroom apartment on West 83rd Street, was raped and killed by a man who broke into her home. Police said they found the senior's home ransacked after receiving a call from her sister who came across Hernandez's body, which had bruising on her face, arms and back. Cops Sunday said that the woman did not see which direction in which the man fled Now being circulated to citizens across the five boroughs, the video shows the man ditching his jacket despite teeming rain seen that night, tossing it over a fence before walking away Shortly thereafter, cops determined she had been strangled to death, and that there were signs of severe sexual abuse. Less than a week later, cops cuffed Lashawn Mackey, 47, and Terrence Moore, 53, for the crime. Mackey, a fill-in maintenance man at the building, and Moore, a Brooklyn man with a prior conviction for second-degree murder and robbery, have both pleaded not guilty to charges that include murder, aggravated sexual abuse, and burglary. Then, in November, not far from the scene of the recent rape, another woman was almost sexually assaulted at around 5:15pm in Riverside Park near West 87th Street, but was saved after members of the public who witnessed the attack called 911, resulting in the arrest of the suspect. The 25-year-old suspect was later identified as Christopher Cedeno, a resident of a nearby supportive housing facility for formerly homeless veterans. Cops added at the time that the suspect had been known to police and had been arrested before. The incident serves as the latest in a string of rapes plaguing the Big Apple, with the largely residential Upper West Side in particular surfacing as a hotbed for such attacks Similarly, that same month, a 43-year-old woman was raped, choked and robbed while running around 5:30 am along Pier 45. The suspect grabbed her from behind and choked her until she lost consciousness, police said. Cops later took into custody a 29-year-old homeless man, after he used stolen credit cards at a Target in Midtown. He has since been charged with both rape and assault. The Unite union has called off nationwide ambulance worker strikes planned for tomorrow to enter pay talks with the Government. Thousands of NHS workers across England had been due to stage walkouts on Monday and Wednesday in an ongoing dispute over pay. But Unite union members at at ambulance trusts in the West Midlands, North West, South Central, South Coastal, and East Midlands announced this afternoon they are pausing their industrial action for pay talks to take place this week. Unite head of operations Gail Cartmail said: 'Following further assurances from the Government over the weekend, Unite has in good faith agreed to pause the strike action. 'If the meeting doesn't meet these assurances strike action will resume.' Striking ambulance workers on the picket line at the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust in January Unite the Union General Secretary Sharon Graham joins striking health care workers on the picket line outside Cardiff Ambulance Station last month It would have marked the first time that Unite members in South Central and South Coastal had taken industrial action. Members in Yorkshire, who are also planning to strike for the first time, were due to take industrial action on Wednesday. It comes after Unison and GMB unions cancelled industrial action which would have involved tens of thousands of key workers. Unison and GMB made the decision after the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said money was available for potential pay rises covering this year and next. Some 32,000 NHS workers would have been involved in planned Unison strikes - including 24,500 ambulance staff - while 13,000 ambulance workers were part of the GMB action. The 'huge shift' came after 999 crews dramatically vowed to escalate the strikes by refusing to respond to some heart attack and stroke victims. GMB bosses said ministers have agreed to discuss pay for both this financial year and next, in a sign that NHS staff will be given a backdated pay rise to avert more chaos. Pay talks with the Unite union will take place this week, bosses have said. Pictured: 'Health Secretary Steve Barclay Ambulance workers on the picket line outside the Bromsgrove Ambulance Hub, Worcestershire in the West Midlands Unions have been assured that any cash rises which could cost billions will not have to be ringfenced from existing health budgets. GMB strikes in Wales which were also due to take place on Monday have also been suspended for further talks with the Government there. It comes after a similar Government offer to open pay talks between the nursing union, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), led to the suspension of strikes which were due to be held this week. Billionaire filmmaker Tyler Perry was spotted paying a visit to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's $14.7 million Montecito home over the weekend. The Hollywood titan, who has famously offered several major assists to the royal couple as they settled into their American lives, was spotted hopping out of his $200,000 Lamborghini Urus and into his $125million private jet in Los Angeles. He then flew for 20 minutes to Santa Barbara, where he and the Sussexes met for about two hours before he headed back to his jet, which then made its way to his empire in Atlanta, Georgia. The luxury private jet is the same one that Perry allowed Meghan and Harry to use for their so-called freedom flight in 2020, when they left their old life in the UK behind to set up a new existence in California. Perry, who reportedly changed into a suit to see Harry and Meghan, traveled with a bodyguard. The filmmaker is godfather to Lilibet Diana - and Meghan and Harry both lodged at his Los Angeles mansion for multiple months in 2020. He was pictured in a casual outfit comprised of black On Cloud sneakers, a collared shirt, a black zip up hoodie and black jeans. He appeared to be carrying a large water bottle filled with a dark liquid. Tyler Perry steps out of his $200,000 Lamborghini at a Los Angeles airport, where he boarded his private plane and flew to Montecito The filmmaker is godfather to Lilibet Diana - and Meghan and Harry both lodged at his Los Angeles mansion for months in 2020 Perry boards the $125million jet, the same one that Meghan and Harry used on their so-called Freedom Flight It was recently reported that Harry and Meghan were granted invitations to King Charles' coronation later this year, but have not yet made it clear whether or not they will attend. A Sussex spokesperson told The Times: 'I can confirm The Duke has recently received email correspondence from His Majesty's office regarding the coronation. 'An immediate decision on whether The Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time.' One concern of the couple's, according to royal experts, is 'appearing an irrelevance' if they do not attend King Charles' Coronation later this year. Harry and Meghan are refusing to confirm whether or not they will attend the historic event in May, but Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has said they would 'dare not stay away. ' The Hollywood titan, who has famously offered several major assists to the royal couple as they settled into their American lives, was spotted hopping out of his $200,000 Lamborghini Urus and into his $125million private jet in Los Angeles Perry's casual look for the day before changing into a suit ahead of meeting with Meghan and Harry He told MailOnline: 'It has always been clear that King Charles would invite Harry and Meghan to the Coronation. As a symbol of national unity, he believes this is important. 'However their response is uncertain and raises an acute dilemma for them. On the one hand, they want discussions with senior royals and accountability for what they believe they went through when they were senior working royals. 'They believe that, together with the press, the royal family sought to drive them into exile. They want an apology. They will not get it. 'The Sussexes have contracts with Netflix, Spotify and Random House. They only have these because they are members of the Royal Family. If they did not attend this momentous event they will seem very out of touch. ' He told MailOnline: 'It has always been clear that King Charles would invite Harry and Meghan to the Coronation. As a symbol of national unity, he believes this is important. 'However their response is uncertain and raises an acute dilemma for them. On the one hand, they want discussions with senior royals and accountability for what they believe they went through when they were senior working royals. 'They believe that, together with the press, the royal family sought to drive them into exile. They want an apology. They will not get it. 'The Sussexes have contracts with Netflix, Spotify and Random House. They only have these because they are members of the Royal Family. If they did not attend this momentous event they will seem very out of touch.' Tyler Perry's car turns onto a private road in Santa Barbara, where he stopped by to visit with Meghan and Harry Perry's jet at the Santa Barbara airport, from which he flew to Atlanta, Georgia Harry and Meghan previously chatting with their friend Tyler Perry, who famously did the couple several large favors during their transition from life in the UK to California. They are pictured during Meghan and Harry's Netflix documentary, which aired in December 2022 Fitzwilliams added: 'Also the courtiers are aware of their obsession with controlling the narrative and for getting publicity. They will be strictly controlled as they were during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Discussions with other royals will focus on the weather. 'So the dilemma is theirs. They wont be missed if they dont come by much of the British public. However if they dont they risk appearing an irrelevance and polls in America have shown a seismic drop in their support. 'Since they have not decided on constructive careers and the endless interviews, the memoir and threats of more memoirs are recent proof of this, I suspect they dared not stay away. We shall see.' Prince Harry, who along with his wife Meghan, has launched a series of extraordinary attacks against the Royal Family in recent months, has confirmed he received an email from his father about the event. The coronation, which is set to be seen by millions of people in the UK and potentially billions around the world, will take place on May 6 - the same day as the fourth birthday of Archie, Harry's son. The news comes days after Charles kicked his son and daughter-in-law out of their British home, Frogmore Cottage, a move that is thought to complicate any future visits to the UK from the California-based couple. Perry traveled with one security guard and reportedly met with Meghan and Harry for about two hours before jetting off again Perry's massive jet is worth a reported $125million He drove his custom Lamborghini to the Los Angeles airport There has been much debate in recent months about whether King Charles would invite his youngest son to his coronation. The relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family has become strained in recent years, with both Harry and Meghan publicly criticizing the Firm. As well as hitting out at the institution, Harry revealed intimate, personal conversations involving himself and other members of this family his memoir Spare, which was released earlier this year. The publication saw explosive details of the fractious relationship between Harry and his older brother William laid bare, including the Duke retelling how they were involved in a physical altercation that left Harry visibly injured. Jill Biden is pushing back on GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, 51, for proposing that all politicians over the age of 75 be required to take a mental competency test to qualify to serve in public office. The first lady told CNN that her husband, who would be 82 at the time of inauguration if elected for a second term, would 'never even discuss' taking such a test. President Joe Biden, 80, has come under fire ever since taking office for his rise in verbal and physical fumbles leading to speculation that he is not physically and/or mentally fit for the presidency. Haley, a Trump-era Ambassador to the U.N. and former South Carolina governor, said that she believes elderly politicians should be required to undergo mentally competency testing to avoid speculations like this in the future. 'Ridiculous,' the first lady said in response to the proposal during an interview with CNN, which will air Monday evening as part of a 'Jill Biden Abroad' special. First lady Jill Biden slammed the proposal as 'ridiculous' to require all politicians over 75-years-old take a mental competency test President Joe Biden is 80-years-old and former President Donald Trump is 76. The proposal would require them both to take cognitive tests to make sure they are mentally fir to be president 'We would never even discuss something like that,' she added when asked if her husband would considering taking such a test. 'How many 30-year-olds could travel to Poland, get on the train? Go nine more hours, go to Ukraine, meet with President (Volodymyr) Zelensky?' Jill said in proving her husband's stamina and fitness for the demands of the presidency. 'So, look at the man. Look what he's doing. Look what he continues to do each and every day.' Some have attacked Haley for her proposal, specifically pointing to the fact that she made the age 75 when the frontrunner GOP presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, is 76. Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent senator, slammed it as 'absurd' and slammed the proposal as 'ageist.' 'You know, we are fighting racism, we're fighting sexism, we're fighting homophobia, I think we should also be fighting ageism,' SAnders told Margaret Brennan during an interview with CBS' Face the Nation last Sunday. 'Trust people, look at people and say, you know, this person is competent, this person is not competent,' Sander continued. 'There are a lot of 40 year olds out there who ain't particularly competent.' 'Older people, you know, you look at the individual, I don't think you make a blanket statement.' Biden has not yet announced whether he will run for reelection in 2024, but has repeatedly hinted that he intends to be on the ballot along with Vice President Kamala Harris. Presidential candidate Nikki Haley put the idea forward, claiming that elderly politicians should be required to get tested for mental competency to make sure they are fit for office Jill says she supports her husband running for a second term, but also said it's up to him. 'It's Joe's decision,' she said. 'And we support whatever he wants to do. If he's in, we're there. If he wants to do something else, we're there too.' Biden had a cancerous skin lesion removed from his chest during his annual physical exam last month at Walter Reed Medical Center. 'The biopsy confirmed that the small lesion was basal cell carcinoma. All cancerous tissue was successfully removed,' White House physician Kevin O'Connor wrote in a memo on Friday. He said no further treatment is needed, but he will continue to conduct regular skin screenings as part of his ongoing health care. In the Southern California mountains, some left messages in the snow as they have run out of food, gas, insulin, and baby formula after being stuck for a week In the Midwest and South, more than a dozen were killed by the severe weather and more than 300,000 are still without power Sunday Storms continue to hit the United States coast-to-coast after a devastating week The death toll from a series of devastating storms that have hit the U.S. has risen to 13 as the Midwest and South cleanup and the West Coast attempts to dig out from the snow. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced Saturday that five people were killed across multiple counties on March 4 from the severe weather including high winds. One additional person died indirectly from the winter weather. The storms have left more than 300,000 people across Kentucky and Michigan in the darkness as of Sunday, according to PowerOutage.us. In Southern California, residents and visitors resorted to writing out 'help us' in the snow as they have been trapped for more than a week by feet of snow. 'It feels helpless right, and it's kind of a frustrating type of helpless,' said one man who has been isolated in the San Bernardino mountains for nearly two weeks. In Southern California, residents and visitors resorted to writing out S.O.S. messages in the snow as they have been trapped for more than a week A tree is completely uprooted in Morgan County, Alabama from the storms Onlookers view the boats and dock damage at Safe Harbor Pier 121 in Lewisville, Texas, Friday Some areas of San Bernardino County have received more than four feet of snow during the recent round of snow to hit Last week, winds in Kentucky reached up to 75 miles per hour in Kentucky, causing major widespread destruction. According to Beshear, the majority of the damage was to trees and power lines. As of Sunday, more than 216,000 residents are still without power and Beshear warned Saturday it could take days to restore power. Similarly, Michigan still has nearly 110,00 without power as of Sunday. 'Very significant widespread damage and is going to take days to get power back up in some places,' Gov. Beshear said Saturday at a press conference. The governor described the powerful winds by explaining that some residents in Franklin County - located between Lexington and Louisville - could 'feel the walls moving.' Beshear declared a state of emergency Friday over the weather. Millions of Americans are still under weather advisories as high winds, snow, tornadoes, and thunderstorms continue to threaten states. The storms have wreaked havoc on states including Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Seven tornadoes have been reported across Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas since Thursday. Arkansas has also seen more than half a foot of rain and Oklahoma and Ohio were under flooding alerts Friday. Winds in Texas ripped the roof off a grocery store north of Dallas while 80-mile-per-hour winds were recorded near Fort Worth. Residents at an apartment complex nearby also reported their roof being ripped off by the winds. 'The whole building started shaking...The whole ceiling is gone,' one neighbor told KDFW-TV. 'It got really crazy.' A car parked in Red Bank, Tenn. is seen under a fallen tree following storms on Friday Residents wait in line to receive food after feet of snow fell in Crestline, California Temps across the United States range drastically from negatives in the Dakotas to mid 70s in Texas and surrounding states Barbara Buckner looks over her home that was destroyed by a tornado in Norman, Oklahoma San Bernardino County firefighters have been working to dig residents out Cars carefully navigate downed trees and power lines on Chestnut Blvd. in Selma, Alabama Another tree was completely ripped out of the ground in Alabama during the recent round of storms that struck the area, including tornadoes A vehicle drives down a road as hail and rain fall during a winter storm that blanketed the region in Redondo Beach, California The Santa Clara River flooded, due to heavy rainfall, washing away over 150 feet of land and multiple mobile homes Southern California has seen little relief from a series of storms that have hit the area for weeks Another photo shows the damage in Alabama from the storm In Southern California, two teen boys who were hiking the San Bernardino mountains were forced to huddle for days after they were stranded in the snow. 'They've told us, 'We were already convinced we were going to die',' Cesar Ramirez, the father of one of the two boys, told KTLA. The area where the boys were rescued from has been pummeled by snow, some places receiving upwards of 50 inches in the last week. California officials estimate that as much as 10 feet have fallen during the storms. Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared states of emergency in 13 counties. One of the 13 counties includes San Bernardino where some residents have been stranded for nearly two weeks. The snowfall has closed off access to some roads entirely and shut off the power. San Diego resident Kirk Taylor told ABC 10 he has been at his family cabin in Running Springs since February 20 with his wife and their two children. Taylor said his family is prepared with gas and food but others are not so lucky. 'They have no gas, no gas for hot water. They're kind of stuck,' he said. Dawn Rowe, chair of the county board of supervisors, said the county has received hundreds of emergency calls in the past week, many from people who are looking for baby formula or medicine. This was an S.O.S. message written in the snow Mountains surrounding LA are seen covered in snow on March 2 'They have no gas, no gas for hot water. They're kind of stuck,' said San Diego resident Kirk Taylor who has been stuck in the mountains with his family since February 20 Lake Arrowhead resident Michelle Calkins Michelle sent me this video to share with all of you. Residents are begging for help and they need our help to share their messages. After I got off the phone with her I felt the stress in her voice. @SBCOUNTYFIRE @sbcountysheriff https://t.co/mhitK8XebQ pic.twitter.com/xI93qdTNf6 FirePhotoGirl (@FirePhotoGirl) March 1, 2023 Snow has completely buried some residents in the San Bernardino mountain area Hundreds of personnel from first responder agencies have been dispatched to assist in the recovery efforts in Southern California In one video posted to Twitter, a Lake Arrowhead resident pleaded with officials to respond with resources including baby formula and insulin. Hundreds of personnel from first responder agencies have been dispatched to assist in the recovery efforts in Southern California. In Northern California, most ski resorts have already seen in excess of 500 inches this winter, according to meteorologists. The famed Mammoth Mountain is approaching 700 inches so far this season. Overall, California's snowpack is at 189 percent of the average to date. Matt Hancock took his lover Gina Coladangelo to private dinners with the US Secretary of State at a G7 summit before later removing the suggestion he invited her, leaked WhatsApp messages have revealed. The Health Secretary, who was later forced to resign after his affair with Ms Coladangelo emerged, brought his lover, who he had been seeing for a month, to two private dinners with his US counterpart as his guest. He later tried to remove any suggestion he had invited her along from an official ministerial response to a question asked by Labour MP Ben Bradshaw in Parliament after the details of his affair were exposed. The changes to the response were made after interference from him and his former political advisor Allan Nixon, messages show, after he was forced to resign from his position. This is the latest revelation published by The Telegraph after the paper was handed more than 100,000 WhatsApp messages from Mr Hancock's phone by the journalist to whom he entrusted them in order to ghostwrite his book, Pandemic Diaries. Matt Hancock took Ms Coladangelo to two private dinners with the US Secretary of State for Health in June 2021 during the G7 summit Matt Hancock gives a thumbs-up before welcoming his G7 counterparts to Mansfield College, Oxford University, on June 3, 2021 Mr Hancock has accused Isabel Oakeshott of breaking an NDA and betraying the confidence of their relationship - but the journalist maintains she has acted in the public interest. The former Health Secretary invited Ms Coladangelo, who he had started his affair with a month previously, to two dinners with the US Secretary of State for Health Xavier Becerra, on June 3 and 4 at the University of Oxford, the Telegraph reports. When asked to clarify whether Ms Coldangelo was absolutely necessary at these dinners, Matt Hancock declined to answer. Nearly a month after the details of his affair were exposed and Mr Hancock had quit, Labour MP for Exeter Ben Bradshaw asked the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) to account for 'what role former non-executive director Gina Colangelo played in the G7 Health Minister's meeting in June 2021.' Messages published by the paper show the original drafted response from the Department of Health said: 'Gina Coladangelo attended the G7 Health Ministers' Meeting at the request of the previous Secretary of State, for the Department of Health and Social Care.' But Mr Nixon sent a copy of the response to Mr Hancock in which he appeared to have crossed this out, instead writing Ms Coladangelo 'played an advisory role to the Secretary of State at the G7 meeting.' The political advisor had remained in the department to assist new Health Secretary Sajid Javid, yet appears to have edited the response at the request of Mr Hancock. The former Health Secretary replied: 'Are you sure that's the right response?' He is then said to have suggested changing it to: 'Gina Coladangelo attended the G7 in her role as a non-executive director of DHSC.' Ms Coladangelo, who is an old university friend of Mr Hancock, was appointed to the position in the department in September 2020. She resigned shortly after details of the affair were published. The couple, pictured leaving 10 Downing Street, began their affair after Ms Coladangelo was appointed to the department as a non-executive director The messages have come to light after they were leaked by journalist Isabel Oakeshott But by the time the response was published on October 28, 2021 - more than three months after the question was asked - all references to Mr Hancock and the DHSC had been removed entirely. The answer, read by Conservative MP and then-Health Minister Edward Argar, said: 'Ms Coladangelo attended the G7 Health Minister's meeting as a part of the UK delegation. 'All travel and subsistence costs were covered as part of the Department's overall booking. Ms Coladangelo did not claim any additional expenses.' Mr Bradshaw had also asked the department to clarify what the cost to the public was of Ms Coladangelo's attendance at the dinners, and whether she claimed any expenses. Leaked messages show Mr Hancock had wanted the answer to this to be 'zero', but Mr Nixon told him the Permanent Secretary had overruled them. Mr Hancock replied it was true she incurred no expenses, adding: 'This will be another s*** show if it goes wrong.' Mr Nixon replied: 'I know. Hence flagging. Leave with me.' Throughout the revelations, Mr Hancock has maintained there is no public interest in publishing the messages. When asked today by MailOnline to clarify whether Ms Coladangelo's presence was required at the dinners above any other member of the UK delegation, and if so why he ensured his involvement was kept out of the record, a spokesperson declined to answer. They said: 'There is absolutely no public interest case for this huge breach. 'All the materials for the book have already been made available to the Inquiry, which is the right, and only, place for everything to be considered properly and the right lessons to be learned. 'As we have seen, releasing them in this way gives a partial, biased account to suit an anti-lockdown agenda.' The messages revealed on Sunday follow a release earlier this week which showed the couple's reaction to their affair becoming public knowledge. CCTV images of the former Health Secretary and his now-girlfriend in an intimate embrace were published in June 2021, prompting a panicked response - from shock at the leak, to brainstorming how to ride out the storm, to informing the Prime Minister and, afterwards, his wife. CCTV images of the former Health Secretary and his now-girlfriend in an intimate embrace were published in June 2021 Ms Coladangelo travelled to Australia in 2022 to welcome Mr Hancock out from the I'm A Celeb jungle As the news of his affair broke, Mr Hancock asked the Department of Health's media advisor Damon Poole 'how bad' the pictures were, to which Mr Poole said: 'It's a snog and heavy petting.' The then Health Secretary replied: 'How the f*** did anyone photograph that?' The messages, which were revealed by The Telegraph on Friday, showed Mr Hancock's affair started on May 4, and the CCTV images were from two days later. At the time, indoor gatherings of two or more people were banned and guidance instructed people to remain at least one metre apart from one another. Mr Hancock reportedly phoned Boris Johnson and informed him of the affair before he went home to tell his wife and children. Other messages were then sent in a group chat called 'Crisis Management' with him, Ms Coladangelo and media advisor Damon Poole. After the Sun had published the story, Mr Poole described whoever provided the paper with the images as a 'c***'. In one WhatsApp message, Mr Hancock tells his media advisor: 'I could apologise for the whole thing - I have after all cheated on my wife.' He also told the media advisor: 'WE DIDN'T BREAK THE F***ING LAW OK'. The former Health Secretary split from his wife as the news of the affair broke, leaving his family home and his children to stay elsewhere. He has since been pictured on many occasions with his girlfriend, most prominently on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here when Ms Coladangelo flew to Australia to meet him as he came out of the jungle. Texts with Mr Nixon show the pair desperately trying to draw up a list of MPs who have given 'warm words' and who might be prepared to Tweet in Mr Hancock's defence after the affair was revealed. Representatives for Matt Hancock have been contacted for comment. Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said that he thinks there needs to be multiple 'alternative' voices from Donald Trump in the 2024 GOP primary election. He was responding to former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announcing that he will not run for the Republican nomination because he feels that the race will get crowded with too many candidates who won't be able to gain momentum from current frontrunners. Hutchinson, who joins Hogan in being an anti-Trump Republican, has not ruled out his own run for president. 'In the early stages, multiple candidates that have an alternative vision to what the former president has is good for our party, good for the debate, good for the upcoming debate that will be in August,' Hutchinson said in a Sunday morning interview with CNN's State of the Union program. 'And so, sure, that will narrow, and it will probably narrow fairly quickly,' he continued. 'We need to have a lot of self-evaluation as you go along, but I think more voices now that provide alternative messages and problem-solving and ideas is good for our party.' Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said there needs to be multiple candidates in 2024 to give 'alternative' voices to Donald Trump. He said he will make an announcement on if he's running in April "Multiple candidates that have an alternative vision... is good for our party" Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-AR) argues that there should be multiple GOP candidates in 2024 who offer something different from former president Donald Trump. @CNNSotu #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/yJuO7BgoEy CNN (@CNN) March 5, 2023 In an interview released earlier on Sunday with CBS News' Face the Nation, Hogan said after announcing he would not run in 2024: 'I didn't want to have a pile up of a bunch of people fighting.' 'Right now, you have you know, Trump and DeSantis at the top of the field, they're soaking up all the oxygen, getting all the attention,' he explained. 'And then a whole lot of the rest of us in single digits and the more of them you have, the less chance you have for somebody rising up.' Hutchinson, however, told CNN: 'This is not 2016. Donald Trump is a known quantity. He makes his message of revenge clear.' '[Hogan] did say he wanted to avoid a multi-car pileup I got a kick out of that reference,' Hutchinson continued. 'And I actually think that more voices right now in opposition or providing an alternative to Donald Trump is the best thing and the right direction.' The former Arkansas governor said the GOP needs 'a different type of leadership in the future.' 'It should not be someone that's going to appeal to the worst instincts of our country,' he added, clearly referencing Trump. Hutchinson signaled that he could make an announcement next month on whether he will make a bid for president, but said March should be spent on improving the messaging of the Republican Party. 'March is a message month,' he said. 'I want to continue to talk about having a consistent conservative message out there.' 'We need to have all alternatives, again, to Donald Trump. We don't need to be led by arrogance and revenge in the future. We need to be led by those that are problem-solving, that want to stick with the principles of our party and unite us together. And so that's the message in March.' 'April is a decision time. So, we will stick with that plan.' Hogan decided he will not make a bid for the White House in 2024. The former Maryland governor gave a realist perspective to why he isn't joining the race and said he knew he wouldn't be a front-runner and wouldn't be able to make the difference he wants to make as a presidential candidate. Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said in an interview aired Sunday that he will not seek the GOP presidential nomination in 2024 BREAKING NEWS: Former MD @GovLarryHogan tells @costareports, in a @FaceTheNation with @margbrennan exclusive, that he will not seek the GOP presidential nomination in 2024. I didnt want to have a pileup of a bunch of people fighting, he says. More at 10:30am ET. Tune in. pic.twitter.com/1voXeWfwTW Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) March 5, 2023 Hogan said that former President Donald Trump's candidacy was not the biggest consideration in his decision not to make a White House bid, but rather the ever-growing field and competition 'Right now, you have you know, Trump and DeSantis at the top of the field, they're soaking up all the oxygen, getting all the attention. And then a whole lot of the rest of us in single digits and the more of them you have, the less chance you have for somebody rising up,' Hogan explained even though Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (pictured) has not yet announced a bid So far, former President Donald Trump and his once Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley have announced they are running in 2024. They are the most name-recognizable candidates to announce so far. A few other Republicans have also jumped into the running, including biotech multi-millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has not yet joined the race, but is making his first visit to the first-in-the-nation primary contest state of Iowa next week sparking speculation that an announcement is impending any day now. 'I did give it serious consideration and I talked to people everywhere and I talked to my family. And it was a tough decision,' Hogan said. 'But I've decided that I will not be a candidate for the Republican nomination for president.' Hogan, an anti-Trumper since Day One, was lauded as one of the most pragmatic and moderate Republican politicians, leaving his post earlier this year as governor of the blue state of Maryland after his two terms. There were whispers that Hogan would join the 2024 race for president after leaving the State House in Maryland. 'It's mostly about the country and about the party,' Hogan told Costa. 'It was a personal decision.' 'It was like, 'I didn't need that job. I didn't need to run for another office,' he added. 'I was considering it because I thought it was public service and maybe I can make a difference.' 'I didn't want to have a pile up of a bunch of people fighting,' Hogan said in an interview airing on CBS News' Face the Nation on Sunday morning Besides Trump, former Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley (left) and biotech 'anti-woke' millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy (right) have also announced their candidacies for president Despite not wanting to muddy the already-growing field of Republicans, Hogan insisted that the Trump factor didn't play into his decision on whether to launch a bid. 'This is not just a decision about running for president,' Costa said in the pre-recorded interview. 'It's a decision about running against former President Trump who's as tough in his opponent as anyone I've ever covered. Merciless.' 'Well, that didn't really scare me,' Hogan said. 'You're right. It would be a tough race. And he's very tough.' 'But, you know, I beat life-threatening cancer,' he added. 'So having Trump call me names on Twitter didn't - didn't really scare me off.' Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock was determined to spin the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine as a 'Hancock triumph' and become 'Mr vaccine' in the media as he worried about other politicians overshadowing him, leaked messages show. Mr Hancock was told by advisors that the public would 'forgive' him for being supportive of lockdowns if he could claim vaccines as his success, leading the MP to try to be the face of the campaign. But he also rejected advise from medical advisers on reducing the length of time contacts of people with Covid-19 should isolate for as the 'Pingdemic' took hold over Britain. The eagerness to become 'Mr vaccine' came to light in messages revealed by The Telegraph on Sunday, after ghostwriter and journalist Isabel Oakeshott leaked more than 100,000 of his WhatsApp messages to the paper. When positive news came of a vaccine 'turbo boost' in January 2021, Mr Hancock told aides: 'I CALLED FOR THIS TWO MONTHS AGO. This is a Hancock triumph!' Mr Hancock was determined to be seen as 'Mr vaccine' and placed himself at the forefront of media coverage, even appearing to break down on Good Morning Britain Mr Hancock, pictured receiving his Covid booster jab, was worried about being overshadowed by Business Secretary Alok Sharma - having already fought the department to retain control of vaccine rollouts Mr Hancock had reportedly already battled with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in order to retain control of any future jabs rollout. When he heard of an imminent announcement about the success of vaccine trials from Pfizer in November 2020, the then-Health Secretary became worried he would be overshadowed by other ministers. The messages show him communicating with his media advisor Damon Poole, who tells him of the upcoming announcement. The MP seems keen to ensure he is on camera and visible to the public. Mr Hancock said: 'Pity I'm not up in the Commons! I should do a clip.' 'Yep,' replied the advisor. Mr Hancock then asked if No.10 knew about the announcement, adding he should speak to the media in the morning: 'I should DEFINITELY do the round tmrw.' He appears to celebrate that other news topics 'won't be the lead' and panicked about being overshadowed by Business Minister Alok Sharma. 'It MUST NOT be Alok!', Mr Hancock typed. 'I know, I'm worried,' replied Mr Poole. Instead of a video, when Pfizer announced their vaccine was more than 90 percent effective against coronavirus, Mr Hancock tweeted saying the news was the result of 'phenomenal work of scientists and clinicians around the world'. He then appeared across UK media networks the following morning to speak about the vaccine success, even appearing to break down in tears of happiness on Good Morning Britain. The eagerness to become 'Mr vaccine' came to light in messages revealed by The Telegraph on Sunday, after ghostwriter and journalist Isabel Oakeshott (right) leaked more than 100,000 of his WhatsApp messages to the paper Mr Hancock was keen to 'own' vaccine success, and told aides: 'This is a Hancock triumph!' Earlier in the vaccine process, Mr Hancock told aide Jamie Njoku-Goodwin he 'must own' the development of any jab. 'I need to meet this scientist - who is at the same Oxford college I was at'. Mr Njoku-Goodwin, who has since left the Department of Health to become the CEO of UK Music, replied: 'Yup. People see it as the way out. 'They will forgive you for being in favour of lockdown if they think you are working night and day for a vaccine.' He added Mr Hancock was in 'the ideal place to be', adding: 'People don't mind if you don't succeed. They mind if it doesn't look like we are trying.' He suggested speaking directly with pharmaceutical companies to try and help, before Mr Hancock could swoop in on the success. Mr Njoku-Goodwin said: 'It won't take any work - we don't have to do anything, industry is all geared up for this. 'We just need to turn up to the parade, salute and cut the ribbon. It's purely a comms/political thing. 'Bizarrely, pushing on vaccines will be the least resource intensive thing we do, but the most politically beneficial.' By December 2020 Mr Hancock was criticising media coverage that failed to give him credit for the vaccine rollout, telling his media advisor Mr Poole 'we need to be on the front foot from tomorrow'. He continued: 'Very annoying not to have any of the good news up our sleeve. But could be worse - everyone knows I'm Mr vaccine and this is the route out.' Barely two weeks later, Mr Hancock became infuriated after the UK's medicines regulator MHRA appeared to have briefed the press on cutting down the time it takes for vaccine approval without informing the DHSC. Matt Hancock said: 'Weird. But isn't that good news? Is it true?' Mr Poole replied: 'Believe it's true. But they [MHRA] can't be blindsiding everyone.' The Health Secretary raged: 'I CALLED FOR THIS TWO MONTHS AGO. This is a Hancock triumph! And if it IS true we neeed [sic] to accelerate massively.' A spokesperson for Matt Hancock told MailOnline that stories written about the former Health Secretary this week are 'wrong' as they are based on 'partial' information. They said: 'As we've seen all week, these stories are wrong as theyre based on an entirely partial account. 'In the case of vaccines, Matt drove the goal of getting everyone vaccinated, often against resistance in the system. 'Ultimately, he prevailed, thank goodness, and we got the first vaccine in the world, for everyone. Matt set all this out in his book.' They added: 'There is absolutely no public interest case for this huge breach. 'All the materials for the book have already been made available to the Inquiry, which is the right, and only, place for everything to be considered properly and the right lessons to be learned. 'As we have seen, releasing them in this way gives a partial, biased account to suit an anti-lockdown agenda.' Other WhatsApps released on Sunday show Mr Hancock was discussing changing the 14-day isolation period for Covid contacts to a five-day testing programme instead, dubbed 'test-to-release'. Messages from November 2020 show Sir Chris Whitty laying out a possible alternative to 14 days of isolation which would involve contacts testing every day for five days - but added that MHRA had not yet signed this off. Mr Hancock replied: 'So test every day for just five days? 'That sounds like a massive loosening.' Sir Chris said: 'The modelling suggests it's pretty well as good [as isolation]'. The then-Health Secretary said he was 'amazed' - but added that it was a 'very risky' choice. He told Sir Chris the minimum number of days he wanted those in isolation to test for was seven, saying: 'going below that would serious worry people and imply we'd been getting it wrong.' Almost a month later isolation was reduced from 14 days to 10. During the pandemic more than 24 million people were told to isolate after coming into close contact with a coronavirus case. But the NHS's contact-tracing app did come under criticism amid claims it was not very accurate - allegedly pinging people through walls and on different floors of buildings. The messages are just the latest in a stream of revelations to emerge this week. Earlier on Sunday it was revealed Mr Hancock took his lover Gina Coladangelo to two private dinners with the US Health Secretary at the G7 summit, and then intervened to ensure the fact he invited her was struck from the record. Even after being forced to resign due to the affair proving he had broken social distancing guidelines, Mr Poole, who remained in the department, messaged Mr Hancock to discuss how to justify Ms Coladangelo's attendance at the events. Other messages show the Health Secretary appeared to ignore Sir Chris Whitty's advice that all care home residents should be tested for Covid-19 before entering the home. They also revealed his reaction when The Sun informed him his affair with Ms Coladangelo was about to be exposed. Mr Hancock reportedly phoned the Prime Minister to tell him about the affair before going home to tell his wife. In discussing how to deal with the inevitable media coverage, Mr Hancock said: 'I could apologise for the whole thing. I have - after all - cheated on my wife.' Representatives for Matt Hancock have been contacted for comment. Larry Padgett Jr. was arrested in Indiana last week for the 1989 murder and sexual assault of 23-year-old Mary Luicile Willfong A Loogootee, Indiana man has been arrested in connection to the 1989 murder of 23-year-old Mary Luicile Willfong. Willfong was found by deer hunters in the woods of Georgia after being sexually assaulted and strangled, police said. Over the years, police went after several suspects but said the DNA did not match the evidence taken from the victim's body. The case then went cold for north of 30 years. Larry Padgett Jr., 59, was arrested and charged last week with the murder and sexual assault of 23-year-old Mary Luicile Willfong outside of Atlanta, Georgia in 1989 Padgett being arrested by officers from several departments around the country last week in Indiana At the time of the murder, investigators had been told that Willfong, prior to her murder, had been seen getting into a tractor-trailer with a man at the Forest Park farmers market outside of Atlanta. That tip prompted several suspect interviews, but all were eventually dismissed. But then, in early 2019, Investigator Marc Mansfield was assigned to the freshly re-opened case and submitted the original evidence to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab to be tested with newer technology. He also took the evidence to Miami for a genetic genealogy trace using DNA from Willfong. As a result of his actions, investigators were able to identity 59-year-old Larry Padgett Jr. as a suspect. The FBI Evidence Recovery Team and Washington Police Department in Indiana were able to get DNA evidence from Padgett and match it to the DNA taken from Willfong's body. Last week, arrest warrants were issued for Padgett and police drove to Indiana to arrest him. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement officers discovered more evidence linking Padgett to Willfong's murder. Padgett is currently being held in Indiana until he can be extradited. Padgett during his arrest in Indiana last Wednesday Padget is one of many killers who committed murder several decades ago and is just now being brought to justice because of advancements in DNA testing technology. Other killers who were ultimately apprehended thanks to advancements in DNA tracing used by law enforcement include: the Golden State Killer, the 1987 killer of Jay Cook and Tanya Van Cuylenborg, and the killing of Jennifer Brinkman in 1998. The Golden State Killer: DNA used to nab Joseph James DeAngelo decades after he terrorized Californians in murder and rape spree Joseph James DeAngelo, now 77, a former cop who eluded authorities for years as the Golden State Killer is serving multiple consecutive life sentences for sadistic rapes and murders DeAngelo is pictured in the early 70s when he worked with the Exeter Police Department Californians were terrorized in the 1970s and the 1980s by the Golden State Killer before a suspect was finally apprehended. Dozens of rapes and murders went unsolved until Joseph James DeAngelo, now 77, was captured in 2018 with the help of advances in DNA technology. To finally identify and arrest DeAngelo, investigators compared the killer's DNA from the crime scenes to the genetic profiles that are publicly available on genealogical websites. Law enforcement found that it matched one of DeAngelo's relatives, which eventually led to him, proving that DNA could be the most innovative way to catch killers. DeAngelo pleaded guilty to 13 murders and 13 rape-related charges that spanned much of California between 1975 and 1986. He also admitted victimizing at least 87 people at 53 separate crime scenes spanning 11 California counties, though some of the crimes were too old to be formally charged. On August 21, 2020, DeAngelo was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The plea deal spared him the death penalty. Free 'spit kit' leads to conviction of Washington trucker in 1987 double murders of Jay Cook and Tanya Van Cuylenborg William Talbott II, a truck driver from Seattle-Tacoma, was convicted of killing Tanya Van Cuylenborg, 18, and her boyfriend, Jay Cook, 20, in 1987. Pictured: Van Cuylenborg and Cook in front of their van Talbott II was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder in 2019. Pictured: Talbott is helped to a wheelchair by Snohomish County Sheriff's Deputies after being found guilty The case went cold until a genealogy site was used to build a family tree and find the suspect William Talbott II, a former truck driver from Seattle-Tacoma, was convicted of killing Tanya Van Cuylenborg, 18, and her boyfriend, Jay Cook, 20. The killings occurred in 1987, but Talbott wasn't arrested until 2018, after authorities used a genealogy website to identify him as the person who left his DNA on one of the victims. In 2015, Talbott's cousin Chelsea Rustad entered a contest and won a DNA 'spit kit' and uploaded her profile - which led to Talbott's connection to the murders. He became the first person convicted as a result of genealogy research, PEOPLE reported. 'Police told me that without my DNA, he would not have been arrested,' Rustad previously told PEOPLE. 'There would have been no trial. That family would have never had answers.' Advanced DNA technology used to link Jeffrey Paul Premo to DNA found on ax used to kill Jennifer Brinkman in 1998 Jennifer Brinkman, 19, was killed in 1998, but her alleged killer was not caught until 2022 Jeffrey Paul Premo, 52, was arrested in December 2022 in connection to the 1998 death of 19-year-old Jennifer Brinkman. The arrest was made more than 20 years after Brinkman's murder with the help of advanced DNA technology and genetic genealogy. Investigators say they matched his DNA to an ax that was used in the murder and found at the crime scene in 1998, PEOPLE reported. Brinkman is believed to have met her killer on a phone chat line. Investigators from early in the investigation found a letter the suspect wrote to Brinkman before her death that indicated the pair had met, police said at a press conference in 2022. Premo was booked into the Snohomish County Jail and posted a $250,000 bond in December 2022. A Rhode Island mom has revealed she was the topic of a 'secret meeting' held by the the the most powerful teacher's union in the country, after she asked staffers at her child's school whether or not they were teaching students radical gender theory. Appearing in a televised interview to speak out against the meeting Sunday, 39-year-old Nicole Solas revealed that she has also been sued by the union, The National Educator's Association (NEA), as part of a years-long 'harassment' campaign carried out by the union and staffers at her five-year-old daughter's school district. Laying the sordid saga bare to Fox News' Rachel Campos Duffy, Solas said the disagreement started after she made a records request regarding the districts curriculum, after learning students at her daughter's school were were receiving lessons on gender reassignment and Critical Race Theory. Initially met with pushback, the mother continued to submit the public information requests - a perfectly legal practice when it comes to taxpayer-funded institutions - but staffers still continually refused to answer her questions. Eventually, the assistant principal of Solas' five-year-old daughter's elementary school, Amanda Pawelski, and Poudre School District Chief Equity Officer, Marlena Gross-Taylor, were caught in leaked emails discussing using a students' preferred pronouns behind their parents' back. Appearing in a televised interview Sunday, 39-year-old Nicole Solas revealed that she has also been sued by the union, The National Educator's Association (NEA), as part of a years-long campaign carried out by the union and staffers at her five-year-old daughter's school district After being hit with dozens of requests from Solas, the school board then threatened to sue, bringing up the concerned mother's name during a 'secret' meeting held to figure out how to handle the mom's questions regarding the authority of the state-sanctioned school staffers. The NEA has since made good on their lawsuit threat - with Solas now forced to foot legal bills for her own defense. 'They painted me like a wanted enemy of the state simply because I submitted public records requests,' Solas told Fox News' Rachel Campos Duffy Sunday, of how she was made the topic of the 'secret,' emergency meeting in which staffers brainstormed of ways to legally circumvent the mom's repeated requests. 'There were 250 teachers that attended where they were alerted to me being an "attack on public education,"' Solas sniped, quoting one of the slides directly. The mom would then reference slides from the presentation she said were leaked to her by a teacher, in which staffers complained that Solas' 200-plus Access to Public Records Act (APRA) requests had 'crippled' the district, asking for detailed information like months of educators' emails targeted on select terms. The leaked slides were allegedly provided to Solas by a middle school math teacher, and dismissed the mothers' requests as being 'part of a well-coordinated effort from outside groups with outdated thinking who want to push for inaccurate lessons to fuel division.' After being hit with dozens of requests from Solas, the school board then threatened to sue, bringing up the concerned mother's name during a 'secret' meeting held to figure out how to handle the mom's questions. The union has since made good on their lawsuit threat The slides further suggest that over the span of a few months, as requests from Solas built up 'like a tsunami,' as Superintendent Linda Savastano put it, the district had found itself in 'crisis'. Moreover, instead of addressing the mother's qualms individually, union officials sought to address the outpour of requests at the meeting, which was held in the summer of 2021 just before the lawsuit was filed. 'We know - and Superintendent Savastano agrees - that honesty in education is best for all students,' one slide titled 'Attack on Public Education' read, featuring a photo of Solas as well as her name. The slides were apparently shared in a Zoom call held by members of the union, with the last slide notifying staffers that they would come up with a solution to the 'pressure' being imparted by Solas at Curtis Corner Middle School. Speaking to Campos and Duffy Sunday, Solas slammed the slide shared during the Zoom call, likening them to a woke witch hunt with her being the intended target. 'These people present themselves as if they are pillars of the community when, really, they look more like psychopaths zeroing in on a target,' said Solas, who is also part of the right-wing Independent Women's Network. The mom would then reference slides from the presentation she said were leaked to her by a teacher, in which staffers complained that Solas' 200-plus Access to Public Records Act (APRA) requests had 'crippled' the district, asking for detailed information like months of educators' emails targeted on select terms The mom would go on to add that since she has gone public with the allegations, she has been sent letters from other parents who have received lawsuit threats from the teachers union, which represent more than 3 million people in tens of thousands of public schools across the US. 'This is happening across the country,' Solas said. 'They have secret meetings about me, they have threats of lawsuits against other parents, and, in my case, they actually did sue me all because I asked questions about public education. 'Who does this to a person?' she asked. Solas would then add that she legally wasn't allowed to ask questions without submitting a formal request, and is fighting the lawsuit. The mother spoke out about the suit days after it was filed back in August 2021, giving the testimony as part of an announcement of the GOP's Parental Bill of Rights then being proposed by Senate Leader Kevin McCarthy. Of the pushback she's faced since reaching out to the school, Solas said Sunday: 'I had no idea that I would be treated like an adversary' Nearly two years later, House Republicans are now set to finally introduce the five-pronged guidance, which seeks underscore families' rights in their children's education. Drawing a core promise from the midterm campaign to fight against 'woke' education trends like critical race theory and gender theory, the bill would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require schools to provide a list of books available in their children's library and to publicly post their curriculum. Unveiled for the first time in full last week, the legislation further emphasizes parents' rights to make their voices heard at school board meetings and to be in the know about violent activity at schools. It would require more transparency on school budgets and spending. During her TV appearance, Solas hailed the amendment as a much-needed change, especially for families who cannot afford to enlist their children in private schools 'Im a parent who enrolled my daughter in public school for kindergarten,' she said, adding that she is 'relieved' that the bill is being pushed through the Senate. Of the pushback she's faced since reaching out to the school, Solas said: 'I had no idea that I would be treated like an adversary. Solas would then add that she legally wasn't allowed to ask questions without submitting a formal request, and is fighting the lawsuit 'I thought I had all of these rights going into public school. I thought I could ask to see the curriculum, but just asking to see the curriculum caused my school district and teachers union to retaliate against me, and they really tried to ruin my life.' Referencing the Parents Bill of Rights, the mom said the legislation is something everyone should support, because parents should 'have a right to see [their children's] curriculum. 'You have a right to be heard, you have a right to know if theres violence at school, you have a right to protect your childs privacy,' Solas added. 'These are all common sense principles that everybody can agree on across political spectrums,' she added. Both the district and the NEA have yet to respond to the statements made by Solas in the Sunday interview, which came days after the mom took to social media to share leaked emails from her daughter's school that confirmed administrators had been going behind a parent's back to secretly transition one of their students. The mother spoke out about the suit days after it was filed back in August 2021, giving the testimony as part of an announcement of the GOP's Parental Bill of Rights then being proposed by Senate Leader Kevin McCarthy Assistant Principal Pawelski, who was recently promoted to the position last year, and Poudre Chief Equity Officer Marlena Gross-Taylor were both caught in the leaked emails, obtained from a Solas APRA request sent in November, conspiring to transition elementary school student even after their parents told them not to. In one email sent by Pawelski to Gross-Taylor on March 31, 2022, the staffer - then just a few months into her new role spoke about an unidentified student who 'expressed their pronouns and chosen name, but their parents directly [told] school staff not to call the students by those pronouns.' She wrote in the nearly year-old email: 'I feel very strongly about supporting the student, but have heard that we legally have to follow the parent's decision due to the age of the child (elementary school).' In the same message, Pawelski - who in 2022 was named Assistant Principal of the Year by the Colorado Association of School Executives revealed she learned during 'ABCs training' that that 'we should follow the student, not the parents' desires in regard to pronouns, until Gross-Taylor provided a more 'definite answer.' 'We want to support the student. We also want to be covered legally,' she wrote. Laurel Elementary School Assistant Principal, Amanda Pawelski, and Poudre School District Chief Equity Officer, Marlena Gross-Taylor (pictured), were caught in leaked emails discussing going behind a parent's back to school an elementary school student by their preferred pronouns Pawelski (pictured) was worried about the legal aspect of supporting the child, and Marlena and the district's LGBTQIA+ Coordinator, Shayna Seitchik agreed the state law allowed the school to refer to the child by their chosen name behind the parent's back and refer to them as their legal name in front of guardians Six days later, Gross-Taylor responded, confirming that 'schools should use the student's affirming name and pronouns and use their legal name and corresponding pronouns when talking with the family until they are supportive of the student's new name and pronouns.' Gross-Taylor would then refer Pawelski to the district's ten new LGBTQIA+ Coordinator, Shayna Seitchik, who reiterated that she and Darcie Votipka, the Director of Student Services for the district, agreed with using the student's chosen pronouns and names against parents' will. Despite the consensus, Pawelski, at the time, appeared worried that the parent's definite disapproval of using the chosen names and pronouns with the elementary student might prove to be an issue due to age. The emails, from March and April 2022, were leaked online and revealed the state's policy was to use the student's chosen name and pronouns regardless of age or grade-level 'I am wondering about the direct "do not" nature of what they said and in light of them being in elementary school. I want to make sure we are still covered if we use the student's chosen name, even in this case?' she wrote. She also revealed the student had 'asked a few of us to be present when they came out to their mom.' The mother was reportedly okay with the revelation while in the meeting, but afterward, had directed the school 'not to continue' to use the new name and pronouns. It is unclear if Marlena ever responded, as the emails post April 5 were not leaked. DailyMail.com has reached out to Poudre School District and Marlena for comment. When Amanda was reached for comment, she referred to the PSD Communications Department for comment. The union's suit against Solas, meanwhile, which contends the mom is abusing her First Amendment rights with the repeated information requests, is ongoing. The derailments was the companies fourth in Ohio in less than five months Authorities have said the latest Norfolk Southern train derailment in Ohio this Saturday did not result in the spillage of any hazardous materials and poses no health risk. Nonetheless, more than 1,500 residents of Clark County were left without power and those within 1,000-feet of the site were told to shelter in place 'out of caution'. The 22-car derailment came just a month after a huge 38-car crash in East Palestine made international headlines on February 3 and marks the company's fourth derailment in the state in less than five months. Ohio is one of the top four states in terms of train derailments, with 128 derailments between 2018 through 2021, according to the US Department of Transportation. Authorities have assured residents the latest Norfolk Southern train derailment in Ohio this Saturday did not result in the leakage of any hazardous materials Ohio senator Sherrod Brown (pictured in February at the site of the East Palestine derailment) described the most recent crash as 'unacceptable' and last week introduced new legislation to improve railroad safety Clark County officials say about 20 of the southbound train's 212 cars, including four tankers, derailed at about 4.45pm on Saturday. The four tankers contained non-hazardous materials, which are not considered dangerous. Two carried residual amounts of diesel exhaust fluid and another two had residual amounts of polyacrylamide water solution, they said. Four Norfolk Southern derailments in Ohio in five months October 8 - A train derails in Sandusky, Ohio, leaking paraffin wax which later solidified November 7 - Train derails in Steubenville, Ohio, dumping garbage into the Ohio river February 3 - A huge 38-car derailment in East Palestine leads to the controlled explosion of toxic chemicals March 4 - A 22-car train derails near Springfield, Ohio, but officials rule out the presence of hazardous materials Advertisement It happened by Ohio 41, near the Prime Ohio Business Park near Springfield, which is about 46 miles west of the state capital of Columbus. 'Sandusky, Steubenville, East Palestine, and now Springfield - all in the last five months. This is unacceptable,' wrote Ohio senator Sherrod Brown on Twitter. Brown is now one of a handful of leaders that wants to see tougher legislation restrict how Norfolk Southern and other railroad companies are allows to operate. 'It's why we must pass my bipartisan Rail Safety Act now.,' he added. Brown introduced the legislation with Republican JD Vance and four other senators last Wednesday. 'We know that overheated wheel bearings have been the cause of most [derailments], we're not doing the inspections well. That will change,' said Brown on ABC's This Week on Sunday. Brown also blamed the way rail companies like Norfolk Southern that have sought to cut costs by laying off engineers that can supervise trains. 'The railroads want to be able to drive 150 or 200 cars through a community with one engineer, one staff person, because they keep laying off people,' he added. He also said he wants to see inspections forced upon the operators. 'We want to see more inspections, these inspections because they've laid off so many workers, they're really just cursory inspections on the rails, on the coupling of the cars, on the locomotives,' he added. 'When you lay off a third of the workforce you clearly are compromising the work that those workers are doing.' Spoke to @ThisWeekABC this morning about how our bipartisan bill will hold companies like Norfolk Southern accountable and help prevent more derailments like the one we saw last night in Springfield. pic.twitter.com/ZHgYJogMjH Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) March 5, 2023 The train had around 22 cars that derailed. Four tankers contained non-hazardous waste material including residual amounts of diesel exhaust fluid and residual polyacrylamide water solution Authorities in Ohio said there was no indication of any risk to public health from the derailment of a Norfolk Southern cargo train Some 1,500 Clark County residents were left without power after the derailment on Saturday Authorities in Ohio said there was no indication of any risk to public health from the derailment of a Norfolk Southern cargo train, which happened between Dayton and Columbus. As a precaution, residents living within 1,000 feet were asked to shelter in place and responding firefighters deployed the county hazmat team as a precaution, but officials said early on Sunday the train wasn't carrying hazardous materials and there was 'no indication of any injuries or risk to public health at this time.' A crew from Norfolk Southern, the hazmat team and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency 'each independently examined the crash site and verified there was no evidence of spillage at the site,' officials said. Norfolk Southern said no hazardous materials were involved, county officials said earlier. County officials also say environmental officials have confirmed that the derailment is not near a protected water source, meaning there is no risk to public water systems or private wells. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tweeted on Saturday night that he had been briefed by Federal Railroad Administration staff about the derailment, and had also spoken to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. 'No hazardous material release has been reported, but we will continue to monitor closely and FRA personnel are en route,' Buttigieg said. DeWine said late on Saturday night that President Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had called him 'to offer help from the federal government.' Amid the train crash hazardous materials were released into the air, soil and nearby surface waters on February 3 The derailment of the Norfolk Southern train one month ago in the town of East Palestine caused a massive fire and prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents On February 3, 38 cars of a Norfolk Southern freight train in East Palestine, in northeast Ohio near Pennsylvania, derailed and several of the train's cars carrying hazardous materials burned. Though no one was injured, nearby neighborhoods in both states were imperiled. The crash prompted an evacuation of about half the town's roughly 5,000 residents, an ongoing multigovernmental emergency response and lingering worries among villagers of long-term health impacts. Police have found human remains nearly ten weeks after a man went missing around the Christmas period. Peter Baglin, 55, from Boothstown, Salford vanished while he was on a walk and was last seen on December, 28. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) made the discovery around Bridgewater Canal at around 10.48am on Saturday morning and have informed Peter's family. The death is being treated as unexplained and the police are making enquiries. GMP, Salford District, Detective Inspector Michael Sharples said: 'Though we are not currently in a position to confirm this is Peter, our thoughts remain with his wife Michelle and his loved ones. Police have found human remains while searching for Peter Baglin, 55, who went missing nearly ten weeks ago around the Christmas period. Detective Inspector Michael Sharples said: 'Though we are not currently in a position to confirm this is Peter (right), our thoughts remain with his wife Michelle (left) and his loved ones 'We understand that the last two months have been extremely difficult for them and this continues to be a distressing time for all of Peter's loved ones. 'Search teams, made up of GMP personnel and colleagues from partner agencies - such as the National Police Air Service, North West Underwater Search Team and Mountain Rescue - have worked extensively to try and find Peter. 'I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has assisted to date, and also to confirm that our inquiries will not stop until we have found the necessary answers for Peter's loved ones, for our investigation and for coronial proceedings.' Greater Manchester Police made the discovery around Bridgewater Canal at around 10.48am on Saturday morning PICTURED: Peter and Michelle. The death is being treated as unexplained and the police are making enquiries Mr Baglin's wife Michelle reported him missing when he did not return home from a walk that took him down the towpath of the Bridgewater Canal. He was spotted on CCTV cameras in a petrol station on the East Lancashire Road. His belongings, which included a hat, phone and headphones, were found there the following morning. Since then, GMP and underwater divers have carried out extensive searches of the canal, between the Moorings and Astley Point, and mountain rescue teams combed the adjoining fields and woodland areas. A drone was also used to help get access to difficult-to-reach places. It is another revelation after 100,000 of his WhatsApp messages were leaked Matt Hancock joked that Bill Gates 'owes me one' because of 'how many people I'm getting his chips injected into' during the pandemic, leaked WhatsApp messages have revealed. The then Health Secretary referred to unfounded claims that Gates had developed Covid-19 in a lab and used the vaccine to implant microchip tracking devices into billions of people. Hancock at the time was hoping to get the Microsoft billionaire to help in promoting the country's expertise in identifying coronavirus variants around the world. On January 25 2021 Hancock's media adviser Damon Poole asked him via WhatsApp if he had spoken to the director general of the World Health Organisation Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus about the New Variant Assessment Platform (NVAP) - a service offering the UK's expertise in detecting new variants of the virus. Conspiracy theorists claimed that Bill Gates (pictured) had developed Covid-19 in a lab and used the vaccine to implant microchip tracking devices into people Matt Hancock (pictured) joked that Bill Gates 'owes me one' because of 'how many people I'm getting his chips injected into' Mr Poole then said: 'No promises but Im trying to land a Bill gates endorsement of the platform.' In a response, Hancock said: 'Tell him that considering how many people Im getting his chips injected into, he owes me one!' The revelation is one of many published by The Telegraph after the paper was handed more than 100,000 WhatsApp messages from Mr Hancock's phone by the journalist to whom he entrusted them in order to ghostwrite his book, Pandemic Diaries. Journalist Isabel Oakeshott claimed 'he didn't tell me he was going' to Australia for I'm a Celebrity and he 'vanished to the jungle at a critical moment in very difficult dealings with the Cabinet Office'. She subsequently handed The Daily Telegraph 100,000 of Mr Hancock's WhatsApp texts, which she has described as a 'cache of very raw communications'. The MP has since said her actions were a 'massive betrayal' used to produce 'a partial, biased account to suit an anti-lockdown agenda'. Other messages have revealed that Hancock was given advice from England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty to test all residents going into care homes for Covid. Yet he did not follow the recommendation which, he claims, was due to test shortages at the time. Texts set out that Cabinet Secretary Simon Case joked with Mr Hancock about locking up travellers arriving in UK in quarantine hotels. And Mr Hancock told ministers to 'get heavy with police' to enforce lockdown rules, according to the messages. The most recent revelation revealed that Hancock took his lover Gina Coladangelo to private dinners with the US Secretary of State at a G7 summit before later removing the suggestion he invited her. The Health Secretary, who was later forced to resign after his affair with Ms Coladangelo emerged, brought his lover, who he had been seeing for a month, to two private dinners with his US counterpart as his guest. Representatives for Matt Hancock have been contacted by MailOnline for comment. Among those in the live audience Saturday was a good friend of Meghan Markle's who was caught laughing at jokes Rock made Rock waited a year to drop his standup special which sees his comment on the slap that happened at the Oscars after he made a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith Chris Rock's live Netflix special aired Saturday and arrived to praise from the internet, calling it 'the best slap back ever' in response to Will Smith's slap Chris Rock's long-awaited public response to being slapped by actor Will Smith at the 2022 Oscars has been met with high praise - with some calling it the 'best brutal takedown' in history. During his new Netflix standup special which premiered live Saturday night, Rock verbally hit back at Smith a year after the incident that saw Smith banned from the Academy. In a nearly two minute segment, Rock fired off at Smith's decision to slap him on stage at the awards ceremony, making Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith the butt of his joke about her infidelity. 'Everybody called him a b**ch, and who's he hitting? Me,' Rock joked to a crowd that included a friend of Meghan Markle's who was spotted laughing backstage, according to Page Six. The comedian also took aim at the former 'Suits' actress during his special, saying she was 'acting all dumb' for not realizing the royal family are the 'OGs of racism.' Chris Rock finally publicly addressed being slapped by actor Will Smith at the 2022 Oscars in what some are calling the 'best brutal takedown' in history During his new Netflix standup special which premiered live Saturday night, Rock hit back at Smith a year after the incident that saw Smith banned from the Academy Among those spotted in the audience laughing during the special was Janina Gavankar who was seen chuckling at jokes Rock made about Will Smith and her own friend, Meghan Markle Rock's rant has since been applauded on social media as 'the perfect/best way' to get back at Smith for the moment that changed both of their careers. The comedian made audience members and live viewers wait until the last ten minutes of 'Chris Rock: Selective Outrage' before he addressed the slap. 'You all know what happened to me, getting smacked by Suge Smith,' the comedian joked. Rock said: 'It still hurts. I got 'Summertime' ringing in my ears.' The slap occurred last year after Rock made a joke about Pinkett-Smith's bald head, caused by alopecia. Rock had joked that Pinkett-Smith was rocking a 'G.I. Jane' look which caused her husband to storm the stage and slap him, followed by him repeating: 'Keep my wife's name out your f***ing mouth!' During his new standup special, Rock joked about his struggle in the year since. 'Anybody that say "words hurt" has never been punched in the face,' he said. 'But I'm not a victim, baby. You'll never see me on Oprah or Gayle crying,' Rock said. He joked that he 'took that s**t like [Manny] Pacquaio.' The crowd in the audience laughed out loud while those at home took to social media to give their thoughts. 'Like most comedians I'm continuously grateful for the existence of Chris Rock. Thank you comedy gods,' wrote fellow comedian Jim Gaffigan. 'Listen me when I tell you. THIS IS THE MOST SAVAGE MIC DROP OF ALL TIME. NUF RESPEC,' wrote on Twitter user. That user was referencing the mic drop at the end of his special when he responds to those who have asked why he didn't slap Smith back, saying: 'You know what my parents taught me? Don't fight in front of white people.' Fellow comedian Jim Gaffigan thanked the comedy gods for Chris Rock after his special Yall know what happened to me .. i got slapped by Suge Smith I STILL GOT SUMMERTIME ringing in my ears. MY FIRST LAUGH OF THE NIGHT #ChrisRock pic.twitter.com/5yOSEyb3kj raveen marie (@xoraveen) March 5, 2023 Twitter users applauded the comedian for his hits Saturday night 'Good for you Rock,' wrote one person who praised the comedian Chris Rock done went in and done took the gloves OFF!!! pic.twitter.com/8k8hooOyJJ Jay Washington (@MrJayWashington) March 5, 2023 The internet quickly turned bits of the standup special into memes 'Chris Rock slapped Will Smith the perfect/best way,' said one Twitter user who quoted a tweet which included a snippet of the standup special. 'This is someone who is still processing what happened,' said another user. 'He knows he just delivered a slap down and he slapped Smith hard. But in his eyes, as he's taking a bow, you can see the emotion, the anger, the pain. Good for you Rock.' 'Chris Rock just slapped Will Smith the right way on stage,' said one person. Not all on social media have sided with the comedian, however. Others took to Twitter to express their frustration that Rock has repeatedly 'punched down' at black women including Meghan Markle and Pinkett-Smith. 'Chris Rock called Jada Pinkett-Smith a b**ch and said Meghan Markle played the race card. Punching down on Black women. Clownery,' wrote one verified user. 'I want to ask Rock, "you feel better after that?" Let me be clear... I'm NOT excusing Smiths actions at the Oscars. However, for me, I'll always know that Rock missed a MASSIVE opportunity to be the bigger man in this situation and teach a valuable lesson. He squandered it,' wrote Variety editor Clayton Davis. 'I think he needs to let this go though, I know what happened to him was bad but it just looks like a brother putting another brother down when is already on the floor. Nothing uplifting about this,' said one person. Not all on social media were in support of the jokes Rock made during his stand up special Some said he 'needs to let this go' and move on from the slap One person said Rock 'squandered' his opportunity to be the bigger man Among those in the audience who did find it funny was reportedly Meghan Markle's longtime friend Janina Gavankar. According to Page Six, Gavankar was backstage for the live taping Saturday and watched as Rock made jokes about her friend. Sources told the outlet that Gavankar, 42, was with her friend Dave Chapelle to watch the performance at Baltimore's Hippodrome Theater. 'Janina looked to be enjoying the show very much, she was standing up by the TV screens and laughing,' one eyewitness said. Rock made jokes about Meghan and Prince Harry during his set, specifically regarding their interview with Oprah and how a royal had allegedly raised concerns over the skin color of their children. On Saturday, Rock said that the former actress was just dealing with 'in-law s**t.' 'Like, who is this girl Meghan Markle? Seems like a nice lady just complaining,' Rock said. 'Like, didnt she hit the light-skinned lottery? Rock joked as he called the royal family the 'OGs of racism.' The comedian said Markle was 'acting all dumb' for going on Oprah and saying she didn't know how racist the royal family could be. 'Thats the royal family, you didnt Google those motherf***ers? Theyre the original racists. They invented colonialism,' he joked. 'They invested in slavery like it was "Shark Tank,"' he continued. It's unclear if Gavankar laughed at jokes aimed at her friend, but Page Six reported that she had attended other shows where the material was recited. Rock made jokes about Meghan and Prince Harry during his set, specifically regarding their interview with Oprah The comedian said Markle was 'acting all dumb' for going on Oprah and saying she didn't know how racist the royal family could be After the Sussexes interview with Oprah in 2021, Gavankar (seen here at the wedding of Meghan and Harry) went on television stations in the United Kingdom to defend her friend Gavankar is a longtime friend of Markle and attended the royal wedding in 2018 Gavankar is a longtime friend of Markle and attended the royal wedding in 2018. After the Sussexes interview with Oprah in 2021, the 'Vampire Diaries' actress went on television stations in the United Kingdom to defend her friend. 'Though their "recollections may vary," ours dont because we lived through it with them, Gavankar said at the time. 'And there are many emails and texts to support that,' she said on 'This Morning.' A British Army officer has claimed she was told to shoot herself when she revealed to her commanding officer that she was trans. Decorated paratrooper Abigail Austen was the first officer in the Army to begin gender reassignment while serving in the military. She came out as Abi in 2007. But when she informed her superior she was told she had 'gone from hero to zero in one sentence'. The 58-year-old, who went through a lengthy court battle after being dismissed from service when she came out, said she was told to shoot herself. Abi told Rachel Johnson's Difficult Women podcast the officer's reaction: 'The exact quote is "you have just gone from hero to zero in one sentence". Decorated paratrooper Abigail Austen, 58, was the first officer in the Army to begin gender reassignment while serving in the military Speaking to Rachel Johnson on her podcast Difficult Women, Ms Austen revealed she was told to shoot herself by her commander when she came out as trans 'Then I was told to go and get a revolver and go in the back.' She described how many in the Army saw being transgender as a psychiatric illness. 'I'm absolutely serious - that's what I was told. 'I was decorated by Prince Edward, and that's what they told me to do. 'I was literally removed from post overnight. I was medically discharged. 'The Army saw it as a psychiatric illness or a perversion.' Ms Austen said she was treated in the same way that US soldiers who were given a dishonourable discharge if found to be gay were treated. Legislation brought in in the USA in 1993 banned people who were openly a member of the LGBT+ community from serving in the armed forces, and banned discrimination against closeted members of the community. The legislation, also known as the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, was not lifted until 2011, after Democrat Barack Obama was elected. Ms Austen told Ms Johnson: 'The next day, my family disowned me - it wasn't a great week. 'The day after, I walked out onto the street, and I didn't look anything like I do now - I looked like your brother [Boris Johnson] in lipstick. 'A guy came up and whacked me in the face. 'At the end of that week, I thought I had to do something about this because it was unacceptable. 'So I sued them. I fought them for two and a half years.' Ms Austen described how she fully transitioned and was able to get new ID and change her name. Ms Austen returned to the army but this time served for NATO, and was deployed alongside US soldiers Eventually the military accepted and officially confirmed she was the 'first ever female officer in the Parachute Regiment.' Ms Austen continued: 'I was the first woman to have ever gone to the special air service. I had all of that. 'I said, "that was great", and I shoved the Army where the sun don't shine.' She spoke about some of the difficulties of her transition and how it has made her more aware of misogyny: 'I've had to come to terms with the fact that nothing I do as a woman will ever carry quite as much as it did when the world saw me as a man. 'That's just the nature of society.' After leaving the army in 2009, Ms Austen became a police officer with Police Scotland and has written her own book. But soon after becoming a police officer she was back serving in an army - this time alongside US soldiers for NATO in Afghanistan. She served in the regiment for three years, before becoming the first openly trans diplomatic ambassador and travelling the world. For help and support, contact the Samaritans anonymously and for free on 116 123, or visit samaritans.org. His anger was in response to an on air joke about Jesus He used his service to say it promoted 'hate speech' A Catholic priest has unloaded at The Project, calling it 'the worst show on television' as outrage grows about a comedian's lewd joke about Jesus on the show. Father Brendan Lee targeted the Channel Ten program during Sunday mass at his Sydney church. He told the congregation that the current affairs show was 'full of putrid' and conveyed 'hate speech and bigotry'. 'It is a show that preaches diversity and tolerance but has no tolerance itself for different religions and people of faith,' he said. 'It does not practice what it preaches.' Father Lee felt the joke was an attack on Christianity and was a slippery slope to religious discrimination becoming normalised. 'It was just so offensive,' he told news.com.au. 'Jesus Christ is the son of God. You couldn't mock something more sacred. He is our everything. To knock Jesus Christ is to knock Christianity.' 'These things escalate and if Christians don't push back it will get worse,' he added. A Sydney priest has unleashed on The Project amidst the outrage caused by the program when a joke about Jesus from gay comedian and cabaret performer Reuben Kaye (pictured left) was aired The left-leaning current affairs program is under fire after gay comedian and cabaret performer Reuben Kaye joked on Tuesday's show he admired Jesus Christ because 'I love any man who can get nailed for three days straight and come back for more'. The seemingly improvised joke left the panellists in stitches, with Sarah Harris laughing in response while Waleed Aly appeared slightly shocked. However, the backlash from Muslims and Christians was swift and brutal, forcing Aly and Harris to issue a grovelling on-air apology as religious groups organised protests outside Channel 10's headquarters. Former panellist Em Rusciano claimed the joke was 'script-approved' by the show's producers - despite the hosts saying it was unscripted and a 'live TV' gaffe. Rusciano tweeted last Thursday she finds it 'hard to believe' the offensive joke was not green-lit by producers given her experience on the program, which she says includes 'very little' improvisation with its live segments being carefully scripted. Father Brendan Lee (pictured) targeted the program while delivering his homily during Sunday mass at his Sydney church Kaye's joke, which The Project claims was a 'live TV gaffe', left the panellists on the current affairs show in stitches The Australian Communications and Media Authority has received hundreds of complaints from the public after the lewd joke. A significant number of viewers have aired their grievances to The ACMA in the wake of the controversy. In a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Friday, the media watchdog confirmed: 'The ACMA has received 203 inquiries about an episode of The Project broadcast on Tuesday 28 February 2023 featuring the comedian Reuben Kaye. Under the broadcasting co-regulatory system, complainants are directed to the broadcaster in the first instance. 'If a complainant does not receive a response from the broadcaster within 60 days, or is not satisfied with the response they do receive, they may refer their complaint to the ACMA for consideration.' Ron DeSantis attributed his success to not getting held 'captive to polls' and avoiding leaks as he went on the offense against California Gov. Gavin Newsom on his home-turf in 'anti-woke' remarks that have become his signature. Florida Gov. DeSantis' remarks on Sunday took aim at policies enacted by California and other liberal states that he claims have led to the hemorrhaging of residents who have migrated to the Sunshine State. 'I know you've got a lot of problems out here, but your governor is very concerned about what we are doing in Florida so I figured I had to come by,' DeSantis joked at the top of his remarks at the Ronald Reagan Library to a crowd of more than 1,300. Newsom has specifically taken aim at Florida in recent years with the rise of DeSantis in the national limelight. The Dem governor came under fire this week for leaving California for 'personal travel' on Friday - two days after declaring a state of emergency in the wake of a huge snowstorm which dumped 17 feet of snow. His press office did not disclose where exactly he had traveled to and he was expected to return to California on Sunday. DeSantis' tour around the country promoting his new book, including the stop in California, is only fueling speculation that he is moving closer toward announcing a candidacy for president. The Florida governor is making a trip to the first-in-the-nation primary contest state of Iowa on Friday. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited deep blue state of California on Sunday for remarks promoting his 'anti-woke blueprint for America' Governor DeSantis was joined by his wife Casey DeSantis, eldest daughter Madison, 6, and son Mason, 4, for his remarks in California The event was sold-out and saw DeSantis speaking to a room of about 1,300 people along with a book signing of his new memoir The Courage to Be Free: Florida's Blueprint for America's Revival A big focus of the tour is DeSantis getting the chance to lay out his 'blueprint for America' a perfect tee-up for a presidential run announcement. 'When I tell you I'm going to do something, I do it,' DeSantis insisted to a sold-out crowd. 'I don't waffle.' The Florida governor was in Simi Valley at the Ronald Reagan library to promote his new book The Courage to Be Free: Florida's Blueprint for America's Revival. He arrived Sunday afternoon with his wife and Florida first lady Casey DeSantis and their two eldest children Madison, 6, and Mason, 4. Their youngest, Mamie, was not in tow. DeSantis spent his speech on issues that are likely to be the cornerstone of a presidential platform education and parental rights, not bowing to 'woke' institutions and taking on spiking crime. 'I'm going on offense on all of these issues,' DeSantis said, claiming that when he first became governor in 2018 he made a pledge to 'not leave any meat on that bone.' He specifically called out policies in California several times, even mentioning his war with Disney and mentioning how the Golden State handled the 'woke' corporation differently than he did in Florida. 'I'm looking at them through the lens not just a governor but I'm looking at them through the lens of a dad and I believe parents in the state of Florida should be able to send their kids to elementary school without having an agenda jammed down their throats,' he said, referencing his Parental Rights in Education law, which he signed last year. 'They should not be teaching a second grader that they can choose their gender that is wrong. And that is not going to happen in the state of Florida,' he said to loud cheers. 'And I know you have a company down the road in Burbank that had different ideas about that,' he said, referencing the Disney offices in southern California. 'But I can tell you this they may have gotten everything they want in Florida for the last 60 years, but there's a new sheriff in town now, and we are not backing down to that.' The governor signed a law last week stripping the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which is the area encompassing Walt Disney World near Orlando, of its tax-exempt, self-governing status. He lauded this as a major win in the 'war against woke' after Disney's CEO at the time came out against his bill last year. The GOP leader took aim at his Democratic counterpart in California Governor Gavin Newsom, saying: 'I know you've got a lot of problems out here, but your governor is very concerned about what we are doing in Florida, so I figured I had to come by' From left: Madison DeSantis, 6; first lady Casey DeSantis; Mason DeSantis, 4; and Gov. Ron DeSantis hold their hand over their hearts as they recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California on Sunday, March 5, 2023 DeSantis also attributed much of his success to his team, claiming that he ran a tight ship that avoided leaks and didn't focus too much on reacting to polling. 'I never looked at a single poll my entire time as governor. A leader is not captive to polls. A leader will help shape and lead the public's opinion,' DeSantis said. 'Don't worry about the polls, don't worry about the daily news cycle,' he added. DeSantis said this mentality is what led him to go from winning by only 32,000 votes or .4 percent in 2018 to winning by a whopping 1.5 million votes in 2022 to Republican-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist. 'My view was that, I may have earned 50 percent of the vote, but I earned 100 percent of the executive powers,' he said. In terms of his team DeSantis said he make sure he was surrounding by people that supported his vision. 'We understood that we had to have good personnel working in the administration. I laid down the law clearly If you have any other agenda but the best interest of the people of Florida and supporting what we were elected to do, pack your bags and leave because we're not going to tolerate that.' 'And for four years, you didn't see our administration leaking like a sieve,' he said. 'You didn't see a lot of drama or palace entry.' 'What you saw was surgical precision execution day after day after day and because we did that we beat the left day after day after day.' Around one hundred patients have been evacuated from a London hospital after a blaze which 'one hundred per cent destroyed' one ground floor room. The Accident and Emergency department at Croydon University Hospital was forced to evacuate patients and staff after the fire broke out earlier today. No one was injured and patients who were 'well enough to go home' were discharged. The hospital said: 'Our A&E is currently closed due to an earlier fire. 'We are happy to confirm that all of our patients & staff are safe & we will reopen soon thanks to the fast work of London Fire Brigade, but until then if you need urgent or emergency care, please contact 111.' The Accident and Emergency department at Croydon University Hospital (pictured) was forced to evacuate patients and staff after the fire broke out A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said firefighters were called to reports of a fire at 3pm. Four engines were sent and 20 firefighters battled the blaze for two hours. The fire was under control by 5.07pm. One unit on the ground floor of the hospital was 'one hundred per cent destroyed' by the fire, according to the spokesperson. President Joe Biden used the history Selma's 'Bloody Sunday' to recommit to a cornerstone of democracy and promising to readdress voting rights in the country. Harking back to a seminal moment from the civil rights movement, Biden's pledge comes as he has so far been unable to push enhanced voting protections through Congress, while a conservative Supreme Court has undermined a landmark voting law. 'Selma is a reckoning. The right to vote ... to have your vote counted is the threshold of democracy and liberty. With it anything's possible,' Biden told a crowd of more than 1,000 people seated on one side of the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge, named for a reputed Ku Klux Klan leader. 'This fundamental right remains under assault. The conservative Supreme Court has gutted the Voting Rights Act over the years. Since the 2020 election, a wave of states and dozens and dozens of anti-voting laws fueled by the `Big Lie' and the election deniers now elected to office,' he said. The visit to Selma was an opportunity for Biden to speak directly to the current generation of civil rights activists. Many feel dejected because Biden has been unable to make good on a campaign pledge to bolster voting rights and are eager to see his administration keep the issue in the spotlight. Biden used his remarks to emphasize the importance of commemorating 'Bloody Sunday' so that history cannot be erased, while trying to make the case that the fight for voting rights remains integral to economic justice and civil rights for Black Americans, White House officials said. This year's commemoration comes as the historic city of roughly 18,000 is still digging out from the aftermath of a January EF-2 tornado that destroyed or damaged thousands of properties in and around Selma. The scars of that storm are still evident. President Joe Biden arrived in Alabama to pay tribute to the heroes of 'Bloody Sunday' Attendees listen to speakers during an event to commemorate the 58th anniversary of 'Bloody Sunday,' a landmark event of the civil rights movement, on Sunday, in Selma, Alabama U.S. President Joe Biden reacts as Faya Rose Toure, Founder of the Selma Jubilee Committee, speaks at the commemoration of the 58th anniversary of 'Bloody Sunday', when state troopers beat peaceful voting rights protesters who were marching against discrimination, at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma Blocks from the stage where Biden was to speak were houses that sat crumbled or without roofs. Orange spray paint marked buildings beyond salvage with instructions to 'tear down.' 'We remain Selma strong,' Mayor James Perkins said, adding that 'we will build back better.' He thanked Biden for approving a disaster declaration that helped the small city with the cost of debris cleanup and removal. Before Biden's visit, the Rev. William Barber II, a co-chair of Poor People's Campaign, and six other activists wrote Biden and members of Congress to express their frustration with the lack of progress on voting rights legislation. They urged Washington politicians visiting Selma not to sully the memories of the late civil rights activists John Lewis, Hosea Williams and others with empty platitudes. 'We're saying to President Biden, let's frame this to America as a moral issue, and let's show how it effects everybody,' Barber said in an interview. 'When voting rights passed after Selma, it didn't just help Black people. It helped America itself. We need the president to reframe this: When you block voting rights, you're not just hurting black people. You're hurting America itself.' Few moments have had as lasting importance to the civil rights movement as what happened on March 7, 1965, in Selma and in the weeks that followed. Some 600 peaceful demonstrators led by Lewis and Williams had gathered that day, just weeks after the fatal shooting of a young black man, Jimmie Lee Jackson, by an Alabama trooper. 'Selma is a reckoning. The right to vote ... to have your vote counted is the threshold of democracy and liberty. With it anything's possible,' Biden told a crowd of more than 1,000 people President Joe Biden walks across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma to commemorate Bloody Sunday President Joe Biden talks with Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., center, and the Rev. Al Sharpton after walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, on Sunday. Sharpton holds hands with the Rev. Jesse Jackson at right President Joe Biden speaks near the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma on Sunday Civil rights marchers crossing the Alabama river on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma as they make their way to the state Capitol of Montgomery Martin Luther King Jr and civil rights marchers are pictured crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge Tear gas fills the air as state troopers, ordered by then-Alabama Governor George Wallace, break up a march at the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, 1965, on what became known as Bloody Sunday An Alabama state trooper swings a club at John Lewis, right foreground, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, to break up the civil rights voting march in Selma in March 1965 Sunday marked the 58th anniversary of the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge over the Alabama River in Selma. Pictured is the original march President Joe Biden greets the Reverend Jesse Jackson in Selma, Alabama Biden could be seen punching the air with a closed fist as he cheered the speakers Crowds gathered to hear Biden speak at the 58th anniversary commemoration U.S. President Joe Biden, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Reverend Al Sharpton and U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (D-AL), participate in a commemorative march Biden used his remarks to emphasize the importance of commemorating 'Bloody Sunday' so that history cannot be erased U.S. President Joe Biden, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Reverend Al Sharpton and U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (D-AL), participate in a commemorative march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge for the 58th anniversary of 'Bloody Sunday' President Joe Biden walks across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. With Biden is Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson President Joe Biden bows his head during a prayer after walking across the bridge The march remembers the day when state troopers beat peaceful voting rights protesters who were marching across the bridge, in Selma, Alabama U.S. President Joe Biden, Reverend Al Sharpton and U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (D-AL), participate in the commemoration of the 58th anniversary of 'Bloody Sunday' Lewis, who would later serve in the U.S. House representing Georgia, and the others were brutally beaten by Alabama troopers and sheriffs deputies as they tried to cross Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge at the start of what was supposed to be a 54-mile walk to the state capital in Montgomery as part of a larger effort to register black voters in the South. 'On this bridge, blood was given to help redeem the soul of America,' Biden said. The images of the police violence sparked outrage across the country. Days later, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. led what became known as the 'Turnaround Tuesday' march, in which marchers approached a wall of police at the bridge and prayed before turning back. President Lyndon B. Johnson introduced the Voting Rights Act of 1965 eight days after 'Bloody Sunday,' calling Selma one those rare moments in American history where 'history and fate meet at a single time.' On March 21, King began a third march, under federal protection, that grew by thousands by the time they arrived at the state capital. Five months later, Johnson signed the bill into law. U.S. President Joe Biden embraces Faya Rose Toure, Founder of the Selma Jubilee Committee The Rev. Jesse Jackson, seated, smiles for a photo after arriving to hear Biden speak at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama Thousands packed the streets for the commemoration of the civil rights movement that led to passage of landmark voting rights 60 years ago Several hundred lined up in downtown Selma well before Biden's appearance in oder to grabs a spot President Joe Biden claps as Faya Rose Toure, Founder of the Selma Jubilee Committee speaks As a candidate in 2020, Biden promised to pursue sweeping legislation to bolster protection of voting rights. His 2021 legislation, named the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, included provisions to restrict partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts, strike down hurdles to voting and bring transparency to a campaign finance system that allows wealthy donors to bankroll political causes anonymously. It passed the then-Democratic-controlled House, but failed to draw the 60 votes needed to win passage in the Senate. With Republicans now in control of the House, passage of such legislation is highly unlikely. 'We know we must get the votes in Congress,' Biden said, but there seems no viable path right now. 'Everything takes time. And it might take him another term to actually accomplish all the things that he wants to do for the nation,' said Harriett Thomas, 76, who was a college student when she set off on the march that would become known as 'Bloody Sunday.' Several hundred lined up in downtown Selma well before Biden's appearance, including Delores Gresham, 65, a retired health care worker from Birmingham. She was there four hours early, grabbing a front-row spot so her grandchildren could hear the president and see the commemoration. 'I want them to know what happened here,' she said. Two years ago on the anniversary, Biden issued an executive order directing federal agencies to expand access to voter registration, called on the heads of agencies to come up with plans to give federal employees time off to vote or volunteer as nonpartisan poll workers, and more. Biden prays with Rev. William Barber at Sunday's commemoration Reverend Al Sharpton was also there at the ceremony in Selma, Alabama Reverend Al Sharpton speaks to Joe Biden prior to the ceremony Martin Luther King III and Reverend Jesse Jackson are pictured in their seats at the ceremony But many federal agencies are lagging in meeting the voting registration provision of Biden's order, according to a report published Thursday by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. The group says fully implementing registration efforts laid out in the order would mean an additional 3.5 million voter registration applications annually. Selma officials hope Biden will also address the January tornado that devastated the city and laid bare issues of poverty that have persisted in Selma for decades. Biden approved a disaster declaration and agreed to provide extra help for debris cleanup and removal, a cost that Mayor James Perkins said the small city could not afford on its own. 'I understand other communities our size and our demographics have similar challenges ... but I dont think anyone can claim what Selma has done for this nation and the contributions that we made to this nation,' he said. Sue Gray was last night facing fresh questions about alleged bias as pictures of her son standing alongside Sir Keir Starmer emerged including one taken during her Partygate probe. The pictures reignited the impartiality row engulfing the former top civil servant after she quit her Whitehall role last week to become Sir Keirs chief of staff. Allies of former prime minister Boris Johnson claim the move shows that her Partygate report, which contributed to his downfall, was a Labour stitch-up. Snaps unearthed by the Daily Mail show Ms Grays Labour activist son, Liam Conlon, standing next to Sir Keir in February 2020. Mr Conlon, chairman of Labours Irish Society, posted on social media alongside the image that the group held a brilliant evening event with Sir Keir as they nominated him to replace Jeremy Corbyn as party leader. The pair were pictured alongside each other again at another Labour Party Irish Society event on March 14 during his mothers Partygate probe where Sir Keir was booked as a speaker. Snaps unearthed by the Daily Mail show Ms Grays Labour activist son, Liam Conlon (circled), standing next to Sir Keir in February 2020 The pictures reignited the 'impartiality' row engulfing former top civil servant Sue Gray (pictured in January) after she quit her Whitehall role last week to become Sir Keir's chief of staff Ms Gray was appointed to lead the investigation into gatherings in Downing Street during lockdown in December 2021, with her report published in May last year. It is being used as a key plank of the Commons privileges committees investigation into whether Mr Johnson misled Parliament over what he knew about lockdown rules being broken. Allies of Mr Johnson say it is absurd to rely on Ms Grays report because her new job shows she was biased. It comes after reports that Mr Conlon was heard boasting about his mothers role in Partygate as he campaigned for Labour candidate Danny Beales in Mr Johnsons Uxbridge seat in west London. Former business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said: It becomes increasingly difficult to believe that Sue Gray has magically metamorphosed into a politician having previously been impartial. It looks as if the civil service has been harbouring a socialist sleeper cell and it invalidates her previous work. Former home secretary Priti Patel said: The level of collusion between the Gray family and the Labour Party and the depth of their relationship is scandalous. It questions the fundamental principles of impartiality, professional standards and transparency within the civil service. Tory MP Simon Clarke said: After a week when you would have thought things couldnt get worse, it is now becoming clear just how closely Sue Grays family are involved not just in Labour Party politics, but specifically in the campaign to destroy Boris Johnson. Sue Gray must have known about her sons close links to Sir Keir Starmer when she was asked to undertake such a high-profile investigation into a Conservative PM. These revelations further strengthen the need for a proper inquiry into what has happened before the privileges committee continues what feels ever more like a witch-hunt against an elected Prime Minister. Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries said: These revelations show that Sue Gray is part of a Labour network that has been plotting against Boris Johnson. Sue Gray with the Labour politicians Tessa Jowell and Baroness Lawrence, and her son But Labour hit back last night, with a senior party source saying: To suggest Sue Grays long, esteemed career... is in some way undermined by her son having a political opinion, is wild. Ms Gray is expected to formally request permission to become Sir Keirs chief of staff today. She will submit her application to the advisory committee on business appointments, where she will have to set out the timeline of her discussions with Labour. Under civil service rules, she should have declared when Labour first approached her to take the job. But she has been facing questions about whether she breached this requirement after officials first learnt of her resignation on Thursday. Labour has refused to say when it first contacted her. Channel migrants will be hit with a lifetime ban on entering Britain again under proposed laws. The tough new measures will impose indefinite re-entry bans on all migrants who arrive in this country by irregular routes, such as by small boat. Ministers hope it will send a strong message and deter migrants from crossing the Channel illegally. Anyone caught coming to Britain by illegal routes would also face a lifetime ban on securing the right to settle permanently in the UK, or winning British citizenship. The Illegal Migration Bill, to be unveiled tomorrow, is also expected to set out further measures restricting the right to claim asylum and making it easier for the Home Office to remove irregular migrants. The tough new measures will impose indefinite re-entry bans on all migrants who arrive in this country by irregular routes, such as by small boat. Ministers hope it will send a strong message and deter migrants from crossing the Channel illegally The tough new measures will impose indefinite re-entry bans on all migrants who arrive in this country by irregular routes, such as by small boat A government source told the Daily Mail: This new Bill, if passed by Parliament, will mean that if you come here illegally, not only will you be swiftly removed from the UK, but you will never be able to come back. It is bad enough that illegal migrants currently abuse our asylum system to frustrate their removal. But it is far worse that they can currently settle here permanently and apply to become a citizen. The ability to settle in this country and become a British citizen is not a human right, it is a privilege which is why we will ban illegal migrants from ever coming back to the UK after we have removed them. Rishi Sunak, who has made stopping the boats one of his five key pledges to voters, told The Mail on Sunday: Illegal migration is not fair on British taxpayers, it is not fair on those who come here legally and it is not right that criminal gangs should be allowed to continue their immoral trade. I am determined to deliver on my promise to stop the boats. So make no mistake, if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay. The issue is likely to become a key battleground at the next election, expected at the end of next year. Labour has chosen not to make the small-boats issue one of its five missions for the election. Current rules state that illegal entrants can be handed a re-entry ban of two or five years, depending on the circumstances and foreign offenders can be barred for ten years and upwards. But the measures being announced tomorrow will significantly extend the restriction, making it impossible to enter Britain again, even as a visitor. The moves are expected to have a particular impact on Channel migrants from safe countries such as Albania who will think twice about making an illegal crossing if it means never being allowed back. New laws will also restrict Channel migrants from using human rights laws to avoid removal from Britain, it is understood. The Bill is likely to severely limit the way claims under Labours Human Rights Act can be used by asylum seekers who arrive by irregular routes. In addition, it will widen the Home Offices ability to insist that any legal appeals must be lodged from abroad rather than from Britain, it is thought. The Bill will be published ahead of a key summit between the Prime Minister and French president Emmanuel Macron on Friday. It is understood Mr Sunak will seek a substantial increase in beach patrols to stop migrants from leaving French shores. Nearly 46,000 migrants crossed the Channel by small boat last year, a huge rise on the 28,500 seen in 2021. Ministers have been warned that up to 80,000 migrants could make the dangerous journey this year. Ministers are expected to face a battle over the new laws. Human rights campaigners will claim the inadmissibility measures and other aspects of the new Bill are a breach of refugee conventions. New laws will also restrict Channel migrants from using human rights laws to avoid removal from Britain, it is understood. The Bill is likely to severely limit the way claims under Labours Human Rights Act can be used by asylum seekers who arrive by irregular routes The legislation is also expected to tighten modern slavery laws which are being exploited by migrants to delay removal. The PM has vowed to raise the threshold for claims so that objective evidence of exploitation is required, rather than mere suspicion. Figures published last week showed modern slavery claims reached a record high last year, boosted by an 80 per cent surge in the number of Albanians claiming under the scheme. As part of his action plan, the PM has also vowed to clear 92,000 cases from the asylum backlog currently standing at 166,000 by the end of this year. Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris told Skys Sophy Ridge yesterday that the new Bill would be very black and white and ban people who arrive in Britain via illegal routes from claiming asylum. He also acknowledged that it meant opening up more safe and legal routes for people to come here seeking asylum. He said migration had been really good for Britain, but the small-boats crisis had upset that balance slightly. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed they have been invited to the Kings Coronation but have refused to say whether they will be attending. Harry received an email from the Palace about the event on May 6, their spokesman said, despite the stream of brickbats they have thrown at the Royal Family. It comes after the prince launched yet another salvo, telling controversial physician Dr Gabor Mate that he was starved of hugs and attention during his incredibly painful childhood. In an interview with Dr Mate to promote his memoir, Spare, that was streamed live and cost viewers 19 a ticket he also lamented his broken-home upbringing and how he felt different to the rest of his family. The Mail understands that Harry and Meghans former UK home, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor which the King is said to have taken from them will be available for them to stay in should they fly to England to attend. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, pictured last year, have confirmed they have been invited to the Kings Coronation King Charles pictured yesterday attending the morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham with Reverend Canon Paul Williams Harrys pregnant cousin, Princess Eugenie, still uses Frogmore when in the UK with her family, and has helped to pack up some of the Sussexs belongings and ship them to the couples US home, sources told the Mail. King Charles is said to have told officials to give the Sussexes notice to quit Frogmore Cottage on January 11, the day after Spare came out. The Mail revealed in December that Charles would invite his estranged son and daughter-in-law to the Coronation and the King, who appeared in good spirits as he attended church at Sandringham yesterday, hasnt changed his mind, sources said. Save the date invitations are expected to be sent out within two weeks. However, relations are still so bad that he and Prince William havent spoken to Harry for weeks. The Sussexes confirmed that their invitation had been sent out via email. In a statement, a spokesman for the couple said Harry had recently received email correspondence from His Majestys office regarding the Coronation. He added: An immediate decision on whether the Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time. The Coronation falls on the same day as the fourth birthday of Harry and Meghans son Archie, so their attendance is not guaranteed. Harry has also told friends he is concerned about the reaction he may receive in the UK from his family and the general public. The King was reportedly angered by Harrys comments in his memoir about Camilla, the Queen Consort, whom he accused of leaking stories about the Royal Family to the media to boost her image. Harry also claimed Prince William physically attacked him in a row about Meghan and described his brother as his arch-nemesis. In the latest interview, which took place at Harrys California mansion, Dr Mate, a Hungarian-Canadian expert on toxic trauma, observed how Spare revealed a multi-generational lack of touching within the Royal Family, noting how when Charles informed Harry of Dianas death, he walks out and leaves you on your own, describing the King as an emotionally distant father. Harry also risked stoking his war with William by claiming he was closer to their mother Diana. King Charles is said to have told officials to give the Sussexes notice to quit Frogmore Cottage (pictured) on January 11, the day after Spare came out The Duke of Sussex, 38, said that with his own children, Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, he was trying to smother them with love, adding: I feel a huge responsibility not to pass on any trauma or negative experiences that Ive had as a kid or as a man growing up. He claimed he and Meghan were trying to break the pattern of divorce and childhood trauma, and said he had encouraged the Royal Family to have therapy so they could speak his language. He said: When I was doing therapy... I suddenly realised that I had learned a new language, and the people that I was surrounded by, they didnt speak that language. So I actually felt more pushed aside... Im feeling more and more distant from my loved ones. Harry, who toured Afghanistan in the Army, told Dr Mate: I was also a fantastic candidate for the military. In the UK we tend to recruit from broken homes individuals that are ready for it. One morning, a little over a week ago, boys at Rainford High in Merseyside turned up in class wearing skirts over their school uniform. It was a show of solidarity in support of female pupils who were still are embroiled in a row over the thorny subject of skirt lengths. It's a familiar classroom battle up and down the country. The 'skirt-wearing' was the prelude to a demonstration during the day which had been planned on social media. It had been reported how some girls had been left in tears after being told their skirts, inspected in some cases by male teachers, were too short. Hence the 'rebellion'. Video footage, recorded on mobile phones, showed hundreds of pupils massing on the landings and walkways of school buildings, not unlike prisoners protesting on a jail wing, as security staff with orange high-viz bibs moved among the crowd of youngsters to keep order. One morning, a little over a week ago, boys at Rainford High in Merseyside turned up in class wearing skirts over their school uniform. It was a show of solidarity in support of female pupils who were still are embroiled in a row over the thorny subject of skirt lengths. It's a familiar classroom battle up and down the country (pictured: a protest in Oxfordshire) The 'skirt-wearing' was the prelude to a demonstration during the day which had been planned on social media. It had been reported how some girls had been left in tears after being told their skirts, inspected in some cases by male teachers, were too short. Hence the 'rebellion' (pictured: a protest in Merseyside) Not so long ago, to adapt an old saying, 'what happened in Rainford, stayed in Rainford', or anywhere else for that matter. But that was before mobile phones and TikTok became integral parts of children's lives. For Rainford, as everyone probably knows by now, was not an isolated case. Many people will have seen footage of, or read about, school 'riots' breaking out all over Britain in the past week or so and wondered: 'Where on Earth did it all start?' The answer is: right here at Rainford High, in St Helens on Wednesday, February 22. Videos of the 'Rainford Rebellion' spread like a virus on TikTok and triggered copycat protests at dozens of other schools. A number of these were in comfortable middle-class areas, such as Banbury in Oxfordshire. In Rishi Sunak's constituency of Richmond in North Yorkshire, a teacher was reportedly pushed over in the melee, which culminated with the police being called. From the Cornish coast to Hull, exercise books were trampled underfoot, desks and chairs were overturned, fire extinguishers were set off, rubbish bins were hurled at fences and property was damaged. Footage of the classroom chaos, which has now resulted in some pupils being suspended from school, was set to different pop soundtracks on TikTok. Intriguingly, those directly involved in the nationwide unrest were not united in a single cause. Skirt lengths was certainly one bone of contention, but fierce opposition to gender-neutral toilets and uniforms, anger at stricter rules on lavatory breaks during lessons and even concern over staffing problems galvanised others. Many of these issues have been rumbling on for years without ever creating the kind of headlines and widespread disruption we have witnessed recently, which illustrates the power and global reach of TikTok. The China-owned video-sharing behemoth, which has taken the social media world by storm since its launch in 2017, now has one billion active users and, significantly, is the app most used by teens. Such is its influence, several countries, including Canada and the U.S., have banned it on government devices amid concerns about spying and data gathering. The power that TikTok exerts, especially over younger generations, was illustrated back in 2020 when firemen had to cut teenagers around the country out of swings designed for much younger children after videos of their idiotic behaviour (known as a TikTok 'challenge') showcased on the platform went viral. It's like gossip on an after-school bus on steroids There are many other examples of TikTok crazes, some of which are incredibly dangerous and have led to serious injuries and even deaths. Take the skull-breaker challenge, for example, where a person's feet are swept from under them, making them fall flat on their back, or the lethal 'blackout challenge' in which participants choke themselves until they lose consciousness. But the school uprising is perhaps the first time, in this country at least, that TikTok has played such a pivotal role in fuelling direct action. Some have called it 'mob rule', even if many might share certain views held by the young protesters (on, say, gender-neutral toilets). The question is: how? Chris Stokel-Walker, journalist and author of TikTok Boom, is an expert on the unique algorithm powering the app something he calls TikTok's 'secret sauce' which is responsible for the 'viral spread' of content. Facebook, Instagram and other social media apps, for example, are built around the network of people, brands and interest groups you follow (the 'social graph'). TikTok, on the other hand, has no interest in your friends. It analyses what you are interested in (the 'content graph'), and one of the main indicators of your interests and hobbies is how long you spend watching a clip. Video footage, recorded on mobile phones, showed hundreds of pupils massing on the landings and walkways of school buildings , not unlike prisoners protesting on a jail wing, as security staff with orange high-viz bibs moved among the crowd of youngsters to keep order (pictured: a protest in Surrey) 'By watching one video of a protest at a school to its completion, you're sending out signals to TikTok that you were engaged with that content, so it will show you more,' says Mr Stokel-Walker. 'Within minutes your 'For You' feed the way users encounter videos when they open the app will be swamped with similar footage.' It's the equivalent, he said, of 'gossip on an after-school bus but on steroids'. He drew some parallels between the current phenomenon and the way Twitter helped proliferate the Arab Spring, a series of anti-government armed rebellions and uprisings in the Arab world in the early 2010s. You can see how the spread started. One TikTok video from Rainford, uploaded by 'Amelia' and captioned: 'best day ever #rebellion #schoolprotest #foryou', was watched more than three-quarters of a million times. Another girl, 'Lily', captioned hers: 'Rainford High students protest because 50-year-olds think it's dangerous and inappropriate to have legs showing'. The following warning was imprinted on a third clip: 'Finally we find a way to stand up for our rights. Go ahead and take our rights away. Don't underestimate the things we will do.' In total, videos tagged with the school's name have been seen an astonishing eight million times in the past week. Within days, pupils at different schools all over the country started communicating with each other directly, asking for advice on how to stage similar 'human rights' protests at their own school. 'How do I start it?' asked one pupil. Others rallied potential recruits, with one declaring: 'Listen up. I want to start a protest.' The spread was, to quote Mr Stokel-Walker, like 'wildfire', and all in plain sight on TikTok. The following day Thursday, February 23 pupils at Cullompton Community College in Devon were waving signs in the playground, including one which read: 'Privacy while we pee! Give our doors back!', and chanting: 'We want doors.' Not so long ago, to adapt an old saying, 'what happened in Rainford, stayed in Rainford', or anywhere else for that matter. But that was before mobile phones and TikTok became integral parts of children's lives. For Rainford, as everyone probably knows by now, was not an isolated case (pictured: a protest in Lincolnshire) They were making their voices heard after the removal of entry doors into the male and female toilet blocks, aimed at addressing 'poor behaviour' and the use of mobile phones in the blocks. Revealed: The TikTok videos urging pupils to take part in school riots sweeping the country and giving advice on how to emulate rebellions against new rules on uniforms and unisex toilets - READ MORE Advertisement By Friday February 24 the TikTok trend was causing mayhem at schools the length and breadth of Britain, as far south as St Austell in Cornwall and as far north as York, Blackpool and Hull. At 9.40am, police responded to reports of criminal damage at Richmond School in North Yorkshire. According to regional paper, the Northern Echo, pupils went on the 'rampage' after it was announced that toilets would be locked during lesson time. A teacher is said to have fallen down stairs during the incident, with children allegedly setting a tree on fire, kicking down doors and smashing windows while refusing to go to class. The school, which is believed to have been locked down during the trouble, said a 'small minority' of pupils were to blame and that the 'overwhelming majority' of students were 'shocked' by their behaviour. One thing that has emerged from the events of the past week or so is that, contrary to received wisdom, not all young people are signed up to the transgender orthodoxy. Opposition to gender-neutral uniforms and gender-neutral toilets was the catalyst for a number of flare-ups. The Warriner School in Banbury, which has 1,500 pupils aged 11 to 18, had to close after youngsters stood on desks and overturned wheelie bins in response to a new uniform policy banning skirts and introducing black tailored trousers for everyone. The school, which had to call the police during the disturbance on Friday, February 24, said the move was to promote inclusivity and 'further support and empower our students with the values of equality and respect'. Warriner, however, quickly reversed the policy following the trouble and announced that any proposals to change the school uniform would be put to student and parent consultation. Shouldn't that have been the starting point in the first place? 'I think girls were being penalised and parents were extremely cross about it,' said Lesley Southam, who has a teenage daughter at Warriner. Many people will have seen footage of, or read about, school 'riots' breaking out all over Britain in the past week or so and wondered: 'Where on Earth did it all start?' (pictured: a protest in Surrey) 'The school is there to educate and show children they have options. To remove simple options such as girls dressing like girls, or boys dressing like girls if they want to, is wrong. It's oppressive.' The Department for Education (DfE) allows schools to set their own uniform policy, but said that they must provide separate toilets for boys and girls over the age of eight. The same toilet rule is spelt out on the National Education Union (NEU) website which states: 'All schools must have separate washrooms for male and female pupils aged eight and over.' Nevertheless, two schools in Southampton introduced unisex toilets. One of them was Weston Secondary, where 200 pupils chanted 'toilet rights' at the end of breaktime and continued through third and fourth period, disrupting some students sitting their mock exams. Parents were visibly angry at the school gates. 'The teachers don't have unisex toilets, so why should the students?' asked one mother angrily. 'Girls and boys have the right to privacy when they go to the toilet. 'My daughter won't drink her bottle of water at school because she wants to wait to go to the toilet at home.' The school was contacted but, at the time of writing, had chosen not to comment. 'We will be in touch with all schools and local authorities to ensure they are supported,' the DfE said in a statement. There is one other factor to consider, aside from the 'domino effect' of TikTok. An overwhelming number of parents, judging by the comments on school websites and social media, were supportive of the action, not just at Rainford, but at educational establishments targeted in other parts of the country as well. It is a telling insight into the world we now live in, as one man on the Rainford website pointed out in response to someone who had accused teachers of being on 'a power trip'. 'Really?', he asked. 'Are you joking? We all had to abide by the rules we didn't like at school but protesting and kicking off is not the way forward. Parents should be supporting the school not behaving like rebellious teenagers.' But the dam, metaphorically speaking, had already burst by then. Back in 1979, Pink Floyd released the single Another Brick In The Wall, the defiant student anthem against authority and the school system. All these years on, TikTok has helped to turn the lyrics into reality. Today marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Hugo Chavez. To honour the legacy of this courageous class fighter, we republish below an obituary, written by Alan Woods at the time of his passing. The article offers a detailed analysis of the role of the Venezuelan president in the Bolivarian Revolution, as well as his relationship with the masses. For a deeper understanding, we would also like to draw readers attention to Permanent Revolution in Latin America, published in 2018 by Wellred Books. The book presents a history of the revolutionary movements in Venezuela, as well as Cuba and Nicaragua, from a Marxist perspective. In doing so, Permanent Revolution in Latin America exposes the pernicious role of the national bourgeoisie in collaborating with imperialism. Ultimately, as shown by Chavezs own life, only the working class can be trusted to carry out the tasks of the revolution and bring exploitation to an end once and for all. Permanent Revolution in Latin America can be bought from Wellred Books here. Hugo Chavez is no more. Always a fighter, Chavez spent his last months in a life and death struggle against a cruel and implacable enemy cancer. He fought bravely to the very end, but finally his strength gave out. On Tuesday, March 5, at 4.25 pm the cause of freedom, socialism and humanity lost a great man and the author of these lines lost a great friend. Although the government had already reported news of a deterioration of Chavezs health, with a new and severe respiratory infection, the news of his death came as a shock. I knew the President as a healthy, energetic and exuberant man, who was so full of life and the desire to live and struggle that his death seems all the more unbelievable. At the all too early age of 58, the leader of the Bolivarian Revolution has been snatched away. The grief of the workers and poor people was manifested when hundreds of thousands poured onto the streets and squares weeping. According to some estimates two million people marched in Caracas on the day of his funeral. The voice of the dispossessed No matter what one thinks about Chavez, he broke the dam and opened the floodgates. He dared to confront the power of the oligarchy and defy the might of American imperialism. Even his declared enemies and critics cannot deny that he showed colossal courage. And in giving a courageous example he conjured up tremendous forces that have lain dormant in the depths of Venezuelan society for generations. Hugo Chavez spoke for the poor, the disposed, the wretched of the earth, and he gave a voice to those millions with no voice. They never forgot it. He won another sweeping endorsement when he was triumphantly re-elected as president last October. The Revolution has carried out serious reforms in the interest of the workers and the poor in the key fields of and health. More recently it has launched an ambitious plan to build houses. 250,000 homes were built and delivered to families who needed them in the last 2 years, while in Spain, for instance, in the same period there have been 250,000 mortgage repossessions. At a time when every other government is announcing deep cuts in spending on public health and education, Venezuela has established a system of free public medicine and massively expanded access to education at all levels including free of charge university education. In Europe, but particularly in the weakest capitalist countries in the South of Europe, unemployment is reaching epidemic proportions and in Spain and Greece over 60% of the youth are unemployed. The Bolivarian revolution has significantly reduced poverty and unemployment. Yet the capitalist media talks about economic chaos in Venezuela! This stands the truth on its head. However, the most important gain of the Revolution has an intangible, one might say, moral character. It has given the masses a sense of their own dignity as human beings, it has imparted a keen sense of justice, it has given them a new sense of their own power, it has given them a new confidence. It has given them hope for the future. From the standpoint of the ruling class and imperialism, this represents a mortal peril. Hugo Chavez's Bolivarian Revolution was a direct threat to US imperialism because of the example it gives to the oppressed masses in the rest of Latin America. Ever since the Monroe Doctrine was announced, the rulers of the USA have seen Latin America as their own private backyard. A revolutionary wave was sweeping the entire Latin American continent, and Hugo Chavez acted as a powerful catalyst to the revolutionary movement throughout the continent. This made him public enemy number one for Washington. In the beginning, the Venezuelan oligarchy did not know what to make of Chavez. They thought it would be like any other Venezuelan politician. That is to say, that he was for sale. As soon as they realised that they could not buy Chavez, they set in motion plans to overthrow him. On 11 April 2002, they organized a coup. Behind it there were powerful forces: the landlords, bankers, capitalists, the media, the Church, generals, police chiefs, corrupt trade union leaders and the CIA. Chavez was arrested and hijacked. The plotters installed themselves in the palace of Miraflores. But within 48 hours they were overthrown by a spontaneous uprising of the masses. Units of the army loyal to Chavez went over to the masses, and the coup collapsed ignominiously on April 13. For the first time in the history of Venezuela, the masses overthrew a coup. In reality power was in their hands, but tragically they did not know it. A great opportunity was lost. Was Chavez a dictator? The hatred the ruling class showed towards Chavez was the hatred of the rich for the poor, of the exploiter for the exploited. Behind this hatred there was fear fear for the loss of their wealth, power and privileges. It reflected the fundamental class division of society. And it was never eliminated. If anything, it grew steadily in intensity until his death, and after it. I cannot remember a campaign of such ferocity in the media as that which was unleashed against Hugo Chavez during his lifetime. Never has there been such an outpouring of hatred, malice, bile and poison. Never has the so-called free press resorted to so many distortions,, falsifications and outright lies. And the avalanche of filth keeps pouring out. The spiteful arguments of the enemies of the Revolution to the effect that Chavez is a dictator were always ironic. Whatever you think about Hugo Chavez, he was certainly no dictator. He won more elections and other electoral processes than any other political leader in the world. In fact, the Bolivarian revolution has been extraordinarily lenient with its opponents who, do not forget, organized an illegal coup against a democratically elected government in 2002. They seem to complain a lot about alleged ill treatment, but I see no basis for these complaints. For years the pro-opposition media was allowed to slander the President in the most scandalous way, to call for his overthrow and even assassination. Do you think that would be permitted in the United States? RCTV, Globovision, Venevision, all the privately owned TV channels played a very active role in organizing the 2002 coup. If any British television channel had done one tenth of the things they did, it would have its license withdrawn before it could say David Cameron and its owners would find themselves on trial under the Anti-Terrorist Laws. In Venezuela it took over four years for action to be taken against any of them, when RCTV was denied the renewal of its open to air licence, but allowed to continue to broadcast over cable. Even so, the opposition has complained that the Presidential election of April 14 has been called too soon. But if the government had not called elections, as it had the duty to do according to the Constitution, they would be complaining of dictatorship. Nobody has prevented the opposition from standing in elections. The problem is that they have lost. But that is democracy! The opposition, if it is to be truly democratic, must begin by respecting the will of the majority of the people and not to use its economic levers and control of the media to sabotage the democratic will of the people. The role of the individual in history Marxism does not deny the role of the individual in history. It merely asserts that individuals, no matter how capable, are never free agents. Their role is always limited and conditioned by circumstances beyond their control. But when a particular concatenation of circumstances arises, it requires men and women of a certain type to take advantage of them to move millions of people into action. Without two men, Lenin and Trotsky, the Russian Revolution of 1917 would never have succeeded. Yet these same two men for most of their lives found themselves in a tiny minority, isolated from the masses and unable to influence events in a decisive way. Without the Caracazo in February 1989, it is not impossible that Hugo Chavez might have remained an army officer pursuing a normal military career unknown to the public. But there is another side to the question. Without his actions, it is also possible that those tragic events would have passed into history as a mere footnote. Venezuelan society and politics would have returned to that monotonous routine determined by tradition and the inertia of habit. The personal role of Chavez was decisive. He acted as a catalyst, which, when all the conditions are present, produces a dramatic change. Towards the end of his life, in Fredrick Engels wrote: Men make their history themselves, but not as yet with a collective will according to a collective plan or even a definite, delimited given society. Their aspirations clash, and for that very reason all such societies are governed by necessity, the complement and form of appearance of which is accident. The necessity which here asserts itself athwart all accident is again ultimately economic necessity. This is where the so-called great men come in for treatment. That such and such a man and precisely that man arises at a particular time in a particular country is, of course, pure chance. But cut him out and there will be a demand for such a substitute, and this substitute will be found, good or bad, but in the long run he will be found. (Engels Letter to Borgius, 25 January 1894, Marx and Engels Correspondence, pp.467-68) The important words here are: good or bad. The quality of individual leaders is extremely important. If I have a good dentist and he falls ill, I have no doubt that a substitute will be found good or bad. But it is not a matter of indifference to me whether the substitute is a competent dentist or not. Matters are still more serious in the case of war. If Napoleon had not been present at the battle of Austerlitz, the French would have found a substitute, of course. But whether that substitute would have been capable of winning the battle is quite another matter. It is just the same with revolutions. If Lenin and Trotsky would not have been present in November 1917, we know who would have substituted for them: Stalin, Zinoviev and Kamenev. We also know that under their leadership the Russian Revolution would never have succeeded. Good or bad makes all the difference. An individual's personality can have an effect on the processes of history. For me, what is interesting is the dialectical relationship between subject and object, or, as Hegel would have expressed it, between the Particular and the Universal. It would be very instructive to write a book on the exact relationship between Hugo Chavez and the Venezuelan Revolution. That such a relation exists is not open to doubt. Whether it is positive or negative will depend on what class standpoint one defends. From the standpoint of the masses, the poor and downtrodden, Hugo Chavez was the man who brought them to their feet and who inspired them, by his undoubted personal courage, to acts of unparalleled heroism. Chavez and the masses Photo: Prensa MirafloresA few years ago, when I was on a speaking tour in Italy, a left wing journalist from Il Manifesto asked me in a perplexed tone: But Alan, what has the situation in Venezuela got in common with the classical model of the proletarian revolution. In reply, I quoted the words of Lenin: Whoever wishes to see a pure revolution will never live to see it. Such a person talks about revolution and does not know what a revolution is. A revolution is, in essence, a situation where the masses begin to participate actively in politics and to take their destiny into their own hands. Leon Trotsky who, after all, knew a few things about revolutions answers in the following way: The most indubitable feature of a revolution is the direct interference of the masses in historical events. In ordinary times the state, be it monarchical or democratic, elevates itself above the nation, and history is made by specialists in that line of business - kings, ministers, bureaucrats, parliamentarians, journalists. But at those crucial moments when the old order becomes no longer endurable to the masses, they break over the barriers excluding them from the political arena, sweep aside their traditional representatives, and create by their own interference the initial groundwork for a new regime. Whether this is good or bad we leave to the judgment of moralists. We ourselves will take the facts as they are given by the objective course of development. The history of a revolution is for us first of all a history of the forcible entrance of the masses into the realm of rulership over their own destiny. (L. Trotsky, The History of the Russian Revolution, Preface, my emphasis) This is certainly the case in Venezuela. The awakening of the masses and their active participation in politics is the most decisive feature of the Venezuelan Revolution and the secret of its success. The relationship between Hugo Chavez and the masses was a very complex and dialectical one. I had occasion to see this for myself many times when I attended the mass rallies where he addressed the people. He aroused colossal enthusiasm and devotion. We saw the same emotions on the streets of Caracas on the days before and after his funeral. When Chavez spoke to the workers and peasants, the effect was always electric. On such occasions, one could sense a kind of chemical reaction between Chavez and the masses. There was no mistaking the intense loyalty felt by the poor and downtrodden masses to this man. Hugo Chavez for the first time gave the poor and downtrodden a voice and some hope. That is the secret of the extraordinary devotion and loyalty they have always shown him. He aroused them to life and they see themselves in him. Chavez's enemies on the right could never understand the reason for this. They could not understand it because they are organically incapable of understanding the dynamics of the revolution itself. The ruling class and its intellectual prostitutes can never accept that the masses have a mind and personality of their own, that they are a tremendously creative force that is capable not only of changing society but also of administering it. They can never admit such a thing because to do so would be to admit their own bankruptcy and confess that they are not a necessary and indispensable social agent endowed with a God-given right to rule, but a superfluous and parasitic class and a reactionary obstacle to progress. But it was not only the bourgeois who were incapable of understanding what was happening in Venezuela. Many on the Left were equally unable to understand this phenomenon. Incapable of placing themselves on the standpoint of the masses, they adopted a haughty attitude, as if the masses whose name they were always invoking were ignorant children who needed to be educated by them. Unfortunately for these Lefts, the masses showed not the slightest interest in these would-be educators or their lessons. How can we explain the peculiar chemistry that existed between Hugo Chavez and the masses? It is true that he possessed unique gifts as a communicator: a powerful personality, a penetrating intellect and a profound understanding of the psychology and aspirations of the masses. However, the real secret is to be found, not in the realm of psychology, but in the relations between the classes. The masses saw themselves reflected in Chavez. They identified themselves with him as the man who first awakened them to political life and who has given voice to their aspirations. They personify the Revolution in him. For them, Hugo Chavez and the Revolution was one and the same thing. I wrote about my impressions when I first saw this in April 2004: As he spoke, I was able to watch the reaction of the masses on the big screen behind the president. Old people and youngsters, men and women, the overwhelming majority working class, listened intently, straining on every word. They applauded, cheered, laughed and even wept as they stood there. This was the face of an aroused people, a people that has become aware of itself as an active participant in the historical process the face of a revolution. The process cut both ways. Chavez drew his strength from the support of the masses, with whom he identified fully. In his manner of speaking spontaneous and completely lacking in the stiff formality of the professional politician he connected with them. If there was sometimes a lack of clarity, even this reflected the stage in which the mass movement found itself. The identity was complete. My relations with Chavez I knew Hugo Chavez for almost a decade, and had excellent relations with him from our first meeting in April 2004. He made a very deep impression on me, and he always referred warmly to me as his friend. He read my books and was kind enough to praise them and recommend them publicly on several occasions. Our relationship was therefore of a political and ideological nature. But the attempts of the opposition to describe me as his adviser and even his political guru were entirely false. They were an ill-concealed attempt to invent some kind of malign foreign influence on the President. In fact, it was not easy to influence President Chavez, who was a very intelligent and independent man, with a very strong will. Hugo Chavez possessed boundless energy. He always seemed to be bubbling with energy and talking endlessly about all sorts of things. This did not make him an easy man to work with, as his personal secretary told me: I would do anything for him, but there is never a moment's peace. Sometimes I can't even go to the toilet. I start to walk in that direction and somebody shouts: the President wants you!' He himself was not a man who tired easily. He had immense reserves of energy, starting work every day before 8 o'clock and working until about three in the morning. I asked him if he then went to bed. He answered: No. Then I read. Hugo Chavez with Alan WoodsI first met Chavez in April 2004 when I attended the Second International Gathering in Solidarity with the Venezuelan Revolution which was held on the second anniversary of the defeat of the attempted counterrevolution of April 2002. There are not many people I have met in my life who have made such a deep and lasting impression on me. Grasping my outstretched hand firmly, he looked at me with curiosity: What book did you say? Reason in Revolt. A broad smile lit up his face. That is a fantastic book! I congratulate you. Then looking around him he announced: You must all read this book! I was going to leave, to allow others to meet the President, when he stopped me. He now seemed to be oblivious of all around him and spoke with obvious enthusiasm: You know, I have got that book at my bedside and I am reading it every night. I have got as far as the chapter on The molecular process of revolution'. You know, where you write about Gibbs' energy. It appears that this section has made a considerable impact on him, because he quotes it continually in his speeches. Mr. Gibbs has probably never been so famous before. Later I was invited to meet the President in the palace of Miraflores. I was told that I would have a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes at most. In fact, we discussed for an hour and a half. As I walked into his office, he was sitting at his desk, with a huge portrait of Simon Bolivar behind him. On the desk I noticed a copy of Reason in Revolt and a letter I had sent him. The letter had been heavily underlined in blue. Chavez greeted me very warmly. Here was no protocol but only openness and frankness. He began by asking me about Wales and my family background. I explained that I was from a working class family, and he replied that he was from a family of peasants. Well, Alan, what have you got to say? he asked. Actually, I was more interested in what he had to say which was very interesting. First I presented him with two books: my history of the Bolshevik Party (Bolshevism, the Road to Revolution) and Ted Grant's Russia from Revolution to Counterrevolution. He looked extremely pleased. I love books, he told me. If they are good books, I love them even more. But even if they are bad books, I still love them." Ferment in the military Opening the Bolshevism book he read the dedication I had written, which reads: To President Hugo Chavez with my best wishes. The Road to Revolution passes through the ideas, programme and traditions of Marxism. Forward to Victory! He said That is a wonderful dedication. Thank you, Alan. He began to turn the pages and stopped. I see you write about Plekhanov. That's right. I read a book by Plekhanov a long time ago, and it made a big impression on me. It was called The Role of the Individual in History. Do you know it? Of course. The role of the individual in history, he mused. Well, I know none of us is really indispensable, he said. That is not quite correct, I replied. There are times in history when an individual can make a fundamental difference. Yes, I was pleased to see that in Reason in Revolt you say that Marxism cannot be reduced to economic factors. That is right. That is a vulgar caricature of Marxism. Do you know when I read Plekhanov's book The Role of the Individual in History? he asked. I have no idea. I read it when I was a serving officer in an anti-guerrilla unit in the mountains. You know they gave us material to read so that we could understand subversion. I read that the subversives work among the people, defend their interests and win their hearts and minds. That seemed quite a good idea! Then I began to read Plekhanov's book and it made a deep impression on me. I remember it was a beautiful starlit night in the mountains and I was in my tent reading with the light of a torch. The things I read made me think and I began to question what I was doing in the army. I became very unhappy. You know for us it was no problem. Moving about in the mountains with rifles in our hands. Also the guerrillas had no problems they were doing the same as us. But the people who suffered were the ordinary peasants. They were helpless and they had a rough time. I remember one day we went into a village and I saw some soldiers torturing two peasants. I told them to stop that immediately, that there would be none of that as long as I was in command. Well, that really got me into trouble. They even wanted to put me on trial for military insubordination. [He put special emphasis on the last two words]. After that I decided that the army was no place for me. I wanted to quit, but I was stopped by an old Communist who said to me: You are more useful to the Revolution in the army than ten trade unionists.' So I stayed. I now think that was the right thing to do. Do you know that I set up an army in those mountains? It was an army of five men. But we had a very long name. We called ourselves the Simon Bolivar people's national liberation army. He laughed heartily. When was that? I asked. In 1974. You see, I thought to myself: this is the land of Simon Bolivar. There must be something of his spirit still alive something in our genes, I suppose. So we set about trying to revive it. Chavez went on, as if thinking aloud: Two years ago, at the time of the coup, when I was arrested and being led away, I thought I was going to be shot. I asked myself: have the last 25 years of my life been wasted? Was it all for nothing? But it was not for nothing, as the uprising of the paratroop regiment showed. Chavez remembers the coup Chavez spoke to me at some length about the coup. He related how he was kept in complete isolation. The rebels wanted to pressurise him into signing a document, resigning from office. Then they would have let him go into exile in Cuba or somewhere. They wanted to do what they have done recently with Aristide in Haiti. He was not to be killed physically but morally, to be discredited in the eyes of his followers. But he refused to sign. The plotters used all kinds of tricks to get him to resign. They even used the Church (about which Chavez spoke very caustically). Yes, they even sent the Cardinal to persuade me. He told me a pack of lies: that I had no support, that everyone had abandoned me; that the army was firmly behind the coup. I had no information, and was completely cut off from the outside world. But I still refused to sign. My captors were getting very nervous. They were getting lots of phone calls from Washington demanding to know where the signed resignation letter was. When they saw the letter not forthcoming, they became desperate. The Cardinal pressed me to sign in order to avoid civil war and bloodshed. But then I noticed a sudden change in his tone. He became polite and conciliatory. I thought to myself: if he is talking like this, something must have happened. Then the phone rang. One of my captors said: It's the minister of defence. He wants to speak to you. I told him I would not speak to any golpista. Then he said: But it is your minister of defence.' I tore the phone out of his hand and then I heard a voice that sounded like the sun. I don't know if you can say that, but anyway, that is just what it sounded like to me. From this conversation I was able to form an impression about Chavez the man. The first thing that strikes one is that he was transparently honest. His sincerity was absolutely clear, as was his dedication to the cause of the Revolution and his hatred of injustice and oppression. Of course, these qualities in and of themselves are not sufficient to guarantee the victory of the revolution, but they certainly explain his tremendous popularity with the masses. The whip of the counterrevolution After the defeat of the coup it would have been possible to carry out a socialist revolution swiftly and painlessly. Unfortunately, the opportunity was lost and the reactionaries were allowed to regroup and organize a new attempt in the so-called strike (in reality a bosses' lockout) that did serious damage to the economy. The new attempt was defeated by the workers, who seized control of the factories and oil installations and kicked out the reactionaries. Once again the possibility existed of a radical transformation without civil war. And once again the opportunity was lost. The struggle for socialism At our first meeting he asked me what I thought of the movement in Venezuela. I replied that it was very impressive, that the masses were clearly the main motive force and that all the ingredients were present to carry the revolution through to the end, but that there was something missing. He asked what that was. I replied that the weakness of the movement was the absence of a clearly defined ideology and cadres. He agreed. You know, I don't consider myself a Marxist because I have not read enough Marxist books, he said. From this conversation I had the distinct impression that Hugo Chavez was looking for ideas, and that he was genuinely interested in the ideas of Marxism and anxious to learn. I wrote at the time: This is related to the stage that the Venezuelan Revolution has reached. Sooner than many people expect, it will be faced with a stark choice: either liquidate the economic power of the oligarchy or else go soon to defeat. Subsequent events showed that my first impressions were well founded. Hugo Chavez played a very important role in reopening the debate on socialism at a time when many had written it off. The president frequently recommended reading the works of Marx, Lenin and Trotsky. This was enormously positive. The development of Hugo Chavezs political ideas represented an evolution, in which many factors were involved. He developed and grew in stature together with the Revolution. The Revolution itself is a mighty school in which millions of men and women learn through their experience. Lenin, who was one of the greatest Marxist theoreticians, once said that for the masses an ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory. This learning curve of the Revolution is not a straight line. There are moments when the Revolution presses forward, sweeping all before it. But there are also moments of tiredness, disappointment, even despair. There can be all kinds of setbacks, confusion, retreats and mistakes. But after every setback, the masses learn from their errors, draw the conclusions and move to a higher plane. The purpose of a revolutionary party and leadership is to help to keep the number of mistakes to a minimum. It would be possible to point out a whole series of contradictions, hesitations, inconsistencies in Chavezs political evolution over the past fourteen years. But the general line was always to the left. The reason for these contradictions must be sought in the pressures that were exerted on the Bolivarian Movement by opposing class forces. The pressure from the bourgeoisie and imperialism, which was reflected by the right wing of the Bolivarian Movement and the counterrevolutionary bureaucracy, and the pressure from the workers and peasants, which was strong in the rank and file of the PSUV. These pressures sometimes pushed the Movement to the right, but this was countered by pressure from the rank and file. In January 2005 President Chavez gave a speech at the Gigantinho Stadium at the closing session of the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil. In this speech he said: Every day I become more convinced, there is no doubt in my mind, and as many intellectuals have said, that it is necessary to transcend capitalism. But capitalism cant be transcended from within capitalism itself, but through socialism, true socialism, with equality and justice. But Im also convinced that it is possible to do it under democracy, but not in the type of democracy being imposed from Washington. [...] It is impossible, within the framework of the capitalist system to solve the grave problems of poverty of the majority of the worlds population. We must transcend capitalism. But we cannot resort to state capitalism, which would be the same perversion of the Soviet Union. I was present at a rally in Caracas when Chavez made his dramatic statement that he was a socialist for the first time. If I remember rightly it was in December 2004. He was speaking at the Teresa Carreno Theatre in Caracas which was filled with red-shirted workers and youth. After he had spoken for quite some time, he suddenly threw his papers to one side and said: Now I want to tell you something from myself. In the last few years I have been thinking a lot. I have had a lot of experience. I have read a lot. I have had many discussions. And I have come to the following conclusion: I AM A SOCIALIST! At that point the hall erupted into enthusiastic applause and cheering. These were the words the people wanted to hear. But I noticed something rather strange. I was sitting at the front of the hall with the Presidents brother Adan Chavez , surrounded by government ministers. I noticed that not all the ministers were applauding. Chavez said: I was learning in reality (...) especially after the coup in April 2002, after the imperialist onslaught that wild action with economic sabotage, terrorism, I realized that the only way for us to be free, to Venezuela is a free, independent, the only state in which the people can enjoy the benefit of equality and social justice is socialism. What role my writings played in this evolution, I cannot say with any certainty. But there was one incident that may cast some light on this question. During the World Youth Festival in 2005, I was invited to participate in a round table in Caracas, where the President spoke and gave a very radical speech, quoting from Marx, Trotsky and Rosa Luxemburg. At the end I shook his hand and congratulated him on his speech. He continued to grip my hand and said, looking me straight in the eyes: No, only a few reflections on ideas that I have learned from you. Later, in Alo Presidente (Sunday 27 July 2008) he referred to my book Reformism or Revolution: Marxism and Socialism of the XXI Century as follows: Look, Alan Woods, Reformism or Revolution'; reformism, for how long? I am reading it in great detail; I am taking notes on this book. On another occasion he said: The Revolution has allies all over the world. One of these allies is the International Marxist Tendency. Marx has returned, and with him, his ideas, which are an irreplaceable part of the ideas of this revolution The cancer of bureaucracy A successful Revolution always has many friends. Those middle class elements who are attracted to power as flies to a honey pot, who are ready to sing the praises of the Revolution as long as it remains in power, who do nothing useful to save it from its enemies, who weep a few crocodile tears when it is overthrown, and the next day pass onto the next item on Life's agenda such friends are worth two a penny. A real friend is not someone who always tells you that you are right. A real friend is someone who is not afraid to look you straight in the eye and tell you that you are mistaken. The best friends of the Venezuelan Revolution in fact its only real friends is the working class of the world and its most conscious representatives are the revolutionary Marxists. They are the people who will move heaven and earth to defend the Venezuelan Revolution against its enemies. At the same time, the true friends of the Revolution honest and loyal friends will always speak their mind without fear. Where we consider that the right road is being taken, we will praise. Where we think mistakes are being made, we will give friendly but firm criticism. What other kind of behaviour should be expected of real revolutionaries and internationalists? The Revolution faces many dangers, not only externally but internally. A few years ago, President Chavez said to me: There are too many governors and mayors who, after they are elected, surround themselves with wealthy men and beautiful women and forget about the people. He referred on more than one occasion to the counterrevolutionary bureaucracy. This exists and constitutes a kind of Fifth Column within the Revolution. The masses were learning quickly in the school of the revolution and drawing their conclusions. The main conclusion was that the revolutionary process must be pushed forward, it must confront its enemies and sweep all obstacles aside. This burning desire of the masses, however, constantly clashed with the resistance of those conservative and reformist elements who are constantly urging caution, and who, in practice, want to put the brakes on the Revolution. The destiny of the Revolution depends on the solution of this contradiction. Chavezs instinct was always to go with the workers and peasants. But he faced a hostile bureaucracy, which continually frustrated his plans, countermanded his decrees and sabotaged the Revolution. If he is to be criticised, it is for being too tolerant of these elements for too long. I believe that he did this because he feared divisions in the Movement that could undermine the Revolution. That was a mistake. What undermines the Revolution is corruption and careerism. The bureaucracy is a cancer that gnaws at the entrails of the Revolution and destroys it from within. Unfortunately, inside the PSUV and the Bolivarian movement there are people in public office, governors, mayors, etc who swear by Chavez in every other sentence, who wear red shirt but actually are opportunists, careerists, and corrupt bourgeois who have nothing to do with the revolution. These elements have been blocking the revolutionary initiative of the masses and even undermining the decrees of President Chavez. The rank and file workers and peasants should take a big broom and sweep all this rubbish out of the Movement and take control. Until this is done, we cannot speak of genuine socialism in Venezuela. Chavezs internationalism Chavez always spoke in the most unambiguous terms about his commitment to socialism, not only in Venezuela and Latin America, but on a world scale. For instance, when in 2009 he launched the idea of forming a Fifth International, which was later sabotaged by the bureaucracy and the Stalinists, he said: Lets save the world: lets defeat imperialism; lets save the world, lets defeat capitalism Lets rescue the words of Rosa Luxemburg Socialism or Barbarism He denounced the crimes of US imperialism in the most vigorous terms. In the speech at the United Nations that everybody remembers, he referred to the then US President George W Bush as the Devil. The Devil is right at home. The Devil, the Devil himself, is right in the house. And the Devil came here yesterday. Yesterday the Devil came here. Right here. [crosses himself] And it smells of sulphur still today. Yesterday, ladies and gentlemen, from this rostrum, the president of the United States, the gentleman to whom I refer as the Devil, came here, talking as if he owned the world. Truly. As the owner of the world. As a Marxist I do not believe in the Devil, but what is certainly true is that the actions of that most Christian of Presidents George W Bush and his equally pious crony Tony Blair turned Iraq and Afghanistan into a living hell for millions of people. It was about time that somebody spoke out boldly to denounce their crimes and to do it, not in the hypocritical double-speak of diplomacy, but in suitably forceful language. The hypocrites pretended to be shocked, but the rest of the world applauded. About George W. Bush, Chavez expressed himself in terms of the deepest contempt. He said to me: Personally, he is a coward. He attacked Fidel Castro at a meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) when Fidel was not present. If he had been there he would not have dared to do it. They say he is frightened to meet me and I believe it. He tries to avoid me. But one time we were together at an OAS summit and he was sitting quite near to me. Chavez chuckled to himself. I had one of those swivel chairs and I was sitting with my back to him. Then, after a while, I spun the chair round so I was facing him. 'Hello, Mr. President!' I said. His face turned colour from red to purple to blue. You can tell the man is just a bundle of complexes. That makes him dangerous because of the power he has in his hands. There were, of course, some elements in the policies of the Bolivarian Republic with which Marxists would disagree. Its greatest weaknesses were in the field of foreign policy. In an attempt to overcome the diplomatic isolation that was being organized by US imperialism, the government looked for allies in some very unusual places. They tried to form a bloc, particularly of oil-producing countries, against US imperialism. In principle, that was not incorrect. In order to break its isolation, the young Soviet Republic built relations with countries like the Turkey of Kemal Ataturk. But this policy was complemented by the activities of the Communist International. However, cultivating relations with leaders like those of Iran was a serious mistake, which damaged the reputation of the Bolivarian Revolution in Iran and the Middle East. But Chavez was a true internationalist. When he denounced the crimes of US imperialism, he always made a careful distinction between the ruling class and the ordinary people of the United States, towards whom he harboured no feelings of hostility, but quite the contrary. At the time of his famous speech in the UN, he took the unprecedented step of visiting the South Bronx, a neighbourhood of poor and working-class residents in New York. That visit is still remembered by the people. What other world leader would do such a thing? When he spoke of socialism, he always spoke of the need for world socialism. This idea he shared with the tendency I represent. On many occasions Hugo Chavez expressed his firm support for the Hands off Venezuela campaign. Uncompleted tasks Chavez died before completing the great task he had set before himself: the carrying out of the socialist revolution in Venezuela. It is now up to the workers and peasants the real motor force of the Bolivarian Revolution to carry this task out to the end. Failure to do so would be a betrayal of his heritage. President Nicolas Maduro has promised to maintain Chavez's revolutionary, anti-imperialist and socialist legacy. The Bolivarian Movement must defend the revolutionary legacy of Chavez and carry out the Revolution to the end. Otherwise, it will face being thrown right back. But within the Bolivarian Movement there are different currents and tendencies. The left wing, reflecting the revolutionary aspirations of the masses, wishes to press forward with the Revolution, overcome the resistance of the oligarchy and arm the people. The right wing (reformists and social democrats), in practice, wishes to call a halt to the Revolution, or at least to slow it down and arrive at a compromise with the oligarchy and imperialism. In reality, the latter option does not exist. There is no compromise possible with the enemies of the Revolution, any more than oil can be mixed with water. The whole logic of the situation is moving in the direction of an open confrontation between the classes. Upon the decision of this conflict the destiny of the Revolution depends. The gains of the Revolution can only be guaranteed if it takes a bold step forward, to become truly irreversible. I am sure that this was what President Chavez was aiming to do, but was prevented from carrying out this plan by his untimely death. I accept that there are many problems, but I am certain that the main reason is that a genuine planned economy is impossible while key points of the economy remain in private hands. You can have a capitalist market economy or a socialist planned economy, but you cannot have both. You cannot plan what you do not control, and you cannot control what you do not own. In order to advance to socialism, you first have to break the economic power of the oligarchy that uses it to sabotage the revolutionary process. This means getting tough on economic sabotage, hoarding, the flight of capital and speculation. The only way to solve the economic problems is by nationalizing the land, the banks and the major industries under workers control. As soon as news of the Presidents illness became public, voices were raised in favour of a transition, by which they meant the abandonment of the socialist aims of the Revolution and compromise with the bourgeoisie and the opposition. Chavez answered this, saying that the "only transition that is posed and must be accelerated is the transition from capitalism to socialism. That is one hundred percent correct. The Revolution must move to replace the old bourgeois state by new institutions based on democratic and revolutionary socialist workers' councils, community councils etc. There are many challenges, both external and internal. The Revolution faces a constant campaign of sabotage by the oligarchy and imperialism, which refuses to recognize the democratically expressed, will of the majority that has been clearly expressed on numerous occasions. To meet these challenges serious measures will be necessary. The same forces that organized the 2002 coup, the bosses sabotage of 2002-3, the guarimbas in 2004, that introduced the Colombian paramilitaries, are the same forces that in the last two months have organized a campaign of nasty rumours, innuendo and speculation and hoarding. Nothing has changed. Carry out Chavezs legacy! In August 2009 Publico reproduced an interview with Chavez, where we read the following: Q: "Is Hugo Chavez necessary for the consolidation of the Bolivarian Revolution? A: Bertolt Brecht said that those are indispensable who struggle all their lives. From that point of view, I am a lifelong fighter. And so I would be one of those who are indispensible. But I'm not. Now, looking beyond the individual, when speaking of what is indispensable we could find a word that is more applicable to politics. I prefer to speak of the necessary and sufficient conditions. Karl Marx spoke of objective and subjective conditions. I have said it. I have nothing special that you do not have. What I am is the product of historical circumstances: a set of objective and subjective conditions that have been created in Venezuela. To attribute to Hugo Chavez, the child that was born 55 years ago in the hut of a peasant, who became a soldier, all the wind of evil, as Bolivar once said, is impossible. That would give me an importance that I not deserve. I've been borne along by circumstances and I play a role, my role. The existence of Chavez is necessary but not sufficient. For there to be a revolution, it takes a conscious and united people, a project and a consciousness. In Venezuela these condition have come into existence. The President was undoubtedly too modest here in describing his own role. That he was the product of his times and the peculiar conditions that existed in his country, nobody can doubt. But there were many others who were the products of the same conditions, including those who described themselves as revolutionaries and communists, and yet were not capable of playing the role that he played. There was nobody like Chavez when he was alive, and there is no single person can replace him now he is dead. It goes without saying that we will support the election of Nicolas Maduro in April. But we must seriously question the idea that one man can lead the Revolution to victory. This was a weakness of which President Chavez was well aware, and we discussed it more than once. I admired and respected the President, who I saw as a very honest and courageous man and an outstanding leader. But a Revolution cannot depend on one man. Chavez knew that very well. On 3 July 2008 he invited me to accompany him in his car during an election campaign on the island of Margarita. He pointed to the crowds of enthusiastic people in red shirts cheering from the roadside. He turned to me and said: These are the people who must take control of this Revolution. On the day of his death, these words kept ringing in my mind. Now that Hugo Chavez is no more, the future of the Bolivarian revolution and its advance toward socialism will depend on the workers, the poor, the peasants and the revolutionary youth who have been the driving force of the revolution and have defended in all the key moments. Everything depends on this. After the death of Chavez the Venezuelan revolution stands at the crossroads. The masses have defeated reaction on many occasions. They have repeatedly shown their will to change society. But the forces of reaction have not been decisively defeated. The oligarchy continues to control key points of the economy and is constantly intriguing against the Revolution. Washington is participating in counterrevolutionary intrigues. Hugo Chavez is no more. But the story of the Venezuelan Revolution is not yet finished. Various endings are possible not all of them pleasant to contemplate. The masses are still learning, the Bolivarian Movement still developing. The tremendous polarisation between the classes will end in a showdown in which all parties, tendencies, programmes and individuals will be put to the test. I repeat what I wrote shortly after my first meeting with President Chavez: What is necessary? Clear ideas, a scientific understanding, a consistently revolutionary programme, policies and perspectives. The only guarantee of the future of the Bolivarian Revolution consists in the movement from below the mass movement which, headed by the working class, must take power into its own hands. That demands the rapid construction of the Revolutionary Marxist Current, the most consistently revolutionary section of the movement. I believe that a growing number in the Bolivarian Movement are looking for the ideas of Marxism. I am sure that this applies to many of its leaders. And Hugo Chavez? He told me that he was not a Marxist because he had not read enough Marxist books. But he is reading them now. And in a revolution people learn more in 24 hours than in 20 years of normal existence. In the end, Marxism will draw to itself all the best elements in Venezuelan society and fuse them together in one invincible fighting force. On that road lies the possibility of victory. These lines were written nine years ago. I see no reason to change a single word today. London, 11 April 2013 Campaigners have criticised Prince Harry after he spoke again about using drugs, saying he is sending a worrying message to young people. In a live-streamed interview, the Duke of Sussex told how using cannabis a Class B drug 'really helped' him to deal with mental health issues following the death of his mother. He also talked about his 'positive' experience of psychedelic drug ayahuasca, saying it 'brought me a sense of relaxation, release, comfort, a lightness that I managed to hold on to for a period of time'. The duke, 38, made the comments in an interview with therapist Dr Gabor Mate, an outspoken supporter of decriminalising drugs who has allegedly used Amazonian plant ayahuasca to treat patients suffering mental illness. Harry told him: '[Cocaine] didn't do anything for me, it was more a social thing and gave me a sense of belonging for sure, I think it probably also made me feel different to the way I was feeling, which was kind of the point. Marijuana is different, that actually really did help me.' Frank talk: Duke during interview spoke about using drugs, saying he is sending a worrying message to young people Fiona Spargo-Mabbs, who launched a drugs education charity in her son Daniel's name (pictured) after he died of an accidental MDMA overdose aged 16, described the comments as 'concerning' Fiona Spargo-Mabbs, who launched a drugs education charity in her son Daniel's name after he died of an accidental MDMA overdose aged 16, described the comments as 'concerning'. 'Our work is with under-18s and our concern is that this can send a message that is going to make young people think that drugs are going to help them with stuff that is really difficult,' she said. 'It is a time when a lot of them are struggling with their mental health. 'Numbers have really increased and access to support services is a real struggle as services are incredibly stretched. 'Unfortunately young people are getting the message from somewhere that drugs are going to help with their problems and anything that reinforces that is a concern for us. 'Using drugs as a coping strategy is more likely to lead to dependence than other motivations because that becomes how you are coping with something.' She added of Harry: 'He has been very public about his drug use, which is one thing, but the statement that it helped him is a concern for young people.' TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp also criticised the duke, tweeting: 'If you have a vast platform you don't mouth off about using illegal drugs, the trade which kills people.' In his memoir Spare, Harry admitted using cocaine, cannabis and magic mushrooms and was accused of being 'irresponsible' and glorifying drugs. Ffiona (right) said: 'Our work is with under-18s and our concern is that this can send a message that is going to make young people think that drugs are going to help them with stuff that is really difficult' Yesterday his latest comments were seized upon by pro-cannabis campaigners to bolster their calls for it to be legalised in the UK. The CannaClub said on Twitter: 'Definitely time to decriminalise. 'If it's good enough for our Prince Harry then it's good enough for millions of people. Listen to the science. Cannabis is good for so many aliments.' Clear Cannabis Law Reform, which campaigns for legally regulated cannabis to be available on prescription and at licensed outlets for adults, also retweeted a link to an article about Harry. Yesterday a charity blasted Dr Mate for diagnosing Harry with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) live on air. The ADHD Foundation said it was not 'ethical nor appropriate to tell someone for the first time, in a public interview, that they have ADHD. It is for the individual to decide whether to disclose their neurodiversity'. The husband of Britains ambassador in Moscow runs a business forum designed to boost trade with Russian firms despite sanctions against Vladimir Putins regime. Alf Torrents, 57, is executive director of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce, leaving his wife, ambassador Deborah Bronnert, facing questions over whether her role representing Britains interests in Russia is conflicted by his job. There was an outcry last month after the Daily Mail revealed that British luxury brands such as Rolls-Royce were still trading in Russia. In peacetime, Mr Torrentss organisation lobbied to smooth trade with the Putin regime. In 2016 two years after the Kremlin annexed Crimea it urged Parliament to reinstate Russia as a worldwide trade and investment priority and re-evaluate sanctions. Although it scaled back its operations after the invasion of Ukraine, it remains active, and recently advertised for a new treasurer. Updates: Alf Torrents, 57, is executive director of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce, leaving his wife, ambassador Deborah Bronnert In peacetime, Mr Torrentss organisation lobbied to smooth trade with the Putin regime. In 2016 two years after the Kremlin annexed Crimea it urged Parliament to reinstate Russia as a worldwide trade and investment priority and re-evaluate sanctions' Last Tuesday, Mr Torrents hosted an event to update members on the political, trade and consular situation. Held at the British embassy, it was addressed by Miss Bronnert. Mr Torrents, who lives with his wife at the official British residence, a 19th-century merchants house opposite the Kremlin, told in 2020 how his chamber of commerce held regular consultations with the Foreign Office, whose diplomats had never been anything but supportive. In another interview he said he worked closely with the British embassy to represent the interests of our members. When Mrs Bronnert, 55, was announced in 2019 as ambassador to Russia, the official notice did not mention Mr Torrents or his job, in contrast to her previous appointment as ambassador to Zimbabwe, when he was named. Since Ukraine was invaded, the UK has tried to isolate Russia on the international stage and enforce strict sanctions. Trading there is all-but banned, and most British firms quit their Russian operations. One informed source said of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce: The question is whether a lobbying group especially one that has argued vociferously against sanctions should have such personal access to HM Ambassador to Moscow. Another expert in the area said the chamber of commerce was operating in a parallel universe if it thought there was any way it could continue to promote trade with Russia. Since the invasion, the groups previously public website has been hidden behind a members-only login. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by former Army officer Mr Torrents or his wife. After Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, Mr Torrents told his members these are dark days indeed, and said the chamber of commerce would cease its main activities and operate in a significantly wound-down format so as, if possible, to preserve the organisation for the future. He told the Mail that last Tuesdays event was to update the few remaining British nationals in Russia on the current crisis, insisting: It is in no way a business event in the sense of promoting business between the UK and Russia. He added: The environment is changeable and far from easy for those having to operate in it and the session [was] an update to provide information to British citizens. He declined to comment on any possible conflict of interest. The Foreign Office said: There is no conflict of interest in this appointment. READ MORE: The best beaches in the world for 2023 ranked by Tripadvisor She writes: 'There are over 132 resort islands in the Maldives - but this is the clear choice for wine lovers' Advertisement How about a rare 2009 Chardonnay from revered Burgundy producer Pierre-Yves Colin Morey? Or a one-of-a-kind 2011 Syrah from esteemed South African producer Eben Sadie? You can barely find these beauties in the UK. But finding a treasure trove of them in the Maldives at incredibly reasonable prices, poured by an expert sommelier team, elevates even the dreamiest of holidays to a truly transcendent experience. There are over 132 resort islands in the Maldives - but there's one clear choice for wine lovers and that's the Constance Halaveli. A 25-minute seaplane journey from the capital of Male, it has powder-white beaches, crystalline turquoise water and luxurious villas, like other idyllic resorts. But it's the 27,000-bottle cellar at this tiny 300-metre-wide (985ft) island that sets it apart. If you want Montrachet with your manta rays, and bucket-list wines with your bucket and spade then this is your wine paradise. On my first morning, after a lavish breakfast and a litre of coffee to combat jet lag, I pad barefoot for a tour of the cellars located just metres from the beach. Outside there's a bacchanal shrine of empty bottles all the big names (Krug, Cristal, d'Yquem) but also trendy producers from the Jura, Switzerland and New Zealand. Intriguing. Head Sommelier Sree greets me with a welcoming smile. He opens a heavy door - and I'm in vino Narnia. Umpteen bottles are stacked across the walls, interspersed with old maps and wine memorabilia. In the first chamber, there's an impressive selection of big-hitter labels - vintage Champagnes, First Growth Bordeaux, Grand Cru Burgundy and Super Tuscans. A reclaimed barrel table sits at the heart of the room the hub for the team's in-house training. Sree manages an unusually large team of five sommeliers all dedicated to Michelin-star-level wine service for guests of the 57 water villas and 29 beach villas. Charlotte Kristensen check into Constance Halaveli (above) in the Maldives, which features a 27,000-bottle wine cellar On the left is a floating lunch with house Champagne that Charlotte enjoys at her villa. The picture on the right shows Charlotte at her 'lagoon tasting' with head sommelier Sree - one of the many wine experiences that can be booked at Halaveli Constance Halaveli's cellar, which Charlotte describes as 'vino Narnia', complete with old maps and wine memorabilia Charlotte writes: 'There are over 132 resort islands in the Maldives - but there's one clear choice for wine lovers and that's the Constance Halaveli' The sommelier team is young, affable, and extremely knowledgeable. 'Did someone say "Riesling"?' one of the team interjects with enthusiasm as he overhears our conversation about a famed Alsace producer. Close and trusting relationships lie at the heart of what they do. They tell me that some guests like to stick with the familiar so quality Provence roses, Sauvignon Blancs and Riojas are all on the list. Other guests have a penchant for classic, super-premium wines. Sree tells me of one guest emailing to set aside 50,000 (43,000/$53,000) of wine for a week-long holiday with friends. Another WhatsApped him from the airport seeking two bottles of Petrus a rare wine averaging a whopping 4,000 (3,500/$4,249) per bottle! But it's the small-production, family-owned producers that Sree and the team talk about with passion Domaine Vacheron from the Loire Valley, David & Nadia from Swartland in South Africa, and Tenuta de Terre Nere from Sicily to name just a few. And you'll be surprised to hear the prices of these boutique wines are remarkably fair. Sommelier Sree tells Charlotte of one guest emailing to set aside 50,000 (43,000/$53,000) of wine for a week-long holiday with friends Charlotte stays in a beach villa (above) at the resort, which features 57 water villas and 29 beach villas So how do they do it? Wine culture runs from the top at this hotel group, which has several properties across the Indian Ocean. The wine operation has been overseen by respected and well-known sommelier Jerome Faure for almost 20 years, with his wine programmes winning numerous awards. His wine contacts across the world have enabled him to build noteworthy cellars with wines bought directly from the producers, cutting out intermediaries and passing the savings on to guests. Each evening, after a slow day swimming, reading and relaxing in the spa, I'm taken on a different and enchanting wine journey with the sommelier team. I dine at each of the three restaurants at Halaveli. The buffet-style restaurant Jahaz is right on the beach and has a different theme each evening, accompanied by a tasteful live guitar act. Maldivian night with spicy delicacies served with an aged, off-dry New Zealand Riesling is a hit. The resort's lavish presidential villa, which sits amid lush greenery and white sands The beach villas are positioned along the resort's impressive 854-metre (2,800ft) jetty Constance Halaveli is a 25-minute seaplane journey from the capital of Male 'Each evening, after a slow day swimming, reading and relaxing in the spa, I'm taken on a different and enchanting wine journey with the sommelier team,' writes Charlotte Next door, Meeru specialises in freshly caught fish and fine meats cooked on an open-fire grill. The local 'tooth fish' lightly charred with a herb-butter sauce paired with a white wine from the Arbois in Jura is sensational. Ultra-fine-dining restaurant Jing is positioned halfway down the hotel's impressive 854-metre (2,800ft) jetty. Here I relax into an unforgettable evening - a shimmering sunset, sharks and Saint-Aubin. Jing serves food to write home about (not just to post on Instagram) impeccably seared plump scallops, immaculately crisp, yet juicy tempura tiger prawns and a rich and silky miso black cod main all 10 out of 10. Mid-week I head to a lagoon tasting one of the many wine experiences that can be booked at Halaveli. With my dress tied up with a scrunchie, and water up to my knees, I taste through four wines while basking in that glorious 5pm sun. A rich and salty Chardonnay from the lesser-known region of Cotes d'Auxerre in Burgundy, then two South African whites - a honeyed Chenin from Hemel-en-Aarde and a spicy Viognier from Walker Bay. To finish, a fragrant but approachable Barolo-style red from the Langhe region in Italy. Wine culture runs from the top at the hotel group that runs Constance Halaveli, reveals Charlotte, which has several properties across the Indian Ocean 5 GREAT WINES AT CONSTANCE HALAVELI 1. Sadie Family Skerpioen 2014: a top, aged South African Chenin Blanc that kicked off my stay. 2. Pegasus Bay Riesling Aria 2014: an off-dry and exotic New Zealand Riesling. 3. Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Saint-Aubin Les Champlots 2017: a generous white Burgundy with racy acidity from a cult producer. 4. San Lorenzo Etna Rosso 2018: a smoky and berry-fruited red from the slopes of Mount Etna. 5. Maury Mas Amiel 1985: a sweet and heady fortified wine from Languedoc-Roussillon. Advertisement On a separate occasion, a bespoke seven-course dinner with soulfully paired wines in the candlelit wine cellar has the ultimate wow factor. I won't be forgetting about the Maldivian Rock Lobster Roulade served with caviar, brioche, hollandaise and a bisque shot paired with a 2016 Puligny-Montrachet any time soon. On my final evening, I'm thrilled by Sree's pick - a bottle of Crozes-Hermitage from the late and highly admired Alain Graillot. I'd mentioned a few nights prior, as we were exchanging stories about past visits to the cellars of artisan Rhone winemakers, that I'm totally in love with Rhone Syrah. He'd remembered. And this is what it's all about. Such once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences are the result of a team that truly cares about sharing the stories of the wines and winemakers to create something highly personal for the guest. While so much of everyday life washes away in the swell, the best holidays like a special bottle of wine leave an indelible memory of a unique time and place. Charlotte is YOU Magazine's weekly wine columnist. Read more here. Mia Goth showcased her curves in a form fitting ensemble Saturday at the Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California. Mia, 29, who displayed her talents for horror once again in Infinity Pool, was nominated for Best Lead Performance for her role in the fright flick Pearl, about an ambitious farm girl who longs for the glamorous life she sees in the movies. The annual event is always held the week before the Academy Awards and salutes the best in independent film and television. The British-born actress dressed in head-to-toe black, donning a long sleeve black lace dress with a velvet cowl neck and hem, for the red carpet. The leggy blonde wore nothing underneath the frock, except for a black bra and high waist panties. Back in black: Mia Goth, 29, showcased her curves in a form fitting ensemble Saturday at the Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California, wearing a long sleeve black lace dress with a velvet cowl neck and hem Mia wore minimal makeup and kept her blonde locks back with a wide black headband. She accessorized with large black and gold earrings. In an interview with Vanity Fair, the Hawaii Film Critics Society award winner said Pearl provided a much needed breakthrough for her. 'For a while, it was always a miracle to me that I would get another job,' the Emma actress admitted. Its Pearl which changed me, in terms of how I view myself and my ability as a performer.' Mia also worked with director and writer Ty West to create the script, and received her first writing credit for the screenplay. 'That project was an opportunity for me to experience a performance-driven story for the first timevery little plot, just very character-focused,' she explained. The film, which was shot in New Zealand during the height of the pandemic provided an opportunity for the Suspira actress to explore her creative side. In the conversation: Mia was nominated for Best Lead Performance for her role in the fright flick Pearl, about an ambitious farm girl who longs for the glamorous life she sees in the movies New project: Mia shot Pearl in New Zealand during the pandemic and worked with director Ty West to create the script, and received her first writing credit for the screenplay 'I would wake up very early, put my phone on a timer for maybe an hour at a time, and write in the style of a stream of consciousness, rather than script form, because I found that to be an obstacle in me getting my ideas down,' she revealed. 'I would write as Pearl, as mebut Pearl is me. I mean, all my characters are me, turned up or turned down. Its all me exploring different facets of myself.' The busy actress said she gives her all to each and every project. 'I think you should feel like youre run dry by the time you finish a movie.' Mia is married to fellow actor Shia LeBeouf, 36, and they share a daughter, Isabel, one. The scream queen will return to the Pearl universe in MaXXXine, based on one of the characters she played in X, the film that kicked off the trilogy. A release date has not yet been announced. Shia is currently working on Megalopolis with Francis Ford Coppola. Mia will return to the Pearl universe in MaXXXine, based on one of the characters she played in X, the film that kicked off the trilogy. A release date has not yet been announced Mia is married to fellow actor Shia LaBeouf and they share a one-year-old daughter, Isabel (pictured in Los Angeles in September 2014) The 38th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards were held at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, March 4, with comedian Hasan Minhaj hosting. The nominations were officially announced late last year in November, and the awards ceremony is notably known for bringing 'together top talent from throughout the world of film and television,' according to the official website. This year, the awards show will only be available to view via streaming, and will not air live on IFC, a first since 1997, reported Variety. Instead, fans and audiences can easily tune in to watch the beachside festivities on IMDB's YouTube Channel, as well as the Film Independent's YouTube and Twitter pages. Some of the top categories include Best Feature, Best Director, and also Best New Scripted Series. The Spirit Awards have also installed new gender-neutral categories, combining both male and female actors for Best Lead and Supporting Performances in film and television. Josh Welsh, who is the current Film Independent President, told Variety that, 'Its something weve been talking about for probably three years.' Another honor given out during the annual ceremony is the John Cassavetes Award, which is presented to a creative team for a film that was budgeted at less than $1,000,000. The nominees include The African Desperate, The Cathedral, Holy Emy, A Love Song and Something In The Dirt. Comedian Hasan Minhaj hosted The 38th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards. Fans could easily tune in to watch the beachside festivities on IMDB's YouTube Channel, as well as the Film Independent's YouTube and Twitter pages Best Feature nominees are: Bones And All, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Our Father The Devil, Tar and Women Talking. Best Leading Performance nominees include Cate Blanchett, Dale Dickey, Mia Goth, Regina Hall, Paul Mescal, Aubrey Plaza, Jeremy Pope, Andrea Riseborough, Taylor Russell and Michelle Yeoh. In the television category, Best New Scripted Series nominees are: The Bear, The Porter, Severance, Station Eleven and Pachinko. The Independent Spirit Awards were officially launched in 1984, and they also act as a fundraiser for the independent film and television community. Haley Lu Richardson dazzled at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday when she arrived in a shimmering suit. The White Lotus star, 27 who recently rocked a pearl-studded gown to the SAG Awards looked gorgeous in her stunning outfit. Haley's ensemble paired a minidress top with matching bell-bottom pants that gave her a chic retro vibe. The up-and-coming actress wore her dirty blonde locks in an elegant updo and her face glowed with soft, flawless glam. Richardson accessorized with glittery platform heels from ALDO, minimal jewelry, and a show-stopping purse that looked like a boombox. Stunner: Haley Lu Richardson, 27, dazzled at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday when she arrived in a shimmering ensemble Haley's stylish appearance at the Independent Spirit Awards follows her wild night at the SAGs, where The White Lotus cast won Best Ensemble in a Drama Series. Richardson had a blast after the big win, puckering up with Meghann Fahy backstage and grinding on Francesco Zecca on the dance floor as she enjoyed a glass of bubbly. The breakout star who played Tanya McQuoid's personal assistant Portia in the HBO hit became known for her character's quirky outfit choices throughout the show, but Haley looked stunning at the SAGs in her pearl encrusted black strapless gown. Outside of the cast, Haley was also spotted catching up with fellow actress Cara Delevingne, as they were seen giggling and chatting behind the scenes. As the group posed for a full ensemble shot with their awards, Haley couldn't contain her laughter as she lounged on the floor in her gorgeous gown. She was later offered a hand up by her co-stars Paolo Camilli and Jon Gries, before continuing her antics well into the night. This included posing for playful snaps with Adam DiMarco and Leo Woodall, who both captured her character Portia's interest in series two of the show. Portia first enjoyed a flirtation with Adam's character Albie Di Grasso before being swayed by Jack's Essex boy charm later in the series. Hosted by comedian Hasan Minhaj, the 38th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards have installed new gender-neutral categories, combining both male and female actors for Best Lead and Supporting Performances in film and television. Josh Welsh, who is the current Film Independent President, told Variety that, 'Its something weve been talking about for probably three years.' Another honor given out during the annual ceremony is the John Cassavetes Award, which is presented to a creative team for a film that was budgeted at less than $1,000,000. The nominees include The African Desperate, The Cathedral, Holy Emy, A Love Song and Something In The Dirt. Amazing purse: Richardson accessorized with glittery platform heels from ALDO, minimal jewelry, and a show-stopping purse that looked like a boombox Retro chic: The White Lotus star's ensemble paired a minidress top with matching bell-bottom pants that gave her a chic retro vibe. Once inside the event, she posed up a storm in the IMDb Portrait Studio The glam: The up-and-coming actress wore her dirty blonde locks in an elegant updo and her face glowed with soft, flawless glam Gorgeous: Haley rocked a star bracelet and a few flashy rings, accenting her eye-popping outfit Best Feature nominees are: Bones And All, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Our Father The Devil, Tar and Women Talking. Best Leading Performance nominees include Cate Blanchett, Dale Dickey, Mia Goth, Regina Hall, Paul Mescal, Aubrey Plaza, Jeremy Pope, Andrea Riseborough, Taylor Russell and Michelle Yeoh. In the television category, Best New Scripted Series nominees are: The Bear, The Porter, Severance, Station Eleven and Pachinko. The Independent Spirit Awards were officially launched in 1984, and they also act as a fundraiser for the independent film and television community. Cate Blanchett looked incredible as she hit the red carpet at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica on Saturday. The Australian actress, 53, went shirtless underneath a plunging black blazer with cape-like sleeves and asymmetric pocket placement. The edgy outfit from the Loewe Fall/Winter 2018 line also featured matching pants, and blue piping throughout. The look was an eco-friendly choice, as the beauty had previously worn it in 2018 at the Annual Vanity Fair/CHANEL dinner during the Cannes Film Festival. The star is nominated at tonight's ceremony in the Best Lead Performance category for her portrayal of a tyrannical maestro in Tar. Stunner: Cate Blanchett looked incredible as she hit the red carpet at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica on Saturday Cate wore her light blonde tresses parted in the middle and cascading down in gentle waves. The beauty opted for delicate makeup, wearing just a hint of eyeliner and nude lipstick. While on the red carpet she mingled with Aubrey Plaza, 38, who matched her in a black pantsuit of her own. The White Lotus star opted for a bright shade of red lipstick and swept her brunette tresses back for the night. She was also seen sharing a warm hug with Everything Everywhere All at Once star Michelle Yeoh, 60, who looked ravishing in a deep blue velvet gown. Cate also shared a friendly hug with Halloween star Jamie Lee Curtis, 64, while at the event. The 38th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards were held at the Santa Monica Pier, with comedian Hasan Minhaj hosting the event. The nominations were officially announced late last year in November, and the awards ceremony is notably known for bringing 'together top talent from throughout the world of film and television,' according to the official website. This year, the awards show will only be available to view via streaming, and will not air live on IFC, a first since 1997, reported Variety. Chic: The Australian actress, 53, went shirtless underneath a plunging black blazer with cape-like sleeves and asymmetric pocket placement Unique: The edgy outfit from the Loewe Fall/Winter 2018 line also featured matching pants, and blue piping throughout Stylish friends: While on the red carpet she mingled with Aubrey Plaza, 38, who matched her in a black pantsuit of her own Blue velvet: She was also seen sharing a warm hug with Everything Everywhere All at Once star Michelle Yeoh, 60, who looked ravishing in a deep blue velvet gown Inside: Cate also shared a friendly hug with Halloween star Jamie Lee Curtis, 64, while at the event Recycled: The look was an eco-friendly choice, as the beauty had previously worn it in 2018 at the Annual Vanity Fair/ CHANEL dinner during the Cannes Film Festival (pictured) Instead, fans and audiences can easily tune in to watch the beachside festivities on IMDB's YouTube Channel, as well as the Film Independent's YouTube and Twitter pages. Some of the top categories include Best Feature, Best Director, and also Best New Scripted Series. The Spirit Awards have also installed new gender-neutral categories, combining both male and female actors for Best Lead and Supporting Performances in film and television. Josh Welsh, who is the current Film Independent President, told Variety that, 'Its something weve been talking about for probably three years.' Another honor given out during the annual ceremony is the John Cassavetes Award, which is presented to a creative team for a film that was budgeted at less than $1,000,000. The nominees include The African Desperate, The Cathedral, Holy Emy, A Love Song and Something In The Dirt. Best Feature nominees are: Bones And All, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Our Father The Devil, Tar and Women Talking. Best Leading Performance nominees include Blanchett, Dale Dickey, Mia Goth, Regina Hall, Paul Mescal, Aubrey Plaza, Jeremy Pope, Andrea Riseborough, Taylor Russell and Michelle Yeoh. In the television category, Best New Scripted Series nominees are: The Bear, The Porter, Severance, Station Eleven and Pachinko. The Independent Spirit Awards were officially launched in 1984, and they also act as a fundraiser for the independent film and television community. Nominated: The star is nominated at tonight's ceremony in the Best Lead Performance category for her portrayal of a tyrannical maestro in Tar Amanda Abbington has revealed that she considered suicide after her split from ex-husband Martin Freeman left her 'hating herself'. The actress, 49, was married to The Office star, 51, for 16 years until their split in 2016 and they share children Joe, 17, and Grace, 15, together. And in a candid new interview on the Full Disclosure podcast, Amanda - who played Martin's wife Mary Watson in BBC's Sherlock - told how she was a 'mess' after the breakdown of their marriage. Detailing how much the split had affected her, she told how suicide was a 'genuine option for me' during the dark period of her life, telling how she recently had a similar thought after a row with her daughter. She explained: 'It was breaking up with Martin and then realising I needed to sort myself out because I was a bit of a mess. I hated myself. Tough time: Amanda Abbington has revealed that she considered suicide after her split from ex-husband Martin Freeman left her 'hating herself' (pictured together in 2014) Candid: In an interview on the Full Disclosure podcast, Amanda - who played Martin's wife Mary Watson in BBC's Sherlock - told how she was a 'mess' after the breakdown of their marriage 'It was funny because the other day, and Ive never told anyone, not even my therapist, Id had a row with Grace [her daughter] because she couldnt find her uniform and was late for school. 'So in the end I had to drive her to school instead of the bus and I was sitting in the car and I was having a go at her and I was getting nothing back from her because shes a 15-year-old and shes going through all this stuff. 'Shes a girl, Im a mother rage, anxiety. And I was sat there as I was driving, in my head, and I havent said this since I started therapy six years ago, "you could always kill yourself". 'And that was what my mantra used to be. If youve let people down and upset somebody or if youre not being the best you can or youre a bad mother, or youre not stepping up with your acting, you can always kill yourself.' Amanda went on to say that the idea of taking her life used to be an 'option' for her in the past, but that she last had the same thought six years ago - around the time of her separation from Martin. She continued: 'That was a genuine option for me, quite a few times in my life. Then I dont have to be this bad person because I dont have to be here any more. 'And I thought about that and I thought, "Oh my God I havent thought about that in six years".' Continuing to speak about her mental health, she went on: 'It all stems back to childhood and who you surround yourself with and what you put out there, the signals you send out. Exes: The actress, 49, was married to The Office star, 51, for 16 years until their split in 2016 and they share children Joe, 17, and Grace, 15, together (pictured in 2009) Difficult: Detailing how much the split had affected her, she told how suicide was a 'genuine option for me' during the dark period of her life, telling how she recently had a similar thought after a row with her daughter Honest: 'It was breaking up with Martin and then realising I needed to sort myself out because I was a bit of a mess. I hated myself' (pictured in 2015) Thoughts: 'That was a genuine option for me, quite a few times in my life. Then I dont have to be this bad person because I dont have to be here any more' 'People go "Oh theres a vulnerable person with anxiety and low self esteem, I can use that and push that person down". You attract what you think you deserve.' Amanda previously revealed that she kept her high-profile break up a secret for six months after she and Martin just couldn't live with each other anymore. Talking to the The Sunday Times magazine she said: 'When we broke up nobody knew, we didnt tell anybody except for a few key people because they had to know, because of the logistics of hotels and stuff. 'It took six months for it to get out and a lot of that was while we were working on Sherlock... We were professional and we were going to get on and make a show and be civil to each other. 'We still get on really well, we still really both admire each other as actors... hes a great guy, but we just couldnt live with each other any more.' The pair met on the set of the film Men Only in 2000 and went on to play formidable duo John and Mary Watson in the acclaimed BBC drama Sherlock. Meanwhile Martin has since gone on to date French actress Rachel Mariam, 30, who has featured in many roles including BBC's smash hit Normal People. Former love: The pair met on the set of the film Men Only in 2000 and went on to play formidable duo John and Mary Watson in the acclaimed BBC drama Sherlock (pictured) Moved on: Martin has since gone on to date French actress Rachel Mariam, 30, who has featured in many roles including BBC's smash hit Normal People (pictured in 2021) Happy again: Amanda is now in a relationship with former daredevil Jonathan Goodwin, 43, the couple were friends for years before they began dating Amanda is now in a relationship with former daredevil Jonathan Goodwin, 43, the couple were friends for years before they began dating. However they were only together two months before Jonathan became permanently paralysed when he was crushed during a stunt - leaving him in a wheelchair. Last month, Jonathan revealed he offered fiancee Amanda a way out of their 'love story' relationship after he was paralysed from the waist down when a TV stunt went horribly wrong. The escapologist suffered life-changing injuries after he was crushed between two suspended cars while rehearsing a daredevil stunt for reality show America's Got Talent: Extreme in 2021. And Goodwin admits he would have understood had Abbington opted to walk away from the relationship as he attempted to rebuild his life. 'I should have died on the operating table from the accident, so I am incredibly lucky to be here,' he said during a joint appearance on the Valentine's Day instalment of Loose Women. 'Not that I would recommend nearly dying but it's incredible, therapy, and then I feel so lucky and I pinch myself. 'It's such a massive change, it's like becoming an adult baby. I wouldn't wish it on anybody but I think that with all the physical challenges I've had in my life I'm uniquely adapted to dealing with it.' Devastating: Last month, Jonathan revealed he offered fiancee Amanda a way out of their 'love story' relationship after he was paralysed from the waist down when a TV stunt went horribly wrong Candid: Goodwin admits he would have understood had Amanda opted to walk away from the relationship as he attempted to rebuild his life Injured: The stuntman, who suffered third degree burns and spent four months in hospital after the incident, will need a wheelchair for the rest of his life after severing his spinal cord Of Amanda's get-out clause, he added: 'I would never judge you for that. The only thing we need to talk about is when we get married. It didn't even cross our mind.' The couple confirmed their engagement in 2021 after Goodwin proposed within minutes of meeting the actress for the first time in Vienna - but their emotional bond had organically developed over years of online exchanges and phone-calls. Amanda had first crossed paths with the stuntman on Twitter in 2012, while they were both involved in other relationships - she with actor Martin and he with now ex-wife Katy. A mutual respect for one another's work sparked an initial friendship, but it would be a further nine years - by which time they were both single - before they finally fell for one another. A disabled Harry Styles fan was left devastated after she was seated in an area with no view of the stage at his Queensland concert on Tuesday night. The woman, named Dominique, shared a post to Facebook explaining she had been excited to attend the concert but was 'gutted' when she was seated in an area where she was 'unable to see the screens, as well as the stage.' 'If I'm completely honest I have cried more in the last few days than I have in the last year. I was heading into Harry Styles Love On Tour concert at Heritage Bank Stadium with immense trepidation and intense anxiety,' she explained. Dominique said she had asked for the closest tickets to the stage and was told the 'A' reserve seating was the closet with wheelchair accessibility. 'I was grateful to be going to the concert at all so accepted the fact that I wouldn't be as close as I had been wishing for,' she continued. Disabled Harry Styles fan Dominique was left in tears after she was seated in an area with no view of the stage or screens at his Queensland concert Dominique said she had asked for the closest tickets to the stage and was told the 'A' reserve seating was the closet with wheelchair accessibility. Pictured Harry Styles She went on to explain: 'Once we arrived at Heritage Bank Stadium and were through security we went straight to our seats. Initially I thought that I would be able to see the screens, but as the stadium began to fill with thousands of fans and the minute that Harry appeared on stage all of my worst fears were confirmed within 2 seconds.' 'I could not see a single thing. The moment everyone stood up in front of me my view was completely obscured. I was unable to see either sides of the screens, as well as the stage, this remained for the entirety of the concert.' 'My support worker approached security and the seating manager and asked if we could be moved but was told that we would encounter the same issue no matter where we moved to, I wouldn't be able to see anything. I was gutted. Devastated and utterly destroyed beyond my comprehension.' She shared a post to Facebook explaining she had been excited to attend the concert but was 'gutted' when she was seated in an area where she was 'unable to see the screens, as well as the stage' Dominique said all disabled people should have the 'right access to public venues including concerts'. 'The level of discrimination shown by Heritage Bank Stadium was extremely palpable that night and simply not good enough. We are in 2023 and 'inclusion' is still not 'inclusive' enough unfortunately,' she continued. 'Being unable to simply see the very thing you pay for only due to the fact that you are disabled and in a wheelchair is inexcusable and unacceptable.' 'Most other people that were present at the concert that night, had easy access and visibility to all screens except those that were in wheelchairs. That is simply unfair. We pay the same price as every other person and have the same right to enjoy the concert.' Dominique shared a photo of her limited view of the stage and screens from her location 'Most other people that were present at the concert that night, had easy access and visibility to all screens except those that were in wheelchairs. That is simply unfair. We pay the same price as every other person and have the same right to enjoy the concert,' she wrote It comes after Heartbreak High star Chloe Hayden launched a scathing tirade against Marvel Stadium in Melbourne last week after claiming she was denied access to its sensory room. The actress, 25, who lives with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), requested access to the room on Friday while attending a Harry Styles concert and said she was rejected by security. The sensory room contains noise-cancelling headphones, weighted blankets, and fidget tools so autistic people or those suffering from severe sensory issues have a safe space to go to. 'Hey @marvelstadium reminder you cannot preach inclusivity and then not let me into the sensory room because you decided I don't look autistic enough,' she began. 'How g***amn disappointing the same venue has proven flying its woke flag and ticking the disability box is where its values begin and end,' she added. Oscar-winning actress Patricia Arquette paid tribute to vintage glamor on the blue carpet at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards Saturday in Santa Monica, California. The versatile star, who is directing Camila Morrone and Willem Dafoe in Gonzo Girl, arrived to the red carpet in a 1970s-inspired pink and gold patterned gown with long sleeves, a high collar and keyhole neckline. The actress, best known for her performances in Boyhood and Lost Highway, styled her platinum blonde locks in long, loose layers which framed her face. The mother-of-two opted for a natural looking makeup with a shimmery rose gold lip, black eyeliner, which drew attention to her bright blue eyes and a touch of blush on the apple of her cheeks. She accessorized the look with large gold hoop earrings. Oscar-winning actress Patricia Arquette paid tribute to vintage glamor on the blue carpet at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards Saturday in Santa Monica, California The Otherhood star carried a gold sequined purse for the star-studded event. Patricia was there to support her castmates and the creators of Severance. The Apple TV+ drama was nominated for Best New Scripted Series. The Sci-fi drama focuses on a mysterious corporation called Lumon Industries, which has developed a chip that can split its employees' minds in two. Once they leave the office, the workers share no memories with the people they are at home. Patricia received an Emmy nomination for her performance as Harmony Cobel, an icy corporate manager who also acts as a lactation specialist away from the office. 'Even though Harmony's not 'severed,' everybody is multiple people in this' she told The New Yorker in July. 'She's severed from her own feelings, her own experiences of bonding with people outside of this corporate world. The single mom, who shares daughter Harlow, 20, with her ex-husband Thomas Jane, is planning on opening a cannabis lounge with her son, Enzo, 34, whom she shares with former boyfriend Paul Rossi. The versatile actress, 54, stepped out in a 1970s inspired pink and gold print floor length dress with long sleeves, a high collar and keyhole neckline The Oscar winner styled her blond locks in long, loose layers which framed her face. The versatile actress wore natural looking makeup with a rose gold lip. She accessorized the look with large gold hoop earrings 'It's called Fantom Flower. It just started construction,' she said. During Covid, edibles really helped me deal with anxiety. So I'm super excited about [the lounge]. I'm going to interview people. So, fusing great music, great cannabis, activism. It's going to be really fun. A very vital, alive place.' The 38th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards were held at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, March 4, with comedian Hasan Minhaj hosting. The nominations were officially announced late last year in November, and the awards ceremony is notably known for bringing 'together top talent from throughout the world of film and television,' according to the official website. This year, the awards show will only be available to view via streaming, and will not air live on IFC, a first since 1997, reported Variety. Instead, fans and audiences can easily tune in to watch the beachside festivities on IMDB's YouTube Channel, as well as the Film Independent's YouTube and Twitter pages. Some of the top categories include Best Feature, Best Director, and also Best New Scripted Series. The Spirit Awards have also installed new gender-neutral categories, combining both male and female actors for Best Lead and Supporting Performances in film and television. Josh Welsh, who is the current Film Independent President, told Variety that, 'It's something we've been talking about for probably three years.' Another honor given out during the annual ceremony is the John Cassavetes Award, which is presented to a creative team for a film that was budgeted at less than $1,000,000. The nominees include The African Desperate, The Cathedral, Holy Emy, A Love Song and Something In The Dirt. Patricia was there to support her castmates and the team behind Severance. The Apple TV+ drama was nominated for Best New Scripted Series Severance is a Sci-fi drama focused on a mysterious corporation called Lumon Industries, which has developed a chip that can split its employees' minds in two. Once they leave the office, the workers share no memories with the people they are at home Best Feature nominees are: Bones And All, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Our Father The Devil, Tar and Women Talking. Best Leading Performance nominees include Cate Blanchett, Dale Dickey, Mia Goth, Regina Hall, Paul Mescal, Aubrey Plaza, Jeremy Pope, Andrea Riseborough, Taylor Russell and Michelle Yeoh. In the television category, Best New Scripted Series nominees are: The Bear, The Porter, Severance, Station Eleven and Pachinko. The Independent Spirit Awards were officially launched in 1984, and they also act as a fundraiser for the independent film and television community. Claire Foy cut a glamorous figure as she arrived at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California on Saturday. The British actress, 38, dazzled in an off-the-shoulder silver dress which was adorned with shimmering sequins and jewels. She was joined at the event by Jodie Turner-Smith, 36, who looked sensational in a semi-sheer nude mini dress with a plunging cut out neckline. The garment featured lace and feather detail, with the garment finishing high above her knee. Meanwhile, fellow UK-born star Andrea Riseborough, 41, looked chic in a copper-hued jacket and matching pleated skirt for the evening. In Style: Claire Foy, 38, (left) looked glam in a sequinned dress while Jodie Turner-Smith, 36 (right), wore a semi-sheer mini dress at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday Fashion focus: Meanwhile, fellow UK-born star Andrea Riseborough, 41, looked chic in a copper-hued jacket and matching pleated skirt for the evening The Crown star Claire, whose film Women Talking has been nominated for the Robert Altman Award at the bash, appeared in good spirits as she posed-up before the awards ceremony. The low-cut sweetheart neckline of her dress featured black material at the top. Her garment hugged her curves to perfectly accentuate her hourglass figure. The star wore a pair of black heels to add a few inches to her stature and she opted for a glamorous make-up palette of natural hues. Jodie left plenty of skin on show as she posed for pictures in her dress, with the garment featuring see-through lace sections. It was adorned with a number of pink and pale blue feathers, with the star wearing a pair of high-heeled shoes in a similar colour. She opted for a glamorous look with her make-up, wearing a colourful eye shadow to complement her outfit. Andrea, who is nominated in the Best Lead Performance category for her role as the title character in film To Leslie, looked relaxed as she arrived at the event, posing on the blue carpet with her hands in the pockets of her jacket. Glamour puss: The Crown star Claire, whose film Women Talking has been nominated for the Robert Altman Award at the bash, appeared in good spirits as she posed-up Catching the eye: Jodie's garment featured lace and feather detail, with the garment finishing high above her knee Glitterati: Jodie left plenty of skin on show as she posed for pictures in her dress, with the garment featuring see-through lace sections Her pleated skirt reached almost down to the ground, with the star wearing some brown tights and a pair of beige heels for the evening. Elsewhere, Mia Goth showcased her curves in a form fitting ensemble at the awards this weekend Mia, 29, who displayed her talents for horror once again in Infinity Pool, was nominated for Best Lead Performance for her role in the fright flick Pearl, about an ambitious farm girl who longs for the glamorous life she sees in the movies. The annual event is always held the week before the Academy Awards and salutes the best in independent film and television. British-born actress Mia dressed in head-to-toe black, donning a long sleeve black lace dress with a velvet cowl neck and hem. The leggy blonde wore nothing underneath the frock, except for a black bra and high waist panties. Mia wore minimal makeup and kept her blonde locks back with a wide black headband. She accessorized with large black and gold earrings. Strike a pose: It was adorned with a number of pink and pale blue feathers, with the star wearing a pair of high-heeled shoes in a similar colour Looking good: She opted for a glamorous look with her make-up, wearing a colourful eye shadow to complement her outfit Star quality: Andrea, who is nominated in the Best Lead Performance category for her role as the title character in film To Leslie, looked relaxed as she arrived at the event Completing the look: Her pleated skirt reached almost down to the ground, with the star wearing some brown tights and a pair of beige heels for the evening In an interview with Vanity Fair, the Hawaii Film Critics Society award winner said Pearl provided a much needed breakthrough for her. 'For a while, it was always a miracle to me that I would get another job,' the Emma actress admitted. Its Pearl which changed me, in terms of how I view myself and my ability as a performer.' Mia also worked with director and writer Ty West to create the script, and received her first writing credit for the screenplay. 'That project was an opportunity for me to experience a performance-driven story for the first timevery little plot, just very character-focused,' she explained. The film, which was shot in New Zealand during the height of the pandemic provided an opportunity for the Suspira actress to explore her creative side. Back in black: Mia Goth, 29, showcased her curves in a form fitting ensemble, wearing a long sleeve black lace dress with a velvet cowl neck and hem 'I would wake up very early, put my phone on a timer for maybe an hour at a time, and write in the style of a stream of consciousness, rather than script form, because I found that to be an obstacle in me getting my ideas down,' she revealed. 'I would write as Pearl, as mebut Pearl is me. I mean, all my characters are me, turned up or turned down. Its all me exploring different facets of myself.' The busy actress said she gives her all to each and every project. In the conversation: Mia was nominated for Best Lead Performance for her role in the fright flick Pearl, about an ambitious farm girl who longs for the glamorous life she sees in the movies 'I think you should feel like youre run dry by the time you finish a movie.' Mia is married to fellow actor Shia LeBeouf, 36, and they share a daughter, Isabel, one. The scream queen will return to the Pearl universe in MaXXXine, based on one of the characters she played in X, the film that kicked off the trilogy. A release date has not yet been announced. The year is 2018. At the prestigious Christies fine art auction in New York City, a blurry portrait of a besuited gentleman hangs alongside an Andy Warhol print and a bronze sculpture by Roy Lichtenstein. It is titled: Edmond de Belamy, from La Famille de Belamy. An anonymous phone bidder purchases the portrait for a whopping $432,500, against an initial estimate of $7,000-$10,000. At the bottom of the frame, rather than a signature, there is a line of code. It was not produced by human hands, but by an artificial intelligence (AI). The AI in question is the property of Paris-based creative studio Obvious, though it was heavily based on open-source software designed by 19-year-old programmer Robbie Barrat. Billed as the future by Obvious and the press, this watershed sale set the tone for a debate over AI-generated art that has raged ever since. Edmond de Belamy, from La Famille de Belamy / Image: fair use With generative AIs reaching new levels of sophistication, some people declare they ought to be thought of as artists in their own right. This includes tech enthusiasts (not coincidentally, a similar crowd to evangelists for cryptocurrency and NFTs, with which AI art is now being combined), along with a growing number of art critics and academics. And as the above example demonstrates, there are buyers willing to pay over the odds for the latest digital craze. Additionally, a number of big companies have already invested billions in capturing this burgeoning new market. By contrast, many artists complain that machines are ripping off their work, without credit or pay, and fear being rendered obsolete. They baulk at AIs competing on ground that, up until now, had been regarded as the sole preserve of human beings. A 2022 viral tweet by the artist Genel Jumalon, commenting on an AI-generated artwork taking gold at a Colorado State Fair competition, captured this mood: TL;DR Someone entered an art competition with an AI-generated piece and won the first prize. Yeah that's pretty fucking shitty. This year, the famed Australian musician Nick Cave reacted with disgust to lyrics produced by the chatbot ChatGPT in his style: Suffice to say, I do not feel enthusiasm around this technology, he wrote. As it moves us toward a utopian future, maybe, or our total destruction. Who can possibly say which? Judging by this song in the style of Nick Cave though, it doesnt look good... The apocalypse is well on its way. This song sucks. Despite this harsh review, it is undeniable that the rapid advancement of generative AIs is quite impressive (or alarming, depending on your point of view). But Marxists should take a sober approach to what are, ultimately, merely tools. We understand that all new values are a product of physical or mental labour, carried out by conscious human beings. These AIs simply churn out images based on the manmade art that we feed them. You get the best results out of them by giving them a prompt appended with: in the style of (e.g.) Van Gogh. They are imitators, not innovators. And without humans creating art, they would have nothing to copy. Moreover, art is not simply an agglomeration of images, sounds, etc. but also the product of lived experiences and social relations, in which machines cannot participate. "Marx in the style of Van Gogh" / Generated by the author using DALL-E-2 That being said, the hostility towards these technologies reflects the fact that machines, which should liberate humanity from toil, under capitalism instead crush both workers and the petty bourgeoisie. In the hands of exploitative bosses, they force people out of employment, and submit human experience and ingenuity to the monotonous rhythm of capitalist production. It can feel as though they dominate us, rather than the other way around. As Karl Marx writes in a brilliant fragment from the Grundrisse: Not as with the instrument, which the worker animates and makes into his organ with his skill and strength, and whose handling therefore depends on his virtuosity. Rather, it is the machine which possesses skill and strength in place of the worker, is itself the virtuoso, with a soul of its own in the mechanical laws acting through it The workers activity, reduced to a mere abstraction of activity, is determined and regulated on all sides by the movement of the machinery, and not the opposite. Artificial artists? Experiments with computer-generated art go back decades, but a number of breakthroughs have advanced the field in the last decade. In 2014 came Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), which involve a pair of neural networks competing with one another to produce images that best fit the request. This is the technology that produced Edmond de Belamy. More recent platforms like Stable Diffusion and DALL-E 2 are powered by diffusion models: neural networks that are trained to reverse engineer new images out of Gaussian noise, based on a massive database of existing images scraped from the internet. A system called CLIP combines these AIs with natural language prompts. This means a user can type in a word or phrase (for example yellow rubber bath duck) and the AI will try to create an accurate picture of a bath duck that is not a direct copy of any existing image. This makes them widely usable without any programming knowledge. The more they are used, the better they become. And these are only the AIs trained to generate images (which will be the focus of the present article). The latest iteration of ChatGPT can produce fairly convincing imitations of natural writing, even mimicking the style of specific authors or publications. In other words, these technologies are becoming more powerful and versatile every single day, to the extent that some proponents believe they have crossed the rubicon into genuine creativity. For instance, Ahmed Elgammal argues in American Scientist that the Artificial Intelligence Creative Adversarial Network (AICAN), developed by his lab at Rutgers University, should be thought of as a nearly autonomous artist. Having been trained on 80,000 images that represent the Western art canon over the previous five centuries (which Elgammal likens to taking an art history survey course), the algorithm deliberately avoids trying to replicate any existing style, with more abstract results than the realistic images that GANs are typically used for. Elgammal argues that people genuinely like AICANs work, that it cant be distinguished from that of human artists, and one piece even fetched $16,000 at an auction. This kind of big sale perhaps explains why Elgammal is eager to promote his invention as an autonomous artist. While there is no accounting for taste, Elgammals boasts dont mean very much. Because AICAN produces very abstract images, its easy to imagine audiences believing its work is man made. In 1964, critics raved about the abstract expressionist paintings of Pierre Brassau who turned out to be a chimpanzee named Peter. Moreover, people being willing to pay top dollar for a novelty is no proof of artistic merit, as the recent craze for hideous NFT art attests. Nevertheless, Elgammal and Marian Mazzon, in a 2019 article for Arts, state that although machine learning and AI cannot replicate the lived experience of a human being, and therefore is not able to create art in the same way that human artists do a different process of creation does not disqualify the results of the process as a viable work of art (our emphasis). Similarly, a 2021 paper by Mingyong Cheng argues that, while AI-generated art lacks the emotional intent found in humans it is viable to regard creativity based on recent AI technologies (our emphasis). Her criteria for creativity is making something unpredictable, based on a combination of varied and existing concepts which were never brought together by someone else. All these academics have done is move the goalposts for defining creativity. One could attach a paintbrush to a robot arm, programme it to move according to a randomised toolpath, and let it decorate a canvas. The result would certainly be unpredictable, but nobody would describe it as creative. Machines do not combine ideas from their training sets in the same way as humans draw on influences from other artists, or their experience of the world, to make new works of art. Elgammal and Mazzon actually admit this in their paper, stating: [the reason] the machine makes art is intrinsically different [to human beings]; its motivation is that of being tasked with the problem of making art, and its intention is to fulfil that task (our emphasis). In other words, AIs are not consciously combining concepts in novel ways according to their own desires. They are algorithmically optimising a task, following a prompt from a human operator, in order to imitate the creative process. They are brilliant but brainless mimics, as it was put by Melanie Mitchell, an AI specialist at the Santa Fe Institute. The emergence of aesthetic sense In reality, lived experience and emotional intent are not secondary, as Cheng, Elgammal and Mazzon imply, but fundamental features of creativity. They are defining characteristics of the human condition, and a product of our society. The emergence of art was an important milestone in the development of our consciousness, and helps to differentiate us from other animals. As Alan Woods explains, one of the first serious indications of the emergence of our species, homo sapiens sapiens, is the existence of art, that is to say in a concrete expression of aesthetic sense. The upright posture, and adaptation of our hands for tool use for labour gave mankind access to additional nutrition, which facilitated the development of our brains. These two factors, the hand and the brain, were instrumental in developing the germ of art, which emerged out of productive activity, long before class society. A number of studies suggest that some of the very earliest stone tools created by anatomically modern humans are over-worked for form (particularly symmetry) beyond the strictly functional. This is not yet art, but the primordial beginnings of art, which subsequently evolved over time. Other hominids like homo erectus and homo neanderthalensis might also have expressed an aesthetic sense, but only homo sapiens developed this into full-fledged art. The earliest possible example is the so-called Venus of Berekhat Ram, which has been proposed as a crude carving of a woman, which dates to around 250,000 years ago. From these humble beginnings, all art and culture eventually sprung. To quote Engels from The Part Played by Labour in the Transition from Ape to Man: Only by labour, by adaptation to ever new operations, through the inheritance of muscles, ligaments, and, over longer periods of time, bones that had undergone special development and the ever-renewed employment of this inherited finesse in new, more and more complicated operations, have given the human hand the high degree of perfection required to conjure into being the pictures of a Raphael, the statues of a Thorwaldsen, the music of a Paganini. In other words, the early aesthetic sense was a product of the development of the human body and mind through labour, laying the basis for art to emerge. The purpose of technology, when used for artistic ends from the paintbrush to the printing press is to extend the capabilities of human beings, who are the original and sole source of artistic creativity. Machines are not in themselves creative. A digital camera can produce a very detailed image instantly, but everybody recognises the photographer behind it as the real artist. Unlike machines, humans are spontaneously driven to produce art. A two-year-old, with no artistic training, left in a house unsupervised for an hour will begin to scribble on the walls. This innate inspiration can then be cultivated through education, and the mastering of technique in adulthood. But you could give the most advanced AI access to billions of images for inspiration, then leave it undisturbed for 1,000 years, and it would never produce so much as a stick-figure doodle: let alone invent impressionism, or compose a symphony. But why did art develop? What is its purpose? Alan Woods argues that, at root, it is basically a peculiar form of communication. Leon Trotsky names art a form of cognising the world not as a system of laws [as with science], but as a grouping of images and, at the same time, as a means of inspiring certain feelings and moods. This is another unique quality of art that is beyond the comprehension of machines. AIs can create images, but the shared emotional experiences, feelings and moods communicated through art are of another order entirely. For instance, Pablo Picassos blue period in which his colour palette and subject matter became notably dark and sombre was inspired in part by the suicide of his friend Carles Casagemas in 1901. An AI perceives Picassos art merely as an assortment of shapes, colours and defined values. It can imitate the look of these works, but cannot grasp the emotions that inspired them. You could ask an AI to make a sad image, but even if it produced pictures in dark colours of people crying, it wouldnt understand the content of sadness, because it has never been sad, nor happy; nor has it experienced any other feeling. Furthermore, art is a social phenomenon. Each generation participates in developing both technique and ideas, teaching a new generation, and raising all forms of culture to new heights. And of course, art develops in tandem with the class struggle. Without the emergence of the bourgeoisie in the 16th-17th century, looking back to the great artistic and scientific works of antiquity to rail against the stifling influence of feudalism and the Church, there would have been no Renaissance. The triumphant, discordant phrases of Beethovens Eroica were forged in the aftermath of the French Revolution. The films of Ken Loach are a direct product of capitalist exploitation in postwar Britain. Machines cannot participate in society or the class struggle, and have no understanding of the history or context behind the images they produce. All of this prevents them from being truly creative. The limits of AI It is actually quite a simple matter to illustrate the limitations of generative AIs as compared with human artists. A 2022 study at Cornell University found that DALL-E 2 consistently failed to illustrate both simple spatial relations between objects (e.g. X on Y), or abstract relations between objects and agents (e.g. X helping Y). In fact, participants in the study felt the AIs output matched their prompts only 22 percent of the time. For example, it could reliably generate a picture of a spoon in a cup, but the prompt a cup in a spoon just led to more pictures of spoons in cups. This is because the image training set contained many spoons in cups, but no cups in spoons. The AI interpreted these terms on a surface level, without understanding the individual components or their relationships between them. We performed a few experiments of our own with DALL-E 2 for this article, the results of which lined up with the Cornell study. For example, the prompt: a horse with an arrow pointing at one of its legs, resulted in pictures of horses with arrows near, next to and around them, but not pointing at their legs. The AI understood horse and arrow, but could not extrapolate legs from the picture of the horse, nor put the arrow in relation to them. A horse with an arrow pointed to one of its legs / Generated by the author using DALL-E-2 Even the most artistically challenged human could probably do a reasonable job of our request, because we are able to think abstractly and dialectically, seeing parts in relation to the whole. But, as the Cornell researchers conclude: Even with the occasional ambiguity, the current quantitative gap between what DALL-E 2 produces and what people accept as a reasonable depiction of very simple relations is enough to suggest a qualitative gap between what DALL-E 2 has learned, and what even infants seem to already know. And this is a key point. An infant knows these simple relations because they experience them in the world, through their senses, which a machine lacks. A baby learns what is hard and soft, what is hot and cold, by interacting with objects picking them up, feeling them, and making generalisations based on this experience. For this task, the least-developed and least-experienced human is more adept than the most-advanced AI. We further put the DALL-E 2s creativity to the test by asking it to generate an image of an animal that does not exist and nobody has ever seen before. One could imagine a small child using this prompt as an opportunity to draw something really fantastical: with tentacles, 12 eyes, feathers and a ducks bill. The AI gave us a picture of a hippopotamus, a capybara and a monkey. It is organically incapable of generating original ideas. An animal that does not exist and nobody has ever seen before / Generated by the author using DALL-E-2 AIs face other stumbling blocks as well, which illustrate the sheer complexity of operations a human mind is capable of. For one thing, they cannot cope with prompts longer than about the length of a tweet. Also, while AI is now quite good at producing static images, written text (albeit short passages) and short videos, it struggles with artforms that unfold over longer periods of time, like music. Attempts by programmes like OpenAI Jukebox to imitate the style of popular artists, like the Beatles for example, require a lot of tweaking by a human being to be remotely passable. Their original compositions fall apart into an unlistenable, incoherent mess after only a few seconds. For now, at least, Sir Paul McCartney can rest at ease. Part of the problem is subjectivity is immensely complicated, and while AI might improve on the basis of technological development, it is more than just a question of computational power. Human beings are very adept at telling when a piece of music, or an image, is off. But this is very hard to quantify in the way a machine can fathom. This also explains the nightmarish quality of many AI-generated images, in which people have 12 fingers on each hand and other bodily deformities. Such distortions are a byproduct of the AI mashing together thousands of images it doesnt actually comprehend. These features are wrong, but the AI has no way of intuitively knowing what is right. Replacing human artists? While generative AIs are not truly creative, and they still have a long way to go even in copying manmade art, there are some applications for which they are already good enough. A number of tech companies use AIs to produce basic web copy, and image processing platforms like Photoshop utilise AI for image correction. One Russian commercial design firm used an AI system (under the pseudonym Nikolay Ironov) that had been trained on hand-drawn vector images to develop original designs. It is telling that AIs are most applicable to some of the least creative tasks in the media industry. They have also proved popular for sleazy purposes, as attested by the thriving subculture of AI pornography enthusiasts and the increasing use of AI to create deep fakes, in which a persons face can be overlaid on pornographic content (or anything else besides). Aside from these seedy applications, AI is now competent enough at generating images and text that working artists are starting to regard them, not as artistic collaborators as Cheng hopes but unwelcome competition. Writer for the Atlantic, Charlie Warzel, found himself at the centre of a twitter storm last year after running an edition of the magazines newsletter with a picture of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, generated by the AI Midjourney. Many commercial illustrators were furious that a prestigious gig was handed to a neural net. Cartoonist Matt Bors commented: Its not like theres a ton of illustration happening online... Go to a website and most of the image content is hosted elsewhere. Articles are full of embedded tweets or Instagram posts or stock photography. The bottom came out of illustration a while ago, but AI art does seem like a thing that will devalue art in the long run. Other artists have objected to the plagiaristic tendencies of generative AI. A Google search for Polish artist Greg Rutkowski will produce thousands of images he never created, because his style is very popular among AI art enthusiasts. And the law provides no protection for working artists. In 2022, the US Copyright Office affirmed that it cannot enforce copyright over AI-generated art, because artworks are "the fruits of intellectual labour founded in the creative powers of the [human] mind. On this point, we actually agree! However, under capitalism, where artists original styles are a part of their market value, this is a problem for individual creatives, and beneficial to the bosses and wealthy speculators. The Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS), which collects payments on behalf of artists for the use of their images, states: "There are no safeguards for artists [...] to be able to identify works in databases that are being used and opt out". As a result, Jon Juarez, an artist who has worked at prestigious game studios like Square Enix and Microsoft, worries that AIs could potentially serve as washing machines of intellectual property. He states: If a large company sees an image or an idea that can be useful to them, they just have to enter it into the system and obtain mimetic results in seconds, they will not need to pay the artist for that image. Concept artists in the film, TV and video game sector have complained that AI will soon force them out of the market, or at best transform them into mere supervisors for machines. Bruce (not his real name), an artist who has worked on a award-winning indie games, says in Kotaku: The endgame of a potential employer is not to make my job easier, its to replace me, or to reduce all my years spent honing my craft into a boring-ass machine learning pilot, where Im trained to vaguely direct an equivalent software in hundreds of different directions until by chance it spits out an asset we could feasibly use in a game I could easily envision a scenario where using AI a single artist or art director could take the place of 5-10 entry level artists. The potential of AI to replace human artists with machines (who do not command a wage for their work) is not lost on capitalists in the tech sector. It is no accident that the most powerful generative AI technologies are owned by the likes of Google (Imagen), Meta (Make-A-Scene) and Elon Musk (DALL-E 2). These fatcats dont care a jot for whether the art made by AI is good, just whether it can be used to cut costs and increase their profits. This encapsulates the philistine attitude of the capitalists, who have no interest in art and culture unless it can be exploited in some way. They place no value whatsoever on the time, care and pride artists invest into developing their craft. On the contrary, this just makes them more expensive to hire. Already, working artists face a market where their work is underappreciated or underpaid if they are even paid at all! Commercial artists are so often expected to work for free that the phrase paid in exposure has become a running joke in the industry. In this context, it is no surprise that AI, which can produce huge quantities of work without demanding a wage, is treated with suspicion. Under capitalism, the function of machines is to put more productive power at the elbow of fewer workers, cheapening commodities to undercut the competition and increase profits. A consequence of this is that unemployment goes up, and skilled labour is increasingly replaced by unskilled labour. Artists and writers fear a future in which, if they can get work at all, they merely tweak the output of machines, for a lower fee than their currently specialised skill set commands. In the past, the march of capitalist development replaced artisans making commodities by hand with fleets of workers operating industrial machinery in factories. Today, AI and automation are undermining middle-class professions as well. A January 2023 article in the Atlantic, titled How ChatGPT Will Destabilize White-Collar Work, states: In the next five years, it is likely that AI will begin to reduce employment for college-educated workers. As the technology continues to advance, it will be able to perform tasks that were previously thought to require a high level of education and skill. This could lead to a displacement of workers in certain industries, as companies look to cut costs by automating processes. The relentless march of capital forces all working layers of society to become mere appendages of machines, or face the scrapheap. As Marx explains: The section of the working class thus rendered superfluous by machinery, i.e. converted into a part of the population no longer directly necessary for the self-valorisation of capital, either goes under in the unequal context between the old handicraft and manufacturing production and the new machine production, or else floods all the more easily accessible branches of industry, swamps the labour-market, and makes the prices of labour-power fall below its value [the machine] produces chronic misery among the workers who compete with it. The anger over AIs today contains echoes of the Luddite movement in the 19th Century / Image: public domain The anger over AIs today contains echoes of the Luddite movement in the 19th Century. This saw workers, who had been thrown into the hell of early industrial production and alienated from the products of their labour, turning their anger on the machines that embodied their chronic misery. In reality, the capitalist system was responsible for turning the great accomplishments of industry into fetters on the human body and spirit. Today, new technologies are subjecting sections of the intelligentsia to similar pressure, and provoking similar animosity between man and machine. Could AI be a force for good? Under a democratically planned socialist society, machinery, automation and AI would free humanity from dull and dangerous tasks. The kind of mutually beneficial relationship that some talk about today could only really exist in a society where these technologies are not privately owned by capitalist corporations; one in which unemployment and concerns over copyright are consigned to the dustbin of history, along with the regime of private property itself, meaning artists would be free to create and share their work as they wish. There are lots of potential benefits to generative AIs. These tools have the capacity to save a great deal of time: serving as a digital sounding board, to rapidly iterate on ideas. They could also handle basic design tasks, like coming up with the fabric print on the seats of public transport, for instance; or generating dull and purely functional copy, like public information messages and instructional pamphlets. This would free up human minds and hands for higher forms of creativity. Moreover, they could enhance the existing arts. They are already used for tasks like film restoration, programming and certain photo editing processes. AI could be used to increase the depth, accuracy and complexity of all the visual arts: rendering texture, shadow and sunlight in minute detail in an instant, freeing up human beings for composition and innovation. Every new creative technology (from polyphonic instruments to photography) carries the potential to extend humanitys abilities, raise our sights and open new artistic opportunities. However, capitalism today is at an impasse, and has dragged culture into a rut. Fully exploiting the benefits of AI would require rational planning, rather than anarchic profit production, under which it results in the displacement of labour, lower living standards for workers and the middle classes, and the homogenisation of culture. It is no accident that anxiety over AI is rising at a time during which the deepening crisis of capitalism is immiserating not only the working class, but increasingly the middle classes as well. AI has not transcended humanity, and (despite the reservations of Nick Cave) it need not doom us. But under capitalism, it might make our lives and culture worse. Freeing culture from the dead hand of capital is a revolutionary task, which can only be accomplished by the working class. Ultimately, once class society has been abolished, art will cease to be a plaything of the rich, or a commodity to be exploited for profit. It will belong to the whole of humanity, and make full use of our technological advancements to reach unknown heights. Rooney Mara showed off her unique style while attending the Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica on Saturday. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo star, 37, went shirtless under a long red blazer, which closed with just one button at the front, showing a hint of her toned midriff. The actress paired the sophisticated top with a matching red maxi skirt with a black stripe alongside the bottom for her time in front of the cameras. Mara wore her dark tresses parted on the side and slicked down, and allowed her look to speak for itself, wearing no sparkling accessories. Her film Women Talking won the Robert Altman Award, and she was joined onstage by her co-stars to accept the honor. Sophisticated look: Rooney Mara showed off her unique style while attending The Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica on Saturday As for glam, Joaquin Phoenix's girlfriend wore smokey dark eyeshadow, highlighting her mesmerizing green eyes. She was also pictured posing with her dazzling Women Talking co-stars Jessie Buckley, 33, and The Crown's Claire Foy, 38, on the red carpet. Buckley looked elegant in a black hooded gown, cinched in at the waist with a belt. Foy sparkled in a sleeveless silver crystal form-fitting gown, which she paired with black heels. Women Talking made its world premiere at the 2022 Telluride Film Festival before screening at TIFF and the New York Film Festival. The film was released in theaters on December 23, 2022. The Sarah Polley directed film - based on the 2018 Miriam Toews novel of the same name - follows the true story of men drugging and raping women in a Mennonite colony. Inside the event Rooney was pictured mingling with 2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, 25, who looked lovely in a pale blue gown. The actress also reunited with co-star Frances McDormand, 65, who gave her a warm embrace. Elegant yet edgy: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo star, 37, went shirtless under a long red blazer, which closed with just one button at the front, showing a hint of her toned midriff Magnetic: As for glam, Joaquin Phoenix's girlfriend wore smokey dark eyeshadow, highlighting her mesmerizing green eyes Co-stars: She was pictured posing with her dazzling Women Talking co-stars Jessie Buckley, 33, and Claire Foy, 38, on the red carpet With Malala: Inside the event she was seen mingling with 2014 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, 25, who looked lovely in a pale blue gown Inside: Foy and Mara sat side by side at the event Hugs: The actress also reunited with co-star Frances McDormand, 65, who gave her a warm embrace Happy to be here: The star flashed a small smile as she watched the event unfold from her table The nominations for the event were officially announced late last year in November, and the awards ceremony is notably known for bringing 'together top talent from throughout the world of film and television,' according to the official website. This year, the awards show will only be available to view via streaming, and will not air live on IFC, a first since 1997, reported Variety. Instead, fans and audiences can easily tune in to watch the beachside festivities on IMDB's YouTube Channel, as well as the Film Independent's YouTube and Twitter pages. Some of the top categories include Best Feature, Best Director, and also Best New Scripted Series. The Spirit Awards have also installed new gender-neutral categories, combining both male and female actors for Best Lead and Supporting Performances in film and television. Josh Welsh, who is the current Film Independent President, told Variety that, 'Its something weve been talking about for probably three years.' Another honor given out during the annual ceremony is the John Cassavetes Award, which is presented to a creative team for a film that was budgeted at less than $1,000,000. The nominees include The African Desperate, The Cathedral, Holy Emy, A Love Song and Something In The Dirt. Best Feature nominees are: Bones And All, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Our Father The Devil, Tar and Women Talking. Best Leading Performance nominees include Cate Blanchett, Dale Dickey, Mia Goth, Regina Hall, Paul Mescal, Aubrey Plaza, Jeremy Pope, Andrea Riseborough, Taylor Russell and Michelle Yeoh. In the television category, Best New Scripted Series nominees are: The Bear, The Porter, Severance, Station Eleven and Pachinko. The Independent Spirit Awards were officially launched in 1984, and they also act as a fundraiser for the independent film and television community. Winners: Her film Women Talking won the Robert Altman Award, and she was joined onstage by her co-stars to accept the honor Honored: Director Sarah Polley accepted the award, wearing a grey button-up and long pleated grey skirt Proud: The cast proudly posed in the press room; (L-R) Sheila McCarthy, Foy, Buckley, Mara, Polley, Kate Hallett, Liv McNeil, Judith Ivey and John Buchan Harrowing: The film - based on the 2018 Miriam Toews novel of the same name - follows the true story of men drugging and raping women in a Mennonite colony; Still from Women Talking Stephanie Hsu was the picture of elegance at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday. The Everything Everywhere All at Once star, 32, stunned in a black dress with large white off-the-shoulder sleeves as she hit the red carpet before winning Best Breakthrough Performance. She won for her role as Joy Wang/Jobu Tupaki in the Academy Award-nominated film, which was her 'first-ever individual award.' Her dress hugged her fantastic figure and featured a slit up the middle that stopped at her thighs. The Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings actress paired her outfit with black heels, pearl earrings, and a pearl ring. Big night: Stephanie Hsu was the picture of elegance at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards Strutting: She stunned stunned in a black dress with large white off-the-shoulder sleeves Hsu also wore matching pearls as part of her hair look, which was a knot on top of her head and had the pearls peaking out. The beauty went for a glowing makeup look with rosy cheeks, highlighted cheekbones, cat-eye eyeliner, and clear lipgloss. She was joined on the carpet by members of her Everything Everywhere All at Once cast, Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan. The directors of the film, Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, also hopped in for some pictures as a group. Jeremy Pope and Danielle Deadwyler presented Hsu with the Best Breakthrough Performance award. The rising star made her way to the stage with her heels in her hand before taking the award and putting them back on for her speech. 'I came from the world of downtown experimental theater, and it is one of my biggest [sources of pride] to be from that community, knowing how to make something out of nothing. 'This is my first-ever individual award, and it feels incredibly appropriate that it is in this room.' Elegance: Her dress hugged her fantastic figure and featured a slit up the middle that stopped at her thighs Up close: The star actress paired her outfit with black heels, pearl earrings, and a pearl ring The dress: The 32-year-old wore matching pearls as part of her hair look, which was a knot on top of her head and had the pearls peaking out Soft smiles: The beauty went for a glowing makeup look with rosy cheeks, highlighted cheekbones, cat-eye eyeliner, and clear lipgloss Family forever: She was joined on the carpet by her movie parents, Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan The team: The directors of their film joined for some photos; (L-R) Daniel Scheinert, Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, and Daniel Kwan She also shared one of her favorite memories from her time on set and how the cast and crew became one big family. Hsu broke down one of the scenes they filmed and how every cast and crew member would work together to reset the scene, so they had 'time to play.' The actress concluded: 'I hope I get to take this today less as an award, as a symbol of winning, but I hope that this can protect me in this moment of breaking through, that it can act as a talisman to protect that freak flag, that desire to help make and to offer stories that help us grow as a society and community in the best way that we dont know how.' She wasn't the only big winner from her film for the night, Everything Everywhere All at Once dominated the show with seven wins, including Best Feature. Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert won the award for Best Director, Michelle Yeoh won for Best Lead Performance, and Ke Huy Quan won for Best Supporting Performance. It also took home the awards for Best Screenplay and Best Editing. The 38th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards were held at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, March 4, with comedian Hasan Minhaj hosting. Joking around: Everything Everywhere All at Once won Best Feature at the awards Gotta get comfortable: Hsu won the award for Best Breakthrough Performance, which she accepted from Jeremy Pope and Danielle Deadwyler Time to shine: She won for her role as Joy Wang/Jobu Tupaki in the Academy Award-nominated film Pure happiness: The award was her 'first-ever individual award' that she has ever won Beaming: In her speech she shared that she hoped her win would 'act as a talisman to protect that freak flag, that desire to help make and to offer stories that help us grow as a society and community in the best way that we dont know how' The nominations were officially announced late last year in November, and the awards ceremony is notably known for bringing 'together top talent from throughout the world of film and television,' according to the official website. This year, the awards show will only be available to view via streaming, and will not air live on IFC, a first since 1997, reported Variety. Instead, fans and audiences can easily tune in to watch the beachside festivities on IMDB's YouTube Channel, as well as the Film Independent's YouTube and Twitter pages. Some of the top categories include Best Feature, Best Director, and also Best New Scripted Series. The Spirit Awards have also installed new gender-neutral categories, combining both male and female actors for Best Lead and Supporting Performances in film and television. Josh Welsh, who is the current Film Independent President, told Variety that, 'Its something weve been talking about for probably three years.' Another honor given out during the annual ceremony is the John Cassavetes Award, which is presented to a creative team for a film that was budgeted at less than $1,000,000. The nominees include The African Desperate, The Cathedral, Holy Emy, A Love Song and Something In The Dirt. First-time winner: She also shared one of her favorite memories from her time on set and how the cast and crew became one big family Showing it off: Hsu broke down one of the scenes they filmed and how every cast and crew member would work together to reset the scene, so they had 'time to play' Just a quick kiss: 'I came from the world of downtown experimental theater, and it is one of my biggest [sources of pride] to be from that community, knowing how to make something out of nothing' Photo op: The rising star posed with Jeremy Pope and Danielle Deadwyler in the IMDb Portrait Studio Domination: The film dominated the show and won seven awards; (L-R): Jamie Lee Curtis, Michelle Yeoh, Dan Kwan, Stephanie Hsu, Jonathan Wang, Daniel Scheinert and Ke Huy Quan Goofing around: After winning all of their awards, the cast, directors, and producer gathered in the IMDb Portrait Studio with their awards Best Feature nominees are: Bones And All, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Our Father The Devil, Tar and Women Talking. Best Leading Performance nominees include Cate Blanchett, Dale Dickey, Mia Goth, Regina Hall, Paul Mescal, Aubrey Plaza, Jeremy Pope, Andrea Riseborough, Taylor Russell and Michelle Yeoh. In the television category, Best New Scripted Series nominees are: The Bear, The Porter, Severance, Station Eleven and Pachinko. The Independent Spirit Awards were officially launched in 1984, and they also act as a fundraiser for the independent film and television community. Abbott Elementary's Quinta Brunson stunned on the blue carpet at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday. The 33-year-old writer and actress turned heads in a $10,000 golden ostrich feather-embellished sleeveless gown by Aliette. Brunson styled her long locks in a tight ponytail and opted for a glamorous makeup palette with smokey golden eyes and a dark red lip. This is the first year the Spirit Awards embraced gender-neutral acting awards - both lead and supporting performance categories had ten nominees. Commenting on the new format, Film Independent's president said in August, 'We're thrilled to join the other festivals and award shows that are already moving to celebrate great acting without reference to gender.' Rising star: Quinta Brunson, 33, stunned on the blue carpet at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday in a $10,000 golden ostrich feather-embellished sleeveless gown by Aliette Winner: Brunson accepted the award for Best Lead Performance in a new scripted series for Abbott Elementary All glammed up: Brunson styled her long locks in a tight ponytail and opted for a glamorous makeup palette with smokey golden eyes and a dark red lip, and accessorized with gold hoop earrings and multiple rings 'We're also happy to welcome non-binary performers into the Spirit Awards without forcing them to choose to identify as male or female.' It joins several prominent awards organizations that have switched to non-gendered awards, including The Grammys, The Gotham Awards, and the MTV Movie & TV Awards. The categories will now be 'best lead performance' and 'best supporting performance. After posing for the shutterbugs, Brunson won Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series award. 'I kinda like the gender-neutral thing; its kind of tight,' said Brunson as she accepted her award for Abbott Elementary. Brunson said she felt like the least independent person there, as Warner Bros. and Disney support her show, but that the spirit of it felt right. This year, the awards show was only available to view via streaming and did not air live on IFC, a first since 1997. Instead, fans and audiences tuned in to watch the beachside festivities on IMDB's YouTube Channel and the Film Independent's YouTube and Twitter pages. Gender neutral: As Brunson accepted her award she said, 'I kinda like the gender-neutral thing; its kind of tight' On top: The Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series award went to Brunson for Abbott Elementary Other winners: Jamie Lee Curtis, right, presented Daniel Kwan with the award for best screenplay for Everything Everywhere All at Once, which nearly swept the show with wins Michelle Yeoh accepted the award for best lead performance for Everything Everywhere All at Once Stephanie Hsu, left, accepted the award for best breakthrough performance for Everything Everywhere All at Once The first prize of the afternoon went to Quan for best-supporting actor for Everything Everywhere All At Once, which his co-star Jamie Lee Curtis was also nominated for. Quan, expected to win the supporting actor Oscar next week, devoted his speech to many of the crew who worked on the film, from the stunt coordinators to the production assistants. Hsu later collected the prize for Best Breakthrough Performance for the film. Laura Poitras's All the Beauty and the Bloodshed won best documentary. The film looks at the life of photographer and activist Nan Goldin. Apple TV+s Pachinko got the corresponding award on the television side. Other winners included Joyland (best international film), The Bear (new scripted series and supporting actor Ayo Edebiri), The Cathedral (The John Cassavetes Award), John Patton Ford (first screenplay for Emily the Criminal) and Tar cinematographer Florian Hoffmeister. Members of the non-profit organization Film Independent vote on winners. On top of it all: The Bear won the award for Best New Scripted Series in the television category The budget cap for eligible films was recently raised from $22.5 million to $30 million. Everything Everywhere All At Once took home the award for Best Feature. The Best Leading Performance award went to Michelle Yeoh for Everything Everywhere All At Once. The Independent Spirit Awards were officially launched in 1984 and acted as a fundraiser for the independent film and television community. Michaela Jae 'MJ' Rodriguez put on a very leggy display at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California, on Saturday. The Pose star, 31, donned a flower-inspired burgundy halter neck mini dress, with layers of tulle styled into blooming petals. The Newark-born entertainer - who became the first transgender woman to receive a Golden Globe last year - paired the bright look with gold strappy heels. Rodriguez wore her black tresses parted in the middle and cascading down her back in a straight style. As for glam, the Tick, Tick Boom! star matched the thrilling dress with a pink shade of eyeshadow and a touch of blush. Leggy! Michaela Jae Rodriguez put on a very leggy display at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California, on Saturday Floral dream: The Pose star, 31, donned a flower-inspired burgundy halter neck mini dress, with layers of tulle styled into blooming petals Rodriguez accessorized the look with gold hoops and a number of rings. While at the event, the beauty posed for a glamorous portrait at the IMDb Portrait Studio, showing off her spectacular look. The star was later seen presenting alongside Fire Island actor Joel Kim Booster, 35, at the ceremony. Booster looked handsome as ever in a beige jacket over a blue button-up. The 38th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards were held at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, March 4, with comedian Hasan Minhaj hosting. The nominations were officially announced late last year in November, and the awards ceremony is notably known for bringing 'together top talent from throughout the world of film and television,' according to the official website. This year, the awards show will only be available to view via streaming, and will not air live on IFC, a first since 1997, reported Variety. Instead, fans and audiences can easily tune in to watch the beachside festivities on IMDB's YouTube Channel, as well as the Film Independent's YouTube and Twitter pages. Chic: The Newark-born entertainer - who became the first transgender woman to receive a Golden Globe last year - paired the bright look with gold strappy heels Chic: Rodriguez wore her black tresses parted in the middle and cascading down her back in a straight style, and accessorized the look with gold hoops and a number of rings Glam: As for glam, the Tick, Tick Boom! star matched the thrilling dress with a pink shade of eyeshadow and a touch of blush From the back: Rodriguez showed off the fun and bright ensemble from the back Lovely: The star posed for a glamorous portrait at the event against a pale pink background Some of the top categories include Best Feature, Best Director, and also Best New Scripted Series. The Spirit Awards have also installed new gender-neutral categories, combining both male and female actors for Best Lead and Supporting Performances in film and television. Josh Welsh, who is the current Film Independent President, told Variety that, 'Its something weve been talking about for probably three years.' Another honor given out during the annual ceremony is the John Cassavetes Award, which is presented to a creative team for a film that was budgeted at less than $1,000,000. The nominees include The African Desperate, The Cathedral, Holy Emy, A Love Song and Something In The Dirt. Best Feature nominees are: Bones And All, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Our Father The Devil, Tar and Women Talking. Best Leading Performance nominees include Cate Blanchett, Dale Dickey, Mia Goth, Regina Hall, Paul Mescal, Aubrey Plaza, Jeremy Pope, Andrea Riseborough, Taylor Russell and Michelle Yeoh. In the television category, Best New Scripted Series nominees are: The Bear, The Porter, Severance, Station Eleven and Pachinko. The Independent Spirit Awards were officially launched in 1984, and they also act as a fundraiser for the independent film and television community. Onstage: The star was later seen presenting alongside Fire Island actor Joel Kim Booster, 35, at the ceremony. Booster looked handsome as ever in a beige jacket The 38th Film Independent Spirit Awards, honoring the best independent films and television series of 2022, were held near the beach at the Santa Monica Pier. It turned out to be a fun and festive ceremony for actress Ayo Edebiri, who ended up winning the award for Best Supporting Performance In A New Scripted Series for her role in the FX on Hulu series The Bear. Since the organization behind the awards show introduced gender-neutral categories, instead of the traditionally separated male and female lead and supporting categories, she beat out male co-star Ebon Moss-Bachrach for the trophy. In another proud moment, Edebiri and Moss-Bachrach were able to celebrate together with some of their colleagues on The Bear when it won the award for Best New Scripted Series. The comedy-drama, which made its world premiere in June 2022, has received critical acclaim, especially for the directing and cast performances, which resulted in it being greenlit for an upcoming second season. Winner! Ayo Edebiri, 27, was all smiles when she won the award for Best Supporting Performance In A New Scripted Series for her role in The Bear at the 38th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica on Saturday Ahead of all the celebrating for the show's big wins, Edebiri, 27, struck a number of poses on the red carpet in a metallic Oscar de la Renta minidress covered in sparkly appliques. The unique shoulder-less number, which fell to about the middle of her thighs, helped showcase her amazingly toned figure. She also wore a pair of beige open-toe heels, and had her long locks styled in braids, which were pulled into a low ponytail. At one point during the event Moss-Bachrach and Edebiri struck a few poses together in the IMDb Portrait Studio at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards. The actor, who's best known to many fans for his role in The Punisher, looked handsome in a classic black suit that he matched with a white dress shirt and black tie. Ayo Edebiri and Moss-Bachrach would also team up with Nicholas Braun, Jenny Slate, and show creator Christopher Storer, who had the Best New Scripted Series trophy in hand, for some celebratory photos in the IMDb Portrait Studio. The Bear focuses in on a young chef from the world of fine dining who heads back home to Chicago to run his family's failing Italian beef sandwich shoppe after the suicide of his older brother. It turns out his late brother left behind debts, a rundown kitchen, and an unruly staff, which has the makings of serious drama for the series. One-of-a-kind: The actress struck red carpet poses in a sparkly mini dress The unique shoulder-less number, which fell to about the middle of her thighs, helped showcase her amazingly toned figure Stunning: She also wore a pair of beige open-toe heels, and had her long locks styled in braids, which were pulled into a low ponytail Winners: Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach posed for a photo together ahead of the ceremony Edebiri, 27, plays the role of Sydney Adamu, a talented but inexperienced chef who joins The Beef as its new sous chef under Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto. Jeremy Allen White, 32, former star of the hit series Shameless, portrays Carmy, an award-winning New York City chef de cuisine, who returns to his hometown of Chicago after his late brother Michael's death. Moss-Bachrach, 45, plays Richard 'Richie' Jerimovich, the de facto manager of the restaurant and Michael's old best friend. The main cast also includes Lionel Boyce, Liza Colon-Zayas and Abby Elliott, while the show's recurring roles are played by the likes of Oliver Platt, Matty Matheson, Edwin Lee Gibson, Jose Cervante, Corey Hendrix, Richard Esteras and Chris Witaske. Co-star love fest: Edebiri beat out nine other actors for the award for Best Supporting Performance In A New Scripted Series, including her The Bear co-star; they would pose together in the IMDb Portrait Studio at the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards Big win! Show creator Christopher Storer held the trophy for Best New Scripted Series when he an some of the cast posed for a few photos in he IMDb Portrait Studio; Edebiri is sitting next to Jenny Slate, while Moss-Bachrach is in between Nicholas Braun an Storer Glowing: The Boston, Massachusetts native flashed a proud smile when she accepted the award for Best Supporting Performance In A New Scripted Series for her role as Sydney Adamu in the FX on Hulu series The Bear More coming: After receiving critical acclaim, especially for the directing and performances of its cast, The Bear got the green light for a second season, consisting of 10 new episodes, that's slate to premiere in mid-2023; Edebiri is picture in a scene from season one After receiving critical acclaim, and in particular praise for the directing and performances of its cast, The Bear got the green light for a second season, consisting of 10 new episodes. The upcoming season two, which will consist of 10 new episodes, is expected to premiere on FX on Hulu somewhere around the middle part of 2023. Ahead of production on The Bear, Storer was most recognized for his work as a director and executive producer of Ramy (2019-2020); producer on the coming-of-age comedy-drama film Eighth Grade (2018), starring Elsie Fisher; and as director of the Netflix stand-up comedy film Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King, which earned him the Peabody Award. Rebel Wilson has opened up about an awkward encounter she and her mother recently had with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. The Bridesmaids actress, 43, revealed they were introduced to the royal couple by a mutual friend and said while Harry 'could not have been nicer', Meghan 'was not as cool'. 'Meghan wasn't as naturally warm,' she told host Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live. However, Rebel admitted that Meghan's cold demeanour may have been due to her mother, Sue Bownds, asking her some personal questions. 'My mum being Australian asked her all these slightly rude questions like, "where are your kids?" and things like that,' she said. Rebel Wilson (pictured) opened up on Saturday about an awkward encounter she and her mother recently had with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry The Bridesmaids actress, 43, revealed they were introduced to the royal couple by a mutual friend and said while Prince Harry (left) 'could not have been nicer' Meghan (right) 'was not as cool' 'Maybe that's why she was like, "Who are these annoying convicts from Australia?" I'm like, "Mum, don't ask her that",' she joked. Rebel recently got engaged to her fiancee Ramona Agruma, 39, at the Cinderella Castle in Disneyland, California. They plan to hold their wedding at the same location. 'Meghan wasn't as naturally warm,' she told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live On November 7, Rebel introduced her adorable daughter Royce to the world. Rebel called her bundle of joy a 'beautiful miracle' when sharing a photo of the baby on Instagram. In June 2022, Rebel came out as a lesbian, introducing Ramona as the lucky lady who stole her heart. 'I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess,' Wilson posted on Instagram. However, Rebel admitted that Meghan's cold demeanour may have been due to her mother Sue (left) asking her some personal questions Michelle Yeoh hilariously called back to her SAG Awards slip when she accepted the Best Lead Performance honor at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday. The Everything Everywhere All At Once star, 60, joked at the start of her speech that, 'I promise, no swearing tonight!' after she let a few swear words such as 'f**k' slip out during her SAG acceptance speech earlier last month. The beauty, who has become the first Malaysian actress to be nominated for an Oscar, was also left speechless while expressing her gratitude for receiving the Spirit Award for her role as Evelyn in the critically acclaimed science fiction film. Yeoh donned a form-fitting, blue velvet dress that contained, large ruffled embellishments with sparkling details as she stepped onto the stage near the Santa Monica pier. 'Thank you. This is from my peers who are in it with me from day one, so, it is so special,' she movingly expressed. 'Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.' Having fun: Michelle Yeoh, 60, hilariously called back to her SAG Awards slip when she accepted the Best Lead Performance honor at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday in Santa Monica 'No swearing!' The actress joked at the start of her speech that, 'I promise, no swearing tonight!' after she let a few swear words such as 'f**k' slip out during her SAG acceptance speech earlier last month For a few brief moments, Michelle placed a hand to her lips as she quietly looked out at the crowd and turned away from the microphone, at a loss of what to say. The actress then continued to express her utmost gratitude to all who were involved in the successful project, which garnered a whopping total of seven wins at the Spirit Awards on Saturday. 'I think none of us indie filmmakers would be here without out heroes, and our hero for Everything Everywhere All At Once, A24, Ley Line, you believed in us. You believed in the masterpiece from the Daniels.' She thanked both Kwan and Scheinert, calling them 'my boys,' and stated, 'thank you for writing such an incredible script that gave us the opportunity to be here, to be seen, and to be heard.' The star-studded cast also includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, James Hong and also Jenny Slate. The premise follows, 'A middle-aged Chinese immigrant is swept up into an insane adventure in which she alone can save existence by exploring other universes and connecting with the lives she could have led,' according to an IMDB synopsis. Late last month on February 26, Michelle took to the stage to cheerfully accept the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor at the 29th Annual SAG Awards. The actress was also momentarily speechless as she glanced out at the star-studded guests that were cheering her on. Speechless: For a few brief moments, Michelle placed a hand to her lips as she quietly looked out at the crowd and turned away from the microphone, at a loss of what to say Heartfelt: 'Thank you. This is from my peers who are in it with me from day one, so, it is so special,' she movingly expressed, adding, 'Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart' Grateful: The actress then continued to express her utmost gratitude to all who were involved in the successful project Recognition: Late last month on February 26, Michelle took the stage to cheerfully accept the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor at the 29th Annual SAG Awards 'I think if I speak, my heart will explode,' she had admitted. 'SAG-AFTRA, to get this from you, who understands what it is to get here. Every one of you know the journey, the roller coaster ride, the ups and down, but most important, we never give up.' 'I thank you for your love, for your support, because I know I am up against Titans, rightly so-.' Michelle then paused and appeared to think of how to express her excitement and gratitude and then simply said, 'S**t,' and looked away from the microphone. 'F**k,' she added, while holding up her statuette. The celebrity audience let out a roar of laughter and applause to cheer her on and the Crazy Rich Asians actress continued with, 'Wow! Thank you! This is not just for me. This is for every little girl who looks like me...' Yeoh concluded, 'Thank you for giving me a seat at the table because so many of us need this. We want to be seen, we want to be heard. And tonight, you have shown us that it is possible, and I am grateful, and my mom will be eternally grateful to you,' she humorously added. During the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards, Everything Everywhere All At Once garnered six additional awards, such as Ke Huy Quan winning Best Supporting Performance and the movie itself also winning Best Feature. Other wins: During the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards, Everything Everywhere All At Once garnered six additional awards, such as Ke Huy Quan winning Best Supporting Performance Stunning: Yeoh donned a form-fitting, blue velvet dress that contained, large ruffled embellishments with sparkling sequin details Big wins! During the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards, Everything Everywhere All At Once garnered six additional awards, such as Ke Huy Quan winning Best Supporting Performance and the movie itself also winning Best Feature Making history: The beauty has become the first Malaysian actress to be nominated for an Oscar During an interview with People that was published earlier on Wednesday, Michelle opened up the milestones that she has made in her life and especially her career. 'A lot of actresses find, as the numbers get bigger, the roles start to dwindle,' the Memoirs Of A Geisha star explained to the outlet. 'Over the last few years, I'm very proud that we have been breaking away from stereotypes it's not just lip service. It is happening. And it's happening to me.' The actress also emotionally added, 'You go from shock to bewilderment,' and also asks herself, 'Wow, is it me? How can it be me?' 'Because I've worked with so many amazing actresses who should have had this privilege, and so I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to sit at the table and to be seen,' Yeoh expressed. The star will soon make a grand appearance at the Oscars on Sunday, March 12, where Everything Everywhere All At Once is nominated for a total of 11 Academy Awards. Bradley Cooper was spotted embracing dad duty as he held hands with his daughter, Lea, as the two enjoyed a quiet stroll in New York City on Saturday. The Oscar-nominated actor, 48, opted for casual comfort as he stepped out for some fresh air with the five-year-old, whom he shares with ex and supermodel, Irina Shayk. The former couple previously dated from 2015 until their official split four years later in 2019. However, the duo were seen together during an outing with Lea earlier last month, as they maintain a co-parenting relationship. The star dressed down in a pair of gray pants along with a forest green button up that was securely fastened in the gloomy weather. The Hangover alum additionally slipped into a pair of off-black sneakers to make walking around the big apple simple and easy. Weekend stroll: Bradley Cooper, 48, was spotted embracing dad duty as he held hands with his daughter, Lea, 5, as the two enjoyed a quiet stroll in New York City on Saturday Bradley also threw on a black Oslo beanie that partially concealed his wavy, light brown locks, and donned a pair of gold-rimmed shades for a stylish flare. His left hand tightly held Lea's right one as he gently guided her through the bustling streets as they enjoyed quality father daughter time. The five-year-old also donned a green jacket along with patterned green pants for the brief, weekend outing. On his back, Cooper carried a large, semi see-through backpack which appeared to possibly hold a stuffed animal. Last year in June, the A Star Is Born actor opened up about fatherhood when he made a guest appearance on the Smartless podcast. At the time, he gushed, 'Fatherhood. I mean, everything changed. Everything is shaded by, or brought into glorious colors, by the fact that I get to be a father to a wonderful human being.' He also explained that as an actor, he might experience 'breakthrough' moments on set, but when it comes to parenthood, he admitted, 'You have 40 of those moments every day with your kid. That are that level of joy.' Bradley stepped into the role of a father when he welcomed his daughter to the world with his then-girlfriend, Irina, in 2017. Casual comfort: The star dressed down in a pair of gray pants along with a forest green button up that was securely fastened in the chilly weather Father daughter time: On his back, Cooper carried a large, semi see-through backpack which appeared to possibly hold either a real or stuffed animal Despite their split in 2019, the stars have focused on maintaining a healthy co-parenting relationship to raise their daughter. Recently, Bradley and Irina have been spotted spending time with their daughter together, and a source told Page Six late last year in November that the actor, 'is on board to expand their family.' The insider further informed the outlet that, 'They are trying to get pregnant,' but explained, 'marriage is probably not on the table.' In September 2022, the two enjoyed a family trip together, and a separate source also told the publication at the time, 'It was a real family getaway and they are considering getting back together. Irina would like her daughter to have a sibling.' Also in November of last year, an insider expressed to People that, 'Irina is very happy to spend time with Bradley. She very much loves him.' 'After they split, she missed him. She feels very proud how they have been able to get along and co-parent their beautiful daughter.' While enjoying parenthood, Bradley and Irina have also put focus on their own careers. The supermodel has been spotted during Paris Fashion Week, which comes to an end on March 7. The Russian-born star has not only enjoyed the stunning city, but also walked for luxurious fashion brands, such as Vivienne Westwood. Co-parenting: Despite their split in 2019, the stars have focused on maintaining a healthy co-parenting relationship to raise their daughter; the two seen in 2018 in NYC Spending time together: Also in November of last year, an insider expressed to People that, 'Irina is very happy to spend time with Bradley. She very much loves him' Upcoming project: Cooper has been working hard on a few upcoming projects, such as the film, Maestro, which is currently in its post-production stages; seen in May 2022 in NYC Strutting at fashion week: The supermodel has been spotted during Paris Fashion Week, which comes to an end on March 7 and has also walked for luxurious fashion brands, such as Vivienne Westwood; seen on Saturday in Paris Cooper has been working hard on a few upcoming projects, such as the film, Maestro, which is currently in its post-production stages. Last year over the summer, the actor was spotted on set in the big apple shooting various scenes with his co-stars, such as Carey Mulligan. The premise of the project is based around the real-life composer, Leonard Bernstein, and the 'complex love' he had with his wife, Felicia, 'from the time they met in 1946 at a party and continuing through two engagements, a 25 year marriage, and three children,' according to an IMDB synopsis. With the movie still in its production stages, a set premiere date has yet to be announced, but is slated to release later this year in 2023. Busty bombshell: Irina furnished her fans with a slew of new Paris pictures on Instagram, including a screen-grab of her FaceTimeing Burberry designer Riccardo Tisci Company: The most eye-catching picture in her 'Paris mix' album also had Riccardo tagged Vroom vroom?: One of her evocative pictures was a blurry photo of her in a motorcycle helmet Legs for days: Irina flashed her vertiginous gams in a sleek LBD in one of her mirror selfies The 38th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards were held at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, March 4, with comedian Hasan Minhaj serving as host. Among the many stars to make their way to the red carpet for a round of photos ahead of the ceremony: Oscar-winning actress Marisa Tomei. The My Cousin Vinny star, 58, showed off her fab figure by wearing chic black satin suit jacket and matching high-waisted pants. For a sexy touch, Tomei rocked an edgy pearl and gold bodychain over a tiny black bra at the star-studded affair. Rounding out her overall look, the actress strolled the event in pointed black heels and carried a stylish black purse. Stars were out! Marisa Tomei, 58, looked stylish in all-black when she attended the 38th Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California on Saturday Her brunette hair flowed down onto her shoulders in voluminous strands and she opted for a soft glam look. The actress found herself involved in one of the night's more awkward - and seemingly unscripted - moments, where host Minhaj was left hanging during a skit. After criticizing the Independent Film Channel for not choosing to televise the awards ceremony, the comedian followed up by trying to get people excited for the YouTube live stream. 'Some of the biggest stars in the world here, we thought we would ask them to help with our YouTube thumbnail tiles to get people to watch," Minhaj announced before approaching Cate Blanchett, as seen in a video posted by ABC. Instead of participating, the two-time Oscar-winning actress opted to crawl under her table, and out of view of the cameras. Minhaj then moved on to Tar director Todd Field, who quickly joined Blanchett under the cloth-covered table in hiding. Still without a willing participant, Minhaj quickly looked around for someone else to take part in his bit, and landed his eyes on Tomei, who was sitting in a row of chairs several feet to the right. And like the others, she got up, walked a few feet over to the table and joined the Blanchett and Fields. Seconds later, Regina Hall would follow suit and be the fourth person to avoid participating in a skit with Minhaj and climb underneath the large round table. It's at this point that he finally abandoned the joke altogether, and moved on to the next award presentation. The Independent Spirit Awards were officially launched in 1984, and they also act as a fundraiser for the independent film and television community. Chic: The My Cousin Vinny star showed off her fab figure by wearing chic black satin suit jacket and matching high-waisted pants For a sexy touch, Tomei rocked an edgy pearl and gold bodychain over a tiny black bra at the star-studded affair Awkward: The actress, 58, found herself involved in one of the night's more awkward - and seemingly unscripted - moments, where host Hasan Minhaj was left hanging during a skit Accolades: Over her career, Tomei has received one Film Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Female (2008 ) for Before The Devil Knows You're Dead; she's also won one Oscar out of three nominations Oscars next: The Film Independent Spirit Awards are the last big awards show before the 95th Academy Awards, which will air on March 12 Tomei has received one Film Independent Spirit Award nomination over her long and storied career, a Best Supporting Female nom in 2008 for Before The Devil Knows You're Dead. She's also gotten three Oscar nominations, winning Best Supporting Actress for My Cousin Vinny (1993), while falling short in her other two Best Supporting Actress bids for In the Bedroom (2002) and The Wrestler (2009). This year, the awards ceremony did not air on IFC, a first since 1997, and instead was available for viewing via streaming IMDB's YouTube Channel, as well as the Film Independent's YouTube and Twitter pages, according to Variety. The Film Independent Spirit Awards are the last big awards show before the 95th Academy Awards, which airs on March 12. Tegan Kynaston will soon be a married woman as she awaits her nuptials with Kyle Sandilands. On Saturday, the managing director enjoyed a hens party with a gaggle of girlfriends in Sydney's Coogee. The 35-year-old was surrounded by pals as the group headed to upmarket eatery Mimi's. Tegan looked radiant in bridal white, opting for a flowing one-shoulder dress with a feather trim. She added a pair of stacked heels in an off white tone, and carried a silver purse with bamboo handles. Tegan Kynaston (pictured) will soon be a married woman as she awaits her nuptials with Kyle Sandilands On Saturday, the managing director enjoyed a hens party with a gaggle of girlfriends in Sydney's Coogee The 35-year-old was surrounded by pals as the group headed to upmarket eatery Mimi's Tegan wore her blonde locks down in soft waves, and had on a pair of designer sunglasses. The new mum opted for a clean makeup look with rosy blush and a muted pink lipstick. Before arriving at the venue, Tegan and her pals left her Vaucluse residence in a black stretch limo supplied by Dachshund Limousines. Among the guests was Jackie 'O' Henderson, the godmother of their baby boy Otto and Kyle's radio co-host. Tegan looked radiant in bridal white, opting for a flowing one-shoulder dress with a feather trim She added a pair of stacked heels in an off white tone, and carried a silver purse with bamboo handles Tegan wore her blonde locks down in soft waves, and had on a pair of designer sunglasses The new mum opted for a clean makeup look with rosy blush and a muted pink lipstick Before arriving at the venue, Tegan and her pals left her Vaucluse residence in a black stretch limo supplied by Dachshund Limousines The radio queen, 48, posted photos of the special occasion to her Instagram on Saturday, showing off the small gathering of friends. Lounging at the luxury restaurant, the group sat down to catch up with some wine before being seated at a long dining table. Each place was beautifully set with sentimental photos each guest had taken with Kynaston. Henderson donned a flowy white dress with floral detailing along the sleeves and collar as she slicked her blonde tresses back and rocked a bold red lip. Among the guests was Jackie 'O' Henderson, the godmother of their baby boy Otto and Kyle's radio co-host Tegan and Kyle's wedding day is fast approaching with the pair scheduled to tie the knot on April 29 this year It comes after Kynaston and Sandilands' David Jones gift registry for their wedding was revealed The list features 38 items worth a whopping $14,340 in total, and includes Waterford crystal glasses and vases, bath mats and a Nespresso machine Meanwhile, Kynaston was the woman of the hour with a diamante crown atop her golden locks. Also in attendance on the day was Pete Deppeler who often goes by Intern Pete on The Kyle and Jackie O Show. Tegan and Kyle's wedding day is fast approaching with the pair scheduled to tie the knot on April 29 this year. It comes after Kynaston and Sandilands' David Jones gift registry for their wedding was revealed. The most expensive items listed are a Waterford Crystal Vase priced at an eye-watering $2,799, and a Global Seven-Piece Knife Set worth $1,059 They have also selected a Nespresso Coffee Machine and an Essteele Five-Piece Cookware Set - both retail for $849 - as well as a $999 Waterford Crystal Bowl Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, the radio titan, 51, revealed that only a number of close friends and family will be attending the wedding The list features 38 items worth a whopping $14,340 in total, and includes Waterford crystal glasses and vases, bath mats and a Nespresso machine. The most expensive items listed are a Waterford Crystal Vase priced at an eye-watering $2,799, and a Global Seven-Piece Knife Set worth $1,059. They have also selected a Nespresso Coffee Machine and an Essteele Five-Piece Cookware Set - both retail for $849 - as well as a $999 Waterford Crystal Bowl. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, the radio titan, 51, revealed that only a number of close friends and family will be attending the wedding. 'I haven't even got cousins coming, I've only invited 130 people,' he explained Despite giving away tickets to his wedding with ex-wife Tamara Jaber on radio, Kyle said there was no chance he will be handing out invites this time round 'I would've loved to [have a lotto giveaway], but Tegan said no. It's just going to be close friends and family,' he said 'It will be very close friends and family - the ones we don't like the look of didn't get an invite, he added 'I haven't even got cousins coming, I've only invited 130 people,' he explained. Despite giving away tickets to his wedding with ex-wife Tamara Jaber on radio, Kyle said there was no chance he will be handing out invites this time round. 'I would've loved to [have a lotto giveaway], but Tegan said no. It's just going to be close friends and family,' he said. 'It will be very close friends and family - the ones we don't like the look of didn't get an invite.' Jackie 'O' (pictured) shared photos from the hens do on Saturday on her social media Lounging at the luxury restaurant, the group sat down to catch up with some wine before being seated at a long dining table Each place was beautifully set with sentimental photos each guest had taken with Kynaston Also in attendance on the day was Pete Deppeler (left) who often goes by Intern Pete on The Kyle and Jackie O Show Kyle went on to explain he was adamant the couple's special day remained special, with 'no ugly people' allowed. 'There might be a couple of old fogies there, but that's it,' he laughed. Sandilands went on to reveal where he and Kynaston will be spending their honeymoon. The couple will be jetting off to the South of France with his radio co-host Jackie. 'Unfortunately, I'm still gonna be working, so I'll be doing the radio show from the South of France as well,' he said. 'I'll get two weeks off from work, but I'll do one week of it [from the South of France] and Jackie's gonna come'. Brooklyn Beckham was all smiles as he headed to a star-studded party with wife Nicola Peltz in Paris on Saturday night after reuniting with his mother Victoria at her fashion show. The aspiring chef, 24, looked smart in a black roll neck jumper, coordinated trousers and shiny shoes as he walked hand-in-hand with the actress, 28. Nicola put on a leggy display for the evening in a stylish brown dress, sheer black tights and elevated her frame in a pair of towering brown heels. She opted for a chic oversized navy blazer over the ensemble and accessorised with a pair of dazzling silver drop earrings. Nicola styled her long brunette tresses in a neat waved bun and toted her belongings around in a black bag. Date night: Brooklyn Beckham was all smiles as he headed to a star-studded party with wife Nicola Peltz in Paris after reuniting with his mother Victoria at her fashion show Looking good: The aspiring chef, 24, looked smart in a black roll neck jumper, coordinated trousers and shiny shoes as he walked hand-in-hand with the actress, 28 The couple, who got married last April, were joined by Brooklyn's dapper younger brother Cruz. The 18-year-old looked smart in a grey blazer and trousers which he teamed with an untucked shirt and neat dark tie. He seemed in high spirits as he made his way to the lavish party in a pair of crisp white trainers. It comes after Brooklyn and Nicola looked in good spirits as they arrived back at their hotel in Paris on Friday after watching Victoria's fashion show. Brooklyn looked dapper in a double breasted, navy suit and a white, unbuttoned shirt as he arrived back at the hotel where the rest of the Beckham family were also staying. Close to his side, his wife Nicola, who appeared to be dressed head to toe in a design by her mother-in-law, squashing any rumours of a feud between the two. Brooklyn and Nicola joined the rest of the Beckham clan at Victoria's much-anticipated show after being plagued with rumours of a fallout following the couple's wedding last April. For the fashion show, the American beauty sported a black and blush mesh midi dress with a plunging neckline and puff sleeves. Stylish: Nicola put on a leggy display for the evening in a stylish brown dress, sheer black tights and elevated her frame in a pair of towering heels Chic: She opted for a chic oversized navy blazer over the ensemble and accessorised with a pair of dazzling silver drop earrings Party time: Brooklyn helped Nicola into the vehicle before climbing in and heading to the lavish party Smiling for the cameras as she arrived back at the lavish Le Reserve suite the same hotel Victoria was staying in - Nicola modelled the abstract print by adding a platform heeled boot, plus latex leggings, and gloves. She finished off the look by clutching onto one of the designer's signature handbags - a chain strap pouch. Her brunette locks were pulled into a classy half up-do looking ultra stylish, as she walked hand-in-hand alongside her husband. Nicola's outfit choice is a huge show of support for the fashion designer, after she made the decision not to wear a Victoria Beckham wedding dress for her big day, opting for a Valentino one instead. The brunette beauty tied the knot with Brooklyn in a lavish Palm Beach ceremony back in April 2022, sporting a beautiful custom Valentino dress. The knock-back raised a few eyebrows and rumours began to circulate there was a rift between Nicola and Victoria after the multi-million dollar wedding took place. The dress has since been the source of much controversy, as Nicola claims she was planning on wearing a dress made by Victoria, before the designer said that her atelier could not make it in time. A number of reports claim that this is where tension between the pair began, with Nicola denying this during an interview with The Times last year. Dapper: The couple, who got married last April, were joined by Brooklyn's dapper younger brother Cruz Smart: The 18-year-old looked smart in a grey blazer and trousers which he teamed with an untucked shirt and neat tie Coordinated: He seemed in high spirits as he made his way to the lavish party in a pair of crisp white trainers Nicola said: 'It's not a feud! I keep seeing everywhere that word, 'feud, feud, feud!?' I mean, maybe they picked up on something? And now they're labelling it feud?' 'I think it all started, and I've said this before, because I didn't end up wearing Victoria's wedding dress, but the real truth is, I really, really wanted to wear it and I thought it was so beautiful that Brooklyn's mom got to make that for me! And I was really excited to wear it! And I didn't end up wearing it.' She went on to say: 'But I, truthfully, was really excited to wear her dress. It makes me sad when I read things that people say I was never planning on wearing it. That's just not true.' With the couples arrival to the French city and Nicola sporting a Victoria Beckham branded outfit, it appears to be a mark of unity and solidarity for the family. Spencer Matthews is reportedly 'furious' that his Finding Michael documentary has been delayed by Disney+. Fans vented their fury on Saturday when the programme - originally set for release on Friday - failed to premiere on the scheduled date. It follows the Made In Chelsea star, 34, as he attempts to recover his late brother Michael's body on Mount Everest, after he went missing in 1999. Spencer later penned a message to his Instagram Story explaining that the 'debut date has shifted' but was unable to update fans with the new time. But now it has been claimed the streaming giant pulled the plug at the last minute because the film depicts dead bodies and needs to be re-edited. 'There have been some VERY heated conversations!' Spencer Matthews 'furious' as Finding Michael documentary is delayed by Disney+ due to footage of dead bodies Where is it? Fans vented their fury on Saturday when the programme - originally set for release on Friday - failed to premiere on the scheduled date A source told The Mirror: 'This was a real disaster. After endless viewings, two official screenings and a entire campaign building up to a release on March 3 it was decided with hours to go that footage of bodies might be deemed insensitive. 'Everest is often too dangerous to recover those who died in the death zone, and the film reflects that. The fact this was only raised with hours to go before the release and public screenings is astonishing. 'So the premiere date was just dropped. Meanwhile, Spencer is doing interviews in which he has to fudge the date. He was absolutely furious and there have been some very heated conversations this week.' MailOnline has contacted Spencer's representatives and Disney+ for comment. Spencer recently told his followers: 'Apologies to everyone trying to view Finding Michael on Disney+. The debut date has shifted and we'll update you as soon as we have the timings.' He continued: 'This will be in the near future. Thank you all for your support.' Fans of the show vented their anger at the streaming service on Twitter and questioned when the highly anticipated documentary would be available. One viewer wrote: 'Why has Finding Michael release date been pushed back? Promo for the documentary being released today has been happening all week, so why the last minute delay? Upsetting: The new heart-wrenching programme follows Spencer as he attempts to recover his late brother Michael's body on Mount Everest , after he went missing in 1999 Another added: 'Well, the promo for Finding Michael is back now but states coming soon. It's a shame you don't update your paying customers on this, and as well as you ask for subscriptions.' 'Where is Finding Michael? You said the drop date was 3rd March? It's now 4th March and it's nowhere to be seen, I rejoined you to watch this, so I'd like my subscription back for the month please? Just as an aside, don't promise something if you can't deliver it,' another furious fan noted. Someone else reasoned: 'Maybe it's tech issues? Especially giving how important it is to him and his family - he'll be sticking to his planned commitments, he doesn't control @DisneyPlusUK. It's a shame but I'm sure it will be up soon.' When contacted by MailOnline, Disney+ later said in a statement: 'Were sorry that the debut date for Finding Michael has shifted on Disney+. 'We will let you know as soon as we have new timings for its launch. This will be in the near future. Thanks for your patience.' Earlier this week, Spencer fought back tears as he discussed his attempts to recover his late brother's body on Mount Everest on The One Show on Thursday. The Old Etonion became choked up as he spoke of how Michael made history as the youngest ever Brit to reach the summit aged 22 in 1999, but tragically died on the perilous mountain. Spencer was on the show to talk about his new Disney+ documentary, Finding Michael, released on Friday. Premiere: Spencer later penned a message to his Instagram Story explaining that the 'debut date has shifted' but was unable to update fans with the new time The TV star, who was aged just 10 when it happened, retold Alex Jones and Roman Kemp about Michael's last journey and how he retraced his steps to try to bring him home. Spencer said: 'When Michael went missing, by the time some people realised he was missing it was too late. Nobody survives the night, really. A couple of cases maybe. Michael is said to have got in trouble after beginning to make his way down the south descent through the 'death zone' on May 13, 1999. He was the brother of Pippa Middleton's husband, the racing driver turned hedge fund manager James Matthews, 47. The experienced mountaineer, who had previously conquered Aconcagua, the Pyrenees and the Swiss Alps, was the 162nd person to die on Everest. Spencer went on to detail how he made the 'difficult decision' to undertake the mission himself. Tragic: Michael is said to have got in trouble after beginning to make his way down the south descent through the 'death zone' on May 13, 1999 'In 2017, the family was sent a photo of a body on the mountain and they claimed that it could be Michael. In fact it did look like it could be, with similar summit suits. It's the first time really that I thought even a body recovery was possible. 'It continued to tick away in my head: "What if it is him?". I've certainly grown up with feelings that he's up there and died and was left there. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a body to mourn for my family?' 'We scrapped together any information we had. Some of the footage of Michael on the mountain I'd never seen before,' he said, becoming increasingly more emotional as the interview progressed. 'It was the first time I'd seen him on camera, because as a kid we didn't do home movies or anything. 'Retracing his steps and understanding his final days a bit better was quite cathartic for me...' The former Made In Chelsea star filmed Finding Michael with the help of survivalist Bear Grylls and record-breaking mountaineer Nirmal 'Nims' Purja. On Friday, she showcased a new fall/winter womenswear collection with a catwalk show during the coveted Paris Fashion Week. And Victoria Beckham stunned in a figure-hugging purple dress as she returned back to her hotel from the successful show later in the evening. The designer, 48, changed from a tailored ensemble into a glamorous purple dress earlier in the evening. She then headed out to dinner before carrying on the after-party celebrations with her family at the luxurious 5-star Hotel Chateau Voltaire. And Victoria took to Instagram to share some snaps of the celebratory evening on Saturday. Celebrate: Victoria Beckham stunned in a figure-hugging purple dress as she returned back to her hotel to celebrate her new fall/winter womenswear collection during Paris Fashion Week The beauty captioned the stunning snaps with 'Fun night with my family celebrating at @HotelChateauVoltaire!!! Thank you @HaleZero for keeping us dancing all night! Kisses from Paris #VBAW23.' Victoria looked incredible for the evening, sporting a metallic purple dress with a ruched torso, tie waist design, and long sleeves. The piece accentuated her slim figure with a flattering slash neckline and joint-on gloves. Her brunette locks were also styled in a soft curl as they fell freely from a middle parting. The beauty also added sparkle to her ensemble by further elevating her height with a pair of glitter stiletto heels. David also changed from his earlier fashion show look into a black roll-neck jumper with matching trousers. He also added a structured leather jacket on top and took the chance to pose with his wife during the after-party. The family, who continued the celebrations late into the evening, partied with many family and friends. Family: Victoria, who took to Instagram to post several snaps of the evening, claimed she had a fun night celebrating with her family and friends at a luxurious 5-star hotel in Paris In other snaps, Victoria showed off the lavish after-party set up, which featured lots of bottle popping and dancing along to Dj sets. In another sweet snap, Victoria's children Harper, Cruz, Brooklyn, and Brooklyn Beckham's wife Nicola Peltz can be seen striking up a pose at the after party appearing to be all smiles as they celebrated on till late in the evening. The happy family snaps come after Husband David, 47, daughter-in-law Nicola Peltz, 28, and children Brooklyn, 24, Cruz, 18, and Harper, 11, all supported her in the front row during the earlier show. And Victoria was no doubt happy to be spending the evening with her eldest son and his wife - after months of feud rumours between the latter and Posh Spice. Stunning: Victoria looked incredible for the evening, sporting a metallic purple dress with a ruched torso, tie waist design, and long sleeves A slew of stars headed out to Paris to support Victoria, including best pal Eva Longoria - who also took to the front row. But the appearance from Brooklyn and Nicola made the biggest statement, as it appeared to show that all wounds may have been healed, following a rumoured feud between the latter and Victoria. Proving that they were on friendly terms again, an Instagram live video showed Victoria heading over to hug her daughter-in-law warmly at the end of her catwalk show before embracing her husband, David. As she greeted the audience, the designer flashed a small smile and waved before greeting her family and heading backstage. Beauty: The piece accentuated her slim figure with a flattering slash neckline and joint-on gloves Nicola wearing one of Victoria's designs was a massive show of support for the designer after she decided not to wear a Victoria Beckham wedding dress for her big day, opting for a Valentino one instead. The brunette beauty tied the knot with Brooklyn in a lavish Palm Beach ceremony in April 2022, sporting a beautiful custom Valentino dress. The knock-back raised a few eyebrows, and rumours began to circulate that there was a rift between Nicola and Victoria after the multi-million dollar wedding. The dress has since been the source of much controversy, as Nicola claims she was planning on wearing a dress made by Victoria before the designer said that her atelier could not make it in time. Party time: Her brunette locks were also styled in a soft curl as they fell freely from a middle parting Several reports claim that this is where the tension between the pair began, with Nicola denying this during an interview with The Times last year. Nicola said: 'It's not a feud! I keep seeing everywhere that word, 'feud, feud, feud!?' I mean, maybe they picked up on something? And now they're labelling it feud?' 'I think it all started, and I've said this before because I didn't end up wearing Victoria's wedding dress, but the real truth is, I really, really wanted to wear it, and I thought it was so beautiful that Brooklyn's mom got to make that for me! 'And I was really excited to wear it! And I didn't end up wearing it.' She added: 'But I, truthfully, was really excited to wear her dress. It makes me sad when I read things that people say I was never planning on wearing it. That's just not true.' Lara Worthington (nee Bingle) was in a stylish mood as she attended Paris Fashion Week on Sunday. The Australian model shared behind-the-scenes photos as she headed out to the Ludovic de Saint Sernin show in a daring gown. In posts uploaded to Instagram Stories, the 35-year-old showed off her lithe figure in a sheer black gown. The dress sat close to her frame and included gloved sleeves and a high turtleneck design. Underneath, Lara wore a bra and underwear set, flashing lots of flesh in the see-through fabric, and added a pair of towering leather boots. Lara Worthington (pictured) attended Paris Fashion Week on Sunday. The model shared behind-the-scenes photos as she headed to the Ludovic de Saint Sernin show in a daring gown The dress sat close to her figure and included gloved sleeves and a high turtleneck design Lara, who is married to actor Sam Worthington, kept her makeup natural and showcased her flawless skin. A final image showed Lara holding a garment bag after the show, and she captioned it: 'Be right back Paris'. Last month, Lara revealed the secrets to her glowing and youthful appearance to her 1.1 million Instagram followers. Demonstrating which products she uses to achieve her signature glow, Lara explained she uses only a cleanser, eye cream, serum and a face cream. Underneath, Lara wore a bra and underwear set, and added a pair of towering leather boots Lara later covered the dress up under a coat as she embraced a fashionista friend A final image showed Lara holding a garment bag after the show, and she captioned it: 'BRB (Be Right Back) Paris' 'First up I'm going to use the Illuminating [Oil] Cleanser. It takes all your makeup off but doesn't strip your skin,' she said, applying the product with her hands. 'I love an oil cleanser. It's really hydrating as you can see. Next up is the Skin Reset [Serum]. This is my favourite product. This is the best for pigmentation and dark spots.' She continued: 'When I was pregnant with my first son I had the worst pigmentation. Everyone always said, "You're going to get this glow." And I did not.' Worthington then dabbed on some Skin Reset Eye Creme on her under-eyes and around her nostrils before finishing up with the Supernatural Face Creme Riche. 'Now this cream is quite thick, but I love it. It's got 32 active ingredients and sometimes I just wear it to bed,' Worthington said. 'Sometimes I wear as a barrier between makeup and skin. And I feel like it saves my skin and makes it super glowy and hydrating. It's really, really hydrating,' she continued. According to the Emma Lewisham website, the cleanser costs $76, the serum is $143, the eye cream is $121, and the face cream is $140. Olivia Jade was spotted while leaving a hot Pilates class in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon. The 23-year-old social media personality showed off her toned form as she took a short stroll through the fitness facility's parking lot after finishing up her appointment. The YouTube figure, who was previously involved in the college admissions scandal, recently commemorated her dog's birthday with a celebratory Instagram post. Olivia wore a light pink fuzzy jacket that kept her warm in the winter chill during her outing. The social media personality also donned a pair of purple short that showcased her toned legs as well as light gray shoes. Out and about: Olivia Jade, 23, was spotted while leaving a hot Pilates class in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon The daughter of Mossimo Giannulli and Lori Loughlin accessorized with a chic white handbag and a pair of wide-framed sunglasses. Much of her gorgeous dark blonde hair shot out from underneath a navy blue cap that added an element of darkness to her look. Although she opted for a more casual look during her outing, Jade showed off her sense of style in a snap that was shared to her Instagram Story on Saturday evening. The social media figure wore a black turtleneck sweater underneath a matching coat while posing for her photo. The YouTube personality also donned a light purple maxi skirt and a pair of high-heeled leather shoes. Her typically free-flowing hair was tied into a lengthy braid that fell down her back as she posed for the snap. Jade shared several images to her Instagram account to celebrate her dog Milo's third birthday on Saturday. Va va voom: The social media personality also donned a pair of purple short that showcased her toned legs as well as light gray shoes The social media personality described her precious pooch as 'the most special thing on planet earth' in her post's caption. Lovely locks: Much of her gorgeous dark blonde hair shot out from underneath a navy blue cap that added an element of darkness to her look Fashionable: Although she opted for a more casual look during her outing, Jade showed off her sense of style in a snap that was shared to her Instagram Story on Saturday evening Special occasion: Jade shared several images to her Instagram account to celebrate her dog Milo's third birthday on Saturday She also wrote: 'I love my dog more than most (all) humans I've met. he's the best biggest baby and brings so much love and joy to my life.' In one of her snaps, the YouTube figure kissed the side of her dog's head as they enjoyed a boating trip. The media personality showed off her eye-catching form in a revealing red bikini as she spent time with her pet. She finished off her look for the boating trip with several articles of jewelry and a woven hat. Pregnant Laura Anderson showed off her blossoming baby bump in a light blue gown as she arrived at the The Gossies 2023 in Dublin, Ireland on Sunday night. The former Love Island contestant, 33, is expecting her first child with actor Gary Lucy, 41, after first meeting on Celebs Go Dating. And for her glamorous appearance at the awards she accentuated her changing shape and cradled her bump as she posed up a storm in the snaps. She stood out from the crowd in the bright blue number which featured a pretty off-the-shoulder design, long statement sleeves and was teamed with sparkly shoes. Laura accessorised perfectly with a matching headband, earring and wore her long blonde tresses in perfectly styled waves. Pretty: Pregnant Laura Anderson showed off her blossoming baby bump in a light blue gown as she arrived at the The Gossies 2023 in Dublin, Ireland on Sunday night Glowing: For her glamorous appearance at the awards she accentuated her changing shape and cradled her bump as she posed up a storm in the snaps She opted for a typically glamorous makeup look and beamed for the cameras while working her best angles for the snaps. Her appearance comes after she took a swipe at society's gender norms on Friday as she let out her frustration via Instagram Stories. The beauty questioned why women are treated differently than men are when they say they'd like children. Claiming that females are branded 'desperate' and 'needy' when they want children, she compared this to the 'loving' and 'caring' label that men are given when they say the same thing. Currently expecting her first child with actor Gary, the reality star has been documenting the pregnancy by sharing updates with her 1.5M followers. She and the Hollyoaks star, who met while filming Celebs Go Dating last year, are no longer together and have been posting a string of cryptic remarks via their respective social media accounts. Sharing her thoughts over a selfie while on the train to a hair appointment, Laura wrote: 'I've just been thinking. 'Why is it in society that when a man says he wants children he's seen as brave, courageous, loving. But when women say they want children they're seen as desperate, needy, users.' Design: She stood out from the crowd in the bright blue number which featured a pretty off-the-shoulder design, long statement sleeves and was teamed with sparkly shoes Pose: Laura accessorised perfectly with a matching headband, earring and wore her long blonde tresses in perfectly styled waves Following the post, she then headed to get her hair done form some pre-motherhood pampering. Despite not revealing where the gender difference had come from, and whether it was to do with herself and ex Gary - Laura has recently hinted to fans that she and her ex are not on good terms. Last week, she shared a video talking about the signs to look out for in a covert narcissist. Seemingly throwing shade at Gary, she wrote: 'I'm really healing through educating myself on this personality disorder an reading all your dms of your experiences. 'If someone lies about you, tell the truth about them or better yet choose peace and run.' The star, who met Gary on Celebs Go Dating, announced she was pregnant with his child earlier this month, and it was later revealed the pair had split. It comes after Laura shut down any suggestion of her reconciling with Gary in an Instagram Q&A. When a curious fan asked her: 'Is there any chance that you and Gary can get back together?'. Laura simply replied: 'No' before saying she 'hopes once baby is here' that she and the Hollyoaks actor can co-parent successfully. This week, the pair appeared to take aim at each other in cryptic Instagram posts after Gary said that part of the reason the pair split was down to location. Laura reportedly wanted him to move to Scotland, but he said he wanted to stay in Essex to be with his four children. But this week, Laura told her side of the story and told her 1.5 million followers: 'I had no intention to comment on the breakdown of my relationship with Gary. 'However, due to what has now been publicly shared by other parties, I have been left with no other choice. 'Gary and I are no longer together due to multiple reasons which will remain private. Our plan was for me to move to Essex to start our family which I was more than happy to do. 'However, since the breakdown of our relationship I have remained at home in Scotland. My priority is bringing my baby up in a calm and stable environment. The Scottish reality star added: 'I never asked or expected Gary to move to Scotland. I fully support him living in Essex to be close to his four amazing children. 'I am fully focused on having a healthy, happy pregnancy and remain excited to share this incredible journey with you all. Thank you so much for you support! Laura, Buddy & Bump.' Gary shared a cryptic message one day after his pregnant ex-girlfriend Laura made a thinly-veiled dig at him after their shock split. Laura took a swipe at her ex by saying she had chosen 'peace over people' and edited her pregnancy announcement to remove any mention of Gary's surname. And on Monday, Gary appeared to retaliate as he took to his Instagram Stories to share a very cryptic post hitting out at people who 'look for faults in others'. He shared a quote which read: 'People that spend time looking for faults in others, should spend time correcting their own.' Captioning the post, he added: 'Amen to that.' Radiant: She opted for a typically glamorous makeup look and beamed for the cameras while working her best angles for the snaps Mother-to-be: The former Love Island contestant, 33, is expecting her first child with actor ex Gary Lucy, 41, after first meeting on Celebs Go Dating His cryptic message seemed to be in response to Laura's thinly-veiled swipe, which she shared to her Instagram just hours earlier. Posting to her Instagram Stories, the former Love Island star shared a quote, which read: 'I've been choosing peace over people lately. So far no regrets.' She also edited her pregnancy announcement post to remove any mention of Gary's name, while also turning off the comments, hinting that their unborn baby will now take her surname. Their video reveal was originally captioned: 'Our hearts are full Baby Lucy due 'Summer 23,' but has been changed to: 'My heart is full. Baby Anderson due Summer '23.' Billie Shepherd and Binky Felstead treated their kids to a sweet family day out at Disneys new pop-up in Central London today, the Wonder-ful Playhouse. The TOWIE star, 33, and the Made In Chelsea star, 32, both took their families down to check out the playroom. Pregnant Binky brought her daughter India along, who she shares with her ex-boyfriend and former MIC co-star Josh Patterson. She looked effortlessly fashionable in a grey turtleneck jumper teamed with a pair of black leggings. Meanwhile, Billie posed for a group snap with her daughter Nelly and son Arthur, alongside her husband Greg Shepherd. Day out: Billie Shepherd and Binky Felstead treated their kids to a sweet family day out at Disneys new pop-up in Central London today, the Wonder-ful Playhouse Family: Billie posed for a group snap with her daughter Nelly and son Arthur, alongside her husband Greg Shepherd Whole day out: She also brought along her baby daughter Margot, who she welcomed into the world in December last year She also brought along her baby daughter Margot, who she welcomed into the world in December last year. Commenting on the playhouse, Billie said: 'Its always busy in our household and having just had baby Margot has only added to the craziness! 'No matter what, we will always make sure to set time aside to play as a family, making sure were giving the kids the tools they need for their future.' She looked stylish for the day out, wearing a casual pair of blue jeans with a brown top and beige shirt. She added a gold padlock pendant necklace and elevated her height in pair of beige heeled boots. Billie's blonde tresses were styled straight and she sported a full face of glamorous make-up to complete her look. It comes after Billie blasted Phillip Schofield after he 'ruined' her recent appearance on This Morning, where she had been due to plug her homeware collection. She also slammed the 'b****y' presenter, 60, for grilling her on the cost of her wedding during a 2019 interview on the daytime show. Speaking to her sister Sam Faiers, 32, on The Sam & Billie Show podcast, the influencer explained how she'd been booked to advertise her Chapter B for Next range as part of the programme's Lust List. However, chaos erupted when a vase was accidentally smashed off-camera and a clip of the broken piece being swept away was shown on-air. Commenting on the playhouse, Billie said: 'Its always busy in our household and having just had baby Margot has only added to the craziness!' She added: 'No matter what, we will always make sure to set time aside to play as a family, making sure were giving the kids the tools they need for their future' Fashionista: She looked stylish for the day out, wearing a casual pair of blue jeans with a brown top and beige shirt Stylish: She added a gold padlock pendant necklace and elevated her height in pair of beige heeled boots Looking good: Billie's blonde tresses were styled straight and she sported a full face of glamorous make-up to complete her look Phil had quipped: 'It was Matt who dropped it. He dropped it and you heard him drop, then kick it two or three times in the air. It took hours for it to smash!' But Billie didn't find it funny, now telling her listeners, 'It just seems like quite b****y to do that. 'So my little 30 second feature for my homeware collection was completely taken away from me because Phil decided to bring up the smashed vase that happened in rehearsal so the camera went to that and then next thing you know, they move on to the next one.' 'I was so irritated because I thought, "Why aren't they just like actually talking about the nice things that were in front of them?"' Sam then joked: 'I think he's got it in for you because do you remember for no reason when we sat live on TV and he was like picking the wedding to pieces and we was like, 'Jees alright Phil, have a break." Who asks that question?' Billie replied: 'Remember I was so shocked. I was like, I couldn't believe he was asking me how much my wedding cost.' Sam said: 'That's just like saying, "How much did your house costs Phil?" Just don't ask questions like that.' Billie continued: 'I don't know if it was intentional. I was just so bugged out because I thought, "Oh, now they're on the next thing would have said it."' Sam agreed that the move from Phil was 'really unfair', whether intentional or not, while an 'irritated' Billy said she felt 'silly' she couldn't post the feature to Instagram. Shortly after the interview in question, Billie and her husband Greg slammed Phillip after he implied much of her luxurious wedding was funded by freebies as he alleged the day would have cost roughly 229,000. Holding a grudge: The former TOWIE star, 33, also slammed the 'b****y' presenter, 60, for grilling her on the cost of her wedding during a 2019 interview on the daytime show Speaking to OK! Magazine about the tense moment, The Mummy Diaries star stated: 'I was in shock. Prior to our appearance, I'd been very clear that I don't want to talk about money. It's rude and nobody's business but ours.' Billie and Greg discussed the awkward moment with the stunner stating: 'They were trying to insinuate that we got the wedding for free which is so far from the truth. We saved for our dream wedding for years.' Ever the joker but seemingly equally raging, Greg pushed: 'We should ask Phillip Schofield how much he earns!' Billie appeared taken aback on This Morning earlier that year when TV host Phillip asked her if she had 'cut a deal' for her wedding to Greg. Noting that Billie had around 95 guests, Phil estimated that had she paid for the guests' trip to the Maldives, the big day would have set her back 229,000. Furious: Speaking to her sister Sam Faiers, 32, (right) on The Sam & Billie Show podcast, the influencer explained how she'd been booked to advertise her Chapter B for Next range He said: 'My God, you must be earning beautifully to do this. This is the Kuramathi Resort in the Maldives. So we had a look, if you were to stay there next Saturday it would be 650 a night, that would be 4,588 for a week for the superior beach villa. 'The whole week for 100 guests, 229,000. So you must have got a deal there. 229,000 for your wedding? But Billie who appeared on the show with sister Sam said it 'wasn't quite that,' as she giggled awkwardly. Phillip then grilled her further after claiming she didnt get a discount, saying: 'Right, so they did give you a deal?' Billie then said: 'We had the beach houses and split them in two, it really helped us out with the rooms and stuff.' Hilarious: Sam then joked: 'I think he's got it in for you because do you remember for no reason when we sat live on TV and he was like picking the wedding to pieces' (pictured in 2019) Billie's wedding to Greg reportedly caused upset among other guests in the Maldives, some of whom had paid up to 12,000 for their trip of a lifetime. Despite there being more than one complaint and a rep for KUONI telling MailOnline that a handful of guests had to be spoken to, Billie said it wasn't the case. She said: 'To be honest, most of them were absolutely rubbish. There was a guest complaint because we was a little bit noisy around the pool one day. But when you get 100 people together we're gonna be a little bit noisy... 'Most of the events we did were private events on the island. Other guests were getting involved it was a really big island.' Brad Pitt was featured in a commercial for TrueBrew's Brad Pitt x De'Longhi campaign that was released this past week. In the clip, the 59-year-old performer spent time with a friend and their dog on a camping trip before he returned home and brewed himself a fresh cup of coffee. The actor is also currently focused on building his relationship with his girlfriend of several months, Ines de Ramon. The commercial began with Pitt lovingly petting his dog while sitting outside of a camper van. After gazing out at the sunrise, the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood star prepared breakfast over a campfire for himself and a female friend who had accompanied him on the trip. On screen: Brad Pitt was featured in a commercial for TrueBrew's Brad Pitt x De'Longhi campaign that was released this past week Hanging out: In the clip, the 59-year-old performer spent time with a friend and their dog on a camping trip before he returned home and brewed himself a fresh cup of coffee The pair then packed up their campsite and drove over the Bixby Creek Bridge in Big Sur and further down the California coast and before reaching their home. When the pair returned to their abode in the early morning, the actor wasted no time in making himself a cup of coffee and gazed out of his window. He went on to make his female friend a glass of iced coffee and joined her on the deck of their home, after which the commercial concluded. Although the identity of Pitt's friend in the video was not revealed, he is currently in a relationship with Ines de Ramon. The actor and his girlfriend, 30, were introduced in late 2022 and were subsequently spotted in each other's company that November. The performer was previously married to Jennifer Aniston from 2000 until their divorce in 2005. He went on to begin a long-term relationship with Angelina Jolie, whom he eventually married in 2014. The pair went on to bring six children into their lives before they split up and divorced in 2019. De Ramon tied the knot with actor Paul Wesley in 2019 and they separated last year. A source recently spoke to Us Weekly and expressed that Pitt was looking to spend more time with his new girlfriend in the future. Four-legged friend: The commercial began with Pitt lovingly petting his dog while sitting outside of a camper van Good company: After gazing out at the sunrise, the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood prepared breakfast over a campfire for himself and a female friend who had accompanied him on the trip New flame: Although the identity of Pitt's friend in the video was not revealed, he is currently in a relationship with Ines de Ramon Excited: A source recently spoke to Us Weekly and expressed that Pitt was looking to spend more time with his new girlfriend in the future 'He's definitely into her and although things are still relatively new, he absolutely sees long-term potential in their relationship,' they said. The insider also remarked that the two 'spend as much of their free time together as possible, despite their busy schedules.' The source went on to speak about why Pitt had become interested in the jewelry designer. 'He really enjoys being with her because she's such an uplifting energy, she consistently looks on the bright side of things, and is always up for an adventure,' they said. The Vivienne suffered a nasty fall during Sunday night's episode of Dancing On Ice - as viewers lamented it was 'such a shame' she made the mistake during her routine. The Welsh drag queen, 30, performed to Paul McCartney's song Live and Let Die from the 1973 James Bond film of the same name with the others stars who were all without their pro partners. The routine got off to a good start until The Vivienne crashed to the ice as she attempted a jump, landing on her knees. She quickly climbed back onto her feet to continue the routine and seemed in good spirits while talking about the mishap to show hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. The Vivienne said: 'My knees are hurting a little bit but I'm fine. We're dancing on ice. Things happen.' Oh no! The Vivienne suffered a nasty fall during Sunday night's episode of Dancing On Ice - as viewers lamented it was 'such a shame' she made the mistake during her routine Ouch: The routine got off to a good start until The Vivienne crashed to the ice as she attempted a jump, landing on her knees Moment: The Welsh drag queen, 30, performed to Paul McCartney's song Live and Let Die from the 1973 James Bond film of the same name with the others stars who were all without their pro partners Phillip then chimed in: 'That's live skating for you.' Fans were quick to react to the moment on Twitter as one said: 'Me and my family all went 'aghhhh' at the same time when The Vivienne fell! That was a shame! #DancingOnIce.' Another wrote: 'Whoops #DancingOnIce @dancingonice #thevivienne.' Someone else said: 'Felt for The Vivienne there hope it doesn't have too much of an affect on her tonight #DancingOnIce.' A fourth wrote: 'I feel very bad for the Vivienne I must admit, that wasn't a nice fall #DancingOnIce.' A fifth said: 'The Vivienne may have fallen but she's still one of the best skaters among the remaining celebrities. Let's not forget that. #DancingOnIce.' Giving the panel's feedback, head judge Christopher Dean revealed The Vivienne had placed last due to her stumble, receiving only one point. Molly was given two points by the judges, while Siva received three, Joey got four and Nile won the solo routine with five points. Fall: She quickly climbed back onto her feet to continue the routine and seemed in good spirits while talking about the mishap to show hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield Injury: The Vivienne said: 'My knees are hurting a little bit but I'm fine. We're dancing on ice. Things happen' Harsh: Giving the panel's feedback, head judge Christopher Dean revealed The Vivienne had placed last due to her stumble, receiving only one point Reaction: Fans were quick to react to the moment on Twitter as one said: 'Me and my family all went 'aghhhh' at the same time when The Vivienne fell! That was a shame! #DancingOnIce' Nile said: 'I just want to say how proud I am of everyone here... The performance we just put on there is something I will remember forever.' It comes after The Vivienne spoke out on the moving reason she chose her semi-final performance song ahead of Sunday's episode. The star, real name James Williams, took to the rink for her Personal Skate this weekend. And the entertainer, who rose to fame on BBC Three's RuPaul's Drag Race UK, chose a track that has meant a lot to her since her childhood after watching the 1939 musical film The Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland, MailOnline can exclusively reveal. She explained: 'For my personal song, I'm going to be skating to Over the Rainbow.'As a young boy I really fell in love with The Wizard of Oz because it just made me feel like anything was possible. 'I knew I was different but I didn't know what it was but seeing Dorothy who knew there was a bigger world out there than Kansas definitely struck something with me.' The Vivienne, who is partnered with professional skater Colin Grafton on the show, went on to explain how it wasn't until she moved out of Wales to a big city that she began to feel comfortable in her own skin. Being around likeminded people enabled to grow into herself and embrace her authentic identity. She said: 'I came out at 14 and moved to Liverpool when I was 16 and quickly found my tribe. 'It was a big sigh of relief that these people were exactly like me. And then I saw drag queens and thought 'wow, I'm really in Oz now!' 'It's a crazy full circle from little seven year-old James dreaming of being Dorothy to now being able to portray this song on ice. Kind: Host Phillip then chimed in: 'That's live skating for you' as they spoke to The Vivienne after the fall Line-up: The remaining contestants all performed together without their professional partners when she fell Happy: Despite the fall The Vivienne looked elated after the performance as she stood with the other celebrities Hotting up: This weekend's semi-final will see the five remaining celebrities take to the ice as they battle it out to bag a coveted place in the Dancing on Ice Final Drama: Facing their toughest challenge yet, each celebrity will deliver two performances in a bid to impress both the judges and viewers at home Woah: A double elimination will see two celebrities leave the competition with the three finalists remaining 'When people watch this performance, I hope that they are transported to this happy place and whatever they're going through, just know that over the rainbow there is something fabulous waiting for you. And you're a very special person who can get through anything.' This weekend's semi-final will see the five remaining celebrities take to the ice as they battle it out to bag a coveted place in the Dancing on Ice Final. Facing their toughest challenge yet, each celebrity will deliver two performances in a bid to impress both the judges and viewers at home. A double elimination will see two celebrities leave the competition with the three finalists remaining. Kim Kardashian rocked a skintight black dress on Sunday when she took her son Saint to the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. The SKIMS founder, 42 who is allegedly 'ready' to date again seven months after split with Pete Davidson looked chic and sleek in her figure-hugging outfit that accentuated her famous curves. Kardashian's seven-year-old son looked dapper in a black hoodie sweatshirt emblazoned with red Nike symbols, black pants, Nike kicks and a red ball cap. The fashionable pair commanded attention as they left the Skirball Museum, which educates visitors about the Jewish people's journey throughout history. Kardashian taking her young son to the museum is notable, as his troubled father Kanye West has repeatedly voiced antisemitic views. Fashionable pair: Kim Kardashian, 42, rocked a skintight black dress on Sunday when she took her seven-year-old son Saint to the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles One-on-one time: The SKIMS founder looked chic and sleek in her figure-hugging outfit that accentuated her famous curves The superstar's black stiletto boots matched her fashionable dress and she wore her raven hair up in an elegant high ponytail. Stunning diamond studs adorned each of Kim's ears and her face was radiant with soft glam. Kim and Saint turned heads as they left the museum after joining Kris Jenner for a private event. Their visit comes in the wake of Kanye West's infamous meltdown and antisemitic tirades. It all began on October 9, when he posted a since-deleted tweet that read: 'I'm a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I'm going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE. 'The funny thing is I actually can't be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jew also. You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.' Kim eventually broke her silence regarding the controversy, publicly supporting the Jewish community on Twitter and condemning hate speech. 'Hate speech is never OK or excusable. I stand together with the Jewish community and call on the terrible violence and hateful rhetoric toward them to come to an immediate end,' she wrote. Dapper duo: Kardashian's son Saint looked dapper in a black hoodie sweatshirt emblazoned with red Nike symbols, black pants, Nike kicks, and a red ball cap Elegant: The superstar's black stiletto boots matched her fashionable dress and she wore her raven hair up in an elegant high ponytail Turning heads: Kim and Saint turned heads as they left the museum after joining Kris Jenner for a private event Flawless: Stunning diamond studs adorned each of Kim's ears and her face was radiant with soft glam Important visit: Kardashian taking her young son to the museum is notable, as his troubled father Kanye West has repeatedly voiced antisemitic views Moving forward: Their visit to the museum comes in the wake of Kanye West's infamous meltdown and antisemitic tirades Lashing out: The firestorm involving the rapper started last year on October 9 when he took to Twitter to say he wanted to go 'death con 3' on Jewish people who had apparently wronged him Difficult situation: Kardashian opened up about her difficult co-parenting situation with West in an emotional interview on the Angie Martinez IRL podcast. 'I'll do anything to keep their life as normal as possible,' said Kim. 'One day my kids will thank me ... for not bashing their dad' (Kanye pictured in 2019 at the Fast Company Innovation Festival) Kim and Kanye's six-year marriage officially came to an end in March 2022, but the former couple only just resolved their custody battle in November. The pair share four children: daughters North, nine, and Chicago, five; sons Saint, seven, and Psalm, three. Kardashian recently opened up about her difficult co-parenting situation with West in an emotional interview on the Angie Martinez IRL podcast. 'I'll do anything to keep their life as normal as possible,' said Kim. 'One day my kids will thank me ... for not bashing their dad.' Cross branding: In a bit of cross-branding with her older sister, Kourtney, 43, a photo of a blonde Kim was shared on the Poosh Instagram page. The entrepreneur was dressed in a cozy gray belted jacket and pants, drinking a warm beverage Blonde: The photo was taken before the Skims founder returned her hair to its natural dark shade. She was barefoot with a light pink polish on her toenails, which matched the shade on her fingers Secret ingredient: 'Currently drinking:' posted the Poosh Instagram account, 'this creamy, delicious latte inspired by @kimkardashian's favorite recipe.' The frothy beverage included coconut milk, vanilla, two pitted dates and activated charcoal per the Poosh website In a bit of cross-branding with her older sister, Kourtney, 43, a photo of a blonde Kim was shared on the Poosh Instagram page. The entrepreneur was dressed in a cozy gray belted jacket and pants, drinking a warm beverage. The photo was taken before the Skims founder returned her hair to its natural dark shade. She was barefoot with a light pink polish on her toenails, which matched the shade on her fingers. Looking into the camera, Kardashian appeared to be wearing natural looking makeup with a muted lip. 'Currently drinking: this creamy, delicious latte inspired by @kimkardashian's favorite recipe.' A check of the Poosh website disclosed the frothy beverage included coconut milk, vanilla, two pitted dates and 1/2 teaspoon of activated charcoal. 'Kourtney has been a longtime lover of charcoal for its powerful binding properties,' the website read. 'It not only has immediate effects, like relieving us of gas and bloating, but it binds to toxins for deep cleansing and elimination.' China amends legislation law Xinhua) 10:21, March 05, 2023 BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, on Sunday morning started to deliberate a draft amendment to the Legislation Law. Wang Chen, vice chairman of the 13th NPC Standing Committee, explained the draft amendment at the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th NPC. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun) FROM the Macmillan family and their gold-smuggling activities to the Kwekwe underworld mining adventures and Henrietta Rushwayas sensational arrest three years ago, President Emmerson Mnangagwas name is always mired in controversial sagas indirectly and through name-dropping relating to gold networks. His family and cronies are also linked to the Red Wing Mine looting, Pedzisayi Scott Sakupwanyas minting of money from gold wheeling and dealing, and now the Al Jazeera undercover investigation exposing gold barons, their dark secrets and money laundering. The Mnangagwa name is associated with and runs through the different yet overlapping stories, plots and sub-plots involving the Macmillans, Kwekwe mining activities, Red Wing Mine and Sakupwanyas Better Brands Jewellery, Rushwaya and now the ground-breaking Al Jazeera investigative tour de force. It is intertwined with these stories, sometimes solidly and through name-dropping. Government and police have previously warned people against name-dropping; leveraging his name for self-interest. The Macmillans both Ian Hugh and his son Ewan Alexander are said to be close to Mnangagwa, while his cronies are deeply involved in gold mining activities in Kwekwe. Sakupwanya is associated with him and his sons, especially Emmerson Jr. Angel is a presidential envoy and Zimbabwes ambassador-at-large appointed by Mnangagwa. And Rushwaya is a relative, a niece. When she was arrested in 2020 at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare trying to smuggle 6.7kg of gold valued at US$330 000, people quickly linked her to the Mnangagwa family, with others saying the First Lady Auxillia and her son Colins were also involved. They swiftly denied it. Since state institutions like the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, via its subsidiary gold buyer Fidelity Printers and Refiners, are said to be part of the gold-dealing networks, that draws Mnangagwa deeper into the vortex. For a long time, Mnangagwas name has been associated with the Macmillan family, notorious for gold dealing and smuggling activities, as well as illicit trade and arrests. A report titled Mnangagwas Oligarchs: The heirs of Cecil Rhodes, published by the Daily Maverick in South Africa and other media platforms, has a section on the Macmillans. Ian Macmillan and his son Ewan have built a business milling and buying gold around the country from their base in southwestern Zimbabwe. The elder Macmillan is among a small but influential group of white businessmen that supports Mnangagwas government, it says. Although the elder Macmillan is retired, he remains influential with his vast contacts in Zanu PF, cultivated over the last four decades. The Macmillans, like other white business tycoons, are not immune to the factional battles that consume the ruling party. They have been arrested in the past for illegal possession of bullion and gold smuggling, but acquitted or released after paying small fines. Ruling party sources say the arrests are always linked to factional fights in the governing party. When one faction believes another is receiving more than its fair share of bribes, it usually uses the police and the courts to send a message, the sources say. It is a game that white Zimbabwean businessmen are well aware of. In 2003, Macmillan and his son were arrested and charged for smuggling gold worth about US$68 million to South Africa through a syndicate. They were acquitted but have remained in the gold buying business. Kenyan tycoon and pastor Paul Kamlesh Pattni, who was implicated in the 1990s Goldenberg scandal which involved unusual government subsidies for gold exports, is also close to Mnangagwa. He is a major gold dealer. On Goldenberg, Pattniwas acquitted in 2013. Pattni, Ewan Macmillan, Rushwaya, Angel and state institutions are involved in the Al Jazeera expose which features people around Mnangagwa bragging about their proximity to power and access to him. The interlocutors say they can easily launder dirty money US$100 million from outside using what they call their laundromat gold and the central bank. Smelling money and sometimes in the midst of quaffing whisky, they reveal how it is done. Besides this, there are stunning revelations in the court case involving Bulawayo tycoon Mohammed Zakariya Patel and his former righthand man Ismail Moosa Lunat which exposes gold dealing, illegal currency transactions and money laundering. The evidence of criminality contained in court documents and chats between Patel and Lunat covers the period from 24 May 2018 to 14 January 2019. The Presidents Office is named in some of the communications between them. The bulk of the evidence consists of WhatsApp messages between Patel and Lunat, records of local and international money transfers, memorandums, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe intelligence memos, a series of transactions that egregiously violate the Exchange Control Act, gold deals and money laundering statutes. Lunat was Patels accountant for a period stretching from May 2018 to July 2019, hence intimately involved in his finances. When they fell out, they took each other to curt while exposing their dirty linen in public. At the time, former Zanu PF MP and minister Jonathan Moyo latched on the issue and upped the ante against Mnangagwa. Im uploading herewith raw evidence which exposes Mnangagwa & his wife Auxillia as the barons & beneficiaries of money laundering & gold smuggling by one Mohamed Zakariya Patel. The evidence covers the period from 24 May 2018 to 14 January 2019!, Moyo tweeted. As is often the case in such matters, the main enabler tends to vary either their name by use of different spellings or even use of different names. So, here you get Mohamed Zakariya Patel, or Mohamed Zakaraya Patel or Mohammed Zackaraya Patel commonly known as Zaks Patel! The raw evidence consists of WhatsApp chats between Mohamed Zakariya Patel & Ishmael Mossa Lunat; along with key documents that backup the content of the chats. The chats specifically refer to Number 1 (Mnangagwa), First lady (Auxillia) & Pres (Presidents) Office. Moyo added: The evidence is uploaded here as raw data to enable citizens, especially the media, civil society, churches, political parties & academia to do their own investigations to draw their own conclusions to inform their own interventions & praxis to tackle the crisis. Study it! The complete WhatsApp chats are uploaded; but highlighted here are Mohamed Zakariya Patels clear & unambiguous mentions of money laundering transactions for Number 1 (Mnangagwa) & a fuming first lady (Auxillia); as well as visits to Pres Office ( Presidents Office)! Attached is the verbatim record of WhatsApp chats from 24 May 2018 to 14 January 2019 between Mohamed Zakariya Patel & Ishmael Moosa Lunat; implicating Mnangagwa (Number 1) & his wife (first lady) Auxillia, in money laundering and gold smuggling! Its also clear from Mohamed Zakariya Patels Dossier that the biggest loser in the scam is Fidelity Printers & Refineries, meaning the people of Zimbabwe, who only get paid 45% of the value of the gold in RTGS local currency. Its an untold story of shocking grand looting! What emerges is that Mnangagwas so-called anti-corruption campaign is fake. Mnangagwa has weaponised corruption, not to fight it but to criminalise his opponents and has used that criminalisation to cover up his & his familys corruption as captured in the Zaks Dossier. The facts & the implications of the WhatsApp chats between Patel & Lunat speak for themselves; exposing serious crimes. The people must hold Mnangagwa & his wife Auxillia to account, without fear or favour. State House is now a looting haven! Mnangagwas spokesperson George Charamba refused to comment, saying he could not respond to snippets. What do you want from The NewsHawks, I dont want to talk to you. What do you want to ask? Get lost, I dont want to engage you on something which is not yours and secondly which has not yet played. You want me to speculate on a documentary which has not yet played? I dont know about it because snippets are decontextualised. You think a snippet is a programme. I dont respond to snippets, Charamba said. In the Al Jazeera case, the allure of making millions of dollars overnight through providing money laundering services including a promise to provide a US$10 million payment to one of the gold dealers and peddling proximity to power while quaffing fine whisky got Zimbabwes underworld gold barons into the Qatar-based international broadcaster Al Jazeeras Investigative Units net. The Investigative Units mission is to act in the public interest in order to expose wrongdoing and speak truth to power. It operates under codes of practice of Britains Office of Communications which supports the finest traditions of public service journalism. In its exclusive report titled Unveiling Zimbabwes Dark Secrets, Al Jazeera, judging by the films trailer and the threaded together snippets, exposes dirty money around gold dealing and laundering, as well as greed and looting. Also subtitled Gold Mafia, the investigative news documentary has managed to whet Zimbabweans appetite, becoming the talk of the town this week. The trailer or preview advert trended in the country for days. Gold Mafia features Zimbabwean politicians, their cronies, government officials and gold dealers, as well as businesspeople caught in the crossfire, some of them ending up as collateral damage. In terms of structure and presentation, it is a four-part series film initially set to be released on March 2, 9, 16 and 23 2023. The series looks at how societys obsession with gold and its vanity through the ages underwrites a global shadow economy and underworld criminality. Since the dawn of civilisation, this shiny yellow metal has seduced inhabitants of every continent and every age. In the process, the film exposes the complicity of politicians, state institutions, global financial institutions, regulators and governments in the criminal underworld. Through thousands of confidential documents and exclusive interviews with whistle-blowers from within the underworld, investigators obtain the blueprints of billion-dollar money laundering operations that service the political elite and their cronies. The interface between politicians, underworld criminal networks and dirty money is laid bare. Al Jazeera uses undercover investigative techniques to unearth the issue, a form of journalism in which a reporter or reporters infiltrate a group posing as somebody friendly as a ruse to gather information and evidence. Across the world, undercover investigations, carefully balanced with ethics, have produced extraordinary, impactful journalism. In countries without public record transparency rules or strong source protection laws, going undercover can be one of the few tools reporters have to investigate public interest stories. In the Al Jazeera case, undercover reporters pose as criminals possessing more than US$1 billion in the underworld which needs to be cleaned. The team is led by a fictitious character, Mr Stanley, a Chinese gangster with links to the Triads, which are Sino organised-crime networks. His undercover reporters befriend members of rival gold mafia gangs. NewsHawks Bindi Irwin and her brother Robert are encouraging their mother Terri to find love, 16 years after the untimely death of their Crocodile Hunter father Steve. The pair want Terri to 'find happiness again' and are reportedly encouraging her sign up to dating apps. 'Bindi and Robert have been trying to get Terri to freshen up her look. She's gorgeous under all that khaki and she deserves to show it off,' a source told New Idea. 'There is a small ulterior motive from the kids though they want to dress her up and take pictures so they can help her join dating apps.' The insider explained: 'They know she'll never find another like their dad no such man exists. They just want their mum to know that happiness again.' Bindi Irwin (right) and her brother Robert (left) are 'encouraging their mother Terri to try dating apps' Steve, known as The Crocodile Hunter, died on September 4, 2006, at the age of 44 after he was pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming a wildlife documentary called Ocean's Deadliest in Queensland. Terri has never dated nor remarried since her husband's death, despite swirling rumours of romances with the likes of Russell Crowe over the years. The Irwins have meanwhile kept Steve's memory alive through their conservation work at Australia Zoo. 'Bindi and Robert have been trying to get Terri to freshen up her look. She's gorgeous under all that khaki and she deserves to show it off,' a source said The family's most recent tribute to Steve is the Crocodile Hunter Lodge, which comprises of luxury cabins located inside the zoo premises. The chic rooms offer guests modern conveniences among the picturesque grounds, with the website listing cabins which sleep four at $949 per night. The site also houses a restaurant called 'Warrior' as a tribute to Bindi's father and Terri's late husband, Steve, and his grandchild, Grace Warrior. In a recent video posted to Instagram Stories, Robert revealed that part of the wood used in buildings was repurposed from the crocodile grandstands originally built by Steve. 'So, a lot of the lodge is actually kind of in a way hand built by dad,' Robert said in the clip. The insider explained: 'They know she'll never find another like their dad no such man exists. They just want their mum to know that happiness again' He went on to say the three trees out front were also 'originally planted by dad' with the place being Steve's dream. Terri also appeared in the video, explaining that Steve always had a dream that visitors could have an immersive experience. 'Steve always had a dream that someday not only could people visit Australia Zoo but to stay overnight. Have the immersive experience,' she said. 'It was so important to us to make his dreams come true with beautiful luxury accommodation surrounded by our conservation work we are known for.' Florence Pugh commanded attention in a glitzy display as she attended the Valentino Womenswear Fall-Winter 2023-24 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week on Sunday. The Don't Worry Darling actress, 27, made sure all eyes were on her as she donned a long sheer white skirt with a long slit adorned with diamonds. The Midsommar star completed her look with a cropped casual grey jumper, but sprinkled her ensemble with a lot of diamond jewelry details. Florence donned a sparkly choker necklace, matched with bracelets, earrings and a ring of the same type. She rocked a sparkly diamond handbag from Valentino - as she represented the brand proudly. Here she comes: Florence Pugh caught the eye as she exited the Valentino Womenswear Fall-Winter 2023-24 during Paris Fashion Week on Sunday evening Revealing: The Oxford born actress stunned in a sheer skirt that fully exposed her underwear Jaw-dropping: Florence inevitably commanded attention in a glitzy display as she attended the event Beauty queen: The Don't Worry Darling star made sure all eyes were on her as she donned a long sheer white skirt with a long slit adorned with diamonds, adding only a pair of white panties Don't mind me: But Florence's see-through outfit ensured she was hard to miss as she climbed into her waiting car later that night Upbeat: The actress chatted on her phone as she made her way out of the venue following Valentino's latest presentation on Sunday evening The Hollywood favourite added a hint of blush and a rouge pink lipstick, and enhanced her natural features with a mix of orange tones and shiny highlighter in her eyes. The Black Widow star kept her blonde tresses in an up-do keeping her fringe back, with two locks styled down framing her face. The actress appeared in great spirits as she strolled on the stairs posing for the cameras before heading to Valentino's fashion runaway - making a glamorous entrance. During the event, Florence was captured posing and chatting with Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra, Guan Xiaotong, Simona Caggia as well as her mother Deborah Mackin. Also in attendance were Brooklyn Beckhan, his wife Nicola Peltz, and Emma Roberts. Last month, Florence was pictured for the first time with her new beau, author and blogger Charlie Gooch as the couple enjoyed an alfresco lunch at a pub in London on Valentine's Day. The new couple put on a loved-up display during the outing as they hugged, laughed and held hands down the street. Page Six reports the couple may know each other from back when they went to school together - it has been reported that they went to school in Oxford together but this has not been confirmed. Stunner: The Midsommar star completed her look with a cropped casual grey jumper, but sprinkled her ensemble with a lot of diamond jewelry details Accessorising: Florence donned a sparkly choker necklace, matched with bracelets, earrings and a ring of the same type Repping: She rocked a sparkly diamond handbag from Valentino - as she represented the brand proudly Glowing: The Hollywood favourite added a hint of blush and a rouge pink lipstick, and enhanced her natural features with a mix of orange tones and shiny highlighter in her eyes The actress appeared in great spirits as she strolled on the stairs posing for the cameras before heading to Valentino's fashion runaway - making a glamorous entrance. Posing: During the event, Florence was captured posing and chatting with Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra, Guan Xiaotong, Simona Caggia as well as her mother Deborah Mackin Beau: Last month, Florence was pictured for the first time with her new beau, author and blogger Charlie Gooch as the couple enjoyed an alfresco lunch at a pub in London on Valentine's Day Charlie's brother Guy Gooch took promotional pictures of Florence for her Black Widow promotional tour. MailOnline contacted Florence's representatives for comment at the time. In August last year, Florence announced she and her boyfriend Zach Braff, 47, had split up after three years together. The actress revealed in an interview with Harper's Bazaar she and the Scrubs star had gone their separate ways. The pair worked to keep their relationship out of the public eye, with Florence saying they wanted to break up in private. She said: 'We've been trying to do this separation without the world knowing, because it's been a relationship that everybody has an opinion on. 'We just felt something like this would really do us the benefit of not having millions of people telling us how happy they are that we're not together. 'So we've done that. I automatically get a lumpy throat when I talk about it.' New flame: Page Six reports the couple may know each other from back when they went to school together - it has been reported that they went to school in Oxford together but this has not been confirmed Split: In August last year, Florence announced she and her boyfriend Zach Braff, 47, had split up after three years together 'We just felt something like this would really do us the benefit of not having millions of people telling us how happy they are that we're not together', said Florence Pals: Florence poses with Guan Xiaotong and Simona Caggia (pictured) Family: Florence poses with her mother Deborah Mackin at Valentino's fashion show (pictured) Strike a pose: Florence poses with Priyanka Chopra and her husband Nick Jonas at Valentino's fashion show Florence did not reveal when exactly she and Zach broke up, but they were still together in April when she wished him a happy 47th birthday on Instagram. The 21-year age gap between the pair drew attention during their three-year courtship. In 2021, Florence spoke to The Sunday Times about the cruel comments she received from trolls after wishing Zach a happy 46th birthday. She said: 'I think it bugs people that it's not who they expected. But it's my life and I'm not doing anything to please people or to make it a better headline or story. I want to also be a person!' Prior to their split, Florence and Zach were working on the film A Good Person together, which he directed. Zach sang Florence's praises during the production of the project, calling her 'one of the best actresses working' today. Speaking to Collider, he said: 'Florence Pugh's performance in the movie, I know I'm biased, but it's the most miraculous thing you will ever see. The former couple first met on the set of his short film In the Time It Takes to Get There, and they first ignited romance rumours in April 2019 when they were spotted holding hands, but neither confirmed anything until the following December. Lisa Rinna and Jessica Alba led the stars attending Palm Angels fashion show on Sunday during Paris Fashion Week. The Melrose Place alum Lisa caught the eye as she rocked an edgy ensemble to the Palm Angels womenswear Fall Winter 2023-2024 show. The reality TV star, 59, left a little to the imagination as she stunned in a semi transparent cut-out top - flashing a racy black bra and her toned midriff. Lisa looked ageless as she sported the stylish look with a black leather jacket which she left open to show off her enviable figure. The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star paired the head-turning look with flared black trousers and carried the essentials in a black clutch bag. Edgy: Lisa Rinna caught the eye as she rocked an edgy ensemble to the Palm Angels womenswear Fall Winter 2023-2024 show during Paris Fashion Week on Sunday Putting on a show: Jessica Alba also led the stars at the glitzy show in Paris, looking gorgeous in a velvet blazer Ageless: The reality TV star, 59, left a little to the imagination as she stunned in a semi transparent cut-out top - flashing a racy black bra and her toned midriff She made a fashion statement with silver stiletto heels and added some glam with a pair of shield black shades - as she appeared to have left her jewelry at home. The Days of Our Lives alum - styled her signature short dark hair with blonde highlights in a spiky 'do, channelling a rockstar look. The stunner opted for a bronze make up palette and highlighted her lips with a signature nude gloss - as she posed before making her way the Palm Angels runaway show. The Vanished actress has been enjoying plenty of fashion lately, after recently attending London Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week - she is now in the French capital. She was also present at the BAFTAs, which she attended with daughter Amelia Gray Hamlin, 21. Other stars attending the show included Jessica Alba, Liam Gallagher's son Lennon, American rapper Saint Jhn, and Jessica Aidi. Lisa was captured sitting next to Into the Blue star Jessica during the fashion show, as Lisa took over Instagram to share a snap. Youthful: Lisa looked ageless as she sported the stylish look with a black leather jacket which she left open to show off her enviable figure Glamorous: She made a fashion statement with silver stiletto heels and added some glam with a pair of shield black shades - as she appeared to have left her jewelry at home Rocker: The Days of Our Lives alum - styled her signature short dark hair with blonde highlights in a spiky 'do, channelling a rockstar look Stunner: The stunner opted for a bronze make up palette and highlighted her lips with a signature nude gloss - as she posed before making her way the Palm Angels runaway show Duo: The actress was captured sitting next to Into the Blue star Jessica Alba during the fashion show, as Lisa took over Instagram to share a snap Look: Jessica, 41, was a vision in a dark red velvet co-ord suit with buttons, teamed with a black bra as she flashed her midriff Gorgeous: The Fantastic Four star donned black open toe platform heels, and repped the brand proudly as she carried a blag handbag with golden chain from Palm Angels Classy: She added a touch of bling with dainty golden jewellery and styled her brown locks in a high ponytail, opting for a mix of bronze and dark-tone make up palette Couple: Liam Gallagher's son Lennon attended with his girlfriend Isobel Richmond as they both cut an edgy figure Look: Lennon, 23, donned a slightly oversized suit jacket with black shimmery trousers, and layered a long black trench coat on his shoulders Edgy: The British popstar's son hid behind black shades and carried a stylish silver handbag Retro: Isobel, 22, channeled a retro look as she donned a black buttoned co-ord with skirt and a navy trench coat Resemblance: Lennon wore his ash blonde hair down reminding a lot of his father Jessica, 41, was a vision in a dark red velvet co-ord suit with buttons, teamed with a black bra as she flashed her midriff. The Fantastic Four star donned black open toe platform heels, and repped the brand proudly as she carried a handbag with golden chain from Palm Angels. She added a touch of bling with dainty golden jewellery and styled her brown locks in a high ponytail, opting for a mix of bronze and dark-tone make up palette. Meanwhile, Jessica Aidi cut a glamorous figure as she slipped in a turquoise ensemble. The model, 31, appeared to be having the time of her life as she stopped to pose proudly in front of the camera before entering the fashion show. Jessica donned a suit co-ord and a matched turquoise top with a very low neckline, as she displayed a diamonds chocker necklace with a dainty pendant. She styled her brown curly tresses loose and matched her look with a touch of turquoise eyeshadow and pink lipgloss. Liam Gallagher's son Lennon attended with his girlfriend Isobel Richmond as they both cut an edgy figure. Wow! Jessica Aidi cut a glamorous figure as she slipped in a turquoise ensemble Pose: The model, 31, appeared to be having the time of her life as she stopped to pose proudly in front of the camera before entering the fashion show Looking good: She styled her brown curly tresses loose and matched her look with a touch of turquoise eyeshadow and pink lipgloss Repping: American rapper Saint Jhn wowed in a furry baby blue jacket adorned with a chain designed by Palm Angels Stylish: He added some glam to the ensemble with flashy jewellery including a double diamond necklace and bracelets, finishing with black square shades Liam Gallagher's son Lennon posed with girlfriend Isobel Richmond at Palm Angels's fashion show for PFW Lennon, 23, donned a slightly oversized suit jacket with black shimmery trousers, and layered a long black trench coat on his shoulders. The British popstar's son hid behind black shades and carried a stylish silver handbag, and wore his ash blonde hair down reminding a lot of his father. Isobel, 22, channeled a retro look as she donned a black buttoned co-ord with skirt and a navy trench coat. She wore a pair of aviator style glasses and wore her mahogany locks loose. American rapper Saint Jhn wowed in a furry baby blue jacket adorned with a chain designed by Palm Angels. The Sucks To Be You hitmaker completed the head-turning look with a white t-shirt, black velvet trousers and white trainers. He added some glam to the ensemble with flashy jewellery including a double diamond necklace and bracelets, finishing with black square shades. Meanwhile, Clara Berry made sure to have all eyes on her as she showed up in a cosy total leopard print look. Turning heads: Meanwhile, Clara Berry made sure to have all eyes on her as she showed up in a cosy total leopard print look Animal print: The model, 29, stunned in a padded oversized jacket with a front task, teamed with buttoned trousers of the same print Look: She opted for white boots and did a bright orange eyeshadow enhancing her green eyes Repping: Molly Chiang attends Palm Angels fashion show at PFW as she stuns in the brand's shimmery co-ord (pictured) The model, 29, stunned in a padded oversized jacket with a front task, teamed with buttoned trousers of the same print. She opted for white boots and did a bright orange eyeshadow enhancing her green eyes. Clara styled her locks in two high braids, and rocked silver pointed studs on her head. Also in attendance were Vicky Rader, Tamara Kalinic, Caroline Daur, Kiwi Lee, Alessandro Maria Ferrari, Molly Chiang, Paola Locatelli and Jaime Xie. Double denim: Kiwi Lee attends Palm Angels' womenswear F/W 2023-24 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week Pose: Tamara Kalinic goes cosy as she attends Palm Angels' womenswear F/W 2023-24 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is going to have a landslide victory in the upcoming harmonised elections and the results are going to irk the opposition and their partners into fomenting anarchy in the country, popular South African-based televangelist Jay Israel has said. Although there is nothing out-rightly new in the election victory prediction for President Mnangagwa with New York-headquartered global ratings firm Fitch Solutions last week predicting a resounding win for President Mnangagwa, Prophet Israel, however, prophesied disharmony in the opposition camp that will lead to factions in the period just before the elections. Zanu-PF has been working hard, building its cells and has engaged in a cell verification process while some from within the opposition have started defecting to the ruling party citing disorganisation in the opposition ranks. I have a message to the nation of Zimbabwe. I have received a prophecy about the upcoming election. The message is clear, President Emmerson Mnangagwa is going to win the next elections resoundingly. And let me hasten to say any prophet who is going to prophecy today that the opposition will win the elections, that person should be dismissed as a liar. God has already blessed President Mnangagwa with another term in office. I have also been shown that as we head towards elections there will be serious friction within the opposition led by Nelson Chamisa. Disagreements over a number of issues will arise which will lead to a near split. Due to the internal friction some opposition members will join the ruling party before and after elections, he said. The popular prophet has put his head on the block emphasising that, if President Mnangagwa does not win the presidential elections, it means I am a liar and they must come and cut off my head. The 30-year-old Bulawayo-born charismatic preacher said he was coming to Zimbabwe where he plans to set up base in his home town. I am bringing a very serious revolution, not just a revival, its a revolution to Zimbabwe, especially Bulawayo because it has been left behind for a long time. There is a lot that I am going to do. There is a lot that Zimbabwe must prepare for. This is going to be like a tsunami. Many people are going to flock from different places, just coming to Bulawayo. Meaning to say traffic is going to increase. We are going to give business to hotels and the transport industry including airlines, he said. He added that he was also planning to revive the Bulawayo music industry. I am planning to set up a Jay Israel Records that is going to cater for all the Bulawayo musicians. I am going to sign them and record them for free, he said. Born and bred in Bulawayo, Israel dropped out of school owing to financial challenges when he was in Form Two at Pumula High School. At 18 years old, he moved to Harare where he later formed his own church, Palace of Glory, becoming the youngest church leader in the country. In 2014, he relocated to South Africa where he has been leading the Spirit Life Church. Sunday News MVP Colony police in Visakhapatnam raided an apartment and seized 26.89 lakhs without proper documents from a person in the Sector-1 area on Saturday evening. (Representational Images) VISAKHAPATNAM: Amid the ensuing MLC elections in the state, the MVP Colony police in Visakhapatnam raided an apartment and seized 26.89 lakhs without proper documents from a person in the Sector-1 area on Saturday evening, following a tip-off. The detained person was identified as Kanchipati Ramesh Naidu, a native of Chodavaram. During the raid, police found Ramesh in a cash bag. Later, after searching the flat, they seized the cash. On questioning, Naidu told the police that he was carrying the money to give to TD MLC candidate Vepada Chiranjeevi Rao. The police seized a motorcycle and two mobile phones from his possession. Meanwhile, the staff of Madapam toll plaza handed over to Narasannapeta police 88,000 currency notes of 500 denomination, which was found on the National Highway-16 in Narasannapeta mandal on Saturday evening. They said the currency notes were allegedly dropped from an auto-rickshaw near the toll plaza. However, an eyewitness told the cash was dropped from a two-wheeler ahead of the auto-rickshaw. Based on the CCTV footage and the information provided by the toll plaza staff, Narasannapeta police registered a case under Section 102 of CrPC and launched an investigation into the matter. It is suspected that the money was being taken for distribution during the ensuing MLC polls. Dr D. Preethi (Image Source: Twitter) HYDERABAD: Asking the BRS government to order a judicial inquiry into the suicide death of Dr D. Preethi, the BJP said it would hold demonstrations all over the state from noon to 4 pm on Monday to press the demand. BJP state president Bandi Sanjay Kumar announced the agitation programme after meeting the family members of Dr Preethi at Girni thanda in Jangaon district on Sunday. "If the government is not at fault, why cant it order a judicial probe by a High Court judge into Dr Preethis death? What is its objection in taking stern action against the culprits? Why are the police threatening the students who are agitating for justice," he asked. Sanjay said Dr Preethi had died in mysterious circumstances. "According to her friends, she was courageous to call a spade a spade. But it was projected that she had died by suicide," he said. Alleging that the police had tampered with evidences to save the accused, Dr Mohammed Saif, fearing that it might lead to communal violence, Sanjay claimed the police had opened Dr Preethis mobile phone by using her thumb impressions. He said had the authorities taken action after receiving a complaint from Dr Preethi, she would have been allive. It was shameful of some BRS leaders to speak in support of Dr Saif, he said. He said he suspected that Dr Preethi had died in MGM Hospital. He dismissed the subsequent treatment at Nims Hospital as a "drama" and claimed that the doctors had treated a dead body. He accused the police of threatening the family members of the medico and forcing them to perform her last rites. He asked by minister K.T. Rama Rao had remained silent on the medicos death. According to an engineer, the project works can now be restarted. The technical teams have advised the Polavaram engineers to do the work speedily and complete it before the rainy season. (File Photo: DC) Kakinada: The central government has given its clearance for engineers to take up the works on the damaged part of Polavaram Project. Various technical teams like the dam design review panel, the central soil and material research institute, the Polavaram project authority and others visited the project site. These teams are assessing the possibility of reconstruction of the diaphragm wall etc. The teams visited the upper and lower cofferdam works. According to sources, a team of the NHPC (National Hydro Power Corporation) tested the wall strengthening aspects for 20 days from January 26 and submitted a report to the central government, the Polavaram Project Authority and the state government, and suggested that steps be taken to reconstruct and strengthen the project. On Sunday, a review meeting was held at Rajamahendravaram. There, the authorized technical teams have given the engineers the clearance to fill up the two huge holes formed at the dam and re-construct those parts. The study teams have identified damage to the extent of 485 metres of the diaphragm wall out of its 1,396 metres. They noticed that there were many gaps in the diaphragm wall. The central government has also given its permission to reconstruct the diaphragm wall where necessary. This has come as a big relief to the Polavaram project engineers. The project works were at a standstill for the past few months. According to an engineer, the project works can now be restarted. The technical teams have advised the Polavaram engineers to do the work speedily and complete it before the rainy season. The project and technical teams officials like Pandey, Bhargava, Gopalakrishna, AK Sarma, water resources minister Ambati Rambabu and others were present in the review meeting. Rambabu visited Polavaram project site on Sunday and said that the diaphragm wall was badly damaged to the extent of 485 metres. "Huge holes were formed due to the floods last year and the D wall has been damaged. Without rectifying it, the project works would not have gone ahead." He said that nearly 46 lakh cubic meters of sand would be required to fill up the holes and Rs 2,000 crore would be needed to reconstruct the diaphragm wall. The minister repeated the charge that the previous Telugu Desam government and then chief minister Chandrababu Naidu should shoulder the blame for the damage to the diaphragm wall. The works would be expedited in the next four months, he said. In a letter to Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, BJP state president Bandi Sanjay Kumar said that the Cabinet meeting on March 9 should approve the constitution of the new PRC. (Photo: Twitter) Hyderabad: BJP state president Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Sunday demanded that the state government immediately constitute a new pay revision commission (PRC) and implement revised pay scales for the employees and teachers effective July 1. In a letter to Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, he said that the Cabinet meeting on March 9 should approve the constitution of the new PRC. "The Chief Minister has the moral responsibility to protect the legitimate rights of the employees in their own state but he is cheating them at every stage," he alleged. He pointed out the validity of the first PRC, headed by retired IAS officer C.R. Biswal, would expire on June 30 and a new one has to come into effect on July 1. He alleged that the government had not released four DA installments. "The first PRC report, which was supposed to be implemented with effect from July 1, 2018, was delayed by 21 months. Arrears have not been paid in several cases," he said. Sanjay alleged that the government was trying to avoid revision of pay scales by deliberately dodging calls for a new PRC. "These delaying tactics are not acceptable as they will cause huge injustice to employees. The BJP will launch a massive agitation on this issue," he said, while regretting that state government employees and teachers were not getting their salaries on the first of every month. Sanjay said the Cabinet should also discuss implementation of pre-poll promises made by Rao. "Nearly 99 per cent of electoral promises have not been honoured," he said. "We demand the cabinet to discuss all these promises and take appropriate decisions. Otherwise, the BJP will take up peoples movements in a big way," Sanjay said. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee chief A. Revanth Reddy. (Twitter) WARANGAL: Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao has not been fulfilling any of his poll promises and deceived Vemulawada Rajanna after promising that he would develop the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple, alleged the TPCC president Revanth Reddy here on Sunday. Continuing with his Haath Se Haath Jodo padayatra, Reddy visited the temple town of Vemulawada and offered special prayers there. He participated in the tying the ox (Kode Mokku) ritual the famous temple in Rajanna Sircilla district. He said Union minister Kishan Reddy should also take the initiative and sanction funds from the central government to develop the temple. "If the Congress comes to power, the temple will be developed as per the aspirations of the devotees," he said. The Congress leader said the government was imposing unnecessary restrictions in the sanctioning of R&R package for the oustees of the Mid Manair Dam Reservoir. "When the government sanctioned a package to the family members of KCR, why is the same not given to the people of the tribal community," he asked. He said the Congress would support the oustees of MMD and fight for them until the government did justice to them. Later, the Congress leader inspected the Kalikota Suramma project and said that during the rule of the Congress government, then chief minister YS Rajashekar Reddy had sanctioned the Kaikota Suramma project under the Sri Pada Yellampalli Phase-2 of Stage-1 in 2005 with a fund allotment of `1,750 crore. However, minister Harish Rao laid the foundation stone for the project in 2018, fearing that the TRS would lose the Vemulawada assembly seat, he said. "By deceiving the people facing an acute shortage of water for both drinking and irrigation purposes, the TRS grabbed their votes and won the seat. But even after four years, they did not start any work on the project," Revant Reddy said. He noted that on a number of occasions, the Congress party under the leadership of Adi Srinivas staged dharnas, held road blocks and took up padayatras to press for implementation of the project, but the state government was "east bothered about the problems of the farmers of this region." Revant Reddy said the Vemulawada BRS party MLA was least bothered about the problems of the farmers of the region. "Like a tourist, he comes to his constituency from Germany and then fly back to Germany. "Arguing cases in courts, he is technically continuing as an MLA, but the people never treated him as their legislator," he added. The Congress leader also alleged that chief minister Chandrasekhar Rao was showing discrimination against the farmers of the region. "The lives of the farmers will change if they change this CM." He promised that the Congress party, once it forms government in TS, would complete the Kalikota Suramma project within 18 months. IndiGo on Sunday said it is looking at enabling codeshare connectivity to the US and Canada through its partnership with Turkish Airlines. On Friday, a senior official told PTI that the airline has received approval from the civil aviation ministry to wet lease up to two planes for operating flights to the United States and Canada. In response to queries on the same, IndiGo on Sunday said it constantly evaluates and discusses opportunities with aircraft manufacturers, but at this stage, it is pure speculation. "At present, our objective is to enable codeshare connectivity to the US and Canada via our partnership with Turkish Airlines after the required application and approval process," the statement said. Also Read | Surat-Delhi IndiGo flight diverted to Ahmedabad following suspected bird hit Codesharing allows an airline to book its passengers on its partner carriers and provide seamless travel to destinations where it has no presence. The airline's plans also come against the backdrop of Air India starting to ramp up its international operations and expanding fleet with new aircraft orders. IndiGo started operating wide-body Boeing 777 on Delhi-Istanbul route in February. The plane has been taken on wet lease from Turkish Airlines and it is the first time that the budget carrier started flying a wide-body aircraft. Under the wet lease arrangement, planes are leased along with the operating crew and engineers. Generally, wet leasing of planes is allowed for short periods to tackle supply constraints and ensure that airfares do not surge significantly. There are also reports that the airline might place significant orders for new aircraft. Currently, the airline has more than 300 planes in its fleet and around 500 aircraft are on order. IndiGo, the country's largest airline in terms of domestic market share and operating around 1,800 flights daily, is focusing on the internationalisation of operations, preparing to fly to more overseas destinations. In an interview with PTI in February, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said the airline has always kept the option of wide-body aircraft open but did not divulge specific details. "IndiGo has never ruled out any option. We do have a significant order book. We have almost 500 aircraft on order... we have a steady stream of deliveries coming. "Our focus and emphasis will be on that part. We do have the XLRs order that will further stretch the range of operations for IndiGo," he had said. Even as Nepal suffers from the economic fallout of the Ukraine conflict in terms of higher food, fuel and fertilizer costs and reduced growth on the one hand and is buffeted by the US-China contestation for influence witnessed in the acrimonious debates on the US-sponsored MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation) versus Chinese BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) projects, it continues to be plagued by political uncertainty. Though it is only three months since the general elections were held in November 2022, we are likely to see a second coalition government being formed in the coming days. The last general elections were held between two broad coalitions, namely the Nepali Congress (NC) and the Maoists on the one hand and the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) and the royalist Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) on the other. Given a relatively low voter turnout and the emergence of new parties, such as the Rashtriya Swatantra Party and a revitalized RPP, there appears to be a public disenchantment with the political process and non-delivery by successive Governments despite the adoption of a new constitution in 2015. Indeed, it could be argued that the emergence of the new forces, some of whom were anti-federal and others that sought to revive the monarchy and a Hindu Rashtra, represented a pushback against some of the seminal changes in Nepal enshrined in the new federal, republican and secular Constitution. Also Read | Nepal, India agree to allow export of power on long-term basis Despite emerging as the single largest group, the NC-led coalition was unable to form the government. Talks collapsed on the issue of which leader, Deuba of the NC or Prachanda of the junior partner, the Maoists, would first become prime minister. The wily K P Sharma Oli of the UML, which had emerged as the second largest party, sensing an opportunity, extended support to the Maoists and formed a government with Prachanda; other members of the coalition, namely UML, the RSP and the RPP secured plum posts. The understanding was that the UML would get the posts of both the President and the Speaker of the House. In effect, the single largest party, the NC, which should have formed the government, ended up losing all key posts, viz., President, PM, Speaker and chief ministers of the provinces; the UML, the second largest party, despite having lost the elections secured several high-level posts. In a bid to rectify their earlier mistake, the NC, despite being in the opposition, decided to support the Maoist-UML coalition under Prachanda when it sought a vote of confidence in the House. They did so hoping that the Maoists would support an NC candidate during the presidential elections. It is this action that created a manoeuvre room for Prachanda vis-a-vis Oli. Prachanda eventually decided to renege on his earlier understanding to support Olis candidate for president and instead extended his support to the NC candidate. Prachanda was fearful that an activist president loyal to UML leader Oli - similar to outgoing President Bidya Devi Bhandari, who flagrantly violated the Constitution on several occasions in favour of then PM Oli and was castigated by the Supreme Court - would reduce Prachanda to a lame duck PM with the real power being vested in Oli. As a result of this development, the UML, along with RPP, withdrew support to the Prachanda-led government, which has now decided to seek a fresh vote of confidence after the election of the President on March 9. It is expected that the NC candidate Ram Chandra Poudel would be elected President and Prachanda will secure the vote of confidence with the support of the Nepali Congress. In effect, the coalition of NC, Maoists and other junior partners as it prevailed prior to the general elections has been restored. Each of the three leaders, Prachanda, Madhav Kumar Nepal (head of a smaller party that split from the UML) and Deuba, will lead the government for a specified time frame by rotation, beginning with Prachanda. This, however, is not the end of the story. Of the three combinations for government formation, UML-Maoist, NC-Maoist and UML-NC, the first has failed (the Chinese have sought for a long time to bring the major communist forces of Nepal together) and the second is now being tried out. Should the latter also fail, there still remains the possibility of the two big parties, NC and UML, coming together as they did in the past after the elections to the second Constituent Assembly in 2013. The new government faces significant economic and foreign policy-related issues. Even as Nepalese vote with their feet almost a third of the population travels to India and the Gulf countries for work, and as GDP growth slows, urgent measures are required to step up domestic investment and FDI. One silver lining is the robust electricity trade between Nepal and India whereby Nepal has sold an equivalent of $85 million worth of electricity to India during the 2022 monsoon season; plans are now afoot for the sale of Nepalese electricity to Bangladesh through India. The development of this sub-regional market in energy will significantly strengthen regional economic integration, reduce Nepals balance of payments deficit and create a win-win situation for participating countries. On the foreign policy front, Nepal has to deal with growing US interest represented in the MCC compact as well as a series of high-level visits, including one by the Deputy Secretary of State (newspaper reports suggest that Nepal vetoed the visit of the CIA Director) as well as the deepening Chinese involvement not merely in the Belt and Road Projects, but in domestic affairs, especially as they relate to political parties of a communist persuasion. For India, our security and developmental stakes remain high; we must remain engaged with all sections of opinion in Nepal and particularly the new political forces and the youth. Any stepping back or lowering our profile would create a vacuum that will be filled by others and this may not be in our longer-term strategic interest. (The writer is a former Ambassador to Nepal and author of Kathmandu Dilemma, Resetting India-Nepal Ties) Your Ultimate Investing Toolkit Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools: Portfolio Monitoring Top Stock Lists Premium Reports Stock Screeners Live News Feed Premium Support Free for your first month. Rio Tinto Group is a multinational mining operation and the 2nd largest miner worldwide. The company has a dual listing with shares trading on both the London Stock Exchange and the Australian ASX. Rio Tinto is named for a mining area in Spain. The mines at Rio Tinto have been in operation off and on since 3,000 BC and produce copper, silver, and gold among other minerals. The mines were rediscovered most recently in 1556 and then fell into the hands of the Spanish government in 1724. The Spanish government was a poor steward of the operations and eventually put it up for auction. In 1873 a group of businessmen bought the property for a steal that included Spains relinquishing its rights to any future profits. The consortium quickly commenced operations as Rio Tinto Mining and focused on developing its resources. Within 10 years it was a leading producer of copper and then it fell into the hands of the Rothschilds. The Rothschilds expanded the operations but failed to diversify the company in a meaningful way. The company reached a peak in the early 1900s that was dashed by WWI and the loss of the US as an end market but the story is not over. A new management team took control of the business in 1925 and began to diversify the company. Their efforts opened up new territories in other countries including Africa and Australia which was instrumental to long-term success. An increasingly fascist government made it difficult to operate in Spain and led the company to divest itself of its original asset, the Rio Tinto Mine. That could not have been done without operations in other countries. Another series of mergers and acquisitions will grow the company to global status. Today, Rio Tinto is a diversified and integrated mining operation that engages in the exploration, development and production of mineral-based resources. The company operates in 4 key segments that include Iron Ore, Aluminum, Copper & Diamonds and Energy & Minerals. The company operates mines, smelters and refiners in about 35 countries producing iron ore and iron, bauxite and alumina, industrial diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide and lithium among many other minerals and products. The bulk of operations are in Australia and Canada which are both rich in natural resources. The companys products are used by all end markets and are essential for the transition to green energy. Not only is the iron and copper required to build the infrastructure but lithium and other minerals are key for electrification. Rio Tinto products are necessary for agriculture and include several key fertilizers including borates. The U.S. government is the largest customer for many defense companies, providing a significant portion of their revenue. This stability and predictability can be beneficial for both the companies and investors. However, the revenue... More of this article Over the last few weeks, Ive been writing about some of this citys finest music venues and the excellent artists that play there. This week, that tradition continues. In recent years, St. Augustines Church has become one of the go-to spots for more intimate gigs in the town. Providing a small, cosy setting, the church has played host to acts such as Mary Coughlan, Altan and the 4 of Us in recent times. Later this month, the brilliant Eleanor McEvoy will take the stage (again) for what is sure to be an excellent night. I spoke with Eleanor ahead of the gig about her thoughts on returning to St. Augustines, her new album Gimme Some Wine, and her early career, including being signed to Geffen Records and her decision to go independent. Beginning our conversation, we spoke about the gig itself. Eleanor told me that shes really, really looking forward to returning to Derry, in the only venue shes going to be playing twice on her current tour. The last gig took place almost a year ago, on the 18th March. Talking about the gig, Eleanor says that she loved St. Augustines and that it was just a joy to play there. She also singled out Kieran Dunlop, the man behind Music Capital, for his efforts in putting on such great gigs. The current tour, Eleanor says, is going great with nearly everything sold out. The tour is in support of her most recent album, Gimme Some Wine, which was produced during Lockdown. The album was recorded by Eleanor at home, at the encouragement of Derrys own Liam Bradley, and features collaborations with David Rotheray (formerly of the Beautiful South), on the songs The Company of One and Almost Beautiful and Paul Brady on Found Out By Fate. The album also features Eleanors reflections on motherhood, on the song Fragile Wishes. Speaking about the latter, she says that she used to think that songs on that topic were so naff and that she was never doing that. That all changed when she had a child of her own, and thus a song was born. The album features artwork from the late Chris Gallon, who had a long-standing artistic relationship with Eleanor and her music over the years, beginning with the song Dreaming of Leaving (a collaboration with Lloyd Cole, from her 2016 album Naked Music) and continuing with a series of twenty four paintings based on her songs that were curated by IAP Fine Art in London. Eleanor and Chris had planned to continue to work together prior to his sudden death in 2017, and the song Gimme Some Wine is dedicated to his memory. During our chat, we also spoke about Eleanors early career, and being signed to the legendary Geffen Records. Eleanor was signed to the label by Tom Zutaut, previously responsible for signing Guns NRoses, Motley Crue and Edie Brickell, among others. On Geffen Records, Eleanor recorded her self-titled debut album (released in 1993). After that, she signed to New Yorks Columbia Records, where she released the albums Whats Following Me (1996) and Snapshots (1999). Snapshots saw her work with producer Rupert Hine, whos previous credits included works by Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks and Suzanne Vega, as well as many others. The album features the song Sophie, which deals with the theme of anorexia and, Eleanor says, is her most requested song at gigs. The song, she tells me, is still played at treatment centres around the world and she has, over the years, met people that it had helped. After leaving Columbia, Eleanor decided to go independent, beginning with her album Yola (2001), and has stayed that way pretty much since then. Her newest album, Gimme Some Wine, can be found, physically at least, exclusively through her website, eleanormcevoy.com, or at her gigs. It cannot be found on Amazon. Eleanor said that this is an unusual way of doing things but explained to me that she doesnt agree with the ethos of Amazon and tries to avoid using it herself whenever possible. She tells me, though, that this unique method of distribution hasnt affected the demand for CDs. Since its release, Gimme Some Wine has received orders from all corners of the globe, from Ireland, to Australia, to America and beyond. For those hoping to hear the new songs live, Eleanor tells me that she will be performing most of them at her gig here this month, as well as songs from her back catalogue, including Sophie. Eleanor McEvoy plays St. Augustines on the 24th March, and features special guest Peter McVeigh. Tickets are 20 plus booking fee. Eleanor can be found on Instagram @eleanormcevoy, or at her website eleanormcevoy.com. Her new album, Gimme Some Wine is out now and can be found either on her website or at her gigs. Baroness Nuala OLoan, the well-known Irish Catholic columnist, Police Ombudsman and IRA bombing survivor leads up a wealth of people who will recall their personal journeys of hope at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Steelstown beginning Monday, March 7. Speaking ahead of this weeks first talk, member of the Parish Pastoral Committee of Steelstown says that so many are looking forward to each evening. She said everyone is very welcome and encourages all to spread the word among families, friends and work colleagues. Hope, Faith and Love help in situations of need. Hopefully each evening will give each person who attends a sense of hope and inspiration. The music will be uplifting and refreshments will be served after each event. Activities will include talks and music with former Principal of St. Marys College, Marie Lindsay will start proceedings on Tuesday, 7th March. A Donegal native, well known in teaching circles in the city, Marie will recall her journey over this past few years. Tuesday, March 14 will see Geraldine Mullan, who tragically lost her husband and two children in an accident in 2020 recall her story and tell how faith, love and hope enabled her to keep going one day at a time. Archdeacon Robert Miller will give a talk on Tuesday, 21st March. The Church of Ireland clergyman is active in conflict resolution in both church and community contexts. Children in Crossfire founder and well-known Derry man Richard Moore will host events on Tuesday, March 28. Richard tragically lost his sight when hit by a rubber bullet when he was at secondary school in the Creggan back in the 1970s. He explains how he lives an inspiring and fruitful life. The finale on Friday, March 31 will see Baroness OLoan, a high-profile figure in Ireland, both north and south, explain how she survived an IRA bombing but lost her unborn child. Each night will also have live music by local musicians such as Eibhlin and Rory ODonnell, Erin Carlin and Lauren and Beth Doherty, as well as tea/coffee served. Each event will have a 7pm start and all are welcome to attend. Derry City and Strabane District Councils Arts & Culture Co-Delivery Group will host a special discussion event reflecting on its Arts & Culture sector in the 10 years since the City secured the first ever UK City of Culture designation in 2013. A City Conversation will take place on Wednesday, 22nd March in St Columbs Hall. In an open invitation to the public, Steve Batts, Cultural Partner of the Co-delivery group said: It is now 10 years since Derry's year as City of Culture. It brought a significant investment of resources and energies to our Arts & Culture sector. Now is a good time to reflect, look at where we are at and consider what the future might hold. "We are inviting artists, organisations, venues, audiences and volunteers to share their thoughts and energies as part of an open, inclusive, honest and constructive City Conversation about arts and culture. "This conversation will enable us to reflect together on what we have learned and to begin to articulate where we go from here. We hope that it will help to inform the cultural strategies that are currently in development by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Department for Communities. "We also hope it will positively influence the content of an event, reflecting on the City of Culture process after its first ten years, planned by the UK Department of Culture Media and Sport, which is to take place in Derry-Londonderry in September 2023 Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Sandra Duffy, speaking about the arts and culture sector said: The last ten years have been challenging across all of our sectors. A strong arts and cultural sector is a vital component of a healthy society impacting on our individual and collective well-being as well as social and economic prosperity. "We have a vibrant sector with local and international reach but there is no doubt there are challenges and we must be together and ready to make the most of our strengths and any opportunities as they arise. Just as arts and culture is for and by everyone, I would encourage anyone with an interest to come along to this event, share your thoughts and ideas and hear what others have to say. Encouraging people of all ages to sign up for the event, Cath Mc Bride, Cultural Partner on the Arts & Culture Co-delivery Group said: The whole City remembers 2013, we are aware that some of our young people and artists would have been very young at the time but they are a vital voice in this conversation. "This invite goes out to all ages and to anyone with an interest in the future of our arts and culture sector from gig-goers to promoters, artists and audiences, organisers and participants, venues and volunteers. "Representatives of the sector will share their experiences of City of Cultures legacy throughout the day but we have deliberately planned the event so that the focus is on encouraging conversation and hearing from attendees. A City Conversation 2013-2023 takes place on Wednesday 22nd March in St Columbs Hall. The event is free but registration is essential. For more info & to register https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/ e/a-city-conversation-2013- 2023-tickets-542651574467 or contact artsandculture@derrystrabane. com / 02871 253253 Alliance would prefer political agreement on changing Stormonts voting structures rather than having to challenge them in the courts, Naomi Long has insisted. However, the Alliance leader again warned that her party is willing to test the legality of the powersharing arrangements if changes are not delivered through negotiation. Mrs Long used her party conference address on Saturday to warn of potential legal action if the UK and Irish governments fail to deliver reform of the Stormont institutions to release them from the unionist/nationalist straitjacket created by the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Last year, the cross-community party proposed changes to voting systems within both the Stormont Assembly chamber and at the Executive table to ensure votes cast by MLAs who consider themselves neither unionist nor nationalist are given the same weight as others. Alliance has also proposed ending the ability of any Stormont party to veto the formation of a ministerial executive. On Sunday, Mrs Long confirmed the party had sought legal advice on whether the existing arrangements are human rights compliant. We have sought legal advice on this particular point a number of times, we are now in the process of considering whether or not it is something that we want to challenge, she told BBC NIs Sunday Politics programme. Its not the route that we would want to take. We would rather do this by persuasion and agreement because it is a political agreement that were seeking. We will continue to explore that with the two governments. The DUP is currently exercising its veto in protest at Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol meaning the Assembly cannot conduct business and a ministerial executive cannot function. Sinn Fein previously used its veto to collapse the executive in 2017. Mrs Long said the two main Stormont parties would not agree to changing the current system. The main two parties are not going to support it because it gives them an inherent veto, she said. And as with the kind of Orwells Animal Farm, I guess were all equal, but some are more equal than others and theyre not going to want to give up that power. But, look, we have other options that were exploring. I said very clearly yesterday I dont believe that our votes counting for less than other people is actually legal and were willing to explore that route to challenge what is I think a fundamental inequality at the heart of our government. On Sunday, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill insisted her party was open to a conversation on reform. However, she said that could only happen once the institutions in Belfast were restored. We are absolutely open to the issue of reform, she told RTE Radio One. But we have a particular set of arrangements here because we have a peace process, because we have the Good Friday Agreement. But the Alliance Party and others know that were very much up for that conversation. But we just fought an election back in May on the rules as they currently stand. What I want to do is get in around the table, get the Executive up and running, get the Assembly sitting, and then, yes, absolutely, lets have conversations around how we can look at making things work better. The Alliance Party, which aligns as neither unionist nor nationalist, has been boosted by a series of successful recent elections. In last Mays Assembly poll, it emerged as the third largest party with 17 seats more than doubling its representation in the devolved legislature. Mrs Long told conference delegates at the Stormont Hotel on Saturday that powersharing was at risk of death by a thousand collapses. The former justice minister said it was time to implement her partys reform proposals. The 1998 Good Friday peace agreement saw the creation of a system that required the biggest political bloc of unionists to share power with the biggest bloc of nationalists in a mandatory coalition. Currently, an administration cannot be formed unless the biggest unionist party and the biggest nationalist party agree to participate in it. Alliance wants to change this mandatory coalition system, thus removing the ability of any big party to prevent an executive being established. The party also wants to reform the community designation system at Stormont, which effectively hands blocs of unionists or nationalists a veto in contentious votes in both the Assembly and Executive. The controversial method means parties, such as Alliance, that designate as neither cannot influence votes where the results are determined by how many unionists and nationalists support or reject a proposal. Alliance insists this system is no longer fit for purpose, as an increasing number of MLAs in the Assembly are designated as others and are unable to have a say in contentious decisions. It favours an alternative method whereby controversial votes require a weighted majority to pass. Mrs Long insisted it has always been envisaged that the Good Friday Agreement arrangements could be adjusted as politics developed in Northern Ireland. If I was sitting here as a member of any other party and saying that my vote counted for less than other peoples nobody would accept that, she said on Sunday. So why should it be acceptable for Alliance and for our voters? Sony recently launched a new Cinema Line camera in India, dubbed the FX30. In the wake of the launch we got the opportunity to ask Mr. Mukesh Srivastava, Head of Business - Digital Imaging, Sony India some questions regarding the new camera itself, the Indian markets attitude towards Cinema Line cameras and Sonys unique R&D process of creating a new camera. Edited excerpts follow: 1. What makes the cinema line of cameras from Sony so different from the other video centric cameras like the Sony A7S series? In the last couple of years, we have seen a tremendous rise in video content creation with huge demand for cameras that have cinematic features. Sony Cinema Line cameras are designed for filmmakers keeping in mind the features specific to movie shooting. Special attention has been paid to all areas including body design, durability, high functionality and battery life so that creators can comfortably produce impressive content for cinema film and movie production. As compared to the Alpha range, Cinema Line cameras come with the functionality of multiple screw holes on the body and handle, allowing accessories to be attached directly. The camera body is compact, lightweight and modular, giving the flexibility to grab and shoot. These cameras come with S-Cinetone, derived from the colour science of high-end camera Venice. S-Cinetone is designed to quickly create richer-looking final content with ease, without expensive post-production. 2. What kind of market does a camera like the FX30 have in India? What kind of filmmakers buy the cinema line of cameras? In recent years, we have seen a major shift in consumer behaviour from mainstream filmmaking to OTT, regional cinema, YouTube and regional OTT. Viewers are turning towards flexible video platforms to stream content on demand. The best thing about these platforms is the wide availability of streaming content in different languages as compared to mainstream filmmaking. Due to ease of restrictions, travel has resumed and the number of weddings is at an all-time high. This has increased the demand for video-oriented cameras with strong cinematic capabilities for wedding filmmaking. The camera is made for young content creators and filmmakers who want to start their journey with Sony Cinema Line. It has two variants ILME-FX30 which comes with an XLR handle for handheld shooting and ILME-FX30B which is only body. Compact and light in weight, the FX30 can be operated in combination with gimbals and drones or with a variety of attached equipment. It is designed to withstand long shoots, with sturdy construction suited to harsh conditions. FX30 features a distinctive flat-top design that is suitable for either handheld shooting or gimbal mounting. The camera grip has been designed to provide optimum flexibility, stability and comfort for extended handheld shooting sessions. It features an innovative heat dissipation structure for uninterrupted 4K/120p recording, reliable power for extended recording and a durable magnesium alloy chassis. We are continuously working on technology that encompasses the needs of the next-gen filmmakers and creators. 3. What features on the FX30 is Sony most proud of and why? The FX30 is packed with multiple features for high-level cinematic expression that is meant for filmmakers. The camera has a Super 35 format, commonly used in filmmaking and is enhanced by the latest imaging system, BIONZ XR for high-quality image and operability. Some of the key features of FX30 are: i. Capture high-level cinematic expression in every scene The FX30 offers budding filmmakers cinematic expression with the latest imaging systems. It features a new back-illuminated 20.1 megapixels APS-C Exmor R CMOS sensor (Super 35 format) with a dual base ISO (800/2500) to deliver high sensitivity, low noise, and 14+ stops 1 of latitude. Like the rest of the Cinema Line, the FX30 features Log shooting modes by enabling Cine El, Cine El Quick, and Flexible ISO modes for recording with the S-Log3 gamma curve, which allows greater flexibility when colour grading. ii. Advance AF performance to support the creators needs The FX30 features Sonys fast and reliable autofocus, with settings including: Real-time Eye AF (human, animal, or bird), Real-time Tracking, Detailed AF settings, and AF Assist. This allows creators more control when using the Focus Map, which makes it easier to visualise depth of field, and Breathing Compensation offers a stable angle of view when focusing. The camera also includes effective stabilisation for run and gun shoots using Active Mode thanks to the optical in-body 5-axis image stabilisation and time code sync. iii. Experience effective post-production workflow support The FX30 includes added functionality to assist with the creative workflow, such as post-production editing using embedded LUT, and EI metadata. This metadata is available using the latest version of Sonys Catalyst Prepare 2 or Catalyst Browse applications. It incorporates other features that retain the spirit of the Cinema Line, including: a) New customisable list-style main menu screen which provides quick access to frequently used items b) New standby movie screen that provides an unobstructed view of the subject c) Buttons and dials dedicated to movie shooting iv. Compact and unique form factor with flexible operability Compact and lightweight, the FX30 has a flat-top design with threaded accessory attachment points, making it easy to use for shooting handheld, capturing low-angle shots, mounting on a gimbal, or adding accessories. The FX30 also features an XLR handle unit, which can be used to capture low-angle shots and also allows filmmakers to capture crystal clear audio through various audio inputs, including two XLR audio inputs and a 3.5-mm stereo mini jack for 4-channel recording. External microphones can be connected directly to the camera via the Multi Interface Shoe or microphone jack. The FX30 also features an internal stereo microphone for audio recording. v. Highly expandable memory for more storage The FX30 and FX30B are equipped with two memory card slots that are compatible with both CFexpress Type A cards and SDXC/SDHC cards, bringing a wide range of shooting experiences to creators. The FX30 is also compatible with large-capacity CFexpress Type A memory cards. vi. Solid reliability for every shoot The FX30 offers not only advanced performance but also outstanding reliability. It features an innovative heat dissipation structure for uninterrupted 4K/60p recording, reliable power for extended recording and a durable magnesium alloy chassis. 4. While doing the research and development for a new camera system, what is the most challenging aspect to deal with or implement? With the emerging trends of OTT, film making and content creation, the rise in cinematic movie-making and the growing vlogging segment, we have seen that customers have become more serious and mature over a period. The camera industry is witnessing innovation both in terms of shooting gear and content creation techniques. With the explosion of so many new genres, the demand for hybrid and video-oriented cameras has obviously grown. Today, we see YouTubers, filmmakers, photographers, and videographers upgrading their workflow and moving towards cameras that are compact, lightweight and flexible. To create a camera with advanced sensors, optics, software, hardware and to put all this in a compact body is challenging. However, at Sony, our engineers and R&D team build such powerful cameras with the latest technology that delivers unprecedented results just as the creator demands. The cameras we build are never focused on one feature, it is always a by-product of the industrys requirement. 5. In terms of potential for growth within the Indian market, in which sector do you see the maximum potential in the next 5 years? The amateur/enthusiast segment? The semi-professional/professional segment? Or the cinema-level segment? And why? The rate at which Indians are consuming video content is at an all-time high, establishing the potential of the market for Sony. OTT, vlogging, regional content and short films are some of the latest trends which are creating exciting opportunities for this market. Driven by the rising penetration of smartphones, smart televisions and with a multitude of streaming platform accessibility, the video segment is bound to grow exponentially. The post-pandemic era is also seeing a major rise in blockbuster movies which are making a comeback in theatres. What started as a YouTube channel out of curiosity is turning into a major profession for content creators. This has translated into a growing demand from content creators and vloggers for advanced imaging technology with easy-to-use functionalities to capture great-looking videos and versatile content without a tricky setup. We make sure that our innovation reaches our audience before time so that we lead them into exciting surprises of technology embedded with artificial intelligence on a digital canvas. Vijay Sales is hosting Hoi Special Sale across its physical stores and website. There are offers on product categories like smartphones, TVs, speakers, etc. Besides that, there is up to 7500 of instant discount from various banks. Here, in particular, we look at the 5 best phone deals on the Vijay Sales Holi sale, with the respective discount details. Vijay Sales Holi offers on smartphones Add a splash of awesome with offers on #iPhone14 available at an Effective Price of 67,790*, #iPadPro starting at 81,400*, #MacBookAir starting from 76,900*, and #WatchSeries8 starting from 40,600. T&C Apply.*#VijaySales #appleproducts pic.twitter.com/VljJlxwUhG Vijay Sales (@VijaySales) March 5, 2023 1. Redmi K50i 5G (6 GB RAM, 128 GB ROM) The MRP of the Redmi K50i 5G is 31,999 but you can grab it for 23,999 on the Vijay Sales Holi offer price. You also get the option of EMI starting from 1,248/month and up to 7.5% instant bank discount up to 7500. Check out the Redmi K50i 5G deal price here. You can also check out Redmi 10 (4 GB RAM, 64 GB ROM) at a 33% discount bringing down the price from 14,999 to 9,999. 2. Samsung Galaxy A33 5G (8 GB RAM, 128 GB ROM) The MRP of the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G is 34,999 but from the Vijay Sales Holi sale, you can snag the device for 27,499. There is an up to 7.5% instant bank discount of up to 7500 from banks, and low/no-cost EMI options as well. Check out the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G deal price here. 3. Vivo Y75 4G (8 GB RAM, 128 GB ROM) The MRP of Vivo Y75 4G is 25,990 while on the Vijay Sales Holi sale, you can get it for 18,948. Further, there is a standard EMI option beginning from 910 a month, other bank discounts, and exchange offers. Find the details and deal price of Vivo Y75 4G here. 4. Oppo F21s Pro 5G (8 GB RAM, 128 GB ROM) Oppo F21s Pro 5G is available at 25,599 from an MRP of 31,999 in the Vijay Sales Holi sale. The EMI options begin at 1,229/month. On top of this, you have a few other bank and exchange offers. Check all those deals and details on Oppo F21s Pro 5G page on Vijay Sales here. 5. Realme C33 (4 GB RAM, 64 GB ROM) Realme C33 is up for grabs on the Vijay Sales Holi sale at 9,990 after 23 percent off. The EMI options start at 480/month, along with other bank and exchange offers. Check out the Realme C33 deal price here. Vijay Sales Holi Special Sale brings exciting discounts on 5 product categories 1. You can buy party and portable speakers starting at 3,999 and 999 respectively. There is also up to a 60% discount available on speakers from Sony, Phillips, Bose, JBL, boAt, and other leading brands. 2. As discussed already, there are interesting offers on a range of smartphones with prices starting at 7,499. 3. TVs can be bought at up to 40 percent off. 4. Washing machines can be purchased at up to 30 percent off. 5. Personal grooming products start at 499 on Vijay Sales during this sale. For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page. Sinn Fein Party Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA, who is Chair of the Partys Commission on the Future of Ireland has announced that the next Peoples Assembly will be held in the Carrickdale Hotel on 30 March. Declan Kearney said that, the Carrickdale Peoples Assembly will be the fourth public meeting to be held by the Commission on the Future of Ireland. The previous three in Belfast, Derry and most recently in Donegal were all packed events and warmly welcomed and enjoyed by those who participated. "The key aim of the Peoples Assemblies is to provide citizens with an opportunity to have their say on the future shape and direction of constitutional change and the merits of a united Ireland. "All of those held to date provided lively and informative debates on the failure of partition; the advantages of greater all-Ireland co-operation; and the positive potential for jobs, health provision, the environment and the economy that will result from the creation of a new Ireland. The eventbrite link for booking a place is now live and can be accessed here. Louth TD Ruairi O Murchu said; This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Its provisions provide for referendums that will allow the people of the island of Ireland to decide our own future and to achieve unity peacefully and democratically. I am looking forward to the Carrickdale Peoples Assembly and the opportunity for people to have their say on constitutional change. Newry Armagh MLA and former Minister for Finance Conor Murphy described the Carrickdale Assembly as a unique and innovative event bringing together citizens, as well as business, community, sporting and farming representatives from Armagh, Down and Louth to examine the disastrous impact of partition on border communities and to explore the potential offered by Irish Unity. Louth TD Imelda Munster said: The Commission on the Future of Ireland is inviting contributions from anyone with an opinion on the future of Ireland. Currently the Commission has already received over 150 written contributions from a wide range of organisations and individuals. If you wish to Have your Say on the future of Ireland you can do so at www.sinnfein.ie/ futureofireland South Down MP Chris Hazzard today urged people to sign up with eventbrite at https:// ArmaghDownLouthAssembly. eventbrite.ie and come to the Carrickdale Hotel and participate in what is a growing and exciting conversation on the future of Ireland. "One feature of all of three meetings that have taken place so far is the unanimity of agreement on the need for the Irish government to establish a Citizens Assembly to begin the work of planning for the future. If the Brexit debacle has taught anything it is the madness of not preparing for significant constitutional change. Sharon Horgan has said the success of Irish talent throughout the 2023 awards season is unsurprising and that she hopes it will mean more punts are taken on Irelands film industry. The Irish actress and director said that the island historically produced incredible acting talent but that more focus is needed on its achievements. Martin McDonaghs dark Irish comedy, The Banshees Of Inisherin, has led the charge this year, scooping top nominations and awards at all major awards ceremonies, including the Golden Globes, Critics Choice, Baftas and Screen Actors Guild (SAG). It is also nominated for nine Oscars at the 95th annual ceremony on March 12. Elsewhere, Paul Mescal has won plaudits for his performance in independent film Aftersun, in which he plays a father struggling to connect with his daughter. Speaking at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards, celebrating the voices of independent storytellers, Horgan reflected on Irish success over the past months. Its nuts isnt it Im a long-term fan of Kerry Condon, obviously Brendan (Gleeson) and Colin (Farrell) and Paul (Mescal) its bonkers, she told the PA news agency. But its unsurprising because I do think the Irish have always produced incredible acting talent historically, its a small island and it just needed a bit of focus on it. Everything sort of came along at the one time. But it was exciting because of that, because when Bad Sisters came out it was right about the time that Banshees (came out) and I was just delighted to bask in whatever was going on with them. Asked how the ongoing success would affect Irish talent going forward, she said: It will affect the film industry because more punts will be taken and a lot of great films will come out of Ireland so maybe bigger distributors will get on board. You have to ride those waves dont you? Who knows what will happen but it can only get better. All the talent is there. Mescal also received a nod at the Spirit Awards in the gender-neutral category of best lead performance, alongside fellow Oscar nominees Cate Blanchett and Michelle Yeoh. Everything Everywhere All At Once led the field for nominations at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, with nominations across most major categories. The ceremony is taking place in Santa Monica, California. Traffic is down to one lane on Highway 22 in New Sit Very few fashion conversations take place without name-dropping veteran Indian designers. Sure, theyve put our heritage textiles, embroidery techniques and art on the world map, even started the fusion movement that has resulted in the East-meets-West wardrobe we own today. But there is also a crop of new designers who bring their trademark cool aesthetics and fuss-free, easy yet glamorous silhouettes to the scene. This new generation of designers is the future of Indian fashion, and we need to know about them. Creative director Shweta Agarwal studied fashion design at Istituto Marangoni in Milan. Managing director Karan Ahuja has a background in textiles from assisting his family with its exports business. Together they form the two halves of Aroka, the eco-conscious, ready-to-wear (RTW) label that they established in 2018. As a contemporary fashion label in India, we wanted to create a brand that cares about human emotions, says Shweta, who oversees the creative aspects of the business. Since launching its first RTW collection in 2019, Aroka has disrupted the fashion space with its unique blend of contemporary art, heritage Indian textiles and path-breaking silhouettes. Upon returning from Milan instead of joining a designer or a design house for industry experience, a rite of passage from most young design graduates Shweta spent a year travelling to different villages in India to interact with the artisans and gain firsthand knowledge of Indian textiles. This experience came in handy while establishing the labels USP working with handwoven mashru and handspun muslin cloth to create both hyper-feminine pieces with intricate draping and ruching details, as well as androgynous pieces. These can be mixed and matched in a myriad ways, and are limited only by the wearers imagination.Aroka has established its place in the wardrobes of experimental youth with its signature ruching, asymmetric hems, layers, and panels made from hand-dyed textiles. Because of how Arokas outfits are textured and shaped, they flatter all body types, making them size agnostic. I find myself creating more size inclusive pieces that have elastic smocking or strings and tie-ups so that the styles are more adjustable, Shweta shares. Also Read: The Kids Are Alright: Advaitha Ravishankar of Advait The imports of ensembles by the Middle East declined in the last six years as it went from $82.541 million in 2017 to $81.062 million in 2022. The regions imports witnessed a declining trend to reach $78.903 million in 2018 and $74.076 million in 2019. They witnessed a sharp decline in 2020 to $48.076 million, mainly because of the COVID-19 disruption. The drop in 2020 can be attributed to the fact that lockdowns imposed all over the region resulted in a decreased demand for fashionable ladieswear. Salwaar-Kurta is a popular ensemble for the Middle Eastern countries. Nevertheless, an improvement was noticed in 2021 when the ensemble imports rose to $80.435 million and further increased to $81.062 million in 2022, according to data obtained from Fibre2Fashions market insight tool TexPro. The imports of ensembles by the Middle East declined in the last six years as it went from $82.541 million in 2017 to $81.062 million in 2022. The region's imports witnessed a declining trend to reach $78.903 million in 2018 and $74.076 million in 2019. They witnessed a sharp decline in 2020 to $48.076 million, mainly because of the COVID-19 disruption. China was the largest supplier of ensembles for the region in 2022, contributing more than half of the supplies. The other top five supplier countries were Turkiye (23.24 per cent), India (4.44 per cent), the US (3.28 per cent), and Italy (3.09 per cent). Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkiye recently signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) to boost trade, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said the agreement will take economic and trade relations to a new phase and will enable trade volume between the countries to increase to $25 billion in five years. We will build an economic bridge which has strong foundations and is extending from Europe to North Africa, from Russia to the Gulf region, Erdogan told the signing ceremony via video link. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkiye recently signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) to boost trade, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said the agreement will take economic and trade relations to a new phase and will enable trade volume between the countries to increase to $25 billion in five years. The progress the Turkiye-UAE relations, based on strong foundations, have made in every area is a source of pride for us. We are marking this year the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which has just been signed, is of historic importance in terms of this feature as well as of all the terms. With the signing of this agreement, our economic and trade cooperation has entered a new phase, he added. The two sides are warming up after years of tense relations, especially after the conflict in Libya, where the UAE and Turkiye have backed opposing sides. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Springfield, Oregon--(Newsfile Corp. - March 4, 2023) - Silo Wellness Inc. (CSE: SILO) (OTCQB: SILFF) (FSE: 3K7A), announces an update on the recent decision of the Ontario Securities Commission ("OSC") to reject the Company's application for a Management Cease Trade Order ("MCTO"). On Friday, March 4, 2023, the OSC stated the following: Thank you for these additional submissions. We have been in discussions with our Management who remain of the view that an MCTO is not appropriate in these circumstances. While we recognize the potential burden that an FFCTO would place on Silo Wellness, we continue to believe that an MCTO is not an appropriate regulatory response to Silo's default. This is to confirm that the OSC will be proceeding with an FFCTO imminently. * * * If the default is able to be remedied within two weeks [as Silo's auditor has estimated], (i.e. within 90 days of the date of the FFCTO), the filing of the documents constitutes the application to revoke the FFCTO and no application fee is required under Appendix C of OSC Rule 13-502 Fees. As previously disclosed, Silo requested a MCTO last week due to its impending failure to file its annual financial statements and related documents within the prescribed timeframe due to the auditors requesting a three-week extension. The first business day after the Company was aware of the impending delay, the Company requested a MCTO. On February 28, 2023, the OSC rejected Silo's MCTO application. In response, Silo filed a request for reconsideration which was denied on March 3, 2023. Prior to the market opening Monday, the Company will request reconsideration due to the OSC's decision Friday to proceed with an FFCTO being inconsistent with established statutory maxims of construction, including the plain and ordinary meaning of the statute, the rule against absurdity, and ejusdem generis, and expressio unius est exclusio alterius. Furthermore, Silo respectfully contends that the imposition of an FFCTO for a technical default that can be remedied within a short period of time is disproportionate to any potential harm and would cause unnecessary hardship to the company and its shareholders. Silo continues to contend that it has exercised reasonable diligence in applying for the MCTO under section 7 of National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"). The Company contends to the OSC that it has taken all necessary steps to prepare and file the required documents within the prescribed time frame, and any delay or default was determined after "reasonable diligence" and any delay was beyond the Company's control, despite its reasonable efforts to comply. The Company also provided a detailed remediation plan with a realistic timetable for remedying the default, as required by section 6 of NP 12-203. Moreover, the Company contends that short delay requested in filing the annual financial statements and related documents is not directly relevant to the protection of investors or the orderly functioning of the market. Whether the MCTO application was submitted two weeks before the deadline or with only one day's notice of the delay a day before the deadline, the same remediation plan and alternative information guidelines would be required. The same bi-weekly default status reports would need to be issued. The same restrictions on insiders and employees buying securities would apply. The Company therefore respectfully argues that is nothing related to the timing that is logically connected to the denial of the MCTO and such a denial is arbitrary and capricious. Additionally, given the size of the market cap and trading volume, the Company believes that financial risk is relatively small for a new investor compared to larger companies, and the press releases regarding the delay in the audit is sufficient information to provide for caveat emptor in these circumstances. The Company therefore contends that an FFCTO is therefore excessive and an unnecessary impediment to an orderly market. Nonetheless, Silo will continue to work closely with its auditors and the OSC to remediate the default and to ensure that it remains compliant with all regulatory requirements. The Company will provide updates to its shareholders and the market as appropriate. Contact: Mike Arnold, CEO 541-900-5871 IR at silo wellness dot com NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. SEE PRIOR PRESS RELEASES FOR CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/157272 Interview: World concerned over Japan's nuclear-contaminated water disposal plan, says Turkish expert Xinhua) 10:23, March 05, 2023 ISTANBUL, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government's announcement to discharge Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the sea has caused concerns across the world, a prominent Turkish expert on the Asia Pacific region has said recently. "That is not something that will harm only Japan or the surrounding environment, but it is an action that concerns the whole world," Merthan Dundar, director of Ankara University Asia-Pacific Studies Application and Research Center, told Xinhua. The Japanese government announced in January that it would release radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean in the spring or summer this year. The spillage of contaminated material could largely affect fisheries and marine life, the scholar said. "In the globalized world, people eat fish caught in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It seems that this will create a problem for all humanity," he added. Although some experts said that the water would be cleaned by the Advanced Liquid Processing System, Dundar is especially worried that some substances, such as tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen present in the Fukushima wastewater, would decay easily. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sent a technical task force to Japan in January to review Japan's disposing plan, and a report would be published within three months. However, the Japanese government unilaterally announced the disposing plan before the visit of the IAEA's technical task force. "Such reckless behavior raises questions about whether Japan values the authority of the IAEA and its technical task force. Is Japan determined to proceed with its unilateral discharge plan regardless of the outcome of the assessment?" A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said earlier last month. Dundar also expressed his concern over the period of the disposing process, which will continue for as long as 30 years, according to the Japanese government. "So they won't drain all the water in two years. It will be gradually released to this sea in 30 to 40 years," Dundar said. "I have to say that I am frankly worried." He called on all countries to be involved in the Japanese government's planned discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater, so as to ease people's concerns. "Not just an institution in duty, but NGOs and scientists from different countries should be involved in the process and should convince us before this act, and all our questions should be answered as crystal-clearly as possible," he said. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun) We cant deter people fleeing for their lives. They will come. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations When my wife and I moved to Oregon from California about 18 years ago, I predicted that we would be among the first of a large wave of economic migrants coming here. My reasoning was that a significant segment of Californias population would reach retirement age about 10 to 15 years after we arrived. Like us, they would realize they could sell their California house and, if they owned it outright, pay cash for an equivalent but much cheaper house in Oregon, and bank the difference. These financially secure retirees wouldnt burden Oregons social services, though they might cause something of a labor shortage as they frequented restaurants and medical facilities. All in all, their presence would strengthen the economy, even if it did increase crowding. Today, I see evidence of that increased crowding all around the state in the forms of burgeoning suburbs and other new construction, and I hear long-established Oregonians complaining about the typical impacts of growth longer lines, harder parking, higher fees. But the sad truth is those established residents aint seen nothin yet. In my last column, most of the climate refugees roaming the U.S. will be U.S. citizen (available online), I described how the overpopulated and drought-stricken Southwest is on the cusp of a full-blown water crisis. Much of the regions agricultural and economic activity will have to be abandoned starting soon and thousands or even millions of people will be forced to migrate to greener pastures, many of them to the Pacific Northwest. And unlike the self-sufficient or readily employable economic migrants who have come here in recent years, many of these climate refugees will have lost their homes equity in a crashing real estate market and, as their numbers here swell, will find diminishing employment prospects. In 2020, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development study estimated that there were 14,655 people experiencing homelessness in Oregon. While thats a relatively small number compared to those of larger states, it still places Oregon, with its population of just 4.25 million, in Americas top three states for per capita homelessness. A 2020 city government estimate put Portlands homeless population at 3,800 people. That figure is likely higher now due to the pandemic and, most importantly, the shortage of affordable housing. City, state and federal funds provided $51 million to support Portlands homeless in 2020. Looking ahead, we should ask how much that support would cost if an influx of climate refugees increased the citys homeless population by a conservative estimate of, say, fivefold by 2035. (For that matter, how much would similar climate migrations cost the nation as a whole?) While Oregons homeless population grows, its stock of housing, especially affordable housing, is not keeping up with demand. According to an Oregon Homebuilders Association report, there was a statewide demand backlog of 110,000 homes in 2021, and 30,000 homes would need to be built annually in order to keep up with projected growth that is, pre-climate-migration projected growth. (The current demand is driven mostly by incoming economically-secure migrants, as Oregons internal population actually shrank slightly in 2021 due to pandemic deaths and low birth rates.) At the time of the report, an average of only 20,000 homes were built annually over the past five years. Ominously, Oregon has also lost 4,000 homes to climate-exacerbated wildfires in that time span. These are some of the conditions that will greet American-citizen climate migrants when they arrive here. How many will come, and how soon theyll arrive, is uncertain. But given the conditions in todays Southwest, its certainly not too soon to start thinking about how to plan for climate migration at our ecological house. In Monty Python and the Holy Grail, King Arthurs troupe endured ubiquitous absurdities while seeking a discrete ordered chalice granting healing and power to its possessor. In 19th century Germany, Albert Einstein and his scientists were driven by curiosity to seek the Wholly Atom, which their biases dictated should also be discrete and ordered! Instead, they found fast-moving, contradictory waves/particles such as photons and electrons to be fully unknowable. They were left to build probability models of atoms. Arthur found Camelot silly, while Einstein discovered photons, then later found them spooky. But the vital importance of statistics and probability had been established. Einsteins usage of probability eventually revolutionized the study of complex systems: weather, climate, stock markets and, sadly, gun violence. Today, I nominate Las Vegas as the probable site of any Wholly Grail, thanks to gangster Bugsy Siegel, whose vision initiated the building of a uniquely American city based solely on the edicts of probability. Players are uncertain to win, but the house is certain to win as repetitions approach infinity. Bugsy discovered certainty within uncertainty, not between mankind and a prophet but between mankind and a profit. But, as luck would have it, Bugsy Siegel was killed by a snipers bullet. So, what does probability say of our liberated ownership and usage of guns? Presently, the best estimate is we possess 393 million guns within our population of 332 million. (That is substantially more than the next 24 gun-owning nations combined!) One-third dont own guns, but 44% live with guns within the household. Fourteen percent own half the guns, which requires that each owns about nine guns. That is about 146 million citizens with the freedom to grasp one of 393 million guns located in domiciles within the United States, facilitating their most common tragic usage suicide. Within the 393 million are about 20 million AR-style assault rifles. These add uncertainty by their number, added clip capacities and projectile momentum, proving six times more deadly in mass killings than are handguns. This is randomness on steroids, and we must accept the edicts of probability as with the quantum model of electron clouds. In 2017 Stephen Paddock, with bellman assistance, moved five, then seven, then two, then six, then two large suitcases into his Mandalay Bay room on five consecutive days. They contained 23 assault rifles, 1,500 bullets and one pistol for suicide. For 10 minutes, Paddock fired 1,058 rounds (1.75 bullets per second) into a crowd of revelers below, killing 60, injuring 413 by projectiles and 454 by panic. The economic loss to Las Vegas was estimated at $600 million. Weve had 64 mass killings so far in 2023. About 3 million children witness bullet violence each year; bullets are now the leading killer of our children. In all our military conflicts combined, 1.4 million Americans have patriotically succumbed to the hostile projectiles of war. Since 1980, 1.5 million Americans have statistically succumbed to the absurdly ubiquitous projectiles of supposed domestic tranquility. Certainty within uncertainty! We cannot know where and when the next mass shooting will occur, but it is a statistical certainty that it will happen again and again and again until we stop playing Russian roulette with worshippers, shoppers, revelers and students. We broke 21 in Blacksburg, Newtown and Uvalde, yet Lady Liberty keeps saying Hit me! Probability demands reduced gun numbers before suicides, homicides and mass shootings approach infinity. None shall pass? Tis but a scratch? Not this time 45,000 predicted victims for 2023! Dont vote for politicians with three argumentative heads, but rather for those saying Ni! to overwhelming odds. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. Washington, D.C., March 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Thursday, March 9, 2023, American Humane CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert will honor Adrian Gardiner, founder, CEO, and Executive Chairman of the Mantis Collection, with American Humanes Global Humanitarian Award. The ceremony will take place at the home of the CCFAs legacy project, Nyosi Wildlife Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Prior to founding the Mantis Collection, the leading conservation-focused hotel group, Gardiner spent decades dedicated to the conservation and protection of Africas wildlife, in partnership with both the Wilderness Foundation Africa and the Wilderness Foundation Global, where he serves as patron. Gardiner is also a co-founder of Community Conservation Fund Africa, and serves as chairman of its board. Gardiner is one of the most innovative minds working in animal conservation today. He founded the first private Big Five game reserve, Shamwari, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa in what sparked the inspiration to expand this blueprint, restoring the land and protecting the animals who inhabit it, and created the Mantis Collection in 2000. Later in 2008 he was approached by Dubai World to purchase Shamwari, and Gardiner proceeded to grow the Mantis Collection into what it is today. American Humane, the United States first national humane organization, and the worlds largest certifier of animal welfare, oversees the humane treatment of more than one billion animals across the globe each year. In advance of the award, Dr. Ganzert released the following statement: Adrian Gardiner could apply his sharp business sense anywhere, yet hes chosen to invest his talents in wildlife conservation. His dedication to saving animals and their habitats has laid a road map for other private entities to invest in conservation. American Humane stands in awe of his accomplishments and is honored to recognize him with our Global Humanitarian Medal. Please join us as we recognize Gardiners honor and celebrate global animal conservation on March 9, 2023, at the Nyosi Wildlife Reserve, Uitenhage Farms, Gqeberha, South Africa, beginning at 9.00 AM [SAST]. ADDRESS Nyosi Wildlife Reserve, Rietkuil Rd, Uitenhage Farms, Gqeberha If you have any questions, please contact Francesca Smith at francescas@americanhumane.org. About American Humane American Humane is the countrys first national humane organization and the worlds largest certifier of animal welfare, overseeing the humane treatment of more than one billion animals across the globe each year. Founded in 1877, American Humane has been First to Serve the cause of animals and for 145 years has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in the humane movement. For more information or to support our lifesaving work, please visit www.AmericanHumane.org, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our channel on YouTube for the latest breaking news and features about the animals with whom we share our Earth. NEW YORK, March 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of investors in BlockFi Interest Accounts (BIAs) between March 4, 2019 and November 28, 2022, inclusive (the Class Period), against Zac Prince, Flori Marquez, Amit Cheela, David Olsson, and Samia Bayou (together, Defendants). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 1, 2023. SO WHAT: If you invested in BIAs during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the BlockFi class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12656 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 1, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, the Defendants made false and misleading statements to promote BIAs, including that BIAs were a secure method of collecting interest. In addition, the Complaint alleges, among other things, that the Defendants omitted and concealed material information concerning the risks associated with BIAs, including through BlockFis exposure to FTX Trading, Ltd. (FTX) and Sam Bankman-Frieds trading firm Alameda Research (Alameda), both of which collapsed in the wake of revelations that FTX and Alameda were engaging in fraud on a massive scale. In the wake of the FTX collapse, the lawsuit alleges that BlockFi froze withdrawals in BIAs, harming BIA investors. Further, investors in BIAs were not aware of conflicts of interest and self-dealing between BlockFi and other entities, such as Gemini Trust LLC, controlled by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss. The Complaint further alleges BlockFi and the Individual Defendants engaged in the unlawful offer and sale of securities in violation of Sections 5, 11, 12(a)(2), and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 by selling BIAs to investors. The lawsuit also alleges claims for violation of Section 10(b) and 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Massachusetts General Law Chapter 110A. To join the BlockFi class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12656 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm /. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Amending constitution must be accompanied by inculcated values Prof. Nana S.K.B. Asante Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Features Mar - 05 - 2023 , 12:16 There have been numerous calls by jurists, civil society organisations, academics, constitutional experts and politicians for a review of the 1992 Constitution. Some have even gone to the extent of calling for a new constitution, describing the 1992 Fourth Republican Constitution as not fit for purpose. Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson (EEH), a Senior Reporter of the Daily Graphic, interviewed Prof. Nana Susubribi Krobea Boaten Asante (S.K.B), the eminent scholar, constitutional expert, lawyer and international arbitrator who played a major role in the drawing of the 1992 Constitution. Prof. Nana SKB Asante, who is the Paramount Chief of Asante Asokore, was the Chairman of the Committee of Experts that drafted the constitutional proposals that led to the promulgation of the 1992 Constitution. His views centred on the evolution of the 1992 Constitution, his role, how the constitution has helped the development of the country and whether there is the need for a review of the constitution. Excerpts of the interview are published below. Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson (E.E.H): Prof. Nana, how did you come to be involved in the drawing of the 1992 Constitution? Prof. Nana Susubribi Krobea Boaten Asante (S.K.B): The regime at the time decided to transition to constitutional rule. The PNDC had been in power since December 1981. I happened to be an official of the UN in an organisation known as the UN Centre on Transnational Cooperations,which used to give technical assistance to developing countries in their dealings with multinational organisations. I came to Ghana for a conference in 1989. In the course of the conference, I met the late Justice D. F. Annan and the late Captain Kojo Tsikata. I made them aware that there was international concern about when Ghana would go back to constitutional rule. They disclosed to me that they were already thinking of a process. The first phase was a survey, which showed that Ghanaians preferred the multi-party system of government. The second phase was the establishment of the Committee of Experts, which I chaired to draft constitutional proposals. That was in 1991. We drafted the proposals in barely two months. Our proposals went directly to the Consultative Assembly without any amendment or modification by the PNDC. Even though the Bar Association did not participate, there were more than 30 lawyers from different organisations in the Consultative Assembly. E.E.H: Nana, sorry for interrupting, but please why did the Ghana Bar Association boycott the Consultative Assembly? S.K.B: They said that the representation was insignificant; I think they were given about one and they thought they deserved more slots, but some of us did not think it mattered because there were other lawyers. The Consultative Assembly discussed our proposals together with previous constitutions and came up with a final constitution within six months. Transitional provisions E.E.H: Did your committee propose the transitional provisions? S.K.B: No, the transitional provisions was another matter altogether. Those came about due to special negotiations between what was known as the legal committee of the PNDC headed by Justice Annan and certain chairmen of the committees of the Consultative Assembly. They were not part of the proposals of the Committee of Experts, neither were they fully discussed in the Consultative Assembly. Someone one day stood on television that I was brought to protect the military junta and that was why I included the transitional provisions; this is totally absurd. I recall when I was in the UN, I met General Obasanjo then the military Head of State of Nigeria. When he heard that I would be involved in drafting constitutional proposals for Ghana, he said military regimes were always reluctant and hesitated to hand over power because they did not know what would happen to them. So they required some kind of protection. That is the rationale for the immunity sections of the transitional provisions. However, we must understand that the immunity provisions were in the 1979 Constitution and previous constitutions. It was nothing novel, but I want to state that my committee was not involved in drafting the transitional provisions. E.E.H: What happened to your proposals? S.K.B: Some of our proposals were rejected by the Consultative Assembly. These included an Executive President and a Prime Minister, proportional representation, expanded and more effective form of the Council of State, more like a second chamber of Parliament. There was also more effective role for chiefs in local governance and a decentralised system of government, where the DCE will be elected by the assemblies and not appointed by the President. They rejected all those. E.E.H: What were the principles for the proposals drafted by your committee? S.K.B: The committee of experts was mandated to draft the proposals on certain basic principles. These were Executive President elected by universal adult suffrage, Prime Minister who will command majority in Parliament, MPs elected by universal suffrage, emphatic guarantee of human rights, directive principles of state policies, a non-partisan government system, independent judiciary and a free and independent press. I thought that this constituted a liberal constitutional order. Notwithstanding the fact that some of all proposals were rejected, I thought the basic elements were there. The two documents the finalised constitution and the transitional provisions were submitted to a referendum and were overwhelmingly approved. Constitution E.E.H: Our constitution has been in existence for more than 30 years, do you think that it is fit for purpose? S.K.B: To answer that question, we have to ask what was the basic element informing the writing of the constitution. These were the free media, independent judiciary, election of President and MPs by Universal Adult suffrage. They did not accept the idea of a Prime Minister and an Executive President because they thought there should not be two lions in one hole, which was simplistic. These basic liberal constitutional principles were embedded and have in fact been translated into action and earned us the enviable reputation of being an oasis of constitutional and democratic stability in a very turbulent region. You cannot say that the constitution has not served its purpose; it has served its purpose. This does not mean that everything is perfect. E.E.H: The constitution has been in place for 30 years, do you think it requires amendment to help the development of the country? S.K.B: The point I would like to make is that the expectation of amending the constitution has been exaggerated. In my humble view, you do not get development by just amending the constitution. You do not get constitutionalism by amending the text. It must be accompanied by some inculcation of values. If you look at the history of many countries, the economic takeoff did not happen when there was a liberal constitutional order. In doing a review, you must think of development and all that. The second point I would like to make is that when you think of amendments, it should not only be the text or language. I feel strongly that it should not merely be the language or the text of the constitution; it should also be about the values. It is my strong belief that merely amending the text without a complete evaluation or reassessment of constitutional tenets and value would not lead to what we want to be. The loopholes in the constitution will be exploited against the principles towards the efforts of partisanship or aggrandisement of power, unless they are restrained by something, which are the values. Let us take the simple case of accepting electoral results. I do not see any constitutional provision which says that people must accept results. Constitutional provisions are there for giving validity to persons and parties who win elections, but if one says I do not accept someone who has been declared as a winner, there is no constitutional provision to stop this. What can stop it or reduce the tension that characterises our elections are if we inculcated constitutional values and principles. Review E.E.H: Some of the advocates of constitutional review base their arguments on the power given to the President to appoint as many ministers that he deems fit. Should we not review the constitution to change this? S.K.B: You might be right but that will not resolve the situation. Ok let us put a cap on the number of ministers appointed by the President. The President can decide to still go ahead and appoint many people, not necessarily as ministers but rather advisors and special assistants. This is exactly what happened when President Kufuor wanted to appoint a Prime Minister and they said it wasnt in the constitution, so he appointed Mrs Chinery Hesse as Chief Advisor and J.H. Mensah as Senior Minister. The solution is therefore not to place a cap, but for us to develop our constitutional values so that we get to a point where the President would not feel the need to appoint many ministers. Another issue is that we should amend the constitution to cap the number of justices of the Supreme Court. We have a Supreme Court that has a very wide jurisdiction, in not only constitutional cases but also civil cases. The court does not only deal with constitutional cases but a myriad of other cases. In this regard, if you cap the number of the justices, you are restricting the manpower to effectively deal with these cases, which ultimately enhances the justice delivery system. Hearing impairment in babies genetical Juliet Akyaa Safo Mar - 05 - 2023 , 08:02 One out of two cases of hearing impairment (HI) in babies in the country is due to genetic causes. Also, one out of three babies with genetic HI has a syndrome, which means they have other conditions in addition to hearing impairment, while one out of four cases of HI in babies is also due to maternal infections acquired during pregnancy, complications after birth and head trauma. This is contained in a study conducted on hearing impairment dubbed: Hearing impairment genetics studies in Africa (HI-GENES Africa). The Lead researcher for the study, Elvis Twumasi Aboagye, made this known at the commemoration of this year's World Hearing Day in Accra yesterday. The ceremony was organised by the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) on the theme: Ear and hearing care for all! Let's make it a reality. Causes According to Mr Aboagye, HI was generally caused by environmental, genetic or hereditary factors, which consisted of syndromic and non-syndromic hearing impairment (NSHI). He said genetic factors significantly contributed to the burden of HI in the country, adding that there was a high carrier frequency found in healthy persons during their study. Mr Aboagye also said that some adult carriers of the gene had no idea about their status and, therefore, called for HI genetic screening to be conducted on people to know their status. He also said that meningitis had been identified to be the common cause of HI for which effective interventions such as screening at an early stage of a persons life were crucial. Mr Aboagye further said that it was medically necessary for NSHI genetic testing and carrier screening to be considered in pre-marital counselling, as well as individuals with a family history diagnosis of HI. He said the centre had developed and submitted a policy brief to the government to ensure that the majority of the population was screened for HI. The Communications Manager at WACCBIP, Andrew Muniru Nantogmah, launched an HI resource pack to educate parents and caretakers on signs to look out for in their children for early detection. He mentioned some of the signs to include delayed speech, frequent turning up of the TV volume and not following directions. Others are not startled by loud noises, not turning to the source of a sound after six months of age and not saying a single word by age one. Such children are sometimes being mistaken for not paying attention or just ignoring, but it could be as a result of a partial or complete hearing loss, Mr Nantogmah added. A Public Engagement Officer at WACCBIP, Kyerewa Akuamoah Boateng, also said education was crucial to change existing traditional beliefs and myths, some of which claimed that HI was spiritual. Honyenuga refers Opunis case to Chief Justice Justice Agbenorsi Mar - 03 - 2023 , 08:08 The judge hearing the trial involving Dr Stephen Opuni, a former Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, and two others, has asked the High Court registrar to forward the case docket to the Chief Justice to assign a new judge. In a ruling on Wednesday, Justice Clemence Jackson Honyenuga, a Justice of the Supreme Court sitting as an additional High court judge, upheld the Attorney-Generals submission which advised him to refer the case to the Chief Justice for the appointment of a new judge. I must state that it is refreshing that the Attorney-General who initiated the Criminal proceedings against the accused persons has submitted through the Deputy Attorney-General that this case be referred to the Chief Justice due to the limited time at my disposal. Indeed, due to the limited time accorded me by the Chief Justice to continue to hear this case, it is crystally clear that it is impossible for me to conclude and determine this case with DW7 in the box. In the circumstances, I will uphold the submission of the Deputy Attorney-General and hereby grant the application under Section 105 of the Court's Act 1993 Act 459 as amended. It is hereby ordered that the pendency of this case be reported to the Chief Justice for his directions. Accordingly, the Registrar of this court is to carry out this order forthwith, Justice Honyenuga said in his ruling on Wednesday. Prayer The Attorney-General (A-G) had on Thursday, February 23, this year, prayed Justice Honyenuga to refer the matter to the Chief Justice for a new judge to be appointed. Justice Honyenuga had been presiding over the trial since March 2018. He reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 in September 2022. However, in accordance with Article 145 (4) of the 1992 Constitution, the Chief Justice gave Justice Honyenuga a six-month extension to enable him to conclude all the cases he was handling, including the trial of the former COCOBOD boss. When the case was called yesterday, a Deputy A-G, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, said the six-month extension granted to Justice Honyenuga by the Chief Justice would be due in March this year. According to the Deputy A-G, it would be impossible for the trial to be concluded with the limited time left, especially as the second accused, Seidu Agongo, was yet to open his defence. Considering the time left, it is practically impossible for this matter to be concluded within that time. In the circumstance, we respectfully pray that my Lord refers this matter to the Chief Justice for this court to be reconstituted. This is being made in the interest of justice and fairness, the Deputy A-G said. Article 145(4) Article 145 (4) of the 1992 Constitution stipulates that notwithstanding the fact that a Justice of the Superior Court has attained the retirement age, that person may continue in office for a period not exceeding six months after attaining the age, as may be necessary to enable him to deliver judgment or do any other thing in relation to proceedings that were commenced before him previous to his attaining that age. The six-month extension granted to Justice Honyenuga by the Chief Justice has generated controversy in the trial. Dr Opuni challenged the decision at the High Court claiming that the Chief Justice was not clothed with the power to give a Justice of the Superior Court an extension after retirement. Lawyers for Dr Opuni argued that since it was the President who appoints Justices of the Superior Court, it was only the President, and not the Chief Justice, who could grant such extensions to a retired Justice. The case was dismissed by the High Court. Dr Opuni challenged the decision of the High Court at the Supreme Court, which was also dismissed. Not guilty Dr Opuni is standing trial with Seidu Agongo, the CEO of Agricult Ghana Limited, an agrochemical company. State prosecutors have accused the two of causing financial loss of more than GH271 million to the state in a series of lithovit foliar fertiliser transactions. It is the case of the prosecution that the fertiliser was substandard, and has accused Agongo of allegedly using fraudulent means to sell the fertiliser to COCOBOD for onward distribution to cocoa farmers. Honda began operation of a stationary fuel cell power station on its corporate campus in Torrance, Calif., marking the company's first step toward future commercialization of zero-emission backup power generation. The initiative leverages Honda's hydrogen fuel cell technology expertise and contributes to the company's global goal to achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050. Now fully operational as a demonstration program, Hondas fuel cell power station supplies clean and quiet emergency backup power to the data center on the campus of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. In the coming years, Honda will begin applying a next-generation stationary fuel cell system to Honda manufacturing facilities and data centers globally, thereby reducing the companys greenhouse gas emissions. The demonstration stationary fuel cell unit has a capacity of approximately 500 kW and reuses the fuel cell systems of previously leased Honda Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles, with a design that allows the output to increase every 250 kW packaged with four fuel cells. It features the flexibility to change the layout of the fuel cell units to suit the installation environment and to accommodate cubic, L-shaped, Z-shaped, and other packaging configurations. Future stationary FC units intended for commercialization will utilize Hondas next-generation FC system jointly developed with General Motors and also set to power an all-new fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) based on the Honda CR-V coming in 2024. Over the last few years, the power requirements of data centers have been growing rapidly due to the expansion of cloud computing and big data utilization, and the need for backup power sources has been increasing from the perspective of business continuity planning (BCP). The Torrance fuel cell station also serves as a proof of concept for future commercialization of the power generation unit. We believe theres great promise in hydrogen fuel cells for backup power and offsetting potential peak power events. By installing and utilizing our core technology, the fuel cell system, in various applications such as stationary power generation, Honda aims to stimulate hydrogen usage and provide clean energy for potential commercial customers. Koji Moriyama, project lead of the stationary fuel cell and principal engineer with American Honda R&D Business Unit Last fall, Honda announced that starting in 2024 it will produce an all-new hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) based on the recently launched, all-new Honda CR-V at its Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Marysville, Ohio. The company has been developing hydrogen technologies and fuel cell vehicles for more than 30 years. In addition to the continued applications to Honda fuel cell electric vehicles and the stationary power generation, Honda recently announced it will proceed with business development in the domains of commercial vehicles and construction equipment, as well. Stationary Fuel Cell Power Unit Specifications Atkins Kroll held an awards ceremony for nine winners of the 16th Annual Toyota Dream Car Art Contest in the Toyota showroom on March 4, according to a press release from AK. Winning art pieces included messages about ridding earth of pollution, providing necessities for those in need and transporting passengers through time with the imagined technology of cars. We never cease to be amazed by the ingenuity behind the dream cars we receive. It is most evident that much thought and creativity went into the illustration and design of these exciting automobiles and we are thrilled to celebrate the wins of our talented children, said Trina Cruz, AK director of marketing and communications. See the complete list of winners below. Age 7 and under category: 1st Place: Brennan Mason Huang 2nd Place: Jiyu Asher Kwak 3rd Place: Kirsthel Marajas Age 8 to 11 category: 1st Place: Jeremiah Perez 2nd Place: Amanda Salomon 3rd Place: Almar Salomon Age 12 to 15 category: 1st Place: Qi Shen 2nd Place: Minchan Kwon 3rd Place: Grace Kang The winning art pieces for Guam will be sent to Japan as entries in the world contest and will be on display in the Atkins Kroll Toyota showroom for the public to view until the end of March. AK encourages students to stay tuned for the Toyota Dream Car Art Contests to come. James Moylan, Guams delegate to Congress, at the Hyatt Regency Guam on Dec. 13, 2023. Moylan is asking the Secretary of Defense to integrate military students back into Guams public schools. Grill SGT owner Derrick Bo Maniebo chops a fresh coconut for guests of a Mes CHamoru kick-off event at T Galleria by DFS, Guam in Tumon on March 1, 2023. By Aisha Adnan | Published on 2023/03/04 The most awaited K-Drama, "Island - Drama", returns for a second part and things have just become much more intense! Advertisement "Island - Drama" tells the story of Won mi-ho (Lee Da-hee), the heir to the Daehan group. She is ambitious and competitive in her workplace, but that also brings some enemies. After being caught in a scandal, she was sent to Jeju Island - Drama by her father. There she encounters many lust demons in her life and the only one who could protect her was Van (Kim Nam-gil). In part 1, viewers get to know that Mi-ho is, in fact, a savior who can protect humans from demons. In her past life, she also created a barrier to protect humanity and has the same mission in this life too. In part 1, Mi-ho was oblivious to the truth but learns about it in the last episode. In part 2, she is determined to regain the power that she had and save humanity from the monsters. Yo-han (Cha Eun-woo) is a young priest who was sent to protect Mi-ho. He, too, has a story of his own. Yo-han was adopted by foreign parents, who took the brothers as possible donors for their sick child. Yo-han got separated from his brother when he was thrown away and was found by a priest. Years later, he was still looking for his brother. Though he was finally reunited with his hyung in part 1, they didn't last long. In part 2, Yo-han is ready to move on and fight, not only for humanity but also for his brother. In part 1, "Island - Drama" took viewers back to the origin of Van. We also learned that it wasn't only Van who was turned into a demon slayer, there was another boy too, named Gungtan. He appeared in the last episodes of the show, but in part 2 we learn more about him and his purpose. Gungtan is completely different from Van. He held a grudge against all those who turned him into a monster and included Won-jeong (Lee Da-hee) as one of them. He also enjoyed killing, hence, killed many innocents when on hunt. In part 2, Van and Gungtan step onto the battle field against each other, but Van is no longer alone. Part 1 built the tension and explained the plot, but things become more serious in part 2. Are you excited about seeing what will happen next? By Aisha Adnan ___________ "Island - Drama" is directed by Bae Jong, written by Oh Bo-hyeon, and features Kim Nam-gil, Lee Da-hee, Cha Eun-woo, Sung Joon, Park Geun-hyung, Geum Kwang-san. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2022/12/30~2023/01/13 - 2023/02/24~Now airing, Fri 00:00 on TVING. By Panos Kotzathanasis | Published on 2020/09/05 It is very rare for a reviewer to have to deal with a film whose director has stated, "Rationally, the film doesn't make sense" (Korea Times), but this is exactly the case with "Me and Me", a movie that cannot be examined under the prism of logic in any way. "Me and Me" (festival entry) screened at Fantasia 2020 Advertisement The story takes place in a country village, where Soo-hyeok, a primary school teacher and his wife, I-yeong, have just moved in from Seoul, to the surprise of many villagers, whose dream is to follow the opposite way. However, it is soon revealed that the woman suffers from a rare ailment, which has her transforming into a different person each night, before becoming her regular self every morning. When Hae-gyoon, a nosy neighbor comes across a I-yeong in judoka mode, he decides to help her husband by building a cage for her inside the house. Soon after, however, a fire claims the couple's life and detective Hyeong-goo arrives in the village to investigate their deaths. After a night of heavy drinking, he finds himself being a totally other person, at least to the people around him. The film begins in very strange fashion, giving the viewer the sense that he has missed something, but that is only the beginning, since, after a point, the narrative takes a turn towards the surreal, in an approach where time and logic seem to play a very small role. Furthermore, the fact that no explanation is given about what is going on seems to invite the viewer to forget any preconceptions about the way a mystery-crime movie should be and instead focus on the comments Jung Jin-young wants to make. In that regard, Jung deals with life in rural areas, and particularly the gossip, secrecy, traditions and lack of trust regarding anything new that dominate it, as much as the concept of identity and what it means for someone to lose it. The fact that all these are presented through the efforts of a man who thinks he is living a dream and tries to wake up from it add even more surreal elements to the story, with the finale cementing this approach. What is even more astonishing, however, is that the film works, despite all the aforementioned elements, which, in any other case, would be considered as inconsistencies, especially the plethora of loose ends. Jung achieves that by allowing the viewer to hope that some explanation will eventually arise, but also through the exceptional atmosphere, as set by the excellent, noir-like cinematography of Kim Hyun-seok-I, the editing and the sound, and the combination of drama, thriller, and comedy. Cho Jin-woong as Hyeong-goo embodies this approach with a terrific performance, both in the comedic and the dramatic parts, while Jung Hae-kyun is quite entertaining as Hae-gyoon, highlighting his country-bumpkin nature in all its hilarious glory. Although Jung Jin-young did not seem particularly interested in communicating with his audience, "Me and Me" emerges as a captivating movie, particularly for those who are willing to leave their logic behind. Review by Panos Kotzathanasis Facebook ___________ "Me and Me" is directed by Jung Jin-young, and features Cho Jin-woong, Bae Soo-bin, Jung Hae-kyun, Cha Soo-yeon, Lee Sun-bin, Shin Dong-mi. Release date in Korea: 2020/06/18. FARMERS in Oxfordshire have joined forces to improve the environment. A total of 27 farms have signed up to the Christmas Common Cluster, a Natural England initiative. Members meet for training and education on topics ranging from wildflower identification to songbird regulation. The lead farmer is Andrew Ingram, owner of the Tree Barn in Christmas Common. He said: The Government encouraged farmers to work collectively on environmental schemes. Environmental work is more beneficial if we can work as a group. The result is better, environment-wise. There is a lot of training we meet, talk and are educated by professionals who come and talk to us about things like soils and plants. We have done various work on ponds, soil health and identification of grasses and wildflowers. He said the group had grown organically. Mr Ingram said: It is not all the farms but a good 50 per cent in the area. It encompasses farms along the river from Caversham to the M40. I was asked in around 2019 to encourage other farmers to join and it has grown since then. Word got around and any landowners or farmers are welcome to join. The group receives funding from the Government which allows them to employ an administrator and facilitator, Alison Cross. Mr Ingram said: She employs people to come and talk about environmental schemes and how to get grants. His farm has 100 acres of wildflower meadows which are sometimes grazed by sheep from John Mearns Red Lion Farm in Britwell Salome. He also has arable land with Christmas trees and a mixture of young and mature woodland. Mr Ingram said the diversity of the farms was a help. He said: There are large groups of arable farms on the Oxfordshire plains with relatively small units of less than 100 acres of grassland. The Chiltern hills are a different environment to the Oxfordshire plains they have bigger, arable, flat fields while we are on the hills and have woodland, poorer soil, steeper land and valleys and hills. We learn a lot from us all getting together and networking. One member collected wildflower seeds and offered them to other farmers in the group to grow their own. The cluster has received talks from external experts on a range of topics, including how to promote and market a farm and how to monitor wildlife. Mr Ingram said: We have recently done a lot of songbird identification as there is a lot in the area and a number of farmers now undertake regular surveys annually and numbers are good. On my farm, we have recorded 67 different species of songbirds. Quite a number of them are on the red and amber lists, which means they are endangered or declining in numbers. They are little brown jobs and lots look the same so we have got to be good at identifying your house sparrow from your hedge sparrow. We also have a range of yellowhammers which are endangered, so the talks ensure we know the right habitats for them and how to identify them. I am lucky. As I farm on the Chilterns, we have a mix of woodlands and hedgerows so have a lot of different species. I am very keen on orchids and we have about 10 different species on the farm. I am trying to introduce more legitimately. A lot of good eco stuff. Mr Ingram recently planted 450m of hedgerows with hazel, hawthorn, field maple, dogwood and English oak. He said: The hedges are all planted but we have still got to put up deer and rabbit fences. We are inundated, particularly by deer. I also planted 3,000m of hedge in 1996 or 1997 and that is still very good. It is a lot of hard work on our ground as there is a lot of flint in the soil and you have to dig a hole to plant trees. It is a very labour-intensive job, digging 3,000 holes about 6in to 10in deep by hand. About five of us were planting 150m a day. Hedges are critical for birds nesting. They are connectives to the woods and are habitats for bats, birds and insects. They are very important environmentally. We got some financial support from the Government who woke up and almost overnight created grants for hedge installing, although I had already planted mine. The grants have improved considerably now the Government supports it. Peru Searches for Feasible Solution to Damage Fire Department Vehicles PERU, Mass. The Peru volunteer Fire Department and town are searching for a feasible solution for the department's run-down vehicles. Peru Fire Chief Jesse Pelkey said the department's fire engine and rescue vehicle are both old and damaged making it more difficult to provide services to the town. The Select Board was informed that the engine would not pass inspection in mid-February when it was subsequently taken out of service. With the fire engine permanently parked, Pelkey said the department is unable to respond to an emergency with only one vehicle that has all the needed equipment. Instead, they have to respond with multiple vehicles to make sure the proper equipment is on hand. "If you've got, for instance, let's say a motor vehicle accident and God forbid somebody's trapped and it's on fire. I need the tanker, and I need the rescue truck because the rescue truck has the jaws on it," Pelkey said. This is difficult in a rural community that has fewer volunteers to drive multiple vehicles. "Instead of just rolling the engine that has the jaws and the water, we would have to make that decision. Do I need to put the fire out or do I need to cut that person out?" Although the department still has a response time of ten minutes, there are still occasions when they have to rely on outside departments like Dalton and Hinsdale. The department currently has one fire engine, a tanker, a chief's command vehicle, a retired ambulance that is used for rescue and medical calls, and a brush tanker for calls in the woods. The department's current rescue vehicle has its own issues and Pelkey said there is antifreeze in the oil. The town has instructed Pelkey to look into the estimates of how much it would cost to repair it. At the time of publication, the town has not received these estimates because Pelkey said he is having trouble finding a mechanic to give him one. Based on conversations he has had and his previous experience as a Diesel Mechanic, Pelkey estimates that it would cost roughly $25,000 to repair the rescue vehicle. A new rescue would cost roughly $100,000 to $125,000. Pelkey said the engine's emergency brakes don't hold. Other issues include an engine oil leak, power steering leak, corroded pressure lines, coolant leak, among other concerns. The engine's tires would need to be replaced, which alone would cost more than $2,000, Pelkey said. He said they can "get by" until a resolution is found using the tanker as an engine, but it does not have the capabilities of an engine. "We've actually ratchet strap a few ladders to our tanker to use that as a primary engine if we need to," Pelkey said. One of the challenges when it comes to repairing the town's fire engine is that the vehicle manufacturer went out of business making it difficult to get parts, Pelkey said. In August when the vehicle's windshield cracked. It took four months to have it replaced and the department did not get the new windshield until December. The town's engine is a 2002 model that they purchased used two years ago for approximately $75,000. Pelkey brought the engine to the vehicle manufacturer Freightliner for an estimate on how much the repairs would cost for the emergency brake and was informed that it would cost a little under $7,000. Pelkey was informed that repairs are not guaranteed to work. One of the selectmen worked as a Mechanic for the Massachusetts Turnpike and said that the repairs for the emergency brake should cost between $2,000 or 3,000, Select Board chair Verne Leach said. At this time, the department is not yet aware of how much the other repairs would cost to get the vehicle to the point where it can pass inspection. Pelkey has looked into purchasing a used fire engine, but they are not much newer than the one they currently have and cost upwards of $250,000. To be compliant with the National Fire Protection Association, fire engines would need to be replaced after 20 years, so purchasing a used model would not give the town much time. A newer used model from 2015 would cost the town between $400,000 and $500,000. Pelkey said the department did have one engine manufacturer "step up" offering a demo model that will be coming off the line in May. He said it was "built for 2 year ago pricing" so would cost the town $606,000. He estimated that If the town put in $100,000 as a downpayment it would cost the town approximately $65,000 a year for 10 years and the truck would last at least 20 years. With warranties, the truck would be far less expensive to repair. Pelkey said the department takes good care of its vehicles and with his background as a diesel mechanic, he is often able to extend the lives of many department vehicles. For example the town's 2004 tanker has a little over 10,000 miles on it. "So that truck is still brand new. So, we would know that that truck would last a guaranteed 20 years in this department," Pelkey said. The value of the truck is approximately $25,000. So if the town continues to make repairs that are not guaranteed to work, then the town could potentially be wasting money. Even with repairs, Pelkey only expects the truck to last another 8 years at the most. "...We can't stop putting money into it. You need to be able to pull the plug and you got to have a figure in your head to pull a plug on. Something that is no longer manufactured and very difficult at times to get parts for," Pelkey said. Leach said it is important that the town see possible repair costs alongside different purchasing options. He said the town still has to have all the numbers to determine what option is the most feasible. "It's our responsibility to try to spend the taxpayers' money very carefully and just going out buying all new vehicles is not very careful," Leach said. Pittsfield Health Board Talks Nationwide Effort to End the COVID Emergency PITTSFIELD, Mass. With Pittsfield still in the highest incidence rate for COVID-19 transmission, the Board of Health addressed a possible nationwide decision that the virus is no longer an emergency. In late January, President Joseph Biden announced an intent to end national and public health emergency declarations in May. This could reportedly affect insurance coverage of tests, vaccines, and treatments. Public Health Nurse Patricia Tremblay said that there is an expectation to hear a verdict in April and the city will continue to follow guidance from the Center for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. "There is a lot of changes, I think, that are coming," she said to the board on Wednesday. She also reported nationwide conversations around vaccination that shift it to a regular yearly shot, similar to the flu vaccine. "I know that the vaccine organizations, the (Food and Drug Administration) and the CDC, are all looking at the option of doing one booster a year but none of that has been voted or settled," Tremblay reported. Berkshire County Head Start was notified by the state that they should put in their spring order for COVID test kits that are used for mitigation and were told that the free kits would no longer be provided after that time. Board member Steve Smith asked "if and when" health facilities will no longer require masks and Tremblay said that there have already been efforts to remove that requirement in New York state. Smith wondered what the declaration would mean for the BOH and the city. "For a long time, we every month revisited our mask directive, which was never a mandate, but we talked about when to dismiss or get rid of the directive and when to reapply the directive," he said. "And I just don't know, in this discussion about COVID I'm just wondering where we are." He pointed to some peoples' view that the virus is here to stay and will have to be managed like the flu. "I just wonder where we are with that," Smith added. "By the federal government if it's no longer an urgent type of health issue maybe it won't be back?" On Wednesday there were 19.7 cases per 100,000 people, 12 new cases, and 55 estimated actively contagious cases. The positivity rate was around 10 percent. Sewage concentration has been identified as the truest way to judge the virus's impact on the community, as other metrics don't include at-home tests. There were 1.5 million copies per liter on Wednesday, compared to about 650,000 copies per liter in mid-Feburary. There are around 7 hospitalizations for the virus at Berkshire Medical Center. "We've had a little uptick but it was school vacation week last week and it had gotten to the point where we had relatively small numbers of cases every day, a couple of days we didn't have any cases," Tremblay explained. "Typically the two high-risk populations we look at are children under 18 and adults 65 and over. We were getting anywhere from two to six adults in that risk population and the children were not as frequent." The city remains in the "red zone" for transmission, having more than 10 cases per 100,000 and a positivity rate above 5 percent. It has essentially remained in this category since last year with some reprieve in the spring that put the city in the lesser "yellow zone." Late last year, there was a death, bringing the city's count to 92. Tremblay said it is "sort of sad" that only 77 percent of residents are fully vaccinated and 89 percent have received one dose, a metric that has been consistent for some time. She also reported seeing two kinds of families when it comes to testing, those who test regularly and utilize the health department's free kits that are available to the public and those who are "pretty religious" about not testing for a variety of reasons. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here China's major-country diplomacy progresses over past 5 years: report Xinhua) 10:34, March 05, 2023 BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics has been conducted on all fronts over the past five years, according to a government work report submitted Sunday to the national legislature for deliberation. President Xi Jinping and other Party and state leaders visited many countries and attended, online or offline, many major diplomatic events, and China also hosted a number of major diplomatic events, the report said. "With courage and ability to stand our ground, we resolutely safeguarded China's sovereignty, security, and development interests. We actively expanded global partnerships, worked to build an open world economy, safeguarded multilateralism, and promoted the building of a human community with a shared future," the report said. As a responsible major country, China played significant and constructive roles in enhancing international COVID-19 cooperation and addressing global challenges and regional hotspot issues, thus making important contributions to global peace and development, it said. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun) The Zo Reunification Organization (ZORO), which represents Chin-Kuki-Mizo communities, has recently asked India for assistance in ending the "policy of extermination" of ethnic minorities living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh. Since November 2022, in response to an alleged offensive by the Bangladesh army in collusion with the Arakan Army (AA), more than 300 members of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group have sought refuge in the Lawngtlai district of Mizoram. AA is a largely-Buddhist insurgent group in Myanmar formed by the Arakanese people, an ethnic group of the Rakhine state. Who are the Kuki Chins? AFP/Representational image The Kuki ethnic group, which originated in the Mizo hills, includes the Chins of Myanmar, the Mizos of Mizoram, and the Kukis of Bangladesh. All three groups share the same ancestry. The collective name for them is the Zo people. The Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh's only extensive hill region in the country's southeast, is home to the Kuki Chin people. It shares its southeast with Myanmar, its north with Tripura, it's east with Mizoram, and its west with the Chittagong district. Bangladesh and Mizoram share a 318-kilometre international border. What is the issue? In the CHT, the indigenous Kuki-Chin tribes' constitutional rights and human rights are being violated with impunity as part of the Bangladesh army's policy to exterminate them. AFP/Representational image CHT is a 13,000 sq. km long hilly and forested region in south-eastern Bangladesh that borders India's Mizoram and Tripura and the Chin and Rohingya-populated Rakhine States of Myanmar. Chieftaincies and chiefdoms were self-governing in the CHT before British rule. These groups were divided into two groups: the Khyoungtha, who live along the banks of rivers, and the Toungtha, who live in the thick jungles of the hills. The tribes remained outside the purview of Hindu kings and Muslim nawabs, but the British's 1860 annexation of the CHT made them more vulnerable to external influences. In order to safeguard the tribes' identity, customs, culture, tradition, and ancestral land, the British granted the CHT special constitutional status. However, the restrictive laws were repealed by 1903, allowing the people who lived in the plains to enter the highlands. When the CHT merged with Pakistan in 1947, all indigenous tribes began to face discrimination in all areas of life, contrary to what the indigenous people had anticipated. In the name of promoting tourism, the Bangladeshi government invaded the ancestral land of the indigenous tribes, particularly the Kuki-Chin, even as the tribal population of the CHT experienced a significant decline. AFP/Representational image What are the demands of Kuki-Chin tribes? Due to the significant influx of non-tribal people into the hills, the Kuki-Chin tribes of the CHT have been calling for the establishment of their own state. However, the government of Bangladesh decided to intensify its oppressive policies. The ZORO asked India to advise his Bangladeshi counterpart to end the abuse of the Kuki-Chin people's rights in the CHT and declare a ceasefire with the Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA). In addition, the organization pleaded with India to instruct the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Border Security Force not to expel Kuki-Chin refugees fleeing Bangladesh and seeking safety in Mizoram among their "blood-related tribes." What is India's policy on refugees? Despite their increasing influx, India lacks specific legislation to address the issue of refugees. The most important legal documents regarding refugee protection, the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, are not ratified by India. In addition, India's constitution recognizes the value of human life, liberty, and dignity. While all rights are available to citizens, persons including foreign citizens are entitled to the right to equality and the right to life, among other things, the Supreme Court ruled in the National Human Rights Commission vs. State of Arunachal Pradesh (1996) case. Furthermore, the right to non-refoulement is covered by Constitutional Article 21. The international law principle of non-refoulement states that a person fleeing persecution should not be forced to return to his own country. I hear RTE is now involving itself in the business of rural matchmaking. A job, I suspect, RTE is as familiar with, as I am with the workings of a cuckoo clock. But fair play to RTE - at least someone is trying. The station's new programme, 'Love in the Country' is Donnybrook's effort of dipping its urban toe into the tempestuous waters of rural matchmaking. They haven't a bull's notion, of course, of the delicacies involved. I predict the show will be over before it begins. An outright disaster, a bore that will last no longer than a fortnight. The main problem with programmes like this is that the makers usually focus on the wrong kind of single people. If you are brave enough to appear on a television show and then loudly trumpet to the world, like some class of an operatic tenor, that you are in search of a wife, well then, my friend, you are no pity. You will find plenty of love on or off the screen. My thoughts, as always, are with the underdog. The fellow hiding outside in the bushes. The man who is almost too shy to look at a television screen, never mind appear on it. The man who gets startled by the noise of the female voice, never mind actually meeting one in person, is the fellow who needs the help most of all. I was recently approached by a farmer in his 87th year, who said he was in search of a wife. He was a long ways from being shy, but still, he would have made an interesting candidate for any dating show. Comfortable financially speaking, after a lifetime of working the land, he now felt the time was right to focus on the future and a wife. With eyes wide open for a partner in the shape of Dua Lipa, he approached me, hoping I might point him in the right direction. And indeed, after a bit of searching, I did set him up with a lady from the far side of Macroom. A widow whose husband had suffered ill health for many years after receiving a kick from a donkey while on honeymoon back in Killarney before the turn of the century. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I proposed a venue, a date was agreed and after a spell of struggling to find a suit, they met face-to-face and in person. Introductions were made, pleasantries exchanged. The night I thought was going well - I was there as a class of chaperone, of course. But alas, after a couple of jars, the tongue of my primed-up bachelor loosed up enough for him to launch into a crude tale about how a low-sized bull of his had managed to service cows on the fall of ground. Yerra, while a funny and indeed true story, it had no place in polite society and the widow, being a respectable lady, felt after that junction, he wasn't worth giving up the pension for. Indeed, she insisted on being taken home immediately before any more drink was consumed, either by the gregarious octogenarian or myself. So, you can see now, the mighty task ahead of RTE. Matching can be a tricky task, drunk or sober. The national broadcaster can glamourise it all they like, but I believe strongly that it would be far easier to get a TV license fee out of a rural hand, rather than getting a loving hand into it. Chris Rock has slammed Will Smith over the Oscars slap, joking he took that hit like Pacquiao. The comedian made the comment during his Netflix special Chris Rock: Selective Outrage at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, which was the companys first foray into live streaming. The 58-year-old kicked off his stand-up special joking: Im going to try and do a show without offending nobody. You never know who might get triggered. Anybody that says words hurt have never been punched in the face. Will Smith hit Chris Rock on stage during the Oscars last year (Chris Pizzello/AP) Rocks material immediately dovetailed into the 2022 Oscars, joking about wokeness, hypersensitivity and what he called selective outrage, after Hollywood actor Smith stormed the stage and slapped him. He said: You all know what happened to me, getting smacked by Suge Smith. Everybody knows. Yes it happened, I got smacked like a year ago. People were like, did it hurt? It still hurts. I got Summertime ringing in my ears. But Im not a victim baby, youll never see me on Oprah crying. You will never see it. Never going to happen. In the aftermath of the slap, Smith, who went on to win best actor on the night, apologised to both Rock and the Academy. Joking about former boxer Manny Pacquiao, Rock said: I took that hit like Pacquiao. Will Smith is significantly bigger than me, we are not the same size. This guy does most of his movies with his shirt off, youve never seen me do a movie with my shirt off. Will Smith played Muhammad Ali in a movie, you think I auditioned for that part. Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith at the Oscars in 2022 (Doug Peters/PA) But, Will Smith practises selective outrage. Because everybody knows what the f*** happened. Everybody that really knows, knows that I have nothing to do with that shit. I didnt have any entanglements. Rock also spoke about Jada Pinkett Smiths Red Table Talk interview in which she admitted having a relationship with rapper August Alsina while married to Smith. He said: His wife was f****** her sons friend. I normally would not talk about this, but for some reason they put that shit on the internet. I have no idea why two talented people would do something that low down. We all been cheated on. Everybody in here has been cheated on. None of us have ever been interviewed by the person that cheated on us on television. She hurt him way more than he hurt me. Everybody in the world called him a bitch. I tried to call him to give him my condolences, he didnt pick up for me. Everybody called him a bitch, and who did he hit? Me. Thats what happened. The show streamed live on Netflix (Netflix/PA) A lot of Rocks anger was also directed towards Pinkett Smith, highlighting her calls to boycott the Oscars amid the #OscarsSoWhite controversy in 2016 the year that Rock went on to host the show. Rock said: She started this shit. Nobody was picking on her. She said that me, a grown ass man, should quit his job because her husband didnt get nominated for Concussion, and then he gives me a concussion. I loved Will Smith. My whole life, I loved Will Smith. Hes made some great movies. I have rooted for Will Smith my whole life. And now I watch Emancipation just to see him get whooped. He used the last moments of the special to explain why he did not retaliate to Smiths slap. Rock said: Because I got parents, thats why, because I was raised. And you know what my parents taught me? Dont fight in front of white people. Rock also examined a wide range of other topics during the episode, including the Duchess of Sussex, the Kardashians, and the Capitol riot. Performing in all white with a medallion around his neck, Rock touched on the idea that white men feel they are being edged out of power, and joked that every advert features an interracial couple. Rock said: Speaking of commercials, when did Snoop Dogg become Morgan Freeman? I saw a commercial the other day, Snoop was selling reverse mortgages. I love Snoop. Im not dissing Snoop. The last thing I need is another mad rapper. He later made a joke about Jay Z, adding: By the way that is not a Jay Z diss, I do not need another rapper mad at me. I dont need that smoke. Turnaround times for test results at the State Laboratory have slowed down as demand for toxicology reports continues to soar. The demand from test results as part of the postmortem process for coroners has been steadily increasing year on year. The Laboratory received almost 8,300 samples for analysis last year up by 8% on the previous year, which was already up 10% on 2021. A statement from the Laboratory to the Irish Examiner said: The State Laboratory is unable to respond quickly to the increased sample numbers as the work requires trained experts. "As a result of the increase in sample numbers, the State Laboratory increased the reporting time from 93 days to 110 days. The statement explained that the normal timeframe for delivering results is based on a gradual increase in sample numbers of 2% to 3% per year, but the Laboratory has witnessed a much sharper spike in the past three years, coinciding with the arrival of the covid pandemic. The laboratory tests for the presence of drugs, alcohol, or gases such as carbon monoxide in deaths for the coroner service and for criminal investigations and inquests. A spokeswoman for the laboratory told the Irish Examiner that it is now working with the Department of Justice and the Office of the State Pathologist to estimate a 5-year forecast for sample numbers with the purpose of strengthening the State Laboratorys resource planning to enable a return to 93 days for analysis and reporting. The issue was highlighted in a submission made to the Oireachtas Justice Committee by the president of the Coroners Society of Ireland, Frank OConnell, contained in the recently-published committees examination of the inquest process in Ireland. In the submission, Mr OConnell said there is need for proper support in the provision of pathology services for coroners. The submission is contained in a report just published by the Oireachtas committee on the current operation of inquests in Ireland. Mr O'Connell warned that the histology service currently available is most precarious and its future uncertain. He said the State Laboratory is struggling to keep pace with the rise in the number of requests for analysis. Whilst a dedicated toxicology service is provided in the State Laboratory, it is struggling to keep pace with demand," he said. "Generally speaking, the Pathologist will wait for twelve or fourteen weeks for the results of a toxicology test report on blood or urine samples and this, in turn, gives rise to delays in reporting the results of the postmortem to the coroner and as a consequence, in the registration of a death or the setting of a date for the inquest. "An acute issue is the need for a dedicated histological service for coroners post mortems at regional centres throughout the country. In January, a report in the Irish Examiner highlighted a 20% rise in the number of death notices published on Rip.ie in an eight-week period from December 1, 2022. The death notices had risen to 9,718 from 8,075 in the same period a year earlier. The spike in the number of deaths had disrupted funeral arrangements and put mortuaries under stress. The death rate was so high that bodies had to be stored in the citys hospitals until space became available at the Cork City Morgue. The man believed to have been wrongly convicted of the murder of Limerick priest Fr Patrick Ryan in Texas in 1981 is a step closer to having his conviction quashed. The assistant district attorney for Ector County District in Texas has responded to an application by the legal team representing James Reyos, seeking the overturning of his conviction for the 1981 murder in a motel in Odessa City. The 49-year-old Pallottine priest was buried in his native Doon in east Limerick on New Years Day in 1982. Odessa Police Department has reopened the investigation into his murder following the identification of three suspects in the case after fingerprints taken from the scene in 1981 found matches in a US national fingerprint system in 2022. The suspects are all deceased. James Reyos and attorney Allison Clayton of the Innocence Project of Texas. Picture: The Innocence Project The Innocence Project of Texas recently applied for a writ of habeas corpus for Mr Reyos. In response, the assistant district attorney for Ector County District in Texas said: The State has reviewed and considered Mr Reyos application. The State does not oppose the facts recited in the application. The State joins Mr Reyos in his request for relief." The District Attorney has called for a court hearing to develop an official record of the issues raised in the case. "The State respectfully requests that the court ... holds a hearing in this case, and that it ultimately grants the application given the evidence in the case," the District Attorney stated. A court hearing on the matter will now take place on March 24 in Ector County District Court. When discovered in a motel room in Odessa by a maid, Fr Ryans body was naked, bound, and beaten, and his car was later found in New Mexico. His wallet was also later recovered away from the crime scene. Fr Patrick Ryan, from Doon, Co Limerick, was murdered in Texas in 1981. Picture:Findagrave.com Fr Ryan had served in the US for three years before his death, after previously serving as rector of the House of Studies of the Pallottine Fathers in Stillorgan in Dublin. Almost a year after his death, James Harry Reyos made a drunken confession that he had killed 49-year-old Fr Ryan, but later recanted. He was convicted of the murder and sentenced to 38 years in prison. He was the last person known to have seen Fr Ryan. If his conviction is quashed, the Apache Native American from New Mexico stands to be compensated at least $2.6m $80,000 for each of the 20 years he spent in prison, and $50,000 for each of the 20 years he has spent on parole. Mr Reyos met the Doon native three weeks before the murder when Fr Ryan gave him a spin when he saw him hitchhiking. Both lived in Denver City in Texas and met a number of times in the following three weeks. Mr Reyos, who is now 66 years old, says that Fr Ryan forced him to engage in oral sex when he visited his apartment a day before the murder in December 1981. IMAGINE a world where coffee is a luxury in the lifestyles of the rich and famous, where bananas and chocolate bars are a distant memory of the past, but where you could instead lament your sorrows with a bottle of the finest sparkling wine produced in Wexford. Check out our Sustainability and Climate Change Hub where you will find the latest news, features, opinions and analysis on this topic from across the various Irish Examiner topic desks and their team of specialist writers and columnists. It may sound far-fetched, but with the burgeoning effects of climate change and the ever-insidious diseases that pervade crop growing throughout the world, it is entirely possible, according to scientists. A warming world means that growing conditions are changing all the time, while disease in plants are getting ever more threatening. Fairtrade Ireland caused the proverbial stir earlier this week when it warned that coffee that we have all grown to love and take for granted as a morning kickstart could be gone from supermarket shelves by 2050 as climate change accelerates. We could be looking at the end of the much-loved cup of coffee, said Fairtrade Irelands executive director Peter Gaynor, speaking at the launch of Fairtrade Fortnight, a festival of ethically sourced products. Farmers who grow coffee beans are experiencing serious challenges due to many extreme weather events, such as in Kenya, East Africa, which is right now experiencing its worst drought on record. A Fairtrade mural on Busy Feet & Coco Cafe on William Street, Dublin. Picture: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie "A worrying 93% of the Fairtrade coffee farmers in Kenya surveyed are already experiencing the effects of climate change. "By 2050, it is estimated up to half of the worlds land currently used to farm coffee may be unusable due to floods, droughts and increased temperatures, Mr Gaynor said. If that sounds like doom-mongering, consider the history of coffee rust. The disease changed the habits of a colonial empire that spanned the world. UCC lecturer in plant science and principal investigator at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES), Eoin Lettice, said coffee rust changed British society forever in the second half of the 19th century. One of the enduring stereotypes about English people is their love of a nice cup of tea. However, they were originally big coffee drinkers before coffee rust forced them to turn to tea leaves. Coffee was the major commodity, or one of the major commodities, in the old British Empire in the 1840 and 1850s," Dr Lettice said. "And across the world, the British Empire grew coffee in the 1850s and 1860s, until coffee rust emerged, and wiped out huge plantations all over the world. "And then very quickly, the British reacted by drinking and growing tea instead. It was almost a patriotic thing to drink tea rather than coffee." The fungus La Roya, also known as coffee rust, caused more than $3bn in damage and lost profits and forced almost 2m farmers off their land between 2012 and 2017, Fairtrade Ireland said. Climate change a pressing issue Climate change and disease migration in plants and crops is now a pressing issue, according to Dr Lettice. Consumers just take for granted what they can pick up in their local shops, supermarkets, and farmers markets, but that could all change due to the fallout from climate change, he said. Ireland is lucky enough as a relatively secure nation when it comes to food because we have access to trading partners. But we are food secure because we have access to importing lots of the particularly large horticultural produce that we consume. We are self-sufficient in dairy and beef, but we import lots of vegetables and so on. Climate change will be disruptive to those chains of production and to imports that we take for granted, he warned. This will be coupled with the threat of plant disease. There will be dramatic weather events which will increase through climate change, and these outbreaks of the various diseases that go hand in hand. "I cant stress this enough. Theres a real role for plant scientists or plant breeders or plant pathologists to solve these problems. We sometimes turn up at our local supermarket and assume that we would be able to get everything we want. Its only when that system breaks down that we realise, hold on a minute. Theres a whole network of science and logistics and business economics that go on behind the scenes to make sure that every morning when you go to the supermarket, or when you go to the farmers market, or wherever you go, to ensure that everything is there for you. There is a kind of a tendency to believe that will always be there. "Climate change will change everything about how we live our lives and how we operate and we will have to change to adapt to all of that, he said. While traditional coffee-growing regions may be hamstrung by the burgeoning climate change existential threat, it will mean other regions become producers. A plant infested with the coffee-eating fungus roya in San Jose. Picture: Ezequiel Becerra/AFP via Getty Images That is already happening in the likes of coffee and even wine production, according to professor of geography (climate change) at Maynooth University, Peter Thorne. What and where you can grow is impacted by the changing climate. Almost every food type has a preferred climate," Prof Thorne said. "The overall picture in terms of overall agricultural productivity is reductions in the sub tropics in particular and increases in the high latitudes. We can now grow grain and other produce in higher northern latitudes than we could historically. Its not necessarily that the total food production increases or decreases what you can grow but where you can grow it does change. "There will be there will be significant implications for what we grow and what we dont grow in Ireland, but equally more globally, what is viable, what is produced and cannot be produced. There may be some areas that become unproductive agriculturally, said Prof Thorne. The historical patterns tell a story of how climate change is affecting growing, he added. You already you already see it in a very long-running series of phenological indicators, seasonality changing, for example in Kyoto, Japan. "They have annual records of spring blossoming of the cherry trees, going back to around the 12th or 13th century. On average, they blossom now about a month earlier than they did. And thats just an indication of how things are changing more generally. There are many, many indicators, such as the grape harvest at Beaune in the Burgundy wine region in France, another one going back around 800 years. Again, they harvest the grapes about a month earlier now than they did for centuries. In the southern UK, there are now many producers of bubbly wine similar to that produced in the Champagne region as the climate has shifted so much that the southeast of the UK now has growing conditions similar to the historical regions of Champagne. Some of their sparkling wines in the southeast of the UK are winning international prizes. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that if we continue emitting heat-trapping gases, then the southeast of Ireland become viable for similar. "I wouldnt suggest that the farmers rip up their fields just yet but these are the kinds of things that we need to think about: what we produce and where we produce it. It is not just coffee, chocolate, or wine that is changing before our eyes. An unusually cold snap across Europe and North Africa in recent weeks led to vegetable scarcity on supermarket shelves, a harbinger of things to come. Barbara Doyle Prestwich, who is based at UCCs School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences and Environmental Research Institute, said bare supermarket shelves should be a wake-up call that Ireland cannot take its lofty global food security position for granted. There is a lot of evidence emerging in terms of overall climate change leading to extreme weather patterns, and while you cannot just pinpoint one event, what you can see is decades of change coming home to roost, said Ms Doyle Prestwich. The short answer is yes, we can expect to see more extreme weather events and patterns like storms and higher and lower temperatures impact our growing conditions in Ireland and elsewhere. It is an issue, no doubt. Changing food security At the moment, Ireland is fortunate in relation to its position on the Global Food Security Index but that could all change, Ms Doyle Prestwich warned. Dr Eoin Lettice: Food security is no longer something we can take for granted. Picture: Dan Linehan The index measures factors such as affordability, nutritional standards, consumption, and sustainability in determining the security of 113 countries food supply. Ireland was second only to Finland in 2022. Ms Doyle Prestwich said: We are sitting comfortably at number two at the moment, but that is very much a moveable situation. You see places like Singapore that were once in the top position some years ago but have since dropped way down to 28. It is always a moveable situation in terms of food security. Her UCC colleague Dr Lettice pointed to the vulnerability of bananas as a good example of the changing world when it comes to food security. Bananas are in a similar boat because of another fungal issue called Panama disease," he said. "Again, its been around for a century causing problems with bananas. All bananas are genetically identical. All bananas that we buy in the supermarket, in this part of the world and others, are all genetically identical. Theyre not just the same variety, there is no genetic variation, said Mr Lettice. If you have a disease in bananas, it can run riot. And the question is, I suppose how we produce new varieties of coffee or chocolate or or bananas or whatever. We have to quickly breed new varieties so that theyre more flexible and can deal with a changing climate but also as the pathogens that emerge and reemerge in different strains. Its a constant battle, he said. Rob Horgan, owner of Velo Coffee Roasters in Cork, is already cultivating links with producers in the likes of Colombia. WHEN it comes to coffee, the likes of Corks Velo Roasters are already taking stock and preparing for the inevitable. Rob Horgan of Velo Coffee Roasters said its now about cultivating even closer links with local producers in the likes of Colombia, where he is soon heading. Where we sell a speciality coffee, we want the best of the crop. And its important that we have long-term relations with the farmers, so they know they can invest in their farm this year because we will be there next year to buy the crop. Those price pressures that we saw here in recent years over here, they had the same their inputs rose across the world during the last number of years. "For us to be able to get the consumer here to give a little more, that little amount in our world made a big difference in the coffee growing regions. We forward commit our coffee so they have surety before they even go out to pick the harvest that if the crop is right and the quality is right, we will buy it off them. Those relationships mean assisting local communities, he added. For us, its back down to small individual relationships, doing meaningful projects. For example, our Colombian coffee relationship builds a bridge across a small valley at a cost of $2,500, which on this side of the world isnt much. "The community couldnt do it and the kids had to walk 15 miles a day to get to school, before the bridge. The school was just across the valley but they would have to walk all the way up and back down, which meant kids werent going to school. "Its those meaningful pieces that will make the difference. Right intentions gone wrong. A man was arrested and charged with illegal dumping after more than 1,700 pounds of mattresses were found on the street. Key West detectives responded as more than 30 mattresses and box springs were found along Front Street and 4th Avenue. The Monroe County Solid Waste Management reported the mattresses came from a local hotel, according to a report by WFLA TV. An employee of the hotel told the Monroe Sherriff department that Michael Herrera to remove and replace the beds at the hotel. When contacted by the police, Herrera said he left the bedding on the streets to see if residents would take them and was planning on returning to remove what was left. After not returning, Herrera was arrested and charged with illegal dumping. In Florida, it is unlawful for any person to dump litter in any manner. For the complete WFLA report, click here. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. 03/03/2023 Dana Ingalsbe by Buffy Lockette Dr. Dana Ingalsbe, head of the JSU Department of Applied Engineering, has been named a Top Woman in Tech by Business Alabama. Ingalsbe joined JSUs faculty in 2002 after receiving a Ph.D. from Georgia Tech in pulp and paper science. In 2020, she was selected by her peers as the first woman to lead the nationally accredited department which has experienced a period of tremendous growth in both facilities and enrollment under her leadership. In 2021, Gov. Kay Ivey recognized the departments internship program as a Region 2 Best Practice in work-based learning. Ingalsbe continues to build on these efforts, recently spearheading the establishment of a co-op education program that provides students the flexibility to gain valuable work experience while in school. Passionate about workforce development, Ingalsbe has helped strengthen the universitys partnerships with local industry, particularly Honda Alabama Auto Plant. Housed within her department is the JSU Center for Manufacturing Support, which provides students the opportunity to gain experience while supporting local industry with advanced manufacturing consulting and training. Applied Engineering prepares students to face the manufacturing challenges of the 21st century, including workplace safety, industrial automation, advanced manufacturing technologies and effective industrial leadership. It offers both graduate and undergraduate programs with 100 percent job placement rates. Established in 2022, the Women in Tech list spotlights the top women working in technology in Alabama. Ingalsbe is one of 23 women statewide who will be featured in the April issue of Business Alabama magazine. Myanmar's military rulers now see civilians as their adversaries and are making war on the country's own people, undermining the basic ability to live, the United Nations said on Friday. Two years on from the February 1, 2021, coup that toppled Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government, the situation is a "festering catastrophe", said UN human rights chief Volker Turk, adding that the military was operating with "complete impunity". In a report examining the first two years since the takeover, the UN Human Rights Office said that at least 2,940 people had been verified as killed, of which nearly 30 percent had died in detention. However, the true death toll is likely to be much higher. James Rodehaver, head of the UN rights office's Myanmar team, said the armed forces were now actively fighting on around 13 different fronts. "The military is stretched increasingly thin," he told a briefing in Geneva, so has relied increasingly on air power and artillery to clear the way for ground forces, with more than 300 airstrikes in the last year. The report documented deadly air strikes on schools and hospitals. Nearly 80 percent of the country's 330 townships have been affected by armed clashes, the report said. "There has never been a time and a situation in which a crisis in Myanmar has reached this far, this wide throughout the country," said Rodehaver. "In the past, the conflicts have been more isolated in the ethnic states. Now it's reaching even the Bamar heartland." - 'Four cuts' strategy - UN reports indicate that nearly 39,000 houses nationwide have been burnt or destroyed in military operations since February 2022, "a more than 1,000-fold increase compared to 2021", the UN rights office said. The military and its affiliates have made 17,572 arrests in the first two years since the coup, it added. The junta is using a so-called "four cuts" strategy -- an attempt to cut off its adversaries' food, communications, ability to recruit, and access to money or a livelihood, said Rodehaver. "What they're doing now is they are treating Myanmar's people as their opponent and adversary," he said. "You have a military making war against its own people. "They have really created a crisis that's resulted in a loss, a regression in every human right, and that includes the basic ability to live and to have an economic future." Turk said Myanmar's generals, "emboldened by continuous and absolute impunity", had embarked on a scorched earth policy to stamp out opposition. "There are reasonable grounds to believe that the military and its affiliated militias continue to be responsible for most violations, some of which may constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes," he said. - 'Continuous violence' - The report said two years of violence had taken a "tremendous toll" on the people, crippling public institutions and hollowing out the economy. UN data indicates that since February 2021, more than one million people have been newly displaced. Meanwhile 25 million people, nearly half the population, live in poverty, and 17.6 million need humanitarian assistance. "The military has brought the country into a perpetual human rights crisis through continuous use of violence, including killing, arbitrarily arresting, torturing, forcibly disappearing, prosecuting, and sentencing anti-coup opponents," the report said. The military has indicated it nonetheless intends to hold elections this year, despite the current unrest. "It is difficult to currently conceive how such a process could constitute a free and fair expression properly reflecting the popular democratic will," the UN report said. Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Friday condemned a call by an Israeli minister for a flashpoint Palestinian town to be "wiped out", with Riyadh describing it as "racist and irresponsible". Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right member of Israel's coalition government, made his comments on Wednesday, days after two Israeli settlers were shot dead in Huwara, prompting hundreds of others to attack the northern West Bank town. "I think the village of Huwara needs to be wiped out," Smotrich said. "I think the State of Israel should do it." Later, he said on Twitter that he "didn't mean to erase the village of Huwara, but only to act in a targeted way against the terrorists". The Saudi foreign ministry expressed its "complete rejection of such racist and irresponsible statements, which reflect the massive violence and extremism the Israeli occupation entity is exercising against the brotherly Palestinians." Qatar described Smotrich's comments as "hateful and provocative" and said it considered them "a serious incitement to a war crime". Neither Saudi Arabia nor Qatar has diplomatic ties with Israel. Israel is hoping to expand on breakthrough normalisation deals announced in 2020 with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco. Riyadh has said repeatedly that it will stick to the decades-old Arab League position of not normalising relations with Israel before the conflict with the Palestinians has been resolved. But it is showing signs of greater openness towards Israel, and announced last year it was lifting overflight restrictions on aircraft travelling to and from Israel. UN human rights chief Volker Turk denounced Smotrich's comments on Huwara as "an unfathomable statement of incitement to violence and hostility". On Wednesday the US State Department called them "irresponsible", "repugnant" and "disgusting". Ukraine's top prosecutor said Friday the country is moving towards opening an office of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as Kyiv seeks to establish a special tribunal to prosecute the leadership in Moscow. The ICC is currently probing possible war crimes and crimes against humanity during the war on Ukraine but it has no mandate to pursue the broader crime of aggression. "Today, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved a memorandum between the Ukraine government and the International Criminal Court, which will allow the opening of the office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in Ukraine in the near future," Andriy Kostin said. Kostin told a justice conference in Lviv, western Ukraine, it will "allow the ICC prosecutor to more fully investigate international crimes committed in Ukraine". "However, there are currently no legal mechanisms that would allow the ICC to bring to justice for the crime of aggression those who planned and launched this brutal and unprovoked war," Kostin said. "This requires the establishment of a special international tribunal," he added. Speaking at the conference, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine "will further strengthen our relationship with the ICC". "Russian President Vladimir Putin and all his accomplices must receive lawful and fair sentences," Zelensky said, adding that "over 70,000 Russian war crimes" have been registered in Ukraine. "We all seek to punish the terrorist state. This is the moral and legal duty of the world to the victims of Russian terror," he added. Also in Lviv, Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra announced the creation of a "dialogue group" on Ukraine. The group "will provide states, international organisations and civil society with a platform to discuss and update each other on national and international accountability initiatives," he said. He added the Hague will also host an "international centre for the prosecution of the crime of aggression" and a "register of damage" caused by Russia to Ukraine. The EU -- along with key member states -- have backed setting up a special tribunal but there are complex legal disputes over how it could work. US Attorney General Merrick Garland made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Friday and vowed to hold "Russian war criminals accountable" for their actions. "We are here today in Ukraine to speak clearly, and with one voice: the perpetrators of those crimes will not get away with them," Garland said. He went to Lviv in western Ukraine at the invitation of his Ukrainian counterpart to take part in the "United for Justice Conference." Garland told the conference the United States stood beside Ukraine's war crimes investigators as they collect and catalogue evidence from blast sites that include hospitals, apartment buildings and schools, exhume mass graves and study human remains -- "in order to tell the stories of those who no longer can," according to a Justice Department transcript of his remarks. Since the invasion began a year ago, Russia has been committing atrocities on the largest scale of any conflict since World War II, he said. The United States has signed an agreement with Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia and Romania "that will strengthen our efforts to hold Russian war criminals accountable," he said. The visit, Garland's second to Ukraine since the start of the conflict in February 2022, was not announced ahead of time for security reasons. It came nearly two weeks after US President Joe Biden paid a visit to Ukraine and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky. The United States is helping Ukraine investigate war crimes and Garland this week branded Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Russia's mercenary Wagner military force, a war criminal. In a statement issued on February 24 to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion, Garland said his department is "standing with our Ukrainian partners in pursuit of justice." US Vice President Kamala Harris accused Russia last month of committing crimes against humanity in Ukraine, saying Moscow's forces had conducted "widespread and systemic" attacks on the country's civilian population. The United States responded Friday to a Russian warning against arming Ukraine by offering a further $400 million in security assistance, as President Joe Biden hosted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a show of unity against Moscow. The head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group meanwhile said its forces had "practically encircled" the eastern Ukraine city of Bakhmut, which has seen the fiercest fighting of Moscow's invasion. Western military aid for Ukraine has been key to Kyiv's ability to hold out against Moscow's military onslaught and to even regain ground, but the Kremlin said such assistance will only "prolong the conflict and have sad consequences for the Ukrainian people." Arms deliveries "place a significant burden on the economies of these countries and negatively affect the well-being of citizens of these countries, including Germany," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Washington ignored that warning, announcing the new security package for Kyiv that featured ammunition, including for the Himars precision rocket system that Ukrainian forces have used to devastating effect against Russian troops and supply dumps. In a display of partnership after friction over supplying tanks to Ukraine, Biden hosted Scholz at the White House for his first trip to Washington since Russia's invasion. When they last met, "Russia was amassing its troops" on the border, Biden said in brief remarks to the press, adding the West had vowed to respond and "together we made good on that promise." In reply, Scholz said it was important to send a message to Ukraine that "we will continue to (support it) as long as it takes and as long as it necessary." The absence of a joint press conference raised questions about remaining difficulties, but the two leaders tried to dispel that impression, and Scholz said the bilateral relationship was "in a very good shape." In another show of support for Ukraine, US Attorney General Merrick Garland made a surprise visit to the country on Friday to attend a conference on justice and war crimes. "The attorney general held several meetings and reaffirmed our determination to hold Russia accountable for crimes committed in its unjust and unprovoked invasion against its sovereign neighbor," a Justice Department official said. - Battle for Bakhmut - Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a video released on Telegram Friday that the group's units "have practically surrounded Bakhmut, only one road remains" to be captured. The 61-year-old has regularly posted about the advances of Wagner, his once-shadowy force that has taken center stage in the fight in eastern Ukraine. He has said in recent weeks that his fighters have seized three villages north of Bakhmut -- Yagidne, Berkhivka and Paraskoviivka. Ukraine has said it will defend "fortress Bakhmut" for as long as possible, but this week officials said the situation was difficult. Russia is determined to seize Bakhmut -- a now-destroyed city once known for its sparkling wine -- as part of its wider aim of capturing the entire Donetsk region. Ukrainian troops have held out for months, fighting brutal trench warfare and artillery battles that have flattened large portions of the city, and President Volodymyr Zelensky this week said that the fighting was "only increasing." His comments followed an assessment from the commander of Ukraine's ground forces Oleksandr Syrskyi, who said it was "extremely tense" in the city. - 'Measures' at border - Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have reported heavy casualties in the struggle for control of Bakhmut, whose symbolic importance outstrips its military significance. The battle has also exposed political rivalries between Prigozhin and Russia's regular army. Last week, he issued an unprecedented call to Russians to take his side and urged the defense ministry to share ammunition with his fighters. While the hotspot of the fighting is in the east of Ukraine, Russia said this week that a group of Ukrainian combatants had crossed into the southern Bryansk region. Kyiv dismissed the claims as a "deliberate provocation." The death toll from a Russian strike that hit an apartment block in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia earlier in the week has risen to seven, Ukrainian rescue services said. Moscow says its regions bordering Ukraine are routinely shelled by Ukrainian forces, but the reported incursion was a rare instance of fighting inside Russia. The Kremlin said Friday it would take steps to prevent cross-border incursions which killed two. "Measures will be taken to prevent similar events in the future," Kremlin spokesman Peskov said. In the previous episode of "Call It Love," Lee Sung Kyung's hatred against Kim Young Kwang continued to blossom. Things worsen when the person who binds them together shows up unexpectedly. "Call It Love" episode 4 depicts the sudden change in their relationship. Keep on reading to know more. Shim Woo Joo's Sister Meets Han Dong Jin After revealing the truth to Cha Young Min (Seo Dong Won) about their company, Shim Woo Joo (Lee Sung Kyung) finds comfort from Yoon Jun (Sung Joon) after a long day. She then rants about Han Dong Jin's (Kim Young Kwang) mother who has totally forgotten about her and what she did to her family. Yoon Jun validates her feelings but asks her to stop getting involved with them. Meanwhile, Han Dong Jin meets Shim Hye Sung (Kim Ye Won), Shim Woo Joo's sister, and babbles about random things. The two end up at a bar to get a drink. Things get even more awkward when Shim Woo Joo arrives at the place. She almost had a meltdown when she thought that the two were dating. When she learns that they didn't, she asks him to leave. However, Han Dong Jin also gives her a piece of his mind; he tells her that people hold back with their words because they know how much words can hurt others. Shocked, Shim Woo Joo is left at the pub. Her mind is even more stirred when Shim Hye Sung shares that Han Dong Jin isn't a bad guy and that he's been through a lot before. Han Dong Jin's Ex-Girlfriend Returns Han Dong Jin's ex-lover Kang Min Young (EXID) continues to run after him in hopes to get back together. Han Dong Jin also learns that his ex had moved into their neighborhood, leaving him confused. At work, Cha Young Min learns that CEO Shin Sung Man (Shin Mun Sung) backed out of the deal, threatening the stability of Best Fairs. In the break room, Han Dong Jin overhears Shim Woo Joo telling Shim Hye Sung that she hates the former because of his extreme filial piety. She also says that Han Dong Jin carries all of his feelings and problems on his own, which is frustrating. When she realizes that the subject of their discussion is just near, she retracts everything she said. Shim Woo Joo's Heart Softens For Han Dong Jin The following day, Cha Young Min advises Shim Woo Joo to find another job since the company will soon go under. She feels regret as many people lose their jobs due to the CEO and Cha Young Min's bad planning. Han Dong Jin, on the other hand, feels like he got stabbed in the back by the people he trusts the most. Unbeknownst to him, his ex-girlfriend has met their CEO before everything went south. After work, Han Dong Jin and Kang Min Young go out for dinner with Shim Woo Joo running after them after witnessing everything. When he catches up, Han Dong Jin asks her how she could stand in front of her, calling her selfish out of spite. That same night, Han Dong Jin drinks himself to death and cuts his hand with the shards of broken glasses on the floor. He cries over people who have broken his heart and trust. At the end of the episode, he walks across the street not knowing about the oncoming car. Thankfully, a worried sick Shim Woo Joo pulls him to safety in time. KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. Since the early 2000s, the South Korean industry has taken their A-game when it comes to producing dramas. Because of its wide array of genres, a lot of viewers, both domestic and overseas, have been drawn to the Hallyu scene may it be romance, thriller, comedy or action. In recent years, the influx of amazingly helmed K-Drama remakes have dominated the global scene. Here are some of them that you should watch this weekend! 'Woori the Virgin' Im Soo Hyang transformed into a pregnant virgin in "Woori the Virgin," a South Korean take on the popular Venezuelan series "Jane the Virgin." The series follows the story of a woman who accidentally receives an insemination procedure instead of her medical exam. "Woori the Virgin" is a clever and amusing work that brings an amazing watching experience, thanks to its comical and romantic elements. 'One Ordinary Day' Kim Soo Hyun's riveting eight-parter series "One Ordinary Day," a South Korean remake of the award-winning British television drama "Criminal Justice," was one of the best releases of 2021. "One Ordinary Day" focuses on a college student who becomes the prime suspect in a dead woman's cold murder case. It boasts a high scale cinematography and intelligent script that will hook every viewer from the first episode until the end. 'Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area' Without a doubt, Netflix's Spanish series "Money Heist" is one of the most watched series worldwide. In 2022, fans were surprised when Netflix Korea released its own take on the popular series with the help of multi-awarded stars Park Hae Soo, Yoo Ji Tae, Jeon Jong Seo and more! Though the premise and the characters in the drama were similar, "Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area" delivered a unique storyline where North Korea and South Korea were unified. With the joint forces of an intelligent tactician and strategists, the biggest heist of all time in the Korean Peninsula has been made! 'Little Women' Based on Louisa May Alcott's most popular work "Little Women," Kim Go Eun, Nam Ji Hyun and Park Ji Hu created their own interpretation of the work. While the American television shows followed the narrative of the book, the South Korean remake of "Little Women" incorporated mystery and murder, much to fans' amusement. The series centers on the story of three destitute sisters who climb the ladder to the top, fighting against the most influential family of South Korea. 'The World of the Married' "The World of the Married" starring Kim Hee Ae, Park Hae Joon and Han So Hee is a work based on the British psychological series "Doctor Foster." It focuses on the struggles of a doctor whose family crumbles when she learns about her husband's affair with her own patient. The drama, up until this writing, is the highest-rated work in the history of K-Drama, all thanks to its irreverent and witty portrayal of revenge, agony and regrets. KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. In a new video with his "Taxi Driver" co-stars, Lee Je Hoon made an unexpected confession of wanting to be in a relationship. Here's what the actor said. Age Doesn't Matter To Lee Je Hoon? Actors 'Begs' Someone Special To Come Along With the ongoing popularity of "Taxi Driver 2," its lead stars gathered for a fun interview. On SBS' YouTube channel, a video titled "A Star Asks a Star!" was uploaded, where the drama's cast members Lee Je Hoon, Pyo Ye Jin, Kim Eui Sung, Jang Hyuk Jin, and Bae Yoo Ram answered fun questions and shared some of their personal stories. In the video, attention focused on Lee Je Hoon after Pyo Ye Jin mentioned a past anecdote of the actor. The actress said, "I heard Lee Je Hoon refused when asked by his fans if a 9-year-old age gap is okay?" After hearing this, Lee Je Hoon said he had a change of heart and corrected his previous answer, saying, "I think I said that almost a decade already. Now, I don't care about things like that anymore." He made his co-stars laugh by confessing, "I'm lonely right now. I'm going to die. I want someone to come. Please." Making it funnier, the award-winning actor knelt down after Jang Hyuk said, "Is this an open courtship?" and Lee Je Hoon shouted, "Please." Seeing how hopeless he looked, Pyo Ye Jin teased him to do a Kim Do Gi's version of "See you tomorrow, noona," to which Lee Je Hoon willingly did in an instant. Watch the full video here. 'Taxi Driver 2' Makes Successful Premiere "Taxi Driver 2" made its debut on primetime last February 17. The drama made a successful premiere as it received high viewership ratings during its first week of release. The K-drama is expected to gain more positive responses from the audience in the upcoming weeks. The drama follows the story of a mysterious taxi service that delivers justice and revenge on behalf of victims who cannot get help or assistance from the law. This webtoon-based series first met viewers in 2021. After two years, and also due to high demand, the production produced another sequel. Catch "Taxi Driver 2" every Friday and Saturday on SBS at 10 PM (KST) Lee Je Hoon Receives Warm Support From Filipino Fans Meanwhile, Lee Je Hoon just started the first leg of his Asia tour in the Philippines last March 3. The "Where Stars Land" was enthusiastic to finally see his Filipino fans after a long time. He answered some questions, played games, and shared stories with fans. The "Taxi Driver" lead star will head to Singapore for his next fan meet. What can you say about Lee Je Hoon's recent confession? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article. Shai Collins wrote this. Following the attacks, Israeli forces imposed a siege around Nablus, restricting the movement of Palestinians Hundreds of Israeli settlers attacked different towns and villages near the West Bank city of Nablus on February 26. At least one Palestinianidentified as 37-year-old Sameh Aqtashwas killed, and more than 100 were injured, according to WAFA. Around 65 Palestinians, including 13 children, have been killed in 2023 by Israeli forces in the first two months of 2023 alone in the areas of occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. A Palestinian faces an Israeli military vehicle during Wednesday's raid in the West Bank. [ Photo credit: Zain Jaafar/AFP/Getty Images] The settlers also attacked and burned dozens of Palestinian houses and vehicles across the region. Palestinians claimed that the settlers unleashed their violence under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces. They also claimed that the Israeli forces prevented medical aid from reaching those who needed it. Nablus and nearby Jenin in the occupied West Bank have been the focal points of Israeli violence in the last few months. On February 22, Israeli occupation forces killed at least 11 Palestinians and injured more than 100 in Nablus in a daytime raid. Following the attacks, Israeli forces imposed a siege around Nablus, restricting the movement of Palestinians, stated WAFA. The siege of Nablus was intensified when Israeli occupation forces increased deployment, claiming that they were attempting to apprehend the gunman who allegedly opened fire and killed two Israeli settlers in Huwara, just south of Nablus, in late February. from the Peoples Dispatch / Globetrotter News Service WGTD (91.1 FM) is owned and operated as a public service of Gateway Technical College and is an affiliate of Wisconsin Public Radio. For an updated schedule, go online to wgtd.org. WGTD 91.1-FMs Morning Show airs 8:10 to 9 a.m. weekdays. Guests this week include: Monday, March 6: William Shatner, famous for portraying Captain James T. Kirk. He comes to Milwaukee for a screening at the Pabst Theater of Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan, the second major motion picture based on the original Star Trek series, this Friday, March 10th. Well fill out the hour with excerpts from other Star Trek related interviews. Tuesday, March 7: Dana Rubin, author of Speaking While Female: 75 Extraordinary Speeches by American Women. The book gathers together the text of 75 speeches delivered over the course of hundreds of years, with introductions to each. Wednesday, March 8: In a special follow-up to yesterdays program, well be playing recorded excerpts from some of the great speeches highlight in Dana Rubins book Speaking While Female. Thursday, March 9: Nan Calverts monthly visit to the program will feature MaryLynn Conter Strack, Executive Director of the Racine Dominican Eco-Justice Center. Friday, March 10: Dr. Donald P. Ryan, renowned archeologist and author of Beneath the Sands of Egypt. From doctor to worried family member: a call for more humanized care in the ICU 31 Shares Share Recently I had the unfortunate experience of changing my perspective from being a doctor to becoming a worried family member. My father spent five weeks in a hospital with a severe infection. Visiting hours were restricted to one hour per day the aftermath of COVID and getting information about his therapy, prognosis, etc., was nearly impossible. Thankfully, my father recovered and was discharged. He was more than happy to go home, but at the same time, he was traumatized. He was often treated disrespectfully. He felt he had no right to ask questions. His need for painkillers was ignored sometimes for hours. The time spent in the hospital left a mark on him. I hope this is an extreme example, but lets be honest; similar things happen now and then. They may happen unintendedly, but they happen and affect our patients. My father suffered unnecessarily during his hospital stay. Nurses and doctors didnt treat him as a person with feelings or fears but often saw him as a task on the to-do list. They dehumanized him. What does dehumanization mean? The word sounds puzzling or even malicious. Per definition, dehumanization means to regard, represent, or treat someone as less than human or to deprive them of human qualities or attributes. Do we really do that to our patients? It may sound harsh, but yes, we all do it sometimes. How are patients dehumanized? In medical care, dehumanization can take different forms, like, stripping patients of their identity by not calling them by their names but by their room numbers or illnesses controlling their bodies with machines and medicaments putting them into an artificial coma performing all kinds of procedures while unconscious ignoring their privacy by entering and exiting their rooms unannounced without asking for permission restricting their connection with their foremost support, their families Most of these attitudes are part of standard policies and practices. Other forms of dehumanization are the products of human nature. Dehumanizing may be a human act of self-protection In the ICU, hardship, misfortune, pain, and misery are part of daily life. While working under circumstances the majority cant even imagine, one must show extreme empathy when facing critically ill patients with uncertain outcomes, end-of-life decisions, etc. At the same time, one must carry out painful, unpleasant procedures causing suffering with their own hands. Self-distancing could be considered a normal defense mechanism. Several factors can intensify it, such as: Cultural differences between patient/family and health care professionals Altered consciousness of the patient Working under time pressure Moral and ethical conflicts in the caring team Burnout of the caregiver Toxic working environments Fragmented care delivery All these reasons are legitimate. Still, we mustnt forget that disrespectful behavior and dehumanization are nonphysical and preventable harm. Moreover, dehumanization affects our patients lives as much in the long and short term. The consequences of dehumanization The direct consequences of dehumanization can significantly influence the primary outcome. Some examples are: Loss of trust in the medical team Decreased motivation to actively participate in treatment Disorientation or delirium through misinterpreting reality Physical distress Neglect because of lack of communication between patient and staff They can result in suboptimal medical treatment with possibly longer hospitalization and more complications. Families also suffer from dehumanization as they may feel guilty not being able to support, encourage or advocate for their loved ones. Consequently, they can experience symptoms of depression or anxiety. The aftermath of the ICU Once having endured the critical phase and being discharged, survivors must face the bitter reality of returning to normal life on their own. Unfortunately, most systems fail to rehabilitate or even orientate these patients. Survivors might suffer from PTSD or PICS (post-intensive care syndrome) with all its physical and mental debilitations. In addition, they possibly face unemployment and the fear of becoming a burden to their families. Surviving critical illness remains the primary goal, but one cant deny that the treatment must make sense in the greater context of life after ICU. How does humanizing intensive care help? Patient-centered care is not only a goal, but it provides us with the means to improve the outcomes of our critically ill patients. It is a recent topic, but a growing body of evidence supports its significance. Intensivists all over the globe have started to recognize the weight of dehumanization and advocate for change. Patient-centered care is gaining influence, at least on the theoretical level. A Spanish research group, HUCI (Humanizando los Cuidados Intensivos), put it into practice. Their English manual includes seven strategic lines to help humanize care in the ICU. The seven strategies are: Open-door ICU: presence and involvement of family members Optimizing communication within the multidisciplinary team and between the patient, family, and the health care team Prioritizing patients physical and psychological well-being Physician well-being, burnout-prevention Support after intensive care for survivors and their families Coexistence of end-of-life care with intensive care Humanized infrastructure, such as improved architectural and structural elements Whats the future? Now, with the possibilities of modern medicine, we can reduce the mortality of life-threatening diseases in ways we couldnt have dreamed of earlier. Lets remember, in the meantime, that our patients are not merely organs to medicate, replace or repair. They are feeling and thinking human beings who are likely living their worst nightmares in our hands. So, lets treat them with respect and compassion. The goal of intensive care therapy should be, as the authors of a related article say: balancing the lifesaving effects of technology with a greater emphasis on the individual patient and respect for human dignity. Zsuzsa Csik is an anesthesiologist in Brazil. Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! In this episode, we sit down with patient advocate Althea Halchuck to discuss the importance of advance directives in end-of-life care. We delve into the story of Dr. Gerald Greenberg, a New York dentist who was diagnosed with early-onset dementia and executed a living will stating his preferences for end-of-life care. Despite this, he was subjected to unwanted medical treatment that prolonged his life and caused him immense pain and suffering. Althea will discuss the growing trend of wrongful prolongation of life lawsuits and the duty of medical providers to follow a legally executed advance directive or medical order. She will explain the legal precedent set by recent cases and the importance of creating an advance directive before becoming incapacitated. Join us as we explore the consequences of not following a patients wishes and the right to refuse medical treatment, even if it may result in death. Althea Halchuck is a patient advocate. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, Whats the sense of having a living will if its not honored? The Podcast by KevinMD is brought to you by the Nuance Dragon Ambient eXperience. With a growing physician shortage, increasing burnout, and declining patient satisfaction, a dramatic change is needed to make health care more efficient and effective and bring back the joy of practicing medicine. AI-driven ambient clinical intelligence promises to help by revolutionizing patient and provider experiences with clinical documentation that writes itself. The Nuance Dragon Ambient eXperience, or DAX for short, is a voice-enabled, ambient clinical intelligence solution that automatically captures patient encounters securely and accurately at the point of care. Physicians who use DAX have reported a 50 percent decrease in documentation time and a 70 percent reduction in feelings of burnout, and 83 percent of patients say their physician is more personable and conversational. Rediscover the joy of medicine with clinical documentation that writes itself, all within the EHR. VISIT SPONSOR https://nuance.com/daxinaction SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RATE AND REVIEW https://www.kevinmd.com/rate FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/kevinphomd FOLLOW ON TIKTOK https://www.tiktok.com/@kevinphomd GET CME FOR THIS EPISODE https://earnc.me/YmiOAQ Powered by CMEfy. The conflict in Myanmar is intensifying. According to a report in Mizzima, the military government carried out 57 airstrikes in January, and 652 airstrikes since the coup in February 2021 On February 20, the European Union announced a sixth round of sanctions on nine individuals and seven entities in military-ruled Myanmar in light of the continuing escalation of violence, grave human rights violations and threats to the peace, security and stability in Myanmar/Burma two years after the February 1, 2021, coup. The sanctions entail travel bans and asset freezes of influential businessmen, politicians, and military officers. Myanmar military officers march during a parade to commemorate the 74th Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar on Wednesday, March 27, 2019. [ Photo: AP] According to the EU, some of the targeted individuals were involved in the process of death sentences and execution of four democracy activists in July 2022, and in Kachin State, where they oversaw air strikes, massacres, raids, arson and the use of human shields committed by the military. The EU said in its statement: All hostilities must stop immediately. The military authorities must fully respect international humanitarian law, and put an end to the indiscriminate use of force. The announcement comes after democratic advocacy group Justice for Myanmar on January 25 reported on the networks established between foreign countries, intergovernmental organizations, and financial institutions that have been aiding the junta forces in acquiring funds, resources, and power. Meanwhile, the conflict in Myanmar is intensifying. According to a report in Mizzima, the military government carried out 57 airstrikes in January, and 652 airstrikes since the coup in February 2021. More than 288 individuals, mostly civilians, have died, and 377 have been severely injured as a result of these strikes since the coup. from the Peoples Dispatch / Globetrotter News Service The brothers were accused by the U.S. of helping Al Qaeda operatives by providing them with shelter and other logistical support. However, they were never charged or tried formally. After spending two decades of their lives in the notorious Guantanamo Bay detention center on the U.S. Navy base in Cuba without any charge or trial, two Pakistani brothers were finally sent home by the U.S. authorities on February 23. Abdul Rabbani (55) and Mohammed Rabbani (53) were first arrested by Pakistani authorities in 2002 from Karachi and were transferred to the CIAs custody. The detention center at Guantanamo Bay was first established under former U.S. President George W. Bushs administration as part of the so-called global war on terrorism after the September 11, 2001, attacks, with the objective of bypassing legal obligations related to detainees. Chain link fence and concertina wire surrounds a deserted guard tower within Joint Task Force Guantanamo's Camp Delta at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba March 21, 2016. Photo by Lucas Jackson/REUTERS The brothers were accused by the U.S. of helping Al Qaeda operatives by providing them with shelter and other logistical support. However, they were never charged or tried formally. They have accused the CIA of torturing them in custody before transferring them to Guantanamo Bay. According to reports, at least 779 people have been detained at Guantanamo Bay since it was established in January 2002it was constructed illegally in a U.S.-occupied part of Cuba. Over the years, many prisoners have been transferred to third countries or repatriated, especially after global attention was directed toward the human rights violations taking place at the facility following the publication of the Gitmo files by WikiLeaks. According to the Associated Press, there are 32 more detainees in Guantanamo, of whom 18 are eligible for transfermeaning they are not facing any charges or trial and will be transferred once countries willing to take them are found. Larry Hogan addresses supporters after giving his farewell speech at the Maryland State House in Annapolis on January 10, 2023. Author Marianne Williamson, seen here in February 2020, is expected to formally announce that she's running for president in 2024 on March 4. Since February has ended, it's now time to reflect on the best songs that were released by our faves! The year 2023 has a lot to uncover, especially when March is just starting its course. Here are 8 best K-pop songs released in February 2023! 1. "Fighting" by SEVENTEEN BSS (feat. Lee Youngji) SEVENTEEN BSS's "Fighting" is one of the best releases for February! Uploaded on February 6, the quirky and uplifting song was well-loved by CARATs. It also received recognition with music charts like Hanteo and Billboard. Furthermore, the song featured Lee Youngji, who served powerful rap verses! 2. "Teddy Bear" by STAYC STAYC's "Teddy Bear" was released on February 14. Fans love this song due to its cheerful and memorable melody, propelling it in February's well-loved songs. It also led STAYC to have numerous music show wins. That alone talks about how popular the song is! Currently as of March 3, the MV for "Teddy Bear" currently garners 39,767,811 views on YouTube. 3. "Killer" by SHINee Key SHINee Key's "Killer" showcases the artist's creativity and musicality. Indulging Shawols through a retro piece, adding another bop on their playlist. "Killer" is the title track for Key's 2nd album repackage of the same name. Additionally, the music video for the song was also praised for its choreography, production, and Key's charisma. 4. "Hidden Sides" by Hwang Minhyun Hwang Minhyun's "Hidden Sides" steals your attention instantly with its sophisticated music. The MV was also commended for Minhyun's performance, highlighting his experience in the industry and dedication to fans. Whether he's in a group or going solo, Minhyun never disappoints on his music and performances! 5. "ROAR" by THE BOYZ "ROAR" lives up to its title name, where it boasts loud and confident music for fans. With its chant-like chorus, many fans would agree that "ROAR" is a bop worth listening to! The MV for "ROAR" was released on February 20, and currently garners 30,367,787 views, as of March 3. 6. "Sweet Juice" PURPLE KISS PURPLE KISS's "Sweet Juice" title may sound like a song that can give off cutesy vibes, but that's far from the truth. "Sweet Juice" takes listeners on a ride around the song's sultry theme, haunting strings instrumental, and percussion. 7. "Yesterday" by Jay Park While Jay Park is mostly known for his hip-hop releases, "Yesterday" offers listeners a more laid-back and serene experience. The successfully presents Jay Park's vocal timbre, which matched the ballad with perfection. The MV for "Yesterday" was released on February 14. 8. "WE ARE YOUNG" by TRI.BE TRI.BE's "WE ARE YOUNG" also joins February's bop list! The girl group makes a refreshing take, extending their carefree ambiance to listeners. With the girls' performance, "WE ARE YOUNG" will surely get you dancing! Which songs on the list are your favorites? Let us know in the comments below! Read KpopStarz for more K-pop news. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: K-pop Starter Playlist: 12 of the Best Songs to Get Your Friends into Liking K-pop KpopStarz owns this article Written by Israel Monte Are you a fan of Webtoons and K-pop? THIS soon-to-debut virtual group is drawing attention for its striking visuals and skills! Virtual Idol Group PLAVE To Debut on March 12 Here's Quintet's Worldview On March 4, Vlast, an online and offline intellectual property (IP) content production company announced the debut of its virtual idol group! According to the company, a five-member boy group, PLAVE will release its first single album, "Asterum" on March 12. In particular, PLAVE, an amalgamation of Play and Reve (Dream), is comprised of members Yejun, Noah, Bamby, Eunho and Hamin. The members were drawn like manhwas often seen in Webtoon, flaunting top CG visuals. All five handsome idols who came out of comics are songwriters who can also compose their own songs as well as "all-rounders" who are skilled in singing, dancing and rapping. According to their agency (creators), the group's worldview will center on five characters who lived in the virtual world "Kaelum" and who were given the ability by the "developer" of the Earth to be able to communicate with humans. Their single, "Asterum" means a mysterious space that exists between Earth and Kaelum. Each track on the album was written and composed by PLAVE members themselves. The production was performed by HYBE's producer "EL CAPITXN," who worked with BTS, IU, and PSY. Prior to their debut, the members were introduced and started communicating with fans through its official YouTube channel. The quintet has been actively doing live-stream broadcasts and was also frequently releasing cover videos to showcase their individual talents. Some of their vlogs also hinted at the chemistry of the members. Among the videos uploaded, lead vocalist Noah's busking video on Hongdae, Seoul on December 24 last year received 1.9 million views. PLAVE K-pop Profiles: Members' Names, Ages, Appearance, More! 1. Nam Yejun Birthday: September 12, 2001 (22) Height: 183cm Blood Type: B Position: Leader, Vocal Symbol: Dolphin, Blue Heart Appearance: Blue hair, blue eyes 2. Do Eunho Birthday: May 24, 2003 (20) Height: 184cm Blood Type: A Position: rap, vocals Symbol: Wolf, red heart Appearance: ash hair, red eyes 3. Chae Bonggoo (Bamby) Birthday: July 15, 2002 (21) Height: 174cm Blood Type: B Position: Dance, vocals Symbol: Deer, pink heart Appearance: pink hair, pink eyes 4. Han Noah Birthday: February 10, 2001 (22) Height: 179cm Blood Type: O Position: Dance Symbol: Alpaca, purple heart Appearance: blonde hair, blue eyes 5. Yu Hamin Birthday: November 1 Height: 185cm Blood Type: AB Position: rap, dance, maknae Symbol: black cat, black heart Appearance: black hair, black eyes For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Eunice Dawson. When Russia mobilized additional soldiers in late 2022, they did so in an improvised fashion because there was no precedent for such an action in a peacetime war like the one in Ukraine. This mobilization was left to regional (city and provincial) authorities, who had to select who would go PLUS provide uniforms, weapons and other basic supplies as well as pay and benefits. This saved the Defense Ministry a lot of money that it didnt have in the first place. This seemed to be an innovative solution to many problems. It wasnt. When the Defense Ministry was in charge there was some standardization in the process. In this case there wasnt. While the provincial governors and mayors of major cities are all appointed by the central government, each city or province has a different political atmosphere. Some are more aligned with what the central government is up to while others are not. There were dozens of local governments running this improvised mobilization and not all of them had the same ability, cash, standards or stamina for the task of sustained support for the volunteers they sent to Ukraine. Having so many regional governments taking care of the troops they mobilized didnt work in the long term because not all local governments in Russia are the same. Some are more diligent about continuing to support the troops they had to mobilize while others didnt provide any or had it all just disappear because of corruption. It was corruption in the national government that led to the effort to have local governments take care of finding troops and then continuing to take care of their basic needs. While the national government was still responsible for producing warships, warplanes and armored vehicles, local governments were expected to provide uniforms, training and protective gear (helmets and vests) as well as assault rifles (also used by local police forces). All the regions were expected to send a certain number (or quota) of troops. There was no effort to impose standards regarding who was available and how well they would be trained, equipped and supported. This meant that there was a wide variety of troops in terms of age, physical condition and willingness to serve in the army. The army did not provide any additional training for the newly mobilized troops. Some regions sent military veterans or even conducted some brief training. There was no time for much more. The mobilized troops had to be delivered to army units in Ukraine as soon as possible. In Ukraine the mobilized regional troops faced a grim situation. The army was unable to adequately supply its troops in Ukraine because the Ukrainians were very good at locating, attacking and destroying most of the supplies Russian sent to Ukraine for their troops. To make matters worse, there were corrupt officials in the Defense Ministry who often diverted supplies or the cash used to purchase them. Corruption was a major problem nationwide for a long time but this decentralized manpower mobilization scheme made it worse. At the front there were more immediate concerns. The army had lost most of its combat officers during the first months of the invasion and there were not enough to take charge of all the regional contingents arriving in Ukraine during late 2022. Some contingents elected their own leaders, but these men had no official standing in the army. The senior leaders were more numerous and they issued many orders to these mobilized troops that were never received or could not be carried out. It was a mess and there were few units organized and led well enough to carry out any kind of military operation other than self-defense. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. New Delhi, March 5: A passenger of a New York-New Delhi American Airlines flight has allegedly urinated on a fellow male passenger on board in a drunken state, sources said on Sunday. The incident allegedly took place on flight number AA292, which took off from New York at 9:16 pm on Friday and landed after 14 hours and 26 minutes of flying at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here at 10:12 pm on Saturday. Air India Urination Horror: Couldve Handled These Matters Better, Committed To Take Action, Says CEO Campbell Wilson. "The accused is a student in a US university. He was in a state of inebriation and urinated while he was asleep. It somehow leaked and fell on a fellow passenger who complained to the crew," a source at the airport said. Air India Urination Row: Patiala House Court Sends Accused Shankar Mishra 14 Days Judicial Custody. He added that the male victim was not keen on reporting the matter to police after the student apologised as it might put his career in jeopardy. However, the airline took it seriously and reported it to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) at the IGI airport. After the crew came to know about the incident on board, they informed the pilot who reported the matter to the ATC, which further alerted the CISF personnel who handed over the accused passenger to the Delhi Police. "The airline's own security team, along with the CISF, came into action after the incident came to light. The accused was immediately taken into custody once the flight landed. Police are recording the statements of the persons concerned," another source at the airport informed PTI. According to the Civil Aviation Rules, if a passenger is found guilty of unruly behaviour, besides action under criminal law, he will be banned from flying for a particular time period, depending on the level of the offence. This is the second such incident in the last few months where a flyer relieved himself on a fellow passenger in an inebriated state. On November 26, an almost similar incident took place on a New York-Delhi Air India flight, in which a man named Shankar Mishra had allegedly urinated in a drunken state on an elderly woman. That incident came to light almost a month later through a media report, after which an FIR was lodged and Mishra arrested. He was released on bail after spending nearly a month in jail. The DGCA imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India for not reporting the matter within 12 hours of the incident in accordance with the norm. While the Delhi Police is investigating the matter, Mishra has been banned from flying for four months. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], March 5 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday reached Raipur to campaign for Chhattisgarh assembly elections, 2023. While talking to ANI, Kejriwal said, "The upcoming elections are very important for the people of Chhattisgarh. BJP ruled Chhattisgarh for 15 years and Congress ruled for about seven years." Also Read | Toll Tax at Highways, Expressways Likely to Be Expensive Across India From Next Month, Check Details Here. He added, "There is no significant difference in the governance of both the parties. Only the names of the parties and the names of the chief minister have changed. The life of the people did not change, the system did not change, and the system remained the same." Mann said, "Punjab has suffered exactly the same. For 25 years since 1997, there was the rule of two families. The Badal family and Captain created a mafia that looted Punjab fiercely, Sand mafia, land mafia, whatever." Also Read | Rahul Gandhi As Dangerous as China, Pakistan, BBC and Khalistanis for Country, Says BJP MP Harnath Singh Yadav. Assembly elections are due in 2023 in Chhattisgarh. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Coimbatore, Mar 5 (PTI) A day after holding talks with Tamil Nadu government authorities over the brewing migrant workers issue in Chennai, the official delegation from Bihar visited knitwear hub Tirupur on Sunday to check on the safety of workers from the northern state after fake videos claiming attacks on the workforce had led to panic among them. Also Read | Adenovirus in West Bengal: Four More Child Deaths Reported From Kolkata, Toll Rises to 40 in Nine Days. Led by Bihar Rural Development Secretary D Balamurugan, the four-member team expressed satisfaction over the steps taken by Tamil Nadu government and the Tirupur district administration to ensure safety and protection of the workers. Also Read | Thane Shocker: Couple Kills Neighbour For Placing Slippers Near House Door; Woman Held, Husband Absconding. They discussed the issue with the officials including District Collector S Vineeth and Police Commissioner Praveen Kumar, representatives of textile industry and contractors who bring in workers from other states, Balamurugan said. The delegation also interacted with the workers and told them not to believe in rumours and fake videos, after which they regained their confidence, as many of them considered the information coming from them to be true, the senior officer said. "We are satisfied by the steps taken by Tamil Nadu government and the district administration in ensuring safety of the workers to allay the fears from their minds," he said. These confidence building measures have brought the situation to normalcy, the delegation said. More than 1.7 lakh migrant workers are employed in Tirupur in readymade garment manufacturing and allied industries, district officials said. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday had reassured his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar that all migrant workers are safe and the police of the southern state registered cases against two journalists, including the editor of a Hindi daily for spreading rumours. The issue of fake claims on attacks in Tamil Nadu on migrant workforce snowballed into a political slugfest between the ruling DMK and the BJP. The saffron party targeted the Nitish Kumar-led regime in Bihar, which dispatched an official team for fact finding. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], March 5 (ANI): Delhi's Rohini court has recently granted bail to Islam accused in the alleged murder of Rinku Sharma in Delhi's Mangolpuri area in 2021. The court while granting bail noted that the accused is in custody since February 2021 and FSL report is yet to be filed. Rinku Sharma, 25, a hospital technician was allegedly stabbed by a group of persons on February 10, 2021. The situation had got tense after the incident and forces were deployed to control the situation. Also Read | 7th Pay Commission Latest News Today: Heres When Centre Will Announce First DA Hike of 2023. Additional sessions judge Neeraj Gaur on Friday granted bail to Islam on the condition that the accused shall not reside in the area of Mangolpuri. The court granted bail to the accused on furnishing a bail bond of Rs 35,000 and one surety in the like amount. Also Read | Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023: PM Narendra Modi To Visit Poll-Bound State on March 12; Congress Presses for Model Code of Conduct. Court also directed that the accused shall intimate the court in case of a change of his residential address. While granting bail the court observed that The accused had been in custody for about two years and the public witnesses have not been examined. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report is also not yet filed. "The applicant is in custody for about two years. As already discussed, the trial will take its own time. The public witnesses have not been examined but the reason, therefore, has been beyond the control of the court," the judge said in the order of March 3. " Similarly, the seriousness of the allegations and gravity of the offence is also not absolute grounds to deny bail. The non-examination of public witnesses cannot be made an absolute ground to deny all bail applications," the judge said.Advocate Ravi Drall, appearing for the accused, submitted that Islam has been in custody since February 2021 and the mere presence of an accused person can not render liable for constructive liability. He also submitted that although Islam's name was mentioned in the FIR. However, Islam was not seen with a weapon in CCTV footage. In fact, Islam was making a call to the police as soon as the tension arose between two groups of the same locality, the counsel argued. The bail application was vehemently opposed by the additional public prosecutor (APP) for the State. He submitted that the offence is of a serious nature. After hearing the submissions of both sides observed, "the court is to strike a balance between the liberty guaranteed to the accused persons and the rights of the victims." (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], March 5 (ANI): The Delhi Police has filed a case against the installation of a banner saying 'I Love Manish Sisodia' at the gate of a Delhi government school in northeast Delhi's Shastri Park area on Saturday. The local residents protested when the banner was being put up on Friday morning, following which they lodged a complaint with the police. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Girl Tested HIV Positive After Doctor Used Same Syringe, Claim Kin; Explanation Sought From UP Medical College. The complaint was lodged by a local resident, Diwakar Pandey, for which the Delhi Police has registered a case under Section 3 of the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act in Shastri Park Police Station. The School Management Committee (SMC) Coordinator Gazala along with the school principal got the banner fixed on the school gate. Also Read | Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Alleges 'Structures of Our Democracy Under Brutal Attack'. While talking to ANI, the complainant, Diwakar Pandey, said, "On March 3, between 8-8.30 am, some Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers were putting up a banner above the gate of the government school in Shastri Park. First, they took out a desk from the school. Brought it outside and climbed on it and started putting a poster of 'I love Manish Sisodia' on the gate, to which people objected and said that this is a temple of education, keep it away from politics." "We even asked them if they had permission. They claimed to be related to MLA Abdul Rehman. After this, a person contacted the MLA and asked him if he had given permission and the MLA replied with a yes. We know the MLA is lying as such permission is never given for a school to be used for some political gains." Pandey added. The complainant stated that the banner was removed after the people protested. He said, "The problem is that children were made to write 'I love Manish Sisodia'. Our culture does not allow all these things." "They are trying to brainwash the children. We asked the principal, but he failed to recognize the seriousness of the matter, after which I lodged a complaint. The police have registered a case taking cognizance and assured that the culprits will be punished," he added. While talking to ANI, a local resident Durgesh Tiwari said, "Some AAP workers had come here and put the 'I Love Sisodia' banner on the gate and called the children who were coming to school to sit near the gate." "I confronted them and said what they were doing was not right. To this, the workers replied that what the government is doing is not right and our education minister has been sent to jail. They said that the children are registering their sympathy towards him," Tiwari added. Expressing displeasure over the incident, Tiwari said, "Children are defending alcohol accused, how far is that right? These people are forcing the child and the principal of the school to get such activities done. In the same school, religious activity was conducted by these representatives. However, no action was taken." Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on Sunday last for alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of Delhi's new excise policy. The policy was withdrawn amid allegations of foul play by the Opposition. Sisodia had on Friday filed a bail plea in Rouse Avenue Court after the SC refused to intervene in the matter. The fresh bail petition filed on behalf of Sisodia before a trial court in the national capital stated that no fruitful purpose would be served by keeping him (Sisodia) in custody as all the recoveries in the case have already been made. It stated further that the former Delhi deputy CM was cooperating in the investigation and had appeared whenever summoned by the CBI. The other accused persons arrested in this case have already been granted bail, it added. Sisodia, in his plea, further stated that he held the important constitutional post of deputy CM and has deep roots in the society. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 5 (PTI) The finance ministry has started daily monitoring of the revenue receipts, including tax collections, as well as expenditure beginning March 1, with an aim to keep fiscal deficit in check during the current fiscal. Although the government is expected to meet the revised tax revenue estimates, meeting the Rs 50,000 crore target from disinvestment receipts could be a challenge. Also Read | Haryana Hit-and-Run Horror: Ratia DSP Chander Pal Mowed Down by Vehicle While Cycling on Hisar-Sirsa Highway. According to officials, the daily monitoring of tax and non-tax revenue collections will help the government in taking timely corrective actions, wherever needed. "In order to keep a close track of receipts, expenditure and involving fiscal position of the central government in the month of March, 2023, it is necessary to have updated information on a day-to-day basis," the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) under the finance ministry said in an office memorandum dated March 1. Also Read | Man Walks Free After 13 Years in Jail As Supreme Court Nullifies Extra-Judicial Confession. The Ministry has also asked the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to report flash figures. Besides, other non-tax and disinvestment receipts too would have to be reported on a daily basis, as per the memorandum. CBDT and CBIC are the apex bodies responsible for collecting direct and indirect taxes, respectively. Non-civil ministries like Railways, Defence and Posts would also be required to upload their accounting data on a daily basis on the e-Lekha portal, it added. The Centre has set a target of 6.4 per cent for fiscal deficit, which is the difference between government revenues and spending, in the current financial year ending March 31. Till January, the fiscal deficit has touched 68 per cent of the Budget estimates at Rs 11.91 lakh crore. Net tax receipts rose to Rs 16.89 lakh crore while total expenditure was Rs 31.68 lakh crore. Mop up from disinvestment stood at Rs 31,106 crore so far this fiscal, as against the full year estimates of Rs 50,000 crore. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], March 5 (ANI): Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the "gang" getting support from the "anti-India foreign entities" in a bid to launch "frontal attack against India", alleging that they will assault the credibility of Indian democracy and Judiciary. The Minister stressed that the Indian Judiciary is independent and cannot be forced to play the role of the Opposition parties. Also Read | Manish Sisodia Arrest: Nine Opposition Leaders Write to PM Narendra Modi on 'Misuse' of Agencies. "When we want to make India a safe and secure nation, we need stringent laws. Without that, freedom does not exist. As long as we have a secure boundary, as long as we have a strong state, all things which are constitutional will prevail. Otherwise, there will be complete lawlessness. In the name of freedom, if everybody runs freely, where will law and order be? No political party can question the wisdom of the Indian Judiciary. No campaign whatsoever with all alternate motives can succeed in defaming India and its democratic setup. We Indians are inherently democratic. That is why we proudly claim that we are the mother of democracy in the world," Rijiju said while addressing at Central Govt Law Officers Conference at Bhubaneswar on Saturday. "Judiciary decision has to be respected. This is the mandate. Some people want to play some kind of role and want to force the judiciary to play the role of Opposition parties. Indian Judiciary will never accept this situation. Indian Judiciary itself resists this attempt to make the Judiciary play the role of Opposition parties. The judiciary is independent. The independence of the Judiciary cannot be questioned by anybody," he added. Also Read | Telangana Monkey Attack: 70-Year-Old Woman Dies After Being Mauled by Monkeys in Hyderabad. Taking to Twitter on Sunday, the Minister said that democracy runs in the veins of Indians and cannot be questioned. "Indian Judiciary is independent. And Indian Judiciary can never be forced to play the roles of opposition Party. Nobody can even question Indian democracy because democracy runs in our blood. These gang get active support from Anti-India foreign entities to launch frontal attack against India. Systematically they will assault the credibility of the Indian democracy, Indian Govt, Judiciary & all Critical Organs like Defence, Election Commision, Investigating Agencies," he tweeted. Rijiju said that India has set its journey towards rejuvenation under PM Modi. "The Members of Tukde-Tukde Gang should better understand that India has embarked upon journey of great rejuvenation under the leadership of PM Modi. We the people of INDIA will give them a befitting reply," the Minister tweeted. The Minister's remarks came days after Rahul Gandhi during his lecture at the Cambridge University alleged that constraints were being put on the Parliament, press and the Judiciary in the country. "Everybody knows and it's been in the news a lot that Indian democracy is under pressure and under attack. I am an Opposition leader in India, we are navigating that (Opposition) space. The institutional framework which is required for a democracy -- Parliament, free press, the judiciary, just the idea of mobilisation, moving around -- all are getting constrained. So, we are facing an attack on the basic structure of Indian democracy," the Congress MP had alleged. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Nagpur, March 5: The Nagpur citizen's Forum held a protest today demanding an increase in the number of public urinals for women under the 'Right to Pee' campaign. Nagpur Citizens Forum launched a 'Right to Pee' campaign to demand clean, safe and free toilets for the citizens on December 30, 2021. Under this campaign, the 'Nagpur Citizens Forum' surveyed and examined the situation by visiting the toilets available in different parts of the city", a member of the forum said. Can Peeing After Sex Actually Prevent Urinary Tract Infections? Here's How Soon You Should Rush to The Bathroom After Intercourse! Various members of the Citizen's forum participated in the protest and raised slogans demanding better urinal facilities for women in public places from the government. 'World Longest Penis' in a Kids Cartoon! Danish Show John Dillermand Aimed at 'Sex Education' Gets Mixed Reactions, Watch Video. Advocate Smita Singhalkar, a Women Activist and a member of the forum said that unhealthy urinals might lead to various diseases and improper public urinals site often result in crimes against women and girls. "The lack of adequate public toilets is a matter of concern. Women and girls are forced to use other people's improper or private washrooms, which may lead to crimes such as rape or sexual harassment," said Smita. "It's very important to provide better urinal facilities to females. Thus, on this women's day, we demand to increase the number of better public urinals under the Right to Pee campaign from the Maharashtra government," Smita added. Informing about the surveys conducted in the rural areas, Smita said, "Even the schools that are present in the rural areas do have not proper washrooms and girls are forced to request the nearby people to use their washroom. Such kind of negligence may lead to crimes against these girls". She also said that their organisation filed a PIL a few years back but no specific or recognisable actions have been taken by the government. Also, it is necessary to increase the number of public toilets in the area and provide better facilities in the existing washrooms such as better gates, tap water, electricity, etc. Further, they urged the government to take necessary actions in constructing hygienic and safe public toilets for women to avoid crimes against them. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bhubaneswar, Mar 5 (PTI) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday inaugurated the Biju Expressway and the Biju Economic Corridor during his visit to the western districts of the state, besides attending a slew of programmes in the region. Patnaik also held road shows in Kalahandi and Bargarh districts, the two BJP strongholds. Also Read | Toll Tax at Highways, Expressways Likely to Be Expensive Across India From Next Month, Check Details Here. The CM's show in the saffron corridor sparked strong reactions from BJP leaders who termed the the visit to as a "political gimmick" ahead of the 2024 elections to Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly. The saffron party leaders claimed that the the state government, despite building the expressway "with allocations made under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund", did not invite any central leaders for the event. Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Road Accident: Car Collides With Truck in Ujjain; Three Killed and Many Injured. Marking 107th birth anniversary of his father and legendary leader Biju Patnaik, the CM, during his visit to Nuapada district, inaugurated the 174.5-km-long four-lane Biju Expressway -- connecting Ghatipada with Ampani built at a cost of Rs 590.84-crore. At Bargarh, he unveiled the Biju Economic Corridor, spanning from Sohela to Ampani, and asserted that the incentives and subsidies provided by his government will attract investments to the region in the days to come. Patnaik, on the occasion, also inaugurated and laid the foundation of various projects to the tune of Rs 3,081 crore in the three western Odisha districts of Kalahandi, Nuapada and Bargarh. Addressing people, he said that the Biju Expressway is not just a road but the "lifeline of this region". "The Biju Expressway will open up opportunities for many people, including farmers and students, provide a much-needed boost to businesses, offer improved health services and facilitate east of transportation," the CM pointed out. He said necessary work, including land acquisition, has been initiated to facilitate industrial development at the Biju Economic Corridor, which, in turn, will benefit the people of eight districts -- Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri. Besides an increase in economic exchanges between west and south Odisha, the corridor will also boost tourism in the region, Patnaik underlined. Noting that his father Biju Patnaik, as the then chief minister, had created Nuapada district, the CM said, "Biju Babu had played a leading role in the development of infrastructure in Odisha. My government is also working to build a strong Odisha on lines of Biju Babu's work." State ministers, local MLAs and three-tire panchayat functionaries were among those present at the programmes held in western Odisha during the day. Meanwhile, Kalahandi BJP MP Basant Panda termed Patnaik's visit to three western Odisha districts as nothing short of a "show-off". "The CM's tour to this region is an attempt to clean his image after the brutal murder of ex-health minister Naba Das. The Biju Expressway was constructed with the help of money allocated under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund. However, not even a single minister from the Centre was invited to the inauguration. People of Kalahandi and western Odisha will rightfully show him his proper place," Panda claimed. Similarly, Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra, who hails from Bolangir district in western Odisha, criticised the chief minister "for not fulfilling some of the promises" he made to people. "What happened to the CM's promise of providing irrigation facilities to 30 per cent of agricultural land? Where is the second agriculture university in western region, as he had assured?" Mishra maintained. Former MLA and BJP leader Pradip Purohit also slammed Patnaik "for not giving additional Rs 100 subsidy on every quintal of paddy being procured in government marketplaces". The CM had made the announcement in 2016, but the farmers are yet to get the additional subsidy as promised by the chief minister," he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Rohtak (Haryana) [India], March 5 (ANI): Haryana Cabinet Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kamal Gupta on Sunday said that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) can become a part of India anytime in the next 2-3 years. The Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister Kamal Gupta in Rohtak was speaking at an event organised by traders in Rohtak. Also Read | Odisha: CM Naveen Patnaik Announces University of Health Sciences to Ensure Provision of Quality Medical Education in State. Addressing the event, he said, "We were not strong before 2014, but now we have become strong. Pakistan has occupied our territory in PoK. Voices are also being raised from there to join India." "At any moment in the next two-three years, PoK will become a part of India and this will be done under PM Modi only," he added. Also Read | Mumbai: 70-Year-Old Mentally Retarded Man Rescued From 22nd Floor of High Rise Building in Kandivali. He attacked the Opposition for demanding proof of ait strike by giving the reference of 'Jaichand'."Prithviraj Chauhan was defeated because of some Jaichands of our country. Similarly, people like Jaichand are even present today, who demand proof of air strike done by our soldiers," he said.Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, Kamal Gupta said that only BJP can make India 'Vishwa Guru'. "Those talking about uniting India, are the very same people who broke the country. If anyone can make India a Vishwa Guru, it is the BJP," he added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Agartala (Tripura) [India], March 5 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that people of the three northeastern states where elections were recently held have reiterated their trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While talking to ANI, the Assam CM said, "The people have reiterated their trust in PM Modi. Except for Meghalaya, this is the second time the NDA-BJP has won in the two states. This clearly ensures that we will at least win 25-26 seats in the Lok Sabha as well. This win is because of PM Modi's efforts in the Northeast. We have repeated our success in almost all states of the Northeast." Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Girl Tested HIV Positive After Doctor Used Same Syringe, Claim Kin; Explanation Sought From UP Medical College. On Greater Tipraland demand, the CM said, "First and foremost, Tripura cannot be divided. It will stay one. However, the issues of tribals should also be addressed. I believe that the new Government of Tripura and the Central Government will together address their grievances and if needed will work with Tipra Motha too." CM Sarma also launched an attack on the Left-Congress alliance and said, "There is no problem with their alliance. Left and Congress never stood a chance, only hype was created around their alliance. Elections took place and the hype was exposed." Also Read | Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Alleges 'Structures of Our Democracy Under Brutal Attack'. The Chief Minister also informed about the swearing-in ceremony in the northeastern states. He said, "As far as I know, the ceremony in Tripura will be held on March 8. While the ceremony will be conducted in Nagaland and Meghalaya on March 7." "The BJP leaders in Tripura have invited the Prime Minister and the Home Minister for the oath ceremony. PM loves the northeast and the people here. I am sure PM Modi will come," he added. Sarma also exuded confidence in the new Tripura government to successfully tackle post-poll violence in the state. He said, "This is the issue of the state. I believe that in a democracy once the voting is done, there should not be conflict or violence. I am sure the government of Tripura will manage the situation well. Law and order is the first priority of any state government." CM Sarma also thanked the people of the three states for supporting the BJP. With the declaration of results for the Tripura Assembly polls on Thursday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) returned to power in the state by winning an absolute majority. According to the Election Commission of India, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 32 seats with a vote share of around 39 per cent. Tipra Motha Party came second by winning 13 seats. Communist Party of India (Marxist) got 11 seats while Congress bagged three seats. The Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) managed to open its account by winning one seat. The CPI(M) and the Congress, arch rivals in Kerala, came together in the Northeast this time in a bid to oust the BJP from power. The combined vote share of CPI(M) and Congress remained around 33 per cent. Chief Minister Manik Saha defeated Congress' Asish Kumar Saha from the Town Bordowali seat by a margin of 1,257 votes. In the 60-member Tripura assembly, the majority mark is 31. The BJP, which had never won a single seat in Tripura before 2018, stormed to power in the last election in alliance with IPFT and had ousted the Left Front which had been in power in the border state for 35 years since 1978. The BJP contested on 55 seats and its ally, IPFT, on six seats. But both allies had fielded candidates in the Ampinagar constituency in the Gomati district. The Left contested on 47 and Congress on 13 seats, respectively. Of the total 47 seats, the CPM contested 43 seats while the Forward Bloc, Communist Party of India (CPI) and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) contested one seat each. The CPI(M)-led Left Front ruled the state for nearly four decades, with a gap between 1988 and 1993, when the Congress was in power but now both parties joined hands with the intention to oust BJP from power. In Nagaland, BJP secured 12 seats, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) won 25 seats and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) bagged seven seats. National People's Party (NPP) won five seats. Naga Peoples Front, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Republican Party of India (Athawale) won two seats each. Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) got one seat. The majority mark in 60-seat Nagaland Assembly is 31. In Meghalaya, the National People's Party (NPP) won 26 seats, United Democratic Party (UDP) bagged 11 seats and Trinamool Congress got five seats. BJP, People's Democratic Front and Hill State People's Democratic Party bagged two seats each. Congress managed to get five seats while the Voice of the People Party got four seats. Two seats were won by independent candidates. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, March 5: Upping the ante against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the arrest of his then deputy Manish Sisodia, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged on Sunday that he has decided not to allow any non-BJP government function smoothly in states. The prime minister of a country is supposed to be "a father figure" for the nation but creating rift in non-BJP parties and toppling their governments in states by misusing the central agencies has become the "working style" of Prime Minister Modi, he charged. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Lauds Kapil Sibals Initiative for Launching 'Insaf Ke Sipahi' Website, Says Will Fight Together. Kejriwal's remarks came after he and eight other opposition leaders, including chief ministers Mamata Banerjee and K Chandrasekhar Rao, wrote to the prime minister alleging "blatant misuse" of central agencies against members of the opposition. The other signatories to the letter were Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Sharad Pawar (NCP), Farooq Abdullah (Jammu & Kashmir National Conference), Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena, UBT) and Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party. "The prime minister of our country has decided that if a non-BJP party is voted to power in a state, he will not let its government function under any circumstances. Then, he puts the CBI and ED after all the leaders of that party. They are harassed in many ways. Finally, their party is broken and their government toppled," Kejriwal told reporters. Arvind Kejriwal Says PM Narendra Modi Wanted To Stop Good Work in Delhi Citing Arrests of Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain. "The CBI and the ED are being used only to break the Opposition and forcibly form BJP governments. It is happening all over the country. It happened in Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka.... This is the working style of Prime Minister Modi today. It is very dangerous for the country, he added. Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the liquor policy scam case on Sunday last. He resigned from the Cabinet on Tuesday. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is probing money laundering charges in the liquor policy scam case. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Patiala (Punjab) [India], March 5 (ANI): Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday made a surprise visit to NEET PG Centre at Patiala and reviewed the conduct of the NEET PG Examination, an official release said. Mandavia also supervised all arrangements and interacted with parents of students appearing for the NEET PG 2023 exam, the release added. Also Read | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Lauds Kapil Sibal's Initiative for Launching Insaf Ke Sipahi Website, Says 'Will Fight Together'. NBEMS is conducting NEET PG 2023 on a computer-based platform for 2,08,898 candidates at 902 examination centres spread across 277 cities. "This is the first time the Union Health Minister has visited a National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) exam centre while the examination is ongoing", read the release. Also Read | 7th Pay Commission Latest News Today: Heres When Centre Will Announce First DA Hike of 2023. Congratulating the students appearing for the NEET PG exam, the Union Health Minister said, "I'm satisfied with the arrangements at the examination centre. I had the opportunity to interact with the parents of students during my visit to the Patiala Exam centre. I wish them all the best for the exam today". "As a part of the zero-tolerance policy of NBEMS for the use of unfair means, strict vigilance is being observed at all the examination centres, including but not limited to biometric verification, CCTV surveillance, document verification, mobile phone jammers, etc," he added further. "Dr Abhijat Sheth, President NBEMS, is monitoring the conduct of the NEET PG from the command centre set up at Ahmedabad. A team of 90 members headed is making surprise visits at various test centres. This team has Governing body members of NBEMS, NBEMS officers and representatives of TCS," added the official release. Informing about the facilities to conduct the NEET-PG examination smoothly, officials said, "A command centre has been set up at the Dwarka office of NBEMS to monitor the conduct of NEET PG and resolve the issues of candidates appearing in the exam. The purpose is to ensure that NEET-PG is conducted smoothly on a Pan India basis." "The command centre is also receiving live feeds from various test centres. Police check post and medical assistance room have also been set up at Dwarka office of NBEMS as a part of emergency response team", they added. The official release also mentioned the surveillance command centre in Mumbai and said, "A Surveillance Command Centre is set up in Mumbai by TCS, manned by 10 associates with state-of-the-art technology. Keeping in view the sensitivity of the NEET PG exam, a dedicated security command centre is set up at Patna." "Regional Command centres have also been set up to monitor operational parameters to ensure that the exam commences & finishes on time. TCS iON is monitoring the conduct of this examination. 25 TCS team members are also available at the Command Centre established at NBEMS. Many centres are getting monitored through live CCTV as well", it added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 5 (ANI): Television actor Sheezan Khan, the prime accused in co-star and ex-girlfriend actress Tunisha Sharma's suicide case, has been released on bail from Thane Central Jail on Sunday. The Vasai Court ordered Sheezan's bail with Rs 1 Lakh surety bond on Saturday and asked the actor to submit his passport as well. Also Read | Holi 2023: From Traditional Thandai to Malpua; Five Must-Try Sweet Treats To Savour During the Festival of Colours. Sheezan was arrested in December last year and had been under judicial custody ever since. Last month the Waliv Police filed a 524-page chargesheet in the Vasai court accusing Sheezan in the 21-year-old actress' suicide case. Also Read | Manish Sisodia Arrest: Nine Opposition Leaders Write to PM Narendra Modi on 'Misuse' of Agencies. Moreover, Sheezan's family had earlier claimed that he had been falsely implicated in the case by the late actor's mother and further claimed that Tunisha was like a "family" to them. Sheezan was reportedly dating his 'Ali Baba Dastaan-E-Kabul' co-star Tunisha, who was allegedly found hanging at a TV serial set, a fortnight after the duo broke up ending their months-long relationship. Within hours of the actress' death, Sheezan was arrested on the charges of 'Abetment to Suicide'. Tunisha's mother Vanita Sharma leveled heinous allegations against Sheezan after the actress' death stating that he used to beat Tunisha and forced her to adopt Islamic practices. Although, Sheezan's sister and fellow co-star Falaq Naaz, accused Tunisha's mother of "neglecting" her and the actress' depression was due to her childhood trauma. "Tunisha's mother accepted that she has been neglecting her daughter and didn't take care of her. Tunisha's depression was due to her childhood trauma," said Falaq Naaz. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], March 5 (ANI): Dismissing outrightly the rumours of Bihar migrant labourers being thrashed in Tamil Nadu, the Secretary of Bihar Association in Tamil Nadu stated that the videos circulating on social media were fake and there was no truth in the allegations of attacks. A 4-member team reached Chennai on Saturday and participated in a meeting with Chennai District Collector, Commissioner of Tamil Nadu Labour Department and other government officials in connection with the matter. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Girl Tested HIV Positive After Doctor Used Same Syringe, Claim Kin; Explanation Sought From UP Medical College. The Bihar government had sent the team to the Southern state after reports of alleged attacks on the migrant labourers surfaced. "Four of us came from the Bihar government to meet the senior officials of the Tamil Nadu government. People from Bihar were working in Tamil Nadu. We have come to assure them that the Bihar government is for their welfare. We are getting all the support and cooperation from the Tamil Nadu government," Balamurugan, IAS, Secretary of Rural Development Department, Bihar said. Also Read | Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Alleges 'Structures of Our Democracy Under Brutal Attack'. Speaking to ANI, Mukesh, Secretary, Bihar Association, Tamil Nadu, said that they have not found any "reality" in the calls that they received of the alleged attacks in Tamil Nadu. "A 4-member team had come from Bihar to gather information regarding the ongoing rumour that the people from Bihar and Hindi-speaking people are being beaten by the Tamils. The video has gone viral. The parents are scared. We gave the team information. I get 150-200 calls per day. We visit the spot after getting the call and assess the situation and try to ascertain the facts. We cannot inform the police immediately after receiving the call unless we check the reality behind the calls. We have visited around 10 to 15 places so far, there was no reality in the claims. It is completely fake news," he said. Stating that such incidents of attacks did not take place in the state, the official said that Tamil Nadu is the "safest place" for migrant workers. He said that they have urged the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government to not let any such news be broadcast "until the authenticity" is ascertained. "Such an issue has never occurred anywhere in Tamil Nadu. This is the safest place for migrant workers and for the people of Bihar. We only told the Bihar government that the fake news coming from Bihar should be stopped. We have not seen such news in any channel in Tamil Nadu. We have asked the Bihar government not to let such news be broadcast until the authenticity of the news is ascertained," he said. "I don't think any other government would help the way this Tamil Nadu government is helping," Mukesh added. The four-member team includes D Balamurugan, Secretary, Rural Development, P Kanan, IPS (IG CID), Shree Alok, Special Secretary, Labour Department and an IPS officer will submit a report to the Bihar chief minister after their visit. Meanwhile, amid pressure from the Opposition over alleged attacks in Tamil Nadu of migrant workers from Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday said that a four-member team will visit the southern State to take stock of the situation. "As soon as I got to know through newspapers, I directed officials to look into the matter. They talked with the Tamil Nadu government and reported that a team should be sent from here," Nitish Kumar said, adding that the four-member team will look into the matter in detail. Kumar on Thursday, raised concerns after a purported video of "attacks" on Bihar-based migrant labourers, working in Tamil Nadu surfaced on social media. Tamil Nadu DGP Sylendr Babu stated, "Somebody in Bihar posted false and mischievous videos saying that migrant workers are attacked in Tamil Nadu. Two videos are posted and both are false, these two incidents happened earlier in Tiruppur and Coimbatore. Both cases were not a clash between the people of Tamil Nadu and migrant workers. One was a clash between two groups of Bihar migrant workers and another video was a clash between two local residents of Coimbatore," the top cop said. The Tamil Nadu Police also warned that strict action would be initiated against those sharing fake videos on social media. After the Tamil Nadu DGP's clarification, the Bihar police on Friday said that the videos circulating on social media were "misleading". "Bihar DGP has spoken to Tamil Nadu DGP. Other senior officers of the Bihar Police are in touch with senior officials of the Tamil Nadu Police. The Tamil Nadu Police has said that the said videos are fake and misleading," Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Patna, JS Gangwar told ANI. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday in a telephone call with Nitish Kumar reassured his Bihar counterpart about the safety of migrant workers, amid reports of alleged attacks on people from Bihar that officials have dismissed as fake. Chief minister Stalin said that those indulging in rumour-mongering were acting against the country and its integrity, according to a statement released by the chief minister's office. "Tamil Nadu Government and the people will always stand to protect our migrant brothers," Stalin told the Bihar chief minister, according to the statement. "I have spoken to the honourable chief minister and my brother Nitish Kumar on phone and assured him that all the workers are our workers and they are helping the development of Tamil Nadu. Therefore, I assured that none of these issues will impact them" the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said. District Collectors in Tamil Nadu have issued appeals in Hindi asking migrant workers not to be scared. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Khatima (Uttarakhand) [India], March 5 (ANI): Uttrakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami along with the local people celebrated Holi at his residence in Khatima here on Sunday. CM Dhami's mother was also present at the occasion. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Misusing Central Agencies To Break Opposition Parties, Form BJP Govts in States, Says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. The pre-Holi bash in Khatima was celebrated with complete joy where people sang and danced cheerfully. CM Dhami also took to Twitter to post a picture with his mother expressing his love and wrote, "Matri Devo Bhava Today at Nagra Terai, Khatima, applied Holi Tilak to 'Mataji' and seek her blessings. This affectionate blessing of Mother always gives me new energy to serve all the people of Devbhoomi." Also Read | Odisha: CM Naveen Patnaik Announces University of Health Sciences to Ensure Provision of Quality Medical Education in State. This year the colourful and joyous festival of Holi will be celebrated on March 8. With Holi around the corner the market is flooded with colours, sprayers and other decoratives, with PM Modi's 'Atmanibhar Bharat' touch. As customers go shopping this Holi, they are increasingly rejecting Chinese products and preferring local Made in India products. In the past, Chinese products largely were the only options for consumers, which have drastically changed for the better with several local makers making inroads in this segment. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Patna (Bihar) [India], March 5 (ANI): Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday said that both Bihar and Tamil Nadu governments will not tolerate alleged 'attacks' on migrants labourers and urged the Centre to take steps to resolve the matter. "The Bihar government is serious in this matter. Hence, a team has been sent to Tamil Nadu. Both Bihar and Tamil Nadu governments will not tolerate this," said Yadav while speaking to media persons. Also Read | Rajasthan Horror: Dalit Man Beaten to Death With Bricks, Eyes Smashed and Body Dragged Naked in Jhalawar; Case Registered. The Deputy Chief Minister further said that the Bihar government has sent a team to find the truth. "A newspaper has reported that the Bihar BJP chief called the Tamil Nadu BJP chief who told him that no such incident has taken place in Tamil Nadu. Our government has sent a team to find the truth. Some districts in TN have issued helpline numbers for migrant workers," he said on migrant workers issue. Also Read | Delhi Assembly Session To Begin From March 17; Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot To Present Budget on March 21. "Can you see any concern from the Government of India in this matter? GoI should take steps to resolve this matter between the two states," Yadav added. Meanwhile, the Police and Tiruppur administration of Tamil Nadu conducted a meeting with representatives of business and industry associations and migrant workers over the issue of alleged attacks on migrants. KM Subramanian, Tiruppur Exporters' Association said that there are good relations between local and migrant labourers. "Today, we have a meeting with a high-level committee on the migrant labourers' issue. Fake news is being spread on social media by some people. There are good relations between local & migrant labourers," said Subramanian. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Balamurugan, IAS, Secretary, Rural Development Department, Bihar, in Tiruppur said that Tamil Nadu and Bihar governments taking all efforts for the safety of migrant workers here. "We are talking to migrant workers, and also in touch with labour contractors here. You should not pay heed to rumours and fake videos. TN & Bihar governments taking all efforts for the safety of migrant workers here," said Balamurugan. Bihar Association in Tamil Nadu also held a meeting with migrant workers who are working in Chennai, amid rumours of alleged attacks. "I am living safely here. Videos circulating on social media are fake. My family back home has been concerned about my safety ever since the news started circulating but I have reassured them about my safety," said Santosh Kumar, a migrant worker from Bihar in Chennai. A day after Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party chief K Annamalai held the ruling DMK party responsible for the ongoing stir over alleged attacks on migrant labourers in the state, the police have booked him on charges of inciting violence and promoting enmity between groups. The Cyber Crime Division have booked the BJP state unit chief under sections of inciting violence and promoting enmity between groups among others. As per officials, a case is also registered against the BJP Bihar Twitter account holder over the incident. Annamalai yesterday released a statement on the migrant labourers' issue saying they are safe in Tamil Nadu but the Chief Minister Stalin led-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its alliance party leaders are the reason for the hate against them. He also opposed the spread of false news on the attack on the people from Bihar in the state, saying that Tamils don't support "separatism" and "vile hatred" against north Indians. Besides, Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu police have also booked four persons including a BJP spokesperson Prashant Umrao and two journalists. Prashant Umrao, an Editor with Dainik Bhaskar, a Patna-based journalist, owner of 'Tanvir Post' Twitter handle Mohammad Tanvir, and Shubam Shukla were booked at different police stations on the charges of spreading "false" news regarding attacks on migrant labourers in Tamil Nadu. A statewide panic was created among migrant workers, working in Tamil Nadu, after several purported videos, showing attacks on migrant workers, circulated on social media. The panic was triggered after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday, raised concerns and took note of the purported videos of "attacks". The panic affected the industries in Tamil Nadu, which rely on migrant workers, badly as many workers stayed off work. Taking cognizance of the panic, Tamil Nadu's Director General of Police Sylendra Babu released a statement, saying that the video doing rounds of social media was "false" and "mischievous". "Somebody in Bihar posted false and mischievous videos saying that migrant workers were attacked in Tamil Nadu. Two videos were posted. Both are false as these incidents happened at an earlier date in Tiruppur and Coimbatore. One was a clash between two groups of migrant workers from Bihar while another was from a clash between two local residents in Coimbatore," the top cop said. The DGP also said that the persons behind this rumour-driven panic will not be spared. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 5 (PTI) IndiGo on Sunday said it is looking at enabling codeshare connectivity to the US and Canada through its partnership with Turkish Airlines. On Friday, a senior official told PTI that the airline has received approval from the civil aviation ministry to wet lease up to two planes for operating flights to the United States and Canada. Also Read | IAF Agniveervayu Recruitment 2023: Registration Begins From March 17 at agnipathvayu.cdac.in; Check Education Qualification, Age Limit and Other Details Here. In response to queries on the same, IndiGo on Sunday said it constantly evaluates and discusses opportunities with aircraft manufacturers, but at this stage, it is pure speculation. Also Read | Toll Tax at Highways, Expressways Likely to Be Expensive Across India From Next Month, Check Details Here. "At present, our objective is to enable codeshare connectivity to the US and Canada via our partnership with Turkish Airlines after the required application and approval process," the statement said. Codesharing allows an airline to book its passengers on its partner carriers and provide seamless travel to destinations where it has no presence. The airline's plans also come against the backdrop of Air India starting to ramp up its international operations and expanding fleet with new aircraft orders. IndiGo started operating wide-body Boeing 777 on Delhi-Istanbul route in February. The plane has been taken on wet lease from Turkish Airlines and it is the first time that the budget carrier started flying a wide-body aircraft. Under the wet lease arrangement, planes are leased along with the operating crew and engineers. Generally, wet leasing of planes is allowed for short periods to tackle supply constraints and ensure that airfares do not surge significantly. There are also reports that the airline might place significant orders for new aircraft. Currently, the airline has more than 300 planes in its fleet and around 500 aircraft are on order. IndiGo, the country's largest airline in terms of domestic market share and operating around 1,800 flights daily, is focusing on the internationalisation of operations, preparing to fly to more overseas destinations. In an interview with PTI in February, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said the airline has always kept the option of wide-body aircraft open but did not divulge specific details. "IndiGo has never ruled out any option. We do have a significant order book. We have almost 500 aircraft on order... we have a steady stream of deliveries coming. "Our focus and emphasis will be on that part. We do have the XLRs order that will further stretch the range of operations for IndiGo," he had said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, March 5: Muslims around the world are gearing up to celebrate Shab-e-Barat, also known as the 'night of forgiveness', a significant festival observed on the 14th and 15th night of Sha'aban, the eighth month in the Islamic calendar. This year, the celebrations will take place from March 7 to 8. The word 'Shab' has Persian origins, meaning night, while 'Barat' is an Arabic word that stands for salvation and forgiveness. On the night of Shab-e-Barat, Muslims worldwide ask for forgiveness for their sins from Allah. Shab-e-Barat 2023 Date in UAE: When Will Barat Night Fall in the United Arab Emirates? Know History and Significance of 'Night of Forgiveness' Ahead of Holy Ramadan Month. This festival is marked with great enthusiasm across South Asia, including countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The history of Shab-e-Barat dates back to the time when the twelfth Imam of the Shia Muslims named Muhammad al-Mahdi was born. The night is celebrated as his birthday in the Shia community. On the other hand, the Sunni Muslim community believes that on this day, God saved the Ark of Noah from the flood, which is why people across the globe celebrate the day. Many believe that this is a holy night when Allah is more forgiving and that sincere prayers can help wash away their sins. The night is also used to seek mercy for deceased and ill family members, and it is believed that Allah decides people's fortune for the year ahead, their sustenance, and whether they will have the opportunity to perform Hajj (pilgrimage). Shab-e-Barat 2023 Date in India and Saudi Arabia: Know History and Significance of 'Night of Forgiveness' Ahead of Holy Ramadan Month. Further, Shab-e-Barat has its unique traditions, depending on cultural diversity and local traditions. During the day, Muslims prepare delicious sweets like Halwa, Zarda, and other delicacies to distribute among their neighbors, relatives, family members, and the poor. Many visit the graves of their loved ones to pray for eternal peace for their souls. Some also observe a fast on Shab-e-Barat. Mosques are decorated, and many of them have periodic recitations and announcements throughout the day, before preparing for the main events of the night. After sundown, Muslim devotees start their prayers with 'Isha Ki Namaz' and continue the prayer session throughout the night till the next day before eating Sehri, a pre-dawn meal before the fast for Shab-e-Barat. This festival has a unique energy, and people have their own distinct stories about this day. The prayer session is one of the main highlights of the night, with devotees seeking forgiveness and making sincere prayers. Shab-e-Barat is one of the holiest nights in Islam, and due to its significance, it is celebrated with great fervor worldwide. Whether it is fasting, offering prayers, visiting graves, or sharing sweets, the celebrations are a time to reflect and seek forgiveness for sins. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, March 5 : Apple released green-coloured iPhone 13 models in March, and rumours suggest that the company will release yellow-colored iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus this spring. GSM Arena, a tech news-related website, has reported that the rumour comes from Weibo user Setsuna Digital. Twitter Update: Elon Musk Says Micro-Blogging Platform To Soon Let Users Post 10,000 Character Tweets. Though Setsuna's track record could not be confirmed and their Weibo post talking about the yellow iPhone 14's launch in Spring 2023 is from January, the folks at 9To5Mac were able to independently confirm the expectation of a yellow iPhone 14. WhatsApp Feature Update: Meta-Owned Messaging Platform May Let Users Mute Calls From Unknown Numbers. Also, MacRumors learned from multiple sources that Apple's team is planning a product briefing next week, which could be for the yellow iPhone 14 since the green iPhone 13 models were announced on March 8, 2022. The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini were introduced in a simple green shade, while the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max were unveiled in an Alpine Green colour. It is unknown whether Apple will use the same strategy this time or, as the source suggests, merely release the vanilla and Plus models in yellow. Yet, even if these reports about the yellow iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are accurate, it won't be the first time Apple will launch a yellow-coloured iPhone. A yellow iPhone 11 was released by the Cupertino-based tech company in 2019, along with the iPhone XR and iPhone 5C, as per GSM Arena. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) China expands int'l economic, trade cooperation to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes Xinhua) 11:06, March 05, 2023 BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Over the past five years, China remained committed to opening up wider to the world and expanded international economic and trade cooperation to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes, said a government work report. In response to changes in the external environment, China pursued a more proactive strategy of opening up and worked to boost reform and development with high-standard opening up, said the report submitted Sunday to the national legislature for deliberation. Over the past five years, China's imports and exports were kept stable, and their quality was improved, the report said. China developed new forms of foreign trade, built 152 new integrated pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce, and supported the establishment of overseas warehouses, it said. The overall tariff level fell from 9.8 percent to 7.4 percent over the five years, it added. China advanced trials for innovative development of trade in services across the board and adopted the negative list for cross-border trade in services, according to the report. China took proactive and effective moves to utilize foreign investment, it added. A total of 21 pilot free trade zones have been established in China, and steady strides have been made in the development of Hainan Free Trade Port. China promoted high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, it said. Imports and exports between China and other BRI countries increased at an annual rate of 13.4 percent, and exchanges and cooperation between China and these countries registered steady progress in a wide range of areas. Over the past five years, six free trade agreements were newly concluded or upgraded; and the share of trade with China's free trade partners increased from 26 percent to around 35 percent of China's total trade volume, said the report. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun) MLIBA - In an unusual and shocking incident, Mliba police arrested a man who had allegedly committed serial cases of bestiality around the area. The rare incident was unravelled by mysterious deaths of livestock at a homestead situated at Mliba, in the outskirts of the Manzini region. The family decided to institute an investigation after discovering one cow dead inside their kraal, days before the apprehension of the suspect. The cause of death for the cow was not immediately ascertained, which became a cause for concern for the family, since it was not the first time they woke up to a dead cow. *Sabelo said he launched a personal investigation and what he discovered led to the arrest of the man who is also his neighbour. The suspects name is known to this publication, but will not be named pending his appearance in court. The investigation by *Sabelo led to a discovery that their livestock was allegedly subjected to unusual sexual acts before being killed. Sabelo revealed that the suspect voluntarily confessed to the act of bestiality and killing of the livestock. The Collins Dictionary defines bestiality as a sexual activity in which a person has sex with an animal. Other dictionaries defined it as the act of sexual relations between a human being and an animal. Bestiality Section 45 of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act, No. 15 of 2018 popularly known as the SODV Act defines bestiality as causing the penetration of a persons genital organs into the genital organs, mouth, or anus of an animal; causing the penetration of the genital organs of an animal into the genital organs, mouth, or anus of that person; or masturbating an animal. The offence carries a maximum sentence term in prison with an option of a fine amounting to E25 000. Sabelo disclosed that after discovering the dead cow, they followed footprints from the kraal in an attempt to track down the assailant. He stated that the footprints led them to his neighbours home. He mentioned that they were not even suspecting that the assailant could be their neighbour. Sabelo said they were further shocked when the suspect volunteered the information and elaborated on how he had sex with the animals. He voluntarily confessed after we tracked footprints found near the dead cow. We did not even assault him, hence I am boldly saying he volunteered the information and made the confession out of his own freewill, clarified Sabelo. He said the suspect, after being tracked down, did not even show any signs of remorsefulness but remained calm throughout his voluntary confession. Sabelo said they were initially angry when the suspect confessed to killing the cow, but their anger was immediately replaced by shock when he gave details of how he sexually assaulted the cows before killing them. I am still shocked at the confessions he made. We never thought he could have had sex with the animals and we are even shocked as to why he then killed them, as if they were going to report him for his act. This is absurd and spine chilling, he added. He said they had to exercise serious restraint to avoid assaulting him and decided to open a case against him at the police station. He further admitted that the discovery was very disturbing for his family, as they were worried about past mysterious deaths of livestock in the family. Sabelo said his family had lost four cows, but never even suspected that such could have been a result of a sexual act by their neighbour. Bestiality is also a crime in many countries while, in 2018, Japan and a few other countries had no laws against bestiality, nor the sale or ownership of pornography that features animals and sexual acts. Though, in these countries, the act was not stated to be legal or illegal. Suspect However, Sabelo said he persuaded the suspect to at least share the reasoning behind his obsession towards having sex with animals as compared to human beings. He revealed that he went to school with the suspect, hence he needed to ascertain the reasons behind his actions. He said the suspect was relaxed and not bothered about the damage he had done, but complained about the female gender for not accepting his approaches. He said once he had engaged with the cow he would insert a rod inside the vulva of the cow until it dies. He could not even explain the act in full and mentioned even other different ways of how he killed the animals, said Sabelo. He also said had it not been someone he knew, he would have failed to suppress the anger and desire to assault the suspect because he was calm and explained everything as if he was narrating a good story. He said the suspect continued to remain calm even in the presence of the police while he confessed his crimes. Sabelo disclosed that after the news of the suspects arrest in the area, a number of people came up to reveal different incidents of bestiality by the man. He said they all claimed the suspect sexually abused their livestock. A community member, *Thuli who stays along the way to Khuphuka also disclosed that they once caught the suspect red-handed, sexually assaulting a goat. She revealed that the suspect was also unbothered by being found in a compromised position with the goat. Meanwhile, Andre Botha from the Swaziland Animal Welfare Society a self-funded, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals in Eswatini said the act was unnatural. Our sister publication Eswatini News team further interviewed other government officials who said such a matter was sensitive and an obvious abuse of the animals. They requested not to comment further since the matter was now in the hands of the law enforcers. Its a sensitive matter, the matter is at its rightful place with state police. We hope it will be dealt with accordingly, said the officials. Local herdboys revealed that the suspect was caught a numerous times attempting to have sex with animals and it was suspected that there were many other instances where he was not caught. To be honest, at first, I did not know what the man was up to, when I started moving towards him, he heard footsteps and fled as he pulled his pants upwards, said *Thabiso a herdboy. Chief Police Information and Communication officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the arrest of a man on allegations bestiality. She said the suspect was found in a compromised position with different livestock in the area. However, Vilakati said the man was referred the psychiatric centre for mental evaluation. *Not real names Cairo, Mar 5 (AP) Egypt on Sunday sentenced 14 people, including rights activists, to prison terms ranging between five and 15 years on terrorism-related charges in a trial deplored by rights groups as unfair. The verdicts the latest mass sentencings in Egypt were reported by the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, one of the country's most prominent human rights. The suspects were arrested in 2018 as part of a wide-ranging crackdown by authorities on dissent. Also Read | China Raises Defence Budget for Eight Consecutive Year With 7.2% Increase to USD 225 Billion. Two activist lawyers Ezzat Ghoniem of the Egyptian Coordination for Rights and Freedoms and Mohamed Abu Horarira were sentenced to 15 years in prison each. They were convicted of joining and funding a terrorist group, which is government parlance for the Muslim Brotherhood. Egyptian authorities designated the Islamist group a terrorist organisation in 2013, the year the military removed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, who hailed from the Brotherhood, from power after a year of divisive rule. Also Read | Pakistan at the Deep End of Economic Crisis, Says IMF. Abu Horarira's wife, Aisha el-Shater, who is also the daughter of Khairat el-Shater, long seen as the Brotherhood's most powerful leader, was sentenced to 10 years on charges that also included disseminating false news on allegations of rights abuses by security forces. Huda Abdel-Moneim, another lawyer and activist, was handed a five-year sentence. The court added a five-year probation period at the end of each sentence of those convicted, which includes a travel ban and an order to regularly report to a police station. Amnesty International and other rights group have decried the arrest of the 14 and said their trial reflected gross violations of their right to a fair trial. Sunday's verdicts are not subject to appeal and only the country's president has the authority to pardon or throw out the sentences. Rights groups have repeatedly criticized mass sentencings, common over the past years in Egypt in trials related to the Brotherhood or dissent, and called on authorities to ensure fair trials. Egypt's government has in recent years jailed thousands, mainly Islamists, but also secular activists involved in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that toppled the country's longtime autocratic President Hosni Mubarak. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) London, Mar 5 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched a fresh attack on BJP, saying he is not afraid of the criticism against him as he asserted that it's a fight between courage and cowardice, and love and hatred. Gandhi, who is in London as part of a week-long visit to the UK, made the remarks during his interaction with the Indian diaspora, organised by the Indian Overseas Congress here. Also Read | Toshakhna Case: Imran Khan Dodges Arrest After Police Show Up at Zaman Park Residence in Lahore. "The more they attack me, the better that is for me, because the more I understand... This is a fight between courage and cowardice. It's a fight between respect and disrespect. It's a fight between love and hatred Gandhi said. He said his 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' was demonstrating to the whole country what the real India is about. "What Indian values are? What our religions tell us? What our different languages tell us? What our different cultures tell us (that) we are one country with many, many different ideas. And we have the capability of living together harmoniously without hatred without anger without disrespect. And it's when we do that, we are successful. And that was the message of the yatra, he said. Also Read | Iran: Crisis Escalates As Schoolgirls Across Twenty One Provinces Hospitalised in New Wave of Poisoning Attacks. Attacking the BJP, the 52-year-old former Congress president said, "On the other side, we have an ideology of hatred and violence, a disrespectful ideology that attacks people because of their ideas. And you must have noticed one thing that this is in the nature of BJP and the RSS." "If you notice the statement of the Foreign Minister, he said China is much more powerful than us. To think China is more powerful than us, how can I pick a fight with them? At the heart of the ideology is cowardice, he said, referring to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's reported remarks during an interview. The BJP has accused Gandhi of maligning India on foreign soil while praising China. Gandhi's remarks at Cambridge University that Indian democracy is under attack and several politicians, including himself, are under surveillance, has triggered a political slugfest with the BJP accusing him of denigrating India and asking if Gandhi was working as an agent on the payroll of an agency to bring down the country. Gandhi is also being hosted at an event in the House of Commons complex on behalf of the UK Opposition Labour Party and will address the Chatham House think-tank in London on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and wider geopolitical issues before concluding his visit to Britain. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) London, Mar 5 (PTI) British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Sunday announced a clamp down on illegal migration with a new proposed law to tackle the issue of migrants crossing over into the UK illegally and dangerously in small boats from across the English Channel. The British Indian leader had made cracking down on this illegal route between the UK's sea border with neighbouring France among his top priorities for the year. Also Read | China Raises Defence Budget for Eight Consecutive Year With 7.2% Increase to USD 225 Billion. Along with his Indian-origin Home Secretary Suella Braverman, the Sunak-led government is now planning to table the legislation in Parliament next week to address the issue. Make no mistake, if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay, Sunak told the Sunday Express' newspaper. Also Read | Pakistan at the Deep End of Economic Crisis, Says IMF. I have made the issue of illegal migration one of my top five priorities pledging to stop the boats once and for all. Illegal migration is not fair on British taxpayers, it is not fair on those who come here legally and it is not right that criminal gangs should be allowed to continue their immoral trade. I'm determined to deliver on my promise to stop the boats, he said. According to the newspaper, Sunak believes he has found the answer to a problem which has dogged the government for the past four years after weeks of work carried out in relative secrecy by senior aides in the UK Home Office and at No. 10 Downing Street. The group has now drawn up new laws to slam a brake on any abuse of human rights laws that allows illegal migrants to escape deportation from the UK. It is hoped the new law will stop activist lawyers using the right to family life and legislation created to combat modern slavery to stop their clients being deported. Braverman wrote in the Sun on Sunday' to say "enough is enough and that the British people want the issue solved. They're sick of tough talk and inadequate action. We must stop the boats. That's why myself and the Prime Minister have been working flat out to bring forward necessary and effective laws which will tackle this problem, once and for all," she writes. She adds: "It has to be that if you come here illegally you will be detained and swiftly removed. Our laws will be simple in their intention and practice the only route to the UK will be a safe and legal route. "So far, [Opposition] Labour has opposed every effort to bring a stop to illegal migration. They are not serious about tackling the issue that is only becoming ever more serious and allows criminal gangs to exploit vulnerable people. The Prime Minister and I will do whatever it takes. You can judge us by our actions." The law is expected to give powers to the Home Secretary to remove anyone who arrives on a small boat "as soon as reasonably practicable" to Rwanda, with which the UK clinched a bilateral agreement, or a "safe third country". Sunak and Braverman are also expected to travel to Paris towards the end of next week for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron to explore an enhanced agreement over the issue of small boats crossing over from Calais in France to Dover in England. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chamarajanagar, March 5: In a shocking development in Karanataka's Chamarajanagar district, a couple was fined and faced a boycott in their village for their inter-caste marriage. The incident had taken place at Kunagalli village in Kollegal taluk in the district. According to police, the couple got married five years ago but the villagers came to know about their different castes only recently. Telangana Honour Killing: Youth Stabbed to Death by Wifes Relatives Over Inter-Caste Marriage in Hyderabad. The villagers had fined the couple Rs 6 lakh and boycotted them in the village. The couple were not able to take the humiliation and filed a complaint with police in Kollegal on March 1. Govindaraju, belonging to the Uppara Setty community, had fallen in love with Shwetha, from Mandya, belonging to the Scheduled Castes. When they decided to get married, the families of the boy and the girl agreed without opposition and their marriage was solemnised in the sub-registrar's office. Govindaraju settled in Malavalli, but often came to visit his parents, along with his wife, in Kunagalli. When the couple came there last month, Shwetha, talking to her neighbour, had disclosed that she is a Dalit. Madhya Pradesh Horror: Man Rapes And Kills Daughter For Marrying Outside Caste In Bhopal District. The matter reached the elders of the village and they held a meeting on February 23. They called the parents of the couple and imposed a Rs 3 lakh fine on them and asked them to pay the fine by March 1. After the couple had lodged a complaint with police against 12 persons of the village in this connection, the elders, after coming to know about the complaint, increased the fine amount to Rs 6 lakh and boycotted Govindaraju's family from the village. The villagers have sent the family out of the village and passed a diktat that they should not purchase rations, vegetables, milk, and water from the village. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 05, 2023 04:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, March 5: Nine opposition leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the arrest of Manish Sisodia, saying that it will be cited worldwide as an example of a political witch-hunt and further confirm what the world was only suspecting - India's democratic values stand threatened under an authoritarian BJP. The letter is signed by nine leaders, including seven non-AAP leaders, but the Congress is missing from the list. The letter has signatures of Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, BRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao, NCP's Sharad Pawar, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav and former CM Uddhav Thackeray. Manish Sisodia Is Innocent, His Arrest is Dirty Politics, Says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. The letter said, "We hope you would agree that India is still a democratic country. The blatant misuse of central agencies against the members of the opposition appears to suggest that we have transitioned from being a democracy to an autocracy." Manish Sisodia Arrested: Delhi Deputy CM's Arrest Height of Dictatorship, Says AAP MP Sanjay Singh. It said, "The 26th of February 2023, after a long witch-hunt, Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with alleged irregularity without a shred of evidence against him." The letter said allegations against Sisodia are outrightly baseless and smack of a political conspiracy. His arrest has enraged people across the country. Manish Sisodia is recognised globally for transforming Delhi's school education. His arrest will be cited worldwide as an example of a political witch-hunt and further confirm what the world was only suspecting - that India's democratic values stand threatened under an authoritarian BJP regime. "Out of the total number of key politicians booked, arrested, raided or interrogated by the investigation agencies under your administration since 2014, the maximum belongs to the opposition. Interestingly, investigation agencies go slow on cases against Opposition politicians who join the BJP. "Former Congress member and current Assam chief minister (CM) Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma was probed by the CBI and the ED in 2014 and 2015 over the Saradha chit fund scam. However, the case didn't progress after he joined the BJP. Similarly, former TMC leaders Shri Suvendu Adhikari and Shri Mukul Roy were under the ED and CBI scanner in the Narada sting operation case but the cases didn't progress after they joined the BJP ahead of the Assembly polls in the state. There are many such examples, including that of Shri Narayan Rane of Maharashtra." (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 05, 2023 12:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Kanpur, March 5: Minor daughter of a doctor couple was raped in a Hookah Bar under Barra police station circle in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur. The father of the girl has lodged an FIR against eight people including three named accused. The doctor told the police that his 16-year-old daughter had been called by one Vinay Thakur to the MG Cafe (Hookah Bar) in Karrahi on Friday where he gave her soft drink spiked with sedatives. Mumbai Shocker: Minor Girl Raped by Juvenile in Nagpada Area; Case Registered Under POCSO Act. The young man raped the girl and then took her to a deserted place where his friends also attempted to rape her. When the girl protested, they made her video and beaten her too. Tamil Nadu Shocker: Four Men Repeatedly Rape Minor Girl After Getting Her Addicted to Drugs; Arrested. They threatened to make her video viral if she reported the matter. The daughter reached home and told her father of the incident. The police have registered a report against the accused under sections including insurgency, rape, POCSO Act, assault and intimidation. The accused will be arrested soon, said the police. Naubasta ACP Abhishek Pandey said that a report has been registered against the accused on the complaint of the father and the Barra Inspector has been instructed to take strict action. There are more than a dozen hookah bars that run in the name of food cafes in the city. Hookah bar operators provide cabins to adolescent girls in the name of privacy, belonging to rich families. The ACP said that a campaign will be launched against hookah bars. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 05, 2023 02:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Chinas Peoples Liberation Army is the worlds largest military force, with 2.3 million troops serving on the ground, in the air and in the increasingly robust force China is deploying on the high seas. With Beijings increasing military assertiveness, most notably in territorial disputes with other Asian nations in the South China Sea, many are taking a hard look at the PLA and Beijings ambitions to modernize it. China has upped its military budgets by more than 10% a year over the last five years -- at least as reported -- but whats been the result? Advertisement Ahead of Chinas big military parade on Thursday, we asked Roger Cliff, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and author of the forthcoming book Chinas Military Power: Assessing Current and Future Capabilities, for his take on the state of the PLA. Here, in condensed form, is what he had to say: How does the Peoples Liberation Army compare to the U.S. military? When assessing military capability, we do tend to focus on material factors like numbers of tanks or soldiers. But historically this has not been a very good predictor of the outcomes of wars. Its much more about how militaries are trained and organized and the quality of people they have. People in the U.S. military use a term called DOTMLPF: Doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel and facilities. I kind of took that general idea and sliced it up on my own way for my book and looked at those dimensions. The finding was: If you look at measures like hardware, certainly the Chinese military has gotten a lot of attention recently and looks pretty good. To me, the more surprising finding was personnel quality. The Chinese military, the PLA, has been on a major drive to create better-educated soldiers and my finding is that the average PLA soldier, though we have this image of a peasant army, today is as well-educated as his or her American counterpart. Chinas military is not going to surpass the U.S. anytime soon, but theyre certainly closing the gap. Thats relevant to what were going to see [during the parade]. Most of the systems that theyre fielding nowadays are comparable to what make up the bulk of the U.S. military. These still kind of represent a minority of the equipment in the Chinese military; a lot of it is still antiquated and based on 1950s Soviet designs, but the new systems they are bringing out now are comparable to what makes up the bulk of the U.S. military M-1 tanks and F-16 fighter jets and the types of destroyers we have in our Navy. Most of these systems in the U.S. are not new; they first started coming out in the 80s and 90s. Because weve been so preoccupied with conflicts in the Middle East over the past decade or so, low insurgency conflicts, we havent really made the leap to next-generation systems for the most part. By 2020, the equipment of the Chinese military will look a lot like the U.S. military in 2000. One way to look at it is that Wow, even in 2020 theyll still be 20 years behind the U.S. military, but there hasnt been much modernization of the U.S. military and there wont have been by 2020. So they really wont be that far behind us in terms of equipment. What about the organizational structure? There are some structural problems: They still have a model that is heavily based on conscripts, that is, people brought in for two-year terms, and then the vast majority are released. So you have a huge percentage that are in their first or second year of service at any given time. But thats sort of compensated for by the fact that senior non-commissioned officers are at least as educated or better educated than their Western counterparts. When you look at personnel, theyve made the transformation from a mass peasant army to one that has more experience and theyre also improving in other areas like the quality of their training. But there are significant problems, particularly in the area of logistics. What about their operational doctrine? One can kind of crudely arrange different kinds of operational doctrines along a spectrum, starting on one end with those based on direct engagement; that is, taking your best forces and trying to directly attack the enemy and break his back through a direct clash of arms. That was in WWII pretty much how the U.S. and Britain won. They had doctrines that were not very flexible and very much based on just taking advantage of materiel superiority. Certainly in the early part of the war, the German military had a different doctrine, one of indirection and maneuver. The idea is not to engage in a direct clash of arms but look for weak points in your enemys forces, attack those, try to paralyze him by disrupting his organization and so on. Interestingly, the Chinese around 1999 implemented a new doctrine that also emphasized maneuverability and flexibility, attacking an enemys weak point and avoiding a direct clash of arms. That makes sense in the context of the 1990s when they were materially and technologically quite a bit inferior to potential adversaries like the U.S., but also Japan or even Taiwan at the time. But the problem I discovered is they dont have the right kind of organizational structure or culture to be able to implement a doctrine like that. If you have a doctrine of maneuver and indirection, you need an organization that is decentralized, not standardized, so that it allows low-level decision makers to make a decision that is the best one based on the context theyre in rather than one based on standard operating procedure. You also need horizontal linkages so that people on the front lines can talk directly to each other even if theyre not in the same chain of command, rather than having to go up the line. In fact, Chinas militarys organization is just the opposite of that. Its highly centralized, all decisions are kicked upstairs. No one wants to take the initiative, no ones responsible, everythings always referred up the chain of command and everythings highly standardized, youre supposed to follow standard procedures and not deviate from them. There are low levels of horizontal integration. What about the culture of the Chinese military? If you look at culture of the organization, I find a similar problem. If you want a doctrine of maneuverability and innovation, you want an organization that values things like initiative and innovation, creativity and risk-taking. Instead we have an organization that values discipline and loyalty. Not the kind of organizational culture you would want to implement for a doctrine that calls for commanders in the field to make snap decisions to take advantage of fleeting opportunities only they can see and need to be exploited immediately, otherwise the opportunity will be missed. I see this as the fundamental weakness of the Chinese military. They are acquiring all the material and obvious sorts of non-material factors that go into an effective military but they dont have the organization or the culture they would need to actually become one. But it sounds like their weaponry is coming more into alignment with their stated or not highly structured organizational culture. Arent those getting closer into alignment as they acquire these new toys? Thats a good point. This idea that they need to have a doctrine of maneuver and indirection because of their material inferiority is becoming less and less persuasive. They are becoming less and less inferior, materially. My profession involves worrying about what China is going to do with their growing materiel capabilities. Despite the fact that they dont have an agile organizational structure or culture. There are certainly many ways they can make things difficult for the U.S. They are, however, not yet in a position of materiel superiority relative to the U.S. Until you reach that point, I think it does translate into disadvantages. So not to dismiss the significance of the materiel capabilities that China is acquiring in terms of weaponry, but they do remain technologically behind the U.S. Both in terms of the quality and number of their systems the Chinese have more soldiers but dont outnumber the U.S. in terms of fighter aircraft, warships and so on. And U.S. technological capabilities are superior to Chinas. What advantages does China have? One advantage China does have is that the most plausible conflict involving China would occur in its backyard. Whereas the U.S. when it gets involved in a war, its usually on the other side of the world and it has to project its power to the far side of the globe. That gives China the home field advantage. Certainly the Chinese military is becoming a lot more powerful with respect to other militaries in the region such as Japan or Taiwan or anybody else in the region. But there are some fundamental weaknesses in the organizational culture than make them less impressive than they look to be when viewing just the materiel capabilities. Certainly they are not in a position to rival the U.S. as a global superpower. Theres been a lot of reports about corruption in the Chinese military. Senior military officials have been removed on graft accusations and theres been talk of trading bribes for promotions. Does this affect their effectiveness? Corruption is a behavior. So its significant for two reasons. One, theres a definite cost associated with corruption money that is changing hands was intended for other purposes. Instead of being used to buy equipment or whatever, instead its being used to buy promotions or that sort of thing. So theres an economic cost associated with corruption. Theres also a cost in terms of organizational efficiency, because in the case of bribing for promotions, it means the person whos getting promoted is not the most capable but the one that provides the biggest bribe. So the organization isnt promoting the most capable people. Its a huge and significant issue for the PLA. But the problem is the PLA is focused on the behavior, not the values underlying the behavior. Why does corruption occur in the PLA? Because apparently theres money to be made by either getting promoted or helping other people get promoted. But theres also a set of values associated with corruption. Corruption tends to be more prevalent in organizations with low levels of trust. Corruption tends to be more prevalent in organizations that value loyalty. The problem I see is the Chinese leadership trying to stamp out the behavior without changing the underlying values that are causing the behavior as well as the economic incentives. Why is China doing this parade and why now? Theres been a lot of speculation about this. China has had these parades before. Most recently in 2009. It was quite an impressive display of marching abilities, colorful uniforms and so on. But in the past theyve done it on the anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China and thats not the case this time. Now I am in the realm of speculation, but obviously the top leadership decided to have this military parade, presumably this means President Xi Jinping. He wanted a big military parade partly to send a message to other countries in the region but the more important audience is the domestic audience for things like this. One can imagine a couple of reasons why Xi Jinping wants to send such a message first, to emphasize the importance of the Chinese military and thereby the security threats to China that exist. Second, to emphasize that hes creating a powerful China. Thats certainly been an integral aspect of his signature campaign to promote the China Dream. Part of that has been a strong China or a strong military. So I think he wants to send the message that he is doing that. An interesting thing to look for will be during the one in 2009, I was sort of struck by how colorful it was, and sort of friendly. Even though it was a military parade, it wasnt a very ominous or a threatening one in my opinion. It looked very friendly. So it will be interesting to see if the same tone comes through this time. Or are they trying to look more serious or menacing? That will be an interesting thing to watch for. Is this all about pageantry and everyone marching in sync? Are they sending the message that this is a nice military thats here to help? Or are they sending the message that this is a big, gnarly, mean, tough military that will bop you over the head if you try to get in their way? I think that will be an interesting thing to see, and presumably which way it falls will be part of the message. Follow @JulieMakLAT for news from China Former President Donald Trump has maintained that China must be held accountable for the COVID-19 pandemic, demanding $50 trillion in reparations over the alleged virus leak from a lab in Wuhan. Trump was one of the first people to suggest that a lab leak in Wuhan, China might have been the source of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Three years ago, I declared that COVID-19 almost certainly came from the Chinese Wuhan lab. Now, the world is finally admitting the truth. The cover-up of COVID-19's origins is one of the greatest scandals in the history of the world," Trump said in a statement sent to Daily Mail. He noted that millions of people have died from the coronavirus, and "the cost of the outbreak and the lying about its origins is incalculable, some say in excess of $50 trillion." He added: "Now it's time to hold China - and the corrupt forces who have facilitated this colossal suppression of facts - accountable for the damage they have inflicted upon all of humanity." Trump issued the statement a few days after FBI Director Christopher Wray said a lab leak in Wuhan likely caused the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Energy has also concluded that COVID-19 most likely came from a lab leak in China. "According to recent reports, the U.S. Department of Energy has concluded a Wuhan lab leak is the likely cause of the pandemic. The FBI reached the same conclusion. The facts are now plain for all to see," the former president said. Trump noted that "China's deceptions and lies in the critical early phase of the outbreak" killed any opportunity to stop the spread of COVID-19 at the start. "For example, they long insisted to the world that the virus could not spread from human to human. They bought up vast quantities of PPE from all over the planet while lying to other countries about the characteristics of the virus and the severity of the outbreak," the former president said. "Now that the evidence of Chinese culpability is clear to all, we must hold China financially responsible for unleashing this plague upon the world," he added. However, Trump said President Joe Biden will not do this as he was "unbelievably weak on China," likely because "his family has received millions of dollars from entities linked to the Chinese Communist Party." The former president noted that when he first suggested in early 2020 that the coronavirus may have come from a Chinese lab, "it was called 'racist,' a 'conspiracy theory,' and a claim for which 'there is no evidence'." He said any suggestion that the so-called "lab leak theory" could be true was censored and shut down by the World Health Organization (WHO), media, social media, some public health officials, and Biden, who even discontinued the investigation of his administration into the true origins of the coronavirus. Trump noted that experts who called for transparency and probe were attacked, while the media mocked the idea and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter labeled posts about the lab leak theory as "disinformation." READ NEXT: Donald Trump Says COVID a 'Terrible Accident' That Breaks Loose From Wuhan Lab Donald Trump Also Wants WHO to Be Held Accountable for COVID-19 Pandemic and Not Just China Donald Trump said the WHO must also be held accountable. The former president noted that "the WHO, which effectively did China's bidding, fully endorsed the 'natural origin' theory, failed to conduct a thorough inquiry into the possibility that the virus came from a lab, and covered up for China at every turn." He also said the WHO even disproved to his early China travel ban, "which was proven to be 100 percent correct," as it has "saved hundreds of thousands of lives in the U.S." "It is clear that the nations of the world are not just owed a massive apology; they are owed massive damages. To collect this compensation, nothing should be off the table - tariffs, taxes, and a global summit on reparations," Trump added. WHO Report Concludes COVID-19 Originated in Bats, Not Likely to Be Result of Lab Leak The WHO has been investigating the source of the virus since the first case was reported in December 2019. A joint study from the WHO and Chinese scientists on the origins of COVID-19 said it was likely that it originated from bats and spread to another animal before passing it to the human population. The 123-page study released in March 2021 also concluded that it was unlikely that the virus leaked from a Wuhan lab, which is a theory being reviewed by some experts even though it was based on circumstantial evidence, NBC News reported. The findings resulted from the joint study conducted in China in February 2021 to investigate the virus' origin. However, critics said the inquiry was insufficient as many Chinese scientists involved were affiliated with government-run institutions. Also, investigators did not have full access to lab records and raw data. Meanwhile, Peter Embarek, the WHO team leader, previously said the first COVID patient in the world might have contracted the virus while working with bats at a laboratory in Wuhan. The WHO official revealed that the first case of COVID might have happened while getting samples from bats for research at the said laboratory. Embarek told Denmark's television station TV2 that a lab worker instead of a random villager probably got the coronavirus first as lab workers have greater exposure to bats. "An employee who was infected in the field by taking samples falls under one of the probable hypotheses," said Embarek, who led the WHO probe into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic in China. But despite this claim, the WHO official underscored that the investigators from their organization have not yet found direct evidence of the said narrative. READ MORE: Growing Evidence Shows COVID-19 Leaked From Wuhan Lab, Contrary to China's Claims MBABANE The pharmaceutical space has proven to be one of the big industries in the country. This has been evidenced by governments expenditure in the acquisition of medicines for public health institutions. It has been found that government has spent over E1 billion in 2022 on the acquisition of medicines for emaSwati. In the current financial year ending on March 31, 2023, government allocated E2.42 billion to the Ministry of Health. In the financial year beginning April 1, 2023, the Ministry of Health shall receive a budget amounting to E2.76 billion. In a population of 1.2 million people, it meant, conservatively, each liSwati should access medicines valued at E833 per year. However, there are thousands of emaSwati who have medical aids. They seek treatment from private health institutions. For instance, SwaziMed, the biggest medical scheme in Eswatini, has over 40 000 members. It must be said that the E1 billion-expenditure on medical drugs is contained in the Forensic Investigation Proposal and Audit of Acquisition, Distribution and Management of Pharmaceuticals Report compiled by Pastor Timothy Sipho Matsebula. It was tabled in Parliament last Friday by Neal Rijkenberg, the Minister of Finance. It is stated in the report that there was an increase in expenditure of E345 146 948.92 in the procurement of the medical drugs for the nation. The procurement costs increased from E690 000 160.51 recorded in 2021 to E1 035 147 109.43 in 2022. There was also an obsolete stock of E18.3 million recorded in the financial years ending on March 31, 2019 to 2022. In this context, obsolete means out of date. The pharmaceuticals were procured for public health institutions such as Mbabane Government Hospital, Piggs Peak Government Hospital, Hlatikhulu Government Hospital, Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital, Mkhuzweni Health Centre, Nhlangano Health Centre, Siphofaneni Clinic, Siteki Public Health Unit, Horo Clinic, Ntfonjeni Clinic, Herefords Clinic and Maguga Clinic. Others are Mangweni Clinic, Hluthi Clinic, Nkwene Clinic, Zombodze Clinic, Jericho Clinic, Dvokolwako Health Centre and Ezulwini Satelite Clinic. The auditor general (AG), Timothy Matsebula Revealed that pharmaceuticals amounting to E151.6 million were either missing or unaccounted for. In the financial years 2021 and 2022, the AG observed that there was missing stock of medicines and/or unaccounted for pharmaceuticals amounting to E18 793 823.99. He mentioned in his audit report that the Ministry of Health acknowledged the missing stock of medical drugs which amounted to E5 848 589.89 as reported in the Medical Drugs Trading Account for the financial year ended March 31, 2022. It was discovered that there was missing stock of E128 452.22 in the 2021 financial year. Facilities He also observed that, in the various health facilities visited, pharmaceuticals amounting E12 816 781.88 which were acquired during the financial years 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 were not accounted for. The audit discovered drugs valued at E9 308 963.02 for Mbabane Government Hospital were unaccounted for. The Piggs Peak Government Hospital did not account for pharmaceuticals valued at E2 283 688.91. Siphofaneni Clinic did not account for drugs amounting to E111 089.08 and Mpolonjeni Clinic had medical drugs valued at E45 990.19 unaccounted for. Pharmaceuticals were either not recorded in stock record cards or no stock cards to record the medicines maintained. Stock card balances and physical count balances were not tallying; and shortages in stock received, reads the audit report. Over the two financial years (2020/2021 and 2021/2022), the audit report states that pharmaceuticals to the value of E7 730 237.26 were received and paid for by the Central Medical Stores (CMS) even though their life-span was shorter than 18 months. The ag reported that there was no evidence or justification that supported the emergency or urgency of the medicine. Instead, there was only an attached document which authorised receipts of such medicine by the senior pharmacist. The AG felt that this opened a risk of senior pharmacist agreeing with suppliers to accept medicine where there was no urgency. The office of the AG said the short-dated pharmaceuticals were purchased from Swazipharm and ASD Medical Supplies. The audit report will be discussed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). However, the Times SUNDAY gave one of the companies an opportunity to respond. Nkosinathi Dlamini, the Sales & Marketing Manager at ASD Medical Supplies, said the company was never contacted by the auditors on the subject matter. He said the company did not receive them at its premises to check records and other relevant documents in the course of their audit. Exercise. Dlamini mentioned that ASD Medical Supplies was aware of the standard 18-month-shelf life for pharmaceuticals to be supplied and delivered at the CMS in accordance with valid contracts at any given point in time. Comments could not be sought from Swazipharm as they were out of office by the time attempts were made to get hold of management. The audit report exposed a situation in the Lubombo Regional Office where the principal pharmacist stored medicine in her office. Some of the medicine expired while in her custody and the stock became obsolete, thus a loss to government, the AG lamented. Further, stock cards were not maintained for the control and management of the movement of the medicines. There is no record which shows incoming and outgoing stock for easy tracing, reads the report. There was also a concern in Siteki as four entities were found to be sharing the same warehouse. The sharing entities were Good Shepherd Hospital, Lubombo Schools Health Unit, Siteki Police Stores Unit and Siteki Public Health Unit. The AG established that there was no custodian in the warehouse and no security measures, thus exposing the medicine to theft and misplacement. Payment delays AG Matsebula noted that it took a lengthy period for suppliers to receive payment after delivery to CMS. As a result, he raised a concern that suppliers were not aware how long they were going to wait to be finally paid for their supplies. They did not know how long it also took for a payment to be processed, since some invoices submitted late were paid earlier and vice versa. The audit investigation unearthed that there was no pharmacist or technician in all the visited clinics. The technician is necessary for the management and distribution of pharmaceuticals. He observed in his audit query that the responsibility for the technician was given to the nurses who also attended to their nursing duties. The audit team found that the human resource available at the clinics was not equal to this task. The problem discovered was that nurses were expected to attend to the patients, prescribe and finally dispense medicine to them. It is stated that the objectives of the forensic audit and investigation were to assist the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and Ministry of Health to achieve the following l Undertake a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances that led to the suspected irregularities on acquisition and distribution of medicines that covers 15 per cent of the population of 234 health facilities centers including CMS. Determine the circumstances that led to the contravention or transgression, as well as to identify any/all officials who contravened the relevant prescripts. Establish if indeed there were any irregularities, contravention, or non-compliance in the procurement process of the acquisition and distribution of medicines to public health facilities. Establish if the procurement process of tendering is adhered to and whether the procurement division or contract management appoints the supplier(s) with capacity to perform the supply and delivery of medicine in time. Identify and report any irregularities on the procurement of pharmaceuticals. Determine any internal control weakness in inventory management of pharmaceuticals at CMS. Identify internal control weaknesses and systems on distribution of pharmaceuticals to health facilities. Establish the weakness of inventory management process in sample of 29 health facilities. Identify any irregularities and establish what were/are the circumstances that led to the occurrence of the suspected irregularities. If these circumstances still exist, indicating what steps have been undertaken or what steps are to be undertaken to address the circumstances to ensure that such circumstances no longer exist. Irregularities Indicate what steps are being taken or would have been taken to address the suspected irregularities, and their expected outcome. It is also reported that the Ministry of Health was unable to meet the demand of the patients as CMS would, at times, deliver short supplies to the national health facilities. It is said that some pharmaceutical companies supplying CMS also made part deliveries, resulting in the health stores delivering short medicine to facilities. In a nutshell, the AG said his findings confirmed that there were indeed medical drug shortages in the countrys national health institutions. He said the shortages resulted in patients having difficulty in accessing their medications. Affected by drug shortages, he reported that patients inevitably opted for privately owned pharmacies. Matsebula said patients had been complaining to health professionals about drug shortages as they had to be referred to other facilities to find alternative health care. According to the audit findings, patients were reportedly concerned and distressed by the current situation at the public health institutions. I have analysed and evaluated my findings against the responses of the controlling officer, made comparisons with global trends and came to a conclusion that medical drug shortages are a complex global phenomenon, which affects citizens economic and humanistic lives, particularly the quality of the lives of the citizens, said the auditor general. However, the results of this report provide valuable insights into the impact drug shortages have on patients and on the lives of the citizens of Eswatini and has not extended to similar situations in other countries. He said he was concerned that the unavailability of basic medicines contributed to treatment delays. and if this problem is not resolved promptly, it may lead to a rise in diseases, complications, and increased treatment failures, all of which may increase the mortality rate in the country, the AG said. He said alternative health care services, including those that were not licensed or regulated, increased the risk of increased mortality among citizens because of inappropriate alternatives. These alternatives included substandard and counterfeit medicines from unlicensed and untrained health care providers. In such situations, the audit report indicated that patients tended to become victims of these health care providers. He reported that these alternative sources were usually recommended by friends/relatives or patients themselves who surfed the internet to explore other options for treatment. The auditor general said some of these alternatives did not come cheap to the patients. Causes of drug shortages He said his office tried to establish the causes of the problem of drug shortages. Without exonerating the possibility of misappropriation of the medical drugs along the medical supply chain system, he said the overall medical drug shortages in the country were mainly attributed to the following : Weak information management systems; Weak manual control environment; Cash flow constraints; Human resource shortages due to hiring freeze and fuel shortages. Matsebula said the consequences of medicine shortages were challenging, especially for the patients as there were risks associated with these medical drug shortages. He said the risks included the interruption of treatment for patients or wrong selection of alternative treatments, which might affect the quality of the lives of the citizens. The countrys audit office said this situation demanded the introduction of risk-management strategies for medicine shortages in the national health institutions in accordance with international best practices. The audit also raised concern over governments delay in paying the companies supplying medicals to the CMS. Delayed payments The audit office disclosed the total amount of E11 479 596.70. The owed companies included Swazi Oxygen, SwaziPharm and Mylan Laboratories. It is said that SwaziPharm was being owed E6 230 078. Government was also indebted to Mylan Laboratories for the sum of E4 346 419 and Swazi Oxygen was being owed E903 099.60. All the old water pipes from the reservoir in Stradbally need to be replaced, a councillor has said. Cllr Paschal McEvoy made the comment at the last meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District. He asked in a motion that this Council call on Irish Water to fully replace all old water pipes from the reservoir at Oughval to Old Mills / Ballyteskin. In a written response, Senior Engineer Water Services Adrian Barrett said works were ongoing but an archaeological find near the graveyard was delaying matters. These works are ongoing at present and are being undertaken by Uisce Eireann. There is a slight delay to a portion of these works due to an archaeology find near the old cemetery. A temporary solution was progressed last week due to a further burst in private lands, Mr Barrett stated. Cllr Paschal McEvoy said action needs to be taken in relation to the water supply as people are suffering. There are three weekends in a row where the water went on Friday and they hadn't it back until Monday. There was no alternative water made available to the locals, he remarked. He told the meeting the issue has been ongoing for years and the pipes need to be replaced. We cannot have farmers without water for three or four days. We cant have people with young children and older people, life needs water on a full time basis. The pipe that burst on Friday was fixed and another one burst on Saturday and that wasnt fixed until Monday, he said. Theres no month goes by without some kind of a burst, said Cllr McEvoy. "The only solution is replace all the pipes, he said. https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/property/1050818/over-100-derelict-houses-found-in-two-laois-towns.html Cllr PJ Kelly said he believed the works were being held up by an archaeological dig. One person said to me it is possibly an asses leg that they are going to find compared to live people being neglected, he said. Thats frustrating those people up there even more, said Cllr Kelly. I think the same archaeological dig is going to stop the footpath, he added. He was hopeful the issue would be resolved soon. The number of people seen by doctors at the Midoc out-of-hours GP centres in Portlaoise and other towns doubled in 2022 as overall requests for help surged across the Midlands, according to newly published figures from the HSE. Health management has also revealed that the number of contacts from the public to the service that's now in limbo rose beyond 100,000 over 12 months in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath. A total of 101,692 contacts were made to Midoc in 2022. This was up from nearly 90,000 the previous year and higher than the over 87,000 contacts for help made in 2019. In total, there were 49,280 attendances at Midoc centres in Portlaoise, Tullmamore, Longford and Mullingar in 2022. That was up from 24,187 the previous year. It was less than the 65,289 who went to centres before Covid-19 in 2019. Of the contacts, a total of 25,029 were dealt with by triage nurses. A total of 25,393 spoke to a doctor by phone. This is significantly up on just over 3,800 calls dealt with by doctors in the year before Covid-19 struck. Out of the total contacts in 2022, nearly 17,000 ended up in a referral to a hospital Emergency Department. This was up on the 13,200 patients who had to go to A&E in the year before the pandemic. The information was provided to councillors from Laois and other counties at the Dublin Mid-Leinster Health Forum. Laois County Councillor Thomasina Connell was among those to seek clarity about the status of out-of-hours care in Laois and other counties due to the withdrawal at Christmas of a GP company that provided doctors. The HSE said that will the service continues to work as normal, a long-term solution to the withdrawal of Midoc GP Company Limited by Guarantee has not been found. It said the company withdrew due to the financial challenges faced in providing out-of-hours care across the four counties. In recent days the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) and Association of University Departments of General Practice in Ireland (AUDGPI) called for urgent action on the funding and development of undergraduate General Practice placements to help address the ongoing GP workforce crisis. Sharon Horgan has said her daughter wants Paul Mescal to beat Colin Farrell for the best actor Oscar at the 95th annual awards next week. The Irish actress and director said she could not pick between the two men, who she knows well, but that her daughter loves Paul very much. Mescal and Farrell will face off for the coveted award on March 12 after receiving wide acclaim for their performances. Farrell, 46, is nominated for his role in Martin McDonaghs dark Irish comedy The Banshees Of Inisherin, in which he stars alongside Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan and Kerry Condon. Mescal, 27, is nominated for his role in the independent coming-of-age film Aftersun, in which he plays a father struggling to connect with his young daughter during a holiday in Turkey. He is also up for the gender-neutral best lead performance at the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards (FISA). Speaking to the PA news agency at the FISA ceremony in Santa Monica, California, Horgan praised the work of the entire Banshees cast as well as Mescal. Im a long-term fan of Kerry Condon, obviously Brendan and Colin and Paul its bonkers, she said. But its also unsurprising because I do think the Irish have always produced incredible acting talent historically. Its a small island and it just needed a bit of focus on it. Asked who she thought would win the best actor Oscar next week, she laughed, and said: Colin or Paul? I cant answer that. Colin has been around longer, Paul is going to have so many opportunities, but I dont know. She added: My daughter would want Paul because she loves him very much. The 95th annual Oscars, hosted by US comedian Jimmy Kimmel, will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 12. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Naas District Court was told on Thursday, March 2, that a car which was damaged by two juveniles was the result of an alleged feud between two families. Last year, the court heard that the teenage boy and his brother, the latter of whom was not present in court on the day, had allegedly smashed up the Mercedes-Benz car using an iron bar and a weed-cutting tool, while the car was at a filling station in Newbridge on a date in May of 2021. The motive for the alleged offence was not disclosed by gardai on the first court date. In addition, gardai told Judge Desmond Zaidan that the cost of damage to the car was an estimated 12,500. The younger brother appeared in court with his mother on the latest date for the execution of a bench warrant against him, while the older brother did not turn up. Gardai granted bail on a number of conditions for the boy present in court: these included that he must reside at his mother's address (which is located outside of County Kildare), he must stay out of Kildare except for court appearances, and his mother must provide her phone number to gardai and be contactable at all times. Judge Zaidan adjourned the case to May 18, to allow time for a potential Section 75 application and to allow time for the older brother to come back to Ireland as he has been staying abroad. According to the Children Act, 2001, Section 75 (1) reads as follows: "Subject to subsection (3), the Court may deal summarily with a child charged with any indictable offence, other than an offence which is required to be tried by the Central Criminal Court or manslaughter, unless the Court is of opinion that the offence does not constitute a minor offence fit to be tried summarily or, where the child wishes to plead guilty, to be dealt with summarily." He also remanded the juvenile who was present in court on continuing bail until this date. On February 22, students from across Ireland took part in the Intel Mini Scientist Grand Final, an event which is the culmination of a nationwide competition that kicked off in September 2022. The Intel Mini Scientist, which is now in its 16th year, gives primary school students from 4th, 5th and 6th class, the chance to explore science through project-based learning and exhibitions. This year the Mini Scientist competition returned to its usual in person style for the first time since 2020. Students first completed science projects within their own schools and held exhibitions whereby Intel judges visited each school to select one project to go forward to a regional final in either Shannon, Cork or TU Dublin Blanchardstown. At the regional finals a panel of Intel judges selected a number of winners to attend this years Mini Scientist Grand Final. The Grand Final event was held at Maynooth University and was hosted by Phil Smyth, from RTEs Home School Hub. The event was formally opened by Maynooth University President, Professor Eeva Leinonen, with a welcome address to the students. The event was supported by a panel of judges which included Intel employees and they each visited the student projects to hear about all their work. Each judge found it difficult to decide on the selected winners with such a high level of projects to choose from. The 2022/2023 initiative was another exciting year for the Mini Scientist competition with over 6,300 students from 100 schools in 20 counties across Ireland taking part. This year there was over 1,000 projects created as part of the Mini Scientist competition. The Grand Final was filled with innovative and imaginative projects, put together through months of hard work and the judges, after a very difficult task of deliberation, selected their winning projects. A number of Dublin based schools picked up prizes at the event; Grand Final Overall Winner Hydroelectricity from Alexandra College Junior School, Rathmines, Co. Dublin Runner-up Awards Paper Blast from Wicklow Montessori Primary School, Co. Wicklow SLABS from St. Raphaela's Primary School, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin Why bikes should have indicators? from St. Mochta's NS, Clonsilla, Dublin The Beeping Box from Faughart Community NS, Dundalk, Co. Louth Special Awards Additional special prizes were awarded as follows: Best Communication Award Male and Female Facial Characteristics from Scoil Bhride Leixlip, Co. Kildare DJ Mini Scientist from Scoil Naomh Brid Celbridge. Co. Kildare Sustainability Award Trash into Treasure from St. Patrick's Boys and Girls NS, Co. Galway Best Project Book Award How to make plastic from Milk from Ballyboughal NS, Co. Dublin Best Visual Display Award Hydraulic Power from Scoil Angela, Thurles, Co. Tipperary Most Innovative Award: 'One Step Ahead' from St. Stephens NS Navan, Co. Meath The students were presented with their prizes by Tracey Nolan and Sarah Sexton from Intel. Speaking abut the Grand Final, President of Maynooth University, President Eeva Leinonen, said: We are delighted to welcome so many talented young scientists to Maynooth University for the Mini Scientist Grand Final. It is a pleasure to support this national event, hosted annually by Intel. This event underlines Intels belief in fostering the energy and the intrinsic curiosity that young people have for science. The incredible range of projects here today bodes well for the future of science and for the future of Ireland. I wish all the mini scientists who have made it through to the final, and all who have participated, the very best for their futures, and look forward to seeing them return perhaps to Maynooth University someday. CHARLES MONNIER Arev was born in Istanbul in 1999 and has Kurdish and Armenian origins. In 2005, her mother left Turkey for the Ile-de-France region, hoping to find a better life. They first moved in with Arev's aunt, who handled the administrative paperwork. "At the end of the first grade, I knew how to speak French," remembers the brunette. After a while, the young student started to feel embarrassed asking her aunt and cousins for help. In third grade, the eldest daughter in the family her two sisters were born in France started her long-term role as an interpreter and moderator between her parents and the family's social interactions with institutions, doctors, and so on. Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes 'Detention centers have become places where human rights are systematically violated and dignity seriously undermined' At the time, the studious student sometimes had to skip classes to help her family. Today, the 23-year-old continues to take days off to go with her parents to medical appointments. She also carefully files their taxes before they even ask her to every year. Sophie was born in France. Her parents left Algeria after the war. They met in Paris and had three children. "My parents did not go to school, but they speak French. On the other hand, my mother is illiterate. She does not read Arabic or French. She suffers a lot from it. Sometimes it even makes her cry," said the youngest of her siblings, aged 27. Her older sister, Sabrina, initially handled all administrative and medical duties. But as Sophie grew up, her mother expected her to rise to the occasion. "When I was 8, my mother told me that since my sister could write checks at 6, I needed to be able to do that too. I was made to understand that she did not make any mistakes," she recalled. The 'secretary of the house' Through their studies, the psychologists Muriel Bossuroy and Perrine Jouve noted that the elder siblings were often those who played the role of a translator a source of pride for them. By breaking the language barrier, children inherit responsibilities from an early age. "One day, we had a problem with the car, and we didn't have the car registration with us. I managed to remember the license plate's 17 characters. The person on the other end of the line was shocked. I know everything by heart," said Arev, who at 23 is still called the "secretary of the house." After a few years of practice, the eldest usually delegate responsibilities to the second-youngest sibling, with the burden of being the second in command a heavy one. This is what Sophie's older sister gradually did. Today, one of them manages the job center documents while the other takes care of the welfare office. You have 69.41% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Elysee Palace in Paris on January 22, 2023. JEAN-CLAUDE COUTAUSSE POUR LE MONDE This has been one of the major points of contention between Paris and Berlin since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. In October 2022, Germany announced the launch of a European missile shield project, or European Sky Shield (ESSI), something which now brings together seventeen countries, fifteen of them members of the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO). It's the revival of an old NATO ambition. Four months after Berlin's announcement, this initiative is challenging France's vision of Europe's strategic independence and upsetting the interests of certain manufacturers. The ESSI project is only at the "letter of intent" stage, which leads Paris to say that it is still far from becoming a reality. But among the signatory countries are many states broadly located on the eastern flank of Europe, anxious to move quickly and worried about a possible spillover of the Ukrainian conflict into their territory. This is the case for Estonia, Lithuania, Norway, Romania and Finland. On February 15, two other countries joined the project Sweden and Denmark, the latter being usually very cautious on Alliance missile defense issues. Poland, Spain, Portugal, Italy and France have for the moment remained on the sidelines of the ESSI project. This is either because they already have missile defense capabilities Madrid and Warsaw have NATO bases or, like Italy and France, because they've been developing their own system together for several years: the Mamba. For France, the German initiative therefore entails major industrial and technological competition. 'Multi-layered' bubble Germany's missile defense shield aims to achieve economies of scale by jointly purchasing existing and complementary ground-to-air defense systems: the German Iris-T system, manufactured by Diehl BGT Defence, with a range of around 30 kilometers, the Patriot system, manufactured by the American Raytheon, providing protection up to 200 kilometers, and the Arrow 3, designed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), designed to destroy intercontinental ballistic missiles and provide a 2,400-kilometre radius bubble around itself. In Paris, the initiative is perceived as a major breach in the idea of "European sovereignty," dearly defended by Emmanuel Macron. However, the ESSI is a good response to shortcomings long identified by US-dominated NATO central bodies, for which missile defense is a major focus. These three systems are supposed to create a "multi-layered" bubble to protect against strikes from missiles, as well as from certain drones or helicopters. You have 59.72% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. MBABANE Set to be built around Lobamba, the E1.6 billion new parliament building location had not been known by many, at least until now. The Times SUNDAY investigation team set out a search for the site and located it at the tail of the field between Lobamba and Lozitha, just by the end of a spread of homesteads stretching from Nkhanini. The building will be located about a kilometre away from the newly-constructed road linking Lobamba/Ludzidzini and Lozitha overhead bridge. The land has already been fenced and stretches across a flat ground estimated to be about 15 hectares. The new parliament building will be visible from the highway just before Lobamba exit on the left side from Manzini to Mbabane. A giant gate and guardhouse, estimated to be four metres in height and 10 metres in width, has been erected and a 24-hour security services hired to guard over the place. When the Times SUNDAY team arrived, the guards refused to give permission to provide details of the land despite confirming that it was indeed the land marked for the construction of the new parliament.The construction of the entrance and fencing was, however, confirmed by the Prime Minister, Cleopas Sipho Dlamini, when delivering a report on his portfolios in the House of Assembly on Thursday. The Premier, in his report for the performance of parliament in the last financial year, said they were looking forward to the next financial year to continue with the building after fencing the land. He said construction of the new parliament had already begun. Parliament has recorded significant progress on the construction of a new Parliament building in this reporting period. Parliament is working together with the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, who are implementing partners. The erection of fencing of the site and construction of a guardhouse is now complete and construction of the building is expected to commence in the second quarter of the coming financial year, said the PM. Tendering Acting Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development Siboniso Masilela confirmed the land as a true location of the new parliament. Masilela said the Ministry engaged a contractor through the official tendering and procurement process to erect the fencing and construct the entrance and guardhouse. He said the contractor was also engaged to build the drainage system and the parameter roads around the site to enable people to find path. As you might have seen that the land was basically a field and people were using it so, we had to engage a contractor to do the preliminary works around to ensure that we create the paths and new roads around, he said. Masilela said he was not in a position to reveal the name of the contractor as he was not at work when called, but explained that the cost of the works done around the site were about E1.6 million. The funding of the project was sourced from India through the the Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) extending a line of credit of US$108.28 million which translated to E1.6 billion. The line of credit agreement for the project was signed between the General Manager of Exim Bank Nirmit Ved and the Finance Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Neal Rijkenberg. India is also involved in financing of new parliament in Burundis national capital Gitega and two ministerial buildings in Bujumbura, countrys largest city and main port. In the past, India was involved in the construction of the parliament building of Afghanistan, which was inaugurated in 2015 by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and PM Narendra Modi. According to the latest Budget Estimates tabled in Parliament by Minister Rijkenberg, E150 million loan funds were made available for the construction of new Parliament in the next financial year, and E20 million local funds were also requested to support the construction of the new houses of parliament. Parliament received an original budget allocation of E108 817 223 and a supplementary budget of E11 700 000 within the financial year 2022/2023. The total annual budget received, therefore, amounted to E120 517 223. The new Parliament building received quite a lot of critics from several formations and members of the public. They argued whether the building was a necessity compared to other national needs like procuring of drugs as they were often a challenge in the countrys health facilities. Despite the calls to stop the government of India from extending the loan facility for the proposed construction of the new parliament, Eswatini government insisted that there was a need for the new building. In a joint statement issued by the Speaker in the House of Assembly, Petros Mavimbela and Senate President Lindiwe Dlamini, after the announcement of the project, they said the current building was inadequate and had to be renovated frequently at a substantial cost to government and this was not sustainable. They said the current parliament building was built in 1967, to accommodate a few parliamentarians before the country gained independence in September 1968. Over the years, Parliament operations have changed and the building has not responded to these changes, reads the statement. According to the latest Budget Estimates tabled in Parliament by Minister Rijkenberg, E150 million loan funds were made available for the construction of new houses of parliament in the next financial year, and E20 million local funds were also requested to support the construction of the new houses of parliament. Parliament received an original budget allocation of E108 817 223.00 and a supplementary budget of E11 700 000.00 within the financial year 2022/2023. The total annual budget received therefore amounted to E120 517 223.00. Eswatini Parliament is currently situated in Lobamba and is a bi-cameral parliament, consisting of the Senate (Upper House) and the House of Assembly (Lower House). The House of Assembly has not more than seventy-six (76) seats and House of Senate has not more than thirty (31) seats. In 2005, a Constitution came into force in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Section 95 (1) (a) sought to increase the number of Tinkhundla Centres to not more than sixty (60). A process to increase the Tinkhundla Centres began in 2017 and early 2018 they were increased to fifty-nine (59) in preparation for the General Elections in the second quarter of that year. Parliament is the legislative organ of the Kingdom of Eswatini. The Constitution of Eswatini Act 001 of 2005 and the Parliamentary Service Act provide that Parliaments Controlling Officer is the Clerk of Parliament, who is accountable to the Parliamentary Service Board. Nearly 82,000 jobs were created in the technology industry in 2022. Due to a skills shortage, nearly 61% of them are described as difficult to recruit for by the companies most deeply affected by the digital transformation. And yet, the tech sector is missing a major talent pool. Women represent only 26.9% of the workforce in digital professions and less than 16% of the technical roles that are at the heart of organizational strategy today. The proliferation of women in technical jobs across the technology sector is a major concern and an area where industry players have been sounding the alarm for several years. Faced with a talent deficit that hampers the competitiveness of companies and the performance of management, the excessively low rate of women in these professions is compounding a societal catastrophe with an economic tragedy. As part of the France 2030 plan, the Skills Investment Plan implemented by the High Commission for Skills has made it possible to improve training courses aimed at women, particularly those who are geographically isolated or disabled, for whom tech training represents a major tool for professional advancement. But a program around the mastery of sovereign and secure digital technology will certainly be futile without a structured national effort to train and mobilize the skills needed to fuel it. Aligning objectives In order to coordinate actions within an interministerial framework over the long term, we advocate drafting a multi-year programming skills bill. It would ensure that objectives for generating the necessary skills are aligned with the resources required by the academic system in order to achieve the goals of France 2030. We owe future generations such a law so that they have the skills to provide scientific, technological and digital answers to the economic, environmental and social challenges they will face. The ambition of training 400,000 additional tech experts by the end of the president's five-year term will remain an empty promise if young people, particularly high school students as well as those who influence them, do not significantly change their perception of these professions. Parents, families, teachers, educators... we all have a key role to play in deconstructing the stereotyped images of the hard sciences and the gendered perception of digital training and careers in tech in order to present their importance, diversity, and attractiveness. Public authorities must imperatively take this challenge into account. You have 17.05% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. Amid the Adani row, former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan asked why markets regulator SEBI did not get to the bottom of the issues that were raised by US-based short-seller Hindenburg research. He also questioned why SEBI didn't get in touch with the agency if it needed help from probing agencies. "Why has SEBI not yet got to the bottom of the ownership of those Mauritius funds which have been holding and trading Adani stock? Does it need help from the investigative agencies?" news agency PTI quoted Rajan as asking. On being asked about the suggestions taken by the government to address worries after the Hindenburg allegations on Adani Group, Rajan said: "I don't think the issue is of more oversight over private companies". ALSO READ: Embattled Adani Group's $2 bn worth foreign currency bonds due for repayment in 2024 According to the renowned economist, the issue is of reducing non-transparent links between government and business is encouraging. Meanwhile, Adani Group has extended a worldwide roadshow with the management is seeking to reassure investors that the firm's finances are under control. From 7-15 March, the group will hold meetings with fixed-income investors in Dubai, London and the US, reported Bloomberg. This is seen as Adani's efforts to bring in confidence of investors following the report from US short seller Hindenburg Research, due to which it suffered major losses in stock market and in m-Cap. As per details, the firm lost around $150 billion from the groups stock market value. With agency inputs. Apple has recently approved an email-app update which includes a new feature powered by chatbot ChatGPT. The approval has come in the wake of assurance from the app maker of content moderation to cut the risk of inappropriate content generation for children. Also Read: Will ChatGPT take away your job? Infosys founder replies The app, BlueMail, received a nod from Apple Inc after its developer made clear that it also features content moderation, according Ben Volach, co-founder of the app-maker, Blix, reported ANI citing a Wall Street Journal report. Also Read: ChatGPT may have aced Wharton MBA exam, but it failed UPSC prelims Earlier, it was reported that the app update, featured by ChatGPT, was held up due to Apple's request that the app add content moderation or be restricted to ages above 17 year and older. Earlier, the minimum age for application was 4 year. Also Read: Google tells employees that Bard A.I. isnt just about search: Report Afterwards, Blix disclosed Apple about the addition of content moderation in its email app update and suggested that Apple should make public its policies about the use of ChatGPT on software, reported WSJ. The BlueMail update was later approved without any changes on Thursday evening. Now, the app is still available for users aged 4 and older. However, Apple didn't respond to WSJ's requests for comment on the approval. How BlueMail uses Open AI's ChatGPT for managing emails? BlueMail comes with the new feature powered by ChatGPT. Under this feature, the AI system will answer questions or write short essays to help automate the writing of emails for users based on the contents of prior emails and calendar events, reported WSJ. The recent rejection of the ChatGPT powered update on BlueMail again brought the issue of AI dominance in limelight. It highlighted the growing concerns around the world of language generating AI tools. ChatGPT users are allowed to converse with an AI that appears humanlike and responds to requests of writing essay, and giving other answers. However, the early testing of the AI revealed some inappropriate response to human's questions. It was found that AI produced incorrect information as well as strange and hostile responses. (With agency inputs) NEW DELHI : The government is working on a scheme to produce bio-bitumen from rice straw for use in road construction, Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari said at the Mint Zetwerk Smart Manufacturing Summit 2023. He said his ministry would introduce the scheme in the next three months to provide tractor-mounted machines for the production of bitumen from rice straw or stubble. The government will purchase the bio-bitumen produced with these machines for road construction. Common bitumen derived from crude oil is used for its adhesive properties in the construction of roads and highways. The measures will be part of the countrys efforts to achieve its ambitious climate targets and to reduce import dependence. Gadkari said the first such road using bio-bitumen is already being laid in Odisha. The minister noted that India needs 8 million tonnes of bitumen annually, of which only 5 million is produced in India, while the rest is imported. The power-packed event included the minister of commerce, industry and consumer affairs, Piyush Goyal; minister of state for electronics, information technology, skill development and entrepreneurship, Rajeev Chandrasekhar; and several industry executives. Gadkari said the government was planning to come up with norms for vehicle speed limits in consultation with states amid the expansion of roads and highways in the country, many of which had become six, eight or 10-laned. He added that the ministry had set a target of 60 km per day for the next financial year, while for the ongoing year, the speed of construction would be 40 km per day. The government is planning more electric highways with amenities supporting EV charging, and the first such highway proposed between Delhi and Jaipur was in the preliminary stage, he said. Commerce minister Goyal asked the industry to raise quality of products to export standards. With its focus on ensuring the production of quality products in the country, the central government is also looking at setting up testing centres alongside industrial hubs which will reduce the cost of testing and time taken to take the product to the market. BIS and FSSAI have been mandated for this work. First, we have mapped all the lab facilities, put that on Gati Shakti, and now are finding the gaps. Currently, gap analysis is going on across the country," he said. He added that the government was also looking at reforming patent laws to attract more R&D, and innovation at a time when India was aiming to become a global manufacturing hub and cater to international demand. Goyal said that several schemes are underway to support manufacturing and many more would be rolled out soon. Centre is expected to announce more PLI schemes for supporting petrochemicals, green hydrogen, electrolyzers, leather products, footwear and toys among others. However, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said PLI should not be considered a permanent solution but a transition for India as the country moves towards becoming a globally competitive economy. PLI, I dont think it should be thought of as a permanent, let us say part of the equation, of being a manufacturing economy. It is a way to bootstrap the economy or bootstrap the players. But it will more than be compensated by all of the other efficiencies that these volume gains will create over time," he said. He said that PLI was addressing the disability or the disadvantage between India and its cost structure in the value chain versus Vietnam or China, but there were more factors such as ease of doing business, rationalization of levies, import and export tariffs and creation of logistics ecosystem, which will be responsible for taking India closer to its goal of achieving $300 billion in electronics manufacturing by 2026. Chandrasekhar added that India should target $500-700 billion in electronics manufacturing over 10 years, adding that the scale was achievable on the back of Indias youth power which differentiates it from China and Vietnam. Binance exploded onto the crypto scene in 2017 and grew into the worlds biggest digital-currency exchange. It quickly ran into a problem. It largely operated from hubs in China and then Japan, yet a fifth of its customers were in the U.S., where authorities signaled a coming crackdown on unregulated offshore crypto players. Any lawsuit from U.S. regulators would be like nuclear fall out" for Binances business and its officers, a Binance executive warned colleagues in a 2019 private chat. Worried about the threat of prosecution, Binance set out on a plan to neutralize U.S. authorities, according to messages and documents from 2018 to 2020 reviewed by The Wall Street Journal as well as interviews with former employees. The strategy centered on building a bare-bones American platform, Binance.US, that would license Binances technology and brand but otherwise appear to be wholly independent of Binance.com. It would shield from U.S. regulators scrutiny the larger Binance.com exchange, which would exclude U.S. users. But Binance and Binance.US have been much more intertwined than the companies have disclosed, mixing staff and finances and sharing an affiliated entity that bought and sold cryptocurrencies, according to the interviews and the messages and documents reviewed by the Journal. Binance developers in China maintained the software code supporting Binance.US users digital wallets, potentially giving Binance access to U.S. customer data. If U.S. regulators conclude that these links mean Binance has control over a U.S. company, they could claim the power to police Binances entire business, which, to many investors, has been a black box since the start. This would also put Binances billionaire founder and chief executive, Changpeng Zhao, and his finances under closer scrutiny. Recently, a Texas financial regulator said in a court filing that Binance.US didnt get a license to operate in the state because it wouldnt provide financial information from its largest shareholder, Mr. Zhao. The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Justice Department have been probing the relationship of Binance, which lists no headquarters, to Binance.US at least since 2020, according to subpoenas and people familiar with the matter. The Justice Department and the SEC declined to comment. On Thursday, a bipartisan group of senators asked Binance to answer a series of questions, alleging it had hidden basic financial information from its customers and the public." Binance has also been in the crosshairs of some other countries, where it has been accused of operating without a license. Binance is by far the largest cryptocurrency platform standing after the collapse last year of others such as FTX left the digital-currency world reeling. The swift collapse of FTX changed the calculus for U.S. regulators, who now are engaged in an intensive effort to rein in the $1 trillion crypto sector. Binances ability to navigate the industry turmoil and deal with regulators in the U.S. is a test case for the future of crypto. Patrick Hillmann, Binances chief strategy officer, said last month that the exchange expects to pay monetary penalties to settle existing U.S. regulatory and law-enforcement investigations of its business. A Binance spokeswoman said, We acknowledge that we did not have adequate compliance and controls in place during those early years. We are a very different company today when it comes to compliance." A spokeswoman for Binance.US said, Binance.US was founded specifically to serve U.S. customers with products and services that adhere to U.S. rules and regulations." Binances close involvement with Binance.US was on display in September 2019 when a Binance staffer in Shanghai turned on trading for the U.S. platform a few minutes before it was meant to launch, resulting in an exchange in a Binance chat group on the messaging app Telegram: Ninj0r [a Binance software developer]: Why did trading start???? Its not time yet!!! Who started trading? We had the trading timers set? Who started trading? Other messages followed, including another urgent one from Ninj0r: someone started TRADING EARLY. Who did it? At 8:56:09.822 someone manually started trading. Who? Why? Eventually, the company founder and chief executive answered. Changpeng Zhao: a guy here in Shanghai, mistake operation. Developers in Shanghai maintained key software functions at Binance.US at least through the summer of 2021, the Journal has reported. The Shanghai developers contracts were with Binance, not with the U.S. platform, according to a person familiar with the agreements. The spokeswomen for Binance and Binance.US said the companies relationship is governed by licensing agreements, including for Binances technology. The Binance.US spokeswoman said that U.S. customer data is stored in the U.S. and that it and Binance never commingled user data. The SEC has also been examining the relationship between Binance.US and two trading firms with ties to Mr. Zhao, Merit Peak Ltd. and Sigma Chain AG, the Journal has reported. At the collapsed FTX platform, an improper relationship between the exchange and an affiliated trading firm, Alameda Research, led to the loss of billions of dollars of customer money, prosecutors have said. The Binance.US spokeswoman said that in contrast to FTX, Binance.US has neverand will nevertrade nor lend out customer funds." She said Merit Peak stopped all activity on Binance.US in 2021. She declined to comment on Sigma Chain. In Binances first two years of operation, 2017 and 2018, the exchange expanded rapidly, unencumbered by government regulation. Customers accessed Binance.com from anywhere in the world and werent subject to the know-your-customer checks that banks and brokerage firms must conduct in most places. Binance executives feared that if they took no precautions to anticipate regulatory scrutiny, the business could be exposed to lawsuits from U.S. regulators, private chats reviewed by the Journal show. In late 2018, Harry Zhou, an employee of a Binance-financed bitcoin trading company, circulated a proposal to Binance executives to set up an American business that would attract U.S. enforcement and regulatory-agency inquiries, protecting Binance itself from their attention, according to a presentation seen by the Journal. In a section titled Insulate Binance from US Enforcement," the plan called for Binance to have a purely contractual" relationship with the U.S. entity, meaning the latter would be positioned as a separate operation with its own management and employees. Another section of the presentation, titled Regulator Engagement Plans," recommended that Binance launch major PR efforts demonstrating US operations willingness to exceed SEC expectations and serve as an industry resource for the SEC." Details of the plan were previously reported by Forbes and Reuters. The Binance spokeswoman said the presentation was rejected and never implemented. In February 2019, Mr. Zhou incorporated a Delaware company, BAM Trading Services Inc., which soon became the operator of a business called Binance.US. Binances chief financial officer at the time, Wei Zhou, told employees in the Telegram chat that BAM Trading Services Inc. had been formed, along with firms called BAM Management US Holdings Inc. and BAM Technology Services Inc. In June of that year, Binance announced the creation of Binance.US in partnership with BAM Trading, a company that would license Binances technology and brand. Binance.US registered with the U.S. Treasurys Financial Crimes Enforcement Network as a money-services business. Not disclosed by Binance at the time was that its founder and chief executive, Mr. Zhao, controls the BAM companies through a layer of entities incorporated in the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands, according to documents viewed by the Journal. The Binance spokeswoman didnt reply to requests to make Mr. Zhao available for comment. Harry Zhou and Wei Zhou didnt respond to requests for comment. Binance.US would offer only basic cryptocurrency trading, without leverage or the complex derivatives that can be traded on Binance.com. Platforms that trade derivatives in the U.S. must be registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or the SEC. Binance announced it would stop accepting U.S. customers on its platform. Internally, however, a Binance official discussed how Binance could keep U.S. customers at the larger exchange, where they could also trade crypto derivatives, a wildly popular and profitable business. In the Binance chat on Telegram, an employee noted that more than 18% of page views on Binance.com were from U.S. users. Samuel Limthen Binances compliance chief, and the person who referred to nuclear fall out" from any U.S. regulatory lawsuitsuggested ways Binance could retain the largest U.S. clients, despite its pledge not to let Americans trade on the global platform. Have them be creative and VPN," he said in a Telegram chat in June 2019. A VPN, or virtual private network, allows a computer user to appear to be located in another country. A part of Binance called Binance Academy that teaches users how to trade published a guide to using a VPN in 2020. It has since been deleted. Mr. Lim also discussed internally whether U.S. customers had offshore entities they could use to access Binance. Mr. Lim didnt reply to requests for comment. Binance.USs first chief executive, Catherine Coley, said in a podcast shortly after trading began that we are a very separate entity" from Binance. We are simply licensing software." Three months later, she told the staff in a separate, Binance.US Telegram chat to send progress updates for her to forward to Binances then-CFO Wei Zhou and to CEO Mr. Zhao, who is known as CZ. Everyone please post your weeklies before tonight 7 pm est/4 pm pst so we can be in the good graces of Wei. Saturday is for the Weekly Updates! Send me 2-5 bullet points of what we think CZ/Wei should know about your work this past week," Ms. Coley wrote. A lawyer for Ms. Coley, who left in spring 2021, didnt comment. In one instance, an employee tried to create a Google Form for new Binance.US customers, but he was using an account for the global exchange and had trouble changing the creator of the form from Binance.com to Binance.US. That will surely be seized upon by media and can be cited as direct evidence for corporate veil piercing in an adversarial judiciary proceeding," Harry Zhou wrote on the Binance Telegram chat. It is particularly concerning here because this form has to do with opening client accounts," he wrote. If I were an AG, I would cite this as evidence that it is in fact Binance, an unregistered foreign-based [money services business], onboarding the US clients." Harry Zhou also reminded employees to avoid writing in the tone of Binance when drafting copy for the Binance.US website. Great feedback! Sit in Binance.US shoes when drafting," responded Binances then-CFO, Wei Zhou. Employees looked for ways to get close to the U.S. regulators. In mid-2019 Gin Chao, then Binances chief strategy officer, learned that a high-school friend, Sigal Mandelker, oversaw the U.S. Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control. He flagged this in a chat group and noted that he might bump into her at a school reunion that fall. Binance officials discussed whether they should try to drop by a conference where Ms. Mandelker was speaking, before deciding Mr. Chao should message her on LinkedIn. Ms. Mandelker left the Treasury in late 2019. The chat messages didnt say whether any Binance executive ever talked with her. They didnt, according to a person with knowledge of Ms. Mandelkers account. In 2018 and 2019, Binance staff approached Gary Gensler, then a former Commodity Futures Trading Commission chair and now SEC chair, to become an adviser. Mr. Gensler, then teaching at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was likely back in a regulators seat if Dems win the 2020 election," a Binance employee told colleagues on a chat. Ella Zhang, then head of Binances venture investing arm, and Harry Zhou met with Mr. Gensler in October 2018, according to the chat. Mr. Zhou wrote: I observe that while Gensler declined advisor-ship, he was generous in sharing license strategies." While teaching at MIT from 2018 to 2021, Mr. Gensler was approached by multiple private firms including Binance to be an adviser, which he declined to do, said a person close to him. Mr. Gensler met with Binances founder in March 2019 in Tokyo, the person said, and interviewed him over video during the following summer for a cryptocurrency course at MIT. Mr. Gensler became SEC chair in April 2021. Some messages in the Binance.US Telegram chat suggested that Binance oversaw at least part of their budget. In January 2020, staffs of Binance.US and Binance mingled at a retreat at a South Korean ski resort. Ahead of the trip, Binance.USs then-CEO Ms. Coley told her employees to think about your shackles (items of your job that require SH answers, access, approval, funding)." SH refers to Shanghai, said a person familiar with the message. Vicky Ge Huang and Paul Kiernan contributed to this article. Write to Caitlin Ostroff at caitlin.ostroff@wsj.com and Patricia Kowsmann at patricia.kowsmann@wsj.com Shares of companies engaged in producing cooling products such as fans, coolers, and air conditioners (ACs) come into focus with the onset of summer. In anticipation that rising temperatures would boost demand for such products, shares of Voltas Ltd, Whirlpool of India Ltd and Blue Star Ltd have gained by 5%-12% in the past month. Here, the Indian Meteorological Departments (IMD) forecast of March to May being hotter than usual in some parts of Indiaaugurswell. Even so, it remains to be seen if these companies can capitalize on the opportunity, given the stiff competition in the industry, which is leading to pricing pressure. Price hikes have not been meaningful. Voltas, which has a significant market share in ACs, has not taken any price hikes in the last two quarters despite elevated costs. It doesnt intend to raise prices in the current quarter as well due to subdued demand. ICICI Securities Ltds channel check feedback also suggests that there is no material change in consumer off-take. Higher discounts (and not necessarily heat wave) are leading to slightly higher volume growth," they added. ICICI Securities analysis of heat waves in the past three decades (FY92-FY22) and revenue growth of summer product companies (fan, cooler, AC, refrigerator) shows that the data doesnt indicate a trend that revenue growth in heat wave years is higher than non-heat wave years. In short, there is no positive or negative correlation. View Full Image Mint We note the revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for summer product companies was highest during FY02-12 when there was no heat wave," the ICICI Securities analysts said in a 3 March report. During FY92-FY02, India had three heat waves, but Voltas reported a revenue CAGR of just 3.7%," they added. The chart alongside has details for the past seven years. All said, in the near-term, investors looking for triggers in these stocks could bedisappointed.There is some respite on the margin front from softening commodity costs, but the rupee depreciation poses a headwind. While the margin trajectory necessitates tracking, a pick-up in demand and hence, volumes is crucial. Only when there is a disciplined price hike, it can lead to meaningful improvement in margins. Until that happens, a rerating is not on the cards," said Manoj Gori, research analyst at Equirus Securities. As things stand, shares of Havells India Ltd, Voltas, and Whirlpool are down by 14%-32% from their respective 52-week highs. A study conducted by Credit Suisse as part of its 15th edition of Global Investment Returns Yearbook is making the case that future generation of investors, i.e. Generation Z, may not be as lucky as previous generations in terms of real investment gains (returns after adjusting for inflation). Generation Z, or Gen Z, refers to people born between 1997 and 2012. The study, which analysed data since 1900, was taken up in collaboration with professor Paul Marsh and Mike Staunton of London Business School and professor Elroy Dimson of Cambridge University. Mint spoke to a few Indian investors across the four generationsbaby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964), Generation X (born between 1965 to 1980), millennials (born between 1981 and 1996), and Generation Z. Baby boomers Credit Suisses yearbook2023 says that baby boomers enjoyed the best investment returns, in terms of global averages, with annualized real equity returns at 6.7% (see graphic). View Full Image Return experiences across 4-generations. What helped Indian baby boomers was a strong initial public offering (IPO) market. Several companies that later became large business groups and conglomerates floated their IPOs back in the day. Ramesh Bharwani, 69, recalls investing in the IPOs of HDFC Bank and Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) and making huge gains from these investments. This includes dividends and bonus shares offered over the last 30 years. Later, he bought shares of companies such as Infosys and Wipro from the markets and made robust gains. Several of the companies that were listed in the 1980s and 1990s are blue chips today. Bharwani says that was the period when you could just buy shares and forget about them, without having to worry about day-to-day price movements. Other baby boomers also agree that the IPO market delivered robust returns over the years. Generation X Swarup Mohanty, chief executive officer (CEO) of Mirae MF, born in 1970, says Generation X, of which he is a part of, was quite confused and had a lot of insecurities. The 1970s was quite a difficult one for India, with economic growth at just a little over 2%. The 1980s saw improved growth, with reforms and external borrowings, but new challenges rose towards the end of that decade due to a crash in oil prices and a global recession, which contributed to Indias balance of payment crisis. Mohanty started investing at the age of around 26, by which time the Indian economy had opened up following the liberalization reforms initiated in 1991. Mohanty recalls that fixed income returns were quite robust then. We could get 16-17% returns on fixed deposits of non-bank financial companies (NBFCs)". The Credit Suisse study also shows a rising trend in returns on bonds: from 2.9% for baby boomers to 4% during the time of Generation X. Mohanty dabbled a bit in direct equity but stopped when he could not make gains on these investments. Gradually, he shifted to mutual funds (MFs) and has since been a MF investor. But, he says, the returns have diminished over time. Earlier, one could say that equity MFs could offer 15-20% returns over time but the average equity returns have gradually come off over time," Mohanty says. He remains a slightly aggressive investor, follows the age+15 formula for his equity allocation and the rest for debt. So, at 53, Mohanty now has around 70% allocation to equity. Millennials Credit Suisses analysis shows that bond returns had further improved for millennials. From 4% for Generation X, to 4.2% for millennials. But, equity returns continued to slide, from 5.2% for Generation X to 4% for millennials. However, some millennials have been more willing to take risks than previous generations to get better investment returns. For example, Karan Baweja, 38, founder and CEO of edtech startup Upsurge, invests in direct equity, startups, and cryptos, apart from investments in equity MFs. He has also added foreign securities to his portfolio through MFs. Ayush Agarwal, 36, who works in the fintech sector, takes calculated risks with his investments. He invests in MFs but has also built a stock portfolio over the years. Agarwal has tried to diversify his portfolio across asset classes by adding debt and gold through asset allocation funds, as well as taken exposure to foreign securities through diversified funds and index-tracking funds. Both Agarwal and Baweja have investments in mid- and small-cap stocks, where the risks are high but the potential for better returns is immense. Yet, the question is how many millennials can today afford to take higher risks and have the wherewithal to carry out research before making direct investments in equities or in alternatives like startup investing and cryptos. For example, Baweja has worked in the investment banking industry and knows how to analyse companies. Agarwal is pursuing his certified financial analyst (CFA) charter as well as an MBA in finance. For previous generations, equity markets were still under-researched when it came to listed companies, but today most large-cap companies, and even mid-caps to a large extent, are tracked by several sell-side analysts. Generating outperformance has become challenging and only a few investors are able to get superior returns. What does it mean for Gen Z? Tomorrows investors may or may not have the same investment experience that previous generations had, according to Credit Suisses yearbook. Ashish Sharma, 25, a chartered accountant, who has just started working in the financial services space, says he expects 15-20% annualised returns from his long-term investments. I think such returns should be sustainable over the long-term," he points out. Sharma has divided his equity portfolio in two parts. In one part, he invests in stocks with a long-term horizon of 10-20 years and, in the other, takes swing trades on stocks. Swing trading refers to buying and holding a stock for a few weeks to six months to make quick gains. Sharma also actively trades in the high-risk futures and options (F&O) segment. He has some investment in equity linked savings schemes (ELSS) of MFs for tax-saving purpose. Sharma says he did his homework before entering F&O. I have learnt a bit about options Greeks, as well as the Black-Scholes pricing model." He says that he understands the risks, but says even if he incurs some losses, it would teach him new investing lessons. Shritej Zemase, 25, who is currently a student at National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), says he would be more than happy if he can get more than 15% annualised returns over the long-term from his equity investments," he says. In response to Mints query on the bleak forecast for Generation Z, the authors say that previous generations investors have been exceptionally lucky. In 1950, investors would have looked back to the previous half century when the annualized real return on the world index was just 3%. Only a rampant optimist would have believed that over the next 50 years, the annualized return would be 9%. Yet, the second half of the 20th century was a period when many events turned out better than expected. There was no third world war, the Cuban Missile crisis was defused, the Berlin Wall fell, the Cold War ended, productivity and efficiency accelerated. Technology progressed and governance became stockholder-driven," says Marsh. The prospective returns for baby boomers may well have looked like the returns we are today projecting for Generation Z. But things turned out much better than expected and shareholders enjoyed windfall gains. Similarly, bondholders made windfall gains during the golden age of bonds from 1982the equity-like returns were much higher than what would reasonably have been projected. So, on this view, the baby boomers, Generation X, and millennials were lucky generations. Our projections for Generation Z are simply based on what seems most likely. They are mid-point projections that assume Gen Z will be neither especially lucky nor unlucky," he adds. An Indian passenger who allegedly urinated on a US co-passenger mid-flight on an American Airlines flight has been barred from flying with the airline. In the complaint by American Airlines as viewed by news agency ANI stated, "We along with CISF officer (at Delhi's IGI airport) disembarked passenger from aircraft who was still is in intoxicated condition. On basis of above we would be cancelling his travelling his return and future travel on our flight." We along with CISF officer (at Delhi's IGI airport) disembarked passenger from aircraft who was still is in intoxicated condition. On basis of above we would be cancelling his travelling his return and future travel on our flight," American Airlines complaint read. ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2023 Arya Vohra, 21, was travelling in flight AA292 from New York to Delhi. Vohra is a student at a US University. He urinated on a US citizen on March 4 while he was drunk. The student perhaps involuntarily urinated while he was asleep due to the effect of alcohol. The leak somehow fell on a fellow passenger. A source told PTI that the male victim was not keen on reporting the matter to the police after the student apologised as it might put his career in jeopardy. However, the airline took it seriously and reported it to the Delhi Air Traffic Control (ATC) at the airport. The Delhi Police also said that necessary legal action is being taken on the basis of a complaint from the airline. The airline has submitted a report about the incident to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). "We have got a report from the concerned Airline. They seem to have handled the situation professionally and have taken all appropriate action," DGCA official told ANI. #WATCH | Devesh Kumar Mahla, DCP, IGI Airport gives details of the case pertaining to a student allegedly urinating on a fellow passenger mid-air on an American Airlines flight from JFK to Delhi on March 4 pic.twitter.com/5m87UvBxpp ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2023 Earlier, the American Airline statement read, "American Airlines flight 292 with service from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) was met by local law enforcement upon arrival in DEL due to a disruptive customer. The flight landed safely at 9:50 pm." It further added, "Upon aircraft arrival, Purser informed that the passenger was heavily intoxicated, and was not adhering to crew instructions on board. He was repeatedly arguing with the operating crew, was not willing to be seated and continuously endangering the safety of crew and aircraft and after disturbing safety of fellow passengers, finally urinated on pax seated on 15G." The pilot had contacted Delhi ATC and informed regarding the passenger and sought security. It was informed to CISF to take necessary action. There has been rise of urinating incidents on flight since last year. Last year, Shankar Mishra allegedly urinated on the 70-year-old woman co-passenger in an intoxicated condition in business class of the Air India flight on 26 November 2022. Mishra was arrested from Bengaluru on January 6 and sent to judicial custody by a court in Delhi on 7 January, however, on 31 January he was granted bail. Air India banned him from flying for four months in connection with the case. Besides, the airline de-rostered four cabin crew and a pilot for ignoring the woman's complaint In the second incident, another drunk man urinated on the blanket of a female co-passenger. The man had given a written apology following which no penal action was taken against him. The incident had occurred on 6 December 2022 on the Delhi bound Air-India flight from Paris. During this time, the pilot of the aircraft reported the matter to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, following which the male passenger was apprehended. He was later allowed to leave after the two passengers had a "mutual compromise" and the accused tendered a written apology" (With inputs from agencies) MBABANE Government has spent E12 million on resettling the Khumalo family of Manzana to a new site at Lobamba. The Ministry of Agriculture has asked for an additional funding of E10 million to continue with the project. Micro-Projects is the implementing agency. The Times SUNDAY has learnt that the total estimated cost of the resettlement project has been reduced from E55 million to E22 million. The Khumalos have already moved to their new homes. This reflects an E33 million reduction. The resettlement affects the family of the late former Senator Nkomnophondvo Khumalo, the father of Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo and ex-Lobamba MP Majahondvwa Khumalo. It was the residence of Princess Gcinaphi, who passed away. She was the wife of the late senator. Their previous home shared boundaries with the Manzana Royal Residence. It has been established that government has built about seven houses for the Khumalo family. Five have been constructed at Lobamba, not far from Nkhanini. The houses overlook the Mbabane-Manzini Highway. They are also not far from the site for the new Parliament. Two more houses were built at Mlindazwe and Mafutseni for the Khumalos. The four-bedroom house at Mlindazwe belongs to MP Marwick. One of his brothers has a home at Mafutseni. The number of bedrooms in the houses built at Lobamba could not be determined. Nkomnophondvos children include: Nhlanhla, Marwick, Mfanawenkhosi, Majahodvwa, Moshoeshoe, Bakhwenyana; Nhlanganiso and Nomcebo. They are also expected to receive compensations for trees and fields. MP Marwick confirmed that government built him a four-bedroom house. He said government was compensating him for the three-bedroom house he had at Manzana. MP Marwick said the principle of resettlement was such that resettled people shouldnt be worse off as a result of this movement. The project number for the resettlement at Lobamba (Manzana) is G620. The actual expenditure under G620 (Resettlement at Manzana) have conflicting figures. In the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatinis Estimates from April 1, 2021 to March 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that E23 million had been spent on the project. In the estimates from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2025, government said the total sum of E12 million had been spent on the project. The government estimates for capital projects were tabled in Parliament last Friday by Neal Rijkenberg, the Minister of Finance, during the budget speech. The auditor general (AG) is at liberty to refer matters arising from such reports to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The PAC is yet to hold sittings to deliberate on the report by the ag and other financial documents. Government estimates also help the AG to identify projects that need to be audited. In 2021, this newspaper reported that the resettlement of the Khumalo home to a new site could be one of those government expensive projects. This was due to the fact that E23 million was reportedly released to the Micro-projects Unit. However, the unit, under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, said it did not receive the money, which was reflected in government financial records as an actual expenditure for the project as at March 31, 2020. The Ministry of Agriculture, which is responsible for rural resettlement, claimed it transferred E23 million to the unit for the project execution. To the best of his knowledge, Bongani Masuku, the retired Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Agriculture, said the money for the resettlement programme was indeed transferred to Micro-Projects. Asked if the budget catered only for the resettlement of the Khumalo homestead, Masuku responded to the affirmative. Concern When a concern was raised that the project was expensive for the taxpayer, the former ps said evaluations of each and every structure and the size of the land were done and considered for appropriate costing. He said they also prepared designs for new houses, which government was expected to build for the affected family. He said the Khumalo family was not just a small family. Thats a big family, he was quoted to have said. The former PS explained that the reason the sum of E23 million was recorded in the government estimates for the years April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2024 as an actual expenditure as at March 31, 2020, was that the money was no longer in his ministrys account. The money appears as an actual expenditure in the financial records because it has been transferred to the Micro-Projects Unit, and that is why it reflects on our financial books as money that has been spent on the project, he said. The project is expected to be completed in the financial year 2020/2021. However, it is very unlikely that it would be completed at the end of this month because construction has not yet begun. The current financial year ends on March 31, 2021. Sibusiso Mbingo, the Director of Micro-Projects Unit, could only say: weve not received the E23 million you are talking about. Moshoeshoe, who liaises with the resettlement team, said they would not comment on the cost of the resettlement. He said the Khumalos embraced the resettlement. He said they were looking forward to moving to the new site, hoping that they would enjoy life there. We have fruit trees such as mangoes, avocado, and we have fields that we used for ploughing maize, etc. We have water, electricity and life was just good here, but we embraced the resettlement without any qualms, he said. There are seven modernly built houses for the Khumalo family. Meanwhile, a senior officer involved in the project said the estimated total cost of E55 million (at that time) was to be used for demolition of the current houses, setting up of new structures and development of the land. He also assumed that the money would be used for constructing access roads to the new Parliament building, which government was expected to build in the next financial year. Huge He was, however, clueless about the reported actual expenditure of E23 million. He was in doubt that such a huge sum of money in the region of E55 million could be exhausted on relocating one family to a new site. There is just no way E55 million could be exhausted on moving one family to the new site, the senior officer had said. Attempts were made to reach out to Sibusiso Mbingo, the Director of Micro-Projects, but he had not responded to a questionnaire sent to him. It must be emphasised that this is, however, a parliamentary matter. According to the 1995 and 2009 AfDBs policies on involuntary resettlement, people should not be made worse off as a result of AfDB-financed projects. The Manzana project is financed by the Government of Eswatini. The general principle is that affected persons should be compensated at full replacement cost for lost property. Anyone who is not eligible for compensation for land that will be expropriated for the project, has a right to be resettled in a suitable location with access to all necessary services and facilities. With a view to improving the living standards of poor households, livelihood assistance should be provided to resettled families. Affected persons are entitled to access to information about the project, its resettlement impacts and compensation rates and they are to be provided with genuine options about which they are to be meaningfully consulted. The Manzana project is similar to the Lozitha one. A village below Lozitha High School was set up. The families, mainly royals, were moved to allow the expansion of Lozitha Palace to accommodate the Mandvulo Grand Hall. Government spent E35.8 million on the Lozitha Village. Universally, experts say land sustains every aspect of human life, providing fundamental life-support systems and the foundation of economy and society. Section 211 (1) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini provides that all land (including any existing concessions) in Eswatini, save privately held title-deed land, shall continue to vest in Ingwenyama in trust for the emaSwati as it vested on April 12, 1973. Save as may be required by the exigencies of any particular situation, it is stated in the supreme law that a citizen of Eswatini, without regard to gender, shall have equal access to land for normal domestic purposes. Section 211 (3) makes it clear though that a person shall not be deprived of land without due process of law. Where a person is deprived, the Constitution provides that the affected person shall be entitled to prompt and adequate compensation for any improvement on that land or loss consequent upon that deprivation unless otherwise provided by law. It is provided that agreements, the effect of which is to vest ownership in land in Eswatini in a non-citizen or a company the majority of whose shareholders are not citizens, shall be of no force and effect unless that agreement was made prior to the commencement of this Constitution. A provision of this chapter may not be used to undermine or frustrate an existing or new legitimate business undertaking of which land is a significant factor or base, according to the Constitution. In the past few days, several videos are being circulated on social media about the alleged attacks on migrant workers in Tamil Nadu. Despite multiple clarifications and assurances from the Tamil Nadu government, the migrant workers stayed away from work and even started leaving the state. Tamil Nadu migrant attacks: Here's all we know so far Multiple videos went viral on social media around 1 March in which some people can be seen attacking another group of people or even an individual person. The videos allegedly displayed the attacks on migrant workers in Tamil Nadu. On 2 March, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also took cognizance of the videos and said that he has directed senior bureaucrats of the state to communicate with Tamil Nadu authorities and seek details on the matter. After facing the ire of the opposition, Kumar constituted a committee of 4 eminent persons to investigate the matter and submit a report. What did the committee conclude after the investigation? The committee submitted the report on Sunday and expressed satisfaction with the steps taken by the Tamil Nadu government and the Tirupur district administration to ensure the safety and protection of the workers. What Tamil Nadu government said? Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin spoke to Bihar Chief Minister and assured him about the safety of migrant workers. The administration has maintained that the videos are fake and are published without the right context. "Somebody in Bihar posted false and mischievous videos saying that migrant workers are attacked in Tamil Nadu. Two videos are posted and both are false, these two incidents happened earlier in Tiruppur and Coimbatore. Both cases were not a clash between the people of Tamil Nadu and migrant workers. One was a clash between two groups of Bihar migrant workers and another video was a clash between two local residents of Coimbatore," Tamil Nadu DGP said. Tamil Nadu police also booked the state BJP state unit chief K Annamalai under sections of inciting violence and promoting enmity between groups among others. How Jharkhand government responded? The Hemant Soren government of Jharkhand also responded to the alleged attacks and sent a team to Tamil Nadu on Sunday to take stock of the situation. "The Jharkhand team members interacted with the Tamil Nadu government officials and around 700-800 migrant workers to take stock of their situation. The team also left for Coimbatore from Chennai to enquire about other laborers," the official statement said. How migrant workers are reacting? According to reports from the state, there seems to be a panic among the migrant population and they are also avoiding workplaces. Some of the migrant workers have also decided to leave the state after the reports of alleged attacks. The industries in Tamil Nadu that depend a lot on the labor of migrant workers are meeting them to assure them about their safety and are requesting them to not believe the social media messages. A drunk student on an American Airlines flight has allegedly urinated on his seat, according to a report by the PTI news agency. The 21-year-old Indian student studying at a US University onboarded the AA292 flight from New York. He was in an inebriated state. The student perhaps involuntarily urinated while he was asleep due to the effect of alcohol. The leak somehow fell on a fellow passenger. The accused is identified as Arya Vohra . He urinated on a US citizen on March 4 while he was drunk. As soon as the flight landed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, a CISF personnel handed over the student to Delhi Police. "American Airlines flight 292 with service from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) was met by local law enforcement upon arrival in DEL due to a disruptive customer. The flight landed safely at 9:50 pm," an American Airline statement said. The airport authority told the PTI news agency that the accused apologised to the victim and also to the airline crew as the incident might jeopardize his career. However, the airline informed about the matter to the Air Traffic Popilce at Delhi airport. "The airline's own security team, along with the CISF, came into action after the incident came to light. The accused was immediately taken into custody once the flight landed. Police are recording the statements of the persons concerned," an airport official said. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has intervened in the matter. In a statement, the aviation regulatory body said, "We have got a report from the concerned airline (American Airlines). They seem to have handled the situation professionally and have taken all appropriate actions". "We are in touch with the airline company (American Airlines) regarding the sequence of events," it added. The Delhi Police said the victim neither wants his name to be made public nor does he want to register a complaint. According to India's aviation rules, if a passenger is found guilty of unruly behaviour, besides action under criminal law, he will be banned from flying for a particular time period, depending on the level of the offence. This is the second such incident in the last few months where a flyer relieved himself on a fellow passenger in a drunk state. Last year, an almost similar incident took place on New York to Delhi Air India flight. Shankar Mishra allegedly urinated on the 70-year-old woman co-passenger in an intoxicated condition in business class of the Air India flight on 26 November 2022. Mishra was arrested from Bengaluru on January 6 and sent to judicial custody by a court in Delhi on 7 January. Air India banned him from flying for four months in connection with the case. Besides, the airline de-rostered four cabin crew and a pilot for ignoring the woman's complaint. Shortly after lunch was served and the lights were switched off onboard AI 102 of November 26 (JFK New York to IGIA, New Delhi) inebriated Mishra seated in a business class seat walked to the elderly woman's seat (9A), unzipped his pants and urinated on her. The lavatory was four rows behind his seat. A Delhi Court on 31 January granted bail to Mishra. Additional Sessions Judge Harjyot Singh Bhalla granted the relief to Mishra on a personal bond of 1 lakh and a surety of the like amount. The judge imposed various conditions on him, including that he will not tamper with evidence, influence any witnesses or contact them in any manner. Mishra was also asked not to leave the country without the court's prior permission and to join the investigation and trial as and when called by the investigating officer (IO) or the concerned court. The central government has launched a National Survey of Enemy Properties across 20 states and union territories to identify and subsequently monetise properties of those who left India and adopted Chinese or Pakistani citizenship after wars with these countries. Enemy properties are those left behind by people who took citizenship of Pakistan and China after leaving India during the partition and post the 1962 and 1965 wars. The Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE) will be conducting the survey. Meanwhile, the Office of Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI), an authority under the ministry of home affairs (MHA) has identified 12,000 such properties in the country. The Ministry of Home Affairs ordered the monetisation of enemy properties in 20202 that left India and went to Pakistan and China. According to a report by the Hindustan times, there are 12,611 assets, or enemy property, across 20 states and three union territories of which 12,485 are related to Pakistani nationals and 126 belong to Chinese citizens. Most such properties are located in Uttar Pradesh (6,255) followed by West Bengal (4,088), Delhi (659), Goa (295), Maharashtra (208), Telangana (158), Gujarat (151), Tripura (105), Bihar (94), Madhya Pradesh (94), Chhattisgarh (78) and Haryana (71 properties). There are 71 enemy properties in Kerala, 69 in Uttarakhand, 67 in Tamil Nadu, 57 in Meghalaya, 29 in Assam, 24 in Karnataka, 22 in Rajasthan, 10 in Jharkhand, four in Daman and Diu, and one each in Andhra Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Last month the government earned over 3,400 crore from the disposal of enemy properties, mostly movable assets like shares and gold. "The Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI) has realised a total of 3,407.98 crore from the disposal of enemy properties which include 7,52,83,287 shares (for 2,708.9 crore) of 152 companies in 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22, and 699.08 crore as revenue receipts," according to a statement by Home Ministry. Besides, 1699.79 grams of vested gold has also been sold for 49,14,071 and 28.896 kilogram of silver ornaments have been disposed of for 10,92,175 in January 2021 through the Government of India Mint, Mumbai as per provisions of the Enemy Property Act. The pace of technological advancement is booming aggressively and conversations around ChatGPT snatching away jobs are becoming more and more frequent. The future of work is definitely going to change and that makes it clear that the approach toward education is also demanding a big shift. A report from Dell suggests that 85% of jobs that will be around in 2030 do not exist yet. The fact becomes important as it showcases that the jobs are not going to vanish, they will just change and most of the jobs by 2030 will be new. If we look closely, that has been the case always, whether it's the advent of calculators or computers, people might have lost jobs in the process, but many new positions were also created. In education, the use of artificial intelligence has endless possibilities and it can surely push the creativity and productivity of students. More enhanced learning through virtual realities, or augmented realities can surely help to provide the right understanding of concepts. The modern workforce will need to adapt and collaborate with new technologies. Some schools had a knee-jerk reaction and banned the use of ChatGPT which seems to be a pointless effort. Instead, their strategy should be centered on assisting students in interacting with the software and developing their abilities. The efforts in this direction have already started and the government is also collaborating with the private sector. Network Capital, 5ire.org, and NITI Aayog have recently joined hands to create a blockchain module for all school students in India. The module will be freely available with hackathons to support students in creating software that tackles intricate societal and economical issues. The students will also be free to scale these applications and can even obtain funding for it or can simply include it in their resumes to get more attractive employment opportunities. To thrive in the jobs of the future, apart from skills and learning, the students must work on their mindset. The current education model provides us with a lot of prejudices and mental limitations. The workforce of the future will inherently have more open minds and confidence. The Union Minister of External Affairs on Sunday summoned the Swiss ambassador and lodged a protest over "malicious anti-India" posters found pasted on the UN building in Geneva. The official sources from the ministry said that the Swiss ambassador affirmed that he will convey India's concerns to Berne with all the seriousness it deserves. "The secretary (West), MEA, today called in the Swiss ambassador and raised the issue of unfounded and malicious anti-India posters in front of the UN building in Geneva," said a source quoted by the news agency PTI. "The Swiss ambassador said that he would convey India's concerns to Berne with all the seriousness it deserves," it said. The Swiss envoy also added that the posters in Geneva are part of the space provided to all, but in no way endorse the claims, nor reflect the position of the Swiss Government. The development came after an Indian student shared videos from outside the UN building in Geneva, where 'anti-India' posters can be seen. A video shot by an Indian student in Geneva goes viral where a high level of propaganda can be seen unleashed against India near UNHRC HQ," the student tweeted with the video. A video shot by an Indian student in Geneva goes viral where a high level of propaganda can be seen unleashed against India near UNHRC HQ. Is this the new Toolkit or planned preparation for 2024 ?? pic.twitter.com/irNPkiHvY2 Megh Updates (@MeghUpdates) March 4, 2023 Indian have expressed displeasure on the video, which has received views in thousands. They can't stop India now anymore, India is ready to fly to the top of the table. India is rising, India is growing, India is developing," one user said. Many country has problem with India's strong foreign policy and neutral stance in many issue of present time such as Russia's military action on Ukraine,matter of Iran and many more," said another. At the time when India is serving as the President of the global body G20, the government is taking such incidents seriously. India has faced such campaigns in multiple countries, with recent reports claiming Khalistani supporters clashing with Indians in Australia. The India Out Campaign in the Maldives is another example of such anti-India campaign. (With inputs from PTI) New Delhi: India is in talks with Germanys Siemens AG to develop e-corridors in the country, said two people with knowledge of the matter. E-corridors are dedicated transport corridors for vehicles connected with continuous electricity supply through an overhead line linked with pantographs. Although the talks between the union ministry of road transport and highways, and Siemens are currently at an initial stage, it is expected that the first e-corridor may come up on the Delhi-Jaipur highway wherein the government has already set the ball rolling for an electric highway with adequate charging infrastructure for electric vehicles plying on the route. A similar e-corridor is also being considered for the 1,300-kilometre Delhi-Mumbai expressway. The concept of e-corridors is also part of the multimodal connectivity plan which the government has been promoting for the last few years. One of the persons cited above said the concept of e-corridors has been considered after its success in Germany and Austria. Siemens is a major player in the e-corridor space in Europe, where it was termed as e-highway. As per the companys website, the technology developed by Siemens Mobility supplies hybrid trucks with electricity from an overhead line through a pantograph. The company claims this system not only cuts energy consumption by half, but also substantially reduces local air pollution. In 2021, Siemens Mobility and Continental announced a tie-up to supply trucks across Europe with electricity from overhead lines. The second official, however, said that given the government is also going ahead with the concept of electric highway with NH-8 (Delhi-Jaipur) set to become Indias first electric highway, the concept of e-corridor may take a backseat for the time being. Under e-highway, the government would allow creating charging infrastructure and hubs at regular intervals on the highway, with electric buses and dedicated taxis plying on the route. A query sent to the road transport and highways ministry remained unanswered. Siemens declined to comment. In the past few years, India has laid a major emphasis on the EV space from production linked incentive schemes for EVs and lithium-ion batteries to the Fame scheme to drive demand for green vehicles. The Economic Survey 2023 predicted that the domestic EV market will see a 49% compound annual growth rate between 2022 and 2030, with 10 million annual sales by 2030. Additionally, the EV industry is forecast to create around 50 million direct and indirect jobs by 2030. The government has set a target an ambitious goal to achieve 30% electrification of the countrys vehicle fleet by 2030. In the Union budget FY24, it has tried to give further impetus to green mobility, and extended customs duty exemption to import of capital goods and machinery for the manufacture of lithium-ion cells for batteries used in EVs. The emphasis on electrification of mobility comes in the backdrop of Indias aim to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2070. With just over a year to go for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Indians remain divided on the question of a viable alternative to the seemingly invincible Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the national level. Even Congress supporters are not strongly convinced that their preferred party can offer a viable Opposition, with the ambitious Bharat Jodo Yatra doing little to move the needle, showed the latest YouGov-Mint-CPR Millennial Survey. Around 28% of the 9,698 urban Indian respondents to the survey were of the view that India needed a new national alternative such as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to challenge the ruling BJP. This share was down from 31% in a similar survey held six months prior. Just 22% would bet on a revitalized Congress, up from 20% (see chart 1). The period since the previous survey has seen Mallikarjun Kharge being elected as the first non-Gandhi Congress president in over two decades, apart from the partys south-to-north march. Around 17% saw hope in a potential grouping of regional parties, while the largest shareone in threewere not convinced by any of the three options listed by the survey. The findings are part of the latest round of the biannual survey conducted online by Mint in association with survey partner YouGov India and Delhi-based think-tank Centre for Policy Research. The ninth round, held in December 2022, had 9,698 respondents across 207 cities and towns. Over 42% were post-millennials (born after 1996), and 40% were millennials (born between 1981 and 1996). Among those who support the Congress, only four in 10 said a revitalized version of the party could be a viable alternative, and the share was unchanged since the previous survey. Supporters of AAP showed much greater faith in their preferred party: around 62% of them said India needed a new national alternative such as AAP to challenge the BJP (see chart 2). Among BJP supporters, 31% would prefer an AAP-like national alternative, and just 21% see a rejigged Congress as a reasonable Opposition. AAPs see-saw In the previous survey, the AAP had appeared to be gaining a foothold on the national scene fresh off its victory in Punjab in early 2022. But later that year, the party made only a small dent in Gujarat and none at all in Himachal Pradesh. The survey reflected this stagnation of fortunes: The partys support base did not see any growth. Overall, the BJP was the preferred party for 40% of the respondents, Congress for 11%, and AAP for 6% (Refer to Part 3 of the series) Moreover, the party may not be ready for the national battle yet, with almost six of every 10 respondents (58%) saying it had limited organizational presence in the districts they lived in. More than half (53%) said the AAP should have its own concrete ideology, similar to the BJP or the Left parties, while the rest said it should remain flexible (see chart 3). View Full Image Chart 3 However, the assessment of the partys leadership was positive: 53% said Arvind Kejriwals leadership was responsible for AAPs growth, while 47% were critical of his role. The majority (52%) also said AAP intended to make a positive impact on governance and welfare, as opposed to 48% who said AAPs entire focus was to win elections by freebie promises. Respondents from South India showed a particularly positive assessment of AAPs work despite 61% of them pointing out the partys limited organizational presence in their region. Around 58% approved of the partys impact on governance and welfare and 57% approved of Kejriwals leadership. Congress misery Similar questions asked about the Congress did not generate much inspiration. A vast chunk cast aspersions on the partys motives, its leadership and the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Despite the election of a non-Gandhi president, the party is still seen as dynastic (53%), to be playing the victim card to garner more media coverage (52%), with Rahul Gandhi incapable of reviving the party (51%), and the Bharat Jodo Yatra primarily focused on building his brand (52%) (see chart 4). View Full Image Chart 4 While post-millennials were equally split in their opinion on the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the criticism was greater in older generations. Around 52% of millennials and 56% of pre-millennials (born before 1981) assessed the objective of the yatra negatively. Respondents from larger cities were more critical: 52% in tier-II cities, and 55% in tier-1 cities picked the negative option (see chart 5). The survey suggests there is no overwhelming consensus among the public in identifying an alternative to the BJP. Doubts remain over Rahul Gandhis leadership in the Congress, and AAPs politics is getting mixed views. Both have just over a year to change their fortunes. (The authors are with the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi.) This is the fifth part of a series about the surveys findings. The concluding part, on Tuesday, will look at Indians consumption and investing behaviour. Note that these surveys are skewed towards urban well-to-do netizens, with 82% respondents falling under the NCCS-A socio-economic category of consumers. Read other parts of the series here. Apple Inc partner Foxconn's plans to open a new 300 acre factory in Karnataka has sparked a war of words between the Congress and ruling BJP. A day after Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and other top administrative officials revealed the plans, Opposition leaders have dubbed it a publicity stunt. Is Basavaraj Bommai misleading the people of Karnataka? Why would the CM jeopardize such a prestigious investment by doing a publicity stunt? Most investors prefer secrecy till final agreements are signed," Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Priyank Kharge tweeted. Foxconn and the state government had reportedly signed a letter of intent on Friday to establish the manufacturing facility within a period of five years. Meanwhile Bloomberg cited unnamed sources to add that Foxconn was planning to invest $700 million in the new factory. Apple phones to be built in the state soon. Apart from creating about 100,000 jobs, it will create a whole lot of opportunities for Karnataka," the CM had said. Also read: Karnataka: Apple iPhone to be manufactured in Bengaluru; CM promises 1 lakh jobs Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also met with company Chairman Young Liu during his recent visit to the country. The PM tweeted on Wednesday that the duo had "discussions covered various topics aimed at enhancing India's tech and innovation eco-system". News of an upcoming investment in India also appeared to have been backed by K Chandrashekar Rao - the Chief Minister of neighbouring Telangana. The Taiwanese tech giant however asserted on Saturday that it was yet to enter into any definitive investment agreement. "Foxconn has not entered into binding, definitive agreements for new investments during this trip. Negotiations and internal review are ongoing. Financial investment sums discussed in media are not information being released by Foxconn," the statement quoted by news agency AFP said. (With inputs from agencies) NEET PG 2023: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences will be conducting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test- Postgraduate (NEET PG 2023) Exam today i.e. 5 March 2023. The examination will be conducted in a single day and single session as a computer based examination. NEET PG is a national level entrance exam in India for admission to postgraduate medical courses such as MS, MD, and PG Diploma courses. The exam is conducted annually by the National Board of Examinations. The exam comes after the SC order who had dismissed petitions seeking to postpone NEET PG 2023. The petition was filed by the aspirants of NEET PG 2023 to postpone the exams and also to extend the internship cut off date. Some of the students doing their internship had demanded postponement as they were finding it difficult to get time to prepare for the exam. The NEET PG exams that will held today will begin at 9 am-12: 30 pm. The exam will conducted across 271 centers. Speaking of the paper pattern of the exams, It comprises of 200 Multiple Choice Questions with each question having 4 response options/ distractors in English language only. The students are required to select the correct/best/most appropriate response/answer out of the 4 response options provided in each question. Here are some Important Guidelines for Students: Documents to be carried for the exams: Printed copy of Barcoded/QR Coded Admit card with recent coloured photograph pasted on it, Photocopy of Permanent / Provisional SMC/MCI/NMC registration, to be retained by the test centre, any original and valid documents like Aadhar, Pan card, Driving License, Voter ID. In case, any candidate reports to the test center with eAadhaar Card with Aadhaar number printed on it as proof of identity, the e-Aadhaar Card should be a good quality colour print out with clearly visible photograph. The photograph should not scratches and stains, and should definitely match with the candidate presenting the e-Aadhaar Card. Candidates without valid ID proof shall not be allowed to enter the examination premises. Candidates are required to report at the Reporting Counter of test venue at as per time indicated in their admit cards. To avoid crowding at the test venue entry, there will be staggered time slots for candidates to report. Candidates will be compulsorily required to carry face mask, Admit card, ID Card. Any stationery item like textual material (printed or written), notes, Plastic Pouch, Calculator, Pen, Writing Pad, Pen, Drives, Eraser will not be allowed beyond security check point. Any electronic device like Mobile Phone, Bluetooth, Earphones, Microphone, Pager, wrist watch/Health Band, Calculator, Electronic Pen/ Scanner etc All ornaments like bracelets, Ring, Earrings, Nose-pin, Chain/ Necklace, Pendants, Necklace with pendants, Badge, Brooch etc will not be allowed. The candidate will flash the admit card and ID proof for verification to the exam functionary standing across the table with barcode/QR code reader. Candidate shall be informed about the assigned lab number. If during entry, any candidate is observed to be having above normal temperature or displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 infection, he/she will be allowed to take the examination in a separate isolation lab. After verification of ID and capture of photograph, candidates will be escorted to the designated computer terminal at the test centre ensuring social distancing and an Invigilator will assist the candidate for check-in process of the test. Mumbai: Indias biggest private lender HDFC Bank Ltd and several other companies may be forced to shell out more in gratuity payments to employees following an order by a labour official in Kerala. At the centre of the case is a petition filed by a former employee of HDFC Bank before the controlling authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972. P.V. Unnikrishna Pillai, an employee who worked for close to 16 years before quitting his job in 2022, disputed the amount of gratuity he received from the bank. The controlling authority is a government official responsible for the administration of the Act. He filed the appeal on 8 June 2022, arguing that the bank must also include personal pay" while calculating his gratuity, and not just his basic pay". The controlling authority asked HDFC Bank to pay an additional 7.22 lakh with a 10% simple interest. This was over and above the gratuity payment of 5.95 lakh already paid by the bank. While the order was delivered in July 2022, it was sent to the bank and the petitioner only on 20 January this year. According to the Act, wages used to calculate gratuity include all remunerations earned by an employeedearness allowance among them. It does not, however, include any bonus, commission, house rent allowance, overtime wages and any other allowance. Pillai argued that his personal pay" is part of his wage and not an allowance. In the instant case, it is pertinent to note that with respect to the components of the salary of the applicant, the term used by the employer is personal pay instead of personal allowance and all other components of the salary are specifically termed as allowances," Aneish Ravindra, assistant labour commissioner, Ernakulam, said in his order. If upheld by higher authorities, experts said, this order would affect how much gratuity employers paynot just banks and financial institutions, but other organizations as well. Any employee who has worked for five continuous years at an organization is entitled to gratuity. This order would certainly encourage other employees to quote the Kerala Controlling Authority order as a precedent and ask for inclusion of personal pay, or for that matter, any other head as a component in the term wages and accordingly claim a larger gratuity amount," said Wasim Beg, a partner at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India. On the other hand, Beg said, employers would be well-advised to revisit the terms of the contract with employees and clearly specify what would constitute wages for calculating gratuity. A compensation consultant said on the condition of anonymity that if this indicates that the courts believe that the computation of gratuity should be based on not just basic salary but also other components of pay, then it is almost akin to having the wage code implemented. After receiving the order, Pillai sent an email to Vinay Razdan, chief human resources officer at HDFC Bank, on 28 January. On 10 February, he received a response from K.P. Narayanan, regional head, and human resources business partner (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry). The reply said that the bank had decided to file an appeal against the order. We will be filing the appeal within 60 days, the time limit prescribed under the Act. Since the order of the Controlling Authority has not become final, your demand for payment of the amount as ordered by the Controlling Authority cannot be acceded to," Narayanan said. Experts said that the bank has to first appeal before the deputy chief labour commissioner (Central) in Kochi before approaching the high court. An email sent to a spokesperson for HDFC Bank seeking responses remained unanswered till press time. MBABANE A controversial company that is owned by the government of the Peoples Republic of China (Mainland China) is considered front-runner for the multibillion Mpakeni Dam construction project. Sinohydro is involved in one of only two bids that have been submitted for the nearly E3 billion-worth Mpakeni Dam tender that is under the auspices of Category A public enterprise, Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (ESWADE). Both joint ventures that have submitted the sealed bids are foreign companies, which means that there is no chance of a local entity being the main contractor of the multibillion project, whose loan will be repaid through taxpayers money. The Times SUNDAY has been reliably informed that Sinohydro is in a joint venture known as Sakhalive and they are competing for the dam project with another joint venture of Stefanutti Stocks and WBHO. Sinohydro was once blacklisted by the African Development Bank (AfDB), which is the main funder of the Mpakeni Dam project, for having engaged in fraudulent practices in a project in Uganda that was financed by the bank. Also, it was at one point debarred by the World Bank under an internal sanction known as Early Temporary Suspension. According to the British daily business newspaper, Financial Times, Sinohydro is a descendant of Chinas now-defunct Hydropower ministry and its most important State role is overseas, where it represents the face of China in hydroelectric power and infrastructure projects. Along with other state-owned enterprises, Sinohydro has reportedly followed Beijings directive to go out - a policy begun designed to encourage state-owned groups to expand overseas to improve business practices, generate revenue and capture resources. Its projects are reportedly financed largely by loans from Chinese state-owned banks such as China Exim Bank and are often linked to diplomatic initiatives by Beijing. In 2013, an investigation conducted by the AfDBs Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption established that Sinohydro engaged in a fraudulent practice in bidding for works contracts in the context of the AfDB -financed Road Sector Support Project in Uganda. On June 15, 2017, the AfDB announced the conclusion of a settlement agreement with the Chinese company. As part of the settlement, the AfDB imposes a conditional non-debarment for a period of three years, subject to the company enhancing its global corporate compliance programme within that period to the institutions full satisfaction. The AfDB said it would verify the adequacy of Sinohydros compliance framework and the robustness of its implementation prior to any release decision. In addition, Sinohydro committed to cooperate with the Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption in its investigations of unrelated cases of misconduct in AfDB-financed projects. The period of conditional non-debarment was to be reduced to 24 months if Sinohydro complied with all conditions of the agreement early. The purpose of the banks sanctions regime is in equal measures the deterrence of sanctionable practices such as fraud and corruption and the rehabilitation of entities found to have engaged in such, said Anna Bossman, Director of the Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption, who added: Engaging with companies and ensuring the implementation of robust corporate compliance safeguards is key to avoid recidivism. Termination Sinohydro was also fired as Botswanas primary contractor on Gaborones Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA) Expansion Project Phase 2. At the time of termination of the contract, Sinohydro had reportedly completed approximately 90 per cent of the project. The Sinohydro contract was also terminated because the ministry was reportedly dissatisfied with the contractors overall performance. This led to the Chinese company filing a case with the London-based International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) but this was later abandoned. ESWADE Communications Manager Nokwazi Hlophe was asked whether they were aware of Sinohydros previous blacklisting by AfDB, the financier of the Mpakeni project. This is one question which can be answered after the evaluation has been completed. The evaluation process looks into such questions, she responded. The track record of Sinohydro is one of a number of controversies that have emerged in the ongoing bid process for the project. Another of these controversies, this publication has it in authority, is that the requirements for one to bid for the project were changed from the prequalification stage and set too high for any local companies to stand a chance of being considered. One of these was that cash flow requirements were increased from US$15 million from prequalification stage to US$19 million during the tender stage, which is a variance of US$4 million. The other alteration was that the average turnover requirements were increased from US$83 million from prequalification stage to US$95 million during the tender stage. Also, the general construction experience was changed from 2007 from prequalification stage to 2008 during the tender stage. Responding to these changes, Hlophe said the Mpakeni works were planned to be procured in two stages; the first stage being prequalification, and the second stage being the actual tendering for works. She said these were two different processes with different requirements, and the prequalification was nullified and the second stage of procurement, which is the bidding or tendering process, was engaged. The requirements of the bidding process are a function and result of the infrastructure to be built. They are not subject to alteration to favour any particular contractor (local or international). This analogous trying to tow a four tonne load (or semi trailer) using a van. The only way to lower the requirements is to prepare a design for a much smaller dam which would not suffice for the project/water needs, she said. Amounts Adding to the controversies is the huge variance in the amounts that the two joint ventures have submitted. The joint venture in which Sinohydro is part of has submitted a bid of E2.6 billion, while the WBO/Stefanutti joint ventures bid is at E5.6 billion. There are concerns that the bid amounts are too far apart from each other to represent competition between the two joint ventures, yet these are experienced entities who are not expected to be far off each other in evaluating the same project. ESWADEs Hlophe confirmed these two figures and said the tenders were now being subjected to a tender evaluation procedure to be carried out by a competent team of officials duly appointed for the task. If you will allow the process to complete. It is only then that we can offer an explanation for the price variation. It is unprocedural and unprofessional to comment on a tender procedure after the closing deadline. This is a confidential process until such a time the procuring entity/procurement agency publishes an intention to award, she said. On the subject of local companies being ousted from the bidding process by setting the standards too high, Hlophe said locals would benefit through subcontracting opportunities and also by providing construction material required for the permanent works. This practice has worked well for the country since the construction of the Maguga Dam and throughout the implementation of the LUSIP, Hlophe said. Last year, serious concerns and questions on prioritisation of local firms in expenditure of public funds were raised over ESWADEs decision to pre-qualify only foreign companies in the first phase of Mpakeni Dam construction tender. This led to Parliament ordering that the process be started afresh and all processes followed after the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA) also revealed that it had been sidelined by ESWADE. Hlophe said the nullification of the prequalification stage and engaging in the second stage of the procurement process had allowed for everyone to bid, and basically gave all contractors a second chance to tender. In order to promote electric vehicles, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to provide some benefits for EV buyers. As per the statement, the government will exempt road tax and registration fees on purchase of electric vehicles for three years from October 14, 2022, as reported by news agency ANI. The government statement also said that the exemption will be valid for five years if the purchased electric vehicles is manufactured in the state itself. On behalf of the government, orders have been given to the RTOs of all the districts to ensure compliance with the instructions with immediate effect. Also Read: Ford's electric SUV, on Volkswagen's MEB platform, set for March 21 debut According to the revised notification issued by Principal Secretary L. Venkateshwarlu, as per the Uttar Pradesh Electric Vehicle Manufacturing and Mobility Policy 2022, 100 per cent tax exemption will be given on electric vehicles (EV) sold and registered in Uttar Pradesh from October 14, 2022, to October 13, 2025. Moreover, in the fourth and fifth year of the effective period of the Electric Vehicle Policy notified on October 14, 2022, i.e. from October 14, 2025, to October 13, 2027, a 100 per cent rebate will be given on EVs manufactured, sold and registered in the state. Also Read: 6 Key tips to maximise your electric scooter's range As per the government, these EV will be all automobiles that are powered by batteries, ultracapacitors, or fuel cells. These include all two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers, Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). This decision, currently, will give relief to 3,997 EV owners in Agra who have been charged taxes and the registration fee between October 14, 2022. As of now, 11340 EVs are registered with the Divisional Transport Office (RTO) of Agra of which 3997 vehicles have been bought from October 14, 2022, till now. This includes 437 e-rickshaws, 30 cars, and the rest two-wheelers (EVs). The exemption by UP Government is in addition to the subsidy provided by the Central Government on the purchase of electric vehicles. Together these reliefs provided by the Central Government and the State Government will reduce the cost of two-wheelers by 15,000 to 20,000 on-road and cars by up to 1 lakh. The government's decision will end the difference of the registration of EVs in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh and the rates will be the same in the state and the UT. According to the policy, a 15 percent subsidy will also be given on the factory price of electric vehicles purchased in the state. In this, a subsidy of 5,000 per vehicle will be given for the first two lakh electric two-wheelers, a maximum of 12,000 for the first 50,000 electric three-wheelers, and up to one lakh per vehicle for the first 25,000 electric four-wheelers. At the same time, a subsidy of up to 20 lakh per e-bus will be given on the first 400 buses purchased in the state. A maximum of 1000 e-goods carriers will be given a subsidy of 10 per cent on the factory price for the purchase of e-goods carriers up to 1,00,000 per vehicle. The government will also encourage government employees to buy electric vehicles. For this, the state government will also allow the employees to take an advance. In another announcement, in order to improve the state's transport system, CM Adityanath also launched a ticket booking and passenger feedback app called 'UP Rahi', which will allow passengers to make online reservations while sitting at home. A press release by the government stated that, in addition to allowing users to pre-book bus travel from the comfort of their own homes, this app also offers cashless services. According to the release, the app will also allow passengers to give their feedback on the problems related to their journey, the behaviour of the driver-conductor, the condition of the bus, and other related issues on the app. With the introduction of this app, lakhs of passengers of the state travelling in the bus will now be able to travel hassle-free. From the Google Play store, passengers can download the app. Along with English, the app is also available in Hindi, the release added. UPSRTC General Manager IT Yuzvendra Kumar said that through this app, passengers will be able to book tickets through digital mediums. However, they will need to register themselves first after downloading the app. They will be able to use all the features of the app once they have registered. (With inputs from ANI) The Crime Branch of Kerala Police on 5 March searched the offices of the Asianet news channel in Kerala's Kozhikode based on a complaint by left independent MLA PV Anvar. The following development arrived after the channel telecasted a report titled 'Narcotics is a dirty business' on 10 November, 2022, based on which the MLA filed a compliant alleging the report is fabricated and submitted a written complaint to DGP. The state police registered a case making four people from Asianet accused. Earlier on 3 March, student wing of the state's ruling party SFI barged into the Asianet office in Kochi alleging the channel and reportedly threatened the staff over the news report telecast on the sexual assault of schoolgirls in the state. ALSO READ: Pakistan stops salaries, pensions as economic crisis worsens Police registered a case around 30 activists of the SFI after a complaint lodged by the TV channel. In the complaint, the TV channel alleged that the SFI activists reportedly entered the office around 8 pm, raised slogans, pushed the security staff and intimidated its employees. Meanwhile, SFI activists claims they only protested against the TV channel for allegedly creating 'fake news' using a minor girl about the alleged sexual assault of over 10 girl students at a school in northern Kerala. The Press Club of India criticised the SFI action and requested the Kerala government to launch an investigation into the incident. "We express concern and lodge our protest over SFI activists reportedly entering the @AsianetNewsML office in Ernakulam and intimidating the staff. These strong-arm tactics have no place in a democracy. The Kerala government should probe this incident swiftly," the Press Club of India said in a tweet on Friday. With agency inputs. The Antarctic sea has recorded the lowest sea level for the third time in six years, leaving scientists scrambling for answers. The satellites have helped scientists keep a track of the ice cover around Antarcticas 18,000km coastline. The scientists have noted that across four decades of satellite observations, there has never been less ice around the continent than there was last week, the Guardian reported. We are seeing less ice everywhere. Its a circumpolar event." scientists said. The report noted that in the summer of 2022, the amount of sea ice dropped to 1.92m sq km on 25 February an all-time low based on satellite observations that started in 1979. It further said that by 12 February 2023, the 2022 record had already been broken. The ice kept melting, reaching a new record low of 1.79m sq km on 25 February and beating the previous record by 136,000 sq km an area double the size of Tasmania." read the Guardian report. We dont want to lose sea ice where there are these vulnerable ice shelves and, behind them, the ice sheets," Prof Matt England, an oceanographer and climate scientist at the University of New South Wales told Guardian. Why is this worrisome? The fate of Antarctica especially the ice on land is important because the continent holds enough ice to raise sea levels by many metres if it was to melt. The report explains that melting sea ice does not directly raise sea levels because it is already floating on water. However, there isa domino effect that causes damage. Let's take a look at the possible harm caused -Sea ice helps to buffer the effect of storms on ice attached to the coast. If this disappears the increased wave action can weaken those floating ice shelves that themselves stabilise the massive ice sheets and glaciers behind them on the land. -The melting of the Thwaites glacier known as the doomsday glacier"--will be a cause for concern as that glacier holds enough water to raise sea levels by half a metre. The extent of damage The Guardian report traces data provided by scientists Dr Rob Massom, of the Australian Antarctic Division, and Dr Phil Reid, of the Bureau of Meteorology, shows two-thirds of the continents coastline was exposed to open water last month well above the long-term average of about 50%. Its not just the extent of the ice, but also the duration of the coverage," Massom says. If the sea ice is removed, you expose floating ice margins to waves that can flex them and increase the probability of those ice shelves calving. That then allows more grounded ice into the ocean." Massom and Reid published a study last year that found that, since 1979, the Amundsen Sea region was seeing longer periods without ice and more of the coastline was being exposed to open ocean conditions. Antarctica is hard to study not just because of its remoteness, but in the challenges of gathering data around a continent exposed to huge variations in wind and storms from all sides. Ukrainian forces defending Bakhmut are facing increasingly strong pressure from Russian forces, British military intelligence said on Saturday, with intense fighting taking place in and around the eastern city. Ukraine is reinforcing the area with elite units, while regular Russian army and forces of the private military Wagner group have made further advances into Bakhmut's northern suburbs, the British Defence Ministry said in its daily intelligence bulletin. Also Read: Ukraine clings to Bakhmut; US readies $400 million in new military aid The Ukraine armed forces' general staff said in a Facebook post late on Saturday that Russian troops were trying but failing to surround Bakhmut, adding defenders had repelled numerous attacks in and around the city. The battle has raged for seven months. A Russian victory in the city, which had a pre-war population of about 70,000 and has been blasted to ruins in the onslaught, would give Moscow the first major prize in a costly winter offensive. Oleh Zhdanov, a prominent Ukrainian analyst of military affairs, said late on Saturday that he could not detect any immediate signs Kyiv was going to order a retreat from the city. "At the moment the situation is more or less stabilized. In terms of the advancement of Russian troops, we practically stopped (it)," he said in a YouTube interview. The British defence ministry said two key bridges in Bakhmut have been destroyed within the last 36 hours, adding that Ukrainian-held resupply routes out of the city are increasingly limited. Also Read: China sending lethal aid to Russia, likely shift Ukraine war dynamics in Putin's favour One of those bridges connected Bakhmut to the city's last main supply route from the Ukrainian-held town of Chasiv Yar, about 13 km (eight miles) to the west, it said. Russian artillery pounded the last routes out of Bakhmut on Friday, aiming to complete the encirclement of the besieged city and bring Moscow closer to its first major victory in the war in six months. The Ukrainian general staff also said Russian attacks had been foiled in the villages of Vasyukivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Dubovo-Vasylivka and Hryhorivka, all of which lie just to the north of Bakhmut's city centre. Russia says Bakhmut would be a stepping stone to completing the capture of the Donbas industrial region, one of Moscow's most important objectives. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who has described Bakhmut as a "fortress", on Saturday thanked defenders in the city in a video message but gave no details of the fighting. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Colombia is planning to send 70 of its cocaine hippos to India and Mexico. Of the total 70 hippos, a mix of males and females, 60 will be sent to to India while 10 to Mexico. Currently there are between 130-160 hippos in Columbia and these have spread out far beyond Escobars former ranch of Hacienda Napoles, the luxurious estate built and owned by Pablo Escobar. These cocaine hippos are the descendents of four hippos, one male and three females who were reportedly brought from Africa or the United States in the 1970s. In 1991, when Escobar surrendered to the authorities, the government did seize the Hacienda Napoles estate, however, left the animals to roam free, as per Washington Post. When his ranch was abandoned, the hippos survived and reproduced in local rivers and favorable climatic conditions. The hippos, which are territorial and weigh up to 3 tons, have spread far beyond the Hacienda Napoles ranch, located 200 kilometer (124 mile) from Bogota along the Magdalena River. Environmental authorities have also estimated that there are about 130 hippos in the area in Antioquia province and their population could reach 400 in eight years. Scientists have also warned that the hippos do not have a natural predator in Colombia and are a potential problem for biodiversity since their feces change the composition of the rivers and could impact the habitat of manatees also nicknamed as sea cows and capybaras. Last year, Colombia's government declared them a toxic invasive species. It is said that they can also pose a danger to local ecosystems and sometimes even to humans. Previously, as per reported by CNN, authorities also tried to control their population using castrations and contraceptive shots darts, but it also saw only limited success. Lina Marcela de los Rios Morales, director of animal protection and welfare at Antioquia's environment ministry told Associated Press that the plan to take them to India and Mexico has been forming for more than a year. The plan is to send 60 hippos to the Greens Zoological Rescue & Rehabilitation Kingdom in Gujarat, India, which De los Rios Morales said would cover the cost of the containers and airlift. Another 10 hippos would go to zoos and sanctuaries in Mexico such as the Ostok, located in Sinaloa. The hippos would be lured with food into large, iron containers and transferred by truck to the international airport in the city of Rionegro, 150 kilometers away. From there, they would be flown to India and Mexico, where there are sanctuaries and zoos capable of taking in and caring for the animals. It is possible to do, we already have experience relocating hippos in zoos nationwide," said David Echeverri Lopez, a spokesman for Cornare, the local environmental authority that would be in charge of the relocations. Governor Anibal Gaviria in an interview also said that sending the hippos back to their native land of Africa was not allowed, as reported by CNN. While explaining to CNN, Maria Angela Echeverry who is a professor of Biology at the Javeriana University said that if the hippos are sent back to Africa would risk both the hippos and the local ecosystem. As per the AP report, the plan is to focus on the hippos living in the rivers surrounding the Hacienda Napoles ranch, not the ones inside the ranch because they are in a controlled environment and don't threaten the local ecosystem. The relocations would help control the hippo population, and though the animals' native habitat is Africa, it is more humane than the alternate proposal of exterminating them as an invasive species, said De los Rios Morales. Ecuador, the Philippines and Botswana have also expressed their willingness to relocated Colombian hippos to their countries, according to the Antioquia Governor's Office. (With inputs from Associated Press) The European Union has postponed the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) until 2024. ETIAS has been postponed many times as it was earlier set to be launched in 2022 then was moved later to 1 May 2023 and later to November 2023. So what is ETIAS? Travellers who are allowed to visit the Schengen Area without any visa will now have to apply for ETIAS travel authorisation. Currently, the non-visa country travellers are allowed to go into countries in the Schengen Zone for business or travel purposes for up to 90 days. During these 90 days, these visitors cannot work or study but can engage in business and tourism activities. However, after the new scheme is applied, these will have to pay a nominal fees to enter the European Union. Here's all you need to know about the European Travel Information and Authorisation System: European Commission has rolled out US style electronic travel authorisation system ESTA for visitors from countries that are currently not part of the EU. It is a completely electronic based system that allows and keeps track of visitors from countries who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone. The system will check the security credentials and charge a fee to travellers visiting EU member countries for business, tourism, medical or transit purposes. The legal procedures to pass the ETIAS started in 2016, and the system is expected to be fully operational in 2024. The main reason for the approval of the ETIAS authorization is security. It aims to improving border security and reducing illegal migration. With an increase in travellers worldwide, the EU wants to ensure safe travel in its countries. We need to know who is crossing our borders. This way we will know who is travelling to Europe before they even get here," the then-EU Commissions President Jean-Claude Juncker had said presenting the proposal. Who will need ETIAS? The ETIAS will be applicable for citizens of countries who can enter the EU zone visa-free. Currently there are 63 countries who fall under this category. How much will ETIAS cost? The ETIAS will cost only 7 for each application. The cost is only valid for adults over 18 years old and those under will not have to pay any fees. However, every traveller and even infants need ETIAS. Once the payment is done, the ETIAS authorization will start processing. The applicants will receive a decision from the system within 96 hours or less. However, the application will be manually processed if any issue from the ETIAS. The manual processing may take about 96 hours (4 days), or a maximum of 2 weeks. ETIAS application requirements and when to apply A valid passport, citizenship in an ETIAS-eligible country. Apply for the ETIAS as early as possible to avoid any hassle. How long is the ETIAS valid? The ETIAS is valid for 3 years or until the end of the validity of the travel document registered during the application, whichever comes first. List of countries need to apply for ETIAS: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Timor Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanautu, Vatican City and Venezuela. Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan may soon be arrested in connection with the Toshakhana case. Islamabad and Punjab Police officials arrived at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore on Sunday afternoon to take the former PM into custody. Meanwhile Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders and supporters have threatened to launch mass protests over the situation. Imran Khan is reluctant to surrender -- the Superintendent of Police had gone into the room but he was not present there," the Islamabad Police shared via Twitter. Officials indicated that the former PM would be transferred to Islamabad under police protection upon being arrested. Local media reports indicated that the PTI chief was addressing his party workers at an event at his Zaman Park residence even as the police officials present outside were told he was not available. Also read: Imran Khan gets non-bailable arrest warrant in Toshakhana case According to the court orders, a team of Islamabad Police has reached Lahore to arrest Imran Khan. All operations are being completed with the cooperation of Lahore Police. Legal action will be taken against those obstructing the execution of court orders," read an update tweeted out by the official police handle, roughly translated from Urdu. Khan has been under scrutiny for buying gifts - including an expensive Graff wristwatch he had received as the premier - at a discounted price from the state depository (Toshakhana) and selling them for profit. A non-bailable arrest warrant was issued against him earlier this month after the PTI chief failed to appear in court for the third time. More to come Indian-American tech sector entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who announced last week his decision to enter the 2024 race for US presidential poll, has made a bold statement against US companies working with China. The author of Woke, Inc," told his fellow conservative Republicans if he gets elected he would ban all those American companies that are doing business with China. "I think it is important, to be honest. If we want to declare independence from China, that means we got to be willing to ban most US businesses from doing business in China until the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) falls or until the CCP radically reforms itself. Because there is no easy way out other than taking that band-aid and ripping it right off," he said. Besides, Ramaswamy has proposed disruptive ideas of dismantling the Department of Education along with the FBI. "I have already said last week, the first agency we will shut down and need to shut down in the United States is the US Department of Education. It has no reason to exist. Never should have existed. "And today, I am ready to announce the second government agency that I will shut down in this country we should have done this at least 60 years ago. It has hurt Republicans and Democrats alike. We are going to get it done as finally, it is time to shut down the FBI in America and create something new to take its place because we are done with the J Edgar Hoover legacy to let this be a self-governing nation again," he said. "The Declaration of Independence of today is our declaration of independence from China. If Thomas Jefferson were alive today, that is the Declaration of Independence he would sign. That is the Declaration of Independence I will sign if I am elected as your next president," the 37-year-old said. Ramaswamy made this statement during his address to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) -- the top annual event of the Republican Party and its support base. Further, lauding former US President Donal trump, the entrepreneur said, "He is inspired by former president Donald Trump, 76, and his American first vision". He added that it is time to identify the issues and work aggressively toward them. In his 18-minute speech, Ramaswamy said "three secular religions have America in a choke hole today". The first of them is this "woke racial religion" that says someone's identity is based on his skin colour. "That if you are black, you are inherently disadvantaged. That if you are white, you are inherently privileged no matter your economic background or your upbringing. That your race determines who you are and what you can achieve in life," he said. This has created "this new culture of fear in America", combined with the "second secular religion" that says the "sex of the person you are attracted to has to be hardwired on the day you were born" but your own biological sex is completely fluid over the course of your lifetime". "It makes no sense unless it is a religion. It does not match up to reason, it matches up to religion. And then it makes the same move as the first religion," Ramaswamy said. The third one is the climate religion in America that says that "we have to fight carbon emissions at all costs in the US while we shift those same carbon emissions to places like China that supposedly, even if you believe in this religion, you would have embraced nuclear energy, which is the best form of carbon-free energy production known to mankind". He said that the US is in the middle of a national identity crisis. Ramaswamy said he is all in on the "America first" agenda. "Believe me, I am an America first conservative. I will not apologise for it. But to put America first, we now need to rediscover what America is. And that is why last week I announced my run for US president to deliver a national identity that we are missing in this country," he said. "This means that you believe in merit, that you get ahead in this country, not on the colour of your skin, but on the content of your character and your contributions. And that is why as the US president, I have pledged to get rid of affirmative action in this country once and for all. It is national cancer on our soul," he said. The Japanese Government will introduce two new work visas, J-SKIP and J-FIND from next month, in an effort to attract top graduates and high-income earners to work in the country. These visas will create a simplified immigration path for those seeking high-level professional jobs in the country. Here is all you need know about the two visa schemes: What is J-FIND visa and how to apply? The J-FIND visa is essentially a job seeker visa that allows graduates from top foreign universities to stay in Japan for an extended period of up to 2 years in search of employment. Under the present visa rules, graduates can stay for only 90 days. However, graduates who apply for the J-FIND visa must have around 200,000 YEN upon arrival in Japan. In addition, they must have graduated from a university or higher education institution in the top 100 in the QS Top Universities list, Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and the Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Academic Ranking of World Universities. What is J-Skip visa and how to apply? The J-SKIP visa is designed for researchers, engineers, and high-level managers seeking jobs in Japan. The visa allows these candidates to skip the current point-based system and be considered for the highly skilled professional visa. To be eligible for the J-SKIP visa, candidates must meet specific income and work experience requirements set by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. If they meet these requirements, they will be automatically sent for the highly skilled professional visa, bypassing the point-based system. Once a candidate gains the status of Level 1 professionals, they will be granted a 5-year stay period and allowed to work within their professional fields. After Level 1, candidates who upgrade to Level 2 after three years of work will be allowed to stay in the country indefinitely with zero to no restrictions on work. For researchers and engineers, they can apply for the J-SKIP visa if they have a master's degree and an annual income of 20 million Yen or more or at least 10 years of work experience and an income of 20 million Yen or more. For managers, they must have at least 5 years of experience or more and an annual income of 40 million Yen or more. Both visa paths allow spouses and family members to stay in Japan with the candidate. WASHINGTONU.S. officials are growing concerned that giant Chinese-made cranes operating at American ports across the country, including at several used by the military, could give Beijing a possible spying tool hiding in plain sight. Export Bahrain has concluded an informative workshop titled "Procedures to Export Food, Drugs & Pharmaceutical Items to Saudi Arabia", presented by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). The workshop, held in coordination with Health Ministry in Bahrain, aimed to provide exporters with an introduction to the requirements and procedures that must be taken before exporting food, drugs, and pharmaceutical products to Saudi Arabia. The educational workshop mainly targeted the private sector to develop and increase their contribution to the economic development of the Bahrain, said a Bahrain News Agency report said. The workshop, which was attended by 100 participants, brought together a diverse range of experts, industry leaders, and stakeholders from both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to engage in insightful discussions on the intricate and various procedures and regulations pertaining to the export of products within the concerned industries. The comprehensive presentations and interactive sessions provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the necessary documentations, the role of the Health Ministry in Bahrain, and the measures required to ensure compliance with the regulations set by the SFDA. The workshop demonstrates the strong commitment and continued efforts of Export Bahrain and the SFDA to foster trade and commerce between the two nations and support the growth and success of businesses looking to expand into the Saudi market through facilitating the export procedures and requirements, said a statement. Export Bahrains Executive Operations Director Fatima Aziz Rostam stressed the importance of promoting trade and commerce between the two kingdoms. "It is imperative that we strengthen the economic ties between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia further in order to foster a thriving trade relationship that serves the interests of both nations," Rostam added. "The Saudi market presents numerous opportunities for businesses based in Bahrain, and the joint efforts of Export Bahrain and the SFDA will serve as a catalyst for continued growth and prosperity." "We are committed to promoting and facilitating trade between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and this valuable workshop was a testament to our shared goals and efforts to ensure the success and growth of businesses operating in these vital sectors," an SFDA representative said. "We are steadfast in our goal of developing a robust and prosperous trade relationship between the two kingdoms, and we will continue to make significant strides in that direction." Days after being asked to vacate their royal home in UK, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly been invited to attend King Charles III's landmark coronation. While it remains unclear whether the duo will attend the grand event in May, questions about where they might stay have already risen. According to a recent report, the two may be offered a Buckingham Palace suite if and when they visit the UK. A report by the Mirror suggested that the palace apartment would most likely be Prince Andrew's old suite. Local media reports indicate Frogmore Cottage has now been offered to Prince Andrew - King Charles III's disgraced brother. The residence had been gifted to the couple by Harry's late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II - and renovated by the duo. It was intended to be a permanent base in the UK once they relocated to the US after stepping back as frontline royals. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex refurbished it in 2018 at a cost of GBP 2.4 million - initially covered by British taxpayer money and later paid back. They had also spent their daughter Lilibet's first birthday at the property during a visit to the UK for the late Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. According to reports, the couple were asked to vacate the cottage in January soon after the publication of Spare. The move was reportedly sanctioned by King Charles. Also read: Harry and Meghan invited to Charles' coronation, confirms report Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan's attendance at the upcoming coronation continues to remain unclear. "I can confirm The Duke has recently received email correspondence from His Majesty's office regarding the coronation. An immediate decision on whether The Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time," a spokesperson for Harry said. (With inputs from agencies) WASHINGTONTwo Ukrainian pilots are being assessed in the U.S. on how they operate jet fighters to prepare for a potential broader training effort, defense officials said. Ukraine has repeatedly asked Western allies to provide jet fighters, including American F-16s, to help it repel Russian forces which invaded a year ago. The U.S. has repeatedly played down that prospect and officials said the assessment of the two pilots wasnt a sign of any change in strategic priorities. But Ukraine is vying to be a future customer for F-16s and the evaluation could potentially lay the groundwork for further training. The pilots, who now are at a U.S. military installation in Tucson, Ariz., for a dayslong visit, wont operate U.S. aircraft, defense officials said, but use simulators for flying various types of aircraft to assess their skills, including how they conduct missions using U.S.-provided weapons and equipment. The Tucson facility, where Air National Guard training forces are based, also is where the U.S. trains allied partners on how to operate F-16 jet fighters. U.S. officials didnt say whether the Ukrainian pilots will be assessed using F-16 compatible simulators. They noted it also was an opportunity for the pilots to observe how the U.S. Air Force operates. It is the first time Ukrainian pilots have been assessed in the U.S., and defense officials said another 10 pilots could join the evaluation later this spring. The Pentagon described its work with Ukraines pilots, earlier reported by NBC News, as a familiarization event that allows us to better help Ukrainian pilots become more effective pilots and better advise them on how to develop their own capabilities." Ukrainian pilots operate Soviet-era jet fighters and part of the assessment could include determining how to best train them to shift to American aircraft, one defense official said. We want to understand what is possible," the official said. Others stressed the move wasnt intended to influence or signal any potential decision on providing jet fighters to Ukraine. It was approved at a low level and does not represent a strategic step," said another U.S. military official. Kyiv, which has been asking for jets for months, has said it needs F-16 aircraft to replace its Soviet-era air force and dominate the skies over Ukraine. Skeptics of providing jet fighters say they risk a sharp escalation with Russia by handing a weapon to the Ukrainians that could be used to strike deep inside Russian territory, or into the Crimean Peninsula, seized by Russia in 2014. In addition, supplying the planes and training the pilots could take years, they say. Supporters of the move believe allies need to give Ukraine the most advanced equipment it can, particularly ahead of a long-expected spring offensive, or risk a war that continues years longer in a slog of attrition. In January, President Biden said no to providing Ukraine with F-16s. In an interview with ABC News the following month, at the one-year mark of the war, the president appeared to open the door slightly, saying Ukraine didnt need them now. There is no basis upon which there is a rationale, according to our military, now, to provide F-16s," the president said, adding: I am ruling it out for now." During testimony last week on Capitol Hill, Colin Kahl, undersecretary of defense for policy, said that Ukraine has asked for as many as 128 U.S. jet fighters and training pilots and providing planes would take 18 months. These are the trade-offs that we were making in real time," he said, noting that it was a question of whether to spend $3 billion on support that would arrive in a year and a half or spend the money on more urgent deliveries of fighting vehicles and missile defense. Write to Nancy A. Youssef at nancy.youssef@wsj.com On Sunday, 26 February, The Wall Street Journal revealed that the US Department of Energy in a report had concluded, although with low confidence", that the covid virus that has killed millions of people across the world most likely" originated in a Wuhan laboratory. Two days later, Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), was much more forceful. The FBI has for quite some time now assessed that the origins of the pandemic are most likely a potential lab incident in Wuhan," Wray told Fox News. Here you are talking about a potential leak from a Chinese government-controlled lab." He also accused the Chinese regime of doing its best to try to thwart and obfuscate" the agencys investigation. Interestingly, American left-liberal politicians and almost all of US mainstream media vehicles have ridiculed, vilified and actively suppressed the lab-leak theory ever since it was first suggested in the early days of the pandemic. As is now known, under direct instructions from the US government, Facebook and Twitter tweaked their algorithms to muffle posts pushing the theory and de-platformed thousands of users. Leading medical journals like Lancet and Nature refused to publish papers written by scientists who had studied the virus and concluded that it could have been engineered in a laboratory. The media establishment in the West discredited the hypothesis as a fringe conspiracy theory," irresponsible" and racist". This had a cascading effect across the globe since media in the rest of world often takes cues from the Western press and depends on it for a good deal of information and opinion. But in recent months, there has been a perceptible shift of attitudes. Many commentators have been tying themselves up in knots to convince their audiences that yes, there could be something to the lab-leak theory, but they had not been wrong when they junked it. Their main contention while rejecting the lab-leak possibility was that science" ruled it out. Now they claim that they did not have enough facts at the time. This is a lame argument. They had claimed perfect knowledge of the origin of the virusthat it was born in the natural worldand summarily rejected all arguments (like the virus unusual protein spikes and mutation patterns) that contradicted them, without even glancing through the research. Over the last week, some leading commentators have begun to admit the real reason for their thoughts and actions, though they are still trying to justify what they did. Was it their visceral hatred for Donald Trump, who supported the lab-leak theory? To these intellectuals, Trump is Satan incarnate and anything that he said had to be derided. Even discussing the lab-leak notion was seen as abetting not only Trump, but also far-right extremists and Caucasian racists. There was also a presidential election looming where Trump needed to be defeated. Naomi Oreskes, Americas most distinguished science historian alive, now says that the theory may be plausible, but some of the people promoting the claim (led by Trump) were irrational". She then makes an astonishing statement: We all judge messages by the messenger." This is a total denial of all that the scientific method stands for. By that logic, we should reject the double helix structure of DNA because one of its discoverers, James Watson, is widely seen as a racist, chauvinist and homophobe. As also the laws of gravity, since Isaac Newton was a firm believer in alchemy and other occult sciences. The debunking of the lab-leak theory was never about science. It was solely about politics and the ideological and cultural divide that is ripping through American society. Rationality and science were the victims. But we should also take note of the timing of these revelations. It is now one year since Russia began its special military operation" in Ukraine. Many European economies are in serious trouble and their citizens may be getting tired of the privations caused by a faraway war. A large majority of countries across the world want an end to the conflict as quickly as possible through negotiations. Most importantly for America, the war has pushed Moscow closer to Beijing, and a China-Russia coalition is the biggest long-term threat that the West faces. In fact, the war may be aiding China in its global superpower ambitions, which took a beating during the pandemic. The US seems to have realized this, though a bit belatedly. On 18 February, US Vice-President Kamala Harris said that Washington was troubled that Beijing has deepened its relationship with Moscow since the war began". On 20 February, secretary of state Antony Blinken said that China plans to supply weaponry to Russia and that could cause a serious problem for us and in our relationship". A few days later, the lab leak theory was officially resurrected. It is unlikely that FBI chief Wray would have spoken as he did without getting orders to change direction from his bosses. After all, it was the same FBI under the same Wray that got Facebook and Twitter to censor lab-leak posts. The US governments acknowledgement after two years of denial of the possible validity of the lab-leak hypothesis could be its latest move in a grand geopolitical game. It may have little to do with any commitment to unearthing the truth about how and where the virus was actually born. Playing in the big leagues is not easy but if India is indeed a leading power, as its foreign minister says it is, then directing jamborees like the G20 foreign ministers meet and organising more functional and focused meetings like those of the Quad foreign ministers as India did this past week are necessary. Even so, it is important to rate Indias gains from such exercises. Lets start with the positives. While all events are occasions for diplomatic signalling, little can be realistically expected in terms of actual output from such large and diverse groupings as the G20. Thus, the lament that no joint communique was adopted at the G20 foreign ministers meeting, and that this reflects Indias inability to broker unity and consensus, are misplaced. It has been a year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and in that time ideological divisions between the US-led West on the one side and Russia and China on the other have only become sharper as there seems to be no end in sight to the military conflict. The likelihood of reaching an agreement was therefore low. For India to be organising the G20 summit in such a time is no mean challenge. If anything, New Delhi should be lauded for simply being able to get everyone together under the same roof. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met for the first time since the Ukraine invasion, even as initial reports suggested that they might not. Even though the face-to-face meeting lasted barely 10 minutes, it is still a significant milestone. Further, the Chairs Summary and Outcome Document issued at the end of the foreign ministers meeting was a rather innovative alternative to any watered-down joint statement, and perhaps a model to be followed in other multilateral groupings. The document stated that All G20 Foreign Ministers agreed to paragraphs 1, 2 and paragraphs 5 to 24". So it is just two paragraphs that are at the heart of the contention between Russia and China on one side, and the other 18 countries. There is, by and large, clarity on critical issues. India should take credit where it is due. But this also means expectations from the country will be high going forward. Paragraph 3 of the Outcome Document deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and demands its complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine". Paragraph 4 notes, It is essential to uphold international law and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability" and also has reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modis declaration when he met the Russian President Vladimir Putin last year, stating, Todays era must not be of war." For a country that has traditionally preferred abstentions to voting decisively at the UN, India appears to have stated its preference clearly by siding with the majority on the paragraphs 3 and 4. However, the G20 document is not legally binding and the real issue that other countries have with respect to India is of its sincerity of purpose and consistency. If anything, the only thing New Delhi is consistent about is its desire to balance between the West on the one side and the Russians and the Chinese on the other in its quest to have the best of all worlds. Today there is no doubt about Indias seriousness on the Quad but it continues to be chary of extending commitments to the military front the only front that really matters if it has to keep China well-behaved. What is more, New Delhis lack of a complete commitment to the Quad is also being exploited. Hours after the Quad meeting, Lavrov said the foreign ministers of Russia, China and India would meet later this year as part of their regular trilateral. This groupings sole purpose seems to showcase the possibility of an anti-West global order. It has little to show in terms of practical output in over two decades of existence. The language in paragraph 4 was also perhaps not strong enough to draw attention to Chinas violations of Indias territorial sovereignty and integrity. It could have, given the Chinese werent agreeing to the rest of the paragraph in any case. In effect, therefore, Beijing and Moscow have extracted from India all the costs of being in what is from their point of view an adversarial grouping like the Quad and forcing it into sub-optimal foreign policy positions. Whether India can iron out these flaws in its foreign policy by the time it exits the G20 spotlight remains to be seen. Oman Air, the national airline of the Sultanate of Oman, has announced the delivery of a new Boeing 737 MAX 8 from CDB Aviation, a global aircraft leasing platform. The aircraft is the last in a series of five deliveries contracted as part of a sale and leaseback transaction with the aircraft leasing platform, which is a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing (CDB Leasing). Designed to offer exceptional performance, flexibility and efficiency, the 737 Max 8 is equipped with the CFM Leap 1B27 engines and configured with 12 Business and 150 Economy Class seats to support the carriers expanding network. Oman Air has been introducing routes throughout the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent, as well as several cities in Europe, South Asia, and Africa, in recent years and is focused on growing additional connectivity to North and South America and Australia. Abdulaziz Al Raisi, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said: As air travel demand continues to grow post-pandemic, Oman Air has the opportunity to expand progressively. The latest addition to our fleet will serve both domestic and short-to-medium international sectors, further extending our seamless connectivity to a growing number of destinations. We are glad to have CDB Aviation as our partner in growth and continue to place ourselves at the forefront of aviation technology, enhance our operational efficiency, as well as provide our guests with an exceptional on-board experience. Paul Boyle, CDB Aviations Head of EMEA, said: We are very pleased to build on our relationship with Oman Air and to expand our presence in the Middle East with this sale and leaseback transaction. These new technology, fuel-efficient aircraft will support the airlines ongoing recovery efforts, providing the airlines passengers with greater connectivity and a wider choice of destinations from its hub in Muscat. The addition of the 737 MAX is part of a fleet and network expansion programme for Oman Air, which has already seen the airline launch three new routes in 2022, with more planned in the coming months. TradeArabia News Service A Longford man with a 'problem with alcohol' will be assessed by the Probation Services before he comes back before Longford District Court in June. Paul Dowler (49) of 7 Victory Court, Earl Street, Longford was before Judge Bernadette Owens on four charges. Sergeant Mark Mahon outlined details of the incidents on August 29, and October 1, 4 and 5 of 2022. Mr Dowler pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage and three public order offences. Relating details of the offences that happened at Great Water Street, Longford in August Sgt Mahon said officers were made aware of an incident involving a female. The officers spoke to Dowler who was in a highly intoxicated state. The defendant was directed to leave the area, but refused to do so. Mr Dowler was arrested and words were exchanged, but Sgt Mahon accepted that it was on the lower scale. On October 1, 2022 the defendant was present when another individual damaged the door of an apartment by removing the seal. The two remaining charges related to an incident when the defendant was drunk in a public place and arrested for his own safety. Solicitor for the defendant, John Quinn, pointed out that Mr Dowler did not inflict the criminal damage, but was present at the time. He said his client recognised he had a responsibility because of his presence. Paul accepts he has a drink problem, Mr Quinn said, He has detoxed himself and hopes to continue his sobriety through lent and beyond. The solicitor pointed out that Mr Dowler has attended an alcohol treatment course in Cluain Mhuire, Athy. Sgt Mahon confirmed the defendant has 17 previous convictions, but there have been no recent incidents since the last charge before the court. Judge Owens said: I can see that the defendant is making efforts to address what is clearly his problem with alcohol. She directed the matter be adjourned to June 20, 2023 to allow Probation Services complete a report. Dhaka, Mar 5 (UNI) Three people personnel lost their lives in a fire that broke out following an explosion in Basundhara lane at a building in the capitals Science Lab area in Bangladesh on Sunday, said police. Later, four units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence brought the fire under control. The fire broke out at around 10.52am and was brought under control at 11.13am, sources in the Fire Service and Civil Defence said. Muhituddin Khandker, additional commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said some 14 people sustained burn injuries due to the fire. They are now undergoing treatment at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital at the moment. The fire service is primarily assuming that the fire started an explosion of an air-conditioner in the building. Traffic movement on one side of the road near the Science Lab intersection has been halted since the incident. Speaking to UNI, duty officer of the fire service Khaleda Yeasmin said a fire broke out after an explosion in a building named Shirin Mansion in the capitals Science Lab. Four units of fire service worked there. The fire was brought under control at 11.13am. The third floor of the building was heavily damaged in the fire. Broken glasses and bricks from the building blewn off to nearby areas due the explosion. The bomb disposal unit of the police currently working at the spot. The three-storied building is mostly occupied by cloth shops with several residential buildings nearby. Residents came out of these buildings in fear. Speaking to UNI, Jaharat Jahan, a resident of the Oriental Log Cabin near the Science Lab Area, said, At first, I heard a loud blast. I thought it was an earthquake. Later, I went to my balcony and saw the smoke and got down from the building with my children. The entire building has been evacuated and the residents of the building have been transferred to an open space. UNI MAZ SY RKM There was delight in Longford and Cavan as Rocket Man Kevin McGahern foxtrotted his way through Orchestra Week on this evening's RTE'S Dancing With The Stars programme. The Gowna comic expressed his delight at making it through to another week of the popular show despite being a tad disappointed with his final points haul. We were very happy with it in the end," he said. On the Friday, I kept getting it wrong, but by the Saturday I had got the hang of it and we were very happy even if I would have liked a couple more points. Kevin, once again paid tribute to the wider Longford and Cavan public for ensuring his DWTS odyssey continued into another week. I am very thankful to everyone who has and continues to vote for me and it is a great privilege to be representing the area. This week, Kevin and professional dance partner Laura Nolan are tasked with strutting their stuff to a salsa version of Stay with Me, featuring Justin Timberlake, Halsey & Pharrell Williams. It is high energy and there are lots of lifts so hopefully I won't drop Laura on her head, Kevin joked. Last Sunday's latest episode saw the RTE Concert Orchestra in studio to play each piece of music live to an enthralled audience as each couple pulled out all the stops to stay in the competition. They were joined by vocalists, Susan McFadden and Aston Jones. Arthur Gourounlian complimented McGahern. You have blossomed into this beautiful gentle dancer. And you delivered week after week for me. The way you swayed across the dance floor was magical. Kevin and Laura scored 24 from the judges. Former Irish rugby player Shane Byrne and his pro partner, Karen Byrne became the fifth celebrity couple to leave Dancing with the Stars. They lost the dance off to Panti Bliss and Denys Samson. President Joe Biden is invited to King Charles III's coronation as many other world leaders, however, his Irish ancestry may be stopping him from attending the biggest event for the British Royals since the Queen's funeral. According to Time Magazine, a political staffer, "That does not feel like an event Joe Biden will attend," a White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity. "That does not feel like an event Joe Biden will attend" "However, the President's schedule for May has not yet been finalized" the source underlined. Biden held Queen Elizabeth dearly as he met her several times while he was serving under Barak Obama. According to the source "Biden has spoken openly about his Irish family's disdain for England and the British monarchy in his memoir, claiming that his mother once refused to sleep in a bed that the Queen had once slept in." In his memoirs, he also mentioned that he does not think the new appointed king is a bad man, however, it seems that he just believes is "just English". Biden believes that King Charles is not a bad man, just English During the book's passage, he addressed that before he met the Queen, his mother told him not to "bow down to her". The invitations will be officialy sent in April and it will be then when the POTUS will decide once and for all if he will be attending the coronation. This is not the first time that there is a controversy regarding a coronation with a US president as Dwight D. Eisenhower did not attend Elizabeth's coronation in 1953. In temporal lobe epilepsy patients, seizures can be predicted more than 30 minutes before onset. The new finding opens the door to a therapy using electrodes that could be activated to prevent seizures from happening, according to new research from UTHealth Houston. The study, led by Sandipan Pati, MD, associate professor in the Department of Neurology with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, was recently published in NEJM Evidence, a publication of the New England Journal of Medicine. What is Temporal Lobe Epilepsy? Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most common seizure disorder, affecting some 50 million people globally. There are two temporal lobes, one on each side of the head behind the temples. Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, which accounts for about 80% of all temporal lobe seizures, involves seizures starting in or near a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which controls memory and learning. Neocortical or lateral temporal lobe epilepsy involves seizures starting in the outer section of the temporal lobe. Being an actor, they say, is not easy. To be able to slip in and out of roles, characters and face the camera so often - it takes a toll on you. However, what is more difficult sometimes is to be a performer, when you have to get on to the stage and perform in front of a live audience that can have any sort of reaction to you. One actor who has the reputation of being both - a great actor and a great performer is Akshay Kumar, who is also currently touring in the United States Of America along with fellow actors like Sonam Bajwa, Aparshakti Khurrana, Disha Patani and more. A recent video of Akshay performing has gone viral on the internet, however, not so much for his power-packed performance or his high-energy dance, but for his clothes. Akshay was spotted dancing in a bright red lehenga, a detail that has attracted mixed reactions from the public. instagram_viral bhayani While some have made fun of Akshay for sporting a lehenga by dropping comments like, Bs yahi dekhna baaki tha, and another one writes, Kya halat hogai hai canadian sanghi ki ghagra pahenke phirraha hai har jagah attention ke liye. instagram_viral bhayani There were also other fans who found it inspiring. One user wrote, Akshay Kumar ekdum firepower hai ghagre main bhi!, while someone else commented, bhai tum itna kyu jalte ho koi mehnat kar rha hai to paise k liye, giving back to the trolls who called out Akshay Kumar for dancing for money. Akshay Kumar also performed a lot of stunts during his stage show and mesmerized people with his energy. The Zuarungu Nursing and Midwives Training College (ZNTC) has held its 4th, 10th, and 17th batches totaling 306 of the Registered General Nursing (RGN), Post NAC/NAP Midwifery (PNNM), and Nursing Assistant Clinical (NAC), matriculation ceremonies at Zuarungu in the Upper East Region for the 2022/23 Academic Year, Modern Ghana News has gathered. As a growing institution, the Zuarungu NTC started in 2006 with a student population of 50, one classroom, no hostel, and 3 tutors. Currently, the student population stands at 722, with 6 classrooms, 3 blocks, 24 tutors, 10 offices, 2 skills laboratories with state-of-art equipment, and two hostels accommodating up to 254 students. The Principal of the College Michael Yidana Mantamia stated that the achievement was a result of the support of the government, the MP, and the good citizens of the area coupled with prudent management of the school. He appealed for Public Private Participation in the provision of those facilities. The Chairman of the occasion who doubled as the Board Chairman of the school, Alhaji Raffic Adamu Adambilla explained that the people of the Bolgatanga East District have been tremendous in contributing to the infrastructural development of the school The Tarana of the Zuarungu Chief, John Boscos Atanga assure the school of the Chief and his elders' relentless effort to acquire the school a vast land for further development. Former President John Dramani Mahama, says the Party must regain the Hohoe Constituency Parliamentary seat from the New Patriotic Party (NPP). We must take our Hohoe seat back from the 'atiglinyi' (elephant). I feel shy when I am told that Hohoe is an NPP Constituency. I feel ashamed. Mr Mahama addressing delegates in Hohoe as part of activities to launch his flagbearer campaign in the Volta region said losing the seat was an abomination that must be cured as soon as possible, which may never happen again. He said the first thing the Party needed to win its primaries and the 2024 elections was unity and urged the parliamentary candidates and delegates to go into the May 13 presidential and parliamentary primaries with clean campaign messages. He said the Party would support the Constituency with all logistics, adding that all branches must benefit from any planning that would be handed over to the Constituency and the Party would train delegates as polling agents to ensure free and fair elections. He noted that the country had reached a level where experience was needed rather than experimentation. We do not want any 'togbe domkpor' (try me), the domkpor, domkpor, this is where it has ended us today. I am sorry to say that our country Ghana is broke. Mr Mahama lamented the current situation in the country, touching on issues surrounding the governments Domestic Debt Exchange Programme and the finance minister, who was still in office despite all the issues raised about him. He noted that the NDC Party owed 120 billion cedis debt as they exited office and despite that the Party wisely modernised the country. Mr Newton Darkey, Constituency Chairman noted that as an orphan Constituency, they would need logistical support if Mr Mahama won the presidential primaries. He said Mr. Mahama was the only candidate in the Party to lead and win the 2024 elections. Mr Darkey said looking at the calibre of all candidates contesting the parliamentary primaries in the Constituency, there was no doubt that anyone, who emerged the winner would win the parliamentary seat. Mr Mawutor Agbavitor, the Party's Volta Regional Chairman noted that the hardship experienced by Ghanaians especially Voltarians demanded that the people of the region had to choose a leader who sympathised with them. He said he had declared his support for Mr Mahama to win the Presidential primaries of the Party. Events at the venue took a different turn when the lights in the auditorium went off when Mr Mahama took the stage to address the congregation. Mr Mahama was accompanied by Mr Edward Doe Adjahoe, former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Joshua Alabi, Mr Julius Debrah among other dignitaries and National, Regional and Constituency executives. Present also were the six candidates who picked nomination forms to contest the parliamentary primaries in the Constituency. Mr Mahama is embarking on a three-day tour of parts of the region including Hohoe, Kpando, South Dayi, Central and South Tongu, Akatsi North and South, Commiserate with the chiefs and people of Ziofe for the loss of the late Paramount Chief of Traditional Area, Torgbuiga Binah Lawluvi VI on Friday. GNA The External Affairs Commission of the SRC of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) GIJ chapter in collaboration with Intake Ghana, is set to organize a Study Abroad Conference on Tuesday, March 21, to provide students with opportunities to learn about various study abroad options and connect with professionals in the field. The conference, which will take place at the auditorium of GIJ North Dzorwulu campus, will include a keynote address, panel discussions, a fair, and a networking event. The event is designed to provide students with information about study abroad programs and the various options. The keynote speaker, who will be announced soon, is expected to provide valuable insights and advice for students interested in studying abroad. The panel discussions will feature representatives from various study abroad programs and organizations, covering topics such as funding opportunities, academic credit, and health and safety while abroad. The fair will provide students with the opportunity to meet with representatives from different study abroad programs and universities, ask questions, and gather more detailed information about the programs. The networking event, which will take place immediately after the summit will give students the opportunity to connect with each other and professionals in the field. The External Affairs Commission and Intake Ghana have been working together to promote the conference to students through various channels, including social media, the university website, and bulletin boards. The event is expected to attract a large number of students interested in studying abroad and exploring different options. "We are excited to partner with Intake Ghana to organize this Study Abroad Conference for students at UniMAC, said Osman Abubakari-Sadiq, External Affairs Commissioner of UniMAC-GIJ SRC. He added, "We believe that this event will provide students with valuable information about different study abroad options and help them make informed decisions about their future." Students interested in attending the conference are encouraged to register in advance to secure their spot. The event promises to be an informative and enriching experience for all attendees. A celebrated Ghanaian investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni has lamented the rate at which the country channels huge monies into irrelevant government programmes. The Fourth Estate editor cited the governments "Planting for food and jobs" initiative he described as failed and overrated. According to him, the project has been useless, yet the agricultural ministry keeps deceiving Ghanaians. Speaking at the University of Ghana's 75th Anniversary Lecture on Friday, March 3, Manasseh pointed out the brouhaha surrounding the national cathedral as a misplaced priority. "Without integrity, we can invest in planting for food and jobs, but there wont be food and jobs to show for it apart from imaginary figures and false claims from the Agric Ministry that have kept Fact-Check Ghana busy over the years. "Without integrity, the highly misplaced national cathedral project will become an endless slideshow of scandals because people will still want to steal in the name of Gods church," he noted. Begging Germany to help beg countries like China to forgive Ghanas huge debt, according to the award-winning journalist, is a clear example of a country without integrity. "Without integrity, we will continue to beg Germany to go and beg China on our behalf because we cannot pay what we have borrowed," read as transcribed in Manassehs tweet. Ghanaian farmer and founder of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) is looking for a soul mate. The widely known presidential aspirant says she has been single for two years since she lost her husband to the cold hands of death. Madam Akua Donkor, in an interview with Kofi TV posted on Wednesday, March 1, said she needs a man who will be by her side when she is chosen to rule Ghana as the first female President in 2025. I havent re-married since my husband died. Its been two years and my ring is no longer on my finger. I need to get married again because I need a partner as a female politician, she said in Twi. Meanwhile, Madam Akua Donkor is upbeat about winning the next presidential elections on the ticket of the GFP come 2024. Watch her assertions in the video below; The 71-year-old was elected assemblywoman for Herman, a step closer to her goal of becoming Ghana's president. Her desire to run for president was evident in the 2012 elections when she applied to run as an independent candidate. The electoral commission, however, barred her from running on grounds that her nomination forms were freight with errors. Her party, the Ghana Freedom Party, whose headquarters was in Kabu in the Eastern Region, was tragically destroyed by fire on January 22, 2016. This did not dampen her spirit to become President. In her opinion, forming a political party is a necessary step towards becoming president. Madam Donkor urged Ghanaians to elect a female with the claim that women have the potential to transform the country's development. 05.03.2023 LISTEN On behalf of Gonjaland Association UK and Ireland, we wish to extend our warmest congratulations on the ascension to the throne of HRH Jira Tulwewura Soale Mbemah Amonebafe Borenyi I as the new King of Gonja Kingdom. We are thrilled to hear the news of His enskinment and wish to express our heartfelt support for His Majesty's reign. As an association that is deeply committed to the welfare and progress of our nation, we are excited about the prospects of the new era that His Majesty's reign will usher in. We have no doubt that His Majesty's wisdom, vision, and leadership will inspire us all to work together towards a more prosperous and peaceful future. We pray that His Majesty's reign will be blessed with success, prosperity and happiness. May His Majesty's leadership bring peace, progress and unity to Gonjaland and its people. We assure His Majesty of our full cooperation and support in this noble endeavour. Once again, congratulations on your enskinment, Your Majesty. We look forward to witnessing the great things that Your Majesty's reign will accomplish. Sincerely, Rashid Seidu PRO Gonjaland Association UK & Ireland Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on Ghanaians to collectively work towards making Ghana the beacon of religious tolerance in the world. Dr Bawumia has thus called on religious leaders in the country to promote religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence among citizens. He said this during the commissioning of the renovated Kumasi Central Mosque on Friday March 3,2022. "Maintaining the peace we enjoy in our country, should be the concern and responsibility of all, regardless of political or religious affiliation. "Without tolerance, there will be no peace. And without peace, there will be no development, the more reason why we need to jealously guard this, because without peace, our government would not have had the conducive atmosphere operate," he stated.. The renovation and refurbishment of the Mosque, which was solely funded by the Dr Bawumia has moved the facility from 3,000 to 7,000 sitting capacity. The Mosque which is now one of the most modern edifices in Kumasi was in fulfillment of a promise he made to the Muslim community in the Ashanti region. The renovation come with a 500-capacity conference hall , 30 new underground washrooms and 100 capacity ablution area. Dr Mahamadu Bawumia during the event expressed his gratitude to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for supporting the project. He noted that, the Asantehene's contribution to religious tolerance in Ghana was unparalleled and called on all to learn from the wise king. For his part, the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II expressed appreciation to Dr Bawumia for his generous work and prayed for Allah's guidance for the Vice President. He said the Vice president is among many who have brought reverence to the Asante Kingdom. The Asantehene however called on managers of the Mosque to constantly maintain the facility to last long. The event brought together some dignitaries including the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the National Chief Imam His Eminence Sheik Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, Energy Minister Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Majority Leader Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu and some other 20 members of Parliament for the New Patriotic Party. 05.03.2023 LISTEN The Gambia government showered its praises on a Ghanaian High Court Judge on secondment in that country, Justice Alexander Osei Tutu. Justice Alexander Osei Tutu presided and handed down a fifteen-year sentence to a basic school teacher who was involved in recruiting a 21-year-old student into trafficking. A High Court at Kanifing presided by Justice Alexander Osei Tutu on 27th February 2023 convicted and sentenced Jerome Jatta, an intermediary of human trafficking to 15 years imprisonment and a fine of D100,000 (equivalent to Ghc 20,000) or in default serve a further prison term of fourty months. The accused person, Jerome Jatta, was a school teacher of the 21-year-old victim whom he deceived of helping her travel to Ghana for studies but sent her to Mauritania to be sexually abused for several months. This sense of fairness and professionalism exhibited by the Ghanaian High Court judge courted him praise from the Gambian judiciary, the Government of The Gambia as well as playmakers from the West African continent. According to Counsel Rakey Duanda who represented the State after the decision of the Court, the judgment has instilled confidence explaining, the judgment is indeed a milestone and sends a clear message of Governments zero-tolerance approach to Trafficking in Persons. The Solicitor General & Legal Secretary of The Gambia, Mr. Hussein Thomas also said: we are delighted that we have been able to obtain justice for the victim of this gruesome act. He added: to all traffickers and would-be traffickers, this is a warning to you; the long arm of justice will surely get you one day. The learned Solicitor-General affirmed the governments continued commitment to the prevention, protection, and prosecution of all cases related to Trafficking in Persons, especially women, and children. The Attorney Generals Chambers and Ministry of Justice of The Gambia celebrated the ruling on the country's website page. Alhagie Landing Kebbeh at the Gender and Child Welfare Unit of the Gambia Police Force noted: This is a great achievement. Thanks, Ministry of Justice, for this effort in securing a conviction. It will serve as a deterrent to others. Solo Gibba who works at the Special Court for Sierra Leone described the decision as a wonderful move. Syrian families departing from Turkiye to Spain. Photo: Begum Basaran/ IOM 2023 04.03.2023 LISTEN Geneva - In an expedited refugee resettlement departure following the devastating earthquakes which struck Turkiye and Syria last month, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) today welcomed a group of 89 Syrian refugees at Torrejon military airport in Madrid. The group, comprising at-risk women, men and children, arrived from Turkiye, where they had been residing, including in areas affected by the recent earthquakes. Upon arrival in Madrid, they will be registered and documented as refugees recognized in Spain by the Ministry of Interior and provided with medical and psycho-social assistance. The refugees will be further accommodated in different refugee reception centres run by Spanish NGOs under a programme managed by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration. For almost 12 years, Turkiye has generously hosted some 3.5 million Syrian refugees as well as those of other nationalities. With the recent earthquakes impacting 11 regions, an estimated 9 million people have been affected - more than 1.7 million of whom are refugees. Many refugees who fled to Turkiye in search of safety and protection have now faced the trauma of loss and displacement once again - losing their homes and livelihoods. With most refugees living in urban areas, many are living in fear and uncertainty, as aftershocks and additional earthquakes continue to ravage the area. While urgent lifesaving suppor t is being prioritized by UNHCR and IOM to victims of the earthquakes refugees, migrants and local communities - and in support of the national response, the agencies urge that more needs to be done. To help protect those refugees most at-risk, and to help alleviate pressures on local communities who themselves are also impacted by this humanitarian disaster, UNHCR is appealing for States to expedite resettlement processes and departures, said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. UNHCR is grateful that Spain together with other resettlement countries has responded to this call for solidarity with Turkiye. But with many more refugees affected by the disaster and in dire need of assistance, we urge more States to step up and speed up processes, enabling quick departures from Turkiye. This is a tangible expression of solidarity and responsibility sharing and ultimately will ensure immediate, life-changing solutions for refugees who have been made even more vulnerable as a result of the earthquakes, said Grandi. "We thank the Government of Spain for stepping up to provide a safe pathway for these refugees in the wake of disaster, giving them a chance to build new lives. We hope to see these efforts replicated swiftly, said IOM Director General Antonio Vitorino. IOM is proud to have been part of this process of care. We believe that resettlement provides not only much needed international protection for the most vulnerable, but also a path to successful integration into their new societies." UNHCR and IOM are grateful to Spain for urgently responding to UNHCRs request in expediting resettlement of refugees affected by the earthquakes. Spain has already welcomed over 200 refugees through resettlement since the beginning of the year and has been receiving refugees under resettlement programmes since 2013, mainly from Lebanon and Turkiye. A two-year Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), a project for womens empowerment and livelihoods project (FMNR4WELIP), has been piloted in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region. The two-year pilot project is being funded by Awaken Trees Foundation, (ATF) of Australia to be implemented in Dasang and Kparaboug communities in the Kontintabig Electoral area of the Sakote area council. The project aims at safeguarding and enhancing womens land-based livelihoods through the sustainable use of natural resources using the FMNR technique. The project is in line with FONAR and Awaken Trees Foundations efforts to restore degraded lands and promote sustainable use of natural resources to improve the well-being of people using the low-cost and community-led FMNR approach. This is in fulfillment of the policies and programs of the Ministries of Lands and Natural Resources and Food and Agriculture goals to restore degraded lands to improve soil fertility for food security and reduce rural poverty. In an interview with Modern Ghana News at Nabdam District, the Executive Director of FONAR, Sumaila Seidu Saaka explained that the purpose of the project is to work with the people in the communities, incorporate trees into their community and farmlands, regenerate the lands by improving the soil fertility. Mr Saaka added that, the practice of FMAR will give communities and individual farmers sustainable sources of fuel wood fodder for their animals. He stated that the rate at which trees are felled for charcoal was alarming yet the rate of planting tree seedlings and maturing them to grow in the northern sector is nothing to write home about vis a vie the cost involved. Mr. Saaka further indicated that the relevance of Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) in the various communities in the northern sector and for that matter, Ghana as a whole, cannot be underestimated. He cited, for instance, the Boabab, Tamrine, and Dawadawa among others are known and maintained by farmers and community members. The Executive Director said that FMNR will implement the project in partnership with the decentralized department of the Nabdam District Assembly and local communities. Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has lauded the religious tolerance in the country, describing it as an enviable gift from God. He said Ghanaians are noted all over the world for leaving peacefully with one another irrespective of one's religious or ethnic beliefs and this had made the country a peaceful nation cherished by many. Addressing a durbar in Kumasi to commission the newly refurbished Ashanti Regional Central Mosque (Kumasi Central Mosque) at Asawase, Dr Bawumia, praised the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the forefathers of Asanteman for accepting and granting various tribes and religions spaces and places to live and worship. The renovation works were solely funded by Dr Bawumia in fulfilment of a promise he made to Allah and the Muslim community in the Ashanti region in 2020. The refurbished fully air-conditioned Mosque now has a seating capacity of 7,000 with more than 30 underground washrooms and 100 capacity ablution area. It also has 11 furnished offices, an Imam and chief's office which can seat 40 people, a 500-capacity conference hall, a two-bedroom apartment, CCTV cameras and a male and female corpse bathing place. The Vice President commended the contractors who worked on the project and said Ghanaians were capable of delivering what was the best, giving the opportunity. He said the Kumasi Central Mosque was one of the oldest Islamic icons in the Ashanti region and urged the Muslim community to ensure the proper maintenance of the facility. The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, said the Mosque was one of the inheritances of the Ashanti people and called on the congregants to always keep the facility clean. He said he was part of the Muslim community and therefore, anything that bothered Muslims bothered him, and would not accept anything that could thwart the relationship between the Manhyia palace and the Muslim community. Otumfuo Osei Tutu took the opportunity to announce to the Muslim community that, an amount of GHS 280,000.00 which was supposed to be paid as a lease for the land on which the Mosque was built, has been scrapped. GNA The Ghana Police Service has taken delivery of three helicopters to boost its operations. It is made up of two gazelle light attack helicopters and one Airbus 350 helicopter. Additionally, the police took delivery of three mini ship to help the marine police in crime prevention in terms of sea patrols. This comes after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo presented 100 pick-up vehicles, 600 motorbikes, and six Armoured Personnel Carrier (APCs) vehicles to the Police Service. Furthermore, the President also commissioned the National Police Headquarters project which was recently given a facelift. It would be recalled that two years ago, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced at the graduation ceremony of the Police College about the procurement of the helicopters. He said the hangars for the helicopters, located at the National Police Training School, have been completed and six officers, who will fly these helicopters, have completed their training in South Africa. Mr. Akufo-Addo gave out the information when he spoke at the graduation ceremony of the 50th cadet officers' course in Accra on Friday, October 1, 2021. President Akufo-Addo promised to buy the choppers for the police in his 2018 State of the Nation Address. Since I came to office in January 2017, a total of 568 vehicles including 15 operational buses have been presented by the government to the Service, a feat unprecedented in its history, the president said. Apart from the existing Formed Police Unit in Accra, the president said an additional 22 light armoured vehicles have been procured for use by the FPUs to be established in November in the Northern, Upper East, and Ashanti Regions. In the next one-and-a-half years, FPUs will be established in the remaining regions that do not have FPUs, he promised. Also, the President said the Police Service and other security agencies will deal decisively with criminals in the country. I'm aware the recent incidents of violent crimes in some parts of the country have generated safety and security concerns from several sections of the populace, Mr Akufo-Addo said. The Police Service has benefited immensely following the assumption of office of President Akufo-Addo. Recently, in his first term of office, the President president some saloon cars and picks to the police to aid in their crime fighting operations. He further presented weapons and other vehicles to the Service. Watch video of the helicopters attached DGN online Reverend Dr Sylvester Agalga, the Headmaster of Bawku Senior High School (BAWSEC) in the Bawku Municipality of the Upper East Region, says the school is safe and parents whose children are placed in BAWSEC should allow them to report to school. Management of the school is in touch with the security agencies in the area to ensure that students are safe, he assured parents. So, parents should not be afraid to allow their children to report to school. In fact, I have told some of my colleague Headmasters to try and disabuse the minds of parents whose children are placed in BAWSEC, but they opt for other schools. They should try to disabuse their minds that where BAWSEC is located, there is no cause for alarm, Rev Dr Agalga said. He said a total of about 520 first-year students had so far enrolled for various programmes in the school. He said management of the school requested for 1000 students but was given 750 with initial protocol of 50 students which was exhorted, I applied for protocol expansion and I was granted, he added. Rev. Dr Agalga who disclosed this in a telephone interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Bolgatanga, the regional capital, said, Students are reporting but not as it used to be. Previously, once schools reopened, students reported in their numbers. The pace at which they are reporting is very slow as compared to previous years. Asked if the conflict situation accounted for the slow pace, the headmaster said, We cannot say it is solely because of the conflict that students have not reported but it could be a contributory factor. He said the conflict situation on the ground was not as was reported, Admittedly, there is conflict, but the students are safe. Where the school is located is not in the heart of the town where most of the shootings are centered. He emphasised that, Certainly, we cannot close down the school because there is conflict. Some people exaggerate the security situation of the area. GNA Cambodia supports China's 12-point proposal to end conflict in Ukraine: PM Xinhua) 11:15, March 05, 2023 PHNOM PENH, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has voiced his country's support for China's 12-point proposal to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying "China has played a leading role in seeking peace" between Russia and Ukraine. Cambodia supports the proposal because it states the respect for international law and principles of the United Nations Charter, Hun Sen said on Friday in a speech during the closing ceremony of an annual conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The proposal has also called for ceasing hostilities, resuming peace talks, and stopping unilateral sanctions, the Cambodian leader said. "These points are in line with Cambodia's position." "In addition, China's proposal has also focused on the humanitarian aspect, food security, and post-conflict reconstruction," Hun Sen said. "Cambodia would like to call on all concerned parties to take China's proposal into thorough consideration in order to stop the fighting, to end people's suffering and destruction of properties and infrastructure, and to bring back peace," he said. To push forward the political settlement of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Chinese Foreign Ministry released last month a paper stating Beijing's position on the issue. In the paper, China put forward a 12-point proposal to end the conflict in Ukraine by addressing both the symptoms and the root causes of the crisis, and reiterated the necessity to end the conflict through dialogue and negotiation. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun) 05.03.2023 LISTEN Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini is calling on government to review the cost of transporting Ghanaian Hajj pilgrimages to Mecca. He explains that the charge as announced by the Ghana Hajj Board is the highest in the sub-region and will prevent some members of the Muslim community from honouring their religious obligations. Mr. Suhuyini says the new charges are astronomical, considering the economic plight that has bedeviled the country. I am terribly disappointed at the fair that has been announced, it is simply unacceptable. Not only is it the highest in the sub-region so far, but how can we at this time, and in this economy peg the fair at GH 75,000 in this economy. Some people think this is luxury, it is not, it is one of the 5 pillars of Islam which Muslims are mandated to observe. The Ghana Hajj Board has announced that prospective pilgrims to Mecca this year will pay $6,500, which translates to GH7,500 each. Citi Newsroom 05.03.2023 LISTEN The campaign team of Dr. Kwabena Duffuor says it is unperturbed by the support that greeted the campaign launch of his contender, John Dramani Mahama. The former President on Thursday launched his campaign to elicit support from party members. But the team of Dr. Duffour, who is one of the four persons vying to lead the NDC as its flagbearer for the 2024 election, said the applause will not necessarily translate into votes. Spokesperson of the campaign team, Antonio Edem Asinyo said Dr. Duffuors stature and contribution to the party is well known and when it comes to someone capable to fix the economy, there will be no better person than someone who understands the economy and has performed excellently in the sector to lead us. We are not at all bothered; these things do not show anything. By Citi Newsroom Since President Akufo-Addos ascension to the Presidency in 2017, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko held no official government position but hes assumed the de facto Prime Minister of Ghana. Often in his tweets, Mr. Gabby would speak on almost every economic and corruption-related issue ranging from the worse performing economic indicators e.g. exchange rate, ballooning debt, Sinohydro Deal, etc. to the botched Agyapa Deal, in defense of the President, his relative and the NPP Party with information from deep throat sources. The NDC has consistently exposed Gabbys previous tweets under President Mahamas regime, which are inconsistent with his current utterances on national borrowing and debt management under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia-led government. The last straw that seemed to have broken the camels back was when Gabby openly attacked the former Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo (retired) for showing solidarity with the vulnerable and aged pensioners who were picketing at the Finance Ministry for Issuers exemption in the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP). Gabbys unprovoked attack on the retired Supreme Court Judge regarding the poorly implemented DDEP by the NPP was roundly criticized by well-meaning Ghanaians including Justice Sophia Akuffo herself, who took Gabby to the cleaners with descriptions not worthy of mention in my piece. The bravery of her Ladyship Justice Sophia Akuffo (retired) to place Gabby in his proper place in the debate of the DDEP is exemplary and uncommon in our Ghanaian politics. Kudos to the former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo! Since that open altercation between the retired Justice Akuffo and Gabby, the de facto Prime Minister of Ghana has been missing in action in terms of his public tweets at a time when waste and ostentation are unbridled, astronomical, and worrying under this government. Indeed, political power is transient and those who occupy political positions must recognize that the pecks generously given to them are not meant for them but for the positions they hold. I hope Gabby is in deep reflection of the backlash of his unprovoked attack on her Ladyship Justice Sophia Akuffo (retired). Hence, his loud silence now is understandable. All is not well with Ghana in the areas of free speech, infrastructural development, and general economy under this government and we need to express our views as citizens but not spectators as admonished by President Akufo-Addo in his inaugural speech in 2017. Views expressed by Dr. John-Baptist Naah. A concerned Ghanaian. Thousands of mourners on March 4, 2023 thronged the funeral and burial ceremony of the late Joshua Nii Tettey Lartey to mourn with the family. The 42-year-old Oship of Ashalaja was murdered in cold blood on March 6, 2022 at three junction near Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region by unknown gunmen. The ceremony spearheaded by the head of family and the principal elders of Akwaanor Royal Family of Ashalaja was held at the family house, Ashalaja after which the mortal remains of the late Oship was taken to the Royal cemetery for burial. Mourners including family members, fellow traditional rulers and the Management of Sisamba Empire could not control their tears as they paid their last respect to the late Ashalaja Oship. In a tribute from the family, the late Joshua Nii Tettey Lartey was described as a respectful, peace maker who loved everyone. He was eulogized for his efforts and hardwork in bringing the family together. Management and staff of Sisamba Empire Company Limited led by the Greater Accra Moshie Yadiga Chief, Naaba Ramia who doubles as the development Chief of Sapeiman and the Zongo Chief of Manhea, Sarki Abdul Kadir Ahmed Abdul Kadir, Nii Kofi Akrashie II, Oshie Mantse, Alhaji Ali Sisey, Greater Accra Peace Ambassador extended their heartfelt condolences on behalf of all the staff of the company to the family of the late Oship Joshua Nii Tettey Lartey and Augustina Naa Ajeley Lartey who died few months after the death of her brother Oship. The Greater Accra Moshie Yadiga Chief and Chief Executive Officer of Sisamba Empire added his voice to the call by many Ghanaians who are seeking for justice for the late Oship and further call on the state to fast track all murder cases to bring the perpetrators to book. The Students' Representative Council of the Multimedia Institute of Ghana, Kumasi campus has held its annual SRC week celebration to celebrate the achievements of some outstanding students and individuals under the theme Learning through Edutainment. Special guest of honor, Hon Eric Murphy Asare in his speech said students should inculcate the habit of adding value to their brand and skills as the industry is choked. According to the general secretary of the Ghana Union of Professional students (GUPS), industry players including practicing students need extra profession as a backbone to support their career in journalism. Journalists are the mouthpiece of the voiceless but, unfortunately, they cant fight for themselves, which has resulted in journalists taking bribes and killing stories that need public attention and consumption." Honorable Murphy said, if journalists can add value to their profession the public purse will be protected since they will bring to bare the corrupt activities of government. We are vulnerable, we are not paid and treated well, it's the reason some go for bribes but if we can turn the table around and have an extra source of income without being the liability of our paymasters, we will bring corrupt leaders to face the law, and expose their corrupt deeds, he said. He advises practicing students of the noble profession to start right from scratch and add value to their skill set. As students, lets start from here and add value, get extra work attached to our passion, and not look up to the government or corrupt officials for our daily bread, this way, we will become patriotic citizens. The former SRC president of IBM&J lauded the Patrick Addys-led SRC administration for excellence in leadership and asked that they set high moral standards for the students to follow. Admitting that all work and no play make jack a dull boy however was quick to add that all play without hard work makes jack corrupt since they become a liability to the country. 05.03.2023 LISTEN When I went to cast my vote on February 25, 2023, it was to perform a civic duty for the first time since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999. I am not a politician or a card-carrying member of any party. I have been hesitant to get involved in party politics or voting in any Nigerian election. From what I knew about voting in Nigeria, the votes did not count. Yes, they did not. Rigging decided the outcome of elections. Many Nigerians are aware of this situation but continue to vote anyway. Voting is a formality that politicians use to legitimize their claim to power; their positions as presidents, governors, or parliamentarians. So I have never bothered to vote. I did not want to waste my time and energy over a futile exercise. Yes, I did not want to waste my vote. I voted to abstain. I voted not to vote. But recently I have been following politics, campaigns and voting processes in the US. The heated debates over domestic and foreign policies. Theirs is not perfect in any way. I have always wished that politics in Nigeria could mature and even become more about issues, economy, policies, and state building, not about ethnicity or religion. I have always wished that Nigerians would politically grow up and begin to focus on critical issues. I wished that Nigerians understood the difference between citizens and ethnizens, state and ethnic nationalities, democracy and theocracy or ethnocracy. Even the many so called educated Nigerians speak as ethnizens not citizens of the Nigerian state. I share whatsapp and other social media platforms with many of them. And I shudder at how they think and reason especially when it comes to politics. They literally suspend their education and intellection. In Nigeria, citizenship is on the surface, and falls off any time there is an election or political discussions. Politicians who win elections are those who could out rig others. An election is not about the character or competence of the candidates. Politics is about ethnoreligious affiliation, mobilization, domination, and manipulation. What happens at the polling unit does not count, It does not matter at all. Voting is a facade for the crude and primordial acquisition of power. What matters is what happens after the votes had been cast; what happens at the collation centers. So it is the collation, not the casting of votes, the rigging structure, not the people, that largely determines the winner of elections in Nigeria. Many years ago I had a roommate who was a PDP official. He told me how party thugs used to carry ballot boxes and stuff them with votes for their candidates while some police officers looked on. Politicians have perfected structures which they use to subvert the will of the people, to win elections at all costs, by hook or crook. It is not the people who determine who wins an election. Then after this charade, statements are released praising the conduct of the elections. Observers issue press releases describing the elections as free and fair. Free and fair? I have wondered what free and fair elections mean in Nigeria. So I was not expecting anything different from past elections. I refused to register with any party and resolved to vote for candidates based on my conscience if I must vote. In the past months, I have conversed with many people who expressed optimism that rigging would be minimal due to the introduction of the BVAS machines. I had my doubts, serious doubts about the efficacy of the so called BVAS. I kept asking and wondering what could stop the powers that be from tampering with the BVAS machine the way that they tamper and manipulate the electoral process. Many of my friends kept assuring and reassuring me that this time, it would be better. Has it been different? I am over 50 years and I believe that when it comes to Nigerian politics and elections, a leopard never changes its spots. Some people explained that the BVAS would be used to accredit voters and upload the results at the various polling units. That sounded fantastic. I am skeptic. I needed some evidence to accept this as the case. Many people exuded confidence that with the use of BVAS in accrediting voters and uploading the votes, the votes would count this time around. I went to vote in order to see how this would play out. And I saw it. I arrived at my polling unit by 9.00 am, after a slow trek of about 20 minutes. It was an open space. I was the first to arrive. And I met two female police officers. I inquired and they confirmed that I was at the right place. We waited, and after 20 minutes other voters started to arrive. My polling unit was a small station. The unit has 41 registered voters. The INEC officials arrived at about 10 30 am. They were two, a male and a female. We were worried for some time, when the male INEC guy could not unlock the BVAS, the almighty BVAS. But after 20mins, he figured it out, and the accreditation process started. Sixteen persons were accredited. In less than an hour, we finished voting. Then we waited until 2.30 pm when the voting process officially ended. I did not leave my polling station because I wanted to witness the counting process for the first time. The counting started. Agents for the ruling party, APC, PDP, and Accord parties were present. There was no agent for the Labour Party. I am not a Labour Party member. I only came to vote and leave. I asked why there was no agent for LP and I was later told that some days before the election, the chairperson for the party in the southwest asked the party office in Abuja for some money for election monitoring. The Labour Party office asked him to send the account numbers of the polling agents. But he declined and asked that the money be paid directly into his account. The party office declined and he refused to mobilize the polling agents. The counting took place anyway and Labour Party won. LP also got the highest number of votes for the senate and house of Representatives. I was delighted that the party that won did not have any agent during the voting and counting processes. And nobody robbed them of the win, at least while I was there, because no party agent was present The party that won was that party that had been cajoled as having no structure. That is how it should be. I mean, why place so much emphasis on party agents being present at the polling stations if the INEC officers do not have some skeleton in their cupboard? But as I later found out, structure is not about the people, it is not about winning elections, free and fair. The structure is about rigging through and through. I was told that the results would be uploaded to the INEC server right from the polling unit. But the upload never happened. Things seemed to be working as expected until it was time to upload the results. Events began to take a strange turn. The two INEC officers said they did not know how to upload the results. Oh wow. What did they train them to do? After making some calls, the INEC officers said we should wait for the technical person to come and upload the results. We waited for an hour, but nobody came. Then I suspected that something was amiss; that the INEC officers were up to some foul play. They appeared to be playing a game or acting a script. Their conduct became very suspicious. It was clear that some mischief was being hatched. It was getting to 5 pm. I was very hungry and needed to leave. I had not eaten since morning. In the absence of a polling agent for LP, I volunteered and signed the INEC result sheets. I was waiting for any LP agent to hand over the sheets and the waiting assignment. One later arrived, and I handed the sheets over to him and left. But I was unsettled. I was disturbed. I kept wondering why the results of sixteen accredited voters could not be uploaded at the polling unit. Incidentally, other party agents were not visibly disturbed. They looked unworried. When I got home and started hearing what happened in other polling units, I kept calling the LP agent to know if they had uploaded the results. But he said they did not. On the second day, they did not. I got someone to check the INEC portal, and nothing had been uploaded. Even after the results of the elections had been announced, the results from my unit have yet to be uploaded. Interesting! I called some colleagues in other states. Some said that their results were uploaded. Others said that they had a similar experience. The results were not uploaded at the polling units, that INEC officials altered the numbers or uploaded fake results. Fake results? So nothing has changed after all. The introduction of the BVAS machine did not change anything. It is still politics as usual. It is still elections as usual in Nigeria. So sad! 05.03.2023 LISTEN Werley Nortreus, a Haitian politician, has congratulated all the candidates and the winning candidates in the 2023 Presidential elections in the African country of Nigeria, a member of the African Union. The 2023 Nigerian Presidential election was held on 25 February 2023 to elect Nigeria's President and Vice President. Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari could not run for a third term because the country's constitution does not allow it, according to the law. The 2023 Nigerian elections were held in large part on 25 February and will be held on 11 March 2023. There were 4 candidates from major political parties left during the race for President in the battle. These 4 candidates were Bola Tinubu (APC), Rabiu Kwankwaso (NNPP), Atiku Abubakar (PDP), and Peter Obi who represented the LP party. Among all the candidates, INEC released the results despite the fact that there were many people who voted and protested. After the election results released by INEC which proved that the candidate for the APC party called Bola Tinubu won the election, other candidates representing PDP and LP revolted and declared that the results are not good. INEC denied the request. "Haiti and African countries have a friendship and a shared history that has made all Haitians and Africans proud. Haiti will always remain a friend of Africa. I congratulate all the candidates and the candidates who won the election for President. God continues to guide Nigeria and other African countries", said Haitian politician Werley Nortreus and leader of Jeunes Dirigeants Haitiens Progressistes. Haiti, which is a friend of Africa, has plans to organize elections for the year 2023, but there is still no fixed date for elections. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry installed a consul to reform the constitution of Haiti, establish security, improve the economy, and hold elections. BeActive Foundation Ghana, a non-profit organization and an Associate member of the World Obesity Federation in collaboration with Fat2Fit Ghana embarked on a health walk in Aburi, Ghana to mark this years World Obesity Day. According to the President of the Foundation, Mr. Emmanuel Akoto, World Obesity Day is observed globally on March 4th to create awareness about obesity and call for a cohesive, cross-sector response to the global obesity epidemic. The goal of the campaign is to stimulate and support practical actions that will help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight and reverse the global obesity crisis. The Obesity Epidemic More than 1 billion people worldwide are obese 650 million adults, 340 million adolescents and 39 million children. This number is still increasing. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2035, 1.9 billion people will be living with the disease (i.e., 1 in 4 of us). The estimated global economic impact of overweight and obesity is expected to reach $1.2 trillion and $4.32 trillion in 2025 and 2035 respectively. According to the World Obesity Federation (WOF), if current trends remain the same, the economic impact of obesity will reach 3.3% of global GDP by 2060. Childhood obesity is equally expected to increase by 100% between 2020 and 2035. These fugues are staggering and thats why action is more urgent than ever. Obesity is one of the most glaring yet most neglected public health problems. Despite the many warnings that have been raised by organizations such as the WHO and WOF since the early 2000s, obesity rates continue to rise. To date, no country has reversed its rising obesity rates and current trends suggest that obesity prevalence will continue to rise starkly. If immediate action is not taken, millions will continue to suffer from an array of serious health disorders. Children in particular will suffer as overweight and obesity in childhood is known to have a significant impact on both their physical and psychological health. Overweight and children living with obesity are more likely to be bullied and experience name-calling than normal-weight children which can affect their self-esteem. They are also likely to live with obesity into adulthood and more likely to develop non-communicable diseases. The Health Walk The Health Walk begun from the Ayi-Mensah toll-booth to the Peduase lodge, a 10km stretch up the Aburi mountain and back. During the walk, members of the Foundation distributed fliers on the root causes of obesity and basic facts on obesity to the general public. Members of the public were also offered free BMI screening and given counselling on how to reduce their weight and prevent obesity. According to Mr. Akoto, this years theme couldnt have been more apt given the various misconceptions surrounding obesity. 2023 Theme Changing Perspectives; Lets talk about Obesity Each year, World Obesity Day campaign runs on a specific theme. This years theme is Changing Perspectives; Lets talk about Obesity. The goal with this theme is to use conversation and stories to help people change perspectives, correct misconceptions, end stigmas and get everybody making the decision to shift from single views to shared strategies. With important conversations and real stories, we can help people acknowledge obesity's complexities and take effective action. Because when we talk, debate and share, we can shift norms and transform health outcomes. Lets talk about genetic risk as a factor for obesity. Did you that our genes count for somewhere between 40-70% of our likelihood to develop obesity? Lets talk about how the food we have available to us contributes to obesity. Ultra-processed foods, now cheaply and widely available all over the world, is contributing to the rapid rise in obesity. Trans fats, which are often found in most processed foods not only contributes to obesity but to heart disease. Lets talk about creating healthy work environments. We all need respect, practical and emotional support, and a comfortable workplace to feel included, and ultimately thrive at work. Employers must establish health-promoting policies and implement workplace health promotion programs to improve employee health. Lets talk about how life events can influence weight gain and obesity. Our experiences, from prenatal life to early adulthood, pregnancy, sedentary work, illness and more can influence weight gain. Lets talk about food marketing as a contributing cause of obesity. There is a complex relationship between food systems and health, and the marketing of food products has a known link to obesity. Lets talk about the stigma that people living with obesity face. In many countries including Ghana, people living with obesity are labelled as obolo or oboshie and regularly blamed for it due to misconceptions and biases. Weight stigma reinforces incorrect assumptions that obesity is merely a persons individual responsibility. Obesity is often driven by forces outside of a persons control and is the result of complex biological, genetic and environmental factors. Lets talk about sleep. Did you that inadequate sleep disturbs hormones, which in turn can affect weight, as can stress? Sleep is intricately connected to various hormonal and metabolic processes in the body and is important in maintaining a healthy weight. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the Sleep Research Society (SRS) recommends 7 hours of sleep for most healthy adults. Lets talk about mental health. The relationship between mental health and obesity is complex. Some mental health disorders, and their associated medications, can lead to weight gain, while excess weight increases the risk of certain disorders such as depression. Lets talk about the risk factor of living with obesity for other health conditions. People living with obesity may be at a greater risk of other chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension and certain cancers. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, people living with obesity were three times more likely to be hospitalized. Finally, lets talk about bold policies. Policy makers must prioritize obesity and create national action plans. Government must provide leadership and coordinate a public-private sector response, as well as initiate programs with a strong focus on preventive measures. With conversations like these, we can help change perspectives aand misconceptions surrounding obesity. World Obesity Day 2023 is a reminder, that we can all work together to ensure happier, healthier, and longer lives for everybody. Nigerians voted to elect a new president on 25 February and he will be sworn in on 29 May 2023. One of his responsibilities must be to lead the country in taking science more seriously. Science should be the fulcrum of Nigeria's development. As a fellow and past president of the Nigerian Academy of Science , the umbrella body of Nigeria's leading scientists, I offer the following tips for Nigeria's new president: Increase funding for scientific research Nigeria has shown a deep neglect of science. Science and technology are seriously underfunded and minimally used in national development. For example oil refineries are shut down and Nigeria cannot produce vaccines locally , having stopped in 1991 . The first time Nigeria had a Ministry of Science and Technology was in 1980 , 20 years after independence. The first national science and technology policy was produced in 1986 , six years later. During the first 20 years of the ministry, it had 10 ministers, each with a different agenda and policy. Nigeria's first real attempt at funding public research was in 2006 , when the government planned to create a US$5 billion endowment fund for science and technology. But the political will to do this wilted in the face of a lack of commitment of funds to execute the proposal. Since then, funding science and research in Nigeria has been as erratic and unpredictable as the political changes. An attempt was made in 2012 to revive the fund with an independent board, headed by President Goodluck Jonathan himself. But when he left office in 2015 there was still no fund. In 2016 , the federal government announced a N3 billion (US$6.5 million) National Research Fund. A committee to manage it was only set up 17 months later. Despite the promise of the Buhari government in 2021 to dedicate 0.5% of GDP to research and innovation , the budgetary allocation to the relevant ministry remained abysmally low at 0.14% of GDP in 2022 . This was about the same level for the previous years - 0.13% and 0.14% for 2020 and 2021. If Nigeria is to benefit from science and research, and harness technology and innovation to transform the economy and improve the social well-being of citizens, then the country must stop playing lip service to funding science and research activities. The new government must rapidly harness science, technology and innovation as tools for national development. For example, the country could benefit from the development of solar energy to improve and stabilise the erratic electric supply, and from genomic studies to develop new therapeutics and vaccines for improved health and increased animal production. Nigeria must increase the budgetary allocation to fund science and research annually from the current 0.14% of GDP to at least 1% in the next four years. It must also expand the scope and funding capacity of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to sustainably fund long term interdisciplinary research directed at solving Nigeria's health, environment and other developmental challenges. The new president must also see to it that the proposal to establish the Nigeria National Research and Development Foundation is realised before the end of his first year in office. Not much has been heard about this proposal lately. Retain the capacity that's built The new president must recognise the need to prioritise capacity retention over capacity building. This should be through creating and sustaining a scientific and research environment that enables our highly trained workforce to conduct research activities productively and with relevance. Too many of Nigeria's scientists leave the country because of lack of employment opportunities, socio-cultural issues, poor remuneration and non-attainment of professional fulfilment. For instance, nine out of 10 medical and dental consultants with less than five years of experience planned to leave Nigeria as at December 2022 . Similarly, 57,000 nurses left Nigeria between 2017 and 2022 leaving a ratio of one nurse to 1,660 patients, based on the population. Software engineers are leaving too. The research environment can be improved through easier access to foreign exchange and reduced importation charges for imported research equipment, supplies and reagents. Research also requires a stable electricity supply. Electricity production in Nigeria reached 7,637 GWh in June 2022, for a population of 219 million . For comparison, South Africa's electricity production reached 17,536 GWh in December 2022, for a population of 61 million . Appoint a chief scientific adviser As a matter of urgency, the president must appoint a chief scientific adviser charged with coordinating all science and research activities for the economic development of the country and social well-being of citizens. Currently, science and research activities are scattered among different ministries and parastatals working in silos, carrying out uncoordinated work of little relevance to national development. The adviser to the president would assist in bringing all these together to ensure relevant focus and to reduce duplication and wastage of resources. Start producing vaccines locally The new president must consider local vaccine production as a national health security issue. He must ensure local vaccine production begins within the first two years in office. This will reduce costly dependence on foreigners for the country's vaccine needs and safeguard national health security. Currently Nigeria produces no vaccines but a production plant is scheduled to commence production in 2024 . Read more: What it will take to produce vaccines in Nigeria: money's just the first step . Oyewale Tomori does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. By Oyewale Tomori, Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Science South Africa is the only African nation to formally extend refugee protection to LGBTI+ people. - Source: Luca Sola/AFP via Getty Images 05.03.2023 LISTEN Since 1998, South Africa has recognised persecution based on gender and sexuality as legitimate grounds for asylum. This makes it the only African country to formally extend refugee protection to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) persons. However, as research shows , the promise of freedom contained in its Refugees Act is yet to materialise for LGBTI+ people. Scholars , activists and human rights bodies continue to document worrying trends in the asylum system. A recent analysis of refugee status denials involving LGBTI+ applicants identifies egregious misapplications of domestic and international law . Other studies suggest that homophobia , transphobia and corruption are common within the Department of Home Affairs, which is responsible for managing immigration and asylum. These barriers to protection make it difficult for LGBTI+ asylum seekers to regularise their legal status, access services or find jobs . This increases their vulnerability to discrimination, exploitation, poverty and homelessness . Earlier studies show that LGBTI+ people who move to South Africa face unique challenges. But they do not say much about the size and constitution of this population or the degree to which certain social, legal and economic issues affect it. There are two reasons for this. First, research to date has been qualitative, small in scale and focused on particular cities or subgroups. Second, South Africa, like many refugee-hosting countries, does not release disaggregated data on grounds for asylum. Read more: LGBT migrants in South Africa: religion can be a blessing, and a curse The absence of reliable quantitative data makes it difficult if not impossible to hold Home Affairs, the police and other state entities to account. When reports emerge of LGBTI+ migrants and asylum seekers being mistreated, the government can dismiss these incidents as isolated or anomalous. To respond to this knowledge gap, we developed a survey tool that could be distributed using WhatsApp. This allowed us to collect data from people who might otherwise be unwilling or unable to participate in research. We sourced information from 381 respondents, making it the largest data set of its kind in South Africa. Our data shows that South Africa hosts significant numbers of LGBTI+ migrants and asylum seekers something long suspected but difficult to prove. It also shows that this population is more dispersed and diverse than previously thought. Where someone lives, how they identify and how long they have been in the country can affect their ability to apply for or renew documentation or to generate income. It can also increase their susceptibility to violence and harassment. The search for more data Our goal was to collect baseline data that could not only augment existing research but also guide and support future advocacy work. As well as capturing basic demographic information, the survey posed simple questions about respondents' gender, sexuality, documentation status and reason for migrating. We wanted the survey to reach as many people as possible so we partnered with three well-known activists: Thomars Shamuyarira , Masi Zhakata and Anold Mulaisho . Each coordinates a network of LGBTI+ migrants and asylum seekers in a different part of the country. The community fieldworkers shared information about the project and enrolled anyone who wanted to take part. Read more: How do Nigerian gay and bisexual men cope? This is what they told us We opened the survey to all LGBTI+ people who have crossed an international border, regardless of their documentation status. We did this because the distinction between migrants and asylum seekers is blurred in South Africa. Failings in the asylum system push those who may be eligible for refugee protection into the migration system or force them to remain undocumented. Official legal categories can also differ from people's experiences and self-identifications. Old issues, new insights The survey results provide further evidence that South Africa is failing to meet its legal obligations. It also offers surprising insights into respondents' identities, locations, motivations and experiences. We limit our discussion here to five key findings: Geographic spread Our analysis shows that LGBTI+ migrants and asylum seekers are dispersed across the country far more widely than first thought. It is commonly believed that LGBTI+ people move to major economic hubs, such as Johannesburg and Cape Town , which are perceived to be more gay friendly than other locations. As a result, services targeting them are concentrated in these areas. The number of survey respondents living outside metropolitan areas suggests a need to reconsider how resources and services are delivered. Diversity of language The survey responses show that LGBTI+ migrants and asylum seekers use a wide range of terms to describe their identities. Most remarkable was the use of terms commonly understood to indicate gender such as transgender to signal sexuality, and vice versa. Of equal interest was the widespread use of non-binary, a relatively new term in South Africa, and the limited use of queer, a much older term commonly used in advocacy circles. This finding is of interest to researchers, activists, lawyers, service providers, state bureaucrats and other stakeholders who engage with this population. Gender-based claims South Africa extends protection from persecution based on both gender and sexuality. However, previous research indicates that transgender and gender-diverse people have had to claim asylum or have been classified as claiming asylum on the basis of sexual orientation. Our data suggests a shift in this pattern. A number of respondents reported claims based on gender identity or expression. The long-term impacts of this remain to be seen, such as how these claims are treated by Home Affairs and whether they result in refugee status being conferred. It also raises questions about what kinds of advocacy are necessary to ensure these outcomes. An inaccessible and confusing system Most respondents reported being undocumented, an anticipated result given the barriers obstructing LGBTI+ people from claiming protection in South Africa. More interesting was the number of answers that seem to indicate confusion over asylum-related terms, categories, systems and processes. This tells us that programmes intended to inform and support LGBTI+ asylum seekers are not reaching all segments of this community. Limited online access There were many people who wanted to participate in the project but could not. Sometimes this was due to language issues, but mostly it was because they had a SIM card but no cellphone. This is concerning given how much advocacy and outreach work is delivered via digital channels. Read more: Desmond Tutu's long history of fighting for lesbian and gay rights Where to from here? A survey such as this cannot tell us everything, but it does provide crucial data on an under-researched and largely invisible population. Our hope is that state agencies use these findings to develop sensitisation programmes and improve service delivery. At the very least, this means treating LGBTI+ migrants and asylum seekers with dignity, respect and compassion, and upholding the rights guaranteed in law. Only then will the dream of freedom be realised for LGBTI+ people who move to South Africa. This project was made possible through research funding from the Williams Institute Global LGBTI Small Grants Program, the Open Society University Network Engaged Research Fund and the Other Foundation Thea de Gruchy receives funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). By John Marnell, Doctoral Researcher at the African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS), University of the Witwatersrand And B Camminga, Research associate, University of the Witwatersrand And Thea de Gruchy, Researcher, University of the Witwatersrand 05.03.2023 LISTEN A police dispatch rider, G/L/CPL Rauf Iddrisu who was escorting a convoy from Accra towards Kumasi has crashed to death. The incident which occurred on March 3, 2023, at Osino, a section of the road on the main Accra-Kumasi highway. According to police sources, Rauf Iddrisu crashed head-on with a Kia Grandbird VIP bus with registration number GW 9944-10 driven by suspect driver, 44-year-old Samuel Boateng. The impact of the crash saw the Honda motorcycle belonging to Addrisu totally mangled. The remains of the officer has since been transported to the police hospital in Accra for autopsy. Another experienced police dispatch rider with the Eastern Regional Command has passed on after a short illness. Chief Inspector Stephen Mensah died yesterday at the Koforidua Central Hospital in Koforidua where he was on admission receiving treatment. 05.03.2023 LISTEN I am afraid the contest for this week's guber race in Kano state will be very stiff. The APC and NNPP will slug it out on the political battleground in the state. What we will see on Saturday 11th March 2023, is an ego clash between two political gladiators who wrongly assume that they own Kano state. In other words, the incumbent governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, will do everything humanly possible to ensure that his anointed candidate, Dr. Nasiru Yussuf Gawuna, wins the election. Ganduje's former boss, estranged long-time friend cum political ally, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is hell-bent on ousting the APC-led government in the state to pave way for his political godson, Engr. Abba Kabir Yussuf who is expected to reciprocate by unwavering loyalty and support to the godfather if he won the election. Sadly, the ordinary folk whose votes determine who becomes the governor in the state do not understand that the fight between Ganduje and Kwankwaso is not about them, even though they maim, denigrate, and kill in a free for all battle to defend or advance the cause of the 2 politicians in Kano state. It has nothing to do with good governance or bringing the dividends of democracy to the people. The contest is between the 2 rival politicians each using all kinds of strategies to outwit the other in a bid to control power. This ambition to pocket Kano state and its resources by the 2 rival politicians can only be achieved if any of their boys become the governor. If the 2023 National Assembly and Presidential election in Kano state is anything to go by, indications are that the gubernatorial election coming up this week on the 11th of March may not be peaceful. I say this because I witnessed the orgy of violence the youths of APC and NNPP committed on Thursday, two days before the Presidential election. On that black Thursday, many people were killed and vehicles burnt down along Kura Kano express road. It took me more than 2 hours to traverse a distance of 30 kilometers from Kura to Kano. This distance is ordinarily covered in under 30 minutes. Thousands of youths with their red cap insignia of the Kwankwasiya movement thronged both sides of the roads, visibly acting on the influence of drugs, leaped up brandishing weapons of all kinds, and chanted a kwankwasiya political song. The unusual traffic jamb and the fear for the safety of my life had made that 2-hour journey the longest in my life. Moreover, there was a report of killing and arson in some local governments on the day of the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Kano state. One of such killings and wanton destructions consumed the ruthless Honourable Ado Alhassan Doguwa of the APC, who is also the majority leader of the House of Representatives, currently cooling his heels in a Kano prison on the allegation of murder and arson. I appeal to the people to be wary of politicians. Most of them do not have your interest at heart. They are deceptive. They tell you what your ears want to hear to garner votes from you and then dump you after the election. A fool is he who kills another person in support or in deference to the politician he supports. Go out and vote for the candidate of your choice and wait for the announcement of the winner. Your choice may not be the winner. People should therefore show good sportsmanship and decorum if another candidate becomes the winner. That person may be God's choice. And no person can change what God has decided. I pray and hope for a peaceful, free, and fair election in Kano in particular and Nigeria in general on the 11th of March, 2023. Saleh Bature sent in this piece from Maitama Abuja. Bature can be reached at [email protected] MD of the Yenyeya Small Scale Mining Group, Mr Charles Taleog Ndanbon 05.03.2023 LISTEN As Ghana marks this years sixty sixth Independence Day celebration. on March 6, one of the things that needs to be reflected upon is what propelled the development of the country after its attainment of independence. There is no doubt that the vision, virtues and values espoused by Ghanas first Prime Minister and President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who led the country to be liberated from the colonial masters in 1957 saw the rapid and accelerated development under his tutelage. Among the virtues espoused by Ghanas first Prime Minister and President included values of self-reliance, self-determination, patriotism, respect for others, tolerance, love for the country, and hard work. These values are encapsulated in one of his addresses: Countrymen, the task ahead is great indeed, and heavy is the responsibility; and yet it is a noble and glorious challenge- a challenge which calls for courage to dream, the courage to believe, the courage to dare, the courage to do, the courage envision, the courage to fight, the courage to work, the courage to achieve- to achieve the highest excellencies and the fullest greatness of man. Dare we ask for more in life? As the country celebrates this years 66th independence day celebration and Ghanas first Prime Minister and President, there is also the need to celebrate young people in the Ghanaian society who have seen Ghanas first Prime Minister and President as a role model and emulating his values of self-reliance, self-determination, patriotism, respect for others, tolerance, love for country, and hard work. One of such young people is the Managing Director (MD) of the Yenyeya Small Scale Mining Group, Mr Charles Taleog Ndanbon in the Upper East Region whose birthday coincides with this years Independence Day. Born in March 6, 1975, the MD, who is popularly known as Champion Man is also the Regional Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Just like Dr Kwame Nkrumah who contributed to the development of the nation, the MD of Yenyeya Small Scale Mining Group has also contributed significantly to the development of the Upper East Region. In the year 2013, the MD through his negotiation and lobbying skills brought into the Upper East Region specifically, the Gbane community in the Talensi District, the Shaanxi Mining Company Limited, a subsidiary of China Gold Resources Group Company Limited to provide technical support services to two small scale mining firms namely the Yenyeya Small Scale Mining Group and Porbotaaba Small Scale Mining Group to start production this year, 2013. One does not need to be told that it takes the hard work and sacrifice of the individual to woo in foreign investors to the country particularly the northern parts of the country to work and create jobs and improve upon the local economy. This was after the MD had been selected by the Ghana Government among some Ghanaians to go on learning visit to China to learn good mining practices so as to replicate it after returning from China, His sense of patriotism just like Dr Nkrumah was also brought into light when he ensured that the company as part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities complemented governments efforts to help create development This led Shaanxi Mining Ghana Ltd to construct a bridge over the local Oun river to ease movement of people especially students from the eastern mining communities (Tarkwa, Zalwore, and Datuku) to the schools in the western part (Obuasi and Kejetiaetc). Apart from resurfacing and reshaping of the 6.5km road from Sheaga to the Gbane Mining Site in the Talensi District, the Shaanxi Mining Ghana Ltd also constructed internal feeder roads at Gaare, Tindongo and Gbane communities and rehabilitated the Winkogo, Sipaat, Gorogo feeder roads. It also reshaped and surfaced the 8km Zuarungu-Namoaligo road. The Shaanxi Mining Ghana Ltd also relocated a government school in the mining area by providing a new school block at the cost of GH190,000.00. As we speak now teaching and learning is being conducted in a very conducive environment. On Water, the two registered small scale mining groups ensured that the Shaanxi Mining Ghana Ltd sunk more than seven boreholes at each in the mining Community which are all operational and serving the communities. Additionally, the Yenyeya mining entity managed to persuade the Shaanxi Mining Ghana Ltd to make donation of Knapsack sprayers, fertilizer and wellington boot to the Talensi District Assembly yearly to award the gallant farmers on the Annual Farmers Day celebrations as part of its policy. Apart from the above, Shaanxi Mining Ghana Ltd also donated numbers of computers to some public institutions in the region to boost their Information and Communication Technology and fast-track service provision. Some of the beneficiary institutions included the Regional Hospital-20 computers, Regional Coordinating Council-10, Regional Police Headquaters-20, Nabdam District Assembly-10, and Talensi District Assembly. Also, for initiating and lobbying to bring the Company to Ghana, the Shaanxi Mining Ghana Ltd now Earl International pays its property and business operation rates to the Talensi District Assembly up-to-date. For instance, for the 2018 business year, the company paid GH46,000.00 to the Talensi District Assembly as Property and business operation permits fees. Also, the Company pays its royalties to Ghana Revenue Authority, Accra as well as workers SSNIT contributions, among others. There is no doubt that the above-mentioned developmental projects that were brought in the Talensi District was made possible through the good initiative of the MD of Yenyeya mining company which brought the Investor into the country This has contributed significantly to the improvement of the livelihoods of the Gbane community and the Upper East Region as a whole. The Internal Generated Fund of the Assembly had also increased. Just like Dr. Kwame Nkrumah , the CEOs of the Yenyeya Small Scale , Mr Ndanbon and must be celebrated . The MD emulation of Dr Kwame Nkrumah should serve as a clarion call for all Ghanaians especially to also do so to collectively help accelerate the development of the nation. Speaking to Ghanaian Times in an interview here in Bolgatnaga , the MD of the Yenyeya Small Scaling Mining Company said he was inspired and motivated by . Dr. Kwame Nkrumah virtues and values and decided to emulate that He admonished all Ghanaian that as we celebrate this years Independence Day there was the need to reflect on the life and works of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and stressed that his sterling efforts and the contributions, he made led Ghana to gain her political independence and inspired the African liberation struggle . He stressed that one of the major challenges confronting the nations development is the political divide and appealed to all Ghanaian to bury their political differences and be nationalistic and passionate in contributing to the nations development. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was unwavering in knitting a united nation together with its rich diversity of culture, people, and ethnicity. His instrumental role on the African Continent gave birth to the Organization of African Unity (OAU) now African Union (AU) on May 25th 1963, which also influenced the formation of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) in 1975. The establishment of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in 2019 is a manifestation of Nkrumahs vision to create a common market to enhance intra African trade. he intimated. Acclaimed as the Man of the Millennium, Kwame Nkrumah was a highly imaginative thinker and a creative strategic leader. A clear testimony of this fact is that the Washington File describes him as possessing a remarkable gift of vision which enables him to see over the mass or mess of intervening problems and details; to view and all but taste- a harmoniously organized free independent Africa, possessed of its own unique personality which stands in equality before the rest of the world, accepted, honored and respected. As a visionary leader, Prof. Emmanuel K. Akyeampong, Faculty Director, Harvard University Centre for African Studies described him as a man who was light years ahead of his time. Nkrumah was relentless, pragmatic, and strategic in pursuing and executing his lofty projects and programmes In conclusion, as we celebrate this years Independence Day, there is the need to reflect on Dr. Nkrumahs lofty ideals to ensure national cohesion, and peaceful co-existence to sustain the Continents stability and peace By Samuel Adadi Akapule The first negotiating session to begin discussions for a new funding agreement for the Compact of Free Association was held on Kwajalein Atoll in June 2022. The U.S. negotiating team is at left with its Marshall Islands counterpart. Staff Reporter Richelle obtained a bachelor of arts degree in mass communications from the Far Eastern University in Manila, the Philippines. She was a junior reporter for Marianas Variety from 2009 to 2010, and from 2014 to 2015. In the Maldives, she worked as a news reporter and marketing executive. In her free time, shes a painter, pianist, and mom baker. Conor here: In fairness, the Ohio EPA says everything is completely under control. From the Highland County Press: According to the Ohio EPA, the contractor created a depression in the dam to relieve the overflow and lower the water level, and vacuum trucks were then used to pull up the released water. This mitigation work allowed the contractor to control the runoff in the derailment area, and the Ohio EPA does not believe that any visible contaminated waste was released into the streams. Additionally, the Ohio EPA says: Approximately 230,000 gallons have been shipped to Vickery Environmental in Vickery, Ohio, to be disposed of through deep well injection. Approximately 2.1 million gallons have been shipped to Texas Molecular in Deer Park, Texas, to be disposed of through deep well injection. Approximately 320,000 gallons have been hauled to Detroit Industrial Well in Romulus, Michigan to be disposed of through deep well injection. Approximately 1,970 tons of solid waste have also left the derailment site. Approximately 290 tons have been hauled to Ross Incineration Services in Grafton, Ohio, to be incinerated. Approximately 800 tons have been hauled to Heritage Thermal Services in East Liverpool, Ohio, to be incinerated. Approximately 440 tons have been shipped to U.S. Ecology Wayne Disposal in Belleville, Michigan, to be placed in a landfill. Approximately 440 tons have been hauled to Heritage Environmental Services in North Roachdale, Indiana to be placed in a landfill. For some reason residents in East Palestine and near the disposal sites are not reassured. By Jon Queally, managing editor at Common Dreams: The collapse Friday night of a makeshift dam designed to hold back wastewater and new concerns by local groups and residents about the nearby incineration of contaminated soil from last months train derailment are the latest anxiety-producing woes to behest the community of East Palestine, Ohio. Watchdogs on the ground reported that the dam broke after heavy rains in the area on Friday. According to local Channel 19 News: Residents tell 19 News heavy rain has caused Leslie Run Creek to rise, and spill over the makeshift dam, near the derailment sight. 19 News was able to obtain several photos of water from that manmade dam covering the Main Street area of town. Residents fear the contaminated water may seep into homes or businessescausing another level of fear for those who live in the area. Local resident Eric Cozza told the news outlet he was scared of what the released waters could do to the community. I fear that now the chemical is in the ground, its going to leech towards the water ducts, our aquifer for drinking water, Cozza said. Im concerned that the park is now contaminated. Kids wont be able to play there or walk through there on their way to school. Status Coup News, which has been reporting from East Palestine and speaking with residents since the disaster occurred, reported Friday night that flooding from the breached dam was going into The Original Roadhouse restaurant parking lot where a lot of locals eat and drink. The outlet also reported that the pictures of the broken dam posted to social media were taken by local resident Neko Figley, who was told by contractors to leave the area because it was super dangerous to be here right now. From our organizer in East Palestine: the dam constructed to hold back toxic waste has broken after todays heavy rain and the area is flooding. Safe homes and independent testing NOW. pic.twitter.com/H5fBJTZMvl River Valley Organizing (@RiverValleyOrg) March 4, 2023 River Valley Organizing, a multi-racial, working-class group active in the Ohio River Valley region, said in a statement Friday that residents of East Palestine are still being ignored a month after 38 rail cars of a Norfolk Southern train went off the tracks on February 3. Its been one month since our lives were turned upside down, the group said, but we still arent getting what we need from the government or Norfolk Southern. We heard the people of this community loud and clear: they want safe homes, and independent environmental and health testingnow. On Saturday, The Guardian reported on fresh fears over the incineration of contaminated soil that was taken from the crash site, not least because one of the nearby facilities where the material is being taken has a history of EPA violations. According to the Guardian: The new plan is horrifying, said Kyla Bennett, a former [EPA] official now with the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility non-profit. She is one among a number of public health advocates and local residents who have slammed Norfolk Southern and state and federal officials over the decision. [] Incinerating the soil is especially risky because some of the contaminants that residents and independent chemical experts fear is in the waste, like dioxins and PFAS, havent been tested for by the EPA, and they do not incinerate easily, or cannot be incinerated. Why on earth would you take this already dramatically overburdened community and ship this stuff a few miles away only to have it deposited right back where it came from? Bennett asked. She further told the Guardian that the most important thing in my mind is the human health and health of the environment and that burning this toxic material under such conditions flies in the face of basic human decency and science. Penn Future, a watchdog for air and water quality in neighboring Pennsylvania, said the incineration plans are very worrying. The plan to incinerate dioxin and PFAS contaminated soil from Norfolk Southerns toxic spill deeply troubles us and will continue to build distrust and anxiety, the group said. Its not clear the plan will work and puts communities down wind at risk of contamination. According to an update from the office of Ohios Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, the Ohio EPA has reported that approximately 1,700 tons of solid waste have been removed from the disaster site in East Palestine as of Friday. Of that waste, reportsThe Chronicle-Telegram, 660 tons has gone to Heritage Thermal Servicesthe company with a litany of past violationsin East Liverpool, Ohio, which is in Columbiana County not far from East Palestine. Another 190 tons was hauled to the Giles incinerator for in-state burning and 880 tons of the solid waste was shipped out of state to landfills in Michigan and Indiana. Meanwhile, 3.2 million gallons of liquid wastewater have been collected in the area with the large majority going out of state, to facilities in Michigan and Texas, for deep-well injection. Amanda Kiger, director of River Valley Organizing, said one of her concerns was the incineration of toxin-laden materials so close to the residents still reeling in East Palestine. EPA and other government officials, she told the Guardian, are just dumping more shit on Columbiana county, Kiger said.They say, We already poisoned them so it doesnt matter if we poison them more.' As for Cozza, who spoke with 19 News about the dam breach and whose family has already been diagnosed with skin irritations, he said the odor of chemicals is now back in the area. I have fear, he said. Ive had fear and now this just put the anxiety over the top. (Natural News) Actor Woody Harrelson is doubling down against the drug cartels that control the medical system, the media, and the politicians. In an interview with the New York Times, Harrelson said COVID mandates must end, so that freedom and sanity can be restored in the US and around the world. He is tired of taking fraudulent covid-19 tests and putting up with insidious mask protocols that are used to punish people and false guilt them into a state of subservience and sickness. Hes also fed up with mandates being used to coerce people to take dangerous injections. Wood Harrelson recently joked about the drug cartels that control the media and the politicians Harrelson recently went on Saturday Night Live to joke about the drug cartels (the vaccine companies) forcing people to stay in their homes and take dangerous injections. So, the movie goes like this, Harrelson said. The biggest drug cartels in the world get together and buy up all the media and all the politicians and force all the people in the world to stay locked in their homes. And people can only come out if they take the cartels drugs and keep taking them over and over, Harrelson added. I threw the script away. I mean, who was going to believe that crazy idea? Being forced to do drugs? I do that voluntarily all day long! The bought-off media proved his point entirely and immediately attacked him for spreading antivaxxer conspiracy theories. Funnily enough, these so-called conspiracy theories have played out in real time over the past three years and have become conspiracy realities. The population really was ordered to lock down in their homes. They really were coerced to take injections that are actually more deadly than many street drugs. The government and the media really did push out a narrative of terror, coercing people to take these toxic injections over and over. But the people who pushed lockdowns, school closures, nasal swabs, forced masks and vaccine passports lashed out at Woody Harrelson. How dare the actor speak out against the science? Woody Harrelson doubles down against COVID mandates, vaccine coercion Instead of kowtowing to the mob of bots and degenerates, Woody Harrelson decided to double down and call for an end to COVID mandates. In an interview with the New York Times, Harrelson said COVID protocols are rather absurd. He said America is no longer a free country because of the insidious COVID mandates. When the interviewer asked what is so absurd about the COVID protocols, Harrelson replied, The fact that theyre still going on! Harrelson has had enough of the medical tyranny and fraud. I dont think that anybody should have the right to demand that youre forced to do the testing, forced to wear the mask and forced to get vaccinated three years on, Harrelson stated. Im just like, lets be done with this nonsense, Harrelson continued, adding, Its not fair to the crews. I dont have to wear the mask. Why should they? Why should they have to be vaccinated? Hows that not up to the individual? I shouldnt be talking about this [expletive]. Harrelson sees how stupid and discriminate the protocols are. Really, Im talking about the crew. Because I can get out of wearing a mask. I can test less. Im not in the same position theyre in, but its wrong. Its three years. Stop. It makes me angry for the crew. The anarchist part of me, I dont feel that we should have forced testing, forced masking and forced vaccination, he said. Thats not a free country, he warned. Sources include: InfoWars.com NaturalNews.com WashingtonPost.com (Natural News) Northeastern Ohio just witnessed its fourth major industrial disaster of 2023. On Wednesday March 1, a metal fabricator plant in Cleveland, Ohio broke out in fire, with multiple explosions going off in the process. Over 50 firefighters and hazmat specialists responded to the scene. The company, AJ Rose, supplies precision products for the automotive, truck and agricultural industries. The fire caused nitrogen and propane explosions that unleashed fine particulate matter and unknown byproducts into the surrounding air. Nitrogen and propane explosions go off in Cleveland, Ohio According to Cleveland.com: More than 50 Cleveland firefighters responded Wednesday morning to a large blaze with multiple explosions in a warehouse in the citys Clark-Fulton neighborhood. Lieutenant Mike Norman said crews were dispatched to a fire at the AJ Rose Manufacturing Co. in the 3100 block of West 38th Street at 9:05 a.m. According to Norman, firefighters finished extinguishing the flames at 10 a.m., as smoke continued to billow out of the shattered windows. Lieutenant Norman said officials did not know how the fire started, but there were several explosions as we responded. The fire quickly spread to the facilitys nitrogen tanks (used in the tooling process) and propane tanks (used for the forklifts). Its definitely a concern for us, Norman said. Every run we go on we learn something. We are constantly doing our inspections. At least twenty employees were in the warehouse when the fire took off, and several received minor injuries. No one sought treatment. In a statement, the company said: We are very grateful that no one was hurt in this incident. The safety of everyone in our facility is always a top priority. The explosions in Cleveland are not unique. On February 18, explosions occurred at a Cleveland-Cliffs boiler in Warren, Ohio. On February 20, there were reports of a fire and explosion at I. Schumann & Co, a manufacturing company in Oakwood, Ohio. Then there was the infamous controlled burn of vinyl chloride from a major train derailment in East Palestine Ohio. Northeastern Ohio appears to be under attack. Nitrogen compound explosions pollute the air, cause health issues On August 4, 2020, an ammonium nitrate explosion occurred at the main port in Beirut Lebanon. The explosion produced concerning levels of nitrogen oxides in the surrounding atmosphere. In the aftermath, researchers used nitrous dioxide data from the Sentinel-5P program to map the levels of nitrous dioxide in the atmosphere above Beirut and the surrounding area. They also measured levels of fine particulate matter in the airspace directly above the ground. For seven days, nitrous dioxide levels were well above the safe level that was observed before the blast. Due to the decomposition of ammonia nitrate, there was a slight observed increase in the daily average atmospheric pressure there. The rise in nitrous oxide levels is serious because high levels of nitrous dioxide can cause eye and skin irritation/burns, respiratory problems, coughing and choking, headache, nausea, and abdominal pain. For prolonged periods, high levels of nitrous dioxide are associated with cancer, high blood pressures, cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction (MI), and all natural causes mortality. There are no reports on the level of nitrous dioxides in the vicinity of the nitrogen explosions that took place at AJ Rose in Cleveland. While acute exposure to propane isnt necessarily life-threatening (outside asphyxiation), there are guidelines for propane exposure to prevent neurological effects. Its important to monitor the air quality in these situations. For example, in East Palestine, Ohio, scientists are still measuring higher than normal levels of nine toxins, including butyl acrylate, benzene residue, glycol monobutyl ether, ethylhexyl acrylate, and isobutylene. Check out Toxins.News tor the latest on chemical burns and explosions. Sources include: TheLibertyDaily.com Twitter.com Cleveland.com Link.Springer.com EuropePMC.org NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Merck researchers on Monday published a study suggesting evidence shows that moving routine HPV vaccination to ages 9 to 10 may improve vaccination coverage rates in early and mid-adolescence, but critics called out the vaccine maker for focusing on profits, not health. (Article by Suzanne Burdick, Ph.D republished from ChildrensHealthDefense.org) Merck wants children to get its Gardasil human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine beginning at age 9 or 10, instead of 11 or 12 as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends. The vaccine makers researchers on Monday published a study in Pediatrics suggesting evidence shows that moving routine HPV vaccination to ages 9 to 10 may improve vaccination coverage rates in early and mid-adolescence, increasing the odds children will complete the vaccine series prior to becoming sexually active. While it may be true that starting Gardasil shots at age 9 or 10 makes it more likely that children complete the series of shots, the goal of medicine should be health, not completion of a profit-driven protocol, said Mary Holland, president of Childrens Health Defense and author of The HPV Vaccine On Trial: Seeking Justice For A Generation Betrayed. Merck published the study amid a growing number of lawsuits, including a wrongful death claim alleging the company purposefully concealed the known side effects of its Gardasil vaccine. But critics alleged the study fails to test Gardasils touted ability to prevent cervical cancer and ignores the fact that Mercks Gardasil HPV vaccine has induced autoimmune disorders and other injuries in hundreds of young people. Just another Merck marketing ploy Since the Gardasil vaccine was introduced in 2006, numerous reports have linked it to debilitating autoimmune disorders, neurological side effects and other complications, prompting many families of injured children to file lawsuits alleging the company knew the vaccine could cause serious side effects, according to AboutLawsuits.com. In August 2022, a federal panel of judges consolidated more than 31 lawsuits brought against Merck into one case that will go before U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr., in North Carolina. Michael Baum, a senior attorney with Wisner Baum, the law firm representing the consolidated lawsuits that now involve hundreds of young men and women across the U.S. who experienced serious injury after getting the HPV vaccine, said the study is just another Merck marketing ploy to expand Gardasil use among 9-10-year-old children. Mercks profits from its Gardasil vaccine are expected to rise throughout 2023, according to Seeking Alpha, the worlds largest investing community. These shots should no longer be on the market Children and adults around the world have been disabled and died from Gardasil shots, Holland told The Defender. These shots should no longer be on the market, and the lawsuits underway in North Carolina federal court are likely to prove this, she added. In their new study, Mercks researchers made no mention of the fact that the Gardasil vaccine has induced autoimmune conditions in hundreds of young people, Baum said. The study also did not actually test Gardasils ability to prevent cancer, he added. Until recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had received more adverse reaction reports related to Gardasil than any other vaccine in history. According to those alleging injury from the Gardasil vaccine, not only did Merck fail to adequately disclose the presence of ingredients known to sometimes cause autoimmune problems but Merck used them in the placebos given to control test subjects during clinical trials, leading to an inaccurate assessment of Gardasil side effects. At some point, a conscientious pharmaceutical company would examine the patterns of harms, isolate who might suffer them, and when they might suffer them, then make recommendations on how to avoid them, Baum said. But Merck has simply chosen to be a sophisticated marketing company scaring parents and children into early, widespread vaccination, which this study just perpetuates, he added. California bill would require teens in grades 8 through 12 to receive Gardasil vaccine Meanwhile, a California bill could soon require all school-age children in grades 8 through 12 to get the Gardasil vaccine. Introduced on Feb. 9, California Assembly Bill 659 known as the Cancer Prevention Act has been assigned to the Health Committee and could be heard in committee as early as March 14. Parents of injured children suing Merck are deeply concerned that other children will suffer similar consequences if they are compelled to get vaccinated in order to attend schools in California. Kathy Robi, a California mother of a daughter now consigned to a wheelchair, said: This is not a vaccine that should be mandated. There is no evidence Gardasil will prevent cervical cancer in the long term; it is entirely theoretical, based on studies testing only surrogate endpoints (lesions), not cancer itself, and like any medical intervention, Gardasil has risks, and those risks can be devastating. Are the risks, which can include death, worth it? Robi asked. I dont think so. Childrens Health Defense urges California parents concerned about the bill to take these action steps, which include calling, emailing and meeting with California Assembly members. Read more at: ChildrensHealthDefense.org (Natural News) One of Americas largest grid operators has warned of more blackouts and energy shortages in the future, thanks to President Joe Bidens green energy policies and their inability to meet the growing power demand. PJM Interconnection is a regional transmission organization that provides electricity to 65 million people around 20 percent of the population in 13 states across the Midwest and Northeast and the District of Columbia. The organizations latest report noted that power supply and demand through 2030 across its territory is being increasingly destabilized as more traditional fossil fuel sources are being dismantled due to the transition to renewable energy. (Related: Attacks on US power grid SURGED in 2022 and are likely to keep increasing this year.) PJM Interconnections analysis showed power generator retirements outpacing new additions in the coming years. Retirements are at risk of outpacing the construction of new resources, due to a combination of industry forces, including siting and supply chain, whose long-term impacts are not fully known, it said in its report. These retirements could amount to nearly 40 gigawatts of generating capacity gone from the American grid by 2030, 90 percent of which comes from coal and natural gas sources. Bidens green energy policies destabilizing the power grid The Biden administration has made it a goal to make 100 percent of all electricity generated in America to be carbon-free by 2035, and fossil fuel power generator retirements are a big part of this program. Coal retirements alone are expected to make up well over half of all planned generation retirements in 2023, amounting to 8.9 gigawatts of energy. PJMs report noted that most of these power plant retirements are policy-driven. The organization highlighted the fact that, by the end of March, complying with the Environmental Protection Agencys new regulations would be far too costly to keep operating, forcing about 10.5 gigawatts worth of fossil fuel generation to shut down. The editorial board of the Wall Street Journal noted that, without Bidens green policies, PJM would typically generate a massive surplus of energy owing to the formerly large number of fossil fuel power generators it could draw electricity from at any time. All of this surplus energy would then be exported to neighboring regional grids to keep their energy supplies stable. When wind power plunged in the Midwest and central states late last week, PJM helped fill the gap between supply and demand and kept the lights on, the board wrote. Thats why its especially worrisome that PJM is predicting a large decline in its power reserves as coal and natural gas plants retire. Furthermore, PJMs report noted that the construction of renewable energy power projects is not keeping up with fossil fuel plant retirements, even with all of the taxpayer-funded subsidies being lavished on wind and solar projects. The report added that the historical rate of completion for renewable projects has been approximately five percent, in part because of permitting challenges. In the most optimistic scenario, there could be an additional 21 gigawatts of wind added to the grid by 2030 slightly over half the amount of power lost due to fossil fuel retirements. Learn more about energy supply issues and the possibility of more blackouts at EnergySupply.news. Watch this episode of the Health Ranger Report as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses how Americas power grid infrastructure is being deliberately dismantled to collapse the country. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Mike Adams and Alex Jones were right: Major US energy provider predicting blackouts across 13 states thanks to forced renewable energy push by Biden regime. Bidens declaration of war against oil, gas meant to destroy economy of major red state: Texas. Green energy projects financially COLLAPSING around the world: Siemens wind turbine manufacturer latest casualty. BLACKOUT BILL: Minnesota lawmakers pass legislation banning use of coal, oil and gas for states electricity grid. Systemic collapse imminent as evidenced by power outages, Wall Street glitch, and system failures around the globe. Sources include: InfoWars.com WashingtonExaminer.com WSJ.com PJM.com [PDF] Brighteon.com (Natural News) Moreira is a French journalist and documentary filmmaker. He is based in Paris, France. He has directed several investigative documentaries in conflict zones, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Burma, Palestine, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia. (Article by Rhoda Wilson republished from Expose-News.com) What he shows in Ukraine: The masks of the revolution, as surprising as the contents may be to a Western audience, actually represents very basic journalism reporting on events that are quite well known inside Ukraine even as this dark underbelly of the Maidan revolution has been hidden from most Europeans and Americans. Though Moreiras documentary presented material that was undeniably true much from the public record it was revelatory for many Westerners familiar only with the pro-Maidan images and commentary carried by the Wests mainstream news media. Because the documentary clashed with this conventional wisdom, it immediately became controversial. The documentary draws upon his interviews with leaders of the rightist paramilitary groups and extreme nationalist politicians as well as other Ukrainians on both sides of the conflict. He showed the attacks on police by Maidan street fighters before Yanukovychs overthrow on Feb. 22, 2014, and the May 2, 2014 massacre in Odessa of 46 Russian-speaking demonstrators who opposed the new regime. Without them, there would have been no Ukrainian revolution Ukraine: The Masks of the Revolution, Moreira, Trailer (6 mins) The documentary has been cleansed from YouTube but you can watch the full 52-minute documentary Ukraine: The masks of the revolution on Rumble HERE or Bitchute HERE. Further resources: Read more at: Expose-News.com (Natural News) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a chilling prediction in a speech that went viral on social media this week: Namely, that American mothers and fathers will see their sons and daughters die by the thousands in his country if Kyiv loses its war with Russia. He warned the United States generally that if Ukraine loses, then Americans will have to send their sons and daughters to war with Russia over the Baltic states and they will have to fight and they will be dying, according to a video clip posted by conservative social media influencer Ian Miles Cheong. WATCH: The US will have to send their sons and daughters exactly the same way as we are sending our sons and daughters to war. And they will have to to fight, because its NATO that were talking about, and they will be dying. Zelensky says what expects the US to do if Ukraine loses. pic.twitter.com/P5LNPatT3q Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) February 28, 2023 Zelensky made the comments during a press conference on Friday. Zelensky says it is dangerous for Americans to question the amount of aid being given to Ukraine because if Ukraine loses, Russia is going to enter Baltic states, NATO member states and the U.S. will have to send their sons and daughters to war and they will be dying. pic.twitter.com/wB9VnIgrSh Greg Price (@greg_price11) February 24, 2023 After promising to provide Ukraine with an additional $10 billion in US aid, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen made an unexpected visit to meet with Zelensky on Monday. ???????US Treasury Secretary Yellen arrived in Kiev today, where she met with the President of Ukraine It is necessary to further strengthen sanctions in order to deprive Russia of the opportunity to finance the war, Zelensky said wisely pic.twitter.com/WzN8LY1cyO AZ ???? (@AZgeopolitics) February 27, 2023 Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen makes yet another secret pilgrimage to Kyiv, visits school whose budget is being subsidized by the US, and appears to tacitly endorse the recapture of Crimea. Just your average workday for a member of the Biden Administration pic.twitter.com/QHZalAPLzO Michael Tracey (@mtracey) February 28, 2023 The neoconservatives in charge of the Biden administration have iterated on numerous occasions that their objective in supplying Ukraine with billions of dollars worth of US weaponry is to prolong the conflict as much as possible and foster a protracted insurgency against Russia. As of now, the US has committed over $100 billion of taxpayer money to sustain the war, Information Liberation reported. Eliot A. Cohen, a neoconservative who played a role in the Iraq War, candidly articulated their objectives in an essay for The Atlantic, a publication overseen by fellow neoconservative Jeffrey Goldberg, the outlet noted, adding a passage from the magazine: Western strategy should rest on three pillars: vigorous and imaginative military support to Ukrainian regular and irregular forces; sanctions that will hobble the Russian economy; and construction of a militarily powerful European alliance that can secure the border with Russia as long as that country remains a menace. The means at hand are obvious, even if the manner of their exploitation is not. The most obvious is the armament of Ukraine, which has already begun. It is a moral imperative. When people are willing to fight for their freedom against an enemy whose methods and aims are so clearly evil, the West owes its effectual support to those taking up arms. But it is also a strategic imperative, intended to hamstring the Russian military and weaken Putins position. Support to the Ukrainian military and, should Ukrainian cities fall, to the continuing insurgency has the prospect of exceptional success. It should be obvious to anyone with a functional brain stem that the Biden regimes handlers are agitating for war with both Russia and China because power. Sources include: InformationLiberation.com NaturalNews.com According to new research, archaeologists finally unearthed 4,500 and 5,000 years old skeletons that showed the first evidence of horseback riding. Horses played a significant role in ancient times for trade and development. Using wagons and wheels, it had become more accessible for old communities to move and conduct trade. While horses might have played a significant role, the study noted that the origins of horseback riding evidence became elusive. The study findings were published in Science Advances. The first evidence of horseback riding Ancient skeletons were crucial for researchers and archaeologists in unlocking discoveries. The archaeological evidence of remains was preserved under the burial grounds. The report and the findings were also published on the Phys.org website and Associated Press (AP). According to the reports, archaeologists found ancient skeletons from Yamnaya's burial mounds. Reports showed that the population of Yamnaya managed to exist in the Pontic-Caspian steppes. They were also known as sheep herders. Reports said that the Yamnaya managed to innovate their productivity using wagons and wheels. The research published in Science Advances explained that horseback equipment was considered rarely preserved, making it more difficult for researchers. The Yamnaya culture had essential burial mounds called kurgans. The reports said that Yamnaya managed to move to parts of Eurasia, Mongolia and Hungary. The use of horses and other animals was significant in ancient times because of their role in trade, war, agriculture and development. Professor Volker Heyd from the University of Helsinki explained that horseriding activity could have evolved before horse domestication in the Fourth millennium BCE. The study looked into 217 skeletons from 39 sites. The researchers noted that about 150 burial mounds could have belonged to Yamnayans. According to Associated Press, the researchers identified five possible riders living 4,500 to 5,000 years ago. Also Read: Kelp Forest Replanting by 2040 Shows Crucial to Save from Decline, Brink of Extinction While there is evidence of keeping horses for milk in the 3500 to 3000 BCE, the latest discovery showed the direct and first evidence of horseback riding in ancient times. The study explained that biochemical stress markers helped the study find possible ideas or clues about the horseback riding equipment. Furthermore, the researchers noted that horseback riding activity has a rider and mount. As mentioned, finding human remains was easier than preserving ancient horseback riding. While it was still unclear what purpose the horseback riding was for the Yamnaya population, the reports explained that it could have been used for alliances, effective communications, trade and economy. Research challenges Although there was substantial evidence of horseback riding activity, the study explained that the riders could have suffered from a lack of training and appropriate gear. The research added that studying and diagnosing skeletal traits could be challenging due to limitations and possible genetics. Furthermore, the success of the research came from studying archeological skeletons preserved on burial grounds. It would be difficult for researchers to unearth skeleton and horseback riding gears. Related Article: 5 Most Expensive Horse Breeds in the World: What They're Worth For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News. Thwaites Glacier, also known as the Doomsday Glacier, is closer to the brink of collapse than we have previously thought. This notion is according to scientists who asserted that the colossal ice is more in danger from collapsing instead of melting, based on new studies. In particular, researchers point out that fractures poses the greatest threat to the glacier, a matter which has been previously overlooked. In recent years, climate scientists have expressed concerns regarding the melting of the Thwaites Glacier, which could contribute to future global sea level rise and result in catastrophic repercussions should a total meltdown of the icy structure occurs. However, this is not always the case or the angle to be looked at the most, according to the new research as of early 2023. Doomsday Glacier in Danger During a press release, the New York University (NYU) announced that scientists were able to discover new processes driving the retreat of Thwaites Glacier, emphasizing it is influenced by different natural occurrences under the glacier's floating ice shelf, a reality researchers have previously understood. While melting still occurs on the surface of Thwaites Glacier, most parts of the ice shelf's bottom is weaker than previously thought. Meanwhile, "melting in cracks and crevasses" go at a faster rate, the team of scientists noted. Novel observations show high melting on the western part of Thwaites, which is the highest seen anywhere in Antarctica to date and suggests the glacier could now in retreat, according to David Holland, the lead U.S. principal investigator at NYU. The findings are based on two papers published in the journal Nature on February 15, spearheaded by researchers at NYU. Also Read: Thwaites Glacier: Scientists Warn of the Melting of the Doomsday Glacier in Antarctica Icefin the Underwater Robot A 13-foot underwater-swimming robot called 'Icefin' provided scientists with the capability to examine an area beneath the Doomsday Glacier which is hard to reach and the reason the causes the retreat of the glacier, USA Today reported in relation to the two Nature studies. The researchers remarked that fracturing of the ice is receiving the greatest blow on the glacier, even more worse than melting. Thwaites Glacier Collapse Impact Thwaites is located in West Antarctica and has a reported size similar to the state of Florida in the United States. Due to its gargantuan structure, scientists have considered it as one of the threats that can contribute to rising ocean water levels worldwide. Amid climate change and global warming, the disintegration of the Doomsday Glacier is drawing near. The total collapse of the Thwaites Glacier may result to sea level rise of over 2 feet (70 centimeters). However, the Doomsday Glacier is also serving as a natural dam to the ice surrounding West Antarctica, and scientists have approximated that the global sea level could increase by around 10 feet if such catastrophe occurs. according to CNN. Related Article: Collapse of Antarctica's 'Doomsday Glacier' Could Trigger Deadly Tsunamis and Swallow Islands Great white shark tourism in Guadalupe Island has been banned by the Mexican government until further notice. Multiple reports stated that the decision is based on bad practices in the industry, which has significantly contributed to the Central American country's economy but endangered sharks and their natural habitats in the waters of the island, located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California, Mexico. For years, Guadalupe Island has been a widely popular site for various shark-related tourism activities like cage diving, which allows both local and international tourists to view sharks while underwater by using a bait. Other activities include shark-watching and sport fishing, which was also suspended by the Mexican government from May to December in 2022 due to the threat to the sharks' marine habitats. Great White Shark Tourism The Mexican government has placed an indefinite ban on great white shark tourism on Guadalupe Island after imposing the restriction on January 10, as a response to bad practices in the industry, according to the Mexican government agency Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, as cited by the Smithsonian Magazine. The apparent practices include "mishandling the bait" which is used to attract sharks in the waters surrounding the island. In addition, tourists and film crews swimming outside of their cages, drones flying above seal colonies, and among other reasons have been cited by the ministry. Also Read: Hidden 'Social Club' of Great White Sharks Discovered Around the Waters of Guadalupe Island What is Shark Ecotourism? Shark tourism, also called as shark ecotourism, is an industry that allows people to view sharks in the open ocean, as well as help understand and interact with them in their habitat. While the nature of the said industry is for commercial and leisure purposes, shark tourism-related activities in Guadalupe Island reportedly made a negative impact to the ocean predators in the area, based on reports. According to estimates, shark ecotourism Guadalupe Island has garnered around $25 million in terms of net revenues in the Mexican state of Baja. Supporters of the industry asserted that cage diving with sharks keeps the marine animals safe from poaching, according to the travel news website Dive Photo Guide (DPG). In a news release in January, DPG reported that the decision of the Mexican government to close Guadalupe Island is expected in March. This is related to the previous decision of the government to close the Guadalupe Island Biosphere Reserve in 2021, as well as the said banning of shark cage diving and other recreational activities in 2022. Guadalupe Island Shark Deaths Some of the reasons that placed shark tourism in Guadalupe Island into the hot seat is due to shark deaths or injuries involving the industry in recent years. In 2016, a shark got stuck between the bars of a shark diving cage, resulting in serious injuries. In 2019, a similar incident occurred that likely caused a shark's death; wherein disturbing videos online showed a great white shark struggled while attempting to squeeze into the cage with divers inside at Guadalupe Island, USA Today reported. These incidents have been reportedly called out by the Mexican government, as cited by the Smithsonian Magazine. Related Article: Great White Shark Makes Mexican Diver Its Buffet, Making It The First Fatal Shark Attack of 2023 Champaign, IL (61820) Today Windy with light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers for the afternoon. High 46F. Winds WSW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. Tonight Rain showers this evening mixing with snow showers overnight. Low near 35F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precip 40%. Higher wind gusts possible. More than 500,000 people in the United States undergo rehabilitation following a stroke or brain injury every year. Movement impairments following a stroke are a major cause of adult disability in the United States, and routine treatments are not currently optimized for individual patient needs. University of Oklahoma biomedical engineer Yuan Yang, Ph.D., has received a Faculty Early Career Development Award, known as a CAREER award, from the National Science Foundation to advance the scientific study of brain functional changes after a stroke and pioneer a tailored rehabilitation strategy that fits individual needs. The way a stroke victim's brain adapts to the injury varies from individual to individual. But routine clinical practice tends to treat everyone the same. When that happens, doctors cannot provide an optimal treatment for each patient." Yuan Yang, Ph.D., Biomedical Engineer, University of Oklahoma Yang is an OU-Tulsa assistant professor in the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, Gallogly College of Engineering. He will use multi-modal MRI scans in combination with an electrical neural activity scan to precisely assess the changes to motor control in an injured brain. "Despite numerous efforts to develop new technologies for movement rehabilitation after a stroke, optimal recovery is still limited due to a lack of imaging guidance and real-time neurofeedback to tailor a rehabilitation strategy for each individual," Yang said. "Our program will be able to tell doctors which areas of the brain to stimulate in a non-invasive, non-painful manner to reduce a patient's recovery time and reduce the health care and nursing costs for long-term disability caused by stroke and other similar brain injuries." The five-year award will also support the development of a multidisciplinary research education ecosystem to connect engineering students, clinician trainees and STEM educators. "OU Norman's biomedical engineering program is excellent and so is the clinical program on the OU Health Sciences Center campus. Thanks to this grant, engineering students and medical students can collaborate during summer research trainings so that each can appreciate the other's expertise," Yang said. "We will also invite high school STEM teachers to join the training and take custom projects back to their classrooms." A collaboration with Science Museum Oklahoma will provide resources on brain science, including the development and donation of posters, toy models and exhibits to "excite and inspire young kids about science, medicine and the brain," Yang said. Although electron microscopy can already reveal details as small as one nanometer, ongoing research seeks to break through barriers limiting image quality and reducing the optical dose on the samples. Aberration is a common problem in electron microscopy that can reduce the resolution and quality of the images produced. Additional complex phase and amplitude controls are needed in these microscopes. An international team of researchers led by Akhil Kallepalli (Kallepalli Lab) working within the Optics Group at the University of Glasgow set out to address the problem. Working from an optics perspective, they developed and tested a new ghost imaging algorithm, finding that they could produce an image with improved resolution and contrast using lower flux illumination, which could reduce sample damage. The research was published Dec. 21 in Intelligent Computing, a Science Partner Journal. Optical modulation is required to achieve better control of illumination strategies. Modulation in optics is the process of varying the properties of light waves to encode information. It is used in optical communication systems and in various applications, such as spectroscopy and imaging. Modulators of many kinds have long been available in the field of optics. However, modulators are not available for electron microscopy. It is still challenging to achieve complex phase and amplitude control to reduce phase aberration for continuous imaging enhancement in the field of electron microscopy. The authors applied computational ghost imaging, an optical approach, to electron microscopy and designed a new algorithm to address this problem. The approach inverts knowledge of the projected patterns and their measured transmission to reconstruct the image. This can be used to measure the transmittance of the sample when illuminated with more complex spatial patterns. In this system, the resulting form of the light field in the plane of the object can be calculated using numerical beam propagation techniques enabling both lens-free and far-field implementations. Therefore, computational ghost imaging can be used for transmission electron microscopy imaging. In optical methods, spatial light modulators can be used to ensure the orthogonality of the imaging patterns. It is, however, difficult to guarantee orthogonality between patterns when using natural scattering or highly limited modulators. This new algorithm designed by the authors makes optimal use of patterns regardless of their orthogonality. They call their new method "orthogonalized ghost imaging." The authors tested their method in two ways. First, they conducted an optical experiment analogous to the transmission electron microscopy system. This experiment tested the illumination strategy and the algorithm's robustness to non-orthogonality. After that, they tested their method with transmission electron microscopy. The experiments showed that the authors' ghost imaging algorithm produces a higher-resolution image reconstruction with better contrast in comparison to the most common online ghost imaging algorithm. The new algorithm enhances the imaging capabilities at any wavelength, and is robust to the non-orthogonality of the pattern sets, enabling effective application in both optical and electron microscopy. In an appendix to their paper, the authors highlight some findings relating to electron microscope sample damage, which could be reduced using their method. Future development can be used to further optimize imaging resolution or speed across both optical and electron microscopic imaging. Kallepalli's co-authors are Lorenzo Viani, Enzo Rotunno, Paolo Rosi, Stefano Frabboni and Vincenzo Grillo of CNR-NANO, Modena, Italy; Daan Stellinga of the University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands; Richard Bowman, Graham M. Gibson and Miles J. Padgett of the University of Glasgow, Scotland; Ming-Jie Sun of Beihang University, Beijing; and Roberto Balboni and Andrea Migliori of CNR-IMM, Bologna, Italy. This research was funded in part by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, the Royal Society EPSRC Research Council and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. An international team of bee researchers involving Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf (HHU) has integrated a calcium sensor into honey bees to enable the study of neural information processing including response to odors. This also provides insights into how social behavior is located in the brain, as the researchers now report in the scientific journal PLOS Biology. Insects are important so-called model organisms for research. Despite more than 600 million years of independent evolution, insects share more than 60% of their DNA with humans. For several decades it was mainly the fruit fly whose genetic code could be used to study biological processes. Later, such research was expanded to other insects, with particularly promising results coming from the honey bee. Bees display complex social behavior they perform sophisticated behaviors while employing orientation, communication, learning and memory abilities, which make them interesting subjects for research into the brain's function and neural processing. A team of researchers from the Universities in Dusseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Paris-Saclay and Trento has now developed a method to enable direct observation of bee brains, a work which has now been published in PLOS Biology. A calcium sensor was integrated into the neurons. Calcium plays an important role in nerve cell activity. We modified the genetic code of honey bees to make their brain cells produce a fluorescent protein, a sort of sensor that allows us to monitor the areas that are activated in response to environmental stimuli. The intensity of the light emitted varies according to neural activity." Dr Albrecht Haase, Professor of Neurophysics, University of Trento Professor Beye indicates that "the realization of this "sensor bee" was particularly challenging because we had to work on the DNA of queen bees. Unlike fruit flies, the queen bee cannot easily be maintained in the laboratory, because each one needs its own colony." The research started with the inoculation of a specific genetic sequence into over 4,000 bee eggs. The protracted breeding, testing and selection process ultimately resulted in seven queens carrying the genetic sensor. When they reproduced in their own colony, the queens transmitted the gene to some of their offspring. The sensor developed by the team of researchers was then used to study the bees' sense of smell and how the perception of smell is encoded in the neurons. Dr Julie Carcaud, Assistant Professor at the University of Paris-Saclay and Dr Jean-Christophe Sandoz, Research Director at CNRS in Paris, explain: "The insects were stimulated with various odors and observed with a high-resolution microscope. This made it possible to detect which brain cells are activated by these smells and how this information is distributed in the brain." Dr Marianne Otte, co-author of the study from Dusseldorf: "The recordings were performed in vivo using techniques which enabled us to look into the brains of the bees. The insects were fixed in a measuring stand and then presented with various odor stimuli." Professor Dr Bernd Grunewald from Goethe University Frankfurt am Main and Director of the Honeybee Research Center in Oberursel: "The new "sensor bee" makes it possible to study how communication works within colonies and, more generally, how sociality affects the animals' brains." Males of a species evolving traits for sexual conflict can cause problems for females, and, ultimately, the whole population. A new model by Imperial College London and University of Lausanne researchers, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows how so-called 'good genes' can sometimes cause a population to collapse. Males of any species may compete for females, either by fighting other males for access or impressing females to win their approval. In both cases, males expressing the most competitive traits such as the best ornaments, like peacock feathers, or the best weapons, like big body size access more females. To have the best traits the males must be in good condition, for example to be in better shape or carry less disease. Over time, as better-condition males mate with more females, the prevalence of 'good genes' increases throughout the population of the animal, leading to the population as a whole to improve in condition. However, it can also backfire. Traits than improve a male's competitive prowess can also damage females. For example, some insect males have evolved penises that tear the females' insides, and in many species, including mammals, males have evolved to harass females to induce mating. These behaviors reduce female fecundity or may even kill them. The team's model tested theories of sexual competition where males harm females, and compared the results with data for various population experiments. Previous experiments have shown conflicting accounts as to whether sexual selection is positive or negative for the population as a whole. The new model provides an explanation for why some experiments show male condition improving, without female fitness or population viability improving alongside. Where males evolve selfish traits that help them individually win, they can actually end up causing the population to crash it's a form of evolutionary suicide. Even when females evolve to counter male harm and prevent population collapse, the population still decreases significantly, reducing its viability." Dr Ewan Flintham, First Author, Imperial College London and the University of Lausanne Sexual interactions like these are an important component of understanding population demographics and conservation. For example, where there are more males, sexual competition intensifies, meaning harm towards females is more likely. This is also true in human-managed populations, for example domestic carp, where males and females must be isolated during spawning season. Dr Flintham completed the research as part of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantitative and Modelling Skills in Ecology and Evolution at Imperial. His project supervisor and study co-author Professor Vincent Savolainen, Director of the Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet at Imperial, said: "Male harm evolved in nature as something that was supposed to be good, but is detrimental to females and the whole population. Questions like how and why this happens can only be answered with quantitative methods data and mathematical models which can be just as important as field studies." The animal brain consists of tens of billions of neurons or nerve cells that perform complex tasks like processing emotions, learning, and making judgments by communicating with each other via neurotransmitters. These small signaling molecules diffuse move from high to low concentration regions between neurons, acting as chemical messengers. Scientists believe that this diffusive motion might be at the heart of the brain's superior function. Therefore, they have aimed to understand the role of specific neurotransmitters by detecting their release in the brain using amperometric and microdialysis methods. However, these methods provide insufficient information, necessitating better sensing techniques. To this end, scientists developed an optical imaging method wherein protein probes change their fluorescence intensity upon detecting a specific neurotransmitter. Recently, a group of researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology in Japan led by Professor Yasuo Yoshimi has taken this idea forward. They have successfully synthesized fluorescent molecularly imprinted polymeric nanoparticles (fMIP-NPs) that serve as probes to detect specific neurotransmittersserotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine. Notably, developing such probes has been considered difficult so far. Their groundbreaking work, published in Volume 13, Issue 1 of the journal Nanomaterials on 3 January 2023 involves contributions from Mr. Yuto Katsumata, Mr. Naoya Osawa, Mr. Neo Ogishita, and Mr.Ryota Kadoya. Prof. Yoshimi briefly explains the fundamentals of fMIP-NP synthesis. "It involves multiple steps. First, the target neurotransmitter to be detected is fixed on a glass beads surface. Next, monomers (building blocks of polymers) with different functions detection, cross-linking, and fluorescence polymerize around the beads, enveloping the neurotransmitter. The resulting polymer is then washed out to obtain a nanoparticle with the neurotransmitter structure imprinted as a cavity. It will fit only the target neurotransmitter, just like only a particular key can open a lock. Hence, fMIP-NPs can detect their corresponding neurotransmitters in the brain." When the target neurotransmitters fit inside the cavity, the fMIP-NPs swell and get bigger. The researchers suggest that this increases the distance between the fluorescent monomers that, in turn, reduces their interactions, including self-quenching that suppresses fluorescence, with each other. As a result, the fluorescence intensity is enhanced, indicating the presence of the neurotransmitters. The researchers improved their selectivity of the detection by adjusting the neurotransmitter density on the surface of the glass beads during fMIP-NP synthesis. Additionally, the choice of material for fixing the neurotransmitters was found to play a crucial role in the detection specificity. The researchers found that blended silane is better than pure silane for attaching the neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine, to the glass bead surface. The fMIP-NPs synthesized using blended silane specifically detected serotonin and dopamine. In contrast, those synthesized using pure silane resulted in non-specific fMIP-NPs that responded to non-target neurotransmitters, identifying them incorrectly as serotonin and dopamine. Likewise, poly([2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride (METMAC)-co-methacrylamide) but not METMAC homopolymer was found to be an effective dummy template of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. While the former produced fMIP-NPs that selectively detected acetylcholine, the latter led to unresponsive nanoparticles. These results demonstrate the feasibility of fMIP-NPs in the selective detection of neurotransmitters released in our brain. "Imaging the brain with this new technique could reveal the relationship between neurotransmitter diffusion and brain activity. This, in turn, can help us treat neurological diseases and even create advanced computers that mimics human brain functions," said Professor Yoshimi, who is enthusiastic about the innovative research. Here's to hoping that the future envisioned by him is realized soon! Researchers at UCL and University of Ghana have successfully predicted whether children have anemia using only a set of smartphone images. The study, published in PLOS ONE, brought together researchers and clinicians at UCL Engineering, UCLH and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana to investigate a new non-invasive diagnostic technique using smartphone photographs of the eye and face. The advance could make anemia screening more widely available for children in Ghana (and other low- and middle-income countries) where there are high rates of the condition due to iron deficiency, as the screening tool is much cheaper than existing options and delivers results in one sitting. The paper builds on previous successful research undertaken by the same team exploring use of an app neoSCB - to detect jaundice in newborn babies. Anaemia is a condition causing a reduced concentration of hemoglobin in the blood, which means oxygen is not transported efficiently around the body. It affects two billion people globally and can have a significant impact on developmental outcomes in children, increasing their susceptibility to infectious diseases and impairing their cognitive development. The most common cause of anemia globally is iron deficiency, but other conditions such as blood loss, malaria and sickle-cell disease also contribute. First author, PhD candidate Thomas Wemyss (UCL Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering) said: "Smartphones are globally popular, but research using smartphone imaging to diagnose diseases shows a general trend of experiencing difficulty when transferring results to different groups of people. "We are excited to see these promising results in a group which is often underrepresented in research into smartphone diagnostics. An affordable and reliable technique to screen for anemia using a smartphone could drive long-term improvements in quality of life for a large amount of people." Traditionally, diagnosis of anemia requires blood samples to be taken, which can be costly for patients and healthcare systems. It can create inequalities related to the expense of traveling to hospital for a blood test. Often families need to make two trips, to have a blood sample taken and then to collect their results, due to samples being transported between the clinic and the laboratory for analysis. In the 1980s a handheld device, the HemoCue, was developed to provide more immediate results, but this carries significant upfront and ongoing costs, as well as still needing a finger-prick blood sample. The researchers knew that hemoglobin has a very characteristic color due to the way it absorbs light, so aimed to develop a procedure to take smartphone photographs and use them to predict whether anemia is present. They analyzed photos taken from 43 children aged under four who were recruited to take part in the study in 2018. The images were of three regions where minimal skin pigmentation occurs in the body (the white of the eye, the lower lip and the lower eyelid). The team found that when these were evaluated together to predict blood hemoglobin concentration, they were able to successfully detect all cases of individuals with the most severe classification of anemia, and to detect milder anemia at rates which are likely to be clinically useful. Since 2018, we've been working with University of Ghana on affordable ways to improve healthcare using smartphones. Following our success in screening neonatal jaundice, we are so excited to see that the smartphone imaging technique can also apply to anemia screening in young children and infants." Dr Terence Leung, Principal Investigator, UCL Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering Senior author Dr Judith Meek (UCLH) added: "Anaemia is a significant problem for infants, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and we hope this sort of technology will lead to earlier detection and treatment in the near future." The study was funded by the EPSRC via the UCL Global Challenges Research Fund and UCL Centre for Doctoral Training in Intelligent, Integrated Imaging in Healthcare. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, professor of cardiology and the director of the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center in the Smidt Heart Institute, will receive the 2023 Master of the ACC Award from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in honor of her pioneering contributions to the cardiovascular profession. She will be recognized during the ACC's Annual Scientific Session on Monday, March 6, in New Orleans. The Master of the ACC Award recognizes and honors ACC Fellows who have served with distinction, consistently contributing to the goals and programs of the college and providing leadership in important college activities. It is an honor to recognize Dr. Noel Bairey Merz with the Master of the ACC Award. She has made exceptional contributions to the field of cardiovascular medicine, helping to further the ACC's mission to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health." Edward T.A. Fry, MD, ACC President Bairey Merz has devoted her career to cardiovascular clinical care and research, with an emphasis on heart disease in women, preventive cardiology, coronary physiology/pathophysiology and advanced cardiac imaging. In fact, Eduardo Marban, MD, PhD, executive director of the Smidt Heart Institute, said Bairey Merz "has single-handedly established Cedars-Sinai as the world's leading center in women's heart disease." Christine Albert, MD, MPH, professor, chair of the Department of Cardiology and the Lee and Harold Kapelovitz Distinguished Chair in Cardiology at the Smidt Heart Institute, said the award "is a testament to Dr. Bairey Merz's vast accomplishments within our field of cardiology, both as a leader who has blazed a trail, serving as a role model for generations of women and men who aspire to leadership in academic cardiology, and as a pioneer in the treatment and prevention of heart disease in women. Our entire team is very proud that she was selected to receive this distinguished award. It is much deserved." Bairey Merz joined the Cedars-Sinai Department of Cardiology in 1985, quickly working to better understand and prevent cardiovascular disease in women-;clinically and in the laboratory. She also played a major role in proving that women's heart attack symptoms often differed from men's. For example, women are more likely to experience crushing fatigue, jaw pain and nausea as heart attack symptoms, while men are more likely to experience tingling down the left arm and chest pain. Since those symptom differences emerged, Bairey Merz also has worked to educate women on how to recognize female-pattern heart disease symptoms. Bairey Merz currently leads the WARRIOR multicenter clinical trial, which she designed. The trial is testing whether standard therapy used for obstructive coronary artery disease is effective for women with chest pain and no obstructions. Since 1996, Bairey-Merz also has been principal investigator of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) multicenter clinical trial, studying detection and assessment of heart artery disorders in women using noninvasive methods. Other areas of her breakthrough research include estrogen deficiency and cardiovascular disease in premenopausal women, cardiac autonomic function in women with microvascular coronary dysfunction, and exploring the power of female stem cells to regenerate healthy heart muscle after a heart attack. Bairey Merz also has served as principal investigator on several National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health-sponsored surrogate outcome clinical trials testing preventive cardiology interventions on outcomes, ranging from advanced imaging to cardiovascular pathophysiology and the cardiac autonomic nervous system. She has published more than 450 peer-reviewed articles in the New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, Circulation, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, International Journal of Cardiology and the Journal of Women's Health, among others. "My mission is to ensure the healthiest possible cardiovascular outcomes for every patient, and achieving equality in care is especially vital, as heart conditions and risk factors for cardiac disease often present differently in women than men," said Bairey Merz, the Irwin and Sheila Allen Chair in Women's Heart Research. "It means a great deal to receive this award from the ACC for this work-;I am deeply honored, as well as committed to continuing to improve heart health and care for our patients." The ACC's Annual Scientific Session brings together cardiologists and cardiovascular specialists from around the world to share the newest discoveries in treatment and prevention. Bairey Merz will lead various women's heart health-focused presentations this year, including "Expand Your Differential: Recognizing the Unique Chest Pain Presentations in Women." On Saturday, March 4, she will present "Beyond the Obstruction: Testing and Treatment Options in INOCA and MINOCA." On Monday, March 6, she will lead a session on prevention, in addition to receiving the 2023 Master of the ACC Award. An advance team of Soldiers and Airmen arrive in the Arctic to prepare for Guerrier Nordique. The Artctic Circle exercise in March 2023 will include Soldiers from the Vermont, Utah, Connecticut and New Hampshire National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, the National Guard Bureau, the 11th Airborne Division, and the 34th and 35th Canadian Brigade Group in Quebec province. (Maj. Matt Hefner) We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Enough is Enough (EiE) and SB Morgen (SBM) Intelligence have released the results of a survey conducted to find out the likely winners of the forthcoming gubernatorial elections. On March 11, Nigerians will head to the polls to elect governors and members of the state assemblies. The governorship elections will be conducted in 28 states. In a report titled: EiE-SBM Intelligence Election Forecast: Governorship Races, the likely winners of the governorship elections were predicted. The report said 8,921 people were interviewed regarding presidential, governorship and legislative races between January 16 and February 3, 2023. Between 16 January and 3 February 2023, SBM Intelligence interviewed 8921 people in the field regarding the presidential, governorship and legislative races, the report reads. We also interviewed 2,613 people on the phone. All interviews took place in all 36 states and Abuja. For our governorship calls, we have opted to use only responses from the field interviews. Here is the result of their findings. STATES LIKELY TO BE WON BY PDP 1. Sokoto 2. Kebbi 3. Oyo 4. Katsina 5. Kaduna 6. Bauchi 7. Gombe 8. Adamawa 9. Cross River 10. Akwa Ibom 11. Rivers 12. Delta 13. Taraba 14. Ebonyi 15. Plateau STATES LIKELY TO BE WON BY APC 1. Borno 2. Yobe 3. Jigawa 4. Zamfara 5. Niger 6. Kwara 7. Nasarawa 8. Benue 9. Ogun 10. Lagos STATE LIKELY TO BE WON BY LP 1. Abia STATE LIKELY TO BE WON BY NNPP 1. Kano STATE LIKELY TO BE WON BY APGA 1. Enugu President Muhammadu Buhari says the federal government will not rest on its oars until Nigerians are free from the menace of terrorism. Buhari spoke in Daura, Katsina state when he virtually inaugurated the 700 Ashok Leyland troop-carrying vehicles. The president also commended the role of the armed forces in maintaining law and order at the just concluded presidential and national assembly elections. He said the war against terrorism and criminality in the country would be sustained and boosted with supplies of hardware and better care for security agencies. I wish to commend the resolve of our armed forces towards the defeat of insurgency and its support in maintaining law and order as was demonstrated in the just concluded presidential and national assembly elections, he said. I want to assure you all that your labour will not be in vain. The administration will continue to support you in every respect, including improving your welfare. Moving forward, I charge you to consolidate on the gains we have achieved, towards sustaining the peace and stability of the country, Let me firmly assure Nigerians that the federal government remains steadfast and committed to winning the war against insurgency and other criminalities. Surely, the federal government will not rest on its oars until Nigeria and indeed Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora are free from the menace of terrorism and other forms of harm. Buhari noted that the vehicles would increase the capability of the armed forces, especially their combat efficiency level. I am pleased to be invited here today as the special guest of honour at the commissioning of the 700 Ashok Leyland troops carrying vehicles, procured by the Federal Government of Nigeria, he said. These vehicles, I understand, were assembled by Stallion Motors Limited at Ojo, Lagos. This is an important milestone in the annals of the armed forces of Nigeria, especially the troops engaged in operations in various theatres. Buhari noted that in the past seven years plus, the federal government has been able to revitalise the armed forces for the full restoration of Nigerias territorial integrity. Some of you may recall that in my inaugural speech as president, I promised to put an end to the Boko Haram insurgency which hitherto had posed a grave threat to Nigerias territorial integrity, he said. In fulfilling this promise, I made professionalism and capacity building of the armed forces a major security policy thrust of my administration. Training and the acquisition of brand-new platforms and other supporting equipment for the armed forces of Nigeria and other security agencies were intensified. The procurement process of military hardware was simplified, thereby removing inefficiency and corruption. This was in practical fulfilment of my promise to re-professionalise and adequately equip our military so they could effectively discharge their constitutional responsibilities. The president thanked Bashir Magashi, minister of defence; Lucky Irabor, chief of defence staff; and personnel of the armed forces for their achievements. Thabo Mbeki, former president of South Africa, has asked Bola Tinubu, president-elect, to build an exemplary government when he assumes office. In a statement issued by Tunde Rahman on Friday, Mbeki spoke on Thursday when he visited Tinubu in Abuja. Mbeki, who is the chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group for the election, said many countries in the continent look up to Nigeria. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with a big economy. Whatever happens here sets the pace for the rest of Africa, Mbeki was quoted as saying. We need a strong Nigerian presidency that will also focus on the African region. Your opponent will be looking for the smallest thing to throw stones at. That is the way of democracy. On Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Tinubu as the winner of the presidential election and also issued him a certificate of return. Tinubu secured 8,794,726 votes. Abubakar had the second-highest figure with 6,984,520 votes, while Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) was next with 6,101,533 votes. Muhammadu Yahaya, governor of Gombe, has apologised to the Christian faithful in the state. Yahaya, who is seeking re-election, tendered the apology during a meeting with leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Gombe state chapter, held at the Government House on Saturday. In 2021, Recall that Yahaya refused to announce Musa Maiyamba, a Christian who is also a graduate of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), as the new Mai (king) of the Tangale kingdom, despite being chosen by the kingmakers. Following the claims that the governor was attempting to impose a Muslim on the kingdom, CAN in the state called for a three-day fast and prayers. It also called on him to respect the wishes of the people. Speaking on Saturday, Yahaya, who did not say what he was apologising for, said his administration might have made some errors, The governor said as a human being who is capable of erring, he thought it wise to apologise and seek a fresh start. While promising to do better in his second administration, he said the upcoming elections should be devoid of sentiments. It should be achievements-based and infrastructural development that has a direct impact to the people as a guiding consideration, he said. As in every human endeavour, me and this administration might have committed errors. I request the gathering to forgive and chart a new course for continued development of the state. He thanked the people for giving him their mandate in 2019 while also listing some of his administrations achievements including the provision of quality healthcare facilities, educational upliftment, road infrastructure, and the peace and security prevalent in the state among others. He called on the Christian community to vote for him again for the sustainability of the development of the state. Abare Kalla, the north-east CAN chairman, commended the governor for convening the meeting and for addressing perceived misconceptions and asking for forgiveness for any wrongdoing either by him or his administration. The Christian community at the end of the meeting unanimously agreed to forgive the governor and pledged to work toward his re-election bid. The authorities of the US, and Canada have banned the use of TikTok on government-issued devices over concerns about privacy and cybersecurity. The video-sharing app, which is owned by the Beijing-based ByteDance, has denied wrongdoing and maintained that it does not share data with the Chinese government. Despite its denial, a number of countries have decided to ban it either totally or partially. United States According to a report published on Wednesday on Reuters, the US house foreign affairs committee approved a bill to ban the Chinese-owned app. Lawmakers voted 24 to 16 to suspend the app which is used by over 100 million Americans. TikTok is a national security threat It is time to act, said Michael McCaul, the Republican chair of the committee who sponsored the bill. Anyone with TikTok downloaded on their device has given the CCP (Communist Party of China) a backdoor to all their personal information. Its a spy balloon into their phone. Canada BBC reported that the Canadian government banned the app from all government-issued devices and blocked it from future downloads. Justin Trudeau, Canadas prime minister, said there was enough concern about security around the app to require the change. This may be the first step, this may be the only step we need to take, he said on Monday. Mona Fortier, the president of Canadas Treasury Board, said the government is committed to keeping government information secure. On a mobile device, TikToks data collection methods provide considerable access to the contents of the phone. While the risks of using this application are clear, we have no evidence at this point that government information has been compromised, she said. European Union In a statement dated February 23 and released by the European Commission, the use of TikTok has been suspended on corporate devices used by its staff, as well as personal devices that can be connected to its mobile service. To increase its cybersecurity, the Commissions Corporate Management Board has decided to suspend the use of the TikTok application on its corporate devices and on personal devices enrolled in the Commission mobile device service, the statement reads. This measure aims to protect the Commission against cybersecurity threats and actions which may be exploited for cyber-attacks against the corporate environment of the Commission. The security developments of other social media platforms will also be kept under constant review. The ban for European Commission employees is set to come into force on March 15. India In 2020, BBC reported that Indias government banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps. The Indian authorities said the apps were prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order. Taiwan In December 2022, Reuters reported that Taiwans government opened an investigation into TikTok over illegal commercial operations. Reacting to this in an emailed statement to Reuters, ByteDance said the company has not established any legal entities in Taiwan. Taiwan prohibits a wide range of Chinese business operations and has already banned government departments from using Chinese apps such as TikTok, the council added. Another report also confirmed that Taiwan imposed a public sector ban on TikTok after being warned that the video-sharing platform posed a national security risk. Afghanistan In April 2022, BBC reported that the Taliban, Afghanistans militant group, banned TikTok for leading the countrys youths astray. According to Inamullah Samangani, Taliban spokesman, the ban was necessary to prevent the younger generation from being misled. EXTRA: Pakistan lifts ban on TikTok for the fourth time In November 2021, a report by AP showed that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has banned TikTok four times in the country since the first time in October 2020. The Pakistani regulatory agency said the sanction is a result of complaints about allegedly immoral, obscene and vulgar content on the app. The ban was later lifted after TokTok pledged to moderate content in adherence to local laws. Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa, has warned that the state will not tolerate religious crisis. Sule spoke on Saturday in Lafia, Nasarawa capital, during a meeting with the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI), and Sidi Bage-Mohammed, the emir of Lafia and chairman of the state traditional council. The governor is seeking a second term in office. He said the meeting was called owing to the dangerous religious dimension of ongoing politics ahead of the March 11 elections. Sule condemned some inciting and provocative videos that went viral on social media promoting religious politics. He praised the religious and traditional leaders for the peaceful conduct of the presidential and national assembly elections in the state. He attributed the success of the elections to the efforts of all stakeholders and urged them to ensure that the forthcoming election is also peaceful. The governor said the government would not allow anybody to divide the people and destroy the state because of politics. Nasarawa state has always been seen as a peaceful place and there are Muslims and Christians in virtually every family. So, the government cannot allow religious crisis in the state, he said. If the state is not peaceful, even those inciting people cannot have the time to send those messages, as everybody will be on the run. Power comes from God and He gives it to whoever He wants at any time, so, as politicians, we should only present ourselves to the people. He appealed to religious leaders to talk to their followers to desist from any act capable of breaching the peace in the state. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. South Africa: Police nab a suspect for Kwazakele mass murders The South African Police Service in the Eastern Cape has made a breakthrough in arresting a suspect believed to be involved in the mass shooting that claimed 8 lives on 29 January 2023 at Kwazakele in Gqeberha. On the day of the incident, 11 people fell victims of a cold blooded shooting at Maqanda Street in Kwazakele. The incident left eight people dead with other three seriously injured. Following the incident, Police Minister, General Bheki Cele and the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, led a delegation of various experts within the organisation to the crime scene of the mass shooting. Preliminary investigation at the time revealed that between 17:15 and 17:30, the owner of the house was celebrating his birthday, when two unknown gunmen entered the yard and started shooting at the guests. Seven people (three females and four males) were fatally injured while another four people (two females and two males) sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital for treatment. One of the victims succumbed to the injuries in hospital, bringing the total number of the deceased to eight. The owner of the house was among the deceased. A task team was since established in order to ensure a speedy arrest of the culprits. According to the SAPS, on Friday members of the Provincial Task Team followed up on information about suspects believed to be linked to the shooting of the eight people, as well as the wounding of three other victims at the same crime scene. The task team consists of Provincial Serious Violent Crime unit, Provincial Tracking Team, Provincial Crime Intelligence with assistance of Crime Combating Unit members. The information led the investigating team to some flats in Walmer where six suspects allegedly involved in the mass shooting were hiding. As they arrived in the house, only one suspect aged (33) was found. Upon investigation, his involvement was confirmed. His co-conspirators managed to flee before the police arrived. Meanwhile, the suspect was immediately arrested and later detained at Mount Road police station for a further investigation, the SAPS said in a statement. The police said that they are currently in pursuit of the remaining fugitives who escaped from Walmer Flats. The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mene, has expressed gratitude and appreciation to the multi-disciplinary team of investigators who spared no efforts to ensure a breakthrough is made in the cases. I am grateful for the arrest that my task team has made. It has strengthened our resolve that we would eventually find the killers, so that we are able to establish the motive. Let the outstanding fugitives be found and found sooner so that the families can find closure from this horrific ordeal. Lieutenant General Mene said. The arrested suspect, whose identity cannot be published at this stage, will appear in New Bright Magistrates court on Monday on charges relating to murder. Police said they will oppose the bail. Anyone who can assist with any information relating to the remaining five suspects who fled, is requested to please contact the Provincial Organised Crime Investigator, Detective Captain Sitole on 082 457 2812 or Crime Stop on 086 00 10111. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. To promote human advancement along a balanced, positive and upward trajectory 13:59, March 05, 2023 By He Yin ( People's Daily Children read books with parents in a library of a residential complex in Lanshan county, Yongzhou, central China's Hunan province, Jan. 30, 2023. (Photo by Peng Hua/People's Daily) Chinese modernization is the modernization of material and cultural-ethical advancement. Material abundance and cultural-ethical enrichment are its noble pursuit. It offers a brand-new idea for solving materialism, cultural impoverishment and other deep-seated problems in Western modernization process. The traditional Chinese culture upholds the dialectical unity of material abundance and cultural-ethical enrichment. Only through continuous development can the people's dream for a better life and social stability be realized. Cultural-ethical enrichment and cultural confidence can play a role of spiritual guide in creating material wealth. To realize Chinese modernization, China must continue to consolidate the material foundation for modernization, be well-placed to meet people's ever-growing intellectual and cultural needs, and promote all-around material abundance as well as people's well-rounded development. "We will keep raising people's living standards and enriching their lives, so that every family will enjoy a decent life and everyone will be imbued with a strong sense of moral integrity," said Chinese President Xi Jinping. A foreigner and Chinese children learn traditional Chinese tie-dye techniques under the guidance of a craftswoman in Licang district, Qingdao, east China's Shandong province, Feb. 24, 2023. (Photo by Zhang Ying/People's Daily Online) Chinese modernization mirrors the advantages of scientific socialism and offers a new vision that's different from Western modernization. Western countries cannot curb the acquisitive instinct of capital in modernization, and have failed to find a solution to the deep-seated problems such as materialism and cultural impoverishment. Chinese modernization is committed to the coordination and mutual reinforcement between material and cultural-ethical advancement. It builds an ideological basis for the people to unite with each other, gives them the courage to move forward and keeps them positive, providing ceaseless energy for China to build a modern socialist country in all respects. Pakistani Ambassador to China Moin ul Haque believes that China will surely achieve its national development goals and build itself into a strong country with balanced material and cultural-ethical advancement. Chinese civilization draws inspiration from all of human civilization's outstanding achievements and champions exchange and mutual learning between different civilizations, which is conducive to finding the greatest common ground for building a better world. China stands for the concept of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness, believes that countries should advocate humanity's common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom. They should also allow cultural exchanges to transcend estrangement, mutual learning to transcend clashes, and coexistence to transcend feelings of superiority, so as to promote human advancement along a balanced, positive and upward trajectory. From holding the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, which has established an important platform of inter-civilization exchanges and mutual learning for Asia and even the world at large, building the Belt and Road Initiative into a way connecting different civilizations with the Silk Road spirit featuring peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit, to recording in the history of the Olympic Games a series of stories of cultural exchange and mutual learning among civilizations by hosting a successful Winther Olympics, China has always championed and practiced inter-civilization exchanges and mutual learning. Scholar Ulugbek Hasanov from Uzbekistan said Chinese modernization will create more opportunities and better conditions for promoting exchanges and mutual learning between China and the rest of the world, and make the world a more stable and certain place. Chinese modernization, coordinating material and cultural-ethical advancement, represents the direction of human civilization progress. It develops via interaction with other civilizations in the world and enriches human civilization through equal exchanges and mutual learning. Chinese civilization will promote the advancement of the entire human civilization. (Web editor: Liang Jun, Du Mingming) This weeks cover story by Kaylee Poche asks an important question: When will Louisiana finally, and fully, legalize cannabis? While the future of legal recreational cannabis may appear grim in light of conservatives hold on state politics, more and more Republicans including some GOP lawmakers are realizing prohibition doesnt work. In fact, it hurts us all by unnecessarily criminalizing people while robbing the state of much needed revenue. As Louisiana Progress Peter Robins-Brown told Poche, the winds have shifted enough that it is no longer a question of if, but when, cannabis will be legalized here. Legalization is long overdue. Drug laws have disproportionately affected the Black community, subjecting Black men in particular to lengthy in some cases lifelong prison terms. Meanwhile, that has robbed Black families of the ability to build and maintain generational wealth, one of the key components to breaking the cycle of crushing poverty. Criminalization also has abetted the illegal cannabis trade, which doubtless has contributed to chronic violence in our communities. It has clogged our criminal courts, pointlessly swelled state and federal prison populations, and cruelly inflicted widespread pain and suffering for generations. Sheriffs and many other prohibitionists prefer to couch their opposition to legalization in the language of public health and safety. Truth is Americas drug war has never really been about safety, at least as applied to cannabis. As the Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man noted 30 years ago, Cash rules everything around me. It doesnt matter if youre selling it, buying it or policing it, the drug war is big business. Money has always been its heartbeat. Every year, the federal government pours tens of millions of dollars into the coffers of Louisiana sheriffs and city police forces. Sheriffs tie their budgets to the number of prison beds they can keep filled, creating a perverse incentive to seek and jail people who otherwise do no harm and need treatment, not incarceration. Meanwhile, according to a report by the conservative Pelican Institute, between 2000 and 2020, law enforcement in Louisiana seized $186 million worth of property under asset forfeiture laws. The majority of that came from drug cases. Unsurprisingly, most of that money was funneled back into local criminal justice agencies cops, jails and courts. Legalizing cannabis would cost sheriffs some federal grants tied to its criminalization and eliminate their authority to seize cars, homes and other valuable assets after cannabis busts. However, they likely would offset much if not all that federal funding by receiving a share of the tax proceeds from legal cannabis. The bottom line is clear: Louisiana should join the 21 other states that have already legalized recreational cannabis. That includes Missouri and Montana, neither of which rank among Americas progressive bastions. Legalization isnt an issue of liberals versus conservatives. Louisianans of every political persuasion already use cannabis, either for its medical benefits (which the state, thankfully, now fully recognizes) or recreationally. Its high time Louisiana allows everyone over age 21 to use cannabis safely and without having to worry about breaking the law. This morning, around 10:00, a subversive group of the Azerbaijani armed forces targeted the staff shift car of the Passport and Visa Department of the Artsakh Republic Police in the area called "Khaipalu.'' March 5, 2023, 13:41 Three police officers killed as a result of Azerbaijani subversive infiltration. The Ministry of Internal Affairs published their names STEPANAKERT, MARCH 5, ARTSAKHPRESS: This is reported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh. Three police officers of Artsakh were killed in result of subversive attack by Azerbaijan armed forces: Lieutenant Colonel Armen Babayan, Major David Danielyan, Lieutenant Ararat Gasparyan. Another serviceman, Lieutenant Davit Ashoti Hovsepyan, has received a gunshot wound and is in the Republican Medical Center under the supervision of doctors. At this difficult moment, the Ministry of Internal Affairs shares the grief of the loss of the dead police officers, and expresses support to their families," the Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement. Artsakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement on the attack of Azerbaijani sabotage group on Police Officers of the Republic of Artsakh. March 5, 2023, 16:20 We call on the international community to take effective measures to stop the terrorist and genocidal policy of Azerbaijan. Artsakh MFA STEPANAKERT, MARCH 5, ARTSAKHPRESS: ''The infiltration of the Azerbaijani sabotage group into the territory of Artsakh and the attack on Artsakh police officers is another flagrant violation of the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020, which indicates that the Azerbaijani side is seeking to initiate an escalation of tension. Earlier, on 2 and on the night of 2 to 3 March, units of the Azerbaijani armed forces stationed in the occupied territories of the Askeran, Martakert and Martuni regions of the Republic of Artsakh also violated the ceasefire established by the Trilateral Statement of 9 November 2020. On 5 March, at about 10:00 am, a sabotage group of the Azerbaijani armed forces crossed the line of contact and attacked a vehicle of the Passport and Visa Department of the Police of the Republic of Artsakh. As a result of this attack, three unarmed police officers were killed and another was wounded. A preliminary analysis of the circumstances of the killing of police officers allows to regard the actions of the Azerbaijani side as a war crime. It should be noted that these attacks were carried out immediately after the talks on unblocking the Lachin Corridor held between representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan on 1 March. Through its actions, Baku openly demonstrates its rejection of negotiations as a means of finding solutions to any issues. Against the background of the more than 80-day blockade of Artsakh, aimed at deliberately creating unbearable living conditions for its people, a serious escalation of the situation, resulting in casualties, once again demonstrates the true objectives of Azerbaijan and its intention to complete the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh. Apparently, the lack of adequate measures on the part of the international community aimed at stopping the internationally wrongful acts of Azerbaijan was perceived by the authorities of this country as a carte blanche to commit new atrocities. We once again call on the international community as a whole and the parties involved in the settlement of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict in particular to reconsider their approaches and take effective measures under international law to stop the terrorist and genocidal policy of Azerbaijan,'' reads the statement. Indiana lawmakers want the state agency responsible for managing the pension funds of Hoosier government employees, including teachers, to focus on achieving the highest investment returns at the lowest possible cost. Officials at the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS) insist their top priority for investing the $42.5 billion in pension assets always has been hitting a targeted annual rate of return, currently 6.25%, with the least amount of volatility, to ensure INPRS meets its long-term obligations to its members. In a normal timeline that would be the end of the story. INPRS already is doing what the General Assembly wants in a way that ensures pension contributions remain stable, and no additional state appropriations are needed, for Indiana to meet its pension obligations. However, selective right-wing outrage over investment banks sometimes choosing to consider environmental, social or governance (ESG) factors such as reducing air pollution or ensuring diverse corporate board membership as part of their investment strategies recently triggered Hoosier legislators to try to outlaw ESG investing at INPRS, even though INPRS doesn't do it. "INPRS does not make any decisions on ESG policies," said Tony Green, INPRS deputy executive director, told the Senate Committee on Pensions and Labor. Nevertheless, the Republican-controlled Senate decided last month to make doubly sure by voting 40-7 to send its comparatively simple, two-page, anti-ESG proposal in Senate Bill 292 to the Republican-controlled House. It directs the INPRS board, in accordance with its fiduciary duties, to make investment decisions "with the primary purpose of maximizing the target rate of return on the board's investments" and to not take any action to influence any social or environmental policy, or attempt to influence the governance of any corporation for nonpecuniary purposes. "It basically is codifying the current practice of the INPRS board," said state Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, the sponsor of the legislation. A different approach In contrast, the anti-ESG measure recently approved 66-30 by the House and headed to the Senate is a 13-page mishmash of confusing definitions, prescriptive policies and a literal picking of winners and losers in the free market an act many Republicans say government should never be doing. Perhaps more importantly, state Rep. Ethan Manning, R-Denver, the sponsor, admitted during debate on House Bill 1008 that it doesn't even prevent INPRS from engaging in ESG investing if supporting ESG policies provide the highest rate of investment return. "Somebody could do all the ESG they want if they're the best performer, we're going to stick with them," Manning said. That response flabbergasted state Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, who said "it's hard to even know where we're going." "It appears we're doing nothing, since if it's really profitable we'll stick with it," Delaney said. In discussing his legislation, Manning seemed more interested in a provision effectively compelling INPRS to invest in specific industries, including fossil fuels, firearms and border enforcement, because the lack of investment in those industries may reasonably be considered support for ESG policies, according to the measure. Manning contends those industries are being discriminated against by investment firms and big banks for political reasons, and he believes it's necessary for the General Assembly to send a message Indiana still supports them. "We want to make sure those investments, because they're great businesses, are available to our pensioners," Manning said. Delaney questioned why Manning wants the Legislature picking winners and losers, such as propping up failing coal companies when their product is more expensive than other energy sources, instead of actually boosting pension payments to retired workers. "Instead of saying we've got to do what we can for our pensioners, what we're saying is if you live in a small town and your coal mine closes, and your local stores shut down, guess what we're going to help your pensions shrink, too! What kind of policy is that to compound the losses we have?" Delaney asked. Acceptable discrimination State Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, also noted for the House that Manning's proposal could force INPRS to divest from businesses that take steps to include on their boards of directors individuals hailing from protected classes under Indiana law, such as women, racial minorities or military veterans. "It's ironic that a bill, in the big picture, is saying we have fossil fuel companies and firearms manufacturers that have suffered discrimination, and therefore we must pass this bill to protect them from any future discrimination, and in the process of that we're saying, 'By the way, if you do anything to ensure there's not discrimination against individuals that are protected by our own state's civil rights statutes, statutes passed by this very body, that if you do that you're violating this thing in the name of ESG," Pierce said. "We are like turning the world upside-down," he added. "If you're mean to a firearms manufacturer, you're going to get the boot. If you're mean to somebody based on their race, their religion, their color, their sex, their disabilities, their national origin, their ancestry or their status as a veteran, you can do that." In addition, Delaney, Pierce and state Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage, pointed out that seven of the nine INPRS board members are appointed by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, while the other two are Republican State Auditor Tera Klutz and Republican State Treasurer Daniel Elliott. "There's not a bunch of crazies running around INPRS. From what I can tell, it's a bunch of conservative Republicans. Whom I'm glad to trust with my money. Why don't you trust them with your money?" Delaney asked. Manning insisted his concern is not the INPRS board but asset managers who are selected by the INPRS board "using other peoples' money to promote ESG policies," instead of embracing "freedom, fairness and financial markets." "I believe that there are many, many investment managers that could do work for INPRS who would not participate in ESG and, if possible, we should move to them. But if they're so great that we have to stick with them, even though they do ESG investing, then that's the point of having the INPRS board make the final decision based upon their existing fiduciary obligations," Manning said. Notwithstanding their opposition to ESG investing, state senators last month also unanimously approved Senate Bill 268 directing INPRS to divest from any company owned or controlled by the Chinese government, Chinese Communist Party or the Chinese military in the hope of changing Chinese government policies. "We, as a state and as a nation, are in direct and daily conflict with the Communist Chinese Party and yet we, the state of Indiana, remain invested in Chinese Communist Party interests," said state Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, the sponsor. "We have to acknowledge that any investment in China is an issue of national security and a monetary endorsement of human rights violations." Records show INPRS has approximately $750 million in investments potentially subject to the China divestment mandate that INPRS would have to sell off within five years if the plan becomes law. Meet the 2023 Northwest Indiana legislative delegation State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago State Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso State Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage State Rep. Mike Aylesworth, R-Hebron State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary State Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville State Rep. Kendell Culp, R-Rensselaer State Rep. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point State Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland State Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago State Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Gary State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr., D-Chesterton State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso State Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores When Joni Mitchell finally took the stage near the end of an all-star tribute concert honoring her as this years recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, she opted to perform a cover rather than one of her own songs. The 79-year-old music legend leaned against the piano Wednesday as she crooned a sultry version of Summertime, the popular tune from George Gershwins Porgy and Bess, an appropriate choice since the award was named after the composer. But she wasnt done. The evenings other performers came to the stage and surrounded Mitchell as she launched into one of her more popular tunes, The Circle Game. Graham Nash, James Taylor, Ledisi, Cyndi Lauper, Herbie Hancock, Marcus Mumford, Brandi Carlile and others brought the crowd to their feet in an evening filled with love and admiration. Before the show, Mitchell, walked the red carpet with a cane, briefly responding to the Associated Press saying the honor was very exciting. Nash, who had dated Mitchell back in the 1970s, spoke of her indelible spirit overcoming gender and physical obstacles. She has had many, many difficulties in her life with polio when she was young. And now theres a brain aneurysm several years ago. But to see her come back and be singing again and playing again is incredible. I mean, talk about resilience, Nash said. Later, he performed, A Case of You, the song Mitchell wrote about their breakup. Another former partner of Mitchells was James Taylor, who described their time together as one of the chapters in my life that Im fondest of. She had a huge effect on me, on my work. And we collaborated during the year or so that we were together on a lot of stuff, Taylor said. He added: Joni is a national treasure. Carlile was one of the evenings busiest performers, adding backing vocals, as well as taking on Mitchells Shine. Before the concert, the nine-time Grammy-winning admitted not discovering Mitchells music until later in her life. It felt really feminine to me, really vulnerable, and it made me really uncomfortable, which is a reflection, I think, on my own ego and my coming of age in being a bit of a gender non-conforming person or just not really understanding the way that she was showing me, and all of us, the world. And it wasnt until I fell in love and met my wife that I realized how multi-dimensional Joni was as an artist, Carlile said. Before receiving the award from Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, Mitchel was flanked by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including House Speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.; Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn; Patty Murray, D-Wash; and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. The Gershwin Prize, created in 2007, has previously honored Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and Carole King. Joni Mitchell: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song will be broadcast March 31 on PBS stations, PBS.org, the PBS App and the American Forces Network. Jerry Davich Jerrys career began in 1995 as a political cartoonist/columnist with The Times of NWI, writing thousands of columns and stories through narrative storytelling, or shining a light on societys darkest corners, or provoking unpopular conversations. Follow Jerry Davich Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The four teenage girls stood on Ruth Pelkes front porch with criminal intentions. When the 78-year-old Bible teacher answered the door, the girls lied to her by asking about Bible study classes she taught. One of the girls, 15-year-old Paula Cooper, stood behind the other three with a 12-inch butcher knife hidden inside the white denim jacket she was carrying. Pelke invited them into her home and pulled out a pen and paper from a desk drawer to write down a note. Cooper shoved Pelke to the floor, grabbed a glass paperweight and struck the womans head. Cooper then reached for her hidden knife and began violently slashing Pelkes frail body. Wheres the money, b----? Cooper shouted to Pelke again and again. Pelke, lying flat on her back and gushing blood, told the girl, If you do this, youll be sorry. Cooper continued stabbing her, 33 times in all, eventually leaving the blade in Pelkes torso. She died at some point during the attack. The murder took place May 14, 1985, at a modest home on Adams Street in the Glen Park section of Gary. Pelke lived just a few blocks from my aunts home. I remember driving past the crime scene site after the killing, wondering exactly what happened inside the home that day. Soon enough, the news would be everywhere. This tragedy in a Midwestern steel town soon reverberates across the United States and around the world reaching as far away as the Vatican as newspapers cover the story on their front pages and millions sign petitions in support of Paula. This description is on the jacket of a new book, Seventy Times Seven: A True Story of Murder and Mercy, by Alex Mar, who lives in New York City. Her books title is a reference to biblical scripture. Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven, The Gospel of Matthew reads. Mars book is based on five years of research, hundreds of hours of interviews with over 80 individuals, thousands of pages of documents, unpublished letters and emails, newspaper features and photographs, and dozens of hours of archival footage. It explores overarching themes that have always fascinated me about this gruesome murder mercy, forgiveness, compassion and empathy. And our lack of such virtues. When Paula Cooper is sentenced to death, no one decries the impending execution of a tenth grader, Mar writes. But the tide begins to shift when the victims grandson Bill forgives the girl, against the wishes of his family, and campaigns to spare her life. Bill Pelke, Ruths grandson, would often talk to me about this horrendous crime and his opposition to capital punishment for Cooper and every other killer. Pelke was a steady customer when my family owned a catering truck serving workers at the former Bethlehem Steel plant in Burns Harbor. Jerry, its all about love, compassion, and forgiveness. For everyone, all of humanity, including convicted murderers, he would tell me while eating lunch outside my truck. I remember shaking my head in respectful disagreement. I didnt share his sense of mercy, though fortunately Ive never been forced to test it. Pelke was a soft-spoken man when we talked about issues that captured our passion. The difference is that he acted on his conscience, relentlessly. "I found that by forgiving Paula, I have not only helped others heal, but I have helped myself," Pelke told me. Cooper would become the youngest person on death row in the state of Indiana. Pelke would become her most vocal advocate to spare her life in the name of mercy and forgiveness. As Mar asks in her compelling book, What are we demanding when we call for justice? Is forgiveness an act of desperation or of profound bravery? Pelke visited Cooper more than a dozen times in prison, developing a relationship that critics would never understand. During the last two years of her incarceration, Cooper and Pelke exchanged emails on a regular basis. He hoped that together they could continue his international crusade against the death penalty. What a dynamic duo they would become once she got released from prison after 27 years behind bars. In 2009, Bill Pelke appeared in my head while I listened to the steady drumbeat echoing in the dead of a winter night outside Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. Bundled against a wind chill hovering at zero degrees and a merciless wind, a handful of determined protesters paced slowly outside the prisons front gate. Clutching handmade signs, Thou Shalt Not Kill and No More Executions, they demonstrated against the lethal injection execution of Matthew Eric Wrinkles. In 1995, Wrinkles was convicted for the murders of his estranged wife, her brother, and his brother's wife in Evansville. As midnight neared, I thought of Pelke, who was convinced that his "Nana" would find sincere compassion for her killers. So he did, too. Pelkes tragic situation helped divide my thoughts into two distinct ways to view capital punishment. Its one thing to view it as a public spectator, as most of us do. Its quite another to view it as a personal participant, as Pelke had been forced to, incarcerated by profound circumstances. As a public spectator, I felt Wrinkles life could have been spared. But if he killed any of my loved ones, I dont think I could follow Pelkes forgiving example. I would want Wrinkles dead, and I would have chosen a much more painful way for him to die. After the execution, I wrote about my feelings and heard from Will McAuliffe, executive director at the time of Indiana Coalition Acting to Suspend Executions, INCASE. It is too easy for those of us who havent lost a family member to say what we think we would do in that situation but who among us can genuinely pretend to comprehend what that must be like? For that reason, people like Bill are so important. In my next column, I will share insights from Mar about why she chose to write a book about this murder case of all the murder cases in the world. I also will share the fates of Bill Pelke and Paula Cooper two lives and two deaths forever imprisoned together in our thoughts. LAPORTE COUNTY A felon who drove 95 mph on the Indiana Toll Road was arrested on a preliminary gun charge. A LaPorte County sheriffs deputy pulled the driver over while making a U-turn near the 46-mile marker of Interstate 80/94 at 9:55 p.m. Saturday. The deputy slowed and began to make a U-turn in a center-median crossover, Capt. Derek Allen said. An eastbound silver passenger vehicle caught the attention of the deputy as it was traveling at an excessive speed. The deputy completed the U-turn, began traveling eastbound, and caught up to the vehicle near the 48-mile marker. The vehicle was paced by the deputy and found to be traveling 95 miles per hour. Due to the excessive speed of the vehicle, the deputy initiated a traffic stop near the 49-mile marker. The lone occupant of the vehicle was the driver, whom the officer identified as Devonce O. Whitesides, a 28-year-old Terre Haute resident. During the course of the traffic stop, probable cause was established for a vehicle search, Allen said. A second deputy arrived to assist, and a vehicle search commenced. The vehicle search yielded a 9mm KEL-TEC PF-9 pistol concealed inside the vehicle. Whitesides was arrested on a preliminary felony charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. He was taken to the LaPorte County Jail, where hes being held on a $20,000 cash-only bond. Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies were called in recently after Auburn police went to an apartment looking for two men but the people inside refused to come out. The Auburn Police Department said that three people were eventually arrested more than five hours after police first demanded they cooperate with an attempt to serve a pair of arrest warrants. In a news release sent Saturday night, the APD said that officers went to the upper apartment of 6 Spring St. at 9 p.m. March 2 to arrest two men wanted for parole violations. After trying to contact the occupants of the apartment over a PA system and getting no response, officers requested assistance from the Auburn Emergency Response Team, Auburn Police Hostage Negotiation Team, Cayuga County Sheriff's Office K9 unit, Onondaga County Sheriff's Office K9 unit, New York State Parole and the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force. Police said that special teams began negotiations with the people in the apartment at about midnight and that people began to exit the residence about two hours later. Six people were initially detained, and the Emergency Response Team then cleared the apartment and the drug task force executed a search warrant. The APD said that two long guns, a Glock-style BB gun, heroin and molly were found inside. Tyrell Reeder, 38, of 6 Spring St, Upper, Auburn, was charged with felony criminal possession of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor criminal possession of a weapon. Cierra M. Schroeder, 34, of 6 Spring St., Upper, Auburn, was charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of a weapon. Kawonjamin Curtis Felton, 41, of 1916 S. Salina St., Syracuse, was charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of a weapon. The APD said that all three were processed, arraigned in Auburn City Court and remanded to the Cayuga County Jail. GARY Ten pints of blood were donated Monday at the Gary Area Career Center, where nursing students gained real-world experience and made a difference for people in medical emergencies. The blood was collected during the Gary Community School Corp.'s second annual blood drive, in partnership with the American Red Cross. Gary nursing students assisted Red Cross staff in administering the donations. "Our community doesnt always understand how important it is to donate blood," said Selena Bradley, lead counselor at the Gary Area Career Center. "By hosting periodic blood drives within the schools, we are educating our students and families and possibly saving lives." The school district will be hosting blood drives regularly. For updates, check at garyschools.org; to find more blood drives with the American Red Cross, visit redcross.org. PHOTOS: 2021 Florencio Garza Memorial Blood Drive American Red Cross Olivia F. Garza Memorial entrance Raffle baskets Grilling Gift Snack table LAPORTE A LaPorte County official was allowed to vote during a public meeting despite attending on Zoom again from Florida. Commissioner Rich Mrozinski was granted a waiver from a policy restricting each commissioner to voting during one Zoom meeting a year. The waiver was granted by Commission President Joe Haney at the beginning of Wednesdays LaPorte County Commissioners meeting. On Feb. 16, Haney denied Mrozinskis request for an exemption from the policy adopted in January to encourage commissioners to be physically present at meetings. Mrozinski, who has spent recent winters in Florida, verbally cited a medical condition for his extended stay at a second home near Orlando. The Vietnam War veteran did not provide specifics about his condition but said he received treatment at a Veterans Affairs medical facility. It was the first time the policy was enforced during what was the third consecutive meeting he did not attend in person. The reason he gave for seeking a waiver was met with disbelief from Haney at the February meeting. Haney accused him of snowbirding, prohibited Mrozinski from voting and taking part in further conversation, and had him marked as absent from the meeting. Mrozinski remained on Zoom as a spectator. At the beginning of last week's meeting, Haney thanked Mrozinski for submitting an email containing documentation presumed to be related to his medical condition. I appreciate you providing something for your medical exemption this morning, he said. There was no further comment on the issue. Haney and Mrozinski did not respond to questions later. Indiana Public Access Counselor Luke Britt said a state law adopted in 2021 gives local governing bodies permission to adopt rules governing attendance. Coming out of the pandemic, Britt said, state lawmakers did not want elected officials to keep relying on electronic communication to attend meetings as they had done to reduce exposure to COVID-19. Britt said their intent was to avoid legislating from afar except when absolutely necessary. The state law gives the chairman of a local governing body authority to grant or deny a request for a waiver, which can be allowed for medical reasons, death of a relative, military service or threatened injury to a person or property. He also said information about a medical condition can be submitted to substantiate a request for a waiver. After the policy was adopted, Mrozinski alleged that it was retaliation by his political opponents. Haney said the policy was designed to better serve residents who most likely would prefer hearing from or engaging in person with their elected representatives. Between 2007 and 2017, vacant retail space in New York City increased by 5.2 million square feet. During that time, retail rents rose by 22 percent on average. So, much of what you used to love diners, bike shops, tailors, hat stores, delicatessens, art-supply stores, bistros disappeared. It was all so dispiriting that, over the past few years, you found yourself feeling wistful when you heard that, say, Barnes & Noble was closing some stores even though you couldnt stand Barnes & Noble when it started replacing independent book shops. You were undone when you heard that the Coffee Shop on Union Square was shutting down, forgetting how snobby and exclusive it was when it opened, and how it didnt want you anyway. If the story of Walker and Maes cannot be separated from the longing and naivete of the 1960s, as Kapur writes, it is even more tangled up in the politics of Auroville itself, which was thrown into an identity crisis after the death of the Mother in 1973. The ideological rifts went all the way up to the Indian Supreme Court: Did the teachings of Auroville constitute a religion, a sect or a spirituality? What are the differences between the three? For a book that is so diligent about context, however, Kapurs lack of interest in the colonial legacy of Auroville is surprising, and his description of the land itself a fitting tabula rasa for the new world, this, in the teeming state of Tamil Nadu genuinely took me aback. (For a thorough treatment of the colonial roots of Auroville and indeed the idea of utopia itself see Jessica Namakkals Unsettling Utopia, published last month.) A louder, more troubling omission is Maes herself. The contours of her faith, desires, personality are not easy to trace, and her contradictions impossible to reconcile she who let young Auralice be raised by neighbors but insisted on spoon-feeding the girl into her teens? She is a sphinx, reduced mostly to the extraordinary fact of her beauty. Walker, on the other hand, not only left a cache of correspondence but proved to be an uncommonly interesting writer. Some of the most vivacious prose in the book can be found in his letters (extended quotation comes with its perils). Kapur has his talents the story is suspensefully structured, and I consumed it with a febrile intensity but he has a deadly attraction to cliche. Men contain all the requisite multitudes in this tale full of unfinished business and the wreckage of history, in which the wolf is perpetually at the door and seasons are spent in the belly of the beast (in this case, Harvard). If there is a mystery to be solved in this book, it is not what happened on that day in October 1986, in the hut, where a man lay dying and a woman watching him wept. What happened was witnessed by many, it turns out; it was tragic and deeply unnecessary. The mystery lies in this books provenance and desire, the reason, I suspect, for that decorous reticence where Maes is concerned. This book has one real reader in mind: Auralice, who was raised with a kind of reverence and neglect not uncommon in Auroville in those days. She foraged for food, escaped to neighbors when the chaos of her home proved too much. Living with her, Kapur has come to know the quality of her silences there are places we dont go, thing we dont cant talk about, he writes. I suppose one of the reasons I wrote this book was to break down those walls. He accomplishes far more. He brings this past into a kind of balance: He shows how to hold it, all together, in one eye a people and a place in all their promise and corruption. It is a complicated offering, this book, and the artifact of a great love. Last year, my husband Tom received this memorable text from his father: FYI, getting brain surgery tomorrow. Dont worry. Ill be fine. This was the first we had heard about his brain surgery. When Tom phoned his dad and asked why he wasnt told sooner, my father-in-law had a clear explanation: Hed delayed his visit for so long that, when he finally saw a doctor, his symptoms had progressed and he was immediately booked for the procedure. (Happily, he fully recovered and is fine.) It appears that this is a shared trait among the men in my family. Over the summer, my husband pretended an abscess on his back didnt exist until it resembled a dolphins dorsal fin, and he ended up in Urgent Care, still protesting that it was probably a bug bite. Many men, of course, are more diligent about regularly seeing a doctor than those in my family. But a 2022 Cleveland Clinic survey of 1,000 U.S. men found that 55 percent said they dont get regular health screenings. Men of color were even less likely to see a doctor regularly a full 63 percent dodged routine visits. However, there is still a way to go before the treaty can take effect. The next major step would be for countries to formally adopt the language, which was settled on Saturday night. Then, nations would need to ratify the treaty itself, which often requires legislative approval. Heres a look at this weeks agreement, what it means and what might happen next. What are the high seas? Nations generally control the waters and sea floor that extend 200 nautical miles from their shores. Beyond that, you hit the high seas, which arent subject to any individual nations laws or control. They span almost half the entire planet. The high seas are home to species up and down the food chain, from phytoplankton to great white sharks. Much of the marine life that is also found closer to shore in national waters including species of tuna and salmon, sea turtles and whales also spends much of their lives in the high seas. That fact underlines the need for international collaboration on ways to protect species in need of help. Animals, after all, dont recognize national boundaries. Theres also deep sea life, including delightfully strange species like anglerfish (which look like creepy characters in a marine haunted house), tripod fish (which appear to stand on bony fins like stilts) and hatchetfish (which have organs that light up in rows along their bellies). It is sometimes said that we know more about the moon than the depths of the seas. Whats at stake there? Our ocean has been under pressure for decades, Antonio Guterres, the United Nations secretary general, said in a statement on Wednesday as he encouraged delegates to reach a deal. We can no longer ignore the ocean emergency. Jump to: Tricky Clues | Todays Theme SUNDAY PUZZLE John-Clark Levin, of Ojai, Calif., is a Ph.D. student at Cambridge University, studying how governments can better anticipate the effects of artificial intelligence. In his spare time, he does stage magic and stand-up comedy. With a partner, he once held the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous handshake, over 15 hours, which according to the crosswords introduction in print is longer than it took him to construct this puzzle. This is Mr. Levins second crossword for The Times, after a 2020 collaboration with Jeff Chen. Tricky Clues 46A. There are so many obsessive maniacs to choose from, I needed a few letters to figure out the answer for the clue Literary character who cries, I am madness maddened! Its Captain AHAB, of course, plotting his revenge against his white whale, no matter the cost. 67A. This is clever wordplay. One vs. 52? sounds like an uneven battle; it also describes a card game played by one person: SOLITAIRE. 21D. As a bit of a hoarder of digital files, I do this all time, but drew a blank when I saw it explained in words. The Command for creating a revised draft is simply SAVE AS. OXON HILL, Md. Former President Donald J. Trump said on Saturday that he would not drop out of the 2024 presidential race if he was indicted in one of several investigations he is facing. Mr. Trump made the comments to a group of conservative media before his speech to the Conservative Political Action Coalition conference in National Harbor, Md. It was the first time Mr. Trump spoke publicly about how he would respond if he was indicted while actively seeking the presidency, an event that would roil the 2024 campaign. Mr. Trump is facing two state investigations one in New York City and one in Fulton County, Ga. as well as two federal investigations led by Jack Smith, a special prosecutor. Mr. Smith is investigating Mr. Trumps attempt to thwart the peaceful transfer of power after losing the 2020 election, as well as Mr. Trumps possession of hundreds of classified documents and presidential material at his private club, Mar-a-Lago. The precise status of the efforts is unclear, but the two state investigations are believed to be in advanced stages. WASHINGTON Former President Donald J. Trump revived familiar falsehoods and returned to old themes in a speech Saturday night at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Heres a fact check of some of his claims. What Mr. Trump said Killings are taking place at a number like nobodys ever seen, right in Manhattan. False. Murders declined in New York by about 11 percent from 488 homicides in 2021 to 433 homicides last year. It was the lowest level since 2019, according to the citys Police Department. Murders continued to decrease this year to 30 in January (compared with 31 in January 2022) and to 26 in February (compared with 36 in February 2022). Those numbers also pale in comparison to the height of crime in New York in the 1980s and 1990s, when Mr. Trump was a mainstay of the city and when it regularly recorded more than 1,500 murders annually. Homicides peaked in 1990 at 2,245. Xi Jinping is on the political march again. After a turbulent year that ended in faltering growth, widespread protests, and a surge of deaths after China abruptly abandoned Covid controls, Chinas top leader is poised to secure even more power at the annual gathering of the national legislature that opened on Sunday. At the start of the National Peoples Congress, the Chinese government laid out a post-Covid agenda centered on reviving the economy with a 5 percent growth target, raising spending on military, education and social needs, and augmenting Mr. Xis already formidable influence. The nearly 3,000 carefully selected delegates to the legislature, who are meeting for nine days in Beijing, are set to appoint a new cohort of government leaders crowded with Mr. Xis loyalists by the end of the congress. They are also expected to approve a bureaucratic reorganization that will further concentrate policymaking under Mr. Xi and the party. Xi is back, and he has wasted no time in arrogating more powers to himself, said Willy Wo-Lap Lam, a senior fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, who studies Chinese politics. Mr. Xi and other leaders had calculated that they could pull back Covid controls and endure a wave of what may have been a million or more deaths across China without unleashing a long, severe political crisis, Mr. Lam said. The number of suicides in Cayuga County last year fell about 35% from highs in the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic. But other statistics, along with the eight local people who took their own lives in 2022, signify formidable challenges that continue to face mental health care providers in the area. Cayuga County Coroner Dr. Adam Duckett told The Citizen those eight people ranged in age from 16 to 81. Suicide, and providing care for the mental health problems that precipitate it, are currently his biggest concerns as a primary care physician, he said. Even though the pandemic is subsiding, the stress, anxiety and other emotional problems it caused do not appear to be doing the same. "The number's still too high," Duckett said, referring to the county's suicide rate before the pandemic began in March 2020. "We're not meeting the need." The eight suicides are down from last year's recent high of 13, which followed 12 in 2020, six in 2019 and five in 2018. Those numbers fall on both sides of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's national suicide rate of about 14 per 100,000 people last year the local rate was 10.5, while in 2021 and 2020 it was 17.1 and 15.8 and mostly above New York state's rate of 8. Similarly, the Auburn Police Department's number of suicide attempt investigations last year was down 17%, 204 investigations after 245 in 2021, which followed 232 in 2020, 190 in 2019 and 221 in 2018. Mental health investigations, however, spiked 24% to 429, the highest number since 2017, when there were 465. The department's number hovered around 350 the previous three years. Numbers from the Cayuga County Community Mental Health Center were just as mixed. Director of Community Services Lauren Walsh reported there were 1,607 intakes last year after 1,616 in 2021, 1,487 in 2020, 1,715 in 2019 and 1,515 in 2018. Crisis visits, meanwhile, dropped 6% to 1,057 in 2022 after 1,126 in 2021. That was a high following 759 in 2020, 720 in 2019 and 487 in 2018. The numbers that most concern Walsh, she told The Citizen, are the North Street facility's youth intakes and crisis visits. Both rose last year: Intakes of individuals 18 and younger were up 19% to 230 from 187 in 2021, and crisis visits for the same age group were up 11% to 172 from 153 in 2021. She believes the numbers show that while children are back in school full-time, the isolation they experienced learning from home during the early years of the pandemic continues to affect them in the form of anxiety, depression and at-risk behaviors like self-harm and substance use. The center's high numbers could also be due to COVID-19 in a different way, Walsh continued. Messaging has normalized seeking help for mental health problems over the last couple years, weakening the stigma that would have stopped many people previously. So as much as the problems themselves may have increased, the willingness to seek help for them may have increased as well. "That was the hope: 'Life is hard, here we are in the middle of a pandemic,'" she said. "People need help, they can't always do it on their own. But help is out there, even in our community." The center may itself receive help from New York, as Gov. Kathy Hochul has included a $1 billion multi-year plan to overhaul the state's continuum of mental health care in her 2024 budget proposal. Considering the rising number of youth coming to the center, Walsh said she's glad to see the plan's $20 million expansion of mental health services in schools. The county has one satellite at the Union Springs Central School District and is working with other rural districts to provide training and support. One area of success has been training school staff in dialectical behavior therapy, an evidence-based intervention that provides skills to cope with problems ranging from substance use and suicidal ideation to interpersonal difficulties. The center will teach more school staff in March. Another part of Hochul's budget proposal will restore behavioral health beds that were removed to treat COVID-19 patients, Walsh said. But there remains a shortage of local beds for youth, particularly adolescents. Depending on the intensity of their problems, they may have to go to the Auburn Community Hospital emergency room, or to Syracuse or Ithaca for inpatient treatment. Walsh would also like to like to see the state invest more in the mental health care workforce. As the need continues to rise, so has an increase in vacancies in master's level therapist positions, she said. Duckett agreed, noting that the county leads a monthly meeting where stabilized patients are offloaded back to physicians like him so as to free up their mental health care providers. A similar difficulty finding staff has delayed the expansion of the county's Mobile Crisis Team to daytime hours. Syracuse nonprofit Liberty Resources operates the after-hours team, which assists law enforcement with situations involving possible mental health problems. But, with federal funding, the Community Mental Health Center has hoped to start a daytime team soon, Walsh said. "Staff retention in this demanding field is very important, especially locally," she said. "Our mental health clinic continues to provide same-day access to services to so many of our residents." Pina Bausch, the celebrated German choreographer who died in 2009, grew up watching her father work at his cafe. In that setting, a stage of sorts, she was a witness to people and their behavior, with gestures and emotions boredom, joy, sadness, levity on display. She could observe what was said and, just as important, what was left unsaid. When Bauschs ambitious dance-theater productions captivate, they turn viewers into witnesses, too, watching choreography and behavior mingle in surreal, sometimes forceful or humorous ways. The notion of place is crucial. Some of her works were influenced by residencies in which her company, Tanztheater Wuppertal, underwent a creative immersions, as with Bamboo Blues (India) and Nefes (Turkey). In Agua (2001), a work that loses its luster over time, that place is Brazil. The opening is pungent: Taylor Drury, walking to the front of stage, peels an orange, which she eats with gusto she gasps and moans as she swallows its juicy flesh while telling a story about the night she experienced a cramp in her leg. The pain caused her to jump out of bed. She went to the window and witnessed a transporting scene: a sky, beautifully full of stars. She says she thought to herself, Thank god I got this cramp. Agua, making its United States premiere at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, is not a dark work like many of Bauschs earlier dances; its overflowing with whimsy. That carries with it a special kind of pain because, lets face it, we arent exactly living in whimsical times. The production is over two decades old, and it shows. Fox News has so far been wary in reporting on a defamation lawsuit brought against it by Dominion Voter Systems, and on the many private messages the suit has surfaced from high-ranking Fox News personnel, expressing their disbelief at falsehoods and conspiracy theories the network promoted after the 2020 presidential election. So Saturday Night Live strode right into that gap, kicking off this weekends show with a sketch that imagined how the Fox & Friends morning show might cover this news. (Short answer: awkwardly.) S.N.L., which was hosted by the Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and featured the musical guest Kelsea Ballerini, opened on a sendup of Fox & Friends with Mikey Day, Heidi Gardner and Bowen Yang playing the hosts Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt and Brian Kilmeade. The immediate instigator, as recently chronicled in the pop-culture newsletter Dirt, is the popularity of Bungo Stray Dogs, an anime adaptation of a manga series a sort of X-Files meets X-Men situation about a group of supernatural investigators who share the names and (very selective) characteristics of classic Japanese authors. Dazai, introduced in the first episode floating down a river after a suicide attempt, his feet sticking up out of the water like those of a duck bobbing for fish, is the shows charismatic, androgynous protagonist, an improbable combination of Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas and Harold from Harold and Maude. (Here it must be noted that there seem to be many more videos of people dressed up as or creating fan art about the anime character than there are those directly referencing the novel.) Like the author from whom he takes his name, the Dazai of Bungo Stray Dogs is constantly contemplating and attempting suicide (the real Dazai succeeded, on his fifth attempt, with a lover just before his 39th birthday), though on the show this is mostly played for morbid laughs. And Dazais superpower, which allows him to reverse the powers of his foes, is called No Longer Human. This all has only slightly more to do with the authors literary achievements than, say, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have to do with Michelangelos Pieta, but I dont know maybe if thered been TikTok in the Turtles heyday, wed have a lot more Renaissance art aficionados among us. There arent any supernatural battles in Dazais novels. No Longer Human is presented as a found diary of unmitigated despair by Yozo Oba, a man whose social anxiety and fear of other people is so extreme that he believes he has never been happy. He has, since childhood, put up various acts and false fronts in order to trick people into believing hes worthy of love and attention. Like Dazai himself, Yozo comes from a wealthy family, spends time in Communist organizations and is an incorrigible drinker, a womanizer and, eventually, a morphine addict. His testimony is operatically self-pitying. When his wife is sexually assaulted, he takes an overdose of sleeping pills not out of sympathy for her, but because he has lost faith in her immaculate trustfulness. In other words, Dazais brand of egoistic pessimism dovetails organically with the emo chic of this cultural moment (he himself came by it via miserabilist classics like Baudelaires Paris Spleen and Dostoyevskys Notes From Underground) and with the inner lives of teenagers of all eras. They arent reading Dazai wrong, if thats even something people still worry about. Rather, theyve been gifted with a cult hero, albeit by an unlikely avenue, who channels their pain. Theres something oddly ingratiating about Dazais despair. His characters candidness about their cruelty and selfishness disturbingly matter-of-fact in No Longer Human but often ironized in his other stories and novels paradoxically renders them vulnerable. Dazais art transcends the emotional volatility of Yozo, his most famous literary alter ego, and though No Longer Human exerts a nihilistic charm, venturing further into his body of work as it becomes more widely available in English presents a subtler and more complex picture of this writers vision. In late summer, a delivery service dropped off two packages containing $5,000 in gun parts and accessories at a house in Chino Hills, a community in Southern California. The packages, containing parts for a Glock handgun, an AR-15-style rifle and other weapons, had been shipped from Primary Arms, a gun seller in Houston. The components were purchased in August using an installment payment plan provided by Credova Financial, a company that specializes in buy now, pay later financing options for firearm purchases. The deliveries were addressed to Seung Song. Except, Mr. Song said, he never ordered the mix of gun parts, and he never got any delivery. A recently retired engineer, Mr. Song said he had found out about the purchase only when notified in October that a debt for $5,000 had been added to his credit report. When he reviewed the report, he saw that Monterey Financial Services, a debt collector used by Credova, had reported that the debt was overdue. I never heard of any of these companies, said Mr. Song, 52. I am not a gun owner. Mr. Song, who lives in a condominium apartment in Southern California with his wife, said he was the victim of identity theft. He said someone had opened an account with Credova using his personal information, bought the gun parts online from Primary Arms using the companys buy now, pay later service, and then accepted delivery of the packages in Chino Hills which is about 40 miles east of Los Angeles with a fraudulent ID. But its important to know that if mifepristone became wholly unavailable in the United States tomorrow, such a decision would not be the end of abortion access in America nor the end of access to safe medication abortion. Thats because theres another drug that is a safe and effective abortion care option, and Americans may soon need to rely on it more than ever. It has been eight months since Roe v. Wade was overturned, and abortion has since been banned in 13 states and counting. People in states where abortion is banned or severely restricted have been forced to travel hundreds of miles to clinics out of state. For those for whom travel is too expensive or time consuming, abortion pills provided by mail have been a vital option. Medication abortion already was the most common form of abortion, and since Roe was overturned, demand has surged for abortion pills. Mifepristone, which when taken with a drug called misoprostol, accounts for more than half of abortions in the United States. Misoprostol can be and is frequently used on its own. The two drugs have been used together in the United States since the F.D.A. approved mifepristone in 2000, but around the world misoprostol which causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy has for years been used by itself for abortion care. In fact, misoprostol is regarded as the original medication abortion pill. We know from decades of clinical evidence that misoprostol used alone for medication abortion is safe and effective. Misoprostol alone is not widely used in America, but the medication is widely available and a sample protocol for abortion providers has been released in preparation for a potential shift in clinical practice. The World Health Organization provides guidelines for using misoprostol alone for an abortion. For pregnancies of less than 12 weeks gestation, the W.H.O. recommends 800 micrograms of misoprostol placed under the tongue, in the cheeks or vaginally, with repeat doses as needed. For pregnancies at or beyond 12 weeks, the W.H.O. recommends 400 micrograms of misoprostol under the tongue, in the cheeks or vaginally repeated every three hours as needed. Some people use up to five doses. Misoprostol causes bleeding and cramping, and some people may also experience diarrhea, chills, fever, nausea or vomiting. In more than 20 years of public life, I have steadfastly supported Israel and its people in both word and deed, including by building medical facilities there, co-founding a leadership center, supporting its innovative local programs and funding other good causes. I have never gotten involved in its domestic politics or criticized its government initiatives. But my love for Israel, my respect for its people and my concern about its future are now leading me to speak out against the current governments attempt to effectively abolish the nations independent judiciary. Under the new coalitions proposal, a simple majority of the Knesset could overrule the nations Supreme Court and run roughshod over individual rights, including on matters such as speech and press freedoms, equal rights for minorities and voting rights. The Knesset could even go as far as to declare that the laws it passes are unreviewable by the judiciary, a move that calls to mind Richard Nixons infamous phrase When the president does it, that means that it is not illegal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government is courting disaster by trying to claim that same power, imperiling Israels alliances around the world, its security in the region, its economy at home and the very democracy upon which the country was built. The economic damage is already being felt, as the pummeling of the shekel has shown. A large number of business leaders and investors have spoken out against the governments proposal, publicly and privately. And in a disturbing sign, some people have already begun pulling money out of the country and re-evaluating their plans for future growth there. As the owner of a global company, I dont blame them. Companies and investors place enormous value on strong and independent judicial systems because courts help protect them not only against crime and corruption but also government overreach. Just as important, they protect what their employees value most: individual rights and freedoms. Chief Justice Roberts superficial musings paid no attention to the acts vital legacy of protecting landscapes rich in natural beauty, historical significance and ecological importance. And he failed to note how, almost without exception, Congress has endorsed these presidential actions. For example, nearly half of the 63 national parks established by Congress including such crown jewels as Bryce, Zion, Arches and Capitol Reef in Utah, Acadia in Maine and Olympic in Washington were first protected by presidents using the Antiquities Act. Only twice in 116 years has Congress limited a presidents power under that law. The first time was in 1950, when Congress added Jackson Hole National Monument, created by Franklin Roosevelt, to Grand Teton National Park, but at the same time forbade future use of the act in Wyoming. Congress did something similar in 1980, when it curbed future presidential use of the Antiquities Act in Alaska as it protected 104 million acres of public land in that state, including 56 million acres in national monuments that President Jimmy Carter had established two years earlier. Chief Justice Roberts also failed to note that both the Supreme Court and lower federal courts have consistently rejected claims that presidents abused their Antiquities Act authority. In 1920, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld President Roosevelts Grand Canyon National Monument. Likewise, Utahs recent complaint pays almost no attention to these decisions including one by a federal judge in Utah who ruled that President Bill Clintons decision to protect Grand Staircase-Escalante was within the broad grant of discretion Congress made in the Antiquities Act, leaving the courts no authority to determine whether the president abused his discretion. Notably, the principal plaintiff in that case, an association of Utah counties, did not appeal. Utahs complaint acknowledges how successful the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears monuments have been in attracting visitors. This is a bad thing, Utah argues, because visitors are damaging those places, vandalizing archaeological sites and getting lost, taxing local search and rescue teams. But rather than working with Congress to provide more funds to manage visitors, Utah is asking unelected judges to intervene to strip protections from these areas as if that would make them less attractive to visit. In January, the federal government asked the court to dismiss Utahs lawsuit. Utah has benefited enormously from the long history of Congress and the executive branch working together to protect public lands there. For years, Utahs Office of Tourism has touted what it calls the states Mighty Five national parks, four of which were first protected by presidents using the Antiquities Act. Picture this, says one of the states promotional videos. Your next trip. Utah. Five national parks. PARIS New talent, new talent, new talent. Every year fashions scouts and big brands scour the landscape of up and coming designers like carrion crows on a constant search for their next meal. The prizes and showcases proliferate the LVMH Prize for young designers; the Sarabande showroom, established by Lee Alexander McQueen in support of emerging artists and designers to offer a platform and exposure. The industry needs a constant stream of fresh blood to survive. This season, three brands got it: Nina Ricci, where Harris Reed made his debut; Off-White, where Ibrahim Kamara showed his first solo collection (he joined the brand last season, but the clothes had pretty much been made already); and Ann Demeulemeester, where Ludovic de Saint Sernin took a bow. Though new blood is not always the same thing as new life. Nina in Paris Mr. Reed, at only 26 a rising star from London whose work has made it to the Met Gala (on Iman) and the Grammys (on Shania Twain) and been favored by Harry Styles, is known largely for his one-off show stoppers. His challenge was to commercialize that sensibility for Ricci, which has repositioned itself as accessible luxury. PARIS Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are not the only people thinking about extraterrestrial exploration. The promise of alternate dimensions has long captured a chunk of the fashion imagination none more so than that of the designer Paco Rabanne, who died last month at age 88. Julien Dossena has been carrying on that legacy at the house Mr. Rabanne built, and he left a note on every seat at his show thanking the original designer for his dream of a creative utopia, which pushed the frontiers of reality. Then he picked up the idea and ran with it: into big, fuzzy knit tops and pants that transformed the wearer into a sort of snuggly creature-feature; into long dresses covered with a net of transparent plastic paillettes that reflected light and created their own syncopation as the models walked (it gave new meaning to the idea of personal portable sound system, though it cant be turned off, which may be an issue); and into liquid silver and gold chain-mail gowns spliced with leather plus a few archive looks, in homage. The result resembled the armor of a medieval Valkyrie from a faraway solar system: a little campy, a little cool. Also, the output of the costume department at Marvel, if Marvel moved to Avenue Montaigne. Inside a dark room at Bacs-Kiskun County Hospital outside Budapest, Dr. Eva Ambrozay, a radiologist with more than two decades of experience, peered at a computer monitor showing a patients mammogram. Two radiologists had previously said the X-ray did not show any signs that the patient had breast cancer. But Dr. Ambrozay was looking closely at several areas of the scan circled in red, which artificial intelligence software had flagged as potentially cancerous. This is something, she said. She soon ordered the woman to be called back for a biopsy, which is taking place within the next week. Advancements in A.I. are beginning to deliver breakthroughs in breast cancer screening by detecting the signs that doctors miss. So far, the technology is showing an impressive ability to spot cancer at least as well as human radiologists, according to early results and radiologists, in what is one of the most tangible signs to date of how A.I. can improve public health. Lucy Lang wanted a new direction for the state Offices of the Inspector General. In the past, there were doubts about the inspector general's independence. Lang's predecessor, Letizia Tagliafierro, was an ally of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. She resigned after Cuomo's successor, Gov. Kathy Hochul, took office. Lang told The Citizen that when she was asked to serve as inspector general, she wanted to ensure the office would be "wholly independent." "I was very clear that that was the only way that I would take the position," she said. In October 2021, Lang was named the state's 11th inspector general. She is a former prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney's office and served as executive director of the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution. Before being appointed inspector general, she ran for Manhattan district attorney. She lost to eventual winner Alvin Bragg in the Democratic primary. Under Lang, the inspector general's office has examined a myriad of issues, from faulty drug tests in state prisons to how state agencies complied with domestic violence policies. An important part of that work, though, is making that New Yorkers are aware of what's happening in state government. Transparency is a top priority for Lang. Her office has bolstered its social media presence, released monthly data, including the creation of a complaint dashboard, and published historical letters that were sent to state agencies. In many cases, the letters were sent several years ago but were never disclosed to the public. "We are just trying to do everything we can to show what happens inside this office," Lang said. "I would say in the same vein, part of our commitment is to helping other agencies and government entities to do the same." As an example, she highlighted her office's investigation that found racial disparities in discipline at New York state prisons. The report, which recommended anti-bias training for Department of Corrections and Community Supervision staff, included data from every prison. "It is one of the devastating truths of prison is that we sort of put often the saddest problems we have to deal with as a society and the hardest problems we have to deal with as a society out of sight," Lang said. "The ability to improve any system's functioning does require the administration of some sunlight." Prisons will keep Lang and her staff busy. More than half of the complaints that the state Offices of the Inspector General receives are from the corrections system. The complaints are filed by incarcerated individuals and staff. As inspector general, Lang oversees a few offices and holds multiple titles she is the gaming inspector general, welfare inspector general and workers' compensation inspector general. She also provides oversight of major infrastructure projects. Regarding the Interstate 81 project in Syracuse, which will take years to complete, she said that "we will be watching." Entering her second full year on the job, Lang is proud of what her team achieved in 2022. They "diversified the office," she said, and strengthened internal policies. The independence she sought when she took the job has been granted. In a break from past practice, Lang does not serve in the governor's cabinet. She does not have "regular communications" with Hochul's staff and does not take direction on cases from the governor's office. "We really do operate as an independent agency," she said. Ms. Willis must now decide whether to bring a case to a regular grand jury, which can issue indictments. A decision could come as early as May. In the Republican-controlled legislature, as of Friday afternoon, the prospects seemed favorable for the bills creating an oversight committee. They were dimmer for the recall election bill, which would lower the number of registered voters required to sign a petition to prompt a recall of prosecutors from the current 30 percent, which is standard for local elected offices, to just 2 percent. The measure was introduced after some high-profile Trump supporters in Georgia promoted the idea of a recall campaign against Ms. Willis, even though such an effort would be unlikely to succeed in Fulton County, a Democratic stronghold. Those supporters include United States Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who tweeted in August that Ms. Willis was using taxpayer funds for her personal political witch hunt against Pres Trump, but will NOT prosecute crime plaguing Atlanta! Ms. Willis, who first described the bills as racist in a State Senate hearing last month, repeated the accusation in an interview at her downtown Atlanta office this week, pointing out that the majority of Georgians now live within the jurisdictions of the 14 minority prosecutors. For the hundreds of years weve had prosecutors, this has been unnecessary, Ms. Willis said, referring to the bills. But now all of a sudden this is a priority. And it is racist. The federal government filed an employment discrimination lawsuit in Louisiana on Thursday against Exxon Mobil after investigating a Black employees complaint that nooses had been found at a Baton Rouge, La., refinery complex. The lawsuit said that the company created a hostile work environment for the employee, Milferd McGhee, and other workers by failing to implement measures to remedy and prevent harassment after five nooses were found at the complex between April 2016 and December 2020. Mr. McGhee filed a complaint against Exxon with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a federal agency that enforces civil rights laws against workplace discrimination. He reported the discovery of a noose to a supervisor in January 2020, and nearly a year later, another noose appeared, according to the lawsuit. The first case was in April 2016, when an employee at the Baton Rouge plant reported that a rope had been tied into a noose hanging from a scaffold. TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. Sitting around a plastic folding table in a dusty tent, a half-dozen officers of the Hawaii-based Third Marine Littoral Regiment took a very short break from days of fighting on little to no sleep. The war, they said, was going well. The unit, newly created and innovative in nature, was facing its toughest test yet a 10-day mock battle across Southern California, where a series of military bases played the role of an island chain. Though outnumbered by the regiment it was fighting, the team from Hawaii had an edge. The team was built to fight on islands and along coastal shorelines, the littoral region in military parlance. It had also been given special equipment and the freedom to innovate, developing new tactics to figure out one of the services highest priorities: how to fight a war against Chinese forces in their own backyard, and win. Although far from the ocean, the base at Twentynine Palms offers about 1,200 square miles to train, more than all of the Marine Corps other training bases combined. Days ago, the two sides were dropped off here about 12 miles from each other. Then it was time to fight. The wreckage from a Norfolk Southern train derailment on Saturday in Ohio the second such crash in the state in just over a month was cleaned up by Sunday afternoon as investigators set to determine what led 28 cars to leave the tracks. No hazardous materials were involved in the derailment, which happened around 5 p.m. local time near Springfield, Ohio, about 80 miles northeast of Cincinnati, officials said. The train of 212 cars was traveling from Bellevue, Ohio, to Birmingham, Ala., and was operated by Norfolk Southern, the same rail company that has faced scrutiny after a devastating train derailment last month in East Palestine, Ohio. That derailment led to concerns over air and water quality after a controlled burn of toxic chemicals that the authorities believed posed the risk of an explosion. The crash on Saturday renewed concerns about rail safety and about Norfolk Southerns performance. Still, in a crowd of gospel singers, civil rights leaders, local politicians and residents of Selma, many of whom were old enough to remember the original march, several attendees said they were hurt by rising inflation. They also expressed frustration with the administrations progress on voting rights and concern that Republicans would move to cut into entitlement programs, including Social Security, to balance the federal budget. Mary Hall McGuire, 80, whose father, David Hall, offered the use of his farmland to civil rights protesters traveling from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, said she was worried about the rising cost of living and the strain it puts on the $1,600 income she receives each month from Social Security benefits. Ms. Hall McGuire still lives on her fathers land with her husband, Johnny, who noted that residents of Selma had been devastated by a tornado that hit the town on Jan. 12. Mr. Biden had authorized an increase in federal funding to help clean up the area, but the couple said that the town had long been economically depressed and was brought to a limp after the storm. Its moving slowly, Mr. McGuire said. People are suffering after that tornado. During his remarks, Mr. Biden took aim at efforts by Republican politicians most notably Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who is pondering running for president in 2024 to restrict how race-related issues are taught. We cant just choose what we want to know and what we should know, Mr. Biden said. We should learn everything. The good, the bad, the truth, who we are as a nation. Everyone should know the truth of Selma. But he has not specified which additional abortion restrictions he would support, reflecting the political tightrope he has to walk on the issue, given that abortion restrictions are not that popular in Florida even if they appeal widely to his base. Anti-abortion groups are pressing him and lawmakers to pass either a full abortion ban or prohibit the procedure after about six weeks of pregnancy. Republican legislative leaders have said an abortion bill is in the works. Mr. DeSantis has also laid out immigration proposals that would repeal the in-state tuition discount for Florida residents attending state college and universities who were brought into the country illegally as children. In a sign of how far to the right Mr. DeSantis has pulled his party, that policy would undo a law signed in 2014 by then-Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, and championed at the time by other Republicans who remain in top state government positions, including Mr. DeSantiss lieutenant governor, Jeanette M. Nunez. Mr. Scott, who is now a U.S. senator, said in Tampa last month that he was proud to have signed the law to help young people who didnt come here on their own volition. Its a bill I would sign again today, he said. SCARBOROUGH, Ontario At a tiny strip mall where the painted parking lines had faded completely some time ago, the chef at the New Kalyani restaurant effortlessly prepared one of the most exquisite treats in the Toronto area. Pouring fermented batter into a small wok, he gripped the pan with both hands and swirled it four times in the air before laying it on a portable gas-burner. Made to order, the resulting hopper, a classic Sri Lankan dish, appeared a thin, lacy, bowl-shaped pancake that rose from a pillowy bottom to its delicately crispy edges. Most people dont know he makes hoppers to order, said Suresh Doss, a food writer, on a recent visit to the New Kalyani, which has no tables or chairs. When theyre left to sit, they deflate, they crumble. The difference is night and day. Ive brought so many chefs from Toronto here, and they would eat it and go, This is the best thing Ive eaten this year, because this is so different from what you would have in the city. Visiting the trenches, it is apparent why breaking through the dug-in and fortified lines is deadly work. But holding ground also comes at a tremendous cost. Two days before The Times visited, the 79th brigade had suffered heavy losses, the toll of unrelenting combat evident in their bleary and bloodshot eyes. The troops said they were ready to die. This is a war of survival, they said, not just for them but for their nation. The 79th is one of Ukraines elite units, and its forces have battled Russians on the steppes, through forests and in ruined cities. Now, the soldiers are charged with holding a position about 15 miles from the city of Donetsk, a stronghold of Russia and its proxy forces since 2014. The town of Marinka does not really exist anymore beyond a point on a map, abandoned by the roughly 9,000 prewar residents. Long ago, it joined the list of places devastated by Russian forces, its buildings flattened or reduced to charred, hollowed-out shells. But for Ukrainians, the defense of Marinka has persisted. Having failed to break through Ukrainian lines there for almost a year, the Russians recently revised their tactics, turning to small assault groups trying to rip holes through Ukrainian defenses that they can try to exploit, according to a Russian manual captured by the Ukrainians. The manual details how assault platoons of 12 to 15 members can be divided into tactical groups of as few as three people supported by additional firepower to infiltrate a Ukrainian trench. When a catastrophic earthquake struck Syria last month, President Bashar al-Assad did not declare a state of emergency nor a day of mourning for the victims. It was days before he visited the stricken areas. But from Day 1, his authoritarian government called for the lifting of Western sanctions. The United States initially pushed back, insisting that the sanctions did not inhibit humanitarian aid. But then Washington about-faced, easing banking restrictions for six months to allow earthquake relief to flow freely to Syria. And Europe followed suit. The earthquake, on Feb. 6, has already been a political boon for Mr. al-Assad, as Arab leaders who once shunned him sent condolences and planeloads of aid. Now, the easing of sanctions is raising concerns that the president and his inner circle stand to reap considerable financial gains that can be used to shore up their support base. The regime, which is already using the earthquake to make political gains, is going to use it for reconstruction and to solidify its position, said Andrew Tabler, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute and a former adviser to the State Departments Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. March 5, 1993 Cayuga County's former prosecutors say they aren't shocked at the accusations of misconduct and corruption leveled yesterday by a state Supreme Court judge. Former District Attorney Paul Carbonaro and his former chief assistant, Dennis Sedor, say they aren't worried about a possible criminal prosecution. And, they certainly aren't apologetic. They're angry, yes. But more than anything else, Carbonaro and Sedor are downright scornful of the judge, Thomas Bianco's lawyer and the county's current prosecutor, Jim Vargason. After a grueling day of reporters' questions and blaring headlines proclaiming Carbonaro had lied to the defense and to the trial court, a reporter met late last night with the former prosecution team in Sedor's South Street office. During a 90-minute interview, Carbonaro and Sedor said: They did nothing wrong and never altered the police report that was the basis of yesterday's charges There were significant mistakes in Judge Patrick Monserrate's 16-page decision yesterday and in a four-page statement read by Vargason that indicate their lack of mastery of the case. Vargason is merely looking for an easy way out, using any excuse he can get to avoid the political nightmare a second trial would cause. Monserrate, Vargason and Bianco's lawyer, Joseph Fahey, plotted and planned yesterday's events so that each could get what he wanted. They said: Monserrate sought vindication because he was humiliated last year when an appeals court unanimously overturned his previous dismissal of Bianco's conviction; Fahey wanted to win the widely publicized case and get Bianco out of jail; and Vargason wanted to escape the burden of a retrial, and, more importantly, the responsibilities of his office. Over and over, they said they believe Bianco killed Julie Monson in 1981 and that Vargason could have won another appeal of Monserrate and even a conviction in a second trial. Extending the ban on evictions would give the Government time to get their act together on the housing crisis, a Sinn Fein TD has said. Louise OReilly acknowledged the temporary prohibition on no-fault termination of tenancies was an emergency measure taken in response to the cost-of-living crisis but she insisted the emergency is not over. The eviction ban is due to expire at the end of the month. Cabinet is due to consider the issue on Tuesday, with Attorney General Rossa Fanning providing advice. Ahead of that meeting, the leaders of the three coalition parties will meet with Housing Minister Darragh OBrien to discuss the matter. Both Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tanaiste Micheal Martin have pointed to potential negative implications to extending the ban. Mr Varadkar has highlighted the experience of some Irish people returning from abroad who cannot access their own homes, while Mr Martin has questioned whether an extension could lead to a reduction in housing supply, with disaffected landlords deciding to sell up and leave the market. On Sunday, Ms OReilly insisted an extension was necessary. It was an emergency measure, she told RTE. The emergency is not over. For very, very many people almost 12,000 people in emergency accommodation, almost 4,000 of those are children their emergency is not over. So the need to extend the eviction ban is in order for the Government to actually get their act together and start to build social and affordable homes. She added: There is a need to extend that eviction ban because the Government now need to build social and affordable homes for people who are absolutely desperate. The emergency is not over, the emergency response we havent seen yet from the Government so the eviction ban gives them time to get their act together. Education Minister Norma Foley said Cabinet would make a fully informed decision on the ban. I think its important to say that the ban was in the first instance an emergency measure and a temporary measure and that was very necessary, she told RTE. But, however, I think we need to look at everything in its broadest context. We need also, of course, to be advised by the attorney general. Ms Foley insisted the Government had been making strides to increase supply. This is part of a greater picture and the biggest emphasis must be on supply and weve already seen 30,000 homes being provided for in this past year, she said. Weve seen the highest level of commencement notices ever in the month of January, weve seen planning permissions are up, so were seeing significant progress in that direction, four billion euro year-on-year being provided for. But it is important that we look at all aspects of the eviction ban, the implications, but also it side by side with all the other measures that are being introduced as well. News24 10 Mar 2023 Hot 102.7FM announced on Thursday that the beloved radio presenter's life will be celebrated at an undisclosed location in.. The National People's Congress (NPC) is the national legislature and constitutionally the supreme state authority of the People's Republic of China. Li Keqiang is a retired Chinese politician who served as Premier of the People's Republic of China from 2013 to 2023. An economist by profession, Li is head of China's executive branch as well as one of the leading figures behind China's Financial and Economic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, National Security and Deepening Reforms. He was also the second-ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the de facto top decision-making body of the country, from 2012 to 2022. Li was a major part of the "fifth generation of Chinese leadership" along with Xi Jinping, the CCP general secretary. The Department of National Defence says Canada's top soldier has just wrapped up a visit to Ukraine's capital. The Snowden stable has locked in its Golden Slipper jockeys, with Mark Zahra to make a flying Sydney visit to test Kings Gambit on Tuesday. Rumble 10 Apr 2023 A man was arrested after a brazen attempt to bribe police officers who caught him committing a traffic violation while driving an.. The Redcliffe Dolphins host the Sydney Roosters for the first time in Round 1 of the 2023 NRL Premiership. Prince Harry divulged he wanted to 'help someone or some people out there' in releasing his memoir. CHOWCHILLA, California Joseph Sena has spent nearly half of his 27 years in prison for manslaughter. For almost as long, he's been striving to make himself a better man than when he arrived. He has taken courses in creative writing, addressed his addictions, and attended school in prison, hoping to be judged fit for parole and ready to return home to Los Angeles if he ever becomes free. But when the coronavirus pandemic hit, tearing through prisons and killing thousands, it severely disrupted or shut down the very programs prisoners most desperately need to prepare them for eventual release. Trauma counseling, training in carpentry, masonry and barbering, and college courses were slow to adjust to pandemic learning. Isolation and uncertainty replaced creative outlets and mental health therapies for months on end. Sena grew depressed and anxious he began to doubt that he'd be known for anything other than taking a life when he was 15. He remembered the words of a poem he wrote to the man he was convicted of killing. "I know you're not here. I'll remember your name. For you I will live. For us, I will change." He was afraid he'd never get the chance. In a nation that incarcerates about 2 million people, the COVID pandemic was a nightmare for prisons. Overcrowding, subpar medical care, staffing shortages, and the ebb and flow of prison populations left most places unprepared to manage the spread of the highly contagious virus. At least 3,181 prisoners and 311 correctional staff died of virus-related causes through mid-January of this year, according to a COVID tracking project by the law school at the University of California in Los Angeles. The 10 largest state prison systems suspended or severely curtailed in-person visitation for an average of 490 days before such restrictions were lifted, based on information obtained by The Associated Press. That meant no family visits and no volunteers coming in to lead rehabilitation programs. At the worst of times, prisoners said they were locked in their cells for weeks on end, their otherwise normal activities like phone calls to loved ones left up to the whims of correctional officers. It's hard to overstate the positive impact of educational and skills training on prisoner rehabilitation, said Margaret diZerega, who directs the Vera Institute of Justice's Unlocking Potential initiative, which is focused on expanding college in prison. Given that 90% of people who are incarcerated in the U.S. will return to their communities, prisoner access to rehabilitative programming should matter to everyone, she said. "We know from the research that these kinds of programs reduce recidivism rates. They improve safety in the prisons, there are fewer violent incidents, which is positive for the staff who work at the prisons and for the people who live in the prisons," diZerega said. A comprehensive review of in-prison education by the RAND Corporation found that prisoners who participate in any kind of courses while behind bars are up to 43% less likely to commit more crime and return to prison. Education and rehabilitation programs can also have a positive impact on a prisoner's parole eligibility. Many parole commissioners balance the earning of diplomas and certifications in a trade with prisoners' record of good behavior, criminal history, and potential input from victims of the crime, among other factors. Corrections officials told the AP they remain committed to making the rehabilitation programs available. Some prisons expanded mail correspondence learning for prisoners in GED or college programs and introduced learning via mobile tablets where they could. They required masks and distributed hand sanitizers for prisoners and staff, tested and isolated COVID-positive prisoners and encouraged social distancing where possible. Sena was recently transferred to a medium security facility closer to his mother and younger sisters in Los Angeles, which he sees as an encouraging sign. He said he held onto lessons he learned from InsideOUT Writers, an arts-based healing program that helped him pen the poem to his victim. He wants to make something of his life, and he credits the prison programs for helping him find a sense of purpose and inner peace. "My teacher from InsideOUT Writers told me it's not about becoming a new person it's finding the person that you really are," he said. "I want to find Joseph, the little kid that loves everybody, who was curious and loved to hug people, and loved to see people smile. That's the Joseph that I want back." Rehab on hold: COVID devastated prison learning programs Argentina has broken a co-operation deal and is calling for talks over the sovereignty of the Falklands. 2008-2023 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. As the National People's Congress opened this year's session, China set an economic target of "around 5%" one of the lowest in decades and announced a 7.2% increase in its defense budget. Daily Star 31 Mar 2023 Ex-Chelsea shot-stopper Mark Schwarzer is pleading with his former side to make sure Mason Mount doesn't end up at Liverpool or.. Scientists have been left concerned by the prime minister's reported "scepticism" about rejoining the EU's 95.5bn science programme, despite the positive outcome of talks over Northern Ireland which had been blocking UK access. A new law that aims to reduce the number of small boats crossing the Channel is expected to be announced by the government next week. Rumble 16 Apr 2023 The Big Saturday Show features Rotating panelists discussing the big news of the day. Join the hosts for reaction to the issues.. ViewThe Biden administration is close to tightening rules on some overseas investments by U.S. companies in an effort to limit China's ability to acquire technologies that could improve its military prowess, according to a U.S. official familiar with the deliberations. The soon-to-be-issued executive order from President Joe... Rumble 02 Apr 2023 Welcome to Season 3 of Use Your Words. This week we start out things by looking at our Chris Rock's Netflix special.. The Chinese spy balloons that have traversed Montana should serve as a glaring wake-up call to all Americans about the increasingly aggressive and adversarial stance the Chinese government is taking against our country. China has made no secret of its plans to supplant the United States as the global superpower and the strides it is making to overtake America in terms of economic might and technological superiority. Were in a race against the Chinese Communist Party, and its one we cannot afford to lose. Fortunately, the United States holds a big advantage over the CCP as the world leader in technological innovation, at least for the time being. Our economy is bigger and stronger, and our military is more sophisticated. Staying ahead economically and militarily is the key to stopping the CCP worldview from taking over, which means we must maintain our technological edge. The CCP recognizes this fact as well. It has invested heavily in advancing its own technology sector, which has produced such clones of U.S. companies as TikTok and Huawei. It also employs state-sanctioned cyberattacks and intellectual property theft to weaken U.S. competitors. But most worrying is Chinas saber-rattling about Taiwan, the tiny island nation about 100 miles from the Chinese coastline that produces the majority of advanced micro-chips utilized by the United States and other Western countries. None of these are idle threats. In fact, the CCP has made it a stated priority to overtake the United States as the worlds technology leader by 2035. Its part of the legacy Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to leave behind. Thankfully, the centrally planned, state-backed approach China is taking cannot beat the bottom-up, entrepreneurially driven approach that has long made America the worlds foremost economic and military powerhouse. That is, unless we pursue anti-innovation policies that tie one hand behind our back. Unfortunately, that is exactly what some in Congress would have America do in limiting our technology sectors ability to drive U.S. innovation forward. Congress is considering proposals to undermine the technology sector by exposing them to new, heavy-handed and short-sighted regulation that will make it even more difficult to innovate in this country. Weakening our tech sector is the worst thing we could do in a time of increasing CCP aggression. We are in a technological arms race in which our competitor is willing to go to any lengths to increase its chances of gaining the upper hand. Increasing the regulatory burden on our domestic technology companies will only make that race easier for the CCP. Instead, we should be bolstering Americas advantages, while further cracking down on CCP-sponsored intellectual property theft and cyber-attacks against American companies. We need to ramp up our military support of Taiwan to protect its microchip industry. And at the same time, we should be increasing production of American-made chips to reduce our exposure to imported technology. Most of all, we should be clearing out regulatory hurdles that hold our tech companies back. America will no doubt see more incursions by the CCP against our country. The revelation of its aerial surveillance likely pales in comparison to the mass data collection it is perpetrating through other applications. Its time for our country to get serious about the threat posed by the CCP, and that starts with Congress implementing policy that strengthens our technology sector. Nothing feels as good as a deep, genuine laugh. It's an expression of joy! It's a workout. It's a sign that you're having a good.. Mashable 01 Mar 2023 Eurasia Review 30 Mar 2023 Spain remains a strong and dependable member of the EU and NATO and fully committed to the defence of Ukraine against Russian.. The blaze hit Sunday morning and has left thousands homeless. Some 740,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar since 2017, when the Myanmar military launched a brutal crackdown. Junior mining companies hoping to produce lithium, nickel and other green energy metals are worried that Canada's crackdown on some overseas investors may limit their ability to raise funds for mines and related facilities. Ottawa last fall proposed bolstering its Investment Canada Act (ICA) to #ottawa #ica #torontostockexchange #pdac #sydney #stephenpayne #bdoadvisory #spmarketintelligence #paulfornazzari #industryministry Tamworth Herald 07 Mar 2023 Helen, who is arguably the most iconic Call the Midwife character, spoke out in a new interview and warned she doesn't have.. Photo: (Photo : Getty Images/Majid Saeedi) An investigation on child labor revealed how migrant children are being unprotected from harm and how the country needs policy changes and new ones. The world was shaken, including President Biden and members of Congress, when the New York Times revealed children across America working in hazardous, even lethal jobs in factories, mills, and farms. These illegally working kids are in the country without their parents, fleeing from their native countries deep in poverty and violence. Some are seeking asylum and protection under the law, but most are "laboring in the shadows," working daily in physically demanding jobs and dangerous workplaces that often lead them to suffer serious injuries and diseases. A problem that will take all of us to stop The Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services (HHS) immediately responded upon learning about the children's sad and alarming situation. They announced new efforts to "combat exploitative child labor," including creating a new Inter-Agency Child Labor Task Force. Amid one of the largest child labor cases in the country against Packers Sanitation Services, Inc. LTD. and the influx of migrant children leaving Latin America due to violence and poverty, with the majority having no parents with them, the two departments commit to providing the children protection and care, regardless of the circumstances they are in, like they are "our own," as HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said. "We see every day the scourge of child labor in this country, and we have a legal and a moral obligation to take every step in our power to prevent it. Too often, companies look the other way and claim that their staffing agency or their subcontractor or supplier is responsible," US Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh declared in a statement by HHS. Walsh further noted that "Everyone has a responsibility here. This is not a 19th-century problem - this is a today problem. We need Congress to come to the table; we need states to come to the table. This is a problem that will take all of us to stop." Read More: Migrant Parents Sending Children Unaccompanied to Cross International Border Into South Texas out of Desperation The need for significant policy changes Naureen Shah, Senior Legislative Counsel and Advisor from ACLU, stated that more than the task force created, "big policy solutions" are required. 1. The country needs an "earned path" for migrants to have citizenship. Walsh explained how immigration restrictions are becoming a strain on the country's economy. For more than two decades, Congress has failed to pass a good immigration reform despite knowing that immigration fuels economic growth and can address America's shortage of workers. The country has over ten million job openings, yet only about six million workers seek jobs. This could be why top American business names look the other way and hire children into positions suitable only for adults. There are over 11 million undocumented people in America, and without a path to citizenship, an American underclass is being created where people face a "lifetime of disadvantage and vulnerability to exploitation." 2. The country needs a new border management system where parents and children can be together as they seek protection. Parents should not be forced to make the heartbreaking, impossible decision to send their children alone to the U.S., because if not, they will continue to be in a dangerous situation at home or in the borders. The Biden administration recently proclaimed its intention to implement a new asylum ban. However, instead of solving the problem, it would continue restricting families from being together, exactly like the "illegal Trump asylum bans." 3. The country must provide legal counsel and services to the children. Most of these unaccompanied children do not have lawyers to help them with their work permits, for those old enough to work and help them navigate the complex legal system. These children would surely opt to work in the "shadow economy" without work authorizations and trusted individuals to guide them to the right path. Moreover, the Biden administration should act upon the longstanding calls of advocates to provide legal representation for unaccompanied children and services for their mental health and well-being. Related Article: Ukrainian Family Allowed Entry to the United States After Being Turned Away at Mexico Border A friend sent the material below to me earlier today and, with that friends permission I share it here. Apparently, the FIRM Foundation blog has been down for the past couple days I have no idea why but I think that others should be aware of what has evidently been posted there of late, and also that what has been posted there should be made part of a more or less permanent public record: If people tell me what I say is anti semitic you have no clue what I am saying and I will not allow you to post. I love the Tribe of Judah and the Hebrews and I always have. Some peole call themselves Jews and have hijacked the Hebrew or Christs lineage by faing to be His people. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan Rev 2:9 alsoRev 3:9 and John 8:31-59. Christ himself calls the jews (people pretending to be from the Tribe of Judah) that crucified himare from the synagogue of Satan. The Tribe of Judah who was the son of Israel did not kill our Savior. Evil Khazarians who claim to be of the tribe of Judah did. Get it correct but dont tell me what I think please. . . . Government Goal is to Depopulate The natural beauty of this pristine area in Palestine Ohio, was once home to the Nephites and Native Americans, and our infiltrated US Government is ruining our society again. The agenda to depopulate the eaters and goyim [non-Jews dcp] is in full swing in these last days. In my opinion the increase and scope of these train wrecks, and the amazing amount of chemicals and gases released, has me very concerned. I believe most of these are not just coincidences but deliberate acts. Why? Because evil wants to take down our great country. Satan is the leader of this Deep State, Cabal. Its time to wake up people of the world, and realize something evil is happening. The reaction of Biden, to not even visit Ohio and instead visit Ukraine to give the evil Nazi group more money is shameful. Not even FEMA will help out. It takes our current Commander in Chief, President Trump to show these good people of Ohio he cares. He visited them and gave these people new hope. . . . Very near to New Palestine, OH is Milford, OH. What beauty is found here. One of the most beloved Hopewell Earthworks was once here, but the Army Corp of Engineers plowed it over, in my opinion to get rid of any resemblance of Hebrew people found in Ohio. Just like the Smithsonian hiding 9 foot skeletons and telling us that the Native Americas were not as civilized as Whites. What a tragedy and very wrong. New Palestine, OH Claremont County This beautiful area of the heartland of America, once so beautiful is now being destroyed by evil governments whos goal is to depopulate the world. The ingredient in Agent Orange called Dioxin has been created by our own government. Beaurocrats burning Acrylic Chloride, with creates a very deadly gas called Dioxin. When will this evil end? It wont, not until the Savior comes for the second time, which may be closer than we think. And here is a post from 9 February 2023: The Cabal owns the cure to cancer, and wont share it, they want to kill us or enslave us, they have a trans human desire and can today clone humans, which they use vaccines to destroy us, they steal and rape and sacrifice children by the thousands, they create nearly every war we have ever had to make money on both sides, they stir up racism, when I say that, it is Satans world not Gods, yet. Its getting worse not betterDUMBS Deep Underground Military Base I believe there are thousand of miles of underground tunnels all over the world. The White hats have been blowing them up with the Rods of god for 3 years now and then flooding them. We have rescued thousands of children that are abused and near death. It is atrocious. The world will be shocked when they find out as most are asleep. My good friend Tim Ballard has told me many evils of sex trafficking. See a possible validating video here: https://youtu.be/KXjufyWqJEM In this context, I think it worth pointing out that, so far as I can recall, only one scriptural text in the world the Book of Mormon contains an explicit denunciation of anti-Semitism. That forceful denunciation comes in the context of an extended passage in 2 Nephi 29 that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints commonly and typically use to argue for an open scriptural canon, for the possibility of genuine divine revelation outside the covers of the Bible: 4 But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles? 5 O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people. 6 Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews? . . . 14 And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one. And I will show unto them that fight against my word and against my people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am God, and that I covenanted with Abraham that I would remember his seed forever. Latter-day Saints are, thus, scripturally commanded not to be anti-Semites. Quite to the contrary, in fact. Unsurprisingly, therefore, Latter-day Saints have a justified reputation for philo-Semitism and they feel themselves specifically akin to ancient Israel. Thats why Utah a place to which the nineteenth-century camp of Israel was led by prophets and patriarchs and high priests headed by a modern Moses who presided over orders of priesthood named after Aaron and Melchizedek that see themselves as the seed of Abraham is sprinkled with temples and tabernacles and studded with place names derived from the Old Testament such as Canaan Mountain, Eden, Enoch, Ephraim, the Jordan River (connecting a fresh water sea to a salty one), Moab, Mount Nebo, Noahs Ark, Salem, Three Patriarchs, and Zion. While on this subject, you might also be interested in a relevant podcast: Part 2: How the Book of Mormon Counters Anti-Semitism, with Bradley J. Kramer About the Interview: Horrified by the Holocaust and fearful that the New Testament, as it has been traditionally understood, may have contributed to this tragedy, Christian scholars and ministers of all stripes have, in recent decades, proposed several, extra-textual ways of altering that understanding. . . . In this episode of Latter-day Saint Perspectives Podcast, Laura Harris Hales interviews Bradley J. Kramer about his new book, Gathered in One: How the Book of Mormon Counters Anti-Semitism in the New Testament. In this book, Kramer reviews how Fisher, Salmon, Spong, as well as other Christian scholars and ministers have attempted to deal with such anti-Semitic elements as the blood curse in Matthew (27:25) and Johns claim that the devil is the father of the Jews (8:44), and he contrasts their efforts with the approach employed by the Book of Mormon. Washington unqualified to define "status quo across Taiwan Strait" 14:01, March 05, 2023 By Wang Yingjin ( Xinhua U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a recent interview made some provocative comments on the Taiwan question again, calling it "not an internal matter" based on China's sovereignty, but one to "the entire world." The remarks proved once again how badly Washington wishes to undermine the one-China principle and define "the status quo across the Taiwan Strait" at its will, all in order to use Taiwan to contain China and go after its hegemonic interests in the Asia-Pacific. But, as the true saboteur of peace and stability in the region and a liar who tries to blame China for changing the "status quo across the Taiwan Strait," Washington is in no position to make such a definition. For a long time, Washington has pursued a "dual-track policy" toward Taiwan, claiming not to violate its long-standing one-China policy while providing illegitimate support for Taiwan authorities in violation of legal principles and moral grounds. To fuel tensions across the Taiwan Strait, Washington has increased arms sales to Taiwan, sent lawmakers to the Chinese region, and revised the so-called "fact sheet on U.S. relations with Taiwan," to name a few. It has also passed a series of bills that gradually distort, obscure, and hollow out the one-China principle, and has treated Taiwan as an "independent political entity" in an attempt to provide legitimacy for its intervention in the Taiwan question. Claiming to "maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait," Washington attempts to maintain the situation of "no reunification and no independence" of Taiwan, a move in essence to obstruct China from resolving the Taiwan question, solidify the "split and partition" across the Taiwan Strait, and create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" in disguise. Besides, Washington's version of the Taiwan question is ridiculous, irresponsible, and has no binding force on China. Nor has China ever accepted it. The fact that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have not yet been reunified is a legacy of China's civil war. The Taiwan question is an internal Chinese matter that can only be resolved internally without the intervention of foreign forces. Achieving national reunification, which concerns China's legitimate right to development, is a just cause. Washington, on the other hand, has been attempting to change the nature of the question, distort it into an international issue, and provide itself with a so-called "legal basis" by applying the rules of international law in dealing with territorial disputes between countries to the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Its self-defined "status quo across the Taiwan Strait" violates fundamental principles of international law such as mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and severely undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The true "status quo across the Taiwan Strait" is unmistakable: both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same China, Taiwan is a part of China, and China's sovereignty and territorial integrity have never been divided. Furthermore, when and how China resolves the Taiwan question are matters entirely within China's sovereignty and have nothing to do with Washington. Although the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have not yet achieved complete reunification, China has never given up on reunification. The official documents of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government as well as speeches of China's leaders have always stated that the Taiwan question will be resolved and China's complete reunification will be realized. As China's overall national strength continues to improve, the general trend of cross-Strait reunification has become unstoppable. Against this backdrop, Washington's offshore balancing policy toward Taiwan, which states that "the mainland does not seek reunification and Taiwan does not seek independence," cannot be sustained. In terms of the Taiwan question, China has become more determined, willing, and resourceful to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, both legally and morally. If Washington continues down the wrong path, it will undoubtedly face stronger protests and more determined countermeasures from the Chinese people. Editor's note: Wang Yingjin is a professor and director of the cross-Strait relations research center of the Renmin University of China. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency. (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Liang Jun) The differences between the two major political parties in Montana have never been starker. While Democrats focus on promoting Montana values and creating opportunity for families and small businesses, Republicans have become more and more extreme, imposing purity tests, limiting personal freedoms, and using government to benefit the wealthy. Today, the Montana Republican Party which once practiced a big-tent approach no longer exists. The recent excommunication of Marc Racicot the GOPs most recent two-term governor and National Committee Chair confirms this years-long trend. Montanans are right to be concerned. The new breed of hard-line, hard-right Republican leaders are adopting a self-righteous, holier-than-thou attitude, insisting that they are morally superior to average Montanans, and that their values and beliefs are the only acceptable values and beliefs. Now they want to use their power to impose their version of morality on the rest of us, but ideological purification should be left to despots in other lands. In early March, Montana Democrats will celebrate the lives and public service of Mike Mansfield and Lee Metcalf; leaders known for fairness, concern for all Montanans, and working with others to get things done. In the spirit of Mansfield and Metcalf, the Montana Democratic Party more moderate than the new Republican extremists and more concerned with the economic security of average Montanans welcomes those who share our focus on creating opportunity for families and small businesses across the state. The best way to strengthen family values is to restore the American dream. Thats why Democrats are focused on tools that will help Montana families such as tackling housing costs, fully funding the Earned Income Tax Credit that rewards work, increasing child care access, and keeping our nursing homes open and safe. Our goal is to help families doing everything in their power to care for their children and prepare them for a bright future. By comparison, the Republicans have become a party of political symbols and procedural gimmicks, offering little or no concrete help to families facing challenges every day. Democrats want government to promote liberty, not stifle it by using the government to invade your bedroom. The Republicans, as self-anointed guardians of everyones daily conduct, are more and more inclined to regulate others and impose their personal views on all of us. The Republican Legislature is giving Gov. Greg Gianforte all the wealthy tax cuts he wanted, but this trickle down theory of taxation where cutting taxes on the wealthy magically helps average Americans has failed and regular Montanans continue to struggle. Instead, we need to give Montanans the tools to get ahead through their own hard work, skill, and ingenuity not promise them the moon through failed top-down tax giveaways. Tax relief must focus on the middle class, invest in people, and help small businesses. Montana today faces some tough challenges but the Republican approach of repressing other viewpoints, attacking freedoms and favoring the wealthy will only increase our problems, harm the middle class and make it harder for our children to get ahead. To keep the Montana we know and love, Democrats are focused on creating growth for our families, sparking more housing for our citizens, and ensuring a safe and healthy retirement for our seniors. The promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness belongs to every citizen, not just a select few. Join us bring your ideas, your energy, your hard work so that we can work together for a better tomorrow. Lucas Banzoli is a very active Brazilian anti-Catholic polemicist, who holds to basically a Seventh-day Adventist theology, whereby there is no such thing as a soul that consciously exists outside of a body, and no hell (soul sleep and annihilationism). This leads him to a Christology which is deficient and heterodox in terms of Christs human nature after His death. He has a Masters degree in theology, a degree and postgraduate work in history, a license in letters, and is a history teacher, author of 27 self-published books, as well as blogmaster for six blogs. He has many videos on YouTube. This is my 65th refutation of Banzolis writings. From 25 May until 12 November 2022 he wrote not one single word in reply, claiming that my articles were without exception poor, superficial and weak and that only a severely cognitively impaired person would take them seriously. Nevertheless, he found them so entertaining that after almost six months of inaction he resolved to make a point of rebutting them one by one; this effort being his new favorite sport. He has now replied to me 16 times (the last one dated 2-20-23). I disposed of the main themes of his numberless slanders in several Facebook posts under his name on my Anti-Catholicism page (where all my replies to him are listed). I shall try, by Gods grace, to ignore his innumerable insults henceforth, and heartily thank him for all these blessings and extra rewards in heaven (Matthew 5:11-12). Google Translate is utilized to render Lucas Portugese into English. Occasionally I slightly modify clearly inadequate translations, so that his words will read more smoothly and meaningfully in English. I use the RSV for both my Bible citations and Banzolis. His words will be in blue. ***** This is a reply to Lucas Banzolis article, Refutando todas as calunias catolicas contra a rainha Isabel da Inglaterra [Refuting all Catholic slanders against Queen Elizabeth of England] (4-13-18). . . . the religious field, in which Elizabeth put an end to the terror spread by her late sister . . . Elizabeth did not make any kind of radical Protestant or anti-Catholic monarch, much less a tyrant who forced conversions or killed in the name of the faith. In fact, a large part of her enormous popularity in England was precisely due to this moderation that always kept her away from any religious persecution along the lines of her bloodthirsty sister. . . . Catholics, whether nobles or not, continued to exist throughout the entire Elizabethan period, but by the end of their rule they hardly formed the twentieth part of the population even without any massacre, any auto-da -faith, no Inquisition and no obligation to stop being Catholic in order to stay alive. . . . She was . . . not a violent, bloodthirsty or warlike queen, but exceptionally tolerant by the standards of the time, pacifist and religiously moderate, which won the loyalty and loyalty of even her most Catholic subjects. . . . Elizabeth is accused of killing hundreds of Catholics over her 45 years of reign. In fact, a derisory number of Catholics were executed, equivalent to four for each year of reign [that would be 180], but none of them for heresy or for the crime of expressing their religious opinions. Instead, this number consists fundamentally of Jesuits sent to England on the specific mission of carrying out the undertaking, where Elizabeth would end up murdered and dethroned, and Mary Stuart would assume the crown in her place. . . . In short, what is known to any historian or serious scholar is that Elizabeth did not persecute any Catholic for religious convictions, nor did she impose any opposition to freedom of conscience, things that the Queen, famous for her moderation, abhorred. All she did was punish some Jesuits infiltrated in England with the specific mission of conspiring, raising the country through rebellions and betrayals, inciting political sabotage and finally murdering her . . . It is extremely important to note that during the entire first decade of her reign (i.e., the period before Pope Pius Vs Bull, the Northern Revolt, and the plots to assassinate the Queen) there was no death sentence in England. This fact is extremely significant, as it supports the historical fact that Elizabeth was not a religiously intolerant queen with an interest in punishing Catholics for the crime of heresy . . . Mary reigned for five years and killed 300 Protestants for heresy, while Elizabeth reigned for ten years without condemning anyone to capital punishment, and when she began to condemn, she did so for high treason, not for doctrinal reasons. Isabels numbers point to 187 executions (123 of which were Jesuit missionaries) throughout her 45 years of reign, which is equivalent to four individuals per year . . . Elizabeths England had no laws against heresy, no ecclesiastical courts judging peoples faith, no autos-da-fe, no public ceremonies for burning heretics, no restrictions on freedom of conscience, and no one was obligated ( although there was an incentive) to be a Protestant. What did exist, as everywhere else, was capital punishment (on the gallows or by decapitation) for those who committed the crime of high treason, in which the convicted Jesuits were, by far, the greatest professionals. *** Well, weve had enough of lies and propaganda. Now how about historical truth, as best we can ascertain it? Banzolis view is that Bloody Queen Bess reigned for ten years [1558-1568] without condemning anyone to capital punishment, and when she began to condemn, she did so for high treason, not for doctrinal reasons. What I will proceed to massively demonstrate is that this is simply not true. The following is an abridged version of the documented information contained in 312 Catholic Martyrs & Confessors Under Good Queen Bess (Queen Elizabeth: r. 1558-1603) [2-8-08]. See that article for much fuller accounts. I will provide documentation of 512 Catholic martyrs under Bloody Queen Bess: the vast majority of them named. The former article didnt provide links (usually from Catholic Encyclopedia or Wikipedia) about each martyr. They will be added below. The martyrs are listed chronologically by date of execution. Elizabeth ruled over the entirety of Ireland as well as England. Queen Elizabeth is often regarded as a tolerant queen, yet during her reign (17 November 1558 24 March 1603), there were 302 executions not counting ten executed members of the Northern Rising of 1569 (most involving horrible prolonged tortures) or confessors deaths rotting away or starving to death or tortured to death in prisons for the treasonous crime of being Catholic. That is counting English victims only. But there were also about 210 Irish victims, for a grand total of at least 512 martyrs of the Catholic faith under Good Queen Bess. Henry VIII averaged about 16 executions or horrible starving deaths of Catholics a year, after he started murdering them in 1534. Elizabeth averaged almost 12 per year for her entire 44 years and 4 months reign. Thus she showed herself on average to be about 75% as savage and vicious as her illustrious father, in terms of the frequency and rate of the butchery. After 1585 it was treason to be a priest and to set foot in England at all. Banzoli wants to make out that the charges of treason were only against wicked Catholics (mostly all the dreaded and despised Jesuit priests, of course) conspiring to murder their murderous queen. Its simply not so. Keep reading if you doubt this. Facts have a marvelous ability to absolutely obliterate lies and myths. Richard Coppinger: Benedictine. Died in prison in 1558. Bishop Ralph Bayle: Died on 18 November 1559 in prison. He was one of eleven bishops whom Bloody Queen Bess deprived and left to die in prison. Bishop Cuthbert Turnstall (or, Tunstall): Died on 18 November 1559 in prison. Bishop Owen Oglethorpe: Died on 31 December 1559 in prison. Thomas Slythurst: Priest. Died in the Tower of London, 1560. Bishop John White: Died on 12 January, 1560 in prison. William Chedsey: Priest. Died in a London prison in 1561. Sir Edward Waldegrave: Layman. Died in a London prison in 1561. Agnes Johnson: Laywoman. Died in a York prison in 1561. John Fryer (or, Frier): Layman. Died in a London prison in 1563. Bishop Richard Pate: Died on 23 November 1565 in prison. Bishop David Poole: Died in May, 1568 in prison. Bishop Edmund Bonner: When Elizabeth ascended to the throne he was ordered to resign, which he refused to do, adding that he preferred death. On 20th April, 1560, he was sent as a prisoner to the Marshalsea. When the Parliament of 1563 met, a new Act was passed by which the first refusal of the oath of royal supremacy was praemunire, the second, high treason. On 29th April, 1564 the oath was again tendered to Bonner by Horne, the Anglican Bishop of Winchester. This he firmly refused. Four times a year for three years he was forced to in the courts at Westminster only to be further remanded. The end came on 5th September, 1569, when he died in the Marshalsea. Bishop Gilbert Bourne: During his brief episcopate he laboured zealously for the restoration of the Catholic religion, although towards heretics, as even Godwin, a Protestant, admits, he always used kindness rather than severity, nor do any seem to have been executed in his diocese. On his rejection of the Supremacy Oath, on 18 October, 1559, and his deprivation followed, [when he] was committed on 18 June a close prisoner to the Tower, . . . Thus began that continual tossing and shifting of the deposed prelates from one keeper to another, from one prison to another, . . . After nearly ten years of this suffering existence Bishop Bourne expired 10 September, 1569, at Silverton in Devonshire. Anthony Draycott: Priest. Died in a London prison in 1570. Blessed John Felton: On 24 or 25 May 1570, Felton affixed a copy of the Bull of St. Pius V excommunicating the queen to the gates of the Bishop of Londons palace near St. Pauls. On 26 May 1570 he was arrested and taken to the Tower, where he was thrice racked, though he from the first confessed and gloried in his deed. He was condemned on 4 August and executed in St. Pauls Churchyard, London on 8 August, 1570. He was cut down alive, and his heart was cut out. Bishop Thomas Thurlby (or, Thirlby): Died in prison on 26 August, 1570. Bishop James Thurberville (or, Turberville): Died in prison on 1 November 1570. John Boxall: Priest. Died in a London prison in 1571. Nicholas Grene: Priest. Died in a York prison in 1571. Blessed John Story (or, Storey): When Queen Mary was on the throne, Story was one of her most active agents in prosecuting heretics, and was one of her proctors at the trial of Cranmer at Oxford in 1555. In 1560 he opposed the Bill of Supremacy , and incurred the ire of Queen Elizabeth. In August 1570, he was locked in the Tower of London and repeatedly tortured (including racking). Indicted on 26 May 1571 for conspiring against the Queens life. Throughout his misery, John bore his tortures with fortitude and claimed his innocence. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on the 1st of June 1571. Thomas Sedgwick: Priest. Died in a Yorkshire prison in 1573. Blessed Thomas Woodhouse: Priest. On 14 May, 1561, he was committed to the Fleet, London, having been arrested while saying Mass. For the rest of his life he remained in custody, but [was] treated with considerable leniency till on 19 November, 1572, he sent the prison washerwoman to Lord Burghleys house with his famous letter. In it he begs him to seek reconciliation with the pope and earnestly to persuade the Lady Elizabeth, who for her own great disobedience is most justly deposed, to submit herself unto her spiritual prince and father. He was executed at Tyburn on 19 June, 1573, being disemboweled alive. Thomas Gabyt: Cistercian. Executed in 1575. Nicholas Harpsfield: Priest. Died in a London prison in 1575. St. Cuthbert Mayne: Priest. On April 24, 1576, he left for the English mission. Elizabeth Is agents quickly became aware of Maynes presence in the area and the authorities began a systematic search for him in June. The high sheriff, Sir Richard Grenville, discovered a Catholic devotional article, an Agnus Dei round Maynes neck, and took him into custody. The jury found Mayne guilty of high treason on all counts. He kissed a copy of the bible, declaring that, the queen neither ever was, nor is, nor ever shall be, the head of the church of England [and] was executed on November 29, 1577. It is unclear if he died on the gibbet. In any case, he was unconscious during the disemboweling. Blessed John Nelson: Jesuit. Executed at Tyburn on February 3, 1578 . . . hung and cut down alive, his heart cut out, then quartered. Blessed Thomas Nelson: Jesuit student. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on February 3, 1578. [See the Wikipedia article for a gruesome description of the English punishment of being hanged, drawn, and quartered] Bishop Nicholas Heath: Archbishop of York. Died in prison in December 1578. Thomas Layne: Layman. Died in a York prison in 1579. Blessed Thomas Sherwood: Layman. Racked with a view to extracting details of houses where Mass was celebrated, Thomas kept silent. As a result he was then thrown into a dungeon to rot, and the inevitable sentence of hanging, drawing and quartering was carried out at Tyburn on February 7, 1579. Henry Cole: Priest. During Elizabeths reign he remained true to the Catholic Faith . . . committed to the Tower (20 May, 1560), and finally removed to the Fleet (10 June), where he remained for nearly twenty years, until his death in February 1579 (or February 1580). Mr. Ailworth (or, Aylword): Admitted Catholics to Mass at his house; was arrested, and died after eight days, 1580. John Cooper: Probably a distributor of Catholic books, arrested at Dover and sent to the Tower, died of hunger, cold, and stench, 1580. Robert Dimock (or, Dymoke): Arrested at Mass, and perished after a few weeks imprisonment at Lincoln, 11 September, 1580. John Molineaux: Layman. Died in a London prison in 1581. John Constable: Layman. Died in a York prison in 1581. Blessed Everald Hanse: Priest. He was asked in court at the Newgate Sessions, what he thought of the popes authority, and on his admitting that he believed him to have the same authority now as he had a hundred years before, he was further asked whether the pope had not erred (i.e. sinned) in declaring Elizabeth excommunicate, to which he answered, I hope not. He was at once found guilty of persuasion which was high treason, and was executed at Tyburn on 31 July, 1581. St. Alexander Briant: Priest. Placed under arrest on 28 April 1581, in the hope of extorting information. After fruitless attempts to this end at Counter Prison, London, he was taken to the Tower where he was subjected to excruciating tortures. To the rack, starvation, and cold was added the inhuman forcing of needles under the nails. He was arraigned on 16 November 1581, in Queens Bench, Westminster, on the charge of high treason, and condemned to death. The details of this last great suffering [hanged, drawn, and quartered], which occurred on the 1 December [1581] following, like those of the previous torture, are revolting. In his letter to the Jesuit Fathers he protests that he felt no pain during the tortures he underwent, and adds: Whether this that I say be miraculous or no, God knoweth. St. Edmund Campion: Jesuit priest. He led a hunted life, preaching and ministering to Catholics in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Lancashire. On his way to Norfolk, he stopped at Lyford in Berkshire, where he preached on July 14 and the following day, by popular request. Here, he was captured by a spy and taken to London. Committed to the Tower of London, he was questioned in the presence of Elizabeth, who asked him if he acknowledged her to be the true Queen of England. He replied in the affirmative, and she offered him wealth and dignities, but on conditions which his conscience could not allow. (To reject his Catholic faith.) He was kept a long time in prison, twice racked (by order of the Council but certainly with Elizabeths consent), and every effort was made to shake his constancy. Despite the effect of a false rumour of retraction and a forged confession, his adversaries in despair summoned him to four public conferences (September 1, 18, 23 and 27, 1581). Tortured again on October 31, he was indicted at Westminster on a charge of having conspired, along with others, at Rome and Reims to raise a sedition in the realm and dethrone the Queen. The great saint stated at the close of his trial: In condemning us, you condemn all your own ancestors all the ancient priests, bishops, and kings all that was once the glory of England, the island of saints, and the most devoted child of the See of Peter. For what have we taught, however you may qualify it with the odious name of treason, that they did not uniformly teach? To be condemned with these old lights not of England only, but of the world by their degenerate descendants, is both gladness and glory to us. God lives; posterity will live; their judgment is not so liable to corruption as that of those who are now going to sentence us to death. He answered the sentence of the traitors death with the Te Deum laudamus, and, after spending his last days in prayer, was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn on December 1, 1581. St. Ralph Sherwin: Priest. On 9 November [1577] he was imprisoned in the Marshalsea, where he converted many fellow prisoners, and on 4 December was transferred to the Tower of London, where he was tortured on the rack and then laid out in the snow. He is said to have been personally offered a bishopric by Elizabeth I if he apostatised, but refused. After spending a year in prison he was finally brought to trial on a trumped up charge of treasonable conspiracy. On 1 December 1581 he was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn. St. John Payne: Early in July, 1581, he was arrested in Warwickshire through the efforts of the informer George Judas Eliot (a known criminal, murderer, rapist and thief, who made a career out of denouncing Catholics and priests for bounty). He was racked on August 14, and again on October 31. Paine was indicted at Chelmsford on March 22 on a charge of treason for conspiring to murder the Queen and her leading officers and install Mary, Queen of Scots on the throne. Paine denied the charges, and affirmed his loyalty to the Queen in all that was lawful (i.e., not contrary to his Catholicism or allegiance to the pope), contesting the reliability of the murderer Eliot. At his execution on the morning of the Monday April 2 [1582] he was dragged from prison on a hurdle to the place of execution and first prayed on his knees for almost half an hour and then kissed the scaffold, made a profession of faith and declared his innocence. The crowd had become so sympathetic to Paine that they hung on his feet to speed his death and prevented the infliction of the quartering until he was dead. Blessed Thomas Ford: Priest. On July 17, 1581, he was arrested and on July 22nd of that same year, he was put in the Tower, where he was tortured. He was brought to court on November 16th with a faked charge of conspiracy. It said he had conspired in places he had never been (Rome and Rheims), on days he had been in England. Executed on May 28, 1582. Blessed Robert Johnson: Priest. Racked on December 16, 1580 and put in a dungeon until his trial on November 14, 1581. He was condemned on November 20, and executed on May 28, 1582. Blessed John Shert: Ordained in 1579. Executed on May 28, 1582. Blessed Thomas Cottam: Convert and Jesuit. In June 1580 he was committed close prisoner to the Marshalsea. After being tortured, he was removed, 4 December, 1580, to the Tower, where he endured the rack and the Scavengers Daughter. On 30 May, 1582 he was drawn to Tyburn and executed. Blessed William Filby: Priest. He was arrested in July 1581, committed to the Tower, removed 14 August to the Marshalsea, and thence back to the Tower again. He was sentenced 17 November, and from that date till he died was loaded with manacles. He was also deprived of his bedding for two months, and was executed at Tyburn, 30 May, 1582. St. Luke Kirby: Convert and priest. In June of 1580, he was arrested on landing at Dover, and committed to the Gatehouse, Westminster. On December 4th, he was transferred to the Tower, where he was subjected to the Scavengers Daughter for more than an hour on December 9th. Kirby was condemned on November 17, 1581, and from April 2nd until the day he died [30 May 1582], he was put in irons. Blessed Laurence Richardson: Priest. He was arrested in London in 1577 and imprisoned in Newgate, where he remained until the day of his indictment, 16 November, 1581, when he was committed to the Queens Bench Prison, and on the day of his condemnation, 17 November, to the Tower, where he had no bedding for two months. He was executed at Tyburn, 30 May, 1582. Blessed Richard Kirkman: Priest. He was arrested on 8 August, 1582, and seems to have been arraigned a day or two after under 23 Eliz. c. 1. Executed at York on 22 August, 1582. [The Act to retain the Queens Majestys subjects in their obedience (23 Eliz. c. 1), passed in 1581. This made it high treason to reconcile anyone or to be reconciled to the Romish religion 13 Eliz. c.1 made it high treason to affirm that the queen ought not to enjoy the Crown, or to declare her to be a heretic or schismatic; * 13 Eliz. c. 2, which made it high treason to put into effect any papal Bull of absolution, to absolve or reconcile any person to the Catholic Church, or to be so absolved or reconciled, or to procure or publish any papal Bull or writing whatsoever. The penalties of praemunire were enacted against all who brought into England or who gave to others Agnus Dei or articles blessed by the pope or by any one through faculties from him. 13 Eliz. c. 3, was designed to stop Catholics from taking refuge abroad, and declared that any subject departing the realm without the queens license, and not returning within six months, should forfeit the profits of his lands during life and all his goods and chattels. An act against Jesuits, seminary priests, and such other like disobedient persons, (27 Eliz.1, c. 2) [1584] commanded all Roman Catholic priests to leave the country in 40 days or they be punished for high treason, unless within the 40 days they swore an oath to obey the Queen. Those who harbored them, and all those who knew of their presence and failed to inform the authorities would be fined and imprisoned, or where the authorities wished to make an example of them, they might be executed. This statute, under which most of the English martyrs suffered, made it high treason for any Jesuit or any seminary priest to be in England at all, and felony for any one to harbour or relieve them.] Blessed William Lacey: Priest. After fourteen years persecution for his faith, which included imprisonment at Hull, and after the death of his wife, he went abroad and was ordained in 1580. On 10 May, 1581, he was at Loreto on his way to England. He was arrested after a Mass said by Thomas Bell, afterwards an apostate, in York Castle, 22 July, 1582. He suffered great hardships, being loaded with heavy irons, confined in an underground dungeon, and subjected to numerous examinations. He was arraigned on 11 August, probably under 13 Eliz. cc. 2 and 3. Executed at York on 22 August, 1582. Blessed James Thompson (or, Hudson): Priest. He was arrested at York on 11 August, 1582. On being taken before the Council of the North he frankly confessed his priesthood. He was then loaded with double irons and was imprisoned, first in a private prison, then in the castle. On 25 November he was brought to the bar and condemned to the penalties of high treason. Three days later [28 November 1582] he suffered with great joy and tranquility at the Knavesmire, protesting that he had never plotted against the queen, and that he died in and for Catholic Faith. While he was hanging, he first raised his hands to heaven, then beat his breast with his right hand, and finally made a great sign of cross. In spite of his sentence, he was neither disemboweled nor quartered, but was buried under the gallows. Thomas Ackridge: Franciscan. Died in prison in 1583. Thurstan Arrowsmith: Layman. Died in prison in 1583. James Laburne: Layman(?). Executed in 1583. Thomas Mudde: Cistercian. Died in prison in 1583. Blessed William Hart: Priest. He was betrayed by an apostate on Christmas Day, 1582, thrown into an underground dungeon, and put into double irons. Executed at York, 15 March, 1583. Blessed Richard Thirkeld: Priest. On the eve of the Annunciation, 1583, he was arrested while visiting one of the Catholic prisoners in the Ousebridge Kidcote, York. The charge was one of having reconciled the queens subjects to the Church of Rome. He was found guilty on 27 May and condemned 28 May. Executed at York on 29 May, 1583. Blessed John Bodley (or, Bodey): Convert and lay schoolmaster. Arrested in 1580, and spent three years in prison in Winchester. Hanged, drawn, and quartered on 2 November 1583 at Andover, England. Blessed John Slade: Layman and schoolmaster. Hanged, drawn, and quartered on 2 November 1583 at Winchester, England. Edward Arden: Born c. 1542. In 1583, Arden was indicted in Warwick for plotting against the life of the Queen and taken to London, where he was arraigned in the Guildhall, 16 December, 1583. He was convicted and was executed at Smithfield, 30 December, 1583. It is generally conceded that Arden was the innocent victim of a plot. He died protesting his innocence and declaring that his only crime was the profession of the Catholic religion. Richard Hatton: Priest. Died in a London prison in 1583 or 1584. Thomas Cotesmore William Chaplain Roger (or, Robert) Holmes James Lomax Roger Wakeman Priests. Perished in prisons in 1584. Of Wakemans suffering several harrowing details are on record. John Collins: Priest. Died in 1584. Henry Comberford: Priest. Died in a York prison in 1584. William Travers: Layman. Died in a London prison in 1584. Thomas Watson: Bishop of Lincoln. Died after being held in Wisbeach Castle, in 1584. Blessed William Carter: A lay printer. Among other Catholic books he printed a new edition (1000 copies) of Dr. Gregory Martins A Treatise of Schism, in 1580, for which he was at once arrested and imprisoned in the Gatehouse. He was transferred to the Tower in 1582. Having been tortured on the rack, he was indicted at the Old Bailey, 10 January 1584, for having printed Dr. Martins book, in which was a paragraph where confidence was expressed that the Catholic Hope would triumph, and pious Judith would slay Holofernes. This was interpreted as an incitement to slay the queen, though it obviously had no such meaning. He was executed for for treason at Tyburn on 11 January, 1584. Blessed James Fenn (or, Feun): Priest. He was named a conspirator of a bogus assassination plot, and hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on February 12, 1584. Blessed George Haydock: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on 12 February 1584. He acknowledged Elizabeth as his rightful queen, but confessed that he had called her a heretic. Haydock was alive when he was disemboweled. Blessed Thomas Hemerford Blessed John Munden Blessed John Nutter Priests. All hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on 12 February 1584. Blessed James Bell: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Lancaster on 20 April, 1584. Blessed John Finch: Convert. His house was a centre of missionary work, he himself harbouring priests and aiding them in every way, besides acting as catechist. His zeal drew on him the hostility of the authorities, and at Christmas, 1581, he was entrapped and kept in the earls house as a prisoner, sometimes tortured and sometimes bribed in order to pervert him and induce him to give information. This failing, he was removed to the Fleet prison at Manchester and afterwards to the House of Correction. For many months he lay in a damp dungeon, ill-fed and ill-treated, desiring always that he might be brought to trial and martyrdom. After three years imprisonment, he was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Lancaster on 20 April, 1584. John Feckenham: Benedictine, abbot of Westminster. Died in prison in 10 October 1584. St. Richard White (or, Gwyn): In 1579 he was arrested by the Vicar of Wrexham, a former Catholic who had conformed to the new faith. He escaped and remained a fugitive for a year and a half, was recaptured, and spent the next four years in one prison after another until his execution. Gwyn was tortured often in prison, largely with the use of manacles. However, his adherence to the Catholic faith never wavered. Gwyn was condemned to death by hanging, drawing and quartering. This sentence was carried out in the Beast Market in Wrexham on 15 or 17 October 1584. When he appeared dead they cut him down, but he revived and remained conscious through the disemboweling, until his head was severed. Thomas Crowther Edward Pole John Jetter Priests. Perished in prisons in 1585. John Ackridge: Priest. Perished in a prison in York in 1585. Richard Creagh: Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland. Creagh preached loyalty to England. In 1567 he was lodged in the Tower of London, and kept there till his death in 1585. From his repeated examinations before the English Privy Council his unwavering loyalty to England were made plain. But his steadfastness in the Faith and his great popularity in Ireland were considered crimes, and in consequence the Council refused to set him free. Not content with this his moral character was assailed. The daughter of his jailer was urged to charge him with having assaulted her. The charge was investigated in public court, where the girl retracted, declaring her accusation absolutely false. William Hambleton: Priest. Executed in 1585. Stephen Hemsworth: Layman. Died in a York prison in 1585. Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland: Layman. Died in a London prison in 1585. Laurence Vaux: Priest. Arrested in Rochester in 1580 on information lodged by a spy. After several examinations Vaux was finally committed by the Bishop of London to the Gatehouse Prison, Westminster. In all probability he was abandoned to a lingering death in 1585 in prison. John Almond: Cistercian, Confessor of the Faith; died in Hull Castle, 18 April, 1585. His case is of special interest as an example of the sufferings endured in the Elizabethan prisons. The courageous, patient old priest, after many sufferings in prison, was left in extreme age to pine away under a neglect that was revolting. Thomas Vavasour: Physician. In 1572 he was accused of having entertained St. Edmund Campion. In Nov., 1574, he was sent into solitary confinement in the Hull Castle (York). Later on he was in the Gatehouse, Westminster, from which he was released on submitting to acknowledge the royal supremacy in religious matter; but he was again imprisoned as a recusant in Hull Castle, York where he died on 2 May 1585. Blessed Thomas Alfield: Convert. Priest. Wavered at one point (after torture) and became a Protestant. But he regained his Catholic faith and was executed at Tyburn, 6 July, 1585. Venerable Thomas Webley: Layman. Executed at Tyburn, 6 July, 1585. Blessed Hugh Taylor: Priest. He was the first to suffer under the Statute 27 Eliz. c. 2. lately passed. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at York, 25 November, 1585. Blessed Marmaduke Bowes: Layman. Executed on 26 November 1585. Robert Shelly (or, Richard Shelley): Layman. Died in a London prison in 1585 or 1586. John Harrison: Priest. Perished in prison in 1586. Gabriel Empringham Robert Holland Peter Lawson Laymen. Died in London prisons in 1586. Thomas Harwood: Priest. Died in a York prison in 1586. Blessed Edward Stransham: Priest. Executed at Tyburn on 21 January, 1586. Blessed Nicholas Woodfen: Executed at Tyburn on 21 January, 1586. St. Margaret Clitherow: Converted to Roman Catholicism at the age of 18, in 1574. She then became a friend of the persecuted Roman Catholic population in the north of England. Her son, Henry, went to Reims to train as a Catholic priest. She regularly held Masses in her home in the Shambles in York. There was a hole cut between the attics of her house and the house next door, so that a priest could escape if there was a raid. In 1586, she was arrested and called before the York assizes for the crime of harbouring Roman Catholic priests. She refused to plead to the case so as to prevent a trial that would entail her children being made to testify, and she was executed by being crushed to death the standard punishment for refusal to plead. On Good Friday of 1586, she was laid out upon a sharp rock, and a door was put on top of her and loaded with an immense weight of rocks and stones. Death occurred within fifteen minutes. Blessed William Thomson (aka Blackburne): Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on 20 April 1586. Blessed Richard Sergeant: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn, 20 April, 1586. Blessed Robert Anderton: Convert and priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered on 25 April 1586 on the Isle of Wight. Blessed William Marsden: Convert and priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered on 25 April 1586 on the Isle of Wight. Blessed Francis Ingleby: Priest. Executed at York on Friday, 3 June, 1586. Blessed John Finglow (or, Fingley): Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at York on 8 August 1586. Blessed John Sandys: Priest. Hanged, drawn and quartered at Gloucester, 11 August, 1586. He was cut down while fully conscious and had a terrible struggle with the executioner, who had blackened his face to avoid recognition and used a rusty and ragged knife; but his last words were a prayer for his persecutors. Blessed John Adams: Priest. Captured on December 19, 1585. In that year the Act had been passed making it a capital offence to be a Catholic priest in England. The sentence of hanging, drawing and quartering was completed at Tyburn, London on October 8, 1586. Blessed Robert Bickerdike: Layman. Arrested for giving a priest, St. John Boste, a glass of ale, he was also accused at his trial of using treasonable words. He was acquitted, but Judge Rhodes, determined to have his blood, had him removed from the city gaol to the Castle and tried once more on the same charge. He was then condemned. Executed at York on 8 October 1586. Blessed Robert Dibdale: Priest. He was arrested near Tothill Street in London on July 24, 1586 and was imprisoned first at the Counter then at Newgate. The terrible sentence of hanging, drawing and quartering was inevitable. It was carried out at Tyburn, London on October 8, 1586. Blessed John Lowe: Priest. Hanged, drawn and quartered for being a priest at Tyburn, London on October 8, 1586. Blessed Richard Langley: Layman and member of the gentry. Langley gave over his energies and a very considerable part of his fortune to assisting the oppressed clergy; his house was freely offered as an asylum to priests. During his investigation Langley was steadfast in his adherence to the Faith. He would not take the oath of the queens ecclesiastical supremacy, nor compromise his religious heritage. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered at York on 1 December 1586. James Stonnes: Priest. He was arrested 19 Nov., 1585, in the Parish of Ormskirk, Lancashire. As he would not commit himself to the royal supremacy, though he acknowledged the queen as temporal sovereign, and as he confessed that he regarded her ecclesiastical policy as contrary to Gods law and refused to give up saying Mass, he was committed to the New Fleet, Manchester, where, as he was then aged 72, it is probable he died [c. 1586]. William Griffith William Knowles Laymen. Died in prisons in 1587. Gabriel Thimelby: Priest. Perished in prison in 1587. Ralph Cowling (or, Collins) Isabel Foster Mary Hutton Laypeople. Died in York prisons in 1587. Blessed Thomas Pilchard (or, Pilcher): Priest. He was arrested early in March, 1587, and imprisoned in Dorchester Gaol, and in the fortnight between committal to prison and condemnation converted thirty persons. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Dorchester on 21 March 1587. He was so cruelly drawn upon the hurdle that he was fainting when he came to the place of execution. Blessed Edmund Sykes: Priest. He was betrayed by his brother, to whose house in Wath he had resorted. Executed at York Tyburn on 23 March, 1587. Martin Sherson: Priest. He was imprisoned in the Marshalsea before 22 December, 1586, was still there in March 1587, and died soon after. Thomas Somerset: He was committed to the Fleet, 10 June, 1562, for translating an oration out of French, made by the Cardinal of Lorraine, Charles de Guise, Archbishop of Reims, and putting the same without authority in print. After an imprisonment of close on twenty years he was released on bail, 28 Feb., 1581-82, to attend to legal business in Monmouthshire. But by 22 October, 1585, he was again in the Tower on a charge of high treason and died there on 27 May, 1587. Blessed Stephen Rowsham: Priest. Remained a prisoner for more than three years, during half of which time (14 Aug., 1582, until 12 Feb., 1584) he was confined to the dungeon known as the Little Ease. Executed at Gloucester no later than July, 1587. Blessed John Hambley: Priest. Denied his faith twice under duress. But the third time he was captured, he did not break, and was executed near Salisbury (Chard in Somerset) around July 1587, standing to it manfully, and inveighing much against his former fault. Blessed Robert Sutton: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Stafford on 27 July, 1587. Blessed George Douglas: Scottish priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at York on 9 September 1587. Dorothy Vavasour: Laywoman. Died in the New Counter, Ousebridge, York, 26 October, 1587. Blessed Alexander Crow (or, Crowe): Priest. Executed at York on 13 November 1587. Thomas Wood: Priest. Born c. 1499. On account of his religion he was committed to the Marshalsea 13 May, 1560. On 20 Nov., 1561, he was transferred to the Fleet. On 28 Nov., 1569, we find him in the Tower of London, threatened with the rack. He was still there in April, 1570. From the Tower he was removed to the Marshalsea again 14 Oct., 1571, and was still there in then aged 80, in July, 1580. He died in Wisbech Castle before 1588. Lucy Budge: Laywoman. Died in a York prison in 1587 or 1588. Humphrey Berisford: Layman. Died in prison around 1588. William Baldwin (or, Bawden): Priest. Perished in a York prison in 1588. William Deeg John Jessop Richard Kitchin (or, Kitchen) Laymen. Died in prisons in 1588. Philippa (or, Philippe) Lowe: Layman. Died in a London prison in 1588. James Clayton: Priest. Condemned to death but died in Derby jail, 22 July, 1588. Blessed Nicholas Garlick: Born c. 1555. Ordained 1582. On 23 July 1588, he was tried for coming into the kingdom and seducing the Queens subjects. Garlick, who acted as spokesman, answered, I have not come to seduce, but to induce men to the Catholic faith. For this end have I come to the country, and for this will I work as long as I live. He was condemned to be hanged, drawn and quartered; carried out the next day [24 July 1588]. Here is the sentence: That you and each of you be carried to the place from whence you came, and from thence be drawn on a hurdle to the place of execution, and be there severally hanged, but cut down while you are alive; that your privy members be cut off; that your bowels be taken out and burnt before your faces; that your heads be severed from your bodies; that your bodies be divided into four quarters, and that your quarters be at the Queens disposal; and the Lord have mercy on your souls. Blessed Robert Ludlam: Priest. Hanged, drawn and quartered on 24 July 1588 at St. Marys Bridge, in Derby. Blessed Richard Simpson: Priest. By July 1588, the Armada was on its way, and there was no longer any motive for sparing priests. Simpson and his companions were the first of thirty-two priests martyred that year. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered on 24 July 1588 at St. Marys Bridge, in Derby. Venerable James Claxton (or, Clarkston): Priest. Executed between Brentford and Hounslow, Middlesex on 28 August 1588. Blessed William Dean: Protestant minister who converted to Catholicism and became a priest. Executed on 28 August 1588 at Mile End in London. Venerable Thomas Felton: Son of martyr, Blessed John Felton. Franciscan. He suffered terrible tortures in prison and was executed at Hounslow on 28 August 1588. Venerable William Gunter: Priest. Executed on 28 August 1588 near the Theatre in London. Blessed Thomas Holford: Priest. Hanged at Clerkenwell on 28 August 1588. Venerable Hugh Moor: Born 1563. Layman. Condemned for having been reconciled to the Church by Fr. Thomas Stephenson, S.J. Executed in Lincolns Inn Fields, London, 28 August, 1588. Venerable Robert Morton: Priest. Executed in Lincolns Inn Fields, London, 28 August, 1588. Blessed Henry Webley: Layman. Condemned for assisting priests. Executed on 28 August 1588 at Mile End in London. Blessed Richard Leigh: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on 30 August 1588. Blessed Richard Lloyd (or, Flower): Welsh layman. Condemned for entertaining a priest named William Horner, alias Forrest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on 30 August 1588. Blessed Richard Martin: Layman. Condemned for giving shelter to priests and hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on 30 August 1588. Blessed John Roche: Irish layman. Condemned for harboring priests and hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on 30 August 1588. Blessed Edward Shelley: Layman. Hanged at Tyburn for sheltering priests, on 30 August 1588. St. Margaret Ward: Executed for helping a priest to escape from prison. Margaret Ward was kept in irons for eight days, was hung up by the hands, and scourged, but absolutely refused to disclose the priests whereabouts. She was offered a pardon if she would attend a Protestant service, but refused. She was hanged at Tyburn on 30 August 1588. Blessed William Way (or, May): Priest. Hanged, disemboweled, and quartered at Kingston-on-Thames, 23 September, 1588. Blessed Christopher Buxton: Priest. Being so young [26], it was thought that his constancy might be shaken by the sight of the barbarous butchery of his companions, and his life was offered him if he would conform to the new religion, but he courageously answered: I would not purchase a corruptible life at such a rate, and, if I had one hundred lives, I would willingly lay them all down in defence of my faith. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Canterbury, 1 October, 1588. Blessed Edward Campion (aka Gerard Edwards): Priest. He was captured in Sittingbourne, Kent, and was imprisoned at the Newgate and the Marshalsea prisons in London following questioning by order of the Privy Council on 22 April 1587. Upon a second examination on 14 August 1588, he admitted to being a priest. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Oaten Hill, Canterbury, on 1 October 1588. St. Ralph Crockett: Priest. He was put in a prison in London on 27 April 1586, where he remained for more than two years without trial. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Chichester, Sussex, 1 October 1588. He suffered with great constancy. Blessed Edward James: In October, 1583 James was ordained as a priest in Rome by Bishop Thomas Goldwell, the last survivor of the English bishops who had refused to accept the Protestant Reformation. He was put in a prison in London on 27 April 1586, where he remained for more than two years without trial. Executed at Chichester, Sussex, 1 October 1588. He suffered with great constancy. Blessed John Robertson (or, Robinson): Married layman, widower and then priest. Executed on 1 October, 1588 in Ipswich. Blessed Robert Widmerpool: Arrested for giving aid to a Catholic priest. Hanged, drawn and quartered at Canterbury on 1 October, 1588. He kissed the ladder and the rope, and with the rope round his neck gave God hearty thanks for bringing him to so great a glory as that of dying for his faith in the same place where St Thomas of Canterbury had died for his. Blessed Robert Wilcox: Priest. Hanged, drawn and quartered at Canterbury on 1 October, 1588. Blessed William Hartley: Priest. Executed at Tyburn on 5 October, 1588; he suffered with great constancy. Venerable John Harrison (or, Symons): Layman. Executed in Halloway on 5 October, 1588. Blessed John Hewitt (or, Weldon, or, Savell): Priest. On 4 October, 1588, he was formally arraigned on a charge of obtaining ordination from the See of Rome and entering England to exercise the ministry. He was sentenced to death, and the day following was taken through the streets of London to Mile End Green to be executed. Blessed Robert Sutton: Lay schoolmaster. Executed at Clerkenwell on or around 5 October, 1588. Blessed Edward Burden: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at York on November 29, 1588. Blessed William Lampley: Layman. Executed at Gloucester in 1588. Richard Bolbet Thomas Cosen Mrs. Cosen (presumably Thomass wife) Edward Ellis Anne Lander Laymen. Died in London prisons in 1589. ? Green: Layman. Died in prison in 1589. John Amias: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered outside the city of York on March 16, 1589. He went to death as joyfully as if to a feast. Blessed Robert Dalby: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered outside the city of York on March 16, 1589. He displayed no hesitation in going to his death. Blessed Thomas Belson: Layman. He was arrested, tortured repeatedly, and found guilty of felony for assisting the priests, and was hanged with his companions at Oxford [5 July 1589]. Blessed George Nichols: Priest. In Oxford, Catholicism was increasing rapidly. Nichols during this time had converted many to the Catholic faith, notably a convicted highwayman in Oxford Castle. In May of 1589 he was arrested at the Catherine Wheel Inn, opposite of St. Mary Magdalens Church, in Oxford, with another priest Richard Yaxley, and two laymen, Humphrey Prichard and Thomas Belson. The four men were ultimately sent to Bridewell Prison in London, where Nichols and Yaxley, were hung from their hands for up to fifteen hours to make them betray their faith, but without any success. Nichols was then separated from the rest of the three prisoners and put into a dungeon full of vermin. On June 30th all four were ordered back to Oxford for their trial. Nichols and his fellow prisoners were tried under the recent statute imposing the death sentence on any Englishman ordained abroad who entered England, and on anyone helping such a person. All were condemned, the priests for treason, the laymen for felony. On July 5, 1589, Nichols, along with Yaxley, was hanged, drawn, and quartered, while Belson and Prichard were hanged. Blessed Humphrey Pritchard: Welsh layman and convert. On 5 July, 1589 he was hanged in the town ditch of Oxford, which is now Broad Street, along with a wealthy Catholic landowner and two priests. On the scaffold he said, I call all people here present to bear witness, in this world and on the Day of Judgment, that I die because I am a Catholic, a faithful Christian of Holy Church. Blessed Richard Yaxley: Priest. He was sent to the Bridewell prison in London, and hanged up for five hours to make him betray his host, but without avail. Yaxley was sent to the Tower as a close prisoner on 25 May, 1589, and appears to have been racked frequently. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Oxford on 5 July 1589. Blessed Robert Hardesty: Layman. Executed for sheltering priests at York on 24 September 1589. Blessed William Spenser: Ordained in 1584. Executed at York, 24 September, 1589. Hugh Dutton: Layman. Died in a London prison between 1585-1590. Thomas Bedal: Priest. Died in a York prison sometime between 1568-1590. John Fitzherbert David Gwynne John Lander Laymen. Died in London prisons in 1590. Richard Bowes: Priest. Died in a York prison in 1590. William Bredstock Thomas Lynch Laymen. Died in prisons in 1590. Laurence Collier: Franciscan. Died in prison in 1590. Ursula Foster: Laywoman. Died in a York prison in 1590. William Heath: Layman. Died in prison in 1590. Blessed Christopher Bales: Priest. Sent to England 2 November, 1588, he was soon arrested, racked, and tortured by Topcliffe, and hung up by the hands for twenty-four hours at a time; he bore all most patiently. At length he was tried and condemned for high treason, on the charge of having been ordained beyond seas and coming to England to exercise his office. He was executed on 4 March, 1590 in Fleet Street opposite Fetter Lane. Blessed Alexander Blake: Layman. Condemned for harboring priests and executed at Grays Inn Lane on 4 March 1590. Blessed Nicholas Horner: He was arrested on the charge of harbouring Catholic priests. Horner was hanged, drawn and quartered [4 March 1590]. Blessed Francis Dicconson: Priest. After many tortures in the worst London prisons under the infamous Topcliffe, he was condemned as a traitor, and hanged, drawn, and quartered at Rochester on 30 April, 1590. Blessed Miles Gerard: Priest. After many tortures in the worst London prisons under the infamous Topcliffe, he was condemned as a traitor, and hanged, drawn, and quartered at Rochester on 30 April, 1590. Blessed Edward Jones: Welsh priest. Hunted down and captured with the aid of spies posing as Catholics, he was hanged before the very doors of the houses in Fleet Street and Clerkenwell where he was arrested, on 6 May 1590. Blessed Anthony Middleton: Priest. Executed with Bl. Edward Jones on 6 May 1590. Blessed Edmund Duke: Priest. He fell under suspicion in a village in County Durham and was imprisoned and given a sentence of hanging, drawing and quartering for the treasonous crime of being a priest. Executed at Dryburne on May 27, 1590. Blessed Richard Hill: Priest. Hanged, drawn and quartered at Dryburne on May 27, 1590. Blessed John Hogg: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Dryburne on May 27, 1590. Blessed Richard Holiday: Priest. Hanged, drawn and quartered at Dryburne on May 27, 1590. Sir Thomas Fitzherbert ? Glynne Laymen. Died in London prisons in 1591. Stephen Branton: Layman. Died in a York prison in 1591. ? Maycock: Layman. Died in prison in 1590. Blessed Robert Thorpe: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at York, 15 May, 1591. Though naturally timorous, he met his death with great fortitude. Blessed Thomas Watkinson: Layman. Condemned for harboring priests and executed at York, 15 May, 1591. Blessed Monford Scott: Priest. In 1584 he was captured at York at brought to London, where he remained a prisoner for seven years. He was condemned on account of his priesthood and of his being in the country contrary to the Statute. He suffered martyrdom in Fleet Street on 1 July 1591. Blessed George Beesley: A priest of singular courage, young, strong, and robust, he was captured by Topcliffe late in 1590, and was by his torture reduced to a skeleton. He endured all with invincible courage and could not be induced to betray his fellow Catholics. He was executed in Fleet Street, London on 2 July 1591. Blessed Roger Dicconson: Priest. Executed at Winchester, 7 July, 1591. Blessed Ralph Milner: Layman and convert. Every effort was made to persuade him to change his purpose and renounce the Faith. Unshaken in his resolution, Milner met his death with the utmost courage and calm [at Winchester, 7 July, 1591]. St. Edmund Gennings (or, Jennings): Priest. He was seized whilst in the act of saying Mass in the house of Saint Swithun Wells at Grays Inn in London on 7 November 1591 and was hanged, drawn and quartered outside the same house on 10 December [1591]. His execution was particularly bloody, as his final speech angered Topcliffe. Blessed Sidney Hodgson: Layman and convert. He was condemned for harboring priests and becoming a Catholic. He was offered his life if he would give some sort of a promise of occasional conformity to the Established Church, but as he preferred to die for his religion, he was condemned and executed at Tyburn, 10 December, 1591. Blessed Brian Lacey: He was committed to Bridewell where he was cruelly tortured by Topcliffe. He was condemned to be hanged for aiding and abetting priests and executed on 10 December 1591. Ven. John Mason (or, Masson): Condemned as an aider and abettor of priests and executed on 10 December 1591. St. Polydore Plasden: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on 10 December 1591. At his execution he acknowledged Elizabeth as his lawful queen, whom he would defend to the best of his power against all her enemies, and he prayed for her and the whole realm, but said that he would rather forfeit a thousand lives than deny or fight against his religion. St. Swithun (or, Swithin) Wells: Convert. For the crime of attending Mass, he was sentenced to die by hanging, and was executed outside his own house on 10 December 1591. St. Eustace White: Priest. On 1 Sept., 1591, he was betrayed at Blandford, Dorset, by a lawyer with whom he had conversed upon religion. He was sent to London, and lodged in Bridwell, 18 September, where for forty-six days he was kept lying on straw with his hands closely manacled. On 25 October the Privy Council gave orders for his examination under torture, and on seven occasions he was kept hanging by his manacled hands for hours together; he also suffered deprivation of food and clothing. At his execution, after being cut down alive, he rose to his feet, but was tripped up and dragged to the fire where two men stood upon his arms while the executioner butchered him [10 December 1591]. Blessed William Pikes: Layman. Hanged, drawn and quartered on 22 December 1591. Thomas Metham: Jesuit priest. Perished in prison in 1592. Roger Martin: Priest. Executed in 1592. Venerable Richard Williams: Welsh priest of Queen Marys reign. Executed in 1592. Blessed William Patenson: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered on 22 January 1592 at Tyburn. Blessed Thomas Pormort: Priest. In August or September, 1591, he was committed to Bridewell, whence he was removed to Topcliffes house. He was repeatedly racked and sustained a rupture in consequence. On 8 February following he was convicted of high treason for being a seminary priest. Executed at St. Pauls Churchyard, 20 February, 1592. Venerable Roger Ashton: He was tried and sentenced at Canterbury, and hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn, 23 June, 1592. James Brushford: Priest. Died in a London prison in 1593. Thomas Blenkinsop: Layman. Died in a York prison in 1593. Blessed Edward Waterson: Priest. Executed at Newcastle on 7 January 1593. Blessed James Bird: Layman and convert. He refused to take the Oath of Supremacy and was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Winchester in his native city, on 25 March 1593. Blessed Anthony Page: Priest. Hanged, disemboweled, and quartered at York, 20 or 30 April, 1593. Blessed Joseph Lampton: Executed on 27 July 1593, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Blessed William Davies: Welsh priest. He was arrested in 1592 and it was decided that he must die as a traitor, though he was offered his life if he would go but once to church. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Beaumaris on 27 July 1593. William Harrison: Priest. Died in a London prison in 1594. Blessed John Speed (or, Spence): Layman. Executed at Durham, 4 February, 1594, for assisting the venerable martyr St. John Boste, whom he used to escort from one Catholic house to another. Blessed William Harrington: Priest. Executed on 18 February, 1594, after nine months of imprisonment and proofs of unusual constancy and noble-mindedness in prison, at the bar, and on the scaffold. Blessed Thomas Bosgrave: Layman. Condemned for assisting a priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Dorchester, 4 July, 1594. A man of some education, he delivered a stirring address on the truth of his belief prior to his execution. Blessed John Carey: Born in Dublin. Layman. Condemned for assisting a priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Dorchester, 4 July, 1594. Blessed John Cornelius (or, Mohun): Born in 1557 of Irish immigrant parents. Jesuit priest. He was sent to London and brought before the Lord Treasurer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and others, who, by words and torture, tried in vain to obtain the names of such as had given him shelter or assistance. He was hanged and hacked to pieces on 4 July 1594 at Dorchester, after praying for his executioners and for the welfare of the queen. Blessed Patrick Salmon: Native of Dublin. Layman. Condemned for assisting a priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Dorchester, 4 July, 1594. St. John Boste: Convert and priest. He was betrayed to the authorities near Durham in 1593. Following his arrest he was taken to the Tower of London for interrogation. Returned to Durham he was condemned by the Assizes and executed at nearby Dryburn on 24 July 1594. Boste denied that he was a traitor saying My function is to invade souls, not to meddle with temporal invasions. Blessed John Ingram: Convert and priest. Captured on the Tyne, 25 November, 1593, he was imprisoned successively at Berwick, Durgam, York, and in the Tower of London, in which place he suffered the severest tortures (to induce him to name other Catholics) with great constancy, giving away nothing. Sent north again, he was imprisoned at York, Newcastle, and Durgam before being hanged, drawn, and quartered at Newcastle-on-Tyne, 25 July, 1594. Blessed George Swallowell: convert. Executed at Darlington on 26 July, 1594. Blessed Edward Osbaldeston: Priest. The day following his arrest he was taken to York where he was tried at the next assizes and attained of high treason. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at York, 16 November, 1594. John Eldersha: Layman. Died in a York prison sometime between 1585-1595. James Atkinson: Catholic confessor, tortured to death in Bridewell prison in 1595 by Topcliffe, the notorious priest-hunter, who was trying to wring evidence from him, by torture. Yielding to torment, Atkinson broke, but shortly after repented, and was lost in despair, knowing on the one hand that Topcliffe would torture him again, perhaps unto death, and on the other fearing that no priest could possibly come to confess and absolve him before his conflict. At length, fellow prisoner Fr. William Baldwin absolved him. He died shortly afterwards as a result of yet more torture. St. Robert Southwell: Jesuit priest. After six years of successful labor, Southwell was arrested and imprisoned at first in Richard Topcliffes house, where he was repeatedly put to the torture in the vain hope of extracting evidence about other priests. His imprisonment lasted for three years, during which period he was tortured on ten occasions. On February 20, 1595, Southwell was sent to Tyburn. Some of the onlookers tugged at his legs to hasten his death, and his body was then bowelled and quartered. Blessed Alexander Rawlins: Priest. Hanged, drawn and quartered at York on 7 April 1595. St. Henry Walpole: Jesuit. In February 1591 he was sent to the Tower, where he was frequently and severely racked. He remained there until, in the spring of 1595, he was sent back to York for trial, where he was hanged, drawn and quartered on 7 April 1595. Blessed William Freeman: Priest. Executed at Warwick, 13 August, 1595. St. Philip Howard: English nobleman: the 20th Earl of Arundel, and second cousin of the Queen. He was committed to the Tower of London on 25 April 1585. While charges of high treason were never proved, he was to spend ten years in the Tower, until his death of dysentery [on 19 October 1595]. He had petitioned the Queen as he lay dying to allow him to see his beloved wife and his son, who had been born after his imprisonment. The Queen responded that if he would return to Protestantism his request would be granted. He refused and died alone in the Tower. William Abbot: Hanged, drawn and quartered at York, on 29 November 1596. Blessed George Errington: Hanged, drawn and quartered at York, on 29 November 1596. Blessed William Gibson: Layman. Hanged, drawn and quartered at York, on 29 November 1596. Blessed William Knight: Layman. He was sent in October, 1593, to York Castle, where William Gibson and George Errington were already confined. A certain Protestant clergyman chanced to be among their fellow prisoners. To gain his freedom he had recourse to an act of treachery: feigning a desire to become a Catholic, he won the confidence of Knight and his two companions, who explained the Faith to him. With the connivance of the authorities, he was directed to one Henry Abbot, then at liberty, who endeavoured to procure a priest to reconcile him to the Church. Thereupon Abbot was arrested and, together with Knight and his two comrades, accused of persuading the Protestant clergyman to embrace Catholicism an act of treason under the penal laws. They were found guilty, and were hanged, drawn, and quartered at York, on 29 November 1596. Blessed Henry Abbot: Layman. Executed at York on 4 July 1597. Blessed William Andleby: Priest. Executed at York on 4 July 1597. Blessed Edward Fulthrop: Layman. Executed at York on 4 July 1597. Blessed Thomas Warcop: Layman. Hanged for sheltering priests at York on 4 July 1597. Blessed John Britton: Layman. He was often separated from his wife and family, owing to constant persecution which he suffered for his faith. When advanced in years, he was maliciously and falsely accused of traitorous speeches against the queen and condemned to death. Refusing to renounce his faith he was executed at York, as in cases of high treason, 1 April, 1598. Blessed Ralph Grimston (or, Gromston): Layman. Condemned for assisting priests and hanged at York on June 15, 1598. Blessed Peter Snow: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at York on 15 June, 1598. St. John Jones (or, John Buckley, or John Griffith): Priest. In 1596 the priest catcher Topcliffe was informed by a spy. Father Jones was promptly arrested and severely tortured. He was also cruelly scourged. Then the sadistic Topcliffe took him to his house and personally tortured him. He was convicted of high treason and sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered [carried out on 12 July 1598]. Blessed Christopher Robinson (or, Robertson): Priest. Executed at Carlisle, 19 August 1598. Venerable Richard Horner: Priest. Executed on 4 September 1598 in York. Mathias Harrison: Layman. Died in 1599 in prison. Venerable John Lion: Layman. Executed on 16 July 1599. Venerable James Dowdall: Layman. Dowdall publicly avowed that he rejected the queens supremacy, and only recognized that of the Roman pontiff and thus was committed to Exeter jail. Whilst in prison he was tortured and put to the rack, but continued unchanged in his fidelity to the ancient faith. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Exeter on 20 September, 1599. Eleanor Hunt: Gentlewoman. Perished in prison in 1600. Blessed Christopher Wharton: Priest. Executed at York, 28 March, 1600. He suffered with great constancy. St. John Rigby: Twice he was given the chance to repent [of being a Catholic]; twice he refused. He was executed by hanging at St. Thomas Waterings on June 21, 1600. Cut down too soon, he landed on his feet, but was thrown down and held while he was disemboweled. Blessed Thomas Hunt: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered on 11 July 1600 at Lincoln. Blessed Thomas Sprott: Priest. Executed at Lincoln on 11 July 1600. Blessed Robert Nutter: Dominican priest. Spent some months in prison, subjected to torture and irons. Hanged at Lancaster, 26 July 1600. Blessed Edward Thwing: Priest. On July 26, 1600, Father Thwing was executed at Lancaster by hanging, drawing, and quartering. Venerable John Norton: Layman. Executed on 9 August 1600 at the gallows site in Durham. Blessed Thomas Palasor: Priest. Executed at Durham on 9 August, 1600. Blessed John Talbot: Layman. Executed on 9 August 1600 at the gallows site in Durham, on the crest of the hill at the north side of Durham City. Blessed John Pibush: Priest. He was sentenced in July 1595 to suffer the penalties of high treason at St. Thomass Waterings, and in the meantime was to be returned to the Marshalsea. However, by the end of the year he was in the Queens Bench prison, where he remained for more than five years. Executed at St Thomass Waterings, Camberwell, 18 February, 1601. Blessed Mark Barkworth: Convert and Benedictine priest. After having escaped from the hands of the Huguenots of La Rochelle, he was arrested on reaching England and thrown into Newgate, where he was imprisoned for six months, and was then transferred to Bridewell. At his examinations he was reported to behave with fearlessness and frank gaiety. Having been condemned with a formal jury verdict, he was thrown into Limbo, the horrible underground dungeon at Newgate, where he is said to have remained very cheerful till his death. Barkworth was executed at Tyburn on February 27, 1601. Blessed Roger Filcock: Born 1553. Priest by 1597. Executed at Tyburn on 27 February 1601. St. Anne Line (or, Linne): Around 1594, Fr. John Gerard opened a house of refuge for hiding priests, and put the newly-widowed Anne Line in charge of it, despite her ill health and frequent headaches. By 1597, this house had become insecure, so another was opened, and Anne Line was, again, placed in charge. On 2 February 1601, Fr. Francis Page was saying Mass in the house managed by Anne Line, when men arrived to arrest him. The priest managed to slip into a special hiding place, prepared by Anne, and afterwards to escape, but she was arrested, along with two other laypeople. Anne Line was hanged at Tyburn on 27 February 1601. Blessed Thurston Hunt: Priest. Hunt was captured and treated with great inhumanity, heavily ironed night and day until, by the order of the Privy Council, with his feet tied beneath his horses belly, he was carried in public disgrace up to London and back again to Lancaster, where he was condemned and executed for being a priest. He reconciled to the Church the felons condemned to die with him. Executed at Lancaster on 31 March 1601. Venerable Thomas Hackshot: Layman. Condemned for helping the priest, Ven. Thomas Tichborne, to escape from prison. Executed at Tyburn, London, 24 August, 1601. Venerable Nicholas Tichborne: Layman. Condemned for helping his brother, the priest Ven. Thomas Tichborne, to escape from prison. During his long imprisonment in the Gatehouse he was afflicted with divers torments, which he endured with great courage and fortitude. Executed at Tyburn, London, 24 August, 1601. Blessed Robert Middleton: Jesuit priest. Hanged and beheaded in October 1601. Mrs. Wells: Gentlewoman. Perished in prison in 1602. Anthony Battie (or, Bates): Layman. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at York on 22 March, 1602. Venerable James Harrison: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at York on 22 March, 1602. Blessed James Duckett: Layman and convert. Out of his twelve years of married life, no less than nine were spent in prison for his new faith. He was very active in propagating Catholic literature and was betrayed by Peter Bullock, a bookbinder, who acted in order to obtain his own release from prison. Ducketts house was searched and Catholic books found. For this he was at once thrown into Newgate. Despite the betrayal of Duckett, Bullock was taken to his death at Tyburn in the same cart as Duckett on April 19, 1602. Blessed Francis Page: Convert and Jesuit. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on April 20, 1602. Venerable Thomas Tichborne: Priest. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on April 20, 1602. He was in the last stages of consumption when he was martyred. Blessed Robert Watkinson: Ordained in 1602. Hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn on April 20, 1602. Blessed William Richardson (or, Anderson): Priest. He was betrayed by one of his trusted friends to the Lord Chief Justice, who expedited his trial and execution with unseemly haste, and seems to have acted more as a public prosecutor than as a judge. At his execution he showed great courage and constancy, dying most cheerfully. One of his last utterances was a prayer for the queen. Executed at Tyburn, 17 February, 1603. *** See also 210 more Irish Catholic martyrs (up through 1603) in my article, 444 Irish Catholic Martyrs and Heroic Confessors: 1565-1713 [2-27-08]. *** Practical Matters: Perhaps some of my 4,200+ free online articles (the most comprehensive one-stop Catholic apologetics site) or fifty-one books have helped you (by Gods grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them. Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog. PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Youll see the term Catholic Used Book Service, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing, including 100% tax deduction, etc., see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart! *** Photo credit: The Darnley Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I of England (1575). It was named after a previous owner. Probably painted from life. [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** Summary: I copiously document (with links) 512 Catholic martyrs who met their ends due to the murderous reign of Bloody Queen Bess (Queen Elizabeth I) of merrie olde England. The Paramount Chief of Asere, a division of the Ga State, Nii Nikoi Olai Amashie III, has announced plans to set up an educational fund to support the development of the youth in his paramountcy. Nii Amashie III said education was the catalyst for development and the best way to create opportunities for people to achieve their potential in life. According to him, as future leaders of the country, the youth ought to be supported in all fields not just to achieve their aspirations in life but for the prosperity and development of the country. Recently, I saw on social media that a young man in medical school called Tagoe needed help to complete his studies. His name shows that he is from Asere. With the Asere Educational Fund, we would therefore be able to support such people for the development of Asere and the country as a whole, he said. The Asere Mantse made this known in an interaction with the media after a meeting with some elders at the Asere stool house near Bukom in Accra. Paramount chiefs Nii Amashie IIIs initiative to set up an educational fund followed his recent elevation as a Paramount Chief by the Ga Mantse, King Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II. The Asere Mantse was part of six chiefs who have been elevated to paramount status by the Ga Mantse. The rest are the Akanmadjen Mantse, Nii Ayikai III; Otublohum Mantse, Nii Dodoo Nsaki II; Sempe Mantse, Nii Adote Otintor II; Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayi-Bonte II and the Abola Mantse, Nii Ahele Nunoo III. They were recently introduced to the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs at Dodowa during a colourful ceremony and will soon become members of the House after the amendment of Chieftaincy (Membership of the Regional House of Chiefs) Instrument, 2020, L.I.2409. Unity Nii Amashie III said despite being one of the biggest divisions of the Ga State with vast lands, for many years, Asere had been plagued by infighting, misunderstanding and lack of unity. Such a situation, he said, had affected the development and the progress of the people of Asere. He said it was time Asere and the entire Ga state came together, chart a new path and focus on issues relating to the welfare and development of people. He said failure to do that would be catastrophic, and posterity would not be kind to all those who failed to put the interest of Asere, the Ga state and the entire country above their parochial interests. According to him, those with progressive mindset have decided to steer Ga to greater heights and therefore those who refused to join the train of unity and development must realise that they were doing a disservice to themselves and the future generation. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghana and Armenia have held bilateral meetings on the sides of the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, India. Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah led the Ghana side while Mr. Hakob Arshakyan, Vice President of the National Assembly led the Armenia side. The two countries agreed to collaborate on matters of information dissemination, digitization and countering misininformation. Ghanas diplomatic relations with Armenia were first established in the 1990s after the Government of Ghana gave approval for the recognition and establishment of diplomatic relations with countries in the former Soviet Union. Since then, the two countries have co-operated at the political and international levels. Bilateral relations between Ghana and Armenia remain very cordial and have been nurtured by continuous collaboration at both multilateral and bilateral levels. The two countries share a strong commitment to peace and security, underpinned by a common interest in a stable and secure world order. Both countries at the meeting held on Friday 3rd March 2023 agreed for the need to expand economic co-operation. Ghana's delegation also included high Commissioner to India HE Kwaku Asoma- Cheremeh and officials from the high commission and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has handed over the reconstructed Kumasi Central Mosque he undertook to the Mosque's committee after it was commissioned on Friday amidst excitement. The commissioning ceremony was graced by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu and a host of distinguished dignitaries including Ministers, MPs, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, regional Imams, Zongo Chiefs as well as top Muslim and Christian clerics. The enthusiastic Muslim community from the Ashanti Region and beyond, turned up in their numbers to show appreciation to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for what is being hailed as a remarkable gesture of providing a breathtaking piece of architecture. The mosque was officially commissioned by the Vice President and the Asantehene in time for Jummah prayers. In no time after it was opened to the public, the 7000 capacity mosque was filled to capacity with several others praying outside. As people entered the mosque, some were seen shedding tears of joy and showing admiration of the sheer beauty of the mosque. TO THE GLORY OF GOD Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Bawumia said he undertook the project "to the glory of Allah" and expressed gratitude to God for giving him the strength and will to complete it single-handedly. "I am really grateful to the Almighty Allah for giving me the vision, guidance and commitment to be able to undertake this massive project. I was touched by the Almighty Allah when I visited the mosque in 2020 and realised that it needed urgent attention." Dr. Bawumia noted that the Kumasi Central Mosque, as one of the oldest mosques in the country, represents the vision of "our forefathers" and expressed his delight at the transformation of the mosque into a modern edifice, befitting the status of Kumasi as a renowned city. ASANTEMAN'S COOPERATION WITH MUSLIM COMMUNITY While acknowledging the roles of the founding fathers of the Kumasi Central Mosque, Vice President Bawumia also commended the Manhyia Palace and Asanteman for the peaceful co-existence and cooperation between Asanteman and the Muslim community as well as the support Otumfuo Agyemang Prempeh II offered the Muslim community in building the first Kumasi Central Mosque. "As history beautifully captures, the Manhyia Palace played an instrumental role in the first Kumasi Central Mosque during the reign of Asantehene Otumfuo Sir Agyemang Prempeh II," Dr. Bawumia said. "This clearly underlines how long-standing the relationship between Asanteman and the Muslim community has been, and the extent of support and cooperation, the Manhyia Palace in particular has offered." "The Asante Kingdom, predating the days of Otumfuo Sir Agyemang Prempeh, is documented to have cooperated with Muslims within the Kingdom. This beautiful tradition has also continued under successive Asantehenes." "The presence of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II today, signifies the premium the Asantehene and the Asante Kingdom place on the historic relationship." A CALL FOR UNITY AND PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE While urging Muslims to continue to use the mosque as a converging point not only for prayers but also for community integration, he called for even greater tolerance and cooperation between Muslims and neighbours of the Christian faith. "This is our beautiful Ghana, where we tolerate, respect and support each other as one people. God has blessed our country with peace and unity amongst is so let us be grateful to him. Let us also continue to uphold the religious tolerance we show, which has endeared our country." PLAUDITS FOR DR. BAWUMIA The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II commended Dr. Bawumia for the gift he has given to not only the Muslim community but Asanteman as a whole. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II added that Dr. Bawumia, as a responsible son, has done what he ought to do and as a father, he could not thank him enough. He urged the Zongo Community to take good care of the mosque and ensure it is well maintained at all times. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former Chief Justice, Sophia A.B. Akuffo, has suggested that it will be better for Ghana to use the money earmarked for the celebration of the Independence Day parades to rather provide infrastructural facilities for the less developed communities. For her, just observing the day with parades in the various districts and regions will not serve the interest of the citizenry than building memorial facilities that can serve the present and future generations. The legal juggernaut said it will be appropriate to instead of rotating the celebration of the day in the region, rather rotate independence day projects in the regions and districts. Ms. Akuffo was speaking to Accra-based radio station Citi FM on the sidelines of a public lecture organised by the University of Ghana on Ghana's 66th Indepedence. "If they had selected, let's say, a deprived district to build a new school there, selected a ramshackle hospital or health centre and upgraded it, and naming it Independence school or hospital, it will be good," she explained. In addition, she suggested, "Then every year, we pick a region; we pick a project and do itI think it will be money better spent if it is to be spent at all. This will inure to the benefit of the people directly and it will also last." The Volta Regional capital, Ho, is hosting this year's national Independence Day parade. The event will be held at the Ho Youth Resource Centre. The initial 5,000-capacity resource centre is being expanded to seat 10,000 people. Background Independence Day is an official state holiday observed in Ghana and the Ghanaian Diaspora on March 6. Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African country to attain independence from British colonial rule. Independence Day serves as a time to reaffirm national unity, as well as national sovereignty. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video On International Women's Day, 8th March 2023, the Ghana India Kofi Annan Center of Excellence in ICT is set to host the Females In Tech (FEMITECH) Conference to bring together women in the tech industry and celebrate their achievements. The FEMITECH conference is focused on female tech practitioners and aspiring females in Tech. The conference aims to inspire and empower women in this industry and create a supportive community to help them achieve their goals. Speakers at the conference include Fatoumata Doro- MD for Vilsco Ghana Group, Ing. Dr. Lucy Agyepong -Associate Dean of Engineering, Academic City University College, Suzanne Diop, Head Of Nestle Business Services For Sub Saharan Africa, and the Keynote address by the Honorable Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful. According to Kobi Hemaa Osisiadan-Bekoe, Director of Corporate Affairs and Media Relations at the Ghana India Kofi Annan ICT Center, women have been breaking barriers and pushing boundaries in tech for centuries, but yet still, women are underrepresented in tech. At the Females in Tech Conference, we bring together women from across the tech industry to share their stories and experiences. We will discuss various topics, from leadership and career development to diversity and inclusion. There will also be networking opportunities, allowing women to connect and learn new skills." She added The event, organised in partnership with the Ministry of Communications & Digitalisation and the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), will be held at the Kofi Annan ICT Centre auditorium opposite the Council of State Building near Parliament house will inspire a new generation of females in tech. The Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE), is an agency under the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation mandated to provide training, consultancy, research and development in ICT and electronic-related fields. For over two decades, the center has provided specialized training to various groups and helped organisations increase their performance and productivity. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been welcomed with a tumultuous reception in Kumasi for the commissioning and handing over of the Kumasi Central Mosque. Dr. Bawumia funded the reconstruction of the iconic mosque to an ultra-modern complex with expanded capacity from 4000 to 7000 as well as the provision of office complexes for Imams and Zongo Chiefs, a conference room, among other facilities. Present at the ceremony was the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Ministers of State, MPs, the National Chief Imam, Regional Imams, Members of the Diplomatic Corp and a large number of Muslims. Dr. Bawumia was accompanied to the ground by a large number of NPP MPs from the Ashanti Region and beyond in a move which underlines his overwhelming popularity in the NPP. As he arrived at the ground in the company of the National Chief Imam, the enthusiastic crowd mobbed him with songs of commendation, in admiration and in appreciation of his gesture for the Kumasi community. The old Kumasi Central Mosque was considered one of the oldest mosques in the country. Its transformation has significantly lifted its status to a modern mosque of international standard. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ahead of the May 2023 presidential and parliamentary primaries of the NDC, the Akatsi South branch of the party, under the aegis of Mr. Anthony Kwadzo Owusu (Westfalia), has promised to mobilize not less than 100% votes for former President H.E. John Dramani Mahama, presidential candidate hopeful of the opposition National Democratic Party (NDP) in the forthcoming poll. The party led by Mr. Owusu said it desired a more secure, economically buoyant, and better country for all, hence the need to support an experienced and well-prepared leader against other presidential candidates. Reiterating the statement made by the Akatsi South constituency on Friday, Mr. Samuel B.K. Nugblega, a parliamentary aspirant, also noted that he has appointed some 28 coordinators across the constituency as part of strategies to achieve the target goal set by the party. He said, "former President John Dramani Mahama will not only bring stability and prosperity but will also bring sustainable growth so we can usher in the fabrication of a new generation of political, business, and economic leaders, create manufacturing opportunities, build new enterprises, provide social infrastructure, mentor new entrepreneurs, and strengthen the small and medium-scale enterprises, which are the bedrock of any serious and successful country." Mr. Samuel B.K. Nugblega, however, urged citizens of Akatsi at home and abroad to forget about political affiliation and see a future in him as the next parliamentary candidate of the opposition NDC. Mr. Japhet Festus Gbede also explained to the media why he thinks former President John Dramani Mahama should be voted into power. Mr. Gbede, the outspoken former deputy communication officer aspirant remarked on some of the key factors, saying, "It is too late to fail." The success of Ghana is non-negotiable; the Ghana dream must be realized. Whether it is a kid from Sremanu, Have, or Wuxor, that kid has a right to a decent life and an opportunity to actualize his or her dreams under the next NDC government led by former President Mahama. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Once you send that photo, you can't take it back, goes the warning to teenagers, often ignoring the reality that many teens send explicit images of themselves under duress, or without understanding the consequences. A new online tool aims to give some control back to teens, or people who were once teens, and take down explicit images and videos of themselves from the internet. Called Take It Down, the tool is operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and funded in part by Meta Platforms, the owner of Facebook and Instagram. The site lets anyone anonymously and without uploading any actual images create what is essentially a digital fingerprint of the image. This fingerprint (a unique set of numbers called a hash) then goes into a database and the tech companies that have agreed to participate in the project remove the images from their services. Now, the caveats. The participating platforms so far are Meta's Facebook and Instagram, Yubo, OnlyFans and Pornhub, owned by Mindgeek. If the image is on another site, or if it is sent in an encrypted platform such as WhatsApp, it will not be taken down. In addition, if someone alters the original image for instance, cropping it, adding an emoji or turning it into a meme it becomes a new image and thus needs a new hash. Images that are visually similar such as the same photo with and without an Instagram filter, will have similar hashes, differing in just one character. Take It Down is made specifically for people who have an image that they have reason to believe is already out on the Web somewhere, or that it could be, said Gavin Portnoy, a spokesman for the NCMEC. Youre a teen and youre dating someone and you share the image. Or somebody extorted you and they said, if you dont give me an image, or another image of you, Im going to do X, Y, Z. Portnoy said teens may feel more comfortable going to a site than to involve law enforcement, which wouldn't be anonymous, for one. To a teen who doesnt want that level of involvement, they just want to know that its taken down, this is a big deal for them, he said. NCMEC is seeing an increase in reports of online exploitation of children. The nonprofit's CyberTipline received 29.3 million reports in 2021, up 35% from 2020. Meta, back when it was still Facebook, tried to create a similar tool, although for adults, back in 2017. It didn't go over well because the site asked people to, basically, send their (encrypted) nudes to Facebook not the most trusted company even in 2017. The company tested out the service in Australia for a brief period, but didn't expand it to other countries. In 2021, it helped launch tool for adults called StopNCII or nonconsensual intimate images, aka revenge porn. That site is run by a U.K. nonprofit, the UK Revenge Porn Helpline, but anyone around the globe can use it. But in that time, online sexual extortion and exploitation has only gotten worse, for children and teens as well as for adults. Many tech companies already use this hash system to share, take down and report to law enforcement images of child sexual abuse. Portnoy said the goal is to have more companies sign up. We never had anyone say no, he said. Twitter and TikTok so far have not committed to the project. Neither company immediately respond to a message for comment. Antigone Davis, Meta's global head of safety, said Take It Down is one of many tools the company uses to address child abuse and exploitation on its platforms. In addition to supporting the development of this tool and having, reporting and blocking systems on our on our platform, we also do a number of different things to try to prevent these kinds of situations from happening in the first place. So, for example, we dont allow unconnected adults to message minors," she said. The site works with real as well as artificial intelligence-generated images and deepfakes, Davis said. Deepfakes are created to look like real, actual people saying or doing things they didn't actually do. How to take a break from social media Be easy on yourself and ask for help about social media use Helpful exercise to remind you what you're missing by scrolling Use your phone's screen-time tracking feature and limit social media use Physically distance yourself from your phone and apps Benefits of taking a social media break Reevaluate what you want out of social media Two and a half hours. Monday, Feb. 27, was a chance to recognize the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every endeavor of life throughout our history. These words from Casey Rogers, principal at Paul Knox Middle School in North Augusta, opened an hour-long celebration of Black History that had performances by the middle school band, orchestra, choir and dancers; and a message of unity made stronger by diversity that was given by an Omega Psi Phi out of Bamberg County. Celebrating Black History Month: As We Come Together in Unity and Strength was the first face-to-face Black History program that Paul Knox Middle School has held since the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a chance for the school to ring with harmonies of liberty as we all come together in unity and in strength, said Rogers, his words a nod to James Weldon Johnson, a poet of the Harlem Renaissance. Brandon Jamison, of Denmark, S.C., in Bamberg County, preached the synergy that comes from a unity comprised of differences. It seems like the world wants us to say, Hey, in order to be unified, you must be the same person. I say no, not so. I need you to take pride in who you are. You do that by recognizing and appreciating your differences, he told the students. After we recognize and accept our differences, we can move forward in showing unity and in becoming united. Jamison is himself a first-generation graduate, having earned his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from South Carolina State University. He graduated summa cum laude and went on to work at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions. Hes involved with the NAACPs National Society of Black Engineers and is a member of the historically African American Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Jamison had a message for parents and educators, too: Mold these young minds in such a way that they respect each other, but most of all, that they know who they are and respect themselves, he said, later adding, Theyre taught from us. What we teach our young individuals, thats what theyre going to instill in themselves. When a child leaves your presence, they should be leaving in a better condition. He urged the students, sixth- through eighth-graders, to be the doers in this world, not the ones who opine and shout and claim to have the solution but never do get involved. Stop pointing your fingers and do the work, he said. Learn more about yourself and your ancestors. Learn what makes you so special. Start taking pride in yourself. Doing so, said Jamison, would lead to their becoming a whole, a unit, that is made of many diverse parts; it would lead to their having a collective power made all the more forceful for their individual, diverse strengths that feed into it, he said just like the parts to their own Paul Knox orchestra. That orchestra played the African American hymn, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, a song whose chords have now been made famous by the likes of B.B. King and Eric Clapton but whose composition is original to a Choctaw freedman of early Reconstruction. Jamison invited to the floor Lamarcus Gaines and Keandre Collins, fellow Omega Psi Phis at Paine College, and the two gave the students their own performance of dance which Jamison also took part in for a few turns and to the students loudly expressed enjoyment. The kids are trying to find themselves, especially at this age, said Wimberly Yon, an art teacher at Paul Knox and lead on organizing the program. Middle school is a really weird age. Theyre in this phase of trying to find themselves, so being different I mean, thats really what its all about. Theyre all different. Added Principal Rogers, Its important to celebrate our uniqueness and what makes us special. Our uniqueness is what can become our strength. Aiken, SC (29801) Today Mostly cloudy...isolated thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 48F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Summary A new poll suggests that Russias war on Ukraine has consolidated the West; European and American citizens hold many views in common about major global questions. Europeans and Americans agree they should help Ukraine to win, that Russia is their avowed adversary, and that the coming global order will most likely be defined by two blocs led respectively by the US and China. In contrast, citizens in China, India, and Turkiye prefer a quick end to the war even if Ukraine has to concede territory. People in these non-Western countries, and in Russia, also consider the emergence of a multipolar world order to be more probable than a bipolar arrangement. Western decision-makers should take into account that the consolidation of the West is taking place in an increasingly divided post-Western world; and that emerging powers such as India and Turkiye will act on their own terms and resist being caught in a battle between America and China. Introduction A year after Russias invasion of Ukraine, there is little doubt the war is a turning point in world history. The conflict has challenged Europeans most basic assumptions about their security, brought the spectre of nuclear confrontation back to their continent, and disrupted the global economy, leaving energy and food crises in its wake. Yet while Russias aggression is an event of global significance, people in different parts of the world have experienced and interpreted it in diverse ways. According to a former national security adviser to the prime minister of India, for many parts of the globe, a year of war in Ukraine has done less to redefine the world order than to set it further adrift, raising new questions about how urgent transnational challenges can be met. In contrast to opinion in the West, people in many non-Western countries appear to believe that the post-cold war era is finished. They do not expect the next international order to be characterised by polarisation between two blocs led by the United States and China; instead, they see as more likely a fragmentation into a multipolar world. The key findings of a new multi-country global poll indicate that, a year since Russias war on Ukraine began, the US and its European allies have regained their unity and sense of purpose. But the study also reveals a wide gap between the West and the rest when it comes to their desired outcomes for the war and differing understandings of why the US and Europe support Ukraine. The poll took place in December 2022 and January 2023 in nine EU countries and Great Britain, and in China, India, Turkiye, Russia, and the US (the CITRUS countries, to use the shorthand of the University of Oxfords Europe in a Changing World project). Its results suggest that Russias aggression in Ukraine marks both the consolidation of the West and the emergence of the long-heralded post-Western international order. Stop the war v win the war The new consensus among European governments is that only a Ukrainian victory will stop Putins war. Although significant numbers of European citizens still wish the war to cease as soon as possible, the poll appears to show a clear trend over the last year towards preferring Ukraine to win even if the conflict endures some time longer. Americans similarly believe that Ukraine must regain its territory if lasting peace is to be secured. In contrast, people in non-Western countries possess a clear preference for the war to end now even if it means Ukraine having to give up territory. In China, a plurality of those asked (42 per cent) agree that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine needs to stop as soon as possible, even if it means Ukraine giving control of areas of its territory to Russia. This desire to end the war soon is even stronger in Turkiye (48 per cent) and India (54 per cent). It is worth noting, however, that almost a third of people in both these countries would prefer Ukraine to regain all of its territory, even if it means a longer war or more Ukrainians being killed and displaced. Reflecting on the war, Americans and Europeans are united in believing that Russia is an adversary or a rival. Seventy-one per cent of respondents in the US, 77 per cent in Great Britain, and 65 per cent in the EU countries polled alight on one of these two terms; they regard the future of relations with Russia as one of confrontation. The growing hostility of Europeans towards Russia is reflected in their preference not to buy Russian fossil fuels even if it results in energy supply problems. This is the prevailing view in every one of the nine EU countries polled, with an average of 55 per cent of these EU citizens supporting it. By contrast, just 24 per cent favour securing unobstructed energy supplies by continuing to buy from Russia. Dont make it all about democracy The non-Western publics studied differ from the Western publics not only in the outcomes they desire for the war but in what they think about why the US and Europe are helping Ukraine. President Joe Biden has framed the war as a struggle between democracy and authoritarianism, and he has sought to use the defence of democracy as a rallying cry at home and abroad. In the US, the language of leadership of the free world has returned. While Western figures may depict the conflict in these ways to unify the West, it offers no sure-fire way to appeal to citizens in non-Western countries. On the contrary: in the view of many people outside the West, their own countries are also democracies and are perhaps even the best democracies. When asked which country comes closest to having a real democracy, 77 per cent in China respond China; 57 per cent of Indians respond India. The responses are less clear cut in Russia and Turkiye, but, still, Turks most frequent response is their own country (36 per cent). The poll finds that 20 per cent of Russians award the accolade to Russia, which is also the top substantive answer there. (However, almost a third of respondents in Russia did not select any country as having a real democracy.) Other results in our poll further suggest that people in China, India, and Turkiye are sceptical of claims about defending democracy. Many in China state that American and European support for Ukraine is driven by the desire to protect Western dominance. And for the vast majority of Chinese and Turks, Western support for Ukraine is motivated by reasons other than a defence of Ukraines territorial integrity or of its democracy. Among the rising powers, India is an exception, where (similarly to the US) more than half of respondents point to one of these two reasons to explain Western solidarity. Still, the lack of democracy in Russia does not prevent Indians from holding a generally positive view of that country: 51 per cent describe it as an ally and a further 29 per cent see it as a partner. The survey reveals that Vladimir Putins war of outright aggression, and his military failures during the conflict, do not appear to have caused people in non-Western countries to downgrade their opinion of Russia or to question its relative strength. Russia is either an ally or a partner for 79 per cent of people in China and 69 per cent in Turkiye. Moreover, around three-quarters in each of these two countries and in India believe that Russia is either stronger, or at least equally strong, compared to how they say they perceived it before the war. Further listening "Mark Leonard's World in 30 minutes" podcast - Mark Leonard, Timothy Garton Ash, and Ivan Krastev discuss the main findings of ECFRs latest opinion poll in the this episode. Fragmentation v polarisation: What will define the next world order? One of the most striking findings of the survey relates to differing ideas about the future world order. Most people both within and beyond the West believe the US-led liberal order is passing away. In paradoxical way, the Wests new-found unity in response to Russias aggression does not signal a resurrection of an America-led international order. Just 9 per cent of people in the US, 7 per cent in the EU countries polled, and 4 per cent in Great Britain see American global supremacy as the most likely state of affairs in a decade from now. Instead, in Europe and America, the prevailing view is that bipolarity is coming back. A significant number of people expect a world dominated by two blocs led by the US and China. Memories of the cold war likely shape the way that Americans and Europeans view the future. Meanwhile, outside the West, citizens believe that fragmentation rather than polarisation will mark the next international order. Most people in major non-Western countries such as China, India, Turkiye, and Russia predict the West will soon be just one global pole among several. The West may still be the strongest party but it will not be hegemonic. The most popular view in Russia and China is to expect a more even distribution of global power among multiple countries namely, for multipolarity to emerge. More than 20 per cent of Turks and Indians also expect this. This is despite the fact that more Indians foresee US dominance, while responses in Turkiye are almost equally divided between anticipating American hegemony, Chinese hegemony, a bipolar world, and multipolarity. All in all, for 61 per cent of people in Russia, 61 per cent in China, 51 per cent in Turkiye, and 48 per cent in India the future world order will be defined either by multipolarity or Chinese (or other non-Western) dominance. This view is shared in the US, Great Britain, and the EU states polled by, respectively, just 37 per cent, 29 per cent, and 31 per cent of people. India and Turkiye as (re)emerging great powers In the sort of bipolar world scenario expected by Americans and Europeans, the role of countries such as India and Turkiye may be as swing states that however reluctantly will be forced to define their loyalties and take sides. But the poll suggests that this is not how these countries view themselves or their role in the coming international order. In an increasingly fragmented and polarised world, countries such as India and Turkiye appear attracted to free-floating sovereigntism where every conflict between superpowers becomes an opportunity to assert ones relevance and capacity to take sovereign decisions. India India is the most important global country of this persuasion and its citizens seem to have a clear notion of their countrys place in the world. Respondents to the poll in India stand out in describing both the US (47 per cent) and Russia (51 per cent) as an ally which is likely partly because, for them, China is either an adversary (39 per cent) or a rival (37 per cent). Perceptions of the European Union and Great Britain are also predominantly positive: Indians see these as either an ally or partner. The majority of the Indian public perceives almost every other power including the US (70 per cent), Russia (63 per cent), China (53 per cent), the EU (67 per cent), Great Britain (63 per cent), and India itself (68 per cent) as stronger than they say they thought before Russias all-out war on Ukraine. They are the only ones to hold such a view of all of the US, Russia, the EU, Great Britain, and their own country. Indians appear to feel positive about the future. Their main responses when asked to describe their country are that it is rising (35 per cent), strong (28 per cent), and peaceful (18 per cent). Only a small proportion believe it is declining (8 per cent) or weak (7 per cent). By way of comparison, 31 per cent of Americans and Britons characterise their own country as declining. India is also, as noted, the only CITRUS country where the prevailing opinion is that the US (28 per cent) and Europe (36 per cent) are mostly supporting Ukraine to defend it as a democracy this may reflect Indias sense of itself as the worlds largest democracy. Turkiye Closer to Europe, Turkiye sees itself as playing a role similar to the one that India aspires to globally. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has used the conflict to assert his countrys role as an inescapable player in European politics. He has managed to be both a crucial supplier of weapons to Ukraine and one of Russias most trusted economic partners. The Turkish public has a comparable world view, seeing almost everyone predominantly as a partner, whether it is the US (51 per cent), China (47 per cent), Russia (55 per cent), or the EU (53 per cent). When it comes to other populations perceptions of Turkiye, these views are reciprocated. Turkiye is considered mostly as a partner in Russia (60 per cent), China (38 per cent), and India (39 per cent) although a third of Chinese and Indians describe the country as a rival or an adversary. In the West, people also mostly see Turkiye as a partner. However, a strikingly high proportion of respondents in the US, Great Britain, and the EU between 40 and 50 per cent say they simply do not know how to define Turkiye. The reason for this Western uncertainty probably comes from Turkiyes flaunting of its new sovereign foreign policy while remaining, at least on paper, a member of NATO. Conclusion: The paradox of Western unity and global disunity During the Iraq war of 2003, leading European intellectuals such as Jacques Derrida and Jurgen Habermas tried to define the EUs political identity in contrast to that of the US. They celebrated Europes civilian power as the ultimate counterpoint to Americas military might. In the last decade, and particularly following the Trump years in the US, notions of European sovereignty and strategic autonomy have once again moved to the heart of European debates. But the reality is that Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine confirmed the renewed centrality of American power to Europe with billions of dollars spent maintaining the war effort, which has sustained unity across the Atlantic on sanctions and diplomatic positions towards Russia and given a new lease on life for Western-led institutions such as NATO and the G7. This reality has not gone unnoticed by global publics. The rising powers considered in this study often view Europe and America as forming part of a single West. Seventy-two per cent of people in Turkiye, 60 per cent in China, and 59 per cent in Russia see little difference between EU and US policies towards their countries (no doubt to the disappointment of President Emmanuel Macron and other champions of European strategic autonomy). That being said, as noted, some important nuances still remain, particularly when it comes to the standing of the US and Europe in India and China. It is now clear that, contrary to the Kremlins expectations, the war has consolidated the West, rather than weakened it. If the risk of a transatlantic split still exists, it comes from within: a possible victory by Donald Trump in the American presidential election in 2024 could be more threatening to Western unity than anything that Russia has so far been able to muster. The West may be more consolidated now, but it is not necessarily more influential in global politics. The paradox is that this newfound unity is coinciding with the emergence of a post-Western world. The West has not disintegrated, but its consolidation has come at a moment when other powers will not simply do as it wishes. Are Western leaders and Western societies ready for this new world? Our polling shows that many people in the West see the coming international order as the return of a cold war-type bipolarity between West and East, between democracy and authoritarianism. In this context, decision-makers in the US and the EU may feel inclined to view countries such as India and Turkiye as swing states that can be cajoled into siding with the West. But people in those countries see themselves very differently: as emerging great powers that may side with the West on some issues but not on others. In contrast to the days of the cold war, today ones major trade partners are not usually ones security partners. Even when the emerging powers agree with the West, they will often maintain good relations with Russia and China. This is also what Brazil is currently doing: President Lula speaks in favour of preserving his countrys neutrality vis-a-vis Ukraine and Russia, to avoid any participation, even indirect, even as he accepts that Russia was wrong to invade its neighbour. It might disappoint Europeans that governments and publics in places such as India and Turkiye tend to view Russias aggression through the prism of their national interest rather than universal principles. But they should not be overly surprised. Many non-Western nations had their own moments of disappointment in the way that Western countries have neglected crises that were existentially important to these players. Talk of Western hypocrisy is most acutely visible in the differential treatment extended to refugees from Ukraine and Syria but that is just the tip of the iceberg as far as many emerging powers are concerned. In our view, the West would be well advised to treat India, Turkiye, Brazil, and other comparable powers as new sovereign subjects of world history rather than as objects to be dragooned onto the right side of history. These countries do not represent some new third bloc or pole in international politics. They do not share a common ideology among themselves. Indeed, they often have divergent or competing interests. They know they do not have the global influence of the US or China. But they are certainly not content to adjust to the whims and plans of the superpowers. And their publics support such an approach, as demonstrated, for example, by their reluctance to consider problems relating to Ukraine to be any of their business. Rather than expecting them to support Western efforts to defend the fading post-cold war order, we need to be ready to partner with them in building a new one. Ukraines victory in the war will be critical for the shape of the next European order. But it is highly unlikely to restore a US-led global liberal order. Instead, the West will have to live, as one pole of a multipolar world, with hostile dictatorships such as China and Russia, but also with independent major powers such as India and Turkiye. This may end up being the biggest geopolitical turning point revealed by the war: that the consolidation of the West is taking place in an increasingly divided post-Western world. Methodology The polling and analysis contained in this policy brief is the result of a collaboration between the European Council on Foreign Relations and the Europe in a Changing World project of the Dahrendorf Programme at St Antonys College, University of Oxford. This report is based on a public opinion poll of adult populations (aged 18 and over) conducted in late December 2022 and early January 2023 in ten European countries (Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Spain), and in five countries outside Europe (China, India, Turkiye, Russia, and the United States). The total number of respondents was 19,765. In Europe, the polls were carried out for ECFR as an online survey through Datapraxis and YouGov in Denmark (1,064 respondents; 3-11 January), France (2,051; 3-12 January), Germany (2,017; 4-11 January), Great Britain (2,200; 4-10 January), Italy (1,599; 4-12 January), Poland (1,413; 3-20 January), Portugal (1,057; 4-12 January), Romania (1,003; 4-11 January), and Spain (1,013; 4-11 January); and through Datapraxis and Norstat in Estonia (1,022; 18-24 January). In all European countries the sample was nationally representative of basic demographics and past vote. In the United Kingdom, the poll did not cover Northern Ireland, which is why the paper refers to Great Britain. Outside Europe, the polls were conducted by Gallup International Association (GIA) through independent local partners as an online survey in the US (1,074; on 17 January; through Distance/SurveyMonkey), China (1,024; 3-17 January; Distance/Dynata), and Turkiye (1,085; 3-19 January; Distance/Dynata); and through face-to-face surveys in Russia (800; 26 December to 17 January: BeMedia Consultant) and India (1,343; 27 December-18 January; Convergent). The choice of face-to-face surveys in the latter two countries was directed by the tense internal political and social situation in Russia and poor quality of internet in Indias smaller cities. In Turkiye and the US, the sample was nationally representative of basic demographics. In China, the poll included panellists from Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen agglomerations only. In Russia, only cities of more than 100,000 inhabitants were covered. And in India, rural areas and tier-3 cities were not covered. Therefore, data from China, Russia, and India should be considered as representative only for the population covered by the poll. Last but not least, considering the poll scope and questionnaire, the results from Russia and China need to be interpreted with caution, bearing in mind possibility that some respondents might have felt constrained in expressing their opinions freely. About the authors Timothy Garton Ash is professor of European studies at the University of Oxford and co-directs the Europe in a Changing World project. His new book, Homelands: A Personal History, is published this spring. Ivan Krastev is chair of the Centre for Liberal Strategies, Sofia, and a permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences, Vienna. He is the author of Is It Tomorrow Yet?: Paradoxes of the Pandemic, among many other publications. Mark Leonard is co-founder and director of the European Council on Foreign Relations. His new book, The Age of Unpeace: How Connectivity Causes Conflict, was published by Penguin in paperback on 2 June 2022. He also presents ECFRs weekly World in 30 Minutes podcast. Acknowledgments This publication would not have been possible without the extraordinary work of ECFRs Unlock team. The authors would especially like to thank Pawel Zerka and Gosia Piaskowska, who spotted some of the most interesting trends and carried out painstaking work on the data that underpin this report, as well as Marlene Riedel and Nastassia Zenovich, who worked on visualising the data. Adam Harrison has been an admirable editor. Andreas Bock led on strategic media outreach while Lucie Haupenthal and Michel Seibriger were crucial in coordinating advocacy efforts. Susi Dennison, Josef Lolacher, and Anand Sundar made sensitive and useful suggestions on the substance. The authors would also like to thank Paul Hilder and his team at Datapraxis for their patient collaboration with us in developing and analysing the polling referred to in the report. Despite these many and varied contributions, any mistakes remain the authors own. This polling and analysis was the result of a collaboration between ECFR and the Europe in a Changing World project of the Dahrendorf Programme at St Antony's College, University of Oxford. ECFR partnered with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Think Tank Europa and the International Center for Defence and Security on this project. Retired Circuit Judge Richard E. Fields, whose successful career as a giant in the Charleston legal community was only surpassed by his kindness and generosity to others, died March 3 at the age of 103. Fields was raised in Charleston and returned home after graduating from West Virginia State College in 1944 and Howard University School of Law in 1947. He was the first Black attorney to open his own law firm in Charleston since Reconstruction. The street where he opened his office at 65 Spring St. was designated "Judge Richard E. Fields Street" in his honor on his 100th birthday. Last fall, Charleston's municipal courtroom at 180 Lockwood Blvd was also dedicated in his honor. His was the first Black municipal court judgeship in Charleston in 1969. Fields went on to serve as a Family Court judge in 1975, and in 1980, state legislators elected Fields to serve as a Circuit Court judge. He retired in 1992. Everyone knew Fields as a legal icon, but he did so much, so quietly, no one might know that he never hesitated if he saw someone in need, he just took care of it, said Circuit Court Judge Deadra Jefferson. He was not only her mentor, but a second father, she said. "He was just a wonderful human being. Period. "At the end of the day he really always wanted to know that he did the right thing," Jefferson said. Fields paved the way for so many, and mentored many, young and old alike, Jefferson said. "At the heart of it, he loved people." He always quoted his mother: "You got to get along with folks even if you got to do most of the getting." He practiced what he believed was essential on the bench, she said, to treat everyone with dignity and fairness. Fields was the mentor for countless lawyers in the Charleston community and South Carolina. Many attorneys, both Black and White, always sought Fields out for advice, said attorney Edwin Givens. "He was a tremendous mentor to me. I know I never made any major move in my career without seeking his counsel first." He was the biggest tree in the legal forest in Charleston and we all benefited from his shade, said James Island Magistrate Frank McCann, a former president of the South Carolina Bar Association. "He was outstanding on the bench the sort of judge a lawyer looks forward to being before even if you were on the losing side. He never thought of himself as better than anyone else, but he was, McCann added. Mayor John Tecklenburg said his initial act as mayor wasn't to shape a road or erect a bridge, but to give his term a pseudo stamp of approval by tethering its start to Fields. "My first official decision as mayor was to be sworn in by Judge Richard Fields, which was an honor I'll always cherish," said Tecklenburg, who was sworn into office in 2016. "Respected and loved in equal measure, Judge Fields leaves the world better, fairer and more just than he found it a legacy that history will remember and revere for ages to come." Fields always believed that even in the worst of circumstances, every person is entitled to be treated fairly and with dignity, Jefferson said. She strives to remember that when she's on the bench. Fields told her one of the greatest compliments he received was a note left on his windshield by the mother of a man whose death penalty trial Fields presided over. She wrote to thank him for treating her son fairly and with respect, Jefferson said. Fields' minister at Centenary United Methodist Church, the Rev. Lorenzo Moses, was moved by Fields' quiet acts that he never sought out recognition for like always taking time to answer legal questions for church members and using his legal skills to help them, and the times when a committee working on a project that appeared doomed for lack of funds would discover there was enough money because Fields had anonymously contributed. In the 1950s Fields was instrumental in forming the Political Action Committee, which organized and educated Black citizens to take part in the political process and groomed candidates to run for office, said Givens, another of Fields' proteges. As an attorney he worked on a number of civil rights cases as the behind-the-scenes person, working with Whites to help fashion a way to make his community a better place, Givens said. In Fields' early career, he was one of very few African American attorneys. And yet, given the time and circumstances, his start was humble and full of humility. McCann, the James Island magistrate, shared the story of when Fields first went to Orangeburg as an attorney. Fields needed a janitor to escort him to the jailors restroom. The next time he went, Fields was a judge for whom everyone stood for as the bailiff announced the start of court, McCann said. You have to put into context the time when he was a young man in the 1920s, '30s, '40s and '50s," said Dot Scott, president of the Charleston NAACP. "To have him to be the kind of man he was and what it mean to the Black community at large to have him there. A mighty good man, a mighty big man thats what I thought of Judge Fields. This is a one-in-a-million man. The consensus among community leaders is any number of his accomplishments is worth commemorating. But how do you properly position an entire legacy? We can think big," Scott said. "Its gonna take some thought. How do we acknowledge his value not just to Charleston, but more importantly to the Black race? Us as a people, to have a judge there that youre kind of in awe when you sat before him? "Well have to come back with something. And it's gotta be big. Services for Fields will be conducted March 13 at Centenary United Methodist Church. If you follow financial or political news you've likely heard about the growing right-wing effort to keep financial companies from considering things such as climate change when they make investment decisions. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) investments are again in the crosshairs, and individuals might wonder what this means for their retirement accounts and the ability to choose investments. It's a fight that's prompted some states, such as Texas, to accept hundreds of millions of dollars in added municipal borrowing costs as a price taxpayers must bear to boycott "woke" financial companies that would otherwise compete to underwrite bonds. In 2022, South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis divested $200 million in the state's investments with BlackRock, one of the nation's largest financial institutions, due to concerns about ESG investment strategies. It is imperative that we stand up to BlackRock and others to resist the pressure to adopt their Leftist world view," Loftis said at the time. He later released a YouTube video in which he blamed rising fuel prices on ESG investing. Behind the politics about what some actually claim are "satanic" efforts to control the world through investing practices, and allegations that the nation's largest banks improbably have "Marxist" agendas, there's a big-money fight going on. When financial companies offer investment products such as mutual funds that, for example, allow customers to avoid owning stock in coal companies or gun manufacturers, that reduces demand for those stocks. Beyond that, ESG investors prompt companies to address climate change, the work environment, and leadership sometimes through votes at annual shareholder meetings. Inevitably, the financial pressures can prompt companies to make changes to suit ESG investing criteria, from reducing carbon emissions to considering boardroom diversity or the way workers are treated. But just what makes an ESG investment has been controversial due to varying standards. Can a mutual fund be an ESG investment by simply not owning coal company stocks, or must the fund managers actively participate in shareholder meetings to press for changes? On a purely financial level, ESG opponents say investments should focus solely on financial gains. Under the Trump administration, finance managers were banned from considering ESG factors. ESG supporters say that considering financial risks that things such as climate change pose leads to good investments and higher returns. The Labor Department under the Biden administration reversed the Trump-era ban. Just days ago, on Feb. 28, the U.S. Senate approved a House-passed measure to overturn the latest Labor Department rule that allows retirement plans to consider ESG factors. President Biden pledged a veto. The federal rules can affect which kind of investments pension plans or institutional retirement plans can own, but retail investors are unhindered from choosing whatever mutual or exchange-traded funds they like in personal accounts such as an IRA. To oversimplify things a bit, "passive" ESG funds operate by excluding particular investments, while "active" funds are more goal-oriented and get involved in evaluating specific companies and sometimes trying to change their corporate behavior. Either way, ESG funds tend to be heavier with technology and pharmaceutical companies than would a basic fund that buys stock in every company in an index, such as the S&P 500. As a result, ESG funds tend to outperform when tech companies are doing well, and underperform when they're not, particularly if fossil fuel companies are having a good year as they did in 2022 and boosting index funds that include them. Much of the fight over this form of investing boils down to whether consumers will have a choice within some retirement plans. Investors who think the ESG approach is right for them can and should do their homework as they would with any investment, by considering the criteria, the financial performance and the fees. COLUMBIA For those near downtown Columbia who would like to see the nominated films on the big screen before the Oscars on March 12, that increasingly means a car ride to the suburbs. Since the beginning of 2022, Columbia has seen the closing of two movie multiplexes close to downtown, the cinemas at Richland Mall and the AMC theaters on Forest Drive. For downtown movie goers, that leaves The Nickelodeon arthouse theater on Main Street or a trip at least as far as the Dutch Square theaters in St. Andrews, on the city's northwestern edge, to see something on a big screen. Redevelopment plans for Richland Mall, a short distance east of downtown in Forest Acres, do not include replacing the movie theaters there, which closed in early 2022. At least a few commenters on Forest Acres social media wondered whether theaters might come back. "Maybe a movie theatre????" was one comment on an Instagram post. In fact, having movies return to Richland Mall was discussed but never got past that stage, according to the Forest Acres city administrator. "Over the years, conversations about the mall redevelopment always included keeping and or upgrading the movie theater," Shaun Greenwood said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the pandemic really hit that particular industry hard, as illustrated by movie theater closures all across the country," he said. Forest Acres isn't alone in this. It's been a long time since Rox Pollard, head of retail for the Colliers South Carolina firm, has seen a new movie theater as a major part of a real estate deal. The theaters along Forest Drive might have struggled to draw enough customers to their locations, Pollard said, since a movie theater has to draw customers from 10 miles away or more to draw enough viewers. "They have got to pull from a big trade area," Pollard said. Regal Cinemas, one of America's largest movie theater companies, is currently in bankruptcy proceedings. With the Forest Acres theaters gone, The Nick in downtown finds itself as the only nearby big screen. A movie theater right downtown is a rarity in most big cities, said Sumner Bender, executive director of The Nick. There are a lot of shops on main streets, a lot of restaurants on main streets there are not a lot of movie theaters," Bender said. "In Columbia, you have a movie theater and an art museum within a block of each other. That's really cool. The Nick took longer to re-open amid COVID-19 and went through starts and stops, even as it was fraught with allegations of a racially biased work environment and major leadership changes. Yet the nonprofit venue survived because it has the financial support of its members, Bender said. That is the No. 1 reason we are still open, she said. When no one is coming to see movies, people are still paying for their memberships, because the membership base isn't just supportive of The Nickelodeon. "They understand that The Nickelodeon is vital to the success of Columbia and Main Street," she said. The Nick has been featuring more widely distributed movies such as "Elvis" and "Where the Crawdads Sing," which also would be at multiplexes. "I think being able to show some of those mainstream movies that get people in the door is going to be helpful because then hopefully that's going to keep them coming back for the smaller ones, Bender said. When people go to a theater instead of streaming at home, they get a fundamentally different experience, according to Mark Minett, an assistant professor of film studies at the University of South Carolina. Seeing a film in a crowded theater on a big screen heightens whatever emotions the film sparks because people react to each other, a factor called emotional contagion, Minett said. "It's kind of an indirect peer pressure," Minett said. That's different from watching a movie on streaming because of the size of the screen and the lack of distractions, he said. In fact, some people bemoan the increased use of smartphones during theater showings these days because of the distraction, he said. Movies generally have been made to please a broad swath of the audience without offending any sizable group, Minett said. A world of streaming choices provides more options for unique storytelling. It also, however, might be harder for unusual movies to find an audience in the crowded world of home viewing, he noted. The Nick sees its size as an advantage in creating a shared experience, Bender said. Because it's a smaller theater, you feel closer to the people around you, she said. So even if you came to the movie by yourself, you're still sharing that experience with everybody else in the room," she said. "Some movies have to be seen like that. She recalls a screening she attended of Everything Everywhere All at Once, a favorite to win multiple Oscars. We were packed, I had my popcorn, I was with my friends and I was stomping the floor laughing so hard, she said. A lot of times, the movies you see at the Nickelodeon, you're not going to forget because ... it was an experience." The Post and Courier launched its Education Lab in September 2021 pledging to shine a spotlight on the states public education system. Despite many individual educators best efforts, South Carolinas public schools have long been ranked some of the worst in the nation. There are widespread inequities that prevent all students from getting the type of education that prepares them for life beyond high school. After the newspapers 2018 Minimally Adequate series, state leaders promised to reform the system. But their efforts stalled and the pandemic hit, introducing a new set of challenges. More Coverage To read more in-depth stories from The Post and Courier's Education Lab, go to postandcourier.com/education-lab. Schools are dealing with record-breaking teacher vacancies, deepening academic disparities between Black and White students and increasing attacks on curricula and lessons. One silver lining is federal pandemic relief funding: Schools have three years to spend $3 billion to tackle these issues, a rare opportunity. The Education Lab was tasked with holding schools accountable and highlighting solutions. Schools have a tremendous impact on students, parents, teachers and the community. The newspaper is committed to reporting on the experiences of all involved. So far, the Lab has reported how summer school can help students recover academically, how to address students mental health needs and how the states takeovers of districts have fared over time. Stories have also looked at the newfound interest in year-round schooling and the strategies schools have used to improve graduation rates, teacher retention and reading scores. Five focus areas will guide the teams reporting in the coming year: Accountability for all public education funds Expanded access to preschool Actionable data thats accessible to the public Accountability of leadership Value teachers through pay, support and respect The Lab will reevaluate South Carolina's education needs and progress annually and refine its focus areas as needed. Accountability for all public education funds The public should be confident their dollars give students better opportunities. Such confidence can only come when officials are held accountable for how they spend public money. The Post and Courier has already tracked the misspending of tens of thousands of dollars in Richland 1 and published a series of stories about how school districts are using COVID-19 relief money. More public dollars could soon potentially flow into private schools, too. GOP state lawmakers are prioritizing a school choice bill this legislative session. Debate about requiring private schools to take state tests prevented a similar voucher bill from making it to the governors desk last year. The issue looms over this years school choice bill. The Lab will track that money just as it has tracked spending on traditional public and charter schools. To experts such as Jack Schneider, an education historian and policy analyst at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, measuring school outcomes is necessary for understanding what works in a school and what doesnt. Thats true even when measurements such as standardized tests tend to illuminate opportunity gaps in society more than they do school quality, he said. Ideally, tracking school outcomes would prioritize student growth and highlight more in-school factors. (Think students reporting they feel safe on campus or if they value their learning, or highlighting access to creative arts programs and after-school opportunities.) We are funding public education with our tax dollars, not as a handout to anybody, but because we all benefit from it, Schneider said. And an accountability system should show us the degree to which we are all benefiting from the use of our collective resources. The Lab will also continue tracking how school districts use federal relief funds. So far, reporting has shown how South Carolinas spending lags behind other states. The newspaper also found it is unclear whether the funds are helping students who need the most support. Expanded access to preschool South Carolina began providing preschool in the mid-1980s, years before some states offered kindergarten. As a result, South Carolina is closer to having all its 4-year-olds in preschool than many other states, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research, which tracks preschool access nationwide. Access is better here than in all but 11 states. Despite the support for preschool and the progress here, only half of all eligible 4-year-olds enrolled in programs last year, according to Martha Strickland, who oversees S.C. First Steps, a statewide early childhood agency focused on school readiness. Donate to our Investigative Fund to support journalism like this Our public service and investigative reporting is among the most important work we do. Its also the most expensive reporting we do. We cant do it without your support. Donate Now Improving outcomes for students starts with making sure every child can access high-quality preschool experiences. A significant portion of a childs brain develops in the first five years of life, long before a student sets foot in kindergarten. Like the roots of a tree, early childhood education creates a foundation for future growth, said Tamatha Kohler, executive director of Charlestons First Steps. The more exposure a child has to early learning, the better success they will have when they enter school, she said. But expanding access and serving more students will require a greater state investment. Pay is a big issue that contributes to early childhood teacher shortages. More classrooms will require more teachers. And rural areas remain underserved, with several counties lacking a single licensed early childhood care provider. The pandemic showcased the importance of early childhood education. Parents need quality child care programs to get back to work, and students need the programs to be prepared for school and life. You dont ever get this time back in life, Strickland said. Actionable data accessible to the public To help a student learn, teachers need to see what the child knows. To help schools, districts and education leaders need information about schools academic and financial performance. Too often, South Carolina educators have to make critical decisions with limited data. Patrick Kelly, a Palmetto State Teachers Association spokesman, said a sore spot for teachers is the data they get from end-of-year state tests. Or, as Kelly puts it, the data they dont get. Kelly teaches AP Government at Blythewood High School outside of Columbia, in addition to his work for the association. After high schoolers take end-of-course tests, teachers only get limited information. They dont get details on the topics their students struggled with, something Kelly said would help teachers tailor instruction so future students understand the material better. Sign up for our Education Lab newsletter. Email Sign Up! Elementary and middle school teachers are often in a more difficult position. The results from the states spring tests dont come until the fall. They dont get timely reporting data on those assessments, he said. Tests are only one measure of a schools performance, but when the state goes through the trouble of administering them, the resulting data needs to be worth students and teachers time. There are other situations where a lack of data hamstrings the states efforts at improvement. South Carolina doesnt have real-time information on teacher vacancies, and background on why teachers leave their jobs is also scarce. Theres no robust data on what students do after high school, making it hard to say how well the state prepares students. More Information The Post and Courier Education Lab is a multi-year project, employing four reporters, focused on the need for public education reform in South Carolina. The Coastal Community Foundation and Spartanburg Foundation serve as fiscal sponsors for the Education Lab, which is supported by grants from the Jolley Foundation, Intertech, anonymous donors, and generous donations on behalf of donors to The Post and Courier Public Service and Investigative Fund who designate to the Education Lab. Complicating matters are schools that fail to follow state reporting requirements. While most schools are compliant, a sizable fraction doesnt report key metrics. The newspaper discovered numerous gaps in reporting when it developed the Education Lab Dashboard. It hampers the publics ability to know how a school is performing. When data is available and followed closely, it can significantly impact academic achievement. Educators at Gettys Broome High School in Spartanburg told the newspaper last year it was crucial to help them improve the schools graduation rate. At the start of each school year, Broome school counselors review a list of seniors and assign four to each educator. Staff members check in on their students after every progress report, eight times a year. They pay close attention to grades, attendance and disciplinary incidents three measures correlated with graduation success. The schools graduation rate used to be below the state average. Now, it tops the state. The data helped educators know which students needed more help. Accountability of leadership Over the past several years, the conversations around education have become increasingly political and divided. Far-reaching change has stalled. Rather than focusing on fixing problems like the teacher retention crisis, politicians have concentrated on partisan wedge issues. South Carolina leaders at all levels need to refocus their attention on reading and early childhood education, career readiness, and teacher recruiting and retention. Complicating matters, the states public education system involves a number of government agencies who all have a hand in policy. The Legislature, South Carolina Commission of Higher Education, state Superintendent, state Board of Education and Education Oversight Committee all juggle varying degrees of authority. Each can shirk responsibility and blame others for the states struggles. The Labs reporting will look at the ways this division stymies progress. These responsibilities need to be streamlined to facilitate meaningful, impactful change. Value teachers through pay, support and respect Teacher vacancies continue to hit new records in South Carolina. These openings point to an issue that has long plagued the state: teacher recruitment and retention. Countless stories from educators highlight how many dont feel valued in their roles. Pay remains one of the top reasons why teachers feel devalued. State lawmakers increased the minimum teacher salary last year to $40,000, and Gov. Henry McMaster said he wants to raise the floor higher. In the meantime, costs across South Carolina continue to climb. Many teachers are struggling. Low pay eats into educators energy and personal lives. It limits where teachers can afford to live. Work commutes grow longer, cutting into teachers schedules and hurting their mental health. David Bonezzi, a teacher living on James Island, wakes up at 4:30 a.m. each weekday to have time for himself and to travel to work at Carolina Park Elementary in Mount Pleasant. Teachers also forgo big dreams, like owning a home. Eventually, some just give up the profession entirely, unable to justify the cost. Thomas Hodges, dean of the University of South Carolinas College of Education, describes salary as a balancing act between job demands and compensation for those responsibilities. When teachers struggle with an imbalance there, they usually leave. Often, that imbalance stems from a lack of support, another way teachers feel devalued. Educators are expected to be mentors, nurses and counselors on top of their regular duties. Sometimes quitting feels like the only reasonable option. Mary Sue Worthy was named Teacher of the Year at Stratford High School in Berkeley County in 2021. She retired in May 2022. After decades in the profession, she had enough. I tell people I retired because the camel is tired of carrying more straws, Worthy told The Post and Courier last summer. You cant keep adding straws. Adding to that stress are the politicized debates about teaching race and identity and other issues that have pitted parents against teachers. Many S.C. teachers say they feel less respected by their communities, a feeling shared by many educators across the country. More than half of the 1,300 teachers who responded to a national survey in 2022 said they dont feel respected by the public. Addressing these concerns pay, support and respect could make a considerable difference in reducing the high number of teacher vacancies in South Carolina. Join the conversation These wont be the only stories the Lab tells this year. But the newspaper hopes that focusing its attention will illuminate problems and solutions on these topics. Reporters will continue to travel the state to tell the stories of students, parents and educators. The team also plans to host community forums, starting with one at Trident Tech in Charleston on March 22. Another forum is planned for later this spring in Spartanburg. The paper invites everyone to join these important discussions. To keep up with the Labs work, readers can subscribe to its weekly newsletter, follow on Twitter at @PC_EdLab or join our Facebook group at Post and Courier: Education Lab. If theres a story that deserves coverage, please reach out to Education Lab Editor Hillary Flynn (hflynn@postandcourier.com) or reporters Sara Gregory (sgregory@postandcourier.com) and Maura Turcotte (mturcotte@postandcourier.com). Just a few days after Hurricane Ian whipped 75 mph winds across the Lowcountry, Sonja Zindars arrived at Folly Beach with a high-powered computer strapped to an ATV. She supervised a male technician, who drove the four-wheeler up and down the dunes, making sure he was surveying enough of the sand to know how much it had changed since Ian swept through. "The military has the best toys," joked Zindars, a geographer for the Charleston district office in the Army Corps of Engineers. She spoke with The Post and Courier about why she remains dedicated to her work and the Corps. "I have a boots-on-the-ground job," Zindars said. "That's how I see it." Zindars was out on the dunes that overcast October day to understand just how much sand had eroded from that beach. Any forthcoming federal beach renourishment projects will need to add the right amount of sand, not too much, not too little, she said: "Because it's all about storm protection." Zindars was the only female scientist on site that day on Folly Beach. Working for the Corps, that's nothing new. The Army Corps of Engineers has a diversity issue. The ratio of women to men who work at the 200-year-old military division has stagnated for over a decade. The percentage of women in the service has remained at 32 percent since 2010, according to a 2021 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The percentage of Black women has dropped during that same period. At the Charleston office, things are slightly better. Women make up about 37 percent of the staff. More than a third of all supervisors, who manage the office's 250 employees, are women. The Post and Courier spoke with three Army Corps scientists, all at different career stages, to better understand the problems that underlie the division's gender imbalance. Whether early in their career or nearing retirement, women at the Charleston office of the Corps are frustrated. Getting women in the door Carole Works is the first female chief of the engineering division at the Charleston office. She sees inspiration as key to recruiting more women into this line of work. And she thinks it all needs to start much earlier than college. "Were going to Ashley Hall again (this year), and the last time we went there, we met with 11th and 12th graders, and their minds were already made up," Works said in late January. "We were not convincing them in a one-hour visit about how cool engineering is." On Feb. 23, the Corps hosted another engineering recruitment event at the all-girls school in Charleston. It coincided with "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" and, this time, the Corps targeted younger students: seventh and eighth graders. New research confirms Works' hunch. Reaching kids when they're young is the best way to dispel culturally ingrained stereotypes. One study found that kids as young as 6 begin to believe false stereotypes that boys are more interested in STEM than girls. STEM is a popular catch-all term for science, technology, engineering and math fields. Stereotypes alone can't explain a century of gender imbalance within America's oldest institution devoted to engineering, which employs 35,000 people nationwide and abroad. The Corps has trouble recruiting female engineering majors from local universities with engineering programs, including The Citadel. Over the past few years, women from the Charleston office have visited local K-12 schools to try to inspire girls about the work that the Corps does. "When we put out new intern positions, its certainly not 50/50 ... women to men," said Works. "For every two guys that apply, theres been one girl." Private engineering firms can offer starting salaries more than twice the amount the federal government can offer to new hires with engineering degrees. "For the poor kids coming out of school, they look at what I can offer, and theyre like, 'Are you kidding me?'" Works said. "That's absolutely our biggest problem but, as the federal government, I don't see that changing any time soon." Works said that the Corps is significantly more diverse now than when she started working there in 2012. "The Corps does a great job at promoting women ... once they're here," she said. As the top engineer at the branch, recruiting women is her biggest frustration. Strengthening the federal workforce Both climate change and the global pandemic have highlighted the need for a skilled and diverse federal science workforce. A 2020 federal report found that federal employees who experience sexual harassment are more likely to leave their jobs, highlighting the need for better training. A 2021 federal report found that STEM recruiting is challenged by higher salaries in the private sector. It recommended better use of special payment authorities, like student loan repayment programs for new hires. The gender pay gap in the federal workforce has decreased since 1999 but has not yet closed. In 2017, women earned 93 cents for every dollar earned by men. A 2020 federal report recommended agencies better track the promotion of women in the workplace, including for STEM jobs. That data is lacking. Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office Hurdles early on Molly Holt started working at the Charleston district office one month before the U.S. pandemic lockdown. She's still somewhat new to the Corps but not to engineering. Holt worked in the private sector for eight years. She was attracted to the Corps' mission: serve her country as well as her local community. "What the Army Corps actually does is not widely understood by a lot of people," Holt said. About 98 percent of the workforce are civilians. And, as someone still in her 20s, she often helps the Corps recruit other young people by participating at university career fairs around the state. She tries to dispel misconceptions that prevent undergrads from considering the Corps as an option. "People assume that if they come over to the Army Corps table then they have to sign on the dotted line and join the Army right there," Holt said. "I have to explain that, yes, we do work for the Army ... but the majority of us are civilians. We also get to work some on the biggest challenges facing our state." Holt is frustrated by how many math-inclined women she met in college gravitated to the medical field because, she believes, they didn't have a sense that engineering was an option. "Maybe it's a lack of awareness," Holt said. "Some of my female coworkers now, they had family members that were engineers and they got to see firsthand what engineers do. That makes a difference." Holt has a clear conviction that her work at the Corps makes a much bigger impact than her corporate job did. She said her path to engineering and federal employment was "following (her) heart." There was another thing different about working for the Corps: She would be required to take a grueling licensing test, the principles and practice of engineering exam. The eight-hour test is typically taken after four years of "field experience," and it's a follow-up to a similar exam that many take before entering the workforce, usually around graduation. "The further you get out from school, the more challenging (the second exam) gets," Holt said about completing the second test. Holt didn't pass the test on her first time. She studied for almost two years. And her experience is not unique. Women in engineering are almost 12 percent less likely to pass this license exam. A 2018 study suggested that the reason may partly be due to biases in the exam itself. Passing the exam usually comes at a critical time for women, during their mid to late 20s, when many are considering family life, or may already have children, and are seeking work-life balance. It remains a hurdle that the Corps has yet to address. "Usually when we come in (to schools), were trying to make it sound fun, were trying to get them excited about it, so we dont want to tell them about the eight-hourlong test thats really, really hard to pass," Works said. "But maybe we should." 'Just using the restroom' Zindars has spent most of the past five years mapping the dredge activities that made the Port of Charleston the deepest on the East Coast, going from 45 feet in depth to 52 feet. She spent over 350 days out on the water calculating the volumes of material that were being removed from the sea floor. And she's proud of it: "I love my job, I really do." Zindars was often the only woman out with men on daylong surveys of the channel. "The field I'm in is definitely a male-dominated field. In the eight years I've been at (the Corps), there has only been one other female ... join our survey section." "Being on the boat ... as a female, just using the restroom creates certain obstacles," Zindar said. She talked openly about menstruation, and how that complicates working on a boat for 10 hours a day with men. "The guys we work with are great, ... but it's hard to get women from the outside to come do this work," Zindars said. The Corps is working to nudge more women toward it. She even serves on hiring committees for other Corps offices in the Atlantic region to try to build what she calls "a sisterhood." Diversity scholars view this as building toward a critical number of female employees, a kind of threshold, that once passed women feel less alone and generally more accepted. Women sometimes self-select themselves out of this line of work, Zindars said. She is rising in the Corps' ranks now, advancing to roles where she supervises others. Still, she's frustrated by a lingering negative stereotype, absorbed by both women and men alike. "There's always something underlying," Zindars said. "That you can't really do the job the same way as a man." Making SC 'more resilient' What the Army Corps lacks in salary offerings to women, it tries to make up in workplace satisfaction. "Were trying to make our state more resilient," Holt said about her storm protection work in the engineering division. The Charleston district's federal projects include post-storm beach renourishment at Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island and Folly Beach. These multi-million dollar projects try to reverse the beach-shrinking effect of storms by pumping in sand from just offshore. In the short term, maintaining a recreational beach protects property and bouys tourism in South Carolina. On Mar. 2, the district announced that it received an additional $97 million in federal funding for this work, which includes adding "approximately 150,000 dump truck loads" of sand to Myrtle Beach sites to counter erosion from Hurricane Ian. Other towns have experienced erosion from back-to-back storms, like Folly Beach. That popular beach destination will soon receive the equivalent of 90,000 dump trucks of offshore sand. Last week, the Corps signed a new partnership agreement with the town of Edisto Beach. Federally funded, Corps-led projects will begin later this year, with sand being added from offshore and dune-stabilizing plants being planted to halt erosion. Holt designed and now maintains the restored dune plants of Pawleys Island, work she finds especially rewarding. "It's cool to be able to see your work show up right where you live ... and you see all the people in your community that benefit," Holt said. "If people could just see that side of it, they would be more interested in engineering." What is still up for debate is whether the Corps' work is actually making South Carolina's coastal communities more resilient. Some say the costly beach renourishment projects are only delaying the inevitable change of the coastline. There is no scientific consensus that beach renourishment is an effective long-term solution to increasing hurricane intensity, South Carolina's newest climate burden. And sometimes solving one problem creates another one. The Post and Courier reported that residents living near Pawleys Inlet brought a lawsuit against two state agencies and others last year claiming that the Corps-led beach renourishment led to severe flooding on the inland areas. Eyeing the next generation In the short term, there are plenty of federal funds to engineer short-term storm relief solutions just not enough women to do them. But the Army Corps' gender gap is actually smaller than in some other sectors. According to a study by American Association for University Women, of both the private and public sector, only 27 percent of America's STEM workforce is made up of women. For women who want to be paid as much as their male counterparts, there's no better place to work than the federal government. In 2017, female federal employees earned 93 cents for every dollar that men did. A 2020 government report found that the wage gap has narrowed by 12 cents since 1997. The pay gap continues to narrow. But other factors can drive women away, even when paid fairly. Studies show that women who experience sexual harassment are more likely to leave their jobs. In STEM fields, up to 58 percent of academic scientists report being sexually harassed during their career. According to Works, the chief of the engineering division, there have been no sexual harassment cases during her 12-year tenure at the Charleston office. When asked to verify this claim, a spokesman for the Corps told The Post and Courier that "we are unable to comment on personnel matters. We can tell you that our district is the second-smallest district in the (Corps) and has been rated 'a world-class workplace' two years in a row by employee surveys." Works recently attended the now-annual STEM recruitment event at Ashley Hall. Over 200 girls were there, smiling and laughing for much of it. Bailey Horn, a geographer for the Corps and an alumna of the school, walked around the auditorium with a microphone. "Who wants to go into a STEM field?" she asked. About six hands went up. Horne was there to show that this kind of work is an option, and to try to get more girls to raise their hands. To show off that work at a relatable scale, a representative from the Army Corps brought a model-scale beach and led an activity to show how different kinds of materials affect beach erosion. The girls gathered, in their purple plaid uniform kilts, and asked questions. There were other federal agencies in attendance, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Air Force, helping girls understand how each agency uses engineering to protect and serve the country. Alina Scott, an eighth grader, was particularly interested in learning about the Coast Guard and also aviation. "They kind of gave me this motivation," said Scott after the even. "And now I feel more confident. I feel like there are people rooting for me." The women who work at the Corps are most certainly rooting for her. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 79F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low near 55F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. GREENVILLE The arrest of a woman more than a year after delivering a 6-month-old stillborn fetus raises questions on whether women in South Carolina should be punished for ending pregnancies as state legislators continue debating stricter abortion laws. A Greenville woman was arrested after authorities say she took an abortion pill. She was charged under a law that has been on the books for decades but rarely used in South Carolina. She is at least the fifth person accused of having an illegal abortion in the state since 2000, according to the national abortion rights group If/How/When. Her arrest also highlights the complexities and, at times, confusing guidance in the state's abortion laws, which again are under debate after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned federal protections in June. The renewed abortion debate at the Statehouse has prompted calls on both sides to halt criminalizing women who end pregnancies. In the Greenville case, a 33-year-old woman arrived at Bon Secours St. Francis Downtown hospital in October 2021 while having labor contractions, according to an arrest warrant issued in September. She told medical staff that she had "obtained and consumed an abortion pill in an attempt to abort her fetus," the warrant said. The hospital reported the incident to the Greenville County Coroner's Office, which then referred the death to the Greenville Police Department, police spokesman Sgt. Johnathan Bragg said. "Bon Secours, like all licensed health care facilities, must adhere to mandatory reporting laws, which require the proper authorities be notified about specified incidents," hospital spokeswoman Jennifer Robinson wrote in an email March 3. The woman was arrested Feb. 26. She was released a day later on $2,500 bail, Bragg said. Greenville police would only say that the woman was arrested after the investigation ended. She was charged with "performing or soliciting abortion" under the state's abortion law statute, according to the warrant. A conviction on the misdemeanor charge of self-administering an abortion carries a maximum penalty of up to two years in prison and a $1,000 fine. The Post and Courier is not naming the women in this report because of the nature of the case. From 2019 to 2021, one person was charged under the section for a woman self-managing an abortion, according to the State Law Enforcement Division. It is not clear whether that charge was for someone assisting in an abortion or for a woman seeking to end a pregnancy. SLED did not respond to a request for an updated figure. From 2000 to 2020 in South Carolina, at least four people were arrested on charges related to self-managing an abortion, according to research by Research by If/How/When, the California-based abortion rights advocacy group. The cases were not broken down by county. The 13th Circuit Solicitor's Office, which has jurisdiction in Greenville, told The Post and Courier on March 3 that it had not received information on the warrant or subsequent arrest. The warrant, issued six months ago, includes detail that the woman "delivered a stillborn baby girl that was determined to be at 25 weeks and 4 days gestation," which Bragg said was an element of probable cause to charge the woman. "The fact that it was past 20 weeks is a violation of the law in South Carolina," Bragg said, noting that the woman "self-administered the pills to cause the abortion." Criminalization Both abortion rights and anti-abortion advocates said they were working to remove provisions from South Carolina law that would criminalize women. Charges, such as those against the Greenville woman, send a terrible message that women are being punished for their medical decisions, said Vicki Ringer, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which manages two S.C. abortion clinics located in Charleston and Columbia. Ringer said it is part of a pattern of punishing pregnant women across the state. I want to be careful not to judge her in any way because I imagine she had to feel pretty desperate and not feel like she had a lot of options, Ringer said. I think one of the most concerning parts about this is that it happened a year and a half ago, supposedly. South Carolina Citizens for Life, an anti-abortion group, signed on to a letter in May denouncing the criminalization of people who have abortions. The letter, which was co-signed by similar organizations across the country, was written about a week after a leaked draft Supreme Court decision indicated that it was poised to overturn the landmark abortion right case Roe v. Wade. To criminalize women would be counteractive to protecting the life of the unborn and protecting the life and serious bodily health of the mother, which is what we support, said Holly Gatling, executive director of Columbia-based South Carolina Citizens for Life. The South Carolina clause criminalizing self-managed abortion was made law in 1962. It was updated in 1974, a year after the Roe v. Wade decision. That part of the law is sometimes viewed as a sleeper statute, said Ashley Lidow, director of policy and government relations at the Womens Rights and Empowerment Network, an abortion rights group. They dont believe that anybody would activate it, Lidow said. Farah Diaz-Tello, senior counsel and legal director at If/How/When, said the potential repeal could provide justification for tossing out the charges in the Greenville case. If the Legislature acts to repeal this law, it doesnt necessarily change the charge, but it provides a much stronger argument for a dismissal of it, Diaz-Tallo said. Once the Legislature has spoken and said, This is not something we want to see happening in South Carolina, I think that provides a very strong reasoning for the court or for a prosecutor, who doesnt need to be bringing this charge either." In South Carolina, the Republican-controlled Senate and House are at an impasse as legislators formulate new abortion restrictions after their "fetal heartbeat" law, which would ban abortions generally after six weeks, was overturned in January by the state Supreme Court. A 2016 law that allows abortions through 5 months remains in place. Seanna Adcox contributed from Columbia. CORRECTION: An earlier version reported the fine for violating the law. The fine is no more than $1,000. Summerville, SC (29483) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 53F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 52F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. The day before she buried her youngest child, Andrea Manigault learned one of the men arrested in his murder was getting out of jail again. Dartez Lamart Ferguson Jr., had racked up charges in Charleston County for robbery and drug offenses before he was arrested in the Nov. 8, 2021 fatal shooting of Manigault's son, 25-year-old Marion Chauncey Grice, outside a Dorchester Road gas station. Ferguson, 26, was supposed to be on house arrest and GPS monitoring as a condition of his bail. Instead, prosecutors say in court documents, the Goose Creek man was escorting Grice's killer in a getaway car. The bondsman, Sinkler Bail Bonds, was not monitoring the defendant like the court had ordered. Obeying bond conditions didn't seem to matter to the man accused of shooting Grice, either, according to court documents. Keano Ante Simmons, 25, was out on bail after posting bonds earlier that year on charges including armed robbery and unlawfully carrying a weapon. Their cases add to the list of tragedies that have prompted scrutiny of South Carolina's bail system as the Legislature seeks to reform what law enforcement, crime victims and Gov. Henry McMaster say is a system devoid of accountability that enables further violence. Ferguson and Simmons are among a small percentage of people released on bail who are re-arrested and charged with a violent offense. But that's little comfort to Manigault. I feel like the judge and our legislatures are just as responsible for my son's death as the two defendants who pulled the trigger, said the Charleston-nurse-turned-bail-reform advocate. If they had done their job, and looked out for society, my son would be here today. Critics caution that overhauling the system based on a few tragic anecdotes threatens to undermine one of the most sacred principles of American jurisprudence: the presumption of innocence, while ignoring the real problems paralyzing the wheels of justice in South Carolina. The unintended consequences, they warn, could be more innocent people sitting years in the states dangerous and overcrowded county jails. The concern I have is using outlier issues with no data to support it to encourage this rhetoric of being tough on crime, Allie Menegakis, executive director of South Carolina for Criminal Justice Reform, testified to a House subcommittee last month. Indeed, theres little statewide data to document the scope of the problem. But a 2022 study of bookings in the Charleston County jail indicated the systems extreme failures, while heart wrenching, are rare. The study found 20 percent of the people charged with a violent crime are denied bail and not released. Of all defendants released on bail for any crime, 84 percent did not accrue additional charges in the first six months they were released. Five percent of those released on bail were subsequently charged with a violent crime, mostly burglary, drug charges, or armed robbery, in the first six months. The released outliers get undue attention in comparison to the thousands and thousands of people who successfully come to the end of whatever their case is without a new arrest every year," said Cameron Blazer, the head of the 9th Circuit Public Defender's Office, which represents indigent defendants in Charleston and Berkeley counties. In the S.C. Statehouse, police and Republican lawmakers say that even if the numbers are small, the tragedies that do occur are more than enough to justify change. Catch and release Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds has been decrying the bail system for years. Negligent bondsman and lenient judges, Reynolds said, enable a small number of people to wreak havoc on his community. The backlog in criminal court, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, further delays the day of reckoning when defendants must answer for their crimes, he said. "Without any consequences, without any intervention, for the most part those behaviors are going to continue," Reynolds said. An ongoing case in Charleston County's criminal court illustrates the failures Reynolds identified. Kendall Cohen was charged with murder in 2019. Only 16 years old at the time, a judge set bail at $80,000 and placed the Charleston teen on house arrest and GPS monitor as a condition of his release. A judge ordered a bench warrant for Cohens arrest in July 2021 after Cohen cut off his GPS monitoring device and fled. When authorities took him into custody in North Charleston, they found the defendant unlawfully carrying a pistol, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. A year passed. Cohen turned 19 in jail. Then the cycle repeated. A judge in September 2022 granted bond again, with the same conditions as Cohens initial bond. The prosecutor on Cohens case requested an emergency bond revocation hearing last month. Jennifer Shealy, the chief deputy solicitor for the 9th Judicial Circuit, outlined Feb. 8 how Cohen had "egregiously" violated the terms of bond. The attorney pleaded with a circuit judge to issue a warrant for the 20-year-old man's arrest. A sheriff's deputy, Shealy explained, found Cohen over the weekend in possession of a firearm that is connected to a West Ashley shooting that injured three juveniles at the beginning of the year. The solicitor then learned from the bondsman that Cohen had cut off his electronic monitor the previous week and was missing. The judge revoked Cohen's bail Feb. 8 and issued a bench warrant for his arrest. He remains at large. Changing the law On March 1, Republicans and a fair number of Democrats in the state House of Representatives passed a bail reform bill that supporters say will solve many of the systems problems. Over the many weeks of debate on the bill, legislators argued over how to balance defendants rights and calls for change from victims, law enforcement and the governor. At some point, the communitys right to be safe outweighs the individuals right to bond, Spartanburg County Republican Rep. Travis Moore said. The bill would automatically revoke bond for those charged with committing a violent crime while out on bond on violent crime charges. Currently, a solicitor must file to have a bond revoked. The defendant would then have a hearing before a circuit court judge, rather than a magistrate, who some criticize as too lenient. The bill would also impose an additional mandatory five-year prison sentence on those who are convicted of committing a violent crime while out on bond for a previous violent crime offense. It is simple, said Rep. Jeff Johnson, R-Conway. Whenever youre out on bond, your conditions (are) serious, and you should take it serious. But the fact a defendant would receive the extra five years even if they are found not guilty of the first crime that led to the original bond, has raised concerns for some, including the Houses lone Republican opponent of the bill. Rep. Case Brittain, a Myrtle Beach attorney, asked what the bill would mean for someone who is wrongfully arrested or falsely accused of the first charge or has that charge dismissed. You shouldnt have been charged anyway, so you wouldnt have a bond, he told a committee meeting last month, arguing the provision violated the presumption of innocence. Now were going to change that a little bit to innocent-ish, he said. The bill gives judges the discretion to run the five year extra sentence at the same time as the sentence for the second charge, a tweak intended for situations like the ones Brittain raised, House Judiciary Chairman Weston Newton said. Critics also point to a provision in the legislation that would force those out on bond for any crime not just one considered violent who are charged with a subsequent violent crime to post full cash bond rather than 10 percent as is the law now. Bail for violent crimes is often more than $100,000, meaning most defendants would not be able to pay. Its the wealthy get out, and the poor stay in, said James Huff, an Aiken attorney and founder of the S.C. Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. Thats just wrong. The stakes of locking up potentially innocent people are high in South Carolina, critics say. Defendants in violent crime cases often go years before seeing a resolution in their case due to the states clogged court system and lengthy wait times to receive forensic test results from SLED. Without bail, defendants would sit in county jails, giving solicitors extra leverage to push them to take a plea. Some Statehouse Democrats argue the state should focus on improving those issues and improve electronic monitoring instead. In the state Senate, the Judiciary Committee has passed a bill that would implement statewide regulations on electronic monitoring while work continues on a Senate version of bail reform. I dont want to be catapulted into a situation (where) we tried to develop good policy (and people) think that were soft on crime or whatever, said Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Hartsville, whos helping craft legislation. The issue is that were trying to be smart on crime and being smart on crime is being tough on crime. Waiting for justice However long it takes, Manigault will fight. The mother along with investigators believe her son was not the intended target of the shooting. Grice was stopping at the gas station that fatal November day after finishing landscaping work in North Charlestons Waylyn neighborhood, she said. The mother recalled her son's love of dancing, Tupac and dressing fashionably. "My son had a right to live," Manigault said. "I'm gonna keep screaming his name from the top of my lungs until somebody listens. There's got to be a change." Editor's note: This story was corrected to reflect that the 2022 study of the Charleston County jail found 20 percent of people booked into jail with a violent crime were not released on bond. As G20 meets in India, is Global South bullied by West? https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4824201?_360safeparam=9522129 By Deutsche Welle 2023/02/28 19:20 India, which currently holds the G20 presidency, wants to focus on inequality and development challenges facing countries in Africa and Asia Russia will have a seat at the table when the foreign ministers of the G20 come together in New Delhi this week. After all, the country has one of the world's major economies one that is also highly relevant to the global economic system the measure by which the G20 group defines itself. Moreover, according to a recent survey, emerging powers such as India and Turkey still view Russia as a partner, despite the war of aggression that the Kremlin is waging on Ukraine. For India, which holds the current G20 presidency, it will be a challenge to make the meeting a success. Ashok Malik, a former adviser to the Indian foreign ministry and now country head of The Asia Group a business advisory firm told DW that India will nevertheless strive to produce a joint statement signed by all the participants. Malik said New Delhi intends to put emphasis "on the inequalities and developmental challenges" that many countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America face today. Too much focused on 'all-consuming war'? The West's focus on the "all-consuming war" in Ukraine, however, has taken a lot of international attention away the from those challenges. Malik emphasized the fact that such challenges are "exacerbated by the ongoing fertilizer, food and energy crises caused by both the pandemic and the war." Malik described India as a country with "a deep intersection with the West in terms of strategic goals and values." But, he said, "it also has deep roots in the Global South. So what India has tried to do is to be a bridge between the G20 members of the developed world, as it were, and the Global South." Malik said he expects that to be the message New Delhi will take into the G20 and to the foreign ministers' meeting. India's emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy India has so far refrained from criticizing the Kremlin directly on Ukraine, defying appeals by the West to take a firm stand. It was one of 32 countries that abstained from a recent UN General Assembly resolution vote calling for a Russian withdrawal from Ukraine. However, during a visit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India "is willing to join any peace talks to solve this crisis." Russia and India share a trusted relationship that has lasted decades since it was established in the days of the Cold War. "Russia was a friend in India's poorer years in the 1950s and 1960s, when it gave us access to technology that in some cases the West denied us," Malik told DW. He said he would not characterize Indian society as anti-Western or pro-Russian due to continuously strengthening ties with the US and Europe. But he made clear that "Russia will never entirely vanish from India's foreign policy calculus." Different perceptions of why the war in Ukraine started It is a sentiment many developing countries apparently share. "I think the issue here is that there are different perceptions of why the war happened," Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, head of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), told DW. "For the South African government, this is a proxy war." Shortly after the Russian invasion, South Africa urged the Kremlin to immediately withdraw its forces from Ukraine. Since then, however, the tone has changed. In January, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Pretoria as part of an African tour. During the visit both countries vowed to strengthen bilateral ties and announced joint naval drills with China. South African officials have repeatedly said they do not condone the Russian invasion but will not be forced into choosing sides. Why many G20 countries won't condemn Russia "South Africa has long prided itself in having what it calls an independent foreign policy," Sidiropoulos told DW. The country is also a member of the BRICS bloc of leading emerging economies. Founded by Brazil, Russia, India and China, the BRICs represent an alternative to the G7 bloc of leading industrial economies. Still, Sidiropoulos said she thinks this is just a part of the explanation. The war in Ukraine "acted as a catalyst for almost all of the other issues that South Africa and other countries in the South have been upset with Europe and the US over," Sidiropoulos said. One reason they won't condemn Russia, she explained, is because don't like "the way the US throws its weight around." Europe's colonial past is a factor, too, as Sidiropoulos pointed out. The same goes for NATO's highly controversial 2011 intervention in Libya. Thus, Russia has been able to capitalize on anti-imperialist sentiments and popular anti-Western resentment. Is Russia's war in Ukraine a European problem? Many African nations do not see the war in Ukraine as a global security crisis, Sidiropoulos said. Rather, they see it as a European problem "with global consequences." They feel Ukraine's Western allies are trying to hijack the G20 forum at the expense of crucial issues such as climate action or tackling development on the continent. Their response therefore is: "We will make our own decisions. Don't bully us," Sidiropoulos said. The fact remains: The West is struggling to win hearts and minds in the so-called Global South despite Russian atrocities committed in Ukraine. According to a new global survey published by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), the Western alliance remains united in its support for Ukraine, but the gulf between their perspective and other powers in the world has grown wider. The quest for a successful strategy "It's important to understand the different perceptions of the different powers that are going to be around the table at the G20, and to treat them as the independent sovereign actors that they are," senior ECFR policy fellow Susi Dennison told DW. She spoke in favor of a pragmatic approach "that needs to be part of a new kind of diplomacy on the global stage." Europe and the US must not allow Russia to frame the war in Ukraine as a West versus the rest of the world conflict, Dennison said. A conflict in which "the West is supporting Ukraine to preserve an international order that works in the West's favor, and that Russia is the vanguard breaking it down on behalf of the rest," Dennison added. She pointed out that "this would make delivery on global goods such as climate action or shoring up the supply chains very difficult for the West." As the rules of the post-Cold war order appear to be getting a rewrite, some are concerned about falling into a Cold War 2.0 said Elizabeth Sidiropoulos of the South African Institute for International Affairs. But many, she added, see the current crisis as an opportunity rather than a risk: India and South Africa have been calling "for reforms of the United Nations and other multilateral institutions for many years. With the West itself being tested or even weakened, the current crisis could create a push for change." Edited by: Jon Shelton With G20 in India, Global South addresses West https://www.dw.com/en/as-g20-meets-in-india-is-global-south-bullied-by-west/a-64844274 Alexandra von Nahmen February 28, 2023 Russia's invasion of Ukraine is likely to overshadow G20 talks in India. There is concern that a new Cold War looms. And many countries in the Global South are seeking a chance to redefine their relations with the West. Russia will have a seat at the table when the foreign ministers of the G20 come together in New Delhi this week. After all, the country has one of the world's major economies one that is also highly relevant to the global economic system the measure by which the G20 group defines itself. Moreover, according to a recent survey, emerging powers such as India and Turkey still view Russia as a partner, despite the war of aggression that the Kremlin is waging on Ukraine. For India, which holds the current G20 presidency, it will be a challenge to make the meeting a success. Ashok Malik, a former adviser to the Indian foreign ministry and now country head of The Asia Group a business advisory firm told DW that India will nevertheless strive to produce a joint statement signed by all the participants. Malik said New Delhi intends to put emphasis "on the inequalities and developmental challenges" that many countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America face today. Too much focused on 'all-consuming war'? The West's focus on the "all-consuming war" in Ukraine, however, has taken a lot of international attention away the from those challenges. Malik emphasized the fact that such challenges are "exacerbated by the ongoing fertilizer, food and energy crises caused by both the pandemic and the war." Malik described India as a country with "a deep intersection with the West in terms of strategic goals and values." But, he said, "it also has deep roots in the Global South. So what India has tried to do is to be a bridge between the G20 members of the developed world, as it were, and the Global South." Malik said he expects that to be the message New Delhi will take into the G20 and to the foreign ministers' meeting. India's emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy India has so far refrained from criticizing the Kremlin directly on Ukraine, defying appeals by the West to take a firm stand. It was one of 32 countries that abstained from a recent UN General Assembly resolution vote calling for a Russian withdrawal from Ukraine. However, during a visit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India "is willing to join any peace talks to solve this crisis." Russia and India share a trusted relationship that has lasted decades since it was established in the days of the Cold War. "Russia was a friend in India's poorer years in the 1950s and 1960s, when it gave us access to technology that in some cases the West denied us," Malik told DW. He said he would not characterize Indian society as anti-Western or pro-Russian due to continuously strengthening ties with the US and Europe. But he made clear that "Russia will never entirely vanish from India's foreign policy calculus." Different perceptions of why the war in Ukraine started It is a sentiment many developing countries apparently share. "I think the issue here is that there are different perceptions of why the war happened," Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, head of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), told DW. "For the South African government, this is a proxy war." Shortly after the Russian invasion, South Africa urged the Kremlin to immediately withdraw its forces from Ukraine. Since then, however, the tone has changed. In January, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Pretoria as part of an African tour. During the visit both countries vowed to strengthen bilateral ties and announced joint naval drills with China. South African officials have repeatedly said they do not condone the Russian invasion but will not be forced into choosing sides. Why many G20 countries won't condemn Russia "South Africa has long prided itself in having what it calls an independent foreign policy," Sidiropoulos told DW. The country is also a member of the BRICS bloc of leading emerging economies. Founded by Brazil, Russia, India and China, the BRICs represent an alternative to the G7 bloc of leading industrial economies. Still, Sidiropoulos said she thinks this is just a part of the explanation. The war in Ukraine "acted as a catalyst for almost all of the other issues that South Africa and other countries in the South have been upset with Europe and the US over," Sidiropoulos said. One reason they won't condemn Russia, she explained, is because don't like "the way the US throws its weight around." Europe's colonial past is a factor, too, as Sidiropoulos pointed out. The same goes for NATO's highly controversial 2011 intervention in Libya. Thus, Russia has been able to capitalize on anti-imperialist sentiments and popular anti-Western resentment. Is Russia's war in Ukraine a European problem? Many African nations do not see the war in Ukraine as a global security crisis, Sidiropoulos said. Rather, they see it as a European problem "with global consequences." They feel Ukraine's Western allies are trying to hijack the G20 forum at the expense of crucial issues such as climate action or tackling development on the continent. Their response therefore is: "We will make our own decisions. Don't bully us," Sidiropoulos said. The fact remains: The West is struggling to win hearts and minds in the so-called Global South despite Russian atrocities committed in Ukraine. According to a new global survey published by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), the Western alliance remains united in its support for Ukraine, but the gulf between their perspective and other powers in the world has grown wider. The quest for a successful strategy This summer, a group of 25 high school freshmen will visit important historic sites and institutions, such as the International African American Museum, Emanuel AME Church, the Penn Center and S.C. State University, where they will learn about the Black experience. The program, offered by Charleston Civil Rights and Civics in partnership with Kids on Point, is meant to foster both historical understanding and social interaction among a diverse group of students. When people with different backgrounds and experiences come together and get to know one another, their biases and prejudices tend to fall away, organizer Leslie Skardon said. If we can build connections early, hopefully we can reduce partisanship, she said. Slavery, segregation, discrimination and racism are part of the history of the United States, but teaching those topics today can be challenging and challenged. Lawmakers in South Carolina and other states are limiting the ways teachers can address racial issues and accusing some who try of woke indoctrination. As these political battles are waged over public education, some organizations are forging ahead with programs meant to shed light on Black oppression, resistance and achievement. They advance an agenda of diversity and inclusion, and they seek to amplify voices that for more than four centuries were marginalized, ignored or silenced. Charleston Civil Rights and Civics is the latest to launch a program of learning about civil rights and racial history, one geared toward high school students; others have been at it a while, and some programs are in development now. The YWCA Greater Charleston, in partnership with the Racial Equity Institute, has for several years offered racial equity and inclusion training for adults, with a focus on institutional and structural forms of racism. Furman Universitys Riley Institute has offered the Diversity Leaders Initiative, which gathers community and business leaders who learn about implicit bias, broad definitions of diversity, and ways to break old patterns in favor of productive solutions that can improve South Carolina as a whole. McLeod Plantation, part of the Charleston County Parks & Recreation Commission, interprets the history of slavery in ways that dont avoid descriptions of the brutality and harsh oppression enslaved people endured. The Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston runs a Race and Social Justice Initiative, funded by Google, which includes public events, exhibitions, and various projects that promote awareness of the history and ongoing struggles of racial injustice in Charleston, South Carolina, and throughout the United States. The International African American Museum soon will welcome student groups, organize tours of the galleries and work collaboratively with educators to promote understanding of the Black experience. Even government entities are getting in on the act. The S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism promotes Black History Month programming and presents online information about the civil rights movement. The city of Charleston maintains a Charleston Racial Equity Timeline storymap online, which presents an interactive history of race and race inequities in Charleston. Many more such programs are offered throughout South Carolina. In Columbia, the Modjeska Simkins School of Human Rights offers classes to people of all ages who are interested in learning about Black and indigenous history, colonialism, labor movements, the civil rights movement and more. The school is operated by the S.C. Progressive Network, and part of its purpose is to educate and motivate would-be activists, but its larger goal is to raise awareness of social and racial injustice and inequity, and to help create engaged and informed citizens, lead instructor Robert Greene II said. The school got its start in 2015. Greene, a history professor at Claflin University, joined the effort in 2019 and has noticed a steady increase in demand, he said. What we find is that, because of all the recent pushback on things like critical race theory and teaching Black history, there seems to be a greater hunger to find out what those things actually are, Greene said. Students, who are mostly adults, tell him they never learned about Robert Smalls or Modjeska Monteith Simkins in secondary school. They never learned much about the Stono Rebellion or Reconstruction. Its often political controversy that drives enrollment, Greene said. Police violence, the debate about Confederate memorials and the controversy over critical race theory have driven some to sign up, he said. In class, he often hears students say, I didnt know that or Why was I never taught this? So he discusses not only the history, but how the history is taught and that can lead to interesting conversations about pedagogy, textbooks and public education, he said. The new course begins March 6, in person and online, and continues each Monday evening through June. A few breakout sessions will be scheduled on Sundays, and guest speakers will make appearances in the classroom. In Charleston, Skardon is planning a full week for the high school students who participate in the inaugural class, starting July 31. (Registration is underway.) The teens will be out and about nearly the whole time. I dont think students want to sit in a classroom talking about civics, Skardon said. But the goal of civics is to get people to participate in democracy, to vote. How do you convince them? The need for active citizenship can be appreciated by studying history, and by understanding the scars, the impacts. Meanwhile, an effort by the Freedom Caucus an ultra-conservative group of lawmakers that formed in South Carolina in the spring of 2022 to fight what it calls political indoctrination in the classroom has led to lawsuits against two school districts, Charleston and Lexington 1, and opposition to a new K-8 literacy curriculum developed by the New York nonprofit EL Education that so far has proved very popular among teachers and students. The Freedom Caucus has argued that the program violates state law forbidding the use of public money on so-called partisan curriculum. On Feb. 13, about 60 teachers and students testified before the Charleston County School Board in favor of the curriculum, explaining that its emphasis on diversity and inclusion helped students connect with the lessons and improved learning outcomes. In a 6-3 vote, board members failed to pass a motion on Feb. 21 that would have required the district to replace the EL Education curriculum. Late last year, the Berkeley County School Board banned the teaching of critical race theory, even though its not part of the public school curriculum. Conservative lawmakers also have been trying to ban critical race theory statewide. Public school history curriculum covers so much material that the amount of time teachers spend on the African American experience is limited. School officials encourage students to seize extracurricular opportunities to enhance their understanding of American history, spokesman Andrew Pruitt said. Learning doesnt just happen in the 180 days that children are in the classroom, he said. Any community partner thats providing access to any opportunity to expand their minds, expand their horizons, we would encourage them to do that. All of this motivates Skardon, she said. Her first group of rising high school sophomores will spend their first day in Charleston visiting the International African American Museum, Emanuel AME Church, the Denmark Vesey statue in Hampton Park and the Grimke sisters house. The next day they will travel to Beaufort and St. Helena Island to learn about the Penn Center, Robert Smalls and more. On the third day they will go to Orangeburg, visit the Cecil Williams South Carolina Civil Rights Museum, the two historically Black universities (S.C. State and Claflin) and possibly the bowling alley that was the site of student protests in February 1968. The fourth day will be spent in Charleston learning about the 1969 Hospital Strike, the Progressive Club, Esau Jenkins and Septima Clark, and the Orangeburg Massacre. On the fifth and final day, students will visit the Board of Elections, participate in a mock election, learn about the history of suffrage, meet lawmakers and reflect on all they learned through poetry. Skardon said its important to make connections between the past and present so students understand the efforts and sacrifices (and, in some cases, resistance) of their ancestors and how some battles still are being waged now. The goal is to create lifelong active citizens who can understand our past so they can understand today and make it better in the future, she said. A new national study underscores why South Carolina is experiencing such a problem with gun violence. As The Post and Couriers Ema Rose Schumer reports, our state had the fourth-highest rate of personally reported gun thefts in the country over the past five years. The study by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives found that an average of 7,825 guns were reported stolen annually in South Carolina. That's 151 gun theft victims for every 100,000 people. That finding isnt terribly surprising. It comes on the heels of a report last year by the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety that found on a per-capita basis, Columbia had more guns taken from cars than all but two other U.S. cities. It was followed by North Charleston at No. 4, Greenville at No. 9 and Charleston at No. 16. Indeed, bad guys stealing our guns and using them against us in crimes is one of the three main reasons that police and prosecutors cite for crimes petty and large. The two others are what police call revolving-door justice problems: Bad guys are getting let out on bail to commit more crimes before they're even tried, and we're getting little benefit from a law that prohibits criminals from possessing guns because it's too limited and violators are only getting a slap on the wrist. The bail bond problem is complicated and requires a mix of solutions, which we will discuss in a separate editorial soon. The two others have some obvious and easy solutions. For the gun thefts, we should follow the lead of 15 other states that require gun owners to file a police report if their gun is lost or stolen. That doesnt infringe on the rights of any law-abiding citizens, but it does give police more information to solve crimes and keep us safer. Lawmakers also should hold gun owners responsible if someone steals their gun from their unlocked vehicle which Charleston police say occurred in nearly 9 out of 10 reported gun thefts in the city last year. The problem with criminals getting a slap on the wrist for illegal gun possession is even easier to solve: Increase the penalties. The good news is that the S.C. House just voted to do two of those things. A measure representatives passed last week creates graduated penalties for illegal possession of guns, and it applies the so-called felon in possession of a weapon law to cover more criminals. The current law applies only to those convicted of a short-list of crimes classified as violent; the change would make gun possession a crime for anyone convicted of all but a few crimes that carry a sentence of more than a year in prison. Additionally, the current penalty a fine of up to $2,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, regardless of how many times someone is convicted would be changed to eliminate the option of a fine and add a mandatory sentence of five years and up to 20 years for a second offense, and a mandatory sentence of 10 years and up to 30 years for third offense. Lawmakers also voted to require gun owners to report to police within 30 days if their guns are lost or stolen although the provision doesnt carry a penalty, and it says nothing about gun owners who invite the theft by giving criminals easy access to their weapons. The bad news is that these life-saving provisions are attached to dangerous legislation that would let people carry guns in public without any training or background checks. Worse is what appears to be the motivation for adding the felon in possession provision to H.3594. Police have been among the most vocal opponents of even less dangerous versions of what supporters call the constitutional carry bill, but as The Post and Couriers Seanna Adcox reports, most police stayed neutral during this years debate after sponsors added the graduated penalties for illegal gun possession. The bills supporters largely lawmakers who claim to support our police should be ashamed of putting our law enforcement leaders in a position where they believed they had to remain silent over legislation they know will make our state more dangerous in order to get legislative support for changes that will make us safer. The rest of us should refuse to accept this cynical bargain. The Senate should once again reject the Houses invitation to lawlessness and instead pass stand-alone bills to create graduated penalties for illegal possession of guns and to require people to report stolen guns to police. Senators should add some penalties for people who violate the reporting requirement, and ideally some penalties for people who leave their guns in their cars to be stolen. And the House shouldnt wait for the Senate to send over those bills. It should make amends for the shameful way it has treated police by passing those bills first. Click here for more opinion content from The Post and Courier. The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the gruesome murder of the village head of Maigari, Rimin Gado Local Government Area Kano. Dahiru Abbas, 70, was said to have been murdered on Sunday by unknown gunmen at his residence. The Kano State Police Commands Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna-Kiyawa, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday. On Sunday at about 3:05 a.m, a report was received that suspected kidnappers stormed the residence of Abbas the Village Head of Maigari, Rimin Gado Local Government in an attempt to kidnap him. The suspected kidnappers in the process shot the village head in the chest and he was rushed to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital Kano where he died while receiving treatment, he said. Mr Haruna-Kiyawa added that efforts have been intensified to arrest the perpetrators as teams of Operation Restore Peace have swung into action. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the late Mr Abbas is the biological father of the Chairman of Rimin Gado Local Government, Munir Dahiru-Maigari. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerians aversion to voting during elections is well documented, but the challenge saw a new low last weekend when citizens went out to elect federal lawmakers and the president in an exercise that was keenly watched across the world. Since its return to democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria has enjoyed uninterrupted democracy, the first such lengthy period since the countrys independence in 1960. Up to 93 million people in Africas most populous country and biggest economy registered to vote ahead of the 2023 elections. It was the first leg of the seventh general election since the end of military rule in 1999. In the build-up to the elections, a combination of a severe cash crunch as well as a protracted scarcity of petrol, ensured Nigerians, particularly the youth, picked a strong interest in participating in the 2023 election. But, the voter turnout was abysmal, the lowest since Nigerias independence. In 36 states, less than half of the eligible population turned out to vote, and no state had a turnout above 40 per cent. In the three largest states based on voter registration Lagos, Kano and Rivers less than a third of the eligible population voted. Rivers turnout was a shameful 15.6 per cent, the lowest in the country, despite producing a lot more votes in past elections. Overall, the national turnout was 29 per cent; no election had a lower participation rate in the six decades of Nigerias independence. Of the 93.4 million registered voters this year, 87.2 million people collected their Permanent Voters Card and the total number of actual voters on election day was only 24.9 million. Barely 9 million people voted for President-elect Bola Tinubu who will now govern 220 million Nigerians. Since 2011, the turnout of voters has seen a steady decline. Before 2023, the 2019 election recorded the lowest voter turnout of 34.75 per cent. In 2019, only a meagre 28.6 million votes were cast despite 82 million eligible voters. The winner, President Muhammadu Buhari, was re-elected with just over 15 million votes in a country of more than 200 million citizens. More than half of the countrys population is within the voting age range. The 2019 rate was the lowest of all recent elections held on the African continent. Data compiled by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (I-IDEA), an intergovernmental organisation that supports sustainable democracy worldwide, reveals that the turnout of voters in that election was the second lowest in the history of elections held in African countries, and it was only slightly better than the 32.3 per cent recorded in the 1996 Zimbabwean presidential election. This means that Nigerias 2023 presidential election has the worst turnout in Africa. Several factors have been given for the low voter turnout in Nigerian elections. These include voter apathy and poor economic situation. PREMIUM TIMES also reported how the electoral commission, INEC, contributed to the low voter turnout in the recent election through its late deployment of officials and materials to polling units. Overall, voter apathy is a major challenge in Nigerias democracy. There is a worrying trend of public disinterest in or indifference towards the electoral and democratic processes. Commenting on the development, Idayat Hassan, the director of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) said the low participation might be due to the failure of democracy to deliver development. The failure of democracy to deliver development has made many to not have interest in participating in elections, she said, adding violence and voter suppression also played a huge role in diminishing voter turnout. In 1999, turnout was 52.3 per cent. Officially, it grew to 69 per cent in 2003; and it has fallen since then, first to 57.5 per cent in 2007; then to 53.7 per cent in 2011; before dropping to 43.7 per cent in 2015. In the 1999 election, 30.2 million people out of the 57.9 million registered citizens actually voted. Both the number of registered voters and the number of votes cast increased in the following election in 2003, with 42 million out of 60.8 million registered Nigerians voting (69 per cent voter turnout). The 2003 election still has the highest rate of participation since the end of military rule in 1999. By 2007, despite an increase in the number of registered voters to 61.5 million, the total votes cast significantly dropped to 35.3 million (57.5 per cent voter turnout). Registered voters and total votes further increased to 73.5 and 39.4 respectively in 2011. Then the numbers dropped to 67.4 million and 29.4 million in 2015. These figures put Nigeria among the 10 countries with the lowest voter turnout in the world. Rwanda recorded a 98.15 per cent voter turnout in 2017, the highest in the world. These dwindling numbers highlight how Nigerias politics and state institutions continue to exclude rather than include, said Leena Hoffmann, an associate fellow of the Africa Programme at Chatham House London. Ms Hassan of CDD called on INEC to improve its election management and embark on a voter register audit. Nigeria doesnt have a voter register audit, an audit that takes out those who have died and all other ineligible voters from the system. The fact that a significant percentage of Nigerians fail to engage in elections is a concern and perhaps points to growing disillusionment with their ability to shape a more democratic society, she said. Nigeria will hold its governorship election on 11 March. Turnout in gubernatorial elections varies across Nigerian states. Data from the 2019 gubernatorial elections show that many states recorded low voter turnout in their elections. Turnout rates varied from above 50 per cent in Borno, Jigawa, Katsina, and Taraba to a worrying low of 18 per cent in Lagos State, the countrys most cosmopolitan city. Only a few elections had higher percentages. Some recent by-elections recorded as low as 3 and 8 per cent voter turnout. Only 10 per cent of eligible voters voted for Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra in 2021. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun on Sunday in Osogbo appealed to residents of the state to avoid violence at the 11 March House of Assembly elections. He said in a statement issued by his media aide, Olawale Rasheed, that elections should not be about killing and maiming. I appeal for a violence-free election. Election is not about killing and maiming. It is about the exercise of electoral choice. Mobilise peacefully and cast your votes for candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the governor said in the statement. Mr Adeleke thanked Osun residents for their support at the 16 July 2022 governorship election in the state as well as at the 25 February presidential and national assembly elections. He urged the electorate to replicate the support at the 11 March election to enable him to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy. My good people of Osun, I address you today to express my heartfelt appreciation for your love and backing for me all the time. You voted for me massively in 2022. I am ever grateful. You voted for my party massively at the Federal elections. I am thankful. Your trust in me is not taken for granted. Since I assumed office, I have been delivering on my electoral promises in spite of funding constraints. I have blocked leakages in the states finances and launched Osun on technological revolution through the New Technology Innovation policy and the ICT Policy and Domestication of Nigeria Start-up Act. I have also stabilised the then heavily-politicised public service and introduced the farmers intervention initiative, among others. For me to continue to serve you well, I request that you vote for the 26 House of Assembly candidates of the PDP. They are the team I will work with. They are very important for the implementation of the `Imole agenda. A PDP fully-controlled Osun State Assembly is the key to more dividends of democracy. Next Saturdays election is very critical for Osun state. A vote for those assembly candidates is a vote for me. I need them to serve you better and to complete the work we have started. Another victory for me and my party, the PDP, will speed up the progress already recorded and drive our state to greater heights, the governor said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Charles Adias, INECs state collation officer for Rivers at the 25 Feb presidential and National Assembly elections, raised alarm again on Sunday in Yenagoa over the unending threat to his life. Mr Adias, a professor and vice-chancellor at the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa, suspended results collation during the elections on account of the alleged threats. He alleged that some supporters of one of the political parties were after his life and those of his family members in spite of having nothing to do with conduct of elections and computation of results. He said those accusing him of rigging the elections in Rivers were circulating his photograph and personal details on social media and calling on party members to deal with him. He stated on Sunday that while he was aware of the challenges of being a collation officer, he decided to weather the storm because of his commitment to the growth and development of the political process in Nigeria. On my appointment as State Collation Officer for the 2023 Presidential Elections (SCOPE) in Rivers, I had set out, as a call to duty on national assignment, to fulfil an essential part of my community service as an academic and vice-chancellor of a federal University. I worked within my brief as statutorily demanded and as clearly enunciated in the Electoral Guidelines and other enabling instruments. By the nature of my assignment, as it is with every other job in this sphere, I knew it was going to be challenging, but I braved it being assured that I would surmount whatever challenge by the grace of God. As statutorily designated, I received reports of collated and announced results from local government area council collation officers. I collated votes scored by each political party from Forms EC8C into Form EC8D and entered the votes scored in the spaces provided, he stated. He added that the local governments collated results made up the states summary, which he cross-checked with the Collation Support and Result Verification System secretariat for computational accuracy. I announced loudly the votes scored by each political party; signed, dated and stamped the Form EC8D and requested the polling agents to countersign. Other formalities followed up to the final collation centre in Abuja. The procedure was dutifully followed under public viewing and in the presence of regular INEC staff, INEC ad-hoc staff, party agents and security personnel, local and foreign observers, and the press. There was no adverse and untoward behaviour noted or recorded, all the way, Mr Adias stated. He stated also that thereafter he began to receive several phone calls and text messages threatening, abusing and insulting his person and family on 26 February while on his way to Port Harcourt to report to duty. He added that he did not know that his photograph and phone number were already in circulation on social media alleging that he influenced votes and scores of candidates by manipulating the BVAS machines. On getting to Port Harcourt, I informed the Resident Electoral Commissioner about my experiences which he condemned and promised that my safety was assured. He pledged that INEC would do something about it, Adias stated. Adias stated that after collating results for three local government areas on Feb. 26, he retired to his hotel room to prepare for the following day only for the threat calls and messages to continue. I managed to bear it till the following day when I set out to collate results for 18 more local government areas. At the end of the hectic process, the results for Obio/Akpor and Degema Local Government Areas were not ready. Considering all that had happened, I decided to adjourn the collation of results on Feb. 28 and insisted on a press conference. This was to let everyone know about the several threats to my life as they may affect the coalition exercise. I insisted that until INEC addressed the issues of misinformation and blackmail and defined the roles of SCOPE, I would not go on with the exercise. My request was granted and INEC held a press conference debunking all the misinformation and disinformation. Thereafter, the coalition continued and the exercise was completed. There is no truth in the rumours that had been peddled. It is just a figment of the imagination of their bearers to what end I cannot really ascertain, Mr Adias stated. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Going by the frank analysis of a key-informant in this context, the candidate of the SDP, the trading of blames by supporters of the winner and the losers on the social media, passing a discursive judgment of incompetence and corruption on INEC by the opposition would be sanctimonious because in the words of Naira Marley, everybody steals and only the caught is pronounced a thief. Ole leverybody Eni ile mo ba sa ni barawo (Naira Marley) Everybody steals. Only the caught is pronounced a thief. All those who are complaining also cheated. Each one of them got their own INEC. In the north, PDP got its piece of INEC, in the east, Labour Party freely bought votes with dollars, and all over the country APC had the universal license to cheat. Those who cheated and were not successful are now fighting the one who cheated and became successful (Mr Adebayo, SDP Presidential Candidate on Arise TV, 3/3/23) Clashing public articulations of blame are a tested tool of political persuasion used for unseating or protecting a government, especially during elections. The strategies of blaming are well-known and context-specific uses of linguistic resources for government blaming or judging. Strategic discursive blaming judges a government and its institution on the basis of honesty, propriety, and competence to have grounds to blame the government for dishonesty, corruption, and incompetence. So, as Nigeria prepared for the third civilian to civilian transition in the Fourth Republic held on 25 February, one expected the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be aware that it was coming under public and partisan scrutiny alongside a government with a huge public trust deficit. Definitely, its conduct of the election would determine its rating as dishonest, corrupt, incompetent or otherwise. One thought that INEC would also be sensitive to the mutual suspicion underpinning intergroup relations in the country, especially in terms of power rotation and the consequences of managing such a process for national security, and peaceful co-existence. INECs Preparation for the 2023 Election INEC and President Buhari never missed any opportunity to demonstrate and reiterate their readiness to conduct a credible, transparent, and secure 2023 elections. Towards this was the signing of the Electoral Act of 2022, which gave INEC wide powers to deploy election technology. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation system (BVAS) and INECs Results Viewing Portal (IReV) were hailed as proofs of greater transparency. The BVAS reads and authenticates the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and uploads results sheets to the IReV, the online platform for publishing results for public viewing. All of these are consistent with the progress INEC has been making since 2007. The general turnout of voters for the 2023 presidential election was 25.7% and the lowest since 1999. However, this should be situated within the context of the fact that INEC conducted the 2023 presidential election at a time of unprecedented suffering imposed by the consequences of the cashless policy of the federal government Off-cycle elections across the country were also conducted in ways that earned INEC commendations from the electorate, development partners, the press, civil society and even the international community. So, as the elections drew nearer, everyone looked forward to a process that would be an improvement in INECs performance from the point of deployment, voting, collation, and announcement of the results. Contextualising INECs Conduct of the 2023 Presidential Election The general turnout of voters for the 2023 presidential election was 25.7% and the lowest since 1999. However, this should be situated within the context of the fact that INEC conducted the 2023 presidential election at a time of unprecedented suffering imposed by the consequences of the cashless policy of the federal government, which worsened the pre-existing hardship caused by the scarcity of fuel across the country. Also, it must not be lost on commentators and analysts that INEC had to procure services amidst the scarcity of cash, contend with epileptic internet services for banking transactions, and adjust the ballot because of the plethora of court judgements that kept coming till 48 hours to 25 February. Matters Arising from the Conduct Although many voted seamlessly without any hiccup, the voices of complaints and condemnation of the elections have been getting louder. A widely held view is that the 2023 presidential election would fail the test of electoral integrity, and this is largely because of the failure to transfer results of the election to IREV as provided for in the 2022 Electoral Act. This is besides violence, voter suppression, and other infractions making the rounds on Twitter and other social media platforms. For Mr Omoyele Soworethe 2023 election was a shambolic process that fell below all standards. On the social media, there have been videos of voter suppression, unrestrained activities of miscreants, pictures of mutilated result sheets, especially by supporters of the Obidients (LP), and the Atikulated (PDP), while celebratory and triumphant tweets, memes and messages are freely shared by supporters of the Battified (APC). Since the declaration of Asiwaju Tinubu on 1 March as the 16th president-elect of Nigeria, the PDP and LP have proceeded to Court seeking to be declared winners in place of the APC. The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr Adebayo, who posited that he has evidence that he was robbed of his lawful votes during the election but admitted that these votes are insufficient to declare him a winner. Instructively, Mr Adebayo revealed that PDP and LP expended money to influence both voters and INEC. For Mr Omoyele Sowore, the candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), the 2023 election was a shambolic process that fell below all standards. On the social media, there have been videos of voter suppression, unrestrained activities of miscreants, pictures of mutilated result sheets, especially by supporters of the Obidients (LP), and the Atikulated (PDP), while celebratory and triumphant tweets, memes and messages are freely shared by supporters of the Battified (APC). Calumniating APC and INEC by the Opposition: A Sanctimonious Act and Strategic Discursive Error Technology is not sufficient as a guarantee that elections would be credible or transparent because it comes with its own inherent vulnerabilities for fraud such as hacking, and other forms of manipulation. IReV that was meant to shore up public confidence in INECs process has become a basis of erosion of public interest in the agency. Going by the frank analysis of a key-informant in this context, the candidate of the SDP, the trading of blames by supporters of the winner and the losers on the social media, passing a discursive judgment of incompetence and corruption on INEC by the opposition would be sanctimonious because in the words of Naira Marley, everybody steals and only the caught is pronounced a thief. Gbemi Animasawun is with the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In his acceptance speech, the president-elect extended an olive branch to the opposition. They should close ranks with Mr Tinubu and accept it for the greater good. Western governments and the international community should assist the Buhari administration in facilitating a peaceful transition of power. The country can ill afford a repeat of the crisis similar to the one that it spiraled into back in June 1993 The just concluded Nigerian election will not pass the test of purity. It was marked by numerous irregularities, including the late arrival of polling material at polling stations, frustrating technical hitches, and scattered incidents of violence, among them numerous cases of voter intimidation by party agents and random miscreants. Evidence suggests that these logistical hiccups and scattered acts of lawlessness were more or less national in character. Citing these disruptions and irregularities, some have been quick to suggest that the vote be canceled outright and rescheduled for a time when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will presumably be in finer logistical fettle. As results trickled in from across the country, former President Obasanjo asked President Muhammadu Buhari to step in and cancel all elections that did not meet the credibility and transparency test. Just before INEC finished the collation of results from across the states and declared Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the presidential election, representatives of the two main opposition parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) also sought to pre-empt the announcement by calling for the elections cancelation and INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu to step down. While the anger and disappointment of those calling for cancelation may be understandable, their demand is both unlawful and irresponsible. Nigerian electoral laws are very clear as to what should happen if a candidate in an election has a legitimate grievance; nowhere in the relevant statutes is there an allowance for cancelation. Accordingly, the choice before Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi is clear: concede and congratulate Mr Tinubu, or seek legal remedy. While the many blemishes of the election may be freely admitted, in INECs defence, it should be remembered that it was conducted against a backdrop of mounting insecurity, chronic fuel shortages, a poorly timed cash-swap policy that left ordinary Nigerians bereft of cash, as well as a general atmosphere of uncertainty. Measured against these odds, and considering the underlying political tensions in the country, INEC would seem in fact to have exceeded expectations. The Commissions credibility among the Nigerian public has been consistently high, and we may rightly expect it to remain so once the dust settles. There is no question that it needs help, especially with regard to technological adaptation and personnel training, but its indignant portrayal as an irredeemably compromised handmaiden of the incumbent could not be further from the truth. Nor does the pattern of results from an election which produced as many upsets as affirmations support insinuations of orchestrated rigging. For example, while, as expected, Tinubu, Abubakar and Obi won handily in their respective ethnic strongholds, Obi surprisingly prevailed over Tinubu in Lagos, the latters political fiefdom, while Buharis status as president was not enough to prevent the loss of his home state of Katsina to Abubakar, who also snatched Osun State from under Tinubus nose. Nor could many northern APC governors, otherwise steadfast in their support for Tinubu, prevent Abubakar, Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) from claiming victory in their respective states. Abubakars running mate, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, lost his state to Obi. On the contrary, the first impression is of an election that hints at new realities and alignments in Nigerian politics. For one thing, it has settled the question of the viability of a third-party candidacy. The candidate of the incumbent APC may have won, but the era of the APC-PDP duopoly, in place since the return to civil rule in 1999, seems over. For another, it has onboarded a new coalition of young Nigerians who rightly bristle at the outsized influence of the old guard. Early indications are that this coalition will remain influential for the foreseeable future. To translate that influence into political success, the coalition will have to extend its scope beyond its current spatial and regional comfort zones. Its being locked in a bubble is one of the many reasons why it saw only the strengths of its platform and none of its weaknesses. In his acceptance speech, the president-elect extended an olive branch to the opposition. They should close ranks with Mr Tinubu and accept it for the greater good. Western governments and the international community should assist the Buhari administration in facilitating a peaceful transition of power. The country can ill afford a repeat of the crisis similar to the one that it spiraled into back in June 1993 when the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida abrogated a presidential election when it was on the cusp of producing a clear winner. The election may not have been a paragon of execution, but there is no resemblance to the sham that a section of the opposition seems determined to portray it as. Ebenezer Obadare is Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow for Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). This article was originally published by the Council on Foreign Relations as part of the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Here's a website full of really interesting maps. It's called "Mapologies" and has the tag line "maps & other fictions." The website states that it focuses on "a range of interests like languages, art, history, geography, maps, and mops," and further explains the various map categories it includes: Etymologeo: Etymology maps of random terms we like. Cultural mapping: Differences in translating names or titles. Emojish: Mapping the meanings of emojis. El Atlas: The geographic diversity of Spanish vocabulary. Health crisis: Etymology maps of terms related to health. Linguistics: Several language topics. So what, exactly, will you find on the site? As one example, the latest map reveals what "carrots" are called across the globe. You'll also find mappings exploring what various moviesincluding "Home Alone," "Lost in Translation," and "Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind"are named in different countries. And my favorite maps on the site might be the ones mapping various cartoons and cartoon charactersthese maps reveal the names given across the globe to Donald Duck and his nephews, Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and other popular characters. For instance, I learned that Goofy's full name is G. G. "Goofy" Goof, but he has lots of other names in different countries: In Portuguese and Danish, Pateta and Hopo can be translated as "fool." Danish Fedtmule is literally "fat-muzzle." Norwegian, Swedish, and Sami names mean something like "Long-leg." Silja or Siljo are words to describe an "unusually tall man". French dingo is derived from dingue "mad, someone who is nuts." But do you what is literally nuts? Bunduq in Arabic is the word also used for hazelnuts. Maps are cool! Go check them out! Jesus had one burning desire, to be in the Fathers house. Jesus says His disciples should count the cost before following Him: Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish. (Luke 14:27-30). But they do not teach Christians in churches to carry crosses and pay the price of discipleship. Instead, they are seduced by the notion that Christianity is about getting and getting from the Lord. The salvation of the soul is perfected: In weariness and painfulness, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness. (2 Corinthians 11:27). Jesus paid the price. Even though He is God, He paid the price: Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. (Hebrews 5:8). Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13). The salvation of the soul will not take place without a major effort on our part. Health and life will not take place without our own exertion. Jesus says God the Father is always working. If God works, then we must work. If Jesus paid the price, then we must pay the price. A servant is not greater than his master. We must work out what God worked in us. We must not despise the grace of God. God has given us the whole ability. We must do something useful with it. The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle (Psalm 78:9). God armed them, they carried bows, and nevertheless, they refused to fight for their own deliverance. Count the cost So, if you are a Christian and insist you are Christs disciple, my question to you is this: What have you lost? What has your commitment to Jesus cost you? Do you even know what is your cross? If you do, have you been carrying it without complaining? Christians expect to be blessed by following Jesus. But Christs disciples know they are already blessed. They teach Christians to expect their blessings in material riches, but Christs disciples know their blessings are spiritual. Christians expect money as a reward of stewardship. But Peter, a disciple of Christ, maintains: Silver and gold I do not have. (Acts 3:6). In the church of today, money answers all things. But for the disciple, Christ is always the answer. Jesus is not only what we have, but He is also what we have to give. Money cannot change a mans life. Money cannot make a difference in a mans life. Only Jesus can. What a disciple has is Christ who is more than enough. David says: The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. (Psalm 23:1). Jesus says: It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. (Matthew 10:24). But the truth of the matter is that Christians today are not like Jesus. Brothers of the same family look alike. The Bible says: For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29). But Christians are not brothers but parodies of Christ. The Bible says of the Jewish Council: When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13). We cannot say this testimony of todays Christians. Jesus says: Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:29). But Christians are not gentle. We do not want to be lowly. We are yoked to men and not to Christ. Servants or masters? Jesus says: You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:25-28). But Christians want to be masters and not servants. We want to be rulers of Egypt and not servants in Egypt. Christian husbands insist their wives must submit to them. But do we love our wives like Christ loved the church? Are we masters of our houses or servants? As long as we insist we are masters, we are not disciples of Christ. Should you still insist you are a disciple of Christ, see if this shoe fits you. Do you place your commitment to Christ over your convenience? Otherwise, you are not a disciple. Do you choose suffering instead of sin? Otherwise, you are not a disciple. Take heed, do not turn to iniquity, for you have chosen this rather than affliction. (Job 36:21). Do you choose pain over pleasure? Otherwise, you are not a disciple of Christ. The psalmist says: Zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me. (Psalm 69:9). The Bible testifies of Moses: When he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. (Hebrews 11:24-26). But Christians disdain the reproach of Christ. We try as much as possible to avoid it. We even pray to God to shield us from it. Therefore, we cannot be disciples of Christ. It does not matter if we pack the churches in thousands on the mountains of Kilimanjaro. Disciples are not made by church attendance. They do not come by marking present on a church register. Do you realise that in three-and-a-half years of ministry, Jesus only made 120 disciples? Disciples are made with a lifestyle and not with a crowd. Looking unto Jesus Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus had one burning desire, to be in the Fathers house. He had one burning passion: My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. (John 4:34). That is His template for discipleship. Faribisala@yahoo.com; www.femiaribisala.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print when you are handed a poisoned chalice, you do five things. One, acknowledge you are facing the high probability of failure, and therefore seek to mitigate it. Two, have a team to manage communication and optics. Three, clarify your position, and opposing positions, and make the differences of opinion public. Four, seek and build consensus. Five, go for the low hanging fruits, that is, go for the small wins early to keep Nigerians engaged and happy. There is no margin of error left for Nigeria. The country is technically insolvent and has barely nine months to avoid discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the incoming president, will be inheriting a poisoned chalice. The evil day has been long postponed, because his predecessors kicked the can down the road. Brutal decisions have to be made. For a start, the recommendations of the Oronsaye report on the costs of the machinery of the government has to be implemented in full. Furthermore, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) must regain its operational independence in order to concentrate on its core mandate of achieving price stability. There will have to be changes to the CBN Act. Multiple exchange rates will have to be eliminated and subsidies phased out to achieve fiscal balance, leading to the stability needed to grow revenues in order to achieve inclusive shared prosperity and life more abundant. Nigeria cannot remove subsidy at once, the way Ruto removed it in Kenya. Kenya has a more balanced economy. We dont have electricity and there are many distortions in the Nigerian economy. I recommend a quarterly removal over a 15-month period. The President-elect should start the removal of subsidy during the honeymoon period. With a win of less than 40% of the vote, he will have to negotiate the national cohesion needed to do the necessary surgical procedure for a national rebirth. If history is any guide, a national reboot can only be accomplished through the putting together of a national democratic agreement, uniting the civil and political society, to pursue an American New Deal-type programme of social and economic reconstruction. A good example of this is Italys Compromiso historico the 1971 Historic Compromise. We have to take a detour from the political establishments winner-takes-all attitude, a client/patron relationship, and understand the need to embrace the fundamentals of elite consensus at this critical junction, for self-preservation, if nothing else. Tinubu should get a communications director with a background in economics, who can explain Nigerias economic crises in such terms that the lay person can understand. When a poisoned chalice was handed to Harold Wilson in 1964, he broke the mould by appointing a Professor of economics, and not a journalist, as his chief press secretary. On the imbalances in the economy, a structured fifteen-month phase-out of the subsidy is desirable and practical. Tinubu should get a communications director with a background in economics, who can explain Nigerias economic crises in such terms that the lay person can understand. When a poisoned chalice was handed to Harold Wilson in 1964, he broke the mould by appointing a Professor of economics, and not a journalist, as his chief press secretary. Finally, when you are handed a poisoned chalice, you do five things. One, acknowledge you are facing the high probability of failure, and therefore seek to mitigate it. Two, have a team to manage communication and optics. Three, clarify your position, and opposing positions, and make the differences of opinion public. Four, seek and build consensus. Five, go for the low hanging fruits, that is, go for the small wins early to keep Nigerians engaged and happy. I wish you success. We are betting on you for renewed hope. Congratulations! Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, an advocate, strategist and political analyst, is Commissioner for Information in Ondo State. Twitter: @BamideleUpfront; Facebook: facebook.com/Bamidele. BAO Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print No structure has opened new vistas of opportunities for Nigerias otherwise flailing democracy. It is thanks to No Structure that no military adventurers will be having ideas. Nigerian citizens are done outsourcing their civic responsibilities to armed soldiers. It is thanks to No Structure that Nigerian voters can now shed the self-rosetting toga of servile acquiescence and dream the possible. It is thanks to No Structure that the restructuring agenda, in its full authenticity, must now return to the front burner of the national agenda. Whatever you make of the outcome and the controversies surrounding it, the 2023 presidential election has marked a seismic shift in Nigerias political landscape. And this is all credit to the vast army of Nigerias youth, and the older citizens with them, who sent a strong message to the effect that an end to the old, destructive political order is in sight, and the long-suffering citizens of Nigeria will no longer take it lying down. Tension in the land has not abated, mind you. A close friend, who is otherwise apolitical, sent me the screenshot of the results in his polling unit, which was overwhelmingly won by Peter Obi. He was there till the end, in Lagos. As of 1st of March when we spoke, he said that result had not been uploaded and tallied on the INEC portal. In other words, the anger felt by many aggrieved youth is not merely an emotional reaction of sore losers. INEC needs to account for its below-par performance in the presidential election. For good measure, the Labour and PDP candidates should challenge the irregularities in court. If for nothing else but for the records. We all know the state of Nigerias judiciary. Nevertheless, until and unless I am persuaded otherwise, I do not support the call for outright cancellation of the presidential election. Perhaps more evidence will emerge in the judicial challenge to warrant outright cancellation. Another possibility, more realistic if not overtaken by events, is for the election to be rerun in specific locations where there are proven evidence of fraud. The legal obstacle to this is two-fold, as I see it: one is that there is arguably more widespread cases of fraud than can be proven legally beyond reasonable doubt. The other is that you need a significant turnaround of figures in a future rerun to be able to overturn the outcome of the election itself, either in terms of the simple majority or the 25% requirement for the winner in two-thirds of the country. Battered and bruised in battle, the vast Army of Nigerias youth are yet poised to win the war in the long run. Undimmed and unbowed, they must stay the course and refuse to be broken by a system that has long been skewed against them. To retreat now is to concede to defeat when victory is already underway. For the victory needed is not just electoral, it is also cultural. Having said this, the scale of the achievement of the Obidient/EndSARS movement cannot be overstated. Its impact should not be overshadowed by the lamentable shenanigans of INEC and the desperate reactionary contrivance of expiring politicians. The outcome in Lagos State is the ultimate myth buster, if you were ever in doubt. It is the equivalence of a political tsunami, precipitated by a movement derided by establishment politicians as having no structure. It was an appellation that the determined youth of Nigeria took in their strides, and must now embrace as a monumental badge of honour, going forward. Make no mistake, No Structure is the one movement that can save Nigeria from itself. Battered and bruised in battle, the vast Army of Nigerias youth are yet poised to win the war in the long run. Undimmed and unbowed, they must stay the course and refuse to be broken by a system that has long been skewed against them. To retreat now is to concede to defeat when victory is already underway. For the victory needed is not just electoral, it is also cultural. Since the First Republic, Nigerias democracy has been dominated by the politics of stomach infrastructure and the weaponisation of poverty. Like the Biblical Esau, famished people invariably make the wrong decisions. Even at the most critical moment, desperate hunger overrides the rational human side. As Abraham Maslow suggests, the primal driving force of humans is the physiological imperative for survival and safety. It is thanks to No Structure that the next president of the federal republic must eschew dot nation mentality and govern for all or risk losing all. It is thanks to No Structure that the performance expectation for all political office holders have been raised to much higher levels, upon the risk of being kicked out of office. No Structure has invigorated the nation with new hopes. Take a bow, No Structure. Pushed to the precipice, the youth of Nigeria are upending this debilitating dynamics by summoning the higher levels of consciousness. The days of stomach infrastructure are almost over. We dare hope, at least. The numbers in Abuja and Lagos tell a striking story, to wit: when you take poverty and ignorance away, citizens are most likely to make the kind of choice that sets complacent, self-indulgent politicians quaking in their boots, and invariably raises the bar of performance across board. I suggest that, by and large, the same people who voted Obi will not bat an eye to vote him out should he win and then give a mediocre performance. This is exactly what Nigeria needs, and what no structure has given us at this point in time. No structure has opened new vistas of opportunities for Nigerias otherwise flailing democracy. It is thanks to No Structure that no military adventurers will be having ideas. Nigerian citizens are done outsourcing their civic responsibilities to armed soldiers. It is thanks to No Structure that Nigerian voters can now shed the self-rosetting toga of servile acquiescence and dream the possible. It is thanks to No Structure that the restructuring agenda, in its full authenticity, must now return to the front burner of the national agenda. It is thanks to No Structure that the next president of the federal republic must eschew dot nation mentality and govern for all or risk losing all. It is thanks to No Structure that the performance expectation for all political office holders have been raised to much higher levels, upon the risk of being kicked out of office. No Structure has invigorated the nation with new hopes. Take a bow, No Structure. Seun Kolade is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and International Development at Leicester Castle Business School, De Montfort University, Leicester UK. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A Nigeria that works for all is what we need Uniting Nigeria will need more than the body language of the leadership. It will take deliberate effort, personal example, and a clear strategy Uniting Nigeria will be hard labour, but it is a task that must be done. The place of leadership in forging bonds of communality is the place of purpose and deliberateness. The leadership must be very deliberate in managing diversity and in fostering kinship among variegated people. Nation building cannot be left to chance or to the whim of anyone. There must be purposive plans and actions towards uniting the people. We cannot play possum about unity most especially now. It has remained a reverie, and an elusive expedition for Nigeria. We yearn for it, or rather quibble about it, but we have not really applied ourselves to dismantling the iron curtains of ethnicity and religion. As a matter of fact, it is a sheer pursuit of apparitions to assume or suggest that any single leader can unite Nigeria without the commensurate efforts of citizens to the cause. To unite Nigeria, there is a place for leadership, and there is a place for followership. Uniting Nigeria will involve Nigerians from all strata. The place of leadership in achieving unity in Nigeria is the place of personal example. Leadership by deed, not just by words. The leadership demonstrating the highest level of objectivity, fairness, and probity in dealing with Nigerians, regardless of religious or political persuasion or ethnic background. The leadership showing sufficient inoculation against the contagion of religious and ethnic bigotry and exclusivism. Where the leadership betrays prejudices, the followership sunders. The leadership is doomed to be assailed by a phalanx of discontents when it ignores the elements of inclusion. This is the reason I applaud Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubus first step as president-elect. In his acceptance speech, he gave away his bent and predisposition to bringing sundered people together. The focality of his speech was Whether you are Batified, Atikulated, Obidient, Kwankwasiyya, or have any other political affiliation, you voted for a better, more hopeful nation and I thank you for your participation and dedication to our democracy. You decided to place your trust in the democratic vision of a Nigeria founded on shared prosperity and one nurtured by the ideals of unity, justice, peace, and tolerance. Renewed hope has dawned in Nigeria. Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, said Tinubu set up a committee to meet with presidential candidates for reconciliation. Really, he does not have to, but for a president who wants to build consensus among the people, he is embracing his opponents. This is good sportsmanship. I believe this opens a window into the mentation of Nigerias president-elect. It says Tinubu will run an all-inclusive government a government of national unity. Tinubu has shown by his recent aspect that he is of the nationalist phylum but with a surfeit of understanding of the imperativeness of building a nation on the back of consensual support, and responsibility. He must stay on this path. It will get rocky, but he must maintain equal oomp,h even when his efforts are unrequited. It is against this background that I consider the hostilities from Peter Obi, the Labour Party, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite the efforts at rapprochement by Tinubu, as ill-advised. I wish Peter Obi would listen to wise counsel and not go down this scorched path. The election is done. There is nothing to be had on this path, but animosity, isolation, and tension. It is time for reconciliation and working together for Nigeria. For his first shot at the top job, Peter Obis performance in the 2023 presidential election is commendable and a learning curve. But it was clear he had no chance of winning the election. He did not secure 25% of votes in 25 states and did not garner enough popular votes. I believe it will be more historic if Obi extends a hand of fellowship to the president-elect than chasing apparitions and chest thumping while at it. If his pursuit for power is in the public interest, he must look beyond himself, and seek to support the next government for the good of Nigerians he professes to love. A Nigeria that works for all is what we need. Tinubu has shown by his recent aspect that he is of the nationalist phylum but with a surfeit of understanding of the imperativeness of building a nation on the back of consensual support, and responsibility. He must stay on this path. It will get rocky, but he must maintain equal oomp,h even when his efforts are unrequited. A Nigeria that works for all is what we need. Uniting Nigeria will need more than the body language of the leadership. It will take deliberate effort, personal example, and a clear strategy. Uniting Nigeria will be hard labour, but it is a task that must be done. Fredrick Nwabufo; Nwabufo aka Mr OneNigeria is a media executive. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As some commentators rightly noted, Professor Yakubu over promised and under delivered, whereas it should have been the other way round. Understandably, some hopes were dashed with the outcome of the presidential election results. As bad as INECs role may have been portrayed, we should not crucify the electoral body. After Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared the winner of the presidential election which held on 25 February, the opposition parties and their supporters accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of lack of transparency in the electoral process. This is actually an old story because theres no election in Nigeria that has not been rocked by controversies. Even in 2027, allegations of rigging will not go away. What is important is for us to improve on the process with each election cycle. We have had 24 unbroken years of democratic rule since 1999, which is a major achievement despite of our imperfections. I was not expecting INEC to tick all the boxes even after its Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, assured all Nigerians that they were fully ready. As some commentators rightly noted, Professor Yakubu over promised and under delivered, whereas it should have been the other way round. Understandably, some hopes were dashed with the outcome of the presidential election results. As bad as INECs role may have been portrayed, we should not crucify the electoral body. But what exactly were the splintered opposition parties expecting? In a sense, when compared with the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was no longer a dominant party against the backdrop of the following breakaway groups: Peter Obi of the Labour Party; Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples party; and the G5 governors led by Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State. PDP scored an own goal when it gave Atiku Abubakar its presidential ticket against the partys zoning principle. The expectation was that power should shift to the South after President Muhammadu Buharis tenure. Secondly, it will be foolhardy to believe that the political capital that President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, amassed over the last 30 years including the risk to his life when he joined other democratic forces to fight the late General Sani Abacha, a tormentor and dictator, to a standstill would not count for something. The APC presidential candidate was always going to be a formidable force despite the wide-ranging and stinging efforts by his traducers to damage his chances. Thirdly, Asiwaju Tinubu, in my view, had the best resourced campaign in terms of stakeholder management, messaging, media outreach, mobilisation and broad appeal. He also achieved more top-of-mind awareness than the other candidates. Peter Obi benefitted largely from the protest votes mostly from young Nigerians against APC and politicians who generally do not keep their promises. He represented an organic and vibrant third force that was not his creation. Obidients believed strongly in him as the much-awaited messiah. After 16 years of PDP and eight years of APC, the general feeling was that life was not getting better but it was doubtful if Obi was ever going to achieve the critical mass needed for a pan-Nigerian mandate at the first attempt under a new party. He should have stayed back in PDP and worked with others (North and South, Christians and Muslims) for the presidential ticket to be zoned to the South-East region. Maybe, the story could have been different. But Obi must note that other parties also have their supporters and followers in a country where identity politics is the main meal on the menu. There are so many Obidients who are disappointed that Obi did not win after investing raw emotions into his campaign. Chimamanda Adichie, a prolific writer and our highly respected global brand ambassador, whom I admire greatly as a public intellectual, is one of them. I want to assure her that Nigeria will not remain in a hard place forever. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (Baba Iyabo) and Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the Afenifere chieftain, are also disappointed. Overall, Labour Party recorded impressive and significant victories that the party and Obidients can build on in the future. In a typically dysfunctional environment in which we operate, how was it possible for INEC to score 100% with the process of accreditation and collation of results? I concede that INECs overall score of the entire process could have been better, especially in the area of logistics management. But have you tried to transfer funds lately to see the gravity of the failure of the banking tech platforms? What of telephone calls that are usually frustrated by poor networks? Nonetheless, these shortcomings should not be excuses for the delayed delivery of election materials to any part of Nigeria for the exercise because getting the job done does not require rocket science. If voting commenced at the same time nationwide, which is possible, it would have earned INEC a huge approval rating. Even if we account for unforeseen circumstances, delayed voting can still be managed to the barest minimum. Report after report condemned the late deployment of election materials and the incompetence of some INEC officials and those who allegedly compromised the voting process. There are professional events management and activation agencies that INEC can work with under the auspices of the Experiential Marketing Agencies of Nigeria (EXMAN) to achieve a seamless experience with voting materials arriving on time for 93 million voters in all the 176,606 polling units nationwide. Using a mapping model and optimisation theory, 45 EXMAN agencies with excellent track records of performance working with INEC as consultants can manage the entire voting process, where all the polling units will serve as experience touch points in the 774 local government areas. Each agency may be assigned a cluster of 18 local government areas and 4,000 polling units. If you break down these figures further, you will have an average of 223 polling units for each local council and 550 voters for each unit. INEC needs to correct the anomaly whereby some polling units had less than 300 voters and by the time you walk a few metres away, the next polling unit will have over 1,000 voters. That is poor distribution that disregards the law of averages and cluster mapping. No polling unit should have more than 550 voters each based on 93 million registered voters across 176,606 polling units so that voting can start and end on schedule. It means there will be no late night voting whereby torch lights or headlamps of vehicles are used or extension of the exercise to the following day The primary objective is to ensure that no voter is disenfranchised in the absence of violence. By the way, who recruits thugs? Is it INEC? Your guess is as good as mine. From available data, less than 40% of registered voters usually turn up to vote. Voter apathy is still a huge challenge in our elections. Assuming 50% of the registered voters show up (for the 2023 general elections, that would be about 47 million voters), each polling unit will not have more than 275 voters, which will reduce logistics management of election materials and voters by half. I am aware the president of EXMAN, Tunji Adeyinka, is willing to lead his colleagues to make a formal presentation at the invitation of INEC to sort out these re-current logistics nightmares in subsequent elections. To illustrate the point further, there was a time a well-known milk brand sold in every part of Nigeria sponsored a national mathematics competition for secondary schools for 15 years back-to-back. The exam had the distinction of being scandal-free including leakages that would have compromised the integrity of the competition and damage the image of the brand. One of the EXMAN agencies was tasked with the organisation of the competition. The maths exam was for junior and senior secondary schools in two parts (theory and objective), in line with the WAEC syllabus. The first stage exam held for both categories in all the 36 states and Abuja at the same time on the same day in more than 200 centres nationwide. Each state had a minimum of three centres, on the basis of the senatorial zones. It meant that sealed question papers and answer sheets were distributed a few days to the exam weekend with non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) signed by all the relevant partners. The answer sheets were then sent to the examiners in Lagos. After assessment, the best two students in each state and the FCT one each from the junior and senior categories and their teachers were invited to Lagos for the second stage exam. Usually, they would arrive on Friday and depart on Sunday. From the 74 students (37 students from JSS and 37 from SSS), the top 10 in each category and their teachers were invited to Abuja for the national prize-giving ceremony and lodged at Transcorp Hilton for two nights. It was an experience the students always looked forward to. Parents were also free to attend at their own cost. Were there challenges? Oh yes, the agency had a lorry load of them. Some school principals who wanted to win the top prizes at all cost hired mercenaries to write the maths exam. Such cheating efforts were anticipated and the affected schools were blacklisted. Now, if such school principals could devise schemes to cheat in much the same way some parents shamelessly procure question papers for their children in an equal-opportunity exam, is it surprising that some bad eggs may also have been recruited by INEC? We cannot set a different standard for INEC in a society where the prevailing code is to cut corners amid a culture of widespread impunity. The people INEC hires are our friends, brothers and sisters, colleagues and associates; they live with us and did not drop from the moon. If Nigeria is going to become a better place, everyone must take responsibility for his/her actions and not blame others. It does not matter whether the anomaly is voter suppression, ballot box snatching, vote buying or cheating in an examination what is bad is bad. Individually and collectively, let us stand up for what is right because no section of Nigeria is immuned from egregious behaviours that have eroded our values and damaged the moral fabric of society. Let us wait and see the improvements INEC will make on Saturday, 11 March when the gubernatorial and state houses of assembly elections take place. Ehi Braimah is a public relations strategist and publisher/editor-in-chief of Naija Times. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Where are the blacksmiths who would sharpen the swords of this generation and the next? Where are the blacksmiths, the leaders and fathers in the church who would restore holiness and purity to the church? Where are the blacksmiths, the leaders and fathers in the church who would kill greed and covetousness among ministers and restore the dignity and integrity of the church? It was Abraham Lincoln who once said, Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Traditionally, blacksmiths are associated with the sharpening of axes in the furnace of fire. The sharper the axe, the more effective the instrument. Conversely, the duller the axe, the weaker the axe. In fact, the book of Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, If the axe is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success. In this article, I refer to leaders and fathers in the gospel as the spiritual blacksmiths of heaven. They are the disseminators and interpreters of truth and doctrines. They are the leaders of the church in every generation. They are the ones entrusted with the responsibility to bake the souls of the next generation in the oven of truth and righteousness. They are the ones endowed with unique graces and capacities to travail in the place of prayer, until Christ is fully formed in the souls of the present generation and those coming after them. Sadly, for the nation of Israel, on the day it mattered most, there were no blacksmiths in the land to sharpen the swords of the soldiers. Where are the real blacksmiths that this generation desperately needs, those who will bake the souls of men in the fiery oven of the undiluted truth of Gods word without fear or favour? Pastors and church leaders whose ministries will produce the so much desperately needed revival fire that will break down the most hardened sinners and turn our churches into mini-crusade grounds Blacksmiths, the true ones whose passions are rooted in the protection and preservation of the sacred name of Christ and His will on earth, are thinning out in the body of Christ. For the most part, genuine blacksmiths have been replaced by compromisers and empire builders. Sadly, the remaining ones in town are already aging; they are thinning out. In a recent documentary by Evangelist Perry Stone, he stunned the audience when he released a heart-rending statistic: more than four hundred pastors passed away in the United States in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of who were the faithful blacksmiths of America. These were solid servants of God whose ministries were built on prayers and the word; men who understood prophecies and the heart of God. And to make matters worse, Dr Perry Stone went further to alert his audience that many more genuine servants of God in this blacksmith generation, have continued to depart this sinful world in a manner that seems like God is deliberately withdrawing the righteous leaders in preparation for what is coming upon the earth. Where are the real blacksmiths that this generation desperately needs, those who will bake the souls of men in the fiery oven of the undiluted truth of Gods word without fear or favour? Pastors and church leaders whose ministries will produce the so much desperately needed revival fire that will break down the most hardened sinners and turn our churches into mini-crusade grounds, where the rubber of truth meets the road of repentance. Where are the blacksmiths? The days of battle are coming upon the world. The clouds are gathering. The rain will soon fall. In the time of Israel, the day of battle came upon them at a time there were no swords in the hands of the Jewish soldiers, simply because there were no blacksmiths to sharpen their swords. At a time in the history of the United States, in the 17th century, God raised a blacksmith for the nation of America, by the name of Jonathan Edwards. He was the blacksmith who preached what is widely known as the greatest evangelistic message in modern history, sinners in the hands of an angry God. So it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan (1 Samuel 13:22). The day of battle Is coming upon the world, and very imminently from now. Prophecies upon prophecies are getting fulfilled at alarming rates. Prophetic clocks are ticking, tick tuck, tick, tuck, tick, tuck. Where are the blacksmiths? Where are the bakers of the souls of men in the oven of truth? At a time in the history of the United States, in the 17th century, God raised a blacksmith for the nation of America, by the name of Jonathan Edwards. He was the blacksmith who preached what is widely known as the greatest evangelistic message in modern history, sinners in the hands of an angry God. It was Dr David Jeremiah, while pondering on the backsliding state of the church, who recently said, this generation would make Jonathan Edwards sinners in the hands of an angry God message to be reworded into God in the hands of angry sinners. Sadly, for the Jews, the Philistines ensured that there were no blacksmiths in the land of Israel, leaving the Jews with the only option of sharpening their swords in the land of the philistines. What an irony! Sharpening your swords in the house of your enemy. Alas! Many of our pastors have now gone to the philistines to sharpen their sword, joining different occultic groups for power, fame and wealth. Many have now been totally subdued by mammon, to the peril of our nations. For the most part, many of their God-given blacksmiths failed them. Where are the blacksmiths who would sharpen the swords of this generation and the next? Where are the blacksmiths, the leaders and fathers in the church who would restore holiness and purity to the church? Where are the blacksmiths, the leaders and fathers in the church who would kill greed and covetousness among ministers and restore the dignity and integrity of the church? Where are the leaders and fathers who would restore love to the body of Christ, true love that births true compassion, empathy, sympathy, and ultimately, unity of faith and doctrine? Where are the blacksmiths? Ayo Akerele, a leadership and system development strategist, and minister of the word, writes from Canada and can be reached through ayoakerele2012@gmail.com. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerians are widely known to be a very opinionated people. We have strong opinions and are generally not shy to express our feelings. As a result in some cases, especially to people who dont come from our culture, we Nigerians often come across as lousy brats. Even though I have seen enough in my life time to admit that I would rather be a lousy brat than a timid cat. However, a lesson in temperance would be of immense benefit to our overall image as Nigerians. And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness 2Peter1:6 Please, dont get me wrong I admire our temperament and passion as Nigerians, but to become the best human beings we could be, it would benefit us to at times ask ourselves the question, COULD I BE WRONG? A major problem that I have encountered with an average European is that of timidity, shyness, hesitancy, insecurity, indecisiveness etc. Luckily for us Nigerians, these things are largely foreign to us. We tend to possess the opposite attributes. We as a people seem to be mostly confident, forceful, bold, dominant, domineering etc. As much as there are positives and negatives in both categories of character traits, wisdom tells us that we must examine ourselves to see where our weaknesses are so as to mend, adjust, reconstruct, recondition our character for our utmost productivity. One significant area where we Nigerians must work on our attitude is in our assumptions and responses. A typical Nigerian will averagely assume that he is right. We dont concern ourselves too much with finding out the facts most of the time. We rely mostly on our emotional convictions. Facts, statistics, details and standards dont often bother us too much. And if anybody tries to dispute or oppose our views, we cement our opinion with an avalanche of emotions, zeal, passion, all of which we have in abundance. Dear readers, if you are from Nigeria, you probably have seen a scene when two taxi drivers in the traffic come out of their cars and begin to prove their points with the help of their fists instead of their reasoning. I have even seen a situation when a driver stopped his car in the middle of the road to go slap the police who was directing the traffic because that one stopped him illegally in his opinion. As funny as it may sound, it is very pathetic especially considering the fact that the driver that slapped the Policeman is a Bishop of a famous church in Nigeria. I guess this Bishop is not familiar with the words of Robert Green that says tolerance is given to every other human being, every right that you claim for yourself Oh, what a world of difference it would make if we could only pause to ask ourselves the question, COULD I BE WRONG? The benefits of this question is enormous: It gives you a space to have a second thought It allows you to look for more arguments It gives you time to separate between your emotions and facts It gives you an avenue to give your opponent a benefit of the doubt. It allows you to see your imperfections and fallibility It saves you from assertiveness and presumptions It delivers you from illusions and self-deceptions It motivates you to research It allows you to hear the opponents opinions and views. It allows you to take note of your blind spots( those things you are not seeing) If I had been a person of a rather feeble mind, I could have been swayed by the very overly assertive comments from my so called followers. These people were very bold and direct in their assumptions that my position in regards to the Nigerian Presidential election was wrong. Each time I read such assertive, audacious, bumptious comments such as: Pastor Sunday, stop this thing youre doing, Who paid you to say all these things? , This Pastor has lost his mind , you are not a pastor , This man cannot be a man of God , You dont know what youre saying, Shut up your mouth , Political Pastor , Youre not living in Nigeria, you dont know anything about this country , You are a tribalist etc. I am left wondering why this people for a minute wont consider that they could be wrong. However, being a Nigerian myself and someone who has been through no small battles, I could understand where they are coming from. Nevertheless, I still want to help my compatriots become better human beings by opening our eyes to what we could improve in our attitudes and temperaments. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law Gal. 5:22-23. If we Nigerians, would ask ourselves more, the question, COULD I BE WRONG? That could lead us into looking for more facts. The only basis for response and actions should be truth or facts. Not emotions, not assertions, neither assumptions are enough reasons for any decision. No matter the feelings or opinions we might have about anything whatsoever, it would do us good to always give others and ourselves the benefit of the doubt. This is one quality that is not too popular with us Nigerians. We do not give ourselves nor others a benefit of the doubt. The most easily recognizable scenario of our National Assembly to an average Nigerian will be when the honorable members of the house were busy exchanging blows and throwing objects at each other. Why does this kind of thing happen? A Grand National disgrace on global television. It is normally because everybody assumes his or her judgment is right, as opposed to that of their opponent. If our honorable members of national assembly could have asked themselves that same question, COULD I BE WRONG? There would have been more serenity in our political life. To be continued Sunday Adelaja is a Nigeria born leader, transformation strategist, pastor and innovator. He was based in Kiev, Ukraine. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted two wives of Dansalama Adamu, the district head of Sarkin Kudu, in Ibbi Local Government Area of Taraba State. Sources in the community told journalists that the incident happened at midnight on Friday 3 February, when the gunmen forced their way into the palace of the traditional leader and abducted his family members. A source from the family, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said the wives are Sumayya and Maryam Ibrahim. The monarch was said to be travelling when the gunmen attacked his residence. The kidnappers have not contacted the family of the monarch to request a ransom, at the time of filing this report. The spokesperson of the Taraba State Police Command, Usman Jada, confirmed the incident and said some suspects were arrested by the police in connection with the abduction. Mr Jada also explained that efforts to rescue the abducted women are ongoing and that the suspected already arrested have provided useful information to the police which could lead to their rescue. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print At least, three people including a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), were killed by terrorists who invaded Maru, a town in Zamfara in an attack on Sunday morning. The terrorists also abducted several people. The DPO, Kazeem Raheem, was killed alongside his orderly, Rabiu Bagobiri. The leader of a vigilante group, Shehu Chaku, was also killed by the terrorists. A local, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said the terrorists invaded the local government headquarters minutes after 1:00 a.m. and blocked the four exits of the premises. He said they were in the town to abduct a local businessman, who owns a petroleum station. What happened was that the bandits followed him (the filling station owner) when he returned from Gusau to Maru. When he reached Maru, he went straight to his house and entered before they (bandits) came. When they reached the house and started shooting, he hid but they got his wife. She lied to them that he was not around, but they insisted that he was around. When she stood her ground, the bandits took her away alongside the house security watchman, he said. The source said the terrorists mounted roadblocks on all routes to avoid being caught unawares by security agents and vigilante members. He said the operation lasted for over an hour. Another source, Bello Sani, said the police divisional officer was killed outside the police station while he was waiting for some of his men. What I heard this morning is that the bandits divided themselves into groups, so when the DPO came out to confront them, they were some of the bandits outside the police station monitoring police movement. He came from his house to organize a team but when he came out of the police station, the bandits stationed there opened fire and killed the DPO and his orderly, he said. READ ALSO: Police kill alleged two gun runners in Zamfara He said the Saulawa area where the police station is located, was taken over by the terrorists from 1:00 a.m. to 2:15 a.m., and they shot sporadically to scare residents. To the best of my knowledge, only a handful of vigilante members stood against the bandits but even they (vigilantes) withdrew when the superior power of the bandits became obvious. The policemen were also scared after their leader (DPO) was gunned down, Mr Sani, who lives in the Saulawa area, told PREMIUM TIMES over the phone. Calls and SMS sent to the police spokesperson, Mohammed Shehu, were not responded to. Zamfara, like several states in the North-west and central part of the country, has been witnessing a series of terrorist activities leading to the death and displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has urged the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria to immediately comply with Fridays ruling of the Supreme Court on the naira redesign policy. The governor also accused the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, of misleading President Muhammadu Buhari on the policy. Mr Akeredolus reaction was contained in a statement he personally signed and issued on Friday in Akure. He said he received the Supreme Court ruling with great relief and commended the judges for their industry and courage. We enjoin the Federal Government to obey the ruling of the Supreme Court immediately as there is no other alternative open to it, he said. The CBN Governor and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice misadvised the President to assume powers of an Emperor answerable only to himself and no other authorities as enshrined in the law, Mr Akeredolu said. READ ALSO: It is deplorable to witness small businesses collapse with unbelievable rapidity. We have been regaled with tales of the dehumanisation of ordinary Nigerians who have been forced to strip themselves naked in banking halls weeping to be given their monies kept with the banks. Some have lost their lives, needlessly, for being unable to access their deposits in the banks upon demand. The Governor of the CBN acted most irresponsibly when he claimed to be exercising powers, which the CBN Act does not invest in his office. He was quoted as saying that he was fighting corruption, money laundering and vote-buying. He acted, ultra vires, goaded by his political permutations. The AGF equally misled the President to act beyond the limits of his executive powers. Nigerians have been punished unduly. As the Supreme Court has pronounced, the law must be allowed to rule. There are statutory functions allotted to bodies in the 1999 Constitution, as amended. These bodies must be allowed to exercise those functions. Anyone purporting to act in contravention of the extant laws does so, either ignorantly or mischievously. The letters of the law are simple and understandable if the people in authority embrace less mischief. While urging the federal government and the CBN to obey the apex courts ruling, the governor said the Ondo State Government will not hesitate to proceed against persons and institutions whose activities impede its ability to discharge statutory obligations to the people. There is no justification for the pains to which our people have been subjected for obvious political reasons, he added. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Supreme Court on Friday nullified the withdrawal of the N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes from circulation, describing it as illegal. A seven-member panel of the court led by John Okoro said in a unanimous judgement that President Muhammadu Buhari issued the directive without consultation. The court held that the federal government ought to have consulted with the state governments through the relevant bodies such as the National Council of States and the National Economic Council before embarking on such a policy. It also issued an order nullifying the withdrawal of the old Naira notes from circulation and extended their legal tender status till 31 December. The court also described as illegal the withdrawal limits set by the CBN. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Marcos Colon has used documentary film to engage significant questions about surviving the consequences of capitalist development, the impact on the earth, and indigenous peoples. Colon recently released a deep inquiry into the effects of savage development in the Amazon. Stepping Softly on the Earth (2022, 75 min) begins with a voice reminding viewers, "We exist only because the earth allows us to live. She gives us life. Nothing else gives life. That is why we call her "Mother Earth." As reported by Amazonian Latitude, "With accounts from Ailton Krenak, Katia Silene Akratikateje, and other leaders, the production follows stories from the Amazon that aim to delay the end of the world. Filmed on location in Peru, Colombia and Brazil, the documentaryprovides an answer for a possible future for humanity, with an alternative far from destruction and based on the ancestral life of native populations." As reported by Amazonian Latitude, Stepping Softly on the Earth "focuses its narrative on three Indigenous leaders who are survivors of the capitalist war in the Amazon, and who struggle to keep alive their ways of being and coexisting in the world without destroying itWith accounts from Ailton Krenak, Katia Silene Akratikateje, and other leaders, the production follows stories from the Amazon that aim to delay the end of the world. Filmed on location in Peru, Colombia and Brazil, the documentaryprovides an answer for a possible future for humanity, with an alternative far from destruction and based on the ancestral life of native populations. the documentary also features the music of the renowned artist and former Minister of Culture of Brazil, Gilberto Gil, who sings knowledge of the forest, a valuable and vital environment for the survival of the planet, one that contains the answer to the crises caused and faced by humanity." The trailer is available in English and Portuguese here. Colon's first documentary,Beyond Fordlandia(2017, 75 min), is an "environmental account of Henry Ford's Amazon experience decades after its failure. The story addressed by the film begins in 1927, when the Ford Motor Company attempted to establish rubber plantations on the Tapajos River, a primary tributary of the Amazon. This film addresses the recent transition from failed rubber to successful soybean cultivation for export, and its implication for land usage." Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford's Forgotten Jungle City, by historian Greg Grandin, was a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize. A stunning history of rapacious greed, American arrogance and ignorance, and capitalist extraction written in gripping prose that, as Robin Kelley might say, "sings." Grandin writes, "Fordlandia, as the settlement was called, quickly became the site of an epic clash. On one side was the car magnate, lean, austere, the man who reduced industrial production to its simplest motions; on the other, the Amazon, lush, extravagant, the most complex ecological system on the planet. More than a parable of one man's arrogant attempt to force his will on the natural world, Fordlandia depicts a desperate quest to salvage the bygone America that the Ford factory system did much to dispatch. As Greg Grandin shows in this gripping and mordantly observed history, Ford's great delusion was not that the Amazon could be tamed but that the forces of capitalism, once released, might yet be contained." Colon explains the film's back story that began as part of his graduate studies, "Beyond Fordlandia uses both historic and contemporary images to document the ecological, social and political impact left by Henry Ford on the Brazilian Amazon, which now, ninety years later, is paving the way from jungle to the industrial scale production of soybeans." Check out the trailer here. Ahead of Saturdays governorship and State House of Assembly elections, nine political parties have thrown their weight behind the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladipupo Adebutu, in Ogun state. The parties announced the development at a programme they held in Abeokuta, the capital of the state, on Friday. The incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun, is seeking reelection as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which won the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state on 25 February. Speaking at the programme, the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP, Adekunle Akinlade, admitted that the party cannot beat the APC at the polls without the collaboration and support of other political parties. Mr Akinlade further accused Governor Abiodun of planning to rig the elections. Mr Akinlade said: PDP alone cannot beat APC in Ogun State. We need to be ready to share. We need to collaborate with other parties. What is important is that we win and rescue Ogun State. This election, it is clear that Abiodun is going to rig. What happened last Saturday is possible again, but we will not allow them to do it again. This is why we need to collaborate to make rigging impossible for them. Rigging is possible where there is no collaboration. We cannot do it alone. The parties which declared support for the PDP are Accord Party (AP), Action Alliance (AA), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Peoples Party (APP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Because Of Our Tomorrow (BOOT party), African Action Congress (AAC), Young Progressive Progressive Party (YPP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The governorship candidate of the PDP, while addressing members of the nine parties, said the move became imperative following the outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly elections last Saturday. Mr Adebutu vowed that the PDP would not allow the APC to rig it out of the governorship election this time. He appealed to the parties to in truth work with the PDP to unseat the Governor. Mr Adebutu said: If we dont act our role and we allow him (Abiodun) again, if we allow him to fulfil his desire to be Governor, we would have failed and that will be the end of Ogun State, we would have lost the opportunity to save the State. If Peter Obi and Abubakar Atiku had worked together, we would have won the election even despite all the rigging and that is why we must have the confluence, we must have the association we are having today. We must unite, as pieces of one another we will not get anywhere. These people (APC) are in government, they have the power of incumbency, naturally, they have more money. READ ALSO: We can help save the situation by coming together and saving Ogun State. Nine parties plus PDP means 10, 10 of us joined together can make a success of it. We are all together and in being together we will all be co-partners in this movement, we must know that we are fighting for the life of our State, not only our political lives, we are fighting for the life of our State, we are fighting for the welfare and wellbeing of our people. We shall win because even where the system failed, we are ready to mend and plug the difference. We know what they (APC) did and we shall make sure what they did will not work this time. In his remarks, the chairperson of Action Alliance (AA), Sanyaolu Abayomi, said the parties decided to endorse Mr Adebutu after a thorough evaluation of the frontline candidates. At another programme on Saturday, the defeated House of Representatives candidate of the Labour Party, Tolulope Philips, also endorsed Mr Adebutu. Mr Philips contested the seat for Abeokuta South federal constituency but lost to the APC candidate, Afolabi Afuape. Speaking at the event, Mr Tolulope said he decided to work for Mr Adebutu because the Labour Party has no governorship candidate in the state. He described the PDP candidate as the most credible among the governorship contestants in the state. Labour Party has no governorship candidate. What we want in Ogun is progress. Dont consider Saturday, lets consider the aftermath. I didnt collect anything from APC and PDP. I am doing this because I want to get the dividend of democracy for our people in Ogun state. We must not allow our state to continue like this. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print HAMPTON, Va., March 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Appy Pie Connect , a leading cloud-based workflow automation SaaS, now supports an ever-growing range of AI-powered app integrations aimed at boosting productivity for remote workers. With work-from-home options on the rise, Appy Pie Connect recognized the need for streamlined business processes and efficient communication tools. Using Appy Pie, an AI-driven integration platform, remote workers and others can automate tasks, and collaborate seamlessly, by bringing together several popular apps and services on a unified dashboard. The platform features over 1000 app integrations , including popular tools like Slack, Trello, Asana, Zoom, Google Drive, and Dropbox. These integrations facilitate task automation, file and data sharing, and real-time collaboration from a single platform. For instance, by utilizing Slack and Trello integration, off-site teams can automate their workflow and enhance project management. Furthermore, the Asana and Google Drive integration enables users to create and organize tasks, share data, and coordinate with other team members within the same platform. The Zoom and Dropbox integration allows for smooth video conferencing and file sharing, making virtual meetings and interactions effortless. With Connect's AI integration platform, remote workers can be more productive, efficient, and connected, regardless of location. "We understand the challenges that off-site workers face, and we want to make their lives easier by providing them with powerful app integrations that help them work smarter, not harder," said Abhinav Girdhar, Founder and CEO of Appy Pie. "We believe that our app integrations will help businesses and their off-site, virtual, and hybrid employees save time, reduce stress, and increase productivity. By leveraging the power of AI, simplifying enterprise operations, and enabling seamless communication, we hope to empower teams in different locations to achieve more together," he added. Appy Pie Connect is a versatile tool for all employees across various industries and sectors. With a user-friendly interface and easy setup process, the platform helps teams and individuals improve their productivity and workflow in just minutes. It is a reliable and effective solution for remote workers looking to improve their work processes in today's fast-paced business landscape. About Appy Pie Appy Pie , a Trademark of Appy Pie LLP, is a no-code development platform that helps transform business ideas into reality without technical knowledge. It is an all-inclusive suite of the best no-code tools like an app builder, website builder, workflow automation platform, graphic design software, chatbot builder, help desk software, and live chat software. Appy Pie's App Maker has been recognized as one of the highest-rated app builders globally ( G2 ) for its unique features, ease of use, and affordability, and is considered one of the most comprehensive no-code application development software for businesses of all sizes ( Capterra ). Appy Pie is also the fastest-growing cloud-based DIY Mobile App Builder in the world ( GetApp ). For more information, please visit: https://www.appypie.com/connect Media Contact Abhinav Girdhar [email protected] +1 888 322 7617 SOURCE Appy Pie Huya Collaborates with Domestic and International Partners and Broadcasters to Implement CSR Initiatives GUANGZHOU, China, March 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On the evening of March 4, 2023, HUYA Inc. ("Huya" or the "Company"), a leading game live streaming platform in China, hosted the annual gala "HUYA Boom Night" at the Venetian Macao's Cotai Arena in Macao, south China. During the event, an exciting line-up of top celebrities and Huya's popular broadcasters put on memorable performances, delivering an unforgettable interactive experience to both onsite and online audiences. At the annual gala, Li Meng, Senior Vice President of Huya and Chief Executive Officer of Nimo TV, shared insights about Huya's efforts in applying the innovative "live streaming-empowered" model to public good in areas including rural revitalization, youth protection, intangible cultural heritage revival, cybersecurity, assistance for persons with disabilities, as well as environmental protection and animal conservation. He also presented awards for "Broadcaster of the Year for Positive Social Impact", "Partner of the Year for Public Good" and "Co-Brand of the Year for Public Good" to Huya's broadcasters and its domestic and international partners who have worked with the platform for years on the mission of building an ecosystem of positive social impact. Huya presented three major awards at the annual gala HUYA Boom Night Huya's practices to contribute to the greater good out of three goals During the "HUYA Boom Night", an event with the aim of conveying positive thoughts through live streaming, Huya, by way of a short-form video, took a nostalgic look back at its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts over the past five years. Take the "Let Your Dreams Set Sail" program that supports broadcasters with disabilities for example. The company, in cooperation with provincial disabled persons' federation, national public-raising foundation, NGOs, charitable talent agencies and others to provide the anchors with employment and entrepreneurial opportunities by helping them develop the skills and expertise needed to become qualified for the role. The innovative "live streaming-empowered" model has inspired and motivated a group of streamers with disabilities, including Qi Zai, who has changed his life by becoming a game streamer; and Jin Kai, who has created a wonderful future for himself by virtue of his optimistic attitude and strong personality. In addition, Huya produced a Live Streaming Handbook especially for its broadcasters with disabilities, making it the first live streaming platform in China to publish such a guide. "Huya rolled out the CSR initiatives out of three goals. The first goal is to achieve something that would benefit both the platform's users and the wider society. Secondly, we intent to raise individuals' awareness of social responsibilities through live streaming, a relatively advanced communication form to convey such messages. And the third goal is that we try to integrate various content genres with live streaming, in a way that may contribute to social management," said Li Meng, Senior Vice President of Huya and Chief Executive Officer of Nimo TV. Huya expands its efforts in initiating CSR activities by collaborating with partners worldwide In recent years, issues of sustainability, ecological civilization and biodiversity have received worldwide attention. The public's environmental awareness is also increased as they gradually realize the environmental issues and relevant hazards. Huya has succeeded in drawing the attention of large audiences to the importance of environmental protection and animal conservation by leveraging the innovative "live streaming-empowered" model in tandem with implementing its CSR initiatives globally. In 2022, Huya, by teaming up with domestic and international NGOs, including TRAFFIC, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), and the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), launched the "Protect Our Home Planet" campaign, aiming to raise public awareness of preventing and resisting illegal wildlife trade online, and promote harmony between human and nature. As part of the campaign, Huya rolled out a wild tiger conservation activity. Celebrities and e-sports broadcasters were invited to leverage their influence to give more visibility to the issue of wildlife conservation. Meanwhile, NGOs and e-sports broadcasters found it easier to establish the two-way communication with the netizens and convey the message of biodiversity protection and sustainability. One of the highlights of the campaign was the "Protect Our Home Planet" painting contest. It received hundreds of submissions, including creative works from illustrators and artists with autism, as well as amateur works from Huya's volunteers, broadcasters and fans, reflecting their own understanding concerning wildlife conservation while utilizing an entertaining approach. With Huya's international business Nimo TV allocating advantageous resources to Southeast Asia and the MENA markets, Huya plans to collaborate with partners both at home and abroad and make these CSR initiatives more diversified and inclusive, in a way to boost the engagement of domestic and international users through the application of the "live streaming-empowered" model. By creating diversified "live streaming-empowered" CSR content, HUYA broadcasters help build a greater ecosystem for positive social impact In addition to getting the message out about the importance of caring for people with disabilities, and protecting the environment and wildlife, Huya is also building a more comprehensive content ecosystem that conveys positive social impact. The effort has been reflected in several of the company's activities, including the "Keeping You Safe" themed event focusing on better education about safe behavior for youth, an online lecture on how to recognize and avoid becoming a victim of online fraud, as well as a featured program about raising awareness of the importance of conserving intangible cultural heritage. At the same time, by using virtual reality technologies, Huya set up a digital CSR initiative gallery at e-sports tournament live broadcasting, delivering an immersive viewing experience for e-sports audiences. This has opened up more possibilities for CSR activities while conveying the positive spirit of e-sports. Many of Huya's popular broadcasters are also doing their bit by exploring CSR-related content that users are interested in. Citing a few examples, on the Global Tiger Day in 2022, Zhang Daxian collaborated with IFAW to share knowledge with the audience on wild tiger conservation and their habitat protection during a live broadcast in an interesting manner. Sha Yu Yo, in his role as the exhibition ambassador for the "Protect Our Home Planet" painting contest, engaged with the audience and called on them to care for environment protection. To support farmers and agriculture, broadcaster Buqiuren, hosted a live broadcast, during which he promoted and assisted in the sale of produce from Wuhua County in Meizhou City, south China's Guangdong Province, with the result that more than 21,000 orders were placed. Another broadcaster Gu Ying helped sell produce from Xuwen County of Zhanjiang City in Guangdong Province, the "hometown of pineapples" in China, with daily sales exceeding 3.4 million yuan. Currently, an increasing number of broadcasters are joining Huya in its CSR initiatives. Huya invites more people and partners to join its CSR initiatives At the annual gala "HUYA Boom Night", Huya presented three important public good awards, with Zhang Daxian, Gu Ying, Buqiuren, Sha Yu Yo, Qing Wa and Wan Zi Yo being "Broadcaster of the Year for Positive Social Impact", CWCA, IFAW, and TRAFFIC being "Partner of the Year for Public Good", and LPL's charity arm "LPL Cares" being the "Co-Brand of the Year for Public Good". Even the smallest light matters when the night falls, while in joint efforts, everyone can step up to the plate and deliver extraordinary value. "We are looking forward to creating a social good model for the company that engages the platform itself, broadcasters, talent agencies, users, volunteers and NGOs so that we all can participate more in our CSR initiatives," added Li Meng. Based on its ongoing commitment to good causes, Huya has organized over 21,600 live streaming activities totaling up to more than 250,000 hours and spanning some 20 topics, along with participation from over 30,000 streamers. All these efforts have helped build a sturdy foundation for future CSR efforts, and Huya plans to continue producing more positive content by collaborating with its domestic and international partners, with the goal of fostering the healthy and positive development of the Internet through the implementation of CSR initiatives. About HUYA Inc. HUYA Inc. is a leading game live streaming platform in China with a large and active game live streaming community. The Company cooperates with e-sports event organizers, as well as major game developers and publishers, and has developed e-sports live streaming as one of the most popular content genres on its platform. The Company has created an engaged, interactive and immersive community for game enthusiasts of China's young generation. Building on its success in game live streaming, Huya has also extended its content to other entertainment content genres. Huya's open platform also functions as a marketplace for broadcasters and talent agencies to congregate and closely collaborate with the Company. SOURCE HUYA New five-year data presented at American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions (ACC.23) and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine reinforce the long-term safety and effectiveness of MitraClip for treating secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) reinforce the long-term safety and effectiveness of MitraClip for treating secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) Results show minimally invasive mitral valve repair in advanced heart failure patients reduces hospitalizations and deaths and provides durable reduction in the severity of MR Historically, advanced heart failure patients battling secondary MR (a leaky mitral valve caused by problems affecting other areas of the heart) have been challenging to treat as a result of limited therapy options ABBOTT PARK, Ill., March 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced late-breaking data for MitraClip, the leading therapy to treat leaky valves in people with mitral regurgitation (MR), that demonstrate long-term benefits of the device in patients battling heart failure. The five-year results from the landmark COAPT trial show MitraClip is safe and effective and can cut the rate of hospitalizations while improving survival for heart failure patients with severe secondary (or functional) MR, a condition which has historically been extremely challenging to treat. The results were presented at the American College of Cardiology's 72nd Annual Scientific Session together with World Congress of Cardiology (ACC.23/WCC) held in New Orleans (March 4-6, 2023). These data were simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Five-Year Results From the COAPT Trial In the COAPT trial, symptomatic heart failure patients with severe secondary MR (a condition in which a leaky valve caused by problems affecting other areas of the heart allows blood to flow back through the mitral valve) were randomized to receive treatment with MitraClip plus guideline-directed medical therapy or guideline-directed medical therapy alone. The primary results of the COAPT trial through two years found MitraClip to be superior to guideline-directed medical therapy in patients with significant secondary MR. Now, after five years of patient follow-up, data from the COAPT trial demonstrated even more substantial benefits for patients, including that MitraClip: Significantly reduced the risk of annualized hospitalizations by nearly half (33% per year vs. 57% in the control group) Reduced the risk of death by almost 30% (57% vs. 67% in the control group) Achieved durable MR reduction, with 95% of patients experiencing reduced MR from moderate-to-severe or severe (grade 3+ on a four-point scale) to mild or moderate (grade 2+) "Secondary mitral regurgitation is difficult to diagnose and manage, and is often associated with a poor prognosis," said Gregg W. Stone, M.D., director of academic affairs for the Mount Sinai Health System and professor of medicine (cardiology) and population health science and policy at the Icahn Mount Sinai, who served as co-principal investigator of the COAPT trial. "These five-year COAPT results further confirm that MitraClip is safe and effective at treating secondary MR in advanced heart failure patients, durably reducing hospitalizations and helping patients live longer." While primary MR is due to problems with the mitral valve itself, people with heart failure may develop secondary MR when the left chamber of the heart becomes enlarged, preventing the mitral leaflets from closing and allowing blood to flow backwards through the heart. Significant secondary MR can lead to reduced quality of life, recurrent hospitalizations and decreased survival. Prior to MitraClip, most heart failure patients with clinically significant secondary MR were treated with medication only. However, based on the strength of the primary results of the COAPT trial, in 2019 the FDA approved an expanded indication for MitraClip to treat secondary MR. "With nearly two decades of clinical experience in transcatheter mitral repair, Abbott's MitraClip has paved the way for innovation in helping people with mitral regurgitation, providing an alternative to surgery for patients who often need treatment to survive," said Michael Dale, senior vice president of Abbott's structural heart business. "These results reinforce that MitraClip plays a critical role in not only improving the symptoms of people with this serious heart condition, but also getting them back to living their fullest lives." Patients in the COAPT trial received the first-generation MitraClip, the world's first transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) device. Since the introduction of MitraClip, there have been advances in the device, with the fourth generation of the technology currently on the market, which can reduce MR further. More than 150,000 patients have been treated with MitraClip globally. For U.S. important safety information on MitraClip, visit http://abbo.tt/MitraClipG4ISI. About Abbott: Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews. SOURCE Abbott Findings presented at ACC.23 show XARELTO plus aspirin provides a 33 percent reduction in acute limb ischemia following LER, with consistent benefit demonstrated at 30 days, 90 days and up to three years Patients who undergo LER are four times more likely to experience acute limb ischemia, which can lead to amputation or death if left untreated1 XARELTO is the first and only anticoagulant approved in combination with aspirin for reducing the risk of major thrombotic vascular events* in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) TITUSVILLE, N.J., March 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson today announced data from a new prespecified analysis from the Phase 3 VOYAGER PAD clinical trial reinforcing the benefits of the XARELTO (rivaroxaban) vascular dose (2.5 mg twice daily plus aspirin 100 mg once daily) over standard of care (aspirin alone), demonstrating consistent benefit at 30 days, 90 days and up to three years following LER in patients with PAD. Lower extremity revascularization, also called peripheral revascularization, is a procedure that restores blood flow in blocked arteries or veins. This analysis of the VOYAGER PAD study showed XARELTO plus aspirin resulted in a 33 percent reduction in acute limb ischemia and a 15 percent reduction in major adverse limb and cardiovascular events, with or without dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). These latest XARELTO data were presented at the American College of Cardiology's 72nd Annual Scientific Session (ACC.23), hosted in New Orleans, Louisiana, March 4-6, 2023. "These data demonstrate an evolution in the medical therapy of patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization for symptomatic peripheral artery disease, where the addition of low dose rivaroxaban to antiplatelet therapy results in a 33 percent reduction in major adverse limb events both early and late and with a consistently favorable benefit risk," said Marc P. Bonaca**, M.D., Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado. "We hope these data assist clinicians in understanding how to implement antithrombotic therapy in practice and overall support initiation of rivaroxaban in the first days after revascularization regardless of whether or not DAPT is utilized." Following LER, patients with PAD are four times more likely to experience acute limb ischemia, or a rapid decrease in lower limb blood flow, which is often associated with long hospitalizations and high incidences of amputation, disability, and death unless appropriate treatment is given.1 Those treated with XARELTO plus aspirin after LER saw a 33 percent reduction in acute limb ischemia, with a trend toward greater benefit observed early (30 days HR=0.45; 95% CI, 0.240.85) versus late (>90 days HR=0.75; 95% CI 0.60-0.95). XARELTO plus aspirin was more effective than antiplatelet therapy alone in preventing acute limb ischemia after LER (Kaplan-Meier estimate from 0 to 90 days 1.02% vs. 2.10%, respectively, and 4.3% and 5.7% from 91 days to three years). The hazard ratio for the rate of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) major bleeding at 0 to 90 days was HR 2.01 (range 0.9-4.47) and from days 91 up to three years was HR 1.28 (range 0.82-1.99), neither of which were statistically significant. "These findings provide additional insights on the proven clinical utility of XARELTO for people living with PAD, particularly those who have undergone lower extremity revascularization," said Avery Ince, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President, Medical Affairs, Cardiovascular & Metabolism, Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC. "At Janssen, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advance science that can transform cardiovascular care for all." In August 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an expanded PAD indication for the XARELTO vascular dose (2.5 mg twice daily plus aspirin 100 mg once daily) to include patients following a recent LER due to symptomatic PAD. The XARELTO vascular dose is the first and only approved anticoagulant for PAD. XARELTO acts on a dual pathway inhibition (DPI) approach to target both clotting mechanisms, thrombin and platelet activation. About VOYAGER PAD The Phase 3 VOYAGER PAD study included 6,564 patients from 542 sites across 34 countries worldwide. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio and received either the XARELTO vascular dose (2.5 mg twice daily plus aspirin 100 mg once daily) (n=3,286) or aspirin alone (100 mg once daily) (n=3,278). Patients were stratified by revascularization procedure type (endovascular vs. surgical) and use of clopidogrel, which was administered at the treating physician's discretion. Patients were followed for a median of 28 months. The VOYAGER PAD study met its primary efficacy and principal safety endpoints, demonstrating the XARELTO vascular dose was superior to aspirin alone in reducing the risk of major adverse limb and cardiovascular events (composite outcome of acute limb ischemia, major amputation for vascular causes, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or cardiovascular death) by 15 percent in patients with symptomatic PAD after lower-extremity revascularization. The benefit of adding XARELTO to aspirin was apparent early, was consistent among major subgroups and continued to accrue over time. There was no significant increase in thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) major bleeding observed in patients treated with the XARELTO vascular dose compared to aspirin alone (Kaplan-Meier estimate at three years 2.65% vs. 1.87%, respectively). About XARELTO (rivaroxaban) XARELTO is a prescription medicine used to: reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in adults who have a medical condition called atrial fibrillation that is not caused by a heart valve problem. With atrial fibrillation, part of the heart does not beat the way it should. This can lead to the formation of blood clots, which can travel to the brain, causing a stroke, or to other parts of the body treat blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism or PE) reduce the risk of blood clots from happening again in adults who continue to be at risk for DVT or PE after receiving treatment for blood clots for at least 6 months help prevent a blood clot in the legs and lungs of adults who have just had hip or knee replacement surgery help prevent blood clots in certain adults hospitalized for an acute illness and after discharge, who are at risk of getting blood clots because of the loss of or decreased ability to move around (mobility) and other risks for getting blood clots, and who do not have a high risk of bleeding XARELTO is used with low dose aspirin to: reduce the risk of serious heart problems, heart attack and stroke in adults with coronary artery disease (a condition where the blood supply to the heart is reduced or blocked) reduce the risk of a sudden decrease in blood flow to the legs, major amputation, serious heart problems or stroke in adults with peripheral artery disease (a condition where the blood flow to the legs is reduced) and includes adults who have recently had a procedure to improve blood flow to the legs XARELTO is used in children to: treat blood clots or reduce the risk of blood clots from happening again in children from birth to less than 18 years, after receiving at least 5 days of treatment with injectable or intravenous medicines used to treat blood clots help prevent blood clots in children 2 years and older with congenital heart disease after the Fontan procedure XARELTO was not studied and is not recommended in children less than 6 months of age who: were less than 37 weeks of growth (gestation) at birth had less than 10 days of oral feeding, or had a body weight of less than 5.7 pounds (2.6 kg) IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT XARELTO? XARELTO may cause serious side effects, including: Increased risk of blood clots if you stop taking XARELTO. People with atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart beat) that is not caused by a heart valve problem (nonvalvular) are at an increased risk of forming a blood clot in the heart, which can travel to the brain, causing a stroke, or to other parts of the body. XARELTO lowers your chance of having a stroke by helping to prevent clots from forming. If you stop taking XARELTO, you may have increased risk of forming a clot in your blood. Do not stop taking XARELTO without talking to the doctor who prescribes it for you. Stopping XARELTO increases your risk of having a stroke. If you have to stop taking XARELTO, your doctor may prescribe another blood thinner medicine to prevent a blood clot from forming. Increased risk of bleeding. XARELTO can cause bleeding which can be serious and may lead to death. This is because XARELTO is a blood thinner medicine (anticoagulant) that lowers blood clotting. During treatment with XARELTO you are likely to bruise more easily, and it may take longer for bleeding to stop. You may be at higher risk of bleeding if you take XARELTO and have certain other medical problems. You may have a higher risk of bleeding if you take XARELTO and take other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding, including: Aspirin or aspirin-containing products Long-term (chronic) use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Warfarin sodium (Coumadin , Jantoven ) , Jantoven ) Any medicine that contains heparin Clopidogrel (Plavix ) ) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) Other medicines to prevent or treat blood clots Tell your doctor if you take any of these medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if your medicine is one listed above. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you or your child develop any of these signs or symptoms of bleeding: Unexpected bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time, such as: Nosebleeds that happen often Unusual bleeding from gums Menstrual bleeding that is heavier than normal, or vaginal bleeding Bleeding that is severe or you cannot control Red, pink, or brown urine Bright red or black stools (looks like tar) Cough up blood or blood clots Vomit blood or your vomit looks like "coffee grounds" Headaches, feeling dizzy or weak Pain, swelling, or new drainage at wound sites Spinal or epidural blood clots (hematoma). People who take a blood thinner medicine (anticoagulant) like XARELTO , and have medicine injected into their spinal and epidural area, or have a spinal puncture, have a risk of forming a blood clot that can cause long-term or permanent loss of the ability to move (paralysis). Your risk of developing a spinal or epidural blood clot is higher if: People who take a blood thinner medicine (anticoagulant) like XARELTO , and have medicine injected into their spinal and epidural area, or have a spinal puncture, have a risk of forming a blood clot that can cause long-term or permanent loss of the ability to move (paralysis). Your risk of developing a spinal or epidural blood clot is higher if: A thin tube called an epidural catheter is placed in your back to give you certain medicine You take NSAIDs or a medicine to prevent blood from clotting You have a history of difficult or repeated epidural or spinal punctures You have a history of problems with your spine or have had surgery on your spine If you take XARELTO and receive spinal anesthesia or have a spinal puncture, your doctor should watch you closely for symptoms of spinal or epidural blood clots. Tell your doctor right away if you have: back pain tingling numbness muscle weakness (especially in your legs and feet) or loss of control of the bowels or bladder (incontinence) XARELTO is not for use in people with artificial heart valves. XARELTO is not for use in people with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), especially with positive triple antibody testing. Do not take XARELTO if you or your child: Currently have certain types of abnormal bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking XARELTO if you currently have unusual bleeding. if you currently have unusual bleeding. Are allergic to rivaroxaban or any of the ingredients of XARELTO. Before taking XARELTO, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you or your child: Have ever had bleeding problems Have liver or kidney problems Have antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if XARELTO will harm your unborn baby. will harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment with XARELTO . Taking XARELTO while you are pregnant may increase the risk of bleeding in you or in your unborn baby. right away if you become pregnant during treatment with XARELTO . Taking XARELTO while you are pregnant may increase the risk of bleeding in you or in your unborn baby. Females who are able to become pregnant: Talk with your doctor about pregnancy planning during treatment with XARELTO . Talk with your doctor about your risk for severe uterine bleeding if you are treated with blood thinner medicines, including XARELTO . . Talk with your doctor about your risk for severe uterine bleeding if you are treated with blood thinner medicines, including XARELTO . If you take XARELTO during pregnancy, tell your doctor right away if you have any signs or symptoms of bleeding or blood loss. See "What is the most important information I should know about XARELTO ?" for signs and symptoms of bleeding. during pregnancy, right away if you have any signs or symptoms of bleeding or blood loss. Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. XARELTO may pass into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with XARELTO. Tell all of your doctors and dentists that you or your child are taking XARELTO. They should talk to the doctor who prescribed XARELTO for you before you have any surgery, medical or dental procedure. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you or your child take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some of your other medicines may affect the way XARELTO works, causing side effects. Certain medicines may increase your risk of bleeding. See "What is the most important information I should know about XARELTO?" HOW SHOULD I TAKE XARELTO? Take XARELTO exactly as prescribed by your doctor. exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change your dose or stop taking XARELTO unless your doctor tells you to. Your doctor may change your dose if needed. Your doctor may change your dose if needed. Your doctor will decide how long you should take XARELTO . . XARELTO may need to be stopped for one or more days before any surgery or medical or dental procedure. Your doctor will tell you when to stop taking XARELTO and when to start taking XARELTO again after your surgery or procedure. may need to be stopped for one or more days before any surgery or medical or dental procedure. Your doctor will tell you when to stop taking XARELTO and when to start taking XARELTO again after your surgery or procedure. If you need to stop taking XARELTO for any reason, talk to the doctor who prescribed XARELTO to you to find out when you should stop taking it. Do not stop taking XARELTO without first talking to the doctor who prescribes it to you. for any reason, talk to the doctor who prescribed XARELTO to you to find out when you should stop taking it. Do not stop taking XARELTO without first talking to the doctor who prescribes it to you. If you have difficulty swallowing XARELTO tablets whole, talk to your doctor about other ways to take XARELTO . tablets whole, talk to your doctor about other ways to take XARELTO . Do not run out of XARELTO . Refill your prescription of XARELTO before you run out. When leaving the hospital following a hip or knee replacement, be sure that you will have XARELTO available to avoid missing any doses. . Refill your prescription of XARELTO before you run out. When leaving the hospital following a hip or knee replacement, be sure that you will have XARELTO available to avoid missing any doses. If you take too much XARELTO, go to the nearest hospital emergency room or call your doctor right away. If you take XARELTO for: Atrial Fibrillation that is not caused by a heart valve problem: Take XARELTO 1 time a day with your evening meal. If you miss a dose of XARELTO , take it as soon as you remember on the same day. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. , take it as soon as you remember on the same day. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs: Take XARELTO 1 or 2 times a day as prescribed by your doctor. as prescribed by your doctor. For the 10-mg dose , XARELTO may be taken with or without food. , XARELTO may be taken with or without food. For the 15-mg and 20-mg doses , take XARELTO with food at the same time each day. , take XARELTO If you miss a dose: If you take the 15-mg dose of XARELTO 2 times a day (a total of 30 mg of XARELTO in 1 day): Take XARELTO as soon as you remember on the same day. You may take 2 doses at the same time to make up for the missed dose. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Take XARELTO as soon as you remember on the same day. You may take 2 doses at the same time to make up for the missed dose. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. If you take XARELTO 1 time a day: Take XARELTO as soon as you remember on the same day. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Take XARELTO as soon as you remember on the same day. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Hip or knee replacement surgery: Take XARELTO 1 time a day with or without food. 1 time a day with or without food. If you miss a dose of XARELTO , take it as soon as you remember on the same day. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. , take it as soon as you remember on the same day. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Blood clots in people hospitalized for an acute illness: Take XARELTO 1 time a day, with or without food, while you are in the hospital and after you are discharged as prescribed by your doctor. 1 time a day, with or without food, while you are in the hospital and after you are discharged as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose of XARELTO , take it as soon as you remember on the same day. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. , take it as soon as you remember on the same day. Take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Reducing the risk of serious heart problems, heart attack and stroke in coronary artery disease: Take XARELTO 2.5 mg 2 times a day with or without food. 2.5 mg 2 times a day with or without food. If you miss a dose of XARELTO , take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. , take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Take aspirin 75 to 100 mg once daily as instructed by your doctor. Reducing the risk of a sudden decrease in blood flow to the legs, major amputation, serious heart problems or stroke in people with peripheral artery disease, including those who have recently had a procedure to improve blood flow to the legs: Take XARELTO 2.5 mg 2 times a day with or without food. 2.5 mg 2 times a day with or without food. If you miss a dose of XARELTO , take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. , take your next dose at your regularly scheduled time. Take aspirin 75 to 100 mg once daily as instructed by your doctor. For children who take XARELTO: The dose of XARELTO depends on your child's body weight and will be calculated by your child's doctor. Your child's doctor will tell you if XARELTO can be given to your child with or without food. depends on your child's body weight and will be calculated by your child's doctor. Your child's doctor will tell you if XARELTO can be given to your child with or without food. The adult caregiver should give the dose. If your child is taking the tablet, the tablet should be taken whole and should not be split in an attempt to provide a lower dose of XARELTO . . If your child is taking the oral suspension, use the syringes provided in the original carton. The suspension will be prepared by the pharmacy. See the Instructions for Use included in the carton on how to properly give a dose of XARELTO oral suspension to your child. included in the carton on how to properly give a dose of XARELTO oral suspension to your child. Do not switch between the XARELTO oral suspension or tablet without first talking to your doctor. oral suspension or tablet without first talking to your doctor. If your child vomits or spits up: right after or within 30 minutes of taking the oral suspension, give a new full dose. more than 30 minutes after taking the oral suspension, do not give the dose again. Give the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. if vomiting or spitting up persists, contact your child's doctor right away. If your child misses a dose: If your child is taking XARELTO 1 time a day, give the dose as soon as you remember on the same day. If this is not possible, skip this dose and give the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. 1 time a day, give the dose as soon as you remember on the same day. If this is not possible, skip this dose and give the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. If your child is taking XARELTO 2 times a day, give the missed morning dose as soon as you remember. You may give the missed morning dose together with the evening dose. However, a missed evening dose can only be taken in the same evening. 2 times a day, give the missed morning dose as soon as you remember. You may give the missed morning dose together with the evening dose. However, a missed evening dose can only be taken in the same evening. If your child is taking XARELTO 3 times a day, skip the missed dose and give the next dose at the regularly scheduled time. WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF XARELTO? XARELTO may cause serious side effects: See "What is the most important information I should know about XARELTO?" The most common side effect of XARELTO in adults was bleeding. The most common side effects of XARELTO in children include: bleeding vomiting cough inflamed stomach and gut Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., at 1-800-JANSSEN (1-800-526-7736). Please read full Prescribing Information , including Boxed Warnings, and Medication Guide for XARELTO. Trademarks are those of their respective owners. Janssen and Bayer together are developing rivaroxaban. About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson At Janssen, we're creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We're the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity, and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular, Metabolism & Retina; Immunology; Infectious Diseases & Vaccines; Neuroscience; Oncology; and Pulmonary Hypertension. Learn more at www.janssen.com . Follow us at www.twitter.com/JanssenUS and https://twitter.com/JanssenGlobal . Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC, is part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of rivaroxaban. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC, any of the other Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2023, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. * Reduction of a composite of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, acute limb ischemia and major amputation of a vascular etiology. ** Dr. Marc Bonaca is the lead study author of the VOYAGER PAD analysis entitled "Consistent Benefit of Rivaroxaban Early and Late after Lower Extremity Revascularization" and was provided payment for his participation in the study; he has not been compensated for contributing to this press release. 1 Bonaca MP, Bauersachs RM, et. al. Rivaroxaban in Peripheral Artery Disease after Revascularization. N Engl J Med. 2020 May 21;382(21):1994-2004. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2000052. Epub 2020 Mar 28. PMID: 32222135. SOURCE Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson WASHINGTON, March 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) today announced that Sree Chaguturu, MD, has been named Chair-elect of the Board of Directors. Dr. Chaguturu is Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, CVS Health, where he leads the enterprise medical affairs organization spanning Aetna, CVS Caremark, CVS Pharmacy, MinuteClinic and Health Care Delivery. He has served on the ATA Board of Directors since December 2020. "I'm honored to be stepping into this role at such an exciting time for care delivery and telehealth," said Dr. Chaguturu. "Telehealth is a critical part of how we can improve access to quality, effective and safe health care for consumers." Dr. Chaguturu will become ATA Chair of the Board for a two-year term beginning in May 2024, succeeding Kristi Henderson, DNP, CEO, MedExpress and Senior Vice President of the Center for Digital Health and Innovation for Optum Health. Henderson will become Immediate Past Chair. "As we seek to transform care delivery into omnichannel care and make quality, technology-enabled healthcare more accessible, convenient and affordable, we are fortunate to have Dr. Sree Chaguturu, a respected physician-executive, leading the way for our industry," said Ann Mond Johnson, CEO of the ATA. "Sree is a strategic business leader, physician and an academic, and brings the confluence of those perspectives to every discussion. He will be instrumental in our efforts to advance telehealth as a trusted, clinically validated and accepted mode of care by both patients and providers." At CVS Health, Dr. Chaguturu is focused on advancing the highest possible clinical quality standards, improving health equity, increasing access to care, improving patient outcomes and reducing overall health care costs. He previously served as chief medical officer of CVS Caremark, the company's pharmacy benefits management (PBM) business, where he provided clinical oversight for the pharmacy benefits design strategy. Additionally, he has served as a trusted advisor to employer and health plan clients, their members and CVS Health colleagues throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Before joining CVS Health, Dr. Chaguturu was chief population health officer of Mass General Brigham, the largest health care system in Massachusetts. He led the system's accountable care organization and numerous clinical care delivery and innovation programs. Dr. Chaguturu was part of the leadership team at Objective Health, a McKinsey Solution for Healthcare Providers. Objective Health is a specialized group within McKinsey & Company that empowers healthcare providers to improve their performance and results. He is also a practicing internal medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Chaguturu earned his bachelor's degree in biology from Brown University and his doctorate of medicine from Brown University Medical School. He completed his internal medicine and primary care training at Massachusetts General Hospital. About the ATA As the only organization completely focused on advancing telehealth, the American Telemedicine Association is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to safe, affordable, and appropriate care when and where they need it, enabling the system to do more good for more people. The ATA represents a broad and inclusive member network of leading healthcare delivery systems, academic institutions, technology solution providers and payers, as well as partner organizations and alliances, working to advance industry adoption of telehealth, promote responsible policy, advocate for government and market normalization, and provide education and resources to help integrate virtual care into emerging value-based delivery models. SOURCE American Telemedicine Association (ATA) MERRIMACK, N.H., March 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yellowhead Helicopters LTD (Yellowhead) has selected CAMP Systems International, Inc. (CAMP), the leading independent provider of aviation management products and services, to provide Aircraft Health Management as part of CAMP's enterprise solution for its fleet of 48 helicopters. CAMP maintenance tracking, and integration with CAMP ERP software, provide a complete ecosystem from tracking and planning to maintenance execution and compliance from a single platform. "CAMP's ability to document compliance from start to finish was a strong determining factor in choosing the platform," says Jacob Forman. CEO at Yellowhead. "CAMP's capability to incorporate planning, maintenance activities, and compliance tracking within an advanced aviation software solution will provide an extensive benefit to Yellowhead's overall operations." Sean Lanagan, President of CAMP Systems, adds, "CAMP's unique ecosystem of integrated maintenance planning, ERP, and marketplace solutions enable leading aviation companies, such as Yellowhead, to streamline business operations with highly efficient workflows from a single provider. Our helicopter customers face a dynamic, competitive market where configuring aircraft to a specific mission quickly and safely is critical to their success. CAMP is proud to be a partner in meeting this challenge." Maintenance operations and planning are critical components of many helicopter operations. CAMP's enterprise solution provides integrated connectivity between planning, compliance, and maintenance activities eliminating costly, error-prone, and time-consuming manual processes. Bell, Leonardo, and every major business jet OEM recommend CAMP. About Yellowhead Yellowhead Helicopters Ltd. is a privately held Canadian company, based in BC and Alberta, that has been providing commercial helicopter services and solutions to the public, industry, and government since 1975. About CAMP CAMP is the leading independent provider of aviation management products and services with a proven track record of over 50 years. CAMP is committed to providing the highest quality products and services to the business aviation community across the globe. CAMP is privately held by Hearst . For more information about CAMP Systems, visit http://campsystems.com SOURCE CAMP Systems International, Inc. Larry Ray was recently sentenced to 60 years in prison, following his 2022 federal trial for charges of sex trafficking, extortion, and conspiracyhe was convicted on all counts. The case is truly bizarre and utterly disturbing. In a recent piece written published in Time, author Laura Zornosa summarizes what happened: In the fall of 2010, eight college sophomores at Sarah Lawrence College were excited to move in together at Slonim Woods Building 9, where each person had a single room. For Talia, Max, Dan, Gabe, Claudia, Juli Ana, Santos, and Isabella (and their friend Raven, who was dating Dan), it was a first real taste of independence. Talia's father, Larry Ray (born Lawrence Grecco), was about 50-years-old around the time he met his daughter's classmates. He had recently returned from prison and quickly began sleeping over in Slonim Woodson the couch or in Talia's roommultiple nights a week. He cooked and cleaned, making steak or buying takeout, and so no one really minded his presence. Almost immediately, Ray began to captivate and ensnare some of the groupTalia, Dan, Claudia, Isabella, Santos, and eventually Santos' sisters, Yalitza and Felicia. For years, they lived together (often in a cramped, one bedroom apartment) as Ray demanded attention, forced labor, money, and sometimes sex acts from them. In an older (2019) piece, featured in New York Magazine's The Cut, authors Ezra Marcus and James D. Walsh describe the destruction that the victims of his crimes have experienced: Larry has caused untold devastation in the lives of the people around him. Dozens of people contacted for this story refused to speak on the record for fear of Larry's retribution. For years, he has silenced his victims by intimidating them physically, psychologically, legally, and, when all else fails, by public shaming and harassment. "My intentions are honorable intentions," he says. "It's the way I've lived my life, even through 20 years of this." If you want to learn more about the case, here are two new resources. The first is a recent podcast from Wondery called "Devil in the Dorm: Inside the Sarah Lawrence Cult." The Wondery website describes the podcast: In late 2010, a middle-aged man moved into his daughter's college dorm and created what has all the hallmarks of a cult. Over the decade that followed, he extorted millions of dollars from vulnerable young adults through violence, psychological torture, and forced sex work. Actress and Director Elisabeth Rohm narrates Law&Crime's 6-part investigative series, which draws from thousands of pages of transcripts, exhibits, audio files, and video recordings from a federal trial and explores the actions and motives of Larry Ray. The second is a new docuseries, "Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence," which Hulu describes this way: Varanasi, March 5 : The Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has withdrawn its order banning the celebration of Holi inside the campus after it faced backlash from students, teachers and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The chief proctor of BHU said, "Regarding gathering at public place to celebrate Holi, the order issued on February 28, 2023, is being withdrawn in the light of the response received through social media and other means of communication. Everyone is expected to celebrate the festival of colours with due dignity in a cordial atmosphere." On February 28, a form was issued by the chief proctor of BHU stating that playing Holi or playing music at a public place in the university campus was prohibited and that action would be taken against those violating the norm. All the directors, faculty heads and administrative heads were told to inform the students about the order and ensure compliance with the order. The university drew the ire of students as well as teachers for bringing an order curbing the celebration of the festival of colours. The VHP also condemned the order. Vinod Bansal, a VHP spokesperson, said the university approved an iftar during Ramzan but is now rejecting the celebration of Holi. "Is this a circular or a Tughlaqi order? Has Hindu Vishwavidyalaya of Kashi started following the path of Jihadi Jamia? Jihadis oppose Holi in Jamia. Playing music is completely banned in Kashi and its Shiksha Mandir? Holi is not just a festival, it is also a mantra for social harmony around the world," Bansal tweeted. Meanwhile, after withdrawing the order banning Holi in the university campus, chief proctor of BHU added that only three places on the campus --- the hospital, the new Vishwanath temple and the roads --- are public places. The previous order banning Holi celebration held true only for these three places. "Students are playing Holi in the campus. There is no problem with this and so far, we have not received any complaint from any student. Kashi's Holi is world famous so one cannot imagine not having Holi celebrations in the university campus," said the proctor, adding that the previous order was misinterpreted. Latest updates on Holi Festival 2023 Unnao, March 5 : A 15-year-old alleged rape survivor has given birth to a baby boy at a government health facility in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district, police said. The hospital confirmed that the mother and the child were both healthy. The girl was admitted to the community health centre on Friday afternoon. The survivor's family members told reporters that a 17-year-old youth living in the vicinity of their locality had raped her about nine months back. "He had threatened her that he will kill her if she revealed about the rape to her family members," they said. The family learnt about her pregnancy about five months back, when she complained of abdominal pain. The family took her to a gynaecologist, who later confirmed her pregnancy following a medical examination. Thereafter, her family members lodged a police complaint. Subsequently, the police detained the accused and sent him to a juvenile jail in Lucknow. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Shashi Shekhar Singh, said that the family had lodged a complaint five months back against a minor. "Police took him into custody and after questioning, sent him to juvenile jail in Lucknow. Both the rape survivor and her child are healthy. A deployment of policemen has been made at the hospital for their security. Police will take further action as per the law." Prayagraj, March 5 : Two minor sons of mafia-turned-politician MP Atiq Ahmad have been arrested and sent to a juvenile home at Khuldabad in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj district. This information was given by a police official to a local court in Prayagraj on Saturday. Earlier, on March 2, the police department had denied having custody of the former MP's two minor sons -- Aizan Ahmad and Abaan Ahmad. In his report to the chief judicial magistrate's (CJM) court, Station House Officer (SHO) of Dhoomanganj police station, Rajesh Kumar Maurya, said that since both sons of Atiq were found 'roaming' about in the Chakia locality of Prayagraj and, as they were minors, they were sent to the juvenile home on March 2. The CJM while taking the police report on record has fixed March 6 for the next hearing of the case. Earlier, Atiq's wife, Shaista Parveen, in her application before the court of CJM Dinesh Kumar Gautam had alleged that her two sons were picked up by the police for questioning on February 24 after the killing of Umesh Pal, a key witness in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case. Atiq, his wife Shaista and brother Ashraf have been named as accused in the murder case. Shaista, in her application, had also alleged that her two sons' whereabouts are not known since February 24. Besides, no information regarding her sons was being provided by the policemen belonging to Dhoomanganj police station, she had said. She had requested the CJM to ask for a report from the Dhoomanganj police. Acting on this application, the CJM Prayagraj had on February 28, 2023, sought report from Dhoomanganj police of Prayagraj in response to the application moved by Shaista, seeking safe release of her two sons from the custody of the police. Former MP Atiq Ahmad has five sons. Two of them, Umar Ahmad and Ali Ahmad, are in different jails of the state in connection with different cases. The other three include Asad, Aizan Ahmad and Abaan Ahmad. The name of Asad was among the three that were added on Friday to the FIR registered in connection with the murder of Umesh Pal and his two police guards. Meanwhile, the police released Atiq's younger brother and former MLA Ashraf's wife Ruby and daughter after questioning. They were handed over to their lawyer after submission of personal bond. Lagos, March 5 : Nigerian troops have rescued 14 people who were being held hostage by bandits in the northern state of Kaduna, an official said. The rescue mission was carried out recently by Nigerian troops who embarked on an operation targetted at a hideout of the bandits in the Chikun local government area of the state, said Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Samuel Aruwan in a statement on Saturday. The troops overpowered the bandits and killed one of them while others fled in disarray, said Aruwan, adding that all the rescued were safe and will be examined further before being reunited with their families. The commissioner did not reveal the exact date of the operation, saying the hideout of the bandits has been destroyed by troops in the course of the battle, Xinhua news agency reported. There have been a number of armed attacks in Nigeria in recent months, resulting in deaths and kidnappings. Dar Es Salaam, March 5 : The Tanzanian police are holding three suspected poachers in connection with the killing of six elephants in the East African nation's Ruaha National Park between January 2022 and February 2023, an official said. Godwell Ole Meing'ataki, assistant conservation commissioner and commanding officer for the Ruaha National Park, told Xinhua over the phone that the suspected poachers were arrested on February 28 in the Iringa municipality by the Wildlife and Forest Force of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism in collaboration with the police, Xinhua news agency reported. The three suspects were found in possession of eight elephant tusks and six pieces of tusks, said Meing'ataki. "This means that they killed six elephants of different ages worth $90,000." Meing'ataki added that the suspects were also found in possession of one dagger, and a motor vehicle in which they ferried the tusks. Tehran, March 5 : The Iranian nuclear chief has said that Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have agreed to regulate their relations on the basis of the safeguards agreements. President of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami made the remarks in an address to a joint press conference with visiting IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Tehran following their meetings earlier on Saturday. Eslami said basing the two sides' relations on the safeguards agreements helps the IAEA be assured of Iran's nuclear activities and prevent any discrepancy or contradiction, Xinhua news agency reported. The AEOI President noted that the communication "should be in a way to build trust," adding the two sides should shield it from external interference so as to let cooperation and exchange continue in a "trustworthy manner" for resolving their issues. He revealed that the AEOI and the agency have agreed that the latter should take part in the 30th Iranian Nuclear Conference to know better about Iran's nuclear programme and the capabilities of the country's scientists. On the possibility of the issuance of an anti-Iran resolution in the next meeting of the IAEA Board of Directors, Eslami said should such a thing take place, Iranian authorities will definitely make decisions accordingly and the AEOI will act based on them. Grossi, for his part, said the IAEA is ready to continue its cooperation with Iran and seeks to have a "serious and systematic" dialogue with Iran, adding that the talks on the JCPOA's revival are on the agenda and will continue. The cooperation between the agency and Tehran and the "good agreement" the two sides are expected to reach will contribute to the JCPOA's revival, he noted. He condemned any military action against nuclear facilities and power plants anywhere in the world. He also gave the assurance that the IAEA has never been and will not ever be used as a political tool. In recent months, the IAEA has criticised Iran for its lack of cooperation with the agency. In November last year, the IAEA's Board of Governors passed a resolution proposed by the US, Britain, France and Germany that called on Iran to collaborate with the agency's investigators regarding the alleged "traces of uranium" at a number of its "undeclared" sites. Iran has repeatedly rejected such allegations and insisted on the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. Iran signed the JCPOA with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country. The US, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to reduce some of its nuclear commitments under the deal. The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Vienna. No breakthrough has been achieved after the latest round of talks in August 2022. Valletta, March 5 : Interior ministers of five EU Mediterranean countries has called for more EU solidarity on migration and more efforts to prevent irregular migration. At the end of the so-called "Med 5" ministerial-level meeting held in Malta's capital Valletta on Friday and Saturday, ministers of Malta, Greece, Italy, Spain and Cyprus signed a joint declaration. The meeting was held just days after a deadly migrant shipwreck off Italy. At least 64 migrants died on February 26 when their boat hit rocks near the coast of the southern Italian region of Calabria, Xinhua news agency reported. The five ministers agreed that more work needs to be done at a European level to address the root causes of migration and prevent irregular migration, according to the joint declaration released by the Maltese Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality. They reaffirmed their position on the need to "strike a balance between (EU) Member States' responsibilities on the one hand and the need for solidarity on the other," the joint declaration said. They also called for more efforts for "the establishment of a permanent and mandatory solidarity mechanism that factors the real needs of frontline Member States and ensures that these needs are fully met through the solidarity contributions". Lucknow, March 5 : For the first time, a smooth-coated otter (SCO) has been spotted in 929-km-long Gomti river on the Lucknow-Sitapur border by a team of Wildlife Institute of India (WII). In Uttar Pradesh, otters are generally found in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Katerniyaghat, Haiderpur wetland and Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary. According to WII expert Vipul Maurya, the team spotted the otter while they were carrying out an ecological assessment that is part of the project funded by the National Mission for Clean Ganga of the Union Jal Shakti Ministry. Maurya, who is leading the team, said, "There are no records of SCO ever being spotted in Gomti and we are excited to find one under Sitapur district border. The presence of otter in Gomti is of great significance, as it indicates that some patch of the river is still habitable." Government records suggest that 865 MLD of sewage discharge is directly pumped into the river daily from 68 drains and 30 industries from more than 150 villages. The 30 industries include seven sugar, two slaughterhouses, three textile or yarn dyeing industries, five engineering industries, three distillery units, and 10 industries of dairy, fertiliser, paper, food and beverages. SCO preys on fishes, shrimps, crayfish, crab, insects and vertebrates like frogs, mudskippers, birds and rats. They like rocky sections along rivers, as it offers places to build dens and relax. The marshes and bank-side vegetation along the river are utilised for foraging or moving. Maurya said, "The Maurya community near the Gomti river in Sitapur must be made aware of the value of aquatic ecosystems for both the preservation of species and their own survival, especially farmers and fishermen. Better educational possibilities should be made available to the local population." Maurya along with his team member Sumit Nautiyal, is working on Gomti river under the planning and management for aquatic species conservation and maintenance of ecosystem services in the Ganga river basin for the Clean Ganga project. Austin : , March 5 (IANS) A new WTA singles champion is guaranteed at the inaugural ATX Open, with Marta Kostyuk and Varvara Gracheva each reaching their first career final after registering wins over Danielle Collins and Katie Volynets in their respective semifinals, here. In the first semi-final, No.8 seed Kostyuk of Ukraine swept past No.4 seed Collins of the United States 6-4, 6-3. Coming into the event, 20-year-old Kostyuk had reached four previous semifinals at tour level, but had never converted any of those into a final appearance. That all changed with her 84-minute victory over 2022 Australian Open finalist Collins, in their first meeting. "Obviously a special moment, very emotional. I lost four semifinals prior to this match today, and I didn't know what to expect. Danielle is a great player, a great champion. Very happy that the match turned out this way today," World No.52 Kostyuk was quoted as saying by WTA after her win on Saturday. Another solid week for Kostyuk improves her 2023 win-loss record to 14-6 (including main draws and qualifying). This year, she has also reached quarterfinals at Adelaide International 1 and Hua Hin, as well as the third round of the Australian Open. Kostyuk had a level ratio between winners and unforced errors, with 17 apiece, while Collins' 13 winners were outpaced by 21 unforced errors. Kostyuk converted four of her seven break points on the day while only losing her serve once. In the second semi-final, the 22-year-old Gracheva overcame 21-year-old Volynets 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in a clash between two players who were both seeking their first WTA singles final. From 4-2 down in the third set, Gracheva reeled off four games in a row to claim the 2-hour and 24-minute win and move into a breakthrough final. Her only previous WTA semifinal came at Chicago in 2021. World No.88 Gracheva started the event with a huge upset, taking out No.1 seed and 2023 Australian Open semifinalist Magda Linette in the first round. Three of her four wins this week came in three sets. On Saturday, Gracheva led by a set and a break at 6-4, 2-1 before World No.92 Volynets battled back to level the match at one set apiece. Volynets broke first in the third set to lead 3-2, and she put herself two games away from the win with a rally forehand winner to hold for 4-2. But Gracheva slammed her own rally forehand winner square on the baseline to get back on serve at 4-4, and she took charge from there, drawing errors from Volynets in the final game to break serve again and make the final. The pair combined for 17 breaks of serve, with Gracheva garnering one more service break than Volynets to ultimately make the difference. Looking ahead to the final, Kostyuk has a slim 3-2 lead in her head-to-head with Gracheva. However, Gracheva won their most recent meeting, which was the 2021 Chicago quarterfinal that put Gracheva into her sole prior WTA semifinal before this week. The whiteboards in their dorm rooms at DYouville University say a lot in few words. In a corner of hers, 17-year-old Anastasiia Horova wrote herself a little pep talk in Ukrainian. Loosely translated, it says It is going to be very difficult, but nothing is impossible. The word IMPOSSIBLE is capitalized in English, followed by Anything is possible and a smiley face. Yaroslav Malynych, 18, wrote a brief to-do list on his: Credit union. Driver license. Internships. He crossed out credit union when he applied for a credit card last week. He put two hashmarks after internships. I am seeking a summer internship, and I applied for two and already got rejected, said Malynych, a chemistry major. Its hard. Horova and Malynych are among 11 students from Ukraine who arrived at DYouville last fall to study in a safer place than their homeland after Russia invaded it on Feb. 24, 2022. DYouville quickly responded by offering to sponsor at least 10 students a year from Ukraine to pursue college away from the dangers of war. DYouville offers Ukrainian students safe, 'normal' education in wartime DYouville joins at least 120 other U.S. universities in providing assistance to Ukrainian students seeking refuge while pursuing higher education. According to Reuters, more than 150 U.S. colleges and universities have made special efforts to assist Ukrainian students, in some cases even paying for their flights out of Ukraine. The Ukrainian students at DYouville are receiving full tuition, room, board, work-study jobs and support services like counseling and tutoring. The Buffalo News is following two freshmen who made the leap to escape the war through their first year of college while their families and homeland endure Russian aggression. Of the 11 Ukrainian students who live on the same floor of DYouvilles Marguerite Hall, Horova and Malynych were the only two who traveled to see their families over the recent holiday break. They were able to bring gifts, spend time with loved ones and miss the deadly blizzard that struck Buffalo while they were away. Back at school for the semester that started Jan. 17, they described holiday fun, bittersweet goodbyes and trying to focus on future goals with a war at the back of their minds. Meeting in Berlin Horova spent her break in Germany because her parents refused to let her come home. Their town of Kryvyi Rih in southern Ukraine has suffered attacks by Russian cruise missiles that killed several civilians last year and damaged infrastructure since. Horova stayed with her sister, Elizabeth, 27, and brother-in-law who live in the Weissensee region of Berlin, and their mother took a bus to join them for a couple of weeks. They followed traditions of celebrating Christmas after New Years, enjoying fireworks shows, making holiday staples like crabstick and corn salad, and playing games every night, she said. She brought distinctly American gifts a Darth Vader hoodie for her brother-in-law and a Harry Potter "Catch the Golden Snitch" game for her sister, which turned out to be dangerous, she said. You have to catch the Golden Snitch when it comes out of the box, and it can hurt you," she said. My mom is competitive and she hit her forehead on the table trying to catch it. Her mom brought her several pounds of her favorite Roshen candies, some of which came to DYouville to be shared with friends. Her sister printed a bunch of family photos that now hang under the whiteboard at the foot of her bed. For Ukrainian students at DYouville, home for the holidays has special meaning As most of their fellow college students head off to safer homes, Anastasiia Horova and Yaroslav Malynych are among 11 Ukrainian students at DYouville who had to make tough choices about how to spend their holiday break this year. Whether with her family or at school, she said she avoids discussing the war. I am trying not to go deep into this topic because it really influences badly on my nervous system, she said. A visit home Malynych did go home to Ukraine. His native city of Lviv in western Ukraine is mostly undamaged by the war except for attacks on its electrical grid. Lviv is among many areas of Ukraine enforcing scheduled blackout times to save energy for emergency outages. We had power outbreaks scheduled four hours on and four hours off, so it added some difficulties because you have to fit in your activities when you have electricity, Malynych said. When it is warmer out, you dont need as much heat, so you can use more electricity. When its colder, it is opposite. A big change from when he left last August is also related to the outages. All the commercial buildings have generators, so when you are walking downtown, every single shop has a generator going, he said. So its really loud. His trip home was special because it represented a last chance to see his parents and brother before he turned 18 on Jan. 14. Under martial law, Ukrainian men age 18 to 60 are banned from leaving the country in case they may be called to fight. His brother, Ross, 29, is in that situation. Yaroslav left Buffalo Dec. 12, flew to Warsaw via Copenhagen and took a bus to Lviv, arriving at 4 a.m. Dec. 14 to a tired but happy reunion. He spent most of his break relishing family time, home-cooked meals and adventures including driving lessons on Lvivs narrow streets and a snowy, daylong hike with his brother on one of Ukraines highest peaks, Petros, elevation 6,627 feet. It took us four hours to go up and a little less to come down, he said. My whole left side was covered in ice. Like Horovas family, the Malynychs celebrated Christmas on Jan. 7, a Russian tradition from before Ukraine gained independence in 1991. But because of the war, the Ukrainian Orthodox church gave congregants permission to celebrate Dec. 25 as a way to break from Russia. Next year we will convert it to Dec. 25 like you guys, Malynych said. Three days before his birthday, on Jan. 11, his parents drove him to Warsaw, sightseeing along the way. For his party, they rented a house and several of his friends who are attending colleges in Poland to escape the war came to celebrate. He blew out 18 candles on a fruity cream cake Jan. 14 and got on a flight back to the states the next day. He described their goodbye as emotional but grateful. Of course they miss me, but they know its my life at stake and its better for me being here, he said. He arrived back to a room of his own because his American roommate, who became a close friend, transferred to the University at Buffalo. Now he is immersed in 8 a.m. classes, chem lab, a research project to develop a more energy efficient battery and his work-study job staffing an information desk 10 hours a week. In between he joins friends on excursions, like a recent hike at Eternal Flame Falls in Orchard Park. Hes been studying the New York State driver's manual and hopes to get his license by summer, which may take some help from friends with cars. My friends are not fond of it because they know I like to drive fast, he joked. A new major As for Horova, she realized by the end of her first semester that her nursing major doesnt excite her, so she plans to apply to DYouvilles physician assistant program for the fall. That means carrying 18 credits this semester, including a particularly challenging biology practical that involves visiting 20 stations to answer 60 questions at a speed of three per minute. Even if you know something, you freeze because its so intense that you get nervous and forget, she said. She tries to take the edge off her stress through game nights with friends and running track, which has taken her to meets in New York City and Ohio. She misses her dog, a Pomeranian named Fanta, and dreams of somehow bringing him to Buffalo. Her whiteboard helps her stay on track, especially on days that include the dreaded biology practical. On a recent Tuesday, it read, 11-13 practical, 13-15 crying + lunch? Translation: Bio practical from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. From 1 to 3 p.m., she may or may not eat lunch. But she definitely will need time for a cry. New Delhi, March 5 : Rajya Sabha member and former Congress leader Kapil Sibal will unveil his vision document on March 11 to call for opposition unity. Sibal has appealed to all the opposition parties to support his endeavour. Ahead of the 2024 general elections, Sibal is trying to carve his space independently in the political setup as there is a churning going on and no political platform has evolved yet that can put up a challenge to the Modi-led NDA. On the alliances, Rahul Gandhi during an interaction in London said, "you will see a surprise". In the opposition, many leaders are trying to forge a new formulation, be it BRS's K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Trinamool Congress' Mamata Banerjee or Janata Dal (U)'s Nitish Kumar. And, Sibal is the newest entrant to this club now. A senior lawyer and former Union Minister in the Manmohan Singh-led UPA, Sibal has been a trouble-shooter for many political parties, and he is engaged in fighting their cases in various courts. Some of these parties include Uddhav Shiv Sena, Samajwadi party, RJD, JMM and many others. This could be alarm bells for the Congress, which in Raipur passed a resolution on alliance about taking along the like-minded parties. But, it may take some time to reach out to the opposition parties formally. Sibal on Saturday announced that he will launch a website, titled 'Insaf ke Sipahi', to help citizens fight against injustice and appealed to the opposition Chief Ministers and parties to help him in the initiative. Addressing a press conference here, Sibal said during the official launch on March 11 at the Jantar Mantar, he will also unveil a vision document for the country. He asserted that this was not a political move but a catalyst for change. "Any change which had been brought in the country, lawyers were at forefront and now I want to ask why lawyers are silent?" he said. The Independent MP said lawyers should raise their voices, adding that "I want to start a movement as there is injustice everywhere be it business, journalism, people and opposition". He said in the country there will be lawyers standing in every corner to help the public on every issue. Sibal alleged that the elected government have been destabilised and that among 121 cases of the ED, 115 are against the opposition leaders. Jaipur, March 5 : The ongoing power tussle within the BJP in Rajasthan once again came to the fore on Saturday with two factions within the party -- one headed by former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and the other by state BJP President Satish Poonia -- displaying show of strength with two major programmes. At the Salasar Balaji Dham in Churu district, Raje addressed a large gathering after offering prayers at the Balaji temple there to mark her 70th birthday celebrations, which fall on March 8 but was advanced in the wake of Holi (March 8). On the same day, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of BJP, organised a protest march against the burning issues of frequent paper leaks and rising unemployment in the state, which was led by Poonia. Both the groups were busy calling the party workers to attend their respective programmes, leaving them confused. While Poonia's supporters were seen calling the BJP workers to gherao the CM's house in Jaipur, those in the Raje camp called upon the BJP workers to join her birthday celebrations in Salasar. Due to the ongoing 'cold war' between Raje and Poonia, the party workers were left clueless as to which faction they should support. A leader from the Raje camp rejected the claims that she was showing her strength with her birthday celebrations, saying that the former Chief Minister did not go on a religious pilgrimage for the first time on Saturday. On the other hand, a leader from the Poonia camp said that the agitation in Jaipur on Saturday drew party workers from all over the state, so why should it be termed as a show of strength. According to another Raje supporter, she has been the national Vice President of the BJP besides being a two-time former Chief Minister, so many BJP workers came to greet her which does not mean that she was displaying a show of strength. When all eyes were set to see which faction comes out stronger, a BJP MLA said that the "top party leadership should now work to end this faction". "We need a united party. This show of strength will prove disastrous for the BJP in Rajasthan," said the MLA, who did not wish to be named. Chennai, March 5 : The Tamil Nadu Police have commenced an awareness drive among the migrant workers of industrial units in Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Madurai and other parts of the state to curtail the fear that they are being attacked by Tamil locals. This is following the appearance of a couple of false videos about the attack on the migrant workers in the state. Situation was not good in Coimbatore, the industrial hub of Tamil Nadu, where a large number of migrant workers are employed in the MSME units. Immediately after the videos of brutal assault were shared on social media platforms, the families of these migrant workers were making panic calls to them to return to their native places. Sufikkar (38), who is from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh and employed as a CNC operator in an MSME unit while speaking to IANS said, " I know that I am safe here in Tamil Nadu and this state has given me everything in life. I will stay here, but my family including my mother and wife, are calling me frequently to come back and hence I am going back for a couple of weeks. I can also celebrate Holi on these days." The Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP), C. Sylendrababu has directed all district police chiefs to create awareness among the migrant workers in the industrial and other areas of the state and to communicate to them of the strong action police that was being taken against the rumour mongers. A senior officer of the Coimbatore police while speaking to IANS said, "There is a clear message from the DGP that we must curtail such a campaign against Tamil Nadu and the best thing to do is to communicate with the migrant workers and prevent any exodus from the state. Of course, a large number of migrant workers are going to North Indian states to celebrate Holi. But there are some people who are trying to project this as an exodus from the state fearing attack which is not correct." The Tamil Nadu Police have already registered criminal cases against the Editor of Dainik Bhaskar newspaper for spreading false news on attacks against migrant workers. The Tamil Nadu Police headquarters in a statement on Saturday said that the Tirupur North police station booked the Editor of Dainik Bhaskar under IPC Sections, 153A and 505. According to the statement, the Editor of the newspaper will have to explain where they got the news from and whether they verified it. Police said that bigger newspapers should behave in a more responsible manner. The Tiruppur police also booked one Tanveer Ahmad of Tanveer Post under various sections for spreading false news. In a related development, the Thoothukudi police booked the spokesman of the Uttar Pradesh BJP, Prasanth Umrao under six sections of IPC for spreading rumors. Police sources in Tamil Nadu told IANS that the BJP leader was absconding. With the police taking stringent action and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin himself spoke to the media that strong action would be taken against perpetrators of false news, so the migrant workers can feel safe in the state. Latest updates on Holi Festival 2023 New Delhi, March 5 : Karnataka BJP stalwart B.S. Yediyurappa turned 80 on February 27. And on this occasion, or one that coincided with it, he also received a special gift from none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the inauguration of Shivamogga Airport, in Yediyurappa's home districts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a rare gesture of camaraderie to the senior leader of the party. As soon as PM Modi arrived at the venue, he saw B.S. Yediyurappa standing to welcome him. The PM walked up to him, held his hand, and started walking towards the stage. This gesture left even Yediyuappa a bit perplexed while camerapersons struggled to capture this moment. Soon after the video surfaced on the internet, it went viral. Such a gesture of the Prime Minister is so rarely extended even to the senior/ veteran leaders of BJP, most of whom are now sitting in Margadarshak Mandal, which says a lot about BJP, about Karnataka politics, and also about the importance of B.S. Yediyurappa. During his speech, PM Modi lauded the Karnataka government and praised well the BJP rule in the state under former Chief Minister Yediyurappa. He then requested the audience to raise the flashlights of their smartphones as a show of respect for the BJP veteran from the state, evoking a massive response from the gathering. BJP is pampering veteran leader in the desperation to hold on to 16.5 per cent Lingayat votes base in the state. This caste group which sometime agitates for separate religious identity, remains the magical pathways for BJP to retain power in Karnataka. Though the current Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also hails from this community, Yediyurappa remains the major pull for it. The Lingayat community may, however, be drifting away from BJP, primarily because of the demand for increasing the Lingayat reservation quota. There are also demands of declaring Lingayat as a separate religion. This goes against the BJP's Hindutva ideology. Home Minister Amit Shah who recently visited the state has kept the target of winning 136 seats in Karnataka. BJP may not want to upset and compromise the Lingayat vote bank by sidelining their leader. That is why even after removing Yediyurappa from the CM's post, BJP has tried to placate him by including him in the parliamentary board. Of the nine state elections, Karnataka is one. Elections are to be conducted in the state in April-May this year and the party is already embroiled in corruption controversies. The Opposition Congress' narrative of around 40 per cent commission allegations, PayCM, and campaign against Bommai has caught on; and the Hijab ban controversy, and attacks on minorities, have added more trouble for the incumbent government. BJP is clearly on the back foot. At a time like this, the party has no option but to hold on to B.S. Yeddyurappa, the Lingayat mass leader who is majorly credited for BJP's tremendous success in the only southern state. New Delhi, March 5 : The Delhi police have lodged a case against a student for allegedly urinating on a fellow passenger on a New York-Delhi American Airlines Flight, officials said on Sunday. Confirming the incident, Devesh Kumar Mahla, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Indira Gandhi International Airport said that they were looking into the matter. The student was said to be drunk at the time of the incident. The incident allegedly took place on flight number AA292, which took off from New York on Friday and landed at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in Delhi at 10.12 p.m. on Saturday. "We have received a complaint of urination on a co-passenger from an American airline against one person, Arya Vohra, who is a student in the US and resident of Defence colony Delhi. We are taking necessary legal action," said the DCP. According to information, Vohra was asleep when he urinated. It also fell on a co-passenger. The Airline reported the matter to the authorities concerned after which action was initiated against the accused. Further investigation in the matter is on. Gandhinagar, March 5 : On February 28, 5-year-old Khushi died of suspected rabies in Surat. Her family members claimed that a few months ago, a street dog had licked an injury she had sustained and she might have developed rabies symptoms on February 25. She was hospitalized for three days, and breathed her last on Tuesday. This was the second time in eight days that a child became the victim of a street dog in Surat. On February 23, a two-year-old succumbed to bite injuries from dogs. These examples are just the tip of the iceberg of the street dog menace. In Surat alone, in January and February, five incidents of dog attacks or biting children were reported. The issue is not limited to Surat or the seven other megacities of Gujarat; even in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, dog attacks are increasing. According to the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, from January 1 to November 30, 2022, 1,44,855 cases of dog bites were reported in Gujarat. The information was shared in the Lok Sabha in December 2022. If this figure is compared with the previous years, there is a declining trend, but even after introducing the dog sterilization program in the eight municipal corporation areas of Surat, there has been no drastic drop in the dog population. In 2019, 4,804,244; in 2020, 4,31,425; and in 2021, 1,92,364 dog bite cases were reported in Gujarat. Commenting on the street dog menace, Surat Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agarwal told the media that an agency has been hired that sterilizes dogs; the corporation does not have huge shelter homes where it can keep dogs in large numbers but the corporation is now planning to double its capacity. She stated that based on people's feedback and complaints about dog attacks, the corporation is identifying areas with the highest number of complaints. The corporation's team will focus on these areas to catch and sterilize dogs. Vadodara Municipal Corporation's Leader of the Opposition, Ami Rawat, said on an average 400 dog bite cases are reported daily, and the numbers are on the rise because the sterilization program is more on paper than on the ground. As the corporation claims, if those many dogs were sterilized daily, Vadodara's streets would be dog-free by now. The increase in dog bite cases exposes the urban health facilities. No officer, be it in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, or other municipal corporations, is ready to speak or comment on the rabies vaccine shortage. There is a constant complaint from citizens that if a victim approaches a hospital for dog bite treatment, the hospital authorities raise their hands, claiming they are short of rabies vaccines. There were issues of vaccine shortage, but in the last few months, at least in Vadodara, there have been no complaints of a vaccine shortage. Noida, March 5 : In the past months, videos of dogs from dangerous breeds attacking people are going viral, after which many owners are now trying to get rid of them. The owners are also getting rid of these dogs by abandoning them at night. Among them, the maximum number of dogs are German Shepherd and Pitbull breeds. However, these people do not know that action can be taken against them under the Cruelty to Animals Act. In the past months, many such videos have gone viral from Noida-Greater Noida, Ghaziabad and other areas, in which dogs can be seen attacking children, elders, delivery boys and other people in lifts, parks and roads. After these videos went viral, there is anger among the people towards these dangerous dogs. To stop such incidents, the government and administration are trying to make sure that the concerned department should have complete information about the homes where these dangerous dogs are kept and also about the vaccination of dogs and their registration. For this, the rules and regulations which were made earlier, are now being strictly followed. In the past months, Noida's "House of Stray Animals" NGO has received more than 500 calls from different corners of the country, where dog owners wanted to leave their dangerous breed dogs with the NGO. The NGO said that it cannot keep so many dogs together because they do not have enough space. That's why the NGO through its counselling teams is explaining to the people and also saying that if the dogs are properly trained and taken care of, such incidents will not happen. Sanjay Mohapatra, who started the 'House of Stray Animals' NGO, said that when the cases of dog bites were increasing in Delhi-NCR, people used to contact the NGO and him, to leave their dogs. He said that the NGO used to counsel and explain to the people that there is a need to take care of the dogs properly and not to be afraid of them. Mohapatra said that the guidelines of the Supreme Court are that you can keep a dog, the most loyal companion of man, with you. The work of registration of dogs with the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation and Noida Authority has speeded up in the last few months. The Noida Authority had given time till January 31 to get the dogs registered. And if anyone keeps his dog or cat as a pet without registration, he/she will be prosecuted and fined. People are also getting their dogs registered online. So far, about 5,000 registrations have been done, out of which more than 50 per cent are dogs which are considered to be of dangerous breeds. There are more than 20,000 dogs in the city. A total of 70 breeds of dogs are being reared in the city. Registered dogs include exotic and dangerous breeds like Pitbull, Rottweiler, Boxer, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Bull Mastiff. Yogendra Sharma, president of all Residents Welfare Associations governing body in Gautam Buddh Nagar, told IANS that the government and the district administration should make the laws on keeping dogs more strict so that people follow them properly. At the same time, units that sterilise stray dogs should be increased. According to him, at present only two units are doing this work in Noida. Due to this, the work of sterilisation of dogs is not being done properly, which is why apart from domestic pet dogs, more cases of stray dog bites are being reported. In Noida, about 100 cases of dog bites are reported daily in the district hospital and about 500 dog bite cases are reported in the entire district. According to Dr B.K. Ojha of the district hospital, the number of people coming to the hospital daily for dog bite injections is around 170 to 200, of which half are new cases. Day by day, the problem is increasing and now there is anger among the people towards this most faithful companion of man. This fact was painfully driven home when an 80-year-old woman was mauled to death by her pet Pitbull in July 2020. The three-year-old Pitbull mauled the old woman and she died due to excessive loss of blood. Lucknow, March 5 (IANS) Dogs can be deadly and dangerous. This fact was painfully driven home when an 80-year-old woman was mauled to death by her pet Pitbull in July 2020. The three-year-old Pitbull mauled the old woman and she died due to excessive loss of blood. The irony of the incident is that the woman's son still does not believe that the dog Brownie could have killed his mother. The municipal authorities took away the Pitbull to a shelter for one week and then returned it to the owner, despite protests from neighbours. After this incident, several other incidents were reported from across the country where Pitbulls had fatally attacked people. Pitbull terriers have been the subject of controversy over the years. The breed is banned in Canada and the United Kingdom. Strict guidelines over ownership of Pitbulls are also in place in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, Denmark, Poland, Finland, and Norway. Pitbull Terrier, Rottweiler, Siberian Husky and Malamute, Wolf Hybrid, and Doberman Pinscher are among the dogs listed in the dangerous category. Veterinary experts said that people tend to adopt high end breeds because they feel it is a status symbol. "Living spaces are shrinking and these dogs like Pitbull and Doberman need adequate exercise and freedom of movement. Their owners give them adequate food but not enough exercise which either makes them dull - in case of Labradors- or violent," said a veterinary officer. Though dogs as a species are considered social, many factors could contribute to a dog's aggressive response to an unfamiliar dog. For example, some dogs miss being socialized during the sensitive period for socialization, which ends by 14 weeks of age. Without this early comfortable exposure, some dogs develop aggressive behaviour when they encounter new dogs. When socialization does not go as planned, a puppy is unexpectedly frightened by another dog. A long-lasting fear of other dogs can result, and this fear can trigger an aggressive response. Because genetic and early environmental factors contribute to behaviour, even well-socialized dogs can develop aggression towards other dogs. The aggression that develops in a dog is rooted in frustration and can include components of both territorial behaviour and reinforcement-related or learnt behaviour. Radhika Suryavanshi of PETA said that people should also stop buying dogs with debilitating deformities like Pugs. "We all know that Pugs look like they cannot breathe, as they huff and heave with their tongues hanging out, but that is because they genuinely have difficulty breathing because they have been bred for abnormal features," she said. Pugs, popularised by Vodafone commercials, and other breathing-impaired breeds like French bulldogs, English bulldogs, Pugs, Pekingese, Boston terriers, Boxers, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, and Shih tzus suffer from a debilitating and sometimes fatal condition called brachycephalic syndrome. This can make even going for a walk, chasing a ball, running, and playing -- the things that make dogs' lives joyful and fulfilling -- difficult. PETA India has also warned that most pet shops and breeders are illegal, as they are not registered with their state animal welfare boards. They typically deprive dogs of proper veterinary care and adequate food, exercise, affection, and opportunities for socialization, in addition to fuelling the animal overpopulation crisis. Besides, there is also a growing tendency of abandoning pet dogs once the owners decide that they do not want to keep the pet. "People living in high rise buildings tend to abandon dogs when they move to other localities or cities. People also abandon dogs when they do not have a house help to take care of the pet. Such dogs face deprivation and tend to turn aggressive," said a dog lover who has adopted two Pugs abandoned by their owners. Hyderabad, March 5 : The horrific visuals of a pack of stray dogs mauling a four-year-old boy to death in Hyderabad will continue to haunt the citizens for a long time to come. The helpless child being surrounded by strays, pouncing on him and biting him all over the body leading to his death, has highlighted how serious the menace is in the city. The shocking incident evoked public outrage, triggered a debate on how to check the dog menace and the usual man versus dog argument. The municipal authorities came out with a new set of guidelines to control the stray population, not just in Hyderabad, but in other urban areas of the state as well. A series of incidents of dog bites have been reported from different parts of the state over the last one week, putting spotlight on the problem. The death of Pradeep on February 19 was the second such incident in Hyderabad in less than a year. In April 2022, stray dogs had mauled to death a two-year-old boy in the Bada Bazar area of Golconda. Anas Ahmed, who was playing outside his house, was attacked by a pack of dogs which dragged him to an adjoining military area. The toddler had sustained grievous injuries and died before he could be taken to the hospital. Disturbing CCTV visuals of the hapless child being attacked and dragged by dogs into the bushes had surfaced on social media. The incident had triggered public outrage in the area. The dog catching teams were pressed into service in the immediate aftermath of the incident, but the problem was forgotten within a few days of the incident. It took the death of another innocent for the municipal authorities to wake up. This time, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) announced some measures to check the menace after criticism from various quarters. Taking cognisance of the media reports on the latest incident, the Telangana High Court initiated a suo moto PIL. A division bench headed by Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan blamed the negligence by the GHMC for the boy's death and asked it what steps are being taken to curtail incidents of stray dog attacks. The court asked GHMC to explain what steps it would take to ensure that such an incident is not repeated. Telangana had recorded 80,281 cases of dog bites in 2022, a huge leap from 24,000 in 2021. However, the municipal officials say the comparison would be incorrect as 2021 was a pandemic year when there was lesser animal-human conflict. According to officials, 1.6 lakh dog bite cases were registered in 2019 and compared to pre-Covid years, the cases have come down by 50 per cent. Telangana stands eighth in the country in terms of dog bite cases. After the latest incident, the GHMC officials revealed that the Telangana capital has 5.50 lakh stray dogs. According to the officials, this figure was 8.50 lakh in 2011 but their population reduced with the successful Animal Birth Control-cum-Anti Rabies (ABC-AR) programme. Officials said that 65 per cent of stray dogs have been sterilised under the ABC programme. Following the gruesome killing of the four-year-old, the municipal officials have ordered 100 per cent sterilisation. The child's killing also sparked demands from citizens to relocate stray dogs from their areas. However, the GHMC officials are caught in a dilemma as they can't relocate stray dogs even after the ABC-AR procedure. The guidelines of the Animal Welfare Board of India and the Supreme Court say that stray dogs can neither be shifted to deserted areas nor abandoned on city outskirts. As per the guidelines of the Animal Welfare Board of India, street dogs should be left within 100m radius from the pickup places. The GHMC has decided to increase the number of sterilisations to 400 per day from the existing 150. "We are taking all necessary measures to address the problem," said Greater Hyderabad Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi. She has also announced an all-party committee to find a solution for the stray dog menace in the city. The panel will have two corporators from each political party. Experts say dumping of garbage on the streets and in open places and hotels, function halls, chicken and mutton shops throwing waste on roads are the biggest reasons for the increasing population of stray dogs. The municipal authorities have been directed to restrict the hotels, restaurants, function halls, chicken and mutton outlets within the GHMC limits from dumping waste on the streets. The officials have been told to take action against establishments that dispose of garbage on streets as this attracts stray dogs. Arvind Kumar, Secretary, Municipal Administration, instructed the GHMC officials that the ABC (Animal Birth Control) sterilisation operations should be carried out immediately. The officials were advised to take control measures with the help of Slum Development Federations, Town Development Federations and Resident Colony Welfare Associations within the limits of the city and neighbouring municipalities. Control measures in other municipalities in the state will be taken up with the help of self-help groups. He advised officials to prepare a separate mobile app for registration of pets in the city and surrounding municipalities. Identity cards will be issued to the owners concerned as per registration. This assumed significance in the wake of a recent incident in Hyderabad in which a 23-year-old food delivery boy jumping off the third floor of a building out of fear when a pet dog charged at him. After battling for life for four days, Mohammed Rizwan (23) breathed his last. Rizwan, who was working for food delivery app Swiggy, had gone to an apartment building in Banjara Hills to deliver a parcel on January 11. When he knocked on the door of the flat, a German Shepherd came charging towards him. Rizwan, while trying to save himself, jumped from the third floor and sustained grievous injuries. The victim's family had said that no action was taken against the pet dog's owner. Noida, March 5 : Due to the huge population of dogs in Uttar Pradesh -- more than 20 lakh strays and over 4 lakh domestic dogs -- cases of dog bites are also increasing, according to the Urban Development Department. According to a state government report, there are three stray dogs for every 100 persons. The estimated population of stray dogs in Uttar Pradesh is 20,59,261 and domestic dogs is 4,22,129. The state government is also worried about how to manage the increasing population of stray dogs. Uttar Pradesh tops the stray dog count with 20.59 lakh, followed by 17.34 lakh in Odisha, 12.76 lakh in Maharashtra, 12.75 lakh in Rajasthan, 11.41 lakh in Karnataka, 11.04 lakh in West Bengal, 10.09 lakh in Madhya Pradesh, 8.64 lakh in Andhra Praesh and 6.96 lakh in Bihar. The figures are directly related to the growing number of incidents of dog bites in these states. Despite the government spending crores of rupees on sterilising dogs every year, the number of dog bite cases in the city remains high. The most common reason why a dog attacks is because of aggression due to starvation, relocation or abandonment. Several measures need to be implemented by the government bodies to ensure that such attacks do not take place. The first step is sterilisation of street dogs. When their population is limited then dog attacks will also decrease. The second is to provide food and water to the dogs. In the summer days, dogs crave for every single drop of water. If they get food and water, their aggression will automatically reduce. The third step is to ban relocation by giving strict instructions to the municipal corporations. The fourth is to make people aware of the community dog concept, which means encouraging people to adopt more dogs and take care of their food and water needs. By giving shelter to such dogs the population of stray dogs will decrease and it will also have many benefits. For example, other dogs will not enter a society because dogs guard their territory. Incidents of dog bites will come down and colonies will also get free 'watchmen'. Lawmakers gathered in Cheektowaga on Saturday to send a clear message: The train derailment that has devastated East Palestine, Ohio, could have happened in Western New York. The Feb. 3 train derailment of 38 cars at the Ohio and Pennsylvania border sparked a massive fire and led to an emergency slow-burn of chemicals to avoid an explosion. And even though the Environmental Protection Agency has not reported unsafe chemical levels, residents in the month since have amplified health problems; shared fears of water, air and soil contamination; and mulled the short- and long-term safety of living there, according to national media reports. To ensure such a catastrophe does not occur here, State Sens. Tim Kennedy and Sean Ryan, Assembly members Jon D. Rivera, Monica Wallace and Karen McMahon, and Cheektowaga councilmember Brian Nowak raised their voices literally, as Norfolk Southern trains roared behind them in Raymond Park to advocate for train operators to alert municipalities to hazardous chemicals on board and to install electronically controlled brakes. "You don't wait until some catastrophic incident happens in your backyard, you do as much as you can to prevent it," said Rivera, before emphasizing how connected Ohio rail is to Western New York. "It's the same rail companies there in Ohio, the same track that's involved." Kennedy said greater transparency about hazardous chemicals would allow local first responders to prepare for and more quickly respond to an incident. Higgins calls for investigation of suspected rail car fire in Buffalo "I'm calling on Norfolk Southern and the Secretary of Transportation to investigate what occurred and provide an explanation," Rep. Brian Higgins said. "At the very least, an explanation is required ... " The state officials, all Democrats, did not discount the value of rail. They said it's an affordable way to transport materials while keeping the supply chain intact and prices down. But they depicted a shrinking industry more interested in profit than safety as a backdrop to the Ohio crisis. Nowak noted the substantial decrease in Class 1 railroads, the tier of top revenue-earners, has led to a "concentration of corporate power." "They are working to make it as unsafe as possible as long as their profits keep going up," Ryan added of major railroad operators. Western New York's representatives in state government said they sent a letter in February to five area operators, urging them to voluntarily modernize equipment and improve safety measures. The lawmakers forwarded the letter to federal government representatives and Transportation Secretary Peter Buttigieg with the aim of strengthening rail regulations. CSX Railroad and Norfolk Southern were the two Class 1 operators that received the letter, but the smaller Buffalo Southern Railroad, New York & Lake Erie Railroad, and Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad also were recipients. James P. Louis, a former railroad engineer turned union officer for Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, said Saturday he's been working in the railroad industry for 40 years and has witnessed the cutbacks firsthand. He said there were once five engineers assigned to a train; now there's typically two, and trends are moving toward remote operation. He said area engineers have decreased by about 40% since before Covid-19 to about 250 now. CSX rail yards and offices in Kenmore and by General Mills have either closed or shrunk significantly. Meanwhile, Louis said, trains have expanded in length, with some stretching 3 miles, and inspectors have been granted a shorter time window to examine cars, about 30 to 45 seconds to examine units 60- to 80-feet long. Most still use a brake system developed in the 19th century. "With air-controlled brakes, each car triggers the next car, so it takes a while to trigger the air brakes on a 150-, 200-car train, and then the time it takes to release them," Louis said. The electronically controlled pneumatic brakes lawmakers are pushing for allow a train to stop instantaneously. Testing shows Lake Erie, Niagara River clear from Ohio train derailment contamination Testing was done to provide additional assurance to customers that no evidence exists of the migration of the chemicals to the local water system, the Erie County Water Authority said. Kennedy and Rivera on Saturday argued that Donald Trump's administration in 2017 rolled back guidelines that would have made the modern brakes mandatory for certain trains carrying dangerous chemicals. NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy said in a tweet Feb. 16 that even under those rolled-back guidelines, the train in East Palestine did not carry enough hazardous chemicals to require the more advanced brakes. The preliminary NTSB report detailed a wheel-bearing that overheated, and noted the top fittings and relief valves on cars carrying vinyl chloride were taken for further examination. "We live with those consequences," the state senator said. Ryan said better rail regulations could forestall another disaster. Hyderabad, March 5 : A septuagenarian woman in Telangana died after she was attacked by a troop of more than 20 monkeys. The victim, has been identified as 70-year old Chataraboina Narsavva of Ramareddy village in Kamareddy district. The incident took place while the victim was cleaning utensils at her home on Friday. Local sources said that the victim was all alone at home as her youngest daughter Suguna had gone to attend a wedding function at the time. Despite Narsavva's cries for help, the fear-stricken neighbours made no attempt to go to her rescue. They shut themselves inside their houses until the monkeys fled. The old woman suffered serious injuries on her chest, back and limbs. It was only after Suguna returned home a little while later that the old woman was taken to hospital. Narsavva, however, succumbed to her injuries on Saturday while undergoing treatment at the hospital. Thiruvananthapuram, March 5 : The Indian Medical Association's (IMA) Kerala chapter has decided to carry out protest marches across the state after a senior Cardiologist was allegedly assaulted by the attendents of a patient. The IMA on Sunday demanded immediate arrest of six people who were involved in the attack that was reported from a private hospital in Kozhikode district on Saturday night. The senior Cardiologist, Dr. Asokan told IANS that he was assaulted by a group of people who claimed to be the relatives of a patient. A new born baby died in the hospital a week ago and the relatives of the mother were protesting over delay in postnatal care. Dr Asokan is the husband of Dr. Anitha who treated the women. Upset with the treatment, the relatives allegedly created ruckus at the hospital and thrashed the doctor. The police said that a case has been registered and the perpetrators of the crime will be arrested soon. The IMA, while expressing concern over 'increasing' incidents of violence against doctors in Kerala, said that they will conduct protests across the state. IMA's Kerala chapter president Dr. Sulphi while speaking to media persons said that the police must immediately arrest those who were involved in the attack on Dr. Asokan. Chennai, March 5 : Thumping victory of the DMK-backed candidate and veteran Congress leader EVKS Elangovan from Erode East constituency has given the Secular Progressive Alliance an edge for the 2024 general elections. Though bypolls have a different voting pattern and need not necessarily reflect the mood of the voters in the state, political pundits are of the opinion that the huge margin of victory is a clear indicator of a positive reflection of the rule of DMK government headed by M. K. Stalin. In the February 27 bypolls, EVKS Elangovan defeated AIADMK leader K. S. Thenarasu who contested as the National Democratic Alliance candidate. The margin of victory of EVKS Elangovan was something even the DMK front didn't expect. Elangovan won the seat by a margin of 66,233 votes and in the 2021 assembly elections, the DMK front candidate and Elengovan's son E. Thirumahan Everaa had won the seat by a margin of 8,904 votes. The by-election was necessitated by the death of Thirumahan Everaa. The margin of victory was around seven times more than the margin with which Thirumahan Everaa had won, and this has sent danger signals to the AIADMK, BJP camp. BJP state president K. Annamalai tried to downplay the victory, saying it was due to sympathy factor but the under current in the polls were favouring the DMK front from the word go. The AIADMK is in a bad shape in Tamil Nadu after the exit of three important leaders of the party -- V.K. Sasikala , the close aide of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa who later went on to become the party interim general secretary, her nephew TTV Dhinakaran and foremost among them former Chief Minister and party coordinator, O. Panneerselvam. All these three leaders hail from the powerful Thevar community that wields considerable power in South Tamil Nadu. Moreover, open mud-slinging among the AIADMK leaders have reulted in the party getting a bad image among the voting populace. Tamil Nadu politics since the early sixties has been under the terrific influence of Dravidian ideology and the only solace left for the BJP was its alliance with a Dravidian political party, the AIADMK. However, there is a feel among the traditional vote bank of the AIADMK that BJP was trying to outsmart the Dravidian party and foist its 'Sanatana Dharma' politics on the state, which an average supporter of Dravidian ideology can never digest. Another most important factor has been the positive image of Stalin who has fought all odds and maintained the positive growth of the state by introducing several new welfare measures. The Makkale Thedi Maruthum scheme of emergency health care at doorsteps has won several hearts. Coupled with a positive growth and a welfare friendly atmosphere, even the opposition failed to properly bring in any negative traits of the government which has contributed immensely to the victory of EVKS Elangovan. While politics is the art of the possible and the 2024 general elections are more than an year ahead, the by-poll results cannot be considered as a benchmark to predict to where the wind was blowing, indicators give a feel that DMK-led front is cruising along. With 70th birthday bash of Stalin in Chennai attended by political bigwigs like Mallikarjun Kharge, Farooq Abdullah, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, there is a feeling that Stalin and DMK would be crucial in the days to come. Tamil Nadu has 39 Lok Sabha seats and Puducherry one seat, and in the 2019 polls, the DMK front has won 38 seats from Tamil Nadu with the lone seat in Theni won by OPS' son, OP Ravindranathan. The lone seat from Puducherry was also won by the AIADMK. The DMK led front is aiming for a 40/40 seats from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, to become a major political front in the post election scenario of 2024. R. Padmanabhan, Director, Socio Economic Development Foundation, a think tank based out of Madurai told IANS: "A victory for EVKS Elangovan was on expected lines but win with 66,233 votes margin is something no political analyst predicted or expected. This is a victory for Stalin and the major loser is the BJP and its president Annamalai who think that they can get away with theatrics from a state like Tamil Nadu. "The AIADMK has to make a revamp of its party structure and bury its differences if it has to make a mark. Modi magic is not likely to work in Tamil Nadu for the BJP unless its new president changes his style of operation. I strongly fear that BJP is losing the soil under its feet and has to comeback in Tamil Nadu in its traditional style of functioning. "Right now odds are heavily weighed in favour of Stalin and DMK, and if the opposition does not rework its plans, the chances of a 40/40 for DMK front in 2024 polls is not unlikely." Bhubaneswar, March 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik have paid tributes to freedom fighter and former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik on his birth anniversary. In a tweet, the Prime Minister said: "On his birth anniversary, I pay homage to Biju Babu, a remarkable leader and institution builder. He was a dynamic and multifaceted personality who has made an unparalleled contribution towards Odisha's progress. His role in fighting the Emergency is also notable." Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that Biju Patnaik's dream to take Odisha to the pinnacle of development has always been a source of inspiration. "Keeping his principles and ideals, we are moving forward towards building a new Odisha," he said in a tweet. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, former president of Odisha Congress Niranjan Patnaik, and many other leaders from different political parties have paid tributes to the former Chief Minister on his birth anniversary, which is also being observed as Panchayati Raj Diwas. Several programmes have been organised by the Odisha government to mark the day. Thiruvananthapuram, March 5 : The Kochi district authorities have directed the residents to stay indoors as the smoke from the Brahmapuram plant fire was engulfing the city. While firefighters are trying their best to douse the fire, the smoke emanating is creating problems. Heavy smoke at Kundanur area in Ernakulam was creating panic. Ernakulam district collector, Dr. Renu Raj in a statement on Sunday said that the administration is expecting to douse the fire by evening and to bring the situation under control. She said that more Oxygen kiosks will be set up in Brahmapuram. Dr. Renu Raj while speaking to reporters said that the administration was prepared to tackle any emergency health situation. The district collector has also directed people not to venture out and if there was an emergency to go out, they should wear masks properly. Also the authorities have asked the asthmatic people to be cautious. The authorities have also commenced a firefighting operation by dividing the plant into six zones. The state Fire and Rescue Services have deployed its units in four zones while the other two zones are being handled by units from the Navy and Cochin Refinery. Twenty fire tenders are presently deployed at the site and more fire tenders from Cochin Port Trust and other public sector units in the area will also be deployed. The district collector also said that more water will be pumped from the nearby river using powerful motors to douse the fire. A fire broke out on Thursday in the waste dumped at the Brahmapuram plant. The Kochi City police commissioner Sethuraman told mediapersons on Sunday that the police have commenced an investigation into the reasons behind the fire in the plant. The Chief Secretary of Kerala, Dr V.P. Joy directed the state police to conduct an investigation into the reason behind the fire. Bengaluru, March 5 : Considering the trend of rising corona cases in Karnataka state, Minister for Health Dr. K. Sudhakar has called for a high-level meeting on Monday here. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Minister Sudhakar stated, "Since last one week the cases of corona infections are on the rise. The Union health ministry has issued a caution on the H3N2 variant. The meeting will be held on March 6 with experts and officers. "The meeting will discuss the steps to be taken to prevent the Covid virus from spreading." Karnataka has reported 95 fresh Covid cases and 79 new cases were detected in Bengaluru city in the last 24 hours. The trend of rise in the corona cases has been found after 100 days in the state and in Bengaluru. The state has a total of 391 active Covid cases and the positivity rate has gone up to 2.44 per cent, according to the statistics released by the Department of Health in the state. The doctors have suggested the people to keep away from those with symptoms of cough, cold and fever. It has also been advised people to wear masks at public places. Mumbai, March 5 : Popular choreographer Shiamak Davar spoke about his experience of working with Bollywood actresses Kiara Advani and Kriti Sanon for the Women's Premier League inaugural ceremony. Shiamak, who is known for bringing jazz and other contemporary dance forms to India, shared that he, along with his team, worked day and night for making the entire performance most spectacular for the audience and guests. The inaugural ceremony saw some power-packed performances by Kiara Advani, Kriti Sanon, and A.P. Dhillon. He said: "I was excited when I was approached for the inaugural ceremony. The team has been working hard, and Kiara and Kriti have been great. They have been on point and have been performing well with the choreography that has been set. They were outstanding and set the stage on fire." On the work front, the choreographer received a positive response for his choreography in Vishal Bharadwaj's directed musical short film 'Fursat', in which Ishan Khattar played a pivotal role. He has also choreographed Bollywood actors and celebrities for film and stage for events like the IIFA Awards and the Filmfare Awards. New Delhi, March 5 : Kult App, a new-age beauty discovery platform, is intended to meet the growing demand for innovation and technological advancement. It is a tech-first beauty and lifestyle e-commerce app revamping the way consumers shop online using intuitive and interactive technology driven by insights from leading dermatologists. Integrating several global brands around the world into a single convenient platform, the app offers the best of luxury beauty, specializing in skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair. The app features a wide selection of curated and branded products from Colorbar, Fenty beauty, Ilana, Klairs, Nars Cosmetics, SUVA and much more. Karishma Khokhar, Founder & CEO, Kult App speaks with IANSlife. Read Excerpts: What was the initial idea before starting this platform, what made you venture into tech-first beauty and lifestyle m-commerce app? Karishma: We have always been passionate about consumer experience. Kult App was born with the realisation that there was a tremendous opportunity to create a seamless experience that merged all touch points of a purchase cycle in an organic fashion. E-commerce needs to be beyond the two-dimensional experience of a transactional website. There is hardly any experience attached to the current online shopping experience - you browse, order, receive the boring brown box and don't even remember what you ordered. Kult App is all about changing that and re-creating excitement in the process. Kult App, a new-age beauty discovery platform. What makes your platform stand out? How is it different from other beauty e-commerce websites or apps? Karishma: Kult App is a tech-first beauty and lifestyle platform. Our focus has always been consumer centricity and thereby hyper-personalisation. With consultations from top dermatologists in India and the US, Kult App utilizes a skin typing indicator. Using the Leslie bowman indicator, Kult App doesn't show you an endless carousel of products in our stores - rather it considers 4 different parameters to assess the skin; Oil levels, Sensitivity, Pigmentation and age of skin. Based on this, it becomes your personal counselor with our algorithm that narrows down choices and allows users to make a decision for their specific skin needs. After the users take a one-time quiz, each product displayed in the search shows a personalised match score. This match score conveys how well it suits the user's skin needs. Additionally, the algorithm generates a personalized description for each product: why it works for you particularly and what all it will help target. No one anywhere globally has ever done that. From discovery to delivery, our one motto is - Once you're at Kult App, all you need is right here. Who is your target audience? Karishma: Our key target audience are makeup and beauty enthusiasts who are constantly on a lookout to discover new and better beauty products. What we've generally seen is that our 'super user' might be between the age group of 16 to mid-30s. How many brands do you currently have on board and what's your target for this year? Karishma: We have close to 300 international and home grown brands on board. We are looking at a target of about 700 brands by the close of next fiscal. How has the D2C platform worked out for you? Karishma: Aligned with our motto of customer centricity, our D2C platform strategy is the essence of the App. It allows us to cut through the traditional beauty e-tailing approach, and make beauty accessible through simple, easy and playful steps. As we are directly interacting with the shopper, we are able to create relationships with them, understand their needs and desires more accurately, and continuously evolve and adapt ourselves to make their wishes a reality. After all, Kult App is more than just a beauty company; it is an intuitive beauty and lifestyle experience, from discovery to delivery. Tell us about your dark stores. Karishma: In Mumbai, it is 7 and additionally, there's the mother warehouse, we are planning to open more in Delhi as we go live with the hyperlocal. Our plan is to expand our dark stores to major metro cities and offer our hyperlocal services. Do you believe a hyper-delivery model is needed for a non-essential commodity such as cosmetics? And why? Karishma: The question Kult wants to ask is - Why not? Living in the era of faster and efficient deliveries, where customers are spoilt for choices, they have the liberty to choose the items, time and location to receive the order. When non-essential groceries can reach you promptly then why not skincare and makeup? GenZ is looking for fast-paced experiences and gratification. While cosmetics are non-essential, consumers can and should have access to their hyper delivery along with essential items. Kult aims to achieve exactly that - to scale deliveries across India to make this possible for every shopper. This kind of hyper delivery is also in line with our customer-centric experience. We do not only want to create excitement in our customers while they browse through our app but also retain it till the very end. Usually, by the time you get the product that you were dying to experience, the excitement is not the same. We deliver products in under 2 hours (within Mumbai) to continue delivering the joy and the rush that comes with making an exciting purchase. What do you think will be the future of the beauty industry? Karishma: The paradigmatic shift in the beauty segment from 'one-size-fits-all' to hyper-personalisation is changing the face of the industry across the world. Consumers today are not looking for universal products but want uniquely personal solutions. New-age brands and young thought leaders are coming together to educate consumers on the diversity of skin and skin needs. Innovation and creativity have made in-roads at every step of the purchase. Buying beauty products has to be a sensorial experience - shoppers react to elements of packaging, colour themes, textures, scents and the overall feel of the product. How innovatively a retail store or beauty app interacts with the customers can make a world of a difference. Consumer-centric experiences are vital when shopping for highly personal products such as beauty. This is even more critical in online beauty sites as the consumer can easily leave a site when a friction is encountered. With such developments, technology has come up as the biggest enabler. What are the key opportunities and challenges that you see in 2023? What are your expansion plans? Karishma: We plan to launch our under 2 hr delivery module in other key cities including Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Bangalore launching our Android app very soon. Expand category mix along with their reimagined experience on app. We will also be launching more ways to shop in our app to encourage more browsing options for our users. We've boarded over 200 brands. On average we are signing 5 brands per week. Expect to hit 500 brands over the next couple of months including many exclusive international brands we will be launching in India. More video related content. What are your future plans for the company? Karishma: Apart from expanding our geographical presence of course (physically & digitally), we want to personalize and elevate the user experience of discovering and shopping beauty products 100x! Contrary to popular belief 'beauty can be 100% digital' at the intersection of (user experience x content x tech). And that's what we intend to do. We are soon launching on Android. We've only scratched the surface. (IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in) New Delhi, March 5 : American Airlines has banned the Indian passenger, who had allegedly urinated on a fellow passenger while being drunk on a New York-New Delhi flight. The accused, identified as 21-year-old Arya Vohra, a student at a US university, has been banned by the airline. The airline said in a statement that it will not allow the passenger on board in the future. The statement further said that the American Airlines flight AA292 from John F Kennedy International Airport to Indira Gandhi International Airport was met by local law enforcement upon arrival due to a disruptive customer. The flight landed safely at 9.50 p.m. on Saturday. "Upon aircraft arrival, the purser informed that the passenger was heavily intoxicated, and was not adhering to crew instructions on board. He was repeatedly arguing with the operating crew, was not willing to be seated and continuously endangering the safety of the crew and aircraft. "After disturbing the safety of fellow passengers, finally urinated on a passenger seated on seat 15G," the airlines said. Islamabad, March 5 : Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan is likely to be arrested in Toshakhana case on Sunday as the Islamabad police reached Lahore with the deposed premier's arrest warrant, local media reported. A non-bailable arrest warrant had been issued against Khan by a district and sessions court in the federal capital on February 28. Sources said that Khan will be arrested after all legal requirements are completed, The News reported. Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that any attempt to arrest Khan will seriously worsen the situation. "I want to warn this incompetent and anti-Pakistan government not to push Pakistan into further crisis and act sensibly, the workers should reach Zaman Park," he wrote on Twitter. WASHINGTON If that Chinese spy balloon that hovered across America for days last month freaked you out, know this: It revealed a gap in what America can detect in its skies. That's the conclusion of military experts who know that the balloon episode pointed out the fact that the systems that the U.S. and Canada use to detect threats coming from the north are out of date. As a result, some fear that the U.S. homeland could be vulnerable to a non-nuclear attack from China or Russia, all because the aging systems currently in place struggle not only to detect balloons, but might also miss fast-moving, low-flying, non-nuclear missiles. The concern is both bipartisan and binational. "I think we need to improve our detection across the board for a number of reasons," Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, a New York Democrat who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said last week. "How did we get into a position where the greatest nation in the world doesn't know what is traversing our own airspace?" Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said last month. "Most definitely, this (balloon) incident demonstrates the need to invest in our continental defense, which is exactly what we're doing," Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand told the Canadian Press during a February trip to Washington. An outdated NORAD Many North Americans only hear about NORAD a joint U.S.-Canadian military operation officially known the North American Aerospace Defense Command on Christmas Eve, when, as the story goes, its staff delight children on both sides of the border as they track Santa's journey across the sky. But NORAD is really at work every day monitoring the skies above the U.S. and Canada, looking for threats, just as it has for decades. The trouble is, it's been using much of the same equipment for decades to look for both a long-feared threat a nuclear attack using high-flying ballistic missiles and newer threats that are quite literally under the radar: spy balloons and, more ominously, land-attack cruise missiles. Whereas ballistic missiles soar into the stratosphere and space before returning to earth, land-attack cruise missiles fly relatively close to the ground. What's more, some modern cruise missiles can travel as far as 2,500 miles and can be launched from land, ships, submarines and aircraft. NORAD's problem is twofold. "There are almost no purpose-built defenses against low-altitude cruise missile threats," the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a nonpartisan Washington think tank, said in a report last year. And on top of that, that think tank noted that NORAD's U.S. and Canadian command system "employs 1990s-era technology and uses 1960s-era decision processes." Low-altitude cruise missiles have been around since the 1990s, but there are a number of reasons why experts fear it's increasingly possible that U.S. adversaries could use them against the American homeland. For one thing, tensions between the U.S. and its two main rivals, China and Russia, are at their highest point in years. For another, NORAD's radar systems are designed to detect and provide early warnings about nuclear attacks from high-flying ballistic missiles, not missiles that can travel only a few hundred feet off the ground. "Stealthy, low-flying cruise missiles could be used as a first wave to attack critical targets, such as command and control and leadership facilities, with little or no warning," the Congressional Budget Office warned in a 2021 report. What can be done? The first step in solving any problem is admitting that you have it, and military leaders in both the U.S. and Canada have done just that. Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander of NORAD and the U.S. Northern Command, acknowledged that existing radar systems failed to pick up three balloon incursions during the Trump administration and one in the early days of the Biden administration. "I will tell you that we did not detect those threats," VanHerck told reporters last month. "And that's a domain awareness gap that we have to figure out. But I don't want to go in further detail." Gillibrand noted that military officials tweaked its radar systems after the Chinese spy balloon was discovered in order to detect other low-flying objects. She noted that other adjustments to NORAD's radar system could be necessary. "We just have to change how it's focused," Gillibrand said. "And I think that's probably going to require more investments, which I'm going to ask for in the Armed Services and Intelligence committees and this year's defense bill." But those tweaks would fall short of building a complete cruise missile defense system which could be enormously expensive. The Congressional Budget Office projected that such a system could cost anywhere from $77 billion to $466 billion over 20 years, although the Center for Strategic and International Studies said there could be more affordable alternatives. Gillibrand said the debate over missile defense will continue in Congress this year, and that she will press to make sure any system fully protects the Northeast even though some in the military have said it's more necessary to protect critical military targets in other parts of the country. Meanwhile in Canada, the debate is essentially over. Last year, Canada committed nearly $40 billion over 20 years as its share of modernizing NORAD and protecting its cities and critical facilities from attack. Given that the U.S. economy is about 11 times bigger than Canada's, a comparable commitment on the part of the U.S. would equal about $460 billion just about the Congressional Budget's top-end estimate for a complete cruise missile defense system. Anand, Canada's minister of national defense, explained the nation's reasoning for the big investment in a speech last June. "As autocratic regimes threaten the rules-based international order that has protected us for decades, and as our competitors develop new technologies like hypersonic weapons and advanced cruise missiles, there is a pressing need to modernize Canadas NORAD capabilities," she said. Los Angeles, March 5 : Actress Mia Wasikowska has left the industry grind behind. The 'Alice in Wonderland' star, 33, said that she's "pretty content" after leaving Hollywood for her native Australia. She recently opened up about going "back to back" between roles since she was a teenager, reports People magazine. She spoke to IndieWire from her home in Sydney as she said: "If I can have the best of both worlds, which is dip in and out of it occasionally, I'd be really happy, but I wouldn't ever be in that place where I was just on a treadmill," she explained. "I want to do more things in life other than be in a trailer." "It's great, and there are lots of great things, (but) the perception of it is quite different from the reality, and it didn't suit me as a person. You can really lose perspective because you're treated quite strangely. When that's your only reality, it's quite strange," added Wasikowska. As per People, after making her U.S. on-screen debut in HBO's 'In Treatment' in 2008, Wasikowska said she's been working almost nonstop since age 15. "I didn't entirely like the lifestyle of going back to back. I felt really disconnected from any greater community," she said. "I spent 10 to 15 years, completely like, new city, new country, every three months, and it's like starting school again every few months," continued Wasikowska. "Especially when you're younger, when you don't have that base, I found that really hard." Thiruvananthapuram, March 5 : Days after the SFI activists barged into the Asianet News' Kochi bureau, the Kerala Police on Sunday conducted a raid at its Kozhikode office. The raid is being carried out on the basis of a complaint filed by Left independent MLA P.V. Anvar. The CPI(M) has been targeting the Asianet News ever since the Pinarayi Vijayan government came to power for the second consecutive time. The popular news channel of the state has been relentlessly exposing the failures of the government of the day. The channel has exposed the nexus between the state government and Swapna Suresh, the accused in the infamous gold smuggling racket. Chairman of Asianet News, Rajesh Kalra while speaking to IANS said, "Kerala Police are currently raiding Asianet news office in Kozhikode in a fabricated case. This follows the SFI's disruptive activity at our Kochi office the other day." He said that attempting to browbeat the Asianet would fail and that the news group would take legal action against this. Rajesh Kalra also said that there were earlier attempts to silence the media in Kerala and that those in power were trying to repeat that but it won't succeed in such tactics against the media. It may be noted that Asianet is the first private news channel of Kerala and enjoys a high reputation in providing impartial news to the people of the state. It has exposed several corrupt practices in the state and has brought several human interest stories of the tribes and marginalised to the mainstream. On Friday, a group of Students' Federation of India (SFI) activists allegedly barged into the office of Malayalam news channel Asianet News in Kochi. A case was registered against the SFI activists, the student wing of the ruling CPI(M), on the basis of a complaint lodged by the TV channel. Kanpur, March 5 : Minor daughter of a doctor couple was raped in a Hookah Bar under Barra police station circle in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur. The father of the girl has lodged an FIR against eight people including three named accused. The doctor told the police that his 16-year-old daughter had been called by one Vinay Thakur to the MG Cafe (Hookah Bar) in Karrahi on Friday where he gave her soft drink spiked with sedatives. The young man raped the girl and then took her to a deserted place where his friends also attempted to rape her. When the girl protested, they made her video and beaten her too. They threatened to make her video viral if she reported the matter. The daughter reached home and told her father of the incident. The police have registered a report against the accused under sections including insurgency, rape, POCSO Act, assault and intimidation. The accused will be arrested soon, said the police. Naubasta ACP Abhishek Pandey said that a report has been registered against the accused on the complaint of the father and the Barra Inspector has been instructed to take strict action. There are more than a dozen hookah bars that run in the name of food cafes in the city. Hookah bar operators provide cabins to adolescent girls in the name of privacy, belonging to rich families. The ACP said that a campaign will be launched against hookah bars. Bhopal, March 5 : As the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections get near, the list of poll promises from both -- ruling BJP and the opposition Congress -- are getting longer day by day. Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath on Sunday promised to bring the world's largest financial scheme for the women of Madhya Pradesh. He said the Congress will provide financial assistance of Rs 18,000 per year to the women, once it forms the government. He said it was not just an announcement like those being made by Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government. "The Congress party has taken a pledge to make the women of Madhya Pradesh the most self-reliant in the country and the Congress will fulfill that pledge," said the former chief minister. "I want to give good news to the mothers, sisters and daughters of Madhya Pradesh. After a few months, all of you are going to form the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress government will give financial assistance of Rs 18,000 per year to women. This will become the world's biggest women empowerment scheme," Nath said in an official communication on Sunday. Interestingly, Kamal Nath made this announcement even as Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was set to launch his much talked flagship - 'Ladli Behna Yojna' on his birthday Sunday. Shivraj's 'Ladli Behna Yojna' will be on the line of his previous scheme - 'Ladli Yojna' for women, and will provide a financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month for the women of age group 20 to 60 years. To counter Shivraj's scheme, Kamal Nath promised to bring the "biggest financial scheme for women" in Madhya Pradesh, once it forms the government in the state. Bengaluru, March 5 : The NIA has arrested another accused, carrying a reward of Rs five lakh, from Dasarahalli in Bengaluru in connection with the BJP Yuva Morcha activist Praveen Kumar Nettaru murder case. The accused identitifed as Tufail was arrested late Saturday night. A team of more than 10 NIA officers raided a house where he was staying under the guise of a plumber. When the officers tried to take Tufail into custody, he attacked them with a sharp-edged weapon with which he was chopping meat. However, the officers overpowered and arrested him. The accused was staying in the house of one Nanjundappa for past five to six months on rent during which he remained alone and did not speak to people. Nettaru, who was actively involved in campagining against hijab and "halal cut", was hacked to death by bike-borne miscreants on July 26 in Bellare town of Dakshina Kannada district. The NIA had submitted a 1,500 page chargesheet regarding the case to the special court. The chargesheet contains the list and statements of 240 witnesses and 20 accused are named in the case. The state police and NIA have arrested 14 persons in connection with the incident. The probe showed that Nettaru was hacked to death to avenge the murder of a local Muslim youth, who was killed in a road rage case. The murder of Praveen led to the killing of another Muslim youth. Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) had announced the ticket for Shafi Bellare, an accused in the muder case of Nettaru, to contest assembly elections from Puttur assembly constituency. San Francisco, March 5 : Apple's business-oriented Mac notebook upgrade programme, which let businesses lease new M1 Macs for as low as $30 per month has now been discontinued, a media outlet reported. CIT Group (an American financial services company), which partnered with Apple has confirmed that the Mac notebook upgrade programme has ended, reports The Verge. In 2021, the tech giant partnered with the bank to let small businesses lease new M1 Macs for as low as $30 per month, with easy options to upgrade if and when more powerful devices are released. Businesses that had signed up for the programme will now have to sign up for a different programme from CIT Group, or find another way to get their computers, said the report. The bank is now requesting that the company switch to an FMV (Fair Market Value) lease or continue leasing the equipment at the same monthly rate -- though the lease would run indefinitely with no buyout option. However, CIT and Apple have not confirmed the programme's status, the report mentioned. Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly planning to release a new MacBook Air with a larger 15-inch display in April 2023. According to display analyst Ross Young, the laptop is expected to be powered by the M2 chip and will likely support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Lahore, March 5 : Islamabad police on Sunday travelled to Lahore to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in relation to warrants issued in the Toshakhana (gift repository) case against him, local media reported. According to police sources, the former premier is avoiding arrest. SP City Rana Hussain Tahir went to the room in Khan's Zaman Park's residence where the PTI chairman was expected to be but he was not there when the police arrived, The Express Tribune reported. On February 28, a district and sessions court in Islamabad had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the ousted prime minister over his continuous absence before the judge in the Toshakhana case. Sources said that Khan will be arrested after all legal requirements are completed, The News reported. Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that any attempt to arrest Imran Khan will seriously worsen the situation. "I want to warn this incompetent and anti-Pakistan government not to push Pakistan into further crisis and act sensibly, the workers should reach Zaman Park," he wrote on Twitter. Bengaluru, March 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Karnataka on March 12 to dedicate the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in Dharwad. PM Modi has already visited the poll-bound state five times this year for various developmental programmes. He is participating in public rallies and road shows. Congress party has objected to the repeated visits of central leaders, including PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Karnataka. Siddaramaiah on Sunday demanded that the model code of conduct should be implemented immediately in the state. Siddaramaiah has also urged the Election Commission to announce the date of elections. "We will submit a memorandum to the EC in this regard. Model Code of Conduct should be declared immediately to stop corruption and violation of law," he added. The state government is misusing the public funds by organising programmes of PM Modi, Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh. The party is spending crores to get favourable media reports and coverage, Siddaramaiah alleged. "The ministers are getting bribes from contractors and allocating tenders. BJP candidates are distributing gifts and cash to people. To prevent all this, the EC must declare election dates and Model Code of Conduct in the state," he demanded. Siddaramaiah also warned that the contractors should be careful as after his party came to power, all tenders of the last six months would be cancelled. School children, Anganwadi workers are ordered to participate in rallies of PM Modi compulsorily. They are also paid. Union Minister for Mine, Coal and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi stated that PM Modi will dedicate two major projects of the state, Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway and Dharwad IIT on March 12. "PM Modi will arrive in Dharwad after dedicating the expressway in Mandya. PM Modi's schedule is confirmed in this regard," he said. "The Congress leaders are scared of the visit of PM Modi. In 2018, their party was defeated. Siddaramaiah won elections in 2013 before Narendra Modi took charge as the PM. Siddaramaiah used inappropriate language against PM Modi and tasted defeat in the 2018 elections," he said. Lahore, March 5 : The Islamabad police on Sunday returned without making an arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, despite the issuance of an arrest warrant against him in the Toshakhana case, local media reported. SSP Islamabad Police said that they had gone to Khan's residence to sign the notice, not to make an arrest, Samaa TV reported. The police were reportedly sent to his residence in Lahore to arrest him, Samaa TV reported. Earlier, in a series of tweets, the Islamabad Police said the operation was being conducted with the cooperation of the Lahore police. It stated that the PTI chief was "avoiding" the arrest, adding that the superintendent of police had "gone into Imran's room but he was not present there". The SP said the arrest warrants had been served at Zaman Park, Samaa TV reported. SP City Rana Hussain Tahir went to the room in Imran's Zaman Park's residence where the PTI chairman was expected to be but he was not there when the police arrived, The Express Tribune reported. On February 28, a district and sessions court in Islamabad had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the ousted prime minister over his continuous absence before the judge in the case. Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that any attempt to arrest Khan will seriously worsen the situation. "I want to warn this incompetent and anti-Pakistan government not to push Pakistan into further crisis and act sensibly, the workers should reach Zaman Park," he wrote on Twitter. Kolkata, March 5 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) probing the money-trail angle in the multi-crore teachers' recruitment scam in West Bengal has found that bank accounts registered in the names of some beauty salons were used to divert the proceeds of crime. The central agency sleuths while checking the transaction details of arrested youth Trinamool Congress leader, Kuntal Ghosh came across certain transactions from these accounts, which showed that an amount of Rs 50 lakh was transferred in phases to different bank accounts of one, Soma Chakraborty. Initially, the investigating officials thought that these were personal bank accounts of the woman, but later it was revealed that these accounts were registered in the names of a couple of beauty salons owned by her. Last week, Chakraborty was summoned to ED's office at the central government office (CGO) complex at Salt Lake in the northern outskirts of Kolkata, and she was asked to come for questioning along with all her bank account details. During the interrogation by the central agency sleuths, the sources said that Chakraborty claimed that the amount of Rs 50 lakh transferred to her bank accounts in phases were actually loans given to her by Kuntal Ghosh for further development and upgradation of the salons owned by her. However, sources added, that later when the ED sleuths closely scrutinized the bank account details of Chakraborty, they noticed that the amounts transferred to her account from Ghosh's account, were retransferred to different bank accounts within a day or at times within hours from the time of transfer. "This cycle of transfers and quick retransfers of amounts have made us believe that the accounts registered in the names of these beauty salons acted as a medium to convert the unaccounted proceeds of the scam as accounted ones. We are now tracking the details of those accounts where the money was retransferred and we are quite sure that the accounts were either held by the relatives or close confidants of Kuntal Ghosh," an ED associate said. This is not the first time that the theory of beauty salon nexus has surfaced in the teachers' recruitment irregularity scam. Arpita Mukherjee, the close associate of former West Bengal education minister and Trinamool Congress secretary general Partha Chatterjee, from whose residences huge cash and gold were recovered by the ED in July last year, also owned a number of nail-art parlors, where huge money were invested from various sources. Both Arpita Mukherjee and Partha Chatterjee are in judicial custody now. Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area sees solid development over past four years 14:13, March 05, 2023 By Wang Lingxi ( People's Daily Photo shows a night view of the Qianshan River, which sets the border between Macao and Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong province. (Photo by Ding Junhao/People's Daily Online) A series of policies have been rolled out and implemented since the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) was released four years ago, deepening the synergetic development of rules and mechanisms in the three areas and taking the GBA into a new era of high-quality development. Recently, the first national-level science park for future industries in the GBA was launched, which focuses on the development of frontier technologies such as electronic technology, biomedicine and futuristic automobiles. Mainland cities in the GBA have started piloting a new policy of issuing endorsements for six categories of talents working in the mainland. Holders of the travel endorsement can travel to and from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Macao SAR unlimited times within the validity period. Besides, Hengqin and Qianhai, two cooperation zones in Zhuhai and Shenzhen, two mainland cities in the GBA, have each released 30 measures to boost financial cooperation, which cover a wide range of aspects from financial market interconnection and promotion of cross-boundary trade to strengthening financial supervision. Visions in the Outline Development Plan for the GBA have been turned into reality over the past four years. Hong Kong is writing a new chapter of transiting from stability to prosperity and telling the world about new stories of its development. Macao is striving to develop an appropriately diversified economy and working to further speed up development. The nine mainland cities in the GBA reported total foreign trade of 7.94 trillion yuan ($1.15 trillion) last year, which accounted for 95.6 percent of Guangdong's total. As of the end of 2022, the aggregated economic volume of the GBA neared 13 trillion yuan, increased by 3 trillion yuan since 2017. The number of permanent GBA residents exceeded 86 million, people's sense of gain, satisfaction and happiness has enriched.. Photo shows the Qianhai & Shekou Area of Shenzhen, China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone in south China's Guangdong province. (Photo by Wang Meiyan/People's Daily Online) As technologies, talents and industries in the GBA are seeing better and better integrated development, a world-class bay area that features infinite possibilities and huge vitality is taking shape. Recently, Chief Executive of the HKSAR John Lee paid visits to multiple cities including Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Macao, during which he said the HKSAR will join hands with other GBA cities for closer cooperation in major sectors such as sci-tech development, finance, trade as well as culture and tourism. Guangdong province has always been following the requests of the central government and doing its best to contribute to the GBA and meet the demand of the Hong Kong and Macao SARs. With concerted and coordinated efforts, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have taken solid steps toward building a world-class bay area and a world-class city cluster. Over the past four years, the three areas have constantly promoted "hard connectivity" of infrastructure, "soft connectivity" of institutions and rules, as well as "heart-to-heart connectivity" among GBA residents, enhancing the appeal of the GBA. A quality living circle with excellent public services for living, working and travelling is in the formation. The three areas of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao share similar cultures and enjoy strong social cohesion. The prospering development of key and core industries, vitality and good livelihood are new signatures of the GBA today. A "one-hour transport circle" has been established in the GBA upon the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge, the Huangmaohai sea-crossing Bridge and the Shiziyang Channel will form a "golden corridor" in the GBA. Besides, a series of measures have been issued to facilitate Hong Kong and Macao residents living in the mainland in terms of living and employment. Through promoting the complementarity and integrated development of industries, the GBA has comprehensively improved its international competitiveness. Hong Kong and Macao's advantages in modern finance and professional services, together with Guangdong's strong manufacturing sector and huge market are expected to produce a multiplying effect for the GBA and attract more and more transnational corporations and emerging tech firms to the megalopolis. Photo shows the Mawan port in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, the first 5G smart port in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. (Photo by Wang Meiyan/People's Daily Online) At the end of 2022, the first Global Investment Promotion Conference for the GBA was jointly hosted by the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. A total of 853 cooperation projects were signed at the event, with total investment of 2.5 trillion yuan. Multiple transnational corporations have chosen the GBA as an investment destination, including ExxonMobil, Siemens, AstraZeneca and Hyundai Motors, which indicates enterprises' confidence in the prosperity of the GBA. At present, the GBA is home to 51 unicorn companies, or 1/6 of China's total and 1/20 of the world's total. It is one of the most important sci-tech innovation center around the world. It is believed that as the mainland has fully resumed normal travel with the Hong Kong and Macao SARs, the exchanges of personnel, enterprises, organizations and government agencies in the GBA will become more frequent, and the construction of the GBA will hit a "fast lane" of stable development. (Web editor: Liang Jun, Du Mingming) Frontier Central School District is looking at an alternate plan for the program it wanted to hold in the building housing the Hamburg Senior Center. "Were still havent resolved our situation with the Town of Hamburg," Frontier Superintendent Chrisopher J. Swiatek said. "It's getting late and we need an Option B." The school district last year told the town it wanted to move a new high school program into the Hamburg Youth, Recreation and Senior Center building on Southwestern Boulevard. That caused an uproar among seniors using the building and town officials, who spent $1.7 million renovating it and planned on buying it in nine years. The district owns the building and leases it to the town. The program, Big Picture Academy, would start in the fall with 30 juniors and seniors who don't do well in a traditional school setting. It eventually would grow to 60 students. The school district and town have a contract that calls for Hamburg to lease the building for up to 19 years, with an option to buy it for $1 at the end of the lease. The rent equals the bond payments remaining on the former educational space. Frontier School District wants part of its building back from Town of Hamburg, and it's complicated Talks with the district have slowed to less than a trickle, and last week Town Supervisor Randy Hoak held a meeting at the Senior Center to publicize the issue that attracted a standing room only crowd. But continuation of the lease after 10 years must be approved by State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa, and the deadline is June 30. The district requested the extension in September, but told Rosa it wants to reclaim the building for educational purposes. Swiatek has said the district has no intention of driving seniors out of the building immediately. Both sides are waiting for Rosa's response. Meanwhile, Frontier had reached out previously to SUNY Erie Community College about using space at the South Campus for the program. "We're exploring ECC Building 3 as an option," Swiatek said. "As the clock ticks, it is becoming more and more viable to us, but we have not committed to anything." ECC Business manager Paul Danieu told ECC trustees last month that the college and district had some talks under the previous president, David Balkin. Those talks died, but the proposal has come up again. He said the program would include an administrator, psychologist/social worker, part-time nurse and four to six faculty members with food transported from the high school. "Its a great opportunity for us to closely partner with them so that if those students are interested in our program, we could introduce that much earlier," said Provost and Officer-in-Charge Adiam Tsegai. "Well work closely with our faculty and our chairs to create that collaboration." Swiatek said ECC has been a cooperative partner, but nothing has been finalized. Hamburg Supervisor Randy Hoak said he was aware Frontier was checking into other locations. "This is a program that may or may not be around for a couple years. I thought that bringing the program to a location like ECC would be a great way to start," Hoak said. Swiatek said the district believes it will hear from the state education commissioner within the next two weeks. "We're just very worried about the timeline," Swiatek said. New Delhi, March 5 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday lauded the new initiative of independent Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal and exhorted people to join him. Sibal on Saturday had announced that he will launch a website, titled 'Insaf ke Sipahi', to help citizens fight against injustice and appealed to the opposition Chief Ministers and parties to help him in the initiative. "This is an important initiative of Kapil Sibal Saheb. I appeal everyone to join this initiative and we all together will fight against injustice," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Sibal had said during the official launch on March 11 at the Jantar Mantar, he will also unveil a vision document for the country. He asserted that this was not a political move but a catalyst for change. The independent MP said lawyers should raise their voices, adding that "I want to start a movement as there is injustice everywhere be it business, journalism, people and opposition". Sibal had alleged that the elected governments had been destabilised and that among 121 cases of the ED, 115 are against the opposition leaders. New Delhi, March 5 : Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Sunday said that India's climate policy is directed towards sustainable development and poverty eradication, while striving continuously to decouple emissions from growth and achieve energy efficiency across sectors. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue on the issue of 'The Next Step for Climate Smart Policies', he said "As we enter the third year of UN Critical Decade of Action, with just seven years remaining to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals, drafting and ensuring execution of Climate Smart Policies has taken centre stage in India". The minister said it is because Indians are pro-planet people as the nation, with more than 17 per cent of the global population, has contributed only about 4 per cent to the global cumulative greenhouse gas emissions between 1850 and 2019, against the 60 per cent contributed by developed nations. "Even today, India's per capita emissions are less than one third of world's per capita GHG emissions," he added. Yadav said "Climate Smart Policies" act as a policy tool for specific action for sustainable development. "It is unfortunate that the world learnt about the concept of sustainability the hard way," he added. He said we are now witness to how mindless consumption and unplanned development have jeopardised food and energy security across many a nation. The minister noted that there are developing countries that are reeling under the menace of unsustainable debt and at the same time, are also victims of unsustainable consumption and production processes of the developed world. Yadav expressed confidence that India, through its G20 presidency, will work with its partners to put forward a coherent roadmap for climate action and sustainable development, which puts the concerns of the Global South at the centre when it comes to making Climate Smart Policies, domestically and globally. New Delhi, March 5 : Close on the heels of polls in three northeast states, two principal national parties - the BJP and the Congress, are keen on pursuing "corrective steps" in order to revamp the organisations. Both the BJP and the Congress stand on different platforms in the region vis-a-vis their histories and future roadmaps. The Congress, which had a golden past, is now struggling for very existence while the saffron outfit now basking at the new found glories still have good and old as well as new challenges. For BJP, the immediate reactions from the mandate could be mixed. They could return to power in all three states but the performance from Meghalaya would force it to go back to the drawing room. In Tripura, the smartest of moves that actually helped the saffron party's return to power in the onetime red bastion was the decision to replace former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb. The delay in removing Deb, a man with a lacklustre performance record, almost cost the Lotus party the state where by great difficulties it could oust the Marxists in 2018. Manik Saha had replaced Deb only May 15, 2022. In Meghalaya, probably there is a realisation now that BJP's present chief Ernest Mawrie should have been replaced long back. Mawrie is more famous for displaying "immaturity" and making unnecessary remarks in the media than working at the organisational level. Even after the debacle, as BJP could win only two seats out of 60 it contested, Mawrie is blaming the high command for "interference". "Mawrie does not know how the BJP functions. He is behaving like a regional party leader and at best as a Congressman. He enjoys making statements against senior colleagues and to remain in headlines," a key party leader told IANS on the condition of anonymity. Sources said the BJP's central leadership had their choice of candidates including Shillong North K. Kharkrang (a former IPS officer) only on three seats out of 60 while for the remaining 57 seats, the state unit was given a free hand. This school of thought suggests that Mawrie himself lost and so he should resign on moral ground. Similar stories are emerging from Congress camps both in Nagaland and Meghalaya. The Congress high command may soon take a final call on the "tenure" of two state units presidents in Nagaland and Meghalaya - K. Therie and H. Vincent Pala respectively. Both the leaders lost the just concluded assembly polls. While Therie lost in Dimapur I to Tovihoto Ayemi of BJP, for his part Pala in Meghalaya lost to NPP candidate Santa Mary Shylla. "At times in such cases the pradesh Congress chiefs resign. There is no hard and fast rule. Decisions are taken ultimately at political levels in various stages," a Congress source said. The Congress could not open its account in Nagaland (like in 2018) and in Meghalaya it could win only 5 seats - a drop of 16 seats from its 2018 tally. For Nagaland BJP, the real problem started after the elections. Four stalwarts Y. Patton (Deputy Chief Minister in outgoing government), Jacob Zhimomi, Temjen Imna Along (state unit president) and Imkong Imchen are keen for the bigger slice of the cake and the prestigious post of BJP legislative party leader. A few BJP leaders reportedly already got in touch with Assam Chief Minister and NEDA convener Himanta Biswa Sarma. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio (NDPP) - who enjoys good rapport with Himanta - will arrive in New Delhi and meet central leaders on the formula of power share. The NDPP-BJP performance during last five years has been far from satisfactory and alleging discrimination seven tribes from Eastern Nagaland are already clamouring for a greater autonomy for the region. Moreover, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are keen for resolving the long pending Naga insurgency issue and analysts say the state government under Rio could not provide the "necessary spadework" to expedite the process during the last five years. For Congress and the BJP, there is another common thread from the north east. It is the rise of regional forces. In all these three states in the region, regional forces have done extremely well. In Meghalaya, the BJP's ambitious journey to increase footfall did not make much headway as the NPP and other regional parties walked away with the lion's share of votes. In Tripura, Tipra Motha did very well to win 13 seats in its maiden attempt even as closer scrutiny of poll results suggest that Motha harmed BJP's ally IPFT as well as the CPI-M the most. BJP state unit president Rajib Bhattacharjee lost to Congress nominee Gopal Chandra Roy. It was a bigger setback as in 2018 Chief Ministerial face Biplab Kumar Deb had won the seat. In Nagaland, the NDPP led by Rio could manage to win 25 seats out of 40 it contested while the BJP contesting only 20 retained its 2018 tally of 2018. But in Nagaland yet again, NPP of Conrad Sangma (Meghalaya Chief Minister) could win five seats and NCP managed to come out with flying colours in seven constituencies. In Meghalaya, the NPP won 26 seats -- one more than the NDPP tally in Nagaland. Importantly, two other regional parties which are hardly discussed in national media, the UDP and the Voice of the People Party (VPP) also came out with flying colours. The UDP won 11 and VPP - four. Two other smaller parties, the Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) and People's Democratic Front (PDF) also could pick up two seats each. The vote share by regional forces in Meghalaya stood around 60 per cent. This means tough battles are on the cards for both the BJP and the Congress. In these situations, the saffron party will be particularly keen to revamp the party organisations in all the three states. Objectively speaking, in all three states Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland - there was not much emphasis given during the last five years to organisational revamp and this drawback came to light more than during election campaigns in many assembly segments. (Nirendra Dev is a New Delhi-based journalist. He is also author of books, 'The Talking Guns: North East India' and 'Modi to Moditva: An Uncensored Truth'. Views are personal) New Delhi, March 5 : Neeraj alias Katiya, who was arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on Sunday after an exchange of fire, is a member of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and was running a YouTube channel. "Katiya is the maternal uncle of Deepak Mundi, who was nabbed near Nepal border in connection with Sidhu Moosewala murder case. Katiya is very active on YouTube and has uploaded many of his videos brandishing firearms. He did that to create fear among the people in his name," said the official. Earlier in the day, Katiya was arrested after an exchange of fire near Qutub Minar metro station. One semi-automatic pistol of .30 with two live cartridges was recovered from him. "Our teams had been working on him for several months. Inspector Shiv Kumar Pawan Kumar, ACP Attar Singh got a tip-off that he would be coming near Qutub Minar metro station. A trap was laid and he was held. Four rounds were fired in the encounter. He was declared proclaimed offender in two cases in Delhi and Haryana," said Alok Kumar, DCP Special Cell, Southern Range. The police said that Katiya is an active associate of Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Katiya was previously involved in more than 25 criminal cases, including four murder cases, two attempt to murder, extortion, robbery and kidnapping for ransom. He was declared proclaimed offender in connection with a kidnapping case lodged at Delhi's Anand Parbat police station. In Anand Parbat case, Katiya along with his associates abducted a businessman when he was driving his car in Anand Parbat area and they demanded a ransom of Rs five lakh from his family in 2014. They robbed him off his car, cash and belongings and dumped him in Haryana. Johannesburg : , March 5 (IANS) Pranavi Urs finished tied 22nd despite a final round of 4-over 77 at the Joburg Ladies Open, here. After a top-20 the week before this at Jabra Classic on the Sunshine Ladies Tour, this result in an event co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour will raise hopes of more starts for Pranavi. Ridhima Dilawari, the only other Indian to make the cut this week, shot 2-under 71, her best round of the week, to move up from tied 59th to tied 47th. Both Pranavi and Ridhima are expected to figure in next week's Women's South African Open. Pranavi had a rough day in the final round after an early double bogey on Par-4 second. She parred the next eight holes and had more bogeys on 11th, 14th, and 16th and just one birdie on Par-5 13th. Ridhima had five birdies in the first 12 holes to be five-under at that stage, but three bogeys in a row from 13th to 15th saw her finish a 2-under and tied 47th. England's Lily May Humphreys won the title with a final round 6-under 67 as the third leader Moa Folke of Sweden finished with 75. Ana Pelaez (69) and Moa Folke finished in a tie for second. Nicole Broch Estrup (74) who led at halfway stage ended in a tie for fourth with Kiera Floyd (71) and Klara Davidson Spilkova (73) The next event on the Ladies Tour is Women's South African Open, which is also co-sanctioned with Ladies European Tour. Mumbai, March 5 : Actress Neha Joshi, who is seen playing the character of a housewife and mother Yashoda in the show 'Doosri Maa', recently travelled to Haridwar and Rishikesh for shooting an upcoming episode along with her co-actor Mohit Dagga. She enjoyed passing through the lanes and ghats of the holy towns and shared experiences from their recent visit. In the show, Ashok (Mohit Dagga) goes missing after his wife, Yashoda (Neha Joshi), learns that Krishna (Aayudh Bhanushali) is his and Mala's (Nidhi Uttam) child. Yashoda and Krishna set out on a journey and are seen visiting Haridwar and Rishikesh to find Ashok. While talking about the upcoming sequences, Neha said: "Yashoda is living through the most difficult time of her life after discovering that Krishna is her husband's illegitimate child. And as she struggles to accept the truth, Ashok, her biggest supporter, goes missing. Viewers will see Yashoda embark on a journey with Krishna to find him. The journey may be emotional on-screen, but I had a lot of fun shooting off-screen." The actress shared her shooting experience in holy cities like Haridwar and Rishikesh and visiting Ganga ghats: "Shooting in holy cities like Haridwar and Rishikesh was a blissful experience. Our mornings would be waking up to the sounds of bells on the banks of the Ganga, a beautiful way to begin our day that would bring positive vibes. People around us instantly recognised us and would approach us to take selfies and compliment us on our show and characters. It truly made our day interacting in person with our audience, who would gather around our sets, watch the shoot and get us homemade food at times to taste." "These small gestures made a huge difference to us. We thoroughly enjoyed these beautiful moments. I must say, the people's warmth and affection made us feel special, and we hope to keep coming back for more," she concluded. 'Doosri Maa' airs on &TV. New Delhi, March 5 : A cyber stalker was arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly harassing his former female friend by creating a fake account of her father on Instagram and sending obscene messages to her relatives, officials said on Sunday. Both were in a relationship earlier, and due to some reason broke up. M. Harsha Vardhan, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) said that the accused was identified as Vivek (21). A mobile phone used in the commission of crime was recovered from him. The police said that the victim lodged an FIR regarding cyber harassment by unknown persons. She said in her complaint that someone had created an Instagram account in her father's name, was using the pictures and also was sending vulgar messages to her and her relatives. The police lodged an FIR under section 67 of IT Act and started the probe. "On the basis of technical surveillance and analysis of fake Instagram ID, IPDR/mobile number it was revealed that the mobile number used in creation of fake Instagram belonged to one Vivek, a resident of Najafgarh. Our investigation established that Vivek had created a fake Instagram ID and had been sending vulgar and obscene messages to the complainant," the police said. The police said that the accused joined the investigation and during the investigation it came to notice that earlier the complainant and the accused were in a relationship for the last four years. Due to some reasons the relationship broke up. "In order to take revenge and defame the complainant, he created a fake Instagram profile and started sending obscene messages. Vivek was placed under arrest," said the police. Further investigation in the matter is on. Bhubaneswar: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik unveils the 'Dakota' aircraft for public display at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, March 05, 2023. The iconic Dakota (DC-3) Aircraft (VT-AUI) used by former chief minister Biju Patna Image Source: IANS News Bhubaneswar, March 5 : On the occasion of the birth anniversary of his father and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday opened Dakota aircraft for public view. The iconic Dakota (DC-3) aircraft (VT-AUI) was brought from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata to Bhubaneswar on January 18, 2023. After some refurbishing works, the aircraft has been installed here at Bhubaneswar airport for public display. "Iconic #Dakota aircraft resembles his bravery & heroics. Generations to come will be inspired by the bravery and selfless service of #BijuBabu," CM Patnaik said in a tweet. The aircraft belongs to erstwhile Kalinga Airlines, which was founded by Biju Patnaik. The airline operated nearly a dozen Dakotas and Late Patnaik was its chief pilot. In a statement, the state government said Dakota aircraft was used by Biju Patnaik to rescue former Indonesian Vice-President Md. Hatta and former Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir. For his effort, late Biju Patnaik was given an honorary citizenship of Indonesia and awarded the title of "Bhumi Putra" by the Indonesian Government, a recognition rarely granted to a foreigner. People will see this Dakota aircraft as a memento of Late Biju Patnaik's bravery and heroics. The display of this aircraft will inspire the people of Odisha and propel them to dream big, the government said. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has launched non-schedule flight operation from Bhubaneswar to Rangeilunda (Berhampur) airstrip on Sunday. With the beginning of the state-sponsored flight operation, the long-standing demand for flight operation to Rangeilunda has been fulfilled. Earlier, Rangeilunda Airstrip was used only on handful occasions for flight operations during the arrival of dignitaries. India One Air has started flight operation in the Bhubaneswar-Rangeilunda route using a nine seater small aircraft. An airport at Rangeilunda to connect the capital city was a much-needed aspiration of the local community to accelerate economic activity in the region. Berhampur is considered as a commercial hub of Southern Odisha which has seen a rapid growth in its population and industry. The flight operation on this route will boost the industry and tourism sector, officials said. Chennai, March 5 : The farmers of Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram will petition Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for compensation on loss of crops due to drought in the area as he visits Madurai and adjoining districts on Sunday and Monday. Talking to IANS, Farmers Association leader R. Bhakianathan said: "While compensation has been provided to delta farmers for the loss of crops due to unseasonal rains, we have been ignored. The drought has led to drying up of water sources, thus leading to the wilting of our crops and we are petitioning the Chief Minister who is on a visit to our area today and tomorrow." He said that the farmers had spent huge money from their own pockets and losing the crops has dealt a heavy blow to their future. He said that the Chief Minister will understand the situation and will properly support their cause. While the enumeration for crop damage has been done several weeks before, the compensation due is delayed for the farmers. The drought has led to 60 per cent of crop losses and according to the enumeration, around 80,000 hectares of paddy crops were damaged due to lack of irrigation. Farmers are also worried that if the compensation is delayed, it would affect the farming during the next season as well and can become a chain process, leading to extreme misery for the farmers and reduced production of rice. London, March 5 : Britain's first female Sikh MP Preet Kaur Gill has said she was forced to contact police after receiving a threatening email message saying: "watch your back". The senior Labour MP for Birmingham, Edgbaston said that following the email, she is forced to keep a bodyguard at her constituency surgery meetings. "It was very direct. It's a worry because I'm with my daughters in the constituency all the time. My family live there. It really puts into context the kind of job that you do. It's tough enough as it is, but then when you're faced with that, there's very little support. This latest direct threat has really worried and concerned me," Gill told GB News on Saturday. "As a woman, when you put yourself forward and you want to address injustices and you care about issues that affect your constituents, you're then faced with people that think it's okay to say this sort of stuff to you." Instead of using an alias, the threat was sent from a legitimate account with a genuine email address, which left Gill shocked. "I could not believe that this person used their place of work email to actually make that threat," Gill, who had been a target of hate campaigns in the past, said. Gill has reported the incident to the West Midlands Police. "Once you've raised it with the police, they've got to go away and do an investigation, but there's no real understanding of the impact it has on you, your everyday work, the psychological impact, the kind of always looking behind your shoulder," she told GB News. Gill was recently accused of undermining victims of sexual abuse, according to a Guardian report. The Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, had sent a series of WhatsApp messages on a group undermining allegations of sexual abuse within gurdwaras. Investigators with a specialized unit of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives gingerly made their way Saturday into the charred and gutted remains of 745 Main St., where Buffalo Firefighter Jason Arno lost his life three days earlier. Wearing respirators, investigators used rakes and buckets they pushed in wheelbarrows as they sifted through the wreckage on the first floor of the three-story building. The goal: to find out what caused the fire that killed the 37-year-old firefighter. "We're working very slow today and into the scene because the structural stability of this building is very compromised at this point," Walter Shaw, chief of the ATF's Fire and Arson Investigation Team, said to reporters. "We're working our way into the building, looking at different types of potential fire causes and ruling those out as we go along." The ATF investigation is one of several underway as authorities try to determine how the fire started, what happened inside the building and how the firefighter died. Also probing the fire is State Fire, the State Department of Labor's Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau, Buffalo Fire and Buffalo Police. Investigators are looking into the possibility that renovation work being done on the exterior of the Theater District building may have sparked the fire. Workers were using blow torches on masonry and bricks before the fire was reported Wednesday morning, Renaldo previously said. City officials have since confirmed there were no valid permits filed for work at 745 Main St., as first reported by Investigative Post. The building, which housed DC Theatrix, a costume maker, was purchased late last year by developer and former congressman Chris Jacobs, who said in a texted statement Saturday that "in regards to the masonry repairs being conducted at the building, the contractor performing the work was insured and licensed." Dispatches from an inferno Radio calls from the fire show how the blaze quickly intensified and the desperate situation it created inside 745 Main St. The call was initially reported as a fire at a possibly vacant building, according to a recording of the dispatches posted to a scanner listening site, ECFwire.com. As the first fire crew arrived, they reported heavy spoke pouring out of the first floor of the three-story building on a part of Main Street filled with commercial storefronts. The back of the building stretches to Washington Street. "At this time, let's start a second alarm," a fire official told dispatch. Funeral for Buffalo firefighter Jason Arno set for Friday A wake for Arno will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Amigone Funeral Home, 1132 Delaware Ave. As more crews were called to the scene, several firefighters went inside to investigate the source of the fire. They quickly reported to dispatch that there was "heavy fire" in the back of the building and later reported it was about halfway into the building. Within minutes, the commander on the scene reported "heavy, heavy fire" and told dispatch to raise the fire to a third alarm. Then, the commander can be heard saying: "Everyone out. Dispatcher, pull everybody out of here. The fire has too much of a head start. ... We're going to go defensive on this." That means that firefighters would attack the fire from the outside. After evacuation tones were sounded, an alarming message is heard: "Possible backdraft." Then, "Everyone is OK at this time." But that was not the case. A "Mayday" for assistance had been made. Renaldo later confirmed that was Arno and that a backdraft had caused a blast of fire that led to a partial collapse. It's believed debris fell on Arno as the blast blew a fellow crew member away from him. A frantic exchange of dispatches followed. "Engine 2, are you all accounted for?" a voice asked. Sean Kirst: 'Mayday': A firefighter's son, now fire chaplain, consoles his wounded city The Rev. Paul Seil, chaplain for the Buffalo Fire Department, always carries a radio linked to a dispatcher. He was at the rectory Wednesday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help when the radio erupted with the single word that changes everything": Mayday. "Engine 2. Not accounted for," someone replied. Orders were called to pull out of the building and put more water on the fire. "We do have a confirmed missing member," a voice can be heard telling dispatch. Members of Rescue 1 then went into the building to try to find the missing firefighter. "Command, I have the victim. I have the victim," a firefighter was heard saying. Then, moments later, someone reported: "Second flash over here." Sources with knowledge of the investigation said that crew members from Rescue 1 had reached Arno but then were blown away by a second blast, possibly another backdraft, and were forced to retreat. Videos taken by bystanders showed a fireball and heavy smoke blasting out of the front on Main Street as firefighters tumbled out. Sifting through the wreckage The burned building was initially scheduled for emergency demolition following the fire to help firefighters access hot spots, Renaldo said, but that was halted to allow investigations to take place. On Saturday, Main Street and Washington Street from Goodell to Tupper streets remained closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic, with chain-link fences at the ends of the two blocks and more fences posted around the fire scene itself. Shaw told reporters that he hoped that by the end of this coming week his team would be able to come up with a "hypothesis" for what caused the fire. Along Buffalo's streets, a community pauses to honor a fallen firefighter Two days after Jason Arno died in a four-alarm inferno at a downtown building, his body was released from the Erie County Medical Examiner's Office and the somber rituals of his funeral began. "We'll be here until we figure this thing out," he said. "It's very early in the investigation but we're looking at all aspects of fire causation within the structure," Shaw said. "We're interviewing people, going throughout this interview process, getting witness statements, getting video from surrounding businesses, trying to create a timeline and trying to see what exactly happened. But it's very early to speculate on anything else." ATF investigators have spoken with the workers who were doing the renovation job, Shaw said. In the meantime, Buffalo prepared to pay tribute to the fallen firefighter. After his body was released from the medical examiner's office Thursday, a procession brought him to Amigone Funeral Home on Delaware Avenue. The route was lined with fellow firefighters, first responders and the public. Afterwards, Arno's widow, Sarah-Liz, visited with members of her husband's crew on Engine Co. 2 at their firehouse on Elmwood Avenue and Virginia Street Thursday evening, said Fire Commissioner William Renaldo. Then she and crew members came to the scene of the fire together her first time seeing where Arno was lost. On Saturday, the firefighters union announced plans for Arno's funeral, which is expected to draw thousands of firefighters from across the region and country. The wake is scheduled for 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Amigone Funeral Home, 1132 Delaware Ave., and the funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Joseph Cathedral, 50 Franklin St. in downtown Buffalo. And the City of Good Neighbors rallied to support Arno's widow, Sarah-Liz, and their 3-year-old daughter, raising more than $300,000 by Saturday afternoon through fundraisers. Chamarajanagar, : March 5 (IANS) In a shocking development in Karanataka's Chamarajanagar district, a couple was fined and faced a boycott in their village for their inter-caste marriage. The incident had taken place at Kunagalli village in Kollegal taluk in the district. According to police, the couple got married five years ago but the villagers came to know about their different castes only recently. The villagers had fined the couple Rs 6 lakh and boycotted them in the village. The couple were not able to take the humiliation and filed a complaint with police in Kollegal on March 1. Govindaraju, belonging to the Uppara Setty community, had fallen in love with Shwetha, from Mandya, belonging to the Scheduled Castes. When they decided to get married, the families of the boy and the girl agreed without opposition and their marriage was solemnised in the sub-registrar's office. Govindaraju settled in Malavalli, but often came to visit his parents, along with his wife, in Kunagalli. When the couple came there last month, Shwetha, talking to her neighbour, had disclosed that she is a Dalit. The matter reached the elders of the village and they held a meeting on February 23. They called the parents of the couple and imposed a Rs 3 lakh fine on them and asked them to pay the fine by March 1. After the couple had lodged a complaint with police against 12 persons of the village in this connection, the elders, after coming to know about the complaint, increased the fine amount to Rs 6 lakh and boycotted Govindaraju's family from the village. The villagers have sent the family out of the village and passed a diktat that they should not purchase rations, vegetables, milk, and water from the village. The authorities have taken up the investigation. Bareilly, March 5 : Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, president of All India Muslim Jamaat (AIMJ) and well-known Islamic scholar, has issued a fatwa that says Muslim women who wear 'sindoor', 'kalava' and 'bindi' after marrying non-Muslim youth, are going against the tenets of Islam. He said that Shariat does not allow women to wear symbols belonging to other religion. In a fatwa, the cleric said that women who follow such practices are actually not adhering to the Islamic way of life and can be ex-communicated. He said that Uttar Pradesh and several other states had adopted the anti-conversion law but incidents where couple are marrying after concealing their religious identities are still being reported and Muslim youth are largely being blamed for luring non-Muslim girls into marriage. "The Barelvi sect terms such marriages as illegal and null and void," he said. Dr Mohd Naeem, a commoner, had put up a query in this regard to which the fatwa was issued. The cleric said, "It is seen on the social media that Muslim youth conceal their religious identity and can be seen sporting 'tilak' and adopting Hindu names. This cannot be termed in accordance with Shariat and is illegal." Citing the Holy Quran, the Maulana said that it was clearly stated that one should not marry a non-Muslim till the time she does not adopt Islam. It was Russian painter Roerich's daughter-in-law who sowed seeds of Kullu shawls Image Source: IANS News It was Russian painter Roerich's daughter-in-law who sowed seeds of Kullu shawls Image Source: IANS News It was Russian painter Roerich's daughter-in-law who sowed seeds of Kullu shawls Image Source: IANS News Shimla, March 5 : It was Russian painter and philosopher Nicholas Roerich's daughter-in-law Devika Rani, the Indian film star, who came to Naggar in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu in 1942 where Roerich came in 1927 from St. Petersburg and made the tiny village his home. It was on Devika Rani's request that local weaver Sheru Ram of Banontar village weaved an urban size shawl on his pit loom. Later, inspired by his handicraft work, Pandit Urvi Dhar stepped into the manufacturing of shawls commercially. Today, traditional weavers in the hill state have kept the handloom heritage not only alive but also earned name globally. The Kullu and Kinnauri shawls all rare masterpieces of the embroidery. The state government is organising awareness camps and training classes for weavers who are also being directly benefited through various components of the cluster development programme, officials said. Equipment related to handlooms are being made available to the weavers. Marketing facility is being provided through the state Industries Department in fairs and exhibitions. Their products are widely sold in national level events like trade fairs, Dilli Haat, Surajkund, etc. The Himachal Pradesh State Handloom and Handicrafts Development Cooperative Federation Ltd., popularly known as HIMBUNKAR, is a state-level apex organisation of primary cooperative societies comprising weavers and artisans engaged in production of handicraft woven on handloom and are promoting the Kullu shawl and caps since many years. Around 1944, the Bhutti weaver co-operative society was registered under Punjab Cooperative Society, Lahore, presently known as Bhuttico, and trained thousands of Kullu women to fashion the Kullu shawls. In 1956, Thakur Ved Ram became a member of this society and revived it again and since thereafter Satya Prakash Thakur, the Chairman of Bhuttico, has been running Bhuttico all over Himachal, and is providing employment to thousands in this cottage industry and others who are directly or indirectly associated with it. Today, the annual sale of Bhuttico is around Rs 13.50 crore. The state government has also started schemes for encouraging weavers and incorporating the latest techniques of textile production. Earlier, the Kullvi people used to weave plain shawls but after the arrival of Bushehari craftsman from Rampur in Shimla district the trend of patterned handloom came into existence. Typical Kullu shawls have geometrical designs on both ends. Besides geometrical designs, the shawls are also woven in floral designs, which may run all over, on the corners or on the borders only. Each design may have one to eight colours. Traditionally, bright colours, viz. red, yellow, magenta pink, green, orange, blue, black and white were used for patterning and white, black and natural grey or brown were used as the base in these shawls. Currently, these bright colours are being replaced gradually by pastel colours. Much renowned for the convolution and finesse in weaving, Kinnauri shawls are unique. In October 2010, these intricately patterned woollen shawls hand-woven by the indigenous community of Kinnaur district, was granted a patent under the Geographical Indications (GIs) of Goods Act. Their elaborate geometrical designs have a strong Central Asian influence. The motifs woven have a very special symbolic and religious significance. Its designing techniques are greatly influenced by Central Asia and Tibet. Few textile engines have been working as motivators by their innovative skills and ideas giving new dimensions to the handloom industry. One such young textile engineer, Anshul Malhotra, from Mandi district is working as a motivator for the weavers. Honoured with Nari Shakti Samman by the President on International Women's Day last year and the Kalanidhi Award twice at the Surajkund Fair, she's engaged in giving new dimensions to the handloom industry with the skill inherited from her grandfather and father. She is using her skills to create new designs according to the market. Apart from Mandi, the weavers of Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu and Kinnaur districts have also been associated with her. She has been providing training facilities to the weavers for weaving as per the market demand. Designed and made in Himachal by her, the Kano saree gained immense popularity last year and was also a part of many fashion shows. With the encouragement of the government and the skill of the weavers, the handloom industry in the state is proving to be helpful in self-reliance, employment generation and preservation of traditional skills. Mumbai, March 5 : Film 'Act 1978' director Manjunatha Somashekara Reddy (Mansore) talked about his latest Kannada feature film '19.20.21' which is based on real-life incidents of human rights violation. The movie stars Shrunga B.V., Balaji Manohar, M.D. Pallavi, Rajesh Nataranga, Avinash, Mahadev Hadapad and Venkatesh Prasad in key roles. Director Mansore shares: "This is its first kind of realistic, humanity movie in Kannada after a long time. It's a story of a small community of people whose fight for fundamental rights, and their courage inspires every citizen of India. "This kind of cinema is much needed because a large number of people really don't know about their own constitution and their fundamental rights. "They almost forgot that they have the right to question the ruling government for their basic needs. So this movie will educate those people about their rights and at the same time it will give a thrilling experience too," he adds. Speaking about the USP of the film, the director adds: "When it comes to the audience, this film will make them experience something they haven't seen in their life or something they haven't heard. They will get to know what is the worth of a common man, what is the strongest support they have in our constitution, and how to constitute and protect a common man. This film will definitely educate them about our constitution." Kolkata, March 5 : The adenovirus menace in West Bengal seems to be assuming alarming proportions as deaths of four more children, admitted in a Kolkata hospital with its symptoms, were reported in the last six hours, taking the death toll of children to 40 in nine days. By Sunday morning, the deaths of two children - Atifa Khatun (18 months) and Aarman Gazi (4 years) - were reported from the B.C. Roy Children's Hospital. However, by 4 p.m., four more child deaths had been reported from the same hospital, taking the number of deaths to six in the day. Hospital sources confirmed these four deaths of children admitted to the hospital in the period between 10.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. but their identities are yet to be disclosed. All the children reported to have died in the last 13 hours were under treatment with typical adenovirus symptoms like fever, cough and breathing problems and treatment failed to result in any sign of recovery. Already, the state Health Department has issued an advisory for doctors, especially paediatricians, to take special care of children being admitted with flu-like symptoms, especially children aged two years or below since they are most vulnerable to being affected by Adenovirus. The common symptoms of adenovirus are flu-like including cold, fever, breathing problems, sore throat, pneumonia, and acute bronchitis. The virus can spread through skin contact, by air through coughing and sneezing, and through an infected person's stools. So far, there are no approved medicines or any specific treatment-line to treat the virus. Tehran, March 5 : Iran has allowed increased inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of its nuclear sites, the official news agency IRNA reported Sunday, just after the IAEA chief's two-day visit to Tehran. In an interview with IRNA published on Sunday, Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI), said the IAEA inspections of Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP) have now increased to 11 from eight, commenting on the reports of a 50-per cent rise in the IAEA's inspections of Iranian nuclear sites, Xinhua News Agency reported. Since uranium enrichment to a 60-per cent level recently started at FFEP, inspections of the site should increase according to the safeguards agreements, Kamalvandi explained. "Basically, any rise in the enrichment level at or entry of more sensitive materials into nuclear facilities lead to an increase in the inspections according to what the two sides agreed upon," he said. However, no agreement was reached between IAEA and AEOI regarding the installation of new surveillance cameras at Iranian nuclear sites, Kamalvandi noted. Kamalvandi also ruled out "unlimited access" for the IAEA to three sites where the agency was reported to have "detected traces of uranium," saying the international nuclear watchdog made no such request. In a joint statement issued at the end of IAEA's Director General Rafael Grossi's visit on Saturday, the AEOI and IAEA said they have reached a consensus that their interactions should be carried out "in a spirit of collaboration and in full conformity with the competencies of the IAEA and Iran's rights and obligations." In recent months, the IAEA had criticized Iran for its lack of cooperation with the agency. In November last year, the IAEA's Board of Governors passed a resolution proposed by the US, Britain, France and Germany that called on Iran to collaborate with the agency's investigators regarding "uranium traces." Iran has repeatedly rejected such allegations and emphasized the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. Los Angeles, March 5 : Actress Jodie Turner-Smith is convinced that a zombie apocalypse is coming. The 36-year-old actress has an "irrational fear" of the undead and is hopeful that the skills she needs to learn for her acting jobs will come in handy one day, reports 'Female First UK'. She told Total Film magazine: "I have an irrational fear of zombies. I think that the zombie apocalypse is coming, so I like to cultivate skills that will prepare me for the zombie apocalypse. "So far, I've only learned to shoot guns. "You've got to be able to do head shots and you've got to double tap. I don't think knowing how to stand on a mark is going to help me that much." As per 'Female First UK', the actress, who has two-year-old daughter Janie with husband Joshua Jackson, likes to "celebrate herself" when she wraps filming and thinks the "best gift" she can get is a vacation. She said: "I always like to give myself a gift after every shoot because I think it's important to celebrate myself. I keep on taking it to the next level every time with what I do for myself. I love a holiday after I wrap. I think that's the best gift I can give myself, just to unplug. My husband and I went to GoldenEye (in Jamaica) and had a really amazing, amazing time." Thiruvananthapuram, March 5 : Kerala's Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheeshan on Sunday termed the police raids at the Asianet studio in Kozhikode a clear example of "intolerance" as political leaders, social activists, and media organisations condemned the government's action. The Congress leader claimed that while the state government was campaigning against drugs on one hand, on the other, CPI-M leaders were involved in drug business and when reports are given against this, the government and CPI-M are feeling the heat. Accusing the Left government of trying to intimidate every one, he noted that the Kerala Police, which has not shown such keenness in conducting raids in murder cases, is conducting a raid at a news channel office and studio. A police team has conducted a raid at the Kozhikode regional office of the leading Kerala channel, allegedly without even a search warrant. After the raids, ASP, Kozhikode, Surendran told media persons that no documents or records were seized from the channel office. Senior Congress leader and former Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala also condemned the raid at Asianet office and termed it "state terror", but added that the government cannot silence the media by intimidation. Thiruvananthapuram Press Club protested strongly against the raids conducted by the police at Asianet news office in Kozhikode. Press club President M.Radhakishnan and Secretary K.N.Sanu in a statement said that the Chief Minister must rein in the police and added that the press club members would take out a protest march towards the office of the DGP. Legal expert and former Director General of Prosecution, T.Asif Ali said that such an action was unheard of in the history of Kerala Police. Los Angeles, March 5 : Hollywood star Johnny Depp surprised staff at an antiques shop in the UK's Lincolnshire as he dropped in unannounced by helicopter to peruse the items they had on sale. The actor's visit to Hemswell Antique Centres, Hemswell Cliff, was kept a secret, as he wanted to take a relaxed look at the shop's guitars without being noticed by the public, reports 'Mirror.co.uk'. The visit had been arranged by the store and Pinewood Studios, which have a working relationship. The film studios have produced the Harry Potter and James Bond franchises. Depp, 59, arrived by helicopter at Europe's largest antiques centre. As per 'Mirror.co.uk', store owner, Robert Miller, described Depp as really "down-to-earth". He had to notify staff that a special guest would be arriving but had to conceal his identity. Miller said that Depp had tested several different guitars during his visit to the shop, and was overheard talking about Jeff Beck, who he collaborated with for his album "18", which was released last year. The pair had played many gigs together. Miller said: "He just bought a lot of very quirky items. A desk chair, three guitars, paint sets, easels, a few pictures, posters, just a whole range of things for decorative items for his own personal property." "He chose a vase with a skull on it. Guitars obviously. He was very friendly with best friend Jeff Beck, he sat and played a few tunes on this guitar... I think just for old times' sake really and then decided to buy three of the guitars that were there," he added. Chennai, March 5 : Power loom workers of Tamil Nadu are elated after the state government announced 250 units more of free power for the sector. The state government, in an order on Saturday, increased the number of free units to power looms from 750 to 1,000 units, while for hand looms, there is an increase of free power from 200 units to 300 units. The state government has also reduced the power tariff units above 1,000 units from Rs 1.40 to 0.70 paisa per unit. There are 6 lakh powerlooms in Tamil Nadu of which 4 lakh function in Erode, Salem, Namakkal, Tiruppur, and Coimbatore districts. Power loom workers of Erode, which has the largest number of power looms in the state, were angry at the government not providing the Pongal contract for Veshti and Saris before August 2022, thus, leading to a delay in production. Workers were worried about the future of the power loom industry but the decision of the government to provide 250 more free units has left them happy. Talking to IANS, R. Kamalakannan, a power loom owner in Erode, said: "The announcement of the state government has brought us a major relief. The industry was facing difficulties over the years and by providing more free electricity, we will be able to run the industry without much hassles." Licensed massage therapist Theresa Gantz understands the impact of Alzheimer's disease. Some of her fellow church members have had loved ones with the neurological condition. Same for some of her clients, who include Amanda Nobrega, interim director of the Alzheimers Association of Western New York. And her father, Milton Gaines, died from dementia seven years ago, at age 82. He didn't know who I was at the end, Gantz said. Those connections explain why she decided to tie an Alzheimers Association fundraiser to the open house of her first massage therapy studio, TMG Wellness Center, at the Clarence-Lancaster town line. The open house and art show run from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at English Park Village, 338 Harris Hill Road, Suite 109. All are welcome to view works by regional artists Markenzy Cesar, Sherry Anne Arndt, Kobie Barber, Erin Long and Karle Norman, and purchase them at prices that range from about $300 to $2,500. Some of the proceeds will go to the regional Alzheimers Association chapter. Donations of any size can be made at the open house or through the studio website, solo.to/tmgwellness. Visitors also can learn more about the massage studio space, which has a separate entrance in English Park Village and includes four massage therapy rooms. Gantz was largely an itinerant therapist before the pandemic. She leased single rooms in two salons for several years and on fair-weather days in 2015 offered short massages at Canalside. She also offered workplace wellness massages at businesses that included two health-related companies before Covid-19 put a temporary halt to that business model. Massage therapy is perk for workers at one Tonawanda company Michelle Cloen doesnt mind the 40-mile round-trip drive to work especially on days licensed massage therapist Theresa Gantz stops by to address the aches and pains of her and her co-workers. This was a big factor of why I said yes to the job, Cloen, of West Seneca, cracked during her latest turn in the massage chair at She resumed travel massage last spring, after the Delta and Omicron surges, and launched plans to open her first studio last fall. Massage helps people cope with mental health issues and stress, Gantz said. She subleases space in the new digs to fellow massage therapists Lisa Cyrankowski and Nicole Geraci. A fourth, who specializes in Sound Bath therapy using deep sound vibrations to rebalance physical and mental function will join the studio during the next few weeks. The 1,300-square-foot space also includes a room where Gantz looks to offer yoga and meditation classes as well as Alzheimers Association programing. The goal is to work with caregivers and people with Alzheimer's and do some training on self-massage techniques or exercises to help calm the nervous system," she said. "The stress that these people are under, it's intense. Gantz specializes in primal reflex release therapy, which targets reflex pressure points in the body to relieve stress and pain. She and her husband, George, came to the region from Maryland two decades ago to serve as youth pastors in a church now called the Vessel. They still fulfill that role in a congregation that moved into a storefront about a year ago in the Eastern Hills Mall, near a store that sells Christmas trees. Cesar a Haitian native whose modern artwork has been shown across the country, including the Art Basel galleries show in Miami is a fellow church member. He curated the upcoming art show. Several other church members have been longtime supporters of Alzhiemers events. "I've been a client of Theresa's for more than five years, said Nobrega, also senior director of programs for the regional Alzheimers Association. I'm so grateful for our relationship and for the support she's shown, as a participant in our Walk to End Alzheimer's and through events like this for our Longest Day campaign. We are excited that she is working with staff members at our chapter to bring wellness programs to individuals living with early stage dementia, along with their caregivers." Mumbai, March 5 : Actor Sheezan Mohammed Khan's sisters Falak Naaz and Shafaqq Naaz have expressed their gratitude towards God as their brother was granted bail on Saturday (March 4) and walked out of Thane jail on Sunday. He was arrested in the suicide case of actress Tunisha Sharma by Waliv police. It was indeed an emotional moment for his mother and sisters -- Falak Naaz and Shafaqq Naaz as the actor met them after about two months. Sheezan Khan's sister Shafaqq took to social media and expressed her gratitude, saying: "Shukar". Falak also shared an Instagram story with 'Alhamdulillah', thanking God as the court granted bail to her brother. They hope to get justice from the Bombay High Court as well.In the pictures that were clicked outside the jail, he was seen hugging his sister and their happiness was visible on their faces. 'Ali Baba Dastaan-E-Kabul' lead actress, Tunisha Sharma reportedly committed suicide on December 24 on the set of the show in Vasai in Maharashtra's Palghar district. Tunisha's mother had filed a complaint against Sheezan, who is said to have been in a relationship with her and they had broken up 15 days ago. She has told the police that Tunisha was under stress because of him and that might be the reason she has taken such an extreme step. Tunisha was just 20 years old. Mumbai, March 5 : Left-arm pacer Tara Norris became the first ever bowler to pick a five-fer in the inaugural Women's Premier League, as she led Delhi Capitals to a comprehensive 60-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore at Brabourne Stadium on Sunday. After a brilliant 162-run opening partnership between Shafali Verma and captain Meg Lanning followed by a strong finish from Marizanne Kapp and Jemimah Rodrigues propelled Delhi to a massive 223/2, Tara was the chief architect of Bangalore's collapse from 89/2 to 96/7. She ended up picking 5/29 in her four overs as Bangalore could make 163/8 in their 20 overs, giving Delhi their first win of the competition. Bangalore's chase began with Smriti Mandhana taking two fours, including a sweetly-timed pick-up shot, and a six off Marizanne Kapp in the second over. From the other end, Sophie Devine took advantage of width coming from Shikha Pandey to hit three boundaries in the third over. Smriti nailed the slog-sweep and then got an outside edge on an attempted slog to take back-to-back fours off Jess Jonassen in the fourth over. The opening stand was broken by Alice Capsey, when Sophie reached out to go over mid-of, but Shafali Verma dived across to complete a stunning catch. In her next over, Alice took out Smriti as her half-hearted shot was caught easily by short fine leg. Ellyse Perry and Disha Kasat tried injecting some momentum in the chase by hitting five fours, including the former taking a hat-trick of boundaries off Radha Yadav, in the tenth over. But Tara's introduction got the match firmly in Delhi's favour. In her first over, she got Ellyse to chop on to her stumps. Two balls later, she got Disha to pull straight to deep backward square leg. In her next over, Tara had Richa Ghosh mistiming the loft to long-on and Kanika Ahuja slicing straight to short third man to be on the cusp of taking a hat-trick. Though she didn't get the hat-trick, Delhi had another scalp when Asha Shobana top-edged to short fine leg off Shikha. Heather Knight and Megan Schutt slammed five fours and two sixes in the 54-run partnership off 28 balls for the eighth wicket. But Tara ended the stand by having Heather loft to extra cover to pick the first five-wicket haul of the tournament. Megan ended the innings with back-to-back fours, but it wasn't enough for them to stop Delhi from a thumping win. Brief Scores: Delhi Capitals 223/2 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 84, Meg Lanning 72; Heather Knight 2/40) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore (Smriti Mandhana 35, Ellyse Perry 31; Tara Norris 5/29, Alice Capsey 2/10) by 60 runs New Delhi, March 5 : The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday summoned the Swiss envoy and raised issue of "malicious" anti-India posters in front of UN building in Geneva, official sources said. The Swiss Ambassador conveyed to the ministry that India's concerns would be conveyed to Berne with all the seriousness it deserves. "The Secretary (West), MEA, today called in the Swiss Ambassador and raised the issue of unfounded and malicious anti-India posters in front of the UN building in Geneva," sources said, as per reports. The envoy said the posters in Geneva are part of the space provided to all, but in no way, does the government endorse the claims, nor do they reflect the position of the Swiss government. Mumbai, March 5 : A brilliant 162-run opening partnership off 87 balls between Shafali Verma and captain Meg Lanning followed by left-arm pacer Tara Norris becoming the first bowler to pick a five-fer in the inaugural Women's Premier League propelled Delhi Capitals to a comprehensive 60-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore at Brabourne Stadium on Sunday. While Shafali top-scored with 84 off 45 balls, including ten fours and two sixes, Meg was fantastic in her 72 off 43 balls, with 14 boundaries against her name. After the duo fell, Marizanne Kapp provided finishing fireworks with an unbeaten 39 off 17 balls, while Jemimah Rodrigues was not out on 22 off 15 balls for Delhi to post a massive 223/2. In reply, Tara emerged as the chief architect of Bangalore's collapse from 89/2 to 96/7. She ended up picking 5/29 in her four overs as Bangalore could make 163/8 in their 20 overs, giving Delhi their first victory of the competition. Pushed into batting first, carnage from Shafali and Meg began in the second over when three boundaries were hit off Megan Schutt. Spin was introduced by Bangalore from fourth over, but it was no stopping Shafali as she welcomed Preeti Bose with a lofted six over long-off. With every over till then producing a boundary, Meg and Shafali inflicted carnage on Sophie Devine in the sixth over, attacking the lengths outside off-stump to hit four boundaries as Delhi signed off from powerplay with 57/0. Post power-play, there was no stopping Shafali's aerial shots or Meg's exquisite timing. In the ninth over from Asha Shobana, Shafali danced down the pitch twice to hit huge sixes over bowler's head apart from a sweep yielding four, while Meg nudged one past mid-on to make it 22 off the over. Shafali reached her half-century, off only 31 balls in the tenth over, raising her bat and also bringing up the 100-run stand of the opening partnership off just 58 balls. In the next over, Meg also got her fifty with a sweep down leg off Heather Knight for a boundary. Shafali and Meg continued to play their shots, manoeuvre the gaps effortlessly as their partnership went past 150, with Bangalore looking rattled and their seven bowlers listless. But they finally found breakthrough in the 15th over, when Heather had Meg clean bowled while trying to dance down the pitch. Two balls later, Shafali fell as she edged behind to Richa Ghosh. Marizanne and Jemimah gave the perfect finish to Delhi by hitting six fours and three sixes in the last five overs as the crowd was treated to an amazing batting performance from Delhi. Bangalore's chase began with Smriti Mandhana taking two fours, including a sweetly-timed pick-up shot, and a six off Marizanne while Sophie took advantage of width coming from Shikha Pandey to hit three boundaries. Smriti nailed the slog-sweep and then got an outside edge on an attempted slog to take back-to-back fours off Jess Jonassen in the fourth over. The opening stand was broken by Alice Capsey, when Sophie reached out to go over mid-of, but Shafali dived across to complete a stunning catch. In her next over, Alice took out Smriti as her half-hearted shot was caught easily by short fine leg. Ellyse Perry and Disha Kasat tried injecting some momentum in the chase by hitting five fours, including the former taking a hat-trick of boundaries off Radha Yadav, in the tenth over. But Tara's introduction got the match firmly in Delhi's favour. In her first over, she got Ellyse to chop on to her stumps. Two balls later, she got Disha to pull straight to deep backward square leg. In her next over, Tara had Richa mistiming the loft to long-on and Kanika Ahuja slicing straight to short third man to be on the cusp of taking a hat-trick. Though she didn't get the hat-trick, Delhi had another scalp when Asha top-edged to short fine leg off Shikha. Heather and Megan slammed five fours and two sixes in the 54-run partnership off 28 balls for the eighth wicket. But Tara ended the stand by having Heather loft to extra cover to pick the first five-wicket haul of the tournament. Megan ended the innings with back-to-back fours, but it wasn't enough for them to stop Delhi from a thumping win. Brief Scores: Delhi Capitals 223/2 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 84, Meg Lanning 72; Heather Knight 2/40) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore (Smriti Mandhana 35, Ellyse Perry 31; Tara Norris 5/29, Alice Capsey 2/10) by 60 runs New Delhi, March 5 : Growing up in the vibrant surroundings of Central Delhi's Karol Bagh, Anumapa Mohan began writing at the age of nine -- "at least, that's how far back my memory of something tangible -- a diary, a journal -- goes". Not surprisingly, her debut novel "Where Mayflies Live Forever" (Picador) is as much a suspenseful mystery as it is a story about one woman's self-discovery in the natural world, with a disillusioned but probing, and ultimately triumphant, heart -- completed during a residency in Kerala at the height of the pandemic. Written in fiery yet sublime prose and rendered with extraordinary power, "Mayflies" is an absorbing exploration of violence and trauma, choice and identity, and the journey to find oneself in the wild. "As the only child of immigrant parents in Delhi, I was solitary for long stretches of time and turned to books. Reading, thinking, and writing were, therefore, a big part of my adolescent and then adult life," Mohan, an Associate Professor at IIT Jodhpur"s School of Liberal Arts, told IANS in an interview. "I was born in New Delhi and spent my early formative years in Karol Bagh, a vibrant community of people from all states in India. As a result, I grew up around Punjabi, Urdu, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamizh, Malayalam (my mother tongue), Hindi, and English, making for a rich tapestry of sounds and words and images from my very childhood on. "It was also a colony of refugees both from the 1947 Partition and then, during my childhood, the 1984 Sikh riots, so I grew up surrounded by old men and women whose stories of lost homelands mingled with the nostalgic remembrances of my parents' Kerala," Mohan added. She went to school at the lovely St. Thomas School on Mandir Marg, its gulmohar tree-lined avenue a powerful memory of the natural beauty of Delhi in the 1980s and 1990s. Then, she went to Jesus and Mary College for her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in English Literature, eventually moving in 2004 to the University of Toronto in Canada for a PhD in English literature. "I think my love of writing creatively and critically coalesced early and I continue to write and publish poetry, short stories, and now, my first novel, along with my academic writings, which, of course, one has to do as part of one's research commitment to the University (and now Institute) that one works in," Mohan said. Tracing some of the highlights of her life abroad and her decision to return to India, Mohan said: "In 2010 when I graduated from the PhD program in U of Toronto, the economic recession of 2008 had begun its chokehold on jobs and career opportunities for humanities graduates, in particular." "In that year, I was the only one in my cohort to secure a tenure-track position at University of Nevada Reno in the United States, so off I went in 2010 to the deserts of Nevada where the oasis of Reno was to be my first academic home. "I worked and stayed in Reno for three years when I decided, with my spouse, to return to India to accept a position at the newly-resurgent Presidency University (erstwhile Presidency College) in Kolkata. I have lived and worked for the past nine years in Kolkata, having taken to the city and to its incredible culture like a fish to water," Mohan elaborated. In so many ways, her life as a teacher, researcher, writer, poet, and novelist came together in the last decade. She picked up Bengali and it opened a whole new language and literature for her, and transformed my mindscape. At the height of Covid, she had the "incredible opportunity" of being selected as the 2021 Writer-in-Residence by Samyukta Research Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, and despite her family's misgivings (and her own), she took the plunge and headed out in September 2021 to Kerala to "spend three fantastic months to read and travel and write". Mohan said: "I can safely say, there would have been no novel without Samyukta -- the space offered to me along with the sustaining friendships went a long way in opening up my mind and I wrote and wrote in a kind of single-minded devotion to the project. "I was also teaching online, according to COVID protocol, in those days, and the intensity and beauty of Samyukta, Kerala, provided a panacea from the dark world of Sittanavasal that I was creating in my novel. "And then, even as I wrapped up the novel in 2022, I was already making plans to accept a position at IIT Jodhpur. So, with the publication of the novel in December 2022 and my new job and relocation to Jodhpur, I had an exciting but very hectic end-of-2022. And, that in a nutshell, has been my journey thus far." About the journey of this book from concept to conclusion and the research that went into it, she said: "Would you believe me if I told you that the plot of the novel came to me in a dream? I got up from sleep one night quite suddenly and woke up my partner and told him the whole story and he, groggy and alarmed, heard me fully before crashing to sleep again. "When I woke up the next morning, I had a vivid recall of the narrative I had told him and pretty much the contours of the main storyline became fixed in my conscious mind. After that, it was a matter of finding time and space to write, and when I was awarded the residency at Samyukta Research Centre, I jumped at the opportunity. Samyukta's library archives were very useful to me, and much of the research for the book was done there, and online." What is the message she is seeking to convey through this book? "Message? I don't know, really. When I started the book, it was titled 'A Quiet Place', and at its core was a very simple idea: of a woman rushing out of her home looking for some quiet. The book was always, for me, a philosophical meditation on what it means to be human and what happens when something occurs that completely shatters your sense of your own humanity. Can one recover from such dispossession? If yes, how? And what comes after? "So, these were the questions I was pursuing. The frame story of a violent act provided a kind of extreme limit at which one is forced to assess the point of one's existence and come up with an answer," Mohan said. Residents of a small town in Tamil Nadu are stunned by the beheading of a prominent man, whose head is missing from the scene of the crime. Everyone suspects Veni, a geography teacher at the local school, but she appears to have vanished from the face of the earth. As the police gather testimonies from those who closely knew Veni, unsettling truths about this seemingly unknowable woman's past gradually come to the fore. Where is Veni? The question haunts her family and other townsfolk, but the investigating officer has a different problem: Who is Veni? Language plays a key role in the novel. "The key to the novel," according to Mohan, "was the construction of a 'language-world' for its main cast of characters that will read to the Anglophone reader as a kind of translation of a vernacular (in this case, Tamizh). I was very clear, from the beginning, that their utterances had to be conveyed in an English that was shaped by the local language. And of course, Tamizh is a world language with an unbroken history of nearly 2,500 years. It is a language that is much, much older than English and beats to very different rhythms. The challenge was to write the story in an idiom that would come closest to its characters and their milieu. "In its everyday avatar too, Tamizh is a very literary language, bursting with colourful idioms, imagistic word-pictures, and witty and clever word-play (as many other Indian languages also tend to be). "My challenge was to capture these aspects in English but in a way that convinced the reader that these belonged to Tamizh and not to English. Indeed, in the speech style of one of the characters, it is English that becomes vernacularised." What next? What's her next book going to be on? "I'm finishing up a book of poetry, which is about poetic form -- classical forms like the sonnet, sestina, pantoum, the Sapphic, etc, given a modern treatment. Books of poetry are much harder to find publishers for, but I'm hoping this one will see the light of day. "I'm also working on my second book of fiction -- which will be very different from this one. If you've read my short stories, you'll know my penchant for the weird and the eccentric existing alongside the everyday and so-called normal. So, right now, these are my two creative projects," Mohan concluded. (Vishnu Makhijani can be reached at vishnu.makhijani@ians.in) Agartala, March 5 : The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) issue through not considerably highlighted in the recent Assembly elections in three northeastern states -- Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya -- it remains vigorous in the region even after over three years of passing the law and the on-off agitations against it. However, some local parties including the influential tribal-based Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and the ruling BJP's ally Indigenous People's Front of Tripura during the election campaign in Tripura highlighted the CAA issue. The TMP, which has been demanding the upgradation the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) into a full-fledged state or a separate state under Article 2 and 3 of the Constitution, promised to pass a resolution against the CAA within 150 days if the party comes to power in Tripura after the February 16 Assembly poll. The TMP, headed by former royal scion Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barman, for the first time fielded 42 seats in the February 16 elections and secured 13 seats, out of 20 tribal reserve seats. After the erstwhile Tripura Upajati Juba Samity (constituted in 1967), the TMP is the first tribal based party which won so many seats in the state assembly polls and became the second single largest party after the ruling BJP. Besides the TMP, IPFT, the All Assam Students Union (AASU), the North East Students Organisation (NESO) and several other organisations along with the Congress and the CPI-M led Left parties are strongly opposing the CAA. The leaders of AASU and NESO said that as their organisations are apolitical bodies. They did not highlight the CAA issue in the recent assembly poll. Also, the Congress and the CPI-M largely remained silent on this issue. Before the polls, the TMP chief while announcing the party's 15-point agenda -- Mission 15 for 150 days -- for the Assembly elections said: "We want people irrespective of any religion and caste to live in Tripura. We will pass a resolution against the CAA. "In one country, there cannot be two laws, similarly, one country cannot have a law which bars Muslims, Hindus, tribals and others." Deb Barman, who was the president of the Tripura Pradesh Congress, quit the party in 2019 after differences with the Central party leaders over CAA. He also filed a case in the Supreme Court against the CAA. Deb Barman's father Kirit Bikram Debbarman was the Congress MP from Tripura and his mother Bibhu Kumari Devi was a minister in the Congress led coalition government (1988-1993). The AASU, the NESO and the TMP had also earlier filed cases against the CAA in the Supreme Court. Talking to IANS, NESO chairman Samuel B. Jyrwa said that though they did not make the CAA an issue in the recent elections, they would fight against the law both on the ground and in the courts. The influential AASU and the NESO on December 11 last year observed the third anniversary of the passage of the law in Parliament as a 'black day' across the northeastern region. The NESO, which is a conglomerate of eight student organisations of seven northeastern states including the AASU, has been spearheading the agitations across the region since the BJP-led Central government moved the law in Parliament in November-December 2019. The NESO chairman told IANS: "The observation of 'black day' is to give a message to the Central government that we are against the CAA and also at the same time to remind our people of yet another political injustice that the government perpetrated on the indigenous peoples of the northeast." Assam was the epicentre of the anti-CAA protests in 2019 with five persons killed in firing and clashes during the agitations. Saying that they would continue agitations against the CAA, AASU president Utpal Sharma said they would not accept the CAA as it is "against the indigenous people and genuine citizens of India". The National People's Party (NPP) and most of the local parties in Meghalaya are strongly opposing the CAA but the parties did not make it a key issue in the February 27 assembly election. A leader of the NPP said that when the Union government can repeal the farm laws, why is it not scrapping the CAA even as the many parties and organisations in the entire northeast are protesting against the law. In an all-party meeting called earlier by the Central government, NPP's Lok Sabha member from Meghalaya Agatha Sangma had demanded the repeal of the CAA, the NPP leader said. Former Union Minister Agatha Sangma is the younger sister of NPP's national president Conrad K. Sangma. According to the experts, the CAA is the first legislation to offer citizenship on the basis of religion leading to widespread protests against it in different parts of the country, specially in the northeast. The Central government had earlier announced that the CAA would not apply to the Inner Line Permit (ILP) enforced and the Tribal Autonomous District Council (TADC) governed areas. The northeastern states have ten TADCs. Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram have three TADCs each and Tripura has one such tribal autonomous body under the sixth schedule of the constitution. An apex body of over 17 organisations -- Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) -- had been spearheading a strong agitation since 2019 for the introduction of ILP in the remaining parts of Meghalaya as the regulation now in forced in the three TADCs in the mountainous state. "Even though the Meghalaya Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution on December 19, 2019, the Union Home Ministry is yet to take appropriate steps to enforce ILP in the remaining parts of Meghalaya," a CoMSO leader told IANS The anti-CAA protests had first started in Assam, parts of West Bengal and other northeastern states in 2019 and continued till 2020 before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. At least five persons were killed in the protests against the CAA in Assam, which also witnessed large-scale violence and imposition of curfew for several days. The CAA seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities -- Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians -- who have migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, after facing faith-based persecution. It was passed by both the Houses of Parliament and given Presidential assent in December 2019. However, rules under the CAA are yet to be framed. (Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in) Bengaluru, March 5 : Hitting back at the opposition Congress which is demanding his resignation in connection with the arrest of a BJP legislator's son in a bribery case, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said while his party insists that Lokayukta take action against anybody who makes mistakes, the Congress hides its failings. Reacting to the Congress' resignation demand over the arrest of BJP MLA Maadal Virupakshappa's son in a bribery case, Bommai said: "In the previous Congress-led government in Karnataka, Puttarangashetty, a minister had accepted Rs 25 lakh bribe in Vidhana Soudha. Did then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah resign? "If the Lokayukta existed then, the minister would have been arrested. But they weakened the anti-corruption institution to hush up such cases," he said. The Congress must come to power to cover up its mistakes, the Chief Minister said. Commenting on the protest by the Congress across the state, he said "the people know well why they were protesting". "The party has been doing it to come back to power and hush up its mistakes. The people have not forgotten the omissions and the commissions committed by the Congress leaders. They have been involved in murder, extortion, corruption, and plundering. The 59 cases of the previous Congress government have been referred to the Lokayukta and the truth will come out," Bommai said. Asked about the Congress also seeking the resignation of BJP's Channagiri MLA Maadal Virupakshappa, the Chief Minister said no decision has been taken in this regard. "The Lokayukta has been given the free hand to inquire about the case," Bommai said. Speaking about the re-inauguration of the Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rayghad by the Congress leaders, Bommai said "this is ridiculous since the statue had been built out of the government's grants and had already been formally inaugurated on behalf of the government". "After the inauguration, anyone can visit to see the statue but has not heard of re-inaugurating after the formal opening. This shows their hunger for power and the height of their frustration," Bommai said. Patna, March 5 : After facing flak over alleged violence against migrant workers from the state in Tamil Nadu, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday blamed the Centre for not taking initiative on the issue. Tejashwi Yadav earlier had cited the statement of Tamil Nadu DGP to tell the Assembly that no violence had taken place with Bihari labourers in the southern state. However, several video clips appeared on social media purportedly showing Tamil youths assaulting Bihari labourers, forcing them, as a result, to leave Tamil Nadu. "If any such incidents of violence happened with Bihari labourers in Tamil Nadu, why is the Modi government silent on it? There is a dispute arising between the two states, the Centre should resolve it. "A team from Bihar was sent to Tamil Nadu to investigate the ground situation. That team will bring the truth. People of the country can go anywhere. We have to be alert from those trying to create division in the society," Tejashwi Yadav said. He also quoted the statement of BJP state President Sanjay Jaiswal, who was reportedly talked to his Tamil Nadu counterpart K. Annamalai, who also claimed that no violence with Bihari labourers had taken place. Meanwhile, Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas (LJPR) President Chirag Paswan targeted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the Tamil Nadu incidents. He said that he will go to Chennai on Monday morning and meet the Bihari labourers. "After the meeting with Bihari labourers in Chennai, I will hold a press conference on this issue. I will also hand over a memorandum to Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and return to Patna in the evening," Paswan said. Bengaluru, March 5 : The Congress' Karnataka unit has given a call for state-wide bandh on March 9 to oppose "loot" and "corruption" in the state, a party release said on Sunday. State President D.K. Shivakumar termed as "disgusting" the corruption practiced by BJP in the state. "The 40 per cent commission has destroyed the life of all sections of the society... Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai government is by the corrupt, for the corruption and to the corruption," he claimed. The achievements of the BJP government are taking 40 per cent commission in every tender, 40 per cent commission in all school funds, 30 per cent commission in funds released to religious mutts, and bribe for every posting and transfer, Shivakumar alleged. There were scandals in recruitment of sub-inspectors of police, associate professors, assistant engineers, junior engineers and a recent addition is the rampant corruption that came to light in the Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd (KSDL), he said. Shivakumar said that to avoid inconvenience to the public, the protest will be staged symbolically between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and education institutions, hospitals, transport and other services are kept out of bandh. "Our demand is that CM Bommai should be sacked or he should resign from his post," he demanded. Bengaluru, March 5 : JD-S leader and former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday questioned Karnataka's ruling BJP government to clarify whether the announcement regarding Foxconn by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai was a publicity stunt, or was an MoU actually signed. Taking to social media, Kumaraswamy charged the BJP government with the policy of "maximum publicity and zero result policy", saying that the government is busy with publicity ads and it does not have any care towards welfare of people, development and generation of employment. "Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and two other ministers took free publicity on Friday by stating that iPhone manufacturer Foxconn company from Taiwan has come to the state for investment. They held the signed letters in their hands stating the MOU had been signed and posed before the media," he said. The Taiwanese company, on the other hand, clarified that there were no binding or definitive agreements to invest in Karnataka. "If this is the case, what really happened in the presence of CM Bommai on Friday? Was it a publicity gimmick or agreement? They need to clarify before the people," the JD-S leader demanded. "There is importance attached to the foreign investments in the post-Covid phase. The government should tread cautiously. The state lost the Ola company because of its own mistakes. Rs 7,614 crore investment went to Tamil Nadu. "The life of people is more important than elections and publicity. For the BJP government in Karnataka above all comes power and rest is not so important. There is no end to the woes of Kannadigas," Kumaraswamy alleged. Earlier, Chief Minister Bommai had claimed that the MOU with Foxconn is a big boost to India's Atmanirbhar Bharat ambitions and a testimony to Karnataka's success in drawing investments to the state in the electronics manufacturing and assembly segment. "Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) has announced a major investment in Karnataka. The 300 acres of land has been identified for this purpose near the Bengaluru International Airport, in Doddaballapura and Devanahalli taluks," he had said. A Foxconn team, led by CEO and Chairman Young Liu and comprising 16 senior leaders, were in Bengaluru on Friday where they were welcomed at the airport by IT and BT Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan. They met Large and Medium Industries Minister Dr. Murugesh R. Nirani, and Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma, before a dinner hosted by Bommai, where he and Liu were reported to have discussed Foxconn's investment plans and Bommai assured full support for the project, as per a state government spokesman. WASHINGTON Self-help author Marianne Williamson, whose 2020 White House campaign featured more quirky calls for spiritual healing than actual voter support, launched another longshot bid for the presidency on Saturday, becoming the first Democrat to formally challenge President Joe Biden for the 2024 nomination. "We are upset about this country, we're worried about this country," Williamson told a crowd of more than 600 at a kickoff in the nation's capital. "It is our job to create a vision of justice and love that is so powerful that it will override the forces of hatred and injustice and fear." The 70-year-old onetime spiritual adviser to Oprah Winfrey should provide only token primary opposition a testament to how strongly national Democrats are united behind Biden. Still, she tweaked the president, a longtime Amtrak rider, by holding her opening rally at the ornately marble-columned presidential suite at Union Station, Washington's railway hub. Biden gave his own speech from Union Station just before last November's elections, when he led Democrats to a surprisingly strong showing, urging voters to reject political extremism and saying "democracy itself" was at stake. He is expected to announce in the coming weeks that he's running again. Williamson, whose red, blue and black campaign signs feature the dual slogans "A New Beginning" and "Disrupt the System," says she'll be campaigning in early-voting states on the 2024 election calendar. That includes New Hampshire, which threatened to defy a Biden-backed plan by the Democratic National Committee to have South Carolina lead off the nominating contests. Democrats and Republicans in New Hampshire warned that if Biden skips the state's unsanctioned primary and a rival wins it, that outcome could prove embarrassing for the sitting president even if that challenger has no real shot of actually being the nominee. Even if other Democrats follow Williamson into the race, the party is not planning to hold primary debates. Striking a defiant tone Saturday, Williamson denounced "those who feel they are the adults in the room" and aren't taking her candidacy seriously, proclaiming, "Let me in there." "I have run for president before. I am not naive about these forces which have no intention of allowing anyone into this conversation who does not align with their predetermined agenda," she said. "I understand that, in their mind, only people who previously have been entrenched in the car that brought us into this ditch can possibly be considered qualified to bring us out of it." She didn't mention Biden by name in her speech, and though she noted that former President Donald Trump not being reelected in 2020 kept the country from going "over the cliff," she also said it was still "six inches" from doing so. Williamson said she opposes a free market "mindset" and corrupt political system that she said prioritizes greed above all else "like an atomizer spray of economic injustice." "The American people have been trained to expect so little," she said. "The American people have been played." A Texas native who now lives in Beverly Hills, California, Williamson is the author of more than a dozen books and ran an unsuccessful independent congressional campaign in California in 2014. In 2020, she was best known for wanting to create a Department of Peace and arguing the federal government should pay large financial reparations to Black Americans as atonement for centuries of slavery and discrimination. Kolkata, March 5 : Even after the Calcutta High Court allowed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to take Trinamool Congress strongman Anubrata Mondal to New Delhi in connection with the multi-crore cattle smuggling scam, the process hit a snag following the state police refusing to take responsibility of escorting him to the national capital. As per the high court order, the ED can take Mondal to New Delhi after any central hospital in the state gives a 'fit' certificate to him on this count. So accordingly, the ED on Sunday morning mailed the Asansol Special Correctional Home, where Mondal is housed now, asking them to send him to Kolkata so that he can be medically examined at Command Hospital in the city and then taken to New Delhi. The correctional home authorities contacted the Asansol Police Commissionerate but the latter refused to take responsibility for escorting Mondal first from Asansol to Kolkata and then from Kolkata to New Delhi. The correctional home authorities accordingly informed the ED about the Asansol police's stand, asking them to themselves take the responsibility of escorting Mondal. However, the ED, in their counter-reply to the correctional home authorities, said that as per protocol and rules, it is not the responsibility of the central agency but that of the state police to render escort duty in such cases. As per the latest information, both the correction home and ED authorities have decided to inform a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court, which is hearing the matter of the situation and wait for its direction on this count. ED sources said that as per protocol and rules, it is the responsibility of the state police to escort the accused concerned. "In case of escorting Mondal's bodyguard Sehgal Hossain to New Delhi last year, the Asansol Police Commissionerate took the responsibility of escorting him. It is beyond our knowledge why they are reluctant to take the same responsibility in case of Mondal this time," an ED source said. New Delhi, March 5 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi on Sunday accused the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of mentally torturing former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and forcing him to sign a false confession paper in custody. The former deputy of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on February 26 in connection with the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. Speaking at a press conference here, Atishi questioned the CBI's actions while highlighting "the agency's failure to prove any corruption charges against Sisodia". The AAP legislator from Kalkaji constituency asserted that despite thousands of hours of investigation, the full-time involvement of over 500 officers, thousands of pages of chargesheets, and over 50 hours of raids, "the investigation agencies have not been able to prove the corruption of even one rupee against Sisodia". She said that stories of torture in police custody, putting pressure, and forcing people to sign false confessions are often heard. "If this could happen to Delhi's former Deputy Chief Minister, it is a matter of great concern for the entire country, and there is a possibility that it could happen to anyone in the future," she said. Atishi further said that Sisodia was neither named in the CBI's first chargesheet, nor was his name mentioned in the probe agency's supplementary chargesheet. "Then it was predicted that his name might appear on the ED's chargesheet. However, Manish Sisodia was not even named in the chargesheet submitted by the ED," she said, adding his name did not appear on any of these chargesheets, as neither the CBI nor the ED has any evidence against him. The AAP legislator also accused the CBI of arresting Sisodia without any evidence "to please its political masters". "He was arrested on the basis of a false charge of non-cooperation and that his arrest was not made on the basis of any evidence or documentary proof," she said. New Delhi, March 5 : A 'Shraddhanjali Sabha' was organised on Sunday in the memory of former Gujarat Governor and former Delhi BJP chief Prof O.P. Kohli who passed away last month with BJP President J.P. Nadda, senior RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale, and VHP President Alok Kumar in attendance. The leaders, which also included MP and former Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, former Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramveer Singh Bidhuri and Delhi BJP Working President Virender Sachdeva, paid floral tributes to Kohli. In his address, Nadda said that he considered himself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Prof Kohli in the field of politics and education. "Prof Kohli ji was not just a politician but he was an organiser and thinker...", he said, adding that he had worked to establish nationalist ideology in Delhi University, especially among the teachers. Hosabale recalled his association with Kohli and especially stressed on how he treated everyone equally. Prof Kohli's children Vishu Kohli and Ritu Kohli thanked those who attended the programme. New Delhi, March 5 : The Indian Navy on Sunday successfully test-fired the BrahMos missile launched from a warship in the Arabian Sea, an official said, adding the missile managed to hit its target with precision. The BrahMos was fired from a Kolkata class guided missile destroyer warship on Sunday evening. The Defence Ministry said the missile is equipped with an indigenous booster designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The Navy said that the BrahMos missile strengthens India's commitment towards 'Atmanirbhartra' (self-reliance). Earlier, the Indian Air Force had also successfully tested the BrahMos missile from the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI aircraft. The missile was test-fired in December last year. The Air Force has said that the air-launched missile can hit targets within a range of around 400 km. New Delhi, March 6 : Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani on Sunday said that the development of any country is not possible without the participation of women. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has clearly said that if the country has to progress then women will have to ensure their participation in the development of nation. Without women's participation, development of any nation is not possible," she said at a function to mark the International Women's Day which is observed on March 8. Women who have done unprecedented work in various fields of the society were felicitated in a programme organised by Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha and presided over by the Morcha President Yogita Singh on the occasion. The women who were honoured for their service on Sunday include Preeti Seth, Aashmeen Munjal, Sophia Garg, Padmavati Dwivedi, Pooja Sharma, Twinkle Kalia, Nilima Dutta Mehta, Amita, Shammi Talwar, Shailja Mohan, Kavita Gulati and Madhuraj Swadeshi. Irani also said that after 2014, the way in which the government is taking care of women in the country is a form of a revolution. The Union Minister said "we are honouring women in the name of Sushma Swaraj who set high standards", citing whether it was getting separate toilets for girls in government schools, opening bank accounts for the first time for 22 crore women or the Ujjwala Yojana. Damascus, March 6 : The Syrian Foreign Ministry has condemned an "illegitimate" visit of a top US general to a US base in northeastern Syria. In a statement, the Ministry on Sunday slammed the US Army general Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for making an unannounced visit to a base to meet US troops in northeastern Syria, Xinhua news agency reported. The visit was a "flagrant violation of Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity," it said. The Ministry also demanded the US government "immediately stop its systematic and continuous international law violations and its support for armed separatist militias". Jerusalem, March 6 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged a senior cabinet minister's call to "erase" a Palestinian village as "inappropriate," after the US had urged the Prime Minister to reject it. In his Twitter post on Sunday, Netanyahu stopped short of outright condemnation of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, but said the minister "misspoke" and thanked him for admitting "his choice of words" was "inappropriate". Most of his tweet, however, focused on calling on the international community to further condemn Palestinian attacks against Israelis, Xinhua news agency reported. The village of Hawara in the occupied West Bank was rampaged by hundreds of Israeli settlers last Sunday, who torched dozens of homes, cars and shops and killed livestock animals. A Palestinian man was shot dead, apparently by an Israeli soldier, during the attack. The attack came hours after two Israeli brothers from a nearby settlement were killed in a shooting attack outside Hawara. Smotrich, the ultra-nationalist leader of the pro-settler Religious Zionist Party, said during a conference on Wednesday that Hawara "must be erased. I think the State of Israel needs to do, not the settlers". He later told Channel 12 news TV that this was "not the right choice of words," attributing the remarks to "a slip of the tongue in a torrent of emotion". It was Netanyahu's first official comment on Smotrich's controversial remark which had sparked an international outcry, including condemnations by the UN and several Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt. In a statement, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price described the remark as "repugnant" and "irresponsible," urging Netanyahu to "publicly and clearly reject" it. Beirut, March 6 : The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon has urged the country and Israel to maintain calm following an incident on the demarcation Blue Line, the National News Agency reported. Earlier on Sunday, the Lebanese Army Command said an "Israeli enemy patrol breached" at noon the Blue Line near Lebanon's southern town of Ayta al-Shaab by about one metre, prompting a Lebanese Army patrol to force them to retreat back to areas beyond the line. "UNIFIL is aware of the tensions that are occurring along the Blue Line in the Aita (Ayta) al-Shaab area, where some Israeli maintenance work is taking place," said Candice Ardell, Deputy Director of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon Media Office. "UNIFIL forces are at the site, and are seeking to reduce tension ... We urge all parties and all those present at the scene to maintain calm," she added. The Blue Line separates the territories between Lebanon and Israel and was drawn in June 2000 by the United Nations after the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon on May 25, 2000, Xinhua news agency reported. UNIFIL forces are deployed in southern Lebanon, and its area of operations is defined by the Litani river in the north and the Blue Line in the south, according to the UN mission's webpage. Venkata Bhonagiri, a seasoned marketing executive who has been focused on driving an enduring, diversified, and sustainable growth for his clients and advertisers We are honored to welcome Mr. Bhonagiri into the community, said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils Venkata Bhonagiri, a senior media and analytics leader based in Chicago has been accepted into Forbes Agency Council, an invitation-only community for owners of and executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative, and advertising agencies. Venkata Bhonagiri was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors. We are honored to welcome Mr. Bhonagiri into the community, said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes the Forbes Agency Council. Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world. As an accepted member of the Council, Venkat has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help him reach peak professional influence. He will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum. Venkat will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share his expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts. Finally, Venkata Bhonagiri will benefit from exclusive access to vetted business service partners, membership-branded marketing collateral, and the high-touch support of the Forbes Councils member concierge team. I am really excited to be a part of this council. It offers an incredible opportunity to not just share my learnings and observations but collaborate with other industry leaders in the agency world Venkata Bhonagiri Reach out to Venkata Bhonagiri https://www.linkedin.com/in/venkatrb/ ABOUT FORBES COUNCILS Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive. For more information about Forbes Agency Council, visit forbesagencycouncil.com. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit http://forbescouncils.com/. Crossbows deep and relevant experience in healthcare was essential in powering our outreach capabilities to support our continued growth, said David Zimmerman, Senior Vice President for Mount Sinai Solutions. Crossbow Group is collaborating with Mount Sinai Solutions on the design and development of new integrated branding and lead generation campaigns to measurably increase awareness, consideration, and usage of innovative care models developed at Mount Sinai Health System. Mount Sinai Solutions utilizes integrated, multidisciplinary care teams and multiple service offerings to deliver seamless, simplified, health benefits to NYC-based organizations and individuals. 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About Crossbow Group Crossbow Group is an award-winning integrated marketing agency, seamlessly combining digital, branding, and direct response best practices. We partner with you to deliver performance-based strategic insight, data, technology, and creativity that facilitate measurably better customer and prospect experiences and outcomes for organizations in the healthcare, insurance, financial services, technology, education, and other high-growth vertical markets. The firms client list includes Intuit, CIGNA, Bloomberg, Clean Harbors, Google, and other leading brands. For more information about the company, go to http://www.crossbowgroup.com or contact Jay Bower at (203) 222-2244 or jbower@crossbowgroup.com KHROMOVE, Ukraine Pressure from Russian forces mounted Saturday on Ukrainians hunkered down in Bakhmut, as residents attempted to flee with help from troops who Western analysts say may be preparing to withdraw from the key eastern stronghold. A woman was killed and two men were badly wounded by shelling while trying to cross a makeshift bridge out of the city in Donetsk province, according to Ukrainian troops who were assisting them. A Ukrainian army representative told The Associated Press that it was too dangerous for civilians to leave Bakhmut by vehicle, so people had to flee on foot. Bakhmut has for months been a prime target of Moscow's grinding eastern offensive, with Russian troops, including forces from the private Wagner Group, inching closer. An AP team near Bakhmut on Saturday saw a pontoon bridge set up by Ukrainian soldiers to help the few remaining residents reach the nearby village of Khromove. Later they saw at least five houses on fire as a result of attacks in Khromove. Ukrainian units destroyed two key bridges just outside Bakhmut, including one linking it to the nearby town of Chasiv Yar along the last remaining Ukrainian resupply route, according to U.K. military intelligence officials and other Western analysts. The U.K. defense ministry said in the latest of its regular Twitter updates that the destruction of the bridges came as Russian fighters made further inroads into Bakhmut's northern suburbs. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, assessed late Friday that Kyiv's actions may point to a looming pullout from parts of the city. It said Ukrainian troops may "conduct a limited and controlled withdrawal from particularly difficult sections of eastern Bakhmut," while seeking to inhibit Russian movement there and limit exit routes to the west. Capturing Bakhmut would not only give Russian fighters a battlefield gain after months of setbacks, but it might rupture Ukraine's supply lines and allow the Kremlin's forces to press toward other Ukrainian strongholds in the Donetsk region. Civilians spoke about daily struggles as the fighting raged on nearly nonstop, reducing much of Bakhmut to rubble. Husband and wife Hennadiy Mazepa and Natalia Ishkova, who chose to remain in the city, said they lack food and basic utilities. "Humanitarian (aid) is given to us only once a month. There is no electricity, no water, no gas," Ishkova told AP on Saturday. "I pray to God that all who remain here will survive," she added. At the United Nations on Friday, deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said U.N. humanitarian staff reported "intensive hostilities" near Bakhmut and the few humanitarian partners on the ground were focusing on evacuating the most vulnerable. On Saturday, Russia's defense chief traveled to eastern Ukraine to inspect troops and award them with state decorations, the Defense Ministry said. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited a command post where he was briefed by regional commander Rustam Muradov, according to a video published by the ministry. It did not disclose the command post's location. Elsewhere, Ukraine's emergency services reported in the morning that the death toll from a Russian missile strike that hit a five-story apartment building in southern Ukraine on Thursday rose to 11. Emergency services said in an online statement that rescuers pulled three more bodies from the wreckage overnight, some 36 hours after a Russian missile tore through four floors of the building in the riverside city of Zaporizhzhia. A child was among those reported killed, and the rescue effort was ongoing. Russian shelling on Saturday also killed two residents of front-line communities in the surrounding Zaporizhzhia region, the local military administration reported. A 57-year-old woman and a 68-year-old man also died in Nikopol, a town farther west near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, as Russian forces fired artillery shells and rockets at Ukrainian-held territory across the Dnieper river, regional Gov. Serhiy Lysak reported. In the western city of Lviv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Saturday with the head of the European Union parliament. In a joint news briefing with Zelenskyy, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said "all those responsible" for suspected Russian war crimes in Ukraine, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, must be brought to justice before a durable peace is achieved. Metsola voiced support for the EU's announcement Thursday that an international center for the prosecution of the crime of aggression the act of invading another country would be set up in The Hague. She also called for Ukraine to start negotiations on joining the 27-nation European Union as early as this year and urged Western nations to keep arming Kyiv as it battles Russian forces. The EU agreed in June to put Ukraine on a path toward membership, setting in motion a process that could take years or even decades. However, Moscow's invasion and Ukraine's request for fast-track consideration have lent urgency to the negotiations. "Ukraine's future is in the European Union," Metsola said on Twitter late Friday. "We will walk all the way with you." Photos: Ukrainian refugees safe, but not at peace Russia Ukraine War Refugees Russia Ukraine War Refugees Russia Ukraine War Refugees Russia Ukraine War Refugees Russia Ukraine War Refugees Russia Ukraine War Refugees Russia Ukraine War Refugees Russia Ukraine War Refugees Russia Ukraine War Refugees Russia Ukraine War Refugees Russia Ukraine War Refugees APTOPIX Russia Ukraine War Refugees Russia Ukraine War Refugees Russia Ukraine War Refugees Russia Ukraine War Refugees Russia Ukraine War Refugees Elohi Strategic Advisors Elohi Strategic Advisors will offer its inaugural symposium Navigating the Foodservice Universe and Trends for 2023 on Friday, May 19, before the opening of the National Restaurant Show. Elohi Strategic Advisors (ESA), a leading consulting firm for both emerging and established natural foods brands in the foodservice channel, will offer its inaugural symposium Navigating the Foodservice Universe and Trends for 2023 on Friday, May 19, before the opening of the National Restaurant Show. Known for their breadth of knowledge and experience across the foodservice value chain, ESA Founder and Chief Development Officer, Stephanie Lind, and CEO, Dimitra Rizzi, will lead an interactive session that provides the most comprehensive introduction to the foodservice channel available. Topics include: An overview of the channel and its segments. The importance of omni-channel marketing. How foodservice differs from retail. Links in the value chain and how they influence one another. How to foresee and prepare for the unexpected in foodservice. Identifying with the customer/operator, rather than the consumer, and understanding their motivations. Understanding the distribution system and building the right relationships. The in-person format will allow for detailed discussions of attendees areas of interest and one-on-one interaction with the speakers. Mark DiDomenico, also of the ESA team, will join the discussion of coming trends in the natural foods and alternative protein space for 2023. With more than a decade of experience at Datassential and an additional two decades at industry leaders like Kelloggs and Sara Lee Foodservice, DiDomenico possesses an uncommon level of expertise in translating data into actionable insights. His analytical perspective particularly in conversation with Lind and Rizzis experience in innovation, entrepreneurship, logistics, operations and sales will provide solid insights about the years coming trends. This training event will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Friday, May 19, at McCormick Place (2301 South Lake Shore Dr.) in Chicago, Illinois. It will be a perfect fit for attendees considering entering the foodservice channel or those just wanting to learn more. The course is designed to provide expert education and guidance for: Innovators who may or may not currently have products in production. Smart investors at any point in the value chain. Startups preparing to launch. Established brands expanding into new channels, with new products or into new geographies. Anyone who needs a 360-degree understanding of the foodservice channel. More information about the event and tickets are available through Eventbrite. About Elohi Strategic Advisors Elohi Strategic Advisors (ESA) is a well-connected foodservice accelerator focused on empowering companies to pioneer, develop and innovate in the foodservice industry. ESA provides scalable leadership, strategy and execution expertise across revenue generation, marketing, product, pricing and management to new and established companies in the food industry. A women-owned (WBENC-certified) small business, ESA leads a comprehensive team of industry experts who help your company rapidly break into foodservice and reach your goals on an accelerated timeline. Invest and grow with confidence. Visit elohi.us to learn more. ### Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against Alameda Health System, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. The San Francisco employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action lawsuit against Alameda Health System, alleging the company violated the California Labor Code. The lawsuit against Alameda Health System is currently pending in the Alameda County Superior Court, Case No. 23CV027524. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here. According to the complaint filed, Alameda Health System allegedly failed to pay employees for all the time they were under the employer's control. This, allegedly, includes the time Plaintiff and other California Class Members had to submit to mandatory COVID-19 questionnaires and temperature checks prior to clocking in for the day. To the extent that the time worked off-the-clock did not qualify for overtime premium payment, Defendant allegedly failed to pay minimum and overtime wages for the time worked off-the-clock. The complaint further alleges Alameda Health System restricted employees from unconstrained walks in which employees could not leave work premises during their rest period. The applicable California Wage Order requires employers to provide employees with off-duty rest periods, which the California Supreme Court defined as time during which an employee is relieved from all work related duties and free from employer control. For more information about the class action lawsuit against Alameda Health System, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County, and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and other types of illegal workplace conduct. ***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT*** If you're thinking of opening a coffee shop in Pennsylvania or any other state, call 1-888-800-9224 to reach our startup team. Were excited to share information and resources to help entrepreneurs like you." - Greg Ubert, Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea Want to learn how to open a coffee shop in Pennsylvania? Get tips on starting a profitable business in The Keystone State from coffee shop startup experts at Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea. Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, Roast magazines 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year has taught over 300 entrepreneurs in 30 states how to open their own independent coffee shops. Now, the companys 7 Steps coffee shop startup consulting team has added to its series of state-level coffee shop startup guides with, How to Start a Coffee Shop in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is a terrific place to start a coffee shop! said Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert. In fact, Pennsylvania ranks 19th among the states in the number of coffee shops per capita, with fewer than one coffee shop for every 5,669 residents. That leaves a lot of Pennsylvanians without a local coffee shop, especially in the smaller cities and towns. The program is based on Uberts book, Seven Steps to Success: A Common-sense Guide to Succeed in Specialty Coffee, which he wrote to help coffee shop owners develop profitable businesses by mastering all aspects of successful coffee shop operations. We help entrepreneurs with little or no coffee experience become owners of thriving coffee shops serving their local communities, he said. From choosing a terrific location and writing a strong coffee shop business plan to buying and laying out equipment, hiring and training staff and more, our team is here to guide you. To hear about the book in Uberts own words, download a free recorded introduction on Soundcloud. Besides the Pennsylvania guide, Crimson Cup recently published guides on How to Start a Coffee Shop in Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Virginia, Missouri, Wisconsin, Connecticut, New Jersey, Iowa, Alabama, Maine, Arkansas, Vermont, Rhode Island, Utah, Colorado, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Wyoming, South Dakota, Oklahoma and North Dakota. The roaster will continue to post a state-level guide each week until all 50 states are covered. Although the fundamentals of coffee shop operation remain the same from state to state, the economic opportunities, business formation and licensing requirements vary widely, Ubert said. Were excited to share information and resources to help entrepreneurs expedite their startup journey. He invited anyone who is thinking of opening a coffee shop in any state to call Crimson Cup for guidance. If you run into any roadblocks or just want to discuss your vision with a coffee expert, you can reach our startup team by calling 1-888-800-9224. About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea Founded in 1991, Crimson Cup is at the forefront of the coffee industry. Its attentive roasting, startup support and global partnerships are consciously designed for the greater good of communities around the world. Among other national recognitions, the company has earned 2020 and 2017 Good Food Awards, the 2019 Golden Bean Champion for Small Franchise/Chain Roaster and Roast magazines 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year. Crimson Cup travels the world searching for the perfect cup driven by meaningful relationships, honesty and a shared vision for the future. Its Friend2Farmer initiatives foster respect and decency through mutually beneficial collaboration across local and global communities. Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, the company teaches entrepreneurs how to open and run independent coffee houses in their local communities. By developing a coffee shop business plan, entrepreneurs gain insight into coffee shop startup costs. Crimson Cup coffee is available through over 350 independent coffee houses, grocers, college and universities, restaurants and food service operations across 30 states, Guam and Bangladesh. The company also owns several Crimson Cup Coffee Shops and a new CRIMSON retail flagship store. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram. Courtesy Hotels Our 10-day trip through the Luberon and the Cote dAzur was excellently organized in all its detailshotels, restaurants, museums, and moreby France-based travel adviser Philip Haslett, of Kairos Travelthe man to contact (philip@kairos-travel.com). The hotels were impeccably hospitable, each with what the French call an acceuil chaleureuxnot just a warm welcome but one that, according to a French dictionary, manifests de lenthousiasme, de lardeur. Nor did we have a bad meal, a reassuring fact for those of us who sometimes doubt, and often pray for, the continuities of French civilization. Fabrice Rambert The Bastide de Gordes, which hangs over the rock face of the little town of that name, is exquisite for its rooms, service, and Parisian-superintended restaurant, Clover Gordes. The servers are local and have a gravity we recognize from French tradition. The town itself, which has another fine small restaurant (with the peculiar name of LOutsider), is unimprovable and can bring tears to the eyes of any Francophile who wanders within it at night. (Local color is best seen in darkness.) Andrew Pattman On a vineyard between Arles and Aix-en-Provence, the extraordinary Villa La Coste is one of Europes great original, eccentric developments, filled with first-rate jewel-box exemplars of the work of what seems like every leading contemporary architect, from a new art gallery by Oscar Niemeyer to a music pavilion designed by Frank Gehry. It also houses permanent and temporary exhibitions of modern and new art. Our visit coincided with an arresting show of sculpture by the British artist Annie Morris, who somehow makes of her abstract, polished, brightly colored ovals stacked in improbable pillars a comment, eloquent and light, on the precariousness of pleasure. November Studio Near St.-Tropez, we stayed first at the Philippe Starkdesigned Lily of the Valley, which has soothing outdoor terraces and a destination spa with a top-notch hammam (one test of spa superiority), a most charming view of the water, and a terrific seafood-based restaurant. We delighted also in its Shape Club, featuring elegant Frenchwomen understandably exhausted after a quick run up some stone steps. Story continues Courtesy of Chateau Saint Martin & Spa. At the Chateau Saint Martin & Spa, the views of the entire Cote dAzur kept us in our room for supper, so unwilling were we to miss any of the moments of sunset. Among many wonderful nearby meals, the one we had at LAmandier de Mougins, in the town of that name, stood out; we ate on a terrace bathed in amber autumn light and violet shadows. Hotel du Cap Eden Roc Finally, in Antibes, we alighted at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, made famous by Gerald and Sara Murphy. It retains some of the flavor of the melancholy and defiantly materialistic 1920s and not only remains the most famous hotel in the region, if not all of France, but lives up to that billing. Its restaurant, Louroc, a Michelin one-star, served a poulet poche for two with verbena that this greedy home chef has been trying to reproduce ever since. And the grave and helpful sommelier took our request for a half bottle of red burgundy (by that point in the journey we could manage no more) as seriously as if we were ordering a tasting of Domaine de la Romanee Conti. This story appears in the March 2023 issue of Town & Country. SUBSCRIBE NOW You Might Also Like Rose Byrne, John Cena, Jackie Chan, Ice Cube, Post Malone, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd and Maya Rudolph have signed up for voice roles in the upcoming animated movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. ADVERTISEMENT The film, billed as an original story about the titular New York City crime-fighters, is set to open in theaters Aug. 4. A teaser is slated for release on Monday. Rogen, who co-founded Point Grey Pictures, revealed at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards on Saturday night that the four turtles will be played by Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu and Brady Noon, Deadline reported. Rogen will voice a mutant warthog named Bebop. Donatello will be voiced by Abbey while Brown Jr. will voice Michelangelo. Cantu will voice Leonardo and Noon will voice Raphael. "We are beyond thrilled by this world-class cast we've assembled to bring these iconic, beloved characters to life in a new chapter of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe," Ramsey Naito, the president of Nickelodeon Animation and Paramount Animation said in a statement Saturday. "This really sets a new bar for this globally celebrated franchise, and we can't wait to show audiences this film." The war in Ukraine has shown the value of tanks, but militaries are now looking to stock up on slimmed-down versions of them Soviet light tanks in 1936. Sovfoto/Universal Images Group via Getty Images The war in Ukraine has generated renewed interest in the role of tanks on the modern battlefield. Even before the war, some militaries were developing "light tanks" to complement heavier main battle tanks. Light tanks are seen as filling a capability gap between main battle tanks and other armored vehicles. Russia's renewed attack on Ukraine is the first major war between modern militaries in decades, and many countries are analyzing every aspect of the conflict for insights with which to better train and equip their own forces. One of the biggest lessons has been that despite high losses, tanks remain a vital part of modern warfare, with Russia planning to ramp up its production of them and Ukraine scrambling to secure Western-made tanks for its troops. Western efforts to get tanks and other armored vehicles to Ukraine have cast new attention to the utility of light tanks, which largely fell out of favor after World War II. Though not as powerful or as heavily armored as main battle tanks, light tanks are increasingly seen as filling a capability gap between full-fledged tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. Even before Russian troops crossed into Ukraine last year, several countries were investing in light tanks to bolster their armored forces on future battlefields. Light tanks A US Army M24 Chaffee light tank on a street near Bologna, Italy in April 1945. Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty Images The term "light tank" harkens to when tank doctrine was still being formulated by major military powers in the early 20th century. At the time, the role of tanks was subject to debate, but their designs were largely based on three factors: mobility, armor, and firepower. Light tanks reflected an emphasis on mobility. They were smaller and had lighter armor and less firepower. While heavy and medium tanks were mainly for use in direct combat against enemy armor and fortifications, light tanks were meant to take on infantry and other light armor. They were used for scouting for enemy forces, screening for friendly troops, and conducting armored reconnaissance, as well as for skirmishes and fire-support missions. Story continues By the middle of World War II, tanks were mostly classified as heavy, medium, or light. Other specific types, such as tank destroyers and assault guns, were phased out after the war. US soldiers with a M551 Sheridan tank on a hill near Khe Sanh in South Vietnam in February 1971. Bettmann via Getty Images Militaries continued developing light tanks during the Cold War the US and USSR had light tanks that could be air-dropped or deployed amphibiously but became less common by the end of the 20th century, especially as infantry fighting vehicles proved to be cheaper and about as versatile. That shift produced a gap between main battle tanks, like the M1 Abrams, and infantry fighting vehicles like the M2 Bradley and wheeled fighting vehicles like the Stryker. What many see as missing is a weapon that can effectively support infantry in difficult environments such as mountains, woodlands, and islands, while having enough firepower to deal with things like bunkers, machine-gun nests, and lightly armored vehicles. Main battle tanks are not as reliable in those environments because of their size a modern Abrams tank weighs 73 tons and their need to watch for enemy tanks. But infantry fighting vehicles may not be adequately armed or armored, and wheeled vehicles may struggle with rough terrain. Modern light tanks A Type 15 tank on display at the Beijing Exhibition Center in October. NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images That capability gap stirred interest in light tanks, and over the past decade, three major militaries have adopted new designs. The most well known and numerous is China's Type-15, also known as the ZTQ-15. It was officially adopted in 2018 and some 500 are believed to be in service. It weighs about 36 tons with its full armor package, has a crew of three, and is armed with a rifled 105 mm gun. The Type-15 does especially well in high-altitude environments like the Himalayas, where thin air makes it difficult to operate heavier tanks. Many have been deployed there, opposite Indian T-90 and T-72 tanks. Japan also introduced its Type-16 in 2018. The Type-16 has a tank-like turret but has wheels instead of tracks, reflecting an intention to operate only on Japanese territory, where road networks are generally well developed. It weighs 26 tons, has a crew of four, and is armed with a rifled 105 mm gun. A Japanese Type 16 during a live-fire exercise in May 2020. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Tokyo classifies the Type-16 as a "maneuver combat vehicle," and it was acquired as part of an effort to trim Japan's tank fleet while still being able counter China. The Type-16 is meant to respond quickly to attacks and to provide reconnaissance and fire support for infantry. Its weight and size mean it can fit in Japan's Kawasaki C-2 transport planes, and its high mobility allows it to operate anywhere in Japan, including offshore islands. Some 141 Type-16s are in service with plans to build as many as 230. In June, the US Army awarded General Dynamics Land Systems a $1.14 billion contract for the Mobile Protected Firepower system, the service's first new vehicle design in over 40 years. A US Army Mobile Protected Firepower ground-combat vehicle in 2022. US Army Part of the Next Generation Combat Vehicle program, the MPF is the US Army's attempt to provide infantry brigade combat teams with an asset that can destroy enemy fortifications and lightly armored vehicles. Weighing 38 tons, the MPF will have a crew of four and a 105 mm gun. It features an enhanced vision package with cameras on the front, sides, and rear and has an exterior "infantry phone" so troops can talk directly to the crew. Like the Type-15 and Type-16, the MPF can be mounted with additional armor if needed. GDLS began assembling the first MPFs in December and plans to deliver the first batch later this year. The Army plans to acquire 504 of them and to assign 14 to each IBCT. Other countries have shown similar interest. Russia hopes to begin mass production of its 2S25M Sprut, which carries the same 125 mm gun as Russia's main battle tanks, while India is pursuing its own light tank to better equip its forces deployed to counter China in the Himalayas. Read the original article on Business Insider "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Melissa Gorga says Teresa Giudice made a "statement" by not including her a bridesmaid in her wedding. ADVERTISEMENT Gorga, 43, appeared on "Watch What Happens Live" recently, where she shared her thoughts on Giudice, her sister-in-law and "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" co-star, not including her as a bridesmaid. Gorga is married to Giudice's brother Joe Gorga, while Gidiuce married Louie Ruelas in August. On "Watch What Happens Live," Gorga was asked why she expected to be a bridesmaid considering her longtime issues with Giudice and her ex-husband, Joe Giudice. "I didn't expect to," Gorga said. "I just thought it was a little strange when she was putting other sister-in-laws in the wedding. I never fought with her on it. You've never seen me argue with her." "I just said, 'Alright, you've really drew the line in the sand now. Like, you're showing our kids that we're really not a family if you can't even fake it for a wedding.'" "It's one of those things where if you just put half your sister-in-laws of this new family you met and leave me out, who I've been around for the last 20 years, it's just drawing a line," she added. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! "It's a statement." On "Watch What Happens Live," Gorga also denied that she was supposed to sit at Giudice's table during the engagement party but chose to sit elsewhere. "That was a blatant lie, and I think I proved that," she said. "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" returned for a 13th season on Bravo last month. Watch a recreation of the Flight 301 crash how ice impacted the doomed plane This Day In Weather History is a daily podcast by Chris Mei from The Weather Network, featuring stories about people, communities and events and how weather impacted them. -- This is another tragedy that should have been prevented. As we covered in the 1982 Air Florida Flight 90 crash article, this is another event where negligence led to a disaster. On March 5, 1993, Palair Macedonian Airlines Flight 301 was scheduled to go from Skopje, Macedonia to Zurich, Switzerland. map Clearance for takeoff was given at 11:11 am. Twenty-eight seconds after clearance, the plane was in the air. It was snowing and visibility was limited to 900 metres. Palair Fokker 100 PH-KXL Maiwald Palair Macedonian Fokker 100 PH-KXL two weeks before the crash. Courtesy of Torsten Maiwald/Wikipedia/GFDL 1.2 Only two seconds after takeoff, the aircraft started shaking violently. As the plane ascended to approximately 50 feet, it rolled aggressively to the left and then to the right. The flight crew immediately tried to correct the altitude of the aircraft, but the sink rate warning sounded. The plane's right wing struck the end of the runway at a 90-degree angle. The aircraft cartwheeled before it crashed to the ground. The fuselage, the main body of the aircraft, broke into three pieces. The plane immediately burst into flames. A nearby United Nations peacekeeper was the first person to report the crash. He flew to the crash site and rescued seven survivors from the scene. Later on, more survivors were rescued from the crash. In total, out of the 79 passengers and four crew members on board, 14 people survived (13 passengers and one flight attendant). Palair Macedonian Airlines Flight 301 Palair Macedonian Airlines Flight 301 crash. Courtesy of Wikipedia The cause of the crash was ice on the wings. But the procedures that are in place to monitor ice on the wings were not followed. The investigation of the crash showed that only the right wing received a comprehensive inspection for ice. The aircraft was exposed to an hour and 15 minutes worth of precipitation, which likely froze to the wings. Story continues Click here to subscribe to This Day in Weather History Though the wings were inspected before takeoff, the aircraft's height only allowed tall people to inspect everything properly. The ground crew only checked the inner part of the wing, not the outer part. The fuel was also at a very low temperature, causing the wet snow on the wings to freeze. Palair, which was the then national airline of Macedonia, required pilots to perform an outside preflight inspection of their aircraft. However, for Flight 301, the inspection was delegated to the flight station engineer. The engineer said the aircraft didn't require de-icing. The post-accident analysis reported that the aircraft required de-icing. The investigation board's official ruling is that the crash occurred "due to contamination of the wings with ice." To hear more about the Palair Macedonian Airlines Flight 301 crash, listen to today's episode of "This Day In Weather History." Subscribe to 'This Day in Weather History': Apple Podcasts | Amazon Alexa | Google Assistant | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeartRadio | Overcast' Thumbnail courtesy of Wikipedia No one is willing to challenge the strongman, even as he slips deeper into his paranoia and delusions. Kem Sokha, former leader of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), greets people as he leaves the Phnom Penh Municipal Court after attending his treason trial in Phnom Penh, Oct. 19, 2022. On March 3, Cambodias leading opposition figure, Kem Sokha, was found guilty of treason and sentenced to 27 years, prompting an international outcry. It is the latest in a string of actions taken ahead of Cambodias 23 July elections and the imminent transition of power from Hun Sen to his son Hun Manet. It was an appalling and utterly predictable decision. The 70-year-old Hun Sen, Southeast Asias longest serving leader having come to power in 1985, has laid the foundations within the ruling Cambodian Peoples party for the succession. Lt Gen Hun Manet has been gradually groomed for the job, currently serving as the deputy army chief. But Hun Sen is increasingly shrill and dictatorial. Its hard to overstate the importance of Kem Sokha, who has been the single-most important opposition figure since the UNTAC era in the early 1990s. He served in parliament from 1993-2002, when he founded the independent Cambodian Center for Human Rights. He returned to politics from 2005 to 2012, when the Human Rights Party merged with Sam Rainsys Candlelight Party, to become the Cambodian National Rescue Party. In 2013, the CNRP won 55 of 123 seats, 45 percent, the strongest showing of the opposition. Hun Sen was infuriated at the strong showing that year and the mass protests that rocked the capital demanding an independent investigation into suspicions of voter fraud. In 2014, the CNRP continued to challenge the CPP in commune-level elections. Hun Sen became obsessed with dismantling the opposition. Sam Rainsy went into self-imposed exile in 2015, after his conviction for slander. In July 2016, Kem Ley, one of the leading political commentators, was gunned down, prompting mass protests. Sokha was arrested in 2017 and was charged with colluding with the United States Embassy to overthrow Hun Sen based on a video-taped talk he gave in Australia in 2013. No evidence was ever provided. In 2017, Hun Sen made very clear his intention to wield the military to crack down on any movement to overthrow and undermine the country, while at the same time warning journalists to prepare their coffins if There is an attempt to destroy the Hun family. The only credible opposition Ahead of the 2018 election, the government continued its assault. In September 2017, the government forced the Cambodia Daily to close after it failed to pay an astronomical $6.3 million tax bill. There was no attempt to resolve the tax dispute. In November 2017, the Supreme Court, whose chief justice sat on the CPPs executive committee, voted to dissolve the CNRP. Dozens of CNRP members were arrested. The only credible opposition was decimated and the Cambodian Peoples Party won all 125 parliamentary seats in the 2018 election. Kems three-year trial was neither free nor fair, and was plagued by judicial shortcomings Including the intimidation of defense witnesses. The only real evidence surrounding the collusion was a three minute video in which he thanked the US government for supporting him and the political opposition. He will remain under house arrest until his appeal is adjudicated, though that is a foregone conclusion; he will have no outside contact, and apparently his internet access has already been cut. His civil and political rightsincluding the right to vote, and stand in electionswere suspended. The conviction of opposition figures and shuttering of the media is completely unnecessary. The Cambodian Peoples Party is poised to win by a landslide, given the power of incumbency, the culture of vote buying, and political and legal intimidation of opposition figures, most of whom are in exile. But nothing is being left to chance. Former Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha (R) talking with Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) at a ceremony mourning Sen's mother in law in Phnom Penh, in a handout photo taken and released by Fresh News, May 5, 2020. Credit: AFP The opposition is much weaker than it was in 2018. In last Junes commune election, the Candlelight Party won only 19 percent of the vote. When the Candlelight Partys leader Son Chhay accused the CPP and election commission of stealing votes, they sued him for defamation; which he lost and then lost on appeal in December 2022. A Supreme Court ruling awarded the CPP and election commission $1 million in damages, in an attempt to bankrupt the opposition. In June 2022, a Cambodian Court convicted 51 opposition figures for incitement and conspiracy. In October, Hun Sen threatened to dissolve the Candlelight Party. In December 2022, a court sentenced 36 members of the banned CNRP, all but three of whom are in exile, between 5-7 years, fearful that they were planning to return to the country ahead of elections. In January 2023, authorities arrested Thach Setha, the Candlelight Partys vice president for writing bad checks, though they were never signed or deposited. That month he threatened law suits and physical attacks against anyone who leveled charges of voter fraud against the CPP. "What do you think? I want to ask you. There are two choices, one is using the law, the other is using a stick [violence]. Which one do you take? Days later when he was accused of threatening the opposition, he again threatened to dispatch a violent mob to attack anyone leveling those accusations. Leaving Nothing to Chance It got even more surreal in late January when the CPP went forward to announce the nomination of Hun Sen for a fifth term so that he could save the country from extremist politics and activities. The following month, the government shuttered the Voice of Democracy, the last free media, after Hun Sen spuriously accused it of slandering him and his son in a 9 February article about the $100,000 in official assistance to earthquake victims in Turkey. According to Amnesty International, there are at least 39 members of the opposition who are political prisoners at present. This past week Hun Sen paranoia went into overdrive as he warned of a color revolution and accused the CIA of sending spies to foment political instability. But the government has moved on rank and file supporters too. In the clearest sign of voter intimidation, CPP goons have moved to take away the poverty cards of Candlelight party members that entitle people to subsidized food provisions. Why are these gratuitous threats and attacks escalating now? Yes, in part it is the derangement of a dictator of 38 years. In part they represent an understanding that though life has changed for the population in Phnom Penh, the country remains poor. While the poverty rate has been cut in half in the past decade, its still at 18 percent. Per capita income in the still overwhelmingly agrarian country is only $4,500, using purchasing power parity. 65 percent of the nearly 15 million people are under the age of 30. But they also suggest an insecurity on the part of Hun Manet, who may not be so confident that he enjoys full CPP support. There are other factions of the party that saw paths to power for themselves or family members. Not everyone supports Hun Manet and wants to see the country as a dynastic kleptocracy or Chinas vassal state. And with all the levers of power in his hand, the army, the police, the judiciary, no one is willing to challenge the strongman, even as he slips deeper into his paranoia and delusions. Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College in Washington and an adjunct at Georgetown University. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the National War College, Georgetown University or RFA. The armadillo-like anteaters are in demand for the supposed medicinal benefits of their scales. A pangolin carries its baby at a Bali zoo in Bali, Indonesia. The pangolin scales are in high demand in Asia for use in traditional Chinese medicine. Wildlife traders say that the illegal trade of pangolins remains strong including on the Internet despite their listing as a critically endangered species by Laos and even though the government has ordered a crackdown on the trade of endangered wildlife. The armadillo-like anteaters, also known as scaly anteaters because of their protective scales, are about the size of a house cat or small dog, and are a threat to no one except to ants and termites, which they lap up with a long, sticky tongue. Many citizens in China, Vietnam and Hong Kong believe that pangolin scales have medical uses. But experts, even including some of Chinas traditional medicine practitioners, say that no scientific evidence supports this belief. Laos, a popular transit hub for the illegal wildlife trade of animals and their parts or products, is one of the top countries worldwide for the illegal pangolin trade. Most of us are middlemen who buy pangolins and their scales from other countries then sell them to China and Vietnam, said one pangolin scale trader in northern Laos, who like all other sources in this report requested anonymity for safety reasons. These pangolin scales were seized by Chinese customs officials from a ship in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China, in 2017. Credit: Reuters Because Laos has captured and sold most of its pangolins, traders in the country mostly buy their scales from Thailand and Myanmar, the trader said. But there is still a small market for live pangolins in Laos. A kilogram worth of pangolin scales has risen to between 6,000 and 8,000 Thai baht (U.S.$173 and $230), the trader said. Markets in China and Vietnam There are two markets. Buyers in China want mostly live pangolins while those in Vietnam want only scales, according to another trader who is located in Vientiane province. A live pangolin is worth about a half million kip (U.S.$30), he said. Right now, we mostly buy and sell pangolins and their scales online like on Facebook, he said. Wed negotiate the prices then transfer money to each other. The sellers would send the products through the post office. A statement on the U.S. Embassys Facebook page on Feb. 18 World Pangolin Day called pangolins the most trafficked mammal in the world. Laos is a party to the international Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, a multilateral treaty protecting endangered plants and animals, and has a domestic aquatic and wildlife law. In 2018, the prime minister directed provincial governors across Laos to take firm action concerning the enforcement of both CITES and the national wildlife law. An official from the Agriculture and Forestry Department of Oudomxay Province in northern Laos, near China said that they sometimes arrest pangolin smugglers. Oudomxay Province is a transit point. The smugglers pass our province before going to Luang Namtha Province and then to China, the official said. But pangolin smuggling has been down since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Illegal trade is now conducted online. An official of the Agriculture and Forestry Department of Khammouane Province in southern Laos said the government is in the process of setting up a task force to crack down on the online wildlife trade. Translated by Max Avary. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster. Wang Kelian, near Thailand, is where graves of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants were found in 2015. Residents of this community near where mass graves of trafficked migrants were discovered eight years ago say the border area is much quieter now and theyre hoping it stays that way. A decade ago, distressed foreigners on foot used to knock on doors asking for food. And city dwellers arrived by car from hundreds of kilometers away to buy smuggled goods for cheap at outposts just inside Malaysia. But all that changed in 2015, after Malaysian authorities discovered more than 100 bodies thought to be Rohingya and Bangladeshis in two jungle locations in northern Perlis state, near a camp equipped with cages to lock up migrants. After that, the authorities launched a crackdown on human smuggling and closed a free-flow zone on the border. People living in Felcra Lubuk Sireh, a settlement within the boundaries of Wang Kelian that is eight km (five miles) from the Thai border, saw the effects of human smuggling up close and personal. I heard that these people came out from the woods near our village. They walked into the country through the Thai border via the beaten path in the jungle and someone would pick them up in four-wheel drive vehicles at the exit of the trails on our side, Villager Yan Hashim said, adding that many of those who entered the country illegally brought children with them. They were unkempt, wearing ragged clothes, some without shoes and the majority appeared to be starving and some almost fainted because of exhaustion, he said. Few could speak broken Malay while most used sign language to ask for water, food, slippers or clothes. It really broke our hearts to see them in that state and after the discovery, it occurred to us that the ones we encountered might be the same as those enduring the cruelties at the ... camp found on Wang Burma hill. A vehicle goes through security checks at a police checkpoint, the only gateway that connects Malaysia to Wang Prachan in Thailand, Feb. 25, 2023. Surrounded by forest, it is about four km from the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex in Wang Kelian, Perlis, Malaysia. [Ili Shazwani/BenarNews] Yan Hashim said fewer immigrants pass through the village today. No one knocks on my door asking for food anymore, he told BenarNews. It is better this way and I hope the free-flow zone will remain closed. The zone allowed Thais to travel to Wang Kelian and Malaysians to travel to Wang Prachan across the border without passports, distances of about 1 kilometer. Many Thais living on the other side of the border took advantage of this access and traveled to a petrol station so they could take fuel back to their homes, locals recalled. Before the free-flow zone was closed in 2015, this town was bustling with tourists coming from across the country including Kuala Lumpur just to shop for a variety of goods such as mattresses, kitchen utensils and clothes at cheaper prices. Many of them were willing to travel such a distance to set foot into Thailand without a passport, said a 46-year-old trader who asked to be identified only as Kamal because of safety concerns. Today, residents said they feel safe as the cross-border smuggling activities and an influx of tourists, including those traveling 525 km (326 miles) from Kuala Lumpur, have slowed dramatically. It was lively then, but it came with a price, Kamal said. Dont get me wrong, I have nothing against Thais as many of us are like family since we are neighbors, but it was unnerving when smuggling activities were happening at your left and right and even worse when there were tonto (spies for smugglers) all around us. Kamal said he witnessed a Thai man loading subsidized cooking oil, which he purchased at the free flow zone and hid under his cars seat before crossing the border unchecked where he could sell the packets at a profit. Kamal said he did not report the incident to authorities over fears for himself and his family, noting that smuggling syndicates could retaliate. Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the free-flow zone, introduced in 1993 and disbanded after the mass graves were discovered, was no longer suitable because of potential threats. For the time being, the ministry is focusing on the development of infrastructure in the border area before moving on to discussing reopening the free-flow zone further, Saifuddin said. I am not saying that Wang Kelian is under threat, but I am referring to the potential danger to the country in general, he said. A villager walks in front of a sundry shop in Felcra Lubuk Sireh, Malaysia, March 1, 2023. [Ili Shazwani/BenarNews] Right under our noses A government-commissioned panel in 2022 reported that Malaysian officials could have prevented the torture and deaths of the Rohingya and Bangladeshi victims found in the shallow graves seven years earlier. An English-version of the report by the Royal Commission of Inquiry appeared briefly on its website before being taken down after the commissions chairman told reporters it was completed in 2019 but was confidential and subject to the countrys Official Secrets Act. A since-retired police official had filed a report in January 2015 that a villager had tipped him off about a trafficking syndicate having approached him and others to help transport people from the region. On the first day of hearings on the tragedy, RCI members were told that personnel followed human tracks and a soapy stream to find a campsite with wooden fixtures resembling guard towers and a shop. An officer testified about hearing a generator at the camp near where the graves were found. Previous reporting said the camp contained pens which likely were used as cages to keep the trafficking victims. Vehicles travel a stretch of road in Felcra Lubuk Sireh, Malaysia, an area bordered by dense forest where traffickers used to transport illegal migrants who had traveled from Thailand, March 1, 2023. [Ili Shazwani/BenarNews] Since the discovery caught the worlds attention, the government has increased security in the area, including cutting off many trails used by the smugglers. A police source who asked BenarNews for anonymity because of safety concerns, blamed the 2015 tragedy on integrity issues among border personnel from government agencies, unfenced border areas and a lack of security enforcement. This cruelty happened right under our noses. How could the personnel manning the area near the campsite in the state forest reserve fail to notice the loud sound generator used at the campsite at nights, he asked. How did the majority of traffickers know which route to take to illegally enter the country, and 3 a.m. to 4 a.m. was the best time to sneak in unnoticed? Who alerted the traffickers or smugglers when authorities conducting operations or raids, he asked. Meanwhile, Mohd Mizan Mohammad Aslam, a professor at the National Defense University of Malaysia, said smuggling and trafficking could return on a smaller scale. He pointed to weaknesses in border fences that could allow smugglers to cut or climb over them. As long as the system is not revised or enhanced, the potential of border security being manipulated and abused persists especially with the post-pandemic predicament and demand for foreign workers in certain sectors, he told BenarNews There is lots at stake with the ongoing smuggling activities, not only from security aspects but also economically as billions of ringgit are spent on subsidizing petrol, cooking oil and sugar to ease Malaysians burden. Those items can be smuggled out of the country and sold on the other side of the border. Filipino residents and soldiers conduct a flag-raising ceremony on Pag-asa Island (Thitu Island) in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan, Philippines, May 11, 2015. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Saturday spotted more than 40 Chinese vessels near Pag-asa, one of the islands occupied by Manila in the South China Sea. Coast Guard personnel stationed on the island also known as Thitu reported a Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy vessel, a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel, and 42 suspected maritime militia vessels, anchored within 4.5 to 8 nautical miles of the shore. The PCG said this was clearly inside the land features 12-nautical mile territorial sea. The PLA Navy vessel and CCG 5203 had been observed loitering in waters surrounding Pag-asa Island, while the suspected maritime militia vessels were anchored in the vicinity of cays west of the main island, Pag-asa Cay 3 and Pag-asa Cay 4, the PCG said in a statement. Pag-asa Island, around 300 miles (483 kms) from Puerto Princesa in Palawan province, in the western Philippines, is the largest island in the Philippine-occupied Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the contested Spratly Islands. It serves as a local seat of government, and is home to more than 400 civilians, including 70 children. The presence of Chinese vessels in the area has become frequent in recent years. In 2020, more than 100 Chinese vessels, which appeared to be fishing boats, were seen near the island. In 2022, a civilian boat manned by Philippine Navy personnel sailed near a sandbar off Pag-Asa Island in a bid to retrieve suspected Chinese rocket debris. A Chinese coast guard ship blocked their path and used a rubber boat to collect the debris. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and the Department of Foreign Affairs have yet to comment on Saturdays report. Since Marcos took office on June 30, the Philippine government has filed at least 77 diplomatic protests against Beijing's actions in the South China Sea. Last month, Marcos summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian the first such summoning in recent years after China deployed a military-grade laser against the PCG near Ayungin Shoal, or Second Thomas Shoal, in the Spratlys. China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including two main archipelagos, the Paracels and the Spratlys, that it calls Xisha and Nansha, respectively. In 2016, an international tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines and against Beijings sweeping claims in the contested waterway. But China has since refused to acknowledge the ruling. Based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral award, the location of the Chinese vessels on Saturday falls squarely within Pag-asa Island's 12-nautical mile territorial sea. Their continuing unauthorized presence is clearly inconsistent with the right of innocent passage and a blatant violation of the Philippines' territorial integrity, the PCG statement said. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service Russia and Ukraine completed a prisoner exchange that resulted in the return of 130 Ukrainian prisoners, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiys chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, wrote on Telegram on April 16. He did not say how many Russians were released in what he called a "great Easter exchange." Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensives, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Earlier in the week, 106 Russian prisoners were swapped for 100 Ukrainians, the two governments reported. Despite the Easter holiday, fighting continued to rage in eastern Ukraine, with Ukraine's military reporting dozens of attacks over the past 24 hours. Zelenskiy congratulated Orthodox Christian Ukrainians on the occasion of Easter, noting that after 417 days of war with Russia, the country retains an "unshakeable faith" in victory. "We are not only waiting and asking, but we are winning and creating this victory ourselves," Zelenskiy said in a video address on April 16. "With all our strength, we fight for our land and ask for the help of heavenly forces." In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended an Easter service at Moscows Cathedral of Christ the Savior with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, both of whom have been outspoken supporters of Russias February 2022 massive invasion of Ukraine. Putin praised the Russian Orthodox Church for its "active commitment to mercy and charity in the face of serious challenges" in a statement posted by the Kremlin. IN PHOTOS: In sacred cathedrals, ruined churches, on the streets, and in the trenches, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine took time to celebrate Easter in the days leading up to April 16. He added that Easter "gives hope to believers, inspires good thoughts and deeds, and serves to reaffirm high moral ideals and values in society." Putin, 70, is the subject of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, including the mass deportation of Ukrainian children. During the service Patriarch Kirill described the Russian invasion and the war, which has killed tens of thousands and left millions of people displaced, as "sad events that may be described as an internal feud that are now taking place on our historic Russian land." With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian and Russian services Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged that the battle for the eastern Donbas region is painful and challenging as the Kremlin's forces continued efforts to encircle the city of Bakhmut, which has been largely destroyed after months of Russian shelling. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensives, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. I would like to pay special tribute to the bravery, strength, and resilience of the soldiers fighting in the Donbas region, which includes Bakhmut, Zelenskiy said in his daily video address late on March 5. "This is one of the toughest battles. Painful and difficult," he added. "We will endure and drive out the invaders." The center of the battle remained in and around Bakhmut, the city with a prewar population of 70,000 and which the Kremlin has attempted to take despite suffering massive losses on the battlefield. Ukraines General Staff wrote in its war update late on March 5 that Russian forces are "attacking Bakhmut and the surrounding settlements nonstop," using mortars and artillery. It did not specify if Russian forces had made progress in their attempt to encircle the city. The Wagner Group, a Russian-led mercenary force, has led the attack on Bakhmut at great loss of life for its fighters. Previous reports said some Ukrainian civilians and military units were leaving the city along the final remaining escape route, even as Russian forces shelled the road. Donetsk provincial Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said two civilians were killed over the past day in Bakhmut. AP journalists near the devastated city on March 5 reported seeing a pontoon bridge being set up by Ukrainian troops to help the few remaining residents flee to the nearby village of Khromove, where the journalists later reported seeing at least five homes on fire as a result of Russian attacks. In Kharkiv Province, shelling destroyed multiple homes and killed one person, regional Governor Oleh Synyehubov said. WATCH: Ukrainian crews being trained on British Challenger 2 tanks in England say the vehicle's power, mass, and operating controls will be a welcome addition on the battlefield in the Donbas region. Ukraine's military said on March 5 that it had repelled more than 130 enemy attacks in 24 hours and claimed to be inflicting massive Russian casualties but gave no definite word on the fate of Bakhmut, where Russian forces were said to have nearly surrounded the devastated city. Kyiv has sought to emphasize the toll in casualties that it has inflicted on the Russian side amid grinding offensives including Moscow's ongoing efforts to encircle and capture Bakhmut, in the eastern Donetsk region. Zelenskiy, meanwhile, tried to stress Kyiv's preparations and Western support for early EU entry as another aspect of ongoing international support for Ukrainians defending their country from the unprovoked full-scale Russian invasion that began one year ago. Zelenskiy said after meeting European Parliament President Roberta Metsola at an event in western Ukraine focused in part on Russian war crimes that "the task is to actively prepare everything for our country's membership in the European Union, increase arms deliveries to Ukraine, and strengthen sanctions against Russia." In its regular daily report early on March 5, the Ukrainian General Staff cited Russian offensives in the directions of Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, Lyman, and Shakhtar in Donetsk, as well as farther north in Kupyan, in the Kharkiv region. It also said it had killed 930 Russian troops in the previous 24 hours of fighting. Both sides in the fighting classify their casualty figures, and RFE/RL cannot independently confirm casualty or other battlefield reports from either side. Serhiy Cherevaty, a spokesman for Ukraine's Eastern Group of Forces, told CNN on March 4 that its soldiers still controlled Bakhmut. "There is no mass withdrawal of Ukrainian troops either," Cherevaty said. Moscow, meanwhile, tried to project confidence with a second claim in as many days of a visit to the front lines by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, although his exact whereabouts were impossible to confirm. Russia's Defense Ministry said that Shoigu met with army commanders in the war zone to be briefed on the situation. An accompanying video showed Shoigu with Russia's top commander, General Valery Gerasimov, and a deputy, General Sergei Surovikin. Amid reports of battlefield setbacks since the invasion began but particularly in recent months, Shoigu has come under increasing pressure from pro-war advocates inside Russia, including Wagner chief Prigozhin, for the militarys performance. The Russian Defense Ministry on March 4 said Shoigu had visited near the front lines of eastern Ukraine, without specifying the location. Kyiv has acknowledged the dire situation around Bakhmut's defense but was said to have been still swapping in troops, while Western military experts said the situation there is critical under "increasingly severe pressure." "In the direction of Bakhmut, the enemy has not abandoned an attempt to surround the city of Bakhmut," the General Staff said early on March 5. Western experts have questioned the Russian push for Bakhmut, saying it has less strategic and more symbolic value for the Kremlin. The Ukrainian General Staff said that by its count, the Russians had lost more than 153,000 soldiers since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. U.S. and other Western officials recently estimated that the number of total casualties on the Russian side -- including dead and wounded -- was approaching 200,000. Moscow has acknowledged "significant" losses but last reported accumulated casualties of under 6,000 by September. A spokesman for Ukraine's air forces argued on March 5 for the supply of modern Western aircraft, particularly U.S.-designed F-16s, amid an expanding threat from Russian remotely launched missiles, glide bombs, and modified bombs that "can fly tens of kilometers" to hit their targets. The spokesman, Yuriy Ignat, said in televised remarks that such aircraft could also help Ukrainian forces "drive off" the Russian planes that launch such weapons. Freddy defies odds as the world's longest-lived, invincible cyclone History is being made in the tropical cyclone world. No, this is not deja vu, and yes, you are reading this right: We are a week into March and still talking about Cyclone Freddy. Dubbing this storm as extremely rare just won't cut it anymore. Freddy is now something never seen before, a truly one-of-a-kind tropical cyclone. RELATED: Canada's size is no match for this record-breaking cyclone Signs that this cyclone would be exceptional started on Feb. 3 when Freddy was born northwest of Australia. It rarely traversed the entire 10,000-kilometre-wide Indian Ocean, was 2023s first Category 5 storm and broke the record for the most amount of cyclone energy ever recorded. FREDDY1 Freddy had made not one but two landfalls to western Madagascar and Africas Mozambique, killing several. And still, this storm and its record streak is far from over. Cyclone Freddy will be the longest-lived cyclone the world has ever documented. In a bit of a showoff fashion, Freddy is forecast to crush the previous record set back in 1994: Hurricane Johns 31-day streak across the Pacific. Freddy will retain tropical characteristics for at least another week. Consequently, it has racked up an extremely puzzling storm track. Freddys forecast movements are more akin to pinball than a tropical cyclone. Currently moving backwards, this cyclone will double dip on Madagascar and Mozambique impacts. Into the early work week, Tropical Storm Freddy aims to graze eastern Madagascar, then head back to Mozambique into the weekend, tallying its landfalls to at least three. How is this possible? freddy2 Upon Freddys second landfall, it doused Mozambique with tropical rains for six straight days, then stalled out and weakened. Weakening shrinks the cyclone vertically, allowing local winds to push the cyclone east. A backtrack like this is abnormal as weather systems typically move from east to west in the Southern Hemisphere, but Freddy has moved the complete opposite for six days. Story continues Upon its approach to eastern Madagascar, the storm will likely strengthen into a Category 1 cyclone, grow vertically and interact with the prevailing westerlies. Freddy will travel northwest through the work week, towards Mozambique, yet again. Freddys third landfall is forecast by Friday or Saturday. FREDDY 3 So, it seems Freddy will continue to be talked about well into March, and with these records, surely beyond. Burned forests and fields. Polluted rivers and soil. Flooded villages and gaping craters. A year after Russias full-scale invasion, Ukraine, Europes second-largest country, faces at least 1.74 trillion hryvnyas ($47 billion) worth of environmental damage from the fighting, the Ukrainian State Environmental Inspectorate estimates. Yet this estimate is only that -- a temporary tally. With Russian troops still occupying all or part of five Ukrainian regions -- Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Donetsk, and Luhansk -- Ukrainian scientists, environmental protection specialists, and state inspectors cannot travel freely throughout the country to assess environmental damage firsthand. For a more specific evaluation, Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service, showed Ukrainian environmental experts satellite photos of eight key land sites in Ukraine taken by the U.S.-based satellite imagery company Planet Labs both before and after fighting between Russian and Ukrainian armed forces. Lviv: Oil Depot Russian rockets struck Lviv on March 26, 2022, one of Moscows first attacks on the western Ukrainian city. The bombardment destroyed an oil depot, damaging storage tanks and igniting a fire. Ukraines State Environmental Inspectorate could not determine the exact volume of the spill. The image below, provided by the State Environmental Inspectorate, shows one oil spill on the depots grounds. The State Environmental Inspectorate considers the consequences of attacks on such facilities among the most dangerous for the environment. Oil spills that soak into the soil and groundwater can kill almost all living organisms with which they come into contact. When State Environmental Inspectorate employees visited Lvivs oil depot, they found dead earthworms on the surface of oil spills -- a potential harbinger of environmental problems to come. Earthworms enhance soil fertility by contributing oxygen, various nutrients and clearing space for roots to grow. Kyiv Region: Irpin River Dam In mid-March 2022, Ukrainian armed forces blew up a dam to flood the Irpin River, a tributary of the Dnieper, and stop steadily advancing Russian forces from entering Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. Water engineers calculated how to make the land impassable, but not to flood all the villages [in the area] at the same time, John Spencer, a retired U.S. Army colonel who heads the Urban Warfare Research Department at West Points Modern War Institute, noted in a July 1, 2022 article. Using Planet Labs satellite imagery, Schemes calculated that the released water affected more than 25 square kilometers of territory -- an area twice the size of the regional city of Vyshhorod, home to over 33,100 people, as of January 2022. Eventually, floods from the destruction of the Irpin Dam entirely submerged seven villages in the Kyiv region -- Demydiv, Kozarovychi, Chervone, Huta-Mezhyhirska, Horenka, and Moshchun -- and washed away a brew of pesticides and other agrochemicals, construction materials, paints from a metalworking shop, and heavy metals from transmission lines, transformers, and other parts of the local power network. At its peak, the flooded area expanded to 46 square kilometers, according to the State Environmental Inspectorate. Though the flood could have significantly polluted the Irpin River with fertilizers and other chemical materials, State Environmental Institute Deputy Director Andriy Vahin told Schemes, he said that the governments data shows no sign of that. He did not elaborate on the possible reasons for that. Kharkiv Region: Izyum Forest Mass burial sites found in Izyums woodlands already testify to the brutality of Russias April-September 2022 occupation of this city of some 46,000 people. But the forests themselves suffered from the war as well. Ukrainians refer collectively to the forests, which include a forestry farm within the city of Izyum and a national park, as the Izyum Forest. Summer fires caused by the fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces burned 70 percent of the Izyum districts 53,000 hectares of forests, Oleksandr Lysenko, first deputy director of the Kharkiv regions Department of Forestry and Hunting, told the media outlet Suspilne Kharkiv in November 2022. Satellite images show that environmental damage from the fighting was significant, Vahin said, without elaboration. The agency cannot not yet access the forests for a complete assessment since the area is within range of Russian military positions and possibly mined. The damage, however, extends beyond the trees themselves, emphasized Hanna Dobchenko, forests project manager for WWF-Ukraine, the international environmental watchdog. Aside from the loss of habitat for animals and plants, the disruption of soil and air releases carbon dioxide that exacerbates the ongoing climate change, she said. Recuperation from that loss will not be speedy. You need to understand that the trees that burned there were, on average, 30 to 40 years old, Vahin said. This is not a plantation but a forest, and it will take decades to restore it. Mykolayiv Region: Kinburn Peninsula Before February 2022, the Kinburn Peninsula, a strategic promontory between the Black Sea and the Dnieper-Buh estuary, was known for its more than 60 hectares of wild red orchids, its ponds and lakes, and millions of migratory birds. Since the invasion, repeat fires have transformed that identity. In June 2022, Russian forces gained control of the Kinburn Spit, a finger of land that sticks out from the peninsula between the Black Sea and the Dnieper River. Since then, constant large-scale fires from fighting have affected the Kinburn Spit Regional Landscape Park, the Volyzhyn Forest area, which is part of the Black Sea Biosphere Reserve, and the Svyatoslav Biloberezhzhia National Nature Park. Schemes has reported about a Russian brigade of so-called Don Cossacks shelling the nearby Ukrainian-held town of Ochakiv and other population areas from the Kinburn Spit. Satellite footage shows burned areas along almost the entire peninsula. For now, without access to the peninsula or its protected areas, researchers cannot collect accurate data about which areas have suffered the most environmental damage from the war, said WWF-Ukraine conservation manager Olesya Petrovych. Zaporizhzhya Region: Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant The fires that raged around Europes largest nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraines Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya region in August 2022 highlighted the wars international environmental threats. After Russian shelling caused another fire that month near the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraines state energy company, Enerhoatom, disconnected the plants two remaining functional power reactors in late August to avoid a nuclear disaster. Though a connection was restored briefly, the Russian-managed, Ukrainian-run plant no longer generates power. The risks from shelling linger on, however. In January 24, 2023, in remarks to the European Parliament, International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi, who, along with other IAEA experts, has visited the six-reactor power plant, repeated his call for a safety zone around the facility. "I don't know for how long we are going to be lucky in avoiding a nuclear accident, he said, the EU Observer reported. Both Ukraine and Russia have expressed support for Grossis proposal for a safety zone around the plant to reduce the risk of such an accident. Kherson Region: Agricultural Fields As Russian troops advanced into Ukraines southern Kherson region during 2022, shelling frequently ignited fires in the regions valuable agricultural fields, rich in cereals and sunflower seeds. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food and the Kyiv School of Economics estimate that, as of November 2022, the war caused more than $34 billion in indirect losses to Ukraines agricultural sector, which, before the war, ranked as its most important export sector. Those losses include fires on farmland as well as lost sales income and other financial burdens. Schemes compared Planet Labs satellite imagery of land northwest of the regional seat of Kherson from the summers of 2021 and 2022. The site was chosen for the clarity of the satellite images. The latter photos show the consequences of the numerous fires. Dark spots represent burned fields. Artillery-Strike Sites Craters formed by artillery strikes pose a looming environmental problem for Ukraine, environmental experts warn. When a projectile explodes, creating a crater, pollutants, including metal and chemical residues from the shell or missile, enter the soil and, subsequently, groundwater. Western military experts generally estimate that Ukrainian stocks of shells and missiles fall far short of Russian supplies. Satellite images that Schemes studied show a lower density of craters near former or current Russian military positions compared with Ukrainian military positions. To address the damage, the State Environmental Inspectorate needs information about the chemicals used in more modern Russian missiles, as well as the proper laboratory equipment to analyze them, said State Environmental Inspectorate Deputy Director Vahin. "For example, we examined a [Russian] Kh-101 missile that did not explode, but the fuel compartment was depressurized, Vahin recounted. No oil products were found there. But chemicals such as melange and decylene were detected. We don't even have laboratories that can test for such substances. The OSCE has labeled melange a toxic time-bomb. When the substance enters water, large amounts of toxic nitric acid are released. The decomposition of containers with melange can pose a grave threat to human life and the environment, the OSCE warned in a 2013 article. Decylene is another toxic missile fuel that the Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group, a coalition of activists, experts, and journalists, deems highly volatile. Fortifications Russias dragons teeth -- triangular anti-tank obstacles, made of reinforced concrete -- are a throwback to World War II. Russian forces now use them extensively to stop Ukraines light armored vehicles and prevent its infantry from advancing. Such fortifications, not easily moved, have appeared in all four partially Russian-occupied regions on the Ukrainian mainland: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya. The Planet Labs satellite image below shows a cluster of these structures near the Luhansk region village of Baranykivka, about 100 kilometers east of the Ukrainian-controlled city of Izyum. KYIV -- One day last June, Ivan Mishchenko was holding a Zoom conference with international legal experts as he sheltered in a trench near Izyum, a Kharkiv region city that was under Russian occupation at the time. During the online session, he received a radio message saying that an enemy helicopter was approaching his units positions. He ended the call and rushed to prepare for a possible attack. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensives, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Fighting Russian forces and reforming Ukraines judiciary did not seem to go hand in hand at that point -- but now its clear to him that they are parts of the same struggle, Mishchenko, a judge on Ukraines Supreme Court, told RFE/RL through a video link from Warsaw. After several months on the front lines, he left the battlefield and went to Poland to resume work with a European Union-backed commission responsible for selecting new judges in Ukraine. A year after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a massive invasion of Ukraine, Mishchenko -- known by the nickname Judge Dredd, after the comic book and movie character -- said he has come to believe that the road to victory will be a long slog, and that the cost will be enormous. Justice an international tribunal for Putin and reparations for Ukraine -- will be impossible without our victory on the battlefield, he said. And to keep the support of the West, we have to convince it that we can overcome corruption and other internal problems. "But we have no choice," he said. "We need to go forward on all the fronts." 'The Choice Was Not Difficult' Despite the huge buildup of forces on along Ukraines borders in the months before the invasion, Mishchenko -- like many Ukrainians at the time -- refused to believe that "Russians will be bombing Kyiv." The first thing he did when the missiles falling on the capital on February 24, 2022, proved him wrong was buy a pack of cigarettes -- despite promising his son that he would never smoke again after he had quit. He then went to his office and wrote a Facebook post saying: "All tender procedures for the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine are suspended. Goodbye!" After that, the 44-year-old husband and father of three turned to his "two-point plan." He drove his family to Poland and returned to Kyiv to join the city's resistance. His wife was initially shocked, he said. Before heading back, he wrote a will. "The choice was not difficult, Mishchenko said, reflecting months later on his decision to fight. "If Russia wins, courts and judges will not be necessary in Ukraine. There will be no place for myself." Volunteers Ukrainian authorities have not said how many of the roughly 1 million men and women in the countrys fighting force had no previous military experience -- but to everybody in the country, it is clear that this number is significant. Mishchenko was one of some 100,000 Ukrainians who joined the countrys Territorial Defense Forces, a nationwide network of units relying heavily on volunteers in the first week of the invasion. Out of 10 friends who accompanied him, only one had military training beyond the minimal compulsory service in their youth. One of the members of the informal brigade that they created, called Kyivans --- they even managed to make their chevron -- was the 24-year-old anti-corruption activist Roman Ratushniy. Mishchenko first met him in the courtroom during a case linked to Ratushniys opposition to the construction of high-rise apartment buildings in Protasiv Yar, a major public park in Kyiv. "There were people of various ages, backgrounds, and professions among us, but we were constantly learning new things from each other," Mishchenko said of the brigade. As Russian troops tried to surround Kyiv and break through the lines of defense north of the capital, the unit conducted aerial reconnaissance. Drawing on their peacetime experience and knowledge, they were operating drones and collecting data to increase the accuracy of Ukrainian artillery. By mid-March, Mishchenko and his comrades joined the 93rd separate mechanized brigade, also known as Kholodniy Yar, thus becoming a part of the regular armed forces. Given the lack of professional officers, the judge -- who went through mandatory military training in his university days -- was put in charge of an infantry platoon with more than 30 men. After two weeks at a location away from the battlefield, the unit was sent to the front line in the Kharkiv region. Their task was to withstand Russian offensives around Izyum as fighting raged in the area. The Highest Price Mishchenko said that the death and destruction brought by the Russian Army that he witnessed in the occupied parts of Ukraine leave no place for ambiguity. "It's black and white," he said. "They came to our land to kill us and to make money, while we defend our families and ourselves because we want to stay alive." Defending the homeland is an honor, he said, and he is especially proud to have been a part of Kholodniy Yar, a unit that he asserted is known for never backing down and always pushing forward. The unit was instrumental in stopping an elite Russian tank divisions advance in the Battle of Trostyanets in March, near the Russian border in the Sumy region, and later took part in the lightning Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region. But before the latter materialized, Mishchenko's brother-in-arms Ratushniy was killed near Izyum in June, shortly before his 25th birthday. Hundreds of mourners gathered around Ratushniys coffin on Kyivs Independence Square -- the Maidan. More than eight years earlier, many of them had been in the same place -- including Ratushniy, who was 16 years old at the time -- during the massive protests that pushed Moscow-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych from power. "We are paying the highest price: the lives of the best people," Mishchenko said. But this is the price of freedom. The number of Ukrainian casualties after a year of fighting remains secret. Western officials have estimated that more than 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or wounded, with a respective estimate for Russian casualties reaching 200,000. 'No Way Back' Around the time of Ratushniys death, the European Union granted candidate-member status to Ukraine -- a goal at the heart of the Maidan protests. Shortly after that, Mishchenko received calls from his commanders, the Supreme Council of Justice, the Security Service of Ukraine, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiys office. He was recalled from the army to resume work within the High Qualification Commission of Judges. The body responsible for selecting, vetting, and appointing judges, on which he serves with Ukrainian, Canadian, U.S., and Dutch colleagues, is crucial for the judiciary reform necessary for Ukraine's EU accession. The Ukrainian judiciary has been plagued with nepotism and corruption for years and has been widely regarded as the Achilles' heel of Ukrainian democracy. We are fighting against a bigger and more numerous adversary, but the biggest threat is ourselves. If we lose the support of the whole civilized world, we will be left to face Russia alone," Mishchenko said. Mishchenko is among four Supreme Court judges and 15 of its staff, as well as 60 judges and 311 staff from lower courts, who joined the army. He hopes the judiciarys involvement in resistance to the invasion, as well as its reform, will enable it to regain society's trust. "One thing that is sure is that there is no way back to how we lived before the war," he said. A number of education advocates and local school officials, including Carlisle Area School Board President Paula Bussard, took part in a rally at the Square in Carlisle Saturday, calling on legislators to fully fund public schools following the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision found the current funding system was unconstitutional. It [the court] recognized that education is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Pennsylvania Constitution to all childrenand that this right has been denied in low-wealth districts, said Susan Spicka, executive director of Education Voters of Pennsylvania. The court decision affirms in great detail the deep deprivations that students in low-wealth districts have faced for decades. Now its the legislatures job to come up with the necessary funding so that all students can receive the quality public education guaranteed in our state constitution. Complying with this ruling will change the future for millions of families so that children are no longer denied the education they deserve. Bussard said the funding problem has placed the burden on taxpayers instead of on the shoulders of the state. For too long, the state of Pennsylvania has not upheld its responsibility for supporting public education for all students, she said. This has resulted in local property owners bearing an ever-increasing burden for funding schools. And, in districts that are less well-off economically, there simply hasnt been sufficient funds to meet the educational needs of their students. Providing public education is a partnership between the state and local school districts, she added. This important ruling conveys that the state needs to step up its financial support in this partnership. Please call on your state representative and state senator to do just that. Susquenita School District history teacher Corey Gochenaur said more funding could mean more learning opportunities for students. For my school district I envision a fully funded public education will help provide high school students more electives and a wider catalogue of learning opportunities for students who are seeking challenging and impactful learning opportunities that will help shape them for entrance into adulthood, Gochenaur said. I also envision a school fully staffed with educational support professionals essential to providing the education that the public expects for its students. The current extreme shortages of these crucial members of our school communities are damaging to our students and lower the overall quality of our schools. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court in February ruled in favor of the Public Interest Law Center and Education Law Center, which represented the plaintiffs. Though the lawsuit opens the doors for lawmakers to approve more funding, scholars who have studied similar litigation in other states say that lawmakers usually respond with additional funding, but not enough extra funding to be fully compliant with judges orders, according to the Associated Press. Ashish Vijay, a Dubai-based investor, philanthropist, entrepreneur and businessman with decades of experience in the precious gemstone and luxury jewellery industry, finance and investments sectors, set up his business in Dubai in the year 2013. As the Chairman and Founder of the House of Ashish Vijay, under which falls a group of companies including Meraki Gems and Jewellery, Tiara Gems, AV Globale, he built on the legacy of his familys generation of expertise in precious stones. Ashish Vijay, with his acumen, turned his passion into a globally respected company, sourcing quality stones, inspiring design creativity and holding auctions. In 2016, he created the Dubai-based investment fund Seiko Financial Services with the aim of investing in an array of businesses from small, grassroots enterprises to globally orientated start-ups as a way to help and mentor the entrepreneurs of the future. Ashish Vijay, whose work is also his passion, curated a unique collection of precious stones including diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, alexandrite etc procured from all over the world during his travels. In 2022, Ashish Vijay made headlines when he purchased one of the worlds rarest fancy red diamonds, naming it the Scarlet Chakra, and showcasing it to a captivated diamond industry. He has recently been appointed Director for ICA -Dubai Chapter. Here, in an exclusive interview with Rough&Polished, Ashish Vijay tells his story. Some excerpts: Congratulations on becoming the Director of ICA-UAE. From India to Dubai, what is your story? I always like to say that the House of Ashish Vijay book is about legacy and tradition, but that the chapters Im writing now are about utilizing new technologies, discovering fresh talent and perspectives, and developing, not only my company, but the Middle Eastern diamond and gemstone industry as a whole. As far as my journey goes, as a third-generation jeweller and dealer in diamonds and coloured gemstones, I have my grandfather and father to thank for laying the foundations for what House of Ashish Vijay has become today. From their humble yet entrepreneurial beginnings, we have become a world-class Maison which stands for transparency, reliability and trust. Becoming the Director of ICA UAE is an honour and its a role I have taken on with great vigor and enthusiasm. I aim to build upon the excellent work the ICA has already done in making Dubai a global hub for the coloured gemstone and diamond industries. And Im proud to inject new blood and bring a fresh and energetic approach to the organisation. I see my appointment as an opportunity to not only serve, but also to give back to the industry for the greater good. Together we can, not only grow the coloured gemstone business in the middle east, but also increase the ICA community, welcoming more members from all corners of the industry. At the recent ICA Congress, you spoke as the main sponsor. Can you tell us what lead you to become involved this year? I firmly believe in what the ICA stands for and how it works to promote the UAE coloured gemstone industry on the global stage, and also to bring the local and middle eastern community together. So, for me, it was an honour to be a major part of the event and help make it such a resounding success. The Congress is always an excellent opportunity to find out whats happening across the industry, to learn from others expertise and initiatives and also promote coloured gemstone culture in Dubai. It also provided us with the perfect stage to share our exciting auction and tender plans, in which we are leading the industry. Can you define your diverse businesses, including the precious gemstone and luxury jewellery industry, and finance and investments sectors? Under the umbrella of my company, Ashish Vijay, I have business interests in both the international financial and real estate sectors. On the property side, I have a built a strong global portfolio, which includes buying and selling real estate, both commercial and residential. In the financial market, as an avid investor, I am always interested in finding new businesses, technologies and people to support and invest in. Some enterprises I have recently become involved with include Women In Tech, an organization that promote girls and womens empowerment around the world, with a focus on education, business, digital inclusion and advocacy. I am also actively looking at promoting young talent by investing in ideas around coloured gemstone or diamond projects, which give creators agency and the chance to make use of the expertise and experience we can offer owing to our 75 years in the business. From which countries do you source your coloured gemstones and how are they utilized in your business, besides at auction? For the House of Ashish Vijay, the stone is at the centre of all we create. Over the years we have worked to educate our clients and others in the industry about the importance of quality over provenance. Our gemstones are sourced from as far afield as Africa, South America, India, Russia and more. Our future collaborations with artisanal miners will see us sourcing from more countries and supporting local businesses at a grassroots level. But its not just about gemstones. We also bring in jade from China, tanzanite from Tanzania as well as minerals, semiprecious stones and precious metals from across the globe. A perfect example of our dedication to gemstone quality is illustrated by the exceptional The Scarlet Chakra round fancy red diamond which made international headlines when AV Globale revealed the stone at an event at DMCC in October 2022. The straight fancy red round brilliant cut 1.01 carat diamond featured no overtones of any other colour, making it incredibly rare among red diamonds. How much does the jewellery business contribute to the overall AV Group? Do you deal in fine jewellery as well? Do you manufacture your own jewellery? Where do you source your stones from? Are any expansion plans on the horizon? Fine jewellery is a large and important part within the brand Ashish Vijay. We not only source our own diamonds and coloured gemstones but are involved at every step of the design from concept to execution. With each piece handcrafted, finished and polished in-house, our focus is always on the uniqueness of the gemstone as well as its setting. We are excited to be introducing clients and the industry to our 103 Collection. Launched on February 14, the limited-edition collection comprises 103 one-of-a-kind high-jewellery pieces, coloured fancy diamonds and precious gemstones, showcasing the skill and design diversity of the Maison. Among our many plans this year, is our desire to establish collaborations with young jewellery designers, both established and just starting out, as well as students, giving them the chance to design for us, as well as bringing in the glorious traditions of middle eastern influence, design and artisanal skills. Lab-grown Diamonds (LGDs) are making inroads into the psyche of jewellery consumers... especially Gen Z. Do you think they will eventually opt for coloured lab-grown diamonds (LGDs) in place of coloured gems, more so as the coloured LGD prices may dip with excess production? Our focus on natural diamonds and coloured gemstones puts us in the unique position of being able to connect our clients with the history and creativity of mother nature. At House of Ashish Vijay, diamonds and coloured gemstones will only ever mean stones that carry a storied legacy and present the fruits of the earths beauty and energy to the client in a way that something grown in a laboratory over a few months cannot. As one of my esteemed fellow attendees at the recent ICA Congress said so eloquently: Mother Nature cannot be put in a box. And for us, a real diamonds shine will ever fade. What's your opinion of the current-coloured gems demand globally? What is the situation right now and how do you see things reacting, going forward? We have seen the demand for coloured gemstones grow not only globally, but also generationally. As well as the issue of greater affordability, younger generations are educating themselves about the spirituality of coloured gemstones, which is something we at House of Ashish Vijay can appreciate. There is also the undeniable beauty and aestheticism that surrounds coloured gemstones, with aquamarines and garnets proving popular. Coloured gemstones have shown themselves to be just as timeless as diamonds, for example, with Diana, Princess of Waless famous sapphire engagement ring, which passed onto the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine Middleton. We have also seen the likes of Victoria Beckham, Halle Berry and Gwyneth Paltrow wearing coloured gemstones on the red carpet, while Britains Princess Eugenies engagement ring is a salmon-pink Padparadscha sapphire. There is a rarity and uniqueness around coloured gemstones, which has also seen many international jewellery houses create collections based solely on them a trend our Maison is at the forefront of. Why do you think auctions and tenders are a viable business model with which to sell diamonds and gemstones? The auction and tender business side of House of Ashish Vijay has been a resounding success and is an area in which we are arguably leading the industry. Taking place under the banner of AV Globale, a completely automated and transparent digital platform curating the industry practices into an innovative auction and tender process. Our first Collectors Chest event in September 2022 made a strong impact, receiving a very positive and enthusiastic response from clients and bidders, a success we are building on. After recent viewings and shows in Israel, Japan, Hong Kong and Dubai, our second Collectors Chest event is now open, featuring polished diamonds and precious gemstones, with the auction going ahead in March. We will be following with a rough diamond and coloured diamonds tender, as well as an emerald auction in the future. Auctions and tenders give the client a different and fresh perspective on a jewellery piece, diamond or coloured gemstone and we are happy to be trailblazers as new opportunities present. Wrapping up, please brief us of any new development plans in your group in terms of business initiatives, changes, expansion and so on One of my main focuses this year concerns artisanal mining in Africa, which will involve working with smaller independent enterprises and individuals who use traditional tools and skills to mine precious stones. Were especially keen to lift up and promote the work done by women around this industry not only on a business level but also on a social, charitable, and community tier. We are also looking into becoming involved with female education in Sri Lanka, where we already have an industry presence. Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished Letter to PM Modi Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann have questioned the impartiality of the Investigating Agencies NEW-DELHI: Nine Opposition leaders have written a joint letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Opposition have accused and condemned the central government of misusing central agencies like ED and CBI. Targeting Himanta Biswa Sarma in the joint letter, it has been written that slow investigation is going on against the opposition leaders who joined the BJP. Letter to PM Advertisement Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann have questioned the impartiality of the investigating agencies. In the joint letter, questions have also been raised on the Governor's office. It has been accused of interfering in the work of elected democratic governments. Mentioning in the letter, the reason for the growing rift between the central and state governments has been blamed on the governor. Letter to PM TRS chief Chandrashekhar Rao, JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah, AITC chief Mamata Banerjee, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray have expressed deep concern over the deteriorating image of central agencies. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD Chairman Tejashwi Yadav and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav have also opposed the central government's raids against opposition leaders. Advertisement Letter to PM G20 Summit 'Do not push Punjab into another era of darkness', Says Aujla to CM Mann AMRITSAR: Amidst the recent events in Punjab, there are speculations flying of the cancellation of the G-20 conference to be held in Amritsar on March 15-17 and March 19-20. The leaders of the opposition parties are throwing tantrums against the Center and the Punjab government. Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla has questioned the Punjab and Central Government on Micro blogging site. Advertisement Taking to Twitter, MP Gurjeet Aujla wrote that the conspiracy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to exclude Amritsar Sahib from the list of G20 hosts came to light when National Channels started highlighting Amritpal. This is suggestive of the utter failure of intel and law enforcement agencies. @HMOIndia & @CMOPb @BhagwantMann your poor grip over law & order is noticed well by anti India elements pulling strings of hoax creaters and it is getting exploited. @MEAIndia Punjab is a safe state & can host #G20Summit Do not push Punjab into the another era of darkness 2/2 Gurjeet Singh Aujla (@GurjeetSAujla) March 5, 2023 Advertisement Slamming Punjab Government, Aujla tweeted, "CM Bhagwant Mann your poor grip over law & order is noticed well by anti India elements pulling strings of hoax creaters and it is getting exploited. Ministry of External Affairs Punjab is a safe state & can host G20 Summit. Do not push Punjab into the another era of darkness." Dear @PMOIndia Sh @narendramodi & @AmitShah , conspiracy to exclude Sri Amritsar Sahib from #G20 hosts list became known when national channels started highlighting Amritpal. This is suggestive of utter failure of intel & law enforcement agencies. 1/2 Gurjeet Singh Aujla (@GurjeetSAujla) March 5, 2023 Drone In this new policy, information has to be given to the district administration before flying drones in 7 border districts MOHALI: Taking in view the increasing threat of gangsters and terrorists, the administration has restricted the use of drones in the state. According to IG Sukhchain Singh Gill, a new policy is being prepared for the purchase and use of drones. Under the new policy, approval will have to be obtained from the district administration before purchasing a large drone. After buying a drone, it has to be registered like a vehicle. Permission from DC or ADC is required whenever drone is to be used after registration. Notably, the Implementation of the new policy has begun. The government has sent its draft to the Home Ministry. The reason for this is that there is more danger from drones in the border area of Pakistan. Therefore, objections and various approvals have been sought in this regard. Advertisement In this new policy, information has to be given to the district administration before flying drones in 7 border districts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Fazilka and Jalalabad. After registration, license or certificate will be issued to the concerned person or organization. During the investigation, if the drone is caught, the license will have to be shown. Along with this, after a meeting with BSF officials, the no flying zone area along the border has been increased from 5 km to 12 km. The top officials of the Punjab Police are going to meet with the top officials of the Union Home Ministry regarding the purchase of anti-drone equipment. Recently, in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, it was decided to frame new rules regarding drone activities. There is already a provision to get permission from the district administration before flying small drones in the districts but it is not being strictly enforced. After the new policy is approved, the use of drones by the police will be closely monitored. Police have been facing issues due to the lack of anti-drone equipment. For some time now, there have been several incidents of delivery of weapons and drugs through drones in Punjab. Joint teams of Punjab Police and BSF will work together to tackle this problem. A joint campaign will be conducted for this from time to time. Joint patrolling will also be conducted by BSF and Punjab Police. Advertisement Accused Arrested The Karnal Range IG had Announced a Reward of Rs 5,000 on the Accused NEW-DELHI: The Special Task Force of Haryana Police has arrested a smuggler who has been absconding for nearly three years in connection with a liquor smuggling case. The accused Gaurav alias Gurashish is a resident of Abohar in Punjab. The accused has been handed over to the Panipat police for further legal action. According to STF spokesperson SP Sumit Kumar, a truck was seized by AVT staff of Panipat police in December 2019. In which, 1170 cartons of crazy Roman brand of illicit liquor were hidden under the tanks placed above the cartons. Illicit liquor was being smuggled in the truck under the guise of fruits. Advertisement According to the spokesperson, the driver, Rakesh resident of Abohar, Fazilka, who was caught along with the truck, has revealed during interrogation that he was taking the truck full of liquor to Bihar on the request of Gaurav alias Gurashish. In exchange for which Gurashish gave him Rs 25,000. Later, in June 2020, Panipat police also arrested truck owner Mukhtiar Singh, a resident of Jiwan Nagar in Rania, Sirsa, in this case. During the investigation, Gursevak resident of Hisar was also arrested from Punjab in this case and the name of Gaurav alias Gurashish also came out from him during the interrogation. Since then, the Panipat police was looking for Gurashish, but he could not be caught by the police. The Karnal Range IG had also announced a reward of Rs 5,000 on the accused. Union Health Minister Mansukh L Mandaviya 'I Wished the students a bright future'- Mansukh Mandaviya PATIALA: Union Health Minister Mansukh L Mandaviya on Sunday (March 5) paid a surprise inspection to the 'NEET-PG' examination center in Patiala and took stock of the security arrangements. Meanwhile, he also interacted with the parents of the candidates. A statement from the ministry said that this is the first time that the Union Health Minister has visited the National Board of Medical Examination (NBEMS) examination center during an examination. Taking to Twitter, Mansukh Mandaviya wrote (In Hindi) (Roughly Translated), "Visited the NEET-PG exam center in Patiala, Punjab and took stock of the arrangements. Meanwhile, also met the family members of the students. They seemed satisfied and happy with the arrangements made at the examination centre. I also expressed best wishes for the bright future of the students." Advertisement ???????, ????? ??? NEET-PG ??????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ?????????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ?? ?? ???????? ??? ??????? ?????? ?? ?? ?? ???????? ?? ?? ??????? ? ??????? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????????? ?? ?????? ??? pic.twitter.com/gO5zDmPCky Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) March 5, 2023 Mandaviya also visited Shri Kali Mata Temple and Gurudwara Shri Dukhniwaran Sahib, Patiala today. NBEMS conducted the computer-based NEET-PG (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test-Post Graduate), 2023 for 2,08,898 candidates at 902 examination centers in 277 cities. Walls painted in Amritsar If anyone spoils this beautification, legal action will be taken against them AMRITSAR: The G-20 Summit is going to be held in Amritsar district this month. The Preparations for the same are going on in full swing. Many efforts are being made to beautify the city. Saplings are being planted at various locations, walls have been painted beautifully. In case, if anyone spoils this beautification, legal action will be taken against them. Amritsar DC Harpreet Singh Sudan has issued orders using the powers under Section 144 and Punjab Penalties of Defence of Property Act 1997. In this regard, they have informed the group of printing press owners, painters that during the preparations for G-20, a complete ban has been imposed on any kind of painting or posters on walls, roads and buildings to prevent damage to the beautification. Advertisement It is clearly written in the orders that these orders have been implemented from March 4. These orders will continue till further orders. This is a unilaterally passed order. G-20 conference is scheduled to be held in Amritsar district. This conference is being held on March 15-17 and March 19-20. From March 15 to 17, the G-20 countries will discuss the topic of education. On the other hand, on March 19-20, the representatives of the G20 countries will hold a meeting on the subject of labor. Accident The Driver & his companion suffered critical injuries. FRANCE: A School Bus carrying 40 primary school students met with an accident in France. The bus was dropping the students home from a trip to the French Alps. According to information, the bus plunged down a slope in a forested area into a river, causing serious injuries to the driver and his companion and injuring several children. The injured were admitted to the hospital. According to the details received, around 21 children and another adult suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment. The cause of the accident is currently unknown, and is under investigation. Advertisement According to local media reports, the weather was clear when the bus left the road and there was no snow on the part where the bus crashed. He said that all the children were wearing seat belts. The mayor said that the accident may have occurred due to a possible defect in the wheel of the bus. A photo published in media reports showed the bus stuck in a tangle of dry bushes and its windshield broken. According to local media, the children in the vehicle were returning from a summer camp in Hautes-Alpes. India & Pakistan India has once again accused Pakistan of misusing the UN forum for its malicious propaganda against New Delhi. India has given a response to a statement made by Pakistan in the United Nations Human Rights Council. India has once again accused Pakistan of misusing the UN forum for its malicious propaganda against New Delhi. In its right of reply in response to a statement made by Pakistan at the UN Human Rights Council, India said: "Pakistan's representative has once again chosen to misuse the August Forum for his bad publicity against India." India said, "Over the last decade, Pakistan's own Commission of Enforced Disappearances has received 8,463 complaints. The Baloch people have borne the brunt of this brutal policy. Students, doctors, engineers, teachers and community leaders are routinely killed by the state and disappears. Advertisement India added, "The Christian community is treated similarly. It is often targeted through draconian blasphemy laws. State institutions officially reserve 'sanitary' jobs for Christians. Underage girls from the community are converted to Islam. Hindu and Sikh communities face issues like frequent attacks on their religious places and forced conversion of their minor girls." In the high-level segment of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Pakistan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar said, "India's project to colonize and permanently change the population of illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir continued with punishment and it was an insult to India. The sanctity of the edifice of universal human rights, and a brazen violation of international law." He said that two reports on Kashmir by the Office of the High Commissioner testify to India's systematic suppression of Kashmiri rights. Along with this, he has asked the states to show unity and raise their voice to protect the rights of Kashmiris. Iranian president urges IAEA to adopt "professional" approach to Iranian nuclear issue Xinhua) 14:45, March 05, 2023 Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian meets with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Tehran, Iran, March 4, 2023. (Iranian Foreign Ministry/Handout via Xinhua) TEHRAN, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Saturday that he hopes the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) can adopt a "professional" approach to the Iranian nuclear issue and prevent certain countries from affecting the nuclear watchdog's decisions. Raisi made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi in the capital Tehran, according to a report on the website of the president's office. Countries like Israel and the United States use the nuclear issue as an "excuse" to further pressure the Iranian people, said the president, pointing out that it was the United States that violated the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi meets with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Tehran, Iran, March 4, 2023. (Iranian Presidential Website/Handout via Xinhua) Iran has had "the highest level" of cooperation with the IAEA, expects the agency to tell the truth about Iran's nuclear program as well the country's commitment ot its regulations, he noted. Meanwhile, the IAEA chief expressed pleasure at visiting Iran and meeting the country's president, saying the IAEA's team led by himself had "constructive and positive" meetings with the Iranian side, according to the report. Grossi arrived in Tehran on Friday for a two-day visit, during which he also held talks with Mohammad Eslami, president of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. In recent months, the IAEA has criticized Iran for its lack of cooperation with the agency. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian meets with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Tehran, Iran, March 4, 2023. (Iranian Foreign Ministry/Handout via Xinhua) In November 2020, the IAEA's Board of Governors passed a resolution proposed by the United States, Britain, France and Germany that called on Iran to collaborate with the agency's investigators regarding the alleged "traces of uranium" at a number of its "undeclared" sites. Iran has repeatedly rejected such allegations and emphasized the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Liang Jun) Two new restaurants a steakhouse and a craft beer bar will open in April in Charlottesvilles new Kimpton The Forum Hotel. The hotel on the grounds of the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, the first on-campus hotel from Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, will have 198 guest rooms and 12 suites. Birch & Bloom will be a reimagined American steakhouse open for breakfast and dinner service, and The Good Sport will be a neighborhood craft beer bar with classic tavern food. Locally sourced fare with farm-to-table influences will be featured at the 188-seat Birch & Bloom, including bone marrow brulee with oxtail marmalade, tart apple and parsley persillade. Wagyu beef tartare is served with Marmae cheddar, lacto-fermented onions and Aleppo aioli. There will be a 2,000-bottle wine cellar and a variety of classic and modern cocktails. The Good Sport will be open for lunch and dinner. Selections will include a fried chicken sandwich with kimchi slaw, chili crisp mayo and pickled cucumbers; the Wagyu brisket slider comes with hydro watercress, fresh grated horseradish creme and shaved onion. Look for a craft beer program and seasonal tasting flights that focus on local, regional and hard-to-find beers. Executive chef Eric Brownlee, who brings more than 25 years of experience to The Forum Hotel, will be in charge of menu development and the guest experience. Daniel Beedle is assistant food and beverage director. For details, go to https://www.forumhotelcharlottesville.com/charlottesville-restaurant. George Tsoris, 90, in the study of his Oceanside home. He recently received a national award for his volunteer work teaching poetry to children at the Boys & Girls Club of Vista. To the small, but loyal fan club who eagerly await his arrival on Monday afternoons, 90-year-old George Tsoris is a rock star, though when he performs, its in verse, not song lyrics. Tsoris fans are 6- to 9-year-old members at the Boys & Girls Club of Vista, where hes been hosting weekly poetry-reading and -memorization sessions for the past four years. In April, he received the Maytag Dependable Leader Award at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Americas national conference in San Diego. The national honor came with a $20,000 grant for the Vista club. Advertisement Matt Koumaras, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Vista, said hes seen a remarkable transformation in the children who cant wait for Tsoris to walk through the doors each week. I see kids getting more confident, carrying books around the club and taking them home, and I see them reading and sharing poems with each other, Koumaras said. George has such an infectious smile and a very easygoing, patient and thoughtful personality. The kids just love him. Tsoris is a longtime volunteer who has taught poetry, reading and writing to children, seniors and prison inmates for more than 20 years. He especially loves teaching children to memorize poems. Schools dont really teach poetry anymore, he said. Theyve done away with rote memorization in favor of critical thinking. But kids have fertile minds and pick things up quickly. The beauty of poetry is the younger you are when you read it, the longer it stays with you. Tsoris comes by his love for words genetically. His father immigrated from Greece with little more than a fifth-grade education so he filled the gap with books, including reading the dictionary from cover to cover. The older Tsoris married a fellow Greek immigrant and they settled in an ethnic section of East Milwaukee, Wis., where George, the second of their four sons, was born in January 1928. He discovered a passion for poetry in fourth grade, when his teacher had the class memorize and recite together Alfred Noyes 1906 narrative poem The Highwayman. It still trips off his tongue today, along with hundreds of other poems stored in his memory. I love the sound of the words, he said. I love the meter and the rhythm. Poetry comes from the heart. I think Emily Dickinson said it best: If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. Tsoris favorite poet is William Wordsworth but he also admires the work of Langston Hughes, E.E. Cummings, Sarah Teasdale, Wallace Stevens, Fernando Pessoa, Ana Akhmatova and Rudyard Kipling. Poetry would become his companion through high school, college and his early career in the advertising business. Wordsworths The Daffodils helped him in periods of loneliness and William Ernest Henleys Invictus gave him strength during hard times. And after he met his future wife, Pauline, in a Milwaukee Greek Orthodox church, he won her heart with his own self-penned poetry. George and Pauline Tsoris of Oceanside. The long-married couple sing together in the choir at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cardiff. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune ) After they married, the Tsorises moved to Chicago, where he worked in advertising and, later, real estate appraisal. In the 1990s, he started putting his love for words into service. Every week for four years he visited inmates at Chicagos Cook County Jail and helped them with homework and reading to pass their high school equivalency exams. He spent three years doing poetry reading and homework help with grade-schoolers in Northbrook, Ill. And he spent a few more years reading stories and poetry to elderly residents at Chicagos Swedish Covenant Assisted Living center. Pauline Tsoris said her husband got his love of words from his father, but he inherited his mothers kindness and upbeat personality. Hes a very understanding, humble person who always finds something good in a bad situation, Pauline said. Hes thrilled to help people because he gets as much back from it as they do. After the Tsorises retired to Oceanside nine years ago, he was eager to find a new outlet for his energies. At a birthday gathering in 2014, Koumaras overheard Tsoris asking about volunteer opportunities at area senior homes and he recruited him to Boys & Girls Club of Vista. It was a full-circle moment for Tsoris. During World War II, Tsoris mother worked at a parachute factory, so he spent his afternoons at a Boys Club in East Milwaukee, where he has fond memories of the free snacks, activities and camaraderie he enjoyed there. Koumaras said the $20,000 grant that Tsoris earned for the club with his award will arrive in July and will be used towards scholarships for needy club members to use for school supplies and other needs. Tsoris also now volunteers on Tuesdays tutoring third-graders in reading at Temple Heights Elementary School in Oceanside. Tsoris said he always kicks off his poetry programs by asking participants to recite any poem they learned as a child. Older people always have a verse in their heads but most children do not. Detail view of a book of poetry compiled by George Tsoris in 1943 when he was a student at Lincoln High School in Milwaukee, Wis. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune ) To make poetry more accessible to younger audiences, he reminds them that poems are like songs without music and he draws them in with kid-friendly verses by Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss as well as musical theater numbers. One of his biggest fans and most-active poetry-readers at the club is Jayde McCurry, a third-grader at Breeze Hill Elementary School. The brainy 9-year-old memorized Wordsworths three-stanza The Daffodils in just an hour. Jaydes grandmother, Yvonne Mattern, said that in the year since her granddaughter began studying and memorizing poetry with Tsoris, her reading level has leapt from a fifth- to a ninth-grade level. Jayde said working on poetry and memorization with Tsoris has helped her with school homework, given her more confidence and improved her ability to speak in public. Hes very nice and I love what he brings us, Jayde said. Even if we dont understand the poem hes teaching up, he goes over them with us until we all do. Jaydes favorite poem from the past year was adapted for National Library Week from a quote by Dr. Seuss. She needs no encouragement to launch into a flawless recitation: The more you read,the more you know. The more you know, the smarter you grow. The smarter you grow, the stronger your voice, when speaking your mind or making your choice. pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com Rebeccas Natural Food, the longest-tenured tenant at Charlottesvilles Barracks Road Shopping Center, is up for sale. Its been a huge success for 35 years, a success in the sense of serving the community, lots of customers and people at the store, founder and owner Norman Dill told The Daily Progress. But Im planning on retiring one of these days, and were looking to find someone who can continue the store. Before he retires, the 69-year-old said he wants to find the right someone, not just anyone, to buy the business, which sells a variety of health foods, supplements and natural products. That right someone would bring a combination of innovation and care to the store he named after his daughter in 1987. We have some long-term employees, and we really want to make sure theyre taken care of well, he said. But theres also room for growth. Obviously, I cant control it once Im not in charge. It just makes sense. Theres room to try new things: having more talks, having more specialized services for other health products and other healthy activities. Dill said his successor could also lead Rebeccas into a new digital age. The Rebeccas website currently offers general information on the goods sold in the store, an expert advice blog and an option to shop online for curbside pickup or delivery. But Dill said he believes an enterprising mind could do more. Someone could do a lot more online, Dill said. Weve never really pushed it as an online retailer. Thats an opportunity for somebody. Dill was insistent, however, that the sale is in the early stages. He said he was shocked how fast word spread that the business had been put on the market, even making the headlines of podcast I Love CVille. This is kind of catching us by surprise a little bit. Were still in the earlier stages of investigating it and looking for options, Dill said. Weve hardly talked to anybody. Podcast host Jerry Miller pegged Dills asking price at $375,000. While Dill didnt dispute the number, he said he wasnt committed to the exact dollar figure. We dont have any particular price in mind. It really depends on the people who are interested in it, Dill said. Stu Rifkin of Rifkin Associates, whos brokering Dills business, said theres plenty of factors that go into the valuation of a business as opposed to a piece of real estate or a product on a store shelf. It starts with earnings just like the stock market or a manufacturing plant. Then theres always other stuff. Does somebody have a below-market lease? Do they have a corner on the market? Rifkin told The Daily Progress. Rifkin said that Rebeccas has natural advantages in these categories: It has a 35-year track record of success, it sits in one of the most popular shopping centers in the region and its been a tenant at the shopping center for its entire history. And then theres: Do people just love it? Ive been selling businesses in town for about 20 years. Theres some intangible value to some businesses. Rebeccas is one of those, Rifkin said. Its not an exact science like selling your house in Forest Lakes, where you can tell what your neighbors sold for and what to price yours at. Rifkin said he sees Rebeccas as a chance for a new owner to take on an established business that can grow without taking the risk of establishing a business that needs to grow. It allows for entrepreneurship without the cost of startup, he said. That cost the time, thought and work that Dill has already put into the business has already been paid. As Dill tells it, his interest in health foods and wellness dates all the way back to his childhood in upstate New York. My mother was very health food-oriented. Back in that day there were no health food stores. She was very diligent. We werent allowed to have sugar or candy, Dill recalled. When he first came to Charlottesville from New York in 1976, Dill started working at a place called Blue Mountain Natural Foods. Inspired by the business model, Dill took what he learned at Blue Mountain, returned to New York and opened his natural foods store called Earthlight Foods, which is still in operation today. But he was tempted by the siren call of Charlottesville, according to the official Rebeccas history online, and returned to the city and opened Rebeccas in 1987. Rebeccas hasnt been his only passion over the past 35 years. Dill also served as an Albemarle County supervisor, representing the Rivanna District from 2016 to 2019, and was co-owner of the Harlowe-Powell Auction Gallery, which he said closed roughly a decade ago. And while that resume might seem crowded to some, Dill said he still thinks hes got room left for a few more entries. Ive done a lot of other things, and Im ready to move on to my next adventure, said Dill. The next adventure, however, will not be another run at politics or entrepreneurship. Im happy with what Ive done, Dill said. Whats next? Probably community activities on a lower level than the Board of Supervisors, being involved with organizations that Im close to: the Democratic Party is very important to me, the downtown area in the city of Charlottesville Ive worked with some of the business owners down there to improve their business. And if all that fails? Ive got five children and five grandchildren. Theres plenty going on. Im not sitting around being bored, Dill said, laughing. Thank you for visiting the Daily Journal. Please purchase an Enhanced Subscription to continue reading. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says Kiama MP Gareth Ward should remain suspended from parliament as long as the former Liberal minister is before the courts on sexual assault charges. Perrottet said his position that Ward should not step foot in parliament while fighting criminal offences had not changed, after the incumbent MP confirmed he would run as an independent to retain the South Coast seat at the March 25 election. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet. Credit: Anna Kucera Wards confirmed tilt presents a challenge for the Perrottet government, which is yet to finalise a Liberal candidate for Kiama less than 48 hours before nominations officially close. Despite the looming deadline, the premier on Monday again repeated his claim that the Liberals would secure the electorate, denying that a Coalition government would have to face negotiations with Ward if they won the election. Visitors to Brisbane Powerhouse will wade through clouds of steam past a three-metre humanoid to sample food by some of the citys best chefs throughout March. Powerhouse chief executive Kate Gould says Night Feast open Wednesday to Sunday from 4.30pm to 9.30pm until March 26 is more than a food event, with seven free immersive experiences for people to enjoy. Visitors can lose themselves twice a night in Steam Works by fog artist Tom Muller. The fun one that is captivating peoples attention is Steam Works by fog artist Tom Muller, says Gould, who is also the venues artistic director. Twice a night, a fog is released into the air that replicates the steam train that would have come to the Powerhouse to bring coal, so the whole site is engulfed in fog, and there is a minute where nobody can see each other. Australians are claiming billions of dollars worth of tax deductions for work-related expenses and managing their tax affairs as the concessions built into the tax system weigh on the amount of revenue flowing into federal coffers. A breakdown of the latest tax expenditure report, used this week to justify the federal governments planned changes to the tax on superannuation balances of more than $3 million, also show forgone revenue on everything from childcare to business research and development is growing faster than parts of the super system. Childcare services is one of the sectors that are exempt from the GST that will grow in the next four years. Credit: Peter Braig Outside superannuation and capital gains, the largest cost to the budget is work-related tax deductions, which are expected this year to reach a record $9.9 billion, a jump of almost 24 per cent since 2018-19. Next financial year, they are tipped to increase to $10.4 billion. The tax concession report, first introduced by Paul Keating in 1986, attempts to track cost of forgone revenue caused by different tax rates or concessions across the entire tax system. Almost four years after his death, Bob Hawke has received a second burial. After marching across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to mark the end of WorldPride and speaking at NSW Labors election campaign launch earlier in the day, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a surprise visit to Melbourne to speak at the interment of some of his beloved predecessors ashes on Sunday afternoon. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also attended the private ceremony at Melbourne General Cemetery in Carlton North, as did Hawkes widow Blanche DAlpuget, other family members and friends. Former prime minister Bob Hawke died in 2019, aged 89. Credit: The Way Brothers/ Netflix Former Hawke economic adviser and later Labor cabinet minister Craig Emerson paid his respects at the event, held on the 40th anniversary of the election of the first Hawke government. Manila: Gunmen in military uniforms fatally shot a governor and five civilians on Saturday while the provincial leader was meeting villagers at his home in the central Philippines, in the latest brazen assault on local politicians in the country, police said. At least six men armed with assault rifles and wearing military-style camouflage and bullet-proof vests alighted from three SUVs and opened fire on Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, hitting him and at least five other people in front of his home in Pamplona town. The province has a history of violent political rivalries. Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, seated with his family, was shot and killed in his own residential compound in Pamplona, Philippines. Credit: Facebook/govdegamo Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, the wife of the slain governor, said in a Facebook video that the five villagers also died. She demanded justice and said her husband did not deserve that kind of death. He was serving constituents on a Saturday along with his department heads. National Harbour, Maryland: Donald Trump has ramped up his 2024 presidential bid with a fiery speech in which he attacked his own party, pledged to stop funding endless wars and vowed to give out baby bonuses to kick off a reproductive boom in America. Three months after announcing his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, Trump appeared at the Conservative Political Action Conference to make his pitch amid deepening divisions among conservatives, questions over his ongoing influence and a spectacular fallout with media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland. Credit: AP In an address lasting more than 100 minutes, the former president returned to a central theme of his 2016 election campaign: characterising himself as an outsider fighting for ordinary Americans, who could not be bought nor controlled. Theres only one president in history who has ever taken on the entire corrupt establishment in Washington. And when we win in 2024, we will do it again, even stronger, faster and better, he said as his adoring audience chanted: Trump, Trump, Trump. 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According to IGPF, at the border points nationwide on Saturday, nearly170,250, Romanian and foreign citizens, were checked both on the way in and on the way out of Romania, as well as more than 47,000 means of transport. Starting February 10, 2022 (pre-conflict time) 3,677,272 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania. The border police detected 87 illegal acts (40 crimes and 47 misdemeanors) in the areas under their jurisdiction - the crossing points and the green border - committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens. Forty-six foreign citizens who did not meet the conditions provided by the law were denied entry. Also on Saturday, 25 Romanian citizens were not allowed to leave for various legal reasons. Romania has joined a core coalition of 17 UN member states from all geographical regions initiated by Vanuatu to request an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on climate change. According to a press statement released by the Romanian Foreign Ministry (MAE) on Saturday, the action initiated by Vanuatu is intended to clarify the obligations of states under international law regarding the effects of climate change and to prompt the international community to strengthen its efforts to combat climate change and protect vulnerable states. So far, the initiative has won the support of 112 UN member states, out of the total of 193 member states. "Romania's involvement in this initiative strengthens its constant position as a promoter of international law instruments and a supporter of the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, as a guarantor of the supremacy of law in international affairs. At the same time, the approach illustrates Romania's interest in making a significant and innovative contribution to the global efforts to combat the causes and effects of climate change. The climate change concern of the international community has been growing in recent years also because of a multiplication of extreme phenomena and the implications for order and security in the world. Romania has shown an active interest in the analysis of the legal aspects of climate change and its effects, including from the perspective of the phenomenon of rising sea and ocean levels. Moreover, I recently presented, on February 14, within the UN Security Council meeting, the serious implications the global phenomenon of rising sea and ocean levels already have or could have on the entire world community, including in terms of worldwide peace and security, especially on small island states and coastal states," MAE quotes Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu as saying in the statement, according to agerpres.ro. The opinion of the International Court of Justice will be requested by adopting a resolution of the UN General Assembly. After comprehensive negotiations with all UN states, on February 20, 2023, the coalition published a final draft resolution. During the consultations, Romania pleaded for a clear, ambitious, future-oriented text. By co-authoring the resolution, the UN states are invited to send a unified signal regarding their commitment to complying with existing climate obligations under international law. According to the draft resolution, the question that will be posed to the International Court of Justice in order to draw up an advisory opinion contains responsibilities for climate change towards present and future generations, as well as regarding the obligations of states that have caused significant environmental harm and continue to causes such harm, thus targeting both past and present or future situations. Below is the text of the request: "Having particular regard to the Charter of the United Nations, the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the duty of due diligence, the rights recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the principle of prevention of significant harm to the environment, and the duty to protect and preserve the marine environment, (1) What are the obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases for States and for present and future generations; (2) What are the legal consequences under these obligations for States where they, by their acts and omissions, have caused significant harm to the climate system and other parts of the environment, with respect to: (a) States, including, in particular, small island developing States, which due to their geographical circumstances and level of development, are injured or specially affected by or are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change? (b) Peoples and individuals of the present and future generations affected by the adverse effects of climate change?" *** Vanuatu initiated the process of requesting an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on climate change, inviting a number of UN states to join the core group for the negotiation and promotion of the draft resolution of the UN General Assembly. Taking up on the invitation were Romania, Portugal, Germany, Liechtenstein, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Micronesia, Morocco, Mozambique, New Zealand, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Uganda and Vietnam. According to the UN on-line library, an advisory opinion is legal advice provided to the United Nations or a specialized agency by the International Court of Justice, in accordance with Article 96 of the UN Charter. The General Assembly and the Security Council may request advisory opinions on "any legal matter." Other organs and the specialised agencies may request advisory opinions on "legal questions arising within the scope of their activities." In general, advisory opinions are not binding, but may inform the development of international law. According to the ICJ website, advisory opinions "carry great legal weight and moral authority. They are often an instrument of preventive diplomacy and have peace-keeping virtues. Advisory opinions also, in their way, contribute to the elucidation and development of international law and thereby to the strengthening of peaceful relations between States." The gloves came off a while ago when the Missouri Legislature began debating whether the state should take back control of the St. Louis Police Department. But now, the tape has been removed and the fight has come down to bare knuckles. And in the middle of the ring is state Rep. LaKeySha Bosley, D-St. Louis. On Thursday, Bosley found herself not only being accused of "grandstanding" by a House colleague over her legislative-floor moves, but also being taken to task for having several outstanding arrest warrants against her in three different counties. Bosley's legislative maneuver on Wednesday put St. Louis city potentially on the hook to give each police officer a $7,000 annual pay increase. The bill, which still awaits final passage in the House as well as Senate action, already included a $4,000 annual raise. In addition to the bigger pay raise, Bosley's amendment would have had the state pick up "all costs incurred" as a result of the state takeover of the St. Louis Police Department. But state Rep. Justin Sparks, R-Wildwood, successfully amended her proposal, removing the language that put the state on the hook but leaving the higher, $7,000 pay raise. That result led Rep. Raychel Proudie, D-Ferguson, to post: "It's bonkers to me that a Rep from STL City would add an additional $3k period, even with the intent to have the state pay for it let alone stand and defend forcing their constituents to pay the above and beyond grandstanding when the fulcrum of their amendment was stripped!" Proudie could not be reached for comment. Bosley said her amendment was not an attempt to scuttle the police-control bill by including unfunded mandates, which could violate Missouri's Hancock Amendment. "It was not an attempt to sabotage" the bill, she said. She said her only goal was to get the state to pitch in money for the city officers. "We need to make (city police salaries) competitive," she said. Weighing in against Bosley from a different angle was Jane Dueker, lobbyist and attorney for the St. Louis Police Officers Association, which is pushing for the state takeover. Dueker took to Twitter to share the fact that Bosley is wanted in several Missouri counties for failure to appear in court on traffic violations. Bosley said that the warrant situation is "definitely an oversight and it has all been taken care of." When told that as of 2 p.m. Thursday, the court records still showed that the warrants were active, she said, "It's in the process of being taken care of." The oldest of three outstanding warrants for Bosley's arrest dates back to February 2017. The warrant stems from an incident in November 2016, when Bosley was cited by Pine Lawn police for speeding more than 15 mph over the limit. After she failed to appear in Pine Lawn Municipal Court on the charge, an arrest warrant was issued on Feb. 12, 2017. Bond is set at $100. Then in 2021, a warrant for her arrest was issued in Boone County. That action stems from an incident in July 2021, when Bosley was cited by Columbia police for operating an unlicensed motor vehicle. After being granted two continuances, and failing to appear on both dates, a warrant was issued Sept. 2, 2021, for her arrest. Bond has been set at $125. The most recent warrant for her arrest was issued in May 2022 by the Perry County Circuit Court. That warrant is connected to a March 3, 2022, citation she received for speeding by more than 15 mph above the speed limit. After she twice failed to appear in court, a warrant was issued for her arrest. Bond has been set at $300. Later Thursday, Freeman R. Bosley Jr. fi led requests in Boone and Perry counties to recall the warrants. As of 5 p.m. Thursday, nothing had been fi led in the Pine Lawn case. Freeman R. Bosley Jr., a former St. Louis mayor, is LaKeySha Bosley's half-brother. Her father is former Alderman Freeman Bosley Sr., and current Alderman Brandon Bosley, D-3rd Ward, is her brother. The United States ended combat operations in Vietnam 50 years ago this month, setting the stage for its withdrawal two years later and the end of what was then the nations longest war and costliest defeat. St. Louis played a major role. It sent its young men to fight and die. Its big employers companies like McDonnell Douglas and Monsanto were major military contractors. And its universities especially Washington University saw their share of antiwar protests, some violent. The antiwar movement the biggest and most organized in U.S. history is the focus of just two of 15 chapters of Left in the Midwest, a new scholarly look at progressive activism in St. Louis in the 1960s and 70s. The Vietnam chapters are largely about Washington University activists, the destruction of the ROTC buildings there and Howard Mechanic, the student protester turned fugitive. The rest of the book edited by two St. Louis University faculty members, Amanda Izzo, associate professor of Womens and Gender Studies, and Benjamin Looker, associate professor of American Studies deals with other battles. Some will be familiar to most St. Louisans. The newspapers covered them as they unfolded. The famous Baby Tooth Survey of the early 1960s that helped confirm alarming levels of strontium-90 caused by above-ground atomic testing. The long campaign by Percy Greens ACTION to shame the Veiled Prophet organization. The unsuccessful effort to keep City Hall from closing Homer G. Phillips, the northside hospital that served the African American community. Less familiar are stories of how gay St. Louisans fought discrimination and their allies in the religious community. How women networked to support access to abortion before the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. How they called out rape culture and organized the first Take Back the Night march in 1979. How the lesbian community, facing constant harassment, created and defended safe spaces. Its hard to exaggerate the hostility the gay community faced in the 1970s. As the book recounts, A Womans Place a Lesbian Alliance-sponsored venue near Gravois Park didnt last a year before it was firebombed. Four years later, Mor or Les, a new lesbian bar in Dutchtown, also was hit by an arsonist. A police sergeant told the Post-Dispatch at the time, South St. Louis just isnt ready for a lesbian bar. The book is a reminder that the groundwork for some stories was laid many years earlier. Long before Ferguson erupted in 2014, St. Louis activists worked to end police violence. One long-ago case mentioned in the book: Dennis Benson, a 23-year-old man who died July 9, 1980, two days after he struggled with police responding to a disturbance call. Fourteen witnesses told the Post-Dispatch that officers beat Benson repeatedly with flashlights and nightsticks after he was handcuffed. The case sparked protests, but a grand jury refused to indict any officers. While it covers a lot of ground, Left in the Midwest leaves a lot out. For example, the push for economic conversion, trying to get manufacturers like McDonnell Douglas to shift away from military production. Activists not all progressives or left-wingers opposed Union Electrics nuclear plant in Callaway County (and lost) and the Meramec Dam (and won). Groups like ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) fought redlining in the 1970s. And late in the decade came campaigns to end apartheid in South Africa and against U.S. meddling in Central America. The book also could have benefited from a deeper look at some of the economic changes that were transforming St. Louis during this time, the loss of major employers, local ownership, offshoring and plant closings. For most of Missouri, especially the GOP leadership in the Legislature, St. Louis is a hotbed of progressive tomfoolery. At the same time, some progressives who live here think the place is culturally conservative and politically stagnant and they despair. As one longtime activist quoted in the book says, Its a great place to organize, but a tough place to make a difference. Still, Left in the Midwest shows a lot can be accomplished by regular folks, pushing to make things a little better. ST. LOUIS Leaders at Washington University have largely been silent amid investigations of its pediatric transgender clinic, but the universitys social justice policy institute this week weighed in on the controversy, releasing a statement that sharply attacks the credibility of a former clinic employee who raised concerns about the quality of care provided to children. Jamie Reed, a former case manager at the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Childrens Hospital, last month alleged, among other things, that puberty blockers and hormone therapies were too freely given to children and teens, some of whom suffered with mental illness or other issues. Parents, she said in an article published online by The Free Press and also a sworn affidavit provided to Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, were not told about the medications risks, lied to and coerced into continuing treatment. But, a 1,355-word response sent out this week by the Clark-Fox Policy Institute questions Reeds qualifications and asserts her article is filled with fallacies that are often misused to spread subjective opinions about gender-affirming care. The rhetoric follows many common tropes peddled by those who oppose the social affirmation and medical treatment of transgender adolescents and adults, Jeremy Goldbach and Shannon Dunlap write. By centering the perspective of only one individual, the article leaves medical and mental health professionals, academics, and most importantly, trans adolescents and their families voiceless while purporting to advocate for them. Goldbach, an expert in LGBTQ mental health, is the Masters & Johnson Distinguished Professor of Sexual Health and Education at Washington Universitys Brown School. Dunlap is a researcher at UCLA and clinician who has worked with transgender adolescents and their families for more than 10 years. Their response to Reed appeared on the Clark-Fox Policy Institutes website and was distributed in an email newsletter to subscribers. Goldbach and Gary Parker, director of the Clark-Fox Policy Institute, stressed the statement should not be viewed as reflecting the position or views of Washington University. My goal is always to ensure there is a balanced discussion of affirming care that includes empirical research and clinical expertise. As a faculty member with extensive experience in this area, I have the autonomy to disseminate my writing through the channels available to me, Goldbach said. The Clark-Fox Policy Institute is dedicated to the dissemination of evidence-informed policy aimed at improving the lives of children and their caretakers. Whenever possible, we capitalize on the research of Brown School scholars, Parker said. Although the statement is his own and does not necessarily reflect the views of Washington University, Professor Goldbachs expertise on this matter is critically important as he brings empirical data to this discussion. We are proud to provide a platform for his scholarship. Reeds attorney, Ernie Trakas with the Child and Parental Rights Campaign, called the researchers dismissiveness of Reeds claims and defense of the transgender clinic a sophomoric, duplicitous apology worthy of condemnation that will be exposed once investigations are complete. More troubling is Washington Universitys support of their diatribe. This too will have consequences, Trakas, a member of the St. Louis County Council, said. Washington Universitys response to Reeds allegations has so far been limited to a joint statement by Chancellor Andrew Martin and BJC HealthCare CEO Richard Liekweg, who said they were concerned by Reeds allegations, were continuing an internal review of practices at the WU center and pledged additional oversight. Asked about Goldbach and Dunlaps statement, a Washington University spokeswoman said faculty are free to comment on matters, but dont speak for the university. The op-ed you reference was written by a faculty member as an individual and based on his scholarly expertise, Julie Flory, vice chancellor for marketing and communications, said in a statement Thursday. We fully support academic freedom and our faculty are welcome to share their personal opinions as they see fit, in whatever format they choose. They do not speak for the university. Goldbach and Dunlap, among other criticisms, challenge Reeds claim that the clinic is pushing youths toward transitioning, resulting in a recent increase in patients reporting gender dysphoria. Reed said therapists were provided pre-written approval templates to sign off on. The researchers wrote that such templates are routine in a variety of specialty care setting to ensure that the information is clear, appropriate and complete. There is no evidence for the floodgates being opened, the report stated, Instead, research suggests that many trans youth continue to face significant barriers to accessing gender-affirming care, such as lack of health insurance coverage, high cost of care, limited availability of knowledgeable providers and fear of retaliation. The authors also challenge Reeds allegation that no reliable studies show treating gender dysphoria improves patients mental health. The researchers say numerous studies show that access to gender-affirming care reduces behavioral health problems among transgender youths, including a recent study that found youths who receive the care report 60% lower odds of moderate or severe depression and 74% lower odds of suicidal ideation or intent. Their sharpest attack is on Reeds credibility, arguing that as a case manager responsible for patient intake, she lacked the expertise to comment on clinical decisions made by doctors, nurses, social workers and others with clinical training in transgender adolescent health. Would you rely on the person checking you in at an emergency room for their medical advice? To triage for urgency, of course. But to determine the course of treatment? We think not, their report stated. Trakas said Goldbach and Dunlaps statement purposefully misrepresents and demeans Ms. Reeds credentials, experience, and critical role as part of the multi-disciplinary team at the WU center. While its fine to debate the appropriateness of medical treatment for minors experiencing gender dysphoria, Trakas said Goldbach and Dunlap instead produced an ad hominem attack on Reed. Debate about gender-affirming care for children comes as lawmakers in Republican-led states, including Missouri, push legislation to ban such treatment for patients younger than 18. So far this year, governors in South Dakota, Utah and Mississippi have signed bills into law banning the provision of gender-affirming care to transgender minors. Videos: Some testimony before the House committee about bills to criminalize transgender health care It makes me feel hated. It really does, transgender teen testifies House representative calls puberty blockers child abuse; transgender woman says thats offensive This bill will harm me, transgender child tells Missouri House committee Will our kids and grandkids see that we were on the side of love or hate? Parent asks committee Missouri senator says doctors treating transgender children are evil If I were your kid, I would not be comfortable coming out to you, senator tells colleague Bill would keep teachers from convincing children they are transgender or gay, senator says ST. LOUIS The parents of 17-year-old Janae Edmonson, critically injured by a speeding driver while visiting downtown, issued a statement Saturday thanking the St. Louis community for the help, prayers and donations as their daughter recovers. James and Francine Edmondson said they appreciate the cards, gifts and items sent to Janae and are uplifted by others words and actions. The support that has been given has allowed us to solely focus on Janaes health and our family, which has taken a heavy weight off our shoulders during this crucial time, the couple said. Janae, of Smyrna, Tennessee, was injured Feb. 18 while visiting St. Louis for a volleyball tournament. She was walking when a car crash left her pinned between two vehicles. Both of her legs were amputated as a result of her injuries, and she remains hospitalized. Her parents said they were grateful for the doctors and nurses at SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital. We have witnessed moments during Janaes stay that have allowed us to experience exceptional care from compassionate staff, they said. You cant repay people for those moments. The couple also wanted to thank the community for respecting their family and giving them space and time to process the tragedy. Their statement, released by SSM Health, is the first since the crash other than statements they made at a bond hearing for the man charged with injuring Janae. Daniel Riley, 21, is charged with second-degree assault, two counts of fourth-degree assault, armed criminal action and operating a vehicle without a valid license. He is being held in custody without bond. At the bond hearing, James Edmondson told the judge his daughter was about to sign a volleyball scholarship at the University of Tennessee Southern. She had just played well in two matches before the crash, which he said pulled her from his arms. He had to apply a tourniquet to her legs. Francine Edmondson told the judge, A parent should never see their child in that situation. Riley, the driver, has become the center of intense scrutiny facing the courts and St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardners office. Riley was out on bond under GPS monitoring for a 2020 robbery case at the time of the crash but remained free despite dozens of GPS monitoring violations. The prosecutors office never filed a written motion to revoke his bond, but Gardners office insists prosecutors mentioned the violations with judges on the cases. The Edmondsons also said they were grateful to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the St. Louis Union Station Hotel for their hospitality, as well as the volleyball community. We ask you to please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers, as our family has a long road ahead, they said. Please keep praying for Janaes physical and emotional healing. Virtual banking is no longer the novelty it was in 1998, but Frank Trotter thinks theres still room for innovation. Trotter founded EverBank, one of the first banks to operate mostly online, 25 years ago. That was nine years before the introduction of the iPhone, back when depositing a check or opening a certificate of deposit usually required a trip to your local branch. Enough people embraced the concept, though, for EverBank to reach $27 billion in assets before it was acquired by TIAA Bank in 2017. Trotter retired then, but not for good. About two years ago, he began organizing a new online-only institution called Battle Bank. Even though virtual banking has become crowded, with big players such as Capital One and Marcus by Goldman Sachs throwing their weight around, Trotter sees room for an upstart. According to Moodys, digital banks hold just 0.4% of the worlds banking assets. The rest is in traditional brick-and-mortar institutions, which Trotter believes are ripe for disruption. The average bank pays just 0.35% on a basic savings account, even though savers can earn 10 times as much online. Checking accounts typically carry fees of at least $5 a month and pay no interest. Battle Bank has a wait list of 5,000 potential customers, and in a survey 70% said they hate their current bank. You have this combination of low rates, high fees and service thats not seeming to satisfy the customer base, Trotter said. Battle Bank intends to offer an interest-bearing checking account with no monthly fee. If it were open today, Trotter estimated, it would pay about 3.75%. He thinks a self-directed Individual Retirement Account will attract high-net-worth customers. Niche offerings will include foreign-currency CDs, a product Trotter helped pioneer at Mark Twain Bank and EverBank, and loans against precious-metals collateral. Rick Rule, a prominent California-based mining investor, is a bank director and is expected to recruit customers for the precious-metals products. The bank won conditional approval in October from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and hopes to open this summer. Its headquarters will be in Edwards, Colorado, but Trotter, 68, who lives in Olivette, is chairman and president. A few other St. Louis bankers also are on the founding team, and Trotter said he expects to lease an office here. Battle Bank also has some prominent St. Louis investors, including Cultivation Capital and John Berglund, a developer who heads Starwood Group. Trotter said the bank intends to raise $120 million of capital, enough to support its three-year goal of reaching $1.4 billion in assets. Cliff Holekamp, a Cultivation managing director, said he still sees a ton of growth and a ton of opportunity in online banking. His firm often backs young technology entrepreneurs, but Holekamp believes a seasoned team is more important in banking. Frank has the network, the connections and the knowledge that is a huge advantage, Holekamp said. Knowing the regulatory environment and understanding how to pass through the hurdles is more critical than in other industries. Trotter does see himself as a technology entrepreneur, but said Battle Banks distinguishing feature isnt hardware or software but attention to customers needs. They want to feel like theyre not just dealing with a utility, he said. They want a bank thats able to access global markets, and one that makes it easy for them to participate. Trotter created that institution once, before most people knew how an online bank should work. Customers have higher expectations now, and he promises that version 2.0 will meet them. What part of the phrase will of the voters does Missouri state Sen. Andrew Koenig not understand? Almost five years after the states voters specified that, yes, all legislative records must be available to the public under the states Sunshine Law, Koenig is pushing a measure to shield certain records, in direct defiance of the voters wishes. Its the latest example of a pattern by the Legislatures Republican majority casting aside the publics clearly expressed decisions. This disregard for their own constituents is perhaps nowhere more obvious than on the issue of open records. Before 2018, lawmakers often maintained they were exempt from the provisions of the Sunshine Law that applied to everyone else. So that year, Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment specifying the Legislature is subject to the laws open-records requirements just like other public bodies. As is their habit, lawmakers almost immediately began trying to chip away at that requirement legislatively. The current effort by Koenig, a Manchester Republican, is perhaps the most brazen. Senate Bill 174 would allow legislators to deny public access to many records related to legislation or the legislative process a standard that could apply to almost anything legislators do. It would change the definition of a public meeting in ways that could allow local governmental bodies to conduct public business outside of public view. It would even allow government to charge citizens who request records for the time spent redacting them. The possibilities for abuse there are limitless. The Missouri Independent reports that at a hearing last month, Koenig said the change was needed because legislators need to be able to think out loud with your staff and before you get a finished product. The legislators, their staffs and their products all belong to the taxpayers when theyre on the job. And the Sunshine Law is specific about the guiding principle that all public records are presumed to be public unless theres a compelling reason to shield them. Legislators wanting to avoid letting their constituents see legislative sausage-making in progress isnt such a reason especially if that involves consultations with lobbyists, donors or special-interest groups. As problematic as the unacceptable details of this legislation are, the underlying contention is worse: It presumes that legislators can, with standard legislation, overrule a constitutional amendment approved by the states voters. The whole point of amending the state constitution by that method is to prevent lawmakers from messing with it as they have done, or attempted to, on issues including Medicaid expansion, labor rights, the minimum wage, marijuana legalization and more. Should the Legislature pass this bill and somehow convince the courts that its legally valid for a few dozen politicians to undo changes that voters across Missouri made to the state Constitution, the future implications on other topics would be daunting. Especially given the contempt this crowd has long demonstrated toward the voters. Mayor should focus on crime, streets and garbage Regarding Tony Messenger's column "Reduce crime in St. Louis? Mayor looks to transit, investment in north side" (March 1): Mayor Tishaura Jones needs to post three words in very large print on her walls: crime, streets and garbage. If she would focus on these three things, and ask herself daily what she has done to improve those three things, she could have a very successful first term as mayor. All the social service items she seems focused on should be on the very back burner. She is running a city, not a social service agency. Others can focus on those. Focusing on these three things, in short-term and long-term ways, would go a long way to improve quality of life for those she wants to help. If people wanted to live on the north side of the city, they would have done so by now. But the crime, poorly maintained streets and garbage piling up in those areas keep people from wanting to do so. While Jones may think the old way of doing things didn't work (and perhaps some of it did not), it appears her way of doing things is not working either. Phillip Van Cleave Fenton More traffic stops would help calm the streets downtown In his column "Teen pays a tragic price for St. Louis' hands-off approach to downtown traffic" (Feb. 25), Kevin McDermott makes an important point: When there are no consequences for undesired behavior, there is little chance of improvement. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has failed to provide systematic, timely and thoughtful application of justice. It is more than the tragedy involving the teenage volleyball player or a single accused murderer being temporarily set free due to her office's nonresponse. There is obviously enough blame to go around for the strained relationship between the city police and Gardner's office. The current hands-off approach by police is unacceptable and unsustainable, in my opinion, if we are to ever have less violence in our streets. Officers need to reengage with the public. Visible traffic stops after traffic violations do several things: The public sees peaceful interactions. Officers see the vehicle tag, the driver's license number and the person. If everything lines up, then the issue is the speeding or running of a red light. If not, the driver and potentially passengers are due the problems they have created for themselves. Warnings, with follow-up tickets if another officer stops the same driver, does a lot for public trust. Tickets for blatant or repeat violations do the same. Sure, many of the violators will not appear or pay fines. It is the job of the prosecutors office to sort this out. Enforcement of these rules would, I believe, reduce pedestrian and traffic collisions while also lowering violent crime by removing bad actors. David Sager Hazelwood Politicians who lie to win should be removed from office Regarding the letter to the editor "Not just Republican politicians have been caught lying" (Feb. 27), and other coverage about people in elected office who lied to get there: The obvious and simple way to limit this ongoing problem is for legislatures to enact laws that require the immediate removal of liars and replacement by the opponent whom they defeated through their deceit. This would force all candidates to be more truthful when presenting their records and biographies. Of course, this could also be accomplished by the party committees, which should be doing due diligence, but obviously this hasn't worked so well. Ric Haberstroh Ferguson A functioning council outweighs abiding by Sunshine Law The editorial "County council chief's preferred method to discuss Sunshine Law is to close the doors" (Feb. 27) again zeroed in on Missouri's Sunshine Law and the St. Louis County Council's inept attempt to come to grips with it. That law is important for a democracy but is also one that can be easily weaponized for purely political purposes by any who disagree with a particular governmental position. I agree with the council chair's attempt to meet behind closed doors with the council's attorney to clear up the boundaries, requirements and prohibitions of that law. The council's refusal to agree with that step was unfortunate. The subsequent actions of the council chair in response were silly and completely inappropriate. But if the council members who voted against the closed-door meeting (which the Post-Dispatch Editorial Board agreed with) have as their goal a total public viewing of the council's decision-making process, rather than a functioning, professional council that actually gets things done within the steps spelled out in the Sunshine Law, then I am very disappointed. Deane Looney St. Louis Student loan forgiveness should come with conditions Concerning the student loan forgiveness program currently before the U.S. Supreme Court: I could be receptive to this government giveaway if the result was to incentivize individuals who would (not could) become productive participants in our nations workforce. To that end, such an applicant would be required to have received a degree from an accredited university, provide proof of five years of continual employment in their degree-related field and have received an average annual salary between $60,000 and $100,000. The American taxpayer should not be burdened by subsidizing dropouts, frivolous degrees or high earners. Thomas Urani Clayton Read letters online at STLToday.com As Colorado marks another COVID-19 anniversary, the takeaway for historians and epidemiologists is as simple as it is jarring: Americans haven't learned the lessons from history. Three years ago Sunday, Colorado reported its first COVID-19 case a 30-something male skier who had traveled to Italy. Eight days later, on March 13, an El Paso County woman in her 80s with underlying health conditions became the first in Colorado to die from the novel coronavirus. At the time, Colorado had 77 known cases. In the days that followed, public health and executive orders shuttered businesses and schools; canceled nonessential surgeries; limited evictions and foreclosures; required face masks in public and shut-in Coloradans with stay-at-home orders. The headlines could have been written 100 years ago. All the same things used today were used back then, said J. Alexander Navarro, a University of Michigan historian who has extensively studied the Spanish flu of 1918. Pandemics in Colorado by the numbers SOURCES: U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, U.S. Census After a dozen military trainees caught a deadly strain of the Spanish flu in the fall of 1918, City Manager of Health and Charity and former Denver Mayor Dr. William H. Sharpley set up an advisory board. He also instructed residents to avoid crowds, cover coughs and sneezes and to seek a physician if cold-like symptoms developed. When the number of cases and deaths climbed, Sharpley ordered hospitals to isolate influenza patients. School closures, assembly bans and business restrictions followed, which included prohibiting funerals. What happened next now seems all too predictable. Cases dipped and public health officials lifted the mitigation measures. In an unfortunate coincidence, the day the mitigation measures were lifted in Denver, a throng of residents poured into the streets to celebrate the armistice and end of World War I. A week later, Denver was in the throes of a surge with hundreds of new influenza cases and dozens of deaths. Sharpley blamed the public. It is not the lifting of the closure ban that is the cause of spreading of the epidemic, but the putting aside of all the precautions and restrictions by the people of Denver when they celebrated on Victory Day, Sharpley said. Another resurgence What made the Mile High City so interesting to researchers like Navarro is that Denver was one of a few that had intervened and then walked back mitigation measures for which the public had grown weary. The pandemic wasnt over, Navarro said. Almost immediately we saw another resurgence of cases. As a result, the Spanish flu pandemic droned on for months with a second deadly spike becoming one of the nations largest death tolls, per capita. City officials responded with a mask order and shutting down amusement businesses. But enforcement was fraught with complications from the public refusing to wear masks to business owners complaining they had been unfairly singled out. The deadliest pandemic of the 20th century, the Spanish flu killed roughly 9,300 Coloradans and more than 1,100 in Denver. Denvers response to the Spanish flu, Navarro argued, illustrates what happens when people dont follow public health orders or when strong leadership is lacking. Public health doesnt exist in a vacuum, Navarro said. In 2007, Navarro and a team of researchers studied the interventions 43 cities including Denver implemented to curb the spread of the Spanish flu. Their study found early, sustained and layered interventions mitigated the consequences of the pandemic. In planning for future severe influenza pandemics, nonpharmaceutical interventions should be considered for inclusion as companion measures to developing effective vaccines and medications for prophylaxis and treatment, the authors wrote. Sign Up For Free: Weekly 7 Catch up with a rundown of the 7 most important and interesting stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. To date, COVID-19 has killed 1.1 million Americans; nearly 15,000 Coloradans and roughly 1,500 Denverites. It was frustrating seeing history repeat itself, Navarro said. The public respected the pandemic There are key differences between the Spanish flu and COVID-19, which has killed more Americans than those who died in all the U.S. wars, combined. Reporting 100 years ago was spotty. No central agency existed to control the outbreak (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wasnt formed until 1946). Another notable difference was who the disease killed. With COVID-19, older Americans and those in congregate settings , particularly nursing homes, bore the brunt of the deaths while healthy 20-to-40-year-olds had an unusually high mortality rate with the Spanish flu. The 1918 flu killed people mainly in the prime of life, Metropolitan State University of Denver History Professor Stephen Leonard said. Leonard added: In a way, the societal impact was almost greater. The duration of the pandemics also differed with the Spanish flu running from 1918-1919. COVID-19 is now entering its fourth year, although President Joe Biden announced he will end the emergency declaration in May. And while the public pushed back on some of the mitigation strategies, the Spanish flu the first global pandemic in the era of mass society was not politicized as COVID-19 has been. The public respected the pandemic, it was almost never politically motivated, Navarro said. Leading experts said the irony is that the best measures to control highly infectious diseases like the Spanish flu and COVID-19 public gathering bans, school and business closures, face masks and quarantines are precisely the most difficult to implement in a mass society. These measures remain highly controversial even today, with some contending that the school closures unnecessarily set back students learning, when they are the least susceptible to the virus, and the lockdowns separated families, particularly older residents, who ended up dying alone in hospitals or facilities without their loved ones. Critics also claim that health authorities had been inconsistent, first saying face masks were not needed and then concluding they were or insisting the vaccine would prevent catching the virus but later saying it would minimize the severity of the symptoms, rather than eliminate the chances of getting sick. Preparing for the next pandemic Researchers will likely study the COVID-19 pandemic for decades to come. They said while some of the lessons will take time to unfold, others are fairly clear now: better surveillance is critical; international cooperation is necessary and work rebuilding the public trust in public health, essential. I think the takeaway is we have a lot of work to do preparing for the next pandemic, said Navarro, of the University of Michigan. Because its a matter of when, not if. Dr. Michelle Barron, senior director of infection prevention at UCHealth, agreed. Despite the missteps, Barron said she believes history will reflect well on the scientific achievement, creating an effective vaccine in record time. Science matters, Barron said. But its got to be good science. South Korea has developed a new Baekho experimental mobile command post that uses a K808 8x8 armored vehicle to carry the command personnel and the large array of radio, sensors and computers they use to assess the situation and issue orders.. Mobile command posts have been common since automobiles began entering military use over a century ago. While there was little demand for mobile command posts during the static World War I, by the time that conflict ended in 1918, mobile warfare was returning in the form of armored combat vehicles. Some of these were designed to carry troops safely to the combat zone. It took decades for armies to become completely mechanized (transported on armored and unarmored wheeled vehicles) and during that process it was found necessary for some commanders to use a mobile command post so they could stay close to and control the fighting. By this time (the 1930s) long range radios were small enough to fit into one of these armored personnel carriers. This type of mobile command post was widely used during World War II and continued to evolve and be used ever since. This brings us to the South Korean Baekho command vehicle, which carries a large assortment of radios, sensors and computers to assist a commander in a combat zone. In 2020 South Korean combat vehicle manufacturer Hyundai won the contract to build the third and last batch of K808 and K806 wheeled combat vehicles. The last of these was delivered in 2023. Hyundai designed the K808/806 vehicles, which won a design competition with two other South Korean firms. All three firms can build these vehicles, which is why there was a competition for each batch. Hyundai had an edge and used it to win all three batch orders. The K808 is an 8x8 wheeled combat vehicle similar to the American Stryker in design and function. The K806 is a 6x6 version of the K808 and intended for rear area defense. The first 600 K808/806 vehicles began arriving in 2016 in batches of up to 200 vehicles. Hyundai has an assembly line that can build about a hundred of these vehicles a year. The second and third batches incorporate modifications suggested or required based on experience with earlier vehicles. Most (500) of the vehicles delivered are the 20-ton 8x8 K808, which carries 12 (two crew and ten passengers) and is armed with a 30mm autocannon and 7.62mm machine-gun. The K808 has a top road speed of 110 kilometers an hour and in water can do ten kilometers an hour. The 16-ton 6x6 K806 is mainly for reconnaissance and internal security. The K806 can also carry twelve and is armed with a 40mm automatic grenade launcher and 7.62mm machine-gun. Development of the K806 and K808 began in 2012 when the South Korean army asked Hyundai for locally designed wheeled armored vehicles similar to the American Stryker. This meant a successful design was guaranteed an army order and production could begin quickly. Hyundai had actually designed the K808 in 2012 with their own money, believing that the South Korean forces might need it and the export markets definitely sought this type of combat vehicle. Private development of combat vehicles, including experimental models like Baekho for local use as well as for export, is common in East Asia. Several Chinese firms do it and another South Korean manufacturer (Doosan) that created the South Korean Army K21 tracked IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) went ahead and developed the 18 ton, 8x8 Black Fox, mainly for the export market. Black Fox could be equipped with the turret from the K21. This, in effect, creates a wheeled armored vehicle carrying light artillery (a 40mm autoloading cannon). This weapon fires up to 300 rounds per minute, at speeds of 1,000 meters per second (3,100 fps). The Black Fox has a crew of three and carries nine passengers. Fox was built in the hopes of snagging domestic or foreign sales and it, and similar Doosan wheeled armored vehicles, have done just that. But Doosan found that cheaper was always an easier sell so vehicles like Black Fox also come in less expensive and lighter 6x6 versions. The Doosan vehicles were meant for export markets although they were proposed as candidates to be the South Korean Stryker. The Doosan vehicles lost out to the K808 and K806. The losers in these competitions survive by concentrating on exports. This system has worked for China and South Korea, the two largest weapons manufacturers and exporters in East Asia. Japan is seeking to join this club as well, but had to overcome several unique problems to do so. First, Japan had to amend its post-World War II constitution that prohibited exporting weapons. This was done in 2012, but with three conditions: No weapons could be exported to a communist government, a nation under a UN arms embargo or a country at war or about to get involved in one. That last condition is often applied with some flexibility. These three restrictions still leave Japan with plenty of export opportunities. All Japan has to do is resolve their other problem. For over half a century Japan has been building and increasingly developing weapons for its own armed forces. With no incentive to keep costs under control, so that exports could compete, Japanese built weapons tended to be very expensive. The government considered this good domestic politics, but it made them uncompetitive in price elsewhere. Japanese arms companies face difficult adjustments to compete in world markets. Currently there are weapons being developed and produced in East Asia because so many countries see China as a threat. In other words, an arms race. The is leading to more new developments, like the Baekho mobile command post vehicle. Data Security Guidance from the Only Private Data Network Company for RPM, which Employs Cryptographic Security Technology to Protect Patient Data TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Smart Meter, the number one Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) solution supplier to the largest nationwide network of SmartPartners, is releasing data security guidance for companies that provide remote patient monitoring and remote therapeutic monitoring programs to the healthcare industry. The paper "The Importance of Health Data Security Workflows in Remote Patient Monitoring and Remote Therapeutic Monitoring" reviews emerging data security threats from overseas monitoring device vendors and the associated costs of exposing patient data to security breaches. The guidance discusses emerging threats and best practices of standard security protocols that RPM companies should consider when evaluating their vendors and data networks regarding patient-generated health data security. Healthcare professionals' rapid adoption of remote patient monitoring has captured the eye of device manufacturers from many overseas locations. RPM companies must trust that their device vendors can ensure the safety and security of the patient-generated health data security workflows that prohibit alteration, eavesdropping, data mining, or interception. Many foreign manufacturers may need to become more familiar with the rules and regulations that US-based remote monitoring businesses must follow to maintain the safety and confidentiality of their customers' patients. The US continues to be burdened by security threats from foreign countries and overseas manufacturers, with patient health information being a high-value target driven by the fact that the value of protected health information is worth about 50 times more than credit card information.1 "The financial cost of a HIPAA breach can be detrimental to the continuity of health care businesses and the well-being of patients," stated Casey Pittock, CEO of Smart Meter, LLC. "We have made significant investments over the past four years to embed proprietary security protocols in our RPM devices, platform, and network to ensure patient health data can only be transmitted when connected to our exclusive and secure Private Data Network for RPM. The healthcare data collected by remote patient and therapeutic monitoring companies are highly desirable, with 95% of all identity theft incidents coming from stolen healthcare records.2 There are multiple areas in the RPM data management workflows where a lack of security protocols might expose vulnerabilities allowing access to this desirable data. Successful, trusted device and data vendors follow best practices in data security to ensure RPM companies do not suffer the potential business continuity issues associated with security breaches of patient data. Download a copy of the health data security workflows paper here. About Smart Meter, LLC Smart Meter is the number one supplier of Remote Patient Monitoring ("RPM") solutions to a nationwide network of SmartPartners who are transforming patient care. Millions of vital health data readings are reliably delivered across our secure platform, enabling SmartPartners to provide real-time, better-informed health care. Our proprietary, patient-friendly, cellular, FDA-registered monitoring devices are connected to an exclusive AT&T 4/5G private data network to ensure an engaging patient experience for improved adherence. For more information, visit SmartMeterRPM.com. References View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230305005047/en/ Smart Meter, LLC Media Contact Keith Tolbert [email protected] 813-773-4080 336-509-8024 Source: Smart Meter SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Dawn Health, the leading national provider of Sleep Therapy, announced it has expanded coverage to include millions of Floridians suffering from Insomnia and related anxiety disorders. For the estimated 2 million people in Florida that suffer from insomnia and related disorders, Dawns expansion of in-network coverage is welcome news. Insomnia and related disorders are strikingly common, affecting as many as 1 in every 10 people. Insomnia itself is characterized by severe difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, which significantly impacts quality of life. If you suffer from insomnia, you may feel tired and groggy during the day, struggle with concentration, memory, and productivity, and have severe anxiety. Insomnia and sleep disorders also have a significant impact on mental health diagnoses and treatment. Dawns uniquely accessible therapy platform matches patients with the best in-network Dawn Therapist available. Then, it offers patients a seamless path to feeling better, including: 1:1 video sessions with your Therapist; No waitlist to see a Therapist longer than 24 hours; Additional text-based access to your Therapist through the Dawn App; Interactive and clinically proven app Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Checking your in-network insurance coverage for Dawn therapists is simple. First, visit the Dawn Health website and click get started. Then, answer a few questions to help us match you with a therapist. You can then book an appointment as soon as tomorrow. Drawing inspiration from his own experience, Dawn Health Co-Founder Rahul Shivkumar says, "Our mission at Dawn is to build the new standard of care for insomnia treatment." Patients agree on the effectiveness: The company boasts glowing reviews from Silicon Valley CEOs and everyday users alike. About Dawn Health Dawn Health is reinventing the way people get treated for insomnia and related sleep and mental health disorders. We are focused on improving the therapy experience by offering seamless virtual care anytime patients need it by video or SMS, matching patients with the best therapist for their needs, and complementing it with the best technology and self-guided care plans. Dawn is leading the digital health sleep revolution. For more information, visit: www.dawn.health. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230304005032/en/ [email protected] 617-583-3401 Source: Dawn Health Martinsville, VA, March 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Richard Hall, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New College Institute, a state higher education agency located in the Baldwin Building in the City of Martinsville Virginia, released the following statement regarding the decision of the now defunct New College Foundations (NCF) decision to form a new charitable foundation now known as the Martinsville Henry County Academic Foundation (MHCAF): Founded in 2006 by state charter by the Virginia General Assembly, The New College Institute (NCI) is a higher education state-agency of the Commonwealth and center of learning that provides access to academic degrees, workforce credentials and professional learning experiences in high quality learning environments to prepare students for regional and statewide career opportunities and participation in collaborative, positive community change, while promoting regional economic prosperity and community transformation. Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) public charity in 2006 solely to provide financial and other support to the New College Institute, the New College Foundation (NCF) has received significant financial support from donors who intended their charitable giving to fully support NCI, has received yearly grant monies earmarked for New College, and has received tax-payer monies utilized by the Commonwealth of Virginia for the purchase of the main campus building that the now non-functioning and defunct NCF previously owned by grants. For the past five years, despite continued efforts by NCI to engage with its own foundation, the New College Foundation has completely abandoned and abrogated its sole responsibility to provide support for NCI. It is undisputed that the New College Foundation has never raised any money on its own for the benefit of New College during that 5-year period. It has instead sustained itself on other funds that were previously raised for NCI without the help of the current foundations leadership and has obtained Virginia taxpayer monies that were paid to it by the Commonwealth of Virginia for the states acquisition of the Baldwin Building. The fact that NCFs Executive Director works remotely from the comforts of his home in Tennessee is a clear indicator that this foundation does not work for the citizens of Martinsville and Henry County. And it has now just been made clear that NCF has utterly failed in its singular mission to support this higher learning center. With its recent dissolution and attempt to re-make itself into a broader educational foundation, the now-defunct New College Foundation appears to be attempting to improperly convert those donations, grants, and tax-payer monies given to NCI through NCF, for its new foundations future use, with no accountability or communication to the New College Institute, or to those that made those previous donations. Moreover, the actions taken by the new (MHCAF) Foundation in its reorganization to improperly attempt to transfer all NCFs previously acquired assets to the Harvest Foundation rather than to NCI upon its dissolution are completely unacceptable. While NCI will not stand in the way of NCF trying to start over as a new foundation, it must nevertheless first divest itself of the funds it currently holds to the benefit of New College Institute. And while New College applauds this new foundations (MHCAF) efforts to help the citizens of Southside, this new foundation cannot do so with funds that were received prior to these changes and meant to support New College Institute. Consequently, NCIs Board of Directors Executive Committee voted unanimously at its meeting on February 9th to authorize NCIs legal counsel, the Office of The Attorney General of Virginia, to take all steps necessary (including but not limited to immediate legal action), in order to protect the assets of the Commonwealth, New College Institute, and the tax-paying citizens of Virginia from the recent actions of the Board of Directors of the New College Foundation. New College anticipates that a new foundation supporting the Institute will be established once these funds are rightfully returned from the now defunct and ineffective New College Foundation. Additionally, given that the now defunct foundation has not played any positive role and has abandoned its responsibilities to New College Institute over the last 5 years, all matters related to this new (MHCAF) Foundation are being handled by the solely by the board of NCI in conjunction with its legal counsel at the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia therefore allowing the new NCI director and staff to work toward fulling NCIs mission without distraction. Richard Hall New College Institute [email protected] Source: New College Institute New five-year data presented at American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions (ACC.23) and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine reinforce the long-term safety and effectiveness of MitraClip for treating secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) reinforce the long-term safety and effectiveness of MitraClip for treating secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) Results show minimally invasive mitral valve repair in advanced heart failure patients reduces hospitalizations and deaths and provides durable reduction in the severity of MR Historically, advanced heart failure patients battling secondary MR (a leaky mitral valve caused by problems affecting other areas of the heart) have been challenging to treat as a result of limited therapy options ABBOTT PARK, Ill., March 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced late-breaking data for MitraClip, the leading therapy to treat leaky valves in people with mitral regurgitation (MR), that demonstrate long-term benefits of the device in patients battling heart failure. The five-year results from the landmark COAPT trial show MitraClip is safe and effective and can cut the rate of hospitalizations while improving survival for heart failure patients with severe secondary (or functional) MR, a condition which has historically been extremely challenging to treat. The results were presented at the American College of Cardiology's 72nd Annual Scientific Session together with World Congress of Cardiology (ACC.23/WCC) held in New Orleans (March 4-6, 2023). These data were simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Five-Year Results From the COAPT TrialIn the COAPT trial, symptomatic heart failure patients with severe secondary MR (a condition in which a leaky valve caused by problems affecting other areas of the heart allows blood to flow back through the mitral valve) were randomized to receive treatment with MitraClip plus guideline-directed medical therapy or guideline-directed medical therapy alone. The primary results of the COAPT trial through two years found MitraClip to be superior to guideline-directed medical therapy in patients with significant secondary MR. Now, after five years of patient follow-up, data from the COAPT trial demonstrated even more substantial benefits for patients, including that MitraClip: Significantly reduced the risk of annualized hospitalizations by nearly half (33% per year vs. 57% in the control group) Reduced the risk of death by almost 30% (57% vs. 67% in the control group) Achieved durable MR reduction, with 95% of patients experiencing reduced MR from moderate-to-severe or severe (grade 3+ on a four-point scale) to mild or moderate (grade 2+) "Secondary mitral regurgitation is difficult to diagnose and manage, and is often associated with a poor prognosis," said Gregg W. Stone, M.D., director of academic affairs for the Mount Sinai Health System and professor of medicine (cardiology) and population health science and policy at the Icahn Mount Sinai, who served as co-principal investigator of the COAPT trial. "These five-year COAPT results further confirm that MitraClip is safe and effective at treating secondary MR in advanced heart failure patients, durably reducing hospitalizations and helping patients live longer." While primary MR is due to problems with the mitral valve itself, people with heart failure may develop secondary MR when the left chamber of the heart becomes enlarged, preventing the mitral leaflets from closing and allowing blood to flow backwards through the heart. Significant secondary MR can lead to reduced quality of life, recurrent hospitalizations and decreased survival. Prior to MitraClip, most heart failure patients with clinically significant secondary MR were treated with medication only. However, based on the strength of the primary results of the COAPT trial, in 2019 the FDA approved an expanded indication for MitraClip to treat secondary MR. "With nearly two decades of clinical experience in transcatheter mitral repair, Abbott's MitraClip has paved the way for innovation in helping people with mitral regurgitation, providing an alternative to surgery for patients who often need treatment to survive," said Michael Dale, senior vice president of Abbott's structural heart business. "These results reinforce that MitraClip plays a critical role in not only improving the symptoms of people with this serious heart condition, but also getting them back to living their fullest lives." Patients in the COAPT trial received the first-generation MitraClip, the world's first transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) device. Since the introduction of MitraClip, there have been advances in the device, with the fourth generation of the technology currently on the market, which can reduce MR further. More than 150,000 patients have been treated with MitraClip globally. For U.S. important safety information on MitraClip, visit http://abbo.tt/MitraClipG4ISI. About Abbott:Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/late-breaking-data-from-landmark-coapt-trial-show-long-term-benefits-of-abbotts-mitraclip-device-301762821.html SOURCE Abbott HONOLULU (Tribune News Service) The Pentagon announced last year that it was permanently closing Red Hill after a fuel leak from the facility contaminated the Navys drinking water system serving areas in and around Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, sickening military families. But language in the National Defense Authorization Act, signed by President Joe Biden in December, seems to give military officials a ready escape from that commitment if the Defense Department wants to change course. The NDAA states that the secretary of defense must first certify to the congressional defense committees that defueling the facility wont adversely affect the militarys ability to fuel its Indo-Pacific operations before the Navy can begin draining 104 million gallons of fuel that is sitting in massive underground tanks, a process that is expected to begin in January. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has yet to issue that sign-off, and its not clear when that approval is expected. A spokesperson for his office said she is working to provide responses to Honolulu Star-Advertiser questions. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D, Hawaii) said he is confident Austin will issue the certification and that Red Hill will be shut down. Still, David Kimo Frankel, an attorney who has represented the Hawaii Sierra Club in legal matters related to Red Hill, said the NDAAs notification requirement is more disturbing than you might imagine. The NDAA effectively strips (the Hawaii Department of Health) of its authority, allowing the secretary of defense to decide unilaterally when and if it will defuel, Frankel said. One could say that my concern is a mere hypothetical, that DOD is committed to defueling. But Ive seen so many bad things come from DOD that I find the provision profoundly disturbing. Frankels concerns stem from years of legal wrangling over whether the federal or state governments have authority over the Navys underground storage tanks. The environmental group has held that Congress gave states the authority to regulate federal underground storage tanks and issue orders under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. It took a long time for folks to understand this special federal law because generally states do not get to tell the federal government what to do, Frankel said. This law was an exception to the general rule. He said the law allows DOH to issue emergency orders related to the closure of Red Hill that the Navy is required to comply with, but that the language inserted into the NDAA undermines that authority. Legal maneuvers After the Red Hill drinking water fiasco in November 2021, state and federal agencies sparred over who had the legal authority to determine the fate of Red Hill. DOH issued an emergency order soon after the spill instructing the Navy to drain the tanks and indefinitely halt all fuel operations at Red Hill until it could be determined the facility could be operated safely. The Navy challenged that order and lost through a state administrative appeals process. A state DOH hearings officer in favor of the state in December 2021, saying the Red Hill facility was a ticking time bomb that posed an imminent peril to human health and the environment. The hearings officer dismissed the Navys arguments that it had sufficiently dealt with the immediate emergency, mitigated any ongoing threat, and that the facility, which for decades has powered military operations in the Pacific, was critical to national security. The U.S. Department of Justice then sued the state in court over the order, but dropped the case after Austin announced in March 2022 that he was permanently closing Red Hill. It was an about-face for the military. For years, the Navy argued Red Hill was vital to the countrys security in the Indo-Pacific region as it pushed back against calls from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and Hawaii Sierra Club to relocate its aging, underground fuel tanks away from an important drinking water source for Oahu. Austin was now indicating that the facility was obsolete after all and that distributing the fuel reserves would be better aligned with the needs of the military. In announcing his decision, Austin said it was the right thing to do to advance the nations strategic interests and ensure the military is being a good steward of the land. The Navy has since been complying with a second emergency order issued by DOH governing the facilitys shutdown, and top defense officials have been firm in their statements that Red Hill will not be resurrected for fueling operations in the future. The Hawaii Sierra Club and BWS have remained cautiously optimistic, cheering the Pentagons decision to shut down Red Hill on the one hand while pushing the military to do it faster. BWS Manager and Chief Engineer Ernie Lau told the Star-Advertiser last month that while he believes the current administration in Washington, D.C., is committed to shutting down Red Hill, he worries what might happen under a new administration. The Navy is currently embarking on $75 million in repairs and upgrades that it says are needed to remove the fuel that has sat idle in the tanks for more than a year. The Navy says those fixes are needed to make sure the fuel is removed safely and that no further spills threaten the critical drinking water aquifer that sits just 100 feet below the tanks. But the extensive repairs, coupled with Department of Defense plans to keep all the infrastructure in the ground afterward, has raised concerns that the fuel facility could be easily resurrected even as defense officials have said they plan to render the tanks unusable for fuel storage. Bipartisan negotiations The military spending act, which spans hundreds of pages and allots $816.7 billion to the Defense Department, is the product of bicameral and bipartisan negotiations. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D, Hawaii), who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said she didnt advocate for the notification requirement. Her office said it was a priority of the Republicans and was agreed to as a compromise to ensure Hironos other Red Hill provisions made it in. Schatz said top military leaders have made clear that Red Hill is no longer considered an important fueling asset. I worry every day about Red Hill and Ive learned to be distrustful, and I think we ought to be skeptical about everything that comes from Department of Defense and scrutinize it and pressure-test it, said Schatz. This is not one of the things that worries me terribly much ... . I think that there are other things that could go wrong and Im tracking them and managing them and doing everything I can to make sure this comes to a successful conclusion. But this is not something that I think is a red flag yet. Schatz said military officials have expressed confidence in their new fuel layout that accommodates the lost capacity from Red Hill. So I am very confident that the Department of Defense will not and cannot reverse their position, because this really is a better plan for fuel and because the law requires the draining of tanks and because anything other than that would have to be approved by the Hawaii congressional delegation, and it will never be approved by the Hawaii delegation, said Schatz. And because going back on their word would be expensive and destroy their relationship with the state of Hawaii. (c)2023 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Visit at www.staradvertiser.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. TOKYO Defense Department civilians with chronic health conditions like asthma and diabetes can be treated once again though on a space-available basis by on-base doctors in the Indo-Pacific region. The change was directed by the Defense Health Agency in a Friday memo to Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Heck, the regions director. It was signed by Dr. Brian Lein, DHAs assistant director of health care administration. On Jan. 1, Heck began enforcing a policy that ended easy access to U.S. military hospitals in the region for anyone not covered by Tricare Prime, the militarys top-tier health care plan. Only space-available appointments for acute medical problems were available to many DOD civilians and veterans without Prime. Fridays memo directed Heck to reverse that decision and spelled out the military hospitals mission: to provide health care to Tricare beneficiaries, maintain the medical readiness of the force and contribute to installation support activities. Because the civilian component of our total force (civilian employees and contractor personnel)is critical to our mission success, medical treatment facilities overseas will provide medical care on a space-available basis to both them and their authorized accompanying family members, the memo said. Military treatment facilities, or MTFs, must implement standard processes to enhance access to care, according to the memo. Standard processes include optimizing appointment capacity to enable safe care and treatment for the greatest number of patients within the capability of the MTF, the memo said. MTFs are expected to meet access to care standards for active duty service members and active duty family members and make excess appointment capacity available for space-available care in accordance with DOD policy. Space-available care will be provided within the MTFs scope of services, according to the memo. Lastly, we continue to evaluate additional health care solutions for members of our civilian component who are not Tricare beneficiaries, the memo said. MTFs will continue to provide information about host nation healthcare resources. The change comes just weeks after thousands of DOD civilians in Japan turned out at a series of town hall meetings to let Pentagon hear their dissatisfaction. Over four days, DOD officials fielded mostly the same questions at six U.S. bases in Japan. They also heard a catalog of personal anecdotes about the consequences of requiring DOD employees and their families to seek medical care from Japanese providers. The Enterprise City Council work session set for Tuesday will be held at the Enterprise Civic Center instead of the regular location in the Enterprise City Hall. A work session begins at 4 p.m. The voting meeting, which begins at 6 p.m., will be held in the council chambers at Enterprise City Hall. Both meetings are open to the public. The Enterprise City Council meetings are streamed live on the citys website and are also available for viewing after the meeting. The city council agendas and packets are available for view at the citys website under the government tab. Also at the Enterprise Civic Center Tuesday is a Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Planning Commission Public Involvement Meeting from 5 until 7 p.m. to review the feasibility study for improving State Highway 167 from the Florida state line to the intersection of Highway 167/State Road-12 (US Highway 84) in Enterprise and State Road 52 from the existing four-lane section in Geneva to State Road 167. The public will be able to review maps and ask questions. There will be no formal presentation. Stars and Stripes is making stories on the coronavirus pandemic available free of charge. See more stories here. Sign up for our coronavirus newsletter here. Please support our journalism with a subscription. (Tribune News Service) Caregivers at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Hastings say a long-standing culture of workplace harassment, retaliation and bullying has led to an exodus of workers and hazards for both residents and staff. Current and former workers say unsafe conditions are ignored, medical decisions are made by unqualified people and staffing levels are dangerously low, according to interviews and documents obtained by the Pioneer Press. These conditions threaten some of Minnesotas most vulnerable veterans who turn to these state-run homes, called domiciliaries, as a last hope. Staffers at the homes say thats often because they have nowhere else to go and suffer from chronic diseases, mental health problems and substance abuse. The Pioneer Press reviewed allegations from more than a dozen caregivers at the Hastings veterans home that described an ongoing pattern of ignoring safety concerns and consequences for those who spoke up. This is a deeply entrenched culture, said Lynn Wachtler, a certified nurse practitioner and former primary care provider at the Hastings veterans home, who says she raised repeated concerns about staffing and safety. Wachtler said the stress of her job contributed to her collapsing in an exam room from a cardiac emergency and she eventually left. Caregivers concerns Caregivers have brought their concerns to supervisors, regional leaders, the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and the governor, but they say little has been done to address what they claim is a toxic workplace. As a result, many of the homes workers have retired, quit or been put on leave for what they describe as unfounded investigations. The veterans are being left behind, said Wachtler, who is leading a group of whistleblowers trying to draw attention to problems at the facility. The veterans dont have a voice, thats why we are doing this. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs declined a request to interview Mike Anderson, administrator of the Hastings veterans home, citing an ongoing investigation. In a statement, the agency provided no details of the investigation, but said: we deeply value our employees and the invaluable services they provide to veterans across the state. Members of the Minnesota Senate veterans committee heard similar concerns about short staffing, safety and workplace problems when they visited the Minneapolis Veterans Home on Jan. 19 for a field hearing. The Minneapolis facility houses up to 50 veterans while the Hastings home has room for 145. Jim Meyer, a nurse at the Minneapolis facility for 14 years, told the Senate committee that when he raised concerns he was told: If you dont like it, you can leave. Caregivers say workplace problems have been growing for years and come as three more veterans homes are being built throughout the state. There also are plans to update the Hastings campus with a total cost of $170 million, two-thirds of which will come from the federal government. Current and former workers worry theres not enough state funding to cover all of the veterans needs and not enough staff for all the facilities. That is a disaster waiting to happen, Meyer told senators. Ongoing problems The COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed many medical systems, and veterans care was no different. But caregivers in Hastings say there have been problems at the facility that predate the outbreak. A group of caregivers sent a packet of information detailed narratives, incident reports and other documents to Larry Herke, the state veterans administration commissioner, and Gov. Tim Walz. The group alleges years of targeting and maltreatment of workers if they were seen as questioning decisions that could negatively impact veteran safety and employee well-being. A dozen of those workers described their experiences to the Pioneer Press and some asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal. Wachtler says there are as many as 50 current and former Hastings workers whove experienced mistreatment at the home. Wachtler and others initially sent their complaints and concerns to Simone Hogan, the states senior director of veterans health care, but they say the problems were not addressed. By May 2022, they elevated their concerns to Commissioner Herke and later to Gov. Walz. In a letter to Herke provided to the Pioneer Press, Wachtler wrote the workplace has become a hostile, understaffed and unsafe workplace where workers fear speaking up due to harassment, retaliation and bullying. She detailed how medical staff positions were eliminated and staff without medical training inserted themselves into decisions about veterans care. Other safety concerns were also ignored, Wachtler contends, and staffing became so thin the remaining workers struggled to keep up. Specific allegations In the spring of 2021, Wachtler says the stress of being overworked while also helping with her sons cancer treatment led to a cardiac incident at work that caused her to collapse in an exam room. She was hospitalized and says she couldnt return to work for medical reasons. We implore you to make necessary changes to foster a culture of safety, support and healing versus a culture of fear, retaliation, cover up and blame, Wachtler wrote to Commissioner Herke. Tori Pearce, a nurse and veteran, joined the Hastings home as the director of nursing months before the coronavirus pandemic hit. She and other staff scrambled to put a COVID-19 plan in place and were largely able to keep the coronavirus at bay throughout the worst of the outbreak. As the pandemic began to wane, Pearce says she tried to transition into the job she was hired to do, but was micromanaged and undermined. Pearce says she was ordered to change performance evaluations of caregivers, she had to force senior staffers to work nights and weekends leading to their departures and had medical decisions overruled by people without medical training. It became clear to me that I had no say, Pearce said in an interview. The workplace is hostile. Theres a whole culture of treating these veterans like they are less than human beings. Sue Register, the Hastings homes volunteer coordinator until recently, said she resigned under duress after enduring multiple unfounded investigations. Register says the inquiries came after she raised concerns about safety and other workplace problems. Bad policies made it impossible to do our jobs, Register, who now lives in the Philippines, wrote to the Pioneer Press. Karissa Humphrey, a nurse and former Air Force flight medic, was excited to work with other veterans when she joined the staff in 2020. She says she was sexually harassed repeatedly and physically abused by a resident. Humphrey informed her superiors and filed a report, but says not enough was done to make her feel safe at work. The silence and inaction were deafening, Humphrey wrote in a letter to Commissioner Herke. I learned that it did not matter what happened to me. State leaders react After repeated attempts to have their concerns addressed through channels at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, the group of Hastings caregivers decided in August 2022 to write to Gov. Walz, who served 24 years in the Army National Guard. Their August letter to the Democratic governor outlined the toxic work environment they say they experienced and included an unequivocal conclusion: lives are at stake. A Walz spokeswoman said the groups complaints were forwarded to Minnesota Management and Budget, or MMB, which handles human resources issues for the state. Wachtler and other former workers say no one from the state ever interviewed any of them. In September 2022, Wachtler received a letter from MMB that said the state Department of Veterans Affairs has identified improvement areas and will be implementing continuous education and process improvements over the next year. The complaint was considered closed, the letter said. Mike Anderson, administrator of the Hastings domiciliary, forwarded an interview request from the Pioneer Press to colleagues at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. A department spokeswoman declined requests to interview Anderson, Deputy Commissioner Doug Hughes and Commissioner Herke. They cited an ongoing investigation and instead sent a brief statement: The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has and will continue to actively address any concerns from current or former employees in a comprehensive way, including but not limited to, reviewing and improving processes, conducting audits, implementing leadership development, training on multiple topics, and partnering with our Employee Assistance Program. Our goal is to continue to partner with our team members to resolve their concerns at the local level whenever possible. Sen. Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, who chairs the Senate veterans committee, has a long history of working to address challenges facing Minnesota veterans. Twenty years ago, as a leader of the Minnesota Nurses Association, she pushed for better staffing levels and an end to mandatory overtime for veterans home nurses. In 2007, as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Murphy was on a committee that also probed staffing issues. Murphy says the testimony at the January field hearing was the first she learned of the current allegations at the domiciliaries. She has started to investigate, has interviewed several workers and has promised to ensure veterans received the care they needed. I cant speak to the culture, Murphy said of the environment at the domiciliaries. I want to know more about what is happening. She noted that hospitals and care facilities nationwide are struggling with staffing shortages and those who remain often face difficult working conditions. We need to make sure veterans, who are treasured, are getting the care they need, Murphy said. Obviously, we have critical work to do in Minnesota, including for veterans. It is a priority to me. Sen. Andrew Lang, R- Olivia, a member of the Senate veterans committee, said the allegations were concerning and he urged committee chair Murphy to investigate and call Commissioner Herke to testify. Staffing issues Workers and residents say staffing levels at both the Hastings and Minneapolis domiciliaries have fallen so low it is impacting veterans care. Harvey Lee, a veteran who has lived at the Hastings home for 15 years, says staffing levels have declined dramatically in the last five years. The facility once had a doctor on staff as well as several nurse practitioners, Lee says. Now, top medical staff often have to cover both the Hastings and Minneapolis domiciliaries. If a resident needs a doctor, they might have to wait days unless it is a serious emergency, Lee said. Theyve cut the staff down to nothing. Theyve got people going from one building to another, said Lee. The health care has gotten bad. Michael Kavanaugh, who lives at the Minneapolis facility, told senators that staffing is so inconsistent he had between eight and 10 different caregivers a week. These floaters were often uninformed about the specific requirements of his care to a point he said that he deserved a training fee. Legal cases Other caregivers whove raised concerns to leadership at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs did not want to be identified for fear of retribution or because they have legal claims pending. Four workers have filed workers compensation claims related to their work in Hastings and the toxic conditions they say they experienced. Four others have filed charges with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Attorney Chris Wachtler, who has worked on other whistleblower cases and happens to be a distant relative of Lynn Wachtler, said he couldnt discuss active cases, but says he has talked to 10 Hastings workers who say they experienced harassment and bullying. The level of attrition there is alarming to me, he said. They know how to skate as close to the edge as they can. Twin Cities attorney Marshall Tanick says hes reviewed complaints from about a half-dozen different workers at the Hastings home over the past few years. Tanick wouldnt discuss any cases he was currently involved with, but he said it was clear to him that there were ongoing problems with excessive discipline of workers. These problems have been around for a while, but to an extent it has been allowed to fester, it has gotten worse rather than better, Tanick said. Tanick added that hopefully increased visibility on the issues would lead to change. It will have to come from the administration, or elected officials, he said. COVID outbreak and a death Caregivers say they worked tirelessly during the pandemic to control exposures and limit coronavirus infections to avoid a widespread outbreak. They say they did so without much in the way of new resources, constructing a COVID ward mostly out of supplies they already had on hand. By October 2022, caregivers say staffing shortages and operational decisions led to relaxed virus protocols that limited testing, administration of bivalent boosters and other precautions. More than 80 residents and staff were infected with COVID-19 and one resident died. The Minnesota Department of Health investigated and found four residents of the veterans home, including the one who died, received inadequate care. In its report, the Office of Health Facility Complaints concluded: The licensee failed to ensure each resident received nursing care, custodial care, and supervision based on individual needs, when the facility failed to have an infection control program that complied with current guidelines for COVID-19 safety. What is a domiciliary? The Minnesota Veterans Homes in Hastings and Minneapolis both have domiciliary programs. The Hastings facility has 145 beds and there are 50 in Minneapolis. The program is open to any eligible veterans and their spouses who need help with their physical and mental health or who have financial or social challenges. Workers at the facilities say that for most of the residents, it is a last resort. Many who live in the domiciliaries struggle from addiction and severe mental and physical health ailments. They typically lack family and friends who will advocate to help them get the care they need. The Hastings and Minneapolis facilities are both licensed boarding care facilities, but they are not nursing homes. Residents are expected to be independently mobile and able to manage their daily lives. The domiciliaries are an important tool in the governors and other officials efforts to end veteran homelessness. They offer a stable place to live, a sober environment and around-the-clock access to nursing, mental health, social work and senior care. Future plans Minnesota is building three new veterans homes in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston that are expected to open later this year. The state Legislature approved $32 million for the facilities in 2018. Resident applications started being accepted in September. The Bemidji and Montevideo facilities will each have 72 beds and the Preston home 54 beds. Minnesotas general fund budget allocated about $70 million for veterans health care for the current fiscal year, the vast majority of the agencys budget. Gov. Walz has proposed a $25 million a year increase in the agency budget for veterans care. The governor also has proposed $78 million in new infrastructure spending to update the Hastings home. Workers there say the work would address significant issues, including leaking roofs and collapsing ceilings. But they also worry opening new facilities under already tight budgets could not only distract from veterans care, but do them harm. I feel at the heart of this is money and politics, Lynn Wachtler said. If it is, veterans home workers say the Legislature needs to step up and use some of the states $17.5 billion budget surplus to improve care and oversight. We need the Legislature to honor its commitment and not just take the glory of this mission without the support we need, Meyer told the state Senate committee. If the funding status quo and our hostile site culture prevails, I really see trouble ahead for Minnesotas existing operations at the veterans homes, Meyer concluded. 2023 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at twincities.com . Shea McGreevy (25), from ONeills Lane in the city, is charged with common assault and disorderly behaviour A Belfast man has been accused of a punch-up at a childrens play centre. Shea McGreevy (25), from ONeills Lane in the city, is charged with common assault and disorderly behaviour over an incident at the Happy Town Indoor Soft Play Adventure Centre in Newtownards on January 27. None of the facts were opened during a hearing at the towns Magistrates Court last Tuesday. Defence solicitor Mark Austin told the court his client was pleading not guilty to both charges. District Judge Mark Hamill adjourned the case until March 14 and said he would fix a date for the contest at that stage. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a recent interview made some provocative comments on the Taiwan question again, calling it "not an internal matter" based on China's sovereignty, but one to "the entire world." The remarks proved once again how badly Washington wishes to undermine the one-China principle and define "the status quo across the Taiwan Strait" at its will, all in order to use Taiwan to contain China and go after its hegemonic interests in the Asia-Pacific. But, as the true saboteur of peace and stability in the region and a liar who tries to blame China for changing the "status quo across the Taiwan Strait," Washington is in no position to make such a definition. For a long time, Washington has pursued a "dual-track policy" toward Taiwan, claiming not to violate its long-standing one-China policy while providing illegitimate support for Taiwan authorities in violation of legal principles and moral grounds. To fuel tensions across the Taiwan Strait, Washington has increased arms sales to Taiwan, sent lawmakers to the Chinese region, and revised the so-called "fact sheet on U.S. relations with Taiwan," to name a few. It has also passed a series of bills that gradually distort, obscure, and hollow out the one-China principle, and has treated Taiwan as an "independent political entity" in an attempt to provide legitimacy for its intervention in the Taiwan question. Claiming to "maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait," Washington attempts to maintain the situation of "no reunification and no independence" of Taiwan, a move in essence to obstruct China from resolving the Taiwan question, solidify the "split and partition" across the Taiwan Strait, and create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" in disguise. Photo taken on Jan. 19, 2023 shows the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua) Besides, Washington's version of the Taiwan question is ridiculous, irresponsible, and has no binding force on China. Nor has China ever accepted it. The fact that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have not yet been reunified is a legacy of China's civil war. The Taiwan question is an internal Chinese matter that can only be resolved internally without the intervention of foreign forces. Achieving national reunification, which concerns China's legitimate right to development, is a just cause. Washington, on the other hand, has been attempting to change the nature of the question, distort it into an international issue, and provide itself with a so-called "legal basis" by applying the rules of international law in dealing with territorial disputes between countries to the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Its self-defined "status quo across the Taiwan Strait" violates fundamental principles of international law such as mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and severely undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The true "status quo across the Taiwan Strait" is unmistakable: both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same China, Taiwan is a part of China, and China's sovereignty and territorial integrity have never been divided. Furthermore, when and how China resolves the Taiwan question are matters entirely within China's sovereignty and have nothing to do with Washington. Warplanes of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conduct operations during joint combat training exercises around the Taiwan Island, Aug. 7, 2022. (Photo by Wang Xinchao/Xinhua) Although the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have not yet achieved complete reunification, China has never given up on reunification. The official documents of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government as well as speeches of China's leaders have always stated that the Taiwan question will be resolved and China's complete reunification will be realized. As China's overall national strength continues to improve, the general trend of cross-Strait reunification has become unstoppable. Against this backdrop, Washington's offshore balancing policy toward Taiwan, which states that "the mainland does not seek reunification and Taiwan does not seek independence," cannot be sustained. In terms of the Taiwan question, China has become more determined, willing, and resourceful to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, both legally and morally. If Washington continues down the wrong path, it will undoubtedly face stronger protests and more determined countermeasures from the Chinese people. Editor's note: Wang Yingjin is a professor and director of the cross-Strait relations research center of the Renmin University of China. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency. Margaret Buttimer (68) pleaded not guilty to charges related to an incident at the Munster Arms Hotel in Bandon on January 26. An Irish grandmother has been jailed after claiming that Ukrainian refugees staying at a Cork hotel were rapists and criminals earlier this year. Margaret Buttimer (68), of no fixed abode but with a previous address in Bandon, pleaded not guilty to charges related to an incident at the Munster Arms Hotel in Bandon on January 26. Detective Garda Nigel Whelton told the Bandon District Court that he arrived at the hotel shortly after 3pm that date following reports of a woman causing a disturbance. He said they observed Ms Buttimer causing a scene in the reception area. She was shouting about the Ukrainian refugees who were living in the hotel and accused them of being rapists and criminals. She wanted to know how many Ukrainian nationals were staying in this hotel, what was the cost to the Irish people, and saying these Ukrainians are rapists and criminals, Detective Whelton said. He said he asked Ms Buttimer to stop as the situation was escalating and she was making a scene, but she continued to cause disruptions. Ms Buttimer was escorted outside the hotel and advised to desist and comply with gardai. However, Detective Whelton said he had no option but to arrest Ms Buttimer after numerous attempts to get her to desist. She was taken to Bandon Garda Station and later charged. Ms Buttimer's solicitor Plunkett Taaffe said that his client had asked if refugees in the hotel had been vetted as opposed to calling them rapists and criminals. Detective Whelton said that he heard Ms Buttimers words clearly. The court heard that Ms Buttimer had 13 previous convictions, including failure to comply with Covid restrictions and other recent incidents at the Munster Arms Hotel. She was under Probation Service supervision and a psychiatric report requested at an earlier court date was not available in time for this hearing. Judge James McNulty sentenced her to 16 weeks in prison, backdated to when she entered custody and with half of the sentence suspended on the condition that she stays away from the Munster Arms hotel and any other facility accommodating asylum seekers. I suspect that she has been influenced by others, some of them are close to her and who have a warped and nonconformist agenda, the judge said. I suspect she is under a malign influence. Kinahan cartel launderer and hotel tycoon sneaks out of Portlaoise Prison after early morning release but we were lying in wait Jim Mansfield Jr gave the house at Coldwater Lakes in Saggart to the Kinahan cartel Kevin Mc Nulty Mansfield was seen carrying two plastic bags as he walked from the prison Mansfield was seen carrying two plastic bags as he walked from the prison before he was collected by a blonde This is the moment disgraced businessman Jim Mansfield walked free from Portlaoise Prison after serving just 13 months behind bars for attempting to pervert the course of justice. Dressed in his trademark navy slacks, white shirt and zip-neck jumper, the 54-year-old Kinahan cartel associate was released from the top security prison at 6.50am on Tuesday. The father-of-twos release under cover of darkness came after authorities agreed to free him from his sentence a day early in a bid to avoid our cameras. Mansfield was seen carrying two plastic bags as he walked from the prison before he was collected by a blonde Despite the ruse, a Sunday Worldteam was waiting and captured the first moments of freedom for Mansfield Jnr who was previously forced to drop a case against this newspaper for reporting on his links to organised crime. Emerging from the prison carrying two plastic bags filled with his belongings, he was greeted by a smiling blonde-haired woman who arrived to collect him in a 161-registered Range Rover. Mansfield Jnr also appeared delighted and, were it not for the foreboding sight of soldiers patrolling the roof of the prison at his back, could have been emerging from a relaxing nights sleep at the Citywest hotel back in the days when his family owned it. In February last year, Mansfield Jnr who was known as the Lord of the Manor during his time on Portlaoises C-block was jailed for 18 months for attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing that CCTV footage be destroyed. The footage showed Mansfield Jnr with Martin Byrne on the morning the Citywest hotels former head of security was kidnapped by dissident republicans Dessie OHare and Declan Duffy. Mansfield was collected by a blonde The Special Criminal Court acquitted Mansfield of conspiring with others to have Martin Byrne kidnapped by a criminal gang on June 19, 2015, but convicted him of directing that the footage be destroyed. Mr Justice Alex Owens said that CCTV footage showed Mansfield Jnr with Martin Byrne before the two men travelled together to Keating Park where Martin Byrne was kidnapped by Duffy and OHare. Mr Justice Owens said although the most likely scenario was that Mansfield Jnr lured Martin Byrne to a meeting with OHare and Duffy that morning with a view to facilitating his kidnap, the court could not reasonably exclude the possibilities that OHare had misled Mansfield Jnr about the purpose of the meeting or that Mansfield Jnr was not privy to the kidnap plot. Mansfield was seen carrying two plastic bags as he walked from the prison OHare was jailed for seven years in 2019 for falsely imprisoning Mr Byrne while Duffy was jailed for six years in 2018 for the same offence. During Mansfield Jnrs time in Portlaoise, further evidence was given by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) in the High Court of his links with serious organised criminals. Details of his associations with the Kinahan Organised Crime Group emerged after the CAB sought possession of a luxury gated home in Saggart, Co Dublin which the court heard had been given to the gang. The High Court heard that Mansfield Jnr handed over the property along with cash after he failed to invest 4.5 million in cash in property, which the gang had given him. Daniel Kinahan lived in the house for a time and some of his personal items were found there. Jim Mansfield Jr gave the house at Coldwater Lakes in Saggart to the Kinahan cartel Kevin Mc Nulty The High Court heard details of some of the Kinahan gangs assets in Dublin and its attempts to invest in the Dublin property market. The gang gave Mansfield Jnr 4.5m in cash in two suitcases in 2009 to buy property. However, Mansfields fortunes deteriorated in the financial crash and the gang did not get their property. The deal turned sour and Mansfield repaid the gang with some cash and the houses at Coldwater Lakes in Saggart. Jim Mansfield Jnr was described as having got caught up in a quagmire. The court heard that the house was specifically under the control of the Kinahan cartels top two leaders, Daniel Kinahan and jailed drug trafficker Thomas Bomber Kavanagh, from 2014. Kinahan has previously been found by the High Court to be the gangs controller and manager. Kavanagh was the head of the gangs UK drug trafficking operation. Nathan Kinsella with Jim Mansfield Jr at Mondello Park Kevin Mc Nulty A search in Dublin in January 2017 marked the beginning of the end for Kavanaghs empire, which used a network of lieutenant money launderers without criminal conviction and seemingly ordinary companies. Kavanagh (54), who was arrested in England in January 2019, was sentenced to 21 years in jail last March at Ipswich Crown Court after being convicted on drugs and money-laundering charges. Some of Daniel Kinahans personal items were found in the house along with 5,000 in cash in a white envelope with KAVS written on it, which CAB believe was Kavanaghs money. CAB also seized another 24,150 in cash at the house and a further 20,500 in a nearby property. The court heard that no one claimed ownership of the money but an attempt to place the house in the legitimate ownership of Kavanagh was never effected. Mr Justice Michael MacGrath was also told that Kavanagh is an international drug trafficker who is married to Joanne Byrne, the sister of David and Liam Byrne. Liam Byrne is the head of the Byrne organised crime group, the Dublin branch of the Kinahan gang. David Byrne was shot dead at the Regency Hotel in 2016. The Mansfields agreed to the orders for the confiscation of the property and cash, not to contest the matter and not to seek compensation in the future. The High Court granted CAB orders allowing it to seize the Kinahan gangs house and cash and remit the assets to the exchequer. An Army sergeant and his wife allegedly stole mudguards, gas masks, gas mask filters, rucksacks, high-security padlocks and boots British soldiers wearing gas masks similar to those allegedly stolen by Lyndon Mort and his wife Leona An Army sergeant and his wife have denied conspiring to steal from the British Ministry of Defence. Lyndon Mort and his wife, Leona (46), are charged with 10 counts of theft of equipment and single charges of conspiring to steal and entering an arrangement to acquire criminal property. They appeared at Craigavon Crown Court on Thursday to deny the allegations. The couple, from Duncans View in Lisburn, Co Antrim, are said to have conspired to steal 6,000 of items on dates between October 30, 2019, and April 29 2020. The theft charges relate to mudguards, gas masks, gas mask filters, rucksacks, high-security padlocks and boots. Read more Saoradh member quizzed in John Caldwell probe had phone and car seized day after release Their 18-year-old daughter, Ellie Jane Clarke, of the same address, had faced the same charges, but following a no-bill application Judge Patrick Lynch KC said he was satisfied the case against her was such that no reasonable jury could convict her, so he dismissed the charges against her. He also released her parents on bail ahead of a review of the case next Friday. Freeing the couple on bail, the judge said he would review the case next Friday to identify a potential trial date. The judge told cops objecting to her bail application, You let her go before and she came back, so really, you cannot object now A jet-setting pensioner accused of diamond smuggling and selling fake designer goods worth more than 130,000 has been granted bail for a sun-soaked holiday in the Canary Islands. Anne Rosaleen Darcy (66), who admits going on regular jaunts to Dubai, is said to have been found in possession of 80,000 worth of diamonds and nearly 500 fake designer items during a police raid last September. The accused, of Windsor Bank in Newry, faces a string of charges, including fraud, selling counterfeit goods and possessing criminal property. Police told previous court hearings they believe the secretary, who works for a commercial vehicle dealer in Newry, had been involved in smuggling and selling counterfeit items and diamonds for more than 16 years. During a contested bail hearing at Newry Magistrates Court, she was granted a variation so she could go on holiday with her husband to Gran Canaria next week. Darcys solicitor told Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes her partner bought her the trip to Gran Canaria as a Christmas present, adding despite fresh objections the police had let her go on holiday previously and she came back. The judge told cops objecting to her bail application, You let her go before and she came back, so really, you cannot object now, before altering her bail conditions and allowing her to travel to Gran Canaria for a week from March 13. Darcy answers the door to our reporter Following the hearing, Sunday Life approached Darcy at her Newry home, but she declined to discuss the charges against her. She faces five charges in total, including fraud by false representation, possessing items in breach of registered trademarks, possessing articles in connection with a fraud or cheat, selling suspect counterfeit goods and possessing criminal property. Newry Magistrates Court heard the charges arose from a police raid on her home on September 1 last year during which cops seized 245 fake designer handbags. Darcy admitted making 200 to 250 on each bag, the court heard, with the minimum profit reaching up to 49,000 for that seizure alone. The charges allege that she possessed and sold various suspected counterfeit items... to make a gain for yourself or another or to cause loss to various fashion houses. According to a statement from the PSNIs Organised Crime Unit, the charges followed a search where nearly 500 items of suspected counterfeit designer goods and a BMW car were seized. An earlier court hearing was told how cops discovered a room stuffed with suspected counterfeit handbags, belts, shoes and purses. Officers also said they uncovered 80,000 worth of diamonds wrapped in paper, as well as a diamond grading report from a business in Dubai dated January 1, 2011. Police said Darcy made full admissions, admitting she had been travelling back and forth to Dubai and confirming the items in her house were fake. Since her initial interview, the court heard police had further questioned her for offences including money laundering, tax evasion and VAT fraud, as well as having restrained a couple of bank accounts. No pleas have been entered. The case continues. One of the so-called Scissor Sisters, she received a life sentence in 2006 for the gruesome murder of her mothers partner Farah Swaleh Noor Convicted murderer Charlotte Mulhall, one of the so-called Scissor Sisters, has been enjoying supervised day trips to visit family in the capital as part of the first tentative steps towards her eventual permanent release from Limerick Prison. These periods of day release began late last year and are ongoing, according to sources. It is understood there is no date set for Mulhalls permanent release but if she continues to behave herself it is expected she could be released early next year. Mulhall, who received a life sentence in 2006 for the gruesome murder of her mothers partner Farah Swaleh Noor, was imprisoned at the Dochas Centre in Dublin but was transferred to Limerick in December 2018. The mother-of-one was initially not happy with her move to Limerick, with the transfer being ordered due to her alleged liaisons behind bars. However, she is understood to have settled in well at Limerick Prison. Charlotte Mulhall could be released early next year A prison source said Mulhalls recent periods of day release under prison supervision are indicative of the path she is now on towards eventual, permanent release under licence. She is one of the most high-profile prisoners in the system. When she is permanently released it will be a lot for her to deal with, said the source. There will be huge public and media interest. Like all prisoners released, including life sentence inmates, we want them to try and reintegrate into society and not return to jail. The purpose of jail is not just to punish, it is to rehabilitate. A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service declined to comment on an individual case. The 38-year-old Mulhall has served 17 years so far for murder; the average lifer in Ireland spends between 18 and 19 years in prison. She would be subject to certain provisions under temporary release, including signing on and notifying the authorities about where she lives. If she failed to do this, or came to garda attention for other criminality, she would be returned to jail. Judge Alistair Devlin recommended that once freed, 33-year-old Kamil Balicki be deported back to his native Poland A dark web drug dealer who tried to hide his illicit and illegal operation by getting customers to pay in Bitcoin was handed a 42 month sentence this week. In addition to the sentence with half to be served in jail and half on licence, Judge Alistair Devlin recommended that once freed, 33-year-old Kamil Balicki be deported back to his native Poland. Balicki, appearing at court by videolink from Maghaberry prison but with an address at Carndale Meadows in Ballymena in Antrim, had earlier entered guilty pleas to four drug offences including two counts each of supplying class A and B drugs between 19 May 2020 and 17 January last year and one of having 3,296 of criminal property. That cash, along with heroin, cannabis and amphetamine, was seized by police when they raided Balickis home on 17 January last year. Prosecuting counsel Michael Chambers outlined how that search was triggered by the PSNI cyber crime team after their officers identified that cocaine and heroin were being offered for sale for 40 per gram on the dark web by an individual using the moniker: dreamliner777. Presented itself as an online shop selling cocaine and heroin, Mr Chambers said the site came complete with pictures of the goods and even had space for reviews from satisfied customers. During the resulting search, cops also seized 42.43 grams of class A heroin worth between 1,600 and 5,000, 19.79 grams of amphetamine, a class B drug also known as speed which was worth about 200 and 32 grams of herbal cannabis, also a class B drug, which had an approximate street value of 310. Officers also uncovered heat seal bags, deal bags, scales, postal envelopes and stamps and a bucket which tested positive for cocaine and had been used to cut and mix drugs. A laptop and mobile phone were examined and it was evidence retrieved on those which established that Balicki had been involved in the sale and supply of four different types of drugs. Sales through the Dreamliner website were posted to customers and payment was made to the defendant in Bitcoins, said Mr Chambers, adding that police enquiries with the defendants bank account revealed that he purchased 10,000 of crypto currency between March and July 2021 and that over 90,000 of transactions passed through his Bitcoin wallet. Prosecuting counsel submitted there were numerous aggravating features to the case including the fact that Balicki was selling different types of drugs, the length of time his dark web business was operating and his efforts to conceal proceeds by use of dark web/Bitcoin. Jailing Balicki and ordering him to serve half his sentence in jail and half on licence, Judge Devlin said while the dealer was due credit for pleading guilty, that had to seen in the context of an overwhelming prosecution case where he was effectively caught red handed running a commercial operation in the sale and supply of a menu of illegal drugs, particularly heroin which is a highly addictive and particularly pernicious drug. The warning came after an incident where an object, believed to be a rock, was thrown from a motorway bridge in Tipperary at a passing car. Stock image of a bridge over an Irish motorway. Photo: View Pictures/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Universal Images Group via Getty Gardai warned that someone will be injured or possibly even killed as a result of objects being thrown from motorway bridges at cars passing below. The warning came after an incident where an object, believed to be a rock, was thrown from a motorway bridge in Tipperary at a passing car. Luckily, the motorist was able to safely pull their vehicle over to the hard shoulder though their windscreen had been damaged by the missile. It followed similar incidents over recent times where objects were thrown from bridges over motorways in Dublin, Wicklow, Meath and Cork. The most horrific incident occurred in Dublin five years ago where a woman claimed that kittens were tossed from a motorway flyover directly into the path of a vehicle travelling below. In Wicklow, rocks were thrown from a bridge at cars passing on the N11. Gardai in Cork had to increase routine patrols of some motorway flyovers after a series of incidents in 2015 where rocks were thrown at the windscreens of cars and trucks passing underneath. In one case, a collision between vehicles was narrowly averted. In 2014, an ambulance had to be taken out of service after being damaged when it was hit by rocks thrown from a motorway flyover on the M4 motorway on the Meath-Kildare border. Tipperary gardai expressed concern at reports of objects being thrown at traffic on the M8 motorway over recent days. The latest incident occurred over February 25/26 when a motorist said they spotted a number of people standing on an M8 flyover bridge just outside Cahir in south Tipperary. As their car passed underneath the bridge, the motorist spotted that an item had been thrown. This item - possibly a rock - struck the windscreen and damaged it. Fortunately, the motorist was sufficiently alerted by the group on the bridge that they had slowed down - and was able to bring their vehicle to the hard shoulder without incident to inspect the damage caused. The motorist was uninjured but was left shocked by the incident. Gardai have now launched a full investigation into the incident and are examining CCTV security camera footage from premises in the general area to try to identify the group on the bridge. A number of other incidents have occurred on roads in the Tipperary area over recent months. Sergeant Declan O'Carroll issued a public warning via TippFM that such behaviour could result in tragic consequences. Over the weekend gone by, there were incidents around the Cahir District," he said. "On Sunday evening a person driving on the M8 saw people on a bridge these people then threw an item from the bridge which struck the windscreen causing damage." "These are serious incidents and Cahir gardai are appealing to people to be aware of the potential fatal consequences of these actions." "It is a serious offence and this one is being fully investigated, he said. Gardai urged people to think of the consequences of such actions on a busy motorway. Detectives have also urged anyone with information about the identity of those involved to help gardai with their inquiries. Mr Elliotts body was booby-trapped and had been connected to a massive roadside bomb James Elliott s body lies at the side of the road in south Armagh The PSNI appears to have lost a document which could unlock more details about a brutal murder 51 years ago. The family of UDR soldier James Elliott, who was kidnapped and shot dead by the IRA before his booby-trapped body was left by a roadside in 1972, are still trying to get to the truth behind his horrific death. They believe a document which could shed some light on the killing, for which no one has ever been convicted, is buried deep inside police archives. However, the PSNI say they have searched for the document but cannot find it. Mr Elliott, a part-time corporal, was working as a truck driver and was making a delivery between counties Cavan and Down on April 17, 1972 when he was kidnapped at gunpoint by masked men near a border crossing at Newry. The 36-year-old father of three was held for 30 hours before being shot dead. His body was left a few yards from the border at Newtownhamilton in Co Armagh. James Elliott Mr Elliotts body was booby-trapped and had been connected to a massive roadside bomb in an attempt to kill more members of the security forces. Several landmines were also placed near the site. Following an operation that involved security forces on both sides of the border, his body was recovered after the explosives were removed and detonated at a nearby field. The Attorney General, Dame Brenda King, this week informed the Elliott family of her direction to hold a fresh Inquest. Mr Elliotts son, Jim, said the new inquest was a big boost to their efforts to get justice. The document being sought from the PSNI by Mr Elliotts family is a record of a confidential meeting in 1999 between RUC and garda officers. The meeting was organised to discuss an affidavit made by notorious former RUC officer John Weir in connection with a libel case. In 1980, Weir was convicted of the murder of Catholic chemist shop owner William Strathearn in Ahoghill, Co Antrim, three years earlier. Weir, who was released from prison in 1992, was a self-confessed member of the UVFs Glenanne Gang which was linked to 120 murders in the Mid Ulster area. The convicted killer was interviewed by journalist Sean McPhilemy for his 1998 book The Committee: Political Assassination in Northern Ireland. The book alleged a group made up of unionist business people, clergy and the security forces had colluded with loyalist terrorists to kill republicans and nationalists. When he was sued in relation to the contents of the book, Weir provided Mr McPhilemys legal team with an affidavit in relation to the contribution he had made to the book. Within the affidavit, Weir makes a reference to the 1972 murder of James Elliott. He writes: The IRA had murdered an Ulster Defence Regiment officer called Elliott. After his death, I received information that he had been held and murdered at the home of [name removed] at Mollyash, Castleblayney, across the border in Co Monaghan. I passed this information on to Sergeant John Poland in RUC Special Branch camp in Armagh. A short time later John Francis Greene, a known IRA man who was on the run from Lurgan, Co Armagh, was shot dead in [name removeds] house. I later learned that my name was being linked to the second murder and that rumours were circulating that I had organised the murder of John Francis Greene, in retaliation for the Elliott murder. Although this was untrue, these rumours put me at additional risk from the IRA and as a result, I was transferred to Belfast. Weir submitted his affidavit in January 1999 and the meeting between the RUC and garda officers to discuss its contents was held in May of that year. Gardai have confirmed to the Elliott family they have a record of the meeting, but they are under no obligation to release it and have not done so. However, a Freedom of Information (FoI) request for the RUCs record of the meeting was made in August 2020 to the PSNI, which replaced the RUC in 2001, on behalf of the UDR mans family. In response, the PSNI said it had searched for the document but could not find it. The police said they had searched through all the files they have in relation to Mr Elliotts murder but could not locate any record of the 1999 meeting. Searches were also carried out within a number of PSNI departments, including the Legal Services Department and the Executive Support Team, which handles correspondence to the offices of the Chief Constable. Under the terms of the FoI legislation, a public body can turn down a request if it believes it will cost too much to find the requested information. If it is believed that it would take more than 18 hours to find the information, at a cost of 25 per hour, then an organisation can turn down a request. Following the initial trawl of its archives, the PSNI said it would take well in excess of 18 hours to ascertain definitively whether or not it does hold a record of the 1999 meeting between the RUC and garda officers. As a result, the Elliott familys request was turned down, but they made a complaint to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO). An ICO report into the matter said the initial searches carried out by the PSNI for the 1999 document were appropriate and that the time estimates for further searches were credible. As a result, the ICO agreed with the PSNIs decision. The Commissioners decision is that it would take in excess of 18 hours for PSNI to be able to confirm definitively whether or not it holds the information the complainant has requested, the report concluded. Jonathan Larner, an advocacy support worker with Ulster Human Rights Watch, who submitted the FoI request on behalf of the Elliott family, said they were disappointed with the outcome. It doesnt quite seem right that the document is missing. It seems very odd, he said. There was a desire to see it to find out if James Elliotts murder had been considered [at the 1999 meeting] and, if it had been considered, what was the polices take on it. We cant get an answer and now they cant even find the document which seems absurd. Last year, the Elliott family was given access to the court file of the trial of two men convicted at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin in the early 1970s in connection with events around the UDRs man murder. However, Mr Larner said the documents did not shed any new light on the attack. His family complained that police had left him to walk home in the dark, having arrested him in a loyalist area A senior Saoradh member arrested by cops investigating the attempted murder of DCI John Caldwell had his phone and car seized 24 hours after hed been released unconditionally. The man was stopped in his car and ordered to get out before his phone and vehicle were seized, his family have claimed. The man, who was one of four republicans arrested a day after the shooting, livestreamed the dramatic incident which took place on Wednesday night. Though his phone was seized, a relative was able to post a lengthy clip of the incident online. He was not arrested and his family complained that police had left him to walk home in the dark, having arrested him in a loyalist area. In the video an angry exchange of words can be heard and there are fleeting glances of masked PSNI officers. At one point hes told why his phone and car are being seized and hes also told to stop swearing. SEARCH: Footage released of the blue Ford Fiesta His family claim he was stopped by masked men wearing balaclavas and holding machine guns. Its understood the man is a senior figure within Saoradh in Co. Tyrone and has a number of convictions for public order offences, having been involved in abusing police officers in the street. Yesterday it emerged police investigating last weeks shooting have over 70,000 hours of CCTV to search through. On Monday, police released CCTV footage of the car believed to be used by the gunmen. A blue Ford Fiesta had been bought in Ballyclare in Co. Antrim two weeks before the attack and stored in Belfast, where its plates were changed. It was then seen on the M1 driving towards the direction of Coalisland and Omagh the day before the shooting. The car was later found burnt out on the Racolpa Road outside Omagh. A reward of up to 20,000 is being offered by the Crimestoppers charity. Some relatives of Whitehouse, who was shot dead in north Dublin in 2014, were among those at a tribute to Price near his compound in Co. Meath this week. Banners and flowers on display as people gather to mourn the loss of notorious gangland boss Cornelius Price Some relatives of murder victim Benny Whitehouse turned out this week at a celebration for Cornelius Price despite the gang boss being a prime suspect in his killing. Price, who had been linked to four murders here, died in a Welsh hospital last month where he had been in a coma since 2021. His funeral is expected to take place in Rochdale, north west England, tomorrow, Monday. Some relatives of Whitehouse, who was shot dead in north Dublin in 2014, were among those at a tribute to Price near his compound in Co. Meath this week. Notorious gangland boss Cornelius Price Footage appeared on a TikTok video showing people gathered by the roadsidewith flags and banners paying tribute to the gangster ahead of his funeral. They claimed his remains were back in Ireland before it was confirmed his funeral will actually take place in the UK. One sign reading back to home turf can be seen on social media surrounded by balloons and floral tributes, while a tricolour depicts the words, beloved uncle rest in peace. Banners and flowers on display as people gather to mourn the loss of notorious gangland boss Cornelius Price A man who is closely associated to slain Whitehouse previously lived at the compound owned by Price in Gormanstown, now believed to be derelict. In August 2020, this man was one of three arrested by gardai investigating the double murder of Willie Maughan and his pregnant girlfriend Ana Varslavane, for which Prices gang have been blamed. A source told us at the time that the arrested man lived the life of a slave in Prices compound despite the fact that Prices gang are the chief suspects for the murder of his pal Benny. Ana Varslavane and Willie Maughan Mr Whitehouse was shot dead at Clonard Street, Balbriggan, on September 25, 2014 in front of his partner in an unsolved murder. Meanwhile, hopes are high the death of gang boss Price will see a breakthrough in the murders of William Maughan and Ana Varslavane. A dozen people are believed to know of the double murder of the couple who were last seen at Prices compound in 2015. There are people out there who kept their mouths shut because of their fear of Cornelius Price, now hes gone, said a source. The murder of that young girl and her unborn child has to weigh on someones conscience. Its matter of time. This week a person claiming to be his daughter told the Sunday World there was no proof Price was involved in the couples disappearance. Despite the couples disappearance being classified as a double murder by gardai, theories being forward by Prices supporters claimed Willie and Ana may have gone to live in Spain. The Price-Maguire gang were named in a Criminal Assets Bureau case last year as the suspects being the double killing. Benny Whitehouse In the CAB case against Prices criminal associates, Owen and Brendan Maguire, the gang was named in an affidavit as controlling the drugs trade in the north-east of the country. Price, also known as Naily Boy and Nellie, had been in a coma since late 2021 when he contracted limbic encephalitis, a disease which causes brain swelling. At the time of his death Price was on bail for his part in the brutal kidnap and extortion against two men for which Limerick mobster Ger Dundon has been convicted. Maughans father Joe who has campaigned for justice for his son and girlfriend told the Sunday World last week: William wasnt the perfect apple on the tree, but he was no murderer. He said people who were in Prices compound in Gormanstown where his son lived know the truth. Only they know the truth. They were murdered in their yard and they witnessed it and they were involved in the cleaning up of it. It is as simple as that. So far five people have been arrested and questioned over the double murder although charges have yet to follow. Illustrative image. (Photo:Edweek) Speaking at the ASEAN Workshop on guidelines for information management, fighting fake news and misinformation on the mass media on March 2, Ichwan Nasution, an official from the Indonesia Ministry of Communications and Informatics (Kominfo), said this requires good management and general guidelines. Along with the increase of Internet speed and the penetration of information technology in many fields, fake news and misinformation have become a big problem, not only in ASEAN countries but also all over the world, he said. According to the official, fake news related to the government is the most serious problem, therefore, Indonesia took the initiative to develop "Guidelines for government information management to combat fake news and misinformation in the media". The workshop is part of its effort to encourage knowledge and experience sharing among all ASEAN member states. For his part, Usman Kansong, Director General of Public Information and Communication under Kominfo, affirmed that the Indonesian government is particularly concerned about fake news and misinformation related to the government. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government had faced with countless fake news and misleading information such as vaccine issues, virus variants and religious matters, he went on. Usman said that Kominfo wants to share experiences with ASEAN member countries on steps that can be taken to create effective responses as well as how to detect fake news sites and identify misinformation./. Jim Mansfield Jnr and Marcus Sweeney mixed with high society and graced the celebrity gossip columns, but both hid dark secrets that have left them fighting for their reputations. They were the two faces of Irelands Celtic Tiger boom, friends who partied hard with pretty models and had champagne by the bucket-load. Jim Mansfield Jnr and Marcus Sweeney mixed with high society and graced the celebrity gossip columns, but both hid dark secrets that have left them fighting for their reputations. As Mansfield Jnr tastes freedom for the first time since he was jailed in Portlaoise Prison for perverting the course of justice, and as Sweeney takes to social media after a damaging CAB case saw him linked to the notorious criminal gang 'The Family', Crime World chats with the journalist who has met both and asked them the hard questions. Nicola Tallant and Niall Donald, along with the Sunday Independents Niamh Horan, discuss the highs and lows of Irelands one-time elite playboys and their spectacular falls from grace. Crime Word Podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Soundcloud. MORE EPISODES There is no way a child can differentiate between a cannabis sweet and a regular sweet, doctor warns Two young children who unwittingly ate cannabis jellies in west Dublin last week have made a full recovery, but the producers of the products are recklessly endangering children, a senior medic has warned. Dr Ike Okafor, a consultant in paediatric medicine at Dublins Temple Street Hospital and clinical director at Childrens Health Ireland (CHI), said Temple Street sees numerous cases every year of young children who become seriously ill after eating cannabis jellies. Accidental ingestion of cannabis jellies, that is of the most concern for us, Dr Okafor told the Sunday Independent. Some of these jellies contain 50ml of THC the compound found in cannabis per jelly. This is a very high concentration and is the equivalent of five to 10 joints per jelly. Because they are children, they often eat several, and thats where the danger lies. There is no way a child can differentiate between a cannabis jelly and a regular jelly. They are packaged to look like sweets. They are extremely colourful, which of course appeals to children. I wonder, why is that so? Its very reckless of the producers. They are of course illegal in Ireland anyway. My advice is that if you have children coming to your house, you should not have these products. A security source said three children who became ill after eating the jellies in west Dublin were attending a neighbours birthday party. Two of the three children, understood to be aged between seven and 10, needed hospital treatment. It can also be revealed that the father of the household where the children found and ate the jellies is known to gardai for his involvement in serious crime. A source said: How would you feel if you sent your kids to a neighbours birthday party and they got poisoned? The father in the household where the cannabis jellies were found was investigated over a very serious, violent crime. The victim in that case declined to make a criminal complaint, so he was not prosecuted. Gardai confirmed officers seized a small quantity of cannabis-infused edibles, marketed as Runtz sweets, during their investigation. Officers are conducting inquiries after a number of children pre-teens required hospital treatment following an incident at a residence in west Dublin on Sunday, February 26. It is understood the children became ill, having consumed a product advertised as cannabis-infused edibles, they said in a statement. They have all since been discharged from hospital. A small quantity of this product has been seized and is subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland. Dr Okafor said Temple Street has also had teenagers presenting after consuming too many cannabis jellies, although in those instances they have knowingly taken them. Our biggest concern is always when it is young children, he said. A young childs brain response is different because their brains are immature and not fully developed. This makes it more dangerous. We have had to send a child to the intensive care unit and numerous kids were put on oxygen. It can be very, very serious. Thankfully, all who have presented here have made a full recovery, but we are seeing a number of cases every year for the past few years. Internationally, there has been a big increase in children being poisoned by these products since they were legalised in some countries. Dr Okafor said he had a serious issue with the packaging of cannabis jellies as they appear to be marketed at unsuspecting children. He stressed that they are illegal in Ireland, but if people do have them, they should ensure no children can get at them. It is important for people to understand that these products are extremely unsafe for children, he said. My advice would be if you have children in your home, or coming to your home, you should not have them in your house. The problem with edibles is that because they are ingested, they take an hour or so to take effect. That means there is potential for kids to eat a lot of jellies before they become unwell. Six weeks ago, a man who was caught in possession of thousands of cannabis jellies was jailed for 33 months. The value of the jellies seized by gardai in Dublin in August 2021 was in dispute in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on January 18, with gardai estimating they had a street value of 10 per jelly, with a total value of 33,000. However, the defence counsel submitted an independent drug valuation report that estimated the 3,000 or so jellies seized were worth only about 1 each. Judge Martin Nolan ruled the total amount was probably something in between the asserted figures. Kevin Shipley, a British man who was living in Spain at the time, pleaded guilty to counts including possession of cannabis for sale or supply. The Barge and another Dublin pub, JW Sweetman, were both put on the market on behalf of liquidators for the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation The Barge, which formerly belonged to Sean Quinn, has been sold for 3.75m A high-profile Dublin pub formerly owned by ex-tycoon Sean Quinn has been sold to a hospitality group based in the north-west for over 3m. The exact sale price of The Barge in Dublin 2 has not been disclosed but is understood to have sold for close to its guide price of 3.75m (3.3m). The Charlemont Street venue, described by selling agents CBRE as one of the citys landmark licensed premises, has been bought by McCaffertys, a pub chain led by Co Donegals Declan Boyle. CBRE said the area had been transformed in recent ties following the completion of nearby mixed-use development Charlemont Square, which is anchored by Amazon. The agency described McCaffertys as an established pub chain spearheaded by Donegal native Declan Boyle. McCaffertys also has pubs in the wider north-west of Ireland, with three in Donegal, as well as in the UK, Spain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Barge and another Dublin pub, JW Sweetman, were both put on the market on behalf of liquidators for the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation. They had been owned by Quinn Hospitality Ireland Operations, once part of the vast business interests of Co Fermanaghs Sean Quinn, before the collapse of his empire. The combined sale price for the two pubs amounted to 8.75m (7.8m), CBRE said. In a deal which completed at the end of last year, JW Sweetman on Burgh Quay was bought by the Mahon family, after they outbid mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor. The Mahon family have major pub interests in New York and own Kennedys bar on Westland Row in Dublin. John Hughes, director of CBRE in Dublin, said: The sale of The Barge and JW Sweetman confirmed the strong level of interest in landmark Dublin city locations. The sales were concluded following a competitive bid process, with the properties exceeding price expectations. Donegal man Eoin O'Faodhagain is a veteran Loch Ness Monster hunter and has spent years observing the water in the Scottish Highlands. Eoin captured an unexplainable wake in the loch last month. Photo: The Scottish Daily Express Grainy images and witness accounts over the years suggested the existence of a beast with a long neck and small head similar to a plesiosaur. Photo: AP An Irish man has recorded footage of an unusual occurrence which he believes could be first sighting of the Loch Ness Monster this year. Donegal man Eoin O'Faodhagain is a veteran Loch Ness Monster hunter and has spent years observing the water in the Scottish Highlands. He had been monitoring a webcam operated by Visit Inverness Loch Ness last month when he spotted something that he couldnt believe at Shoreland Lodges, near Fort Augustus on the loch's southern shore. In two clips captured approximately seven minutes apart, the lochs still water is disrupted by a long, dark shape before a white, round wake appears later. Eoin captured an unexplainable wake in the loch last month. Photo: The Scottish Daily Express My reaction was I couldn't believe what I was viewing, and it all happened so fast, he told the Scottish Daily Express. In the first video clip, something moves on the surface for a couple of seconds then you see two shadowy wakes moving in two lines under the surface It probably moves left like this for about 15 feet then it is gone. The second unusual occurrence happened slightly further out in the loch you see a large, white, round disturbance on the surface. You would think it is just a fish jumping, but it is not like that at all. It is too big and the water is too agitated. You may not see a body, but there's definite movement in the water that cannot be explained by natural occurrences, he added. The 58-year-old estimates that the wake seen in his webcam stream could be between six to eight feet long. But nobody will ever know what the true size is hidden under the water, to cause such a wake in the first place, he said. Eoin OFaodhagain "Something is causing these wakes, that we are not seeing. This image is very large on the water, and it looked so out of place. A hospital worker by day, Eoin has made many trips to Scotland to try and track the beast. He also spends time watching a webcam overlooking the area from his home. The legend of the Loch Ness Monster has been park of Scottish folklore for hundreds of years but entered the global stage in 1933 when a paper published one mans witness account of seeing the beast. It is from this publication that the creature got its moniker. Over the years there have been many searches of the loch to try and pin down the monster, however nothing was ever found. Scientists have also used sonar imaging, sonar sound, and DNA testing to try and prove or disprove Nessies existence. Rory, aka Panti Bliss, who is one of the favourites to win Dancing With The Stars, admits the death of 16-year-old Penny was a huge shock Panti Bliss, aka Rory ONeill, has told of his devastation at finding his faithful dog Penny dead in her bed after he returned home from work. Drag star Rory (54), who is one of the favourites to win Dancing With The Stars, admits the death of 16-year-old Penny was a huge shock. Rory was so besotted with his Jack Russell terrier he even named his second bar Penny Lane in honour of her, and he was regularly pictured with the lovable pooch out and about in his other pub Pantibar. Rory ONeill with his Jack Russell terrier Penny But he was left in turmoil last November when he returned home from a show in Dublins Abbey Theatre to find Penny dead. She hadnt been sick. Obviously she was very old, 16, but she hadnt been sick or anything and I came home from doing the show in the Abbey one night and she was dead in her bed, he tells the Sunday World. It was a good way for her to go. Thats how Id like to go myself, quietly, asleep in my own bed. She had been with me for 16 years. When she was younger she spent a lot of time in the bar and she was just a constant presence for 16 years and then for her to suddenly not be there was quite a shock. She was like my child to me. Panti Bliss with pro dancer Denys Sampson Despite being hugely upset, Rory had to put on a brave face and continue his show. Weirdly, the next night I had to go and do the show in the Abbey again and the show is full of stupid jokes and nonsense and all of that, its just a weird thing to do then. With all of these things the show must go on, he reflects. The same can said of his Dancing with the Stars journey, as last Sunday Rory ended up in the dance-off before Shane Byrne got eliminated. It is what it is. It all happened very fast, so you dont have any time to think about it at the time, he says. This week is by far the hardest, because we have two different dances to learn. Myself and Denys are doing an American Smooth, and then this week is also when they divide the remaining couples into two different teams and we have to choreograph and learn a big team dance, and that is taking just as long as our regular rehearsals, so suddenly its twice the workload. Dancing With The Stars is on RTE One tonight at 6.30pm. The city centre is mad. Ive been stabbed seven times and Ive had an axe to the back of the head A homeless couple who used to live in a tent will share a heart-breaking moment on TV of successfully battling to get housed by a local council after several months struggling to get a proper home. Hungry rough sleepers Martin (29) and Shauna (22) will also be featured on Stories From The Streets giving false addresses to they can get takeaway food delivered to them. The young couple are one of several homeless people and also those involved in helping them who take part in the series. Losing my family, thats where my whole f**king life changed, Martin revealed. I dont know how Im 29, its a miracle Im still here. I ran away. All the wounds I have is from being on the streets. Its not a good thing to be saying but several times I feel like suicidal, you dont want to be in this world no more. (sic) I have beautiful kids here and I have them tattooed on my arm. Every day I wake up and I see them (sic) tattoos, thats what makes me focused and makes me keep going, they need me. Because I lost my parents at a young age, I want to give my kids the best I can. Martin is reflective on what he wants. My goal is to be in a secure location, that I would be able to sit back, have a job, have my kids over at the weekend and live a normal life, he says. If thats what you call normal, because I dont know what is normal these days. He is seen tying ropes to a tree near St Jamess Hospital, where he pitches his tents. I have nowhere to sleep tonight, he says. Its not for me, its for herself, I have a partner there. I have responsibilities and shes experiencing this. Shes 22 years of age and its very f**king wrong, to be experiencing this. Helping Shauna now is helping me because I love the bones of her. He adds he gave a sleeping bag away to another man in need on the streets, so he gave away one of his two, one of which he used to sleep on and the other over him. Shauna cannot stay on the streets on her own, he insists. She is young and vulnerable. She is young and my woman, she is my partner, she is my soul, so I am not going to let her stay out on the streets on her own. Even if it takes me to go out in a tent with my partner I will. The couple maintain it is easier for homeless men to get put up in hostels compared to women, while for a couple together its near impossible. Martin also recalls he was in several care homes around the country but ran away from them as I was getting beat to death in them. They (other homeless people) all have the height of respect for me because Im clean (from drugs), I go around the streets clean so they have that respect. If I respect them they should respect me, he explains. He reveals that he has suffered numerous injuries on the street. People have said about the city centre that theres this spot thats mad and that spot thats mad, he observes. Every spot in the city centre is mad. Ive been stabbed seven times. Ive had an axe to the back of the head, Ive had a hammer to the side of the head. Thats all from the streets. Shauna remembers meeting Martin ,I was renting a place in Arklow and he was staying with my sister, thats how we first met, she recollects. I obviously couldnt keep up with the rent, so I had to give that up and became eventually homeless. Shauna also had a falling out with her mother and her mums partner and could not go to them for help. She also has a young daughter, who is not allowed live with her unless she has stable accommodation. The couple are seen several times ringing Dublin City Council emergency accommodation lines on freephone numbers throughout the day, but generally have no success after eight months. Shauna also suffered a miscarriage with Martins baby. Its not only her that goes through it, its me as well knowing there was a baby there, he fumed. I wasnt eating. I was feeding her, making sure she was fed all the time. The stress of all this, the stress of being on the streets, the stress of being here now. Everything has become too much for me. My head is wrecked. I just cant cope. Its killing me. Every day Im just going around in circles. I cant leave my woman out on the streets. I feel a responsibility. Shes 22 years of age and Im 29, I feel like shes my responsibility. I just cant cope, man. Shauna is also disconsolate. I get upset sometimes, she says. The couple are seen giving an address to a takeaway for food to be delivered to them and stand outside, where they wait with not enough change and beg the driver to take what they have. Martin adds that condensation in the tent is bad, but worse is waking up in the morning not knowing what they are going to do for the day. Thankfully, they are eventually offered a warm place together by the council but its unclear if they are still being housed. Stories From The Streets continues tomorrow at 9pm Virgin Media One and is also available on the Virgin player. If you have been affected by this article the Samaritans can be reached at freephone 116123 Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (R) receives Philippine Secretary of Energy Raphael Perpetuo M. Lotilla (Photo: VNA) In the context that the two countries are responding to challenges related to the East Sea, energy security, climate change and natural disasters, Ha reiterated Vietnam's backing of the Philippines stance on climate change response as stated at the AZEC Ministerial Meeting. He proposed the two nations promote bilateral cooperation and cooperation within the AZEC framework, such as the building of a research centre on renewable energy or a disaster warning centre in Vietnam or the Philippines, adding that those cooperation programmes give practical benefits for both sides. Raphael Lotilla assessed Vietnam as one of countries leading Southeast Asia in terms of energy transition. Agreeing with Vietnams stance that initiatives within the AZEC framework need to be concretised by practical and effective projects, he suggested the two sides focus efforts on the field of renewable energy in the coming time. Through the current success of a joint venture between Vietnam and the Philippines in a solar energy project, the two sides can expand cooperation in building an electricity transmission network or production of energy storage batteries which are now major barriers for most countries in the transition to clean and green energy. The two sides also agreed to continue sharing experience, further promote bilateral cooperation mechanisms in various fields, and closely coordinate in regional and international cooperation mechanisms, especially those related to sustainable development goals. On the same day, Deputy PM Ha met with officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and prominent Vietnamese intellectuals in Japan. At the meeting, Vietnamese scientists in Japan gave reports on several topics such as Japan's green growth and carbon neutral strategies and some technologies helping reduce CO2 emissions and ensuring energy security in the country./. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Interview: Canadian scholar calls for more resources, support for Indian residential school investigation Xinhua) 16:36, March 05, 2023 OTTAWA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- It is urgent to investigate the deaths and abuses in the Indian Residential School system and more resources and support are needed, a Canadian scholar on Indian residential school history told Xinhua in a recent interview. The most recent findings at the former Port Alberni Indian Residential School on Vancouver Island showed that there is still tremendous amount of work to be done to uncover the dark pages of Indian residential schools in Canadian history, said Dr. Tricia Logan, the interim academic director at the Indian Residential School History Dialogue Center at University of British Columbia. First Nations in the Canadian province of British Columbia recently made public that 17 suspected unmarked burials were discovered at the former Port Alberni Indian Residential School site, and the school's 67 dead children were identified through research of archives. START OF SEARCH "There are investigations going on in approximately 18 different locations across British Columbia. First Nations communities and survivor communities have been involved. Survivors, families of survivors, inter-generational survivors know about what's going on," said Dr. Logan, a Metis -- a descendant of white settlers and native residents in Canada. She said the Port Alberni School had students from over 100 different communities in British Columbia and other provinces. "The number of survivors and inter-generational survivors involved is huge. It's very far-reaching," Dr. Logan said. According to GeoScan, a local land surveyor that conducted the ground-penetrating radar scans since last July, the 17 suspected graves represent the minimum number believed to be on 12 of 100 hectares that they searched at the former Port Alberni School site. DIGITIZATION AND PROPER CARE OF RECORDS Dr. Logan highlighted that the Tseshaht First Nation which leads the investigation identified 67 First Nation children who died at the school through research of various historical records. While government and church archives and records of Indian residential schools are now more accessible than several years ago, she was worried that many relevant documents are still unavailable to researchers and First Nations, as many historical records are decaying rapidly and need to be digitized as soon as possible. "There's a great deal of urgency" because researchers need to align the investigations and the work of individual communities, ground-penetrating radar research, archaeological research and community- and survivor-led research, she said. "That level of urgency is to match the records with each one of those different sites and investigations." They also need to assure digitization and proper care of the records and see how to make them accessible to the communities depending on levels of privacy and restrictions, she added. PART OF COLONIAL SYSTEM Dr. Logan stressed that for over 100 years and until even now, native residents including First Nations, Inuits and Metis face systematic oppression and discrimination, and Indian Residential School is just a part of that colonial system. Survivors, their families and communities constantly require Indian hospitals, day schools, day scholars, other kinds of institutions that were very closely affiliated with residential schools to be included in the research, especially where it involves student diseases, deaths and abuses, she said. "We are trying to look at residential schools and the history of them in a much broader scope for all of Canada," said Dr. Logan, adding that they are also investigating how colonialism and its structures, like residential schools, child welfare system, Indian hospitals, day schools, were involved in missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, and "how the effects and the ongoing impacts of colonialism carry on today." The residential schools are not isolated or a system on their own, but well connected to other structures of colonialism, like day schools and Indian hospitals, and today's child welfare system, she added. For more than a century since the 1830s, school-aged children of the indigenous community were snatched from their mothers' arms and corralled in distant residential schools funded by the Canadian government, where they were surveilled by the clergy of the Christian church, barred from family visits, and institutionalized away from their cultural traditions. About 150,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit children are believed to have fallen victim to the cultural assimilation. In these schools, children were subject to abuse and torture as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission documented at least 4,100 deaths. The former Port Alberni Indian Residential School site is the latest of several locations being searched for possible unmarked graves of children. (Web editor: Du Mingming, Liang Jun) Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) The country shipped 323,000 tonnes of coffee worth 703 million USD during the two-month period, marking a fall of 13.1% in volume and 14.6% in value on-year, Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) cited the General Department of Vietnam Customs data. Most notably, exports of Robusta and processed coffee in January fell compared to January, 2022, while Arabica coffee exports enjoyed growth. Statistics compiled by the General Department of Vietnam Customs indicate that Robusta coffee exports in January reached 128,560 tonnes worth 239.5 million USD, down 27.4% in volume and 28.3% in value on-year. Exports of Robusta coffee to a number of markets such as Italy, Ecuador, India, and Indonesia in January experienced an upward trend compared to the previous month and against the same period from last year. Meanwhile, exports of Arabica coffee in January reached 7,210 tonnes, valued at over 27 million USD, up 16.1% in volume and 4.3% in value year on year. In particular, exports of Arabica coffee to markets such as Belgium, Germany, Italy, Ireland, and Spain enjoyed strong growth, while exports to the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Indonesia endured a downward trajectory./. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. vinya_jag BHPian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 577 Thanked: 1,134 Times Re: Fear of self-driving cars on the rise in the USA, says new study I I look at all the technology and where the car makers are heading towards, I can imagine this I wake up, get my kid ready, and my car (A fully electric SUV) comes out of the garage, goes away to drop my Kid to school. I now start getting ready, and by the time I finish breakfast, the car has come back from school and waiting at the gate. As soon as I arrive beside the car door, the car lowers itself down, opens the door, I hop into the back seat, turn the blinds down, set the mood lighting to "sunshine", recline to a fully comfortable position. Music plays in the background. I start reading newspaper that the car picked on its way back from school. A few hours later, (All my morning conference calls were done inside the car, the car managed everything here. It even argued with the Auto guy, gave a tip to someone at the signal), I am at my office entrance. The car drops me here, and I hop off into the lift. Meanwhile the car drives down to the basement and plugs itself into a charger. My Wife's car has had a much more relaxed day. It stayed on the home charger longer, as it didn't have to drop our kid. But it already is fretting about the next day, when it is it's turn to drop my Kid to school. Evening 6:30, I come out hoping for my car to be there at the exit. Found that it is still stuck in it's charing bay. The new is that, some late comer's car couldn't find a charing bay, it roamed around the 40 floor Multilevel car park 800 times all day, and ran out of charge, and died at the entrance. Now all cars are piled up behind it, not able to come out Editor's take: The industry has changed a lot in the eight years since we wrote our first analysis on the top five chip companies. We anticipated semis were no longer a growth industry and the only way for companies to keep growing was to win market share (hard) or buy other companies. This is especially true in semiconductors because most of these companies outsource their manufacturing to foundries like TSMC and GlobalFoundries. Nearly a decade later, much of the consolidation has taken place and there are few obvious deals left to be done. So you might think our list should be largely unchanged, but that is not the case, but the reasons for the changes are not the same as they were in the past. Editor's Note: Guest author Jonathan Goldberg is the founder of D2D Advisory, a multi-functional consulting firm. Jonathan has developed growth strategies and alliances for companies in the mobile, networking, gaming, and software industries. Ben Bajarin wrote a similar post not so long ago on the five "most important" semiconductor companies. This struck a chord as we have written similar analysis in the past. Bajarin has a solid list, and we thought his inclusion of Apple was smart and important. However, we have a different take. Bajarin's criteria for inclusion on the list differs from ours. He looks at companies that are driving or controlling compute platforms. By contrast, our list is based on which companies will survive the ongoing industry consolidation, which is not the same thing. So we won't include Apple or Google, as they are not subject to the same industry conditions, but do merit honorable mentions. Here is our list: The analog duopoly of Texas Instruments and ADI Qualcomm Nvidia A Chinese chip company - TBD The smoldering ruins of Intel Texas Instruments and ADI are easy entries for the list, but are often overlooked. Both companies make a huge array of products that most of us never think about. With ADI's acquisition of Maxim, there are now no other analog companies of their scale. There are lots of smaller companies carving out specific niches which may go on to years of independent profitable growth, or end up as targets of one of these two. Either way, there does not seem to be anything on the horizon to displace these two. At one point, there were serious concerns that Qualcomm might not be around that much longer. But they have now survived a hostile takeover and embarked on a smart new strategy which likely means they will be a major player for many years to come. We should probably add MediaTek to this list as well, they seem to be in a solid position, but we already stretched the rules of the list with the two analog companies, and MediaTek operates under a very different set of corporate and geopolitical conditions. Nvidia is the third hold over from our last list, and if anything seems to have only extended their relevance. This is built not only on their dominance of the AI market but with their very ambitious plans to extend their reach throughout the data center. Before we flesh out the rest of the list, a quick word on two companies that are not on the list. The first is Marvell. We think highly of Marvell, they have been executing well on a solid strategy for many years, but there is now the very obvious question of what do they want to do next? We have seen arguments that they could be either predator or prey in the semis consolidation. Do they continue their path of acquisitions or package themselves up for sale? Neither option is great, there are not many good targets left, nor are there many motivated acquirors. If we had to guess, our sense is that they have done a great job and now want to exit, the alternative is going to require a lot of hard work. The other company missing from the list is Broadcom. They were on it last time, but now we have to question how much longer they want to be in the semis business. As we have argued, at heart they are less of a semis company and more of a private equity fund that used to focus on semis but is now focused on software. We would not be surprised if somewhere down the road they start divesting chip assets. There are so many more targets in software... Taking their place on the list is a "To be determined" Chinese chip company. We do not know which one, they may not even have been founded yet, but ten years from now there will be a global-scale, highly competitive Chinese chip company that everyone has to pay attention to. Of course, geopolitics could throw a wrench in that vision, but absent a drastic further escalation we think it is very likely that at least one of the thousands of fabless companies in China today survives the gauntlet to emerge as a world player. And that brings us to Intel. We are increasingly of the view that Intel cannot survive in its current form. We are not happy about it, but our feelings do not factor into the cold, hard reality of the business. Of course, there is still tremendous value in what Intel has, they have so much talent, there are some key assets that will survive. Whether through some miracle the current company makes a comeback, or more likely they are split up and acquired by others, that asset will eventually generate value for someone. Honorable Mentions This list has a fairly narrow focus - fabless chip design companies. The broader ecosystem is already fairly well covered elsewhere. The whole world now realizes how irreplaceable TSMC and ASML have become, and so we have not looked at the wafer fabrication equipment (WFE) space, which looks unlikely to change any time soon. Similarly, we have not touched on the memory sector because it has been fairly stable for a decade. That may be changing now, with Samsung seemingly breaking the long-held truce in the sector maintaining its capacity expanding capex while its peers are cutting sharply, and Western Digital struggling to digest its acquisition of Sandisk. Coupled with the abrupt curtailment of China's memory companies (notably YMTC), we may see some change in memory soon, but we will leave that beyond our scope today. Finally, we need to touch on the subject of all the non-chip companies designing their own chips. Apple remains the best run semiconductor company on the planet, albeit with signs of recent stumbling. Similarly, Google removes the most innovative semiconductor company on the planet, whose efforts to broaden the pool of semis designers could alter the industry entirely somewhere down the road. Lastly, Amazon's AWS is another contender for this list having done more than anyone else to bring Arm CPUs to the data center, with the heft to alter the platform dynamics of the whole industry. Foxconn recently reported that its February sales plunged 11.7% compared to the previous year. Bloomberg reports that the monthly revenue dropped to $13 billion last month, despite the boost from China's post-lockdown reopening. The Lunar New Year holidays, which this year fell in January while occurring in February in 2022, were primarily the reason for the decline. According to the company's statement on Sunday, March 5, despite this decline, Foxconn's first-quarter outlook is "roughly in line with market expectations" based on sales data from the previous two months. Foxconn's Post-Covid 19 Recovery Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., is an Apple supplier whose massive iPhone assembly complex is located in Zhengzhou, China. After delays caused by the COVID outbreak and lockdowns, this complex's output resumed normal operations in January. Foxconn's iPhone plant in Zhengzhou reportedly neared full production after December shipments reached approximately 90 percent of the original projections. Currently, the company is focusing on the popularity of iPhones since global demand for smartphones has so far been declining. Foxconn Expands to India According to reports, Foxconn or Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd (known formally) is also expanding its operations in India. Manufacturers are searching for alternative production locations in response to escalating tensions between China and the United States. Read Also: UK Supreme Court Examines Whether AI Can Be Named 'Inventor' During Patent Dispute Foxconn has experienced supply chain disruptions in China, prompting the company to seek expansion opportunities elsewhere. CNN reports that the company is looking for Indian partners for semiconductor development and electric vehicle collaboration. Young Liu, the CEO of Foxconn, recently traveled to India and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but he declined to disclose any investment spending during his trip. Bloomberg stated in a separate report that Foxconn intends to invest approximately $700 million in a new iPhone component manufacturing facility in Karnataka, India. The investment promotion office of Karnataka confirmed that Foxconn had agreed to a major deal, with 300 acres of land allocated for the facility. The project is anticipated to generate 100,000 jobs over the next decade. Foxconn Remains Optimistic Despite February's sales decline, Hon Hai's outlook for the first quarter remains positive, and the company is projected to keep up its expansion in India. The investment in a new manufacturing facility in India is part of Hon Hai's strategy to broaden its operations and reduce its reliance on a single country. News Brief Despite the boost it received from China's reopening, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co.'s February sales were 11.7% lower than the previous year. The decline was primarily caused by the Lunar New Year holidays falling in January this year, compared to February in 2022. According to the company's strategy to reduce its dependence on China, Hon Hai plans to invest approximately $700 million in a new plant in India to increase production there. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Apple's iPhone 15 Pro to Have New 'Unified' Volume Buttons says Report, Force Touch for Mute from Slide Switch 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Early results have shown that advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are beginning to make breakthroughs in breast cancer screening. The technology is proving to be at least as effective as human radiologists in detecting the signs that doctors sometimes miss, according to a report by the NYT. This is one of the most tangible signs of how AI can improve public health. The Hungarian government, which has a strong breast cancer screening program, has been testing AI on real patients. AI in Cancer Screenings Five hospitals and clinics that perform over 35,000 screenings a year have rolled out AI systems starting in 2021 to check for signs of cancer that a radiologist may have missed. Clinics and hospitals in the United States, Britain, and the European Union are also beginning to test or provide data to help develop the systems. One radiologist at Bacs-Kiskun County Hospital outside Budapest was able to order a biopsy for a patient after AI software flagged several areas on a mammogram as potentially cancerous. Two other radiologists had previously missed these signs, as per NYT's report. The use of AI in detecting breast cancer faces several obstacles, say doctors and AI developers. These include the need for more clinical trials to assess the system on a wider range of women and to ensure it can identify more complex forms of cancer and cut the incidence of false positives. There is also a debate about whether AI will replace human radiologists, with some institutions resistant to the idea. However, many experts believe that the technology will work best when used in tandem with trained doctors. Read Also: 'One Piece' Author Eiichiro Oda Asks ChatGPT to Generate New Anime Chapter: Here's What Happened Lifesaving for Women According to Dr. Laszlo Tabar, a leading mammography educator in Europe, AI could ultimately prove lifesaving for many women. While some AI evangelists believed the technology could be easily adapted to detect illnesses and diseases such as breast cancer. Meanwhile, London-based Kheiron Medical Technologies developed an AI system that was trained using over five million historical mammograms and which creates a mathematical representation of normal mammograms and those with cancers. The technology has been shown to match the performance of human radiologists and reduce their workload by at least 30% because it reduces the number of X-rays they need to read. The AI system has been tested in Hungary, with encouraging results, as well as in other countries. This goes to show that AI is advancing and is gradually helping the medical field in various aspects. However, it still has a long way to go before the healthcare industry becomes dependent on this technology. Related Article: Crochet Creators Request Patterns From ChatGPT: Can AI Take Over Fiber Arts or Are the Designs Too Weird? 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The US Army is currently testing a new parachute cargo-drop system that promises to deliver soldiers and their equipment to the drop zone more efficiently. The Rapid Rigging De-Rigging Airdrop System (RRDAS) is designed to detach after landing, enabling soldiers to exit the area quickly and avoid potential danger. According to a press release by the US Army, the system is easier to rig than conventional cargo payloads and can get soldiers into the fight with the equipment they need faster than ever. Reusable Airbag Modules The RRDAS consists of a series of reusable airbag modules that are deployed to cushion the impact of the payload as it lands on the ground. Unlike traditional cargo parachutes that use cardboard material to cushion the landing, RRDAS uses ten airbag modules that are capable of absorbing the force of impact. These self-inflating airbags can be deployed as low as 750 feet above ground level and can carry loads ranging from 5,000 to 22,000 pounds. The system is currently being tested at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, and its success could lead to widespread adoption across the military. The RRDAS promises to provide a more efficient and reliable means of delivering critical supplies and equipment to troops on the ground. The new system is expected to significantly reduce the time it takes for soldiers to receive their supplies and equipment, allowing them to remain in the fight and complete their missions more effectively. "When it flies through the air, ambient air pressurizes all of the fabric-based airbags," Maj. Matthew Rohe, Assistant Product Manager for Cargo Aerial Delivery at the US Army Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support, said in a statement. "When it hits the ground, the airbag modules cushion the payload, so we don't need as much honeycomb as in the current design." Read Also: US Army Fires Javelin Anti-task Missiles Using Robotic Vehicles on Texas Decreasing the Use of Honeycomb The new system to decrease the use of honeycomb, which should lower rigging time by 25%. However, what has testers particularly excited is the potential to reduce de-rigging time by 40%, allowing soldiers to get out of harm's way faster. According to David Emond, operations manager for Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems, the system should reduce de-rigging time by around two and a half hours primarily through the reduction of the use of honeycomb. Once a vehicle crushes the honeycomb, soldiers currently have to cut out all the honeycomb around the vehicle's tires to be able to drive it off. The RRDAS system also boasts features to ensure an airdropped vehicle will land upright. Deployable outriggers on the system can kick out and stop a high center of gravity load with a chance of tipping over when it hits the ground. The developmental testing of RRDAS is scheduled to end later this year, and full fielding of the system to troops is expected in Fiscal Year 2025. However, intermittent testing based on feedback from operational testing at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, will continue at YPG for two years after that. The testing will include increasing the load of the payload and the length of the platform so that heavier and longer items can be dropped. Related Article: Lockheed Martin Delivers Its Most Powerful Laser Weapon to the US Army 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Mangas, or Japanese comics, have been around for the longest time now and have become a core childhood memory for us millennials and Gen Zs. Over time, they have only become increasingly popular, and despite several anime adaptations later the only adrenaline-rushed nostalgia that hits is that of waiting for the latest chapters of our favorite series. Today, there are several apps that can help you reminisce the same, offering all your favourite and new mangas and comics at your fingertips. Whether it is a comedy, action, love, horror, or drama genre there is manga for all ages. Lets have a look at the best manga apps for Android and iPhone that you can start reading, now. Best Manga Apps for Android & iPhone 1. VIZ Manga One of the best manga apps for Android and iPhone is, undoubtedly, VIZ Manga. With over 700 titles to choose from, you will definitely be spoilt for choice. You can get access to cult favorites like Tokyo Ghoul and Vampire Knight, as well as new-age hits, including Naruto, My Hero Academia, and Dragon Ball Super. The best part about this app is that you can read the first three chapters of any comic for free before deciding if you want to continue with the rest of it. The subscription fees vary depending on the manga or series youve chosen. Best features: Really easy-to-use interface Regular updates of the latest chapters Lets you build your personalized library Offers the option for offline reading Supported on: Both iOS and Android devices 2. Shonen Jump If you are looking to download a manga reader app that offers all Shonen Jump titles in one place, then this online weekly magazine app is your go-to. You can download the Shonen Jump app on your Android or iOS device for free and continue browsing through a diverse combination of comics and manga, that too, without any ad interruptions! Some of the popular titles on the app include Dr, Stone, Death Note, Bleach, and One Piece, among others. You can read these over a 7-day trial period and then switch to their unlimited access subscription of $2 per month. Best features: All Shonen Jump titles available Offers book-like 2-page spreads in landscape mode Dark mode available Regular updates of new chapters Supported on: Both Android and iOS devices 3. Crunchyroll Manga Looking for a manga browser that lets you read your favorite titles without saturating your devices memory with downloads? Crunchyroll Manga lets you do the same. You can scroll through over 900 titles and read your favorites directly on the browser. All trending books are available on the app, including Attack on Titan, The Diary of Ochibi, and Space Brothers. However, it is a subscription-based app with plans starting from $8 per month. You can continue with any of their premium plans after reading the first handful of chapters for free. Best features: Mangas come with high-quality images All titles are sourced and licensed from official publishers Allows reading directly on the browser Regular updates of new chapters Supported on: Both Android and iOS devices 4. Manga Plus Lets be honest; even some of the top manga apps do not offer manga reading for free. But Manga Plus does, which explains the popularity of this app. It is a completely and truly free manga app for Android and iOS that hoards over 1000 titles across 7 languages and several genres. You can get about all Shonen Jump manga and comic series here, including Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, and Dragon Ball, absolutely free of cost. Plus, these are regulated by Japanese publisher Shueisha, so you get all original and licensed versions. Best features: Completely free of cost Allows sharing and posting titles Extremely user-friendly and interactive interface Available in 7 languages, including English and Spanish Supported on: Both Android and iOS 5. Mangamo Another one of the best apps to read manga for free, Mangamo lets you read a free chapter every 24 hours without any subscription. However, if you are too hooked to wait for a whole day to resume reading your favorite manga, you can switch to their monthly subscription plan of $4.99 for unlimited access anytime. Some popular titles available on the app are Loving Yamada at LV999 and Devil-Chi, among others. Best features: Exhaustive library of 300+ titles Zero unwanted ads Supported on: Both Android and iOS 6. Tachiyomi An absolute user-favorite that has made it to this list of best manga apps for Android and iPhone is Tachiyomi. Tachiyomi is an open-source manga reader apk for Android. What makes it unique is that it also offers a community of online readers besides a varied collection of manga and comics. So, you can get access to numerous titles across genres and languages, uploaded by both publishers and online readers present in the community. Additionally, you can benefit from this appss unique offerings without having to pay a dime! Best features: Access to a huge online community of readers Supports uploading from the online community Completely free of cost and open-source Highly customizable reading experience Supports services like AniList, Bangumi, MyAnimeList, Shikimori, and Kitsu Supported on: Android devices 7. ComicRack A pressing concern for digital readers is the discomfort that reading for long hours on a small device like a smartphone or a tablet causes. So, we had to mention the best online manga app that is also compatible with PCs ComicRack. The app supports a myriad of file types, including PDF, WebComics, CBR, CBZ, DJVU, CB7, and CBT, on its manga app PC Windows version. You can further customize the colors on the screen to ensure better eye comfort. Plus, you can organize your collections of unread, favorite, and completed books using the widgets available on the app. Subscriptions start at $8 a month. Best features: Supports full-screen reading mode Comes with several widgets to organize title collections Extends a Twitter Integration to let readers update their Twitter followers on their progress Compatible with PC Offers customizable reading experience Supports different file types Supported on: Android, Windows, and iPad (not iPhone) 8. ComiXology If you are looking for an exhaustive library of mangas and comics that will possibly take a generation before you can finish reading, go for ComiXology. With more than 50,000 titles to its credit, ComiXology boasts of being the second-largest digital comic and manga bookstore on our list of best manga apps for Android and iPhone. The apk hoards popular titles from DC and Marvel, besides a wide collection of latest and classic mangas, including Bleach, Fairy Tail, and One-Punch Man. You can simply buy individual titles and add them to your library forever or subscribe to ComiXology Unlimited, the apps premium version, to access all mangas and comics at once. Once downloaded, your chosen mangas will also be available for you to read offline at your leisure. Best features: The largest collection of manga titles Guided View Technology to ease reading on a smartphone or tablet Offline reading available Supported on: Both Android and iOS 9. Manga Rock Our other pick for the best manga reader app offering a huge catalog is Manga Rock. It offers 100,000+ manga titles for you to read from, which is an ever larger collection than what ComiXology offers. All latest as well as cult-classic manga titles, like Bleach and Naruto, are available on the app for free, which may be the reason why the app has already garnered more than 10 million downloads. However, the only bummer is that iOS users will not be able to experience the glory of this digital manga bookstore, hence zero points for platform versatility. Best features: Completely free to read Most expansive catalog housing titles from 30+ sources Offline reading available Offers personalized library and bookmarking features Supported on: Android 10. INKR Comics Another free manga app for Android and iOS is INKR Comics, which is the brainchild of the team that created the Android-only app Manga Rock. You can download this app on your Android smartphone, iPhone, or iPad to get a wide collection of webtoons, manga, and manhua all in one place. The selection of titles includes those from several genres, including sci-fi, romance, action, drama, isekai, comedy, and horror, among others. Some popular titles available on this app are Generation Wu, Scarecrow, Spirit Catcher, and The Reversal, among others. After the first 7 days of the free trial, you can complete tasks to earn Ink points, using which you can unlock new chapters. Alternatively, you can get a premium subscription that comes at a monthly fee of $4.99. Best features: All genres of titles available in one place Offers Preview option to help you pick titles to read Auto-syncs your reading progress and other data across multiple devices Extends personalized recommendations Supported on: Both Android and iOS 11. MangaToon manga reader If your flair for writing is as brag-worthy as your reading sprees, then MangaToon is the platform for you! A contender for the best free manga app for iOS and Android, MangaToon is a global platform that offers a huge community of manga fanatics. You can read and review titles from a variety of genres, such as English, Spanish, Indonesian, Thai, Portuguese, and Vietnamese absolutely for free, except for some exclusive ones. At the same time, you can share the creative stories you have carefully crafted over years, with other readers and creators in the community. Best features: Supports offline reading Widgets to organize collections of downloaded and favorite books Supports 9+ languages Global discussion forum and community Supported on: Both Android and iOS 12. IZNEO If you are looking for a manga reader app that offers the best reading experience, IZNEO can be your best bet. The app comes with a ton of widgets to customize the background color, scroll direction, and transition effect to ensure enhanced optimum user-friendliness and eye comfort. Plus, you can get unlimited access to a wide variety of mangas across several genres with a $7.99 IZNEO Premium monthly subscription. Widely acclaimed titles like Rent-A-Girlfriend, Attack on Titan, The Seven Deadly Sins, and others are all available on this app. Best features: Highly customizable reading experience Offline reading available Zero ads Supported on: Both Android and iOS 13. WebComics Another of the best manga apps for Android and iPhone, besides MangaToon, that allows both reading and publishing stories is WebComics. Here, you can get access to exclusive titles as well as 2022 bestsellers, such as My Disciples Are She-Devils, The God Devourer, and Marvelous Hero of the Sword. The reading experience on this app, aiding its user-friendly UI, is also commendable. Subscription plans start at approximately $6 per month. Best features: Exclusive community of readers and creators Allows publishing of original creator stories Quick Continue and Zoom-in Zoom-out reading features for an impeccable reading experience Supported on: Both Android and iOS 14. Online Manga Reader Want to take your online manga reading experience up a notch? Now, read your favorite mangas and comics with background music on Online Manga Reader. The app boasts of an evergreen catalog that is regularly updated with titles from all genres, including comedy, horror, romance, and more. You can also create and categorize your own library of favorites from the apps exhaustive supply, featuring popular titles like Historys Strongest Disciple, Baki, and Chang An Demon Song, all for free. Best features: Allows reading with music The catalog is regularly updated Offline reading available Supported on: Android 15. Manga Dogs Do not want to miss out on your most looked-forward-to manga releases? Download and install Manga Dogs to get notified every time your favorite titles are updated. The app also extends several reading customization options for a highly intuitive user experience. You can also pick from a variety of books from over 20 sources. Some of the most-read titles on the app include The Strongest God King, Apotheosis, God of Martial Arts, and The Mythical Realm. Best features: Massive catalog Vertical and horizontal reading modes Personalized alerts and recommendations Supported on: Both Android and iOS With different apps catering to different needs, theres surely a perfect one for every manga fanatic. These were our picks for the best manga apps for Android and iPhone. Whats yours? Top 10 Best-Selling Manga These are top 10 best selling manga of all times that are very popular among manga fans. One Piece Dragon Ball Golgo 13 Doraemon Detective Conan Naruto Black Jack Slam Dunk KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops Demon Slayer Also Read: Best Manga Sites Manga Apps FAQs What is the best app to read manga for free? Shonen Jump is one of the best apps to read manga for free as it offers a 7-day free trial and has a large variety of manga to read from. Is Tachiyomi a safe manga reader app? Yes, Tachiyomi is totally safe. It is by far one of the most highly-rated manga reader apps by readers around the globe. Although many express concerns about it being an open-source app, you can check its code on GitHub for better transparency. What is the best iOS alternative for Manga Rock? If you are looking for a manga library close to as exhaustive as that of Manga Rock, we highly suggest ComiXology. It hoards a catalog of 50,000+ manga and comic titles for you to read from. What is the best Android app to read one piece? You can use ONE PIECE Official Manga App and Shonen Jump+ Android apps to read one piece manga. Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha (L) meets with Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives Hosoda Hiroyuki in Tokyo on March 3. (Photo: VNA) Meetings took place on the sidelines of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting in the capital city of Japan. Talking to Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives Hosoda Hiroyuki, Deputy PM Ha said the two countries relationship is now at its prime, and that Vietnam wishes to join Japan in further strengthening their extensive strategic partnership. The year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, and its suitable time for them to boost exchanges between the countries governments, parliaments, young parliamentarians, women parliamentarians, localities, and people, he noted. He asked his host to promote the Japanese Governments assistance for Vietnam in the development of strategic infrastructure, human resources development, science and technology, and innovation, as well as for the nearly 500,000 Vietnamese to live, study, and work in the Northeast Asian nation. Hosoda stressed Vietnam is an important partner of Japan, and that the two countries share many common interests and hold much potential for development. The House of Representatives of Japan supports stronger cooperation between the two countries in all fields, he noted, expressing his hope for increased bilateral exchanges and cooperation. Japanese businesses highly value the skillfulness and industriousness of the Vietnamese community in Japan and want to receive more high-quality engineers and workers from Vietnam. There is also much room for promoting energy partnerships, according to the Speaker. At the meeting with the Japan - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, Deputy PM Ha appreciated the contributions by the alliance and its chairman to bilateral economic, cultural, tourism, and locality-to-locality ties. He asked the alliance to continue supporting all-level exchanges, boost tourism links, and promote the Japanese Governments simplification of procedures for granting visas for Vietnamese tourists to help facilitate people-to-people exchange. Nikai affirmed that the alliance will do its utmost to develop bilateral cooperation more substantively. He also informed about a plan to lead a delegation of Japanese parliamentarians and businesses on a visit to Vietnam this year, suggested a Vietnam Japan forest be planted in the Southeast Asian country as a lasting symbol of relations, and agreed to support tourism cooperation. The meeting between Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha and Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura Yasutoshi in Tokyo on March 3 (Photo: VNA) Meanwhile, when being received by the Vietnamese Deputy PM, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura thanked Ha for his participation in the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting. He emphasised that Japan considers Vietnam an important partner to jointly implement the AZEC initiative and hopes to join Vietnam and other participating countries in actively discussing and promoting cooperation to achieve the emission reduction target on the basis of trust and fairness. In response, Ha said sending a delegation to the meeting reflects Vietnam's efforts toward the goal and support for the Japanese Governments initiatives and policies in building the Asia community toward carbon emission reduction, and in ensuring energy security and sustainable development. He held that the parties involved should have a reality assessment and choose feasible and suitable solutions. There is a need to cooperate in research on technology and a participation mechanism for the government and the private sector as well as to determine financial sources to implement the AZEC joint declaration in member countries, including Vietnam, Ha suggested. At his meeting with Japanese parliamentarians in charge of environment sector, the Deputy PM asked them to support the Japanese Government in offering financial assistance to and sharing experience with Vietnam in the areas of climate change response and low-emission development. He proposed the lawmakers persuade Japanese enterprises to invest in and transfer technology to Vietnam in high technology, new energy, green transition, and digital transformation. The parliamentarians pledged their efforts to enhance the countries relations in the environment field and join works at regional and international forums and cooperation mechanisms./. At the meeting, part of the Vietnamese Deputy PMs official visit to the European country, the two sides applauded the recent strides in their countries relations. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang (Photo: VNA) They agreed to increase mutual visits at all levels, effectively carry out bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and fruitfully implement the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to raise bilateral trade to 5 billion USD. Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang said Vietnam always attaches importance to the strategic partnership towards the future with Spain. His counterpart also noted that Spain respects Vietnams stature and role in the Asia-Pacific region. Quang asked Spain to create optimum conditions for Vietnams agricultural and fishery products to access its market and the EU; encourage Spanish businesses to boost high-quality investment in such fields as infrastructure, renewable energy, transport, and information technology in Vietnam; and support the European Commissions removal of the IUU fishing warning for Vietnams fishery export. He also called on the Spanish Government to continue providing favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community, which he described as an important bridge of the countries friendship. At the talks, Calvino highlighted Spanish enterprises growing attention to the Vietnamese market and highly valued Vietnams political stability and favourable investment and business climate. She agreed to maintain development assistance for the Southeast Asian country. Vietnam is a favourite tourism destination of many Spanish people, she noted, agreeing to consider the opening of a direct air route between the two countries. Calvino added Vietnam has been striving to developing sustainable fisheries. She pledged technical support for the country to improve its fisheries management system to prevent IUU fishing as requested by the EU. Both sides also concurred in expanding cooperation in security - defence, education - training, science - technology, natural resources and environment, digital transformation, response to global challenges like climate change and food insecurity; and in early signing an agreement on cultural and sport cooperation to help promote mutual understanding and people-to-people exchange. Besides, the two officials also discussed some regional and international issues of common concern./. 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Chelsea junior skill catches the eye "Nuclear phase-out" realized in Germany, the last three nuclear power plants in operation were shut down Mercedes-Benz refused to cooperate with Moldova because of the re-export of cars to Russia In Yemen, last day of a vast prisoner exchange between Houthi rebels and the government FT: advanced units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will die during a counteroffensive due to lack of air support The head of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Reznikov said that the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are less than the victims of the earthquake in Turkey Ex-intelligence officer Ritter believes that Zelensky risks dying at the hands of Ukrainians because of the rebellion Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. New President Vo Van Thuong takes his oath on March 2. (Photo: VNA) In his congratulatory message, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed the two countries relations are based on the traditional friendship and mutual respect. He expressed his belief that as the President of Vietnam, Thuong will help further solidify the countries comprehensive strategic partnership, thus meeting the fundamental interests of the two nations and contributing to regional security and stability. Extending her congratulations, Indian President Droupadi Murmu said the solidarity and close-knit friendship between her country and Vietnam have been nurtured since the time of late President Ho Chi Minh, and bilateral relations have continued to be reinforced and developed into a comprehensive strategic partnership. She wished to work with President Thuong to further promote bilateral ties on the basis of the Joint Vision Statement on Peace, Prosperity, and People adopted in 2020. Meanwhile, Chairman of the DPRKs State Affairs Commission Kim Jong-un emphasised that Thuongs election as President of Vietnam reflects the Communist Party of Vietnam and the entire Vietnamese peoples high trust in the newly elected leader. The traditional friendship between the two Parties and States will keep growing more strongly in the coming time, he affirmed, wishing Thuong many significant achievements in the new position. Offering congratulations, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said the two countries mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship in 2023, and that over the last 50 years, they have jointly surmounted numerous difficulties and challenges and built close cooperation in all fields, from politics, economy, diplomacy, security to culture and people-to-people exchange. He voiced his belief that serving as President of Vietnam, Thuong, a close and important friend of Japan, will help further intensify bilateral relations. Kishida also noted he hopes to work with the newly elected leader to elevate their countries ties to a new level. For his part, Italian President Sergio Mattarella hailed the bilateral friendship and cooperation amid the 50th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic ties, adding that he believes Italy and Vietnam will seize opportunities to further strengthen their strategic partnership and cooperation in the time ahead. On this occasion, President Thuong also received congratulations from President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, President of the UAE Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum./. Every morning, Karla Johnson has a special way of starting the day at Capitol Elementary. She calls it harambee, from the Swahili for all pull together. The spirit of harambee pervades everything Johnson is trying to do as principal of this small public school in the historic, impoverished Eden Park neighborhood of Baton Rouge. Her work has caught the attention of a local teachers union as well as the East Baton Rouge Parish school system. They hope to marry what shes doing with larger concepts about how to energize not just a school but an entire community. They see such community schools as a potential alternative to charter schools, which have been luring away Capitol students, as well as a way to meet increasing state and federal public school accountability standards. On the morning of Dec. 18, the last day before winter break, uplifting music fills the school auditorium as students file in. Many of them are clad in Christmas pajamas, some donated for those who couldnt afford their own. The school, which was built in 2008, has capacity for about 660 students but currently enrolls only 370. On this day, with some kids cutting out early for the holidays, attendance is lighter than normal. When almost everyone has arrived, Johnson takes the stage dressed in her own red flannel PJs. Shes totes her tall spirit stick, decked out in blue and gold. The schools mascot and colors are the same as the Southern University Jaguars. Good morning, Johnson shouts, punctuating her word by by pounding her stick on the floor. Can't see video below? Click here. The TV Week Logie Awards are headed back to Sydney, with Australian TVs night of nights returning to the city after 37 years. The last time Sydney hosted the event was in 1986 when the ceremony was held at the State Theatre and hosted by the late Bert Newton. The TV WEEK Logie Awards are headed back to Sydney with Australian TVs night of nights returning to the city after 37 years. Credit: Seven Since then, the event has predominantly been held in Melbourne. It shifted to the Gold Coast in 2018 with support from the Queensland government, but that deal ended in 2022. The move to Sydney follows the change in broadcast partner, with Seven replacing Nine* as the home of the TV Week Logie Awards. In a statement, Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer James Warburton, said: The time was right to find a new home for the Logies and bringing them back to Sydney after more than 30 years made perfect sense. The coroner ultimately deemed both department reviews as being grossly inadequate and misleading. For those of us who work for families in the coronial jurisdiction, what is most concerning is that these reviews influence whether the coroner will decide to hold an inquest. If someone is deemed to have died of natural causes, the coroner does not need to examine witnesses, but can make findings based on the documents available. Correct Care and the Department of Justice certainly knew this. There is now a real public perception that they tried to frame Nelsons death as natural to avoid a coronial inquest. The grossly inadequate conclusions reached by the department shows their reviews were at best, incompetent, or at worst, intentionally deceitful. Whatever the truth may be, what is abundantly clear is that the department reviews cannot be trusted. This also chillingly calls into question whether there have been other misleading reviews into past deaths in custody, which have affected the coronial outcome. The criminal courts readily rely on the Department of Justices portrayal of prison healthcare systems as being equivalent to those available to people in the community. This inquest exposed that proposition as being a complete fallacy. Until the standard of healthcare in our prisons is dramatically increased, every First Nations person in custody can plausibly consider their time in custody as a potential death sentence. Donna Nelson, whose daughter Veronica died in custody, pictured at her home in Mooroopna, near Shepparton. Credit: Chris Hopkins Aboriginal deaths in custody are happening at ever-increasing frequency across Australia. Since 1991, our federal and state governments have had the expert recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, addressing why so many Indigenous people were dying inside, and what the government and society could do about it. Yet most of these recommendations have not been implemented. Instead, there has been a proliferation of contrary policies and laws, like Victorias infamous bail laws. These harsh bail laws, implemented in 2018 in response to the Bourke Street massacre, have caused Victorian prisons to swell with many people who have not been found guilty of a crime. The majority of women held at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre are unsentenced. The 1991 royal commission also stated that governments need to revise any criteria which inappropriately restrict the granting of bail to Aboriginal people. In Nelsons inquest, it was shown that bail could have been granted by the police, but that discretion was not exercised. Instead, Nelson appeared in court, unrepresented by the barrister who was briefed to represent her, and she had to advocate for herself to climb over the highest test of bail that exists in Australia (the exceptional circumstances test, previously reserved for the most egregious of offences, like terrorism and murder). And so Nelson was sent to the Dame Phyllis, like far too many other Aboriginal women, for a petty shoplifting offence and died within 36 hours of being there. Loading What Aunty Donna Nelson, Veronica Nelsons mother, demands is simple accountability. She is relieved to know for the safety of others and prevention of future deaths in custody that Correct Care has now lost its contract to provide healthcare at Dame Phyllis and that there is bipartisan support for bail reform for Poccums law, named after Veronicas nickname. We must also consider amending the Coroners Act so that every Aboriginal death in custody is examined by a mandatory inquest, without exemption. None of the cover-up would have been exposed had the Coroners Court not decided to examine Nelsons death by way of an inquest. As for the Department of Justice, if public confidence is to be restored in its so-called independent review mechanisms, those who signed off on Nelsons reviews must be removed from office. An urgent review needs to also be conducted by an external auditor, or indeed, by another royal commission to determine whether misleading reports have previously influenced a coroners decision to not hold an inquest. Wang Chao (C, rear), spokesperson for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. The NPC, China's national legislature, held a press conference Saturday, one day before the opening of its annual session. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The National People's Congress, China's national legislature, held a press conference Saturday, one day before the opening of its annual session. Wang Chao (C, rear), spokesperson for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. The NPC, China's national legislature, held a press conference Saturday, one day before the opening of its annual session. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli) Wang Chao (3rd L), spokesperson for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. The NPC, China's national legislature, held a press conference Saturday, one day before the opening of its annual session. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Wang Chao (C), spokesperson for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. The NPC, China's national legislature, held a press conference Saturday, one day before the opening of its annual session. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Wang Chao (C, rear), spokesperson for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. The NPC, China's national legislature, held a press conference Saturday, one day before the opening of its annual session. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli) Wang Chao, spokesperson for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. The NPC, China's national legislature, held a press conference Saturday, one day before the opening of its annual session. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli) Wang Chao (2nd R), spokesperson for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. The NPC, China's national legislature, held a press conference Saturday, one day before the opening of its annual session. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Wang Chao (2nd L, rear), spokesperson for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. The NPC, China's national legislature, held a press conference Saturday, one day before the opening of its annual session. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) A journalist with Xinhua News Agency asks questions during a press conference ahead of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. The NPC, China's national legislature, held a press conference Saturday, one day before the opening of its annual session. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli) Editor: WXY She arranged for the VHS to be copied onto a DVD, and unbeknown to her her brother separately did the same. It turned my stomach, Nader said. Loading Bennett called the general police number, but thought the tape was so old they wouldnt be interested. Years later, she told police she feared that without knowing the identity of the female, this matter would be impossible for police to solve. I thought if Paul became aware that I reported him to police, my life and my familys life would be in danger, she said in her police statement, read out in court. Paul had recently told me I didnt know him and didnt know what he was capable of. In 2009, weeks after the tape was found, Nader went to Granville police station with his father and had an informal chat over coffee with an officer who was a friend of a friend. He inquired about handing the tape in anonymously, due to concerns for his safety, but the officer told him it would be better if the complaint came from the woman in the video. Nader said the officer didnt watch the video, and wasnt given a copy. Years later, when Parizian moved back into the Rouse Hill home, he asked Bennett about the DVD copy of the video (the original VHS had been lost over time). Bennett said she retrieved the DVD, and he broke it in front of her. I saw a younger version of Paul with another woman, and it looked to me like she was being forced to do things Mona Bennett It was only in 2015, when she was speaking to a lawyer about something else, that her brother revealed he had a copy as well. Bennett and Nader were encouraged to hand the footage to police so it didnt look like they were concealing a crime. They complied. But the mystery remained: who was the woman in the video? The case was assigned to Detective Senior Constable Ryan Mitchell, who formed Strike Force Ister. He watched the video multiple times, finding an important clue. Parizian will face a sentencing hearing in April. Credit: Kate Geraghty The woman made frequent verbal protests, and at one stage mentioned the country she lived in before migrating to Australia. Parizian had mentioned the womans first name, which had a distinctive spelling in that country. Detectives began a search of all women in NSW with that name, comparing their drivers license photos to the woman in the video. Soon, there was a woman who bore a striking resemblance. More than two decades after that night, the woman was contacted by police on December 28, 2015 and told she might be able to assist as a witness in an investigation. When she spoke to detectives, it emerged that she had no memory of the sexual acts depicted in the video. She recalled that she went to dinner with Parizian in the early 1990s and drank orange juice that he bought for her, then felt woozy and got a headache. Although she remembered going to his home at Liverpool, she did not remember the rest of the evening including how she got home. After police took an initial statement, they showed her the video of what happened. It began with Parizian walking from the camera towards a bed, which was skewed at a strange angle from the wall. It ended with him once again standing close to the camera as the tape cut to static. The woman on the bed made protests including just let me go and dont touch me as Parizian started to undress her. The woman sobbed and shivered as she watched the vision and was at times inconsolable. She required constant breaks and said out loud, How can I not remember this? and How can anybody say that I want this? When she finally gave her account of that evening at Downing Centre District Court, a series of upsetting claims were put to her. She enjoyed watching videos of women being raped; she was engaging in a consensual role-play. The woman rejected these assertions emphatically. A jury also rejected the claims after several days of deliberation, and after watching the video themselves. It was broken into three clips, each lasting about 20 minutes, and played in a closed court. Loading Before the general public was asked to leave the room, Judge Jane Culver asked the lawyers to keep an eye on the jurors as they watched the footage to see if they needed a break. Police were unable to pinpoint the exact date the video was filmed, narrowing it down to some time between October 31, 1991 and March 31, 1993. The first date was when Parizians mother died. In the video, he swore on his mothers dead body that he was not filming the woman. The second date was around the time Parizian told the woman he had a sexually explicit video of her, and threatened to show it to people if she didnt have sex with him again. She didnt believe him, but she became so distressed that she had to be hospitalised. Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty, commander of the NSW Police sex crimes squad, told the Herald she encourages anyone who is a victim of sexual violence to report the matter to police. Loading Historic cases can be reviewed and investigated by specially trained and experienced detectives, regardless of how much time has passed, Doherty said. We understand that reporting sexual assaults can be distressing and traumatic. Coming forward sooner and providing a formal report allows police to preserve evidence in a timely manner. If you do not wish to pursue a court outcome, detectives can explain all options available to you however, reporting at the time can allow sensitive evidence to be captured and stored should you change your mind in the future. The infant Buddha was brought out in ceremonies to celebrate Buddhas birthday, with purified water or tea poured across its shoulders. Young said as a Ming Dynasty piece without such a story, it would probably carry a presale estimate of 3000-5000 ($5000-$9000) but given its historical importance what remains unclear is whether it has links to a 15th-century Chinese treasure expedition, or whether it was left on the beach more recently it could fetch much more. Shayne Thompson and Leon Deschamps of FINN Films found a Ming Dynasty Buddha figurine in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Antiques Roadshows Lee Young has confirmed its provenance. Credit: FINN Films He would not be surprised, he said, if the hammer fell at 10,000 ($18,000) or 50,000 ($90,000). All of us collectors are history hunters. And I can see people getting sort of scooped up in this, he said. Even if it made 100,000 [$175,000] I dont think Id be that surprised. Because there is only one of these with that story. I mean, I just, Im actually honoured to have been as close to this as I am ... its history-making and for you to have made that incredible journey with him, you know to be here today. Leon Deschamps and Shayne Thomson, who run aquatic filming company FINN Films, were exploring a public roadside with a metal detector in 2018 when they discovered the Buddha, which weighs more than a kilogram despite its small size, and which now belongs to them under relevant laws. When their metal detectors indicated something large and close to the surface they set up cameras and GPS markers to record their discovery. The pair say they have spent more than $50,000 on laboratory research and travel to interview scientists and academics in their attempts to uncover its origins, and the same amount again in man-hours, since the find which was also exclusively reported by this masthead. This was how they arrived at their decided auction reserve price. Following the find, they engaged with all possible stakeholders including police, local and state government, the WA Maritime Museum, the ambassador to China and Museum of Chinese Australian History, antique dealers, art historians, various Chinese associations, archaeologists and local Indigenous elders. Retired WA Museum fellow and respected corrosion expert Dr Ian McLeod tested the effect of the dirt on the corrosion present on the Buddha and publicly stated it had been buried at the exact location of its roadside discovery and could not have been planted. It is not possible, even with the most sophisticated chemical methods, to develop a complex patina such as found on the Shark Bay bronze object, he wrote. It can be reasonably estimated that the object has been in that environment for very many decades, that is, it has not been planted on the site, in an attempt to lure metal detector operators into the belief that they have found some ancient object. He publicly stated his belief it had been buried for more than 100 years. The finders said their research had shown that the verge was in a geologically turbulent area close to coastal sand dunes subject to strong winds and tides and the Buddha could therefore have been buried and uncovered several times, making it possible the figurine lay at the location long before its final burial. The most exciting possible explanation for the objects presence in WA is that it came on the 1421 Ming treasure voyage, when the Chinese emperor sent the great explorer Zheng He to travel the world. Leon Deschamps with Antiques Roadshows Lee Young. Credit: FINN Films This could mean the Chinese visited the region almost 200 years before Dutchman Dirk Hartog landed in 1616. A less potentially geopolitically sensitive explanation is that it arrived in the 150 or so years since the 1870s, when the Chinese are first known to have come to the north-west coast. The finders, Leon Deschamps and Shayne Thomson, say the site is under surveillance and has not been further disturbed since their discovery. They hope it could contain the Buddhas missing index fingers, which Dr McLeods report said had been glued in and might have been made of ivory. He recommended further work at the site. They hope governments will work with the Chinese community and local Indigenous custodians to co-fund an archaeological dig; that the Buddha will find a culturally appropriate home; and that museum-quality replicas could be made to tell its story in Australia. This story is only a positive one telling the history of the journeys of incredibly brave sailors along ancient trade routes, they said in a statement. They added it was not to be regarded as a European colonial-style object used to claim land tenure as Buddhists did not believe in possession of wealth. This has been reinforced strongly in all our dealings with Chinese academics, they said. In the last four years, it has cost us significant personal capital and time to be able to investigate and protect the Buddha appropriately. The Buddha is currently offshore in an expensive high security private commercial location. We want it to find a home with a culturally appropriate owner who will hopefully publicly display the Buddha in either Australia or China. Loading If we had not continued with our self-funded research then this discovery would never have been confirmed as a priceless antiquity and an incredible and proud part of Australia and Chinas shared regional history. Depending on the final hammer price we hope to use part of the proceeds, once we have recovered our costs, to help fund initiatives to help protect our local cultural heritage sites, both Indigenous and Asian and European. It is also our dream to continue to support the new local Malgana sea rangers initiative on their journey to protect cultural sites within our home, as well as potentially be involved in providing replicas, our research catalogues and funding for future museum exhibits and any future archaeological digs. You need national leadership in order to make the significant change that the royal commission expected. Im sure [Dreyfus] and I will have some very robust discussions about this, but it is about putting this into practice now. The senator attacked the Victorian government, which he said was absolutely responsible for the deaths in custody linked to its failure to fix its bail laws. The laws, introduced after the 2017 Bourke Street massacre, have led to a spike in the number of Indigenous women being placed into custody, including Veronica Nelson, who a coroner recently said died a preventable and painful death in Victorias largest womens prison. Victoria was slow and slack in implementing that recommendation, and theres been deaths as a consequence of that one failure in not implementing that recommendation. Theres no excuse, Dodson said. On the weekend, Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes committed to changing several aspects of the states bail laws, conceding they had a disproportionate impact on vulnerable people including Indigenous women. Loading Dodson said the Albanese governments reforms thus far, including modest funding for justice re-investment and for Indigenous families to have legal representation at coronial inquests, were a start but much more needed to be done and quickly. Theres been far too many deaths, and weve known this for over 30 years now, and theres been far too much politics between state and Commonwealth over the cost to this or the significance of this or the legislative change, he said. The royal commission was about a national disgrace that we were facing back 30 years ago, and weve compounded that because weve had knowledge of as to how to deal with and stop a lot of those deaths, and weve failed. Weve failed miserably in doing something about it. There are no excuses for any further lingering in relation to this. Dodson made his comments as part of an investigation by The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes into Indigenous deaths and medical neglect in Australian prisons. The investigation heard from prison healthcare whistleblowers describing systemic health services failures that have fuelled the neglect of vulnerable prisoners, including Indigenous inmates, while four mothers of Indigenous prisoners who died or almost died in prison have also called for urgent reform. The Dame Phyllis Frost Correctional Centre, on Melbournes outskirts. Credit: Joe Armao Dodsons concerns echo those of Victorian coroner Simon McGregors landmark ruling in late January cataloguing a series of prison healthcare and justice system failures that led to what he described as the preventable, inhumane and degrading death of Nelson at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. Dodson agreed with McGregors finding that a failure to introduce the sweeping 1991 royal commission recommendations might have ultimately contributed to Nelsons death, but stressed the failure was a national problem. Among its 339 recommendations, the 1991 commission called for imprisonment be used only as a last resort; the provision of healthcare to people in custody to a standard equivalent to that available to the general public; and the provision of culturally appropriate health care to Aboriginal people in custody. Dodson said none of these core recommendations had been properly delivered. The custodial medical system has got to be taken over by Aboriginal medical services to deliver proper treatment, he said. The National Justice Projects chief lawyer, George Newhouse, who is representing several Indigenous families at coronial inquests, said Dodson and McGregor were accurate in describing the abject failure to adequately implement the 1991 recommendations. If Victoria has failed, as it has, then it is alarming because other states are much worse at preventing deaths in custody and subjecting them to adequate investigation, he said. Newhouse said Western Australia was the worst of the states. Loading McGregor has referred Correct Care, the private health provider responsible for caring for Nelson when she died in custody in January 2020, to the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions to face potential criminal charges. Dodson described Nelsons death in custody as the most shameful thing that you could ever witness. The knowledge that this person was clearly ill and crying in pain, and the offhandedness with which her condition was treated is an absolute indictment on the system, and on all of those who thought they were carrying out their duty, but were totally negligent, in my view, and should be held criminally responsible for her death. Moves to settle the rancorous legal battle between Kooyong teal MP Monique Ryan and her high-profile chief of staff, Sally Rugg, have been blocked by the Commonwealth government, even though both women have sought to avoid a lengthy court trial. The grievances of both parties were aired at a preliminary hearing in the Federal Court in Melbourne on Friday in which Rugg was fighting to return to work as she sues her boss over what she claims are unreasonable work expectations and various allegedly hostile acts in the workplace. Sally Ruggs lawyers argue she should be able to return to work while suing her boss, MP Monique Ryan, over unreasonable hours. Credit: Paul Jeffers/Justin McManus Four sources with direct awareness of the case, who spoke anonymously because of legal sensitivities, said Ruggs and Ryans lawyers had spent weeks attempting to strike a pre-trial settlement, potentially involving compensation. The Commonwealth which is also a party to the trial, and is accused of breaching the Fair Work Act by allowing a culture of excessive work has not agreed to repeated offers to settle, the sources said. He is a leading candidate to become Indonesias next president, but the popular intellectual and reformer Anies Baswedan is a haunted man. The worlds most populous Muslim nation is due to replace incumbent Joko Widodo, approaching his 10-year term limit, in 11 months. Indonesian presidential candidate Anies Baswedan is in Australia for high-profile meetings. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone In Australia this week as a guest of the Albanese government, Baswedan has secured a meeting with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe not typically available to state governors visiting Australia. Baswedan appears well-positioned for the contest. After a successful five years as governor of Jakarta, his approval rating is in the tightly clustered top tier of three potential candidates. Singapore: Chinas Premier Li Keqiang has called for the armed forces to boost their combat readiness at the same time as the Communist Party softens its rhetoric towards Taiwan. Warning of the high winds and choppy waters in the international environment, Li said the military should intensify training under combat conditions for the centenary of the Peoples Liberation Army in 2027. Thats when US Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley has argued China could attempt to seize the democratic island. The Chinese government announced on Sunday it would increase defence spending by 7 per cent this year to $330 billion. Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and outgoing Premier Li Keqiang at the National Peoples Congress in Beijing on Sunday. Credit: AP But Li also took a more conciliatory tone towards Taiwan by calling for greater economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait and improving the systems and policies that contribute to the wellbeing of our Taiwan compatriots. Istanbul: As the people of Turkeys once prosperous south-east waited for help in the rubble of their homes after last months earthquake, one question kept coming up: Where is the government? The disaster on February 6 killed nearly 45,000 in Turkey alone, left millions homeless across an area almost as large as Germany. Adding victims in Syria, the death toll has surpassed 50,000. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hugs a survivor in Kahramanmaras, a city devastated by last months earthquakes. Credit: Turkish Presidency/AP In the days and weeks that have followed, fury at the Turkish government and the lack of properly enforced building regulations has spread well beyond the earthquake zone and increasingly focused on Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the strongman president. Fans of the countrys two major football clubs including the presidents favourite team chanted Erdogan Resign! at games in Istanbul last weekend. The two teams have since been ordered to play to empty stands, but the scale of the anger in the population is clear. Deputies to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) are interviewed ahead of the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) Deputies to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) are interviewed ahead of the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) Hou Rong, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends an interview ahead of the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) Shui Qingxia, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends an interview ahead of the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) Shan Zenghai, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends an interview ahead of the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) Zhu Yuemeng, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends an interview ahead of the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Zhang Keqin, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends an interview ahead of the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Wang Yucheng, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends an interview ahead of the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) Journalists interview deputies to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) ahead of the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Editor: WXY Batavia, NY (14020) Today Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 83F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Showers with a possible thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 44F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong gives an interview after the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong gives an interview after the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong gives an interview after the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu gives an interview after the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu gives an interview after the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang gives an interview after the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang gives an interview after the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang gives an interview after the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu gives an interview after the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) A journalist with Xinhua News Agency asks a question during an interview with ministers after the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) Editor: WXY 5 Months After Ian, Battered Florida Beach Town is Abuzz by Day, Empty by Night A smashed vacation-rental duplex with a marooned house behind it idles on a side street off Estero Boulevard in Ft. Myers Beach, Fla., in late February, five months after Category 4 Hurricane Ian made landfall nearby. (John Haughey/The Epoch Times) SAN CARLOS ISLAND, Fla.The sun is sinking into a bruised plum horizon and eastbound traffic is thickening on the Matanzas Pass Bridge as beachgoers head home from Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island before nightfall. When the sun goes down, the beach shuts down, said Tina Tomasino, who owns Hurricane Tinas 5-Star Dive Bar on San Carlos Island near the east end of the bridge. You cant see any light out there. Five months after Category 4 Hurricane Ian made landfall on Sept. 28, 2022, with 155-miles-per-hour winds on nearby Cayo Costa, killing 149 and causing $139 billion in damage across the state, Ft. Myers Beach is a construction site within a massive disaster zone that sprawls north and south along Southwest Floridas Gulf Coast. Ft. Myers Beachs Estero Boulevard, an iconic beachfront strip, was deluged by an 18-foot storm surge and has no street signs or traffic lights and all of its 131 street lights are gone. (John Haughey/The Epoch Times) Where Lights Dont Shine Mangled multistory hotels and condos and boarded businesses frame the tourist towns Estero Boulevard amid mounds of debris, twisted steel, splintered planking, and downed power poles. There is urgency in getting debris to curbs because free removal by Floridas Division of Emergency Management ends March 29. The beachfront strip, deluged by an 18-foot storm surge, has no road signs or traffic lights and all of its 131 street lights are gone. It will cost $8 million to replace them and add another 249. They will all meet new soft-light codes to protect sea turtle habitat. The towns retail and nightlife heartbeat, Times Squarean iconic pier destroyed, its shops, restaurants, bars devastatedremains dark at night but some businesses open by day, using generators to power makeshift operations. The Lighthouse Tiki Bar & Grill is open and crowded in the afternoons, Cabanas Beach Bar & Grille is operating out of Coste Island Cuisine until 8 p.m., La Ola Surfside Restaurant is serving out of a food truck, and Yucatan Beach Stand Bar & Grill and Wahoo Willies are open until nightfall. Fantasys at the Beach reopened on March 3 as Vixens Fort Myers Beach which, for now, will be a strip club in a tent, while work on the Gulfside Twelve, a condo complex that will rise from the rubble of the wrecked Carousel Inn, has begun. All that remains of the 78-lot Gulf View Colony mobile home park off Estero Boulevard in Ft. Myers Beach, Fla., is rubble, clawed earth, and this directory of neighbors who are neighbors no more, five months after Hurricane Ian swamped Estero Island in an 18-foot storm surge. (John Haughey/The Epoch Times) The 45-year-old Island Pancake House reopened in late February. Bella Mozzarella, 2000 Flavors Ice Cream, and H20 are among restaurants and retailers rebuilt and ready to reopen once power is restored. That may not be for months. Florida Power & Light reports it has restored power to nearly 1,000 properties in Ft. Myers Beach but is unlikely to have Times Square wired until June 1 because it wants to underground power lines. Ft. Myers Beach had nearly 2,400 hotel rooms before the storm, according to the Lee County Tourism office. As of late February, less than 400 were open. Those numbers are slowly growing. The Matanzas Inn will reopen soon. The DiamondHead Beach Resort reopened in mid-December, Edison Beach House in January, and the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on March 1, all cautioning guests of limited amenities and ambient construction activity. There hasnt been a curfew since November but between midnight and 6 a.m., only those who can show proof of residency or hotel reservations are allowed onto Estero Island via the Matanzas Pass Bridge. Every day at sunrise, west-bound traffic on San Carlos Boulevard, which links the mainland to Estero Island as is spans San Carlos island into Ft. Myers Beach is clogged with construction workers. Later, the beachgoers come. As sunset nears, the tide is reversed. Despite being closed inside, Hurricane Tinas 5-Star Dive Bar on San Carlos Island near the Matanzas Pass Bridge has served as a de facto community center with parties, live music, and meals served in its parking lot from a pop-up bar salvaged from debris. (John Haughey/The Epoch Times) Permitting Purgatory Tomasino, a Boston native, was preparing to celebrate Hurricane Tinas 5-Star Dive Bars fifth anniversary in early October when Ian struck, knocking the bar out of business and destroying more than $10,000 in inventory in her liquor store next door. The bar may have been closed but Hurricane Tinas lived on, serving food and drink to patrons, neighbors, and passerby on weekends in the parking lot from a food truck found flipped over in the debris, salvaged, and revamped as a pop-up bar. Since the storm, Hurricane Tinas has served as an ad hoc gathering place on San Carlos Island, a working-class pass-through barrier island between the beach and the mainland, where there are boatyards of storm-shattered ships tumbled together like bathtub toys and construction workers living in trucks, trailers, and tents. The bar provided a free Thanksgiving dinner and opens on weekends for events, such as poker runs. It is cash only and it must close at sunset, Tomasino said. On Feb. 26, Hurricane Tinas parking lot was abuzz with a live band and a barbecue, celebrating Almost Open Part 1. My freezer was full of food for the celebration, she said. We had a big barbecue in parking lot to feed the storm-shocked. Tomasino said her neighborhood bar has been completely refurbished inside. Power has been restored. Were ready to open, good to go. But shes been mired in a permitting morass since receiving a Feb. 8 stop work order from Lee County over the lack of a $20,000 restoration permit that she cannot afford to pay upfront. Theyre telling me to get a Small Business Administration loan. I dont want to take a 2 percent loan, Tomasino said. Let us open up. Were good to go. I cant make any money, so how am I to pay the permit? Honestly, they need to let everybody get open. She was confident the red tape will be untangled, somehow, but Hurricane Tinas March 4-5 weekend theme is Almost Open Part 2. How many parts it will take to get from Almost Open to Open is uncertain. An abandoned, storm-smashed sailboat dumped outside a ship salvage yard on San Carlos Island near Ft. Myers Beach, Fla., in February 2023, five months after Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida. (John Haughey/The Epoch Times) From Day One Permitting is just one of the uncertainties that plague businesses trying to bounce back from the storm, Tomasino said, which is devastating for their employees. People dont realize, the kids working heretheir homes were gone, toobut from day one, theyve been doing everything for everybody, she said. Ashley and Kate were working the pop-up bar. Both only work two days a week now, compared to at least five before Ian. Its been crazy but were learning new things and making it work, said Kate, who had hoped the bar would open by Super Bowl Sunday. Nevertheless, she said, shes proud to work with Tomasino at Hurricane Tinas. We were the first place to open and Tinas been doing it ever since. Were trying. Were surviving, said co-worker Carlos Hernandez, grilling ribs and hamburgers under a tent in the parking lot. Tina has been doing this since day one, said Malinda Buchmann, a Cincinnati native who has lived in Florida for eight years, as she greeted friends and the band played on. Why not be part of something like this? Life Goes On A steam shovel clears the last of debris from a beachfront lot on Fr. Myers Beach, Fla., on Feb. 26, 2023. (John Haughey/The Epoch Times) Without Hurricane Tinas, Anthony Szkotak said hed probably have lose contact with more friends, many of whom have disappeared since the storm, along with his job as a marina manager. The whole operation is gone. My marina doesnt exist and the boats, theyre in a mangrove somewhere, he said. Our jobs are gone. Our friends are gone. Eleven people I know are dead. Szkotak said he heard somewhere that it will take at least five-to-10 years for Ft. Myers Beach and San Carlos Island to recover. But life goes on. Spring training has begun with the Red Sox and Twins opening their camps in Ft. Myers, seasonal snowbirds are showing up, and touristspaying exorbitant rates at mainland hotelsare flocking to the beach by day. On Matanzas Pass Bridgesoft pink in the sunseteastbound traffic from Estero Island was brisk. The tide of the day had turned and visitors were headed home after enjoying a beautiful Sunday on Ft. Myers Beach. Soon, it would be dark and only residents and encamped workers would be left. The sad, weird part is the tourists are still coming down and they get to live by the old rules, Szkotak said. 5 People Injured in Shooting at LA Beach LOS ANGELESAt least five people were wounded in a shooting at a Los Angeles beach Saturday night, authorities said. Lt. Sharon Brady of the Los Angeles Police Departments Harbor Community Police Station said officers responded to a report of gunfire at Royal Palms Beach in the San Pedro area at 5:44 p.m., the Los Angeles Times reported. Emergency responders transported four people with gunshot wounds to local hospitals. Around 7 p.m. police learned that a fifth victim was taken to a hospital by a friend, Brady said. We have some in critical condition, some stable and some serious, Brady said. A suspect reportedly fled the scene in a car but no arrests had been Saturday evening. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and Los Angeles City Councilman Tim McOsker issued a joint statement saying they were outraged and saddened by the shooting. Royal Palms Beach in San Pedro, located just west of Terminal Island and the Port of Long Beach, will be closed Sunday to continue the shooting investigation and will close earlier on the weekends as they work on plans to ensure safety and peaceful community use, Hahn and McOsker said. Suddenly, all eyes are on Africa. First Lady Jill Biden on a diplomatic tour of Kenya and Namibia. Contested Nigerian elections all over Twitter. China and Russia conducting joint military exercises with South Africa. Why all this attention? What makes Africa so essential to the global power balance at this time? Well, its 54 countries make up 28 percent of the United Nations. With strategic sea and air ports, abundant land and mineral resources, corrupt elections and leaders, and a growing population, its ripe for the picking, it seems, in Chinas eyes. Journalists Pearl Matibe, Sargis Sangari, and Douglas Burton join us to discuss the increasing tactical importance of Africa, how China is using it to fuel its ambitions, and how the United States is responding. Another Ohio Train Derailment Adds to Norfolk Southerns Safety Record Woes A Norfolk Southern cargo train car leans off the tracks after derailing in Clark County, Ohio, at a train crossing with Ohio 41 on March 4, 2023. (Bill Lackey/Springfield-News Sun via AP) The accident record of Norfolk Southern Railway grew longer on March 4, after another of its trains derailed outside of Springfield, Ohio. Norfolk Southern confirmed in a statement that 20 cars of a 212-car train veered off the tracks at about 5 p.m. near the Clark County Fairgrounds. Residents within 1,000 feet of the crash were asked to shelter in place out of an abundance of caution, according to the Clark County Emergency Management Agency. The Clark County Sheriffs Office reported that emergency personnel and hazmat crews had responded to derailment. No hazardous materials were aboard the train, and no injuries were reported, Norfolk Southern said. Springfield is between Columbus and Dayton, about 200 miles southwest of East Palestine. The Springfield area derailment happened a little more than a month after a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, are still on fire at mid-day, on Feb. 4, 2023. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo) On Feb. 3, a 151-car freight train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in the village. When the train crashed, 38 rail cars derailed, and a fire ensued, damaging an additional 12 cars. Of the 20 cars carrying hazardous materials, 11 derailed, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Seeking to avoid an explosion that could send shrapnel into the air, officials intentionally released and burned vinyl chloride from the train on Feb. 6, sending a massive cloud of black smoke into the sky that could be seen for miles and was likened to the mushroom cloud caused by a nuclear weapon. Situated in eastern Ohio a mile from the Pennsylvania border, East Palestine is a village of 4,761 residents. People in East Palestine and surrounding communities in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania continue to recover as questions remain over the short- and long-term safety of air, soil, and water. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has received ongoing criticism for not publicly commenting about the East Palestine derailment until 10 days after it happened, and for failing to visit the site until Feb. 23, one day after former President Donald Trump arrived there. Closely Monitoring After learning of the March 4 derailment near Springfield, Buttigieg wrote in a tweet that he was briefed by the Federal Railroad Administration and had also spoken with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, another figure who is facing widespread complaints about his response to the East Palestine disaster. No hazardous material release has been reported, but we will continue to monitor closely and FRA personnel are en route, Buttigieg wrote. DeWine wrote in his own tweet: Late this afternoon, [a Norfolk Southern] train derailed in Clark County. We dont believe hazardous materials were involved. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol arrived to support first responders, DeWine reported. President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg called me to offer help from the federal government, he added. Safety Needs The most recent accident involving Norfolk Southern will likely draw more attention to railroad safety measures. Mikal Watts is a Texas-based attorney who has partnered with environment activist Erin Brockovich and water expert Robert W. Bowcock to spearhead East Palestine Justice, an organization of lawyers, environmental activists, and scientific and medical professionals providing assistance to eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania residents affected by the derailment. At a recent town hall in East Palestine, Watts shared Norfolk Southerns history of train derailments, including a 2012 crash in Paulsboro, New Jersey, where a train spilled 23,000 gallons of vinyl chloride. In East Palestine, 1.1 million pounds of the carcinogen were released into the environment. We live in a society that chooses to ship its most dangerous chemicals ever made by man in rail cars right through populated cities, Watts said. Whether that is a good choice is not for me to say, but if you are going to ship them, you [expletive] sure have an obligation to make sure you dont jump the tracks. History of Railroad Incidents Norfolk Southern has reported 3,397 events that could be classified as a derailment over the past 20 years, he explained. Last year, Norfolk Southern had 770 train car derailments involving hazardous materials, Watts noted, compared to 79 incidents in 2012. A 10-year safety summary from the Federal Railroad Administration showed that Norfolk Southern had an annual average of 163.6 derailments and 2.9 hazardous material releases. Norfolk Southern has a recent history of derailments in Ohio before those in East Palestine and Springfield. Last October, in Sandusky, a town along Lake Erie in northwest Ohio, 21 cars from a Norfolk Southern jumped the tracks and spilled 10,000 gallons of paraffin wax. On Feb. 3, 2018five years to the day before the East Palestine disastera Norfolk Southern train derailed in Loudonville. That incident sent 16 cars off the tracks. One car spilled more than 30,000 gallons of liquified petroleum gas, and another car released 200 pounds of solid environmentally hazardous substances. Bipartisan Action On March 1, Sens. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) announced The Railway Safety Act of 2023, a bill aimed to prevent future train disasters like the derailment that devastated East Palestine. The bill takes steps to improve rail safety protocols, such as enhancing safety procedures for trains carrying hazardous materials, establishing requirements for wayside defect detectors, creating a permanent requirement for railroads to operate with at least two-person crews, and increasing fines for wrongdoing committed by rail carriers. Through this legislation, Congress has a real opportunity to ensure what happened in East Palestine will never happen again, Vance said in a statement. We owe every American the peace of mind that their community is protected from a catastrophe of this kind. Action to prevent future disasters is critical, but we must never lose sight of the needs of Ohioans living in East Palestine and surrounding communities. One day, the TV cameras will leave, and the news cycle will move on, but the needs of these Ohioans will remain. Brown chastised Norfolk Southern in his remarks. It shouldnt take a massive railroad disaster for elected officials to put partisanship aside and work together for the people we servenot corporations like Norfolk Southern, Brown said. Rail lobbyists have fought for years to protect their profits at the expense of communities like East Palestine and Steubenville and Sandusky. These commonsense bipartisan safety measures will finally hold big railroad companies accountable, make our railroads and the towns along them safer, and prevent future tragedies, so no community has to suffer like East Palestine again. Hearings The Ohio Senate held its first hearing about the East Palestine derailment on March 1 and will continue to investigate the derailment and its aftermath. This is not an easy fix, and Americans love easy fixes, said state Sen. Michael Rulli, whose district includes East Palestine. That is not going to happen here. We need years of monitoring the soil and testing. We need to build a foundation for the beautiful city of East Palestine, and we need to make ourselves whole again. On March 9, Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw will appear at a hearing conducted by the U.S. Senates Environment and Public Works Committee. A Norfolk Southern statement noted that Shaw will appear voluntarily. We continue to engage in discussions with Members of Congress and other committees about additional requests to testify, while balancing his commitments to the remediation process and the community, the company stated. Alan will share what he knows about the incident. As the NTSB has noted, there are also industry-wide issues, and we would expect that other industry participants will also be involved in future hearings. The rail industry needs to learn as much as it can from East Palestine, as can the owners of the rail cars. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Feb. 27 requested that Shaw address the committee. The American people should hear from Norfolk Southern CEO precisely why they thought it was a good idea to spend years lobbying to loosen regulations designed to prevent accidents like this, Schumer said. And I especially want to hear why Norfolk Southern, after seeing a record $3.3 billion in profits last year, prioritized billions in stock buybacks instead of putting that money towards safety and towards their workers. Anthony Furey: Canadians Are Taking a Second Look at Roxham Road Commentary The Roxham Road border crossing is suddenly back in the news in a big way. And its causing Canadians to take a second look at the issue. The biggest voice on this file is Quebec Premier Francois Legault, who has been vocal the past few weeks in calling on the federal government to close the makeshift crossing at the QuebecNew York border. So far, the bulk of migrants who are crossing at what was once just a patch of grass where two rural roads meet, have been making their way to Quebec cities. But absorbing so many migrants who are arriving according to their own schedules has proven challenging for the provincial and municipal resources that typically serve asylum seekers. Legault has even gone around the Canadian government and directly to the U.S. government to request they amend the Safe Third Country Agreement, which has a loophole that allows people who cross at such locations to still legitimately claim asylum in Canada. One of his other requests has been fulfilled though, which is for the federal government to do more to disperse these migrants to other cities across the country. However that approach has only created added concerns. Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati is the latest politician to speak about the strain the influx of migrants is having on his community. Theres only so much the people here can handle. Were a community of less than a hundred thousand people and weve got several thousand people living in our community, he said. The federal government told media in a statement that between June 2022 and Feb. 2023 they have sent 3,000 people from Quebec to Niagara Falls. Hotel rooms that were previously rented to tourists visiting the popular destination town are now housing asylum seekers. Here we see echoes of what happened recently in America when Governors of southern border states sent asylum seekers to places like New York City and Marthas Vineyard to give people a sense of how resource-intensive caring for such an influx of persons can become. The Roxham Road issue first flared up in 2017. Government statistics show that there had hardly been any people trekking across the unofficial border before that year. But things changed when Donald Trump was elected president and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made his famous social media post about how everyone would be welcome in Canada. The number of people crossing at that location soared, and it hovered between 15,000 and 20,000 for several years. Trudeau seemed fine to let the status quo prevail as the Conservatives railed against it. The political calculus was likely that the Liberals were fine to have the Opposition go on about something that arguably made them look anti-immigrant. Then COVID-19 hit and the Roxham Road crossing, which had been made semi-formalized with RCMP processing facilities on hand, was shut down. When the pandemic restrictions went away though, the crossing roared back to life. Last year saw a record tally of just under 40,000 crossings. The numbers for January of this yearFebruary numbers arent available yetare 4,875, suggesting were on track to exceed that record. The challenge with the Roxham Road crossing isnt who the people are or where theyre coming from or even how many of them are crossing. Its how theyre crossing. Immigration is supposed to be a highly-managed affair where governments set intake targets so people enter at a time and place of the governments choosing. Thats one reason why Canadas immigration system has been considered so successful and has been looked up to as a model to emulate by other countries. Yet Roxham Road turns that all upside down, as we permit people to come in at the time and place of their choosing. Instead of being able to prepare for their arrival, we scramble to keep up with the unpredictable numbers. Canadians, particularly those in the GTA, are now asking a lot of questions about whether our shoddy infrastructure is able to adequately serve the size of our communities. Health-care and transportation infrastructure is increasingly maxed out. When politicians like Legault and Diodati make appeals to better manage Roxham Road based on public service concerns, this is something that resonates with all Canadians. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi called on Saturday on Sudanese sides to prioritise the language of dialogue and national consensus, and to uphold the supreme interests of the brotherly Sudanese people. Aphasia Patients Get Chance to Be Part of Life Again A doctor holds the hands of an elderly patient, checking for signs and symptoms of stroke. (lordn/Adobe Stock) When Paul Fraser collapsed in his home in Byron Bay, New South Wales (NSW), he lay helpless on the floor, suddenly unable to speak. His wife Julie Brown immediately called an ambulance, knowing he was likely having a stroke. He was speaking gobbledygook, Brown told AAP, recalling the moment at their northern NSW residence in August 2021. He was speaking like an alien. But now, its chalk and cheese. Fraser, a retired social sciences teacher, was among the first cohort of regional Australians to use a new high-intensity telehealth therapy program for people living with aphasia. More than 140,000 people nationally have the condition which limits the ability to communicate, usually after a stroke damages parts of the brain responsible for language. The University of Queenslands Aphasia Research Centre has spent a decade developing the CHAT program which delivers 50 hours of intense speech therapy, compared to an average of 10 hours under usual models of care. It has been trialled at Brisbane hospitals and will be expanded across seven metro and regional health districts in Queensland, NSW and South Australia to better assess its effectiveness. Rural patients can access the TeleCHAT program, which offers regular online sessions with a speech therapist. Theres a postcode lottery where if you have a stroke, youll get fewer services. We want people with aphasia to access this no matter where they live, centre director David Copland said. Research shows strokes can pose a greater risk to people in rural areas who may have to travel for care, as patients need to be treated within one hour for the best outcomes. Professor Copland said those left with aphasia have to learn a language from scratch. If we wanted to learn a language and be fluent, we wouldnt expect to do that in 10 hours but were expecting people who have had a stroke to do that. Sitting in their sunny home 18 months after the stroke, Fraser and Brown recalled driving back and forth to Ballina hospital, 35 kilometres away. The therapy sessions were often inconsistent or rescheduled due to COVID-19 restrictions and staffing issues. A therapist recommended the TeleCHAT trial and Mr Fraser began daily video consultations, learning words and phrases related to his interests, like politics. Some of the words were like Scott Morrison, Fraser said with a laugh. He can now sit with friends and take part in conversations, a marked change from the early days of recovery. You end up just listening to other people do all the talking because you cant talk, he said. This program is essential because you become part of life again. BILLINGS, Mont.Andy Landis-Halingstad, writer, former dancer, theater songwriter, and student mentor, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Alberta Bair Theater on the afternoon of March 4 and said that Shen Yun was stunning. Its beautiful. It was spiritually uplifting. The name, Shen Yun, means the beauty of divine beings dancing, and Ms. Landis-Halingstad felt it the perfect name. It was very informative about whats happening in the world. I felt like the title was perfect, about the beauty in the divine and the beauty in humanity. [It] really moved me a lot. I felt like it was very brave, fun, funny, joyous, and uplifting and, at the end, good triumphs over evil. I mean, it was wonderful. It was wonderful, she said. New York-based Shen Yun is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance company, using the ancient art formfamously expressive and one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the worldto tell stories spanning 5,000 years of civilization. Ms. Landis-Halingstad was inspired. Im most interested in making plays that move the human heart, fill the creative spirit and draw people towards one another. I want my plays to inspire truthful conversation and expose the depths and width of our human experiences, she said. She said it is important for people see something like Shen Yun nowadays. I think its important because I think that it told us about the Chinese tradition that we dont understand, that we dont know, you know, here in the States, she said. We dont understand a lot of that and everything that were learning is not necessarily helpful for us to understand. I mean, I love history, and so much of what we learned in the show, we didnt know. And you also brought to the present some of the things that are happening in China that we really need to know about which was so brave. And I really appreciated you doing that. It was very brave. Ms. Landis-Halingstad described her feelings as she watched. I kind of got teary during a couple of the performances [and it] still makes me tear up. It grieved me to see the suffering, and yet it uplifted me to see them overcoming. She said that ancient history has the belief in life after death, and that was very well represented. The triumph of good over evil really moved me and uplifted me. So thank you for that. As a former professional dancer, Ms. Landis-Halingstad was impressed by the dancers. So, the dancing in here was unbelievable. The balance, the perfection, the unity, and the ways that they danced was stunning to me. The colors, the beauty. The way that the performers would jump off the stage and come up on the screen! That was just amazing. And the colors of the water and the flowers that you have in the show is just incredible. The dancers were just superb, every single one of them. I watched their faces and I was blown away by the joy that theyand they have to be tired by the end. I was thinking they had to be tired. But they were joyous. Yeah, they were amazing. The vocalists lyrics made an impact on her. The songs that they sang, the lyrics of the songs, as someone who used to be a professional song writer, the lyrics were stunning. They were sacred, and divine, and the message of good overcoming evil was very, very clear in the lyrics. And I feel like everyone should see that, because of the hope it gave us. She hoped more people would see Shen Yun to learn more about traditional Chinese culture being divinely inspired. I believe that. I think thats important for us to know, for us to understand. And I appreciate so much what youre doing and how you brought that to life for us. I wish everyone could see it. Really, it was great. Reported by NTD and Yvonne Marcotte. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. As Easy as Ordering Pizza: How Fentanyl-Laced Pills Are Killing Americas Youth U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized approximately 47,000 rainbow-colored fentanyl pills, 186,000 blue fentanyl pills, and 6.5 pounds of meth hidden in a floor compartment of a vehicle at the Nogales port of entry on the southern border with Mexico on Sept. 3, 2022. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) On the morning of July 25, 2020, Matthew Thomas took what he believed was Percocet, a prescription drug for pain relief. He died moments later, a victim of fentanyl poisoning. On Jan. 26, 2019, Austen Babcock took what he believed was cocaine. Unbeknownst to him, it was laced with fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid. He died shortly after, another victim of fentanyl poisoning. April Babcock, Austens mother, and Wendy Thomas, Matthews mother, have both become activists to raise awareness about illicit fentanyl. Babcock is the founder of Lost Voices of Fentanyl, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness on illicit fentanyl, and Thomas is the founder of Matthews Voice. Both told The Epoch Times that obtaining illicit fentanyl is as easy as ordering a pizza. I talk to all these moms [in Lost Voices of Fentanyl], and their kids go on social media and literally ordered drugs just like a pizza. Its just like Uber Eats. Well, now its like Uber drugs, Babcock said. Some of these parents in the group literally saw the dealer on their Ring. Theyd pull up into their driveway, and their kid would run out. I mean, these pills are cheap. We got fake Adderall pills on social media. Fake Xanax. Fake Percocet. I mean, all the pills are fake. These kids just dont realize theyre literally buying death. They dont know. Two milligrams of fentanyl, a lethal dose for most people. The diameter of the U.S. penny is 19.05 millimeters, or 0.75 inches. (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration) Thomas agreed and noted that when she has given presentations at schools, kids have told her that they hear about Percocet and Xanax in music videos, and when they buy pills over social media, thats what they think theyre getting. But its not. They need to know that 6 in 10 pills are potentially deadly, she said, citing Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) data. Undercounted Families Against Fentanyl reported that in 2021, fentanyl poisoning was the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45. And in 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 4,765 children and young adults aged 1423 died from the use of synthetic opioidsmore than double the 1,984 deaths in 2018. Babcock said she thinks the number of overdose deaths from fentanyl is significantly underreported. Theres a family thats pretty definite their kid died from fentanyl because they found fentanyl at his house. But guess what: He was never tested! she told The Epoch Times. [The death certificate] says he died from cocaine. No, he didnt. He died from fentanyl. So [that family] is trying to pass a bill in Maryland, so every hospital has to test for fentanyl. And, you know, I know theres places that still dont test for fentanyl, but I had no idea that was going on in my own state, and thats criminal! Those stats are a very lowball number. I hear it all the time: They didnt test for fentanyl. How are we ever going to get the right data? Babcock started Lost Voices of Fentanyl, a Facebook group, in 2020. The group now has more than 24,000 members, and every day, Babcock said she hears from parents who have lost a child to fentanyl poisoning. Why isnt our government warning the public? Theyre not warning them! she said. I mean, I know certain states are doing it. Like I know, in my state, Maryland, Ive seen two fentanyl commercials. And thats great. Thats fine and dandy, but its not good enough. You know, teenagers dont watch that anyway. We need a COVID-like response from our government for fentanyl. Growing Misunderstood Problem In 2020, there were a reported 91,799 total drug-related deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By 2021, that number had climbed to 106,719. In both years, approximately 82 percent of deaths involved at least one opioid, with fentanyl being the most common. I started Mathews Voice because my son Matthew died of fentanyl poisoning in 2020, in July. He was 20 years old, Thomas told The Epoch Times. He took what was supposed to be Percocet, and it was fentanyl. And so I decided to go ahead and focus on high schools. Ive been to several high schools in North Carolina, and the biggest thing that surprises me is that most of them have not even heard of illicit fentanyl. I thought maybe if Matthew had heard about it sooner Babcock concurred, What Im seeing is most of these people have no idea what fentanyl is. Theyre getting their [deceased] kids toxicology reports back, and they had no warning to even warn their kids about fentanyl. Like they just didnt know. Thomas and Babcock are both quick to point out that what theyre talking about isnt the pharmaceutical fentanyl prescribed to treat severe painoften post-surgery and for advanced-stage cancer. Instead, theyre talking about illicit fentanyl found in counterfeit pills. In 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a public safety alert, warning that 6 out of 10 fake prescription pills contained a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. Francisco Chavez, 19, died after he swallowed sky-blue fentanyl pills designed to look like oxycodone, and three others were seriously sickened at a Halloween party in 2018. (Drug Enforcement Administration/Seanna Leilani via AP) More than half of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills being trafficked in communities across the country now contain a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said. These pills are being mass-produced by the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco Cartel in Mexico. Never take a pill that wasnt prescribed directly to you. Never take a pill from a friend. Never take a pill bought on social media. Just one pill is dangerous, and one pill can kill. Despite that warning, Song for Charlieyet another nonprofit started by grieving parents, after their son Charlie Ternans fentanyl poising deathfound that only 36 percent of teens are aware that fentanyl is used to create counterfeit pills. And that lack of awareness has real-world consequences. Song for Charlie reported that since 2018, drug deaths of teens have increased three times faster than in any other age group, and most of those deaths are attributable to fentanyl. Last year, I had a group of about 200 seniors that I presented to, and before I started, I asked them how many had heard of fentanyl, and only about a quarter of them raised their hands, Thomas said. Just a quarter! And thats pretty scary. But it isnt just teens and young adults who are unaware of the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills; its their parents, too. In 2018, Tracy Ritters son, Evan Ritter, died of an accidental overdose. Tracy Ritter explained that she and her husband experimented when they were younger and believed that Evan was going through a similar phase. Many parents experience more of the drugs and alcohol use from their kids through middle and high school years, she told The Epoch Times. The shadow of a man is cast on a photograph of heroin and fentanyl during a news conference at Capitol Hill on March 22, 2018. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) We as parents felt, you know, that things would change for Evan. And that was something that was going on in high school, but he would grow up and graduate from school and move forward onto college, and that wouldnt be such a concern for us. Every young person does this kind of thing. However, Evan continued to struggle with drugs and alcohol through college and even went to an inpatient treatment center for help. In the end, the addiction was too much. Ritter now works as a family support specialist for Advocates for Recovery Colorado and co-chairs a work group within Colorados state response to the drug crisis, the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention. She helps guide families through their loved ones addictions and, all too often, their deaths. Ritter explained that her story isnt unique. Parents in the Affected Families and Friends work group often say they thought that their son or daughter was going through a phase of experimentation, only to find out that the addiction was out of control. Its heartbreaking, you know, when you discover that the disease of addiction is so powerful that it still has that power over [addicts] with the best intentions [of beating addiction] in mind, Ritter said. Babcock said, Weve got 13- and 14-year-old kids walking around hooked on [fentanyl], and they really dont even realize it. And even the adults. By the time they realize theyre actually hooked on fentanyl, it is just too late. Theyre dependent on it. Once you depend on it, its almost a miracle for the people that get off that. I mean, its way more potent than heroin. You think heroin withdrawal is bad? Not compared to fentanyl. Awareness Is Key Ritter said of experimenting with drugs: I think everybody is in different places and has different reasons for using substances in their life. I hear from family members that their son or daughter often started, as Evan did, probably in middle school at about age 13. However, that being said, I think another area Im trying to learn more and more about, piecing it all together, is the mental health issues piece. Sometimes the people that have experienced drugs and substance use at an early age, or later in life, is because of a traumatic experience thats happened to them. Ritter noted as a caution that when someone young tries drugs, they increase their chances of developing an addiction. When you start younger, the brain isnt developed. The brain isnt actually developed fully until about 25 years of age. So because of that immature brain development, there is that greater chance for that addiction than if you started later in life. A homeless man, 24, smokes fentanyl in Seattle on March 12, 2022. (John Moore/Getty Images) Ritter said that to help reverse the escalating drug trend, schools must invest in training and implement campaigns that increase awareness of mental health concerns and drug use. One she believes is effective is Mental Health First Aid for Youth, which teaches students how to spot someone experiencing an addiction or mental health crisis. Its especially important for fellow students to take [the course] and to be proactive, so they can look for the signs. And be willing to talk about this more than it is talked about. Because its still stigmatized, and I think that would help destigmatize substance use and mental health issues, Ritter said. Babcock said she thinks the government needs to increase fentanyl awareness by putting campaign ads on social media sites such as Snapchat and Instagram. They did it for COVID. Why are they not doing it for fentanyl when its the leading cause of death of our youth? These are our future generation thats getting wiped off the planet Earth, she said. Drug overdose statistics arent yet available for 2022 and 2023. But the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration told The Epoch Times via email, As we exit the acute stages of the pandemic, there is consensus that substance use in [youth] is increasing again. For Help SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Samhsa.gov Australian Farmers Urge Government to Stop Cancelling Sheep Export Industry Sheep are seen while being transported to the Al Kuwait in Fremantle, Australia, on June 16, 2020. (Paul Kane/Getty Images) Australian farmers have called on the federal government to abandon an election promise that would ban all live sheep exports by sea. This comes as the Australian government has opened a consultation to establish a time frame and a necessary process for implementing the ban. In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australian Livestock Exporters Council CEO Mark Harvey-Sutton said the ban was wrong and that the industry was disappointed with the government. This is not just an issue that affects the livestock export industry. It affects all agriculture, he said. This policy has been driven by an animal activist agenda. This photo taken shows a farmer herding sheep near the rural city of Tamworth, Australia, on May 4, 2020. (Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images) Harvey-Sutton also warned that the ban would result in the unemployment of 3,500 people in Western Australia, a decrease in the sheep industrys overall value and damaged relationships with key trading partners who relied on Australia for food security. Australia is a major exporter of live sheep despite significant drops in trade volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry data, Australia exported 502,758 sheep in 2022, down from 811,481 in 2020 and 1,118,499 in 2019. Around 98 percent of the sheep were exported via sea routes in 2022, with most of the exports conducted in Western Australia. Agriculture Groups Oppose Live Sheep Exports Ban Following the consultations announcement, the National Farmers Federation (NFF) said it stood with 24 other peak agricultural bodies and farmers across Australia in opposing the policy. Cancelling an entire industry based on activist demands sets a dangerous precedent, NFF CEO Tony Mahar said in a statement. We are an export-orientated industry. If the government starts cancelling export markets, this sends a seriously bad message to farmers. Mahar also noted that the policy was based on an outdated campaign by welfare activists who ignored the significant improvements in animal welfare brought by new infrastructure and practices in the industry. If Australia steps back as a global leader in this trade, others with lower standards stand ready to take our place, He said. A phase-out would be a serious retrograde step for animal welfare. The NFF was unwilling to participate in the consultation, saying it would not engage with the newly announced consultation panel whose ultimate goal is to shut down live sheep exports. Consultation on Phasing Out Live Sheep Exports On March 3, the federal government announced that a consultation on cancelling the live sheep trade was underway. It said an independent panel chaired by Phillip Glyde, the former CEO of the Murray Darling Basin Authority, would lead the consultation process. The panel includes Western Australian agriculture expert Sue Middleton, former RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Australia boss Heather Neil, and former Labor minister Warren Snowdon, an advocate for live cattle exports. The consultation phase is expected to take six months, and the panel is due to submit a report to the government by Sept. 30. Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said the federal government was carrying out an election promise. What were doing is implementing an election commitment that weve taken to not just one election but to two, he said in comments obtained by AAP. We want to do it in an inclusive way through good consultation with people. Were not going to rush it. Agriculture Minister Murray Watt speaks during a press conference in Brisbane, Australia on July 22, 2022. (Dan Peled/Getty Images) While the policy will not come into effect during the current government term, the minister said he wanted to ensure the ban was implemented orderly. Phasing out live sheep exports by sea is a complex issue that will impact farmers, businesses, our trading partners, and the communities that participate in the trade, Watt said. I am also conscious that the wider Australian community is interested in the phase-out, including those that want to see animal welfare maintained and improved. Regarding compensations, Watt said the government had not made any decision on what affected farmers would receive when the policy took effect. Im not sure that we necessarily are facing a situation where farmers will lose their business or go out of business, he said. Any issues around compensation, structural adjustment, and those kinds of things are exactly the kind of things that were going to be asking the panel to give us advice on. Meanwhile, the RSPCA and the Australian Alliance for Animals welcomed the consultation, saying it was an appropriate and sensible move. Its good to see the government on track to set an end date on this cruel and unfixable live sheep export trade, said RSPCA Australia CEO Richard Mussell. An independent panel, at arms-length from government, with a diversity of expertiseincluding animal welfare expertise, will be well-placed to advise the government on how best to achieve a phase-out. The RSPCA also reiterated its call for the ban to be legislated before 2025, when the current parliaments term concludes. Biden Enlists Potential Rivals to Help With Projected 2024 Run President Joe Biden speaks to reporters as he departs the White House on March 3, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) President Joe Biden hasnt formally declared his candidacy for reelection in 2024, yet hes enlisting a team of high-profile Democratic figures who could emerge as rivals to travel across the country and promote what he deems to be his accomplishments during his first term. With an objective of unifying the party, Biden has hand-picked a team of governors, senators, and other recognizable Democrats who will deliver speeches and appear in media interviews leading up to his expected announcement to pursue a second term. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is expected to serve as headquarters for Bidens team, which will reportedly be introduced sometime in March. Democratic Govs. Wes Moore of Maryland, Phil Murphy of New Jersey, Gavin Newsom of California, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan are among the 20 people who have joined the effort, according to The Washington Post. President Joe Biden speaks during a rally for gubernatorial candidate Wes Moore and the Democratic Party on the eve of the midterm elections at Bowie State University in Bowie, Md., on Nov. 7, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) are also part of the team. I will absolutely support him because I know how important this partnership has already been to the state of Maryland, Moore told CBS News. I plan on going everywhere to be able to do itboth to areas that may be blue areas or areas that may not be blue areas. David Carlucci, a former New York state senator whos a Democratic political strategist, told The Epoch Times: Among the many things that will assist Biden to win reelection is the Democrats ability to unify despite ideological differences. This national advisory board not only showcases this strength, but it also further adds to the likelihood of a Democratic win in 2024. Strength comes from unity. Even if some of these appointees decide to run against the president, at least the Democrats will come to the general election with a robust, transparent, and unified message. This is how Democrats will win. On the other hand, as seen with the appointment of Speaker Kevin [McCarthy], Republicans struggle immensely with their fringe members. 2nd Term of Biden If Biden does formally announce that hell seek another term, hell likely face questions from Americans about his age. A Yahoo News/YouGov poll released on Feb. 27 indicated that 68 percent of respondents believe that Biden is too old for another term. Among Democratic registered voters, 48 percent agree with that opinion, and 38 percent disagree. Recent polling from ABC News and The Washington Post indicated that 62 percent of the respondents think that Biden has accomplished not very much or little or nothing in his first two years, while 36 percent believe that he has achieved a great deal or a good amount. In a Reuters/Ipsos poll from February, Bidens public approval rating was 41 percent. Conducted from Feb. 23 to Feb. 27, the Yahoo News/YouGov survey of 1,516 U.S. adults also shows that 77 percent overwhelmingly approve of his job performance and 20 percent disapprove. Yet according to the poll, 56 percent agree that there is an age at which somebody is too old to be president, and 45 percent said that once a candidate reaches 80, he or she is too old for the role. Biden is already the oldest president in U.S. history. If he runs and wins in 2024, he would be 86 at the end of his second term. On the Republican side, former President Donald Trump is seeking a return to the White House. Former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced her candidacy for the 2024 Republican nomination in February, and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has also entered the race. No high-profile rival for Biden in the Democratic presidential primary has surfaced. On March 4, self-help author and spiritual adviser Marianne Williams launched her 2024 presidential campaign at Union Station in Washington. It is our job to create a vision of justice and love that is so powerful that it will override the forces of hatred and injustice and fear, said the 70-year-old Williamson, who was also a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. I, as of today, am a candidate for the office of president of the United States. During its February winter meeting, the DNC unanimously passed a resolution declaring their full and complete support for a second term for Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. attends Keep it Clean to benefit Waterkeeper Alliance in Los Angeles on March 1, 2018. (John Sciulli/Getty Images for Waterkeeper Alliance) That didnt prevent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from saying that hes thinking about it when asked about his 2024 presidential aspirations at the New Hampshire National Politics Institutes Politics and Eggs speaker series on March 3. I have passed the biggest hurdle, that my wife has greenlighted it, Kennedy told the crowd in New Hampshire. Kennedy married actress Cheryl Hines in 2014. Hes the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy, and he describes himself as a lifelong Democrat. Kennedy is an attorney and an environmental and medical freedom activist. An outspoken critic of the COVID-19 vaccine, hes also the founder of Childrens Health Defense, which, according to its website, is a nonprofit organization with a mission to end childhood health epidemics by working aggressively to eliminate harmful exposures, hold those responsible accountable, and to establish safeguards to prevent future harm. Kennedys stance against COVID-19 vaccine mandates has gained support from conservatives. On My Pillow CEO Mike Lindells program, Lindell TV, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon said, RFK Jr. could jump into the Republican primary for president, and only DeSantis and Trump, I think, would do better. During his remarks in New Hampshire, Kennedy talked about the divisiveness in current U.S. politics. We have probably the greatest polarization in our countrys history that weve ever had since the Civil Warreally dangerous polarization, Kennedy said. In February, the DNC voted to replace New Hampshire with South Carolina in the Democratic primary leadoff spot. The move was encouraged by Biden. In a letter to Democrats before the DNCs vote, Biden wrote: Just like my administration, the Democratic Party has worked hard to reflect the diversity of Americabut our nominating process does not. For fifty years, the first month of our presidential nominating process has been a treasured part of our democratic process, but it is time to update the process for the 21st century. I am committed to working with the DNC to get this done. In 2020, Biden opened his presidential bid by finishing fourth in Iowa, fifth in New Hampshire, and a distant second in Nevada. He won in a landslide in South Carolina, where a majority of the primary electorate is black. Biden secured 48.4 percent of the vote. Bernie Sanders finished a distant second at 19.9 percent. Under the DNCs new calendar, South Carolina will now vote first. New Hampshire and Nevada will vote second, three days later. We have the president of our party, the president of the United States, who feels like he needs to move this primary to a state where he can better control the outcome, Kennedy said. What does that say to people? New Hampshires four electoral votes could decide the 2024 election, he noted. Some Democrats who attended Kennedys New Hampshire address believe that he could emerge as a serious contender to Biden. Hes got the name, and that opens a lot of doors, longtime New Hampshire Democratic state Sen. Lou DAllesandro said. Its uncertain when Biden will announce that hes running for a second term. On March 2, a reporter asked him when he plans to declare his candidacy. When I announce it, Biden responded. Two boys whose family stumbled across a memorial for a young police officer killed in the line of duty were so moved that they decided to spend their weekend planting flowers at the site, in honor of the fallen officer. Zachary Chancer, 38, and his wife Kristina, 37, live in Cherokee County, Georgia, with their 14-year-old daughter, Olivia, and sons Bronson, 8, and Ezra, 5. In February, the family was out walking in JB Owens Park, Holly Springs, when Ezra came across a tree planted in a flower bed without flowers. He saw the plaque, and he asked me to come over and tell him what it meant, Zachary told The Epoch Times. I told him that it was for a fallen officer and read the plaque to him. At the time, we had no idea what situation happened, but that didnt matter to Ezra. He let his imagination run wild. Kristina Chancer with her sons, Bronson (L) and Ezra (R). (Courtesy of Kristina Chancer) The memorial belonged to Officer Joseph William Burson who was killed during a traffic stop in June 2021 at the age of 24 while serving Cherokee County. Every time the family visited the park the kids would go to see the plaque. One day they asked their father why there were no flowers at the site, and the family decided to buy some fresh flowers and a vase. However, as the family brainstormed together, they then came up with something more permanent. Ultimately we chose wild daffodils, Zachary said. According to Zachary, wild daffodils represent hope, folly, and unrequited love. The flowers are perennial, and the bulbs are used in the treatment of Alzheimers disease, a cause dear to the Zachary familys hearts. Officer Joe Bursons memorial, complete with the daffodils planted by the Chancer family. (Courtesy of Kristina Chancer) On Sunday, Feb. 19, in the early afternoon, the Chancers took a walk through the woods to collect native wild daffodil bulbs. Between them, they gathered around 100 and took the bulbs to the memorial along with leftover mulch from Zacharys landscaping job. With Ezra and Bronson taking the lead, the family of five made sure the soil was loosened up before dividing the tasks of digging holes, handing over the daffodil bulbs, and spreading the mulch. When their bulbs had been planted, Zachary took a photo of his two proud boys and uploaded the photo to a local community Facebook page. The family was blown away by the response. Officer Joe Burson, who was killed in the line of duty in June 2021. (Courtesy of Holly Springs Police Department) Honestly, we were overwhelmed, Zachary told The Epoch Times. We didnt do it for the recognition; we saw a need [this officer] laid down his life to protect and serve the community, and we wanted to give them something. By putting the flowers thereand these flowers would always be backwe felt like it would draw people to see it, and actually pay respect and show love. We wanted the family to know, and the friends to know, that he wasnt just yours; he was here for all of us. Bronson (L) and Ezra (R) standing next to the memorial after a weekend of planting. (Courtesy of Kristina Chancer) Kristina echoed the same feeling as her husband. She said in a really dark time, like the world is currently in, if you can shed some kind of light or make somebody smile or make somebody happy, I feel like thats what its about. Her motto for her kids is be the change you want to see. Bronson and Ezra received medals from Officer Bursons police department for their kind deed. (Courtesy of Holly Springs Police Department) The boys kind action soon reached the fallen officers police department, and his sergeant contacted the Chancers to suggest they meet at the memorial. When the Chancers arrived, they were shocked to meet the entire department, their camera crew, and Officer Bursons widow. Bronson and Ezra received medals for their kind deed. Both told The Epoch Times they felt good, excited, and cool to be recognized. Speaking to Bursons widow was beautiful. Zachary said: Little did we know she was going through a bad week, a bad month, and somehow the post had reached her as well. She just wanted to meet us and tell us thank you, and that it brightened her world. The Chancer family and members of Officer Joe Bursons police department stand beside his memorial. (Courtesy of Holly Springs Police Department) Zachary and Kristina met in Texas, relocated to Florida with their young family, and moved to Georgia when they fell on hard times. Nostalgic for their past community involvement in Floridahosting parties and cookouts for more deprived neighborhoodsthey are actively seeking out ways to get involved and show kindness in their new home state. Me and Kristina, we came from broken families. We were raised by multiple people just to have an opportunity at life, Zachary said. We chose that when we were starting our family, no matter what, we were going to do what we felt was best and right for our children. We werent going to abandon each other, or them. Although there have been challenges the couple has wanted to raise their children with compassion and empathy. They have wanted them to understand that even at the highest heights and the lowest lows, you can always do something to show you care. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter 'Hes just a little miracle, especially after being told he would likely have a severe disability or learning difficulty.' A little boy given a 10 percent chance of survival has defied the odds and is now a genius who outsmarts his teachers and helps his mom budget. Four-year-old Jamie Mohr is a little miracle born weighing just 1 pound 8 ounces on Sept. 10, 2018. Jamies mom, Lorraine, 38, from Glasgow, Scotland, had been told her placenta stopped working at her 20-week scan and the baby was no longer getting the nutrients to grow. Doctors warned Lorraine that her baby would pass away immediately after birth and offered her a termination, which she refused. A consultant told Lorraine they could deliver the baby at 28 weeks but that there would be a just little chance of survival. Despite the warnings, Lorraine decided to give birth to her son and says he is now thriving. The little lad will start primary school later this year and has been labeled a math prodigy who can count in six different languages. Jamie even tots up his moms shopping to the penny, and his teachers say he is able to out school them. Lorraine said: It was a total rollercoaster. I trusted the doctors but deep down I was willing and hoping them to be wrong and they were. Each time they offered me a termination I kept saying no and going against them. Jamie defied the odds at every step, he defied medical science all the way, which is crazy. He is outsmarting his teachersI got a message the other day from his nursery teacher who said he was out-schooling her. When we go around the supermarket, Jamie is often totting up what we are spending and he usually gets it right down to the pennyhe is pretty amazing. Lorraine had a normal pregnancy until she had her 20-week scan where she was told that anomalies were found. She was sent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Glasgow, Scotland, where she was told the baby was no longer developing as he should. When I returned to the hospital a week later there was still a heartbeat there, she said. I came back several times until eventually, a consultant said the baby has a 10 percent chance of survival. Lorraine said that Jamie was taken away to another ward and put on a ventilator right after birth. Then 12 hours later, I was able to go down and see him, she said. I was told not to expect him to survive, but he went from strength to strength, and I took him home 11 weeks later on Nov. 30, 2018. Lorraine first noticed Jamie was extremely clever just before his second birthday. We noticed that his verbal communication was really good, he had been counting to 10 and reciting the alphabet, the proud mom said. I didnt realize how advanced he was, I thought all two-year-olds could do that but one day his nursery told us this was unusual. Lorraine started testing Jamie at home and just a few weeks after his second birthday, he could count to 50 and then 100. On another occasion Jamie was watching a show on YouTube when the character started counting in French and when he switched the show-off, he started counting in French. I couldnt believe it, Lorraine said, adding that she tested him using other programs in Spanish and Japanese, and he started counting in those languages too. Jamie is now able to count in Spanish, German, Japanese, Mandarin, and English. Doctors have labeled Jamie as having hyperlexiaa super-ability to decode words as well as being gifted with numbers. I dont know where he gets it from. Hes got a photographic memory, Lorraine said. Hes just a little miracle, especially after being told he would likely have a severe disability or learning difficulty. Im just so proud of him. He is completely self-taught, but now I know his ability I encourage it. Lorraine has already met with Jamies school teachers to set out a special curriculum for him. She said: They are going to put an independent curriculum in place for him, he has the maths ability of a 10-year-old. He now does fractions and percentageshe is a maths prodigy. I see Jamie going into the science and technology fieldfind a cure for an awful disease who knows. (Video credit: Newsflare) Lorraine said she is incredibly proud of Jamie and the way he has overcome many obstacles. It is just incredible, it is a triple whammy for me, she said. To even to get him to a point where we could deliver himthat was miraculous. Getting him home was also miraculous. We have already had two miracles happen but then to find out he is a gifted learner it is a triple whammyI am no longer surprised at the things he can do. Jamie is incredibly funny, articulate, affectionate, and humblehe is completely unaware he is so fantastic. He defies the odds in every single way, he does it all in his stride. He had such a rocky start, he has [proved] everyone wrong which makes me a proud parent. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at: https://www.theepochtimes.com/newsletter Canadas Chief of the Defence Staff Makes Trip to Ukrainian Capital Canadas Chief of the Defence Staff Wayne Eyre makes his way to attend a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, on Feb. 14, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld) WARSAW, PolandThe Department of National Defence says Canadas top soldier has just wrapped up a visit to Ukraines capital. A readout released by the department on Saturday says Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre received detailed briefings while he was in Kyiv from Ukrainian officials, including from his counterpart, commanderinchief of the armed forces of Ukraine, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi. It says he also met with Ukrainian soldiers, some of whom were trained by Canada under Operation Unifier, which trains Ukrainians in the United Kingdom and Poland. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced late last month that Canada will donate four additional Leopard 2 main battle tanks to support Ukrainian forces in their defence against Russias invasion, doubling the number of tanks Canada is contributing. Ottawa will also donate an armoured recovery vehicle and more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition. Saturdays readout says Eyre observed the tangible results of Canadas support and discussed how Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces can contribute to Ukraines future needs. During his engagement with General Zaluzhnyi, General Eyre reiterated the Canadian Armed Forces unwavering commitment to continued solidarity with Ukraine and promised to continue supporting Ukraine directly or in cooperation with Allies in Eastern Europe, the statement said, adding Eyre was moved by his meetings with soldiers. He was humbled and inspired by their courage, their ingenuity, and their resolve as they continue to fight valiantly for their sovereignty against Russian forces. The statement said Eyre also met with the Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine, Larisa Galadza, to share perspectives from both Ottawa and Kyiv. Canadian Rover Helping in Global Search for Frozen Water on Dark Side of the Moon The countrys first-ever moon rover, seen in an undated handout image, is set to put Canada at the forefront of space exploration, helping in the global search for frozen ice on the celestial body. (The Canadian Press/HO-University of Alberta, 2022 Canadensys Aerospace Corp.) The Canadian lunar rover could soon help reveal the moons dark side. The countrys first moon rover is set to put the Canadian Space Agency at the forefront of space exploration, helping in the global search for frozen water on the celestial body. NASA says the moon takes about 27 days to complete a full rotation on its axis as it orbits earth, leaving the same side visible from the ground at all times. As a result, the far side remains little understood and unexplored. That has always piqued everybodys imagination: What is on the other side of the moon? said Gordon Osinski, the principal investigator for the Canadian Lunar Rover Mission. Osinskis Canadian team, along with international partners, is preparing to send a 30-kilogram rover to the south polar region of the moon in search of preserved frozen water, possibly a few meters below the surface and mixed into the soil. The discovery of ice could be a stepping-stone to further explorations of the solar system, including missions staffed by humans, said Chris Herd, a scientific investigator on the mission and University of Alberta planetary geologist. Herd, who has previously worked on the Mars rover mission, said frozen water can be extracted and used as a resource for the astronauts to survive. He said the ice could also be split into hydrogen and oxygen for fuel, reducing the cost of bringing those supplies from Earth. It reduces the costs of sending humans to the moon (and) thats the ultimate goal, he said. Osinski said theres been renewed interest in moon exploration over the last five years, with more emphasis on sending astronauts back there. The robot rover would play an integral part in realizing that dream, he added. Christian Sallaberger, CEO of Canadensys Aerospace Corporation, said commercial expansion of the space industry is also playing a big role in reviving interest in revisiting the moon. In November, Ottawa picked Canadensys to build the lunar rover and help with the scientific instruments meant to be shipped to the moon. The costs of the missions have come down, relatively speaking, to what they were in the past, Sallaberger said. In the 60s, everything was government funded. The Ontario space company has been working in partnership with six Canadian universities and several international partners from the United States and the United Kingdom. Canadensys would be building a robust rover that could handle extreme temperature swings shifting from -200 C at night to more than 100 C during the day. It would also be able to tackle high radiation and jagged lunar surfaces while continuing to send data throughout the months it spends on the moon. Working on solar power, the rover would go to sleep every 14 days and then work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until the next cycle. Scientists will not only be looking for solid water, but would be investigating the composition of the moons rocky surface, characterizing the radiation environment and taking high-resolution images, Sallaberger said. (Its) the preparation for future human missions that this rover would be doing, he said. While Canada wont be the first country to make a landing on the far side of the moon, it could be the first to explore the south pole of Earths natural satellite, believed to hold ice water in permanently shadowed craters. China became the first country to send its rover, Yutu-2, to the far side of the moon in 2019. Osinski said there could be other countries launching their rovers to the far side of the moon before Canadas goes. But he said its still incredibly exciting. I almost have to keep pinching myself at times, he said. Its everything Ive been working towards for the last couple of decades. Now, he hopes to see the launch of the rover in three years, mounted on top of a rocket most likely to take off from NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Then, a few weeks later, it would land on the surface of the moon. I cant think of anything more exciting. China Outpacing US in Military Ship Buildup: Former Intelligence Officer Soldiers from China's People's Liberation Army march on Red Square during a military parade, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, in Moscow on June 24, 2020. (Pavel Golovikin/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) China is outpacing the United States in military ship buildup, according to veteran intelligence officer and author Grant Newsham. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said on Feb. 28 that the Chinese military is producing warships at a greater pace than the United States, jeopardizing U.S. supremacy on the seas. He noted that China currently has about 340 ships and is seeking to add 100 more by 2030. Newsham echoed Toros opinion, noting that the number doesnt even include the regimes coast guard ships, which are built like warships, and a maritime militia that adds thousands of ships to that. The U.S. Navy reportedly has about 295 ships to cover the entire world. The Chinese shipyards have been launching at about a rate of 5 to 1 over the last decade. So for every warship we put in the water, they put five, and they have a much bigger shipbuilding capacity than we do; we have allowed ours to wither. And the Chinese have built theirs up just at a breathtaking speed, Newsham told NTDs China in Focus program on March 4. If Chinese authorities pick their spots, and get the right circumstances, they would give us a real bloody nose, to put it mildly. And weve effectively allowed them to catch up with us and overtake us. Over the last 20 years at least, we dismissed the threat, we refused to address it, and people who did raise concern were sidelined and silenced. Multipronged War China has waged a multipronged war on the United States for several decades, according to Newsham, who is also an Epoch Times contributor. What I point out is that China is already attacking us, he said. And theyve been at it for at least 30 yearslonger, most likely, but just take 30and it has been a multifaceted front. As the author of the upcoming When China Attacks and with decades of experience in Asia, including as a U.S. Marine and a diplomat, Newsham said that the Chinese approach to warfare and their concept of it is very different from ours. To China, the shooting part, the so-called kinetic warfare, is almost the last thing and you only do it if you have to, he said. Newsham pointed to the COVID-19 epidemic that allegedly stemmed from China and called it a biological attack on the United States. Look at how successful it has been in weakening us, getting us to fight each other, really destroying our economy, shutting it down, he said. Newsham cited the inflow of fentanyl reportedly from China, which has led to the deaths of about 70,000 Americans per year. More than 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in the 12 months ending in April 2021, according to a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 64,000 of these deaths resulted from synthetic opioids such as fentanylthe deadliest opioid in existencethe study shows. The Chinese got the American political class, the business class, and the financial classes to let them into the World Trade Organization (WTO). And that cost well over 3 million manufacturing jobs in the United States, he said, calling it economic warfare. China joined the WTO in 2000 after the regimes Most Favored Nation/Normal Trade Relations status was made permanent by the Clinton administration in the same year. Additionally, theyve gone after international organizations, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, to take control, effectively take a whole lot of influence into these organizations and often have them do what China wants them to do, he said. Theyve tried to get international law reinterpreted, or just ignored it, and daring the world to do something about it. Beijings Vulnerabilities Newsham took note of Chinese leader Xi Jinpings call on the United States not to abuse the concept of national security to oppress Chinese companies, during his November 2021 virtual summit with President Joe Biden. The statement was later reiterated repeatedly by the communist regime. That shows you that they are terrified of being cut off from American technology, cut off from American markets, etc., and even our allies markets, he said. The Chinese Communist Party is vulnerable to an economic slowdown, and they know it. Newsham also highlighted the CCPs fear of the United States and/or other like-minded countries banding together to present a unified front against the regime. When the free nations of the world get together to protect themselves, it makes Beijing very, very unhappy, he said. China is extremely vulnerable on the financial front because its currency isnt freely convertible, according to Newsham. If Chinas access to foreign exchange is cut, making it harder for U.S. companies to invest in China, the regime is in deep trouble, he noted. Understanding the pressure points of the regime would give the United States a good idea of what a counter-strategy should look like, Newsham said. At least 20 Palestinians were arrested by the Israeli occupation forces in late Saturday and Sunday early morning in raids in occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank provinces of Bethlehem and Qalqilia, according to local and Palestinian security sources. Crisis Over Suspected Iran Schoolgirl Poisonings Escalates DUBAI, United Arab EmiratesA crisis over suspected poisonings targeting Iranian schoolgirls escalated Sunday as authorities acknowledged over 50 schools were struck in a wave of possible cases. The poisonings have spread further fear among parents as Iran has faced months of unrest. It remains unclear who or what is responsible since the alleged poisonings began in November in the city of Qom. Reports now suggest schools across 21 of Irans 30 provinces have seen suspected cases, with girls schools the site of nearly all the incidents. The attacks have raised fears that other girls could be poisoned, apparently just for going to school. Education for girls has never been challenged in the more than 40 years since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran has been calling on the Taliban terrorist group in neighboring Afghanistan to allow girls and women return to school and universities. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi on Saturday said, without elaborating, that investigators recovered suspicious samples in the course of their investigations into the incidents, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. He called for calm among the public, while also accusing the enemys media terrorism of inciting more panic over the alleged poisonings. However, it wasnt until the poisonings received international media attention that hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi announced an investigation into the incidents on Wednesday. On Sunday, Raisi told the Cabinet, following a report read by Intelligence Minister Ismail Khatib, that the root of the poisonings must be uncovered and confronted. He described the alleged attacks as a crime against humanity for creating anxiety among student and parents. Vahidi said at least 52 schools had been affected by suspected poisonings. Iranian media reports have put the number of schools at over 60. At least one boys school reportedly has been affected. Videos of upset parents and schoolgirls in emergency rooms with IVs in their arms have flooded social media. Making sense of the crisis remains challenging, given that nearly 100 journalists have been detained by Iran since the start of protests in September over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. She had been detained by the countrys morality police and later died. The security force crackdown on those protests has seen at least 530 people killed and 19,700 others detained, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran. The children affected in the poisonings reportedly complained of headaches, heart palpitations, feeling lethargic, or otherwise unable to move. Some described smelling tangerines, chlorine, or cleaning agents. Reports suggest at least 400 schoolchildren have fallen ill since November. Vahidi, the interior minister, said in his statement that two girls remain in hospital because of underlying chronic conditions. As more attacks were reported Sunday, videos were posted on social media showing children complaining about pain in the legs, abdomen, and dizziness. State media have mainly referred to these as hysteric reactions. Since the outbreak, no one was reported in critical condition and there have been no reports of fatalities. In recent days, Germanys foreign minister, a White House official and others have called on Iran to do more to protect schoolgirlsa concern Irans Foreign Ministry has dismissed as crocodile tears. However, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom noted that Iran has continued to tolerate attacks against women and girls for months amid the recent protests. These poisonings are occurring in an environment where Iranian officials have impunity for the harassment, assault, rape, torture and execution of women peacefully asserting their freedom of religion or belief, Sharon Kleinbaum of the commission said in a statement. Suspicion in Iran has fallen on possible hard-liners for carrying out the suspected poisonings. Iranian journalists, including Jamileh Kadivar, a prominent former reformist lawmaker at Tehrans Ettelaat newspaper, have cited a supposed communique from a group calling itself Fidayeen Velayat that purportedly said that girls education is considered forbidden and threatened to spread the poisoning of girls throughout Iran if girls schools remain open. Iranian officials have not acknowledged any group called Fidayeen Velayat, which roughly translates to English as Devotees of the Guardianship. However, Kadivars mention of the threat in print comes as she remains influential within Iranian politics and has ties to its theocratic ruling class. The head of the Ettelaat newspaper also is appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Kadivar wrote Saturday that another possibility is mass hysteria. There have been previous cases of this over the last decades, most recently in Afghanistan from 2009 through 2012. Then, the World Health Organization wrote about so-called mass psychogenic illnesses affecting hundreds of girls in schools across the country. Reports of stench smells preceding the appearance of symptoms have given credit to the theory of mass poisoning, WHO wrote at the time. However, investigations into the causes of these outbreaks have yielded no such evidence so far. Iran has not acknowledged asking the world health body for assistance in its investigation. WHO did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday. However, Kadivar also noted that hard-liners in Iranian regimes in the past carried out so-called chain murders of activists and others in the 1990s. She also referenced the killings by Islamic vigilantes in 2002 in the city of Kerman, when one victim was stoned to death and others were tied up and thrown into a swimming pool, where they drowned. She described those vigilantes as being members of the Basij, an all-volunteer force in Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. The common denominator of all of them is their extreme thinking, intellectual stagnation and rigid religious view that allowed them to have committed such violent actions, Kadivar wrote. Here Is Who Won the TrumpDeSantis Straw Poll Former President Donald Trump arrives to address the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., on March 4, 2023. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Donald Trump emerged as the clear winner in the highly anticipated straw poll conducted by the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), cementing his position as the preferred candidate of the Republican grassroots in his bid for the White House in 2024 with a commanding lead of 62 percent. Trump easily surpassed his nearest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who secured only 20 percent of the votes. This outcome was not unexpected, as Trump has been the top pick in the past five CPAC straw polls, which serve as a barometer of attendees presidential preferences. Trumps former ambassador to Denmark Carla Sands told The Epoch Times she anticipated the result. [Trump] was the former president who won more Republican votes than any U.S. president before him, she said. It doesnt surprise me. Still, Sands had good things to say of Desantis. Desantis is fantastic, she said. Hes a wonderful governor, but Trump was the best president. Last year, at the CPAC straw poll in Orlando, Trump received 59 percent of the votes, while DeSantis came in a distant second with 28 percent. CPAC has also become a Trump-friendly gathering over the years, with several potential Republican presidential candidates, such as DeSantis, Mike Pence, and Tim Scott, choosing to skip the event this time. Sebastian Gorka, Trumps former deputy assistant to the President, felt the same way. When asked if he was surprised by the voting result, Gorka said, No, of course not. Former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake spoke highly of both President Trump and Gov. Desantis but believes Trump is ultimately the man to get the job done. This country needs Trump, Lake told The Epoch Times. And he knows how to win. Kari Lake, Arizona gubernatorial candidate, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas on Aug. 5, 2022. (Bobby Sanchez/The Epoch Times) Lake also praised Governor Desantis for his work in Florida. She and others commented on Trumps charisma and energy, saying it is a big part of why he will likely be the 2024 nominee. Trumps victory in the straw poll underscores his continued popularity among the conservative base and his standing as a formidable force in the Republican Party. Thank you for that beautiful straw poll, Trump said in his speech which followed. That was a big win. Read More Trump Speaks at CPAC 2023 in Washington Trump is scheduled to address the conference on Saturday evening, along with two other declared presidential hopefuls, Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy, who delivered speeches earlier in the week. The unsavvy adventurer might easily miss the treasures hidden in the remote, mountainous jungles located deep in central Vietnam. Yet, if you know where to look, just meters below these timeless limestone crags lie wonders surpassing our wildest dreams. Carved by a vast network of underground streams over thousands of years, a massive, sprawling cave system litters the province of Quang Binhwhere the largest cave in the world, Son Doong, resides; though thats an adventure for another day. There is another hidden gem in this locale, one that has long gone unseen, tucked away in the pristine jungles of Thung Valley, near the Laotian border. Located along the Hung Thoong stream, one of the most magnificent subterranean grottos known to locals has been explored here only by a select few over the past decades. We speak of Hung Thoong Cave, which was just recently opened to visitors in January 2023, though their numbers are being kept down to preserve the pristine area and its subterranean wonders. Hung Thoong stream. (Courtesy of Cao Ky Nhan via Jungle Boss Tours) An explorer inside Thung Cave. (Courtesy of Cao Ky Nhan via Jungle Boss Tours) Discovered in 1993 by local jungle men, the cave system was meticulously surveyed the following year by British spelunkers. Recently, visitors set out on the very first public explorations of the spectacular hollows to appreciate their singularly sublime and ornate beauty. Hung Thoong cave system is the only [local system] that has very beautiful cave formations, Phong Nha-based cave guide Leo Nguyen told The Epoch Times. Its all about the combinations of rock formations and water in there. Its super beautiful compared to other cave systems in the area. Over 400 caves like this one have been discovered in these mountains, in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Nguyen said. They have helped generate local tourism business and allowed locals gainful work while supplanting illegal activities such as poaching. The first day of a three-day cave expedition sets out from the starting point known as Kilometer 17, off 20 Quyet Thang Road. Good hiking boots are required for the slippery march through the wet jungle, beginning at 9 a.m., en route to the cave system. After just over an hour, one is met with the first of many miraculous scenesa formation known as Nightmare Sinkhole. A precipitous plunge penetrates some 850 feet (250 meters) below the jungle floor into a part of the Hung Thoong Cave network called Tra Ang Cave. Looking up at the sky through a sinkhole at Thung Cave. (Courtesy of Cao Ky Nhan via Jungle Boss Tours) A sinkhole viewed from the interior of Thung Cave. (Courtesy of Cao Ky Nhan via Jungle Boss Tours) The pit is whats known as a doline, or collapsed cavity roof that fell inward of its own weight, lacking underlying support. The resulting rift is like a massive, subterranean sunroof. Local guides plan on taking visitors to rappel down into it at some point, said Nguyen. But not yet. Eight hundred and fifty feet is hardly a hop; its three hundred more than their current abseiling adventure, Kong Collapse. That is the reason why [the tour] named the collapse Nightmare, Nguyen said. Continuing the jungle march, visitors stop at Hung Thoong Lake, whose cool spring waters are perfect for soothing travelers unused to the hot and humid jungle biosphere of Vietnam. A campsite near Hung Thoong Cave network. (Courtesy of Nguyen Hai via Jungle Boss Tours) Its a great spot to rest before setting foot into perhaps Hung Thoongs most splendid spectacle, Hung Cave. Its not an easy trek, to be honest, said Nguyen, speaking of the cave interior. Its pretty slippery. That isnt the half of it; they will swim three quarters of a mile (approx. 1.2 kilometers) through another cave, Tron Cave, before witnessing Hungs splendor. The passage soon narrows but will eventually open into a massive cavern beyond. Its not tight in the width, but the ceiling is right above your head, Nguyen said. One can feel the onset of claustrophobia. Some parts require them to crawl on hands and knees for up to forty feet at a stretch. An explorer inside Hung Cave. (Courtesy of Cao Ky Nhan via Jungle Boss Tours) A group of explorers inside Hung Cave. (Courtesy of Cao Ky Nhan via Jungle Boss Tours) Natural wonders inside Hung Thoong Cave system. (Courtesy of Cao Ky Nhan via Jungle Boss Tours) An explorer photographs inside Hung Cave. (Courtesy of Cao Ky Nhan via Jungle Boss Tours) Eventually, they reach the vast open chamber with an impressive series of geological treasuresthe supreme workmanship of Mother Nature. When you go into one of these caves, [its] like stepping into a different world, Nguyen said. Strange and otherworldly stalactitic and stalagmitic structures all around rise from below like wobbly pillars or hang from above like monolithic curtains of rock. These took millennia to form. Now, they tower overhead like monuments in the vast hollow. The day ends at camp back at Hung Thoong Lake. Next day, breakfast is servedscrumptious pancakes and noodlesand visitors continue journeying to reach Mooc Spring before setting foot inside another wonder: Thung Cave. Thung Cave is the hardest cave to get into, Nguyen said. You have to get through a very slippery and trap rocks area. Not only that; it involves more swimming, some 140 feet. Then, theres one big cliff where you need to get in yourself, prepare yourself with harness, he said. The effort is rewarded with another awesome sight: gour poolsnatural terraces of deposited mineral filled with fantastical blue- and green-hued ponds of water. Its a sight like no other. Adventurers swim inside Thung Cave. (Courtesy of Nguyen Hai via Jungle Boss Tours) Gour pools inside Thung Cave. (Courtesy of Nguyen Hai via Jungle Boss Tours) An explorer walks amide sublime gour pools. (Courtesy of Nguyen Hai via Jungle Boss Tours) A cave lake in Thung Cave. (Courtesy of Cao Ky Nhan via Jungle Boss Tours) A paddleboarder in an underground lake in Tron Cave. (Courtesy of Tran Linh via Jungle Boss Tours) Paddleboarders explore Tron Caves lake. (Courtesy of Tran Linh via Jungle Boss Tours) A chamber known as Round Cave holds an underwater lake. Here, visitors enjoy paddleboarding. After getting their fill of this wonderworld, visitors exit into the fresh air. Again they traverse more forest before making camp at Ma Da Lake, whose crystal-blue waters quench any trace of fatigue. The journey is completed on day three. After breakfast, they start through Ma Da Valley before arriving at Ho Chi Minh Road and are met by a driver who takes them back to tour headquarters in Phong Nha. For years, visitors were prohibited from venturing into these untouched reaches of Vietnams mountainous jungles, let alone exploring their subterranean riches. Inside Hung cave. (Courtesy of Duc Thanh via Jungle Boss Tours) Stalactitic formations inside Hung cave. (Courtesy of Duc Thanh via Jungle Boss Tours) Hung Thoong stream. (Courtesy of Cao Ky Nhan via Jungle Boss Tours) In order to invigorate local economies, government officials are promoting tourism in the region, though they are limiting the number of people who can come to these spots. Adventurers hoping to set foot inside Hung Thoong Cave may pay 8 million Vietnamese dong (about $335 U.S.) for the privilege. Only 20 people may travel in a group at a time, and only two groups are allowed per day. Beyond the phenomenal natural wonders one will see here, Nguyen notes the friendships and hospitality will remain with you long after the journey ends. One of the notable experience, I will say, is not only about Hung Thoong but is going to be the experience in between the tourists and with tour guide, he said. We are very proud because when our tourists finished the trek they still stay connected. Most of them even trying to go back to Quang Binh just to hang out with our staffs, you know, just for drinking. Adventurers seeking to explore Hung Thoong Cave system can reach Leo Nguyen and his tour business, Jungle Boss Tours, via their website here. Stalactites and stalagmites inside Hung Cave. (Courtesy of Cao Ky Nhan via Jungle Boss Tours) An explorer inside Hung Cave. (Courtesy of Cao Ky Nhan via Jungle Boss Tours) Geological wonders inside Hung Cave. (Courtesy of Cao Ky Nhan via Jungle Boss Tours) Wonderous formations inside Hung Cave. (Courtesy of Duc Thanh via Jungle Boss Tours) The interior of Hung Cave. (Courtesy of Nguyen Hai via Jungle Boss Tours) Stalagmites in Hung Cave. (Courtesy of Duc Thanh via Jungle Boss Tours) Cave pearls inside Hung Cave. (Courtesy of Duc Thanh via Jungle Boss Tours) A detail shows cave pearls inside Hung cave. (Courtesy of Duc Thanh via Jungle Boss Tours) Geological decorations adorn the interior of Hung Cave. (Courtesy of Duc Thanh via Jungle Boss Tours) An explorer seen inside Hung Cave. (Courtesy of Duc Thanh via Jungle Boss Tours) A group of explorers inside Hung Cave. (Courtesy of Duc Thanh via Jungle Boss Tours) Wonderous geological formations inside Hung Cave. (Courtesy of Duc Thanh via Jungle Boss Tours) A detail showing cave curiosities inside Hung Cave. (Courtesy of Duc Thanh via Jungle Boss Tours) Cave pearls in Thung Cave. (Courtesy of Nguyen Hai via Jungle Boss Tours) A spectacle seen inside Tron Cave. (Courtesy of Cao Ky Nhan via Jungle Boss Tours) Paddleboarders inside Tron Cave. (Courtesy of Cao Ky Nhan via Jungle Boss Tours) Paddleboarders explore Tron Cave. (Courtesy of Nguyen Hai via Jungle Boss Tours) Boaters explore Tron Cave. (Courtesy of Nguyen Hai via Jungle Boss Tours) Boaters inside Tron Cave. (Courtesy of Nguyen Hai via Jungle Boss Tours) Boaters amid geological wonders inside Tron Cave. (Courtesy of Nguyen Hai via Jungle Boss Tours) An interior scene inside Tron Cave. (Courtesy of Tran Linh via Jungle Boss Tours) An explorer stands inside a sinkhole in Thung cave. (Courtesy of Tran Linh via Jungle Boss Tours) An explorer stands amid geological wonders inside Hung Thoong Cave system. (Courtesy of Tran Linh via Jungle Boss Tours) Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter Fauci Prompted Drafting of Study to Disprove COVID Lab Leak Theory: House Committee A Republican-led House committee says it uncovered new email evidence suggesting that Dr. Anthony Fauci prompted the drafting of a proximal origin publication meant to disprove the COVID-19 lab leak theory. The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic issued a memo (pdf) on March 5 saying that theres new evidence on the proximal origin of SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The memo detailed a conference call between former National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins, former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, and at least 11 other scientists in early February 2020, about a week after the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in the United States. Collins, Fauci, and others were warned in the Feb. 1, 2020, call about the possibility that the virus may have leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, according to the memo. Three days after the call, four participants of the conference call issued a paper called The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2 and sent a draft to Collins and Fauci, according to the memo. The two officials were also authorized to edit and approve the paper, it states. But two months later, Collins emailed Fauci and expressed dismay that Proximal Originwhich they saw prior to publication and were given the opportunity to editdid not squash the lab leak hypothesis and [asked] if the NIH can do more to put down the lab leak hypothesis, the memo states. Citing internal emails, the committee asserted that Fauci prompted Dr. Kristian Andersen of Scripps Research to write the Proximal Origin paper and that it was designed to disprove any lab leak theory. In August 2021, Scripps issued a letter to Republican House investigators and said that Dr. Anthony Fauci did not attempt to influence his work. Both statements do not appear to be supported by the available evidence. The Proximal Origin papers abstract suggested that the virus may have emerged via Malaysia pangolins because they contain coronaviruses similar to SARS-CoV. The presence in pangolins of [a virus receptor-binding domain] very similar to that of SARS-CoV-2 means that we can infer this was also probably in the virus that jumped to humans, the paper reads. But the March 5 memo, citing internal emails, stipulated that Anderson did not find the pangolin data compelling and only wrote the paper after being prompted by Fauci, Collins, and the others. Privately, Dr. Andersen did not believe the pangolin data disproved a lab leak theory despite saying so publicly. It is still unclear what intervening event changed the minds of the authors of Proximal Origin in such a short period of time, the House committee stated. Based on this new evidence, the pangolin data was not the compelling factor; to this day, the only known intervening event was the February 1 conference call with Dr. Fauci. Dr. Francis Collins speaks in Washington on Sept. 9, 2020. (Michael Reynolds/Pool/Getty Images) More Pressure The memo puts more Republican pressure on Fauci, who has faced significant criticism for his handling of COVID-19, as well as his often dire predictions about the trajectory of the virus early on in the pandemic. As of late on March 5, neither Fauci nor Collins has made public a statement in response to the House committees memo. During congressional hearings, Fauci clashed with Republicansparticularly Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). In one instance in 2021, Fauci dismissed Pauls statements that his agency funded a third-party group to perform controversial research on bat coronaviruses at a Wuhan lab and even said to Paul: You do not know what you are talking about, quite frankly, and I want to say that officially. You do not know what you are talking about. Last year and in the weeks before leaving his federal position, Fauci told STAT News that he would be willing to comply with Republican-led congressional probes into his agency. He made the comments as Republican lawmakers signaled they would ramp up investigations into the federal governments response to the pandemic and whether any agency tried to cover up the origins of the virus. Id be more than happy to discuss anything that weve done over the last several years with this outbreak, since I have nothing to hide and I can defend everything weve done, he said in November 2022. Meanwhile, FBI Director Christopher Wray told Fox News days ago that his bureau believes that the virus may have emerged from the Wuhan lab. Noting that many details are classified, he said the Chinese regime has been less than willing to cooperate with U.S. authorities. Flooding in Southern Malaysia Forces 40,000 People to Flee Homes BATU PAHAT, MalaysiaFlooding resulting from days of torrential rain has forced almost 40,000 people to flee their homes in Malaysias southern Johor state, bordering Singapore, and at least four people have died during the past week, officials said on Saturday. We used to always prepare for the rainy season in November and December, Mohd Noor Saad, a 57-year-old resident in the town of Yong Peng, in Johors Batu Pahat district told Reuters. Each household had a boat, but now with the unpredictable weather, it seems that we are not prepared and its become chaotic. Authorities have set up more than 200 relief shelters for people displaced by the floods, the national disaster management agency said. Floods in Malaysia are common during the annual monsoon season between October and March, but the downpour this week left many Johor residents scrambling to find shelter. Carrying belongings out of her house in thigh-high water, cafe worker Kabibah Siam, 54, said she was resigned to fending for herself during the floods. What can we do? We cannot complain about our fate because everyone is in the same boat here, she said. While Johor was worst-hit, there was flooding in other states too that displaced hundreds of people. The meteorological department warned of more rain in coming days, mostly in the southern states. By Ebrahim Harris and Hasnoor Hussain Florida Officials Issue Warning After Man Dies From Brain-Eating Amoeba Health authorities in Florida issued a warning late last week to residents about tap water after it was confirmed that a man died from a brain-eating amoeba. The alert, issued to Charlotte County, said that residents should avoid washing their face with tap water. Officials said the unidentified man was infected with the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, after washing his face and rinsing his sinuses with infected tap water. But officials stressed that infections from the microscopic single-celled amoeba are very rare. There are no specific treatments for the condition, which kills 97 percent of patients who contract it, according to federal data. When making sinus rinse solutions, use only distilled or sterile water. Tap water should be boiled for at least 1 minute and cooled before sinus rinsing, officials said in a news release to Charlotte County residents. DO NOT allow water to go up your nose or sniff water into your nose when bathing, showering, washing your face, or swimming in small hard plastic/blow-up pools, it added. Officials noted that the infection cannot occur via drinking tap water. The water has to go inside a persons nose. DO NOT jump into or put your head under bathing water (bathtubs, small hard plastic/blow-up pools) walk or lower yourself in, it said, adding: DO NOT allow children to play unsupervised with hoses or sprinklers, as they may accidentally squirt water up their nose. Avoid slip-n-slides or other activities where it is difficult to prevent water going up the nose. The Florida health agency said it is working with health care facilities to monitor whether there were any additional infections. A representative from the Florida Department of Health told WESH-TV that officials are not entirely sure where the unidentified man contracted the infection. It could have been via tap water, but investigators are still trying to confirm those details. Brain-Eating Amoeba? Naegleria fowleri is found in soil and warm freshwater including rivers, hot springs, lakes, and other bodies of water throughout the United States. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately three people each year get infected. Between 1962 and 2021, only four out of 154 people in the U.S. survived a Naegleria fowleri infection, according to the CDC. A boy died last year who was swimming in Lake Mead, located in Arizona and Nevada. A 13-year-old Florida boy contracted the amoeba when he visited Port Charlotte last year. According to a GoFundMe page, the boy survived and is still recovering after entering a coma. Symptoms of infection are initially severe headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting, seizures, hallucinations, and coma, according to the Florida health agency and the CDC. The infection can be combatted by certain antimicrobial drugs including azithromycin, fluconazole, and miltefosine, as well as the corticosteroid dexamethasone. Hong Kong Court Convicts Activists Behind Tiananmen Vigil Chow Hang-tung, vice chairwoman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, speaks during a news conference in Hong Kong, on Sept. 5, 2021. (Kin Cheung/AP Photo) HONG KONGThree Hong Kong activists from a now-defunct group that organized annual vigils commemorating the Chinese communist regimes 1989 massacre of pro-democracy protesters were convicted on Saturday for failing to provide authorities with information on the group in accordance with a national security law. Chow Hang-tung, Tang Ngok-kwan, and Tsui Hon-kwong were arrested in 2021 during a clampdown on the citys pro-democracy movement following massive protests more than three years ago. They were leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China before it disbanded under the shadow of the Beijing-imposed law. The alliance was best known for organizing candlelight vigils in Hong Kong on the anniversary of the Chinese militarys crushing of the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests. Critics say its shutdown has shown freedoms that were promised when Hong Kong returned to China in 1997 are eroding. During the trial that only kicked off late last year more than a year after the defendants were arrested, the Alliance was accused by government prosecutor Ivan Cheung of being a foreign agent for an unnamed group, after allegedly receiving HK$20,000 ($2,547) from it. Chow, however, denied this in court, saying the Alliance was an independent civil society group run by Hongkongers, and that the case against her and the others amounted to political persecution. The existence of an independent organization like us that can check power, is essential to the security of a nation, not a threat, she told the court. Under the security laws implementation rules, the police chief can request a range of information from a foreign agent. Failure to comply with the request could result in six months in jail and a fine of 100,000 Hong Kong dollars ($12,740) if convicted. On Saturday, principal magistrate Peter Law ruled the defendants were obliged to answer the notice served to them and their non-compliance was unjustified. The alliance had been actively operating with various entities and people abroad, Law said, so it was necessary to explore their dealings and connections to determine their affiliation and ultimate purpose. During previous legal proceedings, the court ordered a partial redaction of some information after prosecutors argued that a full disclosure of information would jeopardize an ongoing probe into national security cases. The undisclosed details in a redacted police report submitted to the court include the names of groups that were alleged to have links with the alliance. The annual vigil organized by the alliance was the only large-scale public commemoration of the June 4th massacre on Chinese soil and was attended by massive crowds until authorities banned it in 2020, citing anti-pandemic measures. Chow, along with two other former alliance leaders, Lee Cheuk-yan and Albert Ho, were charged with inciting subversion of state power under the security law in 2021. The alliance itself was charged with subversion. The national security law, which punishes acts including subversion and collusion with foreign forces has been criticized by some Western governments as a tool to crush dissent. Apart from the activists, pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai is also facing collusion charges under the law, which has already jailed or silenced many dissidents. Reuters contributed to this report. Hong Kong Received 8,104 Reports of COVID Vaccine Adverse Events and 120 Death Cases Hong Kong received 8,104 reports of adverse events associated with the COVID vaccination as of Feb. 28, including 120 deaths within 14 days of vaccination. The Hong Kong Department of Health (DH) reported on Mar. 1. The Expert Committee concluded that 117 death cases were not causally related to vaccination; two other cases were not yet found causally related, the one case was tentatively considered unrelated to vaccination. The case that has not yet been found to be causally related to vaccination involved an 83-year-old male, as shown by the autopsy, death appears to be from acute myocarditis, as reported by the authorities. Another case with a similar conclusion involved a 74-year-old male whose autopsy showed that the cause of death appears to be anaphylaxis and ischaemic heart disease. The 120 death cases included 79 men and 41 women aged 34 to 101. Of these cases, 78 had received the CoronaVac (Sinovac) vaccine, and 42 had received the BioNTech Bivalent vaccine. HK$2 Million For A Death Case Although the Hong Kong governments (HKgov) claim so far is that there have been no deaths related to the COVID vaccination, the government has set up the Indemnity Fund for Adverse Events Following Immunization with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Vaccines (AEFI Fund). In May 2022, the authorities paid HK$2 million (US$250,000) in compensation to a 66-year-old woman who died of myocarditis 16 days after receiving a BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. This is the only death for which the Fund has granted compensation. In 2021, the government allocated HK$1 billion (US$125 million) to set up the AEFI Fund for Serious or Unexpected Adverse Events Following Immunization by COVID-19 Vaccines, including deaths and serious injuries, to provide immediate financial assistance to eligible persons who can provide the relevant proof. The Fund had approved HK$93.67 million (US$12 million) over the past two years for adverse events, including the above HK$2 million compensation. The total amount paid out is less than ten percent of the Fund. Vaccine Guarantee Fund Rejected On Aug. 31, 2021, after receiving his second dose of the BioNTech vaccine, a man felt small drops of water coming out of the corners of his mouth when he drank water and felt some drooping of his left eyelid during dinner. When he washed his face the next day, he felt water go in his eyes and water droplets come out when gargling. Therefore, he realized that he had facial paralysis on his left face. The man went to the emergency room of Princess Margaret Hospital on Sept. 2, 2021, and was referred by a doctor who promised to report the case as a post-vaccination adverse event. However, his application for the AEFI Fund was denied because his case was not reported to the DH as a Serious or Unexpected Adverse Event by medical staff. The then medical policy spokesman, Ramon Yuen Hoi-man, urged the government to review the system and consider allowing patients to report their side effects after receiving a COVID-19 shot. Incentives for Vaccination The government took every approach to raise the vaccination rates. The Sinovac vaccine, developed by Communist China, was offered to the elderly aged 60 or above living in Kwai Tsing District. Every elderly who received one dose from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 (2021) could redeem a HK$200 (about $25.5) supermarket coupon. A 90-year-old man with diabetes was interviewed after the injection, saying he was unsure which vaccine he had received or consulted a doctor before vaccination. He was poor and vaccinated just for the coupon. Bells Palsy The vaccines adverse effects are a concern. According to the Safety Monitoring of COVID-19 Vaccines in Hong Kong report, the DH received 667 reports of suspected Bells palsy by Nov. 30, 2022. However, after reviewing available clinical data, it was considered that 35 cases were not Bells palsy, and eight cases had insufficient information for assessment. For the remaining 624 cases, 326 males and 298 females between two and 94 years old were involved; 298 cases received the CoronaVac vaccine, and 326 received the Comirnaty vaccine. The report also pointed out that many cases of Bells palsy are not serious. Many patients may seek treatment in the private sector, so the above figures may not fully reflect the local background incidence. 171 Cases of Heart Diseases The DH had received 233 reports of suspected myocarditis or pericarditis with symptom onset within 14 days after vaccination. Having reviewed the available clinical data, the Expert Committee considered that 51 cases were unrelated to myocarditis or pericarditis. The report pointed out that the Committee noticed some had suspected myocarditis or pericarditis in Hong Kong and overseas, in Territories where Comirnaty vaccination had been administered. The Expert Committee had considered the investigation results of these cases, but the association between these events and vaccination could not be established. However, the public was advised to avoid strenuous exercise for one week after receiving the fibrate vaccine. The government received reports of the remaining common adverse events, including chest discomfort, chest pain, rash, palpitations, fainting, and dizziness. Indonesia Fuel Depot Fire Kills 19; 3 Still Missing Rescuers recover the body of a victim from a neighborhood affected by a fuel depot fire in Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 4, 2023. (Tatan Syuflana/AP Photo) JAKARTA, IndonesiaIndonesian rescuers and firefighters on Sunday searched for three people who were still missing after a large fire spread from a fuel storage depot in the capital and killed at least 19 people. The Plumpang fuel storage station, operated by state-run oil and gas company Pertamina, is near a densely populated area in the Tanah Merah neighborhood in North Jakarta. It supplies 25 percent of Indonesias fuel needs. At least 260 firefighters and 52 fire engines extinguished the blaze just before midnight on Friday after it tore through the neighborhood for more than two hours, fire officials said. Footage showed hundreds of people running in panic as thick plumes of black smoke and orange flames filled the sky. Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited the fire-hit areas on Sunday morning to reassure people that the government would help those in need. Widodo said he has ordered the minister of state-owned enterprises and the Jakarta governor to immediately find a way to relocate residents away from the fuel storage area or to move the depot away from the neighborhood. Not only in here, but all state-owned vital objects must be audited and reevaluated to determine a safe buffer zone for the community, because this involves human life, Widodo told reporters after visiting a temporary shelter for displaced people in North Jakartas Koja neighborhood. National police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo said a preliminary investigation showed the fire was caused by a technical problem involving excess pressure as the depot received fuel from Pertaminas Balongan Refinery in West Java province. It was found that a fire occurred during a filling of Pertamax fuel, Listyo told a news conference late Saturday, referring to a type of fuel oil produced by Pertamina. He didnt elaborate as investigators from Pertamina and the police were still working to confirm the cause of the fire, including by questioning dozens of witnesses and examining video recordings from surveillance cameras. Residents living near the depot said they smelled a strong odor of gasoline, causing some people to vomit, after which thunder rumbled twice, followed by a huge explosion. Sri Haryati, a mother of three, said the fire began to spread about 20 minutes later, causing panic. I was crying and immediately grabbed our valuable documents and ran with my husband and children, Haryati said, adding that she heard smaller blasts that echoed across the neighborhood as orange flames jumped from the depot. People examine the damaged at a neighborhood affected by a fuel depot fire in Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 4, 2023. (Tatan Syuflana/AP Photo) Rescuers were still searching for three people who were reported missing. About 35 people were receiving treatment in five hospitals, some of them in critical condition. Listyo said more than 1,300 people were displaced and taking shelter in 10 government offices, a Red Cross command post and a sport stadium. Pertaminas head Nicke Widyawati apologized and said the company would provide help to the community and cooperate in the investigation. We will carry out a thorough evaluation and reflection internally to prevent similar incidents from happening again, Widyawati said in a statement, adding that the company ensured the safe supply of fuel oil. On Saturday, grieving relatives gathered at a police hospitals morgue in eastern Jakarta to try to identify their loved ones. Officials said the victims were burned beyond recognition and could only be identified through DNA and dental records. In 2014, a fire at the same fuel depot engulfed at least 40 houses, but no casualties were reported. Indonesias State Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir told reporters that the government will remap safe zones for residential areas away from vital objects. He said the incident showed the Plumpang area is not safe for the community, and the government is planning to move the fuel storage depot to Tanjung Priok port in northern Jakarta. By Tatan Syuflana and Niniek Karmini Judge: Oxford Schools, Staff Immune From Shooting Lawsuits Ethan Crumbley answers "yes" to charges against him from assistant prosecutor during his pre-trial hearing at Oakland County Courthouse, in Pontiac, Mich., on Oct. 24, 2022. (Clarence Tabb Jr./Detroit News via AP) PONTIAC, Mich.A Michigan judge has ruled that staff and administrators at Oxford High School cannot be sued for a shooting that left four students dead and seven others wounded. Oakland County Circuit Judge Mary Ellen Brennan also dismissed Oxford Community Schools from civil lawsuits related to the shooting, stating that the district and staff are protected by governmental immunity. Authorities have accused Ethan Crumbley, 16, of opening fire Nov. 30, 2021 on other teenagers in the hallway at the school roughly 30 miles north of Detroit. The four students who were killed were 16-year-old Tate Myre, 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin, and 17-year-old Justin Shilling. Crumbley, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty in October to terrorism and first-degree murder charges. Prosecutors have said theyll seek a life sentence with no chance for parole. School officials have been criticized by the county sheriff and Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald for not alerting a school resource officer about their concerns with Crumbley and not searching the teens backpack before allowing him to return to class about three hours before the shooting. The day before the shooting, a teacher saw Crumbley looking at ammunition on his phone while in class. School officials left a voicemail informing his mother about it. On the morning of the shooting, Crumbleys parents were summoned to the school and confronted with his drawings, which included a handgun and the words: The thoughts wont stop. Help me. Authorities said his parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, refused to take him home after the 13-minute meeting and were told to get him counseling. A lawyer representing some families of the victims who filed the lawsuit has said some teachers and a counselor at the high school were aware of Crumbleys troubling interest in guns and violence months before the shooting. But Brennan placed the responsibility on Crumbley, writing in Fridays order that the court concludes that Ethan Crumbleys act of firing the gun, rather than the alleged conduct of the individual Oxford defendants, was the one most immediate, efficient, and direct cause of the injury or damage. Detroit-based attorney Ven Johnson said he plans to appeal Brennans ruling to the Michigan Court of Appeals. On behalf of our Oxford clients, we are deeply saddened and disappointed by Judge Brennans dismissal today of all the Oxford Community Schools defendants, Johnson said. We maintain that governmental immunity is wrong and unconstitutional, and the law should be changed immediately. A group of Oxford parents and students who filed a federal lawsuit seeking a court-ordered safety plan for schools in the district says some schools will hide behind governmental immunity to protect themselves instead of our students and children. As long as governmental immunity completely shields schools like Oxford, it will only serve to deny families transparency, justice, and accountability, Change 4 Oxford said in a statement. Without real change, our schools incentive to truly improve safety policies will remain limited due to their ability to hide behind immunity when future tragedies occur. Brennans ruling doesnt apply to Ethan Crumbley and his parents, who also are named in the civil lawsuit. McDonald, the prosecutor, also charged James and Jennifer Crumbley with involuntary manslaughter, accusing them of failing to keep the gun used in the shooting secure at home and failing to reasonably care for their son when he showed signs of mental distress. Michigans Supreme Court ordered the state appeals court to hear an appeal from the couple who face trial. A Lebanese prosecutor issued a decision last week to seize the barges and fine the firm after TV channel al-Jadeed reported corruption allegations tied to the power contract Turkey's Karadeniz, which supplies electricity to Lebanon from power barges, told Beirut to halt action by the Lebanese prosecutor to seize its vessels and said it must draw up a plan to settle arrears to avoid a cut in supplies, a spokesperson said. The spokesperson for Karpowership, a unit of Karadeniz that operates floating power plants, was speaking on Tuesday after Lebanon's Finance Ministry cited a lawmaker saying the country had been threatened with a cut to its supplies. A Lebanese prosecutor issued a decision last week to seize the barges and fine the firm after TV channel al-Jadeed reported corruption allegations tied to the power contract. The firm denies the charges and says it has not been paid for 18 months Search Keywords: Short link: Kari Lake Says Powerful People Recently Tried to Bribe Her to Leave Politics Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake said during a Saturday speech that she was recently offered a bribe to leave politics. Speaking at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland, Lake said that days ago, powerful people approached her and tried to bribe her to get out of politics. A rising star in the Republican Party, Lake has been floated as a possible vice presidential candidate or a possible candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2024. Somebody showed up at my door this week, they called me before and said, I gotta talk to you in person, this cant be done over the phone, Lake told a crowd Saturday. They came to my door and they tried to bribe me [into] getting out of politics. This really happened. Im telling you this because this is how disgusting politics is. Lake did not elaborate on the identity of the individual or provide other specific details about the group. The Epoch Times could not independently verify her claims and has contacted her team for additional comment. They tried to bribe me with a job title, with a huge salary, a position on a boardthis is how they do it, she told the crowd. This person standing before me was sent at the request of some powerful people back east, she added, without going into detail on the board position or the organization. They want me out of politics. A former local television news anchor in Arizona, Lake stepped away from her longtime job in 2021 to enter the 2022 midterm race for governor of the state. Democrat Katie Hobbs was sworn in as governor earlier this year, although Lake has challenged the results of the Nov. 8 election in the states court system and recently filed an appeal with the Arizona Supreme Court. CPACs annual conference is known for its straw polls of would-be presidential and vice-presidential candidates. During this years drawing, former President Donald Trump handily won CPACs straw poll with 62 percent of the vote, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis got about 20 percent. Lake was the No. 1 choice for vice president among those who were polled at the conference. Lake got 20 percent of the votes, DeSantis was second place with 14 percent of the votes, and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley was in third place with 10 percent to become the GOP running mate, according to reports. Whats Next In the meantime, Lake has said that she plans on pursuing her election case in Arizonas court system, although last month she confirmed shes entertaining a run for Arizonas Senate seat in 2024. That seat is currently held by former Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who has not indicated whether shes running for reelection. When asked by Turning Point USA President Charlie Kirk if shes considering a run for the seat, Lake responded: Yes, I am entertaining it. I mean my number one priority is our court case, and I have full confidence in our court case and I hope we will get a judge to do the right thing. But Im also looking at what happens if we dont get a decent ruling in that, and they want me to go away, they want our movement to go away, Lake added. I represent we the people, and if they want us gone so badly that theyre willing to steal an election then Im not going to let them have that, I wont go away. In December 2022, a Maricopa County judge, Peter Thompson, dismissed Lakes initial lawsuit in which her lawyers pointed to a range of Election Day issues across Maricopa County polling centers. They have argued that the election should be redone or that Lake be declared the winner. After appealing to the Arizona Court of Appeals, the court last month tossed her election suit and said she didnt provide enough evidence. Lakes claim thus boils down to a suggestion that election-day issues led to long lines at vote centers, which frustrated and discouraged voters, which allegedly resulted in a substantial number of predominately Lake voters not voting, the panel of appeals court judges wrote (pdf). But Lakes only purported evidence that these issues had any potential effect on election results was, quite simply, sheer speculation. On March 2, Lake wrote on Twitter that she would take her challenge to the state Supreme Court. We filed our Historic Election Integrity case with the Arizona Supreme Court. Pray for our Attorneys. Pray for the Judges. Pray for Justice. Pray for America, Lake wrote. Larry Hogan Says He Wont Run for President in 2024 Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan holds a news conference on the state's COVID-19 situation, at the Maryland State Capitol in Annapolis, Md., on Aug. 5, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Former Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Sunday that he is not planning to run for president in 2024, coming amid years of speculation that he would. I have long said that I care more about ensuring a future for the Republican Party than securing my own future in the Republican Party. That is why I will not be seeking the Republican nomination for president, he said on Twitter. If Hogan were to run for president, he would be a long-shot candidate. For years, Hogan has frequently criticized former President Donald Trumpstill arguably the most popular figure in the Republican Partyin media appearances. In the past two presidential elections, Hogan publicly stated he did not vote for Trump, the party nominee. He said he wrote in the name of his father, former U.S. Rep. Larry Hogan Sr., in 2016 and the late President Ronald Reagan in 2020. Hogan served two terms as Marylands governor and left office earlier this year after being term-limited. Last year, he would not endorse the Trump-backed GOP candidate for Maryland, Dan Cox, who lost to current Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat. Hogans pick for governor was Kelly Schulz, who was labor secretary and commerce secretary in his administration. She lost in the Republican primary to Trump-endorsed Dan Cox, a state lawmaker who questioned the outcome of the 2020 election and who sought to impeach Hogan for his pandemic lockdown policies. I did give it serious consideration and I talked to people everywhere and I talked to my family, Hogan also told CBS News on Sunday And it was a tough decision. But Ive decided that I will not be a candidate for the Republican nomination for president. In the interview, the former governor said that Trump factored into his decision not to run. I didnt want to have a pile up of a bunch of people fighting, Hogan told the outlet. Right now, you have Trump and DeSantis at the top of the field, theyre soaking up all the oxygen, getting all the attention. And then a whole lot of the rest of us in single digits and the more of them you have, the less chance you have for somebody rising up. Hogan also claimed that he didnt need that job, referring to the presidency. I didnt need to run for another office. It was really, I was considering it because I thought it was public service and maybe I can make a difference, he added. More Details Last month, after Trumps former U.N. ambassador, Nikki Haley, announced her White House campaign in February, Hogan said he would absolutely consider sitting out the 2024 race if it appeared that Trump could benefit from a large field of rivals who could splinter support among non-Trump candidates. Then-Republican presidential candidates, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), from (L), Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and then-Ohio Gov. John Kasich in a file photo. (Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo) That would be a pretty good reason to consider not running, absolutely, Hogan said on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. Some Republicans had hoped that Hogan, emerging as the new best hope of a small group of Never Trump Republicans, would challenge Trump in 2020. But a year after Hogans reelection in 2018, he said that while he appreciated all of the encouragement he had received to run for president, he would not. Hogan told The Associated Press he had no interest in a kamikaze mission. Meanwhile, a recent poll from Quinnipiac about potential 2024 challengers shows that Hogan received less than 1 percent of the share of would-be Republican voters. However, in recent interviews and on Sunday, Hogan claimed that he had a chance of winning. The former governor pointed to his two wins in Maryland, a heavily Democratic state, and said he was also cast off as a long-shot candidate in the states gubernatorial elections. Is there a path, and is it worth the effort, and can I make a difference? he said in an Associated Press interview in December, recalling his thought process on whether to run for governor. And those are the kinds of questions Ill have to try to answer. Last November, Hogan launched his own political action committee, or PAC, and again criticized Trump by saying the GOP and the United States should move on from Trump. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Major Winter Storm Brings Heavy Snow to Parts of Ontario, Causes Flight Cancellations A transit bus drives through a snowstorm in Toronto on March 3, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Arlyn McAdorey) A fierce winter storm has dumped heavy snow across southern Ontario, where strong winds, thunder and lightning were also reported. Environment Canada meteorologist Haizhen Sun says between 22 and 30 centimetres of snow fell on the Greater Toronto Area as of 6 a.m. today, prompting the city of Toronto to declare a major snowstorm condition that bars residents from parking on designated routes for the next three days. Ottawa logged 14 centimetres of snow and Hamilton reported 15 centimetres. Environment Canada lifted snowfall and winter storm warnings for several hard-hit regions early Saturday morning, and the snow is expected to taper off by the afternoon. Dozens of flights in and out of Torontos Pearson International Airport were delayed or cancelled late Friday and early Saturday, with airlines urging customers to check their flight status before leaving for airports in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Tori Grass, a spokesperson for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, says conditions at Pearson airport were improving, but the airport received a large amount of snow in a short period of time. The snow is also very heavy and high winds made snow clearing difficult throughout the night, but the pace of plane movements is picking up, Grass said, describing proactive cancellations from some of the countrys airlines as helpful. Grass said further flight delays and cancellations are possible. We are also seeing staffing impacts for airport agencies, airlines and other partners as road conditions affect workers ability to reach Toronto Pearson, Grass said. Passengers may experience delays and longer than usual lines, but we expect the situation to continually improve throughout the day. Torontos declaration of a major snowstorm condition is intended to help the city with road clearing after a significant snowfall accumulates in a relatively short time. The city issued a statement Saturday saying it made the declaration in anticipation of snow removal efforts that will get underway on Monday. This declaration may be cancelled sooner than 72 hours or it may be extended depending on how much snow needs to be removed, the statement says. At this time, the city anticipates it will likely be extended. The city said most of the designated snow routes are in the downtown core and include all streetcar routes. Sun said the moisture-laden storm originated in Texas and developed very quickly. The storm . . . (is) pulling out quickly, Sun said in an interview. Snowfall and winter storm warnings remain in effect for some parts of the province, including Ottawa, Kingston and other parts of eastern Ontario. Environment Canada is urging people to use caution when going out, saying highways, roads, walkways and parking lots could be difficult to navigate. Driving could also prove difficult, with slush or snow-covered roads creating treacherous conditions, and blowing snow possibly reducing visibility without warning. Both Toronto Hydro and Hydro One reported only scattered outages. A splendid biographical film about a man, his loving wife, and his unwavering faith in God 1969 | Approved | 1h 59m | Biography, Drama, Family Spearheaded by incredibly insightful and entertaining films such as Jesus Revolution and TV series like The Chosen (both starring the outstanding actor Jonathan Roumie), its great to see that faith-based films are becoming more and more popular in recent years. Part of their allure is that while they contain Christian references and values, they arent necessarily preachy, and therefore appeal to wider audiences. However, some fantastic faith-based films from the Golden Age of Hollywood paved the way for these more modern films. Director Henry Kosters 1955 production A Man Called Peter is one such movie. The film is a biographical account of the life of the Scottish-born Reverend Peter Marshall (played by Richard Todd). The screenplay was written by screenwriter Eleanore Griffin and based on a book of the same name by Peters loyal wife, Catherine Marshall. As sea vessels of various types move up and down a busy river port, a female narrator opens the film with the following: This is Glasgow, Scottland. The year is 1915. This is the story of a man and his close friendship with God. His namePeter Marshall. As a boy, his home was in Coatbridge, nine miles away, but his heart belonged to the sea. A Peter Marshall (Richard Todd) and his mother, Mrs. Findlay (Jill Esmond), in A Man Called Peter. (Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation) As dock workers are roughly loading up a pallet with sacks filled with goods, they hear a high-pitched squeak of pain emitting from one of them. The men slice open the sack to find a young Peter Marshall (Peter J. Votrian), who was trying to smuggle himself onto a boatsuch is his desire to be out at sea. A policeman hauls Peter back to his home in the town of Coatbridge, just east of Glasgow, where he is chided by his hardworking stepfather for his attempted boat-boarding hijinks. It is then that Peter decides to go to work and save up enough money to pay back his stepfather for rent and also to start night school. But Im not giving up. Somehow, someday Ill go to sea. But God has other plans for the youngsters future. A number of years later, we find Peter working in a lumber mill, where he barely makes enough to pay his stepfather for room and board, and for night classes. One night, while leaving the Glasgow Technical School, Peter walks home through an extremely dense fog bank that has drifted in from the sea. Along the way, he feels a presence somewhere nearby. Who is it? Peter calls out while scanning his immediate surroundings. Moments later, he trips and nearly falls off a steep cliff. He looks back to see that his foot had snagged on the exposed root of a tree. He realizes that the root miraculously saved his life, and during the epiphanic experience, he views the traumatic event as a sign from God. When he gets home, he cheerily confides in his mother, Mrs. Findlay (Jill Esmond), that God wants him to become a minister. Peter proceeds to work double shifts at his mill job in order to save up enough money to leave his beloved Scottland and travel by ship to the United States. When he arrives in New York, all he has is $50 and his faith. And thats all hell need while he awaits further instructions from God, or as he puts it, orders from the chief. Peter Marshall (Richard Todd), in A Man Called Peter. (Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation) Peter immediately gets a strenuous job shoveling dirt for an excavation company. But soon God leads him to Decatur, Georgia, where he eventually graduates from the Columbia Theological Seminary. After graduating, Peter is given the choice of ministering at two separate churches in Georgia: a large one in Atlanta, and a much smaller one in the lovely little town of Covington. He is called to the larger church in Atlanta, which is plagued by debt and has a dwindling congregation. His unusual gift of oratory draws large throngs of people to the struggling church. One of the people in regular attendance is Catherine Wood, a senior at the nearby Agnes Scott College. Catherine fell in love with Peter from the first time she heard him speak, and romance blossoms. After the young newlyweds return from their brief honeymoon, they face various trials and tribulations together, challenges that not only bolster their love for each other but also strengthen their devotion to God Almighty. One of the things that most impressed me about this film is that it tells its story simply, and never comes off as preachy or lecturing. The entire first act unfolds like a heartfelt, beautiful romance that is suitable for the entire family. Peter Marshall (Ricard Todd) and Catherine Wood (Jean Peters). (Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation) The acting is exceptional, with brilliant performances by Richard Todd and the lovely Jean Peters, both of whom are convincing as Peter and Catherine Wood Marshall, respectively. The films excellent cinematography (by director of photography Harold Lipstein) and rousing score (courtesy of composer and actor Alfred Newman) only heighten the heartwarming story, and by the time the ending credits rolled, I was wearing a big, feel-good grin. A Man Called Peter is an exceptionally crafted gem of a movie that is sure to inspire people to be good-hearted toward one another. Its sensibilities should appeal to a wide variety of folks, not only Christians. Its a splendid, family-friendly, real-life tale of two selfless people who cared for others. You can watch this film on Apple TV, Vudu. A Man Called Peter Director: Henry Koster Starring: Richard Todd, Jean Peters, Marjorie Rambeau Not Rated Running Time: 1 hour, 59 minutes Release Date: April 1955 Rated: 4.5 stars out of 5 After a group of pro-life doctors was banned by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) from presenting at its annual medical education conference, four Republican congressmen are calling on their colleagues to hold the organization to account. On Monday, Feb. 27, doctors from the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) were stunned when they arrived at ACOGs annual medical conference in National Harbor, Maryland, only to learn that their booth had been canceled by the host due to their pro-life views. The reported decision by ACOGan organization purporting to represent all obstetrician-gynecologiststo exclude qualified health care professionals of maternal and child care from presenting at an annual conference because of their pro-life positions is hypocritical and outrageous, said Reps. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), and Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) in a March 3 statement. According to incoming AAPLOG President Christina Francis, the group had presented at the medical conference for the past 15 years without issue. Despite multiple requests for an explanation as to why, the only explanation weve received is a vague explanation that we disagree with ACOG, presumably on the issue of abortion, Francis said in a video posted to Twitter on Monday. PRO-LIFE DOCTORS SILENCED: AAPLOG was *banned* from attending the annual CREOG OB/GYN medical education conference this morning. Why? @acog_org is upset that were telling our patients how harmful abortion is. pic.twitter.com/gaImTwfEsm AAPLOG (@aaplog) February 27, 2023 This is very interesting considering the theme of this years conference, which is Building Bridges, she added. However, ACOG is showing yet again that they have no desire to build bridges with those of us who disagree even a little bit with them on their position on abortion. An ACOG spokesperson confirmed to The Federalist on Tuesday that the ban was instituted due to the fact that Franciss organization did not share ACOGs views on abortion. According to ACOGs abortion policy, the organization views abortion as an essential component of comprehensive, evidence-based health care and is committed to protecting and increasing access to the procedure. ACOG advocates to improve access to full-spectrum reproductive services, to integrate abortion as a component of mainstream medical care, and to oppose and overturn efforts restricting access to abortion, the policy adds. Noting the organizations extreme abortion agenda in their Friday statement, the congressmen held, ACOGs push to promote abortion is wildly out of step with basic medical facts and the views of most American health care professionalsincluding 93 percent of OBGYNs in private practice who do not provide abortion. As members of Congress, we call on ACOG to end its discrimination against pro-life doctors, and we will press for immediate changes to this unacceptable behaviorwhether that means taking ACOG to task in meetings or refusing meetings until they change courseand encourage other members to do the same, they added. The Epoch Times has reached out to ACOG for comment. Marilyn Magdaleno enjoyed Shen Yun's evening performance at Segerstrom Center for the Arts on March 4, 2023. (Linda Jiang/The Epoch Times) COSTA MESA, Calif.Project manager Marilyn Magdaleno and her husband attended Shen Yun Performing Arts for the very first time on the evening of March 4. Sitting in the audience at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the couple was stunned by how beautiful and unique the performance was. It was breathtaking, beautiful, and engaging. I cant even put into words how beautiful it was, Mrs. Magdaleno exclaimed. Even my husband, who is not into the arts, said he cannot wait to come back. Next time, were bringing our daughters. Based in New York, Shen Yun is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance and music company. The artists mission is to bring back Chinas 5,000 years of divinely-inspired culture destroyed by decades of communist rule. Prior to the regimes spread of atheism, the teachings of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism were indelible parts of Chinese life. Shen Yuns goal is to share with everyone the beauty of China before communism. You feel like youre seeing heaven on the rise. I felt like I was on stage with themI felt every movement. Marilyn Magdaleno Im blown away. You feel like youre seeing heaven on the rise. I felt like I was on stage with themI felt every movement, said Mrs. Magdaleno. Having traveled all throughout Asia, she is familiar with the divine aspect of Chinese culture and was very happy to see that depicted in Shen Yun. I have been to Asia and performed alms with monks. It definitely brought me back to that time, she said. The spiritual aspect of Shen Yun really made sense. It helped tie everything together. It was heavenly. Were missing that in todays society. The message was very clear we need to be good and maintain our traditions. That actually resonated with me. Shen Yuns performance comprises of a series of short pieces that takes its audience on a ride through the dynasties and across the vast regions of China. Using classical Chinese, folk, and ethnic dances, as well as solo musical performances, Shen Yun tells tales from ancient times to the modern day. Mrs. Magdaleno especially loved Shen Yuns story-based dances and thought they definitely stood out in the whole performance. Most shows dont really have stories behind them. The blending of history and tradition was just beyond. It was really impressive, she said. Every aspect of the show was very engaging; I felt like I was part of the plot. It brings you inIm still smiling! If given a chance, Mrs. Magdaleno would like to tell the performers to continue with what theyre doing because its life-changing. I cant wait to bring my young girls to see this. It was amazing to see how [the performance] worked and how it made people feel. I was mesmerized from the beginning [to the end.] Thank you so much for that. Reporting by Linda Jiang and Jennifer Tseng. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. BILLINGS, Mont.Company owner Nicolle Laffin and her husband Daniel celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary by attending Shen Yuns evening performance on March 4 at the Alberta Bair Theater. At the conclusion of the evening, the couple agreed excitedly that Shen Yun was very enjoyable and beautiful. It was the pinnacle of their weekend. Absolutely stunning! This has been very exciting, and were so glad to be here, Mrs. Laffin said. I see the strength and beauty in the dances. Also, the [artists] passion and love for their culture. Mr. Laffin added happily, I really appreciated the context of a higher being and how it touches life. It showed that if you appeal to a higher being, youre going to be okay. Its just uplifting and really, really beautiful. It releases you from the daily grind of what youre dealing with. You dont see that very often now. Through classical Chinese dance and music, New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts is sharing the beauty of Chinas 5,000 years of history with the world. Since its founding in 2006, the company has received worldwide accolades. Although this was the couples first time experiencing Chinese culture, Mrs. Laffin found it very easy to identify with the content of the performance. We all seem to share a common backgroundthe idea of values and morals and the concept of heaven, she expressed. Its very interesting from a global aspect. 5,000 years ago, we didnt have social media, and we werent in communication [with each other], but we all shared the same things. [Shen Yun] taped into our environment, our culture, and who we are deep down inside. According to its website, Shen Yun is demonstrating the beauty of China before communism. The artists are also committed to raising awareness about the ongoing societal issues in modern-day Chinese society. [In China] were seeing a lot of suppression in speech and values. I thought there were a lot of parallels between China, the United States, and the issues were facing today, Mrs. Laffin said. I think [Shen Yun] is very brave to come out and say this is the way things are. Its beautiful. She added that in our modern world, its easy to get lost in the cities and in the technology. When that happens, we start to lose interaction with people. For that reason, she was especially inspired by Shen Yuns Tibetan dance celebrating winter in the snowy Himalayan mountains. The program showed that even in hardship, there is beauty. Even when life seems to really get down on you, you can still look and find peace and harmony and value in your family and friends, she said. Reporting by Sherry Dong, NTD, and Jennifer Tseng. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.David Inman, an executive at a software company, watched Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler Arts Center on March 4 with his wife. Oh, it was gorgeous! said Mr. Inman. Everything, from the message that was shared to the costumes, the music, to the movement. Everything was gorgeous. My wife and I, over and over again, throughout it, would turn to each other and just comment on how beautiful movements were and how impossible some of the sounds and movements seemed like they should be it was a beautiful event. Based in New York, Shen Yun was founded in 2006 and quickly became the worlds premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Its mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture and to present the beauty of China before communism. Mr. Inman said that he and his wife enjoyed the water sleeves dance, in which the dancers costumes feature long, flowing sleeves, and described it as fun. There was so much movement while they were doing it and seeing them catch and throw, he said. Everything about it was really fun to watch. Shen Yuns program is made up of a series of vignettes, some of which are story-based dances. Mr. Inman said that he enjoyed the stories, particularly one based on the Chinese classic Journey to the West. Thats a story that I was a fan of before I came, so it was really fun to watch it on stage, he said. Another story-based dance that left a deep impression on Mr. Inman was one that was set in modern-day China and depicted the Chinese Communist Partys persecution of followers of Falun Dafa, a spiritual practice that teaches the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Ive heard quite a bit about how oppressive it is, said Mr. Inman, referring to the Chinese regime. Seeing some of the images in the [performance] hit that home a little bit more. It was difficult to see people standing up for their beliefs and losing their lives because of it. Mr. Inman said that performance tells people that theres still good people. Theyre just being quieted right now. The government is covering it up right now. Mr. Inman said that one of the messages he saw in the performance was a declaration that were not ashamed of what we believe in and were happy to share it with the world. Thats a personal thing of mine as well, I love seeing that, added Mr. Inman, before sharing the second message he took from the performance. Chinas been beautiful for thousands of years and a communist regimes taken a lot of that away, but its possible to get it back. Reporting by Stacey Tang and Wandi Zhu. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. Silicosis Issues to Be With US for Decades: Workplace Relations Minister Minister for Employment Tony Burke during a press conference in the Mural Hall at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on June 17, 2020. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images) Issues surrounding potentially deadly engineered stone products in Australia will be ongoing for multiple decades, according to the workplace relations minister. Following a meeting of workplace health and safety ministers, the national work safety watchdog is investigating a possible ban on silica products. Products with high silica levels, most commonly seen in kitchen benchtops, have been linked to incurable lung disease and cancer. Federal minister Tony Burke said regardless of what a ban on the products would look like, the products would leave a large impact. No matter what we do, this will be a problem in Australia for the next 40 or 50 years, Burke told Sky News on Sunday. Were going to be back in the same sort of world weve been with with asbestos, so theres a whole lot of legacy issues that need to be dealt with. Safe Work Australia will look at what sort of silica-based products would need to be banned, and if a ban was proposed, how would it be enforced. Workplace ministers will next meet on the issue in six months or sooner if the report by Safe Work Australia is finalised before then. An estimated 600,000 workers have been exposed to silica dust generated through mining, construction, building, and manufacturing. Burke said there was levels of complexity as to where the line would be drawn on what type of silica products would be banned. Everyone would always like this done yesterday. Were going to do it sensibly. Were going to work out what the proper options are, he said. While people with engineered stone benchtops in their kitchens are safe, Mr Burke said issues would emerge if that material is moved or dealt with during renovations. Ms. Iwona Wierzchucka (L) and Ms. Ilona ojewska watched the first performance of the Shen Yun Global Company this season at the Opera Hall of the Center for the Meeting of Cultures, Lublin, March 2, 2023. (NTD) LUBLIN, PolandAfter a warm reception last year, New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts returned to the stage of the Opera Hall of the Center for the Meeting of Cultures with a new repertoire to touch the hearts of the audiencewho could not hide their tears of emotion and admiration for the artists professionalism. At the end of the performance, they appreciated the dance group with a standing ovation. Shen Yun was founded to revive traditional Chinese culture, destroyed by the communist regime. The company weaves a story of China from ancient times to the present, which they express through classical Chinese dance and music. The innovative stage design consists of a 3-D animated backdrop that transports the audience to mythical, heavenly lands and to the times of the great Chinese dynasties. Mr. Kamil Warchulski, who has lived in Germany for 21 years, where he has his own practice, said he came to see how beautifully cultures merge. [The music was] beautiful and the whole spirituality, which is just wonderful when it shows that culture and art transcend the borders, he said. Shen Yuns work is embedded in the traditional heritage of Chinese culture, where the spiritual element is found in the arts and every human activity. Mr. Warchulski was surprised that there is so much wisdom and so much spirituality in this heritage, which is similar to our European spirituality. He added that he believes this is something that should be further promoted and spread. All the pieces had their charm and their [unique] portrayal, he said. He pointed out that he himself comes from a classical dance background, having at one time danced in ballet. He explained that this was something that made him want to see how this beautiful art of classical Chinese dance is an art. He added that this is something wonderful. Classical Chinese dance is an extremely versatile and demanding discipline. Its form, built on traditional aesthetics, has influenced other art forms over the dynasties, including other dance forms and gymnastics. Mr. Warchulski appreciated the artistry of the show and the professionalism of the artists. [It] was very, very beautiful, he said. The artist was moved by the music played by the Shen Yuns orchestra, which combines the sounds of Eastern and Western culture. He confessed that he had to hold back a waterfall of tears of happiness while listening to it. A Higher Art Ms. Iwona Wierzchucka, a psychologist, psychotherapist and visual artist, found the performance deeply moving and very touching. As she said, it reached deeply into experience, into the spirit, into something very, very individual, very intimate. This is not just art [made] to just [visually] present something, she pointed out. This is something unbelievable. And when all these people were dancing, I had a tremendous amount of feelings and an enormous number of thoughts, she said. Its unbelievable how the body can serve [to convey] a higher idea, a higher art, a higher purpose. Its very inspiring. She added that thanks to the performance, she might return to artto dance, as she confessed, she used to dance flamenco. According to beliefs from ancient China, ancient Chinese dress was inspired by the attire worn in Heaven. Shen Yuns costumes reflect the authentic styles of Chinese dynasties. Unbelievable, intense color. The kind of colors that are not combined together in Europe. For example, yellow with pink They are contrasting, and at the same time incredibly well synchronized. Very intense, very vibrant, recounted Ms. Wierzchucka, who with her friend Ilona ojewska came all the way from Cieszyn for the performance. Very beautiful. So natural, joyful, she added. Something That We Also Have in Our Souls They really present it all very positively, said Ms. ojewska, an accountant by profession. She noted that Shen Yuns performance is such an incredible feeling for a person. Everyone should see it, simply. Because its It cant be described in words. It is unbelievably beautiful. Among Shen Yuns dance stories are also stories based on real events taking place in modern China, showing persecution directed against practitioners of the Falun Dafa spiritual discipline, whose main principles are truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Ms. Wierzchucka said the show carries a lot of values. Referring to stories from contemporary China and about Falun Dafa, she said: What they carry as an idea is something extremely timeless. She added, thinking about the songs performed during the performance by soloists using the traditional bel canto technique, that this is something we also have in our souls. We dont necessarily want to have new technology, new some possibilities that actually distance us from ourselves, she noted. Its worth seeing this show to stop for a moment and think about the future, Ms. ojewska said. She explained that the idea is to preserve the traditions, culture, values that were once instilled in us and that are, in fact, in our hearts, not to let them be stifled by new technologies and the rush of life, she concluded. Reporting by Miranda Tsai and Agnieszka Iwaszkiewicz. Translated by Mikoaj Jaroszewicz. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. China opens "two sessions" with confidence for new modernization drive Xinhua) 08:22, March 05, 2023 * The "two sessions" are of great importance in the country's political calendar, during which the central government will deliver a work report that usually reviews past achievements and sets development targets for the year and beyond. Thousands of national legislators and political advisors will review and discuss the report, as well as reports of the national legislature, the top court and the top procuratorate. * This year's political gatherings carry extra weight. The election of new leading officials of state institutions and the new leadership of the CPPCC National Committee is an important task of the "two sessions" this year. Also, the planned reform of the State Council institutions will be deliberated. * As a major political event taking place after the 20th CPC National Congress, the "two sessions" are expected to further mobilize the nation to fulfill the modernization goals. The opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisory body kicked off its annual session on Saturday, marking the start of the "two sessions" in a crucial year as China gathers steam for building a great modern socialist country. President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Wang Yang, chairman of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, delivered a work report to the CPPCC National Committee session, in which he said the political advisory body has built broad consensus and contributed wisdom and strength to achieving the two centenary goals. The "two sessions" refer to the annual meetings of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, and the CPPCC National Committee. The NPC session will open on Sunday. The "two sessions" are of great importance in the country's political calendar, during which the central government will deliver a work report that usually reviews past achievements and sets development targets for the year and beyond. Thousands of national legislators and political advisors will review and discuss the report, as well as reports of the national legislature, the top court and the top procuratorate. This year's political gatherings carry extra weight. The election of new leading officials of state institutions and the new leadership of the CPPCC National Committee is an important task of the "two sessions" this year. Also, the planned reform of the State Council institutions will be deliberated. In addition, lawmakers will deliberate a draft amendment to the Legislation Law. The CPPCC National Committee session, meanwhile, will review and approve an amendment to the CPPCC charter. Addressing national political advisors, Wang hailed China's past five years as "truly extraordinary." China has realized its First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects on schedule, said Wang. "The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is now on an irreversible historical course." The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), held in October 2022, charted the course for China to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building a great modern socialist country in all respects by the middle of this century. As a major political event taking place after the CPC meeting, the "two sessions" are expected to further mobilize the nation to fulfill the modernization goals. The opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) "Getting off to a good start is of great importance," said Sun Changlong, a member of the CPPCC National Committee. "We political advisors shall conduct extensive problem-oriented research to assist with the high-quality development," said Sun. Chen Huiqing, a deputy to the NPC and mayor of Zhuzhou City in Hunan Province, agrees that the "two sessions" will pool nationwide wisdom to push ahead the course of modernization. "We will carefully review the documents and reports and put forward suggestions in light of local conditions," Chen said. Since the start of this year, the country has sent out fresh signals of robust consumption and factory activities. The purchasing managers' index for China's manufacturing sector came in at 52.6 in February, up from 50.1 in January. This figure marked the strongest level since April 2012. More than half of China's provincial-level regions have set their 2023 GDP growth targets at 6 percent or higher. Observers have anticipated the "two sessions" to build on such momentum and further rally confidence for the world's second-largest economy under the backdrop of domestic and external challenges. "I expect this year's 'two sessions' to offer further guidance and more policies on boosting the economy, improving the industrial structure, and encouraging corporate innovation," said Qiu Jihua, a national lawmaker. "China is striving to secure stable economic growth this year, so the 'two sessions' are of special significance in boosting confidence and gathering strength," said Yang Hui, a national political advisor. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Frances President Emmanuel Macron affirmed on Tuesday their countries keenness to cooperate to support Iraq in consolidating its pillars of stability and security. El-Sisi and Macron met on the sidelines of the second edition of the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership held on Tuesday at the Dead Sea, Jordan, Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said. The summit was held with the participation of a number of Arab leaders, regional organisations, the European Union, and the UN. The Egyptian and French presidents discussed issues of bilateral cooperation and consulted on regional and international issues of mutual concern, the statement said. In a speech during the conference, Macron congratulated El-Sisi on the success of the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), held in Egypts Sharm El-Sheikh last month, in resolving part of the loss and damage issue. "I congratulate my friend President El-Sisi, because Sharm El-Sheikh succeeded in bringing the world together and solving part of the issue of loss and damage which was absolutely key," Macron said. Around 200 countries participating in COP27 reached a deal to establish a loss and damage fund to compensate vulnerable nations for loss and damage from climate-fueled disasters, a step widely described as historic. On the sidelines of todays conference, El-Sisi also participated in a five-way summit between Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, and France, said the spokesman. El-Sisi delivered a speech at the Baghdad conference in which he reaffirmed Egypt's rejection of external interference in Iraq's affairs. He also stressed the importance of joint efforts to enhance the capacity of Iraqi institutions to maintain the countrys security and sovereignty. Search Keywords: Short link: Syria Mission Worth the Risk, Top US General Says After Rare Visit U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark A. Milley speaks during a news conference with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (not pictured), on the day of the NATO defence ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 14, 2023. (Johanna Geron/Reutesr) NORTHEAST SYRIAThe nearly eight-year-old U.S. deployment to Syria to combat the ISIS terrorist group is still worth the risk, the top U.S. military officer said on Saturday, after a rare, unannounced visit to a dusty base in the countrys northeast to meet U.S. troops. Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, flew to Syria to assess efforts to prevent a resurgence of the terrorist group and review safeguards for American forces against attacks, including from drones flown by Iran-backed militia. While ISIS is a shadow of the group that ruled over a third of Syria and Iraq in a Caliphate declared in 2014, hundreds of terrorists are still camped in desolate areas where neither the U.S.-led coalition nor the Syrian army, with support from Russia and Iranian-backed militias, exert full control. Thousands of other ISIS fighters are in detention facilities guarded by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, Americas key ally in the country. American officials say that ISIS could still regenerate into a major threat. But the mission is remnant of the larger global war against terrorism that had included once the war in Afghanistan and a far larger U.S. military deployment to Iraq. Asked by reporters traveling with him if he believed the Syria deployment of roughly 900 U.S. troops to Syria was worth the risk, Milley tied the mission to the security of the United States and its allies, saying: If you think that thats important, then the answer is Yes.' I happen to think thats important, Milley said. So I think that an enduring defeat of ISIS and continuing to support our friends and allies in the region I think those are important tasks that can be done. The mission carries risk. Four U.S. troops were wounded during a helicopter raid last month when an ISIS leader triggered an explosion. Last month, the U.S. military shot down an Iranian-made drone in Syria that was attempting to conduct reconnaissance on a patrol base in northeastern Syria. Three drones targeted a U.S. base in January in Syrias Al-Tanf region. The U.S. military said two of the drones were shot down while the remaining drone hit the compound, injuring two members of the Syrian Free Army forces. U.S. officials believe drone and rocket attacks are being directed by Iran-backed militia, a reminder of the complex geopolitics of Syria where Syrian President Bashar al-Assad counts on support from Iran and Russia and sees U.S. troops as occupiers. Americas NATO ally Turkey has also threatened a broad offensive in Syria that would threaten the U.S. militarys Syrian Kurdish partners, who Ankara views as terrorists. Read More Matt Gaetz Introduces Resolution to Withdraw US Armed Forces From Syria U.S. Army Major General Matthew McFarlane, who commands the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, described attacks against U.S. forces as a distraction from our main mission. McFarlane cited progress against ISIS, including through the reduction in the numbers of internally displaced people at refugee campsa pool of vulnerable people who could be recruited by ISIS. The al-Hol camp houses around more than 50,000 people, including Syrians, Iraqis and other nationals who fled the conflict, and McFarlane estimated around 600 babies were born there every year. Lieutenant Kamal Alsawafy from the Michigan National Guard is one of the U.S. soldiers in Syria helping provide security for Iraqis leaving al-Hol to be repatriated back to Iraq in protected convoys. The son of Iraqi refugees who emigrated to the United States, Alsawafy said helping Iraqi refugees brings him joy and described watching people at al-Hol cheering as Iraqis departed the camps for better lives back in Iraq. Its a good feeling, Alsawafy said. McFarlane said he believed there would come a time when U.S. partners in Syria could manage on their own. But there is no publicly known target date to complete that transition. Over time, I do envision us transitioning when the conditions are met, where our partners can independently have a sustainable capacity and capability to keep ISIS in check, he said. Trump Outlines Agenda for 2024 Presidential Run at CPAC 2023 Conference Former President Donald Trump arrives to address the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., on March 4, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Former President Donald Trump took to the stage at the Conservative Political Action Committees (CPAC) 2023 conference in Washington, D.C., and spoke about his agenda for winning the upcoming election and what he would do if elected as the 47th president of the United States. Among the top issues on his proposed agenda was a promise to fight for parental rights, school choices, and the end of chemical and surgical castration of youth in the United States, Trump said during his March 4 comments. I will fight for parents rights, including universal school choice and the direct election of school principals by the parents, Trump said. If any principal is not getting the job done, the parents should be able to vote to fire them and select someone who will. Continuing the work of the 1776 Commission, we will teach our values and promote our history and our traditions to our children, the former president went on, saying it was time to protect children from chemical and surgical gender transitioning. I will revoke every Biden policy promoting the chemical castration and sexual mutilation of our youthand ask Congress to send me a bill prohibiting child sexual mutilation in all 50 states, Trump said. He also promised to keep men out of womens sports. The former president also promised to revoke Joe Bidens crazy executive order installing Marxist Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Czars in every federal agency if he is elected to the presidency in 2024. The former president said he would immediately terminate all staffers hired to implement this agenda. I will urge Congress to create a restitution fund for Americans who have been unjustly discriminated against by these Biden policies. And we will ban all racial discrimination by the government. Trump announced several other initiatives at the top of his list, saying the very first reconciliation bill I sign will be for a massive increase in border patrol, and a colossal increase in the number of ICE deportation officers. Under my leadership, we will use all necessary state, local, federal, and military resources to carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American History. The former president said he would specifically target gang members: I will ask every state and federal agency to identify every known or suspected gang member in America, and every one of them that is here illegally, we will pick them up, and we will throw them out of our country, and there will be no questions asked. Trump also plans to address illegal drug importation saying, To stop the flow of deadly drugs, it will be my policy to take down the cartels just as I took down the ISIS caliphate that everybody said was impossible to do. Read More Trump Speaks at CPAC 2023 in Washington The former president also promised to totally obliterate the Deep State and fire the unelected bureaucrats and shadow forces who have weaponized our justice system. In 2016, I declared: I am your voice. Today, I add: I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed: I am your retribution. Trump Says Biden Should Have Never Allowed Russia, China to Draw Close 'I had the personality that kept us out of World War III' Former U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., on March 4, 2023. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Former President Donald Trump says that China and Russia are growing closer, and the risk of nuclear war is increasing as a result of the failed leadership of the Biden administration, he told an audience at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference on March 4. Trump said during a nearly two-hour speech in National Harbor, Maryland, that while he was in office, an important national security goal was to never allow Russia and China to get together. He blasted President Joe Biden for making the two nuclear powers buddies. In February, Chinas top diplomat, Wang Yi, and Russias President Vladimir Putin held a meeting in Moscow to expand the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. That occurred just days before the first anniversary of the beginning of the Ukraine conflict. Putin has spoken positively about the progress of RussiaChina relations, highlighting the potential for further advancements in areas like bilateral trade. Trump lays the blame on Biden. The former president criticized Biden for his weak leadership, suggesting that Putin decided to invade Ukraine after witnessing Bidens failed withdrawal from Afghanistan during his first year in office. Trump said he believes Russias invasion of Ukraine wouldnt have taken place if he was still in office. Russia never would have pulled the trigger, he said. There would have been no obliterated cities that can never be rebuilt. I had the personality that kept us out of World War III. Read More Trump Speaks at CPAC 2023 in Washington Things could get worse now, Trump said, with Biden risking nuclear annihilation by continuing to fund Ukraine. Officials in the current administration have echoed similar concerns. In an interview with The Financial Times, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Cairman Gen. Mark Milley said the war will ultimately have to end at the negotiating table and not on the battlefield. In this particular case, its against a country that is large and is nuclear-armed. So you have to be very, very conscious about managing escalation. Trump criticized some of his former generals for pursuing policies that kept U.S. troops abroad indefinitely, something Trump said is bad for America. Trump advocated for a policy of peace through strength, mentioning that no new wars were starting during his presidency and no American soldiers lost their lives in service of their country. This is the most dangerous time in the history of our country that Joe Biden is leading us into oblivion. UK Minister Denies Government Tried to Frighten Public Into Following Lockdown Rules Police officers arrest a protestor during an anti-CCP virus lockdown demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster in central London on Jan. 6, 2021. (Tolga Akmen / AFP via Getty Images) A minister has denied that the UK government tried to scare the public into following COVID-19 lockdown rules after leaked messages suggest that former Health Secretary Matt Hancock wanted to frighten the pants off everyone in order to ensure compliance. The latest set of WhatsApp exchanges, published in The Sunday Telegraph, shows how Hancock and other officials discussed using an announcement about the Kent variant of the virus to scare the public into changing their behaviour. Health Secretary Matt Hancock in Downing Street in London on Dec. 10, 2020. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) The messages, among more than 100,000 passed to the Telegraph by journalist Isabel Oakeshott, also show that Cabinet Secretary Simon Case suggested in January 2021 that the fear factor would be vital in persuading people to follow lockdown rules. But government minister Chris Heaton-Harris denied that it was a government strategy to frighten the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Northern Ireland secretary told the BBC, I think the government strategy was to try and protect the British public as best it possibly could and to try and give as much information as it possibly could at the right times. Frighten the Pants Off Everyone In a Dec. 13, 2020, exchange between Hancock and an aide, the then-health secretarys adviser said, Rather than doing too much forward signalling, we can roll pitch with the new strain. Hancock responded, We frighten the pants off everyone with the new strain. The adviser said, Yep thats what will get proper behaviour change. Hancock then asked, When do we deploy the new variant? On the following day, Hancock announced that a new COVID-19 variant had been identified in the UK. The government stated on Dec. 19, 2020, that London and southeast England were to enter a new Tier 4 alert level, and a promised Christmas bubbles policy allowing families to meet was cancelled. The whole of England entered its third national lockdown on Jan. 6, 2021. Fear/Guilt Factor Vital Messages from Jan. 10, 2021, show Hancock and the Cabinet secretary discussing ways to ensure compliance. Hancock told Case that he honestly wouldnt move on any small things unless we move on a lot. Case agreed, I think that is exactly right. Small stuff looks ridiculous. Ramping up messagingthe fear/guilt factor vital. The senior civil servant said news of the National Health Service (NHS) opening a specialist COVID-19 Nightingale hospital in London would serve to generate the necessary fear. I suspect London Nightingale coming into use will feel like a big public moment. Especially as I guess it will be full [within] a couple of days (based on current data). Big Reset Some of the messages also offered an insight into then-Prime Minister Boris Johnsons thinking at various stages of the pandemic. In one of the newly released messages, Johnson spoke of the need to get absolutely militant on social distancing in COVID-19 hotspots. Britains then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a media briefing on COVID-19 in Downing Street in London on Jan. 7, 2021. (Tolga Akmen/Pool via AP) In a conversation with Case in July 2020, he wrote, We need to tell people that if they want to save the economy and protect the NHS then they need to follow the rules. And we may need to tighten the rules. You can now have 6 people from different households indoors. Do people really understand that and are they observing it? The exchange came one month after the prime minister broke the rules himself by attending his birthday party in June 2020. Johnson, his wife Carrie, and then-chancellor Rishi Sunak were later fined by police for the breach. In August 2020, Johnson warned that government messaging was becoming so mangled as to be totally incomprehensible. We need big reset and simple themes pumped over the airwaves especially on social distancing and how many people you can have in your house etc, he wrote. A spokesman for the former prime minister said: It is not appropriate to comment on these leaks. The public inquiry provides the right process for these issues to be examined. Partial Account Oakeshott, who shared the messages with the Telegraph, co-authored Hancocks memoir Pandemic Diaries, which covered his time as health secretary. Hancock condemned the leak as a massive betrayal designed to support an anti-lockdown agenda, but Oakeshott said the disclosures are in the public interest. Talking to the BBC on March 5, Heaton-Harris insisted that the leaked messages dont present the full picture of what happened at the heart of the British government during 2020 and 2021. It really is a partial account of what was going on and almost a view into the psyche of Matt Hancock rather than into the actual decision-making, he said. Asked if he was comfortable with the tone of conversation revealed in the messages, the minister said: I think viewers would expect that politicians being human beings would express things in a human way, and I dont think that you would find one politician that wasnt afraid at the beginning of the lockdownfirst lockdown, when we had no idea what the pandemic was going to be. Todays revelations were around the time where there were no vaccines, there was limited testing. He also noted that the public should wait for the official inquiry into the governments pandemic response, as you have got to put it in the time context as well as everything else. PA Media contributed to this report. UKs Sunak Vows to End Illegal Immigration via Small Boats Once and for All British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak departs Downing Street ahead of the weekly Prime Ministers Questions in the House of Commons, in London on March 1, 2023. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to put an end to illegal immigration as his government prepares to unveil new legislation banning Channel crossings by those seeking asylum. Recent figures from the Home Office show that 2,950 illegal immigrants already have crossed the English Channel in small boats this year, after more than 45,000 illegal immigrants made the trip to reach the UK in 2022. Sunak, who has made stopping the boats one of his five priorities, told the Mail On Sunday that hes determined to deliver on his promise. An inflatable craft carrying illegal immigrants crosses the shipping lane in the English Channel off the coast of Dover, England, on Aug. 4, 2022. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) The new legislation is a step toward fulfilling his pledge to stop the boats once and for all. Sunak said. Illegal migration is not fair on British taxpayers, it is not fair on those who come here legally, and it is not right that criminal gangs should be allowed to continue their immoral trade, he told the paper. I am determined to deliver on my promise to stop the boats. So make no mistake, if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay. Asylum Ban The government is expected to publish long-promised legislation this week that will make asylum claims inadmissible from those who travel to the UK illegally on small boats. The legislation would task the Home Office to remove as soon as reasonably practicable anyone who arrives on a small boat, either to Rwanda or another safe third country. Arrivals also will be prevented from claiming asylum while in the UK, with plans also to ban them from returning once removed. Detainees inside the Manston short-term holding center for illegal immigrants wave to members of the media outside, near Ramsgate, England, on Nov. 3, 2022. (Daniel Leal /AFP via Getty Images) Enough is enough. The British people want this solved, Home Secretary Suella Braverman told The Sun On Sunday. They are sick of tough talk and inadequate action. We must stop the boats. Thats why myself and the prime minister have been working flat out to bring forward necessary and effective laws which will tackle this problem, once and for all. It has to be that if you come here illegally, you will be detained and swiftly removed. Our laws will be simple in their intention and practicethe only route to the UK will be a safe and legal route. Half-Baked Plan Opposition parties have criticised the planned legislation as a publicity stunt. Jonathan Ashworth, Labours shadow work and pensions secretary, told Sky News that his party would study the legislation carefully to see if it addresses the current issues, including processing backlogs. The broad principle is that refugees who arrive in this country, we have always welcomed them. he said, when pressed on whether his party supports the broad principle behind the legislation. People whose asylum applications have been turned down, then, of course, they should be returned; that is a principle that we have always accepted. The problem is, of course, that the Conservatives will come out here and they will get headlines and they will say they are going to do this, that, and the other, but they never deliver, do they? The Liberal Democrats called it another half-baked plan. The partys home affairs spokesman, Alistair Carmichael, said it is immoral, ineffective, and incredibly costly for taxpayers. Rwanda Plan Over the past year, British politicians have made a series of attempts to tackle illegal immigration by way of the Channel. In April 2022, then-Home Secretary Priti Patel signed a world-first agreement with Rwanda, under which people who have arrived in the UK illegally would be sent to the East African country on a one-way ticket for processing and potential settlement. But her first attempt to relocate people to Rwanda was frustrated by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, which issued a last-minute injunction to ground the flight. The Rwanda scheme has been mired in legal challenges, and so far, no flights carrying illegal immigrants to Rwanda have departed. However, Braverman remains committed to the plan. In a victory for the government, the High Court in London ruled on Dec. 19 in favour of the Rwanda plan, saying it was lawful. Our ground-breaking migration partnership with Rwanda will provide individuals relocated with support to build new lives there, while disrupting the business model of people-smuggling gangs putting lives at risk through dangerous and illegal small boat crossings, Braverman said in welcoming the verdict. However, the opposition Labour Party has said it would drop the Rwanda policy if it wins the next general election. The Rwanda scheme is a damaging distraction from the urgent action the government should be taking to go after the criminal gangs and sort out the asylum system, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said about the High Court ruling. It is unworkable, unethical, extortionately expensive. PA Media contributed to this report. Utah Man Who Killed Family Was Investigated by Child Agency A home where eight family members were found dead in Enoch, Utah, on Jan. 5, 2023. (Ben B. Braun/The Deseret News via AP) SALT LAKE CITYChild protective services had opened an investigation of a Utah man over alleged child abuse and threats to his family just weeks before he killed seven of his family members and then himself, new documents reveal. Caseworkers were at the Haight house in the small town of Enoch on Dec. 19, two weeks before Michael Haight fatally shot his wife, their five children and his wifes mother before killing himself, show the Utah Division of Child and Family Services case documents obtained by the Deseret News through a public records request. The agency had opened the investigation 11 days earlier based on abuse of the couples oldest daughter that had occurred in previous years. The latest alleged abuse happened just days before the visit when Haight was accused of throwing his 7-year-old son to the ground after he got upset with him. His wife, Tausha Haight, told a caseworker that she was concerned about the tone her husband had used and how he looks when he is angry, the report revealed. She asked caseworkers not to interview her husband until after she filed for divorce, which happened Dec. 21. She told caseworkers that her husband had threatened to take his own life or make her life hell if she left him. The caskets of Tausha Haight and her five children, Macie Lynn, 17, Briley Ann, 12, Ammon Michael, 7, Sienna Belle, 7, and Gavin Drew, 4, rest during a graveside service in La Verkin, Utah, on Jan. 13, 2023. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Caseworkers never interviewed Michael Haight. They were not waiting for the wifes approval to do the interview, but rather gauging next steps in the investigation, said Department of Child and Family Services spokesperson Miranda Fisher in a statement to the Deseret News. Unfortunately this tragic incident occurred prior to further intervention, the agencys summary report said. Previously released records showed that authorities had investigated Haight for child abuse in 2020 but that police and prosecutors decided not to charge him. The newly released report documents detail several reports of abuse, including an incident in 2021 when Haight suddenly slammed on the brakes on the highway. It scared the family and left red marks from the seat belts on their bodies. In another incident, Haight grabbed his oldest daughters head and threw her into the hard part of the couch. The daughter, Macie, told caseworkers that her dad would tower over her and her siblings and get close to make them feel intimidated. Dad jumps to react to anything he doesnt like, said Macie, the records show. He yells a lot and wants to make sure they know he is right. A previously released police search warrant returned revealed that a search of Michael Haights phone showed he searched Google with the question, can you hear a gunshot in a house. He also researched how loud 9mm and 40mm guns were. Relatives have also said Haight, 42, had previously taken guns from the home, leaving his wife and mother-in-law unable to defend themselves. WHO Urges Countries to Reveal Intelligence on COVID-19 Origins After FBI Directors Statements Chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a meeting at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 24, 2021. (Laurent Gillieron/AFP via Getty Images) In another narrative shift on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) asked governments with intelligence on the virus to come forward, after a growing number of U.S. officials signaled that it may have resulted from a Chinese lab leak. If any country has information about the origins of the pandemic, its essential for that information to be shared with WHO and the international scientific community, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on March 3. The request came after FBI Director Christopher Wray told Fox News last week that the bureau has determined that the COVID-19 pandemics source was most likely a potential lab incident in Wuhan, China. Wrays assertion comes nearly three years after claims emerged that the virus emerged from the P4 Wuhan Institute of Virology, although such assertions were downplayed or even labeled as misinformation in early 2020 by so-called fact-checkers, social media platforms, and mainstream media outlets. The very first COVID-19 infections were recorded in late 2019 in Wuhan. Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials have claimed that the virus was first transmitted at a wet market in the city, although a team of WHO investigators was blocked by the CCP from investigating the origins in 2021. In his remarks last week, Tedros stressed that the WHO didnt wish to blame any government or organization. Instead, the WHO is seeking to advance our understanding of how this pandemic started so we can prevent, prepare for and respond to future epidemics and pandemics. WHO continues to call for China to be transparent in sharing data and to conduct the necessary investigations and share the results, said Tedros, who has drawn criticism for having ties with the CCPs leadership. Until then, all hypotheses on the origins of the virus remain on the table. Earlier on in the pandemic, the WHO came under criticism after Tedros and other officials praised the CCP for its transparency in dealing with COVID-19. What they are doing is a very, very strong measure and with full commitment, Tedros said of the regime in early 2020, weeks after the virus emerged. Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHOs COVID-19 technical lead, told reporters that the U.N. health organization has contacted the U.S. diplomatic mission in Geneva, Switzerland, for more information regarding the FBI directors statement. It remains vital that that information is shared, she said. Wrays Remarks In late February and in his first remarks on the COVID-19 pandemics origins, Wray told Fox News that theres an FBI team that focuses explicitly on biological threats that fall into the wrong hands, including a hostile nation-state. This aerial view shows the P4 laboratory (L) on the campus of the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, on May 13, 2020. (Hector RETAMAL /AFP via Getty Images) Youre talking about a potential leak from a Chinese government-controlled lab that killed millions of Americans, Wray said of the virus, and thats precisely what that capability was designed for. Wray noted that the bureaus investigation is still classified and that he cant share many details. He also said the CCP hasnt been cooperative with U.S. efforts. I will just make the observation that the Chinese government, it seems to me, has been doing its best to try to thwart and obfuscate the work here, the FBI director said. The work that our U.S. government and close foreign partners are doing. And thats unfortunate for everybody. Wrays concession last week marks the second time in recent days that a federal government agency has publicly backed the lab leak hypothesis. A Department of Energy report also backed the assessment that the virus may have emerged from the Wuhan lab. Amid the reports, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said last week that President Joe Biden supports a whole of government attempt to find the origin of the virus. Were just not there yet, he told reporters. If we have something that is ready to be briefed to the American people and the Congress, we will do that. At about the same time, Republicans and Democrats in the Capitol indicated that they are focusing on threats they believe the CCP poses to U.S. national security. Theyll hold a series of hearings in the coming days about the Chinese regimes use of spy balloons, its stance toward the RussiaUkraine conflict, its perceived belligerent behavior toward Taiwan, and the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok. Regional powers and participants at the second edition of the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership held in Jordan underscored their solidarity with Iraq in the face of all challenges, including terrorism, over which Baghdad has achieved a historic victory, the conferences final communique read on Tuesday. Leaders and representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, UAE, Iran, Bahrain, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait participated in the conference held on Tuesday at the Dead Sea to provide support to Iraq. Alongside regional powers, the conference included France, European Union, United Nations, the League of Arab States, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The leaders stressed the importance of holding a third round of the conference that was launched through an Iraqi-French organization, agreeing to hold it next year on a date and in a location to be determined through further consultations. The participants reaffirmed the continuation of efforts to build on the outcomes of the first round of the Baghdad Conference and to step up cooperation with Iraq in support of its security, stability, and sovereignty, as well as its democratic and constitutional processes. Meanwhile, they stressed their condemnation of extremism and terrorism in all its forms and renewed their support for Iraq in its efforts to develop its constitutional democratic process and consolidate the rule of law and good governance, They also affirmed support to the Iraqi efforts to build institutions capable of proceeding on the path towards further progress and reconstruction, safeguarding achievements and meeting the aspirations of its people. Moreover, the participants stressed their support for Iraqs efforts for achieving comprehensive development and affirmed working with the sisterly country to build economic integration through cooperation in many sectors, including energy, water, electric connectivity, food and health security, transportation, infrastructure, and climate action. They also highlighted the importance of the trilateral cooperation framework grouping Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq, and the joint economic projects agreed on through this mechanism, including electric connectivity projects, it said. The participants stressed the importance of joint projects between members of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Iraq in the fields of electric connectivity and transportation, as well as other regional projects that contribute to economic integration and development. In addition, they stressed that holding the conference in its second round underlines keenness on supporting Iraqs central role in expanding regional economic cooperation and building bridges of dialogue to end tensions and establish regional relations of mutual benefits. The participants reasserted that achieving economic development and succeeding in regional cooperation projects require building constructive regional ties on the basis of good neighborliness and non-intervention in the internal affairs of states. They also stressed the need for respecting international law, cooperating in maintaining security and stability, countering terrorism, and achieving prosperity. The conference reviewed the ramifications of regional and international crises on Iraq and the region, stressing that overcoming these crises requires comprehensive regional cooperation. Participants also called for serious and efficient economic and political approaches that serve mutual interests, support the development process in Iraq, and contribute to regional development. Search Keywords: Short link: With the aim to boost Nigerias non-oil exports, a delegation from the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) led by the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Abba Bello; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Bala Bello, including other staff members undertook a strategic engagement with some International Development Finance Institutions in Saudi Arabia. Significant milestones during the visit include signing a Memorandum of Partnership (MoP) with the Saudi ExportImport Bank. Key aspects of the MoU are collaborating in co-financing, club deals, syndication projects, and provision of buyers credit facilities to Nigerian institutions to purchase goods and services and financing for project development tied to Saudi exports. The NEXIM team also paid a working visit to the Vice President of the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB), Dr. Mansur Muhtar, represented by Anasse Alsami, the acting Vice President and Director General, Vice Presidents Office. Discussions focused on promoting African-Arab trade, mutual sharing of information, capacity building, and the ISDB Reverse linkage policy. The bank also held technical meetings with various institutions under the ISDB Group. This includes the Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISFD) discussing modalities on how the bank and Nigeria can benefit from the ISDB Guarantee Facility Fund and Capacity Building Programmes. During the meeting, the bank discussed progress on the $200m ISDB line of financing for Nigeria through NEXIM. Other discussion areas included opportunities for collaboration towards securing funding for port infrastructure in furtherance of the NEXIM Sealink project. In his remarks, the NEXIM MD/CE said that the working visit to Saudi Arabia promises to provide many benefits for the Nigerian economy and the non-oil export sector. Besides the $200m line of credit, which is already being processed, the bank hopes to secure additional credit lines and leverage the guarantee fund of the Islamic Development Bank. We also have the opportunity for capacity building, particularly in developing Islamic banking products, which will provide financial inclusion for some of our exporters, who hitherto, have not benefited from our regular banking products, Abba Bello, MD/CE said. What is clear in this Election is the utmost impunity of the selfish interest groups claiming to be acting as the representatives or leader of the people they have failed woefully! Presidency is back to the South. This writer predicted that by hook or crook, Atiku would be installed as President by the Oligarchy that had always chosen the leaders. If Atiku had won, hell would then break out making it easier to split the country into Regions. Even the few members of the Northern Oligarchy that were using Fulani grassroots to buttress their bases have been rejected. They intentionally created unrest, chaos, terrors and religious intolerance to advance their greedy, voracious and selfish interests. But for Kwankwaso mobilization of the Talikawa in the North to reject the impunity of the Oligarchy whose nod is enough to dictate who leads Nigeria, Atiku could have cruised to victory. Peter Obi clannish supporters were the icing on the cake. The fact is, all the stars lined up in favor of Tinubu despite his rejection by those who know him best in Osun and Lagos. No Southern leader would rock the boat and table restructuring to satisfy the yearnings in the South. Tinubu became a bystander watching Kwakwanso, Atiku and Obi go at one another. They took his base away from him in Lagos and Osun States. After tearing up one another's guts, Tinubu walked unscathed with enough votes from the North and South of the country. It was their people and my people that begged them to run for office or leadership. My and their people from the village that know them best have spoken. The mighty and the famous that turned the richest country in Africa into the poverty capital of the world have fallen. Think and study how their people from home that know them best have expressed their votes of no confidence in their leaders. If they are not trusted at home, how can you trust them outside? Starting from the Head: President Buhari could not deliver his home State to his Party. The President Elect could not deliver his adopted State and State of origin to his Party. There is something wrong here that we are not taking advantage of. Create a better country or break it up if we are all tired of it, except of course, the Unity Beggars. We see how easy it was to become Unity Beggars. Promise, prospect of getting part of the National Cake or becoming President is all it takes. Those shouting that they would die for Nigeria have been silent lately because they are no longer in power. The ones in power are so old, they want to die there in one political capacity or another. Does it mean that the country will remain one since Power has returned to the South? The Unity Beggars from the South will go on demanding their nations just as most Nigerians want to go their separate ways. Even those who cannot live without Nigeria refuse to go back home and make their states more economically viable to settle into in order to attract Africans to their homes. They would rather than Go West Young Man Go West. But give the devil his dues. Ganduje and Tinubu exposed the fault line between the Talikawa and the Oligarchy. No matter our reservation or disdain for one of the worst crooks of all time in Nigeria, we must learn how to discourage tolerance for flawed and revolting characters. The problem of Tinubu as a flawed character started even before he became a Senator. He later convinced Pa Dawudo and Adeniran Ogunsanya that Funso Williams was not a member of NADECO in order to replace him as AD gubernatorial candidate in Lagos. When Funso tried to contest under another Party, he smelt defeat and eliminated Funso Williams. Such a shady personality that would drive a hot shift through his mother's ass should never have been Yoruba leader. He will throw a stone from Aso Rock like Obasanjo into the Market that would hit the members of his families. Yoruba say "won ni kima to s'ala" was told not to pee in the corridor. He did without consequences. He is going to mess up the living room. Ask his childhood friends from his state of origin in Osun like Aregbesola. Yoruba must be warned because a flawed battery would not make the distance. People speculating on why the Youths voted against Tinubu in Lagos forgot the massacre at ENDSARS Protest. A judicial panel of inquiry was set up by the Lagos State government that found out Soldiers invaded the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020 shot, injured and killed unarmed protesters, without provocation or justification. Yet, Lagos State under the firm grip of Bola Tinubu insisted that no lives were lost. It is one of the ways the Youths paid back, with their united votes in Lagos 2023 Presidential Election. The silver lining in Tinubu's victory is that his base in Osun, his adopted home State in Lagos and most Yoruba know about his unsavory character. But given the choice between their son and other leading Presidential candidates that sought equity with unclean hands, they prefer their own. After all, you fight fire with fire. They would not accept his character at home. As long as his competitors are far away in Abuja, they could sort out themselves outside Eko-Ile. We have a country where the morals we grew up with have gone under the drain. Each of the soiled three leading Presidential candidates comes from our individual families, not from space. There used to be a time when our greatest fear was anyone reporting us at home. Well, no more. Since parents do not know or care about what their sons and daughters do for a living. As long as they bring money home. If you report them to their parents, one of them would ask: sey nah your money he steal? Then, they got into politics and you expect them to be clean, come on! Most of them believe the government's money is Nobody's money but theirs. Only God knows how long it will take to clean up the immorality of the previous American President, emulated as a hero by authoritarian rulers around the world. Stop scaring us with the Abuja bandwagon effect in Lagos. How many Nigerian Presidents have done anything of benefit for their people or a country that went from the richest in Africa to the Poverty Capital of the world? There are three Gubernatorial candidates in Lagos. Decide on one without blemish. Show me your company and admirers. I will show you who you are and your next steps. Farouk Martins Aresa @oomoaresa At least four dead, tens of thousands evacuated in Malaysia floods KUALA LUMPUR: At least four people have died and nearly 41,000 were evacuated in Malaysia after floodwaters caused by unusual torrential rains lasting days swept through several states, officials said yesterday (Mar 4). disastersweather By AFP Sunday 5 March 2023, 08:49AM An aerial view shows flooded houses in Yong Peng, in Malaysias Johor state yesterday (Mar 4). Photo: AFP Local reports and social media posts showed images of flooded roads, submerged cars, waterlogged homes and rows of shops closed in the affected areas, mainly in the southern state of Johor near neighbouring Singapore. The rains have continued unabated, hampering relief efforts. Police said at least four people have died since Wednesday, including a man whose car was swept away by floodwaters and an elderly couple who drowned. Nearly 41,000 people from six states, although mostly from Johor, have been evacuated to schools and community centres where food, water, and clothes were provided. The latest fatality was a 68-year-old woman who drowned near her flooded house after she left an evacuation centre in Segamat town in Johor, police said. In the Johor town of Yong Peng, AFP journalists saw a family wading in brownish waters above knee-deep outside their home, with their children using tyre tubes as floats. Safiee Hassan, 38, said he and his family managed to save their refrigerator, sofa and some electrical items. Other things like our bed, mattress, cupboard, are damaged, he told AFP. Malaysian Nature Society president Vincent Chow told AFP these were the worst floods to hit Johor since 1969. Now, the weather is unpredictable. Climate change has outfoxed the weatherman, he said. Chow said he had received urgent calls for help from villagers living along a riverbank in Peta village, about 120 kilometres (70 miles) north of Yong Peng. People are crying for food and medicine. The only way to provide food and clothes is by air, he said. Malaysia is facing unprecedented continuous torrential rain from the annual monsoon season that began in November. Its previous worst flooding in decades had been in 2014, when about 118,000 people fled their homes. The Southeast Asian nation often experiences stormy weather around the years end, with seasonal flooding regularly causing mass evacuations and deaths. Unusual rainfall volume But Meenakshi Raman, president of environmental group Friends of the Earth Malaysia, said the large volume of rainfall is unusual at this time of the year, blaming the flooding on the lack of green spaces. Forest and land clearings in the upper reaches of our rural areas, towns and cities lead to our rivers and drains choked with soil erosion and they cannot contain the increased volumes of rainfall, Meenakshi said. Moreover, the over-concretising of areas also leads to overflows of water, as there is little green left to act as sponges. She warned that the people and authorities were not paying enough attention to increasing our adaptive capacities to these increasing unusual weather events. The Meteorological Department has warned that the rain could go on until April. But we are not doing enough to build our climate resilience by protecting our forests, soils and rivers and creating sponge cities that are able to absorb increasing rainwaters, Meenakshi said. Business as usual approaches must stop and we must reduce and minimise the impacts of such intense rainfalls, she said. Some victims were fatalistic. We just accept this, whatever God has given. What can we do? said Kabibah Siam, 54. We cannot moan about our luck because over here, everyone is going through the same thing. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Head of Egypts Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria inaugurated the Virgin Mary and Anba Bishoy Church in New Cairos Fifth Settlement on Saturday. The Virgin Mary Church and Anba Bishoy is located in the Nargess district. It was built in 2007 and its main building was inaugurated by the pontiff in 2016, making it the first Christian place of worship in the district. At the inauguration ceremony, which was attended by several priests and bishops, the pope offered thanks to those who worked on building the church. After the inauguration, the pontiff performed a mass. \ Search Keywords: Short link: Scranton, PA (18503) Today Mostly cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 74F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Showers this evening becoming a steady light rain overnight. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. SEAN BERGEL, Wheeler, Baseball, Junior; Bergel struck out eight and allowed only five hits as Wheeler defeated Griswold in its season opener. Bergel walked just one batter and allowed two earned runs. CAMI BROWN, Stonington, Softball, Junior; Brown finished 11 for 16 in four games for the Bears. Brown doubled four times, tripled twice and drove in nine runs. CASEY MACERA, Westerly, Girls Lacrosse, Freshman, Macera scored five goals in a Division III win against Rocky Hill. Westerly ended a 15-game losing streak with the victory. ADAM CARPENTER, Chariho, Baseball, Sophomore; Carpenter pitched a two-hitter in his varsity debut as the Chargers beat East Providence. Carpenter carried a no-hitter into the sixth. He struck out 10 and did not walk a batter. Vote View Results Self-help author Marianne Williamson, whose 2020 White House campaign featured more quirky calls for spiritual healing than actual voter support, launched another longshot bid for the presidency on Saturday, becoming the first Democrat to formally challenge President Joe Biden for the 2024 nomination. I, as of today, am a candidate for the office of president of the United States, she said in a campaign kickoff in the nations capital. The 70-year-old onetime spiritual adviser to Oprah Winfrey will almost certainly provide only token primary opposition a testament to how strongly national Democrats are united behind Biden. Still, she tweaked the president, a longtime Amtrak rider, by holding her opening rally at the presidential suite at Union Station, Washingtons railway hub. Biden gave his own speech from Union Station, close to the Capitol, just before last Novembers elections, when he led Democrats to a surprisingly strong showing, urging voters to reject political extremism and saying democracy itself was at stake. Williamson, whose red, blue and black campaign signs feature the dual slogans A New Beginning, and Disrupt the System, plans to campaign in early-voting states on the 2024 election calendar, including New Hampshire, which has threatened to defy a Biden-backed plan by the Democratic National Committee to have South Carolina lead off the nominating contests. Democrats and Republicans in New Hampshire have warned that if Biden skips the states unsanctioned primary and a rival wins it, that outcome could prove embarrassing for the sitting president even if that challenger has no real shot of actually being the nominee. You can appreciate what the president has done, defeating the Republicans in 2020, and still feel that it is time to move on, Williamson said in a recent interview with Good Morning New Hampshire. Biden, 80, is the oldest president in U.S. history and would be 86 at the end of a second term. Most people in the United States and even most Democrats say they dont want him to run again, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The president is expected to announce in the coming weeks that hes running again. First lady Jill Biden recently told the AP that there was pretty much nothing left for the president to do but pick a time and place to announce his reelection bid. Bidens political advisers say they arent worried about the Democratic primary and say Biden is anxious to defeat Donald Trump again in the general election. They say a 2024 campaign against another GOP nominee, such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, would look much the same because top Republicans remain promoters of Trumps Make America Great Again movement. The Democratic establishment and even potential presidential hopefuls who could have competed against Biden from the left or middle is behind Biden, showing how smooth his path to the nomination probably will be. Even if other Democrats follow Williamsons lead and jump into the race, the party is not planning to hold primary debates. Williamson insists her 2024 campaign is about far more than just making a statement. In an online post last weekend, she didnt mention Trump by name but noted that few predicted he would ride an unconventional campaign all the way to the White House seven years ago. Since the election of 2016 its odd for anyone to think they can know who can win the presidency, Williamson wrote. And Im not putting myself through this again just to add to the conversation. Im running for president to help bring an aberrational chapter of our history to a close, and to help bring forth a new beginning. A Texas native who now lives in Beverly Hills, California, Williamson is the author of more than a dozen books. In the 1980s, she opened the Center for Living in Los Angeles, and later New York, which worked to support people with HIV and AIDS. She ran an unsuccessful independent congressional campaign in California in 2014 and supported Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders 2016 progressive challenge of eventual Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. In 2020, Williamson was best known for wanting to create a Department of Peace and arguing the federal government should pay massive financial reparations to Black Americans as atonement for centuries of slavery and discrimination. On the debate stage, she called racism part of the dark underbelly of American society. While declaring that Trump had used fear for political gain, she chided her fellow Democratic candidates for getting too lost in the wonkiness of policy details rather than trying to stop the then-presidents dark psychic force of the collectivized hatred. Amid fundraising struggles, Williamson laid off her staff nationwide and suspended her campaign in the weeks before 2020s leadoff Iowa caucus, saying she didnt want to get in the way of a progressive candidate winning. She later endorsed Sanders in the 2020 presidential contest. He finished second to Biden. (AP) Republican U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas was censured Saturday in a rare move by his state party over votes that included supporting new gun safety laws after the Uvalde school shooting in his district. The Republican Party of Texas voted 57-5 with one abstention, underlining how the two-term congressmans willingness to break with conservatives on key issues during his short time in office has caused GOP activists and some colleagues to bristle. That independent streak includes opposing a sweeping House GOP immigration proposal over the U.S.-Mexico border, which includes a large portion of his South Texas district. He has also voted to defend same-sex marriage and was an outright no against a House rules package after Republican leader Kevin McCarthy became speaker. Gonzales was defiant before the vote and did not attend the meeting of Texas GOP leaders and activists in Austin. Well see how that goes, he told reporters in San Antonio on Thursday. A spokesperson for the congressman did not immediately return a message for comment after Saturdays vote. The vote followed an hourlong, closed-door executive session in which party members were allowed to debate the resolution. There were no public comments by members before or after the executive session, and the vote was held about one minute after the meeting resumed, followed by applause and cheers from committee members. In practical terms, a censure allows the state party to come off the sidelines if Gonzales runs again in 2024 and to spend money to remind primary voters about the rebuke. Passage of a censure required a three-fifths majority, or 39 votes of the State Republican Executive Committee, according to committee Chair Matt Rinaldi. More than a dozen county GOP clubs in Gonzales district had already approved local censure resolutions. Gonzales cruised through his GOP primary and easily won reelection last year in his heavily Hispanic congressional district. He first won in 2020 to fill an open seat left by Republican Will Hurd who also didnt shy from breaking with the GOP, and whose aides say is now considering a run for president. The censure illustrates the intraparty fights that still flare in Americas biggest red state even as Republicans celebrate 20 years of having full control of the Texas Legislature and every statewide office. Last year, former Texas GOP Chairman Allen West stepped down from the job to mount a faint primary challenge against Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. The state party in 2018 also censured a former moderate Texas House speaker who opposed bathroom restrictions for transgender people. After the Uvalde school shooting, which killed 19 students and two teachers, Gonzales supported a sweeping and bipartisan gun violence bill signed by President Joe Biden. He is also the only Texas Republican in the statehouse or Congress who has called for the resignation of the states police chief over the fumbled law enforcement response to the attack. (AP) Two leading Republicans took veiled jabs at former President Donald Trump at an annual gathering of conservatives Friday, knocking celebrity leaders not in tune with reality while noting winnable elections that had been lost as they urged a party course correction ahead of the 2024 presidential contest. But their refusal to call him out by name underscored the risks faced by potential and declared challengers worried about alienating Trumps loyal base. In their remarks, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley both of whom served in the Trump administration offered a snapshot of how the former presidents declared and potential 2024 opponents are trying to delicately navigate his dominant role in the party while looking for ways to differentiate themselves in what could be a nasty and crowded primary contest. We cant become the left, following celebrity leaders with their own brand of identity politics, those with fragile egos who refuse to acknowledge reality, Pompeo said in an afternoon speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Haley, who launched her campaign last month, hit on similar themes, noting the party has lost the popular vote in seven of the last eight presidential elections. Our cause is right but we have failed to win the confidence of a majority of Americans. That ends now. If youre tired of losing, put your trust in a new generation. And if you want to win not just as a party, but as a country then stand with me, Haley said. While she received polite applause throughout her speech, several attendees chanted Trump! Trump! Trump! as she walked through the venue. It was a sign of the dissonance at the event as potential and declared challengers tried to make inroads at a gathering that has become closely aligned with the former president. While other declared and likely candidates were offered speaking slots, Trump has been given top billing as the Saturday evening headliner, and his son Donald Trump Jr. has been mobbed throughout the conference by excited fans. Haley and Pompeo were among a handful of announced or potential Republican presidential candidates who attended the CPAC event, which was once a must-stop for GOP hopefuls but has been less of a draw this year. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina skipped the event this year as its been dimmed by controversy and its overt homage to Trump. Like Haley, Pompeo noted recent Republican losses over the years and blamed the party for its shortcomings. We lost race after winnable race. Its because voters didnt trust us to do any better than the tax-and-spend liberals, he said, echoing a criticism raised by some attendees. Every recent administration, Republican and Democrat alike, added trillions in dollars to our debt. That is deeply unconservative. More broadly, he said that voters had lost trust in conservative ideas. Losing is bad because losing is bad. But the principles that we stand for are whats really at risk. And its not a political problem. The problem is that the losses are a symptom of something much bigger. Its a crisis in conservatism, he said. Weve lost confidence that we are right. In an interview before his speech, Pompeo told The Associated Press that he had chosen to attend this years event because its a great group of people who represent a broad swath of our party. He brushed aside the significance of Saturdays straw poll of CPAC attendees on their 2024 presidential preference, an unscientific survey that Trump is expected to win, while noting that the election is more than a year and a half away. Theres a long way to go. Theres lots of ground to cover and I think everyone who decides to get in the race will have a lot of opportunity in the fall to make their case, Pompeo said. Ive been in straw polls. Ive done great. Ive done less great. I dont think it says a whole lot about how this will end. Pompeo, one of a long list of potential candidates, said he is still mulling a decision about whether to challenge his former boss for the nomination. Still working our way through, figuring it out, he said, adding that he and his family were now within a couple months of a decision. In the meantime, were doing all the things one would do to be prepared to make the case to the American people, Pompeo said. Pompeo also said without hesitation that he will support the eventual Republican nominee, quipping, It seems unlikely that President Biden would be someone I could get behind. That stands in contrast to Pence, who declined to say Thursday whether he would back his former boss if Trump ends up the partys pick in 2024. I think well have better choices, Pence told The Associated Press in an interview in South Carolina. Im persuaded that no one could have defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016 except Donald Trump, but I think we live in a different time and it calls for different leadership. The Republican National Committee is planning to block candidates from its primary debates if they do not sign a pledge to support the GOPs ultimate presidential nominee, setting up a potential clash with candidates including Trump, who has raised the possibility of leaving the Republican Party and launching an independent candidacy if he does not win the GOP nomination outright. Vivek Ramaswamy, a tech entrepreneur and author of the book Woke, Inc. who is also running for president, addressed the convention Friday and told the AP later in an interview that he saw himself as a successor to Trump. Im building on the foundation he laid, Ramaswamy said, adding that hed focus more on ending affirmative action and climate change mitigation than the former president. He also said he would support the eventual GOP nominee if everybody else makes that commitment. While the Trump faithful gathered in Maryland, the influential anti-tax group Club For Growth, which has clashed with Trump, held a competing event in Florida where DeSantis and others were invited but Trump was not a sharp illustration of some in the partys conservative flank seeking a new direction. David McIntosh, Club For Growths president, said in an interview Friday that DeSantis, who kicked off the groups donor summit with a Thursday night speech, did not say whether he was going to run for president and instead focused his remarks on policy issues. He talked a lot about his win in the last election but did not indicate anything one way or another about a presidential run, McIntosh said. He said DeSantis was enthusiastically received by a crowd of about 150 people and spoke about his record in Florida and his vision of governing in the state. McIntosh said Pence, also at the event, did not indicate when he might make a decision on whether to seek the presidency. Haley, Scott and Ramaswamy were also slated to speak in Florida. (AP) The head of the U.N.s nuclear agency said Saturday that Iran pledged to restore cameras and other monitoring equipment at its nuclear sites and to allow more inspections at a facility where particles of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade were recently detected. But a joint statement issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency and Irans nuclear body only gave vague assurances that Tehran would address longstanding complaints about the access it gives the watchdogs inspectors to its disputed nuclear program. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other top officials in Tehran earlier Saturday. Over the past few months, there was a reduction in some of the monitoring activities related to cameras and other equipment which were not operating, Grossi told reporters upon his return to Vienna. We have agreed that those will be operating again. He did not provide details about which equipment would be restored or how soon it would happen, but appeared to be referring to Irans removal of surveillance cameras from its nuclear sites in June 2022, during an earlier standoff with the IAEA. These are not words. This is very concrete, Grossi said of the assurances he received in Tehran. His first visit to Iran in a year came days after the IAEA reported that uranium particles enriched up to 83.7% just short of weapons-grade were found in Irans underground Fordo nuclear site. The confidential quarterly report by the nuclear watchdog, which was distributed to member nations Tuesday, came as tensions were already high amid months of anti-government protests in Iran and Western anger at its export of attack drones to Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. The IAEA report said inspectors in January found that two cascades of IR-6 centrifuges at Fordo were configured in a way substantially different to what Iran had previously declared. That raised concerns that Iran was speeding up its enrichment. Grossi said the Iranians had agreed to boost inspections at the facility by 50%. He also confirmed the agencys findings that there has not been any production or accumulation of uranium at the higher enrichment level, which is a very high level. Iran has sought to portray any highly enriched uranium particles as a minor byproduct of enriching uranium to 60% purity, which it has been doing openly for some time. The chief of Irans nuclear program, Mohammad Eslami, acknowledged the findings of the IAEA report at a news conference with Grossi in Tehran but said their ambiguity had been resolved. Nonproliferation experts say Tehran has no civilian use for uranium enriched to even 60%. A stockpile of material enriched to 90%, the level needed for weapons, could quickly be used to produce an atomic bomb, if Iran chooses. Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers limited Tehrans uranium stockpile and capped enrichment at 3.67% enough to fuel a nuclear power plant. It also barred nuclear enrichment at Fordo, which was built deep inside a mountain in order to withstand aerial attacks. The U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018, reimposing crushing sanctions on Iran, which then began openly breaching the deals restrictions. Efforts by the Biden administration, European countries and Iran to negotiate a return to the deal reached an impasse last summer. The joint statement issued Saturday said Iran expressed its readiness to continue its cooperation and provide further information and access to address the outstanding safeguards issues. That was a reference to a separate set of issues from the highly enriched particles. Over the past four years, the IAEA has accused Iran of stonewalling its investigation into traces of processed uranium found at three undeclared sites in the country. The agencys 35-member board of governors censured Iran twice last year for failing to fully cooperate. The board could do so again when it meets on Monday, depending in part on how Western officials perceive the results of Grossis visit. Western officials have suggested the so-called safeguards probe of the three sites could confirm longstanding suspicions that Iran had a nuclear weapons program up until 2003. Iran has long denied ever seeking nuclear weapons and continues to insist that its nuclear program is entirely for peaceful purposes. The dispute over the safeguards probe was the main obstacle in negotiations last year to restore the nuclear agreement. The process has been long. I have not hidden that for us, it has been too long, Grossi said, referring to the safeguards issue. But he said there was a marked improvement in his dialogue with Iranian officials. I was heard, he said. I hope we will be seeing results soon. We will see. (AP) Increases in Chinas defense budget have been appropriate and reasonable and are aimed at meeting complex security challenges, a spokesperson for the countrys rubber-stamp parliament said Saturday. Wang Chao gave no indication of whether the rate of increase to be announced Sunday at the opening of the National Peoples Congresss annual session would be above or below last years 7.1%. But he said the defense budget has remained stable as a share of GDP and that Chinas military modernization will not be a threat to any country. On the contrary, it will only be a positive force for safeguarding regional stability and world peace, Wang told reporters at a news conference. The increase in defense spending is needed for meeting the complex security challenges and for China to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country, he said. Chinas defense spending is lower than the world average and the increase is appropriate and reasonable, Wang said. China spent 1.7% of GDP on its military in 2021, according to the World Bank, while the U.S., with its massive overseas obligations, spent a relatively high 3.5%. China budgeted 1.45 trillion yuan (then $229 billion) for last year roughly double the figure from 2013. Consistent annual increases for more than two decades have allowed the 2 million-member Peoples Liberation Army to increase its capabilities across all categories. Along with the worlds biggest standing army, China has the worlds largest navy and recently launched its third aircraft carrier. It boasts a massive stockpile of missiles, along with stealth aircraft, bombers capable of delivering nuclear weapons, advanced surface ships and nuclear powered submarines. China has already established one foreign military base in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti and is refurbishing Cambodias Ream Naval Base that could give it at least a semi-permanent presence on the Gulf of Thailand facing the disputed South China Sea. The modernization effort has prompted concerns among the U.S. and its allies, particularly over Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy that China claims as its territory to be brought under its control by force if necessary. That has prompted a steady flow of weapons sales to the island, including ground systems, air defense missiles and F-16 fighters. Taiwan itself recently extended mandatory military service from four months to one year and has been revitalizing its own defense industries, including building submarines for the first time. Although no longer increasing at the double-digit annual percentage rates of past decades, Chinas defense spending has remained relatively high despite skyrocketing levels of government debt and an economy that grew last year at its second-lowest level in at least four decades. The government says most of the spending increases will go toward improving welfare for troops. Observers say the budget omits much of Chinas spending on weaponry, most of which is developed domestically after years of large-scale imports from Russia. Chinas huge capacity and Russias massive expenditures of artillery shells and other materiel in its war on Ukraine have raised concerns in the U.S. and elsewhere that Beijing may provide Moscow with military assistance. Speaking at the G-20 meeting in India on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that were China to engage in material, lethal support for Russias aggression or were to engage in the systematic evasion of sanctions to help Russia, that would be a serious problem for our countries. Weve not seen it do that yet, but weve seen it considering that proposition and I made clear that there would be consequences for engaging in those actions, Blinken said. China has been carrying out what it calls normal trade with Russia including a three-fold increase in coal imports through just one border crossing, according to Chinese media seen as providing Moscow with a partial economic lifeline alongside other countries such as India. Beijing last month issued a proposal calling for a cease-fire and peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, but has also said it has a no-limits friendship with Russia and has refused to criticize Moscows invasion, or even to call it an invasion. It has accused the U.S. and NATO of provoking the conflict and condemned sanctions leveled against Russia and entities seen as aiding its military effort. Last week, those sanctions were expanded to include a Chinese company known as Spacety China, which has supplied satellite imagery of Ukraine to affiliates of Wagner Group, a private Russian military contractor owned by a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin. A Luxembourg-based subsidiary of Spacety China was also targeted. China, including through the NPC, has vowed to take countermeasures in response to such sanctions, and Wang said some countries have been abusing extra-territorial application of their domestic laws with the aim of taking down foreign entities and individuals and serving their own interests. China stands firmly against such practices. It has introduced a number of laws and regulations to counter the containment, suppression and interference in internal affairs, Wang said. For acts that undermine Chinas sovereignty, security and development interests and harm the lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals, the law contains relevant provisions to firmly counter such acts, he said. (AP) The top U.S. military commander on Saturday visited northeast Syria where American troops and their allies are launching a campaign against the Islamic State group, a U.S. military official said. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley met commanders and troops who updated him on the ongoing operations against IS, said Col. Dave Butler, spokesman for Milley. Butler did not say whether Milley met with commanders of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces that have been the main ally of U.S. forces in Syria in the fight against IS. Milleys visit came a day after the U.S. Central Command said American troops and their allies carried more than a dozen joint operations in northeast Syria in February during which five IS operatives were killed and 11 detained. While there, he received updates on the counter-ISIS mission, inspected force protection measures and assessed repatriation efforts for the Al Hol refugee camp, Butler said referring to a camp housing tens of thousands of mostly IS-linked women and children. At al-Hol, tens of thousands of Syrians and Iraqis are crowded into tents in the fenced-in camp. Nearly 20,000 of them are children; most of the rest are women, wives and widows of IS fighters. In a separate, heavily guarded section of the camp known as the annex are an additional 10,000 people: 2,000 women from 57 other countries they are considered the most die-hard IS supporters along with about 8,000 of their children. Over the past few months several countries, including France, Spain and Iraq, repatriated scores of women and children from al-Hol. Kurdish authorities currently operate more than two dozen detention facilities scattered across northeastern Syria, holding about 10,000 IS fighters. Among the detainees are some 2,000 foreigners whose home countries have refused to repatriate them, including about 800 Europeans. There are currently about 900 U.S. forces on the ground in northeast Syria, according to Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Dana Stroul. Despite their defeat in March 2019 during which IS lost the last sliver of land it once controlled, the extremists sleeper cells still carry out deadly attacks in Syria and neighboring Iraq. In February, IS sleeper cells attacked workers collecting truffles near the central town of Sukhna, killing at least 53 people, mostly workers but also some Syrian government security forces. Several similar attacks have occurred since. (AP) Iraqs Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani arrived in Cairo on Sunday in his first visit to Egypt as premier, where he is scheduled to meet with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. Egypts Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir received Al-Sudani at Cairo International Airport. Madbouly and Al-Sudani held a meeting to discuss various aspects of Egyptian-Iraqi relations as well as proposals to enhance their bilateral cooperation. Al-Sudani is heading a high-level delegation that includes Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein and Minister of Trade Atheer Dawood Al-Ghurairy, the Egyptian Cabinet said in a statement. The prime ministers are also set to discuss trilateral cooperation with Jordan. Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan have intensified cooperation in recent years and have held five summits since 2019, the last of which was at the Dead Sea in Jordan last December, to discuss implementing tripartite strategic projects. Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan have embarked on a number of vital joint projects, including the power linkage project between the three countries and an industrial city on the Iraqi-Jordanian border. The leaders of the three countries have repeatedly affirmed the need for expediting the implementation of their joint projects and for removing obstacles facing them. Search Keywords: Short link: A man was sentenced to 18 months in prison Friday after pleading guilty to a federal hate crime conspiracy charge in a series of antisemitic assaults in New York City. Saadah Masoud, 29, of Staten Island was arrested in June after authorities said he punched and dragged a counterprotester, who was draped in an Israeli flag, at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in April. Prosecutors said he also admitted to attacking a person wearing a Star of David necklace in May 2021 and a man wearing a yarmulke, a Jewish skullcap, a month later. Masoud pleaded guilty in November and was sentenced by Judge Denise Cote. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement that the prosecution demonstrates that hate-fueled violence will not be tolerated. Masoud defense attorney Ron Kuby said the courts sentence, which fell at the bottom level of the guidelines, indicated the judge rejected the governments argument that a traumatized young Palestinian was to blame for antisemitic acts perpetrated by white supremacists. As much as the government tried to make this about Judaism, it was always about Israel, Kuby said. (AP) by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com The mitzvah of matanos levyonim on Purim is discussed in the Gemara at the bottom of Megillah 7a. The mitzvah is to give at least one gift to two different poor people on the day of Purim. The plural form of the word levyonim appearing in the verse teaches us that it must be given to two people. There is also a Gemara in Bava Metziah 78b that discusses the charity plate of Purim. It is a debate among the Rishonim whether or not this Gemara is discussing the mitzvah of matanos levyonim, or whether it deals with a separate mitzvah of providing for the Purim needs of the poor. Nature Of The Mitzvah There also seems to be another debate among the Rishonim as to the nature of the mitzvah. Is it a mitzvah of tzedakah, or is matanos levyonim its own special mitzvah of the day of Purim, a mitzvah associated with creating happiness? We will see that this issue is a matter of further debate among the poskim. On account of this debate, there are a number of differences in halachah as to the nature of fulfilling this mitzvah. Can you fulfill the mitzvah with maaser funds? If it is tzedakah, then yes. If it is a happiness mitzvah then it may not be fulfilled with maaser funds. Is an ani, a poor person, obligated to fulfill this mitzvah? If it is tzedakah, then no. The obligation of an ani to give tzedakah is once per year. If it simcha, however, then he must give the matanos levyonim. Even a poor person who himself has reached a financial state that he must ask for charity must give. Preamble Rav Alexander Ziskind of Grodno was one of the only two individuals who ever received an approbation on a sefer from the Vilna Gaon himself. In his sefer, Yesod Vshoresh HaAvodah, (12:6) he recommends that one should recite a specific preamble before fulfilling the mitzvah. From the text, it is clear that the Yesod VShoresh HaAvodah understands that this mitzvah is tzedakah. The Ramban (Bava Metziah 78b) explains that the main purpose of this mitzvah is to spread simcha, joy and delight. ****HERE IS VERY WORTHY CAUSE FOR MATANOS LEVYONIM**** https://thechesedfund.com/zechornilah/almanah-with-four-kids-needs-help How It May Be Fulfilled This obligation may be fulfilled through any type of giftmoney, food, drink, or clothing. One should, however, try to give a substantial monetary gift. If one does use money, ideally it should be enough to buy bread weighing at least three eggsfive slices, approximately. At the very least, however, one must give a perutah or its equivalent value to each of two poor persons. A perutah is 1/1244th of an ounce of silver. Many poskim, however, are concerned that giving the minimum amount no longer causes the feeling of simcha to the poor. When these minimal amounts were calculated, the value of silver was significantly higher. Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, shlita, thus rules that the minimum amount should be $1. The Shaarei Teshuvah rules that it should be the equivalent amount of the cost of a meal for a poor person. In modern times, this amounts to approximately five dollars (ruling of Rav Shmuel Fuerst). In the post-COVID era, it seems that it should be more like eight dollars. Spend More On Matanos LEvyonim The gedolei haposkim (see Mishnah Berurah 694:3) tell us that it is preferable to spend more on the mitzvah of matanos levyonim than on the mitzvah of mishloach manos. The calculation, of course, includes the food items, the packaging, and the value of the time and effort placed into making the mishloach manos. For many people, all of this amounts to several hundred dollars. Thus, we should give this amount for matanos levyonim as well. When Given These gifts should be given in the daytime, after the Megillah is read. Matanos levyonim should be above and beyond maaser. Therefore, maaser money should not be used, but it may be added to it. Some poskim hold that, technically, matanos levyonim may be given before Purim. However, because of the concern that the recipients will spend it earlier, it is preferable to give it on Purim itself. Others write that one should make sure that the funds are only given on Purim itself and that when an intermediary is used it should be held as a package for the poor person and not received on behalf of the poor person. If one thought to give to a specific poor person but was unable to facilitate it, one may give it to another as long as one did not verbalize it. If one verbalized that he wishes to give to that specific person, he should follow up (BaLeilah Hahu p. 16). The Money Itself Money set aside for matanos levyonim should not be changed to another tzedakah without a ruling from a posek. This is based upon the Gemara in Bava Metziah (78b), according to those Rishonim who learn that the Gemara is dealing with matanos levyonim. Other Rishonim learn that this Gemara doesnt deal with matanos levyonim at all, and therefore there is room for a posek to be lenient. One is not overly strict with the poor on Purim to determine whether they are really poor or not. Whoever puts his hand out, we give to him. According to leading poskim, this does not apply to organizations, however. Why is that? Perhaps because there is no simcha in regard to making organizations happyit is only making actual poor people happy that makes the simcha. Women And Children Women are also obligated to give gifts to the poor on Purim. A married woman may fulfill the mitzvah through her husband. Ideally, however, the husband should inform his wife that he has given matanos laevyonim for her as well. Children who are dependent on their parents table should still give matanos laevyonim on their own (Aruch HaShulchan 694:2). Even though they may be exempt from tzedakah, there is still the idea of simcha. To Whom One Gives Originally, the mitzvah was to give to a true evyon, a poor person who did not have enough money to have a meal on Purim. Nowadays, such a definition is indeed rare. The poskim have thus ruled that it may be given to any poor person who is eligible to receive maaser funds. The Chazon Ish (Terumos Umaasros cited in BaLeilah Hahu p.12) has written that it may be given to anyone who is not mesudar bparnasaso to the extent that he can sustain himself and his family. Checks Rav Moshe Feinstein, ztl, ruled that one may fulfill the mitzvah of matanos levyonim with a check. This is true even if the check is post-dated. This is also the opinion of Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, ztl, cited in Halichos Shlomo 19:23, and of Rav Elyashiv, ztl, cited in Yismach Moshe (p. 140). Rav Nissim Karelitz, shlita, on the other hand, is of the opinion that the check must be negotiable on Purim itself in order for one to fulfill the mitzvah. This may present a difficulty when Purim falls on a Sunday. In inner cities where they have check-cashing facilities open on Sundays, it would, of course, not be a problem. There are those who have questioned whether these rulings in Israel are applicable in America where one may place a stop payment on checks. The truth is that both in Israel and in England a stop payment may be placed on a check as well as long as there are funds to cover it. Mourners Although generally speaking one does not give gifts to an avel, a mourner, one may give him matanos levyonim because it is considered tzedakah. A mourner within twelve months must, of course, give matanos levyonim, too. This is true also for a mourner within the seven days of shivah. An onein, someone who has lost a close relative who has not yet been buried, may give matanos levyonim in the merit of the neshamah of the deceased, according to Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, ztl. One may fulfill the mitzvah of matanos laevyonim by giving the money even to a young child who is considered poor. Matanos levyonim may be given anonymously. This, in fact, is the ideal form of fulfilling the mitzvah. Small Amount To Many Or Much To Few There is a debate as to whether it is preferable to give many poor people a minimum amount of matanos levyonim or to give just a few people a significant amount of matanos levyonim. The Bach (Siman 695) writes that it is preferable to give more people the lesser amount. Rav Elyashiv, ztl, is quoted (Shvus Yitzchak 8:2 as cited in Kovetz Halachos, p. 92) that it is preferable to give fewer people a more significant amount. Rav Elyashiv seems to be emphasizing the simcha aspect of the mitzvah. Since either way one fulfills the mitzvah, one should perform it in the manner in which one feels most inspired toward dveikus bHashem. ****HERE IS VERY WORTHY CAUSE FOR MATANOS LEVYONIM**** https://thechesedfund.com/zechornilah/almanah-with-four-kids-needs-help The author can be reached at [email protected]. ****HERE IS VERY WORTHY CAUSE FOR MATANOS LEVYONIM**** https://thechesedfund.com/zechornilah/almanah-with-four-kids-needs-help President Joe Biden exudes confidence as the next race for the White House approaches. During last months State of the Union address, he lured unruly Republicans into agreeing with him that federal entitlements should be protected. Hes intensified travel outside Washington, trumpeting job-creation in Wisconsin and steep federal health care spending to Florida seniors while touting a trillion-dollar public works package that he says can do everything from revitalize Baltimores port to easing train tunnel congestion under the Hudson River. And he used spy-thriller tactics to sweep into war-scarred Ukraine. For most presidents, these are powerful elements to include as the centerpiece of a reelection campaign pledging to protect people and the economy at home and democracy in the heart of Europe. But with the famously fickle 80-year-old Biden stopping short of officially declaring his 2024 candidacy, hes leaving just enough room to back out of a race and focus instead on using such moves to cement his legacy. I look at Biden from the outside, as a historian, and say, Boy, if he stepped away now, his place in history is secure and extraordinarily positive, said Jeffrey Engel, director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Thats how a normal person thinks about these things. Thats not how a president thinks about these things. Those close to Biden insist hes not legacy shopping and that he will announce a campaign, likely after the first quarter campaign fundraising period ends this month. The party has cleared a path for Bidens renomination with rivals from his left, including Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, pledging to support the presidents reelection. Bestselling self-help author Marianne Williamson is formally launching a primary challenge to Biden on Saturday thats largely being shrugged off by the party. The Democratic National Committee has unanimously expressed our full and complete support for Bidens reelection. Party leaders arent planning primary debates, arguing theres no longer enough time to even build out a debate schedule that would pit Biden against Williamson or anyone else. In an interview last week with The Associated Press, first lady Jill Biden said there was pretty much nothing left for the president to do but pick a time and place to announce his reelection bid. How many times does he have to say it for you to believe it? she asked. Still, there are signals that even if the prevailing assumption among most Democrats is that Biden will seek another term, the decision isnt yet final. Even Jill Biden was more muted in subsequent interviews when assessing her husbands political future. Its Joes decision, she told CNN, noting that shes personally all for it. If hes in, were there, she added. If he wants to do something else, were there too. After the AP interview, the president joked to ABC that he needed to call his wife to find out if he was running again. His intention has been from the beginning to run, the president told the network. But theres too many other things we have to finish in the near term before I start a campaign. While Bidens standing among Democratic officials is solid, actual voters seem more wary. A recent poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found just 37% of Democrats want Biden to seek a second term, down from 52% in the weeks before last years midterm elections. Bidens age has been a leading concern since the early days of his first campaign. Already the oldest president in U.S. history, hed be 86 by the end of a second term, should he win one. If Biden were to eschew a run, the biggest question is whether the party could quickly coalesce around someone else. Much of the initial focus would shift to Vice President Kamala Harris, who has already said that she expects to remain on a Biden ticket in 2024. But she was notably in South Carolina this week, promoting the administrations efforts to expand broadband access. The state is politically significant, however, after Democrats moved South Carolinas primary to the front of their primary calendar at Bidens behest. Other Democrats outside Washington have worked to gingerly build national profiles without offending Biden. They include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has positioned himself as a foil to Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, seen as a leading alternative to former President Donald Trump in the 2024 GOP presidential primary. While Bidens plans are under intense scrutiny, the Republican presidential field has also been slow to form. So far, there are just three official entrants Trump, former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Others, including former Vice President Mike Pence, ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, may join in the coming months. Some, such as DeSantis, could wait until late summer to officially announce their campaigns. For his part, Biden has a history of dithering. He agonized over whether to seek the presidency in 2004 and 2016 before ultimately deciding to sit out those races. Both times, he noted that he essentially spent so long deciding that hed run out of time to be successful in a campaign, rather than really saying he didnt want to run. Hes notoriously slow on campaign decisions, said Andrew Feldman, a Democratic strategist who interned on Bidens 2008 presidential campaign and worked as part of an advance staffer team during his vice presidency. None of this should be a surprise. Feldman said Biden is always thinking about his legacy but also thinking about getting results for the American people. I think legacy and results and reelection are very much intertwined, he said. As far as legacy goes, Biden aides concede that future governing will likely never be as easy as when Democrats controlled Congress during the administrations first two years. The presidents now continually low approval ratings may also never climb back to where they were when he first took office, they admit. But the presidents advisers counter that there is no real Democratic alternative capable of defeating Trump or another top Republican like DeSantis. Thats not to say Biden doesnt think about his place in history. In 2021, the president took careful notes during an Oval Office meeting with historians that stretched more than two hours though those discussions focused more on threats to American democracy than Bidens personal legacy. This is a guy who essentially grew up in politics, has been involved at high levels of politics as senator, vice president and then president for many decades, said Allan Lichtman, a distinguished professor of history at American University in Washington. Hes someone who is especially concerned with his legacy. (AP) Unwaveringly staunch Trump back, election conspiracy theorist, and semi-sane pillow tycoon Mike Lindell warned CPAC attendees that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is a Trojan Horse for whom the media is covering up. Now Ill tell you what Ron DeSantis and hes got money behind him did he do anything for Disney? Remember that was the big thing, youre gonna go after Disney, Lindell said. He did nothing, they got everything they wanted, everything look it up! The media is covering up for Ron DeSantis. He is a Trojan Horse, he is the Trojan Horse, Lindell shouted. Do not believe anything youre reading by the media about Ron DeSantis A dyed in the wool Trump acolyte, Lindell is, along with Fox News, a defendant in Dominion Voting Systems $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit over unfounded election conspiracies spread by Fox, Lindell, and others. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The Biden administration now considers Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich a persona non grata, Channel 12 News reported on Friday. The administration is furious about Smotrichs statement that Huwara should be wiped out, and according to the report, a US source told Channel 12: If Smotrich was persona non grata before this statement, nowhe is persona non grata on steroids. No official American official will meet with Smotrich. According to the report, US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides also expressed his fury at Smotrich. Im really angry with him, hes a fool, he said. He has a flight to Washington, and if I could, I would throw him off the plane. However, the US Embassy in Israel denied the remarks attributed to Nides. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said last week that Smotrichs comments were irresponsible, repugnant, and disgusting. Smotrich is scheduled to travel to the US to speak at an Israel Bonds conference in Washington from March 12-14. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) An Israeli man was injured over the weekend in a shooting attack in southern Chevron. An Arab terrorist shot at a passing car and the driver sustained a bullet wound in his leg. IDF forces arrived at the scene and launched a manhunt for the terrorist. MDA paramedics administered emergency medical aid to the victim and he was evacuated to Shaare Tzedek Hospital in light condition. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The publicist Yehonatan Geffen, who has been a columnist in Yediot Achranot for many years, shamelessly called for murderous violence against supporters of the current government, calling on opposition leader Yair Lapid to take off his gloves. Geffen dedicated his last column, published on Thursday, to Lapid: Weve been close friends for over 40 years. In our strong and long-standing friendship, we have an unwritten contract not to talk about politics. Referring to the protests against the judicial reform, he wrote: Yair Lapid, as a professional boxer, Im asking you, in these terrible days please take off your gloves and hit them mercilessly, even below the belt. A back right, a blow to the chin, and a deadly knockout. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Dont be prime minister but be tough, even violent. Dont be afraid, my friend Yair. I have no doubt that we will restore justice and democracy and defeat the forces of pervasive evil. Hate will be replaced by love. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday, Former President Donald Trump won the straw poll for the 2024 GOP nomination by a significant margin, receiving 62% of the vote. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis came in second with 20%, while long-shot GOP candidate Perry Johnson received 5% support. Over 2,000 attendees completed the poll. Kari Lake, the Republican Arizona gubernatorial nominee in 2022, received the most support for vice presidential candidate with 20%, and DeSantis received 14% support. Trump also won the 2024 GOP presidential nomination straw polls at major CPAC gatherings in Orlando, Florida and Dallas, Texas last year. Since his 2016 presidential election victory, CPAC has become a Trumpfest, and the former president remains the most popular and influential politician in the GOP more than two years after leaving the White House. DeSantis is widely expected to launch a Republican White House run later this year, even though he currently remains on the 2024 sidelines. DeSantis saw his popularity soar among conservatives across the country due to his forceful pushback against coronavirus pandemic restrictions and his aggressive actions as a conservative culture warrior going after media, corporations and teachers unions. Other likely 2024 GOP presidential hopefuls, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, are also making moves towards a White House run. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu slammed International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi at the weekly Cabinet meeting on Sunday for his statement that any attack on a nuclear facility is outlawed. International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi just said in Tehran that an Israeli attack on the Iranian nuclear facilities is against the law, Netanyahu said. Grossi is a worthy gentleman who said something unworthy. Grossi met Iranian officials in Tehran on Saturday and at a press conference following the meetings, was asked about possible attacks by Israel and the US on Irans nuclear sites. I think any attack, any military attack on a nuclear facility is outlawed, is out of the normative structures that we all abide by, Grossi responded. Against which law? Netanyahu asked. Is Iran, which openly calls for our destruction, permitted to defend the destructive weapons that would slaughter us? Are we permitted to defend ourselves? It is clear that we are and it is clear that we will do so. And we will do so in discussions or actions around the clock, which I will not detail here, of course. Nothing will deter us from defending our country and preventing our enemies from eliminating the state of the Jews. We are on the eve of Purim. 2,500 years ago an enemy arose in Persia who sought to destroy the Jews. They did not succeed then, neither will they succeed today. I wish the entire people of Israel a Happy Purim. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Larry Hogan, the former Republican governor of Maryland who positioned himself as one of his partys fiercest critics of Donald Trump, said Sunday he will not challenge the ex-president for the GOPs White House nomination in 2024. I would never run for president to sell books or position myself for a Cabinet role, the 66-year-old Hogan wrote in The New York Times. I have long said that I care more about ensuring a future for the Republican Party than securing my own future in the Republican Party. And that is why I will not be seeking the Republican nomination for president. The move is a recognition that while many in the GOP are considering ways to move on from the Trump era, there is little appetite among primary voters for such a vocal critic of the former president. Other prominent Trump adversaries, including former Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, dont appear to be making moves toward a campaign at the moment. For now, that leaves Trump as the leading figure in the early field of Republican candidates. So far, he faces just three formal challengers: his former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Michigan businessman Perry Johnson. Others, including former Vice President Mike Pence, ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, may join in the coming months. Some, such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, could wait until late summer to officially announce their campaigns. In an interview airing on CBS Face The Nation, Hogan insisted the prospect of competing against Trump didnt factor into his decision. Hes very tough, Hogan said. But, you know, I beat life-threatening cancer. So having Trump call me names on Twitter didnt didnt really scare me off. Its mostly about the country and about the party, Hogan added. It was a personal decision. It was like, I didnt need that job. I didnt need to run for another office. It was really I was considering it because I thought it was public service and maybe I can make a difference. Hogan wrapped up his second term as governor in January, serving for eight years in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 2-to-1 margin. He was Marylands second Republican governor ever to be reelected. Some Republicans had hoped that Hogan, emerging as the new best hope of a small group of Never Trump Republicans, would challenge Trump in 2020. But a year after Hogans reelection in 2018, he said that while he appreciated all of the encouragement he had received to run for president, he would not. Hogan told The Associated Press he had no interest in a kamikaze mission. In the past two presidential elections, Hogan said he did not vote for Trump, the party nominee. Hogan said he wrote in the name of his father, former U.S. Rep. Larry Hogan Sr., in 2016 and the late President Ronald Reagan in 2020. Hogan won his first term as governor in 2014 in an upset, using public campaign financing against a better-funded candidate. Running on fiscal concerns as a moderate Republican businessman, Hogan tapped into frustration from a variety of tax and fee increases over the eight previous years to defeat then-Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown. Hogan had never held elected office before and in his first year as governor, he focused on pocketbook issues. He lowered tolls, an action he could take without approval from the General Assembly, long controlled by Democrats. But he was also presented with challenges, including unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray in police custody in 2015. Hogan sent the National Guard to prevent further rioting. In June of that year, he was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkins lymphoma but continued working while receiving treatment. He has been in remission since November 2015. In 2018, he became only the second Republican governor in the history of the state to win reelection, defeating former NAACP President Ben Jealous. Hogan has long been upfront about his distaste for Trump as president. In 2020, as chair of the National Governors Association, Hogan criticized Trump for delaying a national coronavirus testing strategy, saying the president was playing down the virus threat despite grave warnings from top national experts. I did not go out of my way to criticize the president, Hogan said. But unlike a lot of Republicans, Im not the guy thats just going to sit down and shut up and not stand up and say something if I think somethings going wrong. Describing the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as one of the darkest days in American history, Hogan said Trump should have resigned or been removed from office. The people that try to whitewash Jan. 6 as if nothing happened are delusional. It was an assault on democracy, Hogan told the AP late last year. Trump and Hogan were engaged in a proxy battle of sorts in the 2022 election. Hogans pick to succeed him as governor was Kelly Schulz, who was labor secretary and commerce secretary in his administration. She lost in the Republican primary to Trump-endorsed Dan Cox, a state lawmaker who said President Joe Bidens 2020 victory shouldnt have been certified and who sought to impeach Hogan for his pandemic policies. Cox went on to lose the November general election by a large margin to Democrat Wes Moore. (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the remarks by a key Cabinet ally calling for a Palestinian village to be erased were inappropriate in a Twitter thread Sunday, after the U.S. demanded that he reject the statement. In the thread, posted in English shortly after midnight, Netanyahu did not appear to condemn the remarks outright and implied that the ally, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, misspoke. Netanyahu thanked Smotrich for later walking the comments back and making clear that his choice of words was inappropriate. The bulk of the thread urged the international community to seek condemnations from the Palestinians over attacks against Israelis. It appeared to be his first public response to Smotrich's remarks since they were made Wednesday. Netanyahu's Twitter thread underlines how the Israeli leader has had to balance the ideologies of the far-right members of his government with the expectations of Israel's chief ally, the United States. Smotrich is the head of one of several ultranationalist parties that help make up Netanyahus government, its most right-wing ever. Israeli Jewish settlers of the occupied West Bank last week rampaged through the Palestinian village of Hawara. Later in the week, Smotrich said the village should be erased by Israeli forces and not by private citizens. Smotrich later backtracked, saying he didnt mean for the village to be erased but for Israel to operate surgically within it against Palestinian militants. Still, his earlier comments sparked an international outcry. The U.S. called them repugnant and urged Netanyahu to publicly and clearly reject and disavow them. The United Nations and Middle East powerhouses Egypt and Saudi Arabia also condemned Smotrich's remarks. Smotrich, in a tweet Saturday, said he was convinced that he didn't mean to incite to kill me when he said I must be thrown from the plane just as I didn't mean to harm innocents when I said Hawara must be erased. In his tweets, Netanyahu wrote that "it is important for all of us to work to tone down the rhetoric". That includes speaking out forcefully against inappropriate statements and even correcting our own statements when we misspeak or when our words are taken out of context, he posted. Netanyahu then blasted the Palestinian Authority for not condemning Palestinian attacks against Israelis, and the international community for not demanding condemnations from the Palestinians. Israel occupied the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war, territories the Palestinians seek for their future state. Israel maintains a 55-year, open-ended occupation over Palestinians in the West Bank and east Jerusalem and a blockade of the Gaza Strip. Search Keywords: Short link: BGI Group, one of the worlds biggest genetics analysis companies, said Sunday it never would be involved in human rights abuses after the U.S. government said there was a danger some of its units might contribute to Chinese surveillance. Three BGI units were among Chinese companies added to an entity list last week that limits access to U.S. technology on security or human rights grounds. The Commerce Department cited a risk BGI technology might contribute to surveillance. Activists say Beijing is trying to create a database of genetic information from Muslims and other Chinese minorities. The Chinese government accused Washington on Friday of improperly attacking Chinas companies. BGI, headquartered in the southern city of Shenzhen, said its services are only for civilian and scientific purposes. The U.S. decision may have been impacted by misinformation and we are willing and able to clarify, BGI Group said in an emailed response to questions. It didnt mention Uyghurs or other Muslim minorities but previously has denied it provided technology to surveil them. BGI Group does not condone and would never be involved in any human-rights abuses, the company said. The entity list designation requires BGI Research, Forensic Genomics International and BGI Tech Solutions (Hongkong) Co., Ltd. to obtain government permission to acquire sensitive U.S. technology. Other Chinese companies were cited for their role in the ruling Communist Partys military modernization or weapons development by Iran and Pakistan and suspected human rights abuses in Myanmar. Washington has accused China of trying to use civilian companies to obtain processor chip, aerospace and other technologies with possible military or security uses. Beijing retaliated for earlier U.S. restrictions by creating its own unreliable entity list of foreign companies that might endanger Chinas national sovereignty, security or development interests. Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Technologies Corp.s Raytheon Missiles and Defense unit were added to the restricted list last month after they supplied weapons to Taiwan, the island democracy claimed by Beijing as part of its territory. They are barred from importing goods into China or making new investments in the country. (AP) French trade unions are heading for what is expected to be a decisive showdown with President Emmanuel Macron over pension reform, with massive strikes from Tuesday aiming to bring the country "to a standstill". After five separate days of protests so far this year, this week's stoppages herald a new phase in the battle between the centrist government and opponents of the changes. "We always said that we would go into a higher gear if necessary," the head of the influential CGT union, Philippe Martinez, told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper on Sunday. "It will be the case on Tuesday." More than 260 demonstrations are expected nationwide, many in small and medium-sized towns where opposition to the reform is strong, while strikes will affect transport, the energy sector and public services. Police expect between 1.1-1.4 million people to hit the streets, a source told AFP on condition of anonymity. The upper limit of that range would represent the biggest day of protests in decades, higher than the 1.27 million who took part in demonstrations on January 31, and bigger than previous pension reform protests in 2010. Unions representing workers on the national SNCF railways, the Paris metro and the energy sector, including refineries, have called for rolling strikes for the first time, with other industries expected to join in. All eight major unions are seeking to bring the country "to a standstill", with shopkeepers encouraged to down their shutters. Some truck drivers are expected to begin protests from Sunday evening, with blockades likely at certain industrial facilities and "go-slow" operations set to snarl traffic on major roads. Only one in five regional and long-distance trains will run on Tuesday, the SNCF said on Sunday. - Unfair reform? - Macron's plan to raise the official age of retirement from 62 to 64 is a flagship policy of his second term in office, which began last year after he defeated far-right leader Marine Le Pen. The 45-year-old has called the change "essential" because of deficits forecast for the system for most of the next 25 years, according to analysis by the independent pensions ombudsman. France lags behind its neighbours and other major European economies where the retirement age has already been hiked to 65 or above to reflect higher life expectancy. But opponents see the changes as unfair, penalising low-skilled workers who start their careers early, while reducing the right to leisure and a long retirement at the end of working life. Labour Minister Olivier Dussopt insisted in an interview on Saturday that 1.8 million low-income retirees would see their pensions increase by up to 100 euros ($106) a month from September if the reform is enacted. "That won't make them rich, but it's a substantial effort that has never been carried out despite announcements over the last 20 years," he said. - Countdown - Time is running out for the unions and other opponents of the reform to force the government into a U-turn. Amid increasing hardline rhetoric from labour leaders, the head of the CGT branch in the chemicals and oil refining sector, Emmanuel Lepine, has said he is ready to "bring the French economy to its knees." Despite refinery strikes causing major fuel shortages in October last year, Transport Minister Clement Beaune said Sunday that "I don't believe we will see an irresponsible or blocking movement." The legislation has already been discussed in the lower house National Assembly and is currently being debated in the upper-house Senate, where it is expected to be amended but approved. A final vote from both chambers is expected from the middle of March and by March 26 at the latest. Macron has faced numerous challenges from the unions in the past and, almost without exception, has succeeded in pushing through his pro-business agenda and social security reforms. The former investment banker, often accused of being aloof and out of touch, has tasked Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne with being the face of the pension reform and leading negotiations with opposition parties and labour leaders. Asked about the strikes on Saturday as he completed a tour of African countries, Macron said he had "nothing new to say" on the topic. Allies expect him to intervene more directly in the coming weeks. Search Keywords: Short link: [March 04, 2023] ODoge Solidifies its Place in Bitcoin and Memecoin History with Acquisition of First-ever DOGE Ordinal for 10BTC ONTARIO, CANADA, March 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Every day in the crypto sector is marked by the advent of innovation. A recent innovation that has taken the crypto sphere by storm is the Ordinals. Within months of its inception, this unique invention has managed to allure a plethora of investors. In January 2023, a renowned software engineer, Casey Rodarmor revived the lost glory of Bitcoin when he deployed the Ordinals Protocol on the Bitcoin Network. With this protocol, users can now create Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the platform. In simple words, Ordinals can be called Bitcoin NFTs. Ordinal Dogecoin, the first-ever real memecoin on the Bitcoin blockchain, is pleased to announce to the oDOGE community that $oDOGE Emblem Vault has successfully acquired Ordinal Inscription #5768, the true first-ever DOGE on Bitcoin, in an OTC trade for the value of 10BTC in $oDOGE tokens, facilitated by a well-known Bitcoin OG and OTC intermediary. The acquisition, which is the second-highest Ordinal sale to date, solidifies the $oDOGE token's place in Bitcoin blockchain and memecoin history and is expected to fuel its growth and popularity in the coming months, forever marking a new era of Bitcoin meme culture. Ordinal Inscription #5768, the first DOGE Ordinal EVER (as well as an extremely low mint Ordinal) Ordinal Inscription #5768 will be held forever at the Emblem Vault address with the $oDOGE Logo Ordinal. What does this mean for $oDOGE? With the latest breakthrough, Ordinal Technology is expected to gain greater traction in the blockchain community, and $oDOGE is leading the way as a distinctive feature coin that is safe for mining, much like other well-known cryptocurrencies from JPEGs on Bitcoin and memecoin on Bitcoin Original. The blockchain compensates miners for their efforts by generating new Dogecoin each day. The acquisition of the first ever DOGE ordinal for 10BTC by $oDOGE is a significant milestone in the development of the crypto sphere. It solidifies $oDOGE's place in Bitcoin and meme coin history, and the team behind the token is committed to continuing to innovate and provide new features that meet the needs of its growing community. A Quick Overview of oDOGE The Ordinals Protocol, which was recently deployed on the Bitcoin Network, allows users to create non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the platform. 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Furthermore, with upcoming partnerships and marketing plans in the pipeline, oDOGE is set to reach newer heights in the coming weeks. About the Project - Ordinal Dogecoin Ordinal Dogecoin is a newly designed original memecoin created by combining ordinal and smart contracts on Ethereum. The ordinal technology unlocked the true potential of the Bitcoin Network in the way of $oDOGE. The $oDOGE is gaining popularity because of its unique features and secure transaction. It is designed by combining ordinal and smart contracts on Ethereum, which is entirely facilitated on the Bitcoin Blockchain. Furthermore, potential investors and cryptocurrency enthusiasts interested in Ordinal Dogecoin can visit the projects official website or check out their social platforms for more details. Website | Twitter | Telegram | Medium | Uniswap | DEXTools Chart Disclaimer: The information provided in this release is not investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor) before investing or trading securities and cryptocurrency. Jonathan ODoge Ordinal Dogecoin hello at odoge.co [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi expressed on Sunday Egypt's eagerness to expedite the implementation of joint projects with Iraq in order to accomplish their shared development objectives, promote integration between the two nations, and satisfy the needs of the Iraqi people. El-Sisi made the remarks in a meeting with Iraqs Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, who is on his first official visit to Cairo as premier. El-Sisi emphasised Egypt's keenness to activate and diversify the frameworks of bilateral cooperation with Iraq on the political, economic, commercial, and cultural levels, Egyptian presidential spokesman Ahmed Fahmy said in a statement. The president also expressed Egypt's eagerness to maintain trilateral cooperation with Iraq and Jordan. For his part, Al-Sudani affirmed Iraqs eagerness to enhance and expand the robust bilateral cooperation with Egypt and benefit from the Egyptian expertise in various fields. This is in light of Egypts prominent role in fostering joint Arab action mechanisms in the face of the current crises and challenges in the region, Al-Sudani said. He hailed Egypts regional role in this regard and said the country is a role model for preserving stability and advancing development and economic and social conditions. The Iraqi PM voiced appreciation for Egypts efforts to support Iraq on all levels. El-Sisi stressed Egypts unwavering support for Iraq's security and stability as well as its appreciation for the strategic relations binding the two countries. The president highlighted Egypts sturdy commitment to backing Iraq and providing full support to the Iraqi people on all levels, particularly in the areas of counterterrorism and consolidating security and stability. The meeting was attended by Egypts Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry, Chief of the General Intelligence Service (GIS) Abbas Kamel, and Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir. Iraqs Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein, Minister of Trade Atheer Dawood, and Iraqi Ambassador to Cairo Ahmed Al-Dulaimi also attended the meeting. The meeting discussed a number of Arab and regional issues of mutual concern, and the two sides agreed on the importance of continuing intensified coordination to face the challenges in the region. Activating MoUs within 2 months During their meeting, both Al-Sudani and the Egyptian PM agreed on assigning the relevant ministers in both governments to work over the coming two months on activating the MoUs signed by the two countries, the Egyptian Cabinet said. Both officials agreed that this should coincide with thorough preparations for the meetings of the upcoming round of the Egyptian-Iraqi Joint Higher Committee to ensure outcomes that meet the expectations that the people of both countries have for a prosperous future. Efforts should be doubled over the coming two months to finalise the MoUs and agreements that would be signed during the joint committee meetings, Al-Sudani stressed. Egypt and Iraq have intensified bilateral cooperation in recent years and have embarked on a number of joint development projects along with Jordan as part of their tripartite cooperation mechanism. The three countries have signed many agreements to boost relations and implement joint projects, including the power linkage project between the three countries. Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan and have held five summits since 2019, the last of which was at the Dead Sea in Jordan last December, to discuss implementing tripartite strategic projects. The foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq have also held a series of periodic meetings to strengthen their trilateral cooperation mechanisms. Jordan has expressed plans to supply Iraq with electricity in 2023 after the required infrastructure is completed. Egypt, which is more than 800 miles from Iraq, also plans to deliver electricity to Iraq via Jordan by linking their power grids. In addition, the three countries said they are also working on setting up an industrial city on the Iraqi-Jordanian border. Also, Jordan and Iraq have been working to complete the required preparations for implementing an oil pipeline project linking the two countries. In June, Jordans Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said Egypt will also benefit from the project. The leaders of the three countries have repeatedly affirmed the need for expediting the implementation of their joint projects and for removing obstacles facing them. Power linkage, joint projects On the project to link the three countries power grids, Madbouly said today that Egypt already has a power link with Jordan at a capacity of 550 MW and work is underway to boost the capacity of this power line in order for it to reach Iraq. He noted that the power line linking Egypt and Jordan can be boosted to up to 2-3 GW. The Iraqi premier said that the first phase of the trilateral power linkage project will be completed in June. Al-Sudani also revealed consultations to establish a logistical zone on the Iraqi-Jordanian borders to contribute to securing goods and commodities. He added that Egypt can benefit from this zone by providing Egyptian goods to the Iraqi markets. Al-Sudani shed light on the great opportunities available for Egyptian companies to participate in the investment projects included in the Iraqi governments budget. Madbouly hailed the progress in the relations between Egypt and Iraq over the past years bilaterally and on the trilateral level with Jordan. We view this trilateral cooperation from a comprehensive strategic perspective in order to link our interests and maximise the joint advantages that would benefit all [sides], Madbouly stated. Al-Sudani arrived in Cairo early on Sunday for a one-day visit to discuss proposals of enhancing cooperation with Egypt at the bilateral level and trilaterally with Jordan. Search Keywords: Short link: The conservative maverick signs on to the latest culture war beef . . . Here's is statement on the drama and more deets after that . . . Kobach said his office will join the coalition of states, led by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, with the filing of an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in support of Chelsey Nelson. When the state of Colorado tried force a baker to create designs antithetical to his beliefs, so many Americans were outraged that the phrase you will bake the cake has entered our nations lexicon, said Kansas Solicitor General Anthony Powell. In this case, a photographer in Louisville, Kentucky, is being forced to create images which are contrary to her deeply held beliefs. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . This week KCMO spent 30 MILLION BUCKS on an anti-crime effort . . . Sadly, it was too late for this local resident and so many others who will lose their life violently with little or no impact/help from yet another 12th & Oak activist slush fund. Here's the first report . . . Homicide 1300 Highland This evening just after 1700 hours. Officers were dispatched to the 1300 Block of Highland on reported gun shots. Upon arrival officers located an adult male in an apartment suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Officers began life saving measures until EMS arrived on scene and continued those efforts. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he died from his injuries. It appears there was a disturbance at the apartment complex which resulted in the victim being shot. At this time there is no suspect information. Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel are conducting area canvasses for evidence and witnesses. If anyone saw anything in this area or has any information they are asked to contact the Homicide Unit directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline that result in an arrest. We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents. ############ Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . KCPD investigating homicide in 1300 block of Highland KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Kansas City Missouri Police Department said it is investigating a homicide in the 1300 block of Highland Avenue. KCPD said it was investigating shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday. This is a developing story. KCTV5 will update it as new information becomes available. 1 fatally shot Saturday in 1300 block of Highland Avenue in KCMO KANSAS CITY, Mo. - One person was fatally shot Saturday in the 1300 block of Highland Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. Police were called to the area just after 5 p.m. on reported gunshots. A male with gunshot wounds was discovered at the residence upon arrival. Developing . . . Info on the latest local killing in the past 24 hours as KCMO homicide stats continue along a historic trend. Here's the first report . . . Homicide 80th and Euclid SATURDAY evening just before 10 pm. Officers were dispatched to 80th and Euclid on reported gun shots. Upon arrival officers located an adult male at the rear of the residence suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Officers began life saving measures until EMS arrived on scene and continued those efforts. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he died from his injuries. It appears there was a disturbance at the residence which resulted in the victim being shot. There is a subject of interest in custody. Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel are conducting area canvasses for evidence and witnesses. If anyone saw anything in this area or has any information they are asked to contact the Homicide Unit directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline that result in an arrest. We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents. ################### Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . KCPD investigating homicide near 8000 block of Euclid KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is investigating a homicide near the 8000 block of Euclid Avenue. Around 9:45 p.m. Saturday, officers were called to the area. One victim died as a result of the shooting incident. No other information is available at this time. One dead after shooting Saturday night near Euclid Avenue KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Police Department is investigating a deadly shooting that occurred Saturday night. Officers were called to 80th and Euclid on reported gunshots around 10 p.m. Upon arrival, officers located an adult man at the rear of the residence suffering from gunshot wounds and began life-saving measures until EMS arrived on the scene. Subject of interest in custody after man shot and killed in Kansas City, police say A subject of interest is in custody after a man was shot and killed Saturday night in Kansas City, according to police. Officers responded just before 10 p.m. to the intersection of 80th Street and Euclid Avenue, where they found a man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds behind a home, according to Capt. Developing . . . There is news both good and bad to consider in this round-up . . . Come along for the ride in our latest consideration of pop culture, community news and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . March Madness Arrives Big 12 Tournament set to start Wednesday at T-Mobile Center KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Big 12 was a gauntlet all season and had a strong case for being the best conference in the nation. With that being said, the Big 12 Tournament is set to kick off on Wednesday at the T-Mobile Center. West Virginia will face Texas Tech on Wednesday at 6 p.m. High Art Comeback Alvin Ailey is returning to Kansas City for the first time in six years KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will return to Kansas City, on Saturday, Mar. 25 at 1 p.m., for the first time in six years. The world-renowned dance company will perform at the Kauffman Center for the performing arts, at 1601 Broadway in Kansas City, Mo. More Deets On Fed Cash Kansas City's Westside awarded $1 million federal grant to reconnect community split by I-35 The Westside welcomed in a rich and diverse community of Latin American immigrants, but it was broken up by the construction of I-35 in the late 1960s. Kansas City will develop a comprehensive plan to increase mobility and connectivity, repair the community, and redress inequities and barriers to opportunity. Suburban Community Outreach Against Worsening Violence Families of homicide victims hold vigil, canvass in Grandview to raise awareness GRANDVIEW, Mo. - Families of homicide victims in the Kansas City metropolitan area gathered in Grandview for a vigil Saturday morning. Hundreds of flyers with information about loved ones' murders were passed out to drivers in hopes of finding answers. "People do forget, you know. Newspaper Shares Showbiz Promises Missouri and Kansas would earn dollars and jobs if they start film incentive programs | Opinion Would communities like an infusion of millions of dollars year over year? Would our states like to have stories that are set in Missouri and Kansas actually film in Missouri and Kansas - or give them over to places such as Georgia, Oklahoma and Illinois? ANGELS COME CLOSER!!! Victoria's Secret to bring back fashion show after 4-year hiatus Victoria's Secret plans to bring back its annual fashion show after a four-year hiatus, CFO Tim Johnson said in the 2022 earnings call on Friday. "We're going to continue to lean into the marketing spend to invest in the business, both at top-of-funnel and also to support the new version of our fashion show, which is to come later this year," Johnson said. Prez Lives In Tragic Past Biden to spotlight voting rights, Black voters in 'Bloody Sunday' Selma visit President Joe Biden will press his case for stronger voting rights during a visit to Alabama on Sunday to commemorate the 58th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday," when state troopers beat peaceful protesters who were marching against discrimination. MAGA Dominates GOP Again Trump overwhelming wins CPAC's Republican primary straw poll with DeSantis coming in a distant second Former President Donald Trump topped the CPAC straw poll for the 2024 GOP nomination by a wide margin at the conservative conference Saturday. Trump won 60% support, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis came in as second choice with 20% support. Progressives Play Up Careers Ambitions collide as rising Democrats consider higher office "Open seats are the great resorting of the political dynamics in a given state," said Jared Leopold, a Democratic strategist. "And in open races, you can end up with a game of chicken, where you're trying to assess if another candidate will jump in, whether they're holding off for the next one, whether you should hold off for the next one, given where the political environment may be - all of that is going into these calculations." Escalating European Risks US evaluating Ukrainian pilots for possible F-16 training | CNN The US is working with Ukrainian pilots in the United States to determine how long it would take to train them to fly F-16 fighter jets, three sources briefed on the matter told CNN. Still Plagued By Questions The time has come for a 9/11-like commission on COVID-19 Political hearings and commissions come and go in Washington, D.C. And in almost every case in the 21st century, hearings have been weaponized for political gain while largely consisting of rehearsed made-for-cable-news zingers that ultimately amount to sound and fury signifying nothing. The 9/11 Commission was an exception, however. El Papa Advise After Tragedy Stop human traffickers, Pope Francis says after Italy's migrant shipwreck Pope Francis on Sunday called on authorities to stop human traffickers operating in the Mediterranean, as he expressed his sorrow over last week's migrant boat disaster off Italy's Calabrian coast, in which dozens of people were killed. "I renew my appeal to prevent such tragedies from happening again. Paradise Lost Couple on Hawaii Honeymoon Says Snorkeling Tour Group Abandoned Them in the Ocean A California couple honeymooning in Hawaii said a snorkeling tour group abandoned them in the ocean for more than an hour, ultimately forcing them to swim to shore. Elizabeth Webster and her husband, Alexander Burckle, detailed the terrifying Sept. 23, 2021, ordeal in a federal lawsuit filed last month. Seoul Food Celebration Serving Size: Chingu is the most exciting restaurant to open in KC in months Korean Fried Chicken at Chingu. // Photo by Zach Bauman Restaurants are theaters, service is a script, and when you eat out for a (partial) living, you start to anticipate the lines. Servers across the city tend to say the same things-usually "get out of our restaurant, Liz." Katie Calls Sunday . . . Sunday will be far warmer than average Hide Transcript Show Transcript MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN KANSAS CITY. THE WEATHER TODAY, AMAZING HITTING ME. THIS IS NOT RIGHT, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT. IT'S JUST 20 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL TODAY AND IT WILL BE SUNNY AND IT WILL BE WINDY, THOUGH. RIGHT NOW IT'S CLOUDY. Angels Of The Silences is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Tax season is upon us and with it comes the ever-present threat of fraud. Canadians should be wary of scammers posing as Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) employees who will trick their victims into sending them money or providing personal information that can be used to take over a bank account. Less than a week after a deadly migrant shipwreck off Italy, five European Union countries on the Mediterranean Sea pushed back Saturday against their northern neighbors for not accepting asylum-seekers under a voluntary relocation initiative. The ministers responsible for migration policy in Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain met in Malta's capital, Valletta, ahead of an EU ministerial meeting in Brussels next week on migration. The countries started working together as the MED 5 in 2021 to confront the challenges of illegal migration. Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum Notis Mitarachi told reporters that just 1 percent of the migrants who arrived in those front-line nations along the EUs southern border last year were taken in by other EU members under a voluntary relocation program. "We cannot continue to talk about the need to impose more responsibility on front-line member states, if there is not an equally prescriptive and mandatory solidarity mechanism toward the countries of first reception," Mitarachi said. Spains interior minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gomez, said the current process is "too slow, too selective, with too few results and too little predictability. He pledged to come up with a more effective mechanism when Spain holds the EU's rotating presidency in the second half of 2023. The ministers also emphasized the need to work with the countries where many migrants are originally from and travel through. Such measures could include giving financial aid to countries of origin or transit to stem the flows to Europe, Maltas home affairs minister, Byron Camillieri, said. The officials further called for the EU border agency Frontex to deploy more resources and for stepping up the pace of returning people who do not qualify for asylum. "For the credibility of the asylum system, it is critical that we distinguish between those that are entitled to international protection according to the law, and those who are not," Mitarachi said. "And those who are not should be returned with safety and dignity to the country of origin. According to the U.N. refugee agency, some 160,100 migrants arrived in Europe via the Mediterranean Sea last year, 30 percent more than in 2021. Thousands of people are believed to have died trying to cross the sea to Europe in recent years. At least 70 migrants died after a wooden boat that set out from Turkey crashed on a shoal off the southern Italian coast, in Calabria, early last Sunday. Search Keywords: Short link: The Minister of Entrepreneurship and National Production of Italy, Adolfo Urso, emphasizes the importance of developing Ukraines transport corridor with northern Italian cities to contribute to the recovery of the countrys war-torn economy. Thats according to Italian mass media, Ukrinform reports. "There is a part of Ukraine that was not occupied and must continue production. We are working on the creation of infrastructure, railway, and port logistics corridor," Urso told Rai Radio1. This corridor "will enable the ports of Trieste and Venice to become a logistics and port platform for Ukraine, given that its seas are blocked," he noted. "We are Kyivs great partner, we have always been one, and we have an economy that is fully compatible with that of Ukraine. In the agreements and memoranda, we designated really innovative sectors, such as the aerospace industry or mining," the minister explained. Ukraine was a major granary, and Italy is the main exporter of agricultural machinery, he added. Earlier, at a meeting of the General Assembly of Chambers of Commerce and Industry on issues of maritime economy, Urso stated that "the restoration of Ukraine plays a strategic role for the Italian port system." On the other hand, according to the minister, such cities as Trieste, Venice, and Genoa, as well as the Italian port system as a whole, could play a strategic role in the recovery of the Ukrainian economy. "One of the cornerstones on which measures to restore Ukraine will be based is precisely the railway infrastructure and port logistics platform of northeastern Italy, to which Genoa will also be connected... The platform will become a natural terminal for Ukrainian goods, since Ukraines ports will long remain blocked," explained Urso. As Ukrinform reported earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine told a press conference that once the war is over, it will be possible to talk in more detail about the role Italy played in the European Union and Japan in the Group of Seven at a certain moment in terms of supporting Ukraine. The Government of Saudi Arabia sent 168 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. "Two Saudi relief planes carrying 168 tonnes of Saudi Arabia's assistance for the Ukrainian People have arrived at the Polish Rzeszow Airport near the Ukrainian border," SPA reports. Assistance consists of shelter materials, electric generators, and medical supplies. As reported, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud visited Kyiv on February 28. Saudi Arabia signed an agreement and a memorandum of understanding for providing Ukraine with an additional $400 million humanitarian aid package. Saudi Arabia earlier provided immediate medical and humanitarian aid worth $10 million for refugees from Ukraine in neighboring countries, including Poland, in coordination with the Polish government and UN agencies. Photo: SPA The Arab Labor Organization (ALO) denounced on Sunday Israeli violations against Arab laborers in the occupied Arab, Palestinian territories during a meeting which took place in the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, according to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Manpower. During the meeting, ALOs Chairman of the Board of Directors and Iraqi Minister of Manpower, Ahmed Al-Asadi, denounced the violations committed by the Israeli occupation state against Arab workers in the occupied Arab lands. The ministry cited Al-Asadi as stressing the importance of joint Arab action in facing current challenges in the region. On Friday, clashes erupted between Palestinians and Israeli occupation forces in different parts of the occupied West Bank erupted between Palestinians and Israeli occupation forces in different parts of the occupied West Bank on Friday as a fallout from Israeli raids and Jewish settlers' attacks on Palestinian towns. On Thursday, Israeli troops shot a 15-year-old Palestinian boy dead and critically wounded another child in the town of Azzun in the West Bank. Scores of Palestinians were also injured during clashes with Israeli troops in Bayt Dajan village and the villages of Beita and Huwara near the city of Nablus on Friday. France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom have expressed their "grave" concern in the face of the growing violence in the occupied Palestinian territories, urging a cessation of all unilateral actions that threaten peace and incitements to violence, a joint statement issued on Saturday said. For his part, the ALO General Director Fayez El-Motairi highlighted the importance of the Palestinian-cause-related Arab League Summits recommendations, which was held in mid-February in Cairo in the presence of the Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Jordanian King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. During the conference, El-Sisi reiterated Egypts rejection and condemnation of any Israeli measures to change the historical and legal status quo of the city of Jerusalem (known in Arabic as 'Al-Quds') and its sanctities. The Egyptian president referred to the continuation of "unilateral measures and the violation of international legitimacy including settlements, demolition of houses, forced displacement, confiscation of land, the systematic Judaisation of Jerusalem and illegitimate storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque." He also referred to the ongoing storming of Palestinian cities in a manner that only escalates tension on the ground and threatens the security situation. El-Sisi highlighted the international resolutions that protect the legal status of Jerusalem, including the UN Security Council's non-recognition of any changes to the 1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, except for what is agreed upon through negotiations. Search Keywords: Short link: A crisis over suspected poisonings targeting Iranian schoolgirls escalated Sunday as authorities acknowledged over 50 schools were struck in a wave of possible cases. The poisonings have spread further fear among parents as Iran has faced months of unrest. Related Iran president acts over mystery schoolgirl poisonings It remains unclear who or what is responsible since the alleged poisonings began in November in the Shia holy city of Qom. Reports now suggest schools across 21 of Iran's 30 provinces have seen suspected cases, with girls' schools the site of nearly all the incidents. The attacks have raised fears that other girls could be poisoned, apparently just for going to school. Education for girls has never been challenged in the more than 40 years since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran has been calling on the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan to allow girls and women return to school and universities. Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi on Saturday said, without elaborating, that investigators recovered suspicious samples in the course of their investigations into the incidents, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. He called for calm among the public, while also accusing the enemys media terrorism of inciting more panic over the alleged poisonings. However, it wasn't until the poisonings received international media attention that hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi announced an investigation into the incidents on Wednesday. Vahidi said at least 52 schools had been affected by suspected poisonings. Iranian media reports have put the number of schools at over 60. At least one boy's school reportedly has been affected. Videos of upset parents and schoolgirls in emergency rooms with IVs in their arms have flooded social media. Making sense of the crisis remains challenging, given that nearly 100 journalists have been detained by Iran since the start of protests in September over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. She had been detained by the country's morality police and later died. The security force crackdown on those protests has seen at least 530 people killed and 19,700 others detained, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran. The children affected in the poisonings reportedly complained of headaches, heart palpitations, feeling lethargic or otherwise unable to move. Some described smelling tangerines, chlorine or cleaning agents. Social media posts said about a hundred were briefly hospitalized since the outbreak in November. Vahidi, the interior minister, said in his statement two remain in hospital because of an underlying chronic conditions. As more attacks were reported Sunday, videos were posted on social media showing children complaining about pain in the legs, abdomen and dizziness. State media have mainly referred to these as hysteric reactions. Since the outbreak, no one was reported in critical condition and there have been no reports of fatalities. Attacks on women have happened in the past in Iran, most recently with a wave of acid attacks in 2014 around the city of Isfahan, at the time believed to have been carried out by hard-liners targeting women for how they dressed. Speculation in Iran's tightly controlled state media has focused on the possibility of exile groups or foreign powers being behind the poisonings. That was also repeatedly alleged during the recent protests without evidence. In recent days, Germany's foreign minister, a White House official and others have called on Iran to do more to protect schoolgirls, a concern Iran's Foreign Ministry has dismissed as crocodile tears. However, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom noted that Iran has continued to tolerate attacks against women and girls for months amid the recent protests. "These poisonings are occurring in an environment where Iranian officials have impunity for the harassment, assault, rape, torture and execution of women peacefully asserting their freedom of religion or belief, Sharon Kleinbaum of the commission said in a statement. Suspicion in Iran has fallen on possible hard-liners for carrying out the suspected poisonings. Iranian journalists, including Jamileh Kadivar, a prominent former reformist lawmaker at Tehrans Ettelaat newspaper, have cited a supposed communique from a group calling itself Fidayeen Velayat that purportedly said that girls' education "is considered forbidden" and threatened to spread the poisoning of girls throughout Iran if girls schools remain open. Iranian officials have not acknowledged any group called Fidayeen Velayat, which roughly translates to English as Devotees of the Guardianship. However, Kadivars mention of the threat in print comes as she remains influential within Iranian politics and has ties to its theocratic ruling class. The head of the Ettelaat newspaper also is appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Kadivar wrote Saturday that another possibility is mass hysteria." There have been previous cases of this over the last decades, most recently in Afghanistan from 2009 through 2012. Then, the World Health Organization wrote about so-called mass psychogenic illnesses affecting hundreds of girls in schools across the country. "Reports of stench smells preceding the appearance of symptoms have given credit to the theory of mass poisoning," WHO wrote at the time. "However, investigations into the causes of these outbreaks have yielded no such evidence so far." Iran has not acknowledged asking the world health body for assistance in its investigation. WHO did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday. However, Kadivar also noted that hard-liners in Iranian governments in the past carried out so-called chain murders" of activists and others in the 1990s. She also referenced the killings by Islamic vigilantes in 2002 in the city of Kerman, when one victim was stoned to death and others were tied up and thrown into a swimming pool, where they drowned. She described those vigilantes as being members of the Basij, an all-volunteer force in Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. The common denominator of all of them is their extreme thinking, intellectual stagnation and rigid religious view that allowed them to have committed such violent actions, Kadivar wrote. Search Keywords: Short link: (@FahadShabbir) Athens, March 5 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Mar, 2023 ) :Greece's prime minister on Sunday asked for forgiveness from the families of the 57 dead in the nation's worst rail disaster as thousands of furious protesters rallied in Athens and clashed with police. "As prime minister, I owe it to everyone, but especially to the victims' relatives, (to ask for) forgiveness," Kyriakos Mitsotakis wrote in a message addressed to the nation ahead of a memorial service in Athens. "For the Greece of 2023, two trains heading in different directions cannot run on the same line and no one notice," Mitsotakis said in the message posted on his Facebook page. The crash between passenger and freight trains near the city of Larissa on Tuesday has sparked widespread outrage across Greece. Thousands of angry demonstrators -- police estimated the number at 12,000 people -- gathered by the large esplanade in front of the parliament to demand accountability for Tuesday's head-on collision near the central city of Larissa that has sparked widespread outrage. AFP journalists saw violent clashes erupt between police and protesters. Police said seven police were hurt while five arrests were made after - petrol bombs and tear gas - some demonstrators set fire to rubbish bins and threw Molotov cocktails. Others held signs reading "Down with killer governments." Police responded by firing tear gas and stun grenades to clear the square. At the small station of Rapsani, near to the accident site, local people left red and white carnations and lit candles along the track. Greek television showed harrowing images of weeping parents clamouring for information of children who had been aboard the train and berating authorities for what had happened. Michalis Hasiotis, head of the chartered accountants' union, told AFP they felt "an immense anger", blaming "the thirst for profit, the lack of measures taken for the passengers' protection" for the disaster. Relatives and loved ones of those killed gathered Sunday for a memorial outside Larissa station, central Greece, near the site of the accident. The station master, named as Vassilis Samaras who has admitted responsibility for the accident, went before a judge on Sunday, his hearing postponed from the previous day. The 59-year-old is charged with negligent homicide and faces life in jail if convicted. - Grief and anger - Hellenic Train, the rail company that has become the focus of some of the anger expressed in the wake of the crash, late Saturday defended its actions. Hundreds of people had demonstrated during the week outside their Athens headquarters, and one legal source has said that investigators are looking at the possibility of bringing charges against senior members of the company. Over the last few days, rail union officials have insisted they warned the company about the safety issues on the line. Hard questions are also being asked of the government over its failure to pursue rail safety reforms. The demonstrations and vigils across Greece have expressed a combination of grief and anger at the collision between a passenger train and a freight train. Many of the victims were students who were returning from a weekend break. "What happened was not an accident, it was a crime," said one protester, Sophia Hatzopoulou, 23, a philosophy student in Thessaloniki. "We can't watch all this happen and remain indifferent."At least nine young people studying at Thessaloniki's Aristotle University were among those killed on the passenger train. (@FahadShabbir) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2023) Several hundred protesters have attacked a police station, a military base and a courthouse in southeast Peru, injuring at least 27 people, including seven civilians, the Peruvian Defense Ministry and the Ministry of the Interior said on Sunday. Around 300 demonstrators set fire to a police station in the Chucuito District of the Puno Province at around 11:40 a.m. local time (16:40 GMT) on Saturday, the Peruvian authorities said. The rioters were also throwing stones, blunt objects and Molotov cocktails at the building. At the same time, two other groups of protesters attacked a military base in the town of Juli and a judiciary headquarters. "Roughly 300 violent activists attacked the police station, throwing stones ... As a result of this reprehensible attack, 10 police officers received injuries and were evacuated in a military helicopter for receiving corresponding medical care. In addition, seven civilians are known to have been injured ... Simultaneously, another group of perpetrators attacked the Juli Military Base, leaving 10 other members of the army injured," the ministries said in a joint statement. The Peruvian authorities launched an investigation into the incidents to identify those responsible for the violent riots and bring them to justice, the statement read. In December 2022, Peru's parliament impeached former President Pedro Castillo. Then-Prime Minister Dina Boluarte took an oath as the country's new president within two hours of the impeachment vote, vowing to serve out the rest of Castillo's term, which runs until July 2026. Castillo, who had tried to dissolve the parliament before the vote, was arrested after the impeachment procedure and the Peruvian prosecutor's office launched a criminal case against him on charges of an attempted coup and crimes against the state. The cascade of events sparked a wave of protests across the country. Demonstrators have denounced the post-impeachment government, calling for an immediate presidential election and dissolution of the country's parliament. TUNIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2023) The Syrian Foreign Ministry has condemned the recent trip of US Gen. Mark Milley to a US base in northeastern Syria as a violation of the country's sovereignty, Syrian state news agency SANA reported on Sunday. "Syria strongly condemns the illegal visit of the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff to an illegal US military base in northeastern Syria," the ministry said, calling it a flagrant violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Multiple US media have reported about the unannounced trip that took place on Saturday. Gen. Milley is said to have visited a logistics base in a Kurdish-held area to talk with troops and prepare recommendations for the Pentagon. The mission was allegedly in support of the US operation to defeat the Islamic State terror group (banned in Russia). ST. PETERSBURG (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2023) India and China are the only global players able to mediate the Ukraine crisis, since they cannot be accused of being biased towards any side of the conflict unlike Western countries, international experts told Sputnik. "We are neutral, we do not want to pick a side. This is our way to approach the crisis. This is acceptable to Russia and this, in its turn, is critical. If you want (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin to listen to different discourses, India or China are the only options for the Western countries. You cannot name them biased towards Europe or biased towards Russia," Pankaj Jha, Indian professor at the Jindal Global University, said. In this regard, the expert expressed belief that the warm and convivial friendship between such influential world leaders as Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and their Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, would help to resolve the Ukraine crisis, in contrast to NATO's "reckless" arms supplies to Kiev that were only feeding the conflict. Speaking about Western deliveries of military equipment, Jha also alleged that the alliance used Ukraine as "a guiena pig" for testing new weapons and techniques. "I don't see any Western country do have the role in it (the settlement of the crisis) what so ever. They should have stay out of the conflict and let the two countries to decide on their own, maybe with a mediator," the Indian expert added. In his comment to Sputnik, Nelson Wong, the vice chairman of the Center for RimPac and International Studies, also condemned West's attempts to intervene in the Ukraine conflict and called "unrealistic" expectations that sanctions would turn the clock back on Moscow's development or would force Russia to stop its military operation in Ukraine. Wong also stressed the importance of Russia's engagement in the international arena and said that Beijing was eager to keep strengthening bilateral ties with Moscow with increased trade and energy partnerships and maintaining close diplomatic contacts at all levels. "What the rest of the world, and in particular those who tend to misunderstand China, should realize by now is that, given our cultural differences, China does not believe in 'Might is Right' and does not pick sides without looking into the root causes of a conflict," the expert told Sputnik. He said that Western countries were absolutely wrong in accusing China of supporting Russia after Beijing released its 12-point document titled "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis" that promoted, among other things, respect of the sovereignty of all countries, the cessation of hostilities and the resumption of peace talks between Moscow and Kiev. Wong noted that whilst the document did not offer any "concrete solutions" as some might have expected, it was in fact a clear message and timely reminder to the rest of the world that China supported respect for core concerns of all states and the countries' sovereignty. In addition, the expert stressed that the only correct way to stop the Ukraine conflict, as well as any other conflict in the world, was through peaceful negotiations. That is why China, as a big country and an important member of the UN Security Council, felt necessary to appeal once again to the parties of the conflict with a call for peace, while maintaining neutrality unlike Western countries, Wong added. "This declaration by China is believed to be a timely statement particularly in light of the fact that the military conflict in Ukraine is getting all the more intensified with the continued sending of arms by the US and some of its allies," Wong concluded. Moscow launched its special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Russian and Ukrainian delegations have engaged in several rounds of peace talks since then, but the negotiations have ultimately reached an impasse. In November 2022, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Kiev was set on escalation, not peace talks. In December, the Kremlin expressed agreement with US statements that the settlement of the Ukraine crisis must be based on a fair and long-term peace, but at the same time, Moscow said it saw no prospects for the resumption of negotiations. BELGRADE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2023) Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Sunday media were peddling blatant lies when they claimed that his administration had authorized sales of weapons to Ukraine. "It is a blatant lie. Serbia did not send weapons to anyone. Serbia makes and sells munitions ... We have sold no munitions or other weapons to either Ukraine or Russia," he told reporters in Qatar. The Serbian Defense Ministry confirmed to Sputnik this week that Serbia exported weapons only to countries on the international whitelist and had banned their resale to Ukraine or Russia. "They say that we exported (weapons) through Turkey. Knowing well that some of the products could end up on either side of the conflict, we added a clause that prohibits Turkey from re-exporting our ammunition. What else do you want from us?" the president insisted. The Serbian Defense Ministry said Belgrade had asked foreign state agencies that are suspected of having given a greenlight to resales to clarify the matter and ensure compliance with its rules. Serbian defense contractor Krusik earlier denied media reports that alleged it sold Grad missiles to Ukraine to be used with its Soviet-made multiple launch rocket systems. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th March, 2023) UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on developed countries on Sunday to allocate part of their gross national income to assist the least developed countries. "It's also high time that developed countries live up to their commitment to provide Least-Developed Countries with 0.15 - 0.20 per cent of their Gross National Income for Official Development Assistance," Guterres said at the 5th UN Conference on Least Developed Countries in Qatar. Guterres added that the population of the least developed countries was facing significant challenges in key areas of life, including health, education, social protection, and job creation, especially amid rising food and energy prices. "We have put forward an SDG Stimulus to gather the world around the need to provide at least 500 billion US Dollars a year to developing countries," Guterres said. He also noted the need to direct efforts to combat tax evasion and money laundering in order to prevent the depletion of countries' financial resources. China has the world's largest standing army and navy, with Beijing announcing on Sunday the biggest increase to its military budget since 2019. Below are some facts about China's defence capabilities and how crucial military decisions are made: World's largest military The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has over two million trained men and women on active duty, according to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), making it the world's largest armed force. Ground troops make up the bulk of the army with 965,000 soldiers, while the navy has 260,000 members and the air force 395,000. There is also a strategic missile force of 120,000 and a paramilitary arm with 500,000 soldiers. Beijing has pruned its military in recent years, cutting nearly 300,000 soldiers from its land-based forces in 2019, while pouring billions of dollars into defence modernisation. It plans to complete those efforts by 2035, and to transform the military into a "world-class" force rivalling those of the United States and other Western powers by 2050. "China is modernising its armed forces overall, much-needed investments as some units are among the world's best trained and equipped but other units are still lagging decades behind," said Niklas Swanstrom, director of the Institute for Security and Development Policy. Navy, air force China has the largest navy in the world in terms of the number of vessels, but the fleet contains many smaller warships, including frigates and corvettes. Beijing has three aircraft carriers, but only two are operational, with the third still in testing. The United States has 11 aircraft carriers. The Pentagon in November said China's air force was "quickly catching up with" Western ones. "Within the last three years annual production rates of both the J-16 and J-20 (fighter jets) have likely doubled," according to an IISS analysis. Foreign bases China has only one military base abroad, in Djibouti, which it says was established to protect commercial vessels from pirates operating near the Horn of Africa. China is also modernising Cambodia's Ream naval base, but it is unclear whether a Chinese unit will be stationed there. Ream is strategically located in the Gulf of Thailand, providing ready access to the fiercely contested South China Sea -- a key global shipping route. The Chinese army's international experience has been limited to taking part in UN peacekeeping missions in a handful of countries including Sudan, Mali and Lebanon. Xi's army President Xi Jinping has tightened his grip over the military since abolishing term limits in 2018, allowing him to stay in power indefinitely. In 2021, the National Defence Law was amended to give full responsibility for defence mobilisation to the Central Military Commission (CMC) led by Xi. This means China's cabinet, the State Council, has no say in decisions linked to military deployment. The CMC is also in charge of managing and supervising PLA procurement since March 2022. The military's "operational effectiveness, however, remains hampered by training and doctrine issues", according to IISS. Nukes and hypersonic missiles China also has a large stockpile of missiles, along with stealth aircraft and bombers capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as nuclear-powered submarines. Beijing has about 350 nuclear warheads, far fewer than the 5,428 held by the United States or the 5,977 owned by Russia, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). China's nuclear stockpile is expected to increase to about 1,500 warheads by 2035, the Pentagon said last year. Beijing tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile that circled the globe in August 2021 and caught US intelligence by surprise. China has a strict "no first use" policy on nuclear weapons. Search Keywords: Short link: China's government announced plans to promote a consumer-led revival of the nations struggling economy as its legislature opened a session Sunday that will tighten President Xi Jinping's control over business and society. Premier Li Keqiang, the top economic official, set this year's official growth target "around 5%" following the end of anti-virus controls that kept millions of people at home and triggered protests. Growth last year fell to 3%, the second-weakest level since at least the 1970s. "We should give priority to the recovery and expansion of consumption," Li said in a nationally televised speech on government plans before the ceremonial National People's Congress in the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing. The full meeting of the 2,977 members of the NPC is the year's highest-profile event but its work is limited to endorsing decisions made by the ruling Communist Party and showcasing official initiatives. This month, the NPC is set to endorse the appointment of a government of Xi loyalists including a new premier after the 69-year-old president expanded his status as China's most powerful figure in decades by awarding himself a third five-year term as party general secretary in October, possibly preparing to become leader for life. Li, an advocate of free enterprise, was forced out as the No. 2 party leader in October. Xi's new leadership team will face challenges ranging from weak global demand for exports and lingering U.S. tariff hikes in a feud over technology and security to curbs on access to Western processor chips because of security fears. Beijing's relations with Washington and its Asian neighbors have been strained by disputes over technology, security and control of the South China Sea. In his report Sunday, the premier called for accelerating industrial and technology development, an area in which Beijing's state-led efforts have strained relations with Washington and other trading partners. They complain China steals or pressures foreign companies to hand over technology and improperly subsidizes and shields its fledgling competitors in violation of its market-opening commitments. Xi earlier singled out encouraging jittery consumers and entrepreneurs to spend and invest as a priority at the ruling party's economic planning meeting in December. Beijing needs to "fully release consumption potential," Xi said, according to a text released last month. Since taking power in 2012, Xi has promoted an even more dominant role for the ruling party. He has called for the party to return to its "original mission" as China's economic, social and cultural leader and carry out the "rejuvenation of the great Chinese nation." Xi has crushed dissent, stepped up censorship and control over information, and tightened control over Hong Kong. Xi's government has tightened control over China's biggest e-commerce and other tech companies with anti-monopoly and data security crackdowns that wiped billions of dollars off their stock market value. Beijing is pressing them to pay for social welfare and official initiatives to develop processor chips and other technology. That has prompted warnings economic growth will suffer. Li's report Sunday reinforced the importance of state industry. It promised to support entrepreneurs who generate China's new jobs and wealth but also said the government will "enhance the core competitiveness" of state-owned companies that dominate industries from banking and energy to telecoms and steel. Li also called for "resolute steps" to oppose formal independence for Taiwan, the self-ruled island democracy claimed by Beijing as part of its territory. He called for "peaceful reunification" between China and Taiwan, which split in 1949 after a civil war, but announced no initiatives. Taiwan never has been part of the People's Republic of China, but Beijing says it is obligated to unite with the mainland, by force if necessary. Xi's government has stepped up efforts to intimidate the island by flying fighter jets and bombers nearby and firing missiles into the ocean. Chinese economic growth has struggled since mid-2021, when tighter controls on debt that Beijing worries is dangerously high triggered a slump in the vast real estate industry, which supports millions of jobs. Smaller developers were forced into bankruptcy and some defaulted on bonds, causing alarm in global financial markets. Longer term, the workforce has been shrinking for a decade, putting pressure on plans to increase China's wealth and global influence. Consumer spending is gradually recovering, but the International Monetary Fund and some private sector economists forecast growth this year as low as 4.4%, well below the official target. A measure of factory activity rose to a nine-year high in February. Other measures of activity including the number of subway passengers and express deliveries rose. A central bank official said Friday real estate activity is recovering and lending for construction and home purchases is rising. A recovery based on consumer spending is likely to be more gradual than one driven by stimulus spending or a boom in real estate investment. But Chinese leaders are trying to avoid reigniting a rise in debt and want to nurture self-sustaining growth based on consumption instead of exports and investment. The official in line to become premier is Li Qiang, a former party secretary of Shanghai who is close to Xi but has no government experience at the national level. Li Qiang was named No. 2 party leader in October. That reflects Xi's emphasis on promoting officials with whom he has personal history and bypassing party tradition that leadership candidates need experience as Cabinet ministers or in other national-level posts. If achieved, the official growth target would be an improvement over last year but down sharply from 2021's 8.1%. An international archeological mission has uncovered the remnants of what is believed to be a 5,000-year-old restaurant or tavern in the ancient city of Lagash in southern Iraq. The discovery of the ancient dining hall complete with a rudimentary refrigeration system, hundreds of roughly made clay bowls and the fossilized remains of an overcooked fish announced in late January by a University of Pennsylvania-led team, generated some buzz beyond Iraq's borders. It came against the backdrop of a resurgence of archeology in a country often referred to as the "cradle of civilization," but where archeological exploration has been stunted by decades of conflict before and after the U.S. invasion of 2003. Those events exposed the country's rich sites and collections to the looting of tens of thousands of artifacts. "The impacts of looting on the field of archeology were very severe," Laith Majid Hussein, director of the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage of Iraq, told The Associated Press. "Unfortunately, the wars and periods of instability have greatly affected the situation in the country in general." With relative calm prevailing over the past few years, the digs have returned. At the same time, thousands of stolen artifacts have been repatriated, offering hope of an archeological renaissance. "'Improving' is a good term to describe it, or 'healing' or 'recovering,'" said Jaafar Jotheri, a professor of archeology at University of Al-Qadisiyah, describing the current state of the field in his country. Iraq is home to six UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites, among them the ancient city of Babylon, the site of several ancient empires under rulers like Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar. In the years before the 2003 U.S. invasion, a limited number of international teams came to dig at sites in Iraq. During Saddam Hussein's rule, Jotheri said, the foreign archeologists who did come were under strict monitoring by a suspicious government in Baghdad, limiting their contacts with locals. There was little opportunity to transfer skills or technology to local archeologists, he said, meaning that the international presence brought "no benefit for Iraq." The country's ancient sites faced "two waves of destruction," Jotheri said, the first after harsh international sanctions were imposed following Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait and desperate Iraqis "found artifacts and looting as a form of income" and the second in 2003 following the U.S. invasion, when "everything collapsed." Amid the ensuing security vacuum and rise of the Islamic State militant group, excavations all but shut down for nearly a decade in southern Iraq, while continuing in the more stable northern Kurdish-controlled area. Ancient sites were looted and artifacts smuggled abroad. The first international teams to return to southern Iraq came in 2014 but their numbers grew haltingly after that. The digs at Lagash, which was first excavated in 1968, had shut down after 1990, and the site remained dormant until 2019. Unlike many others, the site was not plundered in the interim, largely due to the efforts of tribes living in the area, said Zaid Alrawi, an Iraqi archeologist who is the project manager at the site. Would-be looters who came to the area were run off by "local villagers who consider these sites basically their own property," he said. A temple complex and the remains of institutional buildings had been uncovered in earlier digs, so when archeologists returned in 2019, Alrawi said, they focused on areas that would give clues to the lives of ordinary people. They began with what turned out to be a pottery workshop containing several kilns, complete with throwaway figurines apparently made by bored workers and date pits from their on-shift snacking. Further digging in the area surrounding the workshop found a large room containing a fireplace used for cooking. The area also held seating benches and a refrigeration system made with layers of clay jars thrust into the earth with clay shards in between. The site is believed to date to around 2,700 BC. Given that beer drinking was widespread among the ancient Sumerians inhabiting Lagash at the time, many envisioned the space as a sort of ancient gastropub. But Alrawi said he believes it was more likely a cafeteria to feed workers from the pottery workshop next door. "I think it was a place to serve whoever was working at the big pottery production next door, right next to the place where people work hard, and they had to eat lunch," he said. Alrawi, whose father was also an archeologist, grew up visiting sites around the country. Today, he is happy to see "a full throttle of excavations" returning to Iraq. "It's very good for the country and for the archeologists, for the international universities and academia," he said. As archeological exploration has expanded, international dollars have flowed into restoring damaged heritage sites like the al-Nouri mosque in Mosul, and Iraqi authorities have pushed to repatriate stolen artifacts from countries as near as Lebanon and as far as the United States. Last month, Iraq's national museum began opening its doors to the public for free on Fridays a first in recent history. Families wandered through halls lined with Assyrian tablets and got an up-close look at the crown jewel of Iraq's repatriated artifacts: a small clay tablet dating back 3,500 years and bearing a portion of the Epic of Gilgamesh that was looted from an Iraqi museum 30 years ago and returned from the U.S. two years ago. The tablet is among 17,000 looted artifacts returned to Iraq from the U.S. Ebtisam Khalaf, a history teacher who was one of the visitors to the museum on its first free day, said, "This is a beautiful initiative because, we can see the things that we only used to hear about." Before, she said, her students could "only see these antiquities in books. But now we can see these beautiful artifacts for real." President Joe Biden used the searing memories of Selma's Bloody Sunday to recommit to a cornerstone of democracy, lionizing a seminal moment from the civil rights movement at a time when he has been unable to push enhanced voting protections through Congress and a conservative Supreme Court has undermined a landmark voting law. Selma is a reckoning. The right to vote ... to have your vote counted is the threshold of democracy and liberty. With it anything's possible, Biden told a crowd of more than 1,000 people seated on one side of the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge, named for a reputed Ku Klux Klan leader. "This fundamental right remains under assault. The conservative Supreme Court has gutted the Voting Rights Act over the years. Since the 2020 election, a wave of states and dozens and dozens of anti-voting laws fueled by the Big Lie' and the election deniers now elected to office," he said. As a candidate in 2020, Biden promised to pursue sweeping legislation to bolster protection of voting rights. Two years ago, his 2021 legislation, named after civil right leader John Lewis, the late Georgia congressman, included provisions to restrict partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts, strike down hurdles to voting and bring transparency to a campaign finance system that allows wealthy donors to bankroll political causes anonymously. It passed the then-Democratic-controlled House, but it failed to draw the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate even under control of Biden's party. With Republicans now in control of the House, passage of such legislation is highly unlikely. We know we must get the votes in Congress, Biden said, but there seems no viable path right now. The visit to Selma was a chance for Biden to speak directly to the current generation of civil rights activists. Many feel let down because of the lack of progress on voting rights and they are eager to see his administration keep the issue in the spotlight. Few moments have had as lasting importance to the civil rights movement as what happened on March 7, 1965, in Selma and in the weeks that followed. Some 600 peaceful demonstrators led by Lewis and fellow activist Hosea Williams had gathered that day, just weeks after the fatal shooting of a young Black man, Jimmie Lee Jackson, by an Alabama trooper. Lewis and the others were brutally beaten by Alabama troopers and sheriffs deputies as they tried to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge at the start of what was supposed to be a 54-mile walk to the state Capitol in Montgomery as part of a larger effort to register Black voters in the South. On this bridge, blood was given to help redeem the soul of America, Biden said. The images of the police violence sparked outrage across the country. Days later, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. led what became known as the Turnaround Tuesday march, in which marchers approached a wall of police at the bridge and prayed before turning back. President Lyndon B. Johnson introduced the Voting Rights Act of 1965 eight days after Bloody Sunday, calling Selma one those rare moments in American history where history and fate meet at a single time. On March 21, King began a third march, under federal protection, that grew by thousands by the time they arrived at the state Capitol. Five months later, Johnson signed the bill into law. This years commemoration came as the historic city of roughly 18,000 was still digging out from the aftermath of a January EF-2 tornado that destroyed or damaged thousands of properties in and around Selma. The scars of that storm were still evident Sunday. Blocks from the stage where Biden spoke, houses sat crumbled or without roofs. Orange spray paint marked buildings beyond salvage with instructions to tear down. We remain Selma strong, Mayor James Perkins said, adding that we will build back better. He thanked Biden for approving a disaster declaration that helped the small city with the cost of debris cleanup and removal. Before Biden's visit, the Rev. William Barber II, a co-chair of Poor Peoples Campaign, and six other activists wrote Biden and members of Congress to express their frustration with the lack of progress on voting rights legislation. They urged Washington politicians visiting Selma not to sully the memories of Lewis and Williams and other civil rights activists with empty platitudes. Were saying to President Biden, lets frame this to America as a moral issue, and lets show how it effects everybody, Barber said in an interview. Among those sharing the stage with Biden before the march across the bridge were Barber, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King III and the Rev. Al Sharpton. Water bottles were passed out to some in the crowd gathered to hear Biden and at least one person was taken away on a stretcher because of the upper-70s heat. Some had waited hours in the sun before relief came from shadows cast from nearby building. Delores Gresham, 65, a retired health care worker from Birmingham, arrived four hours early, grabbing a front-row spot so her grandchildren could hear the president and see the commemoration. I want them to know what happened here, she said. In his remarks, Biden said, Everyone should know the truth of Selma. Two years ago on the anniversary, Biden issued an executive order directing federal agencies to expand access to voter registration, called on the heads of agencies to come up with plans to give federal employees time off to vote or volunteer as nonpartisan poll workers, and more. But many federal agencies are lagging in meeting the voting registration provision of Biden's order, according to a report published Thursday by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. The Biden administration is close to tightening rules on some overseas investments by U.S. companies to limit China's ability to acquire technologies that could improve its military prowess, according to a U.S. official familiar with the deliberations. The soon-to-be-issued executive order from President Joe Biden will limit American investment in advanced technologies that have national security applications such as next-generation military capabilities that could help China improve the speed and accuracy of military decision making, according to the official, who was not authorized to comment and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The expected action is the latest effort by the White House to target China's military and technology sectors at a time of increasingly fraught relations between the world's two biggest economies. In October, the Biden administration imposed export controls to limit Chinas ability to access advanced chips, which it says can be used to make weapons, commit human rights abuses and improve the speed and accuracy of its military logistics. The complicated relationship has become further strained in recent weeks after the U.S. shot down a Chinese spy balloon last month that traversed the country. The Biden administration has also publicized U.S. intelligence findings that raise concern Beijing is weighing providing Russia weaponry for its ongoing war on Ukraine. The tensions were on display as top diplomats from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations ended a contentious meeting in New Delhi on Thursday with no consensus on the Ukraine war and concerns about Chinas widening global influence dominating much of the talks. Meanwhile, China this past week blasted the new House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party after it held its first hearing on countering Beijing's influence. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning demanded its members discard their ideological bias and zero-sum Cold War mentality. Administration officials have been consulting with allies as they've worked on formulating the new regulations on U.S. investment, according to the official. The Wall Street Journal first reported Saturday that the Treasury and Commerce departments delivered reports to lawmakers Friday detailing plans for the new regulatory system to address U.S. overseas investment in advanced technologies. The agencies said they expected to seek additional money for the investment screening program in the White House budget, which is scheduled to be released March 9, according to the Journal. A White House National Security Council spokesperson declined to comment on the Treasury and Commerce reports but noted that administration officials have kept Congress apprised of its progress in crafting an approach to overseas investment. The expected action is certain to face pushback from U.S. firms. Administration officials have sought to signal to the business community that even as they look to examine rules on U.S. investment in China, they are mindful of not overreaching. One of the most important things we can do, from my perspective, is make sure that we draw clear lines between what is competition and what is national security because, fundamentally, my view is that the United States does well when were competing on a level playing field with any country in the world, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said at recent Council on Foreign Relations event. But we also want, in the narrow spaces where we see national security risk, [to] be able to use the tools at our disposal to protect the national security of the United States of America. A bipartisan group of lawmakers last year urged Biden to establish a tougher screening system for investments in foreign adversaries with China being top of mind. A prominent Cameroonian businessman was charged Saturday with complicity in the torture of a journalist who was murdered in a high-profile case that has rocked the country, his lawyer told AFP. Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, reputedly close to ministers and senior officials, was arrested February 6 and brought before a military court in the capital Yaounde on Friday before being remanded, his lawyer said. A source at the court confirmed the report to AFP on the condition of anonymity. The authorities did not respond to requests for comment on the charges Amougou Belinga faces. Radio journalist Martinez Zogo, who was kidnapped and brutally murdered in January, was outspoken against graft and financial sleaze and had often faced threats over his work. Amougou Belinga, owner of L'Anecdote media group, "was arrested... at dawn" last month, the company said. The tycoon has holdings in banking, finance, insurance and property, as well as L'Anecdote, which owns a daily newspaper of that name and several pro-government TV and radio stations. Belinga's lawyer said his client was "not charged with the murder of Martinez Zogo," adding: "It is only an indictment, the judicial investigation has only just begun." Belinga "was placed under a detention order... at the main prison in Kondengui" after being "presented before an investigating judge at the military court," a media group he owns said in a statement. Suspects Several people suspected of involvement in the case were also brought before the military court Friday evening, according to an AFP reporter on the scene. Leopold Maxime Eko Eko, head of the General Directorate for External Investigations (DGRE) and its director of operations, Justin Danwe, are among those suspected, a communication ministry official told AFP on the condition of anonymity, alongside other official sources who also requested confidentiality. Denis Omgba Bomba, head of the National Media Observatory, a unit attached to the communications ministry, previously confirmed the arrest and said the tycoon had been "named a suspect in the killing of Martinez Zogo." Zogo, 50, was the manager of the privately-owned radio station Amplitude FM and host of a daily show called Embouteillage (Traffic Jam). He had frequently named Amougou Belinga in his corruption accusations. Knew of threats before abducted Zogo was abducted January 17 outside a police station in the suburbs of the capital Yaounde, and his mutilated corpse was found five days later. Just days before he was killed, he had told listeners about threats he faced. The murder sparked outcry, including a protest by 20 leading Cameroonians over the government's "long tradition of trivializing impunity and accepting atrocities." RSF's Press Freedom Index ranks Cameroon 118th out of 180 countries. The government has insisted Cameroon is "a state of law, where liberty is guaranteed, including the freedom of the press." Climate activists splashed a dark liquid over an artwork Saturday near the German parliament building. Desecrating the art, engraved with key articles from the country's constitution, drew condemnation from the speaker of parliament and other lawmakers. The Last Generation group said supporters symbolically soaked in oil the outdoor installation a series of glass plates on which 19 articles from the German Constitution setting out fundamental rights are engraved. They pasted posters over the work that read, Oil or fundamental rights? The group said in a statement that the German government is not protecting our fundamental rights and argued that continuing to burn oil is incompatible with doing so. Parliament Speaker Barbel Bas said she was appalled by the action and has no understanding for it. She said the work by Israeli artist Dani Karavan, titled Grundgesetz 49 after the German name of the post-World War II constitution and the year when it was drawn up, is a reminder to respect and protect rights such as freedom of expression and assembly. Those are the fundamental rights on which the demonstrators from Last Generation themselves base the justification for their actions," Bas said in a statement. I can only hope that the glass plates of the artwork were not permanently damaged. The work was wiped clean by Saturday afternoon. Last Generation has repeatedly drawn attention and anger over the past year with actions that have included blocking major roads and throwing food at famous paintings. A fire destroyed 2,000 shelters at a Rohingya refugee camp in southeastern Bangladesh on Sunday, leaving around 12,000 people homeless, an official said. The fire broke out around 2:45 pm (0845 GMT) at camp number 11 in Kutupalong, one of the world's largest refugee settlements, and rapidly engulfed the bamboo-and-tarpaulin shelters, Mijanur Rahman, Bangladesh's refugee commissioner, told AFP. "Some 2,000 shelters have been burnt, leaving about 12,000 forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals shelterless," he said. At least 35 mosques and 21 learning centres for the refugees were also destroyed, though there were no reports of any injuries or deaths, he added. "My shelter was gutted. (My shop) was also burnt," said Mamun Johar, a 30-year-old Rohingya man. "The fire took everything from me, everything." The blaze was brought under control in less than three hours. It was not clear how the fire started. The authorities have ordered an investigation. Fires are common in the camps where nearly one million Rohingya refugees live in squalid conditions. Most of them fled a military crackdown in Myanmar's Rakhine state in 2017 and took refuge in Bangladesh. A Bangladesh defence ministry report last month said that between January 2021 and December 2022, there were 222 fire incidents in the Rohingya camps, including 60 cases of arson. In March 2021, in what was the worst blaze in the Rohingya camps, at least 15 people were killed and some 50,000 were displaced after a fire engulfed an entire block in a settlement. Search Keywords: Short link: Endangered Mexican gray wolves are making more strides, as more breeding pairs and pups have been documented since reintroduction efforts began in the southwestern U.S. more than two decades ago, federal wildlife managers said Tuesday. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the results of its annual survey in New Mexico and Arizona, saying this is the first time the population has topped 200 and the seventh straight year that the numbers have trended upward. In all, at least 241 of the predators were counted, marking a nearly 23% increase over the previous year and a doubling of the population since 2017. Since the first wolf release in 1998, the program has had its share of fits and starts due to illegal killings, a lack of genetic diversity and legal wrangling over management. "To go from zero wild Mexican wolves at the start to 241 today is truly remarkable," Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator Brady McGee said in a statement. The annual count started in November, with members of the interagency field team conducting ground and aerial surveys of a rugged forested area along the Arizona-New Mexico line. Aside from tracking radio-collared wolves, they used remote cameras and collected scat to estimate the population. The work is done over the winter when the population is most stable. It's estimated that thousands of Mexican wolves once roamed from central Mexico to New Mexico, southern Arizona and Texas. Predator eradication programs began in the late 1800s and within several decades, the wolves were all but eliminated from the wild. The rarest subspecies of gray wolf in North America, Mexican wolves were listed as endangered in the 1970s and a U.S.-Mexico captive breeding program was started with the seven remaining wolves in existence. Wolf-livestock conflicts have been a major challenge of the reintroduction program over the past two decades, with ranchers saying the killing of livestock by wolves remains a threat to their livelihood despite efforts by wildlife managers to scare the wolves away and reimburse some of the losses. Jim deVos, Arizona Game and Fish Department Mexican Wolf Coordinator, said recovery for any endangered species is difficult and this has proven to be the case for the Mexican wolf. Still, he described growth over the last year as stunning. "By every possible measure, progress was made," he said, pointing to 31 breeding pairs that produced 121 pups, about two-thirds of which survived to the time of the count. The survival rate for pups in their first year is typically around 50%. The field team was able to capture and collar 21 wolves during the survey. Officials said the additional collars will help them gain a better understanding of wolf activity and help with on-the-ground management. The cross-fostering of captive bred pups with packs in the wild also has added to the population and has helped to address concerns about genetic diversity. This year, two of the 11 pups that were fostered survived. Officials also documented the lowest annual total of wolf deaths since 2017 six in Arizona and six in New Mexico for 2022. In 2020, 29 wolves were reported dead and another 25 the following year. Environmental groups celebrated the numbers but cautioned Tuesday that more work needs to be done to improve genetics among the wild population and that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service needs to allow wolves to roam beyond what they call arbitrary boundaries that have been established for the recovery area. Citing low survival rates for cross-fostered pups, the groups have been pushing for more family groups adult wolves with pups to be released into the wild. Prime Minister Kaja Kallas's center-right Reform Party won Estonia's general election by a wide margin on Sunday, according to near-complete results, beating out a far-right rival that had campaigned against further arms deliveries to Ukraine. Reform won 31.6 percent of the vote, with right-wing runners-up EKRE taking 16 percent. In order to stay in power, Reform will again have to form a coalition with one or more of the parties in the Baltic state's 101-seat parliament. The Centre Party secured 14.7 percent of Sunday's ballot, Estonia 200 got 13.5 percent, the Social Democrats received 9.4 percent and the Isamaa (Fatherland) party 8.3 percent. "This is much better than we expected," Kallas said of the result. "We have ruled out a coalition with EKRE and I stand by my words." EKRE leader Martin Helme suggested on election night that Reform "stole" the election. "We didn't do anything wrong. We did everything right and with honesty, unlike those who stole our well-deserved victory," he said. Reform is a center-right liberal party that appeals to business owners and young professionals. It has promised to raise military spending to at least three percent of GDP and ease taxes on business, and wants to pass a law approving same-sex civil partnerships. EKRE, meanwhile, had campaigned against additional military aid to Kyiv, called for a halt in Ukrainian refugee arrivals and for lower immigration rates to protect local workers. The electoral commission must still verify the results, but if confirmed, Reform will win 37 seats three more than they did four years ago. Escalating tensions Estonia, a country of 1.3 million people bordering Russia, is a member of the EU and NATO, and has led international calls over the past year for more military aid to help Ukraine fight off Russia's invasion. Its military assistance to Ukraine amounts to more than one percent of GDP the biggest contribution of any country relative to the size of its economy and the ongoing war there was on many voters' minds. "It's obvious that what is happening in Ukraine is very important for Estonia as well," 35-year-old engineer Juhan Ressar told AFP at a polling station in the capital Tallinn. "Maybe people... have forgotten the importance of independence." Speaking of aid to Ukraine, Kallas said on Sunday: "I think with such a strong mandate this will not change." "Other parties except EKRE and maybe Centre have chosen the same line. So I think we can find common ground here," she added. According to EKRE's Helme, Estonia should not be "further escalating tensions" with Moscow. Estonia has also been grappling with a cost-of-living crisis, enduring one of the EU's highest inflation rates 18.6 percent in January over 12 months earlier. For 62-year-old pensioner Pjotr Mahhonin, only EKRE "represents the Estonian people". He accused the prime minister of being more interested in "another country", referring to Ukraine. Like many Estonians, he said he feared war. "We have a big neighbor, Russia, and it's very dangerous. "If war starts, we are the country on the front line." Abstention uncertainty Rein Toomla, a political expert from the Johan Skytte Institute, said Reform could safely exclude EKRE from any coalition building, as its "position has now become so weak that it can be easily ignored". According to political analysts, a coalition between Reform, Estonia 200 and the Social Democrats is possible, as is one between Reform, Centre and Isamaa. The Centre Party, which is traditionally popular with Estonia's large Russian-speaking minority, has supported government policy on Ukraine and on Russia. The center-left party had also promised more investment in infrastructure and affordable housing. This put off some Russian-speaking voters, raising fears of high rates of abstention among the minority, who account for around a quarter of the population. Overall voter turnout was 63.5 percent, according to the electoral commission. A massive fire broke out in the middle of a refugee camp occupied by Myanmar Rohingya refugees in southeastern Bangladesh, leaving thousands homeless under the open sky, officials said Sunday. At least 1,000 shanties, mostly made of bamboo and tarpaulin in the Balukhali refugee camp, were gutted by fire, Bangladeshs deputy refugee commissioner, Shamsud Douza, said. This is however an estimated number, he told VOA. The U.N. refugee agency in Bangladesh later said in a tweet that Rohingya refugee volunteers trained on firefighting and local fire services controlled the fire. The number of casualties remained unknown although officials said they managed to take many people away to safety. Some refugees, though, said they had missing family members. One such refugee, Mohammad Saiful, said he was out collecting relief supplies from a distribution center a few blocks away when the fire started. I managed to find my wife and four children but still have not found my mother, the 42-year-old told VOA. Another refugee, Nur Mohammad, said his two children were missing amid the chaos. Refugee community leader Sawyed Ullah said more than 3,000 shanties had been gutted as the hilly camps were difficult for firefighters to reach. It [fire incidents] is happening repeatedly. People are becoming refugees twice driven away from home first and then homeless within the camp, he told VOA. Fire station operator Shahedul Islam said seven firefighting units rushed to the overcrowded camps. The reason behind the fire is still unknown. We will be able to tell once the fire comes under complete control, he said. Refugee Commissioner Mizanur Rahman said they were at the rescue stage of the operation and later will set up an investigation committee. These camps are already prone to fire hazard. And during this time of the year, the fire spreads very quickly, he said. This was the third major fire in the last three years. In 2021, a fire killed at least 15 and left 50,000 homeless for days. Last March, a huge blaze killed a minor and left some 2,000 people homeless. The commissioner said fire incidents are becoming very common in the densely populated camps and he feared potential sabotage. There are groups within the camps who often fight between themselves to establish power over each other. It is a security threat and this fire could be their work, he told VOA. He said the intelligence agencies were probing the matters and one person was detained as a suspect in this regard from the camp. At least 740,000 Rohingya Muslims arrived in the already overcrowded Bangladeshi refugee camps in Coxs Bazar district in 2017. They were fleeing fatal violence involving security forces and Buddhist militias in the northern Rakhine district of majority Buddhist Myanmar. Nearly 1.1 million refugees are now living in the squalid spread of a 28-square-kilometer camp that was once a sanctuary for rare Asian wild elephants. Barred from regular occupations by Dhaka, many Rohingya often become desperate for a better life and become involved with criminal activity. (Monir Uddin in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh contributed to this report.) Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said Saturday upon his return from a trip to Iran that Tehran has agreed to restore certain accesses at its nuclear sites and allow more inspections. Iran has been stalling on agreements that would allow the IAEA to investigate facilities where particles of uranium have been detected. Iran has also agreed to the reinstallation of cameras and other monitoring equipment that had been removed from the sites. The IAEA and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran issued a joint statement Saturday saying the high-level meetings during Grossis two-day visit addressed the importance of taking steps in order to facilitate enhanced cooperation, to expedite as appropriate the resolution of outstanding safeguards issues. The statement said the interactions between the IAEA and Iran will be carried out in a spirit of collaboration, and in full conformity with the competences of the IAEA and the rights and obligations of the Islamic Republic of Iran, based on the comprehensive safeguards agreement. Grossi spoke to reporters Saturday in Vienna. In response to a VOA reporters question, Grossi said the IAEA and the Iranian agency have agreed on a number of concrete things and that the IAEA would have certain accesses, but he did not list them. He said his agency will always be fully transparent in terms of its success which I hope for. We are taking steps in the right direction, Grossi said, but I dont want to sound overly optimistic or overly pessimistic. I think its hard work ahead for us, Grossi said, a lot of work ahead for Iran and for us. For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine. The latest developments in Russia's war on Ukraine. All times EST. 11 p.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid tribute to his soldiers fighting in the "painful and difficult" battle for the country's frontline eastern Donbas region, Agence France-Presse reported. He was speaking after Ukraine's general staff reported that its forces had fought off "more than 130 enemy attacks" the previous day, including in Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut and Avdiivka. "The enemy continues its attempts to encircle the town of Bakhmut," it said early on Sunday, of the eastern city that Moscow has been trying to capture for months. Ukraine has vowed to defend "fortress Bakhmut" which Russian troops seem determined to take. Analysts say the city, which has been virtually destroyed in the fighting, has little real strategic value. 10:20 p.m.: As the war enters its second year, a five-month-old center in Lviv shows how Ukraine is making mental health a big-picture priority in the midst of a deadly conflict the world is watching, USA Today reported. According to the newspaper, the World Health Organization found 1-in-5 people (22%) who live in a region affected by conflict in a 10-year period is estimated to have some mental health condition ranging from mild depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or psychosis. In relation to the conflict in Ukraine, the WHO estimates that as many as 9.6 million people may have a mental health condition, of whom 3.9 million may have needs that are moderate or severe. 9:25 p.m.: One day last June, Ivan Mishchenko was holding a Zoom conference with international legal experts as he sheltered in a trench near Izyum, a Kharkiv-region city that was under Russian occupation at the time. During the online session, he received a radio message saying that an enemy helicopter was approaching his units positions. He ended the call and rushed to prepare for a possible attack. Fighting Russian forces and reforming Ukraines judiciary did not seem to go hand in hand at that point but now its clear to him that they are parts of the same struggle, Mishchenko, a judge on Ukraines Supreme Court, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty through a video link from Warsaw. After several months on the front lines, he left the battlefield and went to Poland to resume work with a European Union-backed commission responsible for selecting new judges in Ukraine. 8:30 p.m.: Russia has "wasted huge amounts of human resources, armaments, and materials" during the full-scale war against Ukraine, says Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, The Kyiv Independent reported. Russia will likely run out of offensive potential by late spring, Budanov said in an interview with USA Today published on March 5. The intelligence chief did not elaborate further on Moscow's war aims in the coming weeks. 7:38 p.m.: Burned forests and fields. Polluted rivers and soil. Flooded villages and gaping craters. A year after Russias full-scale invasion, Ukraine, Europes second-largest country, faces at least $47 billion worth of environmental damage from the fighting, the Ukrainian State Environmental Inspectorate estimates, Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys Ukrainian Service reported. Yet this estimate is only that -- a temporary tally. With Russian troops still occupying all or part of five Ukrainian regions -- Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Donetsk, and Luhansk -- Ukrainian scientists, environmental protection specialists, and state inspectors cannot travel freely throughout the country to assess environmental damage firsthand. For a more specific evaluation, Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service, showed Ukrainian environmental experts satellite photos of eight key land sites in Ukraine taken by the U.S.-based satellite imagery company Planet Labs both before and after fighting between Russian and Ukrainian armed forces. 6:53 p.m.: The Institute for the Study of War tweeted: The #Wagner Group reportedly opened at least three new recruitment centers at sports clubs in #Russia between March 2-4, possibly to augment #WagnerGroups recruitment base after losing access to prisoner recruits. 6:12 p.m.: Should he stay or should he go? Thats the question sparking heated debate in Ukraine about the man whose name adorns a renowned conservatory in the heart of Kyiv: Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. In the wake of Russias unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, students at the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine, previously known as the Kyiv Conservatory, have pushed for the removal of the Russian composers name from their university. 5:25 p.m.: 5:05 p.m.: Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said Sunday that Russia has begun using 1.5-ton UPAB-1500B gliding (guided aircraft) bombs for the first time, pointing to the need for modern fighter jets to counter them, Ukrainian news site Ukrainska Pravda reports. Ihnat emphasized that it was crucial that Ukraine receives such jets, such as F-16s. "The planes are more mobile, they can scramble to intercept the same bombers, and with missiles with a range of more than 150 kilometers, chase away at least those planes and prevent them from dropping these bombs. That is why we need modern fighters, because our Soviet planes cannot do this," he said. According to the Ukrainian Defense Express news outlet, the Russian used the 1.5 ton gliding bombs for the first time a few weeks ago. Each bomb carries a 1,010 kg concrete-piercing high-explosive payload. 4:25 p.m.: The Russian General Staff reported Sunday, that Russian forces in Ukraine were conducting offensives in the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Shakhtarsk operational directions. In two other directions, it added, in the Russian-controlled parts of Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts, Russian troops are keeping up the defense. Over the past 24 hours, Ukraines forces have hit two command and control posts and 10 areas of concentration of Russias manpower and military equipment, the General Staff said. According to the report, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has ordered Rustam Muradov, who was appointed commander of Russia's Eastern Military District last October, to capture the town of Vuhledar in Donetsk oblast at any price." But Russian soldiers there were refusing to obey orders because they see the offensive as meaningless, The Kyiv Independent reported. 3:45 p.m.: In his nightly video address Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, The world is strong enough to punish Russia for the war. The Ukrainian leader noted lawyers and allies from all over the world participated in that a three-day conference in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv to discuss how to hold Russia accountable for war crimes in Ukraine. All Russian murderers, every organizer of this aggression, everyone who in any way sustains the war against our country and terror against our people must be punished, he said. And this is not just a dream of justice. This is work that is already underway. These are agreements that we are already reaching. These are institutions that are already working and will work even harder to restore justice, to punish those responsible for aggression, He added. Zelenskyy also spoke about rebuilding and fortifying Ukraines energy infrastructure. Strengthening the protection of energy facilities, restoring the infrastructure that has been destroyed by Russian strikes over the past six months, and giving our people more opportunities as part of the energy system decentralization project so that they can generate and supply electricity on their private territory, at their private facilities. This is a big undertaking, and it has already begun. 2:55 p.m.: In an interview with CNN, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that any negotiations ending the war in Ukraine will only begin once Russian President Vladimir Putin understands he will not win. "My view, it is necessary that Putin understands that he will not succeed with this invasion and his imperialistic aggression that he has to withdraw troops. This is the basis for talks," Scholz said. He added that he believes Ukraine is "ready for peace." Asked by CNN if a peace deal might involve Ukraine conceding it will not retake Crimea or parts of the eastern Donbas region, Scholz expressed unequivocal support for Ukraine. "We will not take decisions instead of them. We support them," he said. "We told [Ukraine] that they can go for membership into the European Union. They are working to make progress in all the criteria that are important for this. I think they know that we are ready to organize a certain way of security guarantees for the country, in times of peace to come, but we are not there yet," Scholz added. 2:10 p.m.: Evacuations from the besieged city of Bakhmut have slowed significantly, the city's deputy mayor has told CNN. Speaking by phone from a neighboring town, Oleksandr Marchenko said five to 10 people were being evacuated each day, down from up to 600 who were abandoning the city when evacuations were at their peak. The enemy blows everything to the ground, strikes at multi-story buildings, and the residential sector. There are air raids, artillery shelling, mortar shelling. The enemy is striking the city with everything they can, the deputy mayor said. There is no way we can get there, Marchenko stressed. Approximately 4,000 to 4,500 people are still in Bakhmut, but Marchenko said it was difficult to persuade those there to leave. Most, he said, "fear having nowhere to go and nothing to go with." He said four medical workers remain in the city and there are heating points available for residents. Russia has been pressing hard to capture Bakhmut for months and appears to be surrounding the city. One soldier inside said Sunday that the situation remains difficult, as the Russian assault continues to cause a lot of destruction and losses for the Ukrainian side. 1:15 p.m.: In a videotaped appearance Wagner boss Yevgeni Prigozhin delivered a solemn warning of the bloody consequences for Russia if his men were to now retreat from Bakhmut. 12:10 p.m.: A year after Russias full-scale invasion, Ukraine, Europes second-largest country, faces at least 1.74 trillion hryvnyas ($47 billion) worth of environmental damage from the fighting, the Ukrainian State Environmental Inspectorate estimates. RFE/RL reports that with Russian troops still occupying all or part of five Ukrainian regions -- Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Donetsk, and Luhansk -- Ukrainian scientists, environmental protection specialists, and state inspectors cannot travel freely throughout the country to assess environmental damage firsthand. The investigative unit of RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service, presented Ukrainian environmental experts with satellite images of eight key land sites in Ukraine taken by the U.S.-based satellite imagery company Planet Labs both before and after fighting between Russian and Ukrainian armed forces. 11:20 a.m.: Russian troops are trying but failing to surround Bakhmut while Ukrainian fighters have repelled numerous attacks in and around the city, Ukraine's armed forces' general staff said in a Facebook post late on Saturday. The Guardian cites Oleh Zhdanov, a prominent Ukrainian analyst of military affairs, saying on a YouTube interview Saturday night that he could not detect any immediate signs Kyiv was going to order a retreat from the city. "At the moment the situation is more or less stabilized. In terms of the advancement of Russian troops, we practically stopped (it)," he said. The Ukrainian general staff also said Russian attacks had been foiled in the villages of Vasyukivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Dubovo-Vasylivka and Hryhorivka, all of which lie just to the north of Bakhmut's city center. Russia says Bakhmut would be a stepping stone to completing the capture of the Donbas industrial region, one of Moscow's most important goals. 10:35 a.m.: According to the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, boys born in 2006 are now to be put on the military register by Russia's proxies in the occupied regions of Luhansk Oblast for their mobilization in the future. According to The Kyiv Independent, Ukrainian authorities do not have direct access to the temporarily occupied areas and appear to report this information relying on their local sources. Russias proxies are also continuing to draft older citizens to fight against the Ukrainian forces and have increased search measures for those who have evaded the draft. Once caught they will be detained and immediately taken to conscription points. Russian troops are facing great losses at 153,120 casualties as of March 5, according to Ukraine's General Staff. British intelligence said Sunday, that the mobilized are sent into battle with only firearms and shovels, resulting in bad physical and mental state. 9:55 a.m.: Russia has wasted huge amounts of human resources, armaments and materials. Its economy and production are not able to cover these losses said Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. In an interview with USA Today, Sunday, Budanov predicted that Russia it will likely run out of offensive potential by late spring and added that neither the economy nor domestic military industrial complex will be able to help Russia, and it will lack resources to wage war against Ukraine if it fails in its aims this spring. Budanov said a decisive battle is about to happen this spring and predicted that this battle will be the final one before this war ends, USA Today reported. 9:17 a.m.: Estonians are voting in a general election, Sunday. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has emerged as one of Europes most outspoken supporters of Ukraine during Russia's invasion. She faces a challenge from the far-right EKRE party, which argues that the current coalition government has given too many weapons to Ukraine. The opposition also blames the current government for Estonias high inflation rate. Preliminary election results are expected early Monday. Estonia broke away from the Soviet Union in 1991 and followed a pro - Western line, joining NATO and the European Union, The Associated Press reported. 8:45 a.m.: Two Ukrainian pilots are training on flight simulators in Arizona two U.S. officials said Saturday. So far Washington has not pledged to send fighter jets or sophisticated remotely piloted drones to Kyiv, Reuters reported. The U.S. and allies have sent Ukraine weapons such as Javelin missiles and HIMARS rocket launchers, but not sophisticated jets and the largest armed drones. The Arizona "familiarization event" is a first and will facilitate dialog between Ukrainian and U.S. personnel and provide an opportunity to observe how the U.S. Air Force operates, a U.S. defense official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "This event allows us to better help Ukrainian pilots become more effective pilots and better advise them on how to develop their own capabilities," the defense official said. Other allies have also conducted similar events in the past, the defense official said. The defense official did not say how long the Ukrainians had been in the Southwestern state. The officials said there were no updates regarding F-16 fighter jet pledges to Ukraine. "It's about training them on their own planes," the administration official said, "not about F-16s." The U.S. has not begun any F-16 training of Ukrainians, Colin Kahl, undersecretary of defense for policy, told members of the House of Representatives Tuesday. 8:15 a.m.: Ankara is working hard to extend a U.N.-backed initiative that has allowed Ukraine to export grain from Black Sea ports blockaded by Russia since its invasion. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Sunday that The Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered by the United Nations and Turkey last July allowed grain to be exported from three Ukrainian ports. The agreement was extended in November and will expire on March 18 unless an extension is agreed. "We are working hard for the smooth implementation and further extension of the Black Sea grain deal," Cavusoglu said in a speech at the United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries being held in Doha, Qatar. Cavusoglu also said he discussed the extension efforts with U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Reuters reported. On Wednesday, Russia said it would agree extending the agreement if the interests of its own agricultural producers are taken into account, Reuters reported. 7:45 a.m.: A woman and two children were killed in their house by Russian mortar shelling of a village in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson, Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office said on a Telegram post, Sunday. "Russian terrorists continue to kill civilians," he said, providing no additional details of the attack. Kherson was occupied by Russian troops from the early days of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine until its liberation by Kyiv's forces in November. Since then, the city has regularly been shelled from Russian positions across the Dnipro River, Reuters reported. 5:17 a.m.: The Institute for the Study of War, a U.S. think tank, said in its latest Ukraine assessment that Russian forces conducted offensive actions along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line. Russian forces also continued efforts to encircle Bakhmut and conduct ground attacks along the Donetsk Oblast front line. Ukrainian sources continue to report that Russian forces are trying to set conditions for offensive operations in southern Ukraine. 4:09 a.m.: In a first, two Ukrainian pilots are in Arizona to fly flight simulators and be evaluated by the U.S. military, an American defense official said Saturday, as Washington remains mute on whether it will send fighter jets or sophisticated remotely piloted drones to Kyiv, Reuters reported. The U.S. and its allies have been flooding Ukraine with weapons from Javelin missiles to HIMARS rocket launchers, but sophisticated jets and the largest armed drones have not been pledged to Ukraine. "This event allows us to better help Ukrainian pilots become more effective pilots and better advise them on how to develop their own capabilities," the defense official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official said there were no updates regarding F-16 fighter jet pledges to Ukraine. 3:18 a.m.: The latest intelligence update from the U.K. defense ministry said that some Russia reservists said they were sent into battle with "firearms and shovels" as their only weapons. The shovels, the update said, were probably "entrencing tools being employed for hand-to-hand combat." Additionally, the update said, Russia is short of munitions, so troops are contending with less artillery support. 2:10 a.m.: From the beginning of Russias unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, incidents of sexual violence and sexualized torture by Russian troops were reported in areas they overran. Over the course of the war, as some Ukrainian territories have been liberated following weeks or months of Russian occupation, Ukrainian officials and aid workers say the number of such cases has reached the hundreds. But there may be many more, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. "Whatever reports are surfacing can only represent the tip of the iceberg," said the U.N.'s special representative on sexual violence in conflict, Pramila Patten, at a Kyiv press conference in May 2022. "Wartime rape can no longer be dismissed as an inevitable by-product of war. It must be recognized by all parties as a crime that can be prevented and punished." Despite the widespread testimony and evidence, Russian officials deny that its troops have targeted civilians or committed war crimes during the invasion, which the Kremlin calls a "special military operation." 1:04 a.m.: Russia has reportedly used new 1.5-ton UPAB-1500B gliding bombs designed to hit highly protected objects at up to 40 kilometers, according to Ukrainian military-focused media outlet Defense Express, citing unnamed sources. The guided bomb, first unveiled at a Russian arms expo in 2019, has since undergone full testing, been delivered to the Russian air force, and received its first orders for export, the article said. According to its state-owned manufacturer, the bomb carries a 1,010 kilogram concrete-piercing high-explosive payload. The use of the bombs was reportedly recorded a few weeks ago in Chernihiv Oblast, according to Defense Express. The targets were not specified. Russia has made extensive use of air-dropped bombs in invasion of Ukraine, most notoriously in its strike on a drama theater in Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast on March 16 last year, killing hundreds of civilians sheltering inside. 12:02 a.m.: In the western city of Lviv, hundreds of kilometers from the front lines, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Saturday with the head of the European Union parliament, The Associated Press reported. In a joint press briefing with Zelenskyy, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said that all those responsible for suspected Russian war crimes in Ukraine, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, must be brought to justice before a durable peace is achieved. Metsola voiced support for the EUs announcement Thursday that an international center for the prosecution of the crime of aggression the act of invading another country would be set up in The Hague. She also called for Ukraine to start negotiations on joining the 27-nation bloc as early as this year and urged Western nations to keep arming Kyiv as it battles Russian forces in the east and south. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Self-help author Marianne Williamson, whose 2020 White House campaign featured calls for spiritual healing, launched another bid for the presidency on Saturday, becoming the first Democrat to formally challenge President Joe Biden for the 2024 nomination. "We are upset about this country, we're worried about this country," Williamson told a crowd of more than 600 at a kickoff in the nation's capital. "It is our job to create a vision of justice and love that is so powerful that it will override the forces of hatred and injustice and fear." The 70-year-old onetime spiritual adviser to Oprah Winfrey should provide only token primary opposition a testament to how strongly national Democrats are united behind Biden. Still, she tweaked the president, a longtime Amtrak rider, by holding her opening rally at the ornately marble-columned presidential suite at Union Station, Washington's railway hub. Biden gave his own speech from Union Station just before last November's elections, when he led Democrats to a surprisingly strong showing, urging voters to reject political extremism and saying "democracy itself" was at stake. Williamson, whose red, blue and black campaign signs feature the dual slogans "A New Beginning" and "Disrupt the System," said she'll be campaigning in early-voting states on the 2024 election calendar. That includes New Hampshire, which has threatened to defy a Biden-backed plan by the Democratic National Committee to have South Carolina lead off the nominating contests. Democrats and Republicans in New Hampshire have warned that if Biden skips the state's unsanctioned primary and a rival wins it, that outcome could prove embarrassing for the sitting president even if that challenger has no real shot of becoming the nominee. Striking a defiant tone Saturday, Williamson denounced "those who feel they are the adults in the room" and aren't taking her candidacy seriously, proclaiming, "Let me in there." "I have run for president before. I am not naive about these forces which have no intention of allowing anyone into this conversation who does not align with their predetermined agenda," she said. "I understand that, in their mind, only people who previously have been entrenched in the car that brought us into this ditch can possibly be considered qualified to bring us out of it." Luke Stowell, 20, a musician and student at American University in Washington who sat in the front row for Williamson's announcement, said "she has a really nice message that incorporates all of the prejudices and the social structures that inhibit, I think, a lot of people on a daily basis." Seated next to him, 24-year-old American University law student Ivan Claudio noted that, should he win a second term, Biden would be in his late 80s by the time he leaves office, which Claudio said "is a cause for concern." Biden, the oldest president in U.S. history, would be 86 at the end of a second term. Most people in the United States and even most Democrats say they don't want him to run again, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The president is expected to announce in the coming weeks that he's running again. A Texas native who now lives in Beverly Hills, California, Williamson is the author of more than a dozen books and ran an unsuccessful independent congressional campaign in California in 2014. In 2020, she was best known for wanting to create a Department of Peace and arguing the federal government should pay large financial reparations to Black Americans as atonement for centuries of slavery and discrimination. Arguably her most memorable moment of that campaign came during a primary debate when she called for a "moral uprising," but she dropped out of the race shortly before the leadoff Iowa caucuses began. Pakistan will host a two-day meeting with the United States starting Monday to discuss cooperation in countering what Pakistans foreign affairs ministry called the "common threat of terrorism" facing the two countries. Christopher Landberg, the U.S. State Departments acting coordinator for counterterrorism, will lead the U.S. interagency delegation in the talks, the ministry said Sunday. "The two-day dialogue will provide an opportunity for both sides to exchange views and share their experiences and best practices in the domain of counterterrorism," the statement added. A State Department announcement said last week that participants in the Islamabad meeting would "develop policy-oriented strategies regarding cooperation in critical areas such as border security and countering the financing of terrorism." The talks come against the backdrop of the resurgence in terrorist attacks in Pakistan being linked to the Taliban takeover of neighboring Afghanistan in August 2021. The violence, mostly claimed by the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, known as the Pakistani Taliban, has killed hundreds of people across the country, most of them security forces. Pakistani officials allege the TTP, an ideological offshoot and close ally of the Afghan Taliban, is plotting terrorism from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. Last month, a high-level Pakistani security delegation visited Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, where they conveyed "serious concerns" to Taliban leaders about the TTP's escalating terror campaign in Pakistan. The Pakistani delegation shared "irrefutable" evidence with the Taliban about the presence and activities of TTP leaders in Afghanistan, calling for "practical steps" to rein in the terrorist activity, said officials who were privy to the talks. An official post-meeting Taliban statement said the bilateral talks focused on "security concerns" and "activities of armed opposition groups," among other issues. It did not elaborate on or mention the TTP. "The Afghan Taliban remain very supportive of the TTP and are providing the group with a permissive safe haven. Some Taliban fighters are also joining the TTP, and there are reports of some recent bombers being Afghan," the U.S. Institute of Peace said in a recent report. The Pakistani Taliban, designated a global terrorist group by the United States, provided recruits and shelter on Pakistani soil to the Afghan Taliban as they waged a deadly insurgency against U.S.-led NATO troops in Afghanistan for almost 20 years. The Taliban stormed back to power in 2021 as foreign forces withdrew from Afghanistan. No foreign government has recognized them as legitimate rulers of the war-ravaged country, citing human rights and terrorism-related concerns. The United States and other countries have urged the de facto Afghan authorities to prevent terrorist groups from plotting cross-border attacks, in line with Taliban assurances that they would combat transnational terrorists on Afghan soil. U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price reiterated the demand at a recent news conference. "The United States and Pakistan have a shared interest in ensuring the Taliban live up to the commitments that they have made, and that terrorist groups that may be active in Afghanistan like ISIS-K, TTP, al-Qaida are no longer able to threaten regional stability," Price said. He used an acronym for the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State terrorist group, known as Islamic State-Khorasan Province. The Taliban maintain they are in control of all of Afghanistans 34 provinces and that no one is being allowed to threaten other countries. Paul Pierrilus was deported two years ago from the U.S. to Haiti, where he has been trying to survive in a chaotic and violent country where he wasnt born and had never lived. Both his parents are Haitian, but they emigrated to the French Caribbean territory of St. Martin where Pierrilus was born. The family did not apply for citizenship for him in either Haiti or St. Martin and later moved to the U.S. when he was 5 years old. He grew up in New York speaking English. Deported after a long delay because of a drug conviction two decades ago, Pierrilus is now in Haiti, where he does not speak Haitian Creole, has been unable to find work, and has little savings left as he hopes for a way to leave the increasingly unstable country. You have to be mentally strong to deal with this type of stuff, Pierrilus said. A country where people get kidnapped every day. A country where people are killed. You have to be strong. The 42-year-old financial consultant spends most of his days locked inside a house reading self-help, business and marketing books in a neighborhood where gunshots often echo outside. Lawyers for Pierrilus in the U.S. are still fighting his deportation order, leaving him in legal limbo as the Biden administration steps up deportations to Haiti despite pleas from activists that they be temporarily halted because of the Caribbean countrys deepening chaos. His case has become emblematic of what some activists describe as the discrimination Haitian migrants face in the overburdened U.S. immigration system. More than 20,000 Haitians have been deported from the U.S. in the past year as thousands more continue to flee Haiti in risky boat crossings that sometimes end in mass drownings. Cases like Pierrilus in which people are deported to a country where they have never lived are unusual, but they happen occasionally. Jimmy Aldaoud, born of Iraqi parents at a refugee camp in Greece and whose family emigrated to the U.S. in 1979, was deported in 2019 to Iraq after amassing several felony convictions. Suffering health problems and not knowing the language in Iraq, he died a few months later in a case oft cited by advocates. Pierrilus parents took him to the United States so they could live a better life and he could receive a higher-quality education. When he was in his early 20s, he was convicted of selling crack cocaine. Because he was not a U.S. citizen, Pierrilus was transferred from criminal custody to immigration custody where he was deemed a Haitian national because of his parentage and ordered deported to Haiti. Pierrilus managed to delay deportation with several legal challenges. Because he was deemed neither a danger to the community nor a flight risk, he was released, issued a work authorization and ordered to check with immigration authorities yearly. He went on to become a financial planner. Then, in February 2021, he was deported without warning, and his lawyers dont know exactly why his situation changed. Lawyers for the nonprofit Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization in Washington have taken up his cause. We demand that the Biden administration bring Paul home, organization attorney Sarah Decker said. French St. Martin does not automatically confer French citizenship to those born in its territory to foreign parents, and his family did not seek it. They also did not formally seek Haitian citizenship, which Pierrilus is entitled to. Though he could obtain Haitian citizenship, his lawyers have argued that he is not currently a Haitian citizen, had never lived there and should not be deported to a county with such political instability. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a brief general statement to The Associated Press that each country has an obligation under international law to accept the return of its nationals who are not eligible to remain in the U.S. or any other country. In 2005, the Board of Immigration Appeals dismissed an appeal by Pierrilus previous attorneys to halt his deportation, saying it is not necessary for the respondent to be a citizen of Haiti for that country to be named as the country of removal. Decker, his current attorney, disagrees with that finding. Pierrilus said that while he was being deported, he told immigration officers, Im not going anywhere. Im not from where youre trying to send me. Overpowered and handcuffed, he said he stopped resisting. As he boarded the flight, he recalled that women were screaming and children wailing. After being processed at the airport, someone lent Pierrilus a cellphone so he could call his parents. They gave him contacts for a family friend where he could temporarily stay. Since then, gang violence has forced him to bounce through two other homes. Warring gangs have expanded their control of territory in the Haitian capital to an estimated 60% since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, pillaging neighborhoods, raping and shooting civilians. The U.N. warned in January that Haitians are suffering their worst humanitarian emergency in decades. More than 1,350 kidnappings were reported last year, more than double the previous year. Killings spiked by 35%, with more than 2,100 reported. Pierrilus rarely goes out and relies on his faith for hope. He says he stopped going to church after he saw a livestreamed service in April 2021 in which gangs burst into the church and kidnapped a pastor and three congregants. He talks to his parents at least once a week, focusing on the progress of his case rather than on challenges in Haiti. Anyone arriving illegally in Britain will be prevented from staying, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in an interview published on Sunday, ahead of new legislation which is expected to be set out next week. Under pressure from his own lawmakers to find a solution to the flow of migrants arriving in Britain across the channel from Europe, Sunak has made stopping small boats one of his five key priorities. "Make no mistake, if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay," Sunak told the Mail on Sunday newspaper. A new law to tackle the issue is due to be set out on Tuesday, the newspaper reported, after more than 45,000 people made the perilous crossing last year. Last year, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed a deal to send tens of thousands of migrants, many having made the journey from Afghanistan, Syria or other countries suffering war, more than 4,000 miles away (6,400 kms) to Rwanda. The policy has faced a legal battle after the first planned deportation flight was blocked by a last-minute injunction granted by the European Court of Human Rights. It was ruled lawful by London's High Court in December, but opponents are seeking to appeal that verdict. Asked on Sky News whether those arriving in Britain illegally would be banned from claiming asylum, government minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: "I believe so, yes." "Should people come to this country illegally then they will be returned or sent to somewhere like Rwanda." Asked about how genuine asylum seeks would be able to seek refuge, Heaton-Harris said: "I'm quite sure there will be more safe and legal routes." Much of Russias yearlong invasion in Ukraine has devolved into infantry fighting in the eastern regions of the country, in part because Moscows forces are short on artillery munitions, the British Ministry of Defense said Sunday. In its latest assessment, London said, Recent evidence suggests an increase in close combat in Ukraine. This is probably a result of the Russian command continuing to insist on offensive action largely consisting of dismounted infantry. The ministry said that late last month, Russia mobilized reservists who have described being ordered to assault a Ukrainian concrete strong point armed with only firearms and shovels. The shovels are likely entrenching tools being employed for hand-to-hand combat. It said, The lethality of the standard-issue MPL-50 entrenching tool is particularly mythologised in Russia, but that little has changed since its design in 1869. Its continued use as a weapon highlights the brutal and low-tech fighting which has come to characterize much of the war, defense officials said. One of the reservists described being neither physically nor psychologically prepared for the action. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops holding out in Bakhmut faced increased pressure Saturday from Russian forces as civilians received assistance in fleeing the besieged eastern city. It is now too dangerous to leave Bakhmut by vehicle, a Ukrainian army representative told The Associated Press, so civilians now must flee on foot. Ukrainian soldiers set up a pontoon bridge Saturday to help civilians reach the nearby village of Khromove, the AP said. One woman was killed and two men were badly wounded while trying to escape over the makeshift bridge, according to the Ukrainian troops helping them. Watch related video by Veronica Balderas Iglesias: Ukrainian troops have destroyed two key bridges just outside the city, including one to Chasiv Yar, cutting off their last remaining resupply route, according to U.K. military intelligence officials and other Western analysts. Destroying the bridge may be a sign that Kyiv is preparing to leave. The Institute for the Study of War said that by taking out the Chasiv Yar bridge, Ukrainian troops may conduct a limited and controlled withdrawal from particularly difficult sections of eastern Bakhmut, while making it more difficult for Russians to pursue them. If Russian fighters do capture Bakhmut, it would be a rare battlefield gain after months of setbacks and might allow them to cut Ukraines supply lines and press toward other Ukrainian strongholds in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian National Guard Deputy Commander Volodymyr Nazarenko told Ukrainian broadcaster Kyiv24 the city remains under Ukrainian control despite intense and ongoing attacks by Russian forces. Every hour in Bakhmut is like hell. The enemy had successes in the north, northwest of Bakhmut a week ago. Ukrainian soldiers are fighting back. Over the past few days, the front line has been stabilized thanks to our hard work and efforts, Nazarenko said. Bakhmuts deputy mayor, Oleksandr Marchenko, confirmed to the BBC that "thanks to the Ukrainian armed forces, they still havent taken control of the city. Marchenko said about 4,000 civilians remain in what was a city of 70,000 that is all but destroyed. They live in shelters without gas, electricity or water, he said. Responding to reports of the withdrawal of some Ukrainian troops, Serhiy Cherevatyi, the spokesperson of the eastern grouping of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told CNN on Saturday that Ukrainian soldiers are rotating positions in Bakhmut in controlled, planned cycles. Cherevatyi said there have been hostilities around Bakhmut, in the villages of Vasiukivka and Dubovo-Vasylivka to the north of the city and in the villages of Ivanivske and Bohdanivka to the west. Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Russia's Wagner Group mercenary force, posted a video Saturday allegedly showing coffins he said contained bodies of Ukrainian soldiers being sent to territory held by Kyiv. In the video, Prigozhin, wearing military gear, said, "We are sending another shipment of Ukrainian army fighters home. They fought bravely and perished. That's why the latest truck will take them back to their motherland." The British intelligence update on Twitter said Bakhmut is vulnerable to Russian attacks on three sides, but that Ukraine is reinforcing the areas with elite units. Meanwhile, Russias defense minister visited Russian soldiers in Ukraine Saturday. The ministry said in a statement on the messaging app Telegram that Sergei Shoigu inspected the forward command post of one of the formations of the Eastern Military District in the South Donetsk direction." Shoigu has been criticized for Russias poor performance in its war against Ukraine. In a video released Saturday, the military chief was seen handing out medals to Russian military forces. Zelenskyy in Lviv Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spent a second day in Lviv in Ukraines west on Saturday, in a meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, he said in his nightly address. Zelenskyy said they discussed security, energy, social protection, financial issues and anti-corruption matters. The United for Justice conference continued for a second day, including discussion on the investigation and punishment of Russian fighters for abuse, rape, and other violent crimes committed in the occupied territory. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. By Maya Kaneko, KYODO NEWS - Mar 5, 2023 - 16:59 | World, All China on Sunday set a modest gross domestic product growth target for 2023 at around 5 percent after missing its goal last year due to the economic fallout from its now-ended "zero-COVID" policy. The target figure, which is slightly down from approximately 5.5 percent in 2022, was unveiled at the opening of an annual session of parliament. Last year, the world's second-biggest economy registered just a 3.0 percent expansion from the 2021 figure. It was one of the slowest paces of growth in several decades, caused in large part by stringent antivirus measures involving quarantines and lockdowns and a subsequent explosion of COVID infections that occurred upon their abrupt withdrawal late last year. China also announced it will increase its military spending in 2023 to 1.55 trillion yuan ($224 billion), a 7.2 percent rise from last year, according to a budget report delivered at the National People's Congress session. The rate of growth was slightly faster than the 7.1 percent year-on-year rise in 2022 and marked the eighth consecutive year in which the increase was less than 10 percent. China's 2023 military spending will be some 4.5-fold larger than Japan's defense budget of 6.82 trillion yen ($50 billion) for the fiscal year starting April. At the first National People's Congress session since leader Xi Jinping started a norm-breaking third five-year term as general secretary of the ruling Communist Party last October, China's top leadership is expected to map out measures to spur domestic demand and boost the economic recovery. "This year, it is essential to prioritize economic stability and pursue progress while ensuring stability," outgoing Premier Li Keqiang said as he delivered a government report on policy directions for 2023 to nearly 3,000 delegates at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. He pointed to the importance of expanding domestic demand, saying, "We should give priority to the recovery and expansion of consumption." The premier indicated the government will boost spending to bolster the economy, with a deficit-to-GDP ratio of 3 percent projected for this year, up 0.2 point from the previous year. "We should enhance the intensity and effectiveness of our proactive fiscal policy," Li said. As for China's fight against COVID-19, Li said Xi's leadership has "placed the people and their lives above all else" and said the Chinese people have "pulled through with fortitude and resilience and secured a major and decisive victory." The premier said Beijing should now ensure its COVID response is "well-conceived, more targeted, and more effective" with an emphasis on prevention and treatment for the elderly, children and people with underlying medical conditions while ensuring access to medicines and medical services. On Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island that Beijing regards as its own, Li said the government should "take resolute steps" to oppose its independence and advance the process of peaceful reunification. "As we Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family bound by blood, we should advance economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation," he said. Communist-led China and Taiwan have been governed separately since they split in 1949 due to a civil war. Beijing regards the island as a renegade province to be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary. In the face of intensifying friction between China and the United States over Taiwan and other issues, Li said in the report the country's armed forces should fully implement Xi's thinking on strengthening the military by intensifying training and boosting combat preparedness. Tensions between Beijing and Washington grew over Taiwan following then U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island last August. Gist of Chinese reports released for annual parliamentary session China: -- sets economic growth target of around 5 percent for 2023. -- plans to increase military spending by 7.2 percent on year in 2023 to 1.55 trillion yuan ($224 billion). -- says its people have "pulled through with fortitude and resilience and secured a major and decisive victory in the fight against COVID-19." -- vows to take resolute steps to oppose "Taiwan independence" and advance the process of "peaceful reunification" with the island. -- vows to enhance the intensity and effectiveness of proactive fiscal policy, with a deficit-to-gross domestic product ratio of 3 percent projected for this year, up 0.2 point from the previous year. -- vows to fully implement President Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military by intensifying training and boosting combat preparedness. A day before the opening of the session, Wang Chao, spokesman for the parliament, defended an increase of China's military spending at a press conference, saying the growth rate has been "relatively moderate" and "reasonable." The spokesman said Saturday the increase is needed for China to fulfill its responsibility as a major power. "The modernization of the Chinese military will not pose a threat to any country," Wang said, adding it will help maintain regional stability and world peace. Xi, who became the party general secretary in 2012 and the country's president in 2013, is set to secure a third term as president, and his close aide Li Qiang, a former Shanghai party boss, is certain to succeed Premier Li Keqiang, who will retire after serving two five-year terms. In 2018, China removed the two-term limit for the president from its Constitution, essentially enabling Xi to retain power for life. Li Qiang is ranked No. 2 in the Communist Party's highest decision-making body -- the seven-strong Politburo Standing Committee. The current National People's Congress session is scheduled to run through March 13. China's GDP growth target for 2023 compares with a 5.2 percent expansion projected by the International Monetary Fund in its update of the World Economic Outlook report released in late January, citing the lifting of pandemic restrictions. The IMF said a deepening slump in China's real estate market is a major source of vulnerability, in addition to weakening business dynamism and slow progress on structural reforms. As the population of mainland China in 2022 shrank for the first time in 61 years amid a continued fall in the birthrate and a rapidly aging society, the premier underlined the need for Beijing to "refine supporting policies on childbirth." He explained that support measures, including a three-child policy, have been introduced. China's population has been graying due largely to its "one-child policy" which was introduced in 1979 and scrapped in 2016. Although China drastically eased its strict antivirus measures last December, journalists covering the session of parliament must quarantine at a designated hotel and take a PCR test. Two competing, prominent events have put on display a cleaving of American conservatives ahead of next years presidential election. Former President Donald Trump closed out the annual Conservative Political Action Conference near Washington, which for years has been a must-attend event for the right wing of the Republican Party. But many party loyalists, including big campaign contributors, instead attended a rival gathering in Florida. In 2016, I declared: I am your voice. Today, I add: I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed: I am your retribution, Trump told the CPAC attendees shortly after he captured the conferences Saturday evening straw poll (unofficial balloting among event registrants) for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. In the survey, Trump trounced runner-up Ron DeSantis, the governor of the southern U.S. state of Florida, 62% to 20%. It was the fifth consecutive time Trump has won the CPAC straw poll. Trump, whose speech lasted an hour and 42 minutes, revisited familiar grievances aired at his campaign rallies and repeated the false claim he won the 2020 presidential election. He made no mention of any other declared or expected Republican presidential candidates, instead heaping criticism on the Democrat who defeated him in the 2020 presidential election. Joe Biden is leading us into oblivion, Trump said, adding, Were going to have World War III if something doesnt happen fast. I am the only candidate who can make this promise, he said. I will prevent World War III. Trump also vowed, if elected again, that he would settle Russias war on Ukraine before he arrived back in the Oval Office. Haley speaks at both events The former presidents only significant, declared primary challenger so far, his former ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, was on the CPAC stage the previous day. Haley also spoke at the rival event, the four-day gathering of the Club for Growth, a group focused on an anti-tax agenda. I know theres a Republican candidate out there you did not invite to this conference, she told those at the Palm Beach, Florida, event. I appreciate being one you did invite. Trump was not invited to the Club for Growth retreat, held at a luxury hotel just 5 kilometers north up Ocean Boulevard from his Mar-a-Lago resort. Florida Governor DeSantis was among the top speakers with dozens of major Republican Party donors attending. Among those in Palm Beach for the conference were several potential presidential candidates: former Vice President Mike Pence; Tim Scott, a U.S. senator from South Carolina; and Chris Sununu, the governor of the Northeastern U.S. state of New Hampshire. On Tuesday, Trump criticized the conservative, economy-focused group, writing in a Truth Social post the Club for NO Growth is an insignificant group of Globalists that would only attract the stragglers in next years Republican primary. Another potential presidential prospect from the Republican Party who spoke at CPAC was Trumps former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo. Attendees described the reception to remarks at CPAC by Pompeo and Haley as tepid. Haley was confronted by chants for Trump as she departed the ballroom. Pompeo took a subtle dig at Trump during his speech, indirectly blaming his former boss for Republican losses in the 2022 midterm elections, combined with the 2020 presidential loss, creating what he called a crisis in conservatism. We need a party, a conservative party, that we can be proud to call home again, rooted in our founding ideas, led by people of real character, of competence and commitment to the mission that brought you all here today, he said. 'A vehicle for Trump' In public remarks so far, prominent Republicans, including those expected to challenge Trump for the partys presidential nomination, have refrained from directly criticizing the former president, a reflection of the power he wields over the party rank and file. Conservatives were mostly united around Trump when he unsuccessfully ran for reelection in 2020. Some recent polls show the former president retaining about 50% support among Republicans ahead of next years election. CPAC has turned into the Donald Trump Family Variety Hour, said CNNs conservative commentator Sarah Elizabeth Cupp. Its become a vehicle for Trump and Trumpism and no longer a stop on way to becoming president. Prominent neo-conservative writer Bill Kristol, who served in the administrations of two Republican presidents, was not impressed by either the CPAC or Club for Growth events. Competition is a good thing. It leads to better products and choices except when its a race to the bottom, Kristol told VOA. And it looks like Trump versus DeSantis is more of a race to the bottom than a healthy contest which will improve the choice. Ukrainian troops holding out in Bakhmut are facing increased pressure as they help civilians fleeing the besieged eastern city. A woman was killed and two men were badly wounded Saturday, while trying to leave the city over a makeshift bridge, according to a Ukrainian army representative on the ground. Kyiv might be strategizing about a controlled pullout, according to some indications. British military intelligence officials and a Washington-based research group reported that Ukraine has moved to destroy strategic bridges near the city, which has been a key target of Russia's long grueling assault in the east. Ukrainian National Guard Deputy Commander Volodymyr Nazarenko told Ukrainian broadcaster Kyiv24 Saturday the front line in Bakhmut has been stabilized over the past few days by Ukrainian troops, and the city remains under Ukrainian control despite intense and ongoing attacks by Russian forces. SEE ALSO: Every hour in Bakhmut is like hell. The enemy had successes in the north, northwest of Bakhmut a week ago. Ukrainian soldiers are fighting back. Over the past few days, the front line has been stabilized thanks to our hard work and efforts, Nazarenko said. Responding to reports of the withdrawal of some Ukrainian troops, Serhiy Cherevatyi, the spokesman of the eastern grouping of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told CNN Saturday that Ukrainian soldiers are rotating positions in Bakhmut in controlled, planned cycles. Cherevatyi said there have been hostilities around Bakhmut, in the villages of Vasiukivka and Dubovo-Vasylivka to the north of the city and in the villages of Ivanivske and Bohdanivka to the west. Ukrainian units over the past 36 hours destroyed two key bridges just outside Bakhmut, including one linking it to the nearby town of Chasiv Yaralong the last remaining Ukrainian resupply routeaccording to U.K. military intelligence officials and other Western analysts. Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Russia's Wagner Group mercenary force, posted a video Saturday allegedly showing coffins that he said contained bodies of Ukrainian soldiers being sent to territory held by Kyiv. In the video, Prigozhin, wearing military gear, said, "We are sending another shipment of Ukrainian army fighters home. They fought bravely and perished. That's why the latest truck will take them back to their motherland." The footage shows men in uniform nailing shut wooden coffins and loading them onto a truck. Ukraine says the city has little intrinsic strategic value but notes huge losses there could determine the course of the war. Capturing Bakhmut not only would give Russian fighters a rare battlefield gain after months of setbacks but it could pierce Ukraines supply lines and allow Kremlin forces to press toward other Ukrainian strongholds in the eastern Donetsk region. The British intelligence update on Twitter said Bakhmut is vulnerable to Russian attacks on three sides, but Ukraine is reinforcing the areas with elite units. Meanwhile, Russias defense minister visited Russian soldiers in Ukraine on Saturday. SEE ALSO: The ministry said in a statement on the messaging app Telegram that Sergei Shoigu inspected the forward command post of one of the formations of the Eastern Military District in the South Donetsk direction." Shoigu has been criticized for Russias poor performance in its war against Ukraine. In a video released Saturday, the military chief was seen handing out medals to Russian military forces. Zelenskyys focus Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his daily address Friday that he was engaged in meetings and negotiations with several entities. The president said the main impetus for his meetings has been to hold Russia accountable for its actions. We are doing everything to ensure that the International Criminal Court is successful in punishing Russian war criminals, the Ukrainian leader said. The United States announced Friday a new package of military aid for Ukraine that totals about $400 million, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. SEE ALSO: "This military assistance package includes more ammunition for U.S.-provided HIMARS and howitzers, which Ukraine is using so effectively to defend itself, as well as ammunition for Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Armored Vehicle Launched Bridges, demolitions munitions and equipment, and other maintenance, training and support," he said. The package will be funded using the presidential drawdown authority, which authorizes the president to transfer articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval during an emergency, Blinken said in announcing the aid. The Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge is a portable, 60-foot folding metal bridge that is carried on top of a tank body. Providing that system now could help Ukrainian troops as they launch an expected spring offensive, making it easier for them to cross rivers to battle Russian forces. Including this latest package, the U.S. has now provided more than $32 billion in military aid to Ukraine. The vehicle bridges and ammunition in the package can be delivered quickly to the front lines because they will be taken from existing Pentagon stocks. European Union countries also are working to deliver thousands of shells to Ukraine under a $1 billion program. Particularly significant will be the delivery of 155 mm NATO-standard howitzer rounds that are urgently needed in advance of an intense spring campaign, according to the Financial Times, citing anonymous EU officials. This ammunition, according to the FT report, is critical to keep Ukraine in a fight in which Russia fires on average an estimated four shells for every Ukrainian shell fired. "We need as much ammunition as possible. There are many more Russians here than we have ammunition to destroy them," Volodymyr Nazarenko, a deputy commander in the national guard of Ukraine, told Ukrainian NV Radio. Top US official U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Friday to attend a conference on justice and war crimes. The U.S. Justice Department said Garland held several meetings at the conference in the western city of Lviv to reaffirm our determination to hold Russia accountable for crimes committed in its unjust and unprovoked invasion against its sovereign neighbor. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters. HARARE, (Reuters) - China Natural Resources Inc CHNR.O says it will acquire Williams Minerals, the operator of a lithium mine in Zimbabwe, amid surging demand for the metal used in batteries for electric vehicles. The company plans to issue restricted shares and promissory notes to fund the acquisition for a maximum of $1.75 billion, with $140 million as initial payment. It may also pay some of the amount in cash. Williams Minerals is owned by Top Pacific Ltd and Feishang Group Ltd, the latter also being the controlling shareholder of China Natural Resources. Africa's lithium production is likely to soar this decade, with bulk of that coming from Zimbabwe. China Natural Resources, however, said there was no guarantee that the transaction, expected to close in the second fiscal quarter of 2023, would take place under the current terms. (Reporting by Sourasis Bose in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar) Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens. Turin protest began peacefully but turned violent. A demonstration in Turin in support of jailed anarchist leader Alfredo Cospito descended into violence and vandalism on Saturday evening, with police using tear gas and water cannon to break up the riots. The protest began without incident in Piazza Solferino, in the historic centre of the north Italian city, but turned violent when several hundred protesters began to march through the streets. Protesters chanted slogans in support of Cospito, who has been on hunger strike for more than four months in protest against his harsh 41-bis prison regime, which is normally reserved for mafia bosses. "If Alfredo dies, these cowards and murderers must repent for their actions" - veteran anarchist Pasquale Valitutti told the crowd - "We must make them pay." Demonstrators set up barricades using bins as they pelted police with bottles and smoke bombs, smashing car windscreens and setting fire to rubbish dumpsters along the way. #Torino Molte le auto danneggiate dagli anarchici. La rabbia degli abitanti dopo la devastazione. Una signora domanda ai carabinieri: "perche non intervenite?" pic.twitter.com/1RlFwj4UF8 Local Team (@localteamtv) March 4, 2023 Two police officers were injured while 34 protesters were detained and more than 150 identified, according to state broadcaster RAI. Alongside Italians, there were reportedly demonstrators from France, Germany, Greece and Spain. Graffiti messages were written on walls against Italian justice minister Carlo Nordio who last month rejected Cospito's appeal to end his 41-bis regime, a decision subsequently backed by the supreme court. In recent weeks there have been several violent protests in Rome in support of the campaign by Cospito who is the leader of the Informal Anarchists Federation (FAI) and is serving 30 years for terror attacks. The health of Cospito, 55, is "deteriorating rapidly, although the fact that he has resumed taking at least a little sugar makes it a little less dramatic", according to his doctor, reports news agency ANSA. "I express my firmest condemnation for the acts of violence that took place in Turin" - stated the speaker of Italy's lower house Lorenzo Fontana on Saturday night - "To the police officers who were injured, to the citizens and to those who have been affected by the vandalism of the demonstrators, I express my deepest solidarity and closeness". Photo Il Messaggero Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share The future is looking grim for President Joe Bidens signature $400 billion student debt forgiveness plan. It seems almost certain that the Supreme Courts conservative justices will accept the state plaintiffs argument that they have standing to challenge the program even though its far from obvious how it affects them. On the merits, the justices showed interest in two alternative legal theories of why the debt forgiveness is beyond the presidents power to do without Congress. Regardless of which one the court adopts, the program seems very likely be struck down by a 6-3 vote. That sounds bad for liberals. But on closer examination, the legal result may not be such a disaster for liberal principles of legal interpretation. Leave aside whether you think that the loan forgiveness is good public policy, a question on which there is room for disagreement, even among progressives. Whats troubling the conservative justices, legally speaking, is the scope of executive power implicated by the presidents unilateral decision to invoke his emergency pandemic powers to spend nearly half a trillion dollars without the approval of Congress. And liberals should care about this sort of unchecked executive power as much as conservatives do. The president, after all, is not always a Democrat. When President Donald Trump wanted to spend federal dollars on building a border wall with Mexico without congressional approval, liberals, myself included, rightly objected. We do in fact need some clarification from the Supreme Court on the question of unilateral presidential expenditure. And in the student loan case, we might just conceivably get it. Advertisement Lets start with the question of the states standing to sue. The liberal justices all questioned whether the court had jurisdictional authority to decide the case given that the states arent hurt in a concrete way by the loan forgiveness. This is part of an ongoing debate about state standing in which the conservative justices have expanded states ability to object to federal programs, a debate going back at least to the Affordable Care Act. Whats notable about the positions in this debate is that, for many decades, liberals favored more relaxed standing rules, so that the courts could address a broader range of issues. Conservatives typically favored narrow standing requirements, to keep an activist liberal judiciary from weighing in on too many cases. Today, when it comes to state standing, the positions have flipped, with liberals trying to rein in the conservative activist court. But in the end, liberals dont lose too much if state standing continues to be expanded. The idea that the judiciary has the job of addressing illegality and seeing justice done resonates powerfully with the liberal tradition more powerfully than the idea that technical requirements must be met before the courts can consider an instance of alleged wrongdoing. Advertisement As for the substantive issue of whether Biden is authorized to use emergency pandemic powers to forgive student loans, one conservative objection has to do with the text of the relevant statutes. At issue is a law called the Heroes Act, a national emergency measure passed after Sept. 11, 2001. Under the law, the secretary of education may, under emergency conditions, waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision having to do with student-loan programs so that borrowers are left not worse off than they otherwise would have been because of the emergency. This is the stated basis for the Biden administrations action. Under the theory of textualism, the justices are supposed to look to the words of the statute to see what it means not to the statutes purpose. If they were not quite so committed to textualism, the conservative justices could simply say that forgiving $400 billion worth of loans wasnt what Congress intended when it created the emergency provision. But they didnt want to go there, because they claim never to care about a statutes purpose. So the conservative justices were left trying to insist that canceling student debt altogether is not a waiver or modification under the language of the statute. That textualist argument against the forgiveness program isnt that easy to make. To a lawyer, waive is an extremely broad word, as Justice Brett Kavanaugh acknowledged. Justice Elena Kagan, a liberal who has in the past flirted with embracing textualism as a theory of statutory interpretation, beat the point home. The upshot is that, if the conservative justices do decide the case on textualist grounds, they will be open to the painful criticism that they have ignored the explicit words of the statute. Advertisement That leaves Chief Justice John Robertss preferred approach. Roberts would like to deploy a new doctrine, invented in an opinion of his just last year, called the major questions doctrine. Briefly, the doctrine says that when the executive undertakes action with vast economic and political significance without clear authority from Congress, the courts should take a close look and block the action. As he made clear in the oral argument, Roberts would apply the major questions doctrine to Bidens loan forgiveness program given its scale and the lack of any direct congressional authorization. Liberals have criticized the major questions doctrine as a judge-made initiative by the conservative Supreme Court to block liberal regulatory initiatives that would otherwise be permitted under previously existing administrative law. That criticism is fair, to be sure. Yet it is also true that, if major questions doctrine is used to block the student loan program, that will create a precedent that the president cannot enact expensive, transformative policies without getting congressional approval first. That would have covered Trumps border wall. It could also, at least in principle, cover other radical initiatives undertaken by future Republican presidents without the consent of Congress. Advertisement Neither party is immune to the use of aggressive executive action under emergency authorization. But seen in the light of history, conservative and reactionary regimes are much more likely to take advantage of emergency laws to effectuate major social changes. Losing the loan forgiveness program in the Supreme Court should be seen in the context. It would not be the outcome the Biden administration would have wanted, and its bad news for borrowers. But in the end, it might not be a bad thing for the rule of law. More From Noah Feldman at Bloomberg Opinion: Midterms Highlight Supreme Courts Threat to Black Votes The Supreme Courts Other Conservative Revolution Supreme Court Pits Free Speech Against LGBTQ Rights This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Noah Feldman is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. A professor of law at Harvard University, he is author, most recently, of The Broken Constitution: Lincoln, Slavery and the Refounding of America. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2023 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share As the Ron DeSantis presidential campaign edges ever closer to reality, liberal fears of a DeSantis presidency are getting ever more detached from it. Is he just as bad as Donald Trump? Or even worse? And is it OK to scold your fellow liberals for jumping to conclusions about DeSantis? Or are the scoldings themselves premature? Pondering all this, I have a radical suggestion: Why not exercise some patience and, you know, wait and see what happens? Consider that, at this point in the 2016 cycle, Trump hadnt yet done many of the things that his strongest critics would point to. Trump didnt mock a reporter with a disability until November 2015, didnt propose banning Muslims from entering the US until December, didnt encourage violence from his supporters until March 2016. His invitation to Russia to intervene in the election didnt happen until July 2016. Advertisement Of course, anyone who has followed Trumps career had plenty of indications of his bad character. And someone (like me) who favors more immigration and an expansion of free trade never had reason to believe he was an improvement over previous Republican presidents. But what politicians actually do over the course of their campaigns is relevant. Trump could have taken steps to set fears to rest about his potential corruption, about his treatment of women, about his scattered compliments of foreign strongmen. What actually happened was the opposite. The case for Trump as a bad actor beyond the course of normal policy disputes grew stronger over his presidency, and he proved his biggest critics right on Jan. 6, 2021. DeSantis, as his defenders say, hasnt done anything that bad. But as his detractors say, its certainly possible to make some directional inferences based on his track record starting with the fact that he was an early and eager Trump supporter, and that it was almost certainly Trumps enthusiasm for him that helped an obscure House member win a tough Republican gubernatorial primary in Florida. Advertisement So my argument is not that people should withhold judgment entirely. Its more narrow: that its much too soon to be making definitive pronouncements about who is better or worse. DeSantis hasnt even formally announced a campaign. Based on his record in Congress and as governor, there do appear to be a number of important issues on which he is worse than Trump. He has backed privatizing Social Security, for example, and voted repeatedly to privatize Medicare. DeSantis has also clearly positioned himself to the right of Trump on issues related to vaccines. Trump deserves enormous credit for the whole-of-government effort to prioritize speedy testing and authorization of Covid-19 vaccines, an initiative that saved countless lives but that DeSantis seems to think was a huge mistake. Liberals should not be so blinded by hatred of Trump that they fail to see he is better than DeSantis on this or other issues. Advertisement At the same time, nothing is set in stone. Just last week, for example, DeSantis reversed his prior position and promised not to mess with Social Security. Thats nice to hear, but it raises some obvious questions. Does he favor raising taxes to prevent the Social Security Trust Fund from being exhausted and automatic benefit cuts from taking place? Seems unlikely. Does he support legislative changes that would cancel the automatic benefit cuts and allow the deficit to rise? And if he doesnt want to cut Social Security, what does he want to cut? Medicaid? Medicare? Its not the end of the world that DeSantis hasnt answered these questions its only March 2023, after all but thats exactly my point. Its OK not to know yet what a DeSantis campaign would be all about. In particular, its hard to say which criticisms, if any, he will make of Trump (except to get to his right on vaccine development). If DeSantis were to say that Republicans ought to admit that Trump lost fair and square in 2020 and pick a more politically adept standard-bearer, he would be making the case for himself in a way that would merit praise from liberals. But so far, hes been studiously silent not only on the events of Jan. 6 but also on the broader issue of Trumps authoritarian tendencies. Advertisement Meanwhile, although DeSantiss retaliation against the Walt Disney Co. for criticizing his policy agenda is hardly as bad as the worst of Trumps actions, its not exactly reassuring about his commitment to taking the GOP in a less illiberal direction. Hes also pushing a reform to libel and defamation law that Joe Cohn of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has denounced as an aggressive and blatantly unconstitutional attempt to rewrite defamation law in a manner that protects the powerful from criticism by journalists and the public. Is that worse than Trump? As bad? I guess not but its not great either. And, to repeat: Its only March. Election Day is 20 months away. Suppose DeSantis were to criticize Trump for having tried to bring an antitrust case against Time Warner and AT&T to punish CNN for negative coverage. That would make him better than Trump. Alternatively, he could pledge that a DeSantis administration would be more effective and efficient at pursuing this kind of policy. That would make him worse. Advertisement The news cycle has been annoyingly slow so far in 2023, which may explain all the itchy-trigger-finger takes. But one of the tedious realities of American politics is that presidential campaigns are very long. What they require, above almost all else, is patience. More From Bloomberg Opinion: Trump Finds an Opening Against DeSantis: Joshua Green DeSantis Isnt a Trump Clone. Hes Just a Republican: Ramesh Ponnuru Trump vs. DeSantis? The Republican Race Is Wider: Jonathan Bernstein Want more Bloomberg Opinion? Subscribe to our daily newsletter. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Matthew Yglesias is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. A co-founder of and former columnist for Vox, he writes the Slow Boring blog and newsletter. He is author, most recently, of One Billion Americans. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2023 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article The misstatements are part of a pattern that has raised questions about how the justice views his obligation to report details about his finances to the public. KYODO NEWS - Mar 5, 2023 - 21:39 | All, Japan, World The South Korean government plans to formally announce measures to settle a wartime labor compensation dispute with Japan on Monday morning, diplomatic sources said Sunday, a move that could pave the way for bilateral relations to emerge from the doldrums. Seoul has been considering providing compensation payments to former Korean laborers through a government-backed South Korean foundation, instead of requiring Japanese companies to pay damages as ordered by South Korean court rulings. A public hearing to discuss wartime labor issues stemming from Japans colonial-era rule of the Korean Peninsula is held in Seoul on Jan. 12, 2023. (Kyodo) The latest development comes as relations between Tokyo and Seoul have shown signs of improvement after President Yoon Suk Yeol took office in South Korea in May last year with a pledge to take a future-oriented approach toward Japan. While South Korea was under the government of Yoon's predecessor Moon Jae In, bilateral ties sunk to their lowest point in years over wartime labor and other issues stemming largely from Japan's 1910-1945 colonization of the Korean Peninsula. South Korea's Supreme Court in 2018 ordered steelmaker Nippon Steel Corp. and machinery manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. to compensate Korean plaintiffs for forced labor during World War II. The companies refused to comply as the Japanese government views all issues between the two peoples stemming from its colonial rule as settled under a 1965 bilateral deal that included $500 million "economic cooperation" loans and grants to Seoul. But the plaintiffs' move to liquidate the companies' seized assets in South Korea to get compensation and the approval by local courts of such a move heightened concerns in Tokyo over possible repercussions, propelling Seoul to look for an alternative solution. If Seoul decides to ensure a compensation payment to former laborers through the foundation, the Japanese government will allow Japanese firms to voluntarily provide donations to it, a diplomatic source has said earlier. The Japanese government is also expected to express remorse to former Korean laborers, in line with past government statements over Japan's wartime aggression in Asia, and lift restrictions on certain tech exports to South Korea, according to the source. South Korean media are reporting that Seoul is also expected to announce on Monday the setting up of a "future youth fund" by the Federation of Korean Industries, a major South Korean business lobby, and its Japanese equivalent Keidanren to sponsor scholarships for students. Both Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy are members of Keidanren, known formally as the Japan Business Federation. South Korean National Security Adviser Kim Sung Han told reporters on Sunday that "future generations" of South Korea and Japan are the most important if bilateral relations are to enter a new era. The South Korean government is hoping Yoon can visit Japan by the end of this month for talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The foundation expected to play a central role in settling the wartime labor dispute is the Foundation for Victims of Forced Mobilization by Imperial Japan, established by the South Korean government in 2014 to provide welfare support to former laborers and their surviving families. The idea of using the foundation, however, has faced domestic opposition, with the plaintiffs' supporters calling for Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy to pay damages as ordered by the Supreme Court. Mitsubishi Heavy issued a statement on Sunday saying it is "not a position to comment on moves within South Korea," while Nippon Steel declined to comment. KYODO NEWS - Mar 5, 2023 - 17:30 | All, World, Japan Japan is negotiating with the United States the possibility of transferring a U.S. Navy officer, convicted of a fatal car crash in 2021, to his home country at the request of his family and U.S. lawmakers, diplomatic sources said Sunday. The government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has claimed there were no flaws in the criminal proceedings against U.S. Navy Lt. Ridge Alkonis, 34, but criticism has been growing over his long detention in Japan, with some members of the U.S. Congress also showing their support. Foreign affairs experts said Japan-U.S. relations would worsen if his detention is prolonged, as President Joe Biden, who was lobbied by Alkonis' family, has expressed willingness to settle the case as soon as possible. In October 2021, Alkonis was sentenced to three years in prison for killing two Japanese citizens and injuring another in a car accident in May of that year in the central Japan prefecture of Shizuoka. Alkonis, who belonged to Yokosuka Naval Base in Kanagawa Prefecture, located between Shizuoka and Tokyo, appealed to a higher court, but his sentence was finalized in July 2022. Alkonis' defense team argued that he had suffered from acute mountain sickness and lost consciousness while driving, although Japanese courts determined that he fell asleep at the wheel and lost control of his vehicle. Alkonis could be allowed to return to the United States, given that he has shown remorse and reached an out-of-court settlement with the bereaved family of the victims, the sources said. Among U.S. Congress members, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah said he met with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi in August last year and demanded an early transfer of Alkonis to the United States. Lee has stressed the need to review the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement, which stipulates how to deal with U.S. military service members who commit crimes. Referencing one of his poems, which drew strong criticism for a reference to organ harvesting, El-Kurd said: I have been asked to apologise by simple-minded individuals for my poems. I have mutilated my poems by putting footnotes in them. El-Kurd went on to say that the criticisms of him and his work were an attempt to shut him down, but that they had had the opposite effect. I think they [his critics] did quite a good job of spreading a conversation about Palestine. I think it has spread into the dining rooms of Australians who normally would not be discussing Palestine. Mohammed El-Kurd and Susan Abulhawa are on the program at this years Adelaide Writers Week. Credit: Instagram/T Sauppe Earlier on Sunday, former attorney-general George Brandis appeared to back the festivals decision to include El-Kurd and Abulhawa in a panel titled The Public Square, alongside former NSW premier Bob Carr, ABC journalist Sarah Ferguson and English playwright David Hare. This is the test of whether you believe in a civil and free society; that is whether youre prepared to respect the right of others to have views you find profoundly objectionable, Brandis said. Defending his controversial 2014 comment in parliament that people have the right to be bigots, Brandis said that the definition of civility in a free society is the amount of tolerance we are prepared to extend to people whose views are profoundly different from our own, and whose views shock us or offend us. A late addition to the panel, Brandis replaced News Corp columnist David Penberthy, who last month described the programming of Adelaide Writers Week as an open invitation to people who act like pigs on Twitter. The editor of Adelaides The Advertiser also called for director Louise Adler to resign. David Hare, Sarah Ferguson and George Brandis at Adelaide Writers Week. Credit: Andrew Beveridge Hare said that organisers of a boycott against the event had also pressured the University of New South Wales to cancel an event he was due to speak at, claiming he had been contaminated by his connection to the festival. There seems to be a chain of madness now that has only to do with the touchiness, which means youre very, very, far away from the real problems, Hare told the crowd. Ive travelled in Israel and in Gaza and the West Bank, and in that part of the world people arent really that upset about what people say; theyre upset by what people do, he said. People in Israel are extremely upset by suicide bombers who go into markets and kill; and similarly, the Palestinians are very upset about the level of oppression by the Israeli military and the occupation of what they believe to be their land. Loading In Palestine, things that we regard as unacceptable antisemitic tropes are said every day. In other words, the Israelis are referred to as Nazis, youll hear that 10 times a day on the other hand if you go to dinner, as I have done in the settlements on a Friday night, you will hear people refer to the Palestinians as dogs, you will hear them called rats, you will hear them called animals who deserve to be herded up. Ferguson, the 7.30 presenter, expressed a desire to interview Abulhawa and interrogate her views, rather than silence them. I would like to talk to her about the things she says I think deplorable things she says about the invasion of Ukraine but I definitely dont want her banned from this festival, I want to be on a stage with her, I want to be able to interview her because thats my lifes work. Responding to criticism of her 2018 Four Corners interview with former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, Ferguson said that the ABC faces a generational divide over questions of neutrality and the platforming of offensive views. We have obviously a lot of young journalists in the ABC who take a different approach to activism, to the expression of ideas through their journalism, and it is a very uncomfortable moment for the ABC, because there is a generational difference, she said. The people that are largely making the complaints, or who are the energy behind some of the angriest outbreaks, not in relation to the dispute this week, but that we see as part of what is very loosely called cancel culture a lot of that energy comes from the generations below ours, and they were the people who complained about us giving a platform, so-called, to Steve Bannon. Abulhawas first event at Writers Week is scheduled for Tuesday morning, while El-Kurd will appear at another panel on Tuesday titled The Poetry of Dispossession. Her current show, Bobby Dazzler, is her sixth, and the countries on the tour have included, somewhat improbably, Iceland, where the title (a northern expression connoting praise or approval) proved confusing. Loading They all thought it was the name of my support act because its on the backdrop as well, she says. And I was like, I wouldnt have the name of the support the same size as my name. Im not that nice. Like all her shows, Bobby Dazzler relies heavily on mining her own personal experiences. My shows are always just about me, she says. I have no other knowledge. Some people have other subjects they can talk about. Mine is just me. I always want to call every show, More Of The Same, but my agent wont allow it. Her style of confessional comedy means she is constantly on the look-out for fresh material, examining everything in her daily life through the lens of, Is this funny? Could it work on stage? Not long ago I was doing that thing that we all do where you need to see a part of you that you cant see because there might be a spot there, she says. Now Im away from home and without my partner whose job it is to look at things like that. Instead, Im using my phone as a mirror and Im thinking dont take a photo because if you take a photo its in the Cloud forever and I dont know how to get things out of the Cloud. So while Im struggling to see various angles of myself Im thinking it might be funny. You make a little note and try it out at a new material gig and sometimes you find out its everybody and sometimes you find out its only you. Now that can be funny, but ideally you want something that people can identify with, otherwise they are just laughing at you and that doesnt feel so nice. For all her effortlessly home-spun, chatty style, Millican works incredibly hard writing, road-testing, discarding and refining material to ensure her audiences have a lovely time. During the current tour she is already deep into writing for the next. There are obviously universal themes that let her material appeal to a worldwide audience, although she says thats not top-of-mind when shes writing. Loading I want to make stuff that I find funny work rather than write stuff that I think everybody will like, she says. But themes of life are universal. Especially when I talk about being a woman, I dont think it matters where you are from or who you are. There are things that happen to me that I bloody hope happen to everybody else and if they dont then Ive got problems. She was a little worried about how her material would land in the US, mainly because of her prolific use of the word f**k in all its inventive variations. But they were absolutely fine with it because clearly the small amount of people who are aware of me in America also like swearing. Hooray! She is occasionally told its mainly her accent that makes her funny. And Im like, OK, but I dont think just my accent would keep me going for an hour-and-a-half every night for two years on tour, she says. But it is a fact that northern accents are regarded as more genuine and trustworthy than most others in the UK. Thats why were always in the call centres, you know. If this job doesnt work out for me I could always get a job in the complaints department at O2 [a phone company], trying to encourage people not to leave. Millicans Bobby Dazzler is in Melbourne on March 6; and Sydney on March 7. KYODO NEWS - Mar 5, 2023 - 09:33 | All, Japan, World, G7 With world leaders set to gather in Hiroshima for May's Group of Seven summit, a food academy is aiming to make local favorite "okonomiyaki" pancakes a global hit with new twists that pay homage to member countries' cuisine. A U.S.-style burger okonomiyaki and one featuring a German sausage and sauerkraut selection are among the variations organizers hope will prove beguiling enough to convince the deluge of summit-related visitors to take the recipes home. A typical Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki involves layering wheat flour, cabbage, yakisoba noodles, pork and other ingredients that are cooked on an iron plate. The finished product is then doused in sauce and other toppings as per the diner's choice. One world leader is already known to be a staunch Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki fan -- this year's summit head, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. With his constituency in the prefecture, Kishida's favorite food is purported to be his wife Yuko's take on the staple. At an event held in late February, the Oconomiyaki Academy in Hiroshima, formed by restaurants serving the pancakes, debuted its seven variations for the seven industrialized nations, devised based on the results of a questionnaire filled in by respondents including foreign residents and international students in the area. The academy says it hopes the recipes, which it has already distributed to its around 250 member eateries, will leave such an impression on attendees from participating countries that they will consider recreating them at home. For the United States, the academy has opted to wedge the okonomiyaki inside a burger bun and drench it with cheese, while the British version is ladled with a helping of its enduring culinary symbol fish and chips, and the savory twist on the German version offers a surfeit of sausage and sauerkraut. Italy's comes smothered in a special carbonara sauce, with the soba noodles doubling as spaghetti. Desserts have also been devised, with the Canadian okonomiyaki made using apple and maple syrup, and the French edition inspired by a flat pastry galette adorned with a fried egg. Not to be excluded is the Japanese version of the dish, which is presented in its fundamental "Hiroshima soul food" variant of nikudama soba, which includes meat, egg and noodles. Shigeki Sasaki, the academy's director, said that the G-7 summit is a "huge opportunity" for Hiroshima to bring its culinary culture to the world. "We've managed to put together a set of dishes that everyone from the participating countries will be able to recreate at home," he said proudly. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Clouds and some drizzle or fog possible early, then clouds break for sun.. Tonight Mostly cloudy and breezy with a round of showers overnight and perhaps a thunderstorm. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Flames could be seen on the roof as firefighters worked to battle a house fire in the 2200 block of Union Boulevard in Allentown on Saturday afternoon. Allentown Fire Department Battalion Chief Sean O'Neill said the call came in around 3 p.m. "We arrived; we had heavy smoke showing. We started our operations inside," said Chief O'Neill First responders from Bethlehem were called in too. Chief O'Neill said the fire was on the second story and attic of both sides. "Both sides were occupied and everybody was out before we got here," said Chief O'Neill. Police blocked off part of Union Boulevard for hours and redirected traffic as fire crews were on scene. "I do not have any reports of anybody being injured," said Chief O'Neill. The Chief said the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Former President Donald Trump has asked a federal court to block former Vice President Mike Pence from speaking to a grand jury. Cambodian Ministry of Tourism's Secretary of State Top Sopheak (C) presents flowers to a Chinese pilot at the Siem Reap International Airport in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, on March 3, 2023. China Eastern Airlines flight MU2091, carrying some 132 Chinese tourists, arrived at the Siem Reap International Airport from Shanghai Friday night and received a warm welcome from Cambodian tourism officials, local authorities and tour and travel operators, Cambodian Ministry of Tourism said in a press statement on Saturday. (Cambodian Ministry of Tourism/Handout via Xinhua) PHNOM PENH, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has welcomed the resumption of China Eastern Airlines flights to its Siem Reap cultural province, the country's Ministry of Tourism said in a press statement on Saturday. China Eastern Airlines flight MU2091, carrying some 132 Chinese tourists, arrived at the Siem Reap International Airport from Shanghai Friday night and received a warm welcome from Cambodian tourism officials, local authorities and tour and travel operators, the statement said. The Ministry of Tourism's Secretary of State Top Sopheak, who greeted the tourists upon their arrivals, said that China Eastern Airlines would operate direct flights between Shanghai and Siem Reap on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday weekly. "The return of Chinese tourists and investors is a good sign for Cambodia's tourism and economy in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era," he said. Sopheak said the Southeast Asian nation is expected to attract 4 million international tourists, including 800,000 to 1 million Chinese tourists, in 2023. China was the largest source of foreign tourists to Cambodia in the pre-pandemic era, a Ministry of Tourism's report said, adding that the kingdom received 2.36 million Chinese tourists in 2019, accounting for 35.7 percent of total tourist arrivals to the country and generating about 1.8 billion U.S. dollars in revenue. Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, said the comeback of Chinese tourists gave "high hopes" for the country's tourism industry and economic growth in the post-pandemic era. "I think the famed Angkor archaeological park in Siem Reap and coastal areas in Sihanoukville will remain the most attractive destinations for Chinese tourists," she told Xinhua. Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia's economy. The country attracted up to 6.61 million international tourists in 2019, generating a gross revenue of 4.92 billion dollars, according to the Ministry of Tourism. China's top political advisory body started its annual session on Saturday, marking the beginning of the country's major political gatherings, dubbed the "two sessions." How China will get off to a good start and provide the world with new opportunities through its own development has captured global attention. Produced by Xinhua Global Service This photo taken on March 4, 2023 shows the site of an operation against the hideout of militants affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) terror group in Herat province, Afghanistan. Afghan security forces stormed a hideout of militants affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) terror group in western Afghanistan, killing six insurgents including a woman, provincial police spokesman Abdullah Insaf said Saturday. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua) HERAT, Afghanistan, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces stormed a hideout of militants affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) terror group in western Afghanistan, killing six insurgents including a woman, provincial police spokesman Abdullah Insaf said Saturday. "The security forces of Islamic Emirate launched operations against the hideout of Daesh (IS) militants in Rabat Kabuli village of district 14 of Herat city on Friday evening," and killed the militants, Insaf told Xinhua. The police also seized arms and ammunition including three assault rifles, five pistols and 15 phones during the operations. On Friday evening, Herat residents reported that a series of blasts and gunshots were heard in district 14. The Taliban-run caretaker administration has vowed to crack down on armed rebels elsewhere in the war-torn country. This photo taken on March 4, 2023 shows the site of an operation against the hideout of militants affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) terror group in Herat province, Afghanistan. Afghan security forces stormed a hideout of militants affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) terror group in western Afghanistan, killing six insurgents including a woman, provincial police spokesman Abdullah Insaf said Saturday. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua) The opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese modernization has spurred discussions at home and abroad since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). During this year's "two sessions," the Chinese modernization blueprint will be fleshed out with specific targets to strive for. The following are 10 perspectives shared by deputies to the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body, to better understand the blueprint: HIGH-QUALITY DEVELOPMENT Pursuing high-quality development is the first and foremost task in China's bid to build a modern socialist country in all respects. "A modern China should be one with high-quality development," said Han Baojiang, director of economics department of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance) and a national political advisor. China has made strides in recent years in boosting R&D spending, expanding clean energy production, and nurturing growth poles with regional development strategies, alongside progress in other areas to seek innovative, coordinated, green, open, and shared growth. "To realize high-quality growth, efforts should be made to promote transformation in quality, efficiency and driving forces," said Yu Miaojie, president of Liaoning University and a national legislator. SURGING MOMENTUM OF INNOVATION The recent sci-fi blockbuster "The Wandering Earth II" has wowed the audience with its innovative components. The film displays many sci-tech products including quantum computers and exoskeleton robots. China's modernization drive brings science fiction closer to the public, science fiction writer Liu Cixin said. The country has joined the ranks of the world's innovators, with significant advances made in science and technology. Up in space, China's space station has opened its long-term manned presence mode. The country's space station project has entered the application and development stage, and two manned spacecraft and one or two cargo spacecraft will be launched annually. "The achievement in space has testified to China's efforts to boost its strength in aerospace and also reflected the surging momentum of innovation across the country," said Wang Xiaojun, head of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology and a national political advisor. Empowerment by science and technology is a hallmark of China's high-quality development, and sci-tech innovation serves as a driving force for Chinese modernization, Wang added. VITALITY UNLEASHED BY REFORMS China has continuously imbued its socialist modernization endeavors with fresh dynamism by deepening reform and opening up. Cases in point include hosting the China International Import Expo, a platform to promote trade and investment cooperation, and the recent launch of the comprehensive registration-based initial public offering system as part of the capital market reform. Moves are also afoot to energize the country's business entities. China has sought to streamline administration, delegate power, improve regulation, and upgrade services while nurturing a market environment featuring fair competition. "The expectations and confidence of business entities, especially private firms, concern not just current economic development but also the big picture of Chinese modernization," said national political advisor Zhang Lianqi. SOPHISTICATED TRANSPORT NETWORK China has built the world's largest high-speed railway network, expressway network, and world-class port clusters. It has opened air and sea routes that reach all parts of the world. A sophisticated transport network has been set up. By 2035, the National 1-2-3 Travel Circle -- one hour to commute in cities, two hours to travel within city clusters, and three hours between major domestic cities -- will take the initial shape, making transport more convenient for passengers. China leads the world in developing smart railway construction, said Zhong Zhangdui, a professor specializing in transportation studies at Beijing Jiaotong University and a national political advisor, adding that the country is also speeding up exploration in smart travel and platform construction. HARMONY BETWEEN HUMANITY AND NATURE Chinese modernization is the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature. The 14th CPPCC National Committee has set up a new sector for its members from environmental and resource-related circles. It is a major adjustment to the CPPCC's sector makeup over the past 30 years. Zhang Xingying from the China Meteorological Administration is a member of this sector. "This adjustment happens in line with the trend of our time," Zhang said, noting that advancing Chinese modernization entails appropriately handling the relationship between humanity and resources and the environment. Over the past decade, the idea that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" has become a consensus and commitment among society. China has successfully explored a path for green development. By the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China will lower its carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 18 percent from 2020 and increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 20 percent. COMMON PROSPERITY Chinese modernization is the modernization of common prosperity for all. In recent years, Zhejiang Province, which is a demonstration zone for common prosperity through high-quality development, has made strides in narrowing the income gap between rural and urban areas. Last year, the per capita disposable income of rural residents in the eastern province hit 37,565 yuan (about 5,438 U.S. dollars), bringing the urban-rural income ratio from 2.37 in 2012 to 1.9 in 2022. The country had seen the figure drop to 2.45 from 2.88 in the past decade. A lower ratio means a shortened wealth gap between rural and urban areas, and the minor change in the figure mirrors a remarkable improvement on the income of rural residents, said Qu Yongyi, an official with the Institute of Industrial Economics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and a national political advisor. China aims to raise its per capita GDP to be on par with mid-level developed countries by 2035 and expand its middle-income population to over 800 million in 15 years. CULTURAL-ETHICAL ADVANCEMENT Chinese modernization is the modernization of material and cultural-ethical advancement. In the northwestern suburb of Beijing, an expansion project of the Palace Museum, known as its north section project, is expected to complete by 2025 when the museum celebrates its 100th founding anniversary. It will be a modern multifunctional museum capable of exhibition, restoration, and preservation of cultural relics. Also, a protection plan for Beijing's Central Axis from 2022 to 2035 was released and implemented, defining the heritage and buffer zones. It marks new progress in the city's efforts to include the Central Axis in the list of world cultural heritage sites. Du Haijiang, Party chief of the Palace Museum and a national political advisor, said the museum's north section project would carry forward fine traditional Chinese culture and meet people's ever-growing intellectual and cultural needs. Today, China is advancing its profound cultural heritage and has developed a stronger sense of cultural confidence. ENHANCED SECURITY As the Chinese saying goes, "only when the grain supply is stable will the society be stable." In 2022, despite the multiple challenges posed by COVID-19 and natural disasters, harvests in China remained high, with the country's annual grain output above 650 million tonnes for the eighth consecutive year. For industry, energy is often referred to as its food. According to Yang Changli, chairman of the China General Nuclear Power Group and a national political advisor, energy security is important for modernizing the national security system and capacity and should be given more attention. As for the people, security is even more of a truthful sentiment, as the index of Chinese people's sense of security reached 98.62 percent. DOORS OPENING WIDER Chinese modernization is the modernization of peaceful development. The country aims to broaden its development space with high-standard opening up and deeper integration into the global industrial division and cooperation. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), proposed by China almost a decade ago, demonstrates the country's pursuit of high-standard opening up. The China-Europe freight trains, running across BRI countries and regions, made 1,410 train trips in January. The BRI has made interconnections among more regions a reality, benefiting the people of more countries, said Jiang Ying, chair of Deloitte China and a national political advisor, adding that the world will also benefit from China's pursuit of modernization. China has also lowered market access for foreign investors, steadily advanced institutional opening up and shared growth opportunities with the rest of the world. "High-level opening up is the only way for China to realize modernization," said Quan Heng, Party chief of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences and a national legislator, adding that a more open China not only injects strong impetus into its development but also delivers more opportunities for cooperation and win-win outcomes for the world. PERSISTENT HARD WORK Chinese modernization is the modernization of a huge population. China is working to achieve modernization for more than 1.4 billion people, more than the combined population of all developed countries today. It is a task of unparalleled difficulty and complexity. China needs to maintain stable growth while advancing its green transformation, according to national legislators and political advisors. China also needs to shore up weaknesses in sectors vital to its development, and persistent hard work is a must to tackle these challenges, they said. A Texas woman has been charged with three counts of capital murder, and is being held on $6 million bond. Kevin Mohatt/Reuters Three siblings were killed and two others injured in a Texas home on Friday. Authorities arrested a woman, believed to be their mother, and charged her with capital murder. The children who were killed included a 6-year-old boy and two 5-year-old twins. Texas authorities have arrested a woman and charged her with capital murder after three children were found dead in a home near Dallas, and two other children were found injured. The Ellis County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Saturday that one 6-year-old boy and a set of 5-year-old twins one girl and one boy were killed. Officers also found one 4-year-old boy and one 13-month-old girl "seriously wounded," the statement said. The children were taken to children's hospitals. Sheriff's deputies arrested Shamaiya Deyonshana Hall, and she has since been charged with three counts of capital murder. Hall is being held in the Wayne McCollum Detention Center, and a judge set bond at $2 million for each charge. The sheriff's department's statement said the dead and wounded children were discovered on Friday afternoon. Officials from Texas Child Protective Services had visited the home in Italy, Texas, and a CPS investigator decided to remove the children from the home. That investigator called 911 at 4 p.m. on Friday, and by the time police officers arrived, three of the children were dead and two were injured. The local ABC affiliate WFAA reported that Hall stabbed the children after the CPS worker arrived. The children's identities have not been released, but relatives told KDFW that all five children were siblings, and the suspect was their mother. Read the original article on Insider Young people nationwide particularly teenage girls are facing a mental health crisis. Findings in a recent report published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) show that nearly one in three high school girls considered suicide in 2021, a 60% increase since 2011. Further, 57% of teen girls reported feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2021. Maria Bledsoe And it isnt just girls facing mental health troubles. According to a 2019 survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, teen depression doubled between 2010 and 2019, well before COVID-19 lockdowns, and has been on the rise since then. March 2 was World Teen Mental Wellness Day, and the Florida Association of Managing Entities is encouraging Floridians to take action to remedy our youth mental health crisis by supporting behavioral health care in schools and teenagers in need of help. While the pandemic is often cited as the main cause of the current youth mental health crisis, and though the isolation it imposed did exacerbate the issue, teens were facing mental health issues long before. Life for teenagers now is much different than it was just 20 years ago. Social media is now the preferred way to communicate and hang out. Gone are the days of meeting up with your friends in person, and in are the days of texting, Snapchatting, or sending TikToks to each other without any in-person conversation. This has caused an increase in cyberbullying, body image issues, insecurities, and more, all of which deeply negatively affect teenagers mental health. In order to support teenagers, we must have resources available to them in schools and at home. The Florida Association of Managing Entities is Floridas behavioral health care safety net system serving more than 300,000 of Floridas uninsured and low-income residents. It works with its seven statewide Managing Entities, who coordinate with their behavioral health care network to provide care to those who need it. The Managing Entities and their provider network work closely with schools statewide to offer behavioral health care services to students in need. Additionally, teachers, guidance counselors, or school nurses can share in their lessons how mental health is just as important as physical health and can encourage students to talk to a trusted adult if they are struggling. Story continues At home, parents or guardians of teens should practice their own healthy habits as role models for their children. Checking in regularly, monitoring social media use, talking and listening, and showing compassion can help teens cope with mental health concerns. Being a teenager is hard its the awkward phase between being a child and an adult, and its a time that carries significant physical and emotional challenges. Lets not let mental health issues become an insurmountable challenge for our teens lets support them with behavioral health care in schools and at home. Maria Bledsoe is the president of the Florida Association of Managing Entities, the statewide organization representing Florida's seven Managing Entities that advance the behavioral health recovery of individuals and their families in Florida. Bledsoe is the CEO of Central Florida Cares Health System Inc. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Take action on youth mental health crisis US-POLITICS-RIGHTS-HARRIS Today (March 5) marks the 58th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, a day that is cemented in American history for the bloodshed by hundreds of Black voting rights advocates who were beaten by Alabama state troopers as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, 1965. The march was led by then-25-year-old John Lewis and Reverend Hosea Williams in Selma, Alabama. The late congressman, civil rights leader and 600 others were on a 54-mile trek to Montgomery, the states capital, when they were met with lethal force. The annual commemoration is attended by thousands. This year, President Joe Biden is scheduled to appear and deliver a speech. He last participated in the Bloody Sunday re-enactment trek across the famous bridge in 2019. This is something that is incredibly important. He looks forward to going to Selma on Sunday, again, on a historic day that we should not forget, said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during a briefing earlier in the week. Bloody Sunday was 58 years ago. Its not ancient history. pic.twitter.com/Ir8FmFFd2A Nina Turner (@ninaturner) March 5, 2023 Vice President Kamala Harris released a statement recognizing the sacrifices of the civil rights activists who endured brutal beatings nearly 60 years ago. Their courage and their sacrifice inspired many to join the fight for civil rights to put an end to poll taxes, literacy tests, and other forms of discrimination that blocked Black Americans access to the ballot box. They achieved passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, which enshrined critical protections for voting rights in federal law, read Harris statement. Lewis, who was a pillar in the fight for voting rights, passed away in 2020 after a battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He was 80 years old. Georgias former 5th Congressional District representative announced that he was ill in 2019 but vowed to fight the disease as he continued efforts to protect the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Story continues President Bidens full speech can be viewed below. Join me as I deliver remarks on the importance of commemorating Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama. https://t.co/Izs4gtw9zC President Biden (@POTUS) March 5, 2023 Trending Stories Chris Rock has never been one to shy away from sensitive topics, and on his new live comedy special Selective Outrage, that includes outing a huge secret he's kept from his ex-wife and oldest daughter. Quipping about how strange it is to be raising "rich kids" because he "identifies as poor" "My kids ski, they ride horses...they fence, I got fencing little Black girls" Rock launched into a story about his oldest daughter Lola and something that happened in her senior year at a private school. While on a class trip to Portugal, "Lola and four of her little white girlfriends decided they were bored." The girls, he said, ended up sneaking out to go drinking and got caught. "Of course they got busted. Rich white schools, they don't play that s---." He continued, "These crazy white schools got rich ass white parents and rich ass white parents do not let their kids get kicked out of school. So all the parents, they all got lawyers, even the ones that were lawyers got lawyers. Good lawyers." Chris Rock admits to getting his daughter kicked out of school Netflix Chris Rock in Selective Outage Rock admitted he didn't want to get a lawyer at first because he was "mad" at his child. "But my ex-wife's like, 'No, f--- that, we're getting a lawyer, and we're gonna sue this school, we're gonna sue this dean, we can sue these teachers. I can't even believe they let her out of their sight!'" "I started to argue but the last time I argued with my ex-wife about a lawyer, I lost my house," he joked. "So I come home from work and I see Lola outside just laughing with like three of her little white girlfriends." He said he then walked over to find out what was so funny, and her reply was not exactly what he wanted to hear. "Lola is like, 'Daddy stop it, you're so serious! I'll be back in school in no time,'" he continued. He then got into his car, drove to the school and asked the dean a favor: "I need you to kick my daughter out of this school. I need you to kick her Black ass out of this school. I need my Black child to learn her lesson right now before she is up on OnlyFans and some s---! Please kick my child out of f---ing school." In the end, Rock said, "They kicked her out. They kicked them all out, but they kicked my child out first." Story continues While the comic and actor doesn't typically share stories about his daughters often, he has opened up about his family in prior specials. In 2018's Tambourine he reflected on his divorce, admitting to cheating and not being a good partner. Now, he takes himself to task on what it's like dating as a 57-year-old man. Aside from parenting, politics, and dating, Rock also addressed the Will Smith Oscars slap at length, noting how Smith had "selective outage" and accusing Smith of punching him because of the possible rage he felt from the his wife's "entanglements." As far as his daughter is concerned, Rock let everyone know the school incident was a few years ago, she's in college and doing great now. He says, reflecting on his life now, "Except for some other weird things," Rock says, "life is pretty good." Selective Outrage is streaming now on Netflix. Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletterto get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. Related content: Chris Rock, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith. Shutterstock (3) Finding the humor. Chris Rock had a few choice words while reflecting on Will Smith's infamous slap during his Netflix stand-up special Selective Outrage and he made sure to involve Jada Pinkett Smith in the drama. The comedian, 58, took to the stage on Saturday, March 4, to address the controversial moment during Netflix's first-ever live stand-up set. "Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face," Rock joked early on before bringing up the incident again later in the night. "I got smacked at the fking Oscars by this motherfker. And people are like, 'Did it hurt?' It still hurts! I got 'Summertime' ringing in my ears. The Madagascar actor noted he did not want to spend too much time discussing the past. "I'm not a victim," he continued. "You will never see [me crying about it]. Never gonna happen." He continued: "Will Smith is significantly bigger than me, we are not the same size. Will Smith does movies with his shirt off. Youve never seen me do a movie with my shirt off. If Im in a movie getting open heart surgery, I got on a sweater. Will Smith played Muhammad Ali in a movie; you think I auditioned for that part? I played Pookie in New Jack City. I played a piece of corn in Pootie Tang. Even in animation this motherfker's bigger. Im a zebra, hes a shark. During his show, Rock said that the title was inspired by the slap, adding, Will Smith practices Selective Outrage. Everybody who really knows, knows I had nothing to do with that st. I didn't have any entanglements." The jokes referred to Pinkett Smith's 2020 revelation that she was separated from Smith when an entanglement" with August Alsina took place. "We all been cheated on. Everybody in this industry has been cheated on," Rock continued during the comedy special, before addressing the pair's Red Table Talk discussion. "None of us have ever been interviewed by the person that cheated on us on television. Why the fk would you do that st? She hurt him way more than he hurt me, OK?" Story continues Rock has previously chosen not to shed too much light on his feud with Smith after the altercation first made headlines. In March 2022, the King Richard actor, 54, raised eyebrows when he slapped the South Carolina native during the Oscars. The altercation came shortly after Rock made a joke about Pinkett Smith's shaved head. Chris Rock seen performing on 'Chris Rock LIVE: Selective Outrange.' Kirill Bichutsky/Netflix At the time, Smith issued an apology for his "unacceptable and inexcusable" actions, writing via Instagram, "I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness." He continued: "I would also like to apologize to The Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us." In response, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed that Smith would be banned from all Oscars events for 10 years following his resignation. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum addressed the situation again several months later in an emotional video on his YouTube channel. "I've spent the last three months replaying and understanding the nuances and the complexities of what happened in that moment," he explained in the July 2022 upload. "I'm not gonna try to unpack all of that right now. But I can say to all of you, there is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment. There's no part of me that thinks that's the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insults." Smith noted that he attempted to get in contact with Rock. "The message that came back is that he's not ready to talk. And when he is, he will reach out," he continued. "So I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable and I'm here whenever you're ready to talk. ... I'm trying not to think of myself as a piece of s--t. I am deeply remorseful and I am trying to be remorseful without being ashamed of myself. Right? I'm human and I made a mistake." Rob Latour/Shutterstock In the lengthy clip, the Philadelphia native clarified that his wife, 51, did not influence his decision to slap Rock. "I made a choice on my own from my own experiences, from my history with Chris. Jada had nothing to do with it," he shared, before addressing why he didn't apologize during his acceptance speech that same night. "I was fogged out by that point. It's all fuzzy." A source exclusively told Us Weekly that Pinkett Smith inspired her husband to discuss the situation on a public platform. "Jada has also been pushing Will to apologize because it has become this really dark cloud over her Red Table Talk series," the insider shared with Us, adding that Smith "never wanted to" publicly apologize but there was a constant wait for "any mention of that moment." Sign up for Us Weekly's free, daily newsletter and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more! Chris Rock: Selective Outrage is streaming now on Netflix. COLDWATER The Coldwater Board of Public Utilities is buying back part of the transmission line it sold in 2018 to International Transmission Co. and its subsidiary, Michigan Electric Transmission Co. The CBPU board approved the purchase Thursday evening, March 2. Its an investment, CBPU director Paul Jakubczak said, which will pay itself back over time. The city constructed the 138-kilovolt line in 2016 from Jonesville Road substation down Michigan Avenue along the railroad over to its Garfield substation as a local service line. Grid transmission lines along Michigan Avenue sold by CBPU to ITC/METC. It will buy back 8% of them. Then ITC constructed a seven-mile circuit from Jonesville north to near Union City. Jakubczak said that was the second part of that project getting that third transmission line into Coldwater providing grid reliability to the city. As part of the agreement, CBPU obtained a right to purchase up to a 20% share of the line. The amount purchased is close to 8%, which Jakubczak said CBPU can afford to tie up from its rate stabilization fund held by the Michigan South Central Power Agency now around $4.5 million. Prior story Power grid purchase deadline approaching Hopefully it will be 100% done by June and July, and the investment will be around $3 million or 70% of the fund the manager said. Final approval must go through the grid operator Midcontinent Independent System Operator, ITC/METC, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. CBPU manager Paul Jakubczak By law, the transmission companies receive 10% return on all investments billed to the electric companies as the cost of transmission. We'd be almost doubling the interest that we'd be making on this money, Jakubczak said. There are some costs for the operation and management of the grid, but those are small compared to the overall investment. There are also some legal costs which will be recovered quickly the manager explained. Jakubczak said the annual returns will build back up into the rate stabilization fund. That is money used to keep from having to raise rates from short-term and single-issue power cost increases to keep local power rates relatively level. Story continues Subscribe follow local government. Subscribe to the Daily Reporter. As the fund does build up more than necessary to achieve that purpose, the manager said, we may look at what we can do to offset some of our customers costs now such, as paying off some debt that we have through the agency. MSCPA owns 110 megawatts of actual transmission lines near Grand Rapids. It is one of the rare power sales agencies to own transmission. That line is managed and operated by ITC. Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DReidTDR. This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Coldwater utility buys back part of power grid to cement investment Image via Juancho Torres/Anadolu Agency and Eric VANDEVILLE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Colombia is looking to get rid of at least 70 of Pablo Escobars infamous cocaine hippos because they wont stop multiplying. As CBS News reports, the hippos originally came from Escobars former ranch Hacienda Napoles, and have been multiplying ever since the late drug lord illegally imported just four of them from Africa in the 80s. The hippos have since moved further from the ranch, and have made their home along the Magdalena River. According to environmental authorities, there could be as many as 130 hippos in the Antioquia province and that number could rise to 400 in less than a decade. When the drug lord was fatally shot by police in 1993, his ranch was left abandoned and the hippos were able to reproduce in the rivers nearby. Since they do not have a natural predator in Colombia, where they have been able to thrive due to favorable climate conditions, scientists said they pose a problem for biodiversity in the area because their feces could change the composition of rivers. They were declared a toxic invasive species by Colombias government last year, as they pose a threat to the habitat of capybaras and manatees among other native animals. The Colombian government was sued over plans to sterilize or even kill the animals in 2021, and it resulted in the hippos being legally recognized as people with legal rights in the United States. Biologists have in the past called the species territorial and dangerous, although some locals have described them as village pets. Hippos are known to cause more human deaths than any other sizable animal in Africa, but there have been no documented attacks in Colombia so far. If Colombias plans to export the hippos is a success, they will be transported to Mexico and India in an effort to control their populations. Lina Marcela de los Rios Morales, director of animal protection and welfare at Antioquias environment ministry, said the plan would be to focus on transporting the hippos living in the rivers rather than the ranch, because the latter remains a controlled environment. They would need to be lured into large containers that would then be taken to an international airport for flights to India and Mexico. Story continues Related Articles More Complex Sign up for the Complex Newsletter for breaking news, events, and unique stories. Follow Complex on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok Eduin Fraga When Eduin Fraga was experiencing economic hardship in Cuba, he turned to art and grew to be an accomplished artist. I started painting at 28 years old because I saw that my brother, who is also an artist, and his friends were able to make money selling art in the market. In Cuba, work is very difficult so when you are able to sell to tourists, it is an easier way to make money, Fraga said. Now living in Green Bay with trips home to Cuba to visit family, Fraga was a diligent learner. He watched his brother and the other artists and studied their techniques using shapes and light. But his art took a unique direction during an especially hard economic time in Cuba when it was difficult to find canvas for painting. All of these things like canvas, brushes and oil paints were in short supply," he said. "All I had was charcoal and some acrylic and so I began to mix newspaper and used that to make a collage. His style developed into what he describes as a blend of newspaper collage and paint on canvas that capture dynamic fragments of society within the piece. Examples can be seen on his website, www.eduinfraga.com. In his artist statement, Fraga says, Within my work, I strive continually to represent the complex and subtle realities of daily experience in Cuba and the United States. My work focuses on everyday lives to excavate themes such as the Special Period in Cuba, workers struggles for economic survival, aging infrastructure and related challenges to transportation and sanitation, emigration, and familial separation or loss. The images portrayed have found a following. As Fraga continues to master English, his wife, Christin DePouw, helps with marketing. The couple met when DePouw, at that time a professor at UW-Eau Claire, was studying abroad in Cuba. After meeting at Fragas art studio in Cuba in 2011, the relationship blossomed and they were married in 2014. They now live in Green Bay where DePouw is the DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) expert at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Fraga has a studio in their home, and although he enjoys the flexibility as the parent of a young son, he hopes to have a separate studio someday. Story continues I would like to have my own place to sell my art and have a larger reach for my art to sell and exhibit, he said. Most of his sales are currently made at art fairs, exhibits, and online. Fraga is working to make his website more e-commerce friendly, and DePouw helps with bookkeeping and administrative tasks; especially when language can be a barrier. She also assists in helping with requests for exhibits. Eduin Fraga's artwork As Fraga becomes well-known in the art world, the cultural significance of his work has led to dozens of exhibits at galleries as far away as Memphis, Tennessee. His wife, who put together a PowerPoint to promote to galleries, is her husbands biggest fan. The unique thing about Eduins work is that it teaches people about the topic just as much as about the beauty of the work," she said. "When exhibited at universities, it helps students think more deeply about Cuba and other social realities in the US and Cuba. Fraga added, This tells them that Cuba is not a romantic idea that they have. When people tell me nice things about Cuba, I try to tell them the truth. The Cuban people dont like their life and they want to have a normal life. They dont have the possibility of getting a new car or staying in a hotel. The art tells that story in a compelling way. It says that the economy and political climate in Cuba are harsh. That even applies to art, where the ability to exhibit may depend on being a member of a certain formal organization. When Fraga came to the United States, he had to pay to bring his art with him. But, as much as he appreciates the freedom and opportunity he feels in the United States, he does miss family members still living in Cuba. He also misses the weather. I never saw snow before and never had this kind of cold, but it is much easier to work here, Fraga said. According to the life I had, I can live with this. That life in Cuba is clearly depicted in the paintings. The challenge for Fraga will be to learn more about business and marketing so that more people will be able to share those experiences through his art. His wife is encouraging him in that direction, but like most artists, Fraga prefers the creative aspects. A painting can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years, and it is easy for him to get fully absorbed in the process. It is difficult for me to walk away, because when I am working, I think I will sell this thing Im doing," he said. "When I see the progress, I feel disoriented because I have spent so much time doing the painting. There is also the stress of completing commissioned work, a big part of his business. Just the process of understanding what a customer wants and putting it in Photoshop can be time-consuming. Instead of telling his story, he is telling someone elses. Even the newsprint background could vary depending on the subject. It could source from a Cuban newspaper, or if it tells a more local story, it might be from the Green Bay Press-Gazette. In explaining the process in his artists statement, Fraga says, Collage painting is a technique that includes excerpts and images from various Cuban and American newspapers as a means of capturing the dynamic fragments of the societies in which I live. Through this approach, my intention is to not only display objective images of daily life in Cuba and the U.S., but also to create within each piece a historical register of events and institutional processes. Tina Dettman-Bielefeldt is co-owner of DB Commercial Real Estate in Green Bay and Past District Director for SCORE, Wisconsin. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay artist's work shows 'complex ... realities' of life in Cuba Everybody's Irish on St. Patrick's Day! I don't know the source of that quotation, and certainly, it's not technically accurate. For me, however, it's at least partially true. I grew up Kathleen Ronan, the daughter of Frank L. Ronan, eldest child of Frank Ronan and his wife Annette Sico Ronan. I never met my paternal grandfather, who died when my dad was 16 years old. As I write this column, I am embarrassed to admit that I know nothing about my Ronan heritage. I do know that my grandfather had two brothers, Hubert and William, but I don't know if there were more siblings or when his Irish forebears immigrated to America. I know a bit more about my moms side of me. Her dad, first-generation American Otto Mielke, was of German heritage. The obituary from the local newspaper reported the death of my great grandfather Henry W. Mielke. The headline of the brief article was One Time Florist For Emperor, Dead. That emperor was Otto von Bismarck. My maternal grandmother ,Margaret Teehan Mielke, immigrated from Ireland, following a brother Tom and sisters Katherine and Abbey to the United States. My own mother recalled her mom saying, If I had the money, I would have gotten right back on the boat." I believe Margaret met Otto while they were working at an estate in Long Branch, N.J., not far from the Atlantic Ocean beaches. They married, had twin daughters who died as babies and were survived by daughters Mary, Alice, my mom Katherine and son Henry. A love of reading is too good not to share "Pop Otto" died in 1928, and Margaret, known as Mom Mom, lived in Long Branch for 40 years until her passing in March 1953 at the age of 64. I never knew either of my grandfathers. My dad's mom, Nana Nette, lived to the age of 92, so I got to love and enjoy her for many years. Her four children included my dad, younger twin sisters Marie and Louise, and the youngest, James, my godfather and delightfully crazy Uncle Jimmy. Story continues The young widow worked in a coat factory and sewed wonderful dresses for her eight little granddaughters. She shared her wonderful Italian tomato sauce recipe with her daughter-in-law my mom, Katherine, known as Kaddy. I was 3 when Mom Mom, my Irish grandmother, died. My single memory of her was a horsey ride sitting on her ankle, holding her hands as she bounced her leg up and down. Sadly, I don't know of any Irish recipes passed down by her. Very, very sadly, I don't know much else about my ancestors. I am sure that there are countless good stories interesting and informative stories about these people from earlier times. My dear friend Sally has been researching her family story and has dipped a tiny bit into mine. I will ask her to tutor me and be the guide to my Italian, German and mostly Irish heritage. Happy St. Patrick's Day. Kate Coleman is a Herald-Mail lifestyle columnist. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Hail St. Patrick's Day and celebrate Irish heritage LAGOS, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops have rescued 14 people who were being held hostage by bandits in the northern state of Kaduna, an official said on Saturday. The rescue mission was carried out recently by Nigerian troops who embarked on an operation targeted at a hideout of the bandits in the Chikun local government area of the state, said Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Samuel Aruwan in a statement. The troops overpowered the bandits and killed one of them while others fled in disarray, said Aruwan, adding that all the rescued were safe and will be examined further before being reunited with their families. The commissioner did not reveal the exact date of the operation, saying the hideout of the bandits has been destroyed by troops in the course of the battle. There have been a number of armed attacks in Nigeria in recent months, resulting in deaths and kidnappings. This is an emergency scene including both a fire engine and an ambulance. Getty Images/iStockphoto A Florida man was found breathing shortly after he was declared dead on Wednesday. After reportedly suffering from cardiac arrest, Thomas Maxwell, 65, was pronounced dead by two paramedics dispatched to his home in Pinellas County despite his daughter, Phebe Maxwell's objections, according to WFLA. "His lips were blue, and he was cold, but I was doing CPR. My friend was there, and she was doing chest compressions," Phebe told the outlet. "His chest was going up and down, and he was making noises, so his lungs were working." "I'm like, 'He's still breathing!' He's like, 'No ma'am, he's gone, those are just his body releasing gases,'" Phebe recalled the paramedic allegedly saying. RELATED: Woman Missing 31 Years and Declared Dead Is Found Alive at Care Home in Puerto Rico: 'Very Big Shock' According to WFLA, a Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputy found Thomas still breathing after visiting the home following the medics' departure. Largo Fire Rescue crews were then dispatched to the home and transported Thomas to the hospital. The outlet reported that the two paramedics who attended to Thomas were put "on administrative duty and have been clinically suspended," citing Rob Shaw, a spokesperson for Clearwater Fire & Rescue. "Upon notification of this incident, we immediately removed both fire medics from their normal duties and discontinued their abilities to provide patient care, in conjunction with the county's medical director," Clearwater Fire Chief Schott Ehlers said in a statement to News Channel 8, per WFLA. RELATED: Woman Who Died 37 Years Ago After Being Found Unconscious on Ga. Highway Identified as Missing Mom of 4 "On behalf of the city, I apologize for the actions and the inactions of our crew during this incident," Ehlers continued. "We have strict policies and procedures in place that were not followed, according to our preliminary review. These two did not perform to the standard of care that our citizens expect and deserve." Story continues Interim Clearwater City Manager Jennifer Poirrier wrote in a statement to News Channel 8, per WFLA, "When this does not occur at the level at which we expect, it is incumbent upon us to determine exactly what happened, why it happened, and then ensure it will never happen again." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. While action has been taken, Phebe is still concerned about what this will mean for her father's life moving forward. "I'm frustrated, hurt and mad. I don't know what this is going to do to my dad. I don't know what kind of life he's going to have now," Phebe told WFLA. The 10 Best Indie and Alternative Steely Dan Covers Glen SPOT Lockett, the legendary producer and engineer who helmed iconic albums by Black Flag, Minutemen, Husker Du, and Descendents during his tenure as house producer and engineer with iconic underground label SST Records, has died at the age of 72. Former SST partner Joe Carducci shared the news today (March 4) on Facebook that Lockett died at a healthcare facility in Sheboygan, Wi., this morning after a battle with fibrosis and complications from a stroke. More from Spin: His fibrosis began to impair lung function. Since then hed been on oxygen and was hoping for a lung transplant, but a stroke about three months ago put him in the hospital, Carducci said. Lockett was born in 1951 in Los Angeles and spent his final years in Sheboygan to be near his favorite Celtic music scenes in Milwaukee and Chicago, according to Carducci. Lockett was raised by an African-American father, who was one of the Tuskegee Airmen serving during WWII, and his Native American mother, who hailed from New Orleans. He learned to play guitar at the age of 12 and at one point tried out unsuccessfully for Captain Beefheart. After moving to Hermosa Beach, Ca., in the mid-80s, Lockett met Black Flags Greg Ginn while working at a vegetarian restaurant. Ginn recruited Lockett to play bass in the band Panic, which was a precursor of Black Flag. SPOT also contributed album reviews in the local SoCal paper Easy Reader, using his nickname as his byline. But it was his work behind the boards for the Ginn-founded SST where Lockett made a name for himself, contributing his talents to essential punk, underground, and hardcore albums between 1979 and 1986. Among the 100-plus albums he produced or engineered are classics such as Descendents Milo Goes to College, Black Flags Damaged, Husker Dus Zen Arcade, Meat Puppets Up on the Sun, and Misfits Earth A.D./Wolfs Blood. Story continues As Carducci shared, [SPOT] started in Hermosa Beach playing and recording jazz and he took the primacy of live jazz playing into recording bands against prevailing attempts to soften or industrialize a back-to-basics arts movement in sound. When approaching the mixing board SPOT would assume an Elvis-like stance and then gesturing toward all the knobs he would say in a Louis Armstrong-like voice, This is going to be gelatinous!' After leaving SST in 1986, Lockett delved further into his passion for photography, staging several exhibitions over the years. He had one planned for 2021 before his medical condition forced him to cancel it, according to Carducci. See reactions below from musicians and scene members who worked with SPOT, including the Minutemens Mike Watt, Husker Dus Bob Mould, and Big Black/Shellacs Steve Albini. good people, we just lost my old buddy spotski, a terrible blow. he recorded the minutemens first stuff, I go way back w/this man. brother matt took this shot six years ago when spotski came to visit our pedro town man, this is a terrible blow. I love you spotski forever. pic.twitter.com/8Ibn0JrakQ mike watt (@wattfrompedro) March 4, 2023 Every music scene needed someone to document it, someone with no agenda, an open mind and hot mics. SPT was the archetype scene recording guy, the guy we all emulated and whose role we tried to play. For a while there half the records I bought had his name on them. Requiescat. steve albini (@electricalWSOP) March 4, 2023 RIP Spot. He recorded iconic LPs by Black Flag, Minutemen, Husker Du, Descendents, Meat Puppets and the Misfits, among many others. He was also an excellent critic, photographer and musician. But most importantly, a lot of people loved him. (photo: Photobill/Bill Daniel) pic.twitter.com/yCIEK4qeOD Michael Azerrad (@michaelazerrad) March 4, 2023 From 1982 to 1984, Husker Du recorded four projects with SPOT. We worked at Total Access in Redondo Beach CA, mostly during the discounted overnight hours. SPOT always encouraged free expression and experimentation, even as those recordings were made as expeditiously as possible. Bob Mould (@bobmouldmusic) March 5, 2023 To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here. The post The 10 Best Indie and Alternative Steely Dan Covers appeared first on SPIN. A 2022 Department of Labor (DOL) investigation that discovered the wide-spread use of child labour in meat plants had an unintended consequence, according to families and community members. It reportedly put the children themselves at risk of dropping out of school and their families at risk of potentially being jailed or deported, according to The Washington Post. In October, DOL found that Packers Sanitation Services Inc., which supplies cleaning workers to meat facilities, employed more than 100 children doing dangerous work across eight different states. Children as young as 13 working inside the plants, in roles that sometimes involved using high-powered hoses, scalding water, and industrial chemicals to clean killing floors slick with blood and filled with razor-sharp meat saws. At least three of the minors in the investigation, DOL found, had burns on their hands from cleaning chemicals. Make no mistake, this is no clerical error, or actions of rogue individuals or bad managers," Jessica Looman, principal deputy administrator of the departments Wage and Hour Division, told reporters at the time. "These findings represent a systemic failure across PSSIs entire organization to ensure that children were not working in violation of the law. PSSIs systems in many cases flagged that these children were too young to work, and yet they were still employed at these facilities." The company, which blamed rogue individuals within management for the lapse, and said the employed minors were only a tiny fraction of its 17,000-person workforce, was fined $1.5m . However, the story didnt end there. Once the raid was over, many of the children involved dropped out school, and some of their parents were sent to jail for abetting in child labour violations. Community service providers told the Washington Post that the Department of Labor didnt notify them of which children were at the center of the probe, while the agency told the paper it couldnt disclose the names for privacy reasons. As a result of this gap, the children simply fell off the map, even though some would be eligible for benefit payments or deportation protections as potential victims of human trafficking. Story continues Its maddening, Audrey Lutz, a former director of the area nonprofit Multicultural Coalition, told the paper. We have no idea where they are. Erik Omar of the Immigrant Legal Center of Nebraska, told the Post: We are here to help. But we cant help if we dont know who the kids are. According to DOL data , child labour violations have grown steadily in recent years. Guns N' Roses will bring its massive 2023 world tour to downtown Phoenix for a Chase Field concert on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Produced by Live Nation, the tour will headline stadiums, festivals and arenas throughout the summer and fall, beginning June 5 at Park Hayarkon in Tel Aviv and continuing across Europe through July 22 in Athens, Greece. The tour hits North America on Saturday, Aug. 5, with a stop at Medavie Blue Cross Stadium in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, with stops at historic venues across the country such as Fenway Park in Boston (Aug. 21) and Wrigley Field in Chicago (Aug. 24), before concluding in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Monday, Oct. 16. Don't miss out!Green Day at Innings Fest 2023 and more must-see music in metro Phoenix this weekend How to get tickets to Guns N' Roses in Phoenix Tickets will be available starting with the band's Nightrain Presale beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22. General tickets for all dates go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at gunsnroses.com. VIP packages with premium tickets, VIP bar access, invitation to the preshow Paradise City Lounge, limited edition Guns N' Roses VIP merchandise and more are available. Visit vipnation.com. Concert review:Motley Crue was a mess at State Farm Stadium. But this band proved '80s metal still rocks This is Guns N' Roses' first tour since We're F'N Back! in 2021 This is Guns N' Roses' first North American tour since the We're F'N Back! Tour, which played Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix on Aug. 30, 2021. Their previous Not in This Lifetime Tour, which played what was then called University of Phoenix Stadium in 2016, is the third highest-grossing tour of all time. Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Guns N' Roses' 2023 tour: Phoenix date, presale and ticket info Leni Klum and Heidi Klum at 2022 Harper's Bazaar ICONS & Bloomingdale's 150th Anniversary on September 09, 2022 in New York City. ( Harper's Bazaar ICONS & Bloomingdale's 150th Anniversary 2022, John Nacion/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Heidi Klum has another multi-hyphenate in the family. At Saturday's 36th Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles, the former Victoria's Secret Angel, 49, raved to PEOPLE that she's "very proud" of her 18-year-old daughter Leni Olumi, who's currently studying interior design in college while pursuing her own modeling career. "I'm very proud of my daughter and her modeling," said Klum. "And she's studying at the same time, she's juggling already." RELATED: Leni Klum Says Mom Heidi Sends Her Groceries at College: 'I Didn't Think She'd Be That Worried' In addition to Leni, Klum shares sons Henry Gunther, 17, Johan Riley, 16, and 13-year-old daughter Lou Sulola with ex-husband Seal. Leni previously spoke to PEOPLE about making her modeling debut with her famous mother on the cover of Vogue Germany after growing up watching Klum work. Leni Klum was shot in NYC on 10/12/22 Victoria Stevens Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "I've always gone to work with my mom and thought, 'This looks so fun. She looks so happy while she's working,'" Leni said in October. "I'd jump in sometimes, and I'd play around with the makeup that her makeup artist would bring." RELATED: Leni Klum Reveals Mom Heidi Klum Said No to Her First Modeling Offer: 'That's What Sparked Me' She added of their mother-daughter cover: "That's, like, insane that I did that as my first job and my mom was with me, which made it so much fun. It was just such a good day. I wasn't nervous at all. I was just so excited. I was like, 'I'm finally modeling, and it's Vogue.' It was just so many things to be excited about." After Klum talked about "worrying" when her daughter doesn't answer the phone at college, Leni told PEOPLE she's been "texting her more." RELATED VIDEO: Heidi Klum Praises Daughter Leni, 17, as They Appear on Harper's Bazaar Germany See the Covers "I didn't think she'd be that worried, since there's three other kids that she's looking after," said Leni. "I feel I'm all grown up now, and I can live on my own. I'm not technically on my own because I have a roommate, but I get that it's hard for her." ROCKPORT, Maine (AP) Fishers of Maine lobster, one of the most lucrative seafood species in the U.S., had a smaller haul during a year in which the industry battled surging fuel and bait prices, rebukes from key retailers and the looming possibility of new fishing restrictions. Maine lobster has exploded in value in recent years in part due to growing international demand from countries such as China. The industry brought about 98 million pounds of lobster to the docks worth about $389 million in 2022, Maine regulators said Friday. That was more than 11% less than the previous year, in which they harvested more than 110 million pounds of lobster worth more than $740 million. Lobsters sit in a crate at a shipping facility on Nov. 18, 2020, in Arundel, Maine. Fishers of Maine lobster, one of the lucrative seafood species in the U.S., hoped for a large haul in 2022, a year in which the industry battled surging fuel and bait prices, rebukes from key retailers and the looming possibility of new fishing restrictions. The value of lobsters also fell to a little less than $4 per pound at the docks, the lowest since 2017, a year after setting a record of more than $6.70 in 2021. The industry has experienced growth in recent years, as fishermen have caught more than 96 million pounds of lobster per year for 13 years in a row after never previously reaching that mark. But it is also wrangling with threats such as proposed rules to protect rare North Atlantic right whales, which are vulnerable to entanglement in gear. Southern Maine Lobster:Company eyes major expansion in challenging times. Here's how. Last year was a real steady season, for the most part, but the high price of doing business and a diminished price per pound for lobsters were challenges, said John Tripp, a fisherman from St. George. It's getting pretty costly to do what we do," Tripp said. The lower price to fishermen last year did not necessarily translate to lower prices for consumers, as lobsters remain a premium seafood product. Fishermen are typically paid $4 to $5 per pound for their catch, while retailers often charge consumers more than twice that. Wicked Tuna:Seabrook woman reels in monster catch in TV debut- It was awesome The potential threats to the industry include the warming of the Gulf of Maine, which is a key fishing area off New England. The gulf experienced its second-warmest year on record last year, scientists have said. Story continues Maines lobstermen were facing tremendous uncertainty about their future last year over pending federal whale regulations, compounded by the high costs for bait and fuel, said Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat. Yet they still brought to shore nearly 100 million pounds of quality Maine lobster, which reflects this industrys resilience when confronted with a difficult and dynamic economic environment. Lobstermen Riley Austin, left, and Ed Hutchins load the Christina Mae II with traps on the Cape Porpoise pier on May 3, 2022. The lobster fishing business has also lost some customers in the wake of sustainability organizations suspending their certifications of the industry over concerns about threats to whales. Retailers including Whole Foods said they would halt sales of Maine lobster after the groups, Maine Stewardship Council and Seafood Watch, pulled the certifications. Fighting back:Maine lawmakers target Whole Foods for blacklisting lobster Some scientists and conservationists have called on government regulators to treat the threat to whales more urgently. The whales are also vulnerable to collisions with large ships. With fewer than 350 individuals remaining, and their numbers in decline, North Atlantic right whales are at risk of extinction, wrote a group of conservationists including Peter Corkeron, a former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientist, in a February issue of the journal Science. The vast majority of U.S. lobster come to the docks in Maine, though some also come ashore in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and further south. Canadian fishermen also catch millions of pounds of the same species off the eastern provinces of the country. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Maine lobstermen have slower year amid industry challenges A Michigan judge ruled on Friday that the school district and staff from Oxford High School cannot be sued for the November 2021 mass shooting that left four students dead and seven others injured. Circuit Court Judge Mary Ellen Brennan found that Oxford Community Schools and its staff are protected by governmental immunity. The families of two of the victims, as well as several other parents and students, had filed the civil lawsuit against the school district and staff members, as well as the shooter and his parents. The shooter, 16-year-old Ethan Crumbley, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and terrorism charges last October. His parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, have been charged with involuntary manslaughter for providing their son with access to a gun and failing to intervene when he showed signs of mental health issues. They have both pleaded not guilty. The lawsuit accused Oxford Community Schools and its staff of gross negligence and vicarious liability over their actions leading up to the shooting. A teacher saw Ethan Crumbley looking at ammunition on his phone the day before the shooting, leading the school to call and leave a voicemail for his mother, according to The Associated Press. The day of the shooting, his parents were called into the school to discuss concerning drawings Crumbley had made and were told to take him to counseling within 48 hours. However, Brennan noted in Fridays decision that Ethan Crumbleys act of firing the gun, rather than the alleged conduct of the individual Oxford Defendants, was the one most immediate, efficient, and direct cause of the injury or damage. She added that even assuming that they were grossly negligent in their response, no reasonable trier of fact could concluded that the conduct of any of the individual Oxford Defendants was the one most immediate, efficient, and direct cause of the injury or damage. In the wake of the opinion, a group of Oxford parents and students known as Change 4 Oxford called for legal limits to government immunity. As long as governmental immunity completely shields schools like Oxford, it will only serve to deny families transparency, justice, and accountability, Change 4 Oxford parents Lori Bourgeau and Andrea Jones said in a statement. Without real change, our schools incentive to truly improve safety policies will remain limited due to their ability to hide behind immunity when future tragedies occur. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. This debut novel, "Moonrise Over New Jessup," is truly impressive, powerful and original, dealing with the civil rights movement in ways I had not read before. Jamila Minnicks has created a fictional Alabama town west of Montgomery, near the Tombigbee River. We learn its history: in the late 19th century, Jessup was a town with a Black and a white section. The freedmen expended herculean efforts and grew and improved their section of town. More:Literary tourists will find Fitzgerald guide useful | DON NOBLE Negro Jessup was modern and thriving and building ever closer to the whitefolks side of town and making whitefolks wonder who was living on the other side of the tracks from who. The Black citizens paved their streets and opened a hospital and a savings and loan. They created what was later called in Tulsa a Black Wall Street. Then, in 1903, the white community, angry, envious, raided the prosperous Black section with shotguns and torches, drove away the Black citizens and "absorbed Negro Jessup as their own." With heroism and enormous faith and endurance, the Blacks bought the swamp they had been driven into and, pooling their meager financial resources, began again and created New Jessup, with Black businesses, professionals, schools, workers, all several miles from the white town. It is not a socialist enterprise there is no mention of Karl Marx or communism but interestingly, they rejected the then-current idea among African-Americans of being led by the talented tenth. All voices, laborers and lawyers, were equal, decisions made by voting. Jamila Minnicks' debut novel, "Moonrise Over New Jessup," won the 2021 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction. Our narrator, Alice, on the run from fictional Rensler, Alabama, where her white landlord tried to rape her, falls in love with New Jessup, where there are no white or colored signs, and then falls in love with Raymond, who operates a car repair and towing business. Soon, however, she realizes the old problems of prejudice, segregation and civil rights are inescapable, but are being addressed here in a new way. Story continues Raymond belongs to a secret organization, NNAS, the National Negro Advancement Society. He had participated in the Montgomery bus boycott and was actively for civil rights, but not integration itself. He is working for legal incorporation for New Jessup. Then the citizens, all Black, will have control over what happens in their town. Raymond is thinking entirely locally. Minnicks makes no mention of the Nation of Islam or Malcolm X, or other Black Power movements elsewhere in the country. Although also never mentioned, the reader understands that Raymond wants to reproduce the town of Eatonville, the all-Black village in Florida where Zora Neale Hurston grew up. And, we should remember, Hurston was chastised for her skepticism about Brown v. Board of Education, which she saw not as unmitigated improvement but as an insult to Black schools and teachers and damaging to the Black business community. Raymond explains: " ... this is us trying to move towards the vote WITHOUT integration ... things are separate already here, so let them be equal." As plans proceed, white Jessup must not hear of any agitation or organizing by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference or by the NAACP. Any organizing might bring another fiery raid, even though Raymond and his group want no integration in their schools, no mixing, no white people around at all. They have had all the contact with white folks they care for. Moonrise Over New Jessup by Jamila Minnicks Their own history has cured them of wanting to live with whites. Alice, as she learns about Raymond's group NNAS, certainly agrees with them. We learn that Alice's father had been very strict about school attendance. Alice was never truant, no matter what. Her father had, as a nine-year-old, been truant and sent to the coal mines, caught in the Alabama convict leasing system, the last convict leasing system in the United States, and "he served six years on that thirty-day sentence." But, not all the Black citizens of New Jessup agree with Raymond and Alice. Minnicks demonstrates how the stresses and dangers run in several directions simultaneously and, as the 1960s roll along, history threatens to repeat itself. Don Noble Don Nobles newest book is Alabama Noir, a collection of original stories by Winston Groom, Ace Atkins, Carolyn Haines, Brad Watson, and eleven other Alabama authors. Moonrise Over New Jessup Author: Jamila Minnicks Publisher: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill Pages: 336 Price: $28 (Hardcover) This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Novel set in 1960s presents home-grown civil rights activism | DON NOBLE Cardi B, Meagan Thee Stallion If B.A.P.S. ever gets the remake treatment or a sequel, Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B both want dibs on starring in the flick. The 1997 buddy comedy was directed by Robert Townsend and starred Halle Berry and Natalie Desselle-Reid as Black American princesses, hence the films name. The satirical take on a piece of our culture from the long nails and customized gold teeth to over-the-top hairstyles may have been misunderstood by critics, but it has remained embraced by some of us, so much so that questions about a remake have surfaced. In an interview with /Film, Townsend revealed that the WAP rappers have both expressed interest in taking a swing at an updated version of the film. As fans likely recall, the NSFW record served up 90s nostalgia as both artists leaned into the B.A.P.S. aesthetic for the theme of the music video, as well as some of their looks. Ive had people go, Hey, we want to do a remake. Everybody from Megan Thee Stallion to Cardi B is like, Could we do I mean, its like, I dont know, said the Hollywood veteran. Its kind of interesting because some people love B.A.P.S., and then some people dont like B.A.P.S., and some people are mad because they go, You gave Halle Berry gold teeth and blonde hair. And I was like, Yeah, I did!' said Townsend about some of the feedback he received about the project. The Hollywood Shuffle creator, however, stands by his work. And then they [were] like, Why is Robert doing this kind of comedy? But its like The Beverly Hillbillies. It was funny and silly. Its so funny because people want a sequel to that, and I dont know, he added. The comedian continued, Its a well-made movie. And if you go on the ride and go, Oh, its two country girls trying to make some money, and then they find who they are, and at the end of the day, they do win. But its because theyre being honest and transparent. Do gold diggers or women that have ulterior motives exist? Yeah. These two country girls from Decatur, Georgia, got caught up in the scheme, but at the end of the day, we reveal their heart, and its a love story. Theres people that love, love, love the film and some people that didnt get it. Story continues Sadly, if the project does come to fruition, it will not feature Desselle. The actress passed away in 2020 following a battle with colon cancer. Her co-star, Berry, paid tribute in a heartfelt Instagram post with a photo of one of their scenes together. As I celebrate my sweet BAP Natalie today, Im filled with memories of her love, humor and infectious smile. I hope shes spending her first birthday in paradise laughing, living large and taking charge and being the positive light she always was. I miss you, Nat Dog, she wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Halle Berry (@halleberry) Trending Stories Conservatives Attend The Annual CPAC Event - Credit: Getty Images At a press conference ahead of Donald Trumps speech to the Conservative Political Action Coalitions annual event, Newsmaxs James Rosen asked whether he would drop out of the presidential race if he is indicted on criminal charges. I wouldnt even think of leaving [the race], Trump responded. Probably it will enhance my numbers. Shortly thereafter, Trump delivered a low energy speech to a low energy CPAC, though he appeared to be briefly interrupted by a protester blaring hip hop music. While the former president did not let the interruption stop him from spouting his usual hateful drivel (the crowd broke into chants of USA! USA! USA! to drown the music out), a sweaty Trump gave a speech that seemed more subdued than his typical rallies. More from Rolling Stone Trumps speech is interrupted by a protester? pic.twitter.com/ZlkJKoAwGE Acyn (@Acyn) March 4, 2023 Although the room appeared relatively full for Trumps address, CPAC this year struggled to find attendees and sponsors despite the promise of riveting sessions like The Biden Crime Family and Don Lemon is Past His Primetime. Many prominent Republicans have avoided the conference in recent years, although far-right GOP Reps. Jim Jordan, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Lauren Boebert all made appearances. Meanwhile, Matt Schlapp, who chairs the American Conservative Union that hosts the event, is being sued for allegedly inappropriately touching a male GOP campaign staffer. Schlapp denies the claims, and Trump made sure to praise Schlapp during his speech. Trumps remarks echoed the stump speeches he has delivered on the 2024 campaign trail. I have been engaged in an epic struggle to rescue our country from the people who hate it and want to absolutely destroy it, he said, adding that Biden has turned America into a lawless open-borders crime and filthy communist nightmare. Part of that filthy communist nightmare, according to Trump, is providing gender affirming care to transgender people and teaching children about race. We banned transgender insanity from our military and signed the worlds first ban on critical race theory long before anybody had even heard of the term, Trump said. It was all banned, everything was good. When Biden came in, this guy came in and he put everything right back into place where it was. Toward the conclusion of his speech, Trump earned some of the loudest applause and a standing ovation when he spewed anti-trans hate. I will revoke every Biden policy promoting the chemical castration and sexual mutilization of our youth and ask Congress to send me a bill prohibiting child sexual mutilation in all 50 states. That should be easy. And we will keep men out of womens sports. How ridiculous. That will take place on day one. Trumps anti-trans rhetoric is in line with comments Daily Wire pundit Michael Knowles made during his speech earlier in the day. Knowles called for transgenderism to be eradicated from public life entirely, arguing for the disappearance of anyone identifying as trans. And its aligned with the rights recent attempts to further ostracize trans people from society. Speaking about prosecutors, Trump painted himself as the victim. Multiple cases are currently moving forward against him, including potential election interference charges in Georgia and possible tax-related charges in New York. Prosecutors all hate me, Trump whined. Theyll get me for anything. You put a comma in this paragraph, why did you do that? I dont know.' Later in the speech Trump claimed he made a perfect phone call to Georgias secretary of state (during one call, Trump begged the secretary to find Trump votes). Trump also took time to praise specific Fox News commentators, including Tucker Carlson and Jesse Watters, saying that they should receive the Pulitzer Prize instead of reporters from publications like The Washington Post and New York Times. Fox ran Trumps CPAC speech live in its entirety, despite Trump recently being openly critical of the network over the recent revelation that its owner, Rupert Murdoch, privately acknowledged that Fox broadcast lies about election fraud. Trump also bashed Fox earlier this week for merely acknowledging DeSantis existence. Before his speech, CPAC attendees participated in the traditional straw poll, which Trump won easily, with three times more attendees supporting him than his Republican rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. His victory is not a surprise; Trump has now won the CPAC straw poll five consecutive times. Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. * The around 5-percent GDP target for 2023 is consistent with the growth potential of the Chinese economy at present and with the capability of resources and production factors to support the economy. * Delivering steady and quality growth is key to realizing the CPC's grand blueprint for building a great modern socialist country by the middle of this century. * While the annual GDP target is an appropriate growth pace required to stabilize expectations and economic expansion, it has indicated that the Chinese economy will continue to focus on high-quality development. * China's economy is staging a steady recovery, with marked improvement in consumer demand, market distribution, industrial production and business expectations, and the economy is demonstrating vast potential and momentum for further growth. The opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China aims to achieve a faster economic growth of around 5 percent with better quality of development in 2023, as the world's second-largest economy gathers pace to build up recovery momentum and push ahead with its modernization drive. The projected target, higher than the 3-percent growth recorded in the country's gross domestic product (GDP) last year, is one of the key objectives for development laid out in the government work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang to the national legislature, which began its annual session Sunday. The world is closely watching for new policy moves on China's development, as national lawmakers and political advisors convene for the first annual gathering since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in October last year. Meanwhile, the country's quick recovery from COVID-19 has raised hopes for wider growth globally, adding to the significance of the event. Delivering steady and quality growth is key to realizing the CPC's grand blueprint for building a great modern socialist country by the middle of this century. "It is imperative to maintain reasonable long-term economic growth while ensuring better quality and efficiency and to sustain our miraculous achievements of fast economic growth and long-term social stability," as the 20th CPC National Congress envisaged increasing the country's per capita GDP to be on par with that of a mid-level developed country by 2035, according to a separate report submitted Sunday by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the top economic planner. The growth target of around 5 percent "is necessary to ensure stable growth, employment and prices," according to the NDRC report on the implementation of the 2022 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2023 draft plan for national economic and social development. "It will be a positive signal to the market and will bolster confidence, guide expectations, expand employment, improve living standards, and prevent and defuse risks while pursuing development," the NDRC report said. This year's GDP target is also consistent with the growth potential of the Chinese economy at present and with the capability of resources and production factors to support the economy, according to the report. "For China, 2023 is a year of economic comeback," said Liu Shouying, dean of the School of Economics at Renmin University of China. While the annual GDP target is an appropriate growth pace required to stabilize expectations and economic expansion, it has indicated that the Chinese economy will continue to focus on high-quality development, Liu said. People visit Jianchang ancient city during the Spring Festival holiday in Xichang, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Jan. 27, 2023. (Photo by Li Jieyi/Xinhua) REVIVING GROWTH China's economy is staging a steady recovery, with marked improvement in consumer demand, market distribution, industrial production and business expectations, the premier said, noting that the economy is demonstrating vast potential and momentum for further growth. The recovery can be seen and felt in the scenes of busy roads, crowded cinemas and restaurants, and shopping sprees both online and in stores. The latest official data showed that manufacturing activity has returned to the highest level in more than a decade, foreign investment growth rebounded, and monthly new bank lending surged more than expected. While acknowledging past achievements, Li cautioned of difficulties and challenges confronting the economy, including rising uncertainties in the external environment, insufficient domestic demand, and risks and hidden dangers in the real estate market. It is important to "give priority to ensuring stable growth, employment and prices" this year, Li told lawmakers. This year, China aims to create around 12 million new urban jobs, with a surveyed urban unemployment rate of around 5.5 percent, according to the government work report. Other annual objectives include keeping the consumer price index increase at around 3 percent and grain output above 650 million tonnes. The government work report unveiled a raft of measures to shore up growth this year. They include a projected deficit-to-GDP ratio of 3 percent, 0.2 percentage points higher than the level last year, and 3.8 trillion yuan (about 549.8 billion U.S. dollars) of special-purpose bonds to be allocated to local governments. The report also called for making the prudent monetary policy targeted and forceful, noting that the M2 money supply and aggregate financing should increase generally in step with nominal economic growth to support the real economy. To expand domestic demand, China will prioritize the recovery and expansion of consumption, the report said, noting that the incomes of urban and rural residents will be boosted through multiple channels. "China's economy will turn for the better on the whole and its growth rate is more likely than not to reach a normal level," said economist Yu Miaojie, president of Liaoning University and a national legislator. International institutions and investment banks have raised their predictions for China's growth this year. The International Monetary Fund lifted in late January its forecast for China's growth in 2023 to 5.2 percent, up from a previous prediction of 4.4 percent. This aerial photo taken on June 19, 2022 shows wind turbines in a forest park in Raohe County, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei) QUALITY MATTERS While giving weight to economic growth, the Chinese government will not seek growth at all costs. Instead, it wants a greener and more efficient economy. While delivering the government work report, Li once again underscored efforts to pursue high-quality development, outlining policy priorities such as accelerating the modernization of the industrial system and promoting the transition to a green development pattern. China aims to reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP by around 2 percent this year and "will strive for better results in actual work," according to the NDRC report. It unveiled the objectives of continued reductions in the discharge of major pollutants, stronger control over the consumption of fossil fuels, and steady improvements in the natural environment. On boosting the country's technology strength, Li urged pooling quality resources and making concerted efforts to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields. He also called for efforts to make traditional industries and small and medium-sized enterprises more advanced, smarter, and more eco-friendly. In the face of severe challenges brought by rising protectionism and the COVID-19 flareups in the past few years, China has avoided overreliance on investment as a means of boosting economic growth but stayed focused on helping market entities overcome difficulties and grow. "We have taken decisive measures to step up macro policy support while refraining from adopting a deluge of strong stimulus policies that would eat into our potential for future growth," Li said. High-quality development is deemed "the first and foremost" task in China's modernization endeavor. President Xi Jinping has stressed that instead of taking GDP growth as the sole criterion for success, China is now focusing more on improving the quality and efficiency of growth. As part of the better quality of development, China has seen increased spending on research and development in the past five years, with reduced energy intensity and carbon emissions, according to the government work report. "A modern China should be one with high-quality development," said Han Baojiang, director of the economics department of the National Academy of Governance and a national political advisor. "Only by placing equal emphasis on growth and quality and creating a strong synergy for high-quality development can we build a solid economic foundation for Chinese modernization," Han said. (Video editors: Chen Sihong, Wu Yuzhan, Zhu Jianhui and Peng Ying) Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval, and Raquel Leviss. Shutterstock (2); Michael Simon/Startraks/Cover Images A tense reunion? Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval were spotted for the first time since news broke of his affair with Raquel Leviss. Madix, 37, was seen on Saturday, March 4, trying to avoid crossing paths with Sandoval, 39, according to photos obtained by Page Six. The Florida native walked out of her home in sweatpants and a hoodie but without shoes as she headed for her car. Sandoval, for his part, was photographed returning from a show in Anaheim, California, with makeup still on his face. The awkward almost run-in came one day after Us Weekly confirmed the former couple's split. A source revealed to Us that Madix and Sandoval parted ways after she found out about his affair with their Vanderpump Rules costar. Amid the drama, Sandoval hinted at his personal issues while putting on a performance with Tom Sandoval & the Most Extras. Have you ever been one of the most hated people in America? an eyewitness recalled to Us about the TomTom cofounder asking the crowd during the show on Friday, March 3, hours after the scandal made headlines. The businessman went on to address his infidelity in a statement. "Hey, I fully understand and deserve ur anger & disappointment towards me, but please leave [Tom] Schwartz, my friends and family out of this situation ... Schwartz specifically only found out about this very recently, and most definitely did not condone my actions. This was a very personal thing," Sandoval wrote via Instagram on Saturday. Sandoval asked his followers not to take their anger out on his restaurants. "Also, Schwartz & Sandy's might have my name on it, but also there are 3 other partners and 20 employees, who especially rely on the restaurant for income for them and their families. Just like TomTom, I'm a small part of a much bigger thing," he continued. "Please direct ur anger towards me and not them. They did nothing wrong." He concluded: "I'm so sorry that my partners, Greg, Brett, and Schwartz and our employees have to suffer for my actions. I will be taking a step back & taking a hiatus out of respect for my employees & partners." Madix, for her part, has remained tight-lipped about the end of her relationship. She deleted her social media accounts shortly before news broke of her ex-boyfriend's infidelity. Their costars, however, have been vocal about the scandal. Its funny to watch people social climb and be soooooooo fake that theyre willing to st on people that are supposed to be their best friend (a term that gets thrown around very often around here) all just to come up or have some sort of story line," her brother, Jeremy Madix, wrote via Instagram on Friday. "This lifestyle and this group is beyond toxic and I wouldnt recommend it to anyone." Twenty-nine years ago, Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne were celebrating their Academy Award nominations for portraying Tina Turner and Ike Turner in 1993s Whats Love Got to Do With It. This year, Bassett is nominated for the best supporting actress Oscar for her commanding performance as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and her longtime collaborator couldnt be more thrilled. Calling in between interviews for John Wick: Chapter 4, Fishburne tells Variety, Its whats in my heart that Id like to talk about more than whats on my mind. Im just really, really happy about all of the accolades that have been coming Angelas way for this performance. More from Variety Fishburne sought out Wakanda Forever early in its theatrical run, interested to see what the Marvel sequel had in store. I was just blown away by a couple of things, he says, recounting the experience. First and foremost, this is a movie with five Black women as the leads, which was incredible. And the way Angela held the space as the queen was beyond impressive. Her leadership in this movie is incredible and her generosity, also, was just so beautiful to see. When Bassetts Queen Ramonda lamented over losing her entire family (Have I not given everything? she cries.), Fishburne was particularly bowled over: Its just heartbreaking and so brilliant. Coincidentally, it was Bassetts turn opposite Fishburne in 1991s Boyz n the Hood, that lay the foundation for that memorable monologue. During Varietys cover shoot last November, Wakanda Forever filmmaker Ryan Coogler told Bassett that the scene where she and Fishburne verbally sparred over the care of their son Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) still stuck with him after all these years. Story continues You put him in his place, Coogler said, summarizing the sequence. You were like, Moms have been doing what youve been doing all the time, so you dont get no cookie. Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne during 31st Annual Publicists Guild of America Awards Luncheon at Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel. While Fishburne doesnt keep specific memories of filming scenes at the top of his mind, he does remember the first time he saw Bassett perform. She was in the Broadway production of August Wilsons Joe Turners Come and Gone, Fishburne recalls. I was absolutely blown away by her intelligence and her strength, her beauty, her acting I mean, all of it. She was the total package. To see her live, if youve never seen her live, is really something. Of course, Fishburne eventually witnessed that talent from the closest proximity possible, as the actors developed a lasting partnership on screen and stage. Two years after Boyz n the Hood came Whats Love Got to Do with It; then, they collaborated twice in 2006, co-starring in Akeelah and the Bee in theaters and on stage in a production of August Wilsons Fences at the Pasadena Playhouse. I dont know how to explain it, Fishburne says, considering what makes Bassett such a special scene partner. The word that people use is chemistry, that Angela and I just have a chemistry that is undeniable and innate. But I think it is really born out of the fact that we both love what we do. And when we come together, we make room for each other to really, really use all of our abilities and all of our talents. We complement each other. Another touchstone in their connection is their shared background in theater. We are both passionate about our craft and made choices that reflect that, Fishburne adds. So, this is not a surprise that she is receiving the kind of attention and accolades that she deserves for her work. Its just a really beautiful moment. Angela Bassett (as Tina Turner) and Laurence Fishburne (as Ike Turner) in Whats Love Got to Do With it? On Friday, Bassett sat down with CBS This Morning anchor Gayle King to discuss her career and reflected on what it was like not winning the Oscar 29 years ago. I choose to believe theres a reason why it didnt happen, Bassett said, looking back. In fact, despite delivering a truly transformative performance as Tina Turner, Bassett went 18 months before landing her next role, with Strange Days, Vampire in Brooklyn and Waiting to Exhale following the dry spell. Asked what he remembers about that period, Fishburne says, I was very happy that we got nominated, and weve gone on to have wonderful careers. Time didnt stop. Obviously, Angela didnt get the kind of offers that one would expect after getting an Academy Award nomination, but it was a different time. He explains: There were still, as you say, barriers to be broken down. There wasnt the variety of roles available to women of color like there are now, largely due to Angelas presence on screen. With Bassetts best supporting actress Oscar nod has come a reevaluation of her legacy, which boasts one classic after the other. Audiences are reminded of How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Akeelah and the Bee (starring a young Keke Palmer) and her portrayal of a host of historical figures, including Betty Shabazz (in Malcolm X), Katherine Jackson (The Jacksons: An American Drama) and Rosa Parks (The Rosa Parks Story). Over the years, Fishburne has observed Bassetts work as a fan, as much as he has as a friend. Angela is a consummate actor. Theres nothing she cant do, he says, musing over her lengthy filmography. One of my favorites is her take on Marie Laveau in the American Horror Story series. I really loved her portrayal of that character. Rubys Bucket of Blood is a lot of fun too; she was really great at that. But for me, really, Im anxious to see what she does next. Could that next project be another on-screen reunion? Im sure there will be opportunities that come up for us to work together again, Fishburne says. Hopefully itll be something that we both feel passionate about and excited about, and then well do it. In the meantime, Fishburne will be watching the Academy Awards on March 12 and rooting for Bassett. My hope is that she wins. Im not gonna beat around the bush about it, he says, bursting into a hearty chuckle. I am just excited for her and happy for her. Nobody deserves it more. Laurence Fishburne, Keke Palmer and Angela Bassett attend the L.A. premiere of Akeelah and the Bee in 2006. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. WASHINGTON Donald Trump is seeking to block his former vice president, Mike Pence, from testifying before a federal grand jury investigating the former president's efforts to interfere in the transfer of power following the 2020 election, two people familiar with the matter said Saturday. Trump's attorneys are asserting executive privilege in a sealed motion, a tactic the former president has attempted to use to block key witnesses from providing testimony to a House committee that investigated the Capitol attack and the federal investigation led by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith. More: Former Vice President Mike Pence expected to challenge DOJ special counsel subpoena More: Mike Pence subpoenaed by Justice Department special counsel in Trump investigations Jack Smith, then the Department of Justice's chief of the Public Integrity Section, poses for photo at the Department of Justice in Washington, on Aug. 24, 2010. Attorney General Merrick Garland named Smith a special counsel on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, to oversee the Justice Department's investigation into the presence of classified documents at former President Donald Trump's Florida estate as well as key aspects of a separate probe involving the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and efforts to undo the 2020 election. The motion was filed Friday, the sources said. The legal action was first reported by CNN Pence had already vowed to resist the special counsel's subpoena, calling the move unprecedented and unconstitutional. President Donald Trump arrives with Vice President Mike Pence to speak about coronavirus testing during an event in the Rose Garden of the White House, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) ORG XMIT: NYAG508 We'll stand on that principle, and we'll take that case as far as it needs to go if need be to the Supreme Court of the United States, Pence said last month. "Because to me, it's an issue of the separation of powers." Pence is making a different argument, apart from executive privilege, saying he is shielded by the Constitutions speech or debate clause, which protects members of Congress from law enforcement scrutiny over their speech and debate in the chamber. The clause says they shall not be questioned in any other place. Former Vice-President Mike Pence speaks at Florida International University, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Miami. Pence was talking about the economy and promoting his new book, "So Help Me God." On the day of Jan. 6, I was acting as President of the Senate, presiding over a joint session described in the Constitution itself, he told reporters. And so I believe that that Speech and Debate Clause of the Constitution actually prohibits the executive branch from compelling me to appear in a court, as the Constitution says, or in 'any other place.' Representatives for Pence could not be immediately reached for comment by USA TODAY. Story continues The specific arguments asserted in the Trump motion were not immediately clear because the filing is under seal, but the court action could serve to draw out the special counsel's attempt to compel Pence's testimony. Trump's lawyers took the action shortly before the former president addressed a gathering of supporters Saturday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. The former president, as he has repeatedly claimed, accused prosecutors of investigating him in order to derail his presidential bid. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump seeks to block Mike Pence's grand jury testimony Image via Getty Two Honduran nationals who live in Nebraska were arrested and face criminal charges after both men admitted to killing a North American bald eagle. CBS News reports Ramiro Hernandez-Tziquin and Domingo Zetino-Hernandez, both 20 years old, have been charged with unlawful possession of an eagle, the Stanton County Sheriffs Office confirmed in a news release this week. Hernandez-Tziquin was also charged for not having a drivers license. The pair allegedly entered private property near Stanton, Nebraska on Tuesday, where they fatally shot a North American bald eagle with the intent to cook and eat it. Law enforcement was tipped off about the incident, which took place at the Wood Duck Recreation Area, after a civilian called about a vehicle spotted in the area. Investigation revealed that the two had shot and killed the protected national bird in that area and stated they planned on cooking and eating the bird, the sheriffs office said. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission seized the rifle the men used to shoot the eagle, and also took custody of the eagles body. North American bald eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940 and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. If Hernandez-Tziquin and Domingo Zetino-Hernandez are convicted of the killing, both will face a fine of $100,000 and one year in prison. More serious charges are possible as the investigation into the unlawful killing continues, the sheriffs office said. Bring yourself, your manners, and a gift for the host. Getty Images In some parts of the country, a cocktail party might be about the cocktails. Southerners, though, who don't need an excuse for a cocktail, put the emphasis on party. And, like any social gathering, a cocktail party has its own set of rules that, if not followed, will give everyone something to talk about. Here, 6 things you should never do at a Southern cocktail party: 1) Never... Sit Down Cocktail parties are for mingling, so barring a physical limitation, you should be ready to roam. And we do mean ready. When you accept an invitation to a party, youre entering into an agreement of sorts that youll bring your A game, says Thomas P. Farley, an etiquette expert and keynote speaker who is better known as Mister Manners. Youre there to add to the mixdont disappoint your host by bee-lining to the first seat you see. 2) Never... Prospect for Cashews in the Nut Bowl Beyond taking your focus away from conversation, excavating your favorite nut, the rarest slice of tenderloin, or the biggest oyster from the food display is just gross. Youre not there for the shrimp, laughs national etiquette expert and founder of the Protocol School of Texas Diane Gottsman. Eat something before you leave the house so youre not tempted to focus on the food the moment you arrive. And, please, use the serving utensils and not your fingers. 3) Never... Gossip Without Knowing Who Is Related to Whom This being the South, you can count on complicated family trees with more branches than the Mississippi. Instead of getting yourself caught up, do your homework. "Its OK to ask your host when you RSVP a little bit more about the party so you can be prepared, says Gottsman. Once youve arrived, asking guests how they know the host will not only open up conversations, but it will also help you get the lay of the land. Pro Tip: Since you dont know whoor whose mamamade the food, decorated the house, or chose the wine, keep any criticism to yourself. Story continues 4) Never... Try To Have a Serious Discussion Since cocktail parties are all about small talk, prepping with a few good stories or a bit of trivia will keep the conversation flowing. Even better, if you get stuck with someone who wants to turn your conversation into an impromptu therapy session, youll be prepared to facilitate a gentle 180. "Fun, quirky facts make great conversational course correctors," says Farley. "I sometimes scout web sites for fun factoidsa good one is what happened on that particular day in historyand work them into the conversation. Both Farley and Gottsman note that five to seven minutes is a good rule of thumb for a cocktail party chat; after that, its okay to move on. Instead of monopolizing someone you enjoyed speaking with, tell them that youll look forward to seeing them again as the evening goes on, says Farley. By then, youll both have had a chance to circulate. 5) Never... Arrive Empty-Handed Its not that were expecting a gift. Except we sort of are. "A thoughtful host gift is a gesture of gratitude," says Gottsman. "It can be something as simple as a bottle of wine or a lovely set of paper or linen cocktail napkins. There are, of course, a few host gift donts including anything you expect to be served that night or that needs to be dealt with in any way, such as a bouquet of flowers that isnt already in a vase. Its always OK to ask what you can bring, as long as you make it easy on the host by bringing your food heated, appropriately plated (ask if youre not sure), and accompanied by serving tools. Related:What Can You Bring a Hostess When They Say Not To Bring Anything? 6) Never... Leave First Admit it: No one is really joking when they declare that they dont want to be the first to leave because everyone will talk about them. And while thats probably true, the real reason you shouldnt scoot out early is that it sends a message to your host that you had a bad time at their party. "Think of the guest list as ingredients in a cake," says Farley. "They all need to be there for it to work." For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Southern Living. Ready to live your best life? Here are nine of the top states to choose from. Ready to live your best life? Then it may be time to move to Massachusetts. In 2021, ShareCare, a platform that provides users with personalized health programs, resources, and information, published its Community Well-Being Index, which, the company explained, analyzes and condenses more than 600 proven health risk factors into a single measure. In looking at clinical research, individual and social risk factors, access to healthcare, housing, and transportation, and local economies, the company was able to create a well-being score for communities across the nation on a scale of 0 to 100. Additionally, the company shared in its results that the current index, which uses the latest available data, is based on responses from more than 4 million surveys and 600+ social determinants of health. Sharecares Community Well-Being Index scored the country as a whole at 60.9, which is a slight rise from 2020s score of 60.5. Massachusetts scored the highest among the states for the second year in a row thanks to top scores across several categories including access to healthcare, housing, and transportation. Want to see how your state and individual community rank? See the interactive map and find more information about how each category was determined on wellbeingindex.sharecare.com. Related: 10 Best Places to Live in the World Massachusetts Taking the top spot for the second year in a row, Massachusetts scored well across the board, with a total score of 71/100. The report explained, The Bay State achieved top-10 scores in eight of 10 domains measured: healthcare access (#2), housing and transportation (#2), purpose (#3), financial (#3), physical (#4), social (#5), community (#5), and food access (#8). Hawaii Hawaii, the index noted, came in a close second and has been a consistent top performer in Index rankings since 2008, according to the research results. It ranked number one for physical, financial, social, purpose, and community metrics. The researchers added, Hawaii continues to demonstrate best-in-nation performance across all individual well-being measures. Story continues New Jersey New Jersey ranked third overall, coming in second in several categories, including physical, social, and community well-being. As the interactive map shows, the state scored 70/100 and was well above the national average for the food access and housing and transportation categories. Maryland Maryland made its way into the fourth slot on the list, also scoring a 70/100, thanks in large part to its physical and social well-being scores, and its ease of access to healthcare for its citizens. New York New York state rounded out the top five, scoring a 69/100 due to its ease of access to housing and transport like New Jersey, as well as its feeling of purpose. Interestingly, New York City scored a whopping 89/100, vastly outperforming the national average, for access to healthcare, housing, and social well-being. California In the sixth spot sits California, which scored 67/100, gaining high marks for community, food access, and transportation. However, it fell below the national average for economic security and resource access. Connecticut Connecticut scored just under California with a 66/100, putting it in the seventh spot. The state had high marks in healthcare access as well as physical well-being. However, it barely reached the national average for economic and financial security, dropping it further down the list. Washington Washington state sits comfortably in the eighth spot on the list, scoring a 65/100. The state made its way into the top 10 thanks to its high marks in food access, housing and transportation, and financial well-being. However, it lost points due to its lower general resource access and economic security. Colorado Colorado rounded out the top nine, also with a score of 65/100. The "Centennial State" scored high marks in community well-being, access to food, and housing and transportation metrics, but the state scored a bit lower than average on financial well-being and general resource access, pushing it further down the list. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Filled with history, natural beauty, and plenty of Appalachian charm, Harpers Ferry is a Mountain State gem. Ali Majdfar / Getty Images At the precipice of the 4.5-mile Maryland Heights Overlook Trail, the small town of Harpers Ferry appears as if from a 19th-century dream. One minute youre trudging through dense deciduous forest, the next, the trees abruptly part to reveal a rocky cliff overlooking the tranquil mountain town. From here you can make out the colorful rooftops of Harpers Ferrys Lower Town, where Victorian homes and neat strips of 150-year-old row buildings house modern restaurants, specialty stores, and living history museums replicating life in the 1800s. Two bridgesone for people and another for trainscross over the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and lead into town. Each swath of stone and steel creates a visible portal back in time. Harpers Ferry encompasses two separate but impossibly intertwined places: the quaint 300-person municipal town and the National Historical Park that welcomes close to 400,000 visitors each year. Both are steeped in history with stories to be told at every turn. Getty Images What to Do Near the rivers sits the original armory guard house where in 1859, abolitionist John Brown led a legendary but ultimately unsuccessful slave revolt. Walk about 100 yards, and find yourself at the foot of an ancient moss-speckled staircase. Ascend and youll officially have walked part of the Appalachian Trail. At the top is St. Peters Roman Catholic Church. The 1833 Victorian Gothic churchwith its stained-glass windows, dramatic spire, and stone facadeis one of only a few buildings that was spared significant damage during the Civil War. From there, a footpath leads to Thomas Jeffersons Rock, a scenic lookout where the former U.S. president famously declared the spectacular landscape worth a voyage across the Atlantic. Harpers Ferry can make a history buff out of even the staunchest modernist. A major battleground during the Civil War and the location of West Virginias first Black college, the town was built on the backbone of the federal armory and flourished thanks to its location near a main waterway. Walking among the cobblestone streets, you can almost hear the clip-clop of horse hooves and smell the billowing coal smoke. Story continues Of course, no visit to Harpers Ferry would be complete without considerable time exploring the national park. Popular trails include the aforementioned Maryland Heights Trail, as well as the Loudon Heights Trail, Lower Town Loop Trail, and Murphy-Chambers Farm Loop Trail. Tara Massouleh McCay Where to Eat If you intend to properly explore Harpers Ferry, you'll want to start your day with plenty of fuel. At Bolivar Bread, choose from a selection of house-made baked goods like giant cinnamon rolls, scones, and West Virginia famous pepperoni rolls. If eggs and bacon are more your pace, Country Cafe offers nearly every breakfast food known to man in a homey environment. For lunch, grab a sandwich at Lower Town's Cannonball Deli, or prepare to be amazed by the innovative flavors and ingredient combos at Kelley Farm Kitchen. The restaurant was voted the Best Vegan Restaurant in the U.S. by Yelpers in 2021, and is known for its ridiculously overstuffed sandwiches and burgers, and soul-warming ramen and chili. We guarantee you won't notice the lack of dairy or meat in the creamy mac and cheese or chili-cheese brat. When evening rolls around, spend happy hour with an ice-cold brew and unparalleled view at The Rabbit Hole. This Lower Town staple is known for its expansive outdoor dining deck and delicious gastropub bites like bone-in fried pork shanks, short rib poutine, and fried pickles. If you want a quiet table and a great glass of wine, head to Snallygasters Cafe. There you'll find a well-stocked wine shop and small selection of seasonal dishes to accompany. DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images Where to Shop Even town candy shop True Treats pays homage to the past, selling sweets like anise that date back to Biblical times, in addition to modern nostalgic varieties that range from Sugar Daddies to Jaw Breakers. Find more unique shops in Lower Town, where treasures await at every turn. Tessoterica is a mother-daughter owned store selling an array of gifts and locally made candles, soaps, and bath goods. Vintage Lady has been around for almost 20 years. Owner Cindi Dunn's boutique specializes in West Virginia-made goods, from beer and jam to glass art and jewelry. Tara Massouleh McCay Where to Stay Many visitors make their way to Harpers Ferry on a day trip from D.C. (just an hour and a half away), but if you wish to extend your stay (and you likely will), there are plenty of lovely places in town where you can find excellent hospitality and a restful night's sleep. Book one of three suites in the renovated 1927 Craftsmen known as Rockhaven B&B. The stone basement suite comes complete with a wood-burning stove, king bed, and spa-worthy bathtub. Other lodging options include the Stonehouse B&B and The Town's Inn, both conveniently located in the heart of Lower Town. For all its history, one of Harpers Ferrys best attributes is its timeless natural beauty. Stand at The Point (where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet) in Lower Town and see it all. The imposing Blue Ridge Mountains surround on three sides, casting long shadows over tree-covered foothills. Two rivers flow lazily toward one another. In certain places, the calm surface sparkles in the suns waning light. In others, it rushes anxiously over rocks becoming white water. Look to your left, theres Maryland. Peek right and see Virginia. Spin around and youre face-to-face with Harpers Ferry, the tiny town at the center of it all. For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Southern Living. Both Black and Latine people (and those who are both) are subjected to a lot of wild stereotyping on a day-to-day basis. Jeremy Poland / Getty Images Some people are intentional with leveling stereotypes at others, while the thoughts have been normalized so much to others that they don't realize they're doing it. Salim Hanzaz / Getty Images/iStockphoto But it's important to realize because it's not a "no harm, no foul" offense. It's rude and it perpetuates thoughts that can be harmful to whole communities in very real ways. Fg Trade Latin / Getty Images We asked the Black and Latine folks of the BuzzFeed Community what stereotypes they're tired of, and here's what they shared. 1. "I hate when Spanish or Mexican is used to mean Latinx or when people are like, 'Youre not Latinx if you dont [insert culturally Mexican thing here].' Im not Mexican. I love Mexican food and music and culture, but its not my food, music, or culture." "I also hate when people try to tell me to go back to my country like my people havent been on this land longer than the United States has existed. I was only in the United States because they invaded my island in 1899 and then never left." francesjoys Recep-bg / Getty Images 2. "I hate that people automatically assume that Ive been to Mexico before, speak perfect Spanish, love and only eat spicy food, know how to dance, and dress the 'typical way Latinos do.'" itzelgm1018 Marcos Elihu Castillo Ramirez / Getty Images/iStockphoto 3. "That we are all under-educated and poor, and on the rare chance (in the eyes of non-minorities) we arent, we must have denounced our blackness or general ethnic background." "It was a bombshell when I went to a predominantly upper-middle-class white school in my very progressive city to explain that more diverse schools or schools with minorities still have competing AP programs and the same population of students enrolled in them. As a Black person explaining we dont all wear wigs/weaves, and even if we do, its none of your business. Or, our hair comes in different textures and does have the capacity to grow." Juanmonino / Getty Images "Stop assuming because we are light, our mom must be white as a way to invalidate our blackness. Stop guessing what you think we are mixed with and trying to validate that for not being what you think stereotypical black is. Stop saying we look exotic. Black and Hispanic are races built of many different ethnic groups and cultures." u/Latania Vw Pics / Getty Images/Collection Mix: Subjects RF 4. "I'm sick of being called Spanish. I SPEAK Spanish, but I am NOT Spanish. Latino does not equal Spanish. We are not our colonizers. Gracias." ataaqui 5. "'You're so pretty for a Black girl.' heard that all the time when crushing on white boys growing up. My town was so small and racist that I didn't realize that was a backhanded compliment until I went to college." ermehblerb93 6. "I'm Puerto Rican. People I know have constantly told me that 'I dont look Hispanic' or that 'my last name sounds white.' Like, do you want me to wear a sombrero and carry maracas around? There is no one template for what a Latino looks like." "I constantly was made to feel like I wasnt a real Hispanic even though I spoke Spanish and grew up in PR. Everyone seems to think that all Latinos are illegal immigrants, which is not the case. I recently had to get my car fixed, and they treated me terribly because I used my mothers last name, which is more Hispanic sounding than my fathers. The people there made me feel like I stole the car. However, when my friend went to the same shop, they treated her much better. It should be noted that my friend is also Latina but looks whiter and has an American last name. JUSTICE FOR THE HISPANICS!!!!!" tuesday-addams Douglas Rissing / Getty Images/iStockphoto 7. "'Omg, you dont look Latina' because of my fair skin and red hair, or when people come up to me speaking Spanish, assuming that I know the language because Im from Brazil. WE SPEAK PORTUGUESE!!!!!!" mariaeduardafernandes Carlosalvarez / Getty Images/iStockphoto 8. "Ok, my Latinos, I think we can all agree that the selling oranges stereotypes are ridiculous. When I came from Colombia, my family and friends all assumed orange this and orange that, and I hate oranges! People still think we are the lowest, but we should make this stop. Si sa buthe." 30imoya Wirestock / Getty Images/iStockphoto 9. "Im guessing this has been said, but Ill repeat it. Latinos come in every color. Im from the Caribbean. Im white. People never believe me when I say where Im from." "Ive had people argue back then that means Im not really from my country. Also, Im not Mexican because I speak Spanish." gabbsfrommars Jose Carlos Cerdeno / Getty Images/iStockphoto 10. "Im a Latina of Mexican heritage, and Im sick of people assuming I dont speak English. Stop talking to me in your broken, pathetic Spanish. I cant understand you, and its demeaning to me. Im also tired of Latinos being excluded from studies or research. Its as if were invisible." illasia Ruizluquepaz / Getty Images/iStockphoto 11. "Oh, I don't know...that I know everyone?? That I'm from Africa? And let's not forget the old 'Africa is a country' thing." shillohruth18 Allan Baxter / Getty Images 12. "As a Black woman, Im so tired of being asked about my hair. No, I dont wash my hair daily BECAUSE I DONT NEED TO!! Yes, I can change my hair every day. And do not ask me to touch my hair, because the answer is absolutely not. I am not some zoo animal." catlady8 Kate_sept2004 / Getty Images 13. "Im sure many people will agree, as a Hispanic person (Guatemalan, Salvadorian, and Colombian), its very annoying when people use the term 'Mexican' as a substitution for Hispanic/Latinx/etc. There are people that are Mexican, yes, but there are also Hispanic people that ARE NOT Mexican. Similarly, when I cook, and someone refers to it as 'Mexican food.'" pairofjs622 Sbossert / Getty Images 14. "That we're all immigrants or children of immigrants. I'm Tejano. My family has been living in what is now the state of Texas since this part of the world was a colony of Spain. To use a cliched phrase that very much rings true to me: 'I didn't cross the border; the border crossed me.'" "That being said, this does not mean that I disdain my immigrant brothers and sisters. I welcome them regardless of where they are from. I think my heritage has given me a unique perspective on the debate of immigration because let's be real, 'Protect our borders' is just a euphemistic dog whistle." degobrah Pgiam / Getty Images 15. "Brazilians being seen as 'super sexy' and being fetishized." nataliemaya8 Pollyana Ventura / Getty Images 16. "As a Black woman, I find it frustrating when people tell me that I 'sound white.' In reality, I speak articulately and with education. It's unfair that my manner of speaking is seen as indicative of a certain race." "Additionally, when I express any emotion other than happiness, it's often perceived as aggression. This is particularly frustrating because when a white woman expresses passion, it's not perceived in the same way." happyhal87 Fabrikacr / Getty Images/iStockphoto 17. "As a Latina, it makes me uncomfortable when someone calls me 'senorita' in the most American English way possible. I get that I look it, but saying it makes me squeamish." alexiapalomo Aire Images / Getty Images A sign of cooling natural gas prices, Florida Power & Light is seeking to reduce customers fuel charges for a second time this year. The fuel charge in the monthly bill of a typical 1,000 kilowatt-hour residential customer, including those in the former Gulf Power territory in Northwest Florida, could decrease by $4.43 from May to December, if state regulators approve the utilitys plan submitted on Wednesday. That amounts to $379 million overall. FPL already has fuel cost adjustments on the books with the Florida Public Service Commission. In January, the utility proposed recovering from customers $2.1 billion in fuel costs that it did not collect in 2022, which would happen over a 21-month period starting in April. Additionally, it asked regulators to reduce its projected fuel spending in 2023 by $1 billion over a nine-month period. The Juno Beach-based utility had also requested to recover $1.3 billion over 12 months from customers for restoration costs following Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. More:Brace yourself for Florida Power & Light bills to increase at least thrice in 2023 More:FPL seeks to raise monthly power bills for residental customers by 10% Dozens of Florida Power & Light trucks in the parking lot of the Boynton Beach Mall ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Nicole. Taking these costs into account, the proposed April bill of a typical FPL residential customer is $142.88 and $173.09 for a customer in Northwest Florida. But those bill estimates arent set in stone. When the January plan goes before the Florida Public Service Commission on March 7, regulators might approve a plan to spread the leftover costs of previous hurricanes in Northwest Florida to all FPL customers. That would reduce the storm cost of a former Gulf Power customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours of energy by $10, but increase the bill of a typical FPL customer by about $1. Despite the proposed fuel charge decreases, monthly electric bills for the typical FPL customer will still be higher than they were in January by roughly $13. Hannah Morse covers consumer issues for The Palm Beach Post. Drop a line at hmorse@pbpost.com, call 561-820-4833 or follow her on Twitter @mannahhorse. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FPL wants to reduce customer costs - what could you save? A German Leopard tank on a NATO training exercise last year. Dirk Waem/Getty Images Rheinmetall wants to build tanks in Ukraine, CEO Armin Papperger told the Rheinische Post. A plant would cost about $200 million and could produce 400 battle tanks a year. Rheinmetall makes the Leopard 2 tanks that Germany finally offered to send to Ukraine in January. A German arms giant wants to build a tank factory in Ukraine, the Rheinische Post reported Saturday. "Talks with the Ukrainian government are promising and I'm hoping for a decision in the next two months," Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall, told the newspaper. Rheinmetall makes an array of weapons and ammunition, including the Leopard 2 tanks that Germany finally offered to send to Ukraine in late January. Its latest battle-tank is the Panther KF51. The company is headquartered in Dusseldorf, Germany, but has factories in 33 countries. Papperger told the Rheinische Post that a plant could be built in Ukraine for about 200 million euros ($212 million) and produce up to 400 Panthers a year. Asked if it would be "dangerous" to set up an arms factory in "the middle of a war-zone," he responded: "No, anti-aircraft protection wouldn't be difficult." Papperger believed that the West needed to increase its military support for Ukraine. He told the publication: "The Ukrainians do not have the equipment today to fully retake their territory. Russia may not have as many resources as the West as a whole, but so far I have not seen that the leadership around Putin is making any concessions to its aggressive course towards Ukraine." Papperger said Ukraine needed between 600 and 800 more tanks to win the war and he wanted to ramp up production as soon as possible. Read the original article on Business Insider UNITED NATIONS, March 5 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the finalization of a text of the United Nations (UN) Ocean Treaty to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdictions, his spokesman said Saturday. "The secretary-general commends delegates for finalizing a text to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction," said an unnamed spokesperson for Guterres in a statement. "This breakthrough, which covers nearly two-thirds of the ocean, marks the culmination of nearly two decades of work and builds on the legacy of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea." This action is a victory for multilateralism and for global efforts to counter the destructive trends facing ocean health, now and for generations to come. It is crucial for addressing the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It is also vital for achieving ocean-related goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, said the statement. Guterres commends all parties for their ambition, flexibility and perseverance and looks forward to continuing working with all parties to secure a healthier, more resilient, and more productive ocean, benefiting current and future generations, said the statement released late Saturday night. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating after a passenger died when a jet encountered severe turbulence Friday and had to divert from its route to land in Connecticut. The passenger was identified as Dana Hyde, a 55-year-old woman from Cabin John, Maryland, police said on Monday. Five people were on board the Bombardier CL30 jet, which was flying from the Dillant-Hopkins Airport in New Hampshire to the Leesburg Executive Airport in Virginia. According to the NTSB, the turbulence resulted in "fatal injuries to a passenger." The plane was diverted to Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, and landed at around 4 p.m. EST. Connecticut State Troopers responded to a medical assist call at the airport when the plane landed, the NTSB said Monday. Hyde was then transported in an ambulance to Saint Francis Medical Center in Hartford, where she was later pronounced dead, according to the agency. The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Center identified her body. It's not clear what injuries occurred. No information was provided about the conditions of the other passengers. In a statement emailed to CBS News Saturday, the company, Conexon, an internet services provider, said it owned the plane, but noted that the victim was not a Conexon employee. On Monday, Conexon confirmed that Hyde was the wife of Jonathan Chambers, a Conexon partner, in a separate statement to CBS News. Chambers and his son were also on the jet, according to the company. Neither of them were injured in the incident. "We ask for privacy for the family members of those involved," Conexon said in its original statement Saturday. "We have no further details of the incident at this time." Hyde was a part-time consultant to the Aspen Institute, an international nonprofit organization focused on education and policy studies, according to its website, which is based in Washington, D.C. In a statement, a spokesperson for the organization told CBS News on Monday that while employed as a consultant there, Hyde served as co-chair of the Aspen Partnership for an Inclusive Economy (APIE) between 2020 and 2021. Story continues "During her time with us, Dana was a brilliant and generous colleague who worked closely with programs across the organization to build partnerships and enhance our collective work," the spokesperson said. "The thoughts of our entire Aspen Institute community are with Dana's family and loved ones." The NTSB said Sunday that the plane was "secured" at Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, and that investigators had removed the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also investigating the incident. On Wednesday, seven people were hospitalized after a Lufthansa flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Dulles International Airport in Virginia due to turbulence. The flight from Austin, Texas, bound for Frankfurt, Germany, was diverted after the plane experienced "severe turbulence" while over Tennessee, the FAA said. The plane was carrying 172 passengers and 12 crew members aboard, including actor Matthew McConaughey and his wife, CBS News learned. How San Diego is bouncing back from COVID Transportation Department rolls out family seating dashboard for air travel Four U.S. citizens kidnapped in Mexico at gunpoint The future king and queen of the United Kingdom just had a reunion with the future king and queen of Norway! Today, Prince William and Kate Middleton welcomed Norway's Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit at Windsor Castle, their first official meeting since the Waleses visited Oslo back in 2018. For the occasion, Kate suited up in a sleek emerald green blazer and matching pleated trousers. Underneath the blazer, she wore a bespoke Burberry pussy bow blouse. Meanwhile, Mette-Marit wore a vibrant red midi dress with subtle puffy sleeves, paired with dark brown pumps. The two heirs matched in navy blue suitsWilliam pairing his with a red tie and Haakon with a blue tie. Kensington Palace Rune Hellestad - Corbis - Getty Images The purpose of today's meeting was to explore green energy solutions with representatives from leading Norwegian businesses, including Alex Grant, senior vice president and U.K. country manager of Equinor; ivind Eriksen, CEO of Aker ASA; and Brre Jacobsen, managing director of Northern Lights JV. Joining them at the roundtable was also Wegger Christian Strmmen, a Norwegian ambassador to the United Kingdom. Getty Images So far, William and Kate have had a jam-packed week of engagements. The couple attended the Wales vs. England Six Nations rugby match, visited the headquarters of the Wales Air Ambulance charity, and participated in a parade for St. David's Day. This week, William was also announced as the royal patron of the Wales Air Ambulance charity. It is his first patronage since receiving the Prince of Wales title. "The Prince has first-hand experience of working in the unique and often challenging air ambulance environment," Sue Barnes, chief executive of the Wales Air Ambulance charity, said in a statement. "We look forward to our new relationship with the prince as our charity continues to support a lifesaving service for the people of Wales." You Might Also Like She may be the richest New Jersey housewife. Margaret Josephs joined The Real Housewives of New Jersey already established in businessand with a sizable net worth. Her company, the Macbeth Collection, made her one of Country Livings Entrepreneurs of the Year in 2007a full decade before she became a Housewife. Josephs was born to Hungarian immigrants, according to NJ.com. She calls herself a "powerhouse in pigtails, using the girlish hairdo in promotional materials for both her business and for RHONJ. She became a stay-at-home mom in 1996, but wound up starting a business in 1999. Josephs spun decoupaging buckets from Home Depot into a million-dollar business. Read on to learn all about Margaret Josephs, her business, her lawsuits, net worth and her role on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. What is Margaret Josephs net worth? Margaret Josephs has been ranked as the richest of the New Jersey Housewives, with the South China Morning Post valuing her at $50 million. However Celebrity Net Worth estimates she is worth $5 million, which would put her below Jennifer Aydin at $11 million. So what is the truth? It is difficult to say. Margaret Josephs and her husband Joseph Beningo live a lavish lifestyle, with a completely renovated home and busy travel schedule. However, they have been the subject of multiple lawsuits about failure to pay off debts. According to The Sun, Josephs was sued in 2019 by Capital One Bank for $12,172.86 in missed payments, in 2018 for $3,568.73 in unpaid legal bills, and in 2022 for $180,000 in unpaid settlements from a foreclosure lawsuit. Related: 'Real Housewives' Star Melissa Gorga's Net Worth Is 'On Display' How much does Margaret Josephs make on The Real Housewives of New Jersey? Margaret Josephs' exact salary is not known, but we can make some inferences based on the reported salaries of her castmates. Teresa Giudice, who has been on RHONJ since its inception, reportedly makes $1.1 million per season. Dolores Catania, who joined the cast a year before Josephs, is reported to make between $30,000 and $60,000 an episode. Josephs likely falls somewhere in that range as well, perhaps a little lower due to Catania's comparative seniority on the cast. Story continues That is still a comfortable salary for a Housewife. According to The Things, some Housewives make as little as $6,500 an episode. Housewives get raises as they stay on TV for longer, and Josephs is entering her sixth season as a Bravolebrity. How much does her business, Macbeth Collection, make? Unlike many Housewives who spin their reality TV stardom into branding opportunities (looking at you, Bethenny Frankel), Margaret Josephs came into RHONJ with a successful apparel and home goods brand. Josephs started the Macbeth Collection in 1999. Josephs told the Country Living that she started the brand in part to spite those who told her she could not: The minute someone says to me, 'You can't do that,' I determine to find 27 ways that I can! For me, business is all about passion. If you feel strongly about something, you should run with it. One of the hottest items in my line is a clipboard that I was told would never sell. That made me crazy! I've sold 25,000 of them this year. By 2012, CNN had valued the Macbeth Collection at $26 million. However, her brand was somewhat diminished when Vineyard Vines won a trademark infringement lawsuit against Macbeth Collection. Per Womens Wear Daily, Vineyard Vines filed the suit in 2014, asking for $12 million in damages. Although Vineyard Vines won the suit in 2015, Josephs was only ordered to pay $300,000. Josephs only paid around half. In 2018, Josephs was ordered to pay the remaining $110,000 of the 2014 settlement, plus $500,000 in additional damages. She was also ordered to pay Vineyard Vines court fees. Does Margaret Josephs have any other revenue streams? Besides her RHONJ salary and retail business, Margaret Josephs brings in money as an author. Her book, Caviar Dreams, Tuna Fish Budget: How to Survive in Business and Life, is a spinoff of her podcast by the same name. The podcast releases twice weekly, with ad revenue coming in at the same schedule. Like many of her fellow Bravolebrities, Margaret Josephs is on Cameo. She exclusively films cameos with her husband Joe. Their combined rate is $199 a video. You can also get videos from Joe alone, which are only $50 per clip. Related: Kyle Richards Calls Out Melissa Gorga for Weight Loss Drug Claims Does Margaret Josephs own property? Fans of The Real Housewives of New Jersey know well the saga of Margaret Josephs and her husbands home renovation. The pair held Margarets birthday in the unfurnished shell of a $1.8 million mansion. Little did the cast know at the time of filming, but that house was about to be in foreclosure. Page Six reported that Melissa and Joe took out mortgages on the property and the one next door, and that their bank was seeking to recover possession of both of the said premises. Those foreclosure proceedings were settled, but not without the couple having to pay. The Sun reported that Melissa Josephs still had $180,000 left to pay in 2022. Meanwhile, the house has been fully renovated and redecorated. Josephs showed it off to Bravo in 2021, saying that updating a "115-year-old house isnt like building a new house. I had a feeling it was gonna take a while. I mean, not this long." Josephs said her end goal was for the house to look like "a rock and roll hotel, something she feels she has achieved. This highly contagious infection still has an unknown cause. Social settings like dog parks and public parks can make great spots for dogs to play, especially with other pups. Unfortunately, though, any public setting comes with its risks. You never know how other dogs were raised or whether the area itself is safe--but now there's an invisible danger, too. Pet owners and veterinarians in Vermont are becoming increasingly concerned after more and more dogs are coming down with a serious, mysterious respiratory condition. As WCAX reports, Vermont veterinarians like Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists alone has seen 21 cases of the mystery illness, with 2 of them proving fatal. If this frightens you, you're not alone. The entire world found out what it's like to live with a contagious illness spreading around just a few years ago, so it's easy to understand why a dog owner would be worried. Dr. Erin Forbes of the Mountain View Animal Hospital told WCAX, "a lot of times we will see kennel cough go around. It will be dogs that get boarded or go to the dog park. But I am seeing this in dogs that stay home and dont go anywhere." That means that this illness is incredibly contagious, and it doesn't help that vaccines are not effective at preventing or treating the infection. Luckily, Vermont veterinarians are learning more and more about the illness every day. As Dr. Forbes explained, this mystery infection has symptoms that include: - sneezing - eye discharge - foamy saliva - lack of appetite - fever - cough Until more is known, pet owners in the area are advised to keep a close eye on their dogs' health. Please don't hesitate to keep them home from boarding or daycare, too--especially if there have been any reports of illness in a facility. Staying up to date on vaccinations is a great way to keep dogs safe, too, though there is still a lot to learn about this mystery illness. READ THE COMMENTS Maria Branyas Morera turned 116 years old Saturday. The U.S.-born Spanish woman is the world's oldest person, a mantle Morera assumed in January, according to Guinness World Records. She survived two World Wars, the Spanish Civil War, and the COVID-19 pandemic, they said. And while Morera "is old, very old, she's not an idiot," according to the tagline on her Twitter account. She posts often in Catalan on her social media account, sharing reflections on her current life, memories from past years, and even recipes for paella, Spain's famous dish. Es un honor y un placer anunciarles a todos que los miembros de LongeviQuest visito ayer, 3 de marzo de 2023, un dia antes de cumplir 116 anos, a la persona viva mas longeva del mundo, la Sra. Maria Branyas Morera. pic.twitter.com/3K8IbVuqCb LongeviQuest Supercentenarios (@Supercentenaria) March 4, 2023 Morera celebrated her birthday a day earlier on Friday at her residence home Santa Maria del Tura in Olot, Catalonia, Spain, surrounded by friends, fans and her 78-year-old daughter Rosa. Morera was lucid and spoke fondly about her childhood, said Ben Meyers, CEO of LongeviQuest, a longevity company that unites super longevity researchers worldwide. Meyers, who was with Morera at the residence home, said she was touched by greetings from her many fans around the world. "This warms my heart," Morera said. Born on March 4, 1907, in California, one year after her parents emigrated to the U.S., Morera spent the first few years of her life in San Francisco, according to Guinness. Eight years later, the family decided to return to Spain, where they settled in Catalonia. She married Joan Moret in 1931, according to Guinness World Records, and had three children, 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Like most, she had her share of triumphs and tragedies, she lost her father on the voyage from the U.S. to Spain from pulmonary tuberculosis, according to Guinness World Records. Story continues Still, she tells her social media followers, "Never, ever, become a bitter person no matter what." Bon dia, mon. Avui compleixo 116 anys. Com diu Jaroslav Seifert: "He hagut d'arribar a edat avancada per aprendre a estimar el silenci... En el silenci apareixen senyals emocionats i a les cruilles de la memoria detectes noms que el temps pretenia ofegar". pic.twitter.com/ldYHBJVYky Super Avia Catalana (@MariaBranyas112) March 4, 2023 Life, she knows, can change in an instant. In February, Morera was visited by American documentary director Sam Green, who is making a film titled "The Oldest Person in the World." The movie, which began filming in 2015 according to its website, will include interviews with the world's current oldest person. The filmmakers plan to hold a "premiere" every decade an event Morera intends to be at. "In other words, I will be at the premiere," Morera wrote on Twitter. Dr. Scott Gottlieb says COVID origins may never be known "with certainty," but focus should be on "taking the steps" to ensure a lab leak never happens Rep. Brad Wenstrup says House COVID subcommittee hasn't "seen all that we want to see" about intelligence on virus origins Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Republicans in 2024 have "a lot of extreme, right-wing candidates" WASHINGTON While not officially running for president yet Ron DeSantis is on a campaign-like book tour designed to play up his record in Florida while trying to dodge attacks from Donald Trump. DeSantis did not mention the former president during a high-profile speech Sunday, focusing instead on his own governing philosophy in Florida and how it might apply to "the federal establishment" in Washington, D.C. "The lesson is, swing for the fences you will be rewarded," DeSantis told a supportive crowd gathered at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. DeSantis is planning to echo this message across the country in the coming weeks, though a final announcement on a 2024 presidential candidacy is still a few months away. Campaigning by the book (tour) The Reagan library speech was part of a book tour that is expected to take DeSantis to early GOP delegate selection states like Iowa and New Hampshire.. DeSantis is promoting "The Courage To Be Free: Florida's Blueprint For America's Revival," the kind of book aspiring presidential candidates have published before their campaigns. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition Annual Leadership Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada In the book, the potential presidential candidate discusses his years in Congress and the Florida governor's mansion. And he avoids attacks on Trump, the one-term president who is seeking the office again in 2024, instead, DeSantis writes in praise of many of the Trump administration's initiatives. Florida: 'Where Woke Goes to Die' DeSantis did not mention the front-running Trump in his Reagan library. Instead, he touted a gubernatorial record that includes repeated attacks on so-called "woke-ism," a campaign targeting diversity and inclusion programs in schools, businesses, and government. "Our state is where woke goes to die," the Florida governor said, a mantra he repeatedly said during his 2022 re-election campaign. At one point in his speech, DeSantis said schools should be devoted to "education, not indoctrination." Story continues In what sounded like a campaign platform, DeSantis also argued that red states like Florida have led the country on issues like lower taxes, "law and order," a pro-business "climate," education policy, and a COVID pandemic approach that stressed keeping schools and businesses open. DeSantis v. Disney: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis exacts punishment, takes over Disney district on eve of book launch Minority opposition:Poll: Most Black voters disapprove of DeSantis blocking Black history course, approve of Biden A 'desperate chase' for Trump voters DeSantis opponents call him as divisive a candidate as Trump, and say he is using the term "woke" to justify policies that marginalize Black, gay, and transgender Americans. Before his speech, the Democratic National Committee said DeSantis is running "a shadow 2024" campaign aimed at Trump's "Make America Great Again" followers. The DNC statement cited DeSantis opposition to abortion, tax breaks for the wealthy, and curbing health care costs. "His desperate chase to win over the MAGA base is putting Floridians lives in danger and crushing them with skyrocketing costs," said DNC spokesperson Rhyan Lake. Trump hovers; DeSantis ignores As DeSantis performs relatively well in early Republican polls, Trump has stepped up criticism on the ambitious governor. The attacks range from demeaning nicknames to claims that DeSantis is a "Republican In Name Only" when it comes to things like Social Security and even COVID policies. "The real Ron is a RINO GLOBALIST, who closed quickly down Florida and even its beaches," Trump said a Truth Social post last month. "Loved the Vaccines and wasted big money on 'Testing.' How quickly people forget!" Trump's race:'I won't even think about leaving': Trump at CPAC says indictment wouldn't push him out of 2024 race Slow-burning feud:Trump is under fire over the midterms. DeSantis is rising. And a 2024 rivalry is just beginning. DeSantis tried to avoid 'Background noise' So far, DeSantis is not taking the bait. In a recent book promotion interview on Fox News, DeSantis noted that Trump used to praise his performance as governor, but that was before he started scoring well in presidential polls. "I don't really pay attention to a lot of the background noise," DeSantis said. DeSantis has indicated he will make his decision on a 2024 presidential campaign after the current Florida legislative ends. Adjournment is scheduled for May. Sununu: Republicans looking for an alternative to Trump Gov. Chris Sununu, R-N.H., who is thinking about running for president himself, told NBC's "Meet The Press" on Sunday that many Republicans are looking for an alternative to Trump, and many of them are looking at DeSantis. "Right now," he said, "if the election were today, Ron DeSantis would win in New Hampshire, there's no doubt about that in my mind." In the meantime, DeSantis said he will keep swinging, though he confined his criticisms to "the left" and not Trump. "It's not easy to fight the fights," DeSantis said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gov. Ron DeSantis on book tour to tout Florida record, dodges Trump Courtesy of Joshua Budhu Dr. Joshua Budhu is a neuro-oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In addition to treating brain cancer, he works toward health equity. This is Budhu's story, as told to Kelly Burch. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Joshua Budhu. It has been edited for length and clarity. When I was a sophomore in college, my brother, Ravi, didn't come home one night. My mother knew something was wrong, and she started calling local hospital rooms. That's when my family found out that Ravi was hospitalized and in police custody. Ravi was the oldest of the four children in my family, 12 years older than me. He was born in Guyana, whereas I was born in Queens. Ravi's life was very different from mine. As soon as he graduated from high school he started working to help support our family. Despite that challenge, he founded a successful IT company. Unfortunately, after the tech bubble burst, Ravi's company failed. He moved back in with our parents and gained a significant amount of weight. He became depressed, but culturally that wasn't something we talked about. Ravi used alcohol and cocaine to cope. The night he didn't come home, he had been driving while intoxicated. He was arrested after he hit a parked car and was taken to the hospital for a few scrapes and bruises. He was handcuffed and shackled there, with two police officers standing guard. Over the next few days, Ravi's health deteriorated. He was sedated and intubated, still in handcuffs. Then the hospital called us to come quickly. Since Ravi was in police custody, we had to go to the precinct first to get a pass to visit him. When we finally made it to the hospital, we learned that Ravi had died from a pulmonary embolism. Ravi's death made me want to become a doctor Ravi's death was a seminal moment in my life. Before he died, I'd been considering going into economics or finance. After losing my brother, I knew I didn't want anyone else to go through what he had been through. I decided to study medicine. Story continues At first I thought that if Ravi hadn't been picked up by the police that night he wouldn't have died. But with time I realized it wasn't that simple. If it hadn't been this that killed him, it would've been something else. As a first-generation immigrant, Ravi had poor health literacy. He lived in a food desert and had diabetes. He had untreated depression and a substance-use disorder. He had no job, was on Medicaid, and ultimately ended up at an underfunded public hospital. All these social determinants of health manifested in Ravi's demise. My brother was set up to fail. But I came to believe that I could help change that landscape for other patients. I want everyone to have equitable access to healthcare Now that I'm a doctor treating brain-cancer patients, I know medicine doesn't start at the bedside. I need to understand the bigger picture of what my patients are going through. If they can't afford rent or food to eat a big concern this year with rising grocery prices they're not thinking about treatment. I've devoted my career to addressing those disparities and finding solutions. I work with the Immigrant Health and Cancer Disparities Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to make sure patients with backgrounds similar to Ravi's have equitable access to healthcare. Sometimes that's as simple as providing stipends for food assistance or copays. Other solutions are more complex. Last year I was accepted into a program by the drug research program Bristol Myers Squibb foundation to support diversity in clinical trials. Too often clinical trials exclude people from diverse populations. That can be downright dangerous. The most egregious example is the blood thinner warfarin. It was developed in the 1960s and tested almost exclusively on white men. But in the past 20 years, researchers have learned that people of different ethnicities require different doses of the drug. That means that for decades we were overdosing or underdosing millions of patients. In my specialty treating brain cancers clinical trials are considered a first-line treatment. If we're not including people of color, immigrants, and people of various socioeconomic statuses in those trials, we're not providing them with the best healthcare. I think Ravi would be proud of the work I've accomplished. Every time I see patients or achieve a milestone toward alleviating health disparities, it's for him. Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to achieve their optimal health. My brother certainly did. Though I can't help Ravi, I'm dedicated to increasing equity for others like him. Read the original article on Insider English singer and songwriter Elvis Costello, seen here playing in Beverly Hills, Calif., last month, returned to Worcester for a sold-out show Saturday night at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. WORCESTER Although new wave's quintessential angry young man is not so angry or young anymore, Elvis Costello still has plenty of fire in his belly and stinging bile in his lyrics, as he proved Saturday night during a sold-out show at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. Hot off the heels of his 10-night run last month at New York Citys Gramercy Theatre, Costello took his The Boy Named If & Other Favourites roadshow to Worcester. Backed up by his beloved band The Imposters keyboardist Steve Nieve, drummer Pete Thomas, bassist Davey Faragher and newest member, guitar virtuoso Charlie Sexton the 68-year-old British rocker teased and flirted with his diehard fans by opening with the one-two punch of This Years Girl and Green Shirt, both of which were knockouts. While the evening had plenty of Costello classics (many which were reinterpreted and arranged differently), the show had its fair share of deep cuts, newer tracks and even unreleased songs that were to be played during his uncompromising and inspired, 2-hour, 23-song set. This turned out to be a good thing. And the best thing about it was that Costello sounded great. 'A pleasure to be back in Worcester' Not only was Costellos voice in fine form, it sounds like its getting better with age. And, Costello, one of the few artists who is as compelling setting up a narrative to a song as he is singing a song, was in rare form chatting up a storm. Like Bruce Springsteen and Bono before him, Costello is clearly the next rocker that should do a spoken word and song stage show about his life. As he switched guitars, Costello, who had played here in the city twice before, said hello to the crowd by saying, It is a pleasure to be back here in Worcester, Massachusetts. No. The pleasure was all ours. English singer and songwriter Elvis Costello, seen here playing in Beverly Hills, Calif., last month, broke out the hits in his return to Worcester for Saturday night's show at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. After eyeballing the balcony and asking is anybody getting up to mischief, or covered in scandal and shame, Costello kicked into Hetty OHara Confidential from 2020s Hey Clockface. Story continues The story of a gossip columnist with the power to make or break a career with the stroke of her poison pen, Hetty OHara Confidential is the kind of musical morality play you would expect from the pop master. Before biting the hand that feels him, Costello talked about his somewhat infamous appearance on Saturday Night Live in 1977, and how he decided at the last minute to rewrite Radio Radio and turn the originally conceived affectionate ode to the airwaves into a scathing attack on corporate fools trying to anesthetize the way that you feel. Alas, it might have got him banned from SNL but Radio Radio still has a place in our hearts and the version he played Saturday night was totally awesome. Showing he shares a kinship with Springsteen beyond both being clever songsmiths, Costello hilariously talked about his Catholic upbringing and how when, in preparation of his First Communion, he found himself in the confessional booth and felt, despite being free of sin, that he had to confess to something. So I confessed to adultery. I didnt know what it meant but it sounded like fun, Costello said. And when I came to Worcester, I found out it was. It wasnt the only time he delivered a killer punchline at the citys expense. Costello proves old habits die hard on "When I Was Cruel No. 2,'' a richly detailed narrative that unfolds after a wedding for a former trade show model turned wife No. 4. Accompanied by slow, snarling guitars and swanky piano that sounded as though it was lifted from a '60s spy flick, When I Was Cruel No. 2 was classic Costello, down to the title, even though some of the fair-weather Elvis fans might not have been familiar with it before Saturday night. But, thankfully, with the pristine sound-system at the Hanover, you could hear every biting word in Costellos stinging, winning narrative. Band's versatility on display With the aid of his trusty Fender Strat, Costello delivered a quick, one-two punch in the form of the pristine, power-pop opuses, I Cant Stand Up for Falling Down and High Fidelity. Not only were the two numbers a lively, dynamic showcase for Costellos versatile band, it got the audience to stand up on its feet and dance along. When he wasnt belting out the audio book for his musical memoirs in process, Costello was dueling guitars with Sexton on the barebones reworking of Every Day I Write the Book. Elvis Costello and The Imposters, photographed last month before the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, returned to Worcester for a sold-out show Saturday night at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. It took Costello's killer delivery and clever wordplay to blow the audience away with his slinky and shadowy, neo-noir ditty, Watching the Detectives. Nieves tickled the ivories while Costello pulled at the heartstrings on the massive reworking of Accidents Will Happen. Costello sat down in a cushioned chair and chatted about his 30-year friendship with celebrated sophisticated pop composer Burt Bacharach, before giving him a fitting tribute on the Costello-Bacharach collaboration, Toledo. With Costello delicately plucking an acoustic guitar, the song is vintage Bacharach while the heartache is true Costello. By songs end, Costello received a well-deserved standing ovation from the audience. On his playfully scandalous, speakeasy romp, "Sulphur to Sugarcane," Costello delivered a politically incorrect travelogue of hot-to-trot trollop stops across the United States including our beloved Worcester. Inspired by cities he played at during his opening slot on Bob Dylan's fall 2007 tour (which included a stop at the DCU Center), Costello whimsically weaved together salacious couplets of the willingness of women in some overnight destinations to drop their knickers. In actuality, Worcester got off easy, so to speak, as evident in the lines, "Down in Bridgeport/The woman will kill you for sport/But in Worcester, Massachusetts/They just love my sauce/The woman in Poughkeepsie/Take their clothes off when they're tipsy/But I hear in Ypsilanti /They don't wear any panties." Despite being British, Costello announced his candidacy for U.S. president Saturday night. Realizing its not in his birthright to do so, Costello advised that if anyone is actually foolish to run for the commander-in-chiefs position, they need a good campaign song. And Costello served a piping hot political jingle in the making with Blood & Hot Sauce. Behind the piano, Costello joyfully sang the praises of the burning condiment while making promises of a better economy with the urgency of southern preacher at a gospel tent revival. After doing some serious wailing on the guitar alongside Sexton on (I Dont Want to Go to) Chelsea, Costello joked about how when he first toured the U.S., he could play his whole musical catalog in 36 minutes. Then, he was able to whittle it down to 19 minutes, but to do that he had to exorcise his sole love ballad from the setlist, which he did, and he amusingly explained why. It (love ballads) was good enough for Engelbert (Humperdinck), David Soul and Lionel Richie, but I wanted to be miserable and I made a good (expletive) career out of it. Despite his animosity towards love ballads, Costello's Alison is not your typical love ballad. Its a smart, sentimental but schmaltz-free classic. And, as expected when played, Alison turned into an audience sing-along and showstopper. Although it was a last-minute replacement from Costellos arena-friendly aerobic workout Pump It Up," Farewell OK, from last years The Boy Named If, was the perfect kiss-off song to bring the show into the homestretch. But no proper Costello show would be complete without the Nick Lowe-penned classic (Whats So Funny bout) Peace, Love and Understanding, a song that was great the first time we heard it in 79 and, like Costello, actually gets better every time you hear it. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Elvis Costello and The Imposters deliver on-target show in triumphant return to Worcester Hanover Theatre RAF fighter jets (pictured on a separate occasion) might have been the source of the "loud bang." Joe Giddens/Getty Images Fighter jets escorted an aircraft to an airport in London after it lost communications, per BBC News. This came shortly after people heard a "loud bang," which some thought was a sonic boom. Police said there was no cause for concern. Fighter jets from the UK's Royal Air Force were reportedly scrambled to escort an aircraft to London's Stansted Airport after it lost communications while flying over England on Saturday. This came shortly after people heard a "loud bang" across the counties of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, and Oxfordshire, BBC News reported. Some plane spotters believe it might have been a sonic boom caused by the fast movement of the RAF jets. Lee Shellard, from Leicestershire, told the BBC: "It shook ornaments and bits around the house." One user wrote on Twitter: "My entire house shifted, no joke!" Another said: "Anyone in Leicester know what the hell that massive explosion was?? It shook our house and the birds are going crazy." Essex Police tweeted that a plane heading from Iceland to Nairobi, Kenya was escorted into Stansted at about 12.50pm UK time. "We're satisfied there was a loss of contact due to an equipment malfunction & nothing of concern," the force said. "The plane and the two people on board have been released to continue with their journey." Leicestershire Police said: "We have received numerous calls in relation to a large explosion sound heard from various parts of the city and county. We would like to reassure you that there is no concern." Departures from another London airport were reportedly suspended for around 15 minutes, per BBC News. BBC journalist Phil Mercer, who was stuck on the runway at Gatwick Airport, said he'd been informed that "all airspace over London is closed as an aircraft has stopped communicating with air traffic control." Read the original article on Business Insider Former Trump aide Kellyanne Conway is divorcing her husband George Conway III after 22 years of marriage, according to reports. The former Republican power couple appeared to unravel during the Trump administration, as Kellyanne Conway remained loyal to former President Trump, while her husband became an ardent opponent of the president, according to The New York Times. George Conway would go on to found The Lincoln Project with several other disaffected Republicans who opposed Trump and sought to prevent his reelection. The former president congratulated Kellyanne Conway on her divorce from her wacko husband in a post on Truth Social on Saturday. Free at last, she has finally gotten rid of the disgusting albatross around her neck, Trump said. She is a great person, and will now be free to lead the kind of life that she deservesand it will be a great life without the extremely unattractive loser by her side! George Conway hit back at Trump, with a reference to the former presidents ongoing legal battle with writer E. Jean Carroll. Carroll accused Trump of raping her in the mid-1990s. Looking forward to seeing you in New York at E. Jeans trial next month! Conway said on Truth Social. Hugs and kisses. The Conways family affairs have previously played out on the public stage. Both Kellyanne and George Conway stepped down from their respective jobs at the Trump White House and The Lincoln Project in August 2020 to focus on their children and family matters. The announcement came one day after the couples daughter Claudia Conway said in a tweet that she was officially pushing for emancipation. She has repeatedly voiced her political disagreements with her parents, particularly her mother, on social media. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. by Dana Halawi BEIRUT, March 4 (Xinhua) -- In the past weeks since the massive earthquake hit Turkiye and Syria on Feb. 6, Ebtisam Antar, a mother of two children in Lebanon neighboring Syria, goes to bed every night with intense fear that the roof of her 50-year-old house may fall over her head. She told Xinhua that the quake on Feb. 6 caused cracks in the wall of her balcony before another one two days later led to more fissures in her daughter's bedroom. "I was scared to death, so I moved from the house on Feb. 6 with my two kids. But I had to return 20 days later because I can't stay at my brother's crowded house forever," said Antar, who lives in a poor neighborhood in the northern Mediterranean city of Tripoli. The situation is even worse for Mustafa el-Wahesh, as the quake added new cracks in the iron columns of his 50-year-old building which has long been severely troubled by its poor sewage systems. "My family and I are so scared that we sleep with our clothes on," el-Wahesh told Xinhua. "But I could not even leave the house as I have nowhere to go," the father of two lamented. Antar and el-Wahesh's plight reveals the fragility of aging buildings in Tripoli because of decades of neglect, especially after the deadly earthquake that killed over 47,000 in Syria and Turkiye. Even before the 2019 financial collapse, residents in the Mediterranean impoverished Lebanese city lacked the financial resources to maintain their buildings. Mohammad Dabab, a third resident in Tripoli, said his building was "dancing right and left" during the earthquake and he can still feel it moving even if there is no quake. "Walls and iron columns cracked. Architects who came to check our building said the situation is dangerous," he told Xinhua. The Order of Engineers and Architects in Tripoli has visited and checked the buildings damaged by the earthquake in the northern Lebanese city, hoping to submit a report to authorities for support for the buildings at risk of collapse, explained Fadi Obeid, an engineer and member of the local organization. Hundreds of complaints are now filed every day by residents in Tripoli who worry about the safety of their homes, according to Obeid and Ahmad Amareddine, the head of Tripoli's municipality. Amareddine told Xinhua that about 700 to 800 buildings in Tripoli were cracked at different degrees even before the earthquake but are not at risk of collapse in the absence of new natural disasters. He puts the number of constructions at risk of collapse from the recent earthquake at 20, while Obeid believes the real figure is much higher through the field visits by the teams of his organization. Mohamad Kheir, the secretary general of the Higher Relief Committee in Lebanon, told Xinhua that the government plans to provide housing allowances for owners whose houses risk collapsing from the earthquake. Last month, the Order of Engineers and Architects of Tripoli, in cooperation with the Association of Arab Architects based in the capital Beirut, issued a series of recommendations during a conference held in the city, where conferees agreed on the urgency to launch a survey of cracked buildings in Tripoli that pose a threat to public safety, calling on the authorities to secure funding dedicated to restoring and strengthening those buildings. Six years ago, as Donald Trump was settling into the White House, my editor told me to take a road trip. Get away from the Blue State bubble of New Jersey and New York, he said. Drive out to the farms of Pennsylvania, the coal mines of West Virginia, the rusty steel mills of Ohio. Talk to Trump supporters. Find out what the mainstream media missed. So began my trek into what I have come to describe as Trump Nation. That first journey to document Trumps remarkable rise led to other trips in each of the years of the Trump presidency all culminating in the historically consequential 2020 election. It turns out that Americas media including me missed plenty. America was clearly hurting in places like the faded steel town of Mingo Junction, Ohio, where the loss of jobs that were sent overseas turned a once-bustling community of white and Black residents into an empty hulk. Or Keyser, West Virginia, where far too many young people struggled with opioid addiction and a lack of health care. Or Hazleton, Pennsylvania, where the older ethnic white families wondered how they will get along with new Dominican immigrants. Or Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where generations of coal miners lamented the loss of their jobs amid the push for clean energy. In some ways, it was a tragedy that cut across class, ethnic, religious and racial lines. And yet, distinct lines emerged. Love your enemies: What Martin Luther King can teach us about healing toxic polarization A conversational road map: We meet weekly for lunch and talk politics. We don't always agree. But we're always civil. Trump voters told me they resented being called "deplorables" by Hillary Clinton. They said they felt that "coastal elites" looked down at their religious faith, their desire to own guns, their feeling that America was no longer "great." Those trips I took were a window into middle-class grievance a loss of hope in the American Dream. But something else emerged, too. These varied narratives and the enthusiastic Trump supporters were connected by a common thread: Fox News. Story continues A right-facing Bible Across Trump Nation, Fox News had become a Bible of sorts a cable TV message board in an echo chamber that hungered for news that a once-great nation was in decline or at least being forced to change in ways that threatened old-fashioned values. Every coffee shop seemed to have a TV tuned to Fox News. Every bar. Every motel lobby. Every gym. 'Hell on earth': I reported from the war in Ukraine. What I witnessed still haunts me. The cable network had become a unifying voice, a cultural hub that brought together the stories that gave credence to an increasing belief among Trump supporters that Americas well-educated progressives were taking over the nation and pushing an agenda that demeaned religion, hard work and traditional families while promoting gender equality, high taxes, lax immigration rules and an ever-expanding welfare state geared to non-whites. But now we know that voice that echo chamber was filled with lies. From left, Tucker Carlson, host of "Tucker Carlson Tonight," Laura Ingraham, host of "The Ingraham Angle," and Sean Hannity, host of "Hannity" on Fox News. Fox News' all-star lineup of anchors, including the hugely popular and influential weeknight triad of Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham, all promoted the false belief that massive voter fraud propelled Democrat Joe Biden to victory over Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Such was their on-air message, anyway. In private, Carlson, Hannity and Ingraham harbored all sorts of doubts that the election fraud story was true. They were joined by no less than Fox Chairman Rupert Murdoch. And yet, all these doubts were kept private. Fox News' executives feared that the Trump Nation audience of viewers would bolt for more conservative networks if Fox News expressed serious doubts about election fraud. In other words, Fox News promoted lies to keep high TV ratings and profits. Fox News chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch on Nov. 1, 2017, in New York City. Indeed, while many Fox News stars felt that Trump was wrong and reckless to keep telling the false story of election fraud, they continued to essentially act on camera as cheerleaders for this comedy of errors. And even when some Fox News journalists raised concerns about the truthfulness of Trumps claims, the networks executives and anchors did not speak up for the truth. The goal seemed to be to keep the profits rolling in. Fact check: How we know the 2020 election results were legitimate, not 'rigged' as Donald Trump claims Promoting lies of election fraud over facts Consider what took place when Fox News White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich fact-checked one of Trumps claims of election fraud and found that the former president was circulating lies. Instead of supporting Heinrichs dogged research or at least reporting it Tucker Carlson sent a text message to his partner-in-lying, Sean Hannity. Please get her fired, Carlson wrote to Hannity. Seriously what the f**k? Im actually shocked It needs to stop immediately, like tonight. Its measurably hurting the company. The stock price is down. Not a joke. Fox News host Tucker Carlson Sadly, it wasnt a joke. Heinrich was not fired. But her tweet reporting her fact-checking was deleted. Simply put: Fox News promoted the false tales of election fraud so its audience of Trump supporters would not get upset and the stock price would not plummet. Later, when Fox News host Neil Cavuto cut away from a Trump White House press briefing where election falsehoods and misinformation were being promoted, Fox News leaders were told such a move presented a brand threat. Adding to the mystery is the fact that some Fox News executives complained behind the scenes about the promotion of falsehoods. Fox News President Jay Wallace said the North Koreans did a more nuanced show than then-host Lou Dobbs, who barely disguised his support for Trump. Jerry Andrews, the executive producer of Justice with Judge Jeanine, referred to host and former Westchester County Prosecutor Jeanine Pirro, another Trump supporter, as nuts. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. In page after page of court filings, released as part of a lawsuit in which a firm that manufactures computerized voting machines accused Fox News of defamation, the networks most famous players seemed intent on lying to keep its audience and revenues. This wasnt journalism. It was consumer fraud at its worst. The desire for money trumped truth. Path to police reform: How do we stop police from killing Black Americans? We must meet in the 'messy middle.' Trump vs. DeSantis: Ron DeSantis stands no chance against a political barbarian like Donald Trump Where's the correction? If Ford or General Motors lied about the brakes in their cars to bolster profits or stock prices, the federal government would intervene with all sorts of regulatory complaints, perhaps even criminal charges. But because Fox News calls itself a journalistic enterprise, the best that can be done is a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems. The lawsuits trial is expected to begin next month in a state court in Delaware. Amid the pressure of deadlines and our own human foibles, journalists make mistakes sometimes too often. We mess up the math on budget reports. We misspell names of criminals, star athletes even historical figures. We predict good weather, then realize a hurricane is looming. We sometimes offer misguided context. Certainly, this columnist is guilty of his share of miscues over the years. But credible news organizations correct themselves. Fox News hasnt taken such a step. No apology: Fox News' election lies vs. sexism from CNN's Don Lemon. The difference? Accountability. End of the GOP?: Is this the beginning of the end for Trumpism or the Republican Party? Some members of Trump Nation regularly write to me when I offer any sort of criticism of their man. In recent months, Ive taken to merely telling them to stop watching Fox News. Some have done exactly that. Theyve moved on. But many gravitated to even more misguided right-wing platforms such as Newsmax or Breitbart News Network, which traffic in all sorts of falsehoods about the 2020 election, not to mention the COVID-19 pandemic and the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. Welcome to Trump Nation. Sadly, this is America. Mike Kelly is an award-winning columnist for NorthJersey.com as well as the author of three critically acclaimed non-fiction books and a podcast and documentary film producer. Reach him at kellym@northjersey.com. You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Fox News lied about 2020 election fraud. Will Trump voters care? Supporters hold a banner as former President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Md. (Alex Brandon/AP) OXON HILL, Md. Former President Donald Trump regaled his faithful on Saturday evening in suburban Washington with promises of retribution against their mutual enemies, but the reception was relatively subdued compared with his past raucous speeches at the event. "In 2016, I declared I am your voice, Trump said to the ballroom packed with his most fervent loyalists at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), to some of the loudest sustained applause of the night. Today I add: I am your warrior, I am your justice and for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution. I will totally obliterate the deep state." But roughly 20% of the seats were empty, and Trump struggled at times to get a rise with his applause lines, including an extended riff about homeless military veterans being treated worse than undocumented immigrants. CPACs annual event draws a wide array of Republican Party activists, lawmakers, donors and other influential figures on the right. The event hailed by some as Woodstock for conservatives was viewed as a required campaign stop for GOP presidential hopefuls, though Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence both skipped the 2023 confab, perhaps aware that Trump would easily win its straw poll. Longtime staples of the right, like conservative media giant Fox News, also skipped the conference this year. And the crowd had fewer college Republicans than it has in recent years. Sany Dash, one of the vendors selling Trump and MAGA merchandise at the conference, said the crowd was not what it used to be just a few years ago. The exhibition hall had more space and fewer vendors and activists. Its Trumpism he opened all this up, Dash said. Its Trumps party. Former President Donald Trump. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters) DeSantis, who remains Trumps chief competitor for the nomination in early polling, wooed Republican megadonors Thursday night in Florida at a competing conference organized by the Club for Growth. The governor rallied Republicans in Texas Friday evening and will deliver a campaign-style speech at the Reagan Library in Southern California on Sunday. Story continues Other White House aspirants, however, attended CPAC, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is said to be considering a campaign, and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who recently announced her candidacy. But in the halls of the Gaylord Convention Center in suburban Washington this past weekend, Trump reigned supreme. He dominated the annual CPAC straw poll with 62% support, compared with 20% who wanted to see DeSantis win the nomination. Haley was heckled by Trump supporters after her speech. We love Trump! We love Trump! some attendees shouted. When you've got somebody who's a sitting president and a real active player, it becomes their playground, as it were, pro-Trump commentator Jeffrey Lord told Yahoo News. It was Reagan's, and in the day he came every year, in black tie, and he gave a funny speech. And everybody loved it, Lord said. But the hard fact of the matter is, he's gone. And, you know, Trump is here, and everybody loves him. Beyond the halls of CPAC, Trump also has a commanding position in the race. He recently retook the lead in a hypothetical matchup with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the nomination, with 45% favoring him and 41% backing DeSantis, according to a Yahoo News/YouGov poll released last week. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the onus for ending the war in Ukraine remains on Russian President Vladimir Putin. "To my view, it is necessary that Putin understands that he will not succeed with his invasion and his imperialistic aggression and that he has to withdraw troops. This is the basis for talks," he said in an interview that aired Sunday on CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS." The German leader acknowledged that the year-old Russia-Ukraine war had settled into a stalemate that is inflicting a tremendous amount of damage on Ukraine. But he said he will not press Ukrainians to make uncomfortable compromises. "There will be no decisions without the Ukrainians," Scholz said, saying Putin had clearly misjudged "the strength of Ukraine" as well as the "unity" of "all the friends of Ukraine" in challenging the Russian invasion, which began in February 2022. He added: "It is very difficult to judge what will be the next things to happen in Ukraine, but there is something which is absolutely clear: We will continue to support Ukraine with financial, humanitarian aid but also with weapons." Speaking to Zakaria, Scholz also spoke well of President Joe Biden and his leadership during the current international crisis. "He is very informed about international relations," Scholz said. "I think hes one of the most skilled presidents knowing how things are running in the world, which is important in times that are becoming more dangerous." After three years of teaching at the Academy of Lifelong Learning, I thought it might be interesting to poll my students and ex-students about Joe Biden. The Academy enrolls students from their mid-50s on up. It's an impressive population, alert, curious, and both interesting and interested in many things. The question of ageism came up frequently. Here is a high performing group of seniors asking whether another senior is still capable of the highest office in the land, with all the rigors and pressures that entails. I wonder whether putting an __ism in front of a word automatically makes it a vice. I just turned 77 and despite my physical infirmities, can think and love as well as ever. But I'm also aware that the meter is running. The thing about old age is that we can be perfectly all right - until suddenly we're not. If I got senile, I'd either stop writing or the paper would make that decision for me. It's not that simple when you're the president of the United States. Lawrence Brown Consequently, 24 of the 34 respondents sent me letters explaining why, though many of them admired and appreciated Joe Biden's presidency, they don't want him to run again. Mind you, this is hardly a scientific survey, and most of the people who replied are moderate to liberal in their politics. But they represent an important demographic - and if an academic crowd of local seniors think Biden is too old, their explanations might be worth hearing. Fair and justOpinion/Brown: John Reed Cape civil rights activist pushed us to think about race, justice I do not think President Biden should run again, wrote Karen. Im concerned about his physical stamina and his mental acuity. Thats not to say I am not proud of all the achievements he made during his first two years. He also is right on with respect to Russia and Putin, added Anton, "and he maintains support of Ukraine as he leads the NATO response. Several writers felt that Americas cringeworthy retreat from Afghanistan was Bidens lowest moment. Despite the valor and sacrifice of American service personnel and their families, in the end, Afghanistan and Vietnam would bring us to the same situation. The minute we stopped bailing, both ships sunk. Story continues Bidens State of the Union address occurred after our survey was taken and a few writers sent follow-up letters to respond after the speech. Having watched the State of the Union last night, said one, I feel at this point that Joe Biden is the best person to ensure that Donald Trump or his ilk do not capture the presidency in 2024. There was lots of affection for Joe Biden and respect, but then that same worry: I hope his health does not deteriorate. Lets not think we have much of a voice, Rob cautioned. The powers - money and media - masters of selection, slant and silencing - have confidence in their ability to shape the populace. Having a thumb on the scale at some point produces the outcome. Not running Joe Biden opened two cans of worms. I'm stumped for a viable acceptable candidate, complained Sharon, and she was not alone. Ideally, Tom suggested, the perfect Democratic candidate would be a lot like Biden, but charismatic, hugely articulate, funny sometimes, and 25 or 30 years younger." There was a second concern, fairly widely shared. I have been severely disappointed in Kamala. said Suzanne. Harris is not popular, added Jim, and Im disenchanted with her myself. I think she would be eliminated in the primary process, but no matter how it happens, denying the first Black woman VP the chance to run for president is a bad look for the party. I wonder if it might demonstrate something important for Democrats to be able to sideline a person of color if she were under-performing. Besides, there are so many attractive alternatives: Cory Booker, Wes Moore, the new governor of Maryland Stacey Abrams and Sen. (Raphael ) Warnock of Georgia, to name a few our writers covered. If not Joe, then who? Several respondents wished the Democrats had a more visible process to feed fresh talent into the system. I would love to see Adam Schiff as our next president, said Cheryl. He is intelligent, fair, honorable, truly cares about our country and is well spoken. Two Democrats wished former Gov. Baker was available. Laura wrote that Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg came to mind maybe (Michigan Gov.) Gretchen Whitmer. Others liked Buttigieg but worried the electorate wasnt ready to elect a gay candidate, whatever qualities he might possess. If there is a dynamic leader of integrity and vision for middle-of-the-road policies, wrote Sheldon, summing things up, Id be for him regardless of party. Lawrence Brown is a columnist for the Cape Cod Times. Email him at columnresponse@gmail.com. Gain access to premium Cape Cod Times content by subscribing. Check out our subscription offers. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Opinion/Brown: Older students have worries about Joe Biden's health Instrumental Hospitality, the group behind Belly and Sin Muerte, and Chuckie Duff, co-owner of Cobra Arcade Bar, Ziggys Pizza and The Rebel Lounge are opening Quartz, a new cocktail bar coming to downtown Phoenix on April 20. The bar is located Van Buren Street and Fourth Avenue, near Guss Fried Chicken and State 48 Brewery. The nearly 2,000 square-foot space will feature two areas, each able to accommodate around 40 guests. Duff wanted to have a bar influenced by Mos Eisley Cantina from Star Wars, a place in the middle of the desert where people get away from it all and meet on neutral ground for fun. And he's pleased with the result: "I'm proud of the different people who have touched it." Quartz is two bars concepts in one space The front area of Quartz offers standard bar seating with some low seating by the window. A 30-foot faux piece of rock, not unlike the side of the mountain, hangs over the bar. An acrylic bookshelf displays rocks and crystals and a rope light illuminates the bar counter. Duff calls it vibey and dramatic. The front bar is walk-in only and will serve more accessible and simpler cocktails at lower price points than those in the back room, also known as the cave, a timed reservation-only experience. "The back is the real expression of the concept," Waxman said. "We are using more premium spirits, our glassware is more delicate, the presentations are a higher caliber and the garnishes are more creative and esoteric. It also includes regional spirits and teas. The drinks are finished tableside with more acrobatics." Eat like a local: 100 essential restaurants in metro Phoenix What's on the menu at Quartz bar? The beverage director for IH, Paul Waxman, along with award-winning bartender Max Berlin of Glai Baan, created the drinks menu that pays homage to deserts around the world "from Arizona to Antarctica" with each cocktail expressing the unique characteristics of the desert in flavor and presentation. The front bar is inspired by tangible components of the desert, like rocks, with the drinks born of birthstones. The back bar drinks are based on the histories, cultures and animals of the desert. Story continues Waxman and bar manager Berlin take a playful approach to their interpretations. For example, the April drink, rather than exhibiting the shiny aspect of diamonds, is based on the song "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds." "In the lyrics, it says tangerine dreams and marshmallow skies and marmalade, so we used a lemon and orange marmalade with diamond-filtered vodka and marshmallow fluff on top with a salted acid tea. It's like a lemon drop," said Waxman. Quartz cocktail bar neighbors State 48 Brewery and Gus's Chicken. How to visit Quartz bar Drinks will be priced between $14 and $17. The front bar will be walk-in only while the back bar will require prepaid reservations for a 90-minute experience. The bar is scheduled to open on April 20. Details: 341 W. Van Buren, Phoenix. quartzphx.com. Funky restaurant is opening soon: If Little Woody and Ziggy's had a baby, it would be this in Scottsdale Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on Twitter. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Quartz opens in Phoenix. What to expect at the desert cocktail bar PARIS For the last two seasons, the A.P.C. fashion show has been a study in the unstudied, held in the brands headquarters with models casually walking the lobby floor around standing-room-only guests. This season had the same laid-back vibe, despite the announcement Wednesday confirming the news originally reported by WWD that founder and designer Jean Touitou sold a majority stake to consumer investment giant L Catteron. More from WWD Speaking to journalists after the show, he said that creatively nothing is going to change, and if worse comes to worst he still owns the building on Rue Madame in Paris tony 6th arrondissement, as well as the attached recording studio. Touitou said he feels as if a weight has been lifted off of his shoulders after barely surviving the business difficulties wrought by the pandemic and likening it to a fight for his life. Because that pandemic war, people dont realizewe about died during the pandemic because we had merchandise ready to be shipped to around 400 shops. Thats a lot of yardage, in rolls of fabric that you dont know what to do with. When things finally were able to reopen, he wasnt able to predict what different regulations would be in various regions, as the company is in markets as diverse as Denmark and South Korea. As the chief executive officer, he didnt feel like he was able to keep up with the rolling regulations on openings or rules governing employment. I really felt, OK, Im gonna get out of this game, he said, though it took him time to come to terms with the decision. He decided to align with L Catterton so their deep pockets could do the heavy lifting. I like the metaphor of somebody who knows how to handle the street fights, but I prefer to have bodyguards now. Powerful bodyguards they are, as L Catterton is backed by luxury conglomerate LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton. L Catterton has invested heavily in its fashion portfolio in recent years, including Birkenstock, Etro, Ganni and John Hardy. Story continues Speaking to WWD following the sale news, L Catterton Europe partner Eduardo Velasco said that A.P.C. has revenue of more than 100 million euros and he believes it is poised for growth up to 500 million euros. Touitou wouldnt comment on specific financial targets, but said that after 36 years he felt like the time was right for the business to grow and that he didnt feel he was the person to lead it to the next level. He will remain in charge of strong decisions, but the day-to-day financials and growth strategy will change. It is likely they will open more stores. The brand has 70 company-owned stores across Europe, the U.S., Australia, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong. When questioned if there will be expansion in new regions or markets, Touitou added that he has long been asked to open the brand in new markets but feels comfortable with the current structure. Its a tough world, to own a company. I mean I was glad to, at the same time, be a poet and warrior, but it is tiring, he said, adding that now he will focus on the creative side. To that end, he sent out a collection of smart basics in stiff denim, striped shirts and trench coats. He looked to the codes of preppy, punk and goths to add his signature twists. All of the models were students from his daughters high school class, and Touitou added that anyone who wanted to do it was accepted. I love this idea of no casting, he said. Students came and graffitied the walls surrounding the runway, adding to the ad hoc vibe, and skipped last looks in favor of an impromptu dance party. Best of WWD Click here to read the full article. Clouds partially obscure mountains covered in snow north of Los Angeles on Sunday. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) After last week's epic winter storm hit Southern California, new satellite photos from NASA Earth Observatory show snow covering the region's mountains. UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain said we could see "a historically significant snowfall for parts of the Southern California mountains." "This well may be the largest single-event snowfall in some parts of Southern California since the 1980s," Swain told The Times before the storm hit. "This is a big deal. Data from the National Weather Service describe the incredible amounts of snow at various peaks as of 9 a.m. Sunday: Mountain High Resort, sitting at a 7,000-foot elevation in the San Gabriel Mountains, had 93 inches of snow, or nearly 8 feet.The resort is north of Mt. Baldy. Mt. Pinos, near Frazier Park in the Los Padres National Forest, saw up to 72 inches of snow, or 6 feet. The mountain is more than 8,500 feet high. Mt. Wilson, towering above Pasadena at 5,700 feet, saw 40 inches of snow. The snowfall has stranded some residents in the San Bernardino Mountains. In the Lake Arrowhead area, which got more than 5 feet of snow, the situation is serious. Its really bad up here, said Brooke Cutler, who is staying at a friends house in Lake Arrowhead. People are really in trouble and are suffering. A new storm this week could bring a total of up to 2 more feet of snow in the highest elevations, officials said, which could create more challenges for residents and officials following days of blocked roadways because of snow and ice from the last storm. Officials say the latest storm doesnt have as much moisture or strength as the last system, which brought significant rain and snowfall to the region, but it could still cause notable disruptions, especially on roadways Wednesday morning. A winter weather advisory is already in effect for most of the regions mountains, which was upgraded to a winter storm warning Tuesday afternoon until late Wednesday, when heavier snow, high winds and difficult travel are expected. Times staff writers Hayley Smith and Nathan Solis contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Japanese discount store that sells homeware, beauty products, stationery and toys is preparing to debut in metro Phoenix soon. Daiso, a popular dollar store-type retailer in Japan that has more than 5,500 locations around the world, plans to open March 4 at the Chandler Ranch shopping plaza, 1860 W. Chandler Blvd., according to a press release. The Japanese value store will sell Asian snacks, decor, kitchenware, beauty supplies, stationery, gift wrap, greeting cards, electronics accessories, organizing and home goods. There is also official branded merchandise with beloved Disney, Sanrio and Rilakkuma characters. Daiso's neighbors in the shopping center, on the northeast corner of Chandler Boulevard and Dobson Road in Chandler, include Meet Fresh, 99 Ranch, Kura Revolving Sushi Bar, SomiSomi Soft Serve & Taiyaki, The Kickin' Crab, Ramen Hood, Los Favoritos Taco Shop, 85C Bakery Cafe, Rapha Tea and Asian Corner Cafe. Expansions, housing:Here's what's next for Chandler in the new year Is everything a dollar at Daiso? Daiso, a Japanese discount store with more than 5,800 locations around the world, appears to have plans to open in Chandler. Here's the scene at the Edgewater, New Jersey, opening in August 2019. Though Daiso was founded as a 100 yen store which translates to about 75 cents at the current exchange rate or the equivalent of a dollar store, its U.S. locations sell items with a range of prices. Many are $1.75, with more expensive products labeled accordingly. According to Daiso's U.S. website, it sells "a wide range of products that enrich our lives, from daily necessities to hobbies and luxury items." Exclusive:100 essential restaurants in metro Phoenix, including Chandler and the East Valley How to go to Daiso's Arizona grand opening Daiso's grand opening weekend will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2023, and continue the next day starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 5. The first 100 customers on both days will receive a goodie bag with a minimum $30 purchase. More:Downtown Chandler has lots going on. Here are all the ways to spend day or an evening there Reach Entertainment Reporter KiMi Robinson at kimi.robinson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Japanese dollar store Daiso will open in Arizona: When, where Prince Harry covered a wide array of topics during a livestreamed sit-down with physician and author Dr. Gabor Mate on Saturday, ranging from victimhood and the war in Afghanistan to the royals thoughts on generational trauma and psychedelics. Mate brought up passages from Harrys memoir, Spare, in which he spoke about experimenting with various substances, including cocaine, marijuana and alcohol. While the royal said that cocaine didnt do anything for me, he said his experience with marijuana was different because it actually did really help me. The duke also discussed his use of psychedelic drugs, which he said are like the cleaning of a windshield for him and helped remove lifes filters. It removed it all for me and brought me a sense of relaxation, release, comfort a lightness, he said. I started doing it recreationally and then started to realize how good it was for me. The royal added, I would say that it is one of the fundamental parts of my life that changed me. Prince Harry's memoir on display in a bookstore on Jan. 22 in Bath, England. Prince Harry's memoir on display in a bookstore on Jan. 22 in Bath, England. Harry had opened up about his use of psychedelics in his book, writing: They didnt simply allow me to escape reality for a while, they let me redefine reality. Under the influence of these substances I was able to let go of rigid preconcepts, to see that there was another world beyond my heavily filtered senses, a world that was equally real and doubly beautiful. ... There was only truth. The Duke of Sussexs talk which took place in California, but not at his residence in Montecito was his first since it was confirmed that he and wife Meghan Markle were requested to vacate Frogmore Cottage, their U.K. home on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Though there was no mention of the looming eviction during the talk, Harry didnt shy away from any of Mates questions, as the physician kicked things off by asking if the prince felt like a victim. I certainly dont see myself as a victim, the Duke of Sussex said, adding that he was really grateful to be able to share my story and hoped that it would help others. Story continues I do not and I have never looked for sympathy in this, he said. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit One World Observatory on Sept. 23, 2021, in New York City. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit One World Observatory on Sept. 23, 2021, in New York City. During the fireside chat, Harry also spoke about feeling slightly different to the rest of my family throughout his life and upbringing. I felt strange being in this container, he said. I know that my mum felt the same. And so it makes sense to me. I felt as though my body was in there, but my head was out. And then sometimes it was vice versa. In regard to Harrys life, Mate said he found that one of the central points of Spare was the theme of deprivation. Harry wrote about wanting to hug his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, which wasnt allowed or ever done. He also wrote about the rare moments when his father, Charles, or brother, William, would pat his leg or shoulder, such as when his mother died and when he came back from his military service in Afghanistan. While Mate said that he did not support the war in Afghanistan, Harry shared an interesting perspective. One of the reasons why certainly so many people in the United Kingdom were not supportive of our troops, was because they assumed that everybody that was serving was for the war, the royal explained. But no, you, once you sign up, you do what youre told to do. So, there was a lot of us that didnt necessarily agree or disagree, but you were doing what you were trained to do. You were doing what you, what you were sent to do. Prince Harry, right, races out from a tent with his fellow pilots at Camp Bastion on Nov. 3, 2012, in Afghanistan. Prince Harry, right, races out from a tent with his fellow pilots at Camp Bastion on Nov. 3, 2012, in Afghanistan. The Duke of Sussexs talk with Mate was his first since an initial round of publicity interviews released around Jan. 10. for the publication of his memoir. Despite the incredible security surrounding the book, Spare leaked in its entirety five days before it was set to go on sale, when Spanish booksellers began handing it out. HuffPosts Lee Moran was able to obtain the memoir in Spain at a local store. Neither Kensington Palace nor Buckingham Palace has officially commented on any of the claims made in the book. More revelations from Prince Harrys Spare memoir and media tour: Related... Photo Illustration by Erin OFlynn/The Daily Beast/Getty Images, James St. John/Wikimedia Commons, and Public Domain After the catastrophic Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, it didnt take long for the supercharged partisan atmosphere in Washington to morph the disaster into a political blame game. Republicans castigated President Joe Bidens administration for falling asleep at the switch. Biden officials pointed to deregulation under former President Donald Trump. And all the while, the rail industry knew that, even though new safety regulations would seem like an obvious response to the crash and subsequent release of toxic chemicals into the air, new regulations were far from a given. Although its far from the most influential lobby in Washington, the rail industry has spent more than $700 million in the last 25 years, according to data maintained by OpenSecrets. And its those hundreds of millions spent pushing back against government safety regulationsprimarily but not exclusively through Republicansthat has purchased considerable influence in the U.S. Capitol. A review by The Daily Beast of lobbying and campaign finance filings tells a story of a decades-long ideological push and pull. The review shows that, while its sometimes difficult to draw straight lines between an acute event and its cause, entrenched corporate and political cultures still have an overwhelming influence. Rail Company Already Pissed Off Environmentalists Before Ohio Train Crash For instance, one major requirement now on the booksan automated braking technology called positive train control (PTC)debuted on the National Transportation Safety Boards most wanted list in 1990. But under industry pressure, PTC wasnt fully implemented for 30 years. As the dust, debris, and various poisons settle from this Norfolk Southern crash, it appears the Trump administrations specific anti-regulatory moves may not be directly responsible for the wreck, which the National Transportation Safety Bureaus preliminary report blamed on an overheated wheel bearing. Story continues But that finding itself doesnt necessarily shift the blame back to Biden. In fact, it puts more pressure on Republicans to do something theyve resisted for yearsexpand rail safety regulations, such as updating outdated track detection technology. Thats perhaps the most profound revelation to emerge from the financial data: meaningful changes are almost always reactive, in response to catastrophes instead of anticipating and preventing them before they happen. In the wake of the crash, federal regulators disclosed that there have been five similar derailments since 2021, two involving Norfolk Southern, the American Journal of Transportation reported on Thursday. The article also said that current track monitoring relies on antiquated technology with a mixed record of preventing accidents. But its difficult to rein in an industry thats as vital to everyday American life as railroads are, let alone convince the industry to support forward-looking regulations that would eat into its bottom line. Its hard to overstate the leverage that this special interest group wieldsif railroads stop working, America stops eating. And yet, the railroad industrys culture of resistance is most immediately and easily identified in the money. Over the years, the industry has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into blocking and stalling new rules and legislation, including measures designed to strengthen and modernize rail safety. But a side-by-side comparison of rail lobby spending and government action also suggests that money alone doesnt explain everything. Instead, the larger baked-in political ideology of the governing party appears to have carried the day on key issues. Feds Order Norfolk Southern to Pay Up for Toxic Train Mess This is reflected in the fact that the rail industrys lobbying expenditures soared under Barack Obamamost specifically his first termand then fell, most notably after Obama unilaterally enacted key safety regulations in 2015. The spending stayed at those same lower levels after Trump took office, and have continued at that rate under Biden. According to OpenSecrets data, the railroad industry shelled out nearly $185 million on lobbying during Obamas first four years. During Trumps one term in office, that spending totaled around $107 million. (Rail lobbying during Obamas second term was about $127 million, according to OpenSecrets.) And railroad lobbyists are far more likely to have direct connections to Capitol Hill than almost any other group Filings further show that the money was largely aimed at blocking government regulation. The Association of American Railroadsthe industrys top lobbying groupspent heavily to push back against safety, labor, and antitrust proposals during the Obama years, according to an OpenSecrets database of lobbying disclosures. Under Trump, the partisan winds became friendlier, and spending tailed off. While Obama didnt exactly stick it to the railroadshis early visions of overarching antitrust and labor reforms never came to fruitionhe did use his executive power to impose some key safety regulations in the face of all that cash. But Trump quickly scrapped those rules with the stroke of a Sharpie, and the railroad companies apparently didnt feel they had to kick up their spending to convince him and his allies to act in their favor. Thats not to say they stopped spending. Lobbyists know they have to maintain their relevance, and over Trumps term, the rail lobbyled by AARspent millions of dollars renting the ears of lawmakers. Many of those expenses went to combat the Safe Freight Act. That bill would have enshrined the two-member crew minimum into law, and was introduced in 2017 by a Republicanthe late Rep. Don Young of Alaska, whos the longest serving Republican in Congress of all time. Norfolk Southern alone spent about $4.5 million on lobbying between 2017 and 2018, according to the companys federal lobbying disclosures. A Norfolk Southern representative referred The Daily Beast to our extensive Government Relations Political Activity and Political Contributions overview and their statement on the NTSB findings. We are taking further actions to improve the safety processes and technology we currently have in place while we await the final results of the NTSB investigation, the representative said, pointing to $1 billion annual investments in safety technology, equipment, and infrastructure and several corporate commitments. GOP Demands Rail Safety Fixes After Years of Ignoring Rail Safety Asked for comment, an AAR spokesperson sent a 228-word statement saying that any assertion that railroads broadly opposed increased safety regulations is patently false, pointing to a a long, consistent record. The spokesperson gave one concrete example, pushing the Department of Transportation in 2015 to raise standards for tank cars carrying flammable liquids, including a petition on the matter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. (Those negotiations were more nuanced, according to the DOTs final rulemaking and the PHMSAs response to the petition.) The statement also directed The Daily Beast to the AARs statement this week on newly released Federal Railroad Administration safety data, and touted $20 billion in annual private investments towards broadly maintaining the network and deploying technology to enhance safety. When Trump landed in the White House, he quickly tanked several of the targeted Obama policies. One rulewhich briefly came back into the news after the Norfolk Southern derailmentmandated new brake technology for trains carrying volatile and hazardous materials. Trump also killed a rail safety audit program, along with another proposed Obama rule requiring trains to operate with two-man crews, which had already begun to languish. Those repeals and others under Trump appear either minimally or entirely unrelated to the Norfolk Southern derailment, according to a Washington Post fact check. Generally speaking, the rail industrys political giving has always favored the GOP. According to OpenSecrets, the industry has spent about $108.6 million to influence elections since 1990, with PACs giving more than individual employees. Republicans have received the majority of those donations in every election, with two exceptionsthe 1990 and 2010 midterms. And some of the recent top GOP recipients, such as Sens. Sam Graves, Jerry Moran, and John Thune, hold leadership positions with influence over that industry. Contributions from Norfolk Southern employees and its corporate PAC have also historically curved towards Republicans, the data shows, though the company favored Democratic candidates in both 2020 and 2022. In one curious case, the money went the other way. Between 2017 and 2021, then-Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) rented office space from Norfolk Southern for both his campaign committee and leadership PAC, FEC records show. Over that period, Blunts committees paid Norfolk Southern approximately $76,000 in rent. (In 2015, Blunt introduced a bill with bipartisan co-sponsors that would extend the deadline for adopting PTC.) Still, its clear that Obamas actionsno matter how debatable their relevance to the Norfolk Southern disaster, or the Democrats failure to deliver on antitrust issuesappear to have overcome an onslaught of cash. But he and liberal allies also werent able to rally enough support to fully overcome Republican and industry resistance. Its instructive to note that the anti-regulatory lobbying push actually started the year before Obama took office, under a Republican administration. Rail Operator Backs Out of Town Hall on Ohio Train Disaster, Citing Safety Concerns That year, the railroad industry spent almost $43 million lobbying inside the beltway as Congress negotiated the bipartisan Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which introduced positive train control. President George W. Bush signed it into law that October. But the pendulum quickly swung the other way. After the RSIA was passed, the industry dug in hard against some of those new rules, including the PTC requirement, which at that point had already been on the governments wishlist for 18 years. Over the next several years, the rail lobby successfully convinced lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to delay the mandate, citing cost and time constraints. Obama himself signed a bill delaying PTC in 2015the same year he put forward the new braking requirement that Trump tossedand the rule was only fully adopted at the end of 2020. The biggest revelation in the data is still not about moneys effect on the speed of progress, or even partisanship per se. Again, its that the most significant advancements are almost never proactive. Industry interests are powerful, and it takes a catastrophe like East Palestine to sharpen the focus on safety. For instance, the RSIA of 2008, with its long-awaited PTC mandate, came only after a commuter train collision in Southern California killed 25 people. At the time, the Association of American Railroads put out a press release backing the bill. But according to the Internet Archive, the page disappeared from the organizations website sometime between 2012 and 2013. Around that same time, the industry convinced the Obama administration to extend the timeline for the PTC rule. Three years later, however, a fatal Philadelphia Amtrak wreck brought rail safety front and center again. In response, Obama enacted federal regulations without the help of Congress, while agreeing to delay PTC. The next year, however, another deadly passenger train crash put the heat back on the railroad lobby. The Norfolk Southern freighter that derailed last month had positive train control. According to the NTSBs preliminary report, the trains PTC system was not to blame, as it was enabled and operating at the time of the derailment. Thats put a new albeit reactive focus on another safety mechanism: old detection technology that may not be up for the task. At a press conference addressing the report, NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy told reporters that track monitoring is something we have to look at. Roller bearings fail, Homendy said. But its absolutely critical for problems to be identified and addressed early so these arent run until failure. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, on Sunday morning started to deliberate a draft amendment to the Legislation Law. Wang Chen, vice chairman of the 13th NPC Standing Committee, explained the draft amendment at the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th NPC. Summarizing the practical experience of legislative work in the new era, the proposed amendment is expected to further improve the legislative system and mechanism, and enhance the quality and efficiency of legislation, according to Wang. In the general provisions, the draft highlights the guiding role of the Party's innovative theories, and developing a Chinese system of socialist rule of law and building a modern socialist country in all respects under the rule of law. During the legislative process, whole-process people's democracy should be upheld and developed, according to the draft. It also proposes to codify the requirement of respecting and protecting human rights in legislative work. On improving the legislative procedures and working mechanisms of the NPC and its Standing Committee, the draft proposes detailed requirements of the constitutionality review and the recording and review system for legislations and normative documents. In particular, the draft requires a bill's explanatory document to include opinions on issues of constitutionality, and calls on the NPC Constitution and Law Committee to explain issues of constitutionality involved after reviewing a bill. It also introduces an emergency lawmaking procedure for the NPC Standing Committee, where a bill may be put to vote after a single deliberation at the Standing Committee. A legislative bill normally will have to go through three readings before being put to vote. The draft also stipulates that the working bodies of the Standing Committee should set up local legislative outreach offices in light of actual needs to solicit opinions from the grassroots and people from all walks of life on draft laws and legislative work. On local legislative work, the draft pledges to expand the legislative power of cities with subsidiary districts to include affairs pertaining to primary-level governance. It also adds provisions on regional coordination on legislation. The NPC Standing Committee completed two readings of previous versions of the draft amendment in October and December last year, which were then published online to solicit public opinions. The Legislation Law was adopted in 2000 by the 9th NPC, and amended in 2015 by the 12th NPC. (Bloomberg) -- The estranged younger brother of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is considering a run for the largely ceremonial role of president this year, a sign that an ongoing family feud could start to overshadow the city-states politics. Most Read from Bloomberg Lee Hsien Yang, 65, spoke about his plans to Bloomberg News after the government revealed an ongoing police investigation against him and his wife over the handling of the last will of his father Lee Kuan Yew, who founded modern Singapore. There is a view that depending on who they float, if I were to run they would be in serious trouble and could lose, Lee Hsien Yang said by phone, referring to the ruling Peoples Action Party headed by his brother. A lot of people have come to me. They really want me to run. Its something I would consider. The Prime Ministers Office didnt immediately comment. The government has said the police investigation was an opportunity for Lee Hsien Yang and his wife Lee Suet Fern to vindicate themselves and their refusal to participate raises questions. A former chief executive of Singtel, Lee Hsien Yang has lived in self-imposed exile in Europe for months along with his wife. He declined to say where they were residing. With the ongoing probe, Lee Hsien Yang said he was unsure what the chances are that I will return to Singapore in the foreseeable future. While the prime minister runs the government in Singapore, the presidency holds some powers such as the right to veto spending bills or government requests to draw on past reserves, which was done to help shore up the budget during the pandemic. The president also must sign off on civil service appointments. Story continues Although candidates for the presidential race are supposed to be non-partisan under Singapores constitution, the current president was a former senior official of the PAP, which has ruled Singapore since independence in 1965. The vote will give an indicator of the national mood ahead of a general election that must be called by November 2025, with the PAP seeking to win over younger voters facing rising living costs after suffering its worst-ever showing in the 2020 election. The next national vote will also likely mark the end of Lee Hsien Loongs roughly two decades in power. Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has been tapped to take the reins after another deputy, Heng Swee Keat, stepped aside as heir apparent in April 2021. Discord among the Lee siblings has simmered for years since the patriarchs death in 2015. It largely centers on whether a colonial-era bungalow near the glitzy shopping district where Lee Kuan Yew lived for most of his 91 years should be demolished. Lee Hsien Loong, 71, has in the past expressed disappointment that his younger brother and sister Lee Wei Ling have publicized private family matters. Lee Hsien Yangs path to presidency will be difficult. He has to meet requirements set by the Presidential Elections Committee, which is stacked mostly with government officials, in order to qualify as a candidate. Critics have said in the past the committee has too much discretionary power to decide whether candidates are fit to run. His wife Lee Suet Fern was suspended for 15 months from practicing law in 2020. She said at the time she disagreed with the punishment for professional misconduct in her handling of the will. Their son Li Sheng Wu was fined the same year for a private Facebook post that criticized the government over its handling of the matter. This is not the first time Lee Hsien Yang has mulled running for public office. In 2020, he joined the opposition Progress Singapore Party and briefly flirted with the idea of competing against his brother in elections in what critics called a stunt to raise the profile of the opposition. Lee Hsien Yang said in a Facebook post then that he backed down as Singapore doesnt need another Lee. He was still front and center of his partys election campaign that yielded no outright electoral victories though a rule that mandates opposition representation in parliament awarded it two non-constituency seats. The PAP by contrast won 89% of the seats up for grabs but it was the worst showing for the ruling party as the opposition Workers Party made significant headway. (Updates with 2020 election showing of Lee Hsien Yangs party) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. An exterior view of the South Carolina State House, Columbia Epics/Getty Images Several states have banned and criminalized abortion since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. A South Carolina legislator proposed the death penalty as punishment for women who get abortions. The new bill, still in the legislature, would equate abortion to homicide. South Carolina is the latest GOP-led state to propose a bill that would make the death penalty a punishment for abortion. State Rep. Rob Harris introduced the South Carolina Prenatal Equal Protection Act of 2023 last week, which could make getting an abortion the same as committing homicide. The bill had been prefiled in December and is now sits in the Judiciary Committee. "What I did the other day is I took the opportunity while the rest of the house was dealing with H. 3774, Human Life Protection Act, a different bill, I put the first amendment on that bill when we were processing it on the floor and I tried to amend it to basically strike the whole thing and replace it with my bill," Harris told WBTW. South Carolina state law currently punishes abortion with up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000. The new bill would work to define a fetus as any state of development as a person that "should be equally protected from fertilization to natural death." The bill states its purpose was to "ensure that an unborn child who is a victim of ASSAULT is afforded equal protection under the assault laws of the State, with exceptions." "If we call it life and define it as life, then why should anyone, not just mothers, why should anybody be able to take that life? If it's life, it needs to be protected like any other life," Harris told WPDE. Vicki Ringer, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood, criticized the bill. "That's a hard pill to swallow for anybody," Ringer told WBTW. "To recognize that you are not valuable. To call this equal protection, it is far from equal. It is giving greater weight to a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus than it is to a human being. You can consider a fetus to be a person, but you can't consider it to have more weight than the living person who is a life fully lived on this planet." Story continues The development comes as at least 13 states have banned abortion following the Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade last June. The penalty is one of the harshest, but this isn't the first time a state lawmaker has proposed the death penalty for abortion. In March 2021, Texas state Rep. Bryan Slaton proposed legislation that would ban and criminalize abortion which could carry the death penalty, the Texas Tribune reported. The bill, similar to those like it in the past, did not pass the state legislature. Harris did not respond to Insider's email request for comment at the time of publication. Read the original article on Business Insider Ukrainian forces were helping civilians flee the battle-scarred eastern city of Bakhmut on Sunday as Russian forces gained a stronghold in suburbs around the city that has been the focus of intense battles for weeks. The Washington-based think tank Institute for the Study of War, in its latest assessment, said Russian forces appear to have secured a sufficient positional advantage in Bakhmut to conduct a "turning movement" to force Ukrainian troops to abandon prepared defensive positions. The Russians have not forced the Ukrainian military to withdraw but may not need to, the assessment says. The Russian mercenary team Wagner Group has committed its most advanced and prepared elements to assault operations in the area, and Ukraine authorities are not sure the city is worth the cost of defense, the institute says. "Ukrainian forces are far more likely to withdraw than to become encircled," the assessment said. "Ukrainians might still be able to hold their positions in Bakhmut if they choose to try." Developments: Ukraine's Cabinet ministers approved the State Anti-Corruption Program providing "systemic steps" aimed at providing Ukrainians more government transparency and more opportunities to interact with the state. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with Eastern Military District Commander Col. Gen. Rustam Muradov in western Donetsk Oblast amid extensive Russian losses around Vuhledar. As fighting continues in the contested eastern city of Bakhmut, Donetsk province Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said two civilians were killed over the past day. 'PART OF OUR SURVIVAL': In war-torn Ukraine, a first-of-its-kind mental health center aims to heal Ukrainian servicemen light a fire to warm themselves up in the region of Donbas, on March 5, 2023. Russian shelling destroys homes, casualties increase from missile strikes Regions across Ukraine were under attack from Russian shelling that left several civilians dead. In northern Ukraine's Kharkiv province, the region has come under frequent attacks despite the withdrawal of Russian ground forces almost six months ago. Story continues Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said Sunday that Russian shelling had destroyed homes and killed one person near the Russian border in the town of Kupiansk. A man and his wife were also killed after a Russian artillery shell hit a car in Burdarky, another Kharkiv province village. In southern Ukraine, the Ukrainian president's office reported that a woman and two children were killed in the Kherson region. Ukraines emergency services said Sunday that casualties had increased from a Russian missile strike on Thursday. The death toll rose to 13. Turn in war could indicate Russia running low on munitions Evidence suggests an increase in close combat in Ukraine, the British Defense Ministry says. The ministry blames the Russian command, saying it continues to insist on offensive action largely consisting of dismounted infantry, and less support from artillery fire because Russia is short of munitions. Last month the ministry said it was likely that Russia's efforts to capture areas of the Donetsk region held by Ukraine were being hamstrung because of a lack of "munitions and units required for successful offensives." NATO officials have said Ukraine also faces a shortage in ammunition, and the member nations are developing long-term plans to keep Kyiv's weaponry loaded. Mental health center aims to heal as 'part of our survival' A first-of-its-kind mental health center has opened in the eastern city Lviv. As the war crawls into its second year, Dr. Oleh Berezyuk says the center shows how Ukraine is making mental health a big-picture priority in the midst of a deadly conflict the world is watching. About a third of the center's patients have participated in the Ukrainian military, Berezyuk said. Ukrainians' well-being has become a focal point for Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska who is working with the World Heath Organization to create a mental health and psychosocial roadmap with the input of more than 1,000 experts worldwide to help strengthen her country's mental health system. "We are doing our jobs. Nothing more, nothing less," Berezyuk said. "We have adapted to war and the challenges that come with it. Read more here. Terry Collins Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine Russia war live updates: Ukraine aids those fleeing Bakhmut Growing up, J.J. Rico heard stories about Cesar Chavez from his mom. In college, he joined organizations that were politically active. "And I just kind of kept going and going, he said of his activism. It ultimately fueled his desire to pursue a legal career to make the world a better place for his own children. Early in his own life, his loved ones experienced discrimination due to their Mexican heritage, he said. Both his grandparents were born in the Verde Valley, but his grandmother had to repeat kindergarten because Spanish was her first language. Rico's mother was disciplined for speaking Spanish in school, translating for another student who didnt know any English. J.J. Rico, CEO of the Arizona Center for Disability Law, poses for a portrait at his home on March 1, 2023, in Tucson. Rico was also exposed to the realities of different disabilities. His grandfather used a motorized wheelchair, his uncle was diagnosed with schizophrenia and both his parents ended up on disability-related leave from their jobs due to physical disabilities. Years later, those experiences shaped his worldview and led him down the path to his current position as CEO of the Arizona Center for Disability Law, a role that would become even more personal when he became a father. I really feel the disability rights movement is one that, you know, has a long way still to go. But we've made great progress, he said. But there's still work to be done, and I'm happy to be part of that. A journey to practicing law No one in his family graduated from a four-year college, but with their support and encouragement, Rico was determined to further his education. Even moving to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona, he said, was a big step. There, he studied political science, and when he graduated, he stayed at the UA for law school. (My family) were always proud, Rico said. Every accomplishment was a new accomplishment, not just for me, but for the family. J.J. Rico, CEO of the Arizona Center for Disability Law, holds a portrait of his grandmother Inez Valdez, at his home on March 1, 2023, in Tucson. Valdez helped inspire Rico to pursue a career in law that helped people with disabilities. One particularly special moment, he says, was his time working for Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy while he was in law school. He moved to Washington, D.C., and helped with the renewal of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which ensures a free public education for kids with disabilities . Story continues It was an eye-opening experience, he said. I was given opportunities to brief the senator a couple of times you're sitting across the table and you're, you know, 20, 21 years old. And this senator is listening to you and taking your notes. Housing assistance discrimination:Phoenix council bans income-source bias on rent and mortgage applications Rico went on to graduate law school, and shortly after, married his college sweetheart, Jennifer, a Tucson native. He took a job with the Arizona Center for Disability Law on the condition that he could take a three-week break for his honeymoon. When he got back, he started on his first case. The center and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had filed and won a suit against Walmart on behalf of two young deaf men who did not have access to interpreters while on the job. As part of the settlement, Walmart committed to improve their practices, and Rico was in charge of monitoring them to make sure the company was compliant. Deaf employees were given vibrating pagers with numeric codes to notify them when notices were being sent out over the PA system. That was Ricos introduction to employment discrimination cases. J.J. Rico, CEO of the Arizona Center for Disability Law, poses for a portrait at his home on March 1, 2023, in Tucson. He progressed to public accommodations and public access, including a case that required Harkins movie theaters to provide closed captioning and audio descriptions at movie theaters across Arizona. After 20 years at the center, he became CEO in 2014. Whether it's as an educational outlet or as a force for legal change, I'd really like to see the Center for Disability Law continue to grow to be that resource for people, he said. And that includes his own son, who has further shaped his views on working as a disability advocate. 'Team Diego' offers support Rico's family grew as his career progressed. He had been passionate about disability law for a long time, but the profession took on a new meaning with the birth of his second son, Diego. The Ricos knew something was different from the beginning. When Diego was born prematurely, the family spent two weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit, waiting for Diego's diagnosis. Diego had difficulty eating, so the doctors fed him by placing a tube down his throat. Black representation:Inside the effort to bring diversity back to Phoenix City Council As parents they were scared. With childhood disability, depending on the severity, you're worried about survival, he said. But it became about much more than that when the doctors finally told Rico and his wife that Diego had cerebral palsy, among other initial diagnoses. Rico knew from experience what Diego might face later in life. He knew there would be challenges. But he had also seen colleagues, clients and others in his life with disabilities who were successful. And he wanted his son to have those same opportunities. He knew hed need to advocate for Diego, and that process started right away. He was persistent with the doctors, pushing for more time to understand medical jargon and gain a better sense of their treatment plan. J.J. Rico, CEO of the Arizona Center for Disability Law, poses for a portrait at his home on March 1, 2023, in Tucson. Once, a doctor told Rico that he was very well spoken, which rubbed him the wrong way. When Rico told the doctor that he was an attorney, he found himself getting more attention. It was frustrating, and (what) kind of ties to my job is that not all parents have that right, he said. Not all parents may be able to advocate as strongly because (doctors) may not think that English (is) their first language, or (parents may not have) an education to know that you can ask doctors questions, or demand more time or ask for a consult. That was just the beginning of the journey with Team Diego, the community of family, friends, educators, doctors and other caregivers who have helped Diego as hes grown up. Rico says they came to realize that all developmental milestones theyd learned with their first son would be out the window and that they would need a close line of communication with therapists and special education teachers. Phoenix City Council District 8:Meet candidates Carlos Garcia, Kesha Hodge Washington All of it, he says, has been a journey to celebrate. Rico says he was guarded, worried that his son would face discrimination, but he has not had many difficulties with the school districts. And they get out in community. Diego goes everywhere they go, even as far as a vacation to Australia. They just have to plan a little bit more. When you have a child with a disability and they need services within a school, it's a team, he said. We consider ourselves Team Diego, and it's not just my wife and me, it's anybody and everybody who's come in (and) has played a part to make him who he is today. It's the kind of team effort Rico hopes can be available and accessible to anyone who needs it. Do you have an inspiring neighbor, colleague or friend you think should be featured in Faces of Arizona? Let us know by filling out this form. Melina Walling is a general assignment reporter based in Phoenix. She is drawn to stories about interesting people, scientific discoveries, unusual creatures and the hopeful, surprising and unexpected moments of the human experience. You can contact her via email at mwalling@gannett.com or on Twitter @MelinaWalling. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: J.J. Rico's upbringing inspired him to pursue disability law Ctrl: Z. Russian Voices, a documentary that examines the impact of the Ukraine war on the everyday lives of people in a small Russian town, has sold to broadcasters across Europe, including Franco-German channel Arte, TV 3 in Spain and CNN in Portugal. Distributed internationally by Paris-based Java Films, the documentary was filmed in the small Russian town where director Natacha Rostova, using a pseudonym, grew up. It examines the lasting effects the ongoing conflict is having on the lives of ordinary people, families and couples. While some are silenced, often too afraid to speak out, others have become fervent opponents of the war. More from Variety Swiss public broadcaster RTS and RTBF in Belgium have also acquired the documentary. The project has been through many changes, according to Java Films. In its original form, the risks to the director and the contributors of producing this film in Russia were too great. The contributors identities have been obscured for their own protection, and the director is using a pseudonym. Ctrl: Z. Russian Voices is the first production from Geneva-based Bizarre Productions, the new company launched by Gaspard Lamuniere, who previously served as commissioning editor at Swiss public broadcaster RTS. For a producer, the project Russian Voices was a gift, Lamuniere said. Bringing testimonies from soldiers and their relatives outside of the country was an incredible opportunity for Natacha Rostovas project. At only 24, she was brave enough to shoot her film undercover, gaining trust from her characters. The documentary is among a large number of hard-hitting and hot-selling titles from Java Films that center on some of the worlds most critical geopolitical flashpoints. Story continues The company has been seeking more flexible content, with multiple lengths, according to Rebecca Nicholls, Javas London-based sales and acquisitions manager. The distributor has found that bingeable series are often preferred by platforms, whereas 52-minute single docs are still essential for broadcasters with limited slots. The recent buyers of Ctrl: Z. Russian Voices are also broadcasting a 52-minute version. Nicholls also points to its recent hit Cryptoqueen The OneCoin Scam, which chronicles the story of the fake cryptocurrency and its charismatic founder, Ruja Ignatova, who stole up to $15 billion from trusting investors. Produced by Emmy Award-winning production company A&O Buero, the documentary was launched at Mipcom, and is screening at the European Film Market in Berlin this week. The production is available as a 90 minute feature doc, a four-part series or as a TV hour. Interest has been split equally between the film version and the series version, Nicholls added. The series version was broadcast on Arte and sold to YLE Finland and VGTV in Norway, whereas the film version sold to UR in Sweden and Channel 8 in Israel, with more deals close to signature. Weve been pursuing this strategy for some time now, Nicholls said. It started with Sweatshop Deadly Fashion by Hacienda Film, which was a hugely successful web series. We took it on as a series, but Hacienda also repurposed the content into a 52-minute single documentary. The film was picked up by traditional broadcasters like WDR and VRT. Meanwhile the series version meant that we also had a great offer for aggregators and platforms. Now, with an increasing focus on AVOD, flexible content is more valuable than ever. Multiple formats have another benefit: the content can easily be updated. Cryptoqueen director Johan von Mirbach is already planning to film more episodes as more information on the case comes to light. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Gov. Gretchen Whitmers budget includes funding for the Michigan Supreme Courts (MSC) Statewide Court Data Transparency Project to develop an integrated data collection system for all state courts across Michigans 83 counties. While that may not seem like breaking news, it does break new ground. The court is the first actor in the criminal legal system to use comprehensive, consistent data collection to evaluate policies, identify and address racial inequities and drive systemic improvements. In 2021, then-Chief Justice Bridget McCormack laid out the courts argument for data integrity in an opinion piece in which she noted, Anecdotes dont drive systemic improvements. Data does. MaryAnn Sarosi Desirae Simmons McCormack explained further, Michigans decentralized court system with different funding units, using different technology, and with different resources means we dont have the comprehensive data needed to evaluate our policies. This piecemeal approach isnt only a problem for our criminal justice policy, but also for juvenile, child welfare and civil justice policy too. She went on to write, Data can also be marshaled to help us identify and address racial inequities in our juvenile and criminal legal systems. That last point drew the attention of our group Citizens for Racial Equity in Washtenaw (CREW). Five months before McCormacks piece, CREW published a first-of-its-kind analysis of more than a thousand felony cases from the Washtenaw Trial Courts website, finding patterns of disparities in charging decisions by prosecutors and sentencing by judges. More:Racism in the criminal justice system requires our attention | Editorial More:Data was key to understanding racial disparities in this county's court system But the limited amount of public facing data left us with more questions and a call for a deeper, objective analysis of data across the entire criminal legal system, including the court. In that 2021 piece, the chief justice recognized the role the courts should play in using data to ensure equal justice under law when she wrote, While I applaud citizen groups like CREW for stepping into this void, transparency in government demands more from us the courts. Thats why the State Court Administrative Office (the MSCs administrative arm) is using data to understand where racial disparities exist through a unique collaboration with academic partners and the Michigan Department of Corrections." Story continues The administrative offices data collection and analysis that Whitmer is asking the Legislature to fund isnt sexy, but its critical. So critical, in fact, that its embedded in the the state supreme court's first-ever strategic plan for Michigans judicial system, Planning for the Future of the Michigan Judicial System. Three of the five strategic goals court funding and technology infrastructure, racial and social equity and public trust and understanding, go directly to issues of data collection, analysis, accountability and transparency. Those themes were also echoed in the statement made by Chief Justice Beth Clement (a key member of the team that created the the state supreme court's strategic plan), upon her unanimous selection as the new Chief Justice. CREW commends the state supreme court and the administrative offices leadership in taking on the work that lay before them because their data collection effort is only the beginning. There are three things CREW will be watching for as the the court's Data Transparency Project unfolds: What will the administrative office do with the data? Who will decide what data will be analyzed? (We hope the office includes meaningful input from users of the legal system beyond judges and court staff.) Will the data be analyzed for simple case processing details such as how long cases take from start to finish or questions related to deeper inequities? (In CREWs report, we listed more than two dozen data analyses that the courts and prosecutors could do to understand whether equal justice under law is being carried out.) Who will see the data? Court personnel? The public? If the data reveals racial disparities in a judges decisions, what will the court do? There is no judicial canon specifically addressing a pattern and practice of racially disparate treatment, so it is uncertain whether the Judicial Tenure Commission has oversight capabilities. Public release of the data analysis collaboration mentioned by McCormack between the administrative office, MDOC and academic partners (such as University of Michigans Criminal Justice Administrative Records System) which has been underway for more than two years. When will other taxpayer-funded government units involved in the criminal legal system follow the courts lead and use data to ensure equity, accountability, transparency and effectiveness? The MDOC, for example, holds a trove of criminal legal data that could inform policymakers and the public on almost every stage of the criminal legal process from pre-sentence to reentry. Is Michigan destined to be last in the pack when it comes to integrating data across the entire criminal legal system? A generation ago, a handful of jurisdictions around the country were on the cutting edge of improving government efficiency when they integrated data from different departments and used that data to address inequities, measure outcomes, develop policy, and increase efficiency across an entire system. Since then, technological developments have made data integration much more accessible. If we really want government to be transparent, operate efficiently, maintain public safety, and address racial disparities, why arent we doing that in Michigan? MaryAnn Sarosi and Desirae Simmons are both members of Citizens for Racial Equity in Washtenaw. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Opinion: Mich. has a chance to modernize state court data transparency Viviana Garcia, a nurse with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, works at a nurse's station at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. Garcia, from Mission, Texas, is one of 35 nurses and three certified nursing assistants sent by FEMA to work in COVID units, relieving hospital staff. Dai Bing (C, front), charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the United Nations, addresses a high-level Security Council briefing on Ukraine at the UN headquarters in New York, Feb. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie E) BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Terminating the conflict and making peace have become the common expectations of the international community as the negative effects of the escalating crisis in Ukraine continue to affect the rest of the world after the conflict broke out a year ago. Recently, the Chinese government released a paper stating China's position on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, in which it comprehensively and systematically explains its basic position and propositions. The comprehensive and feasible plan, which is in line with the common aspirations of the international community and the fundamental long-term interests of the world, demonstrates China's role as a responsible major country to defend world peace. In the paper, China put forward a 12-point proposal to end the conflict in Ukraine by addressing both the symptoms and root causes of the crisis, and reiterated the necessity to end the conflict through dialogue and negotiation. To summarize, China's paper centers around the following 12 aspects: respecting the sovereignty of all countries, abandoning the Cold War mentality, ceasing hostilities, resuming peace talks, resolving the humanitarian crisis, protecting civilians and prisoners of war, keeping nuclear power plants safe, reducing strategic risks, facilitating grain exports, stopping unilateral sanctions, keeping industrial and supply chains stable, and promoting post-conflict reconstruction. This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2022 shows the demolition site of a damaged building in Mariupol. (Photo by Victor/Xinhua) The paper not only reiterates China's consistent proposition, but also incorporates the rational views of the international community. It clarifies the major principles and preconditions, and marks a clear path out of the crisis, which has been widely recognized globally. The peace proposal has been welcomed by many countries of the international community. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, called the position paper "an important contribution." Aiming for an end to the conflict, China's stance is in line with the universal expectations of peace-loving people around the world, who believe that a political settlement of the dispute is in the common interests of Russia, Ukraine and the international community. To the world's dismay, the crisis has escalated during the past year. To make matters worse, whenever there was a peace talk, some external forces would interfere by creating rumors, sowing discord, and discrediting the mediators. They do not want the peace talks to succeed, nor do they want the conflict to cease. For a "bigger strategic goal," they instigated camp confrontation and continued to fan the flames. They didn't care about the lives of the Ukrainian people and were indifferent to the collateral damage to other countries and regions. To resolve the crisis, China expressed the broad public opinion -- end the conflict -- which has been suppressed by hegemony for long. Photo taken on March 7, 2022 shows a view of the third round of talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations at the Belovezhskaya Pushcha. (Belta news agency via Xinhua) Zoltan Kiszelly, director of the Center of Political Analyses at Hungary's Szazadveg Institute, said the position paper by China on the Ukraine crisis is a very important contribution to preventing a new global Cold War era from beginning. China's position paper hits the pain points of the Ukraine crisis and offers important guidance for all parties to exit the security dilemma. The Ukraine issue has a complicated history. It is not only the outbreak of long-term accumulation of European security conflicts, but also the result of Cold War thinking and bloc confrontation. China stressed that all parties should abandon the Cold War mentality: the security of a country should not be pursued at the expense of others; the security of a region should not be achieved by strengthening or expanding military blocs; and the legitimate security interests and concerns of all countries must be taken seriously and addressed properly. The Diplomat magazine stated on its website that disregard of the principle of "indivisible security" is one of the root causes of the crisis, and that compliance with this principle will be an important part of the solution. China's position paper adheres to the consistent position of promoting peace talks, providing a feasible path for a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. Since the outbreak of the crisis, China has always adhered to the principle of "indivisible security," upheld fairness and justice, actively promoted peace talks, and participated in humanitarian assistance. From calling for creating space for peace and leaving room for political solutions, to proposing a five-point position on the Ukraine issue and a six-point initiative on easing the humanitarian crisis, and from putting forward the four points about what must be done, and the four things the international community must do together, to the three important thoughts, China has outlined its fundamental approach to the issue. China's unremitting peace efforts are obvious to all and widely recognized by the international community. Former Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Ante Simonic said that the position paper issued by China is of great significance not only to Russia and Ukraine, but also to the international community. Polish President Andrzej Duda emphasized that negotiations will always be a path to peace on the Ukraine issue, and China, as a great partner and a major country with great strength, cannot be ignored. No one can win in conflicts, and there is no simple solution to a complex issue. Confrontation between major powers must be avoided. The Ukraine crisis has sounded alarm bells: seeking security at the expense of other countries will inevitably lead to a security dilemma; building a world and regional security framework with a Cold War mentality only causes conflicts and confrontations. As a responsible major country, China has put forward the Global Security Initiative, and issued a position paper on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. The message is clear: China upholds justice, seeks peace, focuses on the long term, and will always stand on the side of peace, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and work with the international community to safeguard the peace and tranquility of mankind. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. The accused in the alleged mid-air urination had come to India for attending his sister's wedding, which is scheduled for this month, the police sources said. Earlier, the Delhi Police said that the accused was given bail hours after being taken under police custody, and a case has also been registered against him. He was given bail as the offence comes under 'bailable sections', the police said. DCP, IGI Airport, Devesh Kumar Mahla said, "A case has been registered in the matter. We will do our best in this case. The accused Aryan Vohra has been released." Vohra, an accused in the case, was earlier handed over to the police by the airlines along with the complaint. He was caught allegedly urinating on a US passenger in mid-air on an American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi on Saturday night. The police said that they received information last night and legal action was initiated against him. The police registered a case under IPC and the Civil aviation act against him. His medical was conducted and he was under influence of alcohol. The accused is studying in the US, the police added. Earlier, the officials informed that an Indian passenger allegedly urinated on a US co-passenger mid-flight on an American Airlines (AA-292) flight to New Delhi from New York. The 21-year-old accused is a student in the US. He urinated on a US citizen on March 4, while he was drunk. "American Airlines flight 292 with service from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) was met by local law enforcement upon arrival in DEL due to a disruptive customer. The flight landed safely at 9:50 pm," an American Airline statement said. The airline company said that it will not allow the passenger on board in future. "Upon aircraft arrival, Purser informed that the passenger was heavily intoxicated, and was not adhering to crew instructions on board. He was repeatedly arguing with the operating crew, was not willing to be seated and continuously endangering the safety of crew and aircraft and after disturbing safety of fellow passengers, finally urinated on pax seated on 15G," American Airlines said. Before landing American Airlines pilot contacted Delhi ATC regarding an unruly passenger on board and sought security and it was informed to CISF for take necessary action, "after landing of the aircraft, CISF personnel took him out from the aircraft and the said passenger misbehave with CISF personnel too," an airport official told ANI. The airport police have taken cognisance and taking legal action against the passenger. "We have received a complaint of Urination on a co-passenger from American airline against one person Arya Vohra who is a student in the USA and resident of Defence colony Delhi. We are taking necessary legal action," Delhi Police said. India's aviation regulator has also sought a detailed report from the airline company. "We have got a report from the concerned Airline. They seem to have handled the situation professionally and have taken all appropriate action," DGCA official told ANI. According to the airport sources accused was a student and he is studying at US University. Earlier on November 26 last year, a man named Shankar Mishra allegedly urinated on a 70-year-old woman co-passenger in an inebriated condition in business class of an Air India New York-New Delhi flight, but the incident was not reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) which was attributed to the delay in reporting the incident by the airline crew. Mishra was later arrested by Delhi Police. A passenger on an American Airlines trip between New York and New Delhi allegedly peed on another male passenger while intoxicated. According to reports, the event happened on board aircraft AA292, which departed from New York at 9:16 p.m. on Friday and arrived at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in this city at 10:12 p.m. on Saturday. "The accused is a student in a US university. He was in a state of inebriation and urinated while he was asleep. It somehow leaked and fell on a fellow passenger who complained to the crew," a source at the airport said. Also read: Plane With World's Largest Hydrogen Fuel Cell Takes First Flight: Watch Video He added that the male victim was not keen on reporting the matter to the police after the student apologized, which might jeopardize his career. However, the airline took it seriously and reported it to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) at the IGI airport. After the crew came to know about the incident on board, they informed the pilot, who reported the matter to the ATC, which further alerted the CISF personnel, who handed over the accused passenger to the Delhi Police. "The airline's own security team, along with the CISF, came into action after the incident came to light. The accused was immediately taken into custody once the flight landed. Police are recording the statements of the persons concerned," another source at the airport informed PTI. According to the Civil Aviation Rules, if a passenger is found guilty of unruly behaviour, bean sides action under criminal law, he will be banned from flying for a particular time period, depending on the level of the offence. This is the second such incident in the last few months where a flyer relieved himself on a fellow passenger in an inebriated state. On November 26, an almost similar incident occurred on a New York-Delhi Air India flight, in which a man named Shankar Mishra had allegedly urinated in a drunken state on an elderly woman. That incident came to light almost a month later through a media report, after which an FIR w, as lodged, and Mishra was arrested. He was released on bail after spending nearly a month in jail. The DGCA imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India for not reporting the matter within 12 hours of the incident in accordance with the norm. While the Delinvestigatesestigating the matter, Mishra has been banned from flying for four months. With PTI Inputs On the 107th anniversary of the famous statesman Biju Patnaik's birth, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik displayed his classic Dakota aeroplane for public viewing at the Bhubaneswar Airport on Sunday. On January 18, 2023, the ace pilot Biju Patnaik's Dakota DC-3 aircraft was transported from Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport to the capital of Odisha, where it was rebuilt before being shown to the general public at the Biju Patnaik International Airport. A 10-member team of Aerospace Research Development required 12 days to dismantle the aircraft and pack it in proper shape for public viewing. An official said the team of engineers, technicians, and experts assembled the dismantled aircraft. Also read: Drunk Student Urinates On Co-passenger On New York-Delhi American Airlines Flight In a statement, Odisha's IT Secretary Manoj Mishra, who was part of the team for the renovation and restoration of the Iconic Dakota Aircraft, said, "today is an emotional day for all of us. We have heard so many stories about the late Biju Patnaik ji, on how he had gone and rescued people from Indonesia, How he had made a landing in Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. We didn't have a living symbol of his daredevilry in Odisha." Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik today unveiled the "Dakota" aircraft for public display at Biju Patnaik International Airport Bhubaneswar As per CMO, the iconic Dakota aircraft belonged to erstwhile Kalinga Airlines founded by former Chief Minister of Odisha (Late) Biju Patnaik. pic.twitter.com/HX2jmc4EvW ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2023 Mishra said, "when we brought the Dakota from Kolkata Airport, it was really in very bad condition. We have restored it in full glory, and it now stands as a testimony to Biju Babu's Daredevilry. It will inspire generation after generation when people will see, and the new generation will read about him." This is perhaps the first airport in the world where an aircraft is being displayed at the entrance for public viewing, said noted historian Anil Dhir. Before bringing the Dakota to Odisha, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had allotted 1.1 acres of land for the aircraft to be placed in front of the airport named after the legendary leader. A memorial will be built for this purpose. It is a matter of pride for the Odisha government to unveil the Dakota DC-3 aircraft. Public display of the aircraft will serve as an embodiment of the former chief minister's courage and adventurism and inspire people of Odisha to dream big, a release by the Commerce and Transport department said. The government plans to build a mini walk-through museum at the display site. It will depict the young days of Biju Patnaik when he flew the aircraft, his adventure stories, and pictures and tales of his high-risk missions. Before joining politics, Biju Patnaik was an ace pilot and established Kalinga Airlines with a fleet of 15 Dakota aircraft. As part of his adventure trip, Biju Patnaik rescued erstwhile Indonesian Vice President Muhammad Hatta and Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir in 1947. The Indonesian government had twice decorated Biju Patnaik with 'Bhumiputra,' the country's highest civilian award, for his daredevil mission. Since this aircraft is closely associated with Biju Patnaik, it will resemble Odisha's rich aviation history, which would be a befitting tribute to one of the most iconic personalities of Odisha. People will see this Dakota Aircraft as a memento of late Biju Patnaik's bravery and heroics, an official statement issued by CMO said. With PTI Inputs Hours after the arrest of an Indian who allegedly urinated on a US passenger on-board an international flight, Delhi Police on Sunday assured "strongest possible action" against him to send across a message to the flyers not to indulge in creating nuisance onboard in the future. The accused Indian flyer was caught for allegedly urinating on a US passenger mid-air on an American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi on Saturday night. Later, he was handed over to Delhi police for further action. The airline has also imposed a ban on the passenger from flying on any of its flights in the future. Senior officials with Delhi police said that the accused identified as Arya Vohra, a resident of Delhi, did not behave properly on-board. "We received a complaint from American Airlines stating that there is one accused identified as Arya Vohra, a resident of Delhi. They stated that he did not behave properly and created a nuisance and also urinated on the co-passenger. On the basis of the complaint, we are contemplating action under IPC and Civil Aviation Act. The strongest possible action will be taken against him to deter other flyers to not to behave in this manner or do any such activity in the future," Devesh Kumar Mahla, DCP, IGI Airport told ANI. The official informed that the victim, however, has not come forward to register the complaint so far, and the complaint was filed by the airlines, on the basis of which the police are taking action. "The airline has given a written complaint. The victim is not coming forward. On the basis of the complaint given by the airline as an authorised agent, we are moving forward. We will invoke sections as per the law. The airline handed over the accused along with the complaint to us and we are taking action accordingly," the DCP said. Meanwhile, Vohra who is a student in the US was drunk, an official earlier said. "American Airlines flight 292 with service from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) was met by local law enforcement upon arrival in DEL due to a disruptive customer. The flight landed safely at 9:50 pm," an American Airline statement said. The airline said that it has imposed a flying ban on the passenger for the future. "Upon aircraft arrival, Purser informed that the passenger was heavily intoxicated, and was not adhering to crew instructions on board. He was repeatedly arguing with the operating crew, was not willing to be seated and continuously endangering the safety of crew and aircraft and after disturbing safety of fellow passengers, finally urinated on pax seated on 15G," American Airlines said in a statement. Before landing American Airlines pilot contacted Delhi ATC regarding an unruly passenger on board and sought security and it was informed to CISF for take necessary action, "after landing of the aircraft, CISF personnel took him out from the aircraft and the said passenger misbehave with CISF personnel too," an airport official told ANI. The airport police have taken cognisance and taking legal action against the passenger. "We have received a complaint of Urination on a co-passenger from American Airlines against one person Arya Vohra who is a student in the USA and resident of Defence colony Delhi. We are taking necessary legal action," Delhi Police said. India's aviation regulator has also sought a detailed report from the airline company. "We have got a report from the concerned Airline. They seem to have handled the situation professionally and have taken all appropriate action," DGCA official told ANI. According to the airport sources accused was a student and he is studying at US University. Earlier on November 26 last year, a man named Shankar Mishra allegedly urinated on a 70-year-old woman co-passenger in an inebriated condition in business class of an Air India New York-New Delhi flight, but the incident was not reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) which was attributed to the delay in reporting the incident by the airline crew. Mishra was later arrested by Delhi Police. Being born and brought up in a small village in Madhya Pradesh called Joura, he was full of the spirit to create a mark on the world with his uniqueness. Vikash completed his schooling at one of the regional schools and then shifted to Gwalior. With his big dreams and nothing else in his hands, he came to the city. After all, these places often promise to provide the essential elements that make their dreams come true. After staying in this beautiful city, Vikash Sharma moved to Indore and finally launched his own clothing brand called TEE-ERA. During its initial stages, the firm did face a few teething problems, but nothing stood against the entrepreneur's powerful perseverance to make it big. After all, he had the vision to offer people top-quality and trendy outfits.Soon after its official launch, the firm grew phenomenally in just a few years, and now it has plans to expand nationally. The firm is well known for its fast service, as it takes not even one second to deliver the items that customers order. Besides this, Vikash also launched another firm in Gwalior called Vikash Roadlines that looks after transportation across the state of Madhya Pradesh.Today, his two businesses are tasting the sweet fruit of success and enjoying a great place in the market. When asked about his journey so far, Vikash Sharma said, "It was full of ebbs and flows. But what is success without struggle? Absolutely bland! I'm glad that I have come so far, and I am thankful to everyone who has supported me." It's been days since Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani tied the knot, but we still can't get those dreamlike pictures out of our mindsor even our sight! The photographs took social media by storm and is the most liked Instagram post in India. While these photos have set a trend, Siddharth Sharma and this team are creative minds with ace shutter skills behind them. They have made an unmissable mark! The first three pictures have made netizens go gaga. Not only were they widely shared and re-posted, but they were also recreated by thousands. Needless to say, Siddharth Sharma and his team turned out to be trendsetters. The images captured by their lens have inspired a cosmic number of wedding photographers and to-be brides and grooms. Today, amidst the wedding boom, we see a plethora of other photographs in which the couple is looking at each other while their hands are joined.From Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube to Google searches, you will find their recreated photos everywhere. Taking to this humongous response, Siddharth Sharma says, "This is crazy! Though I didn't expect this kind of buzz, it's even more heartening to see my team get appreciated too. We were just focused on capturing each memory and emotion that the duo would cherish later. I am really happy that people are liking our work." BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji and 10 other deputies to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) on Saturday were elected executive chairpersons of the presidium for the first session of the 14th NPC. Zhao is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. They were elected at the first meeting of the presidium that was elected earlier Saturday at the preparatory meeting of the first session. Mumbai: Helmed by Ajay Singh, Yami Gautam and Sunny Kaushal starrer `Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga` trailer is out. The film will be premiered on OTT platform Netflix. The streaming giant dropped the trailer exclusively at the Under25 Summit on Saturday. The trailer promises a roller-coaster ride as the lead pair of the movie planning a mid-air heist. But they will guide the viewers into their own twisted story. Hijack or a Heist? The audience are left intrigued. Sharad Kelkar plays a pivotal role in the film. Sharing her experience launching the trailer at the Under 25 Summit, Yami Gautam shares, "The Under25 Summit brought together the young adults of our country from across various fields, and we knew that a unique film like Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga would definitely appeal to them. It became the perfect platform to have the trailer unveiled. We saw the audience experiencing the same feeling that we felt while watching the trailer for the first time. At the summit, the trailer sparked a lot of excitement amongst the students, and we hope the momentum continues when they see the film. It is my third outing with Maddock and It`s been a delight working with them and Netflix to deliver this film with such a unique story, and I can`t wait for the audience to see what a fantastic job the entire team has done." Speaking about the film, Sunny Kaushal shares, "Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga is an extremely special film for me, it is my first collaboration with Netflix and the film is a one-of-a-kind heist-hijack thriller to ever be released. I have always witnessed Netflix encouraging new talent and unique stories which made this journey all the better. Doing this film with Yami was something that I was very excited about as I have always been an admirer of her work. The moment I heard the script I was on board. I'm thrilled that our trailer was received so warmly at the Under 25 Summit, it is a film which will make for an all-round audience entertainer and I can`t wait for everyone to watch it." Watch the trailer here Speaking about the film, Director Ajay Singh shares, "There were several facets about the script which got me hooked early on. Our entire team has worked relentlessly to create a one-of-a-kind heist-hijack movie for our fans to enjoy. I am thrilled that the students and viewers at the U25 Summit could also experience this unique trailer. I was quite enthusiastic about working with Yami and Sunny for this because I knew this duo would have fabulous on-screen chemistry and were a fresh pair that haven`t been seen together before. I am so glad to have done this film with Maddock Entertainment and Netflix, both of that focus on creating diverse content for all of their audiences." `Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga` will stream on Netflix on March 24. New Delhi: After facing a setback at NCLAT, which refused to stay a CCI order on abuse of dominant position in multiple markets in the Android mobile device ecosystem case, Google is mulling approaching the Supreme Court, according to sources. When contacted, Google declined to comment on the matter. While Google remained tightlipped about its next move, sources said that tech giant is considering moving the apex court by filing a Special Leave Petition. On Wednesday, NCLAT had declined to stay the order passed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI), after observing that the order was passed on October 20, 2022 but the appeal against it was filed on December 20, 2022. The NCLAT had also directed Google to deposit 10 per cent of the penalty amount within three weeks. "Be that as it may, once order was passed in the month of October, had there been any such urgency it was expected that the appellant would have approached this tribunal forthwith. However, in this case no such urgency was shown in filing of the appeal and as such the appellant may not be permitted to insist for interim order, that too once we are giving short date for final hearing of the appeal," it said. On October 20 last year, CCI slapped a penalty of Rs 1,337.76 crore on Google for anti-competitive practices in relation to Android mobile devices. In the October ruling, CCI had also ordered the internet major to cease and desist from various unfair business practices. This was challenged by Google before NCLAT, which is an appellate authority over the CCI against any direction issued by the regulator. However, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) denied any immediate relief and said: "We are of the opinion that at the moment, considering the voluminous nature of the appeal and the fact that date of final hearing is fixed on April 3, 2023 there is no need to pass any interim order." In its petition before NCLAT, Google has termed as "tainted" the investigations done against it by CCI, contending that the two informants on whose complaint the fair trade regulator has initiated the enquiry were working at the same office that was investigating the tech major. This was "against the principles of natural justice", Google said in the petition, adding the Competition Commission of India (CCI) should have refrained from initiating an investigation based on a complaint filed by their own employees. "At the very least, the Commission could have debarred the Informants from working in the DG office while the investigation was ongoing, to ensure that the investigating officer was able to impartially assess the case without any influence, such that no concerns could arise on the independence of the investigation," said Google. According to Google's plea, CCI has failed to conduct an "impartial, balanced, and legally sound investigation" while ignoring evidence from Indian users, app developers, and OEMs. Challenging the CCI order, Google said the findings are "patently erroneous and ignore" the reality of competition in India, Google's pro-competitive business model, and the benefits created for all stakeholders. "The Impugned Order is fraught with substantive, analytical, and procedural errors including inter alia ignoring exculpatory evidence, statements from Indian OEMs and developers, the Director General's (DG's) copy-pasting of conclusions from decisions of foreign authorities without any application of mind. These errors led the Commission to make perverse and incorrect findings," it said. Google claimed the DG copy-pasted extensively from a European Commission decision, deploying evidence from Europe that was not examined in India or even on the Commission's file. "There are more than 50 instances of copypasting enclosed," Google pointed out. The company also questioned the calculation of the penalty amount of Rs 1,337.76 crore, saying that it was on Google's total revenue from its entire business in India and CCI has "committed several legal errors" in doing so. "The Commission imposed a disproportionate and excessive penalty, contrary to established principles of competition law," Google said. It has also raised the issue of the absence of a judicial member at CCI and said, a final decision should only have been passed in this case by a quorum which includes a judicial member. New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Police has taken strict action against the spreading of fake news about a reported attack on migrant workers from Bihar in the state. The police, on Saturday (March 4) booked BJP leader and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Umrao, a Dainik Bhaskar Editor, and a Patna-based journalist Mohammad Tanvir for spreading fake news on social media which triggered a statewide panic. The panic affected the industries in Tamil Nadu, which rely on migrant workers, as many workers stayed off work as per PTI. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, on Thursday (March 2), expressed worries and acknowledged the alleged videos of "assaults". Kumar instructed the chief secretary and DGP of the state to communicate with authorities in the Tamil Nadu government and guarantee the security of workers originating from Bihar. Tamil Nadu's Director General of Police, Sylendra Babu, released a statement, saying that the video doing rounds of social media was "false" and "mischievous". He stated that somebody in Bihar posted false and mischievous videos saying that migrant workers were attacked in Tamil Nadu. Two videos were posted, both of which were false as these incidents happened at an earlier date in Tiruppur and Coimbatore. One was a clash between two groups of migrant workers from Bihar while another was from a clash between two local residents in Coimbatore. Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Sunday said that North Indian workers need not panic as the state government is committed to providing them security. "The North Indian labourers in Tamil Nadu not to panic and feel insecure, as the people of Tamil Nadu are very nice and friendly, and the state government is committed to providing them security," Governor RN Ravi said. After being booked by police in connection with alleged attacks on migrant labourers in Tamil Nadu, state BJP chief K Annamalai on Sunday dared the MK Stalin-led DMK government to "arrest him within 24 hours", while also alleging that false cases are registered against him. "You [DMK government] think that you can suppress the voice of democracy by filing false cases. As a common man, I give you 24 hours, to touch me if possible," the BJP state unit president said in a tweet. The fresh remarks by the BJP leader came after the state`s Cyber Crime Division booked him under sections of inciting violence and promoting enmity between groups among others. The police`s action came just a day after he held the state government responsible for the ongoing stir regarding migrant labourers in the southern state. Taking to Twitter, Annamalai also said that the police`s response [of filing cases against him] came after he exposed "DMK`s seven-decade propaganda against the north Indian people". "I understand DMK has filed cases against me for exposing their 7-decade propaganda against North Indian brothers. So, here is the video of what they spoke, which was mentioned in my press release yesterday. I challenge Fascist DMK to arrest me!," Annamalai said. The BJP leader yesterday released a statement on the migrant labourers` issue saying they are safe in Tamil Nadu but the Chief Minister Stalin led-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its alliance party leaders are the reason for the hate against them. He also opposed the spread of false news on the attack on the people from Bihar in the state, saying that Tamils don`t support "separatism" and "vile hatred" against north Indians."It is disheartening to see fake news spread in social media about attacks on Migrant workers in Tamil Nadu. We, the Tamil people, believe in the concept of "The World is One" and do not endorse the separatism and vile hatred against our North Indian friends," Annamalai said in a series of tweets. Hitting out at the state government, he said,"DMK`s MPs` vile comments on North Indians, DMK minister calling them Panipuri Wala, and their alliance partners demanding their exodus has triggered what we see today. "He further said that the people, the Government and the police, do not endorse the views of DMK and their alliance partners. Besides, Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu police have also registered against the holder of `BJP Bihar` Twitter account holder under sections 153, 153A(1)(a), 505(1)(b) IPC 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)As reported earlier, four persons including a BJP spokesperson Prashant Umrao and two journalists have also been booked on the charges of spreading false news over alleged attack on migrant workers in the state. Prashant Umrao, an Editor with Dainik Bhaskar, a Patna-based journalist, owner of `Tanvir Post` Twitter handle Mohammad Tanvir, and Shubam Shukla were booked at different police stations on the charges of spreading "false" news regarding attacks on migrant labourers in Tamil Nadu. A statewide panic was created among migrant workers, working in Tamil Nadu, after several purported videos, showing attacks on migrant workers, circulated on social media.The panic was triggered after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday, raised concerns and took note of the purported videos of "attacks". The panic affected the industries in Tamil Nadu, which rely on migrant workers, badly as many workers stayed off work.Taking cognizance of the panic, Tamil Nadu`s Director General of Police Sylendra Babu released a statement, saying that the video doing rounds of social media was "false" and "mischievous"."Somebody in Bihar posted false and mischievous videos saying that migrant workers were attacked in Tamil Nadu. Two videos were posted. Both are false as these incidents happened at an earlier date in Tiruppur and Coimbatore. One was a clash between two groups of migrant workers from Bihar while another was from a clash between two local residents in Coimbatore," the top cop said.The DGP also said that the persons behind this rumour-driven panic will not be spared. (ANI) (The above article is sourced from news agency ANI. Zeenews.com has made no editorial changes to the article. News agency ANI is solely responsible for the contents of the article) New Delhi: Opposition leaders such as AAP's Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav, and NCP's Sharad Pawar, on Sunday (March 5), wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the arrest of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with excise policy case. Uddhav Thackeray, KCR, Bhagwant Mann, Tejashwi Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, and Farooq Abdullah also signed the letter. The letter addressed to the PM, said that the arrest of Sisodia doesn't bode well for India as a democratic country. Nine Opposition leaders including Arvind Kejriwal have written to PM Modi on the arrest of former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia in the excise policy case. They have stated that the action appears to suggest that "we have transitioned from being a democracy to an autocracy". pic.twitter.com/ohXn3rNuxI ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2023 Calling the arrest of Sisodia part of a political conspiracy, the letter read, "The allegations against Sisodia are outrightly baseless and smack of a political conspiracy. His arrest has enraged people across the country. Manish Sisodia is recognized globally for transforming Delhis school education. His arrest will be cited worldwide as an example of a political witch-hunt and further confirm what the world was only suspecting that Indias democratic values stand threatened under the authoritarian BJP regime." The letter also mentioned how central agencies were reportedly being used for political vendettas and gains. "The misuse of central agencies and constitutional offices like that of the Governor to settle scores outside the electoral battlefield is strongly condemnable as it does not bode well for our democracy. The manner in which these agencies have been used since 2014 has tarnished their image and raised questions about their autonomy and impartiality. The faith of the people of India in these agencies continues to erode," it read. A Delhi court postponed the hearing for Manish Sisodia's bail request until March 10. Sisodia had cited Holi festivities and his wife's health as reasons for granting him bail. However, the court did not grant him bail on this day and scheduled another hearing for March 10. Sisodia was taken into custody by the agency on February 26, following an eight-hour interrogation. The CBI claimed that they arrested him on the grounds of suspected irregularities in creating and executing the excise policy, as he provided "evasive responses" and failed to "cooperate with the investigation." NEW DELHI: Attacking the NDA government at the Centre, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar "does not understand the China threat," adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that "nobody has entered Indian territory" is an invitation to the Chinese that they can do it again. In a conversation with members of the Indian Journalists` Association in London, the Wayanad MP also said that he supports Indian foreign policy and doesn`t have a huge disagreement with it with regard to India`s position on the Russia-Ukraine war. "As far as Indian foreign policy is concerned, I support the Indian foreign policy and I am okay with it. I don`t have a huge disagreement with it," he said when asked a hypothetical question that if China or Pakistan invaded India and since India hadn`t taken a position on the Russia-Ukraine war, it could also be ignored by the World if an invasion into India happened. Gandhi said, "With regards to an invasion, we have already been invaded. We have got 2000 square km of our territory that is in the hands of the People`s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Prime Minister himself has stated that nobody has entered India, not a single inch of land has been taken and this destroyed our negotiation position because our negotiators are being asked what`s the fuss about." "Your Prime Minister says that no land has been taken. So that`s one aspect of it. The other aspect which I keep saying is India needs to be very, very careful with what the Chinese are doing at the border. The Chinese are acting in a hostile manner, in an aggressive manner and we need to be very very careful and I have been stating that again and again, I don`t think the penny has dropped in the government. I think there is a risk as you say," added Gandhi. Speaking about Congress`s China policy, Rahul Gandhi said that Congress`s policy was that they would not allow anyone to enter Indian territory. "The Congress party`s policy on China is very clear, we do not accept anybody entering our territory and pushing us around and bullying us. It doesn`t matter who they are, that`s not acceptable to us and what has happened is that the Chinese entered our territory, killed our soldiers and the prime minister has denied it," he said. "That`s the problem. The idea, we have a relationship with the United States and we have a partnership with them and we have a shred democratic free idea. I think there is a coercive idea on a planet and there is a democratic idea on a planet and I think a democratic planet needs to be strengthened. But you will not strengthen the democratic idea unless you start to fundamentally think about things like production. The huge amount of inequality that is erupting in the West and India is a threat to the democratic idea. We have to think about that. We have to have a strategy for that and that`s not on the table," he added. When asked about how India should deal with military threats, the Congress leader said, "You have to deal with military threats militarily. But you have to understand the nature of the threat and you have to respond to the nature of the threat. I had one conversation with the Foreign Minister in my view he doesn`t understand the threat. The government is not understanding the actual threat from China. The Prime Minister stating that nobody has entered our territory demonstrates that he does not understand the threat because the message to China with that statement is you can do it again," added Rahul Gandhi in an interaction at the Indian Journalists Association in London. Earlier, hitting out at Rahul Gandhi who has been targeting the government over China`s aggression on the LAC in eastern Ladakh, Jaishankar said that it is not the Congress leader but Prime Minister Narendra Modi who sent the Army to the Line of Actual Control as a countermeasure to troop deployment by China and the opposition party should have honesty to look at what happened in 1962. "When did that area actually come under Chinese control? They (Congress) must have some problem understanding words beginning with `C`. I think they are deliberately misrepresenting the situation. The Chinese first came there in 1958 and the Chinese captured it in October 1962. Now you are going to blame the Modi government in 2023 for a bridge which the Chinese captured in 1962 and you don`t have the honesty to say that it is where it happened," said Dr Jaishankar in an interview to ANI. "Rajiv Gandhi went to Beijing in 1988...signed agreements in 1993 and 1996. I do not think signing those agreements was wrong. This is not a political point I am making. I think those agreements were signed at that time because we needed to stabilise the border. And they did, stabilise the border," said Jaishankar. When asked that Rahul Gandhi thought S Jaishankar was insufficient, Jaishankar said that he was always open to listen. "I think he said this somewhere in a public meeting. It is probably in the context of China. All I can say in my defence is I have been the longest-serving ambassador in China. I have been dealing with a lot of these border issues for a very long time. I am not suggesting that I am necessarily the most knowledgeable person, but I would have a fairly good self-opinion of my understanding of what is up there. If he has superior knowledge and wisdom on China, I am always willing to listen. As I said, for me life is a learning process. If that is a possibility, I have never closed my mind to anything however improbable that may be," said Jaishankar. Asked about the Congress party`s allegation that the Modi government is defensive and reactive on the China issue, Jaishankar dismissed the claims saying there is currently the largest peacetime deployment along the China border. Rahul Gandhi, who is in the United Kingdom, has been facing criticism from the BJP over his various statements. The BJP has accused him of maligning India's image abroad. The BJP's criticism came after Rahul Gandhi claimed that democracy in India is under attack. He also praised China during his lecture at Cambridge University. Talking to reporters at an India Insights event organised by the Indian Journalists' Association (IJA) on Saturday evening, Rahul Gandhi again alleged that the structures of Indian democracy are under "brutal attack" and there is a full-scale assault on the institutions of the country. The Opposition leader, who is in London as part of a UK tour, told reporters here that there are conversations ongoing within the Opposition to unite around an alternative vision for the country and act upon an "undercurrent of anger" over pressing issues such as unemployment, price rise, the concentration of wealth and violence against women. However, Gandhi was given an invaluable lesson by a veteran journalist during the event. The journalist, who has now settled in the United Kingdom, told Rahul Gandhi, "I knew your grandmother Mrs Indira Gandhi....Mrs Gandhi, your grandmother, was like an elder sister to me. She was a wonderful woman. When she came here after being imprisoned by Murarji Desai, in a press conference in London, a journalist asked her, 'What is your experience in prison in India?' And she said, 'I don't want to talk anything bad about India in this conference.' Now, you are being constantly attacked in the Indian media for your Cambridge Lecture. I hope that you will at least take some lesson from what Mrs Indira Gandhi said." Time Stamp: Watch From 47.10 Minutes Onward Earlier, during the event, Rahul Gandhi expressed regret that democratic parts of the world, including the US and Europe, have failed to notice that a "large chunk of democracy has come undone". "The BJP wants India to be silent. They want it to be quiet because they want to be able to take what is India's and give it to their close friends. That's the idea, to distract the population and then hand over India's wealth to three, four, five people," he said. Gandhi's earlier comments at Cambridge University that Indian democracy is under attack and several politicians, including himself, are under surveillance, invited sharp reactions from the BJP that accused him of maligning the country's image on foreign soil after facing successive electoral setbacks. "We can understand his hatred towards the Prime Minister, but the conspiracy to malign the country on foreign soil with the help of foreign friends raises questions on the agenda of the Congress," Anurag Thakur, the Information and Broadcasting minister, told reporters in Delhi on Friday. Thakur said Gandhi was aware of the electoral rout the Congress was facing in the assembly elections and had resorted to levelling allegations from foreign soil. Gandhi is in London as part of a week-long visit to the UK for a lecture as visiting fellow at the University of Cambridge and is scheduled to interact with the Indian diaspora on Sunday. He is also being hosted at an event in the House of Commons complex on behalf of the UK Opposition Labour Party and will address the Chatham House think-tank in London on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and wider geopolitical issues before concluding his visit to Britain. (With PTI inputs) BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Bilateral relations between China and Brunei are standing at a new historical starting point and facing new development opportunities, as this year marks the 5th anniversary of China-Brunei Strategic Cooperative Partnership, Xiao Jianguo, new Chinese ambassador to Brunei, said Sunday. In a speech after arriving at Brunei International Airport, Xiao said that China and Brunei have maintained friendly exchanges for thousands of years. In recent years, the two countries have continuously deepened political mutual trust, expanded pragmatic cooperation, enhanced people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and maintained good communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, said Xiao. "I am convinced that, under the strategic guidance of our heads of state and with joint efforts from both sides, our bilateral relations are sure to embrace ever broader prospects for development," the ambassador said. As the 12th Chinese ambassador to Brunei, Xiao promised to spare no effort to further consolidate and strengthen China-Brunei Strategic Cooperative Partnership, pushing forward pragmatic cooperation in all fields. New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi`s speech at Cambridge University earlier this week drew Bharatiya Janata Party`s ire as the party has accused the Congress leader of speaking "against" India in a foreign country and depicting a negative image of the country. "While the whole world is using good words to describe India and encouraging it, its main opposition leader, on foreign soil is claiming that the country has been destroyed and democracy is no longer there while the judiciary and the media are in bad shape," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said while addressing a press conference here. Referring to Italy`s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni`s remark on PM Narendra Modi, Patra slammed Gandhi for his remarks at a time when India was hosting the G20, with world leaders recognising the leadership of PM Modi. He further said that it is being said that if someone can defuse the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it is only PM Modi. "At a big university, he is telling people bad things about India. While even Pakistan no longer dares say these things about India on a global forum, Gandhi is presenting India as a place where democracy no longer exists and the judiciary has been compromised," Patra added. BJP leader also accused Rahul Gandhi of dissuading investors from investing in India at a time when the world is seeing the country as a "bright spot" and foreign firms are leaving China to do business here. "Today, all the foreign companies from all over the world want to come to India and invest, even they are leaving China and coming to our country. This has happened for the first time in 70 years and Rahul Gandhi went to Britain`s big university and asked them not to come to India. He said there that if the investors will have any issue here in the country, the judiciary will not listen to you because it has been compromised," Patra hit out at the Wayanad MP. Coming down heavily on Congress's former president, Patra said, "Just because you are not a bright kid of your dynastic party doesn`t mean India is not a bright spot." Just because Rahul Gandhi is not a Bright Kid, that does not mean India is not a Bright Spot. pic.twitter.com/2jrimF1Rvl Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) March 4, 2023 During a lecture `Learning to Listen in the 21st century` at Cambridge University, Rahul Gandhi alleged that an attack has been unleashed on the basic structure of Indian democracy while also claiming that Israeli spyware Pegasus was being used to snoop into his phone. Congress leader and ex-advisor to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sam Pitroda shared the YouTube link of Rahul Gandhi`s address to MBA students at Cambridge Judge Business School on the topic of `Learning to Listen in the 21st Century`, on Twitter. Rahul claimed that he had been warned by the intelligence officers to be "careful" while speaking on the phone as his calls were being recorded. "I myself had Pegasus on my phone. A large number of politicians had Pegasus on their phones. I have been called by intelligence officers who told me, `Please be careful about what you are saying on the phone because we are sort of recording the stuff. So this is the constant pressure that we feel. Cases on the Opposition. I have got a number of criminal liable cases for things that should under no circumstances be criminal liable cases. That`s what we are trying to defend," the Congress leader said in his address. While commenting on his Pegasus claim, Patra asked, "Why didn`t you give your phone for investigation when Supreme Court`s inquiry committee asked you to do so?" During his lecture, Gandhi listed five key aspects of the alleged attack on Indian democracy - capture and control of media and judiciary; surveillance and intimidation; coercion by federal law enforcement agencies; attacks on minorities, and Dalits and tribals. Speaking about India`s democracy, Gandhi said, "Indian democracy is under attack and is under pressure. I am an Opposition leader in India and we are navigating that space. What is happening is that the institutional framework which is required for a democracy -- Parliament, a free press, the judiciary; these are all getting constrained. So, we are facing an attack on the basic structure of Indian democracy." BENGALURU: The BJP seems to be falling back on its seasoned oarsman B S Yediyurappa making him a key poll mascot, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as it shores up campaign in poll-bound Karnataka. The octogenarian, who has already announced his retirement from electoral politics, is sought to be put on the pedestal by the governing party's central leaders. The reasons are not far to seek as to why Yediyurappa has been pushed to the top of the campaign plank, the four-time Chief Minister, who built the party from grassroots level, has a mass appeal and connect -- particularly the political influential Lingayat community -- that no other party leader in the State commands. It's now quite evident from the BJP's campaign narrative that the party is banking on the "Yediyurappa factor" and putting him up as the "poster boy" by leveraging his clout to the hilt. The BJP central leadership -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party President J P Nadda and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh -- have been lavish in their praise of Yediyurappa, during their public meetings in the State in recent days. It's not often that in PM's programme, someone else hogs the limelight, but on one such occasion on February 27, at a public meeting in Shivamogga, it appeared that Modi himself was giving the Karnataka BJP strongman a 'pride of place' in his "Karma Bhoomi". Also Read: Sisodia Being Tortured By CBI, Pressured To Sign Documents With False Charges: AAP The recent public meeting marking the inauguration of the Shivamogga airport, coinciding with Yediyurappa's 80th birthday, saw Modi terming his contributions to public life 'inspirational.' The PM felicitated him on stage as he made an appeal to the people attending the public meeting to flash their mobile phone lights in a gesture of honour to Yediyurappa and there was an enthusiastic response from the large gathering. Then, as the Lingayat strongman concluded his speech, Modi stood up and applauded him. The PM has also made it a point repeatedly to highlight the last speech delivered by Yediyurappa in the Karnataka assembly recently, and said it was an inspiration to every person in public life. Amit Shah too at a public meeting recently had urged the people to repose faith in Modi and Yediyurappa and vote the BJP back to power in the State. Similar comments have been made by Nadda and Rajnath Singh, who were recently in the state for campaigning. According to some political observers and BJP insiders, the party's move to project Yediyurappa seems to be aimed at blunting anti-incumbency, keeping the Lingayat vote-base intact and countering the opposition Congress, which has levelled allegations of corruption against the government. Political analyst A Narayana from the Azim Premji University, said the BJP was initially preparing to face elections without Yediyurappa in an active role but "as there was not much for the party to count on locally, it was inevitable for them to repackage and present him". That's the reason they are going out of their way to prove that they have not offended him by asking to resign as Chief Minister in 2021, he said. "They (BJP) tried their best to secure Lingayat support without Yediyurappa, but they are not very confident about it, that's the reason they are doing it. They could have afforded to lose some Lingayat support, provided they were confident about cultivating support from some other communities, which also they don't seem to be very confident about ," Narayana said. Yediyurappa resigned as CM on July 26, 2021. Age was seen as a primary factor for his exit from the top job, with an unwritten rule in the BJP of keeping out those above 75 years from elected offices. Also, the BJP central leadership wanted to make way for new leadership ahead of the Assembly polls. Unlike the 2018 poll campaign, when Yediyurappa was the CM candidate and face of the party, the BJP this time has opted for a collective approach, though it initially tried to project Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's leadership. Narayana said: "BJP tried to win over Lingayats through Bommai, but they don't seem to be confident about having achieved that, with all the discontent brewing on issues such as reservation. " "Also as long as Yediyurappa is there and as long as he is an unhappy man, it is not possible for another Lingayat leader to cultivate Lingayat support", he said, adding that this is quite obviously one of the reasons why BJP wants to keep Yediyrappa in good spirits. With the party now putting Yediyurappa in the forefront of campaign, Bommai's stake seems to have weakened, according to poll observers and some within the BJP, even as a section within the party credits him for pro-people schemes, reservation hike for SC/ST and for presenting an all inclusive budget. According to another party functionary, retaining Lingayat vote base, despite Yediyurappa not being its CM face, is crucial for the BJP to win the election with absolute majority, and that's the reason why the party wants to assure the dominant community, that he is still relevant to it. He also pointed to disgruntlement among a section of Lingayat community, especially the 'Panchamasali Lingayats' on the issue of reservation, and said it may pose a threat, and it needs to be mitigated immediately. "It has to be communicated effectively that along with being the BJP's top Parliamentary Board member, Yediyurappa is still the party's face or mascot in Karnataka," he said. BJP state General Secretary N Ravi Kumar said Yediyurappa is a big mass leader in Karnataka and he is someone who built and nurtured the party in the state. "He is a four time CM and two time Leader of Opposition, he knows nook and corner of the state, he is leader of all communities including Lingayats, and people from all sections respect him. He is naturally projected as one of the faces, what is wrong?" Ravi Kumar asked. "There may be some amount of anti-incumbency, I'm not totally rejecting it, all governments will have it, but Bommai has given a good budget and has given good programmes....It is the creation of Congress, why didn't they speak positively about Yediyurappa so far and are doing it now? it is because Congress' strategy is to attract positive public opinion about Yediyurappa in their favour," he said. Yediyurappa too on his part had recently appealed to the dominant Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, to which he belongs, to continue their support to the ruling BJP in the upcoming Assembly polls, and ensure its victory in the State. This statement has come amid attempts by opposition Congress and JD(S) to project that Yediyurappa is being sidelined by the BJP, as they sought to woo the numerically and politically dominant community. Veerashaiva-Lingayats are estimated to form about 17 per cent of the State's population, and they form the BJP's strong vote base. Yediyurappa is considered to be the ?tallest? Veerashaiva-Lingayat leader and continues to hold sway over the community. It appears that the former CM, in return, is seeking to secure the political future of his sons. While announcing that he will not contest assembly polls, Yediyurappa in the same breath had said that he will be vacating his Shikaripura Assembly seat, from where his younger son and the party's state Vice-President B Y Vijayendra will be contesting, if the high command agrees. Yediyurappa, soon after stepping down as CM in 2021, wanted to make Vijayendra Minister, through the MLC route, but was not successful in his attempts. His elder son, B Y Raghavendra is Member of Parliament from Shivamogga. Bhubaneswar: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said attempts were being made to tell the world that the Indian judiciary and democracy were in crisis. Inaugurating a conference of the Centre's counsels in the Eastern states, Rijiju on Saturday said the wisdom of judges was beyond public scrutiny. "Indian judiciary cannot be questioned, especially the wisdom of judges cannot be put into public scrutiny," he said. 'Deliberate attempt to malign the image of the country' "At times, calibrated attempts are being made from both inside and outside the country to tell the world that the Indian judiciary is in crisis. A message is being sent to the world that Indian democracy is in crisis. It is a deliberate attempt by some groups to malign the image of the country," he added. No campaign with ulterior motives can succeed in defaming India and its democratic setup, Rijiju said. The US may stake claim to be the oldest democracy, but India truly is the "mother of democracy", he said. Rahul Gandhi's remarks on Indian democracy at Cambridge University Rijiju's comments came after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at a lecture at Cambridge University alleged that Indian democracy is under attack and several politicians, including himself, are under surveillance. Gandhi listed five key aspects of the alleged attack on Indian democracy -- capture and control of media and judiciary; surveillance and intimidation; coercion by federal law enforcement agencies; attacks on minorities, Dalits, and tribals; and shutting down of dissent. Noting that it was unfortunate that judges were being abused on social media, Rijiju said this was happening as some people were not aware of how the Indian judiciary functions. "It is not a good sign when the judiciary is subjected to some kind of criticism. The judiciary must be far away from public criticism," he said, adding that the problem lies with the same group, which wants to force the judiciary to play the role of the opposition party. Also Read: Rahul Gandhi Speaks To Indian Journalists In London, Says 'If BBC Stops Writing Against Modi Govt...' "The Indian judiciary will never accept it. I am sure the judiciary will resist the forceful attempt to make it play the role of opposition. This cannot happen," he said. The minister maintained it is because of the Constitution that the government is of the view that the appointment of judges cannot be done by judicial orders. The opinion of the executive and the judiciary may differ at times as everybody cannot have the same observation, he said. Rijiju said 65 redundant laws have been proposed to be repealed in the next session of Parliament. So far, 1,486 redundant laws have been removed. He said the government wants to make India safe and secure, so, it has to make stringent laws. On the demand for a permanent bench of the high court in western Odisha, he said the Centre was ready to give its approval if the state government submits a complete proposal. SHILLONG: The NPP-BJP alliance in Meghalaya is now out of danger as two major regional parties - the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the People's Democratic Front (PDF) - extended their support to the alliance today, increasing the number of MLAs backing the Conrad K Sangma-led coalition to 43. The UDP and the PDF are allies of the NPP in the outgoing Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government. The BJP with two MLAs, besides two Independents, have already submitted their letter of support to the NPP, which has won a record 26 seats in the February 27 elections. "I, on behalf of the parliamentary party of the United Democratic Party, do hereby extend support for government formation," UDP chief and former speaker Metbah Lyngdoh said in the letter submitted to NPP supremo Conrad K Sangma. PDF MLAs Banteidor Lyngdoh and Gavin Mylliemngap also met Sangma at his residence, during the day, and handed over their letter of support to him, party members said. The UDP has clinched 11 seats in the recently concluded elections, and the PDF two. Sangma thanked the parties for the support. "Thank you UDP and PDF for coming forward to join the NPP to form the Government. The strong support from homegrown political parties will further strengthen us to serve Meghalaya and its people," said Sangma. A special assembly session has been convened for the oath-taking ceremony of MLAs, scheduled to be held on Monday, and the election of a speaker, to be conducted later in the week. The two MLAs of Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) had earlier extended their support to the alliance but party chief later withdrew the support syaing the MLAs were not atuthorised to take that decision. The suspense continues over the HSPDP's support to the NPP-BJP alliance. Thank you UDP and PDF for coming forward to join the NPP to form the Government. The strong support from homegrown political parties will further strengthen us to serve Meghalaya and its people. pic.twitter.com/YVJlx3BxCM March 5, 2023 The new government will take oath on March 7 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present at the programme. The Congress and the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC won five seats each in the polls. The newly formed Voice of the People Party (VPP) won four seats, while the People's Democratic Front won two seats. (With PTI inputs) Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak Saturday said an explanation has been sought from the principal of Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi Government Medical College in Etah over reports that a child tested HIV positive after a doctor used the same syringe on several patients. He said that strict action will be taken against those found guilty in the matter. On Saturday, the parents of the girl admitted to the hospital complained to District Magistrate Ankit Kumar Agarwal that several children were given injections from the same syringe. Relatives of the girl, admitted to the hospital on February 20, claimed that when the child was found to be HIV-positive health workers forced her out of the hospital in the night. The district magistrate, who ordered an inquiry into the alleged incident, when asked about it, said that after getting the complaint, an investigation was instituted and handed over to the chief medical officer (CMO). Etah CMO Umesh Kumar Tripathi said he has come to know about the alleged incident and the district magistrate has ordered an inquiry into it. The report will be sent to the district magistrate after the probe gets over, he said. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said, "Taking immediate cognisance of the incident related to the doctor injecting several patients with the same syringe in the medical college, Etah, and getting the test report of a child as HIV positive, an explanation has been sought from the principal of the medical college." "If any doctor is found guilty, strict action will be taken against him," he said. New Delhi: China set a modest target for economic growth this year of around 5%, according to a government work report on Sunday, as the National People's Congress (NPC) kicked-off its annual parliamentary session. In the report, outgoing Premier Li Keqiang said it was essential to prioritise economic stability, setting a goal to create around 12 million urban jobs this year, up from last year's target of at least 11 million. China's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by just 3% last year, one of its worst showings in decades, squeezed by three years of COVID-19 restrictions, crisis in its vast property sector, a crackdown on private enterprise and weakening demand for Chinese exports. This year's target around 5% was at the low end of expectations, as policy sources had recently told Reuters a range as high as 6% could be set. Li set a government budget deficit target at 3.0% of GDP, according to the report, widening from a goal of around 2.8% last year. This year's parliamentary session will implement the biggest government shake-up in a decade as Beijing confronts a host of challenges and looks to revive its COVID-battered economy. ALSO READ | Chai Sutta Bar Founder Takes Swipe As ChatGPT Fails To Crack UPSC Civil Exam Li and a slate of more reform-oriented economic policy officials are set to retire during the congress, making way for loyalists to President Xi Jinping, who further tightened his grip on power when he secured a precedent-breaking third leadership term at October's Communist Party Congress. During the NPC, former Shanghai party chief Li Qiang, a longtime Xi ally, is expected to be confirmed as premier, tasked with reinvigorating the world's second-largest economy. The rubber-stamp parliament, which will end on March 13, will also discuss Xi's plans for an "intensive" and "wide-ranging" reorganisation of state and Communist Party entities, state media reported on Tuesday, with analysts expecting a further deepening of Communist Party penetration of state bodies. The NPC opened on a smoggy day amid tight security in the Chinese capital, with 2,948 delegates gathered in the cavernous Great Hall of the People on the west side of Tiananmen Square. It is the first NPC meeting since China abruptly dropped its zero-COVID policy in December, following rare nationwide protests. New Delhi: The Mumbai Police has detained a 20-year-old visually impaired man for making a fake call saying that bombs have been planted near the bungalows of superstar Amitabh Bachchan, veteran actor Dharmendra and industrialist Mukesh Ambanis residence Antilia. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the man was fascinated by their work and wanted to check if they could reach out to him after making a fake call. The man had made the call to the pan-India single number Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 112, meant for citizens in emergency. He claimed that he had seen around 25 people gathered near television actor Dilip Joshis (Jethalal Gada of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah) house in Shivaji Park and that they were speaking about carrying out blasts near bungalows of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra. The men, he said, also had weapons and explosives with them, a police officer said. We started tracking the caller, but found his phone switched off. The phone number he had given to the control room turned out to be from New Delhi. Our teams even picked up the person from Delhi, but on verification found out that he was not the caller, said a police officer from Mumbai crime branch. After getting more details from ERSS, our team headed by inspector Milind Kate tracked the caller through his cell number, and he was picked up from Lonikhand, said a police officer. He suffers from near-sightedness and is unable to see beyond a certain distance. The local police station is near his house, and he keeps visiting them on a regular basis. He knows how they function and is fascinated by their working style. He watches TV a lot and then decided to make a call taking names of famous people. He even told the ERSS staffer that he himself was a policeman, the officer added. Prashant Kadam, DCP of Mumbai crime branch, said, We have detained him and also seized his phone. We will hand him over to the Shivaji Park police where a case has been registered. New Delhi: If there is one type of fever that is caught on worldwide for years and no one minds it is Bollywood fever. The craze for the Nations superstars is not limited to India but globally too. No wonder when Kartik Aaryan whos currently the masses' favourite, attended an event seven seas across and creates some mega-buzz for his fans. The actor attended a Holi event in Dallas, USA. The crowd surely couldnt contain their excitement and gathered at the venue in huge crowds. According to a source close to the event reveals that almost 8,000 plus tickets were sold and the response they received was incredible. The fans did not just get a glimpse of Kartik, but the actor even celebrated Holi with them bringing joy and a one-of-a-kind experience for Bollywood lovers. The actor is known for his infectious happy energy and the Dallas masses thoroughly enjoyed the cool vibe this young heartthrob brings along. The organizers were pleasantly pleased by the massive reaction, claiming that this level of madness was last seen amidst the crowd for King Khan aka Shah Rukh Khan. We are truly impressed and humbled to have been part of such a successful Holi Party with Bollywood superstar and heartthrob Kartik Aaryan in Dallas said local promoter Rachel of 3sixtyShows. With over 7500 attendees, the event was the biggest outdoor event for an Indian Actor in the USA. It was truly a day to remember. The energy of the crowd, the enthusiasm of the attendees, and of course, the presence of Kartik Aaryan made the party memorable. After Shahrukh Khan, Kartik Aaryan is the only actor from India with such a fan following and craze. We are thankful to everyone who attended the event, and we hope to make more such events in the future that will be just as successful, if not more, reveals the organizer with a broad grin on his face. The huge success of the show has surely made everyone happy the Dallas people and the organizers. Holi is just around the corner and looks like Kartik Aaryan already kickstarted the celebrations with fans, bringing in the much-needed festive joy in advance. New Delhi: Sunday afternoon calls for family time and spending quality time together. Soha Ali Khan took to Instagram to post pictures featuring three generations of her family. Soha posted a picture with her mother veteran actor Sharmila Tagore. In another frame, the duo was joined by the little daughter of Soha, Inaya. The picture shows Inaya being adored by her mother and grandmother. Before posting the picture on her Instagram feed, Soha shared the frame with a lovely caption on her story. The caption read, "Three different generations, three different hair colours!" Fans loved the post of Soha. "The three generations of Pataudi family very nice dadi aunty", wrote one. Another one wrote, "Absolutely priceless moments." After a long time, Sharmila returned to the screen with `Gulmohar`. The film is now streaming on the OTT platform Disney Plus Hotstar. On the acting front, Soha treated fans with the announcement of her new movie last year. Taking to Instagram, Soha shared a post which she captioned, "Thrilled to share with all of you that I will be entering the Chhorii universe in a truly unique role. I can`t wait to show you guys what we have in store for this edition...." Helmed by Vishal Furia `Chhorii` streamed exclusively on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video and received positive responses from the audience. Soha will star opposite Nushrratt Bharuccha in `Chhorii 2`. Mumbai: Sushmita Sen revealed on her Instagram live on Saturday that she survived a major heart attack, adding further that 95 per cent blockage was found in her main artery. On Thursday, the former Miss Universe first publicly revealed that she had undergone angioplasty. Sushmita took to social media on Saturday to thank her fans all across the world and the team of doctors who `leased a new life` for her. The `Aarya` actor said that it was due to gym and healthy lifestyle she follows that helped her surviving heart attack. "I know a lot of you will stop going to the gym and say, `it did not help her.` But that is not good. It did help me. I survived a very big heart attack. It was massive with 95 per cent blockage in the main artery. I survived because I have kept an active lifestyle. I am very lucky to be on the other side. It doesn`t put fear in me, instead, I now have a feeling of promise to look forward to something," said the actor. Sushmita added, "When you get a new lease to life, you respect it and are careful and that is when you learn to exercise and strengthen your will even more." The actor also cautioned young people in the age group of the 20s to monitor their hearts at regular basis. Sushmita said, she is doing perfectly well though she has not overcome her sore throat fully. Watch the video shared by Sushmita Sen See her post informing about her heart attack The `Biwi No 1` actor is eager to come back to the shooting floor. She said, "Once I get a clearance from my doctors, I will be off to Jaipur to finish Aarya and I will also be working on the dubbing for `Taali`." On Thursday, Sushmita wrote in her Instagram post, "Keep your heart happy & courageous, and it`ll stand by you when you need it the most Shona" (Wise words by my father @sensubir ) I suffered a heart attack a couple of days back...Angioplasty done...stent in place...and most importantly, my cardiologist reconfirmed `I do have a big heart`. Lots of people to thank for their timely aid & constructive action...will do so in another post!. This post is just to keep you (my well-wishers & loved ones) informed of the good news ...that all is well & I am ready for some life again!!! I love you guys beyond!!!" BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China's PM2.5 density, a key indicator of air pollution, fell 57 percent during the past 10 years, said Huang Runqiu, minister of ecology and environment, on Sunday. China's carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP declined by 34.4 percent from 2012 to 2021, Huang told journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing "two sessions." In 2022, the PM2.5 density dropped 3.3 percent year on year to 29 micrograms per cubic meter, data from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment showed. China will step up its efforts on pollution prevention and control in 2023, according to the minister. New Delhi: Holi, the festival of colours, symbolises vivid and colourful spirit and great enthusiasm. People smear colours on each others faces and indulge in delicious delicacies and beverages. This year &TV artists intend to play Holi in high spirits and prepare the finest Holi delicacies popular in their hometowns. And what's more, they reveal these secret recipes to us! It includes Neha Joshi (Yashoda) from Doosri Maa, Yogesh Tripathi (Daroga Happu Singh) from Happu ki Ultan Paltan, Shubhangi Atre (Angoori Bhabi) from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai. Neha Joshi, essaying Yashoda in &TVs Doosri Maa, says, Although I am from Maharashtra, this year my festive celebrations will be in the pink city, Jaipur. I truly enjoy the festive vibe even though I dont particularly enjoy playing with colours. So, I plan to explore the city and witness its festive spirits at their best at the Elephant Festival. The festival is celebrated during Holi, where elephants are dressed in rugs and ornamented with pretty accents and jewels. Their bodies and trunks get painted, and a procession of elephants passes through the streets. A band plays songs and drums to signify the festive mood. Even though I look forward to participating in this unique festival, I will miss my mother, Puran Poli. In Maharashtra, there is a tradition of making puran poli on that day. It is a sweet, fried flatbread stuffed with a filling of yellow gram and sugarcane jaggery. It points to the festivals agrarian origins as a harvest festival. I love it so much that I can't resist eating it all day (laughs). I have decided to make it myself this year and serve it to my extended family here. I wish everyone a joyful Holi." Yogesh Tripathi, essaying Daroga Happu Singh, says, It is my favourite festival of the year. I am from Uttar Pradesh, where Holi is a two-day festival celebrated with zeal and zest. Apart from playing with colours and throwing water at each other, eating gujiya (sweet) is my favourite thing to do on this day. It is a classic North Indian sweet made of crisp, flaky pastry filled with khoya (milk solids) and nuts. This year I will be preparing gujiya myself. I will also play colours with my wife and kids in our building. During Holi, our society's swimming pool gets filled with coloured water. I will spend as much time in the pool as possible with my son since he is excited about it. Hamare sabhi darshako ko holi ki dhero shubhkaamnaye. Shubhangi Atre essaying Angoori Bhabi, shares, I prepare a lot of sweets and snacks for my friends every year to celebrate the festival, and this year will be no different. I will prepare some treats from Bhopal, my hometown. On my list are gujiyas, jalebis, besan ke laddoos, chakli, and Bhakarwadis. Additionally, my daughter has planned some interesting games for our guests to play around the festival, and I am quite excited about them. Have a wonderful and safe Holi. Watch Doosri Maa at 8:00 pm, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan at 10:00 pm, and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai at 10:30 pm, airing every Monday to Friday only on &TV! Terrorists who have taken asylum in Pakistan are now living in fear as they are now falling victim to targeted killings. Within weeks, four terrorists wanted in India have been killed in Pakistan in different shooting incidents. The terrorists are Syed Noor Shalobar, Syed Khalid Raza, Aijaz Ahmad Ahanger alias Abu Usman Al-Kashmiri and Bashir Ahmad Peer alias Imtiyaz Alam. While Syed Noor Shalobar was killed yesterday in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa area by unknown gunmen. Shalobar was responsible for spreading terrorism in Kashmir and was reportedly working closely with Pakistan Army and ISI. He was also responsible for terror recruitment from Kashmir valley. On Monday, another terror commander Syed Khalid Raza was killed in Karachi in Pakistan. Unidentified assailants opened fire on him. According to reports, Khalid was associated with terrorists operating in Kashmir. The Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) has claimed responsibility for the killing of Khalid Raza. Last month, Bashir Ahmad Peer alias Imtiyaz Alam was killed by unknown gunmen in Pakistan. Peer was involved in several online activities to unite former terrorists to help organizations like Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba. He was declared a terrorist on October 4 last year for his involvement in terrorist activities. This week, NIA has also attached his properties located in Kashmir. Another Kashmiri militant said to be linked with Islamic State Aijaz Ahmad Ahangar was killed in Kabul last week. Ahangar was a top IS commander and is said to be killed in the Kunar district of Afghanistan. According to reports, the ISI and the Pakistan Army have beefed up the security of terror commanders after the killings. These terrorists were responsible for carrying out terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday (March 4, 2023) interacted with the Indian Journalists' Association (IJA) in London and continued his attack on the Narendra Modi-led government. Speaking at the India Insights event, Gandhi alleged that the recent tax survey action against the BBC was an example of the "suppression of voice across the country" and said that this is why he undertook the 4,000 km long 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' as an expression of voice against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's attempt to silence the country. The former Congress president, who is in the UK on a week-long tour, also said that the structures of Indian democracy are under "brutal attack". "The reason the yatra became necessary is because the structures of our democracy are under brutal attack," Gandhi said. "The media, the institutional frameworks, judiciary, Parliament is all under attack and we were finding it very difficult to put the voice of the people through the normal channels," he added. "The BBC has found out about it now, but it has been going on in India for the last nine years non-stop. Everybody knows that journalists are intimidated, they are attacked and threatened. The journalists who toe the line of the government are rewarded. So, it's part of a pattern and I wouldn't expect anything different. If the BBC stops writing against the government, everything will go back to normal. All the cases will disappear," he said. Earlier last month, the Income Tax department conducted survey operations at the BBC's offices in Delhi and Mumbai as part of an investigation into alleged tax evasion. The tax scrutiny was conducted weeks after the UK-headquartered British Broadcasting Corporation aired a two-part documentary -- "India: The Modi Question" -- on the prime minister and the 2002 Gujarat riots. India dismissed the documentary as a "propaganda piece" saying it was designed to push a particular "discredited narrative". Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi also expressed regret that democratic parts of the world, including the US and Europe, have failed to notice that a "large chunk of democracy has come undone:. "The BJP wants India to be silent. They want it to be quiet" because they want to be able to take what is India's and give it to their close friends. That's the idea, to distract the population and then hand over India's wealth to three, four, five people," the Congress leader said. Asked about the Congress and Opposition plans for the next general election, Rahul said the battle at the polls is not just between political parties but also against institutions as there is "no level playing field" in Indian politics. "There are conversations going on between the Opposition parties, I am aware of many of them. The basic idea that the RSS and the BJP need to be fought and defeated is deeply entrenched in the minds of the Opposition. There's no question about that," the Wayanad MP said. "There are tactical issues that require discussions, but it's important to understand that the Opposition in India is no longer fighting a political party. We're fighting the institutional structure of India now; the BJP and RSS which have captured almost all of India's institutions. So, the idea of a level playing field doesn't exist because the institutions aren't neutral," Rahul Gandhi stated. His earlier comments at Cambridge University that Indian democracy is under attack and several politicians, including himself, are under surveillance, had invited sharp reactions from the BJP that accused him of maligning the country's image on foreign soil after facing successive electoral setbacks. New Delhi: The world of fashion keeps changing and trying new things to capture the attention of the masses. In a recent show by Coperni, a French brand, a model was seen interacting with a robot on stage during the fashion show. The brand had collaborated with Boston Dynamics to portray a glimpse of the future where robots and humans would need to co-exist. The robot dogs, known as "Spot," strutted down the runway, showcasing Coperni's Fall Winter 23 collection. The fashion show was a modern fable about the relationship between humans and technology, presenting Coperni's vision that humans and machines can live in harmony. In the video, a robot was seen helping the model to take her coat off to reveal her outfit. Before that, the model and robot are seen getting close in order to acquaint themselves with each other. Social media was abuzz with reactions to the futuristic fashion show. Some praised the brand for pushing the boundaries of fashion and technology, while others expressed concern about the potential consequences of advancing technology. One user even compared the show to an episode of the hit sci-fi series "Black Mirror." Despite the mixed reactions, Coperni's show was a hit, with many people applauding the brand for its creativity and innovation. And the robots themselves were not just for show - according to Coperni, they are used for a variety of practical applications, from gathering data in industrial facilities to assisting first responders in dangerous situations. In a world where technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate, Coperni's fashion show was a glimpse into the future of fashion and technology. The brand Coperni has a strong focus on technology. During their previous season's show, they gained widespread attention by using an aerosol can to spray a dress directly onto model Bella Hadid's body, causing the internet to go into a frenzy. VIENNA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have pledged in a joint statement to step up cooperation to expedite the resolution of outstanding safeguards issues. Iran "expressed its readiness to continue its cooperation and provide further information and access to address the outstanding safeguards issues," according to a joint statement by the IAEA and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), which was published on the IAEA website on Saturday. Iran's outstanding safeguards issues are reportedly one of the sticking points in the Iran nuclear talks, which have been stalled since August last year. While the IAEA has accused Iran of failing to provide "technically credible explanations" for nuclear activities at three undeclared sites, Iranian officials have repeatedly rejected the claim and insisted on the transparency and peaceful nature of its nuclear program. The joint statement came after IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi's visit to Tehran on Friday and Saturday, during which he met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and AEOI President Mohammad Eslami. At a press conference held in Vienna on Saturday upon Grossi's return from Tehran, the IAEA chief said surveillance cameras will be reconnected at several of Iran's nuclear sites. Earlier on Saturday, Grossi said in Tehran that the cooperation between the IAEA and Iran and the "good agreement" the two sides are expected to reach will contribute to the revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country. The United States, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments under the deal. The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Vienna. No breakthrough has been achieved after the latest round of talks in August last year. The opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Wang Qishan attended the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC, which was presided over by Wang Huning. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisory body started its annual session Saturday afternoon in Beijing. Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Wang Qishan attended the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which was presided over by Wang Huning. Wang Yang, chairman of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, delivered a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee to the session. Stressing that the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) charted a grand blueprint for advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, Wang called on the CPPCC to practice the whole-process people's democracy, promote unity among the Chinese people, and make new contributions to the realization of the goals and tasks laid down at the 20th CPC National Congress. "The past five years since the 19th CPC National Congress were truly extraordinary," Wang said while addressing the 2,100-plus national political advisors. China has realized its First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects on schedule and secured impressive advances in the cause of the CPC and the nation, said Wang. "The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is now on an irreversible historical course." Reviewing the work of the 13th CPPCC National Committee in its five-year term, Wang noted that the top political advisory body has thoroughly studied and implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The 13th CPPCC National Committee has fulfilled its duties with a focus on the central tasks of the CPC and the country, contributing wisdom and strength to achieving the two centenary goals, Wang added. Over the past five years, the CPPCC has fully played its role in national governance as a special consultative body. Progresses have been made in gathering broad consensus and strength for the Chinese people to strive for national rejuvenation, Wang said. On its future work, Wang suggested the political advisors perform their duties in the building of a modern socialist country in all respects and the realization of the Second Centenary Goal, and conduct in-depth consultations on important issues. They should also consolidate and develop the broadest possible patriotic united front and better mobilize personnel from all ethnic groups and various sectors to rally around the CPC, Wang added. A total of 29,323 proposals have been submitted in the past five years. Of the 23,818 proposals filed, 99.8 percent had been handled by the end of February, according to a report on proposals. The opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Wang Yang, chairman of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), delivers a work report of the Standing Committee of the 13th CPPCC National Committee during the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) Wang Yang, chairman of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), delivers a work report of the Standing Committee of the 13th CPPCC National Committee during the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Wang Huning presides over the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) The opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) The opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli) People rally to protest against the Japanese government's decision to discharge contaminated radioactive wastewater in Fukushima Prefecture into the sea, in Tokyo, capital of Japan, April 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi) "That is not something that will harm only Japan or the surrounding environment, but it is an action that concerns the whole world." ISTANBUL, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government's announcement to discharge Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the sea has caused concerns across the world, a prominent Turkish expert on the Asia Pacific region has said recently. "That is not something that will harm only Japan or the surrounding environment, but it is an action that concerns the whole world," Merthan Dundar, director of Ankara University Asia-Pacific Studies Application and Research Center, told Xinhua. The Japanese government announced in January that it would release radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean in the spring or summer this year. The spillage of contaminated material could largely affect fisheries and marine life, the scholar said. People rally to protest against the Japanese government's decision to discharge contaminated radioactive wastewater in Fukushima Prefecture into the sea, in Tokyo, capital of Japan, April 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi) "In the globalized world, people eat fish caught in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It seems that this will create a problem for all humanity," he added. Although some experts said that the water would be cleaned by the Advanced Liquid Processing System, Dundar is especially worried that some substances, such as tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen present in the Fukushima wastewater, would decay easily. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sent a technical task force to Japan in January to review Japan's disposing plan, and a report would be published within three months. However, the Japanese government unilaterally announced the disposing plan before the visit of the IAEA's technical task force. People rally to protest against the Japanese government's decision to discharge contaminated radioactive wastewater in Fukushima Prefecture into the sea, in Tokyo, capital of Japan, April 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi) "Such reckless behavior raises questions about whether Japan values the authority of the IAEA and its technical task force. Is Japan determined to proceed with its unilateral discharge plan regardless of the outcome of the assessment?" A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said earlier last month. Dundar also expressed his concern over the period of the disposing process, which will continue for as long as 30 years, according to the Japanese government. "So they won't drain all the water in two years. It will be gradually released to this sea in 30 to 40 years," Dundar said. "I have to say that I am frankly worried." He called on all countries to be involved in the Japanese government's planned discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater, so as to ease people's concerns. "Not just an institution in duty, but NGOs and scientists from different countries should be involved in the process and should convince us before this act, and all our questions should be answered as crystal-clearly as possible," he said. VALLETTA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Interior ministers of five European Union (EU) Mediterranean countries on Saturday called for more EU solidarity on migration and more efforts to prevent irregular migration. At the end of the so-called "Med 5" ministerial-level meeting held in Malta's capital Valletta on Friday and Saturday, ministers of Malta, Greece, Italy, Spain and Cyprus signed a joint declaration. The meeting was held just days after a deadly migrant shipwreck off Italy. At least 64 migrants died on Feb. 26 when their boat hit rocks near the coast of the southern Italian region of Calabria. The five ministers agreed that more work needs to be done at a European level to address the root causes of migration and prevent irregular migration, according to the joint declaration released by the Maltese Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality. They reaffirmed their position on the need to "strike a balance between (EU) Member States' responsibilities on the one hand and the need for solidarity on the other," the joint declaration said. They also called for more efforts for "the establishment of a permanent and mandatory solidarity mechanism that factors the real needs of frontline Member States and ensures that these needs are fully met through the solidarity contributions." Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (R) meets with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi in Tehran, Iran, March 4, 2023. (Iranian Presidential Website/Handout via Xinhua) TEHRAN, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Saturday that he hopes the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) can adopt a "professional" approach to the Iranian nuclear issue and prevent certain countries from affecting the nuclear watchdog's decisions. Raisi made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi in the capital Tehran, according to a report on the website of the president's office. Countries like Israel and the United States use the nuclear issue as an "excuse" to further pressure the Iranian people, said the president, pointing out that it was the United States that violated the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. Iran has had "the highest level" of cooperation with the IAEA, expects the agency to tell the truth about Iran's nuclear program as well the country's commitment ot its regulations, he noted. Meanwhile, the IAEA chief expressed pleasure at visiting Iran and meeting the country's president, saying the IAEA's team led by himself had "constructive and positive" meetings with the Iranian side, according to the report. Grossi arrived in Tehran on Friday for a two-day visit, during which he also held talks with Mohammad Eslami, president of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. In recent months, the IAEA has criticized Iran for its lack of cooperation with the agency. In November 2020, the IAEA's Board of Governors passed a resolution proposed by the United States, Britain, France and Germany that called on Iran to collaborate with the agency's investigators regarding the alleged "traces of uranium" at a number of its "undeclared" sites. Iran has repeatedly rejected such allegations and emphasized the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (2nd L) meets with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi (2nd R) in Tehran, Iran, March 4, 2023. (Iranian Foreign Ministry/Handout via Xinhua) A robot competition was held for youths of Fujian Province and Taiwan, with contest venues set up in both locations. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong gives an interview after the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China will have built over 2.9 million 5G base stations by the end of 2023, Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong said Sunday. The country plans to add around 600,000 such stations this year, and expand the coverage of 5G services in rural areas and industrial parks, Jin told journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing "two sessions." China now has over 2.34 million 5G base stations, and the number of 5G cellphone users has surpassed 575 million, according to Jin, noting that 5G technologies are widely applied in the economy, most prominently in the sectors such as mining, power supply, and the making of large jetliners. Jin said efforts will be made to promote industrial application of 5G, especially in manufacturing, with plans to build more than 10,000 5G factories during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). Research and development of 6G will also be accelerated, drawing on advantages of China's super-large market and full-fledged industrial system, said Jin. The "two sessions" refer to the annual meetings of the National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. AMMAN, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Jordan achieved an unprecedented 36-percent rise in exports in 2022 despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukrainian crisis that led to a hike in energy and commodity prices, a senior official said Saturday. The high increase in exports of potash and phosphate was the major boost to exports, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Nasser Shraideh said in a press statement, adding that foreign investment in Jordan rose by 67 percent in 2022. Meanwhile, the Jordanian economy grew by 2.7 percent in 2022, said Shraideh, also the minister of state for public sector modernization, expecting the figure to rise to 3 percent by 2025 with ongoing reforms. Jordan has successfully completed five reviews under the extended fund facility program with the International Monetary Fund, he noted. Join us at the bustling port of Lianyungang for a glimpse of China's economic performance in the first few months of the year. Produced by Xinhua Global Service BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Terminating the conflict and making peace have become the common expectations of the international community as the negative effects of the escalating crisis in Ukraine continue to affect the rest of the world after the conflict broke out a year ago. Recently, the Chinese government released a paper stating China's position on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, in which it comprehensively and systematically explains its basic position and propositions. The comprehensive and feasible plan, which is in line with the common aspirations of the international community and the fundamental long-term interests of the world, demonstrates China's role as a responsible major country to defend world peace. In the paper, China put forward a 12-point proposal to end the conflict in Ukraine by addressing both the symptoms and root causes of the crisis, and reiterated the necessity to end the conflict through dialogue and negotiation. To summarize, China's paper centers around the following 12 aspects: respecting the sovereignty of all countries, abandoning the Cold War mentality, ceasing hostilities, resuming peace talks, resolving the humanitarian crisis, protecting civilians and prisoners of war, keeping nuclear power plants safe, reducing strategic risks, facilitating grain exports, stopping unilateral sanctions, keeping industrial and supply chains stable, and promoting post-conflict reconstruction. The paper not only reiterates China's consistent proposition, but also incorporates the rational views of the international community. It clarifies the major principles and preconditions, and marks a clear path out of the crisis, which has been widely recognized globally. The peace proposal has been welcomed by many countries of the international community. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, called the position paper "an important contribution." Aiming for an end to the conflict, China's stance is in line with the universal expectations of peace-loving people around the world, who believe that a political settlement of the dispute is in the common interests of Russia, Ukraine and the international community. To the world's dismay, the crisis has escalated during the past year. To make matters worse, whenever there was a peace talk, some external forces would interfere by creating rumors, sowing discord, and discrediting the mediators. They do not want the peace talks to succeed, nor do they want the conflict to cease. For a "bigger strategic goal," they instigated camp confrontation and continued to fan the flames. They didn't care about the lives of the Ukrainian people and were indifferent to the collateral damage to other countries and regions. To resolve the crisis, China expressed the broad public opinion -- end the conflict -- which has been suppressed by hegemony for long. Zoltan Kiszelly, director of the Center of Political Analyses at Hungary's Szazadveg Institute, said the position paper by China on the Ukraine crisis is a very important contribution to preventing a new global Cold War era from beginning. China's position paper hits the pain points of the Ukraine crisis and offers important guidance for all parties to exit the security dilemma. The Ukraine issue has a complicated history. It is not only the outbreak of long-term accumulation of European security conflicts, but also the result of Cold War thinking and bloc confrontation. China stressed that all parties should abandon the Cold War mentality: the security of a country should not be pursued at the expense of others; the security of a region should not be achieved by strengthening or expanding military blocs; and the legitimate security interests and concerns of all countries must be taken seriously and addressed properly. The Diplomat magazine stated on its website that disregard of the principle of "indivisible security" is one of the root causes of the crisis, and that compliance with this principle will be an important part of the solution. China's position paper adheres to the consistent position of promoting peace talks, providing a feasible path for a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. Since the outbreak of the crisis, China has always adhered to the principle of "indivisible security," upheld fairness and justice, actively promoted peace talks, and participated in humanitarian assistance. From calling for creating space for peace and leaving room for political solutions, to proposing a five-point position on the Ukraine issue and a six-point initiative on easing the humanitarian crisis, and from putting forward the four points about what must be done, and the four things the international community must do together, to the three important thoughts, China has outlined its fundamental approach to the issue. China's unremitting peace efforts are obvious to all and widely recognized by the international community. Former Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Ante Simonic said that the position paper issued by China is of great significance not only to Russia and Ukraine, but also to the international community. Polish President Andrzej Duda emphasized that negotiations will always be a path to peace on the Ukraine issue, and China, as a great partner and a major country with great strength, cannot be ignored. No one can win in conflicts, and there is no simple solution to a complex issue. Confrontation between major powers must be avoided. The Ukraine crisis has sounded alarm bells: seeking security at the expense of other countries will inevitably lead to a security dilemma; building a world and regional security framework with a Cold War mentality only causes conflicts and confrontations. As a responsible major country, China has put forward the Global Security Initiative, and issued a position paper on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. The message is clear: China upholds justice, seeks peace, focuses on the long term, and will always stand on the side of peace, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and work with the international community to safeguard the peace and tranquility of mankind. BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Over the past five years, China remained committed to opening up wider to the world and expanded international economic and trade cooperation to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes, said a government work report. In response to changes in the external environment, China pursued a more proactive strategy of opening up and worked to boost reform and development with high-standard opening up, said the report submitted Sunday to the national legislature for deliberation. Over the past five years, China's imports and exports were kept stable, and their quality was improved, the report said. China developed new forms of foreign trade, built 152 new integrated pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce, and supported the establishment of overseas warehouses, it said. The overall tariff level fell from 9.8 percent to 7.4 percent over the five years, it added. China advanced trials for innovative development of trade in services across the board and adopted the negative list for cross-border trade in services, according to the report. China took proactive and effective moves to utilize foreign investment, it added. A total of 21 pilot free trade zones have been established in China, and steady strides have been made in the development of Hainan Free Trade Port. China promoted high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, it said. Imports and exports between China and other BRI countries increased at an annual rate of 13.4 percent, and exchanges and cooperation between China and these countries registered steady progress in a wide range of areas. Over the past five years, six free trade agreements were newly concluded or upgraded; and the share of trade with China's free trade partners increased from 26 percent to around 35 percent of China's total trade volume, said the report. BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China ensured food security and vigorously implemented the rural revitalization strategy during the past five years, according to a government work report submitted Sunday to the national legislature for deliberation. The country increased the area of high-standard cropland by 30.4 million hectares during the period, while raising the rate of mechanization in crops plowing, planting and harvesting from 67 percent to 73 percent, the report said. Tap water coverage in rural areas increased from 80 percent to 87 percent, and dilapidated houses of more than 24 million rural households were rebuilt over the years, it said. * The "two sessions" are of great importance in the country's political calendar, during which the central government will deliver a work report that usually reviews past achievements and sets development targets for the year and beyond. Thousands of national legislators and political advisors will review and discuss the report, as well as reports of the national legislature, the top court and the top procuratorate. * This year's political gatherings carry extra weight. The election of new leading officials of state institutions and the new leadership of the CPPCC National Committee is an important task of the "two sessions" this year. Also, the planned reform of the State Council institutions will be deliberated. * Asa majorpolitical event taking place after the 20th CPC National Congress, the "two sessions" are expected to further mobilize the nation to fulfill the modernization goals. The opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisory body kicked off its annual session on Saturday, marking the start of the "two sessions" in a crucial year as China gathers steam for building a great modern socialist country. President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Wang Yang, chairman of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, delivered a work report to the CPPCC National Committee session, in which he said the political advisory body has built broad consensus and contributed wisdom and strength to achieving the two centenary goals. The "two sessions" refer to the annual meetings of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, and the CPPCC National Committee. The NPC session will open on Sunday. The "two sessions" are of great importance in the country's political calendar, during which the central government will deliver a work report that usually reviews past achievements and sets development targets for the year and beyond. Thousands of national legislators and political advisors will review and discuss the report, as well as reports of the national legislature, the top court and the top procuratorate. This year's political gatherings carry extra weight. The election of new leading officials of state institutions and the new leadership of the CPPCC National Committee is an important task of the "two sessions" this year. Also, the planned reform of the State Council institutions will be deliberated. In addition, lawmakers will deliberate a draft amendment to the Legislation Law. The CPPCC National Committee session, meanwhile, will review and approve an amendment to the CPPCC charter. Addressing national political advisors, Wang hailed China's past five years as "truly extraordinary." China has realized its First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects on schedule, said Wang. "The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is now on an irreversible historical course." The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), held in October 2022, charted the course for China to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building a great modern socialist country in all respects by the middle of this century. As a majorpolitical event taking place after the CPC meeting, the "two sessions" are expected to further mobilize the nation to fulfill the modernization goals. The opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) "Getting off to a good start is of great importance," said Sun Changlong, a member of the CPPCC National Committee. "We political advisors shall conduct extensive problem-oriented research to assist with the high-quality development," said Sun. Chen Huiqing, a deputy to the NPC and mayor of Zhuzhou City in Hunan Province, agrees that the "two sessions" will pool nationwide wisdom to push ahead the course of modernization. "We will carefully review the documents and reports and put forward suggestions in light of local conditions," Chen said. Since the start of this year, the country has sent out fresh signals of robust consumption and factory activities. The purchasing managers' index for China's manufacturing sector came in at 52.6 in February, up from 50.1 in January. This figure marked the strongest level since April 2012. More than half of China's provincial-level regions have set their 2023 GDP growth targets at 6 percent or higher. Observers have anticipated the "two sessions" to build on such momentum and further rally confidence for the world's second-largest economy under the backdrop of domestic and external challenges. "I expect this year's 'two sessions' to offer further guidance and more policies on boosting the economy, improving the industrial structure, and encouraging corporate innovation," said Qiu Jihua, a national lawmaker. "China is striving to secure stable economic growth this year, so the 'two sessions' are of special significance in boosting confidence and gathering strength," said Yang Hui, a national political advisor. (Reporting by Yao Yuan, Wang Wen, Wu Ziyu, Zhang Yujie, Zhang Yuqi, Hong Zehua; Video reporters: Sun Qing, You Zhixin, Li Haiwei, Zhao Yihe; Video editors: Wu Yuzhan, Wei Yin, Shi Peng, Zhao Yuchao) BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China's annual defense budget will remain single-digit growth for the eighth year in a row, with an increase of 7.2 percent in 2023, according to a draft budget on Sunday. The world's second largest economy's planned defense spending will be 1.5537 trillion yuan (about 224.79 billion U.S. dollars) this year, read the report on the draft central and local budgets submitted to the ongoing session of China's national legislature. The figure for last year was 7.1 percent. China's military spending has long been at the center of Western scrutiny, and so-called "China threat" has been hyped up almost every year. However, the country's defense budget is only about one-quarter of that of the United States, which amounted to some 858 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. In per-capita terms, China's defense spending is only one-sixteenth of that of the United States. Describing China's defense budget increase as "appropriate and reasonable," Wang Chao, spokesperson for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress, told reporters Saturday that the growth is needed for meeting complex security challenges and for China to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country. China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. It has stressed on multiple occasions that no mater how much defense expenditure is invested or how modernized its armed forces are, China will never seek hegemony, expansion, or sphere of influence. This is in stark contrast to the United States, which currently has about 800 overseas military bases, with 173,000 troops deployed in 159 countries. In recent years, the U.S. average annual military budget has accounted for over 40 percent of the world's total, more than the 15 countries behind it combined. Noting that defense spending is determined based on the overall consideration of the need for defense building and the economic development level of a country, Wang Chao said China's defense spending as a share of GDP, which is lower than the world average, has been kept basically stable for many years. China's defense expenditure is open and transparent. According to China's defense ministry, the country has been submitting reports on its military expenditures to the United Nations every year since 2008. Its increased defense expenditure helps provide Chinese forces with better training and more advanced equipment. It also supports the military in tackling non-conventional security threats such as major epidemics and natural disasters, extending helping hands to people in need in and outside of China. According to China's National Defense Law, military personnel have an obligation to participate in emergency rescue and disaster relief. In 2020, when Wuhan was hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chinese military sent over 4,000 medics to assist in the epidemic fight. China's armed forces are also committed to providing the international community with more public security goods to the best of their capacity. China is a major contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget and the largest troop-contributing country among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, sending more than 50,000 personnel on peacekeeping missions over the last three decades. Since 2008, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has sent 43 fleets to the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somali on escort missions to protect the international lane, escorting over 7,000 Chinese and foreign vessels. The PLA naval hospital ship Peace Ark has visited over 40 countries and regions, providing medical services to more than 240,000 people since it was commissioned in 2008. "China's future is closely intertwined with that of the entire world. China's military modernization will not be a threat to any country. On the contrary, it will only be a positive force for safeguarding regional stability and world peace," Wang said. People stay outside their residence due to the earthquakes felt in Tripoli, Lebanon, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua) BEIRUT, March 4 (Xinhua) -- In the past weeks since the massive earthquake hit Turkiye and Syria on Feb. 6, Ebtisam Antar, a mother of two children in Lebanon neighboring Syria, goes to bed every night with intense fear that the roof of her 50-year-old house may fall over her head. She told Xinhua that the quake on Feb. 6 caused cracks in the wall of her balcony before another one two days later led to more fissures in her daughter's bedroom. "I was scared to death, so I moved from the house on Feb. 6 with my two kids. But I had to return 20 days later because I can't stay at my brother's crowded house forever," said Antar, who lives in a poor neighborhood in the northern Mediterranean city of Tripoli. People stay outside their residence due to the earthquakes felt in Tripoli, Lebanon, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua) The situation is even worse for Mustafa el-Wahesh, as the quake added new cracks in the iron columns of his 50-year-old building which has long been severely troubled by its poor sewage systems. "My family and I are so scared that we sleep with our clothes on," el-Wahesh told Xinhua. "But I could not even leave the house as I have nowhere to go," the father of two lamented. Antar and el-Wahesh's plight reveals the fragility of aging buildings in Tripoli because of decades of neglect, especially after the deadly earthquake that killed over 47,000 in Syria and Turkiye. Even before the 2019 financial collapse, residents in the Mediterranean impoverished Lebanese city lacked the financial resources to maintain their buildings. Mohammad Dabab, a third resident in Tripoli, said his building was "dancing right and left" during the earthquake and he can still feel it moving even if there is no quake. People stay outside their residence due to the earthquakes felt in Tripoli, Lebanon, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua) "Walls and iron columns cracked. Architects who came to check our building said the situation is dangerous," he told Xinhua. The Order of Engineers and Architects in Tripoli has visited and checked the buildings damaged by the earthquake in the northern Lebanese city, hoping to submit a report to authorities for support for the buildings at risk of collapse, explained Fadi Obeid, an engineer and member of the local organization. Hundreds of complaints are now filed every day by residents in Tripoli who worry about the safety of their homes, according to Obeid and Ahmad Amareddine, the head of Tripoli's municipality. Amareddine told Xinhua that about 700 to 800 buildings in Tripoli were cracked at different degrees even before the earthquake but are not at risk of collapse in the absence of new natural disasters. He puts the number of constructions at risk of collapse from the recent earthquake at 20, while Obeid believes the real figure is much higher through the field visits by the teams of his organization. Children stay in a square after an earthquake in southern Turkiye is felt in Tripoli, Lebanon, on Feb. 20, 2023. (Photo by Khaled Habashiti/Xinhua) Mohamad Kheir, the secretary general of the Higher Relief Committee in Lebanon, told Xinhua that the government plans to provide housing allowances for owners whose houses risk collapsing from the earthquake. Last month, the Order of Engineers and Architects of Tripoli, in cooperation with the Association of Arab Architects based in the capital Beirut, issued a series of recommendations during a conference held in the city, where conferees agreed on the urgency to launch a survey of cracked buildings in Tripoli that pose a threat to public safety, calling on the authorities to secure funding dedicated to restoring and strengthening those buildings. BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China's armed forces, with a focus on the goals for the centenary of the People's Liberation Army in 2027, should work to carry out military operations, boost combat preparedness and enhance military capabilities so as to accomplish the tasks entrusted to them by the Party and the people, said a government work report. The armed forces should intensify military training and preparedness across the board, develop new military strategic guidance, devote greater energy to training under combat conditions, and make well-coordinated efforts to strengthen military work in all directions and domains, said the government work report submitted Sunday to the national legislature for deliberation. BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China's annual defense budget will remain single-digit growth for the eighth year in a row, with an increase of 7.2 percent in 2023, according to a draft budget on Sunday. The world's second largest economy's planned defense spending will be 1.5537 trillion yuan (about 224.79 billion U.S. dollars) this year, read the report on the draft central and local budgets submitted to the ongoing session of China's national legislature. The figure for last year was 7.1 percent. China's military spending has long been at the center of Western scrutiny, and so-called "China threat" has been hyped up almost every year. Describing China's defense budget increase as "appropriate and reasonable," Wang Chao, spokesperson for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress, told reporters Saturday that the growth is needed for meeting complex security challenges and for China to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country. China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. It has stressed on multiple occasions that no mater how much defense expenditure is invested or how modernized its armed forces are, China will never seek hegemony, expansion, or sphere of influence. This is in stark contrast to the United States, which currently has about 800 overseas military bases, with 173,000 troops deployed in 159 countries. In recent years, the U.S. average annual military budget has accounted for over 40 percent of the world's total, more than the 15 countries behind it combined. China's defense budget is about one-quarter of that of the United States, which amounted to some 858 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. In per-capita terms, China's defense spending is only one-sixteenth of that of the United States. Noting that defense spending is determined based on the overall consideration of the need for defense building and the economic development level of a country, Wang said China's defense spending as a share of GDP, which is lower than the world average, has been kept basically stable for many years. "China's future is closely intertwined with that of the entire world. China's military modernization will not be a threat to any country. On the contrary, it will only be a positive force for safeguarding regional stability and world peace," he said. China is a major contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget and the largest troop-contributing country among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, sending more than 50,000 personnel on peacekeeping missions over the last three decades. This photo taken on March 5, 2023 shows the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen) BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- In 2017, Jilie Ziri, the first college student from the mountainous Abuluoha Village in southwest China's Sichuan Province, decided to give up his job and return to his hometown. Serving as the secretary of the Communist Party of China's (CPC's) village branch, Jilie Ziri has led local residents in combatting poverty and pursuing a prosperous life. After years of efforts by Jilie Ziri and his fellow villagers, the once isolated town has been linked to the outside world with a paved road, and the people's living standard has been greatly improved. Now, the young man, born in 1995 and from the Yi ethnic group, is in Beijing for the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), where he and other deputies to the 14th NPC will discuss and decide how to bring a better life to the Chinese people. As global observers are closely watching the NPC and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), known as the "two sessions," Jilie Ziri's experience provides a personal perspective for them to better understand China's whole-process people's democracy. Deputies attend the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) POWER IN HANDS OF PEOPLE "I was following the two sessions last year. There was a driver who was one of the deputies appointed to sit in that body. There were delivery riders, farmers, teachers, cooks, doctors, journalists, who ordinarily will not make it to an institution where laws are made," said Eric Biegon, a journalist at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. He was deeply impressed by the wide representation of the deputies. "What captures my attention when it comes to China and (its) politics is that (the Chinese) have chosen a path that tends to bring people at the center of decision-making," he said. When talking about China's "two sessions," many overseas observers like Biegon spontaneously mention broad representation, which features prominently in China's whole-process people's democracy. In their eyes, broad representation is a necessary requirement for ensuring that the people are the masters of the country. The 2,977 deputies to the 14th NPC make up a broad cross-section of people, with every region, ethnic group and sector of society having an appropriate number of representatives. In the new lineup, 497 deputies are workers and farmers, 634 technical personnel, accounting for 16.69 percent and 21.3 percent, respectively. The 2,172 members of the 14th CPPCC National Committee are from all of China's 56 ethnic groups, and 60.8 percent of them are not CPC members. Zia Banday, senior research fellow at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, said deputies and members of the "two sessions" in China represent the interests of the people. They prepare for a long time each year, put forward opinions and suggestions, conduct deliberations and discussions, and provide ideas for national and people's livelihoods. This unique model ensures that the "two sessions" can fully reflect the voice of the Chinese people, he said. The decision-making in the "two sessions" is open to all Chinese and friends who are interested in the overall development of the country, said Ronnie Lins, director of the China-Brazil Center for Research and Business and a senior expert on China's decision-making mechanism. "I think the outcomes that China has achieved in recent years show that the process is broad in opinion and effective in results. The country's economic and social achievements speak for themselves." The opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) FROM THE PEOPLE & FOR THE PEOPLE Every year, topics discussed at China's "two sessions" are always the focus of international attention. Development and people's livelihood have always been important issues in China's "two sessions," fully reflecting the importance of "the people" in China's socialist democracy, Patricio Giusto, director of the Sino-Argentine Observatory, told Xinhua. Last year, 92 changes were made to The Report on the Work of the Government based on the suggestions put forward by the NPC deputies and CPPCC members. Offices and departments under the State Council handled 8,721 suggestions from NPC deputies and 5,865 proposals submitted by CPPCC National Committee members, accounting for 94.8 percent and 95 percent of the total number of suggestions and proposals, respectively. Sommad Pholsena, vice president of the Lao National Assembly, pointed out that Chinese leaders not only communicate with the NPC deputies and CPPCC members during the "two sessions," but also often conduct research at the grassroots level, which reflects that the thoughts and concerns of the Chinese people are at the heart of the CPC at all times. The CPC and the government have always given thoughtful and scientific policy responses to the people's needs and appeals through collective thinking, he noted, saying that China's whole-process people's democracy integrates process-oriented democracy with results-oriented democracy, procedural democracy with substantive democracy, direct democracy with indirect democracy, and people's democracy with the will of the state. Jean Christophe Iseux von Pfetten, president of the Institute for East-West Strategic Studies in Britain, was invited by the then mayor of Changchun to be a specially invited member of the CPPCC. As a long-time observer of China, Pfetten told Xinhua that through his personal experience, he found that China's democratic practice is devoted to solving practical problems, as he witnessed how the local two sessions focused on addressing issues related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers. The China hand also participated in the discussion with his experience of working for the World Trade Organization. The NPC deputies and CPPCC members will review the government work report delivered at the beginning of the annual session of the NPC, and make amendments and put forward new proposals and new suggestions and make it a very useful document, said Muhammad Asghar, special correspondent of Associated Press of Pakistan in China. So, the "two sessions" are very important as they make policies and plans for the next year, said Asghar, noting that they implement all of the plans which are always very beneficial for the people. Pooling wisdom and seeking benefits for all, China's rapid economic and social development and effective governance cannot be separated from the whole-process people's democracy. The truth is that with this political system, China has done very well in terms of economic development and social welfare in general, and became the second-largest economy in the world, said Giusto, the Argentina expert. Aerial photo taken on April 28, 2020 shows a view of a poverty-relief relocation site in Nandan County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming) A NEW PATH OF DEMOCRACY "I have been to China many times. I understand that China's progress is not accidental. This is due to the unity of the Chinese people, together with the vision of the leadership of the Communist Party of China," said Chea Munyrith, president of the Cambodian Chinese Evolution Researcher Association. Recalling his visit to Xishuangbanna in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan, Munyrith said that "I saw the spirit of development under the image of a united people force, which is a form of democracy with the Chinese characteristic. The development of villages is the decision of the people in the village and with the consultation and guidance of local CPC members." "I have always admired and shared this picture with the villagers in Cambodia, and I have always talked with my government officials and friends in Cambodia about this good form of democracy," he added. The Chinese style democratic model adopts an approach featuring consultative democracy under the CPC leadership. Such a system, seeking to bring its people together for a common goal, proves to be a story of success and serves as an inspiring paradigm for other developing countries. The Chinese democracy has pulled 800 million people out of poverty and contributed to establishing infrastructure and health systems that benefit the Chinese people, said Asghar, the Pakistani journalist. "I think that the Chinese democratic system is becoming a model for so many countries," Asghar added. For Munyrith, who was once the head of the translation team for the Cambodian version of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," what impressed him most about China's democratic system is that the CPC has always put the people first. "As the ruling party, the Communist Party of China represents the interests of the people, and all policies put the interests of the people first," he added. Pointing out that there are various types of democratic system models, Pfetten emphasized that the Chinese socialist consultative democracy provides an elegant way of solving the antithesis between equality and liberty. The British scholar is writing a book on Chinese democracy, elaborating on the achievements of the Chinese democracy to readers based on his individual experience in China. Sommad Pholsena, vice president of the Lao National Assembly, said that the innovative proposal of whole-process people's democracy demonstrates the self-confidence of the CPC, and offers fresh insights into the democratic building in other countries. Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, joins deputies from Yunnan Province in a group deliberation at the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese leaders Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Han Zheng, and Li Xi on Sunday attended deliberations at the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature. They stressed the significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and of establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. They also gave their support for the government work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang at the opening meeting of the session. When joining NPC deputies from Yunnan Province in a group deliberation, Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, urged staying true to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability and stepping up efforts to promote high-quality development. He stressed giving priority to ensuring stable growth, employment and prices and promoting a full economic recovery this year. In addition to calling for good work in COVID response in the new phase, he urged efforts to expand domestic demand, vigorously advance technological innovation, and better ensure and improve people's wellbeing. Reforms should be deepened unswervingly, with further reform of state-owned capital and state-owned enterprises and support for the growth of the private sector, he said. Efforts should also be made to promote high-standard opening up and foster a business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized, he noted. When joining the deliberation with his fellow deputies from the delegation of Sichuan Province, Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, called on the national lawmakers to thoroughly study and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and contribute to building a modern socialist country in all respects. They should uphold the overall leadership of the Party, particularly the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and follow Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as their guides to action, Zhao said. The NPC deputies, representing the interests and will of the people, should exercise the state power in accordance with the law and improve their ability to perform duties, said Zhao, asking them to keep the people uppermost in their minds. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, joined deputies from Guizhou Province in a deliberation. Wang emphasized the need to align efforts to consolidate and expand the achievements in poverty alleviation with efforts to promote rural revitalization, and underscored promoting common prosperity and persevering with enhancing ecological conservation. He urged efforts to resolve issues that are of common concern to the people, including employment, education, medical services, housing, elderly care, and childcare, accelerate development in ethnic minority areas and promote ethnic unity and progress. Deliberating with Shandong Province deputies, Vice Premier Han Zheng called for efforts to fully implement the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans, and continue to secure new victories for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. Han also stressed effectively upgrading and appropriately expanding China's economic output so as to realize high-quality development. China should ensure and improve the people's wellbeing in the course of pursuing development, and achieve solid progress in promoting common prosperity, said Han. Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, stressed ceaseless efforts in improving conduct, enforcing discipline and combating corruption, thus providing a strong guarantee for advancing Chinese modernization, in a group deliberation with NPC deputies from Fujian delegation. The anti-graft chief urged discipline inspection and supervisory agencies to conduct strict political supervision to guarantee effective implementation of the decisions and plans set out at the 20th CPC National Congress and resolutely win the tough and protracted battle against corruption. He also required efforts to ensure people can benefit from development, create a sound development environment, and help modernize the system and capacity for governance with an improved supervision system. Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, joins deputies from Sichuan Province in a group deliberation at the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, joins deputies from Guizhou Province in a group deliberation at the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng joins deputies from Shandong Province in a group deliberation at the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, joins deputies from Fujian Province in a group deliberation at the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) AMMAN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- King Abdullah II of Jordan on Sunday underlined the need to de-escalate and restore calm in the Palestinian territories, as well as cease any unilateral measures that undermine stability and peace prospects. He made the remarks at a meeting in Amman with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. During the meeting, the king urged stepping up efforts to create a political horizon that would pave the way towards relaunching Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, to reach just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution, according to a statement by the Royal Hashemite Court. The king stressed the importance of establishing an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Discussions also covered the latest regional developments, efforts to reach political solutions to crises in the region, and regional and international efforts to counter terrorism within a holistic approach. CAIRO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani here on Sunday to discuss issues of mutual interest. During the meeting, the two leaders agreed that sustained coordination is a must for facing challenges and restoring peace and stability in the region, according to the Egyptian Presidency. Sisi highlighted Egypt's unwavering support for Iraq and its people at all levels, particularly in the fight against terrorism and for the country's security and stability. Egypt is willing to diversify and put into work various frameworks of political, economic, and cultural cooperation with Iraq, Sisi said, stressing the need to intensify cooperation within the framework of the Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism among Egypt, Iraq and Jordan. For his part, al-Sudani lauded the firm and historical bonds between the two countries and Egypt's efforts to support Iraq at all levels. In this respect, he appreciated the "prominent role" that Egypt has played in forwarding the mechanisms of joint Arab action to maintain peace and development in spite of challenges in the region. ISLAMABAD, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and three others injured when a bomb went off in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday, police sources said. The incident happened in Banu district where an explosive-laden motorbike exploded when the vehicle of a member of a pro-government peace militia passed by it, sources from the counter-terrorism department of police told Xinhua. The sources added that the bomb was detonated by a remote-controlled device by unknown terrorists who are being hunted in the area. The injured people were shifted to a nearby hospital where two of them are in critical condition. No group or individual has claimed the attack yet. BAKU, March 5 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and two others were injured in a shooting at a supermarket in Baku on Saturday, law enforcement authorities said. The injured were hospitalized, local news outlets reported. An unidentified gunman attacked bank staff members putting cash into the ATM at the supermarket and escaped from the scene with a bag. Investigation to track the suspect is still ongoing. South Africa: Condolences pour in for the late Education MEC Tate Makgoe Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is shocked and saddened at the news of the sudden death of Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe whose life was claimed by an unfortunate car accident in the early hours of Sunday. In a statement on Sunday, Minister Motshekga said that at 4am today the Free State Premier Molisi Zukwana informed her about an accident on the N1 which claimed the life of Dr Makgoe and his protector in Winburg. "I have no words to express my deepest shock at the news of the untimely passing of Comrade Tate. When I was appointed Minister of Basic Education he was also appointed MEC of Education in the Free State and has been in the position ever since. The success of the province in education can be attributed mainly to his leadership, dedication, understanding of the sector and the innovation which has yielded great results. I am truly saddened by his passing," Minister Motshekga said. Motshekga said that this is heartbreaking and indeed a huge loss to the sector and society as a whole. She said that this is a tragedy for the family, the province and the country. "Tate was simply the best ever. He contributed immensely not only in Free State education but in the sector generally. He was a very hardworking, highly gifted but humble and respectful to all. A trailblazer of note," Minister Motshekga said. The Minister conveyed her condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and stakeholders who worked with Dr Makgoe. Meanwhile, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane says he is saddened by the untimely passing of Makgoe. Chiloane said that MEC Makgoe successfully led Free States basic education sector, enabling it to achieve South Africas best matriculant results for four consecutive years running. He said that Makgoe exemplified the excellence of our countrys public schooling system. MEC Makgoes invaluable contributions towards our countrys basic education sector and the incredible achievements he pioneered within his own province will never be forgotten. His passing is a insurmountable loss to our sector, however, the standards he has set will remain as a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of leaders to come. As the Gauteng Department of Education, we wish to express our deepest and sincerest condolences to MEC Tate Makgoes family, loved ones and the Free State Department of Education at large, MEC Chiloane said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. SYDNEY, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The police force in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has declared a critical incident investigation, after an armed man was shot dead in southwest Sydney on Sunday. According to a statement released by NSW Police Force, officers were called to a home in William Street, Yagoona, at about 8:50 a.m. local time, responding to reports of a domestic violence-related incident. The police said that on arrival, officers were allegedly threatened by an armed man. A police officer discharged his firearm after a Taser was deployed. First aid was immediately rendered to the 29-year-old man until the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics. He was taken to Liverpool Hospital where he later died. NSW Police Force said that a critical incident team comprised of officers from State Crime Command's Homicide Squad will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the discharge of the police firearm. The man was wielding two large knives when a female and a male officer arrived, NSW Police Force Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith told local media, noting that the female officer fell to the ground during the confrontation and the man tried to attack her with both knives. "What I can describe as what followed was an attempt by this male to either wound or kill the male police officer, who then deployed his police service weapon and fired three rounds," Smith said The assistant commissioner added that both officers were injured, sustaining superficial wounds. It is the second fatal police shooting in NSW in a week. On Tuesday, a 32-year-old knife-wielding man was killed inside the Auburn Police Station in western Sydney. ISTANBUL, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government's announcement to discharge Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the sea has caused concerns across the world, a prominent Turkish expert on the Asia Pacific region has said recently. "That is not something that will harm only Japan or the surrounding environment, but it is an action that concerns the whole world," Merthan Dundar, director of Ankara University Asia-Pacific Studies Application and Research Center, told Xinhua. The Japanese government announced in January that it would release radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean in the spring or summer this year. The spillage of contaminated material could largely affect fisheries and marine life, the scholar said. "In the globalized world, people eat fish caught in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It seems that this will create a problem for all humanity," he added. Although some experts said that the water would be cleaned by the Advanced Liquid Processing System, Dundar is especially worried that some substances, such as tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen present in the Fukushima wastewater, would decay easily. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sent a technical task force to Japan in January to review Japan's disposing plan, and a report would be published within three months. However, the Japanese government unilaterally announced the disposing plan before the visit of the IAEA's technical task force. "Such reckless behavior raises questions about whether Japan values the authority of the IAEA and its technical task force. Is Japan determined to proceed with its unilateral discharge plan regardless of the outcome of the assessment?" A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said earlier last month. Dundar also expressed his concern over the period of the disposing process, which will continue for as long as 30 years, according to the Japanese government. "So they won't drain all the water in two years. It will be gradually released to this sea in 30 to 40 years," Dundar said. "I have to say that I am frankly worried." He called on all countries to be involved in the Japanese government's planned discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater, so as to ease people's concerns. "Not just an institution in duty, but NGOs and scientists from different countries should be involved in the process and should convince us before this act, and all our questions should be answered as crystal-clearly as possible," he said. OTTAWA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- It is urgent to investigate the deaths and abuses in the Indian Residential School system and more resources and support are needed, a Canadian scholar on Indian residential school history told Xinhua in a recent interview. The most recent findings at the former Port Alberni Indian Residential School on Vancouver Island showed that there is still tremendous amount of work to be done to uncover the dark pages of Indian residential schools in Canadian history, said Dr. Tricia Logan, the interim academic director at the Indian Residential School History Dialogue Center at University of British Columbia. First Nations in the Canadian province of British Columbia recently made public that 17 suspected unmarked burials were discovered at the former Port Alberni Indian Residential School site, and the school's 67 dead children were identified through research of archives. START OF SEARCH "There are investigations going on in approximately 18 different locations across British Columbia. First Nations communities and survivor communities have been involved. Survivors, families of survivors, inter-generational survivors know about what's going on," said Dr. Logan, a Metis -- a descendant of white settlers and native residents in Canada. She said the Port Alberni School had students from over 100 different communities in British Columbia and other provinces. "The number of survivors and inter-generational survivors involved is huge. It's very far-reaching," Dr. Logan said. According to GeoScan, a local land surveyor that conducted the ground-penetrating radar scans since last July, the 17 suspected graves represent the minimum number believed to be on 12 of 100 hectares that they searched at the former Port Alberni School site. DIGITIZATION AND PROPER CARE OF RECORDS Dr. Logan highlighted that the Tseshaht First Nation which leads the investigation identified 67 First Nation children who died at the school through research of various historical records. While government and church archives and records of Indian residential schools are now more accessible than several years ago, she was worried that many relevant documents are still unavailable to researchers and First Nations, as many historical records are decaying rapidly and need to be digitized as soon as possible. "There's a great deal of urgency" because researchers need to align the investigations and the work of individual communities, ground-penetrating radar research, archaeological research and community- and survivor-led research, she said. "That level of urgency is to match the records with each one of those different sites and investigations." They also need to assure digitization and proper care of the records and see how to make them accessible to the communities depending on levels of privacy and restrictions, she added. PART OF COLONIAL SYSTEM Dr. Logan stressed that for over 100 years and until even now, native residents including First Nations, Inuits and Metis face systematic oppression and discrimination, and Indian Residential School is just a part of that colonial system. Survivors, their families and communities constantly require Indian hospitals, day schools, day scholars, other kinds of institutions that were very closely affiliated with residential schools to be included in the research, especially where it involves student diseases, deaths and abuses, she said. "We are trying to look at residential schools and the history of them in a much broader scope for all of Canada," said Dr. Logan, adding that they are also investigating how colonialism and its structures, like residential schools, child welfare system, Indian hospitals, day schools, were involved in missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, and "how the effects and the ongoing impacts of colonialism carry on today." The residential schools are not isolated or a system on their own, but well connected to other structures of colonialism, like day schools and Indian hospitals, and today's child welfare system, she added. For more than a century since the 1830s, school-aged children of the indigenous community were snatched from their mothers' arms and corralled in distant residential schools funded by the Canadian government, where they were surveilled by the clergy of the Christian church, barred from family visits, and institutionalized away from their cultural traditions. About 150,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit children are believed to have fallen victim to the cultural assimilation. In these schools, children were subject to abuse and torture as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission documented at least 4,100 deaths. The former Port Alberni Indian Residential School site is the latest of several locations being searched for possible unmarked graves of children. LOS ANGELES, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Asian-led multiverse adventure "Everything Everywhere All at Once" dominated the 38th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday by taking home a record-breaking seven trophies. The awards, honoring the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers, were held in the U.S. coastal city of Santa Monica in Los Angeles County. "Everything Everywhere All at Once," a hilarious sci-fi action adventure, not only won the big prize of the night, the Best Feature award, but also swept other major film categories. The film's Chinese-Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh won the Best Lead Performance award, while her co-star Ke Huy Quan walked away with the Best Supporting Performance award. The film also grabbed both Best Director and Best Screenplay for Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Best Breakthrough Performance for Stephanie Hsu, and Best Editing for Paul Rogers. In addition, the Pakistani drama film "Joyland" nabbed Best International Film, while the Best Documentary award went to "All the Beauty and the Bloodshed." by Yosley Carrero HAVANA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- At the very heart of the Cuban capital Havana is Pedro Borras-Marfan hospital where children and adults with cochlear implants receive medical treatment. Among them is adolescent Leandra Moreno, who was diagnosed with serious hearing loss, but now feels her life has changed. "I can stream my favorite songs, listen to the sound of rain, and hang out with my friends thanks to this implant," she said. "I cannot praise doctors highly enough for their support," said Moreno's mother Niurka Lago, 52. "Their work has been of great help to us." After surgeries and switching on the cochlear implants, patients are required to see audiologists for further regular monitoring at the hospital. Antonio Paz, president of the Cuban Society of Otolaryngology and head of the National Group of Cochlear Implant, said that despite the U.S. embargo on the island, the Cuban government continues to prioritize cochlear implant surgeries. "Patients from across the country have received cochlear implants," he said. "This program has contributed to the development of learning skills of children with hearing loss at schools." According to data released by the Cuban Ministry of Public Health, between 70 and 80 children are annually eligible for cochlear implants in the Caribbean nation, and over 500 people have benefited from cochlear implants since the start of a national program in 1997. Omara Delgado, director of programs for people with disabilities at the ministry, said that the Cuban government pays particular attention to the program for people with hearing loss. "This program has been fundamental for the social inclusion of people with disabilities," she said. "The outcome has been very positive, resulting in the improvement of living standards of patients and their families." According to official data, over 50,000 people on the island suffer from hearing loss. Javier Ernesto Blondin, 23, told Xinhua that receiving a cochlear implant six years ago opened the door to amazing experiences for him. "I very much enjoy the sounds of people laughing as well as that of cars, birds and different animals. This is wonderful," he said. Turkey working to renew Black Sea grain deal, Foreign Ministry says 5 March, 06:44 PM Turkey working to renew Black Sea grain deal (Photo:REUTERS / Anna Voitenko) Ankara is putting serious effort into extending the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at the UN Conference on Least Developed Countries in Doha, Qatar, on March 5. "We are working hard for the smooth implementation and further extension of the Black Sea grain deal," Reuters quoted Cavusoglu as saying. The minister added he had discussed their efforts to extend the deal with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Russia said on March 1 that it would agree to an extension only if its agricultural interests were taken into account. Video of day Read also: EU to help Ukraine to export its grain The Black Sea Grain Initiative launched on Aug. 1, 2022, as a result of the joint efforts of Turkey and the UN. It allows Ukraine to unblock the Black Sea ports for resumption of food exports. The grain deal was prolonged for four months on Nov. 17 and it is to expire on March 18. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News Off Broadways historic, if long financially beleaguered, Cherry Lane Theatre has been purchased by The Whale and Everything Everywhere All at Once film studio A24. The 179-seat mainstage venue, located on one of the most picturesque side streets of Manhattans West Village neighborhood, is a central part of Off Broadway history, founded as a playhouse in 1923 and eventually providing a home space for such major theatrical figures as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, Edward Albee, Clifford Odets, Tennessee Williams, Harold Pinter, Eugene Ionesco, LeRoi Jones, Sam Shepard, Lanford Wilson, Joe Orton and David Mamet. More from Deadline Recent years have seen the small, tucked-away venue hitting one financial brick wall after another, most recently when executive director Angelina Fiordellisi agreed to sell the theater to the Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation for $11 million in 2021. According to The New York Times, that deal fell through over the selling price. A deed filed today and first reported by the real estate website Curbed indicates A24 has purchased the venue (which also includes a smaller 60-seat theater) for $10,026,428. As reported by Deadline a year ago, A24, currently riding high with Oscar nominees Everything Everywhere All at Once and The Whale, had secured a $225 million equity investment to fund a strategic growth plan, with stated plans to use the capital to expand production and distribution worldwide and develop high-quality initiatives beyond the screen. Though A24s plans for the Cherry Lane have not yet been detailed, the purchase dovetails nicely with the studios previously announced desire to develop non-film projects. Story continues Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. From March 3 to March 31, Ho Chi Minh City welcomes visitors worldwide to experience unique splendors of the 9th Ao Dai Festival with a chain of feisty activities at various destinations throughout the city. HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, March 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On 03 March 2023, Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Tourism and Ho Chi Minh City Women's Union have officially commenced the 9th Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival at Nguyen Hue Walking Street, where visitors can admire 21 outstanding collections from famous designers with over 500 Ao Dai models. The vibrant parade of stunning Ao Dai designs in Ao Dai Festival 2023 This year's Festival is graced by the presence of esteemed beauty queens such as Miss H'Hen Nie (Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 and Top 5 Miss Universe 2018), Miss Annabelle Mae McDonnell from the Philippines (First Runner-up of Miss Charm 2023), as well as Nguyen Huynh Kim Duyen (Runner-up in Miss Supranational 2022). Joining them are music icons Kyo York, Soobin, Nguyen Phi Hung and other renowned artists. The festival features an exquisite showcase of Ao Dai collections by celebrated designers such as Si Hoang, Do Trinh Hoai Nam, Lien Huong, Trisha Vo, Viet Hung, Ao Dai Nam Tuyen, Ao Dai artist Trung Dinh, along with Anna Hanh Le, Ella Phan, and Ho Tran Da Thao, etc., each of which celebrates and pays tribute to the unique and distinctive cultural identity of Vietnam. The annual festival of Ao Dai is a month-long extravaganza of Vietnam's rich culture and traditional costumes through a diversity of feisty activities throughout the city. Visitors from all over the world are invited to experience the festival and explore the city. The festival organizers have taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety of visitors, including adherence to COVID-19 guidelines. The highlight of the festival is the vibrant parade of stunning Ao Dai designs that takes place on March 5, 2023, along a pedestrian route from Nguyen Hue to Le Loi, Dong Khoi and other popular tourist attractions. Visitors will be enchanted by the colorful and lively parade, which will showcase a wide range of Ao Dai designs, from the traditional to the modern. The parade will be a true spectacle, embodying the festival's festive spirit and promoting Vietnam's rich culture and heritage. Story continues Furthermore, visitors can enjoy two exciting experience spaces. The Exhibition Space at President Ho Chi Minh Monument Park and Nguyen Hue Street showcases the beauty of Ao Dai in Vietnamese family traditions, Ao Dai Festival over the years, and intangible cultural forms of Vietnam. Meanwhile, the Ao Dai Art Path at Lam Son Park and the square in front of the City Theater offers opportunities for visitors to take pictures, experience traditional art performances, and participate in interactive activities. This year, an interactive online application is introducing a new way to discover the beauty of Ao Dai culture: an exciting game featuring characters in Ao Dai strolling through the distinctive tourist attractions of Ho Chi Minh City. Whether you're a local or a visitor from abroad, you can join in on the fun and explore the city's traditional beauty a refreshing new way to experience the unique Ao Dai culture. From the timeless elegance of the Ao Dai to the country's vibrant culture and heritage, Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival 2023 adds an exciting new dimension to the tourism menu in Ho Chi Minh City for domestic and international tourists. While the 9th Ao Dai Festival is undoubtedly a highlight of the Vietnamese tourism calendar, there is so much more to discover beyond the festival. Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant and exciting city, a perfect blend of modernity and tradition that offers something for every traveler. With its bustling nightlife, renowned street food, iconic landmarks, and rich history, Ho Chi Minh City is an ideal destination for Singaporean tourists looking to experience something new this summer. Especially, according to Ms. Hoa Anh Thi Nguyen, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, after the festival, the city's tourism industry plans to promote the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival at the ITB Asia International Travel Fair 2023 in Singapore in October 2023. With its unique combination of tradition and innovation, it's an opportunity to showcase Vietnam's unique culture to the world and further promote cultural exchange and tourism. For more information please visit: Website: http://lehoiaodaitphcm.com.vn. SOURCE Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Tourism When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the crypto community mobilized to donate funds to the Ukraine Government and NGOs operating in the region. With millions of dollars in cryptocurrency coming in from around the world, the uncensorable nature of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others proved critical to providing aid where needed. But while the mainstream media continues to focus on Ukraine, several crypto projects and DAOs have turned their attention to providing aid to earthquake-torn Turkey and Syria. Launched in 2019, Endaoment is a 503c non-profit organization that aims to encourage and manage cryptocurrencys charitable giving. Last month, after several massive earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria, crypto donations began pouring into the region. This is a community that is very rights and sovereignty focused, so it was very easy for them to grasp and feel empowered to be an activist about the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Endaoment President and CEO Robbie Heeger told Decrypt at ETH Denver. In the case of the [Turkey and Syria] earthquakes, also a terrible tragedy, but a natural one, were seeing great donation activitybut not at the same scale as when Russia invaded Ukraine, he said. Heeger added that many still donate to traditional disaster relief efforts to help. Millions in Crypto Donations Pour Into Turkey Following Devastating Earthquakes Like Ukraine DAO before, Turkey Relief DAO was launched after the earthquake in Turkey to raise funds to send to government agencies and NGOs operating inside the disaster area. Turkey Relief DAO aims to raise awareness of the organizations working to help those affected by the earthquakes. Ive been very close to the earthquake in [Turkey] 1999, so I know what hardship is going on right now on the ground, Turkey Relief DAO founding member and co-founder of Huma Finance Erbil Karaman told Decrypt at ETH Denver. Fundraising efforts have been hard because the media lose attention immediatelywe dont see it anywhere anymore. Story continues Karaman says Turkey Relief DAO works with the Turkey government and NGOs to set up wallets on 18 chains to collect donations and send them where needed. Ethereum Beats Bitcoin as Most Donated Cryptocurrency in 2021: The Giving Block There have to be more efforts coming into rebuilding all these cities and these peoples lives for the next year or two, Karaman said. In February, Huma Finance, the project co-founded by Karaman, raised $8.3 million in funding after winning an award at ETH Denver 2022 on the conferences decentralized finance track. Weve been so fortunate because of our success, Karaman said. Weve had insane support from the Ethereum and surrounding communities. Companies joining in the raise include Circle Ventures, Race Capital, Request Network, and Superfluid. Due to the Big Apple's mayor's snub, four New Yorkers will get a free taste of Topeka. Meanwhile, Gov. Laura Kelly says he owes Kansas an apology. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly says New York City Mayor Eric Adams owes the Sunflower State an apology. Meanwhile, four Big Apple residents will get a free taste of Topeka because of their mayor's snub. Visit Topeka and Kansas Tourism announced Friday they were giving away the trips as part of a sweepstakes created in response to comments Adams made Tuesday belittling the position of Topeka's mayor. Gov. Laura Kelly: 'You owe Kansas an apology' Adams said at a prayer breakfast Tuesday that he strongly believed God decided to take "the most broken person" and elevate him to a place as the mayor of the "most powerful city on the globe" adding "He could have made me the mayor of Topeka, Kansas." Adams had previously used Kansas as a punchline on Sept. 27, when he insulted the Sunflower State by saying New York City has a brand that's recognizable around the world, unlike Kansas. "Kansas doesn't have a brand," Adams said. The New York Times reported some of Kelly's family members responded by personally delivering a gift basket to Gracie Mansion, the New York mayors official residence. More:'He could have made me the mayor of Topeka, Kansas.' Who hurt New York Mayor Eric Adams? "Turns out Kansas and New York have the same brand: electing great governors," Adams said last November on Twitter after Kelly was re-elected. Kelly responded Friday on Twitter to Adams' latest comment regarding the Topeka mayor's position. "I was in NYC visiting my granddaughter when you disparaged my hometown Topeka KS," she wrote. "It was this granddaughter who, with her parents, delivered Kansas kindness to you at Gracie Mansion when you disparaged my state last September. Enough already. You owe Kansas an apology." Adams' remarks had been addressed Thursday on Twitter by Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Quinton Lucas, who tweeted, "Y'all need to keep Topeka's name out your mouths." Visits to Topeka includes roundtrip airfare and $500 in local spending Residents of New York City including the five boroughs of The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island are eligible for the chance to win an all-inclusive, three-day, two-night stay in Topeka, Visit Topeka and Kansas Tourism said in a news release Friday announcing that giveaway. Story continues The visit will include roundtrip airfare for four people into Kansas City, Mo., as well as hotel accommodations, tickets to local attractions and $500 in gift certificates to local restaurant and retail locations, the release said. We are excited to partner with Visit Topeka on this incredible opportunity for New Yorkers to discover Kansas, said Bridgette Jobe, director of Kansas Tourism. Many people overlook Kansas, writing it off as a flyover state. I am excited that this contest will give new people a reason to explore the history, beauty and culture of Topeka. Entries will be accepted through March 31, with the winner being selected randomly. Further details can be found here. More:Jeff Kready bringing Broadway and family to Topeka, 'There's no place like home' Sean Dixon, president of Visit Topeka, said Friday his organization looked forward to one day welcoming the mayor of New York City to Topeka. The mayor, like many New Yorkers, may not realize everything Topeka has to offer," Dixon said. "We decided to do something about that by partnering with Kansas Tourism to offer residents of New York City the opportunity to try out Topeka, and the great state of Kansas, for themselves! Friday's news release also quoted Topeka native Jeff Kready, start of the 2014 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder." Topeka was my home for 23 years, but for the last 17 years, I have been a New Yorker," Kready said. I am so excited for my fellow New Yorkers to have the chance to visit Kansas for themselves. Topeka will surprise you. It is a city rich with art, culture, music and more! Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas governor, tourism groups react to NYC mayor's belittling Topeka Zion Market Research [220 + Pages Research Study] According to a market research study published by Zion Market Research, the demand analysis of Global Ransomware Protection Market size & share revenue was valued at around USD 20.3 billion in 2022 and is estimated to grow about USD 73.9 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of approximately 17.5% between 2023 and 2030. The key market players are listed in the report with their sales, revenues and strategies are Broadcom, Inc., Intel Corporation, Bitdefender SRL, SentinelOne, Inc., FireEye, Inc., Kaspersky Lab, Sophos Group PLC (Thoma Bravo), Trend Micro, Inc., Zscaler, Inc., Malwarebytes, Inc., McAfee, LLC, Symantec Corporation, Trend Micro Incorporated, IBM Corporation, Thales, Morphisec Ltd., Crowdstrike, Datto, Inc., Veritas, Acronis International GmbH, and CyberArk Software Ltd. among others. New York, NY, March 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zion Market Research has published a new research report titled Ransomware Protection Market By Component (Solution And Services), By Deployment (Cloud And On-Premise), By Organization Size (SMEs And Large Enterprises), By Application (Endpoint Protection, Network Protection, Database Protection, Web Protection, And Email Protection), By Industry Vertical (BFSI, IT & Telecom, Government & Defense, Retail, Education, Healthcare & Lifesciences, And Others) And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2023 2030 in its research database. According to the latest research study, the demand of global Ransomware Protection Market size & share in terms of revenue was valued at USD 20.3 billion in 2022 and it is expected to surpass around USD 73.9 billion mark by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 17.5% during the forecast period 2023 to 2030. What is Ransomware Protection? How big is the Ransomware Protection Industry? Ransomware Protection Report Coverage & Overview: The biggest and most dangerous form of cyber threat is ransomware, which may be installed on a person's computer once they have been tricked, either by encrypting the files or by locking the entire system. Unless a ransom is promised or paid, the files cannot be accessed. Therefore, in order to protect the systems and to generally improve the level of security, the organizations have made investments that are greater than in the past, particularly in protecting the network, the data, and the endpoints from a variety of advanced cyber threats and crypto-malware, which includes ransomware. Story continues Get a Free Sample PDF of this Research Report for more Insights with a Table of Content, Research Methodology, and Graphs - https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/ransomware-protection-market (A free sample of this report is available upon request; please contact us for more information.) Our Free Sample Report Consists of the Following: Introduction, Overview, and in-depth industry analysis are all included in the 2023 updated report. The COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak Impact Analysis is included in the package About 220+ Pages Research Report (Including Recent Research) Provide detailed chapter-by-chapter guidance on Request Updated Regional Analysis with Graphical Representation of Size, Share, and Trends for the Year 2023 Includes Tables and figures have been updated The most recent version of the report includes the Top Market Players, their Business Strategies, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis Zion Market Research research methodology (Please note that the sample of this report has been modified to include the COVID-19 impact study prior to delivery.) Global Ransomware Protection Market: Growth Dynamics The expansion of the market is driven by an increase in the number of phishing attacks and security breaches. Data breaches and other types of security flaws are becoming increasingly common in every region of the world. Phishing attacks have happened to a large number of businesses, spanning a diverse range of fields, at some point in time. Loss is incurred by many different offline surveillance systems, which is why they have an effect on security systems. Massive data loss is considerably different from average IT breakdowns. Security against ransomware lowers the likelihood that an attack will be successful, shortens the window of opportunity for enterprises to recover, and eliminates the possibility that a company will be forced to shut down for an extended period of time. Directly Purchase a copy of the report with TOC @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/buynow/su/ransomware-protection-market Report Scope Report Attribute Details Market Size in 2022 USD 20.3 billion Projected Market Size in 2030 USD 73.9 billion CAGR Growth Rate 17.5% CAGR Base Year 2022 Forecast Years 2023-2030 Key Market Players Broadcom, Inc., Intel Corporation, Bitdefender SRL, SentinelOne, Inc., FireEye, Inc., Kaspersky Lab, Sophos Group PLC (Thoma Bravo), Trend Micro, Inc., Zscaler, Inc., Malwarebytes, Inc., McAfee, LLC, Symantec Corporation, Trend Micro Incorporated, IBM Corporation, Thales, Morphisec Ltd., Crowdstrike, Datto, Inc., Veritas, Acronis International GmbH, and CyberArk Software Ltd. among others Key Segment By Component, By Deployment, By Organization Size, By Application, By Industry Vertical, And By Region Major Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East &, Africa Purchase Options Request customized purchase options to meet your research needs. Explore purchase options Ransomware Protection Market: Segmentation Analysis The global ransomware protection industry is segmented based on component, deployment, organization size, application, industry vertical, and region. Based on the component, The global market can be broken down into two categories: services and solutions. In 2022, a sizeable revenue share of the ransomware prevention market was accounted for by the services sector. It is anticipated that the market for ransomware protection services will expand in the following year due to factors such as a growth in the competitiveness of companies, the expectations of customers, cyberthreats, and the risks associated with projects. In addition, numerous companies are making use of these services in order to reduce the amount of time spent operating their operations. Based on the deployment, The cloud and on-premise ransomware prevention markets are subdivided within the worldwide ransomware protection industry. When we look back at the ransomware protection market in 2022, the on-premises category will have the largest revenue share. This is due to the multiple benefits that come with an implementation on the business's own premises, one of which is a high level of data protection and safety. On-premise deployment models are preferred by businesses over cloud-based deployment models because they provide enhanced data security and less opportunities for data breaches. This preference helps drive demand for on-premise deployment models in both the public and private sectors. Based on the organization size, the global ransomware protection industry is segmented into SMEs and large enterprises. In 2022, the SME segment accounted for a sizable revenue share of the ransomware protection market. More ransomware protection will most likely be used to increase the operational efficiency of small and medium-sized organizations. Furthermore, the business is growing as a consequence of an increase in government initiatives through several digital SME programs. Based on the application, Endpoint protection, network protection, database protection, web protection, and email protection are the five submarkets that make up the global market for cybersecurity solutions. When the year 2022 rolls around, the endpoint protection segment of the ransomware prevention market will have the largest revenue share. Endpoint security, also known as endpoint protection, is a strategy used in cyber security to protect endpoints, such as laptops, desktop computers, and mobile devices, from malicious actions. Endpoint security is also sometimes referred to as endpoint protection. For the past few years, endpoint security has progressed from being comprised primarily of straightforward antivirus software to a more intricate and all-encompassing protection. Based on the industry vertical, The BFSI sector, IT & Telecom, government & defense, retail, education, healthcare & life sciences, and other segments make up the global market. By 2022, the information technology and telecommunications industry will hold the largest revenue share in the market for ransomware prevention. This is due to the fact that customers are using their mobile devices on a more regular basis, which presents a wide range of opportunities for businesses. In addition, the efforts that businesses are making in the post-COVID period to digitalize and advance their technology in response to the global pandemic are anticipated to offer excellent growth potential for the ransomware security market throughout the projected period. The global Ransomware Protection market is segmented as follows: By Component Solution Services By Deployment Cloud On-premise By Organization Size SMEs Large Enterprises By Application Endpoint Protection Network Protection Database Protection Web Protection Email Protection By Industry Vertical BFSI IT & Telecom Government & Defense Retail Education Healthcare & Lifesciences Others Browse the full Ransomware Protection Market By Component (Solution And Services), By Deployment (Cloud And On-Premise), By Organization Size (SMEs And Large Enterprises), By Application (Endpoint Protection, Network Protection, Database Protection, Web Protection, And Email Protection), By Industry Vertical (BFSI, IT & Telecom, Government & Defense, Retail, Education, Healthcare & Lifesciences, And Others) And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2023 2030 Report at https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/ransomware-protection-market Competitive Landscape Some of the main competitors dominating the global Ransomware Protection market include - Broadcom Inc. Intel Corporation Bitdefender SRL SentinelOne Inc. FireEye Inc. Kaspersky Lab Sophos Group PLC (Thoma Bravo) Trend Micro Inc. Zscaler Inc. Malwarebytes Inc. McAfee LLC Symantec Corporation Trend Micro Incorporated IBM Corporation Thales Morphisec Ltd. Crowdstrike Datto Inc. Veritas Acronis International GmbH CyberArk Software Ltd. Key Insights from Primary Research: According to the analysis shared by our research forecaster, the Ransomware Protection market is likely to expand at a CAGR of around 17.5% during the forecast period (2023-2030). In terms of revenue, the Ransomware Protection market size was valued at around US$ 20.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach US$ 73.9 billion by 2030. The increasing cyberattacks in the healthcare sector across the globe are expected to drive ransomware protection industry expansion over the forecast period. Based on the component, the services segment is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period. Based on the deployment, the on-premise segment held the largest revenue share in 2022. Based on the organization size, the SMEs segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. Based on the application, the end-point protection segment held the largest market share in 2022. Based on the industry vertical, the IT & Telecom segment held the largest market share in 2022. Based on region, North America is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period. Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/ransomware-protection-market Key questions answered in this report: What is the market size and growth rate forecast for Ransomware Protection industry? What are the main driving factors propelling the Ransomware Protection Market forward? What are the leading companies in the Ransomware Protection Industry? What segments does the Ransomware Protection Market cover? How can I receive a free copy of the Ransomware Protection Market sample report and company profiles? Key Offerings: Market Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20232030 Market Dynamics Leading Trends, Growth Drivers, Restraints, and Investment Opportunities Market Segmentation A detailed analysis By Component, By Deployment, By Organization Size, By Application, By Industry Vertical, And By Region Competitive Landscape Top Key Vendors and Other Prominent Vendors Request for Customization on this Report as per your requirements - https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/1771 (We tailor your report to meet your specific research requirements. Inquire with our sales team about customising your report.) Regional Analysis: Over the period covered by the forecast, it is anticipated that the North American region will hold the greatest market share. The usage of ransomware prevention in healthcare and other industries to safeguard sensitive data from attacks and improve operations and customer experience is largely responsible for the increase in the region. For example, the results of a Sophos Global Survey indicate that the number of ransomware attacks on healthcare businesses rose by 94% in 2021. The number of healthcare organizations that were impacted increased to 66% from 34% the year before. Also, the growing number of government projects in the region is expected to be a major factor in the growth of the market over the next year. In 2019, the government of the United States of America launched a programme with the intention of protecting voter registration records and systems in advance of the presidential election. In 2016, Russian hackers with the intention of acquiring data broke into these systems, which are used to validate voter eligibility before they cast ballots. As a consequence of the proliferation of such threats, there is an enormous demand for ransomware prevention solutions that can shield the nation from significant invasions. In addition, it is anticipated that growth in the Asia Pacific region would occur at the highest CAGR during the time covered by the forecast. The expansion of e-commerce in the region, together with an ever-increasing reliance on online business dealings and services, is largely responsible for the growth that has taken place in this area. For example, Euromonitor International forecasts that revenues generated through e-commerce in the Asia Pacific region will nearly double by the year 2025, reaching a total of USD 2 trillion. In addition to this, the findings of Claroty's research suggest that the Global State of Industrial Cybersecurity in 2021: Resilient In the year 2021, 80% of firms in APAC were victims of ransomware attacks, with 51% of those organizations paying the demanded amount. As a result, it is anticipated that the growing incidence will fuel the growth of the ransomware protection market throughout the period covered by the forecast. By Region North America U.S. Canada Rest of North America Europe France UK Spain Germany Italy Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Rest of Asia Pacific The Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia South Africa Rest of the Middle East & Africa Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Recent Developments Ransomware Detection was recently included as a feature of Cloud Backup for Microsoft 365 by AvePoint, the industry's leading provider of SaaS and data management solutions. This addition was made in March 2022 and is intended to help protect digital collaborative data. This new piece of software proactively recognizes suspicious activity within users' Microsoft OneDrive accounts while reducing the impact on productivity and communication caused by such conduct. When strange behaviour is detected, Cloud Backup will provide detailed reports to help speed up the investigation and bring the customer's admin's attention to any problematic regions. Customers are able to quickly recover data that is essential to their business if they use Cloud Backup, since it can also quickly restore all of the data from OneDrive or just a piece of it. ActZero, a Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service that is recognized by Gartner, added a Ransomware Readiness Assessment for small and medium-sized enterprises in the month of August 2022. (SMEs). This application mimics the progression of a ransomware assault, which has the potential to highlight critical weaknesses and lateral routes that are left by outmoded technologies. With this crucial level of awareness, businesses may immediately begin taking steps to reduce risk. The acquisition of the assets of FileScan.IO, a free next-generation malware analysis platform focused on extracting Indicators of Compromise ("IOCs") and related threat intelligence data, was announced by OPSWAT, a leading supplier of critical infrastructure protection (CIP) cybersecurity solutions, in October 2022. OPSWAT is a leading supplier of cybersecurity solutions for critical infrastructure protection (CIP). Palo Alto Networks, the most successful cybersecurity company in the world, made the announcement that it had finished acquiring Cider Security (Cider) in December 2022. Cider was a pioneer in application security (AppSec) and software supply chain security. Palo Alto Networks is the most successful cybersecurity company in the world. To know an additional revised 2023 list of market players, request a brochure of the report: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/requestbrochure/ransomware-protection-market FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is ransomware protection? Which key factors will influence the ransomware protection market growth over 2023-2030? What will be the value of the ransomware protection market during 2023-2030? What will be the CAGR value of the ransomware protection market during 2023-2030? Which region will contribute notably towards the ransomware protection market value? Which are the major players leveraging the ransomware protection market growth? 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Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zion-market-research/ Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zion_research Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zionmarketresearch Follow Us on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/zionmarketresearch/ Follow Us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y0Yfi7N8zSs Contact Us: Rushikesh Dorge USA: +1 347 690-0211 United Kingdom: +44 2032 894158 Japan: +81 50 5806 9039 India: +91 7768 006 007 Web: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/ Blog: https://zmrblog.com/ Still, Looking for More Information? OR Want Data for Inclusion in Magazine, Case Study, or Media? Email Directly Here with Detail Information: sales@zionmarketresearch.com Hong Kong's economy will bounce back like it has from other crises in past decades, but this time it will take longer because time is needed for talent to return after three years of Covid-19 travel restrictions, says the Asian chief of Eurizon Capital, a leading asset management firm in Europe. "If we look at every crisis in the last [few] decades, it's been the people of Hong Kong who have effectively reinvented themselves in financial services each time," said Sean Debow, CEO of Eurizon Capital Asia. "It could have been by creating new regulations [or by] adding new investment products and solutions [or] it could have been by hiring new people." However, Debow, who has lived in Hong Kong for 29 years, said the city will "bounce back differently" this time, as it will take longer to recruit "many thousands of talented, skilled people from around the globe". There are many skilled people from mainland China who "still want to work in financial services", he added in an interview with the South China Morning Post. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Eurizon is a Milan-based asset management firm with total assets under management of 392 billion (US$416 billion) as of the second quarter of 2022. It is the asset management division of Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy's largest banking group. Sean Debow, CEO of Eurizon Capital Asia. Photo: Handout alt=Sean Debow, CEO of Eurizon Capital Asia. Photo: Handout> Since being hit by civil unrest starting in 2019 and three years of strict Covid-19 controls, Hong Kong has witnessed a wave of emigration comprising locals and expatriates who were fed up with pandemic travel curbs and concerned over Beijing's National Security Law. With Hong Kong lifting its mask mandate last week - the city's last major Covid-19 restriction - the government is pushing ahead with campaigns to attract financiers, professionals and businesses in a bid to restore the city's reputation as an international finance hub in Asia. Story continues Besides talent, Debow said Hong Kong has other advantages, including physical location and connectivity to mainland China, that will help it retain its role as a financial hub. "The fact is that most of the financial services industry can walk to each other's office, and quickly network," he said, adding that at the Rugby Sevens matches every summer, "you pretty much have 50 per cent of the leadership of financial services in Hong Kong in one spot". "I would challenge you to go to New York or London and find a similar event with so many people in charge, in such a small spot. That kind of networking allows Hong Kong to bounce back from crises faster, because people collaborate with their peers and competitors in a very clever way," he said. Hong Kong's relationship with mainland China and the global markets are reasons why it can bounce back, said Debow. Passengers walk through the departure hall of Hong Kong International Airport on January 8, 2023. Photo: Yik Yeung-man alt=Passengers walk through the departure hall of Hong Kong International Airport on January 8, 2023. Photo: Yik Yeung-man> "It is not a coincidence that people in Hong Kong have parents, grandparents, friends, relatives who are living in or have lived in Shanghai, Beijing, etc. And those relationships go deep. "While many other countries in Asia, most obviously Singapore, have tried to recreate it, it's different. They are in another location. They're not family. We are family. "The connectivity between New York, London and Hong Kong is so deep, that Hong Kong is in that very critical circle," said Debow, citing the non-stop flights from New York to Hong Kong for roughly 18 years as an example. "There have been limited nonstop flights to Singapore over the years," he said. Debow is co-author of the book Rise From Crisis, recently published by the CFA Society Hong Kong to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The book comprises articles by 30 professionals in the industry who have witnessed Hong Kong's rise from successive crises in the last three decades. Alvin Ho, president of the CFA Society Hong Kong, said the city is also a private equity centre in Asia. Hong Kong had over US$190 billion of capital under management as of June 2022, ranking it second in Asia after mainland China, according to the official data. Hong Kong was also ranked the largest hedge fund hub in Asia as of March this year, and the largest cross-border financial centre in Asia in 2021, Ho said. Hong Kong financiers can "help mainland institutional investors ... We have an outsize role to play", said Ho, who is also managing director at Allivision Partners. "As some Chinese firms or companies are looking to expand, not necessarily to Western markets, but in the Asia market, we can help them. The advantage for Hong Kong is that from day one, we will be thinking about the international market, not just Hong Kong or China," he said. The planned development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) has created an additional need for private investment capital by start-ups in the innovation and technology field, according to Ho. Ho said that with venture capital still in the early stage in the GBA, and the huge domestic market opportunity on top, "we should move forward to embrace venture and growth investing, having the backing of an international financial centre. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Huya Collaborates with Domestic and International Partners and Broadcasters to Implement CSR Initiatives GUANGZHOU, China, March 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On the evening of March 4, 2023, HUYA Inc. ("Huya" or the "Company"), a leading game live streaming platform in China, hosted the annual gala "HUYA Boom Night" at the Venetian Macao's Cotai Arena in Macao, south China. During the event, an exciting line-up of top celebrities and Huya's popular broadcasters put on memorable performances, delivering an unforgettable interactive experience to both onsite and online audiences. At the annual gala, Li Meng, Senior Vice President of Huya and Chief Executive Officer of Nimo TV, shared insights about Huya's efforts in applying the innovative "live streaming-empowered" model to public good in areas including rural revitalization, youth protection, intangible cultural heritage revival, cybersecurity, assistance for persons with disabilities, as well as environmental protection and animal conservation. He also presented awards for "Broadcaster of the Year for Positive Social Impact", "Partner of the Year for Public Good" and "Co-Brand of the Year for Public Good" to Huya's broadcasters and its domestic and international partners who have worked with the platform for years on the mission of building an ecosystem of positive social impact. Huya presented three major awards at the annual gala HUYA Boom Night (PRNewsfoto/HUYA) Huya's practices to contribute to the greater good out of three goals During the "HUYA Boom Night", an event with the aim of conveying positive thoughts through live streaming, Huya, by way of a short-form video, took a nostalgic look back at its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts over the past five years. Take the "Let Your Dreams Set Sail" program that supports broadcasters with disabilities for example. The company, in cooperation with provincial disabled persons' federation, national public-raising foundation, NGOs, charitable talent agencies and others to provide the anchors with employment and entrepreneurial opportunities by helping them develop the skills and expertise needed to become qualified for the role. The innovative "live streaming-empowered" model has inspired and motivated a group of streamers with disabilities, including Qi Zai, who has changed his life by becoming a game streamer; and Jin Kai, who has created a wonderful future for himself by virtue of his optimistic attitude and strong personality. In addition, Huya produced a Live Streaming Handbook especially for its broadcasters with disabilities, making it the first live streaming platform in China to publish such a guide. Story continues "Huya rolled out the CSR initiatives out of three goals. The first goal is to achieve something that would benefit both the platform's users and the wider society. Secondly, we intent to raise individuals' awareness of social responsibilities through live streaming, a relatively advanced communication form to convey such messages. And the third goal is that we try to integrate various content genres with live streaming, in a way that may contribute to social management," said Li Meng, Senior Vice President of Huya and Chief Executive Officer of Nimo TV. Huya expands its efforts in initiating CSR activities by collaborating with partners worldwide In recent years, issues of sustainability, ecological civilization and biodiversity have received worldwide attention. The public's environmental awareness is also increased as they gradually realize the environmental issues and relevant hazards. Huya has succeeded in drawing the attention of large audiences to the importance of environmental protection and animal conservation by leveraging the innovative "live streaming-empowered" model in tandem with implementing its CSR initiatives globally. In 2022, Huya, by teaming up with domestic and international NGOs, including TRAFFIC, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), and the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), launched the "Protect Our Home Planet" campaign, aiming to raise public awareness of preventing and resisting illegal wildlife trade online, and promote harmony between human and nature. As part of the campaign, Huya rolled out a wild tiger conservation activity. Celebrities and e-sports broadcasters were invited to leverage their influence to give more visibility to the issue of wildlife conservation. Meanwhile, NGOs and e-sports broadcasters found it easier to establish the two-way communication with the netizens and convey the message of biodiversity protection and sustainability. One of the highlights of the campaign was the "Protect Our Home Planet" painting contest. It received hundreds of submissions, including creative works from illustrators and artists with autism, as well as amateur works from Huya's volunteers, broadcasters and fans, reflecting their own understanding concerning wildlife conservation while utilizing an entertaining approach. With Huya's international business Nimo TV allocating advantageous resources to Southeast Asia and the MENA markets, Huya plans to collaborate with partners both at home and abroad and make these CSR initiatives more diversified and inclusive, in a way to boost the engagement of domestic and international users through the application of the "live streaming-empowered" model. By creating diversified "live streaming-empowered" CSR content, HUYA broadcasters help build a greater ecosystem for positive social impact In addition to getting the message out about the importance of caring for people with disabilities, and protecting the environment and wildlife, Huya is also building a more comprehensive content ecosystem that conveys positive social impact. The effort has been reflected in several of the company's activities, including the "Keeping You Safe" themed event focusing on better education about safe behavior for youth, an online lecture on how to recognize and avoid becoming a victim of online fraud, as well as a featured program about raising awareness of the importance of conserving intangible cultural heritage. At the same time, by using virtual reality technologies, Huya set up a digital CSR initiative gallery at e-sports tournament live broadcasting, delivering an immersive viewing experience for e-sports audiences. This has opened up more possibilities for CSR activities while conveying the positive spirit of e-sports. Many of Huya's popular broadcasters are also doing their bit by exploring CSR-related content that users are interested in. Citing a few examples, on the Global Tiger Day in 2022, Zhang Daxian collaborated with IFAW to share knowledge with the audience on wild tiger conservation and their habitat protection during a live broadcast in an interesting manner. Sha Yu Yo, in his role as the exhibition ambassador for the "Protect Our Home Planet" painting contest, engaged with the audience and called on them to care for environment protection. To support farmers and agriculture, broadcaster Buqiuren, hosted a live broadcast, during which he promoted and assisted in the sale of produce from Wuhua County in Meizhou City, south China's Guangdong Province, with the result that more than 21,000 orders were placed. Another broadcaster Gu Ying helped sell produce from Xuwen County of Zhanjiang City in Guangdong Province, the "hometown of pineapples" in China, with daily sales exceeding 3.4 million yuan. Currently, an increasing number of broadcasters are joining Huya in its CSR initiatives. Huya invites more people and partners to join its CSR initiatives At the annual gala "HUYA Boom Night", Huya presented three important public good awards, with Zhang Daxian, Gu Ying, Buqiuren, Sha Yu Yo, Qing Wa and Wan Zi Yo being "Broadcaster of the Year for Positive Social Impact", CWCA, IFAW, and TRAFFIC being "Partner of the Year for Public Good", and LPL's charity arm "LPL Cares" being the "Co-Brand of the Year for Public Good". Even the smallest light matters when the night falls, while in joint efforts, everyone can step up to the plate and deliver extraordinary value. "We are looking forward to creating a social good model for the company that engages the platform itself, broadcasters, talent agencies, users, volunteers and NGOs so that we all can participate more in our CSR initiatives," added Li Meng. Based on its ongoing commitment to good causes, Huya has organized over 21,600 live streaming activities totaling up to more than 250,000 hours and spanning some 20 topics, along with participation from over 30,000 streamers. All these efforts have helped build a sturdy foundation for future CSR efforts, and Huya plans to continue producing more positive content by collaborating with its domestic and international partners, with the goal of fostering the healthy and positive development of the Internet through the implementation of CSR initiatives. About HUYA Inc. HUYA Inc. is a leading game live streaming platform in China with a large and active game live streaming community. The Company cooperates with e-sports event organizers, as well as major game developers and publishers, and has developed e-sports live streaming as one of the most popular content genres on its platform. The Company has created an engaged, interactive and immersive community for game enthusiasts of China's young generation. Building on its success in game live streaming, Huya has also extended its content to other entertainment content genres. Huya's open platform also functions as a marketplace for broadcasters and talent agencies to congregate and closely collaborate with the Company. SOURCE HUYA RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 05, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--International Data Corporation (IDC) is delighted to announce its partnership with Saudi Arabia's Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) for the annual ICT Indicators Forum 2023 that will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh on Wednesday, March 8. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230305005042/en/ Keynote Speakers at IDC's 2023 ICT Indicators Forum (Graphic: Business Wire) For the second year running, this strategic event will incorporate IDC's signature 'IDC Directions 2023 Saudi Arabia' industry forum within its agenda. The enthralling program will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, including the leadership of ICT-enabling public sector entities from across the Kingdom, senior local and global management from IDC, and representatives of prominent telecom operators and ICT vendors, to name just a few. The forum will combine presentations, panel discussions, and real-life use cases to give delegates a bird's eye view of the current market situation. It will shine a light on Saudi Arabias journey towards becoming a digital economy by highlighting the impact of government initiatives on digital transformation enablement across various sectors of the Kingdom's economy. "The Saudi government has been at the forefront of embedding digital transformation initiatives into its transformation journey and the results are there for all to see," says Hamza Naqshbandi, IDCs associate vice president for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. "As the execution phase of Vision 2030 approaches, the impetus on revamping and implementing digital strategies will be a key priority for Saudi organizations. "For the last eight years, IDC Directions has provided an essential platform for executives from across the ICT ecosystem to converge and discover IDC's outlook and predictions for the Kingdom's technology markets. It is our pleasure to collaborate with CST once again as we showcase the true value of effective public-private partnerships." Story continues Central to IDC's involvement will be a keynote presented by Naqshbandi and IDC's group vice president and regional managing director for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, Jyoti Lalchandani. Together, they will detail IDC's technology market outlook for Saudi Arabia in a session titled 'Navigating the Storms of Disruption in 2023 and Beyond'. Lalchandani will also moderate a fascinating panel discussion on the theme 'Scaling the Digital Business to Support the Digital Economy Aspirations of Saudi Arabia' that will feature invaluable insights and perspectives from: Salman A. Faqeeh , Managing Director, Saudi Arabia, Cisco Thamer AlHarbi , President, Microsoft Arabia Eng. Majed Abdulaziz AlOtaibi , Chief Business Officer, Mobily Othman Alhokail, Founding Partner, Merak Capital The ICT Indicators Forum 2023 will examine the progress made in enhancing the efficiency of Saudi Arabia's digital infrastructure and reaffirm the importance of scaling digital businesses to support the Kingdom's digital economy aspirations. It will explore the emerging trends that are shaping the future of Saudi Arabia's ICT markets, dissect the sector's financial performance, and present key findings from the latest 'Saudi Internet' report, which seeks to provide reliable statistics on Internet infrastructure and usage in the Kingdom and serve as a catalyst for growing the digital economy. For more information, please contact Sheila Manek at smanek@idc.com or on +971 4 446 3154. About IDC International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights. IDC in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa For the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa region, IDC retains a coordinated network of offices in Riyadh, Nairobi, Lagos, Johannesburg, Cairo, and Istanbul, with a regional center in Dubai. Our coverage couples local insights with international perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of markets in these dynamic regions. Our market intelligence services are unparalleled in depth, consistency, scope, and accuracy. IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey currently fields over 130 analysts, consultants, and conference associates across the region. To learn more about IDC MEA, please visit www.idc.com/mea. You can follow IDC MEA on Twitter at @IDCMEA. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230305005042/en/ Contacts Sheila Manek smanek@idc.com +971 4 391 2741 The Tim logo is seen at its headquarters By Elvira Pollina and Giuseppe Fonte MILAN (Reuters) -Italian state lender CDP said on Sunday its board had approved a non-binding offer for the fixed-line network of former phone monopoly Telecom Italia (TIM), adding it would be valid until March 31. CDP has teamed up with Australian infrastructure fund Macquarie to bid for the whole of Italy's most important telecommunications infrastructure. The joint bid targets TIM's landline network and submarine cable unit Sparkle. U.S. investment firm KKR has already presented an offer to buy a controlling stake in the same venture. TIM said its board would discuss the CDP-Macquarie offer on "March 15 or on another date to be defined." In recent weeks, sources have told Reuters that CDP-Macquarie and KKR have both set an 18 billion-euro ($19 billion) enterprise value on TIM's grid. CDP's offer would also involve TIM's smaller fibre-optic network rival Open Fiber, which is owned by CDP and Macquarie and would be folded into TIM's grid down the road. KKR's proposal, which rises to 20 billion euros when including a 2 billion euros earn-out, has given fresh impetus to efforts to revamp TIM after the failure of prolonged talks involving the government and TIM's top two shareholders - CDP and France's Vivendi. Both figures are below the 31 billion euro price tag Vivendi has set to back selling the grid, for which TIM itself has indicated a valuation of 25 billion euros. TIM said on Feb.24 KKR's proposal "does not fully reflect" the value of its asset and added it would seek an improved offer by the end of this month. The grid's sale to cut TIM's 25 billion euro debt pile and offload half of its 40,000 domestic staff is a main plank of CEO Pietro Labriola's push to reshape the group. The government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has repeatedly said it wants to win control of TIM's network while protecting jobs, but there is no common ground within the administration on how to proceed. Story continues Under Italian rules, Rome has the power to block unwanted interest for assets of strategic importance such as TIM's grid. CDP's move is welcome because it makes the sale process more transparent but still leaves several scenarios open, a senior government source said. In its approach, KKR has left the door open to involving a state-run entity as a minority shareholder in TIM's grid, but it opposes CDP playing such a role due to antitrust issues. ($1 = 0.9406 euros) (Writing by Valentina Za; Editing by Louise Heavens, Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Ros Russell and Hugh Lawson) Press Release March 4, 2023 Tolentino seeks transfer of NCR-based regional gov't agencies in provinces MANILA - Senator Francis 'TOL' N. Tolentino reiterated his call for the immediate transfer of regional government agencies that are currently holding its respective offices inside the National Capital Region (NCR). Tolentino made the remarks on Saturday during his weekly radio program on DZRH, in which he cited the problem among several government agencies, whose regional officials are currently holding office within Metro Manila and not in their respective areas of concern where it is supposedly situated. "Ako'y nagtataka bakit maraming mga regional agencies... bakit po yung kanilang mga regional agencies eh nasa Metro Manila? Kung may kailangan ng tulong na 'yan eh sa Metro Manila pa magmumula," said Tolentino. Tolentino cited the case of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in which its Region 4B (MIMAROPA) office is currently holding office in Ermita, Manila instead somewhere in Mindoro. "Saan ka naman naka kita ng (opisina ng) Region 4B, eh nasa Metro Manila. Anong ginagawa nito sa Metro Manila? (Nasa) Maynila yun, ang pinaglilingkuran niyo, nasa Mindoro," he added. The senator has called on the authorities' attention over the present set-up as regional officials in MIMAROPA continue to race against time in containing the 800,000-liter oil spill after oil-tanker M/T Princess Empress capsized off the coast of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro last February 28 but the primary regional agency, the DENR 4B, is located inside the nation's capital. "Ito pong mga tutulong sa oil spill (ngayon) lahat po ito manggagaling (pa) ng Metro Manila--kung saan-saan po 'yan. Ang layo sa oil spill," said Tolentino. The Municipality of Naujan is located just a few nautical miles from famous white-sand beaches of Puerto Galera and the Verde Island Passage which is considered as the world's "Center of the Center of Marine Shorefish Biodiversity." The senator stressed that he received reliable reports that many regional officials in various government agencies preferred to hold office within Metro Manila and not in their respective areas of concern due to personal reasons since their kins are reportedly studying inside NCR--a reason which is obviously unacceptable, according to Tolentino. Washington Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan will not seek the Republican nomination for president, he told CBS News. "It was a tough decision, but I've decided that I will not be a candidate for the Republican nomination for president," Hogan said in an interview with CBS News chief election and campaign correspondent Robert Costa. Transcript: Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on "Face the Nation" The former Maryland governor, who left the post in January after serving two terms, said he gave "serious consideration" to mounting a bid for the White House in 2024, and said opting to stay out of the race was the "toughest decision I ever made." "I care very deeply about the country and my party. I think I've been a voice of reason to try to get us back to a place where we have a more hopeful, positive vision for America," he said."I think we've made a difference and I don't plan on walking away. I'm going to continue to stay involved in that fight for the soul of the Republican Party, but I'm just not going to do it as a candidate for president." Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Speculation about Hogan's political future and whether it included a campaign for the presidency mounted after he made visits last year to New Hampshire and Iowa, the first two states on the primary calendar. A critic of former President Donald Trump, Hogan told CBS News he believes his decision to step aside may make it more difficult for the former president to win the GOP presidential nomination. "I didn't want to have a pile up of a bunch of people fighting," he said. "Right now, you have, you know, Trump and DeSantis at the top of the field, they're soaking up all the oxygen, getting all the attention. And then a whole lot of the rest of us in single digits, and the more of them you have, the less chance you have for somebody rising up." The field of candidates seeking the Republican nomination for 2024 so far includes Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former biotech executive Vivek Ramaswamy, but it is expected to grow in the coming months. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is widely expected to mount a White House bid and is a frontrunner alongside Trump, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu has indicated he, too, is considering a run, and former Vice President Mike Pence is also expected to enter the race. Story continues With DeSantis the biggest threat to Trump, Hogan noted that Republicans appear to be moving away from the former president. "He's leading in the polls, and there's no question he's a formidable challenge," he said of Trump. "But I think, you know, a year is an eternity in politics and the first primaries are about a year away. So I think what it looks like today could be completely different than what it looks like a year from now." Trump delivered the keynote address at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday night after winning its straw poll of attendees. DeSantis ranked second behind the former president, though he declined an invitation to speak at the gathering. While the annual event typically attracts many Republican presidential hopefuls, few Haley, Ramaswamy and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered speeches at this year's gathering. Instead, others including DeSantis, Pence, Sununu and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, appeared at a donor retreat hosted by the Club for Growth. Trump criticized his potential 2024 rivals who were absent from CPAC in a post to his social media platform Truth Social on Thursday, claiming they were skipping the event because "the crowds have no interest in anything they have to say." But some of Trump's opponents, Haley chief among them, have centered their messages to Republican voters and donors on the need to move away from the former president, though without mentioning him by name. In remarks at the Club for Growth retreat, Haley criticized the "last two Republican presidents" Trump and George W. Bush for growing the national debt and has taken aim at the party's record of losing the popular vote in recent presidential races. Hogan, too, warned though that if Trump wins the Republican nomination in 2024, the party will have to do some "soul-searching," and lamented that the GOP has lost the popular vote in seven of the last eight elections. Republicans have had "three horrible election cycles," he said, including the 2022 midterms, where the GOP won far fewer House seats than expected. "We've got to start getting back to a party that people will vote for, or we don't get to govern," he said. Extend Interview: Rep. Brad Wenstrup says House COVID subcommittee hasn't "seen all that we want to see" about intelligence on virus origins Flashback: Bob Schieffer visits Selma with John Lewis Dr. Scott Gottlieb says COVID origins may never be known "with certainty," but focus should be on "taking the steps" to ensure a lab leak never happens What happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight 370? "Someone knows the answer the question is who." That assertion is made in a brand-new trailer for MH370: The Plane That Disappeared, a new Netflix documentary that examines 2014 disappearance of the infamous flight, a mystery that has yet to be solved. The Boeing 777 vanished over the South China Sea on March 8, 2014, during en route from Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International Airport to the flight's planned destination, Beijing Capital International Airport in China, with 239 people onboard. Watch PEOPLE's exclusive first look at the trailer above. RELATED: 2 Pilots Survive 'Miraculous' Escape from Boeing 737 Tanker Crash While Fighting Fires in Australia Directed by Louise Malkinson, MH370: The Plane That Disappeared will explore some of the biggest questions many of which remain unanswered surrounding the plane's sudden disappearance, according to a Netflix press release. The three-part series which premieres March 8, the nine-year anniversary of the plane's disappearance will also explore three of "the most contentious theories" about the flight through interviews with family members, scientists, journalists and others determined to find answers. MH370: The Plane That Disappeared. Courtesy of Netflix Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Malkinson, a 15-year veteran in observational documentaries, says the case of MH370 is "one of the most complex stories" she has ever come across. "The more you dig into it, the more the story spirals. It's extraordinary," she says in comments included in the Netflix press release for the film, which is as much about what experts don't know as what they do. The plane lost contact less than an hour into its flight without sending a distress signal, Malaysian Airlines has said, according to the BBC. Officials said the plane's transponder was turned off over the South China Sea shortly after an individual believed to be the pilot or co-pilot said, "Good night Malaysian three seven zero," per the report. Story continues MH370: The Plane That Disappeared. Courtesy of Netflix Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said that the missing plane was last positioned over the southern Indian Ocean, far from possible landing sites, PEOPLE previously reported. RELATED: Surf Cinematography Legend Larry Haynes Captures His Final Wave on Video Before Dying Moments Later In August 2015, a 10-ft.-long piece of debris was found off the coast of Reunion island, a French territory east of Madagascar. Prime Minister Razak later said the fragment believed to be part of a wing was from the missing Boeing 777, but some officials from the United States and France questioned this. The apparent breakthrough is examined in the Netflix documentary. "There are no other 777s missing in Indian Ocean, so experts believe it could only be from Flight MH370," reads a description of the film's third episode. "But MH370 relatives and journalists are divided, some think the wing is from the aircraft, but those more skeptical of the authorities are not convinced." Remaining questions about the plane's true fate are part of what fuels the fire of Netflix's upcoming film. "MH370 was a 200 foot long airliner with 239 people on board. How on earth does something like that just go missing?" series producer Harry Hewland asks in the press release. "And, worse still, stay missing for nine years? How is that possible? That's one of the questions that makes this so captivating for me." MH370: The Plane That Disappeared. Courtesy of Netflix Another theme explored in the documentary is the "trauma" family members who lost loved ones on the flight have endured, according to Malkinson. Some of them are featured in the film. "There were so many nationalities on that plane. I think we're really quite proud of the people who chose to speak with us, as they make up a real cross section of the MH370 community," Malkinson says. "Some of them are veteran spokespeople now, sadly, but they just speak so passionately. We've all felt from the beginning that it's our duty to do those people justice with this series." "They want people to keep talking about this," Malkinson adds in the press release. "The families want a platform to be able to say, Come on, it's been nine years. They were all united on that." MH370: The Plane That Disappeared. Courtesy of Netflix Both Hewland and Malkinson agree that there are answers to lingering questions about the mystery of Flight MH370 but they haven't been uncovered yet. "More than anything, we want to pull the hidden truths about MH370 out from the carpet under which they've been swept, and remind people that this is still a story with no ending, a mystery that hasn't been solved, that somebody out there knows more than the world has been told," Hewland says. "And if we can raise the profile of the story again, and amplify, by even a decibel or two, the cry for the search to go on, we'll have done something useful." MH370: The Plane That Disappeared premieres on March 8 on Netflix. If the Supreme Court strikes down the Biden administration's student loan forgiveness initiative, then another relief measure the president promised last year becomes an even more important lifeline for struggling borrowers. The one-time payment adjustment the Education Department announced last year will count certain months toward student loan forgiveness that were previously ineligible under income-driven repayment plans, or IDRs. Around 3.6 million borrowers would receive at least three years of credit toward forgiveness as a result, according to Federal Student Aid. The adjustments, which just got underway, are separate from Bidens up to $20,000 in student loan forgiveness and aren't contingent on the outcome of the Supreme Court cases heard this week. The one-time adjustment hasnt gotten the attention it deserves, as it remedies decades of a broken system due to forbearance steering on behalf of loan servicers, Persis S. Yu, deputy executive director of Student Borrower Protection Center (SBPC), told Yahoo Finance. Millions of borrowers will benefit. US President Joe Biden announces student loan relief on August 24, 2022, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC. (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP) '4.4 million people who should have gotten their debts canceled' In April 2022, the Education Department announced the one-time payment adjustment for all Direct Loans and federally owned Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs). The adjustment to student loan accounts would go toward helping borrowers get closer to forgiveness under income-driven repayment plans, which offer cancellation after 20 or 25 years depending on the particular plan. Under the initiative, the department would add the following months to an accounts payment history: Months in repayment status, regardless of the payments made, loan type, or repayment plan; 12 or more straight months of forbearance or 36 or more months of total forbearance; Months in an economic hardship or military deferments after 2013; Months in any deferment (except in-school deferment) before 2013; and Any months in repayment on earlier loans before loans were consolidated. Story continues After the adjustment, borrowers with 20 or 25 years of repayment history automatically get forgiveness even if they arent enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan. FFEL borrowers with commercially-held loans can benefit from the adjustment, too, if they consolidate their loans with Federal Student Aid by May 1, 2023. The one-time payment adjustment helps to reverse some of the damage caused by loan servicers that did not properly track deferments or steered borrowers to forbearance instead of income-driven repayment plans that would have counted toward years of payment. Of the 4.4 million people who should have gotten their debts canceled if IDR worked, fewer than 200 ever have, Thomas Gokey, policy director at the Debt Collective, told Yahoo Finance. The IDR [one-time] adjustment should address some of that, but let's be honest about what that means: IDR was a broken promise and people are being let out after an enormous amount of damage was done. Income-Driven Repayment Plans Many borrowers may be unaware of the adjustment and how it may help them especially as the student loan forgiveness case in front of the Supreme Court takes the limelight. Thats because some loan servicers and the Education Department have not done a good job of informing borrowers about the one-time payment adjustment, according to Katherine McKay, associate director of insights and evidence at the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program. ED should do everything in its power to address administrative shortcomings like these while everyone waits for the SCOTUS ruling, McKay told Yahoo Finance. Doing the one-time adjustment should be a top priority because they are aware that servicers under-counted millions of peoples payments [and] it makes sense for them to make adjustments, especially for people who have been paying the longest. Originally, the Education Department was to begin discharging loans for certain borrowers in November 2022, with the remaining following in July 2023. That timeline has since been adjusted, according to the Federal Student Aid. Borrowers with 240 or 300 months of payments for income-driven repayment forgiveness or 120 months toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness will start to see their loans forgiven in spring 2023. All other borrowers will see their accounts update in the summer. The Department is already making one-time adjustments to borrower accounts, starting with borrowers who are close to reaching 120 months of Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), an Education Department spokesperson told Yahoo Finance. This year, we expect to begin adjusting accounts for borrowers who reach 240 or 300 months worth of payments for IDR forgiveness. Some borrowers in the public service loan forgiveness program have already seen payment adjustments to their accounts. One borrower who asked her name to not be used because she previously filed for personal bankruptcy during the Great Recession found her student debt had finally been wiped out. My husband and I are high school teachers and our student loan debt has been a weight around our ankles since 1995, she told Yahoo Finance. On December 31, 2022, I checked my loan balance and it said zero I couldnt believe it and a few days later my husband's balance was also zero. The couple, who enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, still had 10 more years until loan forgiveness because payments they had made during bankruptcy didnt count on their account history even though they had been paying on their student loans since 1995. The one-time adjustment underway changed all that. I still check to see that zero balance, she said. Now we can actually start to save for retirement. Ronda is a personal finance senior reporter for Yahoo Finance and attorney with experience in law, insurance, education, and government. Follow her on Twitter @writesronda Read the latest personal finance trends and news from Yahoo Finance. Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Flipboard, and LinkedIn For the first time, a group of goods and services solutions companies that work with the mining industry will be part of the delegation, marking a milestone with their participation in the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention. TORONTO, March 5, 2023 /CNW/ - Chile's national delegation to the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada 2023 (PDAC) convention in Toronto officially launched last week ahead of the conference. The launch was held via video conference and included members located in Antofagasta, Chile along with members located in Ottawa and Toronto, Canada, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquartered in Santiago, Chile. ProChile Logo (CNW Group/ProChile) The ceremony was led by the Undersecretary for International Economic Relations of Chile, Jose Miguel Ahumada; the Undersecretary of Mining for Chile, Willy Kracht; the Director General of ProChile, Ignacio Fernandez; the Canadian Ambassador to Chile, Michael Gort, and the Chilean Ambassador to Canada, Raul Fernandez. Representatives of the public and private entities that will be present at the PDAC convention (Alta Ley, Sernageomin, Sonami, Cochilco, Enami and InvestChile) plus executives from the companies that will be part of the first trade mission at PDAC also attended the launch of the delegation last week in Chile. There are seven companies participating in the Chilean delegation this year: Mine Class, JRI Ingenieria S.A., Inversiones, Desarrollo y Asesoria en Ingenieria, Prevsis, Ingenieria y Construcciones Salas Hnos. Ltda., Pessa S.A. and Geoatacama, along with the Association of Industrialists of Antofagasta. "We are very happy because for the first time we are taking a group of seven companies with high technological development to show their offer of goods and services in Canada; we hope that new business opportunities arise for them," said the Trade Commissioner of ProChile in Canada, Carolina Vasquez. Additionally, Vasquez invited the companies to continue working with ProChile to "diversify and add value to our offer and to continue adding small and medium-sized companies to international trade and to be able to reach more destination markets." Story continues Mining Undersecretary, Willy Kracht, added that, "The mining business requires innovation, and, in its development, there is a lot of local value creation that is done in Chile. So why not show that we are not only capable of contributing minerals for the energy transition, but that we can also export mining and ways of doing mining? With this objective, we decided to give our country's participation in PDAC 2023 a new air this year. This calls us today to go to Toronto with a large delegation with which we seek to show the Chile mining country brand, where we export mining, not only minerals." Exports from Chile to Canada in 2022 Total exports from Chile to Canada in 2022 exceeded US$ 1,362.7 million, which is an annual increase of 11.42%. Total exports from Chile to Canada reached US$ 1,222.1 million in 2021. Of the total US$1,362 million of goods and services that Chile exported to Canada in 2022, US$576.5 million corresponded to goods, US$773 million to copper and US$13.1 to services. These shipments represent increases of 24%, 3%, and 75% over the same shipments during 2021, respectively. The primary goods that Chile exported to Canada in 2022 are salmon and trout, with shipments totaling to more than US$91.9 million, which was 57% more than in 2021, silver articles with shipments of more than US$58.5 million and wood panels with shipments of more than US$25.8 million, which was 6% more than in 2021. The primary services that Chile exported to Canada in 2022 were engineering services for extractive copper mining facilities with sales of more than US$ 4.4 million, which were 279% more than in 2021, carrier telecommunications services for international telephone calls in transit, originating and ending abroad with sales of US$1.7 million, which were 26% less than in 2021 and engineering services for copper metallurgy facilities with sales of more than US$ 1.3 million, which were 67% more than in 2021. About PDAC PDAC's annual convention is the world's leading mineral exploration and mining event. It opens on March 5, 2023 at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. It is estimated to bring together more than 25,000 investors, analysts, sector executives, geologists, and government officials from more than 130 countries. Due to its history and tradition, the annual PDAC Convention has become a platform for networking, exchanging ideas on industry trends and discovering new technological advances applicable to the industry. Chile began its participation in 2006 with a private business delegation and since 2007, it began to participate with a pavilion at the fair. On this occasion, the national delegation will be present in a 56 m2 space located in booth 1349. The Inauguration of the Chile Pavilion is set for 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 5, while the Seminar "Chile: Leading a journey towards traceable, transparent and responsible mining" is set for 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 6. Other activities organized by Cesco will be running during the convention, including a networking session at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 6, and the Chile Continuous Success Seminar at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 7. Photos SOURCE ProChile Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2023/05/c3664.html The workplace has gone through a sea-change since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when offices and employees were forced to adopt a remote style of work. It kicked off the Great Resignation, quiet quitting and chaotic working, in which employees take control of their work lives. But three years on, as business largely trickles back to normal, employees are increasingly having to juggle a new burden: working over the weekends. While recent workplace developments have mostly favored flexibility and prioritizing employee well-being, a tight labor market and wide adoption of remote work technology have forced some to a work week that has no end. On average, workers put in more hours on Saturdays and Sundays last year than in 2021, according to a report by ActivTrak, a workplace software company. Only 5% of all people surveyed worked through the weekend in 2022. Their time on the job increased by 18 minutes to an average of 6.6 hours. But for some other industries, the number of weekend hours rose sharply. In the tech industry, the number of weekend hours soared 31% to 11.5 hours on average, while media workers put in 53% more time on the weekends, for an average of 10.7 hours. ActivTraks report identifies employees of computer hardware companies and media businesses as having the biggest gains in weekend working hours in 2022. The tech industry has been particularly hard-hit by layoffs at companies like Amazon, Alphabets Google, Salesforce, and Twitter. Since the start of 2023, over 122,000 tech workers have been laid off from more than 400 companies, according to layoff tracker, Layoffs.fyi. The report identifies two reasons for the weekend toil. First, mass layoffs, especially in tech, made it necessary for employees to pile on a greater workload to make up for the shortfall in headcount. Second, employees trying to escape virtual calls and meetings in the hybrid workplace are increasingly finding weekends to be the only time they can work free of distractions. As companies downsize and attempt to do more with less, its very possible that work is extending beyond the 5-day work week and into the weekends, Gabriela Mauch, vice president of the productivity lab at ActivTrak, told Fortune. Were apt to see a lot more experimentation as companies begin to realize their approach to work must be uniquely suited to their business and their people. The report from ActivTrak looks at data collected from 134,000 employees in 2021 and 2022 to examine trends in productivity, technology, and worker well-being. The option to work remotely has benefited workers by saving them hours of weekly commuting and boosting productivity. But hybrid work hasnt been unanimously successfulsome women have struggled to draw boundaries when on hybrid schedules and workers may miss out on factors that they desire in their professional lives such as autonomy and connectivity. The report also highlights trends in the digital workplace, once touted as the new normal, that are becoming simply normal as employees adapted more permanently to the changes of the past few years. Over the last 3 years, flexibility has become significantly more acceptable and for some, this means opting for a shorter week-day and shifting part of the workload to the weekend, Mauch said. Even with greater flexibility in work style, employee well-being remains at risk. Burnout among American workers continued at an alarming rate of 89% in 2022. And while companies are being more proactive in helping their employees get the support they need, even high-level executives are grappling with similar struggles. Story continues More from Fortune: This story was originally featured on Fortune.com More from Fortune: Patriot Battery Metals VANCOUVER, British Columbia and SYDNEY, Australia, March 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the Company or Patriot) (TSX-V: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) is pleased to announce the results of voting at its Annual General Meeting held on Friday, March 3, 2023 at 4pm (Eastern Time) from Toronto, Canada. All matters submitted to shareholders for approval as set out in the Companys Notice of Annual General Meeting and Information Circular, dated February 2, 2023, were approved by the requisite majority of votes cast at the meeting. As required under ASX Listing Rule 3.13.2, we advise details of resolutions and the proxies as set out at Appendix 1. About Patriot Battery Metals Inc. Patriot Battery Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of mineral properties containing battery, base, and precious metals. The Companys flagship asset is the 100% owned Corvette Property, located proximal to the Trans-Taiga Road and powerline infrastructural corridor in the James Bay Region of Quebec. The land package hosts significant lithium potential highlighted by the 2.6 km long CV5 spodumene pegmatite with drill intercepts of 156.9 m at 2.12% Li 2 O, including 25.0 m at 5.04% Li 2 O or 5.0 m at 6.36% Li 2 O (CV22-083), 159.7 m at 1.65% Li 2 O (CV22-042), 131.2 m at 1.96% Li 2 O (CV22-100), and 52.2 m at 3.34% Li 2 O, including 15.0 m at 5.10% Li 2 O (CV22-093). Additionally, the Property hosts the Golden Gap Trend with grab samples of 3.1 to 108.9 g/t Au from outcrop and 7 m at 10.5 g/t Au in drill hole, and the Maven Trend with 8.15% Cu, 1.33 g/t Au, and 171 g/t Ag in outcrop. The Company also holds 100% ownership of the Freeman Creek Gold Property in Idaho, USA which hosts two prospective gold prospects - the Gold Dyke Prospect with a 2020 drill hole intersection of 12 m at 4.11 g/t Au and 33.0 g/t Ag, and the Carmen Creek Prospect with surface sample results including 25.5 g/t Au, 159 g/t Ag, and 9.75% Cu. Story continues The Companys other assets include the Pontax Lithium-Gold Property, QC; and the Hidden Lake Lithium Property, NWT, where the Company maintains a 40% interest, as well as several other assets in Canada. For further information, please contact us at info@patriotbatterymetals.com Tel: +1 (604) 279-8709, or visit www.patriotbatterymetals.com. Please also refer to the Companys continuous disclosure filings, available under its profile at www.sedar.com and www.asx.com.au, for available exploration data. This news release has been approved by the Board of Directors, BLAIR WAY Blair Way, President, CEO, & Director Competent person statement (ASX Listing Rule 5.22) The information in this news release which relates to previously announced exploration results for the Corvette Property were first released by the Company in its prospectus for its ASX listing dated November 9, 2022 and released to the ASX platform on December 5, 2022 (Prospectus) and in ASX announcements released on January 19, 2023 and January 30, 2023. The Company confirms it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the exploration results included in the Prospectus or the relevant ASX announcements. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as will, may, should, anticipate, expects and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including but not limited to references to a proposed mineral resource estimate and prefeasibility study, included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Companys expectations include the results of further exploration and testing, and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, available at www.sedar.com. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law. No securities regulatory authority or stock exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. Appendix 1: The following information is provided in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 3.13.2 and shows the number of proxy votes received prior to the meeting. The Company notes that no additional votes were cast directly in the meeting. Resolution Resolution Result Number of votes cast in Meeting Instructions given to validly appointed proxies For Against Withheld/Abstain For Against Withheld/Abstain Discretion 1. To set the number of Directors at five (5) Pass 7,884,830 99.92% 6,526 0.08% - 7,884,830 99.92% 6,526 0.08% - - 2a Election of Director - D Blair Way Pass 7,887,980 99.96% - 3,376 0.04% 7,887,980 99.96% - 3,376 0.04% - 2b Election of Director - Dusan Berka Pass 4,097,992 51.93% - 3,793,364 48.07% 4,097,992 51.93% - 3,793,364 48.07% - 2c Election of Director - Melissa Desrochers Pass 7,885,045 99.92% - 6,311 0.08% 7,885,045 99.92% - 6,311 0.08% - 2d Election of Director - Brian Jennings Pass 7,885,088 99.92% - 6,268 0.08% 7,885,088 99.92% - 6,268 0.08% - 2e Election of Director - Kenneth Brinsden Pass 7,886,923 99.94% - 4,433 0.06% 7,886,923 99.94% - 4,433 0.06% - 3. Appointment of Auditor Pass 7,860,422 99.61% - 30,934 0.39% 7,860,422 99.61% - 30,934 0.39% - 4. Approval of Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan1 Pass 7,682,988 97.36% 206,308 2.61% 2,060 0.03% 7,682,988 97.36% 206,308 2.61% 2,060 0.03% 1 Resolution 4 was voted via a ballot/poll however no additional votes were cast directly in the meeting. Things have calmed down a little bit in the world of Japanese whisky, but its still a pretty hot item. This is particularly true when it comes to age-statement expressions, which is why major companies like Suntory and Nikka have turned to new non-aged-stated blends and expressions. The latest from the former is Ao, a blend of whiskey from five different countriesand this just might be your new highball pour. Its worth a reminder that age isnt actually an indicator of quality in whiskey, but the single malt and blended expressions from Suntorys Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki brands ranging in age from 12 to 30 years (and well beyond if youre really willing to drop some cash) have all been consistently excellent. The company introduced Toki a few years ago, an NAS blend that is affordable and works well in cocktails like the classic highball. Ao, though a bit more expensive at $55, could easily be substituted in this or any variety of whiskey drink. More from Robb Report Japanese world whiskey releases like this arent new, but up until recently many brands didnt disclose if the whiskey in the bottle was actually distilled and aged in Japan or not. In 2021, the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association instituted rules for its members regulating this and other defining characteristics of the category, but it should be noted that this wont be enforced for another year and even then it will be voluntary (so basically kind of toothless, but welcome all the same). The good news is that many brands are complying, and companies like Suntory arent too concerned because their products already meet the standards of Japanese whiskyunless stated otherwise, as is the case with Ao. The whiskey in the blend comes from Beam Suntory-owned distilleries in five different countriesArdmore and Glen Garioch in Scotland, Cooley in Ireland, Alberta Distillers in Canada, Jim Beam in the USA and Yamazaki and Hakushu in Japan. The name Ao means blue, which is supposed to signify the oceans in between all of these countries that both separate and connect them. Suntorys chief blender Shinji Fukuyo is the force behind this whisky, as he is for all of Suntorys products. Ao was previously available in Japan and global travel retail, but launched here in the US (and other countries) this winter. Story continues The nose is full of vanilla, caramel and some bright citrus and berry notes, a pretty intriguing way to start off here. The mouthfeel is notably creamy, with rich, syrupy notes of milk chocolate, oak, maple syrup, brown sugar, honey and a hint of tannin and spice on the finish. Can you taste the different elements that each whiskey brings to the palate here? Well, maybe, but its difficult to say since there are some overlapping characteristics among them. But theres a hint of that Irish fruitiness, followed by some bourbon vanilla, with a dash of Canadian sweetness rounded out by some malty citrus. Then again, maybe thats not the point; maybe the point is to simply enjoy the melding of literally different worlds in whiskey form. This is a whiskey that grows on you as you sip, with unraveling layers of complexity slowly revealing themselves. Ao wont be a substitute for your favorite bottle of Japanese whisky, or any other bottle for that matter, but that doesnt seem to be the point. Again, even if its not marketed specifically as such, Ao seems like a great cocktail option, but would also be enjoyable over a large ice cube. In a world of so many whiskeys, this world whiskey is a decent option to add to your home bar. Score: 84 100: Worth trading your first born for 95 99 In the Pantheon: A trophy for the cabinet 90 94 Great: An excited nod from friends when you pour them a dram 85 89 Very Good: Delicious enough to buy, but not quite special enough to chase on the secondary market 80 84 Good: More of your everyday drinker, solid and reliable Below 80 Its alright: Honestly, we probably wont waste your time and ours with this Every week Jonah Flicker tastes the most buzzworthy and interesting whiskeys in the world. Check back each Friday for his latest review. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. RICHMOND The Virginia General Assembly did not pass legislation this session to ensure paid sick days for employees, despite strong public support. A 2021 study by Christopher Newport University found almost 90% of people surveyed support paid sick leave. Both House and Senate versions of the bill updated the current law that state employers only have to provide paid sick leave to certain home health workers. Sen. Scott Surovell, DFairfax, introduced Senate Bill 886, with chief co-patron Sen. Creigh Deeds, DBath. Del. Candi Mundon King, DPrince William, introduced the similar House Bill 2087. The bills also would have removed current regulations that require grocery store employees and health care providers to work at least 20 hours each week or 90 hours per month to be eligible for paid sick days. The Department of Labor and Industry would also have developed guidelines for grocery store employers to provide sick leave by Dec. 1. The employees can accrue a minimum of one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, according to the bills. The earned paid sick leave can be carried over to the following year, but an employee cannot accrue or use more than 40 hours of paid sick leave in a year, unless the employer chooses a higher limit. The Senate bill passed on a 2218 party-line vote. Once the bill went to the House, it was killed in the Commerce and Energy subcommittee. The House bill failed to advance from the same committee. Del. Elizabeth Guzman, DPrince William, served as co-patron of Mundon Kings bill. Guzman also sponsored HB 1988, to allow all employees of private employers and state and local governments to accrue paid sick leave. The bill allowed an employee to transfer accrued sick leave to the following year. An employee could also donate accrued sick leave to another employee, with certain restrictions, according to the bill. The bill died in the same House committee as the others. Guzman has advocated for paid sick leave since 2018. The General Assembly passed an amended version of Guzmans legislation in 2021 that mandated paid sick leave for some in-home health care workers. The legislative attempts this session expanded on that work. The reason why we couldnt, you know, leave COVID behind us is because people need to pay their bills and they continue to go back to work being sick, Guzman said. The bill failed to pass the House because it lacked Republican support, Guzman said. Virginia law does not require employers to provide paid sick leave to all employees. The employer can determine how much sick leave an employee receives, according to Guzman. The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy advocated for Guzmans bill in 2021. The bill provided five paid sick days per year for 30,000 home health care workers in Virginia, according to the VICPP website. VICPP conducted a study in 2015 that reported 1.2 million workers in Virginia have no paid sick leave, according to Jase Hatcher, VICPP economic justice program manager. This totals to 41% of private sector workers in Virginia, according to Hatcher. Taking just 3.5 unpaid sick days can result in an average family losing a months worth of groceries, Hatcher said. That means that workers are choosing between taking care of themselves and their family member, or paying their bills, Hatcher said. That is not how we should do that. The VICPP study stated that 83% of registered Virginia voters supported a paid sick day standard, according to the VICPP website. Home health care providers need paid sick leave to tend to their health and also to help prevent further outbreaks of illness, VICPP stated. A 2020 study by Health Affairs found that paid sick leave reduced the spread of the coronavirus. The VICPP believed the bill failed due to the issues around its impact on small businesses, Hatcher said. The Senate version of the bill added that a grocery store worker did not include any employee of a business that employs fewer than 25 employees. What it comes down to is there are a lot of folks who just dont believe that there should be mandates or any mandates on paper, but as the data shows, without that mandate, 1.2 million workers go without, Hatcher said. The VICPP will continue to advocate for a paid sick leave bill during the next session, because it is one of the most important issues for workers, according to Hatcher. The U.S. is one of the very, very few countries in the world which does not have a national paid sick leave policy, Hatcher said. So making sure that were filling the gaps at the local and state level is really essential before we can get that nationally. For three decades, Deborah Crombie has won critical claim and popular success for her dexterity in creating brainy whodunits while simultaneously developing an affecting account of a happily blended family. Those formidable talents continue in A Killing of Innocents (William Morrow, $30, 368 pages), the 19th installment featuring Scotland Yarders Duncan Kincaid and his wife, Gemma James. Having been stood up by Jonathan Gibbs her flatmate Tullys brother young doctor-in-training Sasha Johnson darts across Russell Square in Londons Bloomsbury area, only to fall murder victim to the current rise of fatal knife crimes in the UK. The proud daughter of a Black family, Sasha appears to have had a golden life, but the police investigation reveals potential tarnish. And when another person is stabbed to death, Kincaid and Co. must tread a serpentine path to a killer and a motive. Among the potential suspects are Jonathan Gibbs, Sashas younger brother and wannabe gangster Tyler Johnson, and universally disliked charge nurse Neel Chowdhury. Meanwhile, several of Kincaids subordinates face romantic issues that tend to distract. Crombies plotting proficiency trumps the musings of readers as they try, usually sans success, to outwit her. She also excels in conceptualizing and achieving characters with vision, wisdom and, in most cases, sympathy. A Killing of Innocents is no exception. A winning blend of police procedural and psychological inquiry, Crombies latest novel offers as does her entire canon intelligent crime fiction that defines and transcends the genre. Bess is back Over the course of a quarter century, mother-and-son team Caroline and Charles Todd, using his name, wrote 40-plus novels based on the legacy of World War I: two separate but related series featuring shell-shocked Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge and intrepid war nurse Bess Crawford, and two stand-alone books. One of each series has appeared since Carolines death in 2021, and the latest The Cliffs Edge (William Morrow, $30, 320 pages) features Bess. When a family friend suggests that Bess travel to Yorkshire to help Beatrice, Dowager Countess de vere Linton through her recovery from surgery, she agrees. But when Lady Beatrice is notified that her great-nephew and godson Gordon Neville has been seriously injured, she sends Bess to the Neville estate, where family friend and fellow veteran Frederick Caldwell has succumbed to his wounds in the same fall that wounded Gordon. But was the plunge an accident or murder? Inspector Wade, an ill-tempered cop, seems convinced that Gordon is guilty of killing his former romantic rival. Bess believes Wade is profoundly biased and works to discover the truth as the Neville and Caldwell families cast suspicion at each other. What follows is classic Todd: a whodunit with multiple suspects, an atmospheric and remote setting, a cast of finely drawn characters of whom Lady Beatrice is particularly memorable, refined prose eminently suitable to British sensibilities, and storylines that include past murder and present revenge. And, of course, the protagonist herself. An angel of mercy, an archetype of justice and the personification of a character the reader would wish to meet in real life, Bess offers a multiplicity of virtues as Todd adds breadth and depth with each superb installment. Second triumph What we anticipate in Kat Rosenfields You Must Remember This (William Morrow, $28.99, 320 pages) is a traditional whodunit. And why not, given an unnatural death, a revised will, an island mansion, a trio of bickering siblings, a granddaughter recently fired by her boss and dumped by her boyfriend, a live-in caregiver, a former housekeeper and her sinister son? But what we receive is abundantly enriched by the talented author. On Christmas Eve 2014, 85-year-old Miriam Mimi Caravasios, lost in the fogs of winter and dementia, believes she hears the voice of her long-dead husband beckoning her to cross the ice surrounding Maines Mount Desert Island and join him at their secret spot. But when the ice cracks, she joins him in death. When her three children bitter Richard, destitute Diana and exhausted Theodora learn that Mimi has chosen Doras daughter, Delphine, to receive the bulk of her $20 million estate, they react badly. And suspicion of murder focuses on the young woman. The result: a classic puzzle and sensitive and immersive explorations of the disease that eviscerates the self and of the damage that betrayal, deception and secrecy can wreak. With a sly and nimble mind, Rosenfield exceeds even her stellar debut, 2021s No One Will Miss Her. Do not miss this second triumph. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has left for a working visit to Qatar, Azernews reports with reference to the Foreign Ministry. The Azerbaijani foreign minister is scheduled to attend the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), where Azerbaijan is presented as a donor partner. The minister is also planned to hold high-level bilateral meetings on the fringes of the conference. Bloodhound teams from law enforcement agencies across Virginia, as well as several from other states, will soon converge in Louisa County for the 11th annual Winter Bloodhound Training Seminar. The Louisa County Sheriff's Office and the Virginia Bloodhound Search and Rescue will host the event, which starts Sunday, March 6, and ends Wednesday. With 26 teams participating, this year's seminar is the largest to date, according to a news release from the Sheriff's Office. Because of the training activities, there will be a large presence of working law enforcement K9s in the coming days in and around Zion Crossroads, the towns of Louisa and Gordonsville, and in the counties of Louisa, Fluvanna and Orange, authorities said. The Sheriff's Office said local businesses and residents are supporting the effort by allowing the use of their property and buildings for training, and donating meals for the handlers. We would like to thank, once again, everyone for their help and support this year. We could not put this seminar on without all the support and assistance that each of you has given, stated Lt. Patrick Sheridan in the news release. The support for the K9 teams in this area is stronger than anywhere else in Virginia. For three days last week, students from colleges and universities nationwide gathered in Dahlgren for a ramped-up version of the board game Battleship and the chance to win $100,000. Beyond the cash prizes, there was a major difference between the scenarios presented in the 2023 Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Innovation Challenge at Dahlgren the first one ever held and the strategic game thats been around since before the First World War. This is Battleship on steroids, said Michael Darnell, innovation lab engineer with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Division Dahlgren, which sponsored the event. Imagine if youre playing Battleship and the person on the other side of the table knows exactly where your ships are and you dont know where theirs are. Thats the situation theyre in. But participants from the 10 schools, which were mostly based in Virginia but also included Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, which has the top-rated AI & ML program in the country, were up to the task, said Dahlgren scientists and engineers who spent months developing the challenge. These are our nations future technology leaders, said Jennifer Clift, chief technology officer at NSWCDD, and our future is bright. Carnegie Mellons team won the event, and the first-place prize of $50,000. Virginia Tech finished second and took away the $30,000 check, and William & Mary got third and $20,000. No one team blew the others out of the water as the challenge seemed to meet the purpose described by George Foster, a distinguished engineer for combat control at Dahlgren. It wasnt so hard that no one could make it through the first day of competition or so easy that after three days, everyone tied for first. The Navy allowed school teams to access to a serious video game thats not open to the public as students tried to defend a destroyer squadron against a barrage of incoming missiles. Dahlgrens team purposely put the players on the defensive, Foster said, because some students may have not wanted to initiate an attack, but all would be geared up to respond to one. On Day 1, their five ships had more than enough missiles to fire back, but as ammo dwindled over Days 2 and 3, they had to decide which ships to sacrifice and which to protect. Or as Foster put it, they had to choose between letting somebody die or everybody getting injured. The exercise was designed so that each team would incur losses as play proceeded. Thats the tough thing AI has to decide, Darnell said, adding the teams lost more points if their high-value assets got sunk. Thats where algorithms come into play because (the students) have identified whats important. Teams were sequestered in separate classrooms at the Dahlgren campus of the University of Mary Washington and given two laptops per team and seemingly all the boxed meals, and pizza, they could eat. As soon as they got the days challenge each morning, they were head down and focused on the task, Darnell said. Usually in AI & ML college classes, students concentrate on getting good grades for specific assignments, not necessarily engaging in what might be real-life scenarios, said Luke Darcy from Carnegie Mellon. Getting to work with the Navy and basically participating in a competition shooting missiles and stuff like that was an opportunity he and fellow students couldnt resist, said Matthew Garcia, also from Carnegie Mellon. The prize pool also was definitely a consideration, said fellow team member Austin Weltz. The three members of Virginia Techs team are computer engineers with similar backgrounds, said Alex Downey. As the clock ticked away on the second day of competition, fellow team member Anthony Lee typed furiously on a small laptop, nitpicking and seeing where we can improve, Downey said. The exercise is definitely testing our abilities, said fellow member Danielle Reale, one of only three females in the competition. Its testing how quickly we can adapt, she said. So its kind of almost like in warfare, you have to make sure youre quick to adjust and kind of what the best scenario is. When deadline hit each day, students turned in their laptops then waited in the conference room for their turn to be called into another area where test administrators ran their programs and scored the results. Enemy missiles, marked as red Ms with half-arrows above them, headed toward the blue circles denoting their squadron, and students flinched and sighed as the shots hit their target. Deciphering what was happening on the screen was tough as the missiles came from all sides and blasted the ships. We could have done better, right? wondered Sam Litchtman from the University of Virginia. A fellow team member said it wasnt clear to him, how well theyd done, and fellow member Albert Tang summed it up with: I think that was the best we could do. In the test room, the students didnt know how they compared to others. They found that out later, when everyone came back to the conference room and top places were announced. But there were anxious moments in the test room, especially on Day 2 when scores were in the negative as in minus 25,000 points. Individual teams didnt know that everyones score was well under zero and were understandably nervous. Dont freak out, said Brett Burcher, a test administrator whos been at Dahlgren for a year and could have posed as a college student. I dont want you to be unreasonably stressed. Katie Barbre did. Shes part of the team that designed the challenge and joked with the students about the negative aspects. We wanted the first day to have a positive score so youd come away with positive thoughts, she said on the second day of competition. Now were crushing you. While the Dahlgren event was focused on competition, recruiters also were making job offers. Christian Jakob from the University of Mary Washington was called into an interview room four times on Friday alone and had messages about two other meeting with Dahlgren department heads. One interviewer told him he was being recruited by every department at the Navy base and asked what could be done to convince him to join his group. Im like, that means a lot to me, thank you, said Jakob, who works, not in artificial intelligence or machine learning, but with computer programming. I like embedded stuff. He wasnt the only one called into separate rooms by Navy officials who made numerous on-the-spot offers. Every single student here would be a fantastic addition to our team, Clift said. Does art imitate life? There are many examples of science-fiction technologies that have come true. Space travel, cellphones, video chats, drones and robots all had some root in the imagination before becoming reality. But nothing has accelerated in the public mind like artificial intelligence has in the past few months. No, we arent seeing autonomous robots like in the Terminator movies, yet. But after last years public release of ChatGPT, it seems we are one step closer. ChatGPT is a conversational AI chatbot tool that can answer questions in natural, fluent, human language. When we think of AI, most of us probably imagine machines autonomously thinking and acting like humans. In reality, AI is a computing device that can mimic human thought. The device can perceive its environment and act on its own to reach a goal. The field of artificial intelligence has been around since 1956. It was built upon the idea that human intelligence can be so precisely described that a machine can be made to simulate it, as described in a Dartmouth College research project at the time. AI has been at work behind the scenes for years now, hidden within tools you use daily. YouTubes algorithm recommends videos based on your viewing history. Certain Facebook ads appear because of items youve searched. Amazon notifies you when it determines youre running low on household supplies, based on the frequency you have purchased those items in the past. Many of these long-used algorithms have been shrouded in mystery. No one in the public really knows how they function under the hood. Thus, AI tools have been largely limited to software engineers. Now, that has changed. Several advanced AI tools have been released in the past six months that are revolutionary, even if they are not always correct or perfect. Among these tools is ChatGPT. Theres also Midjourney, which can generate art. There are voice-imitation tools and even full video-generation AI. But how will these tools change our day-to-day lives? Ive been using ChatGPT, Midjourney and the image-generator Stable Diffusion to try and find out. ChatGPT is limited to information from 2021 and earlier, and its uses are varied. You can type and hold a conversation with the bot; you can request chicken recipes. You can tell ChatGPT what ingredients you have in your house and ask what meals you could make with those ingredients. It can write blogs, essays, tweets and LinkedIn updates. Midjourney is slightly more complicated to use. It uses Discord, a voice and messaging app, and a series of commands to generate art. It can create cartoon characters, landscapes and website design layouts. Youre limited only by your imagination and finding the right prompts. I used Midjourney to create an image of a person being buried by technology for use on my website. Stable Diffusion is the most complicated to use. There was some integration with other free tools and some code to modify, but I was able to upload 20 pictures of my face so it could learn me. I can now prompt the AI tool to produce various portraits of myself. The images accompanying this article were created using the prompts Pixar character, regal portrait and Kratos from the God of War video game. These tools still have issues depicting human fingers and may hilariously create double-headed images. They are all free to try. But whats next? There are ethical issues to be worked out with AI tools. AI output is generated from scraping the internet and using the work of other authors and artists. Does that count as plagiarism? Students have already been using ChatGPT for their schoolwork, and Amazon has seen an influx of low-quality, self-published AI-written eBooks. The one thing I can say for certain is that AI tools are here to stay. This genie isnt going back into the bottle. We must learn how to effectively and ethically use these tools. AI will continue to get refined, more accurate, easier to use, and embedded into more devices and software. An innovative program born out of the COVID-19 pandemic gives new meaning to the old proverb, waste not, want not. Wastewater surveillance, which involves analyzing human feces for indications that people have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, better known as COVID-19, has become world-shattering in a quieter way than the germ. After nearly three years, the practice is now a vitally important means of tracking the highly infectious disease, experts say. The science of identifying emerging bodily contamination days before people realize theyre sick is a silver lining amid the detrimental effects of the 21st-century pandemic, said Rick Johnson, laboratory manager for Colorado Springs Utilities. Because you produce antibodies even before you start showing symptoms, those antibodies are processed through your body, your poop, and we can pick that up through testing techniques to give us an early indication of the virus, he said. The pandemic gave us an opportunity to evaluate this technique, which could help us with other illnesses and challenges we have in the community. The idea seems like its here to stay. Federal funding is available for states to conduct COVID wastewater surveillance through 2025, said Allison Wheeler, waterborne disease unit manager in the Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The agency has received $9.4 million in federal funds from January 2021 through July 2023, with extensions expected, she said. The money covers the costs of personnel, supplies, equipment and other expenses of the surveillance program. While other countries have routinely tested wastewater for disease for years, its a fledgling practice in the United States. Colorado was one of the early adopters of the technique, Wheeler said, and among the first to launch statewide monitoring after the pandemic began. City-owned Colorado Springs Utilities was one of 17 initial utilities companies along Colorado's Front Range to band together in April 2020, following the onset of COVID the prior month, with the intent of determining trends in the population of how the virus was spreading. With supply chain shortages, it was difficult to get materials and supplies at first, Johnson remembers, but that's no longer the case. Even with COVID waning, the virus remains actively infectious, and samples continue to be extracted two times a week from Colorado Springs two wastewater treatment plants, one on East Las Vegas Street and one on North Nevada Avenue. Its been pretty awesome to see all these communities and utilities come together and continue to work through this, Johnson said. The program is voluntary, Wheeler said, and excludes septic-system users and utilities with fewer than 3,000 customers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend monitoring areas with fewer than 3,000 people, to avoid possible identification of individuals, she said. Colorado State University initially did the testing, but now state-sponsored laboratories test the majority of the samples of excrement about the size of a roll of quarters. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the lead authoritative agency throughout the pandemic, got involved in August 2020, as testing began to become cost prohibitive for individual utilities, and they needed assistance with funding, Wheeler said. Each viral detection sample costs $60, she said, which does not include personnel and maintenance costs. Over the years, the program has grown from the original 17 participant utilities to 64 of the states 523 permitted domestic wastewater facilities. Higher-education campuses began testing excrement from specific dorms but some, including Colorado College, have since discontinued their involvement. Collectively, participating utilities providers serve 70% of the states population, Wheeler said, which provides a healthy measure of whats going on in Colorado with COVID. The benefit has been significant to state and local public health officials, and communities overall, she said. The cool thing about this is that this is a community sample, so were able to capture data on asymptomatic and symptomatic (presence of COVID) so we dont have to rely on clinic testing, which people arent really seeking anymore, Wheeler said. Since many residents now use at-home COVID testing, the number of cases tracked by public health agencies no longer provides an accurate representation of the prevalence of the disease, Johnson agreed. Thus, the health agencies are finding the data a lot more valuable, even now, he said. The state public health department continues to compile surveillance results at https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/d79cf93c3938470ca4bcc4823328946b. Researchers also are examining how utilities companies can watch for the presence of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and other respiratory pathogens. Experts are developing and validating testing panels, Wheeler said, with a goal of launching additional testing in the fall, as the respiratory illness season begins. Colorado and other states reported a trifecta of respiratory illnesses beginning last fall and extending into this winter season, with the flu, RSV and COVID-19 simultaneously hitting the population, which pushed many hospitals to capacity. Knowing whats happening with different pathogens around the state enables communities to prepare and take precautions, Wheeler said. Local health departments can alert the public and issue recommendations about social distancing, masking and vaccinations, which can be particularly important and helpful for people who are more at risk for illness, she said. The information also is helpful in determining which communities need more resources to help stop the spread, Wheeler said. Said Johnson: This really does have value for the future; hopefully none of us have to go through this (a pandemic) again, but at least its another tool well have at our disposal that we didnt have before. Colorado Springs Utilities plans to continue its involvement in the process, possibly even after federal funding expires, he said. Weve all become virologists over the last few years, and its really an interesting science, Johnson said. Each ballot will contain the mayor and City Council at-large races, as well as the TOPS ballot issue. Only residents living in City Council District 3 will be able to vote on that race. Voters also will decide whether to extend the Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) tax for another 20 years. The majority of the proceeds of the dedicated 0.1% sales tax, or 1 cent per $10, is split between parks, trails and open space for acquisition, stewardship and maintenance. The next administration will guide the city through issues such as growth and development, water availability, and addressing crime and roads. Colorado Springs' future is in voters' hands as they prepare to choose from a slate of 25 candidates in the upcoming April 4 nonpartisan municipal election, when they will select the city's first new mayor in eight years, along with three at-large City Council members, and fill an unexpired term for council District 3. In the race to serve the remaining two years of the term for Council District 3, entrepreneur Michelle Renee Talarico will face Scott Hiller, the chief of geosciences for a national engineering firm. Learn more about the candidates before you send your vote. 110420-news-elections 19.JPG Stickers reading "I Voted" sit on a table at Vanguard Church in Colorado Springs Nov. 3, 2020. The church served as a location where voters co How can I vote? The upcoming election will be conducted entirely by mail. Voters cannot vote at precinct polling places and no early voting will take place. Municipal elections in Colorado Springs have been mail ballot-only since 2005. On March 10, the City Clerk's Office mailed ballot packets for the April 4 election to the city's approximately 306,000 active registered voters, according to figures provided by the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's Office. Residents can check their voter status online at govotecolorado.gov. Inactive voters whose name and registered address have not changed may reactivate their voter registration online at govotecolorado.gov, or may complete and mail into the city clerk an initial ballot application, according to the office's website. Inactive voters whose name and/or address has changed can update their registration with the El Paso County Elections Department. More information about how to check and update your voter status is included on the Colorado Springs voter information webpage at coloradosprings.gov/voterinfo, under the "Mail Ballot FAQs" section. Voters who do not receive a ballot packet by March 17 should contact the City Clerks Office at 719-385-5901 (Option 4) or elections@coloradosprings.gov. How can I register to vote? Coloradans can register to vote through Election Day. The city clerk does not maintain voter registration. You may register to vote online through the Colorado Secretary of State's website, sos.state.co.us/voter/pages/pub/home.xhtml. People with questions about their voter registration should visit the El Paso County Elections website at clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com/elections/voter-registration, or call 719-575-8683. Where can I drop off my ballots? Voters may drop off their ballots at any of the city's 26 designated drop-off locations, which have 24/7 ballot boxes. A full list of drop-off locations and their addresses is available online at coloradosprings.gov/voterinfo. Ballots must be received by the City Clerk's Office or a designated drop-off location by 7 p.m. on April 4. Postmarks will not count. Voters who choose to mail their ballots should remember to include the required first class postage. They should allow at least seven days before April 4 for their ballot to be received by the city clerk. The last day to mail in a ballot for it to be received by the voting deadline is March 28. How can I get a replacement ballot? Voters who have spoiled, defaced, or lost their mail ballot may receive a replacement ballot from the City Clerk's Office. Voters can receive up to three total replacement ballots, one at a time. Residents may receive replacement ballots in person at the City Clerk's Office Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on April 4, Election Day. Voters also can email their completed replacement ballot application form to elections@coloradosprings.gov. The form is available online at coloradosprings.gov/voterinfo. Scroll down to the bottom of the webpage for a link to the downloadable form. More information The City Clerk's Office's mailing address is P.O. Box 1575, MC 110, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1575. The office is located in the City Administration Building at 30 S. Nevada Ave., Suite 101. For questions or more information about the April 4 election or the voting process, visit the city's voter information webpage at coloradosprings.gov/voterinfo. You may also contact the Colorado Springs City Clerk's Office at 719-385-5901 (Option 4), or by email at elections@coloradosprings.gov. A Colorado Springs native was recently named the U.S. Navy Bands top sailor. Musician 1st Class Adele Demi, a 2003 Coronado High School graduate, was selected as the Washington, D.C.-based commands Sailor of the Year for 2022, according to Navy officials. Im just so honored to be selected because everyone I work with is so hardworking and talented, Demi said. I feel very lucky that they selected me out of all the wonderful people who work here. Enlisting into the Navy was a career left turn for Demi. Having earned a bachelors degree in music education and a masters in clarinet performance from the University of Northern Colorado, she seemed well on her way to becoming a classical musician when she learned about the Navys music program. When she realized she could serve her country and pursue a music career at the same time, she decided it was too good an opportunity to pass up and joined the Navy in 2012. I became aware that the Navy provided one of the most stable, secure and fulfilling careers that I could possibly want, Demi said. I realized that this incredible opportunity was out there if I was willing to go for it. So I went for it. An enlisted sailor with a bachelors and a postgraduate degree would be atypical just about anywhere except for the Navy Band, Demi said. This command is really unique in that just about everybody has at least one degree in music, if not two, she said. That surprised me at first. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. One of the highlights of Demis career took place on March 6, 2022. In recognition of International Womens Day, NBC's "Today" show highlighted Cmdr. Billie Farrell, commanding officer of the USS Constitution. Farrell, who assumed command of Old Ironsides in January 2022, is the first woman to helm the warship in its 225-year history. Demis band was asked to travel to New York City and play the Navys anthem, Anchors Aweigh, during the television segment honoring Farrell. When Demi was asked to conduct the band, she didnt hesitate. It was an opportunity that came up at the last minute, as our jobs sometimes do, she said. We went up (to New York City) the night before, and the next morning, there we were, playing Anchors Aweigh on the Today show. It was awesome. The Navy Bands travel itinerary is approaching full swing after being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Demi said. It is touring the western part of the U.S. with plans to visit Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Nevada and California. After that, Demi will prepare to join the Navys officer ranks. Last month, she was selected for commission as a limited duty officer. In October, she will commission as a Navy bandmaster one of about 30 in the entire service, officials said. Barring the unforeseen, Demi plans to make the Navy a career. Im in it for the long haul, she said. I really believe in the mission of the Navy bands. I see the work that theyre doing, and I want to (continue to) be a part of that. Demi, who last year helped facilitate a nationwide audition talent search that filled 17 critical vacancies, said shed like more people to know about the music programs existence. We have the distinct honor of representing 350,000 active-duty sailors and telling their story, she said. Im really proud that Im able to do that. A man is dead following a shooting on the 400 block of S. Santa Fe Avenue in Pueblo Saturday night, according to the Pueblo Police department. Police said they received reports of a shooting near South Santa Fe Avenue and I-25 at around 12:06 a.m. When they arrived on the scene, they found a dead man, according to the department. Police said no suspect is in custody. The victims name and age are yet to be released. Pueblo police said theyre investigating the death as a homicide. This is the fourth homicide investigation of this year. Residents of Flying Horse on Colorado Springs' north side have concerns and questions about millions in debt they owe to local metro districts and the limited resident oversight on boards that oversee property tax spending in the sprawling upscale neighborhood. Dan Mulloy, a resident and board member with Flying Horse Metro District 2, said he is concerned about the $58 million in debt the district owes, the likelihood of debt ballooning with interest and the potential need to raise taxes to pay it back. The district encompasses 1,599 homes and owners pay about 40% of their property taxes to the district to cover the debt that financed infrastructure, such as streets, water and sewer mains and parks. In addition to the overall debt, Mulloy and Bill Graziano, a resident and former certified public accountant, said they also question millions in expenses charged to the district and believe the developer of the neighborhood has too much control over the district. The agreements that allow the district to review the proposed budgets and construction schedules also have not been honored, Mulloy said. The district that Mulloy and Graziano live in is one of three districts set up by Classic Homes, the developer of Flying Horse and all of them have been governed solely by Classic Homes employees since 2004 until recently. Developer control is one of the key problems for Mulloy and Graziano, because even if residents gain more control on the District 2 board during an upcoming election, they will have limited oversight. Flying Horse District 1 governs the two other districts, has the right to spend their money, and residents are not allowed to run for its board. "This is a classic feudalistic system. This goes back to medieval times. We get the cost. They own everything and run everything," Graziano said. Colorado Springs banned small governing metro districts, like the one in Flying Horse, last year in all new developments. Classic Homes CEO Doug Stimple responded in a letter to The Gazette about concerns raised by the residents, saying the Flying Horse Metro Districts funds have been properly spent on eligible public infrastructure and the governance structure granting District 1 control over spending allows for cohesive management of the community. "Everything we have done has complied with law and we have gone further than the law even required," he said in a brief phone interview. Stimple said he does not expect to see a need to ask voters to raise taxes to cover debt. Millions owed across city The Flying Horse Metro Districts are three of more than 100 metro districts across Colorado Springs that collectively owe about $700 million for public infrastructure, such as roads, that will be paid back through property taxes over time, said Carl Schueler, comprehensive planning manager for the city. The districts are a form of local government, such as a library district. However, the metro districts are set up by developers who often continue to control the districts as board members after residents move in. A city auditor's report found in 2021 fewer than 10 metro districts have transitioned to resident owner representation. Schueler did not have an updated number of boards with resident representation. Metro districts have become highly controversial in the state legislature, in part, because developers sometimes buy and profit from the bonds used to finance their projects. State lawmakers are debating a measure this year that could ban the practice. In recent years, the state has passed some reforms to help residents better understand and get involved in metro districts, such as requiring the districts to maintain websites and inform residents of board elections. Mulloy joined the Flying Horse Metro District 2 board because of the rule requiring metro districts to inform residents about elections. Educating people about the metro district is a process for Mulloy because residents tend to confuse it with the homeowners' association. He often points out to his neighbors they are paying 40% of their tax bill to the district and that tends to prompt questions. Once they understand the metro district is run by the developer that built the neighborhood and oversaw the construction of the improvements and is getting reimbursed by the board they run, they are concerned that's allowed, he said. "People get upset about it, when they know about it," he said. Flying Horse spending Since joining the board, Mulloy has requested detailed records of the projects the district is paying off and found expenses he has questioned because they don't appear valid. For example, the district was charged $2 million for a buried electric line, $1.8 million in a 5% management fee and $1.145 million for the Flying Horse edifices, including elaborate features such as a clock tower. None of those expenses are specified in the service plan approved by the Colorado Springs City Council that governs District 2, Mulloy said. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. In addition, a contract does not exist for the 5% management fee that was charged on each line item from 2005 to 2015, he said. In response, Stimple said, the electric line needed to be relocated and the district contributed to that cost to allow for the construction of roads and other infrastructure. Electric lines are not listed as eligible improvements in a copy of the service plan provided the city gave to The Gazette. Stimple also stated the entryway monuments are listed in the service plan; however, the document simply lists entryways. As to the 5% management fee, Classic Homes charged it for overseeing proper installation and completion of the infrastructure and a third-party engineer deemed it reasonable, and it is less than the going rate, Stimple said. In his review of district documents, Mulloy found a third-party engineer hired to make sure the infrastructure is eligible for taxpayer reimbursement wrote reports that were inconsistent and incomplete. In November, he proposed the board pay for a review of all the projects. I wanted to get a third-party forensic accountant to take a look at all of these transactions and figure out if everything was fine. The vote was one non-Classic Homes employee for the third party and four Classic Homes employees against, he said. Mulloy is the only non-Classic employee on the board. John Henderson, with the activist group Coloradans for Metro District Reform, said in other metro districts in Colorado the third-party reviews have been problematic, because the engineers are hired by the developers and they don't provide objective reports. Stimple said such a review would cost tens of thousands and is unnecessary because the spending has received multiple legal reviews. 'Extraordinary' ratio District 2 brings in about $3.4 million in revenue to pay off its $58 million in debt, the 2023 budget showed. Thats an extraordinary ratio and an unacceptable ratio, Graziano said. He expects property taxes will need to go up to pay for the debt. Metro District 1 is also carrying $17 million in debt, according to its 2023 budget. But it doesnt generate any revenue on its own, so those debts probably will have to be paid back by either Flying Horse Metro District 2 or District 3. Additional business and home development would generate additional property tax revenue that could help pay off the debt, Mulloy said. For example, a King Soopers is planned in District 3. At the same time, the real estate market is slowing. Stimple said he did not expect a property tax increase would be needed to cover the debt and that revenues would rise as construction in Flying Horse nears completion. Resident oversight Mulloy said he should be educated on revenue projections and construction plans because under an intergovernmental agreement District 1 is supposed to consult with other districts on critical documents, such as estimates of operations and maintenance costs, a proposed construction schedule for the budget year, estimates of capital costs for the year, and actual construction contracts, among others. Mulloy said reviews of those documents did not happen last year. Stimple disagreed. City governments can intervene when metro districts fail to follow a service plan or an intergovernmental agreement, Henderson, with the metro district reform group, said. For example, they could take away the district's right to issue bonds, he said. Colorado Springs city councilmembers have emphasized residents should get involved in their metro districts to provide needed oversight. More residents could be elected to the Flying Horse Metro District 2 board in May with six residents and three Classic Homes employees, including Stimple, running for three seats. Stimple said it was important for employees to stay on the board, because their expertise and historical knowledge is important to the operation of the districts. Mulloy countered that residents provide important insight. "We think we can run the districts better, because we are residents and taxpayers of the districts," he said. The so-called Armenian army continues to violate the provisions of the Trilateral Declaration signed on November 10, 2023, Azernews reports. Contrary to the provisions of the Trilateral Declaration signed on November 10, 2020, using the Khankendi-Khalfali-Turssu land road, the Armenian side continued to transport weapons and ammunition, personnel, including mines, to the territories of Azerbaijan, where the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation is temporarily located, the Foreign Ministry states. The Foreign Ministry noted that Armenia did not stop its provocations even after the 44-day Patriotic War, which ended the 30-year occupation of our territories; Armenian armed forces has not been completely withdrawn from Azerbaijani territories; The transportation and deployment of weapons, ammunition and mines produced in the Republic of Armenia in 2021 to the territories of Azerbaijan are being carried out. The facts of the planting mines were demonstrated during the visit of the Turkiye-Russia Joint Monitoring Center to the region, the MFA said. On March 5, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry got information about illegally transporting ammunition, mines, and military personnel using the Khankendi-Khalfali-Turshsu land road which is the secondary road and alternative to the Lachin-Khankendi road. In order to verify and clarify the received information Azerbaijani Armed Forces tried to stop the mentioned vehicles for inspection. At this time, as a result of the fire from the opposite side, there are people killed and injured by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The other party was neutralised by the return fire launched by our Armed Forces. Such acts of aggression and provocations demonstrate that Armenia has not abandoned its occupation policy against Azerbaijan, that Armenia's views on the peace agenda are nothing but hypocrisy, and that Armenia is not interested in establishing peace and security in the region. These actions once again prove the necessity of applying the border control-exit regime between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In order to prevent such military provocations, the Azerbaijani side demands the implementation of the Trilateral Declaration, an end to the transportation of illegal weapons and ammunition, personnel and mines from Armenia, and the immediate withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, MFA added. As Colorado marks another COVID-19 anniversary, the takeaway for historians and epidemiologists is as simple as it is jarring: Americans haven't learned the lessons from history. Three years ago Sunday, Colorado reported its first COVID-19 case a 30-something male skier who had traveled to Italy. Eight days later, on March 13, an El Paso County woman in her 80s with underlying health conditions became the first in Colorado to die from the novel coronavirus. At the time, Colorado had 77 known cases. In the days that followed, public health and executive orders shuttered businesses and schools; canceled nonessential surgeries; limited evictions and foreclosures; required face masks in public and shut-in Coloradans with stay-at-home orders. The headlines could have been written 100 years ago. All the same things used today were used back then, said J. Alexander Navarro, a University of Michigan historian who has extensively studied the Spanish flu of 1918. After a dozen military trainees caught a deadly strain of the Spanish flu in the fall of 1918, City Manager of Health and Charity and former Denver Mayor Dr. William H. Sharpley set up an advisory board. He also instructed residents to avoid crowds, cover coughs and sneezes and to seek a physician if cold-like symptoms developed. When the number of cases and deaths climbed, Sharpley ordered hospitals to isolate influenza patients. School closures, assembly bans and business restrictions followed, which included prohibiting funerals. What happened next now seems all too predictable. Cases dipped and public health officials lifted the mitigation measures. In an unfortunate coincidence, the day the mitigation measures were lifted in Denver, a throng of residents poured into the streets to celebrate the armistice and end of World War I. A week later, Denver was in the throes of a surge with hundreds of new influenza cases and dozens of deaths. Sharpley blamed the public. It is not the lifting of the closure ban that is the cause of spreading of the epidemic, but the putting aside of all the precautions and restrictions by the people of Denver when they celebrated on Victory Day, Sharpley said. Another resurgence What made the Mile High City so interesting to researchers like Navarro is that Denver was one of a few that had intervened and then walked back mitigation measures for which the public had grown weary. The pandemic wasnt over, Navarro said. Almost immediately we saw another resurgence of cases. As a result, the Spanish flu pandemic droned on for months with a second deadly spike becoming one of the nations largest death tolls, per capita. City officials responded with a mask order and shutting down amusement businesses. But enforcement was fraught with complications from the public refusing to wear masks to business owners complaining they had been unfairly singled out. The deadliest pandemic of the 20th century, the Spanish flu killed roughly 9,300 Coloradans and more than 1,100 in Denver. Denvers response to the Spanish flu, Navarro argued, illustrates what happens when people dont follow public health orders or when strong leadership is lacking. Public health doesnt exist in a vacuum, Navarro said. In 2007, Navarro and a team of researchers studied the interventions 43 cities including Denver implemented to curb the spread of the Spanish flu. Their study found early, sustained and layered interventions mitigated the consequences of the pandemic. In planning for future severe influenza pandemics, nonpharmaceutical interventions should be considered for inclusion as companion measures to developing effective vaccines and medications for prophylaxis and treatment, the authors wrote. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. To date, COVID-19 has killed 1.1 million Americans; nearly 15,000 Coloradans and roughly 1,500 Denverites. It was frustrating seeing history repeat itself, Navarro said. The public respected the pandemic There are key differences between the Spanish flu and COVID-19, which has killed more Americans than those who died in all the U.S. wars, combined. Reporting 100 years ago was spotty. No central agency existed to control the outbreak (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wasnt formed until 1946). Another notable difference was who the disease killed. With COVID-19, older Americans and those in congregate settings, particularly nursing homes, bore the brunt of the deaths while healthy 20-to-40-year-olds had an unusually high mortality rate with the Spanish flu. The 1918 flu killed people mainly in the prime of life, Metropolitan State University of Denver History Professor Stephen Leonard said. Leonard added: In a way, the societal impact was almost greater. The duration of the pandemics also differed with the Spanish flu running from 1918-1919. COVID-19 is now entering its fourth year, although President Joe Biden announced he will end the emergency declaration in May. And while the public pushed back on some of the mitigation strategies, the Spanish flu the first global pandemic in the era of mass society was not politicized as COVID-19 has been. The public respected the pandemic, it was almost never politically motivated, Navarro said. Leading experts said the irony is that the best measures to control highly infectious diseases like the Spanish flu and COVID-19 public gathering bans, school and business closures, face masks and quarantines are precisely the most difficult to implement in a mass society. These measures remain highly controversial even today, with some contending that the school closures unnecessarily set back students learning, when they are the least susceptible to the virus, and the lockdowns separated families, particularly older residents, who ended up dying alone in hospitals or facilities without their loved ones. Critics also claim that health authorities had been inconsistent, first saying face masks were not needed and then concluding they were or insisting the vaccine would prevent catching the virus but later saying it would minimize the severity of the symptoms, rather than eliminate the chances of getting sick. Preparing for the next pandemic Researchers will likely study the COVID-19 pandemic for decades to come. They said while some of the lessons will take time to unfold, others are fairly clear now: better surveillance is critical; international cooperation is necessary and work rebuilding the public trust in public health, essential. I think the takeaway is we have a lot of work to do preparing for the next pandemic, said Navarro, of the University of Michigan. Because its a matter of when, not if. Dr. Michelle Barron, senior director of infection prevention at UCHealth, agreed. Despite the missteps, Barron said she believes history will reflect well on the scientific achievement, creating an effective vaccine in record time. Science matters, Barron said. But its got to be good science. March is Womens History Month, a time dedicated to honoring and recognizing contributions of women now and throughout history, and theres no shortage of ways to celebrate across Colorado Springs. Here are a few events to keep on your radar: Womens History Month Kickoff University of Colorado at Colorado Springs student life and the Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness, and Community (MOSAIC) are set to host the Womens History Month Kickoff from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the UCCS University Center. The event is free and will feature a panel and mixer session with women from the college, and the Colorado Springs community. To RSVP to the event, click or tap here. 'This Shall be the Land for Women' The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, 215 S. Tejon St., is offering a special exhibit, "This Shall be the Land for Woman: An Exhibit Examining Women's Suffrage in Colorado." The exhibit highlights "Colorados historic role in granting women the right to vote by popular referendum in 1893, a full 27 years before the federal amendment," according to the museum's website. Entrance to the museum is free, and is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. For more information on the exhibit, click or tap here. 'Patrons of Influence' panel The Pikes Peak Library District has teamed up with Sixty35 Media to host a panel titled "Patrons of Influence" from 10-11 a.m. March 15 at the PPLD East Library. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The panel will consist of local leaders who will discuss their experiences on how inclusion and gender diversity works to strengthen organizations and communities. Through this event, the organizations aim to celebrate patrons that are providing positive influences in areas of culture, business, and leadership in El Paso County. The event is free. To register for the event, click or tap here. Legendary Ladies present: Unconventional Woman of the West The Legendary Ladies are sure to make you laugh, reflect, and appreciate the West through their storytelling performance titled Unconventional Woman of the West. The group will make history come alive through sharing stories of the women who helped to shape the American West. Performances are free and are scheduled for March 11 at the Penrose Library, 11 a.m.-noon, and at Library 21c, 2-3 p.m. 'Beauty for Ashes: A Celebration of Womens History Month' The African American Historical and Genealogical Society of Colorado Springs is set to host its annual program in celebration of Womens History Month titled "Beauty for Ashes" from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. March 19 at the Westside Community Center, 1628 W. Bijou St. Food will be served, and the event will consist of spoken-word performances from a variety of artists and will honor accomplishments of several women in the community. Face coverings are required, and a $10 donation is suggested to attend. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is considering running for president in 2024, challenging US President Biden for the Democratic nomination, and he says his wife approves, Azernews reports citing Fox News. "I am thinking about it yes. I have passed the biggest hurdle, that my wife has greenlighted it," Kennedy told a crowd in New Hampshire on Friday, according to reports. Kennedy's wife, actress Cheryl Hines, was reportedly attending the speech at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, which for nearly a quarter-century has been a must stop in the Granite State for potential or actual White House contenders. Kennedy, the son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy, describes himself as a lifelong Democrat and has faced criticism for his activism against the COVID-19 vaccine. In his speech, he called the Democratic National Committee (DNC) decision to upset the presidential nominating calendar wrong, as it moves New Hampshire's primary from the first place into the third. As Colorado communities grapple with the growing ranks of the homeless, especially those thronging the streets and camping in public spaces, political and civic leaders have been searching the country for success stories in cities facing similar challenges. It turns out a possible model for effectively tackling homelessness can be found in the middle of the Front Range at the foot of Pikes Peak. An analysis of the numbers of the homeless around the state suggests Colorado Springs offers new hope. Colorados Common Sense Institute studied years of results from the annual homelessness census, the Point in Time survey used by communities to tap federal funding for homeless services. It concluded, unlike several places in the Denver metro area and the region as a whole, Colorado Springs is not experiencing a significant rise in its homeless population. Common Sense issued a report late last month summarizing the Colorado Springs findings and comparing them with data from Denver, where homelessness and spending on it continue to rise. Common Sense projected last fall that the Denver metro area will spend an astounding $660 million in public and private dollars this year on homeless services. By contrast, the new report found Colorado Springs, is facing much more promising trends, with respect to its homeless population and shelter supply, than the Denver metro area. The data on Colorado Springs show: The overall homeless population is stable. The population of those living on the streets is rapidly decreasing. The homeless population has dropped over the last five years. To what does the report attribute those patterns? Much of Colorado Springs success traces to the $18 million expansion of the Springs Rescue Mission, the citys largest homeless shelter, the report says. The expansion turned the facility into a secure, 14-acre campus offering wide-ranging services to the homeless. Its shelter capacity grew from accommodations for 37 people to 450. Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The report notes other Colorado cities, particularly Aurora, are looking at the Colorado Springs model of a one-stop campus that can connect homeless people with an assortment of services such as addiction counseling, mental health care and employment. The citys experience offers evidence that local policy innovations, good governance, and strong public-private partnerships can lead to improved outcomes, the report says. To that, wed add that it also requires willpower by local authorities in any city to lead people in need to a place such as a homeless-services campus where their needs can be met. That means moving the chronically homeless out of the urban camps that feed their addictions and foster crime and violence. A lack of such resolve by City Hall in Denver could be another reason the city has been less successful than Colorado Springs in addressing homelessness. As Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers observed in a Gazette report the other day on the Common Sense data, It is very clear to me that they are not enforcing the camping bans in Denver and frankly, I don't understand why. Many Denver residents would agree. It makes sense for Colorado communities to work together on homelessness not only to coordinate resources and responses but also to learn from each others experiences in mapping out a broader strategy. The quest begins with an effort such as Common Sense Institutes, compiling the most accurate and meaningful statistics available on the homeless. In todays Gazette Perspective section, the institutes executive director, Kelly Caufield, provides an overview of that effort, focusing on Colorado Springs and Denver as well as Grand Junction. Its well worth reading. Last year, the Colorado General Assembly demonstrated the good sense to pass Senate Bill 115, recognizing that property owners are not liable for actions committed on their property by criminals. It didnt matter, legislators agreed, if the property owner operated a controversial business. Ultimate responsibility for harm rests with the person who pulled the trigger. This bipartisan legislation, which passed the Senate 34-0 and the House 64-1, came in response to a lawsuit arising from the 2015 shooting at a Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado Springs. A 2021 shooting at a Boulder King Soopers provided further context, reassuring legislators that it is unreasonable to hold any business responsible for, in the words of Justice Melissa Hart, the irrational actions of a mass murderer. Lawmakers wisely concluded responsibility for criminal violence rests with the perpetrator and shouldnt fall on property owners just because they might have deep pockets. Less than a year later, some legislators now propose that Colorado turn this logic on its head to make another controversial industry firearms manufacturers and retailers liable for others irrational actions. This is akin to holding car manufacturers responsible for drunken drivers or, worse, for a deranged individual who uses a vehicle to run down pedestrians. Guns are by definition a deadly weapon that citizens have the right to use for self-defense, hunting, target practice and other legitimate, lawful activities. In self-defense, firearms are considered the great equalizer, enabling a person of small stature and limited strength to fend off a powerful attacker. Sometimes that defense requires actual use of deadly force a legitimate, lawful purpose for which firearms are designed. It would be irrational for Colorado law to authorize lawsuits against a legal product that functions as designed. Senate Bill 168 would repeal an existing law that acknowledges that firearms are inherently dangerous and so protects sellers and manufacturers from lawsuits except when their product is defective. The bill would allow sellers and manufacturers of firearms to be sued for the unlawful actions of a third party. It sets up a list of ill-defined requirements that firearms dealers and manufacturers are expected to follow. If an anti-gun activist lawyer can convince a jury that, in perfect 20/20 hindsight, someone in the chain of commerce violated any one of these requirements, then SB 168 creates a legal presumption that the violation rather than the actual shooter is the proximate cause of harm. Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Thats the opposite of last years common-sense legislation, which recognized that the shooter is precisely the person responsible. SB 168 would create a storm of liability that would make it nearly impossible for anyone involved in legal gun sales to obtain insurance. Reputable manufacturers of guns and ammunition would stop selling their products in Colorado to avoid liability. That would also make it impossible for law enforcement to buy reliable guns and ammunition, which could be icing on the cake for some #DefundThePolice progressives. This bill amounts to an abuse of our court system by lawmakers who dont like guns and want to unleash a swarm of lawsuits upon heavily regulated businesses that manufacture a legal, popular product. Honest citizens will be punished despite having done nothing wrong. Understandably, lawmakers are desperately searching for elusive solutions to the tragedy of mass shootings. Even red flag laws have not been especially effective in proactively stopping potential mass shooters, so proponents now seek to harass gun manufacturers out of business through endless litigation. That might feel good in the heat of the moment, but this bill will do nothing to stop criminals or the mentally ill from inflicting harm on innocent Americans. Mark Hillman served as Senate majority leader and state treasurer. He is executive director of Colorado Civil Justice League. Psychologists working in Colorado will soon be eligible to apply to prescribe mental health medications to their patients, thanks to House Bill 1071 from Colorado Springs' Rep. Mary Bradfield. Currently, if a psychologist providing therapy or counseling decides their patient needs medication such as antidepressants, they must refer the patient to a psychiatrist or medical doctor to get a prescription. But due to a lack of prescribers in Colorado, this process can take months to complete and forces patients to pay for care twice. The bill will make the more than 3,000 licensed psychologists operating in Colorado eligible to apply to prescribe themselves. In comparison, there are only around 600 psychiatrists currently operating in Colorado. "This is the first step for the betterment of mental and behavioral health conditions for people in Colorado," Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs, said. Gov. Jared Polis signed the bill into law on Friday. It will officially take effect in August, 90 days after the General Assembly adjourns. The bipartisan-sponsored bill was unanimously approved by the Senate and passed the House in a 56-6 vote earlier this month, following weeks of debate among lawmakers and mental health professionals regarding whether letting psychologists prescribe medications would lower the standards of mental health care. To become a prescriber under the bill, a doctorate-holding psychologist would have to get a masters degree in clinical psychopharmacology, pass a national psychopharmacology exam, complete 750 hours of prescribing practice under a supervising physician, be approved by the state boards of psychology and medicine, and complete 40 hours of continuing education in psychopharmacology every two years. In addition, the psychologist would have to maintain their current psychology license, malpractice insurance and psychology-based continuing education. Despite these requirements, opponents raised concerns about allowing non-medically trained psychologists to prescribe medications, saying they do not understand how medications impact the body or how physical illnesses can manifest as mental health issues. Psychiatric medications affect all of the bodys systems, said Dr. Nadia Haddad with the Colorado Psychiatric Society while testifying against the bill. "The mind does not exist in a vacuum. Psychiatric medications can cause fatal heart arrhythmias, diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, liver and kidney issues." Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Proponents defended the qualifications of prescribing psychologists and emphasized that they would be required to collaborate with a patients primary physician and explicitly agree that the prescription is appropriate before it is administered to the patient. Some also argued that psychologists know their patients' needs better than psychiatrists, as psychologists often meet with patients on a weekly basis for up to an hour at a time, while psychiatrist appointments can be as short as 15 minutes and occur every few months. Bill sponsor Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, said she has experienced the ineffectiveness of the current system firsthand. Amabile said her adult son suffers with serious mental illness and was forced to wait eight weeks for his first psychiatric appointment. Feeling unable to wait, he went to a primary care doctor who was unaware of his diagnosis and was prescribed the wrong medication, causing him to end up in the hospital. "It is about access to care and quality of care," Amabile said. "If you can have the same person who you're meeting with frequently, who really knows you, who has an in-depth understanding of your disease also be the person who manages your medications, then you're going to get better care." This bill comes as the 2022 State of Mental Health in America report ranked Colorado as the worst state in the country for adult mental health. The year before, Childrens Hospital Colorado declared a state of emergency for youth mental health, as suicide became the leading cause of death for Colorado children ages 14-19. Psychologists can already prescribe mental health medication in five states New Mexico, Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa and Idaho as well as in the U.S. military. In New Mexico and Louisiana, deaths by suicide were reduced by 5%-7% since psychologists were granted prescriptive authority, according to Healthier Colorado. Nationally, there are around 250 prescribing psychologists currently operating. From 2005 to 2021, there were only 14 board complaints against prescribing psychologists half of which were dismissed and only two of which resulted in payments to the plaintiffs, according to Trust Risk Management Services, which provides liability insurance for psychologists. "I'm very excited by this bill," Polis said. "It saves money, improves access, improves quality. ... This bill will give us more tools to help people experiencing severe mental health crises." The customers of Bank of Brazil (BBAS3) can use the balance of other financial institutions to pay off loans via pix. The entire procedure is done in the bank application, without the need for transactions in different applications. The institution became the first bank to adopt the option of paying overdue loan installments through the Pix Open Financewhich is the use of payment transaction initiator (ITP) function with data shared between different financial institutions. Through digital innovation, customers with accounts at several banks can settle overdue loans with an available balance at other banks in the same application. The customer can quickly settle an overdue portion of a loan at BB with funds held at other institutions. The entire process is done in the Banco do Brasil application. The customer chooses the loan and the installments he wants to pay with resources from other banks. Then, choose one of the qualified institutions in which you want to debit the installments and it is automatically sent to the environment of the chosen institution, within the same service session. To use Pix Open Finance payment, the customer does not need to have shared data with Banco do Brasil. The institution clarifies that the authorization, in this case, is specific to each payment transaction. Initiation of payments Service present in open finance in Brazil, payment initiation was created to unify transactions between financial institutions in a single service channel. Institutions initiating payment transactions (ITPs), such as Banco do Brasil, need to be authorized by the Central Bank and are subject to specific regulation. The data sharing provided by the open finance simplifies the payment or transfer of funds by integrating a digital channel (which will receive the credit) with the institutions that hold the account (which will be debited). With the initiation of payments, a consumer or company can debit their account directly on the recipients website or application, without having to enter their banks application to complete the transaction. For now, the process is only available for Pix. In addition to simplifying the customer experience, initiating payments tends to lower costs by reducing the steps involved in a digital payment. The process also tends to reduce abandonment of e-commerce purchases, because payment is made instantly, without friction. First Citizens Bank is announced in a press release a new hire in the Home Loan Center. Abe Hackman has joined the Home Loan Center as an AVP, Real Estate Lending Officer working from the Mason City West location. He received his BA in Finance from the University of Northern Iowa. Hackman has over 20 years of home lending experience. Gary Schmit has retired as board chairman and president of Henkel Construction Company after leading the company since 2011. Schmit began his career at Henkel as a project estimator in 1988, and has seen many changes in the construction industry since that time. It has been an honor and pleasure leading this one-of-a-kind company for the past 11 years as president," Schmit said in a press release. "Like many other industries, technology has changed the way we do things, and its created efficiencies that for the most part have enabled us to deliver projects more effectively, and more efficiently. After being vice president of operations since 2007, Kent Brcka now takes over as president and board chairman of Henkel. Henkel has been around for a very long time, and were proud of our history and reputation in our community and our industry. I want to continue to add to that. Weve had many great employees that have worked their entire careers at Henkel, and we want to continue to build upon our culture and our success, so that our current team members will want to do that as well, said Kent Brcka. Brcka had previously served as vice president of North Iowa operations. In addition, Cheryl Hubbard has been promoted to vice president of North Iowa operations, according to the release. I look forward to serving our customers in my new role. Our team consists of many skilled workers, who happen to also be great, hard-working people, and I look forward to working with them to carry forward the tradition of excellence Henkel has achieved said Hubbard. As we continue to grow, Kent and Cheryls experience will benefit our team, and our clients and partners will benefit as well, said Schmit. DES MOINES As the rush from Iowa lawmakers to advance their priority bills before a key deadline stretched into the early hours Friday morning, some eye-catching bills did not make it out of committees and cannot be considered for the rest of the session. After this weeks legislative funnel, only bills that have passed out of at least one committee can be considered for the rest of the session. But there are exceptions: Budget and tax bills are not subject to the funnel, and leaders have ways to revive bills later in the session if they want to bring them back. A proposal from a group of House Republicans to remove protections for same-sex marriage from the Iowa constitution House Joint Resolution 8 was introduced earlier this week, but it did not get scheduled for a subcommittee hearing. As a proposed constitutional amendment, the measure would have needed to be passed by two separate general assemblies and then pass a popular vote in an election before becoming law. On the same day, House Democrats proposed House File 509, which would have codified the right to same-sex marriage in Iowa law, which also did not gain traction. Those are not moving through the process, any of them, from both sides, Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley said on Thursday. In an email to House lawmakers, Republican Rep. Brad Sherman of Williamsburg, the chief sponsor of the bill to ban same-sex marriage, said the bill recognizes what has been established by nature for all of history and referenced Bible passages. The definition of marriage was defined as being between male and female for 5,000 years, he wrote. Medical cannabis expansion A proposal to expand the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in Iowa and add vaporizable raw cannabis to the list of products failed to advance out of committee. The sticking point in the bill, Senate Study Bill 1113, was the provision allowing raw cannabis flower, intended to be vaporized rather than smoked, to be sold at Iowas medical dispensaries, Zaun said. The Medical Cannabidiol Board on Monday denied a petition to allow the product, and Zaun said that created opposition to including it in the bill. Vapes, capsules, and other treatments can be bought at Iowas medical dispensaries, but Bud & Marys, Iowas only operating cannabis manufacturer, argues vaporizable raw cannabis is the cheapest to produce and would bring costs down for patients. Zaun said there isnt much opposition among lawmakers to expanding the number of dispensaries in the state, a move the board supports. The bill would have increased the limit of licensed dispensaries in the state from five to 10. While Zaun said the prospects of any changes to the program arent likely this year, hes hopeful the measures can be revived through an amendment or other means. Social media age requirements Two bills that would have put an age requirement on social media accounts failed to pass a committee. House Study Bill 223 would have required social media and gaming websites to verify that a child has parental consent before they make an account or access the site. The bill passed a subcommittee on Wednesday but did not get a vote in the House Judiciary Committee. Another bill, House File 526, would have barred Iowans under 18 from having an account on a social media site, but that bill did not get a subcommittee hearing. Republicans overnight push When Republicans did manage to advance their priorities, in some cases it took a little more time than usual. The final day of funnel week, Thursday, actually lasted two calendar days as the legislative work seeped into the early morning hours of Friday. Throughout that final funnel-week push, Republican lawmakers advanced Gov. Kim Reynolds sweeping state government reorganization bill, legislation impacting LGBTQ students and youth, and gun regulations, among others. House Democrats huddled for roughly nine hours to discuss the nearly 1,600-page government reorganization bill. And when their committee meeting finally resumed, they introduced more than 40 amendments in what they viewed as attempts to improve the bill. Democrats expressed myriad concerns with some narrow proposals within the bill, but their overarching criticism was that it yields too much authority to the governor. Reynolds proposal, which was designed with the help of a Virginia-based consulting firm paid nearly $1 million by the state, would reduce the number of state agencies with directors that answer directly to the governor from 37 to 16, in the process folding other state agencies under those fewer directors. Transgender health care Bucking impassioned pleas from doctors and transgender youth over the last week, House lawmakers after midnight on Friday advanced a bill that would ban transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming health care. The move runs contrary to the guidance of major American medical associations and state experts, who say the interventions used to treat transgender youth improve well-being and are often lifesaving. The bill, House Study Bill 214, would ban the use of puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries as a treatment for gender dysphoria for people under 18. Bathroom bill Iowa schools would be allowed to bar transgender students from using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity under a bill the House Judiciary Committee advanced in the early hours on Friday. House Study Bill 208 states that schools cannot be punished for restricting bathrooms and locker rooms to members of the same biological sex. A Senate committee advanced a bill this week that would enforce that requirement statewide, requiring students to use the school bathroom that aligns with their sex assigned at birth. While the House bill makes the designation optional, it also allows a person to bring a civil lawsuit against a school if they encounter someone in a bathroom of the opposite sex who the school allowed to access the bathroom, and if they are required to share lodging with a person of the opposite sex. Studies have shown transgender students who are denied access to a bathroom that aligns with their gender identity to be at a higher risk for sexual assault, and transgender people in general are far more likely than cisgender people to be victims of sexual assault. Close Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds hugs her husband First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds at the conclusion of the Condition of the State address, inside the Iowa House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Iowa Senate President Pro Tempore Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, applauds during Gov. Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address, inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Attendees to Gov. Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address applaud during the speech, inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Jan. 10 at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds is escorted into the Iowa House of Representatives, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, to give the annual Condition of the State address, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Photos: Gov. Kim Reynolds delivers the condition of the state address Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds hugs her husband First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds at the conclusion of the Condition of the State address, inside the Iowa House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Iowa Senate President Pro Tempore Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, applauds during Gov. Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address, inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Attendees to Gov. Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State address applaud during the speech, inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Jan. 10 at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds gives the Condition of the State address to members of the Iowa Legislature inside the House Chamber, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds is escorted into the Iowa House of Representatives, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 10, 2023, to give the annual Condition of the State address, at the Iowa State Capitol, in Des Moines. Storms producing tornadoes and heavy rains rolled through parts of the southern U.S. on Friday, killing at least seven people and leaving over 1 million customers without power, authorities said, Azernews reports citing Reuters. The National Weather Service said the powerful storm was moving to the Northeast and would cause heavy snow and sleet from southeastern Michigan east to New York state. Parts of central New York and southern New England may see over a foot (30 cm) of snow by Saturday afternoon. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said at least two tornadoes sparked by the storm system ripped through the western part of his state on Friday. The governor said on social media that at least two people were killed in the severe weather, though he did not provide any more details. Aside from the tornadoes, Beshear said thunderstorms in Kentucky were generating winds of 80 miles per hour (128.75 kph), which are "strong enough to blow tractor trailers off the road." Technically, the Danville Historical Society has already passed its golden anniversary. However, with the historic modern-day pandemic still looming large in 2021, celebrating five decades just wasn't meant to be. Until now. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Holiday Tour, the Danville Historical Society is turning back the hands of time by two years to mark the organization's 50 years of telling the unknown stories of Danville. "The tour is going to be pretty spectacular, and celebrates DHSs contributions to the area, so why not celebrate DHS at the same time," Executive Director Robin Marcato told the Register & Bee this week. The society was born in 1971, the brainchild of Mary Cahill. At the time, the mission was to save historic structures often doomed by urban sprawl. That meant some of Danville's most historic homes were torn down. The group wanted to protect the rest, Marcato said. "Over time, the group bought and restored buildings, placed markers and created historical districts," she explained. At first, it was called the Danville Historical District, but it goes by the name of the Old West End today. The organization is no longer in the business of buying and fixing up homes. Instead being the caretakers of the largest archive collection in Southside they work with homeowners researching their own gems of the pat. The Danville Historical Society has some 200,000 pieces tucked away. The largest problem, Marcato said, is a lack of an inventory. "We find incredible material every day, but a lot of it is undated," she explained. "We would love to have more volunteers to come and look through photographs to identify places, people, etc." Her path to Danville Marcato's path to Danville started in 2018 after she left her job with the federal government, looking for what she called "a quiet place" to raise her 5-year-old. While driving through Danville, her daughter saw the iconic "Home" sign in the River District. Those letters used to sit atop the White Mill building, part of the "Home of Dan River Fabrics" sign that greeted visitors entering Danville from the east when Dan River Inc. was a fabric of daily life in the city. When her young child saw the bright red neon letters, she asked to get out of the car. "She ran toward the letters yelling we had found our home and well, it felt so right, so we moved here," Marcato said. "We love it." The rest pardon the pun is history. Marcato became part of the Danville Historical Society when she was asked to be president of the board in 2021. "My aim from day one was to make all this incredible history accessible," she told the Register & Bee. "After the grants I was writing started bringing in money, the board asked me to resign and become the executive director." With her new part-time position, she decided it was time to bring in help. That's when she hired archivists Joe Scott and Cody Wade Foster, both also working part-time. The group's mission "We see ourselves as a community resource, not just for research and genealogy, but a place where everyone can come to learn and discuss the different stories of Danville," Marcato explained when asked about the vision of the society. And she's quick to note there's new blood flowing in the organization rooted in all things history. "DHS has an entirely new board, and is now run by a very young and diverse group of people," she said. In fact, they eliminated one obstacle this year that could be a financial burden to some: the society no longer has a traditional membership. "Now, all current and former residents of Danville automatically are a member, without a fee," she explained. "The thinking is that this will encourage participation and understanding of local history to all communities, no matter their income." Marcato hopes this will empower the younger generation's drive for hometown pride. It's that kind of passion of the past that sparks interest to protect and restore the relics of Danville. Home for history Marking a milestone in history, the society now has a permanent home at 406 Cabell St. That's in the River District near the Danville Science Center and the Community Market. "Its located in a part of the city that is still undergoing a massive redevelopment so its very exciting," Marcato said. "When we first came here, we had no neighbors or sidewalks, and now we have both." The space is still a work-in-progress, so things "look a little rough" amid interior upgrades. Given the part-time status of the three employees, the society is only open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday by appointment. "At some point, when we raise enough money to have full time staff, well be open every day," Marcato said. "We average several hundred requests for information every month, not to mention walk ins, so having full time hours is our ultimate goal." The items Among one of the rarest items is a ledger from 1798 the oldest in Virginia, according to Marcato that shows what Danville locals were purchasing when the city was only 5 years old. "Every name is recognizable because most have streets named after them," she explained. The group also has hundreds of thousands of photos including those in the John Tate Collection. Tate was a photographer for the Danville Register and The Bee and his collection of negatives and scrapbooks are slowing becoming part of the digital world. "Tate was also the police photographer for years, so we also have the evidence photos he took," Marcato said. Other items in the sprawling society collection features documents during Danville's civil rights era. Going deeper into the past, they also have "William Sutherlins business papers, cancelled checks and all" along with the "entire Stratford College history, with personal papers and memorabilia dating back to its beginnings as the Danville Female College." The organization also will soon receive the collection from the local tobacco museum. "The material wont be merged into DHSs collection, but stay a collection in its own right," Marcato said. That'll add another nearly 40,000 items to the assortment of peices from the society, but it'll need to be both catalogued and digitized. "We are thrilled about this because most of the material has been in storage for 30 years and inaccessible," she said. Anyone who wants to donate can call ahead or just "swing by" during normal office hours. Learn more online at danvillehistory.org. KERNERSVILLE A chimney fire was determined to be the cause of a blaze at a condominium complex overnight that displaced seven residents, according to the Kernersville Fire Rescue Department. The department said in a news release that firefighters responded at approximately midnight to a fire in the 500 block of Brookside Court. The first engine arrived to find a working fire on the side and in the attic of a two-story building with eight condo units. All occupants were able to safely evacuate. Crews brought the fire under control at 12:39 a.m., according to the news release. Seven residents, in four condo units, were affected by the fire. The American Red Cross is providing assistance to those residents. No injuries were reported. Other agencies that responded included Beeson Crossroads Fire Department, Colfax Fire Department, Forsyth County Emergency Services (Fire & EMS), Walkertown Fire Department, and Winston Salem Fire Department. The Helena-based Wildlife Ecology Institute was awarded a $236,000 federal grant to work with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to advance recovery efforts for the Sierra Nevada red fox. These foxes are specially adapted to high-elevation areas from the Sierra Nevada of California north through the Cascades to northern Oregon. In California, Sierra Nevada red foxes exist in very small and isolated populations, which requires specific recovery actions to assure their persistence, officials said. Fewer than 100 (Sierra Nevada red foxes) are believed to currently exist in their historic range in California, which prompted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to recently list this montane subspecies of red fox as endangered in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, Tim Hiller, WEI executive director, stated in a news release. He said the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and WEI recently completed another project in the Oregon Cascades. Hiller said they will see how to use that information to aid recovery efforts of the fox in California. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, recently led the effort to complete a rangewide Conservation Strategy for red fox, an effort in which WEI and many others were involved. It outlines recovery steps and priorities, including potential reintroduction efforts, said Chris Stermer, CDFW biologist who has been researching the foxes for years. The foxes were very recently detected near Taboose Pass on the eastern boundary of SEKI, a first for that region since the 1930s. Motion-sensing infrared trail cameras will be strategically placed in areas to collect digital data to determine whether the red foxes are present. Scat and other collected samples will be sent to a laboratory for DNA extraction. DNA analysis can verify if it is a Sierra Nevada red fox, catalog individual animals, determine their gender, and evaluate genetic relationships. Wildlife Ecology Institute and project partners have gotten federal funding to initiate this project in 2023. WEI is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization founded in 2015 to bridge the disconnect between wildlife research and management to help address the contemporary challenges of fish and wildlife management. More information is at https://www.wildlifeecology.org/snrf_ca.html. In a ceremony at Fort Harrison, Howard VanderVos, an employee with the Department of Military Affairs, was honored Tuesday by Gov. Greg Gianforte for his 45 years of outstanding service. VanderVos joined the Department of Military Affairs on Feb. 28, 1978, as facilities maintenance manager. Tuesday marked the 45th anniversary of the start of VanderVos career in the department. Howard has led an extraordinary career of public service, ensuring the Department of Military Affairs is well equipped to serve and support Montanans in times of natural disaster and emergencies, Gianforte said. I was proud to join him today to celebrate his 45 years of outstanding service to the people of Montana. Governor Greg Gianfortes Outstanding Service Award recognizes state employees who go above and beyond to support the citizens of Montana, whether with exceptional customer service, strong leadership, or a commitment to excellence. The governor has said that one of the best ways to emphasize a culture of customer service is to recognize state employees who exhibit that culture. Montanans may learn more about the award and nominate a state employee for their outstanding work at https://governor.mt.gov/Contact/OutstandingServiceAward. The Democrats killed two of my brothers. That was the reply my 9-year-old father received from his great-grandmother on her rural Iowa front porch when he asked her why she was such a strong Republican. Her comment reflected the bitter legacy of the Civil War. As it left the American South solidly Democratic for decades, it also made the Union upper Midwest just as solidly Republican. My father couldnt remember ever knowing a Democrat until moving to Montana in his early teens. My mothers family, on the other hand, was greatly benefitted by the New Deal Rural Electrification Administration, and the modernization that the federal government brought to the rural poor. My dad was a veteran of the European theater in World War II, and a staunch admirer of Gen. Dwight Eisenhower. My mom liked Ike, too, and so I was brought up from my earliest memory as a Republican. We had no television at our remote farm-ranch northwest of Kalispell, and I became an avid reader. History was what most interested me, and it was then that I discovered my life-long heroes, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. This was also the time when I was attracted to the square-jawed, straight-talking Republican presidential candidate, Barry Goldwater, whose book, "Conscience of a Conservative," I devoured. Goldwaters book was my first exposure to political theory. I adopted his philosophy that all humans desire to live in freedom, and so they are naturally attracted to free enterprise and repelled by the heavy hand of government control. After rereading "Conscience of a Conservative" again at the time of the rise of Donald Trump, I realized my personal philosophy had adapted and broadened from that of Barry Goldwater, but that at its core it is still much the same. I also concluded that while Goldwater had a coherent conservative philosophy, Trump seemed to have none. He was all hot-button bluster. He had no regard for either the truth or consequences of his performances, and he was not a pimple on the nose of a thinker. Goldwater was primarily a conservative in the classic sense. Trump was a classic demagogue whose only allegiance was to himself. Time has only confirmed that early characterization. This is the conclusion that my longtime friend, Marc Racicot, and I both came to. In spite of our shared deep Republican ties, we both publicly rebuked Trump, and I declared my independence from the Republican Party at the same time. While Marc and I were infants 75 years ago in Thompson Falls, we first became acquainted when, as college student leaders, we actively lobbied the Legislature to lower the voting age. Weve continued in contact ever since, and we naturally think alike. I have been proud to support him in all his issue-oriented and highly principled political campaigns. While anybody might sometimes disagree with Racicot, no one could remotely describe him as a demagogue. Ive known many leaders in my long life, and Marc Racicot is one of a small handful I consider a great man. I cant say I was surprised when the Montana Republican Party recently expelled Racicot for being his own man. All the Montana Republican leaders are lapdog-loyal to Trump. An independent thinker is what self-righteous ideologues cant tolerate. The Republican Big Tent of Ronald Reagan is long gone now. Reagan knew that in a representative democracy, parties reach out for allies; they dont reject them. In a great and diverse democracy, party viability depends on being attentive to the people who make up the broad electorate. In a multi-party parliamentary system, political parties are narrowly focused and highly ideological. In a competitive two-party democracy such as ours, that cant work. In nondemocratic systems that dont allow free elections, political party membership is selective. Only servile loyalists to the regime are allowed to be members. Neither multi-party nor undemocratic systems are in the American tradition. Judging from the recent Republican reasoning in their rejection of Racicot, however, either one might be where future Montanans will find themselves. DECATUR Medical providers in Decatur are working to ensure OB-GYN services are available across the community, but options for pregnant patients and new parents are in short supply after HSHS St. Marys Hospital announced plans to discontinue these services. In January, St. Mary's applied for permission from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board to discontinue health services including obstetrics, advanced inpatient rehabilitation, newborn nursery, pediatrics and inpatient behavioral health services. The review board is scheduled to consider St. Mary's plans at its regular meeting in May, St. Mary's leaders said. In a statement Thursday, hospital leaders said since announcing these plans, St. Mary's has been working closely with other care providers throughout the community including Crossing Healthcare, Heritage Behavioral Health Center and Decatur Memorial Hospital to help patients affected by these changes to transition service providers to meet their needs. Tanya Andricks, CEO of Crossing Healthcare, said leaders at St. Mary's including President and CEO Theresa Rutherford have been in communication with Crossing and spoke with Crossing leaders ahead of the initial announcement so they were aware of the changes. "My initial reaction was really disappointment for the community, for HSHS St. Mary's, for the staff there and for the patients," Andricks said. "Certainly when you learn that services are going to be reduced, that will have an impact on so many people." Crossing Healthcare currently has a physician contracted from St. Mary's for OB-GYN services, but Andricks said it's unclear how long that physician will be contracted to Crossing. Physicians and other health care workers at St. Mary's who could be affected by the changes in service were notified of St. Mary's plans, and the hospital is "exploring opportunities to transition them to other roles," according to the statement from the hospital. "St. Marys Hospital sincerely hopes to retain these compassionate and caring professionals within HSHS," the news release said. "If these service discontinuation requests are approved by the state, impacted patients will be directly notified in coming months." To prepare for the discontinuation at St. Mary's, Andricks said Crossing Healthcare is working with Decatur Memorial Hospital to ensure OB-GYN services, including pre- and postnatal care and other health care needs, will still be provided regardless of whether patients use Medicaid or private insurance. "I can assure that our entire team is very committed along with Decatur Memorial Hospital in making sure that we maintain the health care services necessary to serve women in the community, and, if necessary, we recruit more of those caregivers to the community to make sure that we have what this community needs," Andricks said. There were at least 89 obstetric unit closures in rural hospitals across the country from 2015 till 2019. By 2020, about half of rural community hospitals did not provide obstetrics care, according to the American Hospital Association. In 2022, Crossing Healthcare served 1,200 women patients from across Macon County, and of those, 500 were prenatal patients. This accounted for 5,000 women's health appointments, of which 3,326 were for prenatal services. Other local agencies, including New Life Pregnancy Center, are working to help pregnant patients and new parents find the care they need, but they have already started to notice the effects of St. Marys closing OBGYN services. Beth Ellingson, nurse manager at New Life, said pregnant patients, especially those who use Medicaid, now have fewer options in town for their obstetrics provider, leading some to find care in Springfield. Its definitely already impacting our early gestation moms. I hear it regularly, she said. Those patients are having difficulty getting in for their first prenatal appointment, and our fear is that they wont be able to get those labs done and the things that need to be done in that first trimester. New Life helps to connect new parents and pregnant patients with services through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant and Children (WIC) and to make referrals to begin the Medicaid process, Ellingson said. If a person is already on Medicaid, typically prenatal visits are not covered unless proof of pregnancy has been established, she said. New Life helps with that process to ensure patients first prenatal visits are covered. The center also offers parenting classes and lactation support, said Ellingson, who is a certified lactation consultant. She said other private medical providers in town offer care for pregnant patients who use Medicaid but not necessarily obstetrics services. That can include monitoring throughout the pregnancy, delivery babies and caring for parents and babies after birth. "Throughout all of this, all of the health care providers have been working closely together and communicating," Andricks said. "Everyone has the same goal in mind and that is to make sure that we continue to provide high quality care and meet the needs of everyone in the community." Other patient services at St. Marys Hospital are available for other medical needs. A list of these services can be found at hshs.org/StMarysDecatur/Services. Federally qualified health centers can be found online at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov. Jim Taylor, Decatur Citizen of the Year, through the years Holman_Lloyd 1 04.24.20.JPG Taylor_Jim 11.5.18 (copy) Taylor_Jim 11.3.17.jpg Walker_Dr Thomas 11.3.17.jpg WORKERS MEMORIAL SPH 20130428 TAYLOR Others shared a dream: Local activists remember their hopes, struggles for racial equality CAT retirees deliver food to six agencies Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili will visit the United States on March 5 to attend the 67th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York, Azernews reports citing 1tv.ge. On March 6, the President will address representatives of UN member states, who will discuss the empowerment of women and girls, innovations, technological changes and development in the digital age. The President will meet with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammad, the Executive Director of the United Nations Organization for Women, Sima Sami Bahous, and the Administrator of the United Nations Development Program, Achim Steiner, during her visit to New York. In addition, she will meet with the presidents of the countries participating in the event, as well as New York Mayor Eric Adams. Salome Zourabichvili will visit Yale and Harvard universities, where she will offer a public speech at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. She will also visit the Harvard Club in New York, where she will discuss the regional and geopolitical situation. The President will meet with representatives of the Georgian diaspora. Bobby Griffin was my lunch buddy during the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. And though I never told him, he was kind of like a fill-in father figure a regular companion more than 36 years my senior during a dark time when I could not make it back to see my parents in Virginia Beach for more than 19 months: an extremely long time, considering I usually had visited Mom and Dad every three to five months. Griffin died last month at age 90. He was a joyous old guy and a happy-go-lucky, hard-working and self-made Bristol businessman who carried a little dog with him just about everywhere he went. And he always seemed to be everywhere from the Rotary Club to ringing bells for the Salvation Army and collecting coins at Christmastime outside Food City stores. Bobby Griffin was cool and always showing off his quite colorful wardrobe. His unique fashion sense stylishly captured all colors of the rainbow and any given TV test pattern. Look I say that with love. Bobby showed love to all. He taught friends like me how to work hard and share love for others trying to make their lives better. The man was a Korean War veteran who made a fortune with floor mats for cars, storage units and car washes. And he did all that with little formal education. I met him at some point in the mid-1990s, and he would contact me every once in a while with story ideas for the newspaper. Yet when I told him I was writing a series of stories on local restaurants for Bites of Bristol, he became a go-between. Bobby discovered places all over the region and met folks that I later wrote about from the Bonanza at Lebanon, Virginia, to an all-you-can-eat fish place on the shores of Boone Lake in Sullivan County, Tennessee. We met for biscuits one morning at one joint and had hot dogs for lunch at another. About every other week, he would call with news of discovering more and more eateries with great stories to tell. All the while, I could tell Uncle Bobby was just having fun making connections. In all, we shared meals about a half-dozen times that year and into the next before we lost track of each other. Yet, there was at least one more place that he had on his radar for me to explore. And I thought about that and him as recent as February, the month these lovable gentlemen took flight from here to heaven. For sure, Ill miss Bobby Griffin and all the joy that he brought to everyone with his ever-present grin. Editor's Note This is an American history educational moment of those who made a difference during the Revolutionary War era and how they served the United States. Editors Note: This is an American history educational moment of those who made a difference during the Revolutionary War era and how they served the United States. John Laurens grew up having an impetuous personality and became an extraordinary patriot and soldier. John was born on Oct. 28, 1754, in Charleston, South Carolina, to Henry and Eleanor. Henry was a wealthy farmer and businessman involved in the slave trade, which John detested. John was home-schooled until his mother died in 1770. Henry then sent John and his brothers to Switzerland to receive a world-class education. While studying law in England, John read Thomas Paines book Common Sense, igniting his interest in the cause for independence. Finally, disappointing his father, John quit law school and returned home to enter the American Revolution. Upon joining the United States Continental Army, Henry ensured that John was assigned to a safe duty station. Ranked as a lieutenant colonel, John was chosen for Washingtons inner circle as an aide-de-camp. Nonetheless, John soon volunteered to serve by fighting the British. He desired to command troops, to make a difference in battles and to liberate enslaved people in return for their military service. As a field commander, Laurens proved himself time and again. During battles at places such as Germantown, Monmouth, and Brandywine, John placed himself in peril for the sake of others and kept the British at bay. As a result of taking tremendous risks, Laurens was wounded several times. These behaviors earned him a reputation as a hero and propelled his interest in manumission campaigns against slavery and discrimination. Even though Johns efforts failed, he tried to arm slaves and grant them freedom in return for their [military] service throughout the war. Near the end of the American Revolutionary War, John was shot and killed during a minor skirmish. He died on Aug. 27, 1782, at the Combahee River, Chehaw Neck, South Carolina. This tragedy occurred while Colonel Laurens was sick with malaria and patrolling with his troops. John Laurens is known for many valiant acts: A duel with General Charles Lee, gallantry in battles, survival as a POW, and obtaining foreign financial war support. Yet, his most significant and noblest goal was to end slavery and injustice. As an American patriot, his legacy continues in Laurens County, South Carolina, which is named in his honor. Swedish telecommunications equipment provider Ericsson has paid a fine of US$207 million over breaches of a deferred prosecution agreement reached with the US Department of Justice in 2019, the company says. In a statement issued on Friday, the company said it would enter a guilty plea over previously deferred charges relating to its actions prior to 2017. Ericsson, one of the world's big three telecommunications outfits, said the agreement with the DoJ was over violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act between 2010 and 2016 in a number of countries. Since the agreement had been struck, it had not been charged with any further FCPA violations, it said. The agreement was reached in connection with alleged bribes paid by Ericsson to the terrorist groups Al Qaeda and Islamic State in Iraq to facilitate its business activities. In March 2022, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists shared internal Ericsson files with a number of newspapers, including The Guardian, detailing the alleged bribery. The leak took place just prior to the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the biggest industry event for mobile firms, and one which was being held in 2022 after a gap of two years. Ericsson, which was made aware of the forthcoming leak, issued a public statement two weeks before the ICIJ leaked the files, admitting serious breaches of compliance in Iraq from 2011 to 2019. Chief executive Borje Ekholm said on Friday: "Taking this step today means that the matter of the breaches is now resolved. This allows us to focus on executing our strategy while driving continued cultural change across the company with integrity at the centre of everything we do. "This resolution is a stark reminder of the historical misconduct that led to the DPA. We have learned from that and we are on an important journey to transform our culture. To be a true industry leader, we must be a market and technology leader while also being a leader in how we conduct our business. "The Ericsson Executive Team and I remain committed to this transformation and we continue to implement stringent controls and improved governance, ethics and compliance across our company, with corresponding enhancements to our risk management approach. The change continues and we are a very different company today and have made important changes since 2017 and over 2022. A DoJ spokesperson said about the agreement: [Ericsson] has significantly enhanced its compliance program and internal accounting controls through structural and leadership changes, including but not limited to the hiring of a new chief legal officer and new head of Corporate and Government Investigations and the establishment of a multi-disciplinary Business Risk Committee comprised of Group-level senior executives and has committed to continuing to implement and test further enhancements. [Ericsson] has significantly enhanced its co-operation and information sharing efforts. Filling pivotal healthcare market gaps internally and within the Triad is the motivation behind Atrium Healths proposal to open a $246.5 million, 36-bed community hospital in northern Greensboro by July 2026. The Charlotte-based healthcare system has filed a certificate-of-need application with state health regulators that became public in late February. The system projects getting a decision from the N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation by Sept. 1 and if approved construction commencing by December 2024. Atrium has said little about its proposal. Its clear, however, from the application that Atrium desires a hospital presence in the states third-largest city, which also is the largest city without two competing hospitals. Atrium also wants to become the first healthcare system to operate a hospital in the Triads three largest cities. Approval of Greensboro Medical Center will enable Greensboro to match the other top five North Carolina cities in hosting multiple hospital systems and having local hospital competition, which will be a benefit to local residents, according to the application. Atrium said the proposed campus at 2909 Horse Pen Creek Road would provide more healthcare services for city residents and surrounding counties. Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan said she looks forward to learning more about the proposal and why the Horse Pen Creek location was chosen. Last year, Cone Health opened a new integrated healthcare facility less than two miles away, she said. We have a need for healthcare in underserved areas of our city. We welcome more healthcare providers especially in areas where they can really have an impact. Replanting flag Atrium would be able to replant a strategic flag as it grows comfortable in its affiliation with Advocate Health, the nations fifth-largest healthcare system. This time, the Atrium brand would be front and center in Greensboro. Keith Debbage, a joint professor of Geography & Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality at UNCG, said that a healthcare market that offers choice may well translate to healthcare services that offer more competitive, affordable prices. Given the large market share that Cone enjoys in Guilford County, he said, this may be a good thing. In June 2012, Atrium (then branded as Carolinas HealthCare System) entered into a 10-year management contract with Cone in which it gleaned valuable operational insight into the Greensboro and Guilford County marketplaces. That contract ended in February 2020 by mutual consent as Atrium was negotiating with Wake Forest Baptist to expand its collaboration beyond a November 2019 agreement. That agreement proved to be the catalyst that led to Atrium acquiring all of Baptist in October 2020. Meanwhile, Cone said it will carefully study the proposal (from Atrium) to build a new hospital in Greensboro. In 2022, Cone opened the 160,000-square-foot MedCenter Greensboro facility at Drawbridge Parkway thats just 2.1 miles away from the proposed Greensboro Medical Center site. For 70 years, Cone Health has been the healthcare provider of choice to people in the Greensboro area. In that time, we have developed a reputation for compassionate, nationally-leading, high-quality health care. That will not change. Primary motivations The system lists in the application nine primary reasons in support of the proposal. The common denominator is that providing Atrium-branded services as competition to Moses Cone Hospital would be good for consumers and patients in a part of the city lacking nearby hospital options. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist has had a presence in Greensboro for years, including a number of primary, specialty and urgent-care clinics, according to the healthcare system. Greensboro and Guilford County residents as expected are projected to represent the most potential patients being served at the Greensboro Medical Center campus, according to the application. However, while 47% of the projected nearly 20,000 patients in the first year would be from Guilford, another 31% are expected from Forsyth County, as well as from Rockingham County (10%) and Stokes County (7%). Atrium said its Greensboro hospital campus could reach nearly 25,000 patients by the third year. The N.C. Office of State Budget and Management projects that Guilford County will grow from 546,934 residents at the start of 2023 to 571,828 by the end of 2029. More than 15,000 people would be residents ages 65 and older. The county is home to a growing segment of residents over the age of 65, according to the application. These factors will continue to create ongoing future demand for hospital services capacity, including emergency department visits, inpatient stays and surgery procedures. Healthcare systems have been an under-the-radar component of economic development in recent decades. Having nearby emergency departments as well as outpatient and inpatient care is a key checkoff factor that relocating companies consider along with a skilled workforce and affordable housing options, according to John H. Boyd with site-selection firm The Boyd Co. of Boca Raton, Fla. For example, Davie Medical Center was marketed by Baptist in the late 2000s as a potential retail catalyst around the 88-acre Bermuda Run campus. Ashley Furniture Industries (1,600 jobs) and Gildan Activewear (more than 200 jobs) both cited having a nearby community hospital as a determining factor in choosing Davie County for major manufacturing campuses. Meanwhile, similar hospitals in suburban Mecklenburg County, such as Huntersville, Matthews and Pineville, have been accompanied by significant retail development. Guilford expectations Atrium said adding Greensboro Medical Center would be complementary and supplementary to Moses Cone. Easily accessed by five interstates, three major rail lines and an international airport, Greensboro economic development is gaining momentum, Atrium said in its application. Guilford County corporations have announced regional expansions, new development and more jobs that will fuel future growth in 2023 and beyond. The application references the future workforces of Boom Supersonic (between 1,750 and 2,400 jobs) at Piedmont Triad International Airport and Toyota North Carolina (2,100 jobs) at the Greensboro-Randolph megasite people who will not only require residential housing, but also retail services as well. The application also cited the completion of the Greensboro Urban Loop as being a catalyst for significant population increase and development. Development of Greensboro Medical Center will help insure a solid foundation for the thousands of additional residents and jobs that will continue to migrate to Greensboro and Guilford County. Tony Plath, a retired finance professor at UNC-Charlotte, said Atriums plan for the Greensboro community hospital is a natural progression given its acquisition of Wake Forest Baptist. How can Atrium maintain and advance its market leadership position without maintaining a major branded industry presence in Greensboro, which is the largest urban market in the Triad area? Plath asked. Answer: It cant. To do otherwise would be like Bank of America having no branches in Greensboro, and simply ceding a growing, profitable and lucrative market to Wells Fargo, which is just preposterous. Atrium simply cant leave the Greensboro market unchallenged for Novant to claim. LEST, Slovakia Former Soviet satellite Slovakia has been a NATO member since 2004, but the reality of belonging to the worlds biggest military alliance really kicked in after Russias invasion of Ukraine a year ago. The small central European country now hosts thousands of NATO troops while allied aircraft patrol its skies, allowing Bratislava to consider becoming the first nation to send fighter jets to neighboring Ukraine getting rid of its unwieldy Soviet-era planes at the same time. Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad is grateful. I would say that the Slovak Republic is a more secure country in a less secure world, Nad told the AP in an interview in Bratislava. We remember well what it was like to have occupiers on our territory, he added, referring to the 1968 Soviet-led military invasion of former Czechoslovakia from which Slovakia split peacefully in 1993, four years after the communist regime fell. The country of 5.4 million hosts a battlegroup with troops from the United States, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and the Czech Republic, as NATO moved to reassure members on its eastern flank worried about a potential Russian threat. The message behind deploying all of those units is simple, Czech Colonel Karel Navratil, the battlegroup commander, told The Associated Press. Our task is deterrence ... to deter a potential aggressor from spreading its aggression to NATO member states. Similar units have been created in Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. They complement another four deployed in 2017 in the three Baltic states and Poland, to expand NATO's presence from the Baltic to the Black Sea. In central Slovakia's Lest military training area, among snow-covered hills, the troops recently held joint drills with scenarios including drone or artillery assaults, responding to a chemical attack or recapturing areas seized by enemy forces. The multinational force is scheduled to be combat ready in March, Navratil said. Slovakia is also working to upgrade its own armed forces to NATO standards. And that has proved a boon to embattled Ukraine, where much of Slovakia's old Soviet-era heavy weaponry has ended up. That has included S-300 air defense missiles, helicopters, thousands of rockets for Grad multiple launchers, and dozens of armored vehicles. In exchange, Slovakia has U.S. patriot air defense batteries temporarily deployed with American, German and Dutch troops, and received German Leopard tanks and Mantis air defense systems. All in all, Slovakia has given Ukraine arms worth almost $179 million, and has also recouped over $87 million through a dedicated EU fund. Amid renewed appeals to Western countries for fighter jets, Slovakia is considering giving Ukraine 10 of its 11 Soviet-made MiG-29 planes with the 11th reserved for a Slovakian museum, according to Defense Minister Nad. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy directly requested the planes from Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger at a European Union summit in Brussels this month. If Slovakia agrees, it will be the first NATO member to do so. It grounded its MiGs in the summer due to a lack of spare parts and maintenance experts after Russian technicians returned home. But Ukraine's air force, which flies MiG 29s, would be happy to have them. We will never use the MiGs anymore, Nad said. They have no real value for us. If we give them to Ukraine, they can help save their lives. A final decision is expected within days or weeks. Since Slovakia's MiGs were mothballed, fellow NATO members Poland and the Czech Republic have been monitoring Slovak air space, with Hungary set to join later this year. Bratislava has signed a deal to buy 14 U.S. F-16 Block 70/72 fighter jets but the start of their delivery was postponed by two years to early 2024. Nad stressed that his country responded to Ukraines need for arms despite a long-term political crisis that resulted in the governments fall in December after a no-confidence vote. That Ukraine is able to defend itself against the Russian aggression is absolutely in our national, state, security and defense interest, he said. Not everyone in Slovakia thinks so. President Zuzana Caputova asked the government to stay on with limited powers till early elections in September, which the opposition stands a good chance of winning. Its leaders include populist former Prime Minister Robert Fico, who opposes military support for Ukraine and EU sanctions on Russia and has said Slovakia's government has no mandate to deliver fighter jets to Ukraine. The government is awaiting legal advice on the issue. But Nad told The AP that the MiG arrangement would be really a win-win for everyone involved. And from that point of view, I really cannot imagine anyone reasonably thinking that they would not want to help Ukraine, (saving) human lives while increasing our defenses, he added. Photos: In Ukraine, searing images capture a year of war Introduced as the most exciting Episcopalian in history, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry didnt disappoint. Of course, being the most exciting Episcopalian in history is a low bar, Rector Greg Jones joked as he presented Bishop Curry to the audience at St. Michaels Church in Raleigh Monday night. Then Bishop Curry set a high bar for all of us Christians and non-Christians, believers and non-believers, skeptics and seekers, atheists and agnostics alike. He challenged us: In a nation torn by partisanship and a world torn by war and hate, can we find a sensible center? not so much political compromise, but common ground founded on common values and a common vision. At that center, he said, is the heart and the center of the teachings of Jesus: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you (John 15:12). Asked about Christian nationalism, a concept I believe the nations founders would soundly and roundly reject, Bishop Curry recalled our founding principle: All men are created equal. He recited the words on our Statue of Liberty: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. A recent poll, he said, found that 84% of all Americans, of all faiths or lack thereof, agree that Jesus was a great spiritual leader whose teachings are worth studying. But, asked what they think of His followers, less than 50% of Americans had positive feelings. As the London Underground says, Bishop Curry noted, Mind the gap. He had been in London, he said in an aside, to speak at a wedding. He added, It was on TV. It was, of course, Harry and Meghan. Thats where millions around the world met Curry (who, incidentally served from 1978-82 as deacon-in-charge and rector of St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem). Now he lives in Raleigh and was bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. In June 2015, he was elected to a nine-year term as presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church worldwide. He is the churchs chief pastor, spokesperson, and president and chief executive officer. He had his audience nodding, laughing, applauding and, above all, thinking. He called on us to follow another of Jesuss teachings: Do to others as you would have them do to you. Amen. A 22-year-old Norfolk man was arrested on suspicion of robbery, terroristic threats and assault after a Saturday morning robbery at a Valparaiso gas station turned into a pursuit with police, according to the Saunders County Sheriffs Office. Police were dispatched at around 9 a.m. to Nelson's Gas and Oil at 101 Cedar Street in Valparaiso, according to a press release. Police say that Christopher Short, the alleged suspect, assaulted and demanded money from a gas station clerk. After Short took cash out of the register, he fled the scene in a 2016 Nissan Altima headed southbound, according to police. At 9:10 a.m., a Nebraska State Patrol Trooper spotted Short's car and began pursuing it. Police said that Short was eventually taken into custody after a short vehicle and foot pursuit. According to police, Short was driving a stolen car that was reported missing in Madison County. He also had an active felony warrant, police say. Short is being held at Lancaster County Corrections on alleged charges stemming from his pursuit with police. He will also be facing multiple alleged charges in Saunders County, where the robbery took place. Most dangerous cities in Nebraska Dangerous Cities in Nebraska 6. South Sioux City 5. Scottsbluff 4. North Platte 3. Lincoln 2. Grand Island 1. Omaha A note about the numbers On Feb. 21, a Union Pacific train derailed near Gothenburg, spilling 31 cars carrying thousands of tons of coal in a messy tangle that crews have been cleaning up ever since. The recent derailment, although more severe than most, is not unusual for Nebraska. Since 2000, a train has derailed in the state roughly once every seven days, according to a Journal Star analysis of federal railroad safety data. Over that span, Nebraska has had the fifth-most derailments in the country. Texas, with its vast land area, leads the nation; Illinois, California and Ohio round out the top five. According to federal Office of Railroad Safety data, there were 42 derailments in Nebraska from January 2022 to November of last year, the most recent data available. Since 2000, there have been 1,473 derailments in the state. But only 8% of those 111 caused damage to train cars. Public attention to train derailments has heightened since a fiery crash in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3 contaminated the towns air and water supply with toxic vinyl chloride. The adverse health consequences for residents are yet to be fully determined. The incident has forced federal regulators to respond to ongoing concerns about railroad safety measures. This after Congress voted in December to quash a threatened rail union strike centered on calls for paid sick leave for rail workers. Last week, two Ohio senators introduced a bill that aims to address several key regulatory questions that arose from the disaster, including why the state of Ohio was not made aware the hazardous load was coming through and why the crew didn't learn sooner of an impending equipment malfunction. The Railway Safety Act of 2023, co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance and four others representing both parties, would require railroads to create emergency response plans and provide information about trains carrying hazardous materials to the emergency response commissions of each state a train passes through. After the Ohio derailment, federal Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called for the freight rail industry to accept rail worker demands for paid sick leave, employ new rail safety inspection technologies while maintaining human inspections and accelerate the process of phasing in safer tank cars in compliance with a federal mandate that gives rail companies until 2029 to do so. Profit and expediency must never outweigh the safety of the American people, Buttigieg said in a letter to Norfolk Southern, the company responsible for the East Palestine mishap and subsequent contamination. We at (the Department of Transportation) are doing everything in our power to improve rail safety, and we insist that the rail industry do the same. The Ohio derailment has commanded headlines, but train derailments overall are down considerably since 1975, when the federal railroad safety office started tracking them. Nationwide, there were 6,935 derailments in 1975. In 2021, the most recent full year of data available, there were 1,227. But that trend does not hold true for Nebraska, which has seen broad variation in derailments that cause damage to at least one car since 1975, albeit with a significantly smaller sample size. Union Pacific, which has its headquarters in Omaha, declined to comment specifically on the Gothenburg incident and the overall downward trend in derailments, but said in a statement that new technology has played a pivotal role in helping the company reduce risks. Concerning human safety measures, Union Pacific has worked at enhancing training programs and reemphasizing (its) safety culture while also conducting root-cause analysis of incidents and engaging with employees to help them identify areas of risk. Concerns remain among some lawmakers regarding the widespread adoption by major railroads, including Union Pacific, of precision scheduled railroading (PSR)," a rail operations philosophy that emphasizes cost efficiency and profit maximization by shifting the focus of moving freight from a train-by-train to a car-by-car basis and reducing the number of rail workers needed for a trains operation. A common criticism of PSR surrounds the latter practice, with workers being required to schedule sick leave up to 30 days in advance, and reduced staffing leading to more burnout and fewer hands on deck to address potential problems on the train. Representatives of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the nations foremost rail union, did not respond to the Journal Stars request for comment. While federal regulations currently require a minimum of two workers while a freight train is in operation, some lawmakers worry that the statute might soon dissolve under increased pressure from rail industry lobbyists. Sen. Mike Jacobson, who represents the 42nd District in the Nebraska Legislature, introduced LB31 in early January, which would enshrine the two-worker minimum into state law, with the intent to pressure the federal government to maintain the statute. Jacobsons district encompasses six counties that have three major rail lines, including a Union Pacific line through the senators hometown of North Platte the same one that the Gothenburg derailment occurred on. The juncture near North Platte has had a high volume of derailments that caused damage since 2000 relative to the rest of the state. And in Southeast Nebraska, a BNSF coal line has seen at least two significant derailments in nearly the same location southeast of Bennet since 2021. In June 2021, 10 cars derailed near 148th Street and Bennet Road about 10 miles southeast of Lincoln after days of heavy rain saturated the area. Then in July 2022, 18 rail cars fell from the track and a nearby bridge collapsed near 190th Street and Bennet Road. The two-worker minimum measure has been a priority for Jacobson for well more than a year since he began campaigning for office in a district dominated by rail workers. He said the growing power exerted by the freight rail industrys top players has provided ample justification for closer oversight by government entities. Let me underscore: Im a conservative Republican; I dont like mandates, and I do not like government interference in private business, Jacobson said. But I also see the fact that weve got three major railroads that have a lions share of the business. They really operate more like public utilities. Although his bill has been met with some opposition, Jacobson said hes also received a broad swath of support from across the political spectrum, including Democratic Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, who added her name to the bill shortly after it was proposed. Jacobson said hes seen a notable increase in support in the wake of the derailments in Gothenburg and East Palestine. The bill is slated for hearing by the Legislature's Transportation and Telecommunications Committee on Monday. As people are starting to see whats happening here, theyre getting more concerned that there needs to be some intervention here to ensure that (this bill) happens, he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Photos: A look at the aftermath of the Ohio train derailment BOWIE, Md. Surrounded by kindergartners, Lana Scott held up a card with upper and lower case Ys, dotted with pictures of words that started with that letter: Yo-yo. Yak. Yacht. "What sound does Y make?" Scott asked a boy. Head down, he mumbled: "Yuh." Instead of moving on, she gave him a nudge. "Say it confident, because you know it," she urged. "Be confident in your answer because you know it." He sat up and sounded it out again, louder this time. Scott smiled and turned her attention to the other kids in her group session. As a student teacher from Bowie State University, a historically Black institution, Scott said she has learned to build deep connections with students. The school, Whitehall Elementary, is filled with teachers and administrators who graduated from Bowie State. Classrooms refer to themselves as families, and posters on the wall ask children to reflect on what makes a good classmate. HBCUs play an outsize role in producing teachers of color in the U.S., where only 7% of teachers are Black compared with 15% of students. Of all Black teachers nationwide, nearly half are graduates of an HBCU. Having teachers who look like them is crucial for young Americans. Research has found Black students who have at least one Black teacher are more likely to graduate from high school and less likely to be suspended or expelled. Some new research suggests the training found at HBCUs may be part of what makes an effective teacher. A recent study of elementary school students in North Carolina found Black students performed better in math when taught by an HBCU-educated teacher. "There's something to be said for the environment that's cultivated, the way they connect with their students, the inspiration, the vulnerability that they may have with their students," said Stanford University graduate student Lavar Edmonds, who conducted the study. In Edmonds' study, the teacher's race did not have an impact on student outcomes but their training did. For Black students, Black and white HBCU-trained teachers were more effective than their non-HBCU-trained counterparts. HBCUs also received recognition as key players in solving teacher shortages around the country. The U.S. Department of Education this month announced $18 million in awards for minority-serving institutions including HBCUs, highlighting the role they play in building a more diverse teaching force. At Bowie State faculty, students and alumni said their training as teachers centered the importance of building a strong sense of community and connecting with their students as individuals. "It's making sure that your students just feel safe at school," Scott said. The training places an emphasis on culturally responsive teaching, said Rhonda Jeter, dean of the school's College of Education. "People are doing the research to validate what we've been doing all along," she said. "When they go to places where students are students of color, I don't think they're uncomfortable." The tradition of training educators at HBCUs dates back to before the Civil War. Founded in the 1800s to educate Black Americans who were not allowed to study at other colleges, many HBCUs first existed in some form as "normal schools," or training programs for teachers. Training at HBCUs provides an immersion in Black culture and an understanding that teachers can bring that to classrooms, said Sekou Biddle, a vice president at the United Negro College Fund. Students at HBCUs, he said, also learn about "the history of Black excellence in America that I think oftentimes gets missed in a lot of other environments." A Bowie State graduate who now teaches at Whitehall Elementary, Christine Ramroop said hearing from her classmates about their experiences as students including times where they did not feel supported, respected or understood by their teachers made her more aware of the impact she could have in the classroom. "Going to an HBCU, I heard a lot of stories about so many teachers that didn't feel seen in the classroom as students," she said. "It really kind of shapes your mind as a teacher." Ramroop said her time at Bowie emphasized the importance of finding a connection with each student and making them feel at home. As her students walk into her class at Whitehall each day, they pass a poster by the doorframe. Under the title "23 reasons why Ms. Ramroop is a grateful teacher," each child's name is listed next to a specific quality. Lionel's big smile. Aiden's sweet personality. Nadia's leadership. On a recent Tuesday, Ramroop gathered her first-graders onto a carpet. Hands reached up to volunteer for the chance to answer the vocabulary warm-up exercises. Ramroop was quick to praise the ones who got it right and gentle in correcting the ones who got it wrong. "Give yourself a round of applause," Ramroop said. "Tell your partner you did a good job. Now point to another friend and say, 'You did a good job.'" Around her, little voices echoed, "You did a good job. You did a good job. We did a good job!" How salaries compare for 10 types of teachers How salaries compare for 10 types of teachers Preschool teachers Kindergarten teachers Elementary school teachers Middle school teachers Middle school career/technical education teachers Secondary school teachers Secondary school career/technical education teachers Special education teachers Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and ESL instructors Self-enrichment teachers The buses serving the Norfolk area are on track to start running in March, transit staff said Wednesday morning. North Fork Area Transit, a bus system with routes through Norfolk and Madison County, met its $500,000 fundraising goal, the board announced Wednesday, the amount it needed to raise to secure an additional half-million dollars promised by the Johnny Carson Foundation. Hours after Flatwater Free Press published its Feb. 24 story on the bus systems woes a story involving its former director allegedly stealing up to $1 million in taxpayer money and then fleeing the country an Omaha-area donor pledged the amount needed to restart bus operations. This means that thousands of riders left stranded when the bus system halted in January riders including large groups of senior citizens, employees of local manufacturing and meatpacking plants, and residents with disabilities will again be able to catch a ride, likely by the end of March. The board will have to wait for the foundation and sponsored pledges to come in, will pay bills, get staff hired, and then go, said Corinne Donahue, project manager for the states mobility management team. The crowdfunding to bring back buses came after North Fork Area Transit halted operations on Jan. 6. The bus systems general manager, Jeff Stewart, had allegedly been siphoning up to $1 million from the transit nonprofits coffers, as originally reported by local news outlets including the Norfolk Daily News and News Channel Nebraska. In December, a warrant was issued for Stewarts arrest. But now, more than two months later, hes still nowhere to be found. Authorities believe hes fled the country, according to court records. North Fork Area Transit stopped bus services to avoid falling further into debt, Donahue said. The combined $1 million will allow North Fork Area Transit to pay off that outstanding debt, and resume bus routes for at least two months, Donahue said. Keeping the routes going beyond that is expected to come from a mix of federal and state transit funding, as well as money from local sponsors. [The Johnny Carson Foundation was] very clear that they want this service to get going again, Donahue said. Its not just to pay debts. North Fork Area Transit started expanding its routes in 2021, after the state flagged northeast Nebraska as needing more public transportation. The expansion brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars in local, state and federal funding. It also turned the bus system into an essential service for Norfolks senior citizens, people with disabilities, students and people unable to afford cars, several past riders told the Flatwater Free Press. The bus system counted 10,000 rides in December 2022 alone, many for people traveling to work, doctors visits, dialysis appointments and college classes. When the bus system screeched to a halt, the areas other mass transit options tried to pick up the slack. Ponca Express, a bus service run by the Ponca Tribe, took as many Norfolk-area riders as it could. Norfolk City Council member Shane Clausen and his brother Aaron Clausen bought a used, wheelchair-friendly bus off of Facebook Marketplace and then hired a driver to transport as many riders as the lone bus could. But the new makeshift system couldnt come close to matching the need in and around Norfolk. As the system grew and made itself more accessible within the community, [the need] was eye-opening in a lot of ways, said Josh Moenning, mayor of Norfolk. Last week, the Norfolk City Council pledged $150,000 to the bus service to help match the Carson Foundations pledge. When North Fork Area Transit returns, it will likely return smaller. In last weeks city council meeting, transit staff said if brought back, the bus system would likely need to cut back routes and adjust late-night hours. Theyre also not sure how many of the roughly 60 former staff members will be returning. The annual budget will also be scaled back from $3.4 million to $2.5 million. The Norfolk City Council will also have a representative on the board, a condition of its $150,000 pledge. The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter. Top Journal Star photos for February 2023 The Chinese government has set its GDP growth rate target for 2023 at about 5%, Azernews reports citing Reuters. According to its information, this figure is given in a government report prepared for the opening of the first session of the National People's Congress (the supreme legislative body) of the 14th convocation. This figure is given in a government report prepared for the opening of the first session of the National People's Congress (the supreme legislative body) of the 14th convocation, Reuters reported. According to its information, this figure is given in a government report prepared for the opening of the first session of the National People's Congress (the supreme legislative body) of the 14th convocation. Last year, the deficit target was 2.8%. Two Nebraska sheriffs and a sheriff's captain have been fined $1,000 apiece for appearing in uniform in an ad for former gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster's campaign. Seward County Sheriff Michael Vance, Lincoln County Sheriff Jerome Kramer and York County Sheriff's Capt. Joshua Gillespie each agreed to pay a $1,000 civil penalty in settlements that were approved unanimously by members of the State of Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. Under the agreements, the commission found that the three law enforcement officials had violated a state law barring the use of public resources for campaign purposes, in this case their uniforms being the public resources. The advertisement ran on television stations in February and March of last year before being pulled by Herbster's campaign. That decision followed an inquiry from the Omaha World-Herald regarding concerns the ad may have violated state law. A Herbster campaign spokesperson at the time said the campaign did not believe the advertisement violated state statute. No taxpayer funds were used in the making or airing of our advertisement. Nebraska Sheriffs are elected officials and have earned the right to proudly wear their uniforms and, as elected leaders, to have a voice on important matters and issues," the spokesperson wrote in an email. York County Sheriff Paul Vrbka, who also appeared in uniform in the Herbster ad, agreed to a $1,000 fine in a similar settlement approved in January. Vrbka in his settlement said it was not his intent to violate state law and, had he known it would be a possible violation, he would not have agreed to appear in the ad. Both Vance and Kramer and Capt. Gillespie included identical statements in their settlements. None of the three men could be reached for comment Friday. All four of the complaints were filed by Cynthia Hartley. The initial complaint against Vrbka was filed in March 2022. The other three were filed in January, just days after the NDAC announced the settlement with Vrbka. All four of the law enforcement officials could have faced a maximum penalty of $5,000. Their cooperation resulted in the lower penalty. Herbster ultimately finished second in the GOP gubernatorial primary behind Jim Pillen, who went on to win election as governor in November. Top Journal Star photos for February 2023 In 2004, Martha Stewart was convicted in New York of obstructing justice and lying to the government about why shed unloaded her Imclone stock just before the price plummeted; her ex-stockbroker, Peter Bacanovic, also was found guilty in the stock scandal. RACINE Everyone agreed the problem needed to be addressed, but they had to figure out how. About a decade ago, Racine school officials and community members were determining how to assist students dealing with mental health challenges. After many discussions, the Racine Unified School District opened mental health clinics in schools. The first two clinics opened in 2015, and nine schools now have clinics staffed by a full-time therapist. The clinicians aim to help students better handle the emotions caused by lifes stresses. Were here to talk and figure out how we go about life, said Derek Alcala, school-based therapist at Park High School. Addressing the mental health of students is crucial because that is foundational to learning. Students ages 6-17 with mental, emotional or behavioral concerns are three times more likely to repeat a grade, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. High school students with significant symptoms of depression are more than twice as likely to drop out compared to their peers. If I am feeling well, I can do all the other things better, said Andrea Rittgers, RUSD executive director of student services. If I am sad, Im not going to do math as well. If Im angry, Im not going to read as well. Student-led sessions The mental health clinic at Knapp Elementary began in fall 2016, and Kristine Jacobs has been its school-based therapist that entire time. Jacobs said student challenges include anxiety, depression and anger. Many kids also are dealing with trauma caused by violence. Children and teens could have post-traumatic stress disorder if they have lived through an event that could have caused them or someone else to be killed or badly hurt, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Studies show that about 15% to 43% of girls and 14% to 43% of boys go through at least one trauma. Alcala and Jacobs are employed by Childrens Wisconsin but work every day in Racine Unified schools. Therapists work with school counselors and social workers to determine which students could be best aided by therapy. Most therapists have between 25 and 35 cases at a given time. Those could involve individual work, group therapy or family therapy. Therapists generally meet with students multiple times each month but not every week. Jacobs, for example, had 95 sessions per month in recent months. Its a little bit of a juggling act, she said. All sessions are confidential and usually last 30 minutes for elementary-schoolers and 45 minutes for high-schoolers. The length of time therapists work with students depends on their needs, and clinicians let students lead the way before making a mutual decision to end the sessions. Theyre the drivers in all of this, Alcala said. Were the passengers trying to help them with the map and say, OK, this is where were going, but ultimately theyre the ones who know best what theyre looking for. Therapy may also include several episodic sessions. For example, Jacobs is working with a fifth-grade student who began seeing her as a kindergartener. The student has not been in therapy that entire time but has worked with Jacobs as needs arose over the years. Jacobs mainly uses family therapy because Knapp students are ages 11 and under. With family therapy, parents and students talk with Jacobs about goals they want to achieve and how to reach them. She often tells participants that they will all learn as they go. Theres no one way to do this, Jacobs said. Were just going to figure it out as we go along. Jacobs sometimes uses family therapy so a student will open up. If a child is reluctant, having their parent in session with them modeling openness can help, Jacobs said. They can see, Its a thing we do in this family. Its an OK thing. A needed service One of the newest RUSD mental health clinics is at Park, where Alcala is working with about 25 students. The clinic opened last fall, and he said building administrators and educators have fully supported him. Everybody knows its a needed service, Alcala said. He appreciates that the clinic is in the school, which makes therapy more accessible. It just makes mental help so much more normal, that its OK to be stressed, its OK to have anxiety, its OK to be depressed, Alcala said. Some students dont know what therapy is, so he offers explanations during initial meetings. When it boils down to it, I think its really just people interacting, Alcala said. Its a conversation. Most of his sessions have been one-on-one, but Alcala anticipates more group therapy sessions in the future involving multiple students who are likely facing similar challenges and can support one another. To assist students, it is essential to know them as people. Alcala asks high-schoolers about themselves, what they are expecting from therapy and how he can help them. Its more or less getting to know them, he said. Who are you as a person? as opposed to, What are we focusing on at this moment? because well get there. Its really just being a person who they can trust. Im going to sit and listen to you and be with you wherever youre at and stay there with you, Jacobs said. Whatever they bring to the meeting is where we go. Jacobs has elementary-schoolers fill out worksheets that include questions about their hobbies, favorite music and food. She has pictures of thermometers students can color to illustrate the intensity of their emotions. Kids can also draw on an outline of a body to show how their emotions manifest. The clinicians noted the importance of therapy providing a quiet, stable place for students. I really try to make my office a sanctuary, Jacobs said. Challenges, rewards Therapists also train school staff on trauma-informed care, and Jacobs said knowledge of mental health has improved at Knapp since she started working there in 2016. Having a therapist in the building, we could start conversations about behaviors, Jacobs said. Lets talk about the behaviors and what emotions might be driving them, and (there was) just a whole infusion of mental health into the building. Therapists said the main challenge is the lack of time to address everyones needs. Demand is high for therapy, but with only one clinician at each school, not all students get the help they would ideally receive. We only have so much time in our schedule, Jacobs said. Theres only so many hours in a school day. It goes fast. It can also be difficult for clinicians to not allow job stresses to affect their personal lives. Their work can be heavy, and learning to find something that makes you happy is key, Alcala said. Alcala and Jacobs rely on family support to maintain their own mental health, which is vital to doing their jobs well. The most rewarding aspect is when therapists feel they assisted clients on their life journeys. You feel for these families, and you want good for them, so to see gains and progress, you really are along with the ride for them, Jacobs said. It feels so good when things happen in these families, and they did it themselves. You feel proud right along with them. Alcala and Jacobs both graduated from Racine Unified and find fulfillment in helping their hometown. Being able to give back to your community, being able to see students who look like you, talk like you, and seeing them and being able to help them is gratifying, Alcala said. More to come Rittgers said RUSD plans to add at least two more mental health clinics in schools during the next few years. Rittgers said there are many challenges to helping students, and not everything goes perfectly, but clinicians and school staff are working to provide assistance. We are always here trying to support our kids and our families, Rittgers said. Its not always the best way and not always the right thing, but it is always with positive intent. Julie Hueller, RUSD manager of the Racine collaborative for childrens mental health, said the clinics show what can happen when the community and schools work together. Were always looking for different, innovative approaches to addressing the mental health of our kids and our community, so this has been one great example of what collaboration can do, Hueller said. After opening the mental health clinics nearly a decade ago, RUSD plans to continue aiding students going forward. How states compare by the shortage of mental health professionalsand how much they fall short How states compare by the shortage of mental health professionalsand how much they fall short #37. Wisconsin #36. Florida #35. Montana #34. New York #33. Pennsylvania #32. Arizona #31. Oregon #30. Virginia #29. West Virginia #28. Michigan #27. Maine #26. Missouri #25. California #24. North Carolina #23. Maryland #22. Hawaii #21. Texas #20. Louisiana #19. Tennessee #18. Oklahoma #17. Mississippi #16. Ohio #15. Georgia #14. Kansas #13. South Dakota #12. Alabama #11. Washington #10. Minnesota #9. Alaska #8. Utah #7. Colorado #6. Nevada #5. Iowa #4. Indiana #3. Illinois #2. Idaho #1. Nebraska Irish-American Catholics in Racine and Kenosha counties wont have to hold off on the corned beef this year. Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has granted an exception to not eating meat on Fridays during Lent for St. Patricks Day. A feast day in the Church means what it says it calls for celebratory feasting, Archbishop Listecki wrote in a statement. However, Catholics who partake in the St. Patricks Day feast are encouraged to engage in another sacrificial or charitable act that day or give up meat on another day. Typically, Catholics over the age of 14 must abstain from eating meat every Friday in Lent, which began Feb. 22 this year and will go until April 6. The is act is considered penance and a part of the three pillars of Lenten observance that include prayer, fasting and almsgiving, or charitable acts. St. Patricks Day is the feast day used to honor Saint Patrick, a canonized saint in the Catholic Church. Saints such as St. Patrick provide us with marvelous role models and a means to pass on traditions from one generation to the next, Archbishop Listecki wrote in a statement. Its also important that we deeply appreciate the connection from us as the Body of Christ on earth to the saints now in heaven. St. Patricks Day has been celebrated every March 17 in the Catholic Churchs liturgical calendar since 1631, but has been celebrated by Irish people since the 10th century. The last time St. Patricks Day fell on a Friday was in 2017, with the Catholic News Agency reporting that more than half of the dioceses in the country, including Archdiocese of Milwaukee, gave Catholics the OK to eat meat then as well. While the announcement will give some Catholics more of a choice for their St. Patricks Day dinner, others will hold firm to the no meat on Friday rule. Eloy Contreras, coordinator of Area Catholic Teens in Service, or ACTS Youth Ministry out of St. Patricks Catholic Church, 1100 Erie St., said that his family will still be observing the rule. You cant convince my wife, Eloy said with a laugh. Shes not buying it. Gerri and John Mandli, members of St Richard Catholic Church, 1503 Grand Ave., Racine, understand why people would like to enjoy corned beef on St. Patricks Day, but they can do without. I understand some people are really big into St. Patricks Day and the celebration, but Im not a big fan of corned beef, Gerri said. Its not going to change my abstaining on Fridays. I guess its all man-made rules anyhow, John said. It isnt by the Almighty. We make these rules, so, I suppose (they can change). You cant beat the fish, Gerri said. Doug Nicholson, owner of many Downtown Racine area businesses, including The Ivanhoe, 231 Main St., an Irish pub in Downtown, said corned beef is more of an Irish-American meal. If youre in Ireland, unless youre in a tourist area, youre not gonna get corned beef, Nicholson said. A traditional St. Patricks Day meal in Ireland consists of bacon, which is more of a boiled pork loin on the island, and cabbage. The notion of corned beef being an Irish dish came from Irish immigrants landing in New York and adapting the beef brisket used to make pastrami by Jewish residents of New York. Corned beef is boiled in a pot while pastrami is coated with ground pepper and smoked. The New York Times reported in 1970 that The Roman Catholic Church in Ireland removed the ban against eating meat on Friday and said members may now eat meat every day except Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Nicholson said that St. Patricks Day is the busiest day of the year at the Ivanhoe, with 1,200 pounds of corned beef brisket being ordered for the week alone. The Ivanhoe will be selling the brisket at the pub from March 15 to 19. 2022 Racine St. Patrick's Day Parade: IN PHOTOS TOWN OF WATERFORD A new era in town government begins April 4 when voters elect a town chairman to succeed Tom Hincz, who is retiring after a turbulent tenure. Candidates Teri Jendusa Nicolai and Tim Szeklinski both offer voters years of experience, but they present different ideas for the towns future after 10 years under Hincz. Nicolai has served on the Town Board for seven years, while Szeklinski has served 13 years, plus five years previously on the town Plan Commission. Nicolai pledges to keep regular office hours as town chairman, and in contrast to Hinczs tight grip on town proceedings, she wants to give members of the public time during every Town Board meeting to speak about any issues they want. Nicolai also says she has assumed a bigger role at Town Hall since Hincz has lowered his profile in preparation for retirement. Being town chairman is more than just showing up for meetings once a month, Nicolai said. Ive got the time. Ive got the dedication. I enjoy doing it. Szeklinski wants to create a community newsletter, organize more events and restart super board meetings with representatives of surrounding municipalities, including the Village of Waterford, Rochester, Dover and Norway. Szeklinski, who ran for chairman unsuccessfully against Hincz in 2013, says he has learned a lot from the outgoing chairman over the years. Im ready to take the leadership and move it forward, create partnerships and work with people to make it one Waterford, he said. The winner of the April 4 election will serve a two-year term at a salary of $17,911 a year. The new chairman will assume the top elected position in a town of 6,500 that has experienced some rough-and-tumble times of late. Since becoming chairman in 2013, Hincz has engaged in frequent conflicts with officials in the neighboring Village of Waterford, primarily because of concerns that the village would annex territory from the town. He led a failed effort to incorporate the town as the newly created Village of Tichigan, in hopes of fortifying the towns borders against annexation. Town residents have frequently turned out at Town Board meetings to raise objections to the incorporation effort, as well as fire and ambulance service and other local issues. Hincz has clashed with residents and occasionally board colleagues on some issues. Both Nicolai and Szeklinski say they have no plans to try another incorporation bid. Both also want to work on improving relations with the Village of Waterford, which recently agreed to annex a 65-acre farm from the town for redevelopment as a subdivision. Nicolai said the new annexation demonstrates why incorporation was worth trying. But she said she would not pursue incorporation again unless she was certain it would succeed with state regulators who rejected the earlier proposal. Instead, Nicolai said she would pursue a border agreement with the village to protect the town from unlimited annexation. Nicolai said she favors rebuilding relations with the village after 10 years of conflict. Im not going to be railroaded by anybody. But we need to open the door and get things done, Nicolai said. Its just going to take some honesty and respect for each other. Szeklinski said he would not favor taking the time to try incorporation again. He, too, would support pursuing a border deal with the village, or perhaps some other long-term plan that covers annexation issues. Noting that annexation only occurs when town landowners want to be annexed, Szeklinski said he might also approach property owners to see if there is a way to persuade them not to seek annexation of their land. I would never take anything off the table, he said. If somebody wanted to talk, I would listen. In photos: Waterfords annual Village Easter Egg Hunt Waterford Egg Hunt Waterford Egg Hunt Waterford Egg Hunt Waterford Egg Hunt Waterford Egg Hunt Waterford Egg Hunt Waterford Egg Hunt Waterford Egg Hunt Waterford Egg Hunt Waterford Egg Hunt LAC DU FLAMBEAU Dave Miess and his wife, Sandy Schlosser, at times need to pull a sled filled with groceries across a frozen, snow-covered lake. The construction of Sally and Joe Fermanichs dream house has turned into a nightmare as work crews no longer have access to their property. And for Dennis Pearson, who spent more than three decades at General Motors in Janesville before moving to the North Woods, his nearly 90-mile daily commute to a Wausau manufacturing company was already arduous. Now it also includes gearing up with a helmet, tan Carhart bibs and a thick camouflage jacket for a 1-mile ride on his Ski-Doo snowmobile to get to and from his truck. Yeah, Im getting pretty wore out, Pearson, 59, said. Emotionally, its draining. Were all paying taxes and were trying to be good citizens, and it doesnt feel like anybodys trying to help. Pearson and 60 other people are blocked from driving to their own homes. Theyre caught in the middle of a complicated and stalled negotiation that is once again pitting members of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa against non-tribal members. Barricades erected by the tribe on Jan. 31 are preventing the residents, 19 of whom live there year-round, from using portions of four roads to reach 73 non-reservation properties in the town of Lac du Flambeau, which lies largely within the historical boundaries of the 86,000-acre reservation in Vilas County. More than 30 years after the contentious debate and violent protests over spearing walleye in off-reservation waters, this latest property rights dispute centers on the tribe trying to keep land they say has been taken from them over many decades. The dispute is rekindling debate about the tribes sovereign status and its relationship with its neighbors. We have given up millions of acres of land over generations, the tribe said in a statement. We now live on a 12-by-12 square mile piece of land known as a reservation. This is all we have left. The tribe and its attorney, Andrew Adams, have issued letters and written public statements over the past few months, but attempts to reach tribal president John Johnson last week were unsuccessful. Adams, when reached on Friday, declined to comment. In early February, Adams wrote to town chair Matt Gaulke that the tribe would not remove the barricades or agree to a meeting until the town presents in writing a good faith offer to the tribe to compensate for the ongoing trespass. The roads in question cut through reservation land, and negotiations over the easements and compensation to the tribe for their use expired more than 10 years ago. Negotiations, which have included the town, tribe and title companies, have stalled after the tribe rejected a more than $1.05 million offer from the title companies and $64,000 from the town, in addition to the towns future gas tax revenue from the state. The tribe had been asking for $10 million but has since upped its demand to $20 million for a 25-year agreement, saying it would cover attorney fees and the cost of town residents illegally using tribal lands over 10 years since the easements expired, the tribe wrote in a Feb. 9 public statement. In essence, no one is happy. And with lake ice melting in the coming weeks, affected residents are concerned that the ice will not be safe for walking and for a time prevent boats from crossing. On Tuesday, 22 town of Lac du Flambeau property owners filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Madison against the 12 members of the tribal council. The lawsuit asks a federal judge to order the removal of the four blockades, which each consist of two large concrete blocks connected with a chain and padlock with a wooden barricade in front. The property owners want a judge to either declare the roads public and require them to stay open or declare that the property owners have a right to cross the tribal land by necessity. The suit also says the tribe installed trail cameras to monitor the barricades and threatened criminal prosecution to anyone attempting to use the roadways. The suit argues that the barricades endanger the safety of residents, because emergency crews would need to open the locks and remove the barricades to enter. The tribe has done wellness checks on those behind the barriers and mail is delivered three times a week to the affected property owners. Other deliveries are typically not allowed, although emergency repairs to homes have been granted, homeowners say. Those with medical appointments are also allowed to use the roads, but must call the police ahead of time before leaving and call again when they return to be allowed back to their property. Dianne Lohse said she and her husband, Darwin, waited more than 30 minutes at the barricade Wednesday before two members of the tribes public works department arrived. They used a blowtorch to warm the padlock before using a key to unlock it. Police had initially been summoned but had been diverted for another call, said Dianne Lohse, who had taken Darwin, a Vietnam veteran, to a physical therapy appointment after he had torn a rotator cuff in his shoulder. We have to commend the police department. They have been really good to us and showing us empathy, Dianne said. But people dont realize the stress this is causing. Some homeowners blame the town for not dealing with the issue sooner and plan to sue the town for its inaction and lost property value. Others lay blame on the title companies, Realtors and sellers for not disclosing easements when properties were sold. Meanwhile, the tribe has said First American Title Co. and Chicago Title Insurance Co. have been slow to act and take responsibility to issuing defective title policy commitment letters to homeowners, according to a statement from the tribe. The town of Lac du Flambeau and the title companies have not always acted in good faith to resolve this issue, Johnson wrote when the barricades were erected. On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, and U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg asking he provide copies of appraisals of the contested roadways submitted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the total amount of federal funding since 2013 the roadways have received through the Tribal Transportation Fund. On Wednesday, about 35 people attended a town board meeting where Gaulke said he is hoping the town, tribe, title companies and Gov. Tony Evers can meet and come to a resolution. Gaulke, who says the town has an attorney working on legal options, has not yet met face-to-face with tribal president John Johnson, even though the two have known each other for decades. I want to have a sit-down with the title companies so were all on the same page and have an understanding going forward, said Gloria Cobb, one of the three members of the town board. We cant rewrite history, but we can have an understanding of the past moving forward. A checkerboard The Lac du Flambeau have inhabited this area since 1745 with the reservation established by treaties in the mid-1800s after the U.S. government attempted but failed to remove the tribe from the land. The reservation is home to 260 lakes, 65 miles of streams, lakes and rivers, and about 1,420 tribal members, according to the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal website. But within the reservation are private properties that are part of the town of Lac du Flambeau, not the reservation. These properties were created following the 1887 passage of the Dawes Act by Congress. The act, according to the Milwaukee Public Museum, was an attempt to assimilate Native Americans into the concept of western living by dividing up the reservations so each family could own its own farm rather than the whole reservation being owned communally. But with the land too poor to support agriculture, many Native Americans sold their plots to lumber companies or non-tribal members, including developers. Miess, a landscape photographer, and Schlosser, a retired biotech scientist, lived for 25 years in the village of Oregon, south of Madison, and purchased their home on Ross Allen Lake in 2020. A section of their roadway crosses 153 feet of tribal land. They now park their car across the lake at a friends house and hike about a quarter-mile across the lake to their home. We were never told about this, Schlosser said. I mean, arent there laws? The roads leading to the properties were at some point transferred to the town, without any notice of the existence of the easements, which were 25-year terms and renewed once, said Bob Hanson, a member of the town board who is also an attorney. The easements for Annie Sunn Lane, Center Sugarbush Lane and East Ross Allen Lake Lane were established in 1964 and expired in 2014, according to town records. Feeling betrayed Mike Hornbostel and Marsha Panfil said they were unaware of an easement when they purchased their home on Ross Allen Lake in 2019. For the past year, they have owned and operated Hornwinkels Bear Stube on Lower Gresham Lake. The bar, established in the 1950s, is not within the reservation, but this is one of the busiest times of the year for the business due to snowmobile traffic. Concerned about threats and the time it takes to access their home, Hornbostel is now living in a cottage next door to the bar, and Panfil is living with a friend. All of the players are guilty. The town, its their responsibility to keep public access to our homes. And they have failed to do that, said Hornbostel, who is also upset with the title companies, Realtors and the previous owner of his house for not disclosing the easement, which is required under law. He is no longer getting propane for his home from a tribal members company and has stopped sourcing pork and beef from the Ojibwe Market, which is owned by the tribe and located across from the Lake of the Torches Casino. Weve been trying to support the community, Hornbostel said. But if the tribe is going to extort us, were not going to support them either. Stops and starts Negotiations between the town, the title companies and the tribe began as early as 2013 with several stops and starts, appraisals of the roads and last fall the tribe announcing it was asking for $10 million. In January, they doubled the proposed fee before erecting the barricades. A few weeks later, the tribe began closing boat landings at some reservation lakes, limiting access for snowmobilers and ice anglers. The tribe feels for the property owners impacted by the town and the title companies. In fact, we share in their frustration and can relate, the tribe wrote. How much longer should the tribe allow the town of Lac du Flambeau elected officials, town attorney Greg Harrold and title company lawyers to string us along, saying one thing and doing another, before saying enough using our property without a formal agreement. Mary Possin and her husband, John Disch, purchased their property on 47-acre Elsie Lake in 2017 with no knowledge of the easement established in 1961 for Elsie Lake Lane. That easement expired in 2011. Possin is a former school board member in the Monona Grove School District and spent 20 years as an academic adviser at UW-Madison. Disch owned Monona Motors. The couple is preparing to sell their home in Monona as their retirement plan is to watch the loons on their northern Wisconsin lake, chosen because Possin had spent summers as a child on nearby Crawling Stone Lake. I remember it was always the happiest times in our life, Possin said last week. The town should have taken care of this with the tribe years ago. But theres not a functional relationship there and there hasnt been for a long time. The hardest part for us is not knowing. We dont know if its going to be this week or next week or next month or next year. We just dont know how long this could go on. A real mess Richard Monette, an expert on Native American issues and director of the Great Lakes Indian Law Center at UW-Madison, said easement issues are not uncommon. In late January, a federal appellate court ruled that a lawsuit filed by the Seneca Nation of Indians against New York state may proceed over the tribes longstanding claims that a 1954 land deal permitting a highway to cut through part of its Cattaraugus Reservation was illegal. Monette believes many are to blame for the Lac du Flambeau issue. They include the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which should do more to monitor and provide guidance with easement situations, and the title companies that failed to use due diligence when issuing titles to the property owners. The tribe should have also created a recording system that better documents the easements for those looking to buy a property where a road crosses tribal land. So we have a whole lot of moving parts creating a real mess, Monette said. Its real unfortunate. It wasnt that long ago that the treaty mess erupted the way it did with ugly racism and violence. That stuff is finally getting put to rest. But make no mistake, you now have property owners on other reservations, Im quite certain, going through their property records and title companies going through their records. Sally Fermanich was among those who attended Wednesdays town board meeting and continues to be miffed at the town, tribe and title companies. She and her husband live in Neenah but purchased a lot about 20 years ago off East Ross Allen Lake Lane. Like others, the couple was unaware of the easement. They had a camper trailer on the property for years and last year began building a home. Work has been halted with the house about halfway done as construction crews are unable to get to the property. Do I even finish the house, Fermanich, a retired critical care nurse said. Its cost us a fortune. Weve lost tons of money on bids. Its very sad and its causing a lot of angst. The Associated Press and The Buffalo News contributed to this report. The warning flags were flying at food pantries and food banks in southeast Wisconsin this week: Brace yourself. Wednesday marked the end of extra food share benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic and that means there will likely be a surge in demand for food supplies at pantries and food banks here and across the country. For a household of one person, that means FoodShare benefits for those who qualify will drop by $95 per month and go back to the pre-COVID assistance level of $281 per month. Thats a cut of 25%. According to national reports, the average food benefit loss for recipient households will be about $221 per month. In Kenosha County, for example, that $95 per month reduction means 22,000 residents will have $95 less per month in their food budgets. Some benefits will be reduced to as low as $20 per month. About one in eight Kenosha County residents receive FoodShare benefits. April Guenther, director of senior services at the Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services, Inc., which assists at least 940 elderly residents across the county, said the impact of the benefit reduction will be especially dramatic for the elderly. Do I get my medication or do I eat? Do I feed my pets or myself? Guenther asked. That means many of those who are food poor, will be turning back to food pantries and food banks to get groceries and put extra pressure on nonprofits for help. Racine County Food Bank executive director Dan Taivalkowski talked to us this week and said he expects service numbers to spike. Weve been trying to gear up for this. The (pandemic increase) in FoodShare benefits was a really good solution, Taivalkowski said. The boost not only allowed FoodShare recipients to go directly to the store for their food supplies, he said, but it took the burden off non-profits and gave an economic boost to the state of Wisconsin to grocery stores and the food supply chain. Its going to be a difficult transition, Taivalkowskj had said last month, Were going to see a lot of demand out there. Were trying to prepare for that and provide clients with what they need while we scale back to emergency only. Its going to be a challenge. Kenosha County Food Bank and the Racine County Food Bank last month began co-locating their operations at 2000 DeKoven Ave., in Racine, to improve efficiencies in food delivery to pantries. There is so much crossover that takes place, so its a logical sharing of resources, said Kenosha County Food Bank Board President Teri Knuese. As part of that, the food banks have installed a new refrigeration and freezer system that will double the existing storage space and help the food banks distribute fresh produce. Taivalkowski said the food banks are looking for a boost in food donations in the coming months from the Boy Scouts food drive March 11 and the letter carriers food collection in May, which brings in about 70,000 pounds of food. So watch for those collection bags. Or maybe sit down and write a check or go to the Racine and Kenosha food bank websites to help out the thousands of area residents who are seeing a cut in FoodShare benefits and will have to stretch to put food on the table. Feb. 27-March 3 This list is not comprehensive. Municipalities are listed as they appear on the criminal complaint. Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. To see mugshots of the accused, visit journaltimes.com/gallery. Additional information about the complaints can be found at: journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts. Mohammad T. Alnabulsi, Middletown, Connecticut, assault by prisoners. Alfred (aka Ace) D. Anderson, 700 block of West Lawn Street, Racine, criminal damage to property (domestic abuse assessments). Ramiro Esteban Baca, 1800 block of Holmes Avenue, Racine, knowingly operate motor vehicle without a valid license (cause death), homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle (unborn child), intoxicated use of a vehicle (great bodily harm), operating while intoxicated causing injury (1st offense). Luis M. Bardales, 100 block of Ohio Street, Racine, manufacture/deliver THC, manufacture/deliver schedule IV drugs. Jabari T. Barmore, Calumet Park, Illinois, attempting to flee or elude an officer, drive or operate a vehicle without owners consent. Davarico A. Bass, 5600 block of 32nd Avenue, Kenosha, obstructing an officer. Charmeny J. Beadles, 4000 block of Erie Street, Racine, disorderly conduct. Kenneth L. Booker, 200 block of Hubbard Street, Racine, repeated sexual assault of a child, exposing genital, intimate parts or pubic area. Devontae O. Bracken, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, possession of a firearm by a felon, strangulation and suffocation (domestic abuse assessments), operating a motor vehicle without owners consent (domestic abuse assessments), negligent handling of a weapon (domestic abuse assessments), misdemeanor battery (domestic abuse assessments), disorderly conduct (domestic abuse assessments). Traveon D. Brooks, 1700 block of Hill Street, Racine, possession with intent to deliver/distribute/manufacture THC (between 200-1,000 grams, use of a dangerous weapon), carrying a concealed weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia. Marvin Brown, 1700 block of Warwick Way, Mount Pleasant, resisting an officer, possession of cocaine, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, burglary of a building or dwelling, felony bail jumping. Shaquille B. Buckley, 2100 block of Howe Street, Racine, attempting to flee or elude an officer, possession with intent to deliver/distribute/manufacture THC (less than or equal to 200 grams), possession with intent to deliver fentanyl (less than or equal to 10 grams), maintaining a drug trafficking place, obstructing an officer, felony bail jumping. Carrie E. Burns, Libertyville, Illinois, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstructing an officer. Lejon J. Cadd, 1800 block of Franklin Street, Racine, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence (3rd offense, general alcohol concentration enhancer), possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, operate motor vehicle while revoked, failure to install ignition interlock device. Adric S. Centell-Dunk, 2300 block West Lawn Avenue, Racine, possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor bail jumping. Joseph P. Crago, Grayslake, Illinois, possession with intent to deliver heroin (less than or equal to 3 grams), possession with intent to deliver cocaine (between 15-40 grams), possession with intent to deliver fentanyl (between 10-50 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia, felony bail jumping. Tommy E. Dennison, 4300 block South Loomis Road, Waterford, felony personal ID theft (financial gain). Charissa L. Earl, 3200 block of Indiana Street, Racine, carrying a concealed weapon. Roger L. Gardner Jr., 5100 block of Taylor Avenue, Racine, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of cocaine, resist officer (failure to stop vehicle), felony bail jumping, misdemeanor bail jumping. Andrew Michael Good, 1000 block of County Road D, Burlington, operating a motor vehicle without owners consent, failure to install ignition interlock device, operate motor vehicle while revoked, felony bail jumping, misdemeanor bail jumping. Maurice D. Hatchett, 3300 block of 17th Street, Racine, possession of a firearm by a felon, carrying a concealed weapon, obstructing an officer, possession of THC, felony bail jumping. Jacob E. Heeter, 1700 block of Howe Street, Racine, obstructing an officer. Marcus J. Hennegan, 600 block of Main Street, Racine, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony bail jumping, misdemeanor bail jumping. Jamal J. Jenkins, 1700 block of New Street, Union Grove, computer message (threaten injury or harm), disorderly conduct, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia. Dawann (aka X Birdman) L. Johnson, 1500 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Racine, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence (5th or 6th offense, general alcohol concentration), operate motor vehicle while revoked, felony bail jumping. Sunshine K. Ketchum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, possession with intent to manufacture/distribute/deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver heroin (less than or equal to 3 grams), possession with intent to deliver cocaine (between 1-5 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia. Jasmine D. Keys, Beach Park, Illinois, felony retail theft (intentionally take between $500-$5,000). Camarion D. King, 2800 block of Wright Avenue, Racine, possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor bail jumping. Joshua J. Kroack, 5900 block of 10th Avenue, Kenosha, threat to a law enforcement officer, disorderly conduct, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence (3rd offense, general alcohol concentration enhancer), misdemeanor bail jumping. Donte Lamont Livingston, 3600 block of Douglas Avenue, Racine, possession of THC, operate motor vehicle while revoked. Dexter D. Love, 1900 block of Taylor Avenue, Racine, criminal trespass, obstructing an officer. Stanley McNutt, 400 block of Parkview Drive, Racine, misdemeanor battery, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct. Darelle Tristan Mitchell, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operating without a license (3rd or subsequent offense within 3 years), misdemeanor bail jumping. Brandi L. Parr, Chicago, Illinois, financial transaction card (fraudulent use less than $2,500). David C. Pierce Jr., 5400 block of Byrd Avenue, Racine, misdemeanor bail jumping. Devion (aka Quarter Back SAVV) D. Ray, 100 block of Ohio Street, Racine, threat to law enforcement officer, carrying a concealed weapon, felony bail jumping. Alexie Reyes, West Allis, Wisconsin, battery by prisoners, aggravated battery. Orlando C. Robinson, 2000 block of Gillen Street, Racine, resisting an officer, misdemeanor bail jumping. Curtis A. Robison, 1300 block of Rapids Drive, Racine, misdemeanor battery (domestic abuse assessments), disorderly conduct (domestic abuse assessments), criminal damage to property. Dennis C. Ross, Old Mill Creek, Illinois, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia. David E. Schrank, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence (3rd offense, general alcohol concentration enhancer), resisting an officer. Jeffery D. Sheppard, 300 block of Main Street, Racine, substantial battery (domestic abuse assessments), disorderly conduct (domestic abuse assessments). Arvontre D. Taylor, 2000 block of Grange Avenue, Racine, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of THC. Parrish I. Watts, 5200 block of 52nd Street, Kenosha, battery by prisoners, disorderly conduct. 1. Yes. Switching back and forth every spring and fall is cumbersome and annoying. 2. Yes. It makes sense, although it would take a bit of getting used to at first. 3. No. The bill isnt enforceable. The federal government would have to approve the switch. 4. No. If other states dont follow suit, it could make long-distance travel problematic. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say without knowing all the impacts of the proposed change. Vote View Results Interior ministers of five European Union (EU) Mediterranean countries on Saturday called for more EU solidarity on migration and more efforts to prevent irregular migration, Azernews reports citing Xinhua. At the end of the so-called "Med 5" ministerial-level meeting held in Malta's capital Valletta on Friday and Saturday, ministers of Malta, Greece, Italy, Spain and Cyprus signed a joint declaration. The meeting was held just days after a deadly migrant shipwreck off Italy. At least 64 migrants died on Feb. 26 when their boat hit rocks near the coast of the southern Italian region of Calabria. The five ministers agreed that more work needs to be done at a European level to address the root causes of migration and prevent irregular migration, according to the joint declaration released by the Maltese Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality. They reaffirmed their position on the need to "strike a balance between (EU) Member States' responsibilities on the one hand and the need for solidarity on the other," the joint declaration said. They also called for more efforts for "the establishment of a permanent and mandatory solidarity mechanism that factors the real needs of frontline Member States and ensures that these needs are fully met through the solidarity contributions." KEARNEY In her final story The Best Years author Willa Cather writes about the relationship between a school superintendent, Evangeline Knightly, and a young teacher named Lesley Ferguesson. Published posthumously, the story details the kindness and wisdom Knightly shares with the teacher before shifting to the future, when the superintendent returns to town to leave flowers on Ferguessons grave. Cather wrote The Best Years in 1945 just two years before her death drawing heavily on her own life and childhood experiences. At the end of her life, shes reflecting on all of these things, and the person who she thinks about is that teacher who inspired her and made her who she was, said Nathan Tye, an assistant history professor at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. That person is Evangeline Eva King, represented in The Best Years by the character Evangeline Knightly. Shes better known on the UNK campus by her married name, Eva Case. Cather referred to Case as the first person whom I ever cared a great deal for outside of my own family. She was a role model and close friend who encouraged Cather to find her way in the world of imaginative thought. A lifelong educator who served as an elementary teacher, principal and superintendent, Case was the first person to interview Cather when she enrolled in school in Red Cloud after her family moved there from rural Webster County in 1884. Already I think Eva could see this is a young, precocious girl who is going to really do something with herself, Tye said. Case became Cathers teacher a year later and continued to mentor her during high school and college. When Cather graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1895 and moved back to Red Cloud, it was Case and her husband who provided the timely counsel that gave her the courage to go on with her plans for self-improvement, according to Tye. Eva Case is the one who told Willa youre too big for Red Cloud. Your future doesnt lie here, Tye explained. Living first in Pittsburgh and later New York City, Cather went on to become one of the greatest American novelists of the 20th century. Her works include My Antonia, O Pioneers! Alexanders Bridge, One of Ours, My Mortal Enemy, Death Comes for the Archbishop and numerous other novels, short stories and poems. Following her husbands death, Case resigned as the superintendent in Red Cloud in June 1905 to take a position at the newly opened Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney, now known as UNK. She was the first preceptress at Green Terrace Hall, a former hotel that served as the schools lone dormitory at that time. She was hired right at the founding of the Normal School and was the second-highest-paid employee here, right under President A.O. Thomas, Tye said. Case earned $1,350 a year to teach and oversee Green Terrace as the housemother. Although she worked at the Normal School for less than two years, her time there was certainly impactful. When she became severely ill in 1907, Thomas moved her to the presidents house to receive care before she was transferred to the Presbyterian Hospital in Omaha, where doctors discovered she had advanced liver cancer. She passed away in November of that year. During a chapel service on campus, school librarian Anna Jennings eulogized her friend and colleague, highlighting her unselfishness, thoughtfulness and compassion. Classes were canceled that day so students could attend. This really was an incredible person who deeply impacted the community in her short time here, Tye said. Eva Case has such an impact that the students of Green Terrace release a statement mourning her. The student body passes a resolution memorializing her, as well, as do the Board of Trustees of the State Normal Schools. Thomas and other school officials attend the funeral in Red Cloud, where local schoolchildren honor Case with a floral tribute, and the first Normal School Blue and Gold yearbook published in 1908 includes an in memoriam praising her as a true friend and wise counsellor. Cather also honored her beloved mentor in a letter read to the Red Cloud High School graduating class in 1909 before delivering her final tribute in The Best Years. In 1930, when the first purpose-built residence hall opened on the Kearney campus, it was named Eva J. Case Hall. That building served the school until 2006, when it was replaced by suite-style housing (Antelope/Nester). Shes only here a very short amount of time, but has such a lasting legacy, Tye said of Case. Sharing the story Tye writes about Cathers connections to Case and the community of Kearney in the fall 2022 edition of Willa Cather Review, a journal published by the Willa Cather Foundation. The article, Willa Cathers Ties to Kearney, Nebraska, demonstrates how people and places beyond Red Cloud shaped her life and literature. Kearney is an easily overlooked locale within the wider geography of Willa Cathers life, he states. The town itself made no more identifiable impact on her life or work than a score of other Nebraska towns, but a small number of people associated with it did. In addition to Case, Cathers longtime partner Edith Lewis also briefly lived in Kearney, as a high schooler from 1895-96. So did Cathers brother James, sister-in-law Ethel and their children Charles and Helen. Their home along East 27th Street, where the family lived in the 1920s and early 1930s, still stands today. James was a salesman at a local clothing store and Ethel served as president of the local Delphian Society, a womens literary and educational organization, making her an authority on Cathers work. After Lewis passed away in 1972, Charles and Helen became Cathers literary executors. Kearney is also the hometown and burial place of Bishop George Allen Beecher, a spiritual mentor who confirmed Cather and her parents into the Episcopal Church and presided over her memorial service on All Saints Day in 1947. Beecher maintained a decades-long relationship with the Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Cathers connections to Beecher likely seeped into her portrayal of pioneer Bishop Jean Latour in Death Comes for the Archbishop, Tye notes. Cather likely visited Kearney at least twice, in 1927 and 1931, according to Tye, but only the latter trip is fully documented. I would like to think that she came to campus just to see Eva Case Hall, said Tye, who utilized sources from the UNK Archives, UNL Archives, History Nebraska and Buffalo County Historical Society while conducting his research. He plans to include some of the information in his Nebraska history classes, and hell discuss Cathers local connections May 10 at Kearney Public Library as part of the UNK History Departments Brown Bag lecture series. This research was a lot of fun because one of the things I love doing is telling these stories about Kearney that may be overlooked, Tye said. We have a very vibrant history in this community, and this is just one example. State's breeding stock I attended a lunch that was part of a work conference. The Keynote was Gov. Jim Pillen. He interacted with our lunch table, and it was actually a good conversation. He asked about our jobs, and then asked about legislation that could impact our roles specifically LB 573 and his school funding bills. Great conversation. He encouraged us to continue the conversation. Conversation was the theme of his talk. How we can communicate effectively to reach the best decisions for all Nebraskans. Then the end what needs fixed. Drug users, the trans agenda and unwed mothers (not unwed parents or fathers, only mothers). According to Pillen, unwed mothers are a drag on our economy. Using scarce social support resources because they are not married, therefore they do not have a husband to support them and their children. Additionally he said that our workforce issues are the result of the murder to 200,000 workers, murdered by abortion. And he didnt say it, but I assume those of us who chose to use birth control or only had one or two children are also part of the problem. I admit all the good from the previous conversation was invalidated. I know and love many unwed mothers. Every one of them is raising (or raised) a much loved and wanted child. Some are unwed by choice. Some due to circumstances. And many are in committed relationships but lack that piece of paper that says they are married. At the end of his address, I, as did several tablemates, felt that our only purpose as a woman in Nebraska was to serve as breeding stock. Our contributions to our employer and our state had no value. According to our governor, we existed only to provide workers for our state. And we must have a spouse to support those workers, because we are not capable of providing for ourselves. I guess Nebraska really isnt for everyone. Especially women who chose not to serve as breeding stock. Cynthia Houlden, Kearney Thanks from story fest The Kearney Area Storytelling Festival Board extends a sincere thank you to all who attended our 2023 Storytelling Festival. Our professional tellers, Priscilla Howe and Simon Brooks, were able to enrich the lives of more than 3,000 people at various schools and public venues in the Kearney area. Our local tellers, Allen DeBey and Robin Bennett, delighted the Saturday afternoon audiences as well. The following businesses, organizations and individuals were essential to the success of the Storytelling Festival: Kearney Area Community Foundation, AmericInn, Kearney Area Arts Council, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Artists and Lecturers Committee of UNK Faculty Senate, ESU-10, Yandas Music, Kearney Public Library, Peterson Senior Activity Center, Lexington Grand Generation Center, First Lutheran Church, Kearney Country Club, Merryman Performing Arts Center, NTV, Kearney Hub, Central Nebraska Council of the Nebraska State Literacy Association, Central Nebraska Auto Club, Rick Brown, Patsy Bruner, Glenda Frasier and of course, the area schools and their parent organizations who support this endeavor every year. Many area individuals also support our Festival with their personal donations, for which we are very grateful. Special thanks to all our volunteer drivers who are so incredibly important to the success of our festival. Many individuals play a part in making the festival happen. Thank you so very much to everyone involved. We sincerely appreciate everyone who attended the performances. It is wonderful to see the interest our community has in the art of storytelling. Storytelling reaches across generations, rekindling old memories and creating new ones. Thank you for joining us. We look forward to our 2024 Festival. Marlene Hansen, Kearney Kearney Area Storytelling Festival Spencer Schaller and Tyler Krueger have opened Pizzeria Dolorosa in the former Rivoli Cafe space at 115 N. Fourth St., next to The Rivoli Theatre and Pizzeria in downtown La Crosse. The new restaurant opened Feb. 21 and serves four kinds of red pies, including a Classic Cheese pizza that customers can order with additional toppings, and the biggest seller so far Mikes Hot Honey Pepperoni Pie made with pepperoni, ricotta, Mikes Hot Honey, basil and Sicilian oregano from Italy. The menu also includes two kinds of white pies, which have a garlic cream sauce rather than a red sauce. The pizza crusts are made with fermented sourdough, which in turn is made with a mixture of flours from the United States and Italy. Within a few weeks, Pizzeria Dolorosa also will begin offering two kinds of sandwiches Philly cheesesteak and cold cut made with bread baked at the restaurant the same day, as well as Caesar and chopped salads. The restaurant also serves beer, wine and soft drinks. Schaller and Krueger have worked in area restaurants for many years and became friends when both worked at The Charmant Hotels restaurant, where Schaller was executive chef. He later was executive chef at the Restore Public House restaurant, where Krueger also worked. We work together well, Krueger said of his and Schallers decision to open their own restaurant. Were trying to make the best pizzas that we can possibly make, Schaller said, adding that the restaurant uses quality ingredients to make its pizzas, which he described as artisanal New York-style. Its pizza oven was imported from Italy. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday. Pizza also is available by the slice at lunchtime, from 10:30 a.m. to around 2 p.m. Customers can dine in or pick up pizza to go. There are no plans to offer delivery service for now. For more information, call 608-519-1836 or visit www.pizzeriadolorosa.com or Instagram. The restaurants menu is posted on its website, and online ordering is available there. The eatery also can be booked for private events. Sue Hackett opened her new Brick Sip Haus wine, bourbon and beer bar on Feb. 25 in the former Vino Anjo wine bar location at 800 Superior Ave. in downtown Tomah. Vino Anjo closed in December. I am the sole owner and my loving husband (Blaine Hackett) is helping me a lot, Hackett said. My sister, one of my kids and several friends have been helping me, too. Hackett and her husband recently moved to the area from the Twin Cities area. Blaine grew up here and always wanted to come back to the area, she said. The new business offers small plates, charcuterie boards, pizza, wine, bourbon, beer and specialty drinks such as the Blainedog Old Fashioned. Brick Sip Haus uses seasonal and locally sourced food ingredients, wines and bourbons as much as possible, Hackett said. We have quite a few wines and bourbons from local distilleries. Her business also offers live music. And it can be booked for events such as wedding receptions and business meetings. Regular business hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, 3 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 3 to 11 p.m. Friday and 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday. A grand opening celebration will be from 1 to 11 p.m. April 1. For more information, call 651-303-3454 or visit http://bricksiphaus.com or Facebook. Occupational therapist and certified lactation counselor Laura Kish has opened Wonderland Therapy LLC, In Suite H at 1800 Jackson St., in the Jackson Plaza shopping center in La Crosse. Kish said that location opened last July, but that Wonderland formed in 2019. Prior to having a physical location, Wonderland Therapy provided occupational therapy services in clients homes and community locations, and also provided enrichment programs at various locations such as parks and other businesses, she said. It has always serviced the greater La Crosse area, she said. Wonderland provides occupational therapy to clients ages birth to 21, Kish said. I currently offer occupational therapy, feeding therapy and lactation support as therapeutic services, she said. My hope is to offer other pediatric therapy services in the future. Wonderland offers individual occupational therapy services, enrichment programs and open play in its play center. The play center also can be rented for parties and private events. Kish said Wonderland takes a strengths-based approach to therapy, using a childs strengths and interests to motivate and encourage them. It is a neurodiversity-affirming practice, she said. You can find specialized treatment for infant feeding and development, toddler and child feeding, sensory processing, motor skills, attention and executive function, emotional regulation skills, handwriting and other developmental areas at Wonderland. For more information, call 608-571-5417 or visit www.wonderlandtherapy.org or Wonderlands Facebook and Instagram pages. Places of the past: 30 La Crosse area restaurants you'll never eat at again (part two) Edwardo's Embers Restaurant Cheddar 'n Ale Mai-Tai Supper Club Winchell's Donut House Taco Bell 1976: New Villa Mr. D's Donuts 1975: Bodega Lunch Club McDonald's Taco John's Taco Village Ponderosa Steak House Shakey's Pizza Fireside Restaurant 1972: Hoffman House Restaurant 1972: Louie Bantle's Restaurant Royale Pie Shop Chicago Beef & Etc. 1971: Kewpee Lunch Bridgeman's Ice Cream 1965: Dog House Restaurant Swiss Chateau Henry's Drive-In 1954: Triangle Cafe 1952: Harmony Cafe South Avenue Cafeteria The Penguin Drive-In TGI Fridays Fat Porcupine Burger Fusion Most people rank the quality of the health care they receive in a hyper-personal way. If a doctor, nurse or clinician fix what ails them, people tend to give good marks. If health problems persist without a good explanation as to why, the bill for payment can look a lot bigger and a more critical view emerges. Right or wrong, thats human nature. Health care quality and value can also be assessed in data-driven ways that look across larger populations, examine relative differences between states and consider other measurable factors. The latter is what the Wisconsin Technology Council recently did in a report, Taking the Pulse: How Quality Health Care Builds a Better Economy. The conclusions are worth noting in an age when competing for workforce talent is a 50-state game. Here are examples: Wisconsin is consistently among the top states for quality health care, as measured by metrics compiled by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. In its 2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report, the AHRQ ranked Wisconsin and 11 other states in the nations top quartile through 2021. In the region surrounding or within a days drive of Wisconsin, only three other states (Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota) ranked in the top quartile. With some key indicators such as mortality tied to health care, Medicare 30-day readmissions, penalized hospitals and average hospital length of stay Wisconsin performance was well above average. Mean inpatient charges in Wisconsin were in the middle of the seven-state region in the latest year on record and leveling off, according to AHRQ. In contrast, the U.S. average was much higher and trending up. That cost-related finding was reinforced in a 2022 report by Forbes Advisor, which analyzed data from the Kaiser Family Foundation comparing all 50 states and the District of Columbia on average health care costs per person. The U.S. average was more than $10,000; Wisconsin was the eighth least expensive state with a per capita rate of $9,626. That same Forbes study found that Wisconsins health care cost increases over the past five years were sixth-lowest in the nation. Most single and family health insurance premiums in Wisconsin were competitive with regional and U.S. averages in 2021. The exception was average premiums for family coverage paid by employers. That figure was $15,676, or second-highest in the region and higher than the U.S. average of $15,207. Those findings may not comfort people who had a bad experience in a Wisconsin clinic or hospital, or who think the entire health care system should be turned on its head. However, its one argument for Wisconsins competitiveness as a place to live and work. Top-quartile rankings for health care quality and cost figures roughly in line with regional and national figures give Wisconsin workers and companies an edge for now but workforce shortages that began even before COVID-19 and the need to stay abreast of technology make continued progress a challenge. For example, Wisconsin hasnt seen a rural hospital close since 2011 but pressures are mounting. Much like good broadband and housing, quality and available health delivery systems are essential to sustaining the rural economy. While Wisconsin ranks low on one immediate risk of closure list for rural hospitals, those hospitals face daily challenges. The latest example came when the Marshfield Clinic Health System announced it will lay off 346 workers in Wisconsin. Its hospitals and clinic serve an almost entirely rural population. Rising labor costs, more expensive supplies and lower reimbursements were cited as reasons, but regulatory and other pressures facing health care nationally in the wake of the pandemic are also at work. State policymakers may be able to help in some ways: They can encourage teaching institutions to efficiently produce health care workers. An example is a Mayo Clinic partnership with UW-Eau Claire. While Wisconsin care rankings are better than most states, mental health treatment can still be hard to access especially when opioids, fentanyl and other abused substances are killing far too many people. Some previously public mental-health programs have been taken on by hospitals and health systems, but not without cost. Encourage more partnerships between Wisconsin health systems and tech-based providers. Wisconsin has world-class resources in health information, diagnostics, imaging and therapeutics. However, some hospitals can still be slow to innovate. In an era when health care can attract people and companies looking to expand, state agencies and private associations with the ability to promote Wisconsins health care quality should do so. WEST SALEM Its not unusual for West Salem police chief Kyle Holzhausen to respond to incident reports. He has no choice. During a recent Thursday afternoon, police coverage in the village consisted of Holzhausen and one other officer. Its just me and one other staff member thats working, Holzhausen said. Sometimes, its even fewer. Occasionally, some shifts arent covered at all. Im hearing people are surprised we dont have an officer on call 24 hours a day, village administrator Teresa DeLong said. People who have not called the police dont understand why we need more. Village leaders want to change that. In January, the village board approved a $500,000 referendum that would create three new sworn officer positions. West Salem voters will decide on the referendum April 4. DeLong said more officers are needed for a growing community. West Salem has 5,400 residents a 50% increase since 1990 and she said potential new residential development could push the population past 6,000 in the near future. The village has a staff of 10 sworn officers seven patrol officers, a school resource officer, a police captain and police chief to cover everything. Last year, most shifts had just one patrol officer on duty, and there were 848 hours with no officer. Holzhausen said West Salem has fewer patrol officers than other Wisconsin communities its size. Prairie du Chien, for example, has 30 more residents than West Salem but employs 14 sworn officers. He said the challenge goes beyond serving the permanent village population. The village extends to Interstate 90, where two service stations bring people off the highway. In the summer, crowds attend weekly auto races at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, and the village serves as a staging ground for shuttle services to the annual Country Boom concert at nearby Maple Grove Venues. The village is home to five school buildings (three public and two private) that house 2,000 students every school day. We have great amenities, DeLong said. In West Salem, theres always something going on here. The result is an escalating number of calls for service. There were 707 calls in January, compared with 627 in January 2022. The calls included 88 traffic stops/driving complaints, 64 welfare checks, 12 thefts, 10 traffic accidents, two impaired drivers, one drug overdose and one sexual assault. In addition, the department processed 80 open records requests. The number of January calls puts the village on a pace to easily surpass the 8,000 calls received in 2022, which set a record and is more than double the 2012 figure. If passed, the referendum would fund two new patrol officers and one investigator. Holzhausen said the addition of a full-time investigator is important. He said duties normally handled by an investigator, such as search reports, warrants, subpoenas and processing evidence, are currently done by patrol officers. He said that reduces their time spent on patrol. Most departments have an investigator to help work investigations such as thefts and frauds, Holzhausen said. Right now, its put on patrol officers, who see their cases through from start to finish. With two extra patrol officers, Holzhausen said the village can implement 24/7 coverage with two officers on most shifts. He said the public would notice faster response times and more proactive, community-oriented policing. DeLong said the referendum is the only option for increasing police protection. State-imposed revenue limits place a cap on what municipalities can raise through property taxes, and the formula limited the village to a $13,000 increase in 2022. After two decades of levy limits, we have to borrow for everything, DeLong said. To do one block of a street, we have to borrow the money. The referendum would increase taxes by $114.11 annually on a $100,000 property. Holzhausen hopes voters in the village decide the additional police protection is worth the cost. From the people Ive talked to, they seem very supportive of it, Holzhausen said. They believe a community of our size and our location here in La Crosse County should have the proper funding and resources available to (law enforcement). They believe public safety is important. IN PHOTOS: Saturday Night Racing Action at La Crosse Fairground Speedway A Little Nudge from Behind Checkered Flag Brian Larson in Victory Lane Fans in the Stands John Huebner in Victory Lane Two Wheels Around the Corner Victory Lane Interview Excitement in the Turn Broken Axle Katie Wolfe Riding on a Single Tire Safety Crew Tow Truck Exit Victory Lane is a Happy Place for Alex Liebsch Sparks are Flying Neck and Neck and Neck La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway Landyn Frye and the #24 Car in Victory Lane #12 A Great Night for Popcorn and Racing Speedway School Dist. 07 Tight Into The Turn Jake Schomers in Victory Lane Race Fans Enjoy a Beautiful Evening at the Track Demolition Derby From Tribune files: Country Boom 2018 Country Boom - Chase Rice Country Boom - Chase Rice Country Boom - Chase Rice Country Boom - Chase Rice Country Boom - Chase Rice Country Boom - Chase Rice Country Boom - Chase Rice Country Boom - Chase Rice Country Boom - Chase Rice Country Boom - Chase Rice Country Boom - Chase Rice Country Boom - Chase Rice Country Boom - Chase Rice Country Boom fans Country Boom Jon Holthaus Country Boom fans Country Boom fans Country Boom Jon Holthaus and John Lyche Country Boom - Phil Vassar Country Boom - Phil Vassar Country Boom - Phil Vassar Country Boom - Phil Vassar Country Boom - Phil Vassar Country Boom - Phil Vassar Country Boom - Phil Vassar Country Boom - Phil Vassar Country Boom - Phil Vassar Country Boom - Phil Vassar Country Boom - Phil Vassar Country Boom - Phil Vassar Country Boom - Phil Vassar Country Boom - Phil Vassar Country Boom - Phil Vassar Country Boom fans Country Boom fans Country Boom - Michael Tyler Country Boom - Michael Tyler Country Boom - Michael Tyler Country Boom - Michael Tyler Country Boom - Michael Tyler Country Boom - Michael Tyler Country Boom - Michael Tyler Country Boom - Michael Tyler Country Boom - Blue Collar 40 Country Boom - Blue Collar 40 Country Boom - Blue Collar 40 Country Boom - Blue Collar 40 Country Boom - Burnin' Whiskey Country Boom - Burnin' Whiskey Country Boom - Burnin' Whiskey Country Boom - Burnin' Whiskey Country Boom - Burnin' Whiskey Country Boom - Burnin' Whiskey Country Boom - Burnin' Whiskey IN PHOTOS & VIDEOS: 3 stops on National Night Out Seat belt talk Lenco Bearcat School information Rappelling demonstration Classic car The 'Convincer' is loaded with two dummies to promote seat belt use On display Extrication demonstration A closer look Found it! Hands-on activity Be safe WATCH NOW: Police K9 Leo, Sgt. McMahon and SRO Downey Chippewa County Sherriff boat Vroom vroom Parking enforcement CFPD dunk tank Baby driver Child and firetruck Truck 1 water Better than a sprinkler Tilden Volunteer Fire Dept truck WATCH NOW: National Night Out, Chippewa Falls WATCH NOW: National Night Out, Chippewa Falls The types of industries that serve as the predominate employers in La Crosse County offer limited opportunities for remote work, a new study has found. With a large percentage of area employment tied to health care and manufacturing, La Crosse County employees are less likely to work from home than those in other populous areas of Wisconsin. Just over 11% of workers from La Crosse County in 2021 worked primarily or exclusively from home, according to a report released last week by the Wisconsin Policy Forum. That rate of is lower than the Wisconsin average of 14.8% of workers. Remote work has remained, this far into the pandemic, fairly common, said Joe Peterangelo, the reports lead author and senior researcher at the Wisconsin Policy Forum. This is impacting communities in different ways and impacts everything from the family level to the individual worker and employer up to broader communities and downtowns. The study used 2021 Census Bureau survey data in Wisconsins 24 most populous counties, finding remote work is spread unevenly across the state. La Crosse County ranked 16th in the percentage of remote workers out of the 24 most populous counties. Nearly a quarter of Dane County workers were remote in 2021. Ozaukee, Waukesha, St. Croix and Milwaukee counties also had above average rates of remote workers. In Dodge county, only 7% of workers were remote. La Crosse County was similar to Sheboygan and Racine county in its share of remote workers. Less metropolitan Peterangelo suggests the makeup of local industries can explain the disparities. The report notes counties with the highest percentages of remote workers were in large metropolitan areas around Madison, Milwaukee and the Twin Cities, which had higher concentrations of jobs in the most remote-capable industries. A 2020 National Bureau of Economic Research found over two-thirds of jobs in the educational services sector; finance and insurance; information; management of companies; and professional, scientific and technical services could be done from home. Counties with the lowest percentages of remote workers, such as Dodge, Rock and Manitowoc, have higher concentrations of jobs in the manufacturing industry, a sector where fewer than a quarter of jobs could be done from home. Health care dominates in La Crosse more than in many other counties, said Peterangelo, referencing state employment data from 2021. Most health care jobs require being on-site. And manufacturing is also quite high in La Crosse, that was the second highest. That could maybe explain why La Crosse was lower than the state average. The health care and social services sector alone made up 22% of reported jobs in 2021 La Crosse County, according to the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over 40% of workers were employed in some of the least remote capable sectors according to the report, which include manufacturing, retail trade, food and accommodation services, transportation and warehousing, and construction. Less than 20% of jobs in La Crosse County in 2021 were in the five most remote-capable sectors. Health care leads John Nunley, economics department chair and professor at the University of La Crosse-Wisconsin examined the top occupations in the La Crosse area commuting zone, which contains La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon and Juneau counties in Wisconsin and Houston County in Minnesota. La Crosse is really interacting very closely with the counties to the west and east particularly and even to the north, said Nunley. Think about the people who live in La Crescent and drive to La Crosse for work. In the multi-county area, over one-third of all workers are employed in health care practitioners and technical occupations. Nunley examined the Bureau of Labor Statistics classification of occupations, not industry. While a quarter of jobs can be completed remotely in the health care and social assistance industry, only 5% of jobs in health care practitioner and technical occupation can be completed remotely, according to the NERB study. In the commuting zone, 13% of workers have jobs in office and administrative support occupations, 8% in sales, 7% in management, 5% in construction and extraction, and 5% in transportation and material moving occupations. Production occupations, which include many manufacturing jobs, employ 6% of commuting zone workers. Nunley said that jobs in health care, production, construction and transportation occupations are not amenable to remote work and need to be done in person, while around 70% of office and administrative assistant occupations and 60% of management occupations are amenable to remote work. Sales occupations, which range from cashiers to sales representatives, are less amenable to remote work, with 27% of workers accessible to remote work. In-person tasks Youre having to be on-site to move a machine, to do a physical activity, operate a vehicle, repair something, said Nunley. Really its the managerial positions and office and admin positions, at least for our labor market, that would be the easiest to switch for telework. Compared with other commuting zones in the state, the La Crosse area was in the middle regarding its share of workers in occupations amenable to remote work. From 2015 to 2019, just over 25% of of La Crosse commuting zone workers held a job that could be done remotely, Nunley found. Nationwide, commuter zones with lowest shares of workers with jobs amenable to remote work are found in the Midwest and South. The Wisconsin Policy Forum report also noted the percentage of remote workers in Wisconsin of nearly 15% is less than the national average of 17.9%. The difference is notable and something that existed prior to the pandemic but its not an enormous difference, said Peterangelo. That could also partly stem from our higher concentration of jobs in manufacturing than nationally. Nationwide, 10% of workers are employed in the manufacturing sector while 19% of Wisconsins workers are. Peterangelo also observed that Wisconsin had a higher percentage of remote workers than Iowa and Indiana, but lower than Minnesota and Illinois. Which is somewhat intuitive when you look at the large metropolitan areas, again, one of the key findings is larger metropolitan areas tend to have higher rates of remote work and Minnesota, the Twin Cities, is a larger metropolitan area than either of the ones in Wisconsin, said Peterangelo. And Chicago is the same way. Widening the divide The Wisconsin Policy Forum report finds the impacts of remote work are complex. The report cites surveys showing the majority of workers prefer a hybrid work arrangement and studies with opposing findings on how remote work impacts productivity. The reduced commute time that workers find enjoyable also carry environmental benefits from reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The report notes the potential for remote work to limit the gender pay gap by easing disproportionate child care burdens on women, who are more likely to hold a remote job. But the report also notes remote work is not accessible for many, citing research finding workers in occupations that require full-time, in-person work are more likely to be Black or Latino. This is another benefit for some workers, but not to all workers, and it tends to favor workers who already have other benefits or other advantages in the workplace, said Peterangelo. Remote-amenable occupations, such as management, are characterized by high wages, Nunley said, although remote amenable office and administrative support jobs may not be. Nunley also said remote work offers opportunities for some workers to move, but often not service workers in downtown areas. Certain workers, it empowers them more because now they have all these options. You dont have to search for a job in La Crosse, now you can search for a job worldwide. But thats not the custodian, thats someone with a Ph.D. in statistics, said Nunley. The financial crisis that we had and the pandemic this time, each time we have one of these disasters it ends up widening the divide. South Africa: Minister Mchunu pleased with progress on Loskop Bulk Water Supply Project Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu is pleased with the progress on Loskop Bulk Water Supply Project for both Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. In a statement on Sunday, Minister Mchunu said that a massive job is currently underway on the Loskop Regional Bulk Water Supply Project to abstract water from the Loskop Dam and to supply water to 21 villages under Thembisile Hani Local Municipality in Mpumalanga Province and to eight villages of Moutse-East under Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality in the Limpopo Province. Loskop Bulk Water Supply Project is a cross-boundary project worth R1.67 billion and comprises of five work packages which is mainly of the laying of 30km pipelines from Loskop Dam. Another part of the project is to construct two water reservoirs, pump stations and Water Treatment Works that will supply 20 megalitres per day to the communities of Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, and three megalitres of water per day to the community of Moutse East in Limpopo. Minister Mchunu and Deputy Ministers, David Mahlobo and Dikeledi Magadzi conducted an inspection at the construction sites of the project last week Friday in Verena, Mpumalanga. Minister Mchunu expressed his satisfaction with the progress of three of the five work packages currently taking place concurrently. He said the project is scheduled to be completed before end of 2024. Following the inspections at the construction sites, the Minister interacted with the communities of both Thembisile Hani Municipality in Mpumalanga and Elias Motsoaledi in Limpopo. The Minister assured the residents that the Loskop Bulk Water Supply Project will bring them much needed relief. As the Department we have noted with concern the water challenges that have been experienced by the communities of both these municipalities for a long time. It is for this reason we have started with this big project that entails a 30-kilometre pipeline work from Loskop Dam. The abstracted water will then be treated and stored, before being taken to the people of Thembisile Hani Municipality and those in Moutse-East in Limpopo. We appeal to you to be patient because a big job has already started, and we hope that it will be completed before the end of next year, Minister Mchunu said. The site inspection visits form part of the National Water Month by the Department of Water and Sanitation, commemorated annually between 01 to 31 March. This commemoration is an expansion from the United Nations (UN)s annual World Water Day on 22 March. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Qabil Ashirov The operation of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant in Armenia is posing a big nuclear threat to Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Armenia, and the whole region, President Ilham Aliyev told a meeting with Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi. What is behind the concern? Actually, the threat coming from the Metsamor NPP to the region is huge and the facility is actually a ticking time bomb under the whole region ready for explosion at any time. First, Metsamor is one of five NPPS built without primary containment structures which are not advisable to be built in earthquake-prone territories. However, Armenia is geographically situated in an earthquake-prone zone in view of previous ones that hit Armenia, one of them being the devastating Spitak quake, and the recent tremors that jolted Iran and Turkiye in proximity. Second, the technology used when the NPP was built is now outdated and the plant has not gone under major repairs in view of Armenia's financial inability and minor assistance by Russia and the West cannot fully guarantee the seismic capacity. The Council of European Union expressed its concern in the report in 2020 stating that Metsamur NPP cannot be upgraded to fully meet internationally accepted nuclear safety standards, and urged the Armenian government to close it as soon as possible. The negotiation between Armenia and the EU over the closure of Metsamur NPP traces back 2000s. Armenia agreed to close the NPP in 2004 and in return the EU would supply Armenia with funds to close the plant and find substitute energy supplies. However, as usual, Armenia evaded closing it and the EU froze the grant. We should note that not only the European Union, but also the former Soviet Union concerned about the NPP, and reluctant to take any further risk, closed it immediately after the Chornobyl catastrophe and earthquake in Spitak, Armenia. As it is known, the consequences of the Chornobyl NPP were so devastating that the Soviet Union stopped all work on NPPs that were under construction. However, landlocked and poor in terms of natural resources, Armenia was isolated in the first years of its independence due to its aggressive expansionist foreign policy and Armenia was unable to meet its citizens basic needs. Besides that, the life span of NPPs is about 40 years according to the Nuclear Safety and Security in Europe resolution. However, Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) was commissioned in 1976, 2 years before the Chornobyl NPP, and the same technology was used in the construction of this NPP. Despite the fact that the life span of Metsamur NPP has expired, the Armenian government included the reactor in the countrys 2040 energy strategy and speaks about the further extension of the plants life. It is not a secret that any catastrophe at Metsamur will not affect people in Armenia, but citizens of neighboring countries as well. Despite all its danger, all countries including far-away EU countries crying about it, Iran never expressed its opinion about the issue. Because half of its electricity generated in the NPP is exported to Iran and there is talk about illegal trade of some nuclear materials originating from the Metsamor Plant between Armenia and Iran. To recap, it can be said that since the life span of the plant has expired, and it locates in an earthquake-prone region, it can cause a catastrophe at any time. All people in the region, including Armenian citizens will suffer from possible catastrophes and Armenia will contribute to the safety of people in the region by closing it. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti When machine gun fire erupts outside the barbed-wire fences surrounding Fontaine Hospital Center, the noise washes over a cafeteria full of tired, scrub-clad medical staff. And no one bats an eye. Gunfire is part of daily life here in Cite Soleil the most densely populated part of the Haitian capital and the heart of Port-au-Princes gang wars. As gangs tighten their grip on Haiti, many medical facilities in the Caribbean nation's most violent areas have closed, leaving Fontaine as one of the last hospitals and social institutions in one of the world's most lawless places. Weve been left all alone, said Loubents Jean Baptiste, the hospital's medical director. Fontaine can mean the difference between life and death for hundreds of thousands of people just trying to survive, and it offers a small oasis of calm in a city that has descended into chaos. The danger in the streets complicates everything: When gangsters with bullet wounds show up at the gates, doctors ask them to check their automatic weapons at the door as if they were coats. Doctors cannot return safely to homes in areas controlled by rival gangs and must live in hospital dormitories. Patients who are too scared to seek basic care due to the violence arrive in increasingly dire condition. Access to health care has never been easy in Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. But late last year it suffered a one-two punch. One of Haitis most powerful gang federations, G9, blockaded Port-au-Princes most important fuel terminal, essentially paralyzing the country for two months. At the same time, a cholera outbreak made worse by gang-imposed mobility restrictions brought the Haitian health care system to its knees. The U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, said this month that violence between G9 and a rival gang has turned Cite Soleil into a living nightmare. Reminders of the desperation are never far away. An armored truck driven by hospital leaders passes by hundreds of mud pies baking in the harsh sun to fill the stomachs of people who cant afford food. Black spray-painted G9 tags dot nearby buildings, a warning of who's in charge. In a February report, the U.N. documented 263 murders between July and December in just the small area surrounding the hospital, noting that violence has severely hampered" access to health services. That was the case for 34-year-old Millen Siltant, a street vendor who sits in a hospital hallway waiting for a checkup, her hands nervously clutching medical paperwork over her pregnant belly. Nearby, hospital staff play with nearly 20 babies and toddlers orphans whose parents were killed in the gang wars. Normally, Siltant would travel an hour across the city by colorful buses known as tap-taps for her prenatal checkups at Fontaine. There she would join other pregnant women waiting for exams and mothers cradling malnourished children in line for weigh-ins. All the clinics in the area where she lives have closed, she said. For two months last year she couldn't leave the house because gangs holding the city hostage made travel through the dusty, winding streets nearly impossible. Some days, theres no transportation because theres no fuel, she said. Sometimes theres a shooting on the street and you spend hours unable to go outside Now Im worried because the doctor says I need to get a C-section. Health care providers said the crisis has caused more bullet and burn wounds. It has also fueled an uptick in less predictable conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and sexually transmitted infections, largely because of slashed access to primary care. Started as a one-room clinic to provide basic medical services to a community with no other resources, Fontaine Hospital Center was opened in 1991 by Jose Ulysse. Ulysse and his family have worked to expand the hospital year after year. They fight to keep their doors open, Ulysse said. Because most of the people in the area live in extreme poverty, the hospital charges little to nothing to patients even as it struggles to purchase advanced medical equipment with funds from UNICEF and other international aid providers. Between 2021 and 2022, the facility saw a 70% jump in the number of patients. Even the gangs understand the importance of medical care, Jean Baptiste said. Yet the walls still feel like they're closing in. You say, well, I have to work. So let God protect me, Jean Baptiste said. As this situation gets worse, we go out and decide to face the risks. We have to keep pushing forward. On Feb. 24 the FDA authorized the first do-it-yourself home test for both COVID and influenza A and B. It is made by a company called Lucira, which has made one of the many COVID -only kits now available. The irony is that two days before, on Feb. 22, the company had filed for bankruptcy and was putting itself up for sale because they had hoped to get the emergency-use authorization from the FDA last August before flu season started. The test is a nasal swab for self-use by people older than 13 and on younger folks down to two by an adult. It is the test type for viral RNA, not the protein coat elements like the COVID swab tests we all can get. It takes 30 minutes to see a result on the card. It differentiates among COVID, influenza A, the most common variety, and influenza B, not seen much this year. Here is part of the FDA news release: Todays authorization of the first OTC (over the counter) test that can detect influenza A and B, along with SARS-CoV-2, is a major milestone in bringing greater consumer access to diagnostic tests that can be performed entirely at home, said Dr. Jeff Shuren, director of the FDAs Center for Devices and Radiological Health. To sort of cover their tracks, the release continues, individuals should report all results to their health care provider for public health reporting and to receive appropriate care. Like everybody is doing that now with their home COVID tests? Uh, not. But, it is an advantage to know at least something about what may be causing your respiratory symptoms if you are hacking up a storm and feeling rotten (medical terminology?). For COVID it helps you know you should keep away from people for 5 days and mask up for 5 more days when out and about. For flu it tells you to be careful around other folks or stay away from them until you feel better. The results are also an aid to communicate with your doc to see about any possible treatments, like Paxlovid for COVID or Tamiflu for flu. The sensitivities of the test compared to a gold standard are that it correctly identified 99.3% of negative and 90% positive influenza A samples, 88.3% of positive COVID samples, and 99.9% of negative influenza B samples. There are false positive and negative results for all rapid tests, like a rapid strep throat test, which has been in use for a long time. But it can pinpoint the infecting germ to help know what to do. It also gives you information if you want to call a doc for help and shortens the time to treating if needed. Several infectious disease experts commented positively on its introduction. The test has been sold already in Canada for $70. Luciras internet entry listed $99 for the cost in the U.S., and you can order it from the company. Whether insurers will cover it is an unknown. (Everything with medical insurers is an unknown.) Lucira is saying it will continue operations to serve customers, according to a press release. Its chief executive, Eric Engelson, said on Friday, I cant thank our employees and partners enough for seeing this through, and, of course, for the FDAs recognition. There have been combination tests from lab companies like LabCorp for COVID, flu A and B and RSV that you can call to order, do the test at home, and mail back for the result. There are others to order by mail as well. Such viral combination tests have been in use in Europe and Australia for some time. To me the companys bankruptcy followed by FDA approval perfectly exemplifies a catch-22 situation. The definition of that is a dilemma or difficult circumstance from which there is no escape because of mutually conflicting or dependent conditions. Sort of a no-win dilemma. Not quite a gotcha. But thats another topic. Back in September 2021, Annie Casselman of Winona led a group of protesters against the mask mandates. For this, she was disparaged publicly, especially by Jerome Christenson of the Winona Daily News, who penned a condescending response. I replied to Christenson that I had in my possession at least a dozen controlled-randomized trials published in reputable refereed journals, along with mounds of other data, indicating the ineffectiveness of masks vis-a-vis the transmission of respiratory illnesses. The crime of the protesters was that they were following the science and the data, not the "experts" (who were following the politics, not the science). Last week, Bret Stephens in The New York Times reported on the comprehensive review of mask efficacy by the Cochrane Foundation, a highly respected British organization that reviews healthcare data. Its conclusion from analyzing the 78 controlled-randomized studies: the mask mandates did nothing. Theres just no evidence that (masks, even N95 masks) make any difference, said the Oxford epidemiologist and lead author of the paper. Stephens says it well, Those skeptics who were furiously mocked as cranks and occasionally censored as misinformers for opposing mandates were right. The mainstream experts and pundits who supported mandates were wrong. In a better world, it would behoove the latter group to acknowledge their error, along with its considerable physical, psychological, pedagogical and political costs. While that honorable ownership of error likely wont transpire, one can hope that the citizens of Winona will recognize the value of courageous, alternative voices like Casselmans, informed by science and data, over the condescending screeds of those who lazily regurgitate government propaganda with a false air of intellectual superiority. Barry Peratt Winona If you are a hardworking, honest employee you are about to get the shaft. Under the paid family and medical leave bill workers could take up to 24 weeks per year of paid time off, paid for by your employer. That leaves less money for your employer to pay you. If an employee takes paid time off that means the rest of you will have to pitch in and do the work. Under this bill its possible your fellow employees could take 6 months of paid leave in Florida taking care of their sick Uncle Charley. It will be impossible to monitor this bill. Many will take a day off here and there for no medical reason. This is a costly bill for your employer. It is a bad bill for 90% of the workforce. Democrats in the Minnesota Legislature will pass and Gov. Tim Walz will sign a paid family and medical leave mandate. Call Walz, 800-657-3717 and tell him to veto this bill. Jerry Papenfuss Winona Within the framework of Azerbaijani Defense Ministry's Communication Strategy, approved by the relevant order of the Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, a meeting was held with a group of media representatives of various information agencies preparing articles on military patriotism, Azernews reports, citing the ministry. With the support of the Media Development Agency, a broad exchange of views on the further development of cooperation with journalists, the content of military publications, and the prevention of the dissemination of a military secret was conducted within the meeting. Representatives of the Main Department for Personnel of the Defense Ministry briefed journalists on protecting military and state secrets and other issues. In the end, proposals on current cooperation with media entities and prospective issues were heard. Lavrov Had Some Choice Words for Participants in the G20 Foreign Ministerial March 4, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)Russias Sergey Lavrov not only attended the full plenary meeting of the G20 Foreign Ministerial, but he was frank and outspoken in his address to the plenary, from the outset. His remarks included: We stand in solidarity with New Delhis call to build a common future for humanity, which is especially important in the context of growing geopolitical confrontation.... I would like to apologize to the Presidency and our colleagues from the Global South for the improper behavior of a number of Western delegations, which turned the discussion on the G20 agenda into a travesty, in an attempt to shift their responsibility for failures in economic policy to others, primarily Russia.... G20 Western members have never grieved at the G20 meetings over the many hundreds of thousands of lives lost in Washingtons reckless adventures in the Middle East under the pretext of national security threats that came from places 10,000 miles away from the U.S. borders.... We see no alternative to the sole legitimate international order that is embodied in the UN Charters basic principles.... The formation of a polycentric world calls for recognizing civilizational diversity and mutual respect for interests. It is imperative to stop being guided by the flawed logic of domination, diktat and sanctions. We welcome the rise of new centers of influence in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, he said. Lavrov denounced Western weaponizing of international economic relations, including in the energy sector, and going on to say: We are shocked to see the masterminds behind the act of sabotage against the Nord Stream main gas pipelines within the NATO and the EU area of responsibility get away with what they did. We insist on an honest and swift investigation into that terrorist attack to be conducted with the participation of Russia and other stakeholders. He called it imperative to put a stop to illegitimate sanctions, all forms of violations of freedom of international trade, market manipulation and arbitrary introduction of price ceilings or other attempts to appropriate other countries natural resources. He argued that the food crisis stems from the West printing trillions of U.S. dollars and euros early on during the COVID-19 pandemic and buying up food supplies around the world, sending most grain supplies from Ukraine to the EU at giveaway prices instead of to the poorest countries, and from the obstruction of Russias efforts to export agricultural products around the world, including retaining free Russian fertilizers ready to be shipped to Africa at European ports. And, promised, that against this backdrop ... [Russia will] focus on forming reliable transport corridors, independent payment systems, and the expansion of payments in national currencies within the framework of BRICS, SCO [Shanghai Cooperation Organization] and the Eurasian Economic Union. Russian Defense Journal Reports New Type of Military Operations To Fend Off Potential U.S. Attack March 4, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)An article was published in the Russian Defense Ministrys military professional journal Military Thought on March 2 which reports that Russia is working out a new type of military operation involving its nuclear capabilities to fend off potential U.S. attacks. According to the article, the U.S. is planning Russias defeat through a strategic (global) multi-sphere operation, reports TASS. The United States sees the final goal of this operation in the destruction of Russias nuclear deterrence potential, which can be achieved by way of deploying missile shield systems around Russian borders or delivering a prompt global nuclear strike that can wipe out 65-70% of Russias strategic nuclear forces. Recall the surfacing of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia in the Arabian Sea, just about 3,000 km away from two ICBM bases in southern Russia, last October. It was indeed a message of that sort. Domestic military specialists view and are actively working out an advanced form of employing the Russian Armed Forcesa strategic deterrence force operationas the main means and tool of countering the Pentagons attempts to carry through its aggressive intents of destroying Russia, the authors write, says TASS. The authors are identified in other reports as first deputy commander of the Strategic Missile Forces, Lt. Gen. Igor Fazletdinov, and Col. Vladimir Lumpov (ret.). Russias efforts of achieving the most decisive goals of routing the aggressor imply using advanced strategic offensive and defensive, nuclear and conventional armaments based on the latest military technologies, the authors say. The outbreak of aggression can be thwarted if the deterrence factor is convincingly demonstrated at least at one of the stages of the aerospace period of NATOs strategic multi-sphere operation. An Izvestia article (read via Google translate) provides a little bit more information. In response to the expected U.S. objective of destroying 65-70% of Russias strategic potential, the Russian Federation proposed to develop a new form of use of the Russian Armed Forces called the Operation of Strategic Deterrence Forces (Operatsiya strategicheskikh sil sderzhivaniya or OSSS), Izvestia reports. Within its framework, modern strategic offensive non-nuclear weapons will have to be used. According to Fazletdinov and Lumpov, the OSSS has three objectives: to repulse a nuclear strike by the United States and the NATO alliance in order to prevent large losses of the strategic offensive forces of the Russian Federation Armed Forces; the suppression of the American missile defense system, so that Russian missiles are not destroyed in the air; and third, a nuclear strike on the American side in order to inflict unacceptable damage on it. The article also states that it will be possible to prevent aggression from the United States if it is effectively demonstrated to the enemy that Moscow will be able to contain the attack of the enemy at least at one of the stages of the NATO operation. There has been some coverage in the Western media of the Military Thought article, based mainly on the TASS wire but with an anti-Russian spin. Newsweek, for example, reports that the publication of the article followed a series of incendiary remarks from Russian political figures about the prospect of Russia using nuclear weapons. An international research project has found the remains of what is believed to be a 5,000-year-old restaurant in southern Iraq. The discovery, announced in late January, comes at a time of great growth in Iraqi research and preservation efforts. Iraq is often called the cradle of civilization - meaning the birthplace of complex societies. The country is home to six UNESCO-listed world heritage sites, among them the ancient city of Babylon. It was home to several ancient empires under rulers like Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar. But research efforts have been hurt by years of conflict before and after the United States invasion of Iraq in 2003. Many of the countrys ancient treasures and other valuable property were stolen during this time. Laith Majid Hussein, director of the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage of Iraq, told The Associated Press that the effects of the stealing were very severe. As peace returned in recent years, researchers have as well. At the same time, thousands of stolen objects have been returned, offering hope of an archeological rebirth, or renaissance. Lagash Digging at Lagash has taken place on and off since the 1930s. Unlike many historic sites, Lagash did not have many objects stolen. This is largely due to the efforts of people living in the area, said Zaid Alrawi, an Iraqi archeologist who is the project manager at the site. People who came to the area to steal were run off by local villagers who consider these sites basically their own property, he said. A temple area and the remains of important buildings had been uncovered in earlier digs. So, when archeologists returned in 2019, Alrawi said, they paid careful attention to areas that would give clues to the lives of ordinary people. Researchers began by examining what turned out to be a pottery workshop containing several kilns. Kilns are kinds of ovens or furnaces used to dry or harden objects made of clay or other materials. Further digging in the area near the workshop uncovered a large room containing a fireplace for cooking. The area also had seating and a food cooling system made with clay jars placed in the ground. The site is believed to date to around 2,700 BC. Alrawi said he believes the restaurant was a simple eating place to feed workers from the pottery workshop next door. I think it was a place to serve whoever was working at the big pottery production next door, right next to the place where people work hard, and they had to eat lunch, he said. Alrawi, whose father was also an archeologist, grew up visiting sites around the country. Today, he is happy to see many research digs returning to Iraq. Its very good for the country and for the archeologists, for the international universities, he said. Positive changes As archeological exploration has increased, international dollars have flowed into Iraqi projects. Workers are restoring damaged ancient sites like the al-Nouri mosque in Mosul. Iraqi officials have pushed to bring back stolen pieces from countries as near as Lebanon and as far as the United States. Last month, Iraqs national museum began opening its doors to the public for free on Fridays a first in recent history. Families walked through halls lined with ancient objects such as Assyrian tablets. They also got a up-close look at one of the most famous of Iraqs returned objects: a small clay tablet dating back 3,500 years. The clay tablet has part of the ancient poem the Epic of Gilgamesh written on it. The tablet was stolen from an Iraqi museum more than thirty years ago. The United States returned the tablet to Iraq two years ago. The U.S. has returned about 17,000 stolen objects to Iraq over the years. Ebtisam Khalaf, a history teacher who was one of the visitors to the museum on its first free day, said it was a beautiful event. Khalaf liked that visitors were able to see the things that we only used to hear about. Im John Russell. And I'm Ashley Thompson. Abby Sewell reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. ____________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story preserve v. to keep (something) in its original state or in good condition site n. the place where something (such as a building) is, was, or will be located empire n. a group of countries or regions that are controlled by one ruler or one government pottery n. objects (such as bowls, plates, etc.) that are made out of clay usually by hand and then baked at high temperatures so that they become hard museum n. a building in which interesting and valuable things (such as paintings and sculptures or scientific or historical objects) are collected and shown to the public VOA Learning English presents America's Presidents. Today we are talking about John Adams. In 1796, he was elected as the countrys second president. Being second can be difficult. And being the second president of a new country, following a popular first president such as George Washington, turned out to be extremely difficult. For one thing, Adams did not always get along with other people. He was known to get angry easily, and often. Adams also was leader of a divided administration. His own vice president often disagreed with him passionately. The situation was the result of a rule in the Constitution at the time. It said the person who received the majority of votes became president. The person with the second largest number of votes became vice president. The rule worked fine for the first two elections. Washington had won the presidency, and Adams won the vice presidency. The two men belonged to the same political party and shared many points of view. But in 1796, Adams opponent in the election, Thomas Jefferson, became the vice president. The two men were personal friends, but political enemies. President Adams supported a strong federal government that protected the interests of business and the wealthy. Vice President Jefferson, on the other hand, wanted to limit the power of the federal government. As a result, Adams and Jefferson often clashed. Adams also made what many historians consider a mistake in choosing his cabinet. Adams simply kept Washingtons official advisers, mostly to satisfy political opponents. But later, Adams learned that many of his cabinet members opposed him, too. Historian John Ferling says Adams was in over his head, and started swimming upstream almost from the start of his presidency. Foreign policy crisis On top of all that, Adams faced a foreign policy crisis. After the French Revolution, Great Britain allied with other European nations against France. They wanted to keep the unrest from spreading to their countries. Adams worked hard to make sure the U.S. did not get pulled into a war between France and Great Britain. But France did not trust the U.S. It tried to interrupt trade by seizing U.S. ships. Adams wanted to resolve the problem peacefully. He threatened military action, but he also sent diplomats to talk with French officials. Adams aimed for an honorable peace with France. It took some time but he got it. Historian John Ferling says although the crisis in Europe caused Adams endless trouble, he dealt with it well. Many years later, Adams wrote that the greatest jewel in his crown was reaching peace with France. The Adams family Even if Adams struggled as president, he was successful in other parts of his life. He grew up outside the city of Boston. His father was a farmer, as well as a church official and town leader. However, Adams chose to attend Harvard University and become a lawyer. Adams was a very good lawyer. In fact, he was one of the busiest lawyers in Boston. His success enabled him to buy a big, two-story house that still stands in Quincy, Massachusetts. Adams also had a happy marriage. The relationship between him and his wife, Abigail, is one of the best-known of that time. The two wrote many letters to each other during the years they were apart. More than 1,000 of their letters still survive today. John and Abigail Adams were both passionate patriots who supported the American Revolution. They also agreed about the issue of slavery. Unlike many founding families of the U.S., the couple did not own slaves and spoke out against the system of people owning other people. Election of 1800 In November of 1800, John and Abigail Adams moved to the Executive Mansion in Washington, D.C. Adams was the first president to live in what we now call the White House. They would not stay long, however. Adams was facing a difficult re-election campaign. His vice president, Thomas Jefferson, was running against him. His party was divided many Federalists supported other candidates. And some voters did not like his decisions including creating a permanent army, raising taxes, and limiting the rights of immigrants. Those four laws called the Alien and Sedition Acts extended the time that immigrants had to wait before becoming U.S. citizens. They permitted the government to detain citizens from enemy nations without reason during wartime. The laws also permitted the president to expel foreign citizens he believed were dangerous. And they made criticizing the president or Congress a crime. Adams said the Acts aimed to control people in the U.S. who supported France. But many politicians at the time argued that the laws mostly affected people who supported the opposing political party. Historian John Ferling says they were right. And, he says, Adams may have been using the Alien and Sedition Acts to protect his political career. But they ended up damaging his public image. They also raised the question for the first time of whether states had the right to ignore a federal law if they disagreed with it. Adams and Jefferson Supporters of Vice President Thomas Jefferson used Adams approval of the Alien and Sedition Acts against him effectively. Jeffersons campaign said Adams exercised so much power as president that he must want the U.S. to become a monarchy. Adams campaign said Jefferson was a radical who would bring revolution to the country. The U.S. had never experienced such an ugly election before. Some people wondered whether the country would be able to transfer power peacefully. When Jefferson won, however, Adams did not resist. He retired to his farm in Massachusetts. Adams spent most of his retirement writing. He even began exchanging long letters with his old friend and old enemy Thomas Jefferson. They two men discussed their families, their thoughts on politics and religion, and their nations history. The letters were both personally and historically meaningful: Adams and Jefferson were the last living members of the original patriots who started a new country. On July 4, 1826 the nations 50th birthday the two friends, patriots and former U.S. presidents died within hours of one another. Im Kelly Jean Kelly. Anne Ball and Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story. Caty Weaver was the editor. See how well you understand the story by taking this listening quiz. Play each video, then choose the best answer. Quiz - John Adams: He's Number Two Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story passionately - adv. having, showing, or expressing strong emotions or beliefs upstream - adj. in the direction opposite to the flow in a stream or river interrupt - v. to cause something to stop happening for a time patriot n. person who supported the American Revolutionary War for freedom from Britain ugly - adj. unpleasant transfer - v. to give rights to another person original - adj. existing first or at the beginning Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) ranks amongst the top five brands in KPMGs latest UAE Customer Experience Excellence Report, for its core focus on providing a market-leading, digitally enabled banking experience. The KPMG report, which is based on an extensive customer survey, listed ADCB as the only financial services company among its UAE top 10 customer experience champions a league table that includes both national and global brands. The report cited ADCBs superior front-end digital capabilities, its loyalty programme, and the banks outstanding approach to combining digital and in-person support for an effective and rewarding customer experience. In 2022, the banks overall net promoter score (NPS) increased three points, while the customer base for the Retail Banking Group increased by more than 15%. Customer service excellence Alaa Eraiqat, Group Chief Executive Officer of ADCB, said: Customer service excellence is a key differentiator in the highly competitive banking landscape, and ADCBs exceptional ranking in the KPMG report is a deserved recognition of the commitment of our employees to go above and beyond every day. We are grateful for the trust that our customers place in ADCB, and we know that maintaining high quality service requires an unrelenting effort and commitment. The Bank is therefore investing significantly in its people and digital technology, while operating a robust process that incorporates customer feedback to deliver continuous improvement. Continuous investment in digital platforms is also enhancing customer acquisition and engagement. In 2022, registrations for ADCBs mobile banking subscriptions reached over 1.2 million and the bank welcomed more than 250,000 new customers through its Hayyak app. KPMGs Customer Experience Excellence Report considers the views of more than 89,000 customers on their experiences with brands. ADCBs approach to customer service excellence is built on understanding and anticipating the changing needs of its customers. The bank drives concrete action through regular forums, and by integrating service metrics into the Key Performance Indicators of every employee at ADCB.-- TradeArabia News Service Each year, thousands of legal professionals from around the world come to the United States for advanced legal training. They often choose to attend a Master of Laws program or LL.M. The LL.M. program is different from the Juris Doctor or J.D. program. A J.D. degree is required for those who want to practice law in the U.S. In the LL.M. program, legal professionals learn about the U.S. government, the U.S. legal system, and international legal issues. They can specialize in several areas including intellectual property, international business, immigration, human rights, and security. LL.M. influence around the world A 2020 study from The Center for Postsecondary Research at Indiana University shows that international students make up 79 percent of LL.M. students at American law schools. One such student is Aime Mbarushimana. After practicing law for 15 years in Rwanda, Aime came to American Universitys Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. to get advanced training in arbitration, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution. These are ways of settling disagreements without legal action. He said the training he received at American University helps support the traditional Ubuntu belief system in Rwanda. Ubuntu highly values building agreements and communities. He told VOA Learning English that using more mediation can help lower the number of court cases in Rwanda and give judges more time to work on them. Mimoza Shala is a prosecutor in the Eastern European nation of Kosovo. She studies in the LL.M. program at Wake Forest Universitys School of Law in North Carolina. The school has partnered with the U.S. Departments of Justice and State for the last ten years to train legal professionals from Kosovo. Shalas job in Kosovo includes working on cases of domestic violence. Wake Forest University (WFU) connected her with an American prosecutor who also works on domestic violence cases. And she learned how the two legal systems deal with the issues. Nishchay Dagar of India worked for two years in trial law in his country before coming to WFU. Dagar said he now feels in love with professional ethics and wants to bring this training to his future work. He also sees the U.S. legal system as more efficient than Indias, and he hopes to bring this organization to his work. Expensive but worth it The cost of attending LL.M. programs in the U.S. is usually higher than in other countries. However, students who spoke with VOA said the extra cost is worth it, for many reasons. Law professors in the U.S. usually give students more individual help than those in their home countries. Besides office hours to study and receive advice, sometimes, professors would invite groups of students to their homes for social gatherings. They also help students connect with working professionals and legal experts. Gabriel Ortiz of Venezuela recently completed his degree, specializing in human rights law, at American University. He noted that many professors are also experts in different legal areas. They include judges for the Inter-American Court and lawyers at the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights. Ortiz also found that law students from Italy, Turkey, Nigeria, and Myanmar also had similar issues in their home countries. He said, What I found interesting was to see how we share similar problems We are able to know that the realities we are facing are not that different. Laura Orjuela from Colombia agrees. The American University law student said she has deepened her understanding of gender issues by talking with students from countries such as Iran, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. She added that when students compare so many international perspectives about the same issue, it helps increase the number of possible solutions they can use to fix problems. Maybe this thing we did in my country, it never worked what they did in that country well try it to see if that works, she said. Dagar, from India, said he highly values professional experience outside the classroom. These include pro bono, or volunteer work and special courts for people under age 18. WFU School of Law also has a North Carolina Business Court within the law school building where students can observe real court cases. Wen Wei and Li Ruoqi of China are students at Georgetowns law school in Washington, D.C. They said that because there are so many law students in China, having an LL.M. degree from one of the top law schools can help students get better jobs in China. LL.M. students in the U.S. must possess high levels of understanding of legal English. They usually have classes and attend social events with American students. As a result, their English skills can greatly improve during their LL.M. studies. Sherhernaz Joshi is an Assistant Dean of Graduate and International Programs at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She said many students have said, I thought I was coming for a degree, but the experience changed me forever. Im Andrew Smith. And Im Caty Weaver. US Law Programs Interest International Students Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story advanced - adj. characterized by high levels of training or experience needed and/or high levels of complexity intellectual property - n. original creative works such as books, films, works of art, and music, and whose creators have ownership of them arbitration - n. the hearing and ruling of a dispute or disagreement between parties by a person or persons chosen or agreed to by them mediation - n. a way of resolving a disagreement by using a third party who helps those involved reach an agreement. alternative - n. another choice or way to do something resolution - n. an end or settlement of a disagreement prosecutor - n. a government official who brings criminal charges against and/or tries to prove that someone is guilty in a trial. domestic violence - n. violence that occurs within a family ethics -n. the study of what is right or wrong in a moral sense reality -n. the true situation perspective -n. a way of seeing or judging something or some situation _______________________________________________________________ We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: Write your comment in the box. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with D on it. It is free. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here. Police in Whitewater are investigating the death of a newborn found in a field Saturday morning near a mobile home park. The newborn was reported to authorities at 11:12 a.m., near Twin Oaks Mobile Home Park on North Tratt Street, Whitewater Police Chief Dan Meyer said. No additional information was released by police. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Whitewater police at 262-473-0555, option #4, or email the Whitewater Detective Bureau at jbrock@whitewater-wi.gov (Detective Justin Brock) or aheilberger@whitewater-wi.gov (Detective Anthony Heilberger). Anonymous tips can also be shared using P3Tips.com. Police want to remind people that under Wisconsin law, parents have the right to give up custody of newborns 72 hours after birth, anonymously and confidentially. Under the Safe Heaven for Newborns legislation, parents can drop off newborns with a law enforcement officer, hospital staff or emergency medical services member, without legal consequences. In campaign stops across the state and in media interviews, conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Dan Kelly has consistently emphasized his devotion to the state Constitution. After qualifying for the April 4 election in last months primary, Kelly praised voters who reaffirmed the centrality of the Constitution to the work of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. In a 10-minute speech before the Wisconsin Counties Association Legislative Conference on Wednesday, he used the word Constitution or constitutional 14 times. Referencing liberal opponent Janet Protasiewiczs repeated references to personal values, Kelly said later that he had no doubt that (voters are) going to come out in droves to protect the Constitution, because they know thats what protects the liberties that they treasure so much. But some conservatives worry Kellys broad appeals to the Constitution may not be a winning strategy. Its very difficult to imagine voters keying in so strongly on the notion of protecting the Constitution because its relatively esoteric, longtime Republican strategist Brandon Scholz said. Voters respond to issues, whether theyre for or against. But something like defending the Constitution is almost nebulous. Its even more abstract for voters considering most probably dont know much about the state Constitution, Scholz said. They might know the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, but who knows the Wisconsin Constitution? Kellys focus on defending the Constitution compared with Protasiewiczs concentration on specific issues makes Kellys challenge even tougher, and it makes Protasiewiczs challenge even easier, Scholz said. Theres no public polling to show whether Kellys messaging prioritizing the Constitution is working, said Bill McCoshen, a Republican operative who had supported and given conservative candidate Jennifer Dorow advice during the primary. But I dont think its a broad enough message, he said. The people who are hardcore supporters of the Constitution are already with Kelly. So hes not broadening his base. Kellys strategy would be more effective if he talked more about Protasiewiczs embrace of issues such as abortion and redistricting and less about the state Constitution, McCoshen said. Given what I know from our own research about the different sorts of democratic attitudes Wisconsinites hold, talking about the Constitution and ones fidelity to it probably feels good to most people, said UW-Madison journalism professor Mike Wagner, who studies political communication. But its probably not at the top of their list when theyre making a decision about who they want to be a Supreme Court judge. Campaign spokesperson Jim Dick dismissed such concerns, adding there was an obvious reason for Kelly to focus on the states charter: The Constitution is the center of our judicial system, not something to be cast aside in favor of ones personal political ambitions. He also criticized what he said was Protasiewiczs political ploy of hinting at how she would rule on cases, even if she wont say so outright. In response, Protasiewicz spokesperson Sam Roecker said while she was a prosecutor and judge for decades following the Constitution, Dan Kelly has been a partisan extremist, picking and choosing what parts of the Constitution hed like to follow. Roecker did not clarify what parts of the Constitution he alleged Kelly didnt follow. Kellys strategy has two likely purposes, UW-Madison political science professor Barry Burden said. Its a kind of general way to convey that youre serious about following the Constitution and enforcing the law and not overstepping the boundaries of your institution, Burden said. But its also kind of a nod to conservative activists that my philosophy is like yours. Kelly has been far less willing than Protasiewicz to discuss specific issues such as abortion and redistricting. He says thats because the race shouldnt be about political issues. But the resulting difference in the candidates messages is largely in line with how liberals and conservatives typically run campaigns. Republicans do best in races when they make appeals to broad values, such as defending liberty, while Democrats do better when they discuss the specific changes they want to see in government, according to Michigan State University political science professor Matt Grossman and Boston College associate political science professor David Hopkins, who together wrote the book Asymmetric Politics: Ideological Republicans and Group Interest Democrats. Abortion, crime Which kind of messaging engages voters most depends on how the public perceives the race. As it stands, abortion is and will remain a top concern for Wisconsinites on both sides of the debate, Burden said. After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade last year, Wisconsins moribund 1849 near-total ban on abortion has come back into play. Opponents are challenging the law in a case that will likely be decided by the state high court. Eighty-four percent of registered voters in Wisconsin favor abortion exceptions for rape and incest, which arent included in the current ban, according to a Marquette Law School Poll from November. And only 37% of Wisconsinites favored overturning Roe v. Wade. Crime has also become issue in the race, with conservatives going after Protasiewicz over instances where they say she was lenient on defendants. But Protasiewicz has also emphasized public safety in her ads, accusing Kelly of being soft on crime and saying he defended child sex predators in court. Protasiewiczs crime message, Burden said, does put Kelly on the defense on an issue where he should probably have the greatest strength. So if hes having to explain or backpedal a little in that area, hes going to have real, real difficulty confronting her on the issues where she might be advantaged. With Protasiewicz largely defining the stakes of the race and liberals making up the majority of primary voters, Kelly and conservatives have the incentive to release more hard-hitting ads and take a more aggressive position toward Protasiewicz, Burden said. But conservatives didnt run any TV ads promoting Kelly in the first week after the primary. A conservative group since put down $1 million to boost Kelly, but thats a small fraction compared with the $7 million liberals have reserved, as of last week, in ads between the primary and general election. This is really kind of a key point in time in the general election where conservatives have to step forward if they want to keep the seat, Scholz said. In the past month, Ive seen community involvement at its best across the region. I saw people packed into the Goodman South Madison library to listen to the mayoral candidates ahead of the Feb. 21 primary. There were questions about racial disparities in education and whether Madison police officers would be outfitted with body cameras, among other things. Many of the questions focused on concerns that particularly affect the South Side, including development and housing. Last weeks mayoral debate at Central Library in Downtown Madison focused more on transportation, a potential budget shortfall and housing. Again, that forum was packed. And in a lighter moment I had the honor of being a judge at Mount Horebs adult spelling bee. The competition was fun, but what really stood out was that the hall was packed with people cheering on their neighbors. It was part of the Scandihoovian Winter Festival, a yearly festival in Mount Horeb that celebrates the small community, its heritage and the people who live there. These are just a few of many events in the area that showcase residents concern for and commitment to the community. Its a commitment we want to reflect in our work at the newspaper. Reader feedback The Wisconsin State Journals first reader advisory group met Wednesday, and Im excited to see how these 20 readers will help our news organization. I asked for volunteers in January, and received more than 140 emails from readers offering their help. This first group, which includes residents of Madison, the suburbs and rural areas, has already weighed in with thoughtful suggestions for our coverage. They have diverse experiences and backgrounds, and they dont all agree on what our most important coverage areas should be. But they all support local journalism and want to see us succeed. Some common themes have already surfaced: more coverage of rural issues, helping readers separate fact from fiction and more work holding leaders accountable. There is an endless number of stories to be told in this region. What sets this newsroom apart is its ability to dig into the issues behind the story, or the why and how of the matter. Im confident this group can help us set priorities so we can tell the stories that matter most to readers and, as one group member said, continue to inform, educate and entertain. Spelling bee On Saturday, a new Wisconsin spelling bee champion will be crowned. The State Journal has long sponsored the state spelling bee and sends the champion to Washington, D.C., to compete with other top spellers in the national bee. Three Madison spellers will join other high achievers from around Wisconsin on Saturday. Its a wonderfully intense event, and its fun to see the proud but nervous parents cheer on not just their children but all the spellers. The students goal is to make it to the national bee, of course. But the benefits of preparing for the bee are many. These kids see the community celebrate academics. The study habits will serve them well as they continue their education, and theyre building their vocabulary and understanding of languages. And the public competition can give these young students confidence. The bee will start at 2 p.m. at the Madison Youth Arts Center. Im proud that the State Journal can play a role in that experience. E-edition updates Ive heard from some readers who are frustrated with the new E-edition, which is a digital replica of the printed newspaper. The new version offers advantages over our previous E-edition. My favorite is the puzzles tab, which will bring up just the crossword puzzle, for example, and allow me to download or print it. It is also easy to zoom in and out using the bar at the top of the page. And I can email a story by simply clicking the share button and choosing email. But there have been technological challenges. The blue triangles that allow readers to click and see a text version of the story were covering some of the type. That should be fixed in the latest updates that made the triangles translucent. And some articles couldnt be enlarged, making them difficult to read. Were working on a fix for that, too, and it should be in place soon. For now, if you enlarge the entire page (using the blue zoom bar at the top) instead of clicking on an article, you should be able to read all the articles. We care about your experience as you keep up to date on important news, and we have a team working on making it the best it can be. I appreciate everyone who weighed in on our digital editions and our news coverage. TWIN FALLS At 4:45 in the morning, Joslin Field, Magic Valley Regional Airport, is a hopping place. The flight to Salt Lake City is nearly full on this March day, and passengers have congregated in the waiting area with plenty of time until boarding. No one wants to miss this flight. If they did, theyd have to wait 24 hours for the next one. The pre-dawn morning hours are the busiest of the day at the Twin Falls airport. By 6 a.m., the only daily outbound flight is on its way and the airport settles down for another long, quiet day. A combination of circumstances that have sent airlines scrambling to limit losses, from inflated fuel costs to a shortage of pilots, continue to hamper ambitions for more flights to and from the Magic Valley. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, air travel in Idaho including Twin Falls had been on an upward trajectory. A growing economy and expanding businesses across the state brought year-over-year growth in air traffic from 2015 to 2019. The pandemic hurt air travel in 2020, but most of Idaho made an excellent recovery in 2021 and has continued to grow. Two cities have lagged as exceptions: Twin Falls and Pocatello. While the rest of the state has averaged a 5% increase in air traffic from 2019 peaks, Twin Falls is down almost 58% and Pocatello is off by 67%. In the view of people like Wilf Costello, the drop in travel isnt for lack of interest but a lack of flights. Costello is chief commercial and marketing officer at Glanbia. At a December joint meeting of the Twin Falls City Council and the Twin Falls County Commission, Costello said Glanbia employees took about 750 flights in and out of Twin Falls in 2019. This year, year to date, we have flown about 789 flights, with about 20% in and out of Twin Falls, Costello said at the meeting. The reason why: We dont have the availability of the flights. Airport Manager Bill Carberry acknowledged the biting reality. Our community recently experienced the termination of the SkyWest-operated United route to Denver, he said at the meeting. And the reduction of SkyWest-operated Delta routes to Salt Lake from three daily trips to one. That one remaining flight doesnt offer great convenience, either. The departure time of 6 a.m. is especially early and the return leg is scheduled for an especially late arrival of 10 p.m. Twin Falls has to pay-to-play Members of the Twin Falls business community have lobbied for enhanced air services in one form or another for years. This is not a new issue for the community, Economic Development Director Shawn Barigar said in December. Weve been talking about preservation, expansion, maintenance of air services clear back to the 2014 days when we were talking about converting from prop planes to jets. Those efforts appeared to pay off in 2021, when Twin Falls added a direct route to Denver. But the jubilation was short-lived: The flight to the Mile High City in Colorado was eliminated just five months after it began. To keep even the once-daily flights at Joslin Field, the city and the county in 2022 signed a minimum revenue guarantee with SkyWest Airlines. If the airlines profits fall short of $100,000 in a quarter, the difference will be paid to SkyWest out of airport reserve funds. In 2022, the airport paid out $25,000 to SkyWest in the years first quarter, and a little over $22,000 for Q4. Now, SkyWest is seeking more to operate the Salt Lake City service. The airline has asked for a guarantee of $200,000 per quarter in 2023. Without the guarantee, the airline would cease service to Joslin Field, and Twin Falls would fall off the airline map. Youre not alone. What youre going through is happening all over the United States, air services consultant Mike Mooney said at the December meeting. Small community air service in too many cases has become pay-to-play. Mooneys company, Volaire Aviation, was hired as a consultant to enhance air services in Twin Falls by drawing new flights to the airport. Mooney said the current economics of air travel are leaving smaller regional airports with few choices. A pilot shortage, increased fuel prices driven by Russias war in Ukraine and a slow rebound of business travel in the post-pandemic economy have created a volatile mix as airlines seek to minimize losses and avoid risk. As a result, Elko, Nevada, and St. George, Utah, and Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Lewiston are just a few of the cities that have signed similar agreements with airlines to keep planes landing at their airports. Pilot shortage isnt a surprise In 2007, the age of forced retirement for pilots was raised from 60 to 65, when it became clear that new pilots were not being trained fast enough to replace them. Last year, Congress discussed raising the age to 67, in hopes of alleviating some of the anticipated impact. So, the pilot shortage has not come as a surprise. With fewer pilots, airlines have begun eliminating smaller aircraft, like the 50-seat regional jets that fly in and out of Twin Falls. What are you gonna do with the pilots you have? Youre gonna put them in bigger airplanes, Mooney said. If youre short on pilots, youre gonna park the smaller planes, fly the bigger planes. SkyWest is rumored to be looking into replacing all of its 50-seat regional jets with 30-seat jets flown on a charter operation because the staffing requirements for the smaller planes are not as rigid and would allow older or retired pilots to captain planes, while younger junior officers who are still building experience could fly with them. Still, Mooney hopes the winds of fortune could shift in a more favorable direction and encourage more routes to Twin Falls and other regional airports. The small community economics equation will someday get better, he said. It cant get much worse than it is right now in terms of pilot shortage, economic uncertainty and fuel uncertainty. This is a triple whammy, and it shouldnt continue like this ad infinitum. PHOTOS: The future of commercial air service at Joslin Field Passengers board a Delta jet operated by SkyWest on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at the Magic Valley Regional Airport also known as Joslin Field Some dust was stirred up over nothing last week. The folks involved wanted you to think it was something, but it wasnt. It all started when a member of the U.S. House of Representatives whom youve never heard of (Rep. Barry Moore, R-Alabama) staged what these days we call a media event. In this case, Moore arrived with cameras, coincidentally, in tow at an Alabama gun store to announce his proposed bill to legally enshrine the AR-15 as the National Gun of America. (If youre a gun fan, you already know this, but if youre not, I swear Im not making it up.) Moore announced his bill, once passed, would send a message that we will meet every attack on any of our constitutional rights. And the next day, the newly-elected and significantly truth-challenged Rep. George Santos, R-New York, rushed to co-sponsor the bill perhaps hoping for his first non-negative headline. Meanwhile, one could argue that there are no pending attacks on our constitutional rights to bear arms, but that would spoil the fun. Oh, I understand: Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, and I get your point to a point. Personally, I think the Second Amendment has proven pretty resilient over the last 240 years, despite the constant drumbeat of dire threats that its evisceration is right around the next legislative corner. Most of you are old enough to remember when Barack Obama was running for president the first time. The NRA spent millions to defeat him, claiming if Obama was elected, jack-booted thugs would be pounding down your door within weeks of his inauguration to take away your guns. The results? Gun sales soared, which spoiler alert is the point of the NRA. As the official trade association for the gun industry, their sole job is to get people to buy guns, and they are very good at their job. But I digress. As you remember, Obama was elected. No thugs, jack-booted or otherwise, showed up on my doorstep, or yours. Eventually, this non-event was pointed out to the NRA. Their response went something like this: Well, of course he didnt do anything. Hes a first-term president. But just wait until his second-term. Then, with no chance of reelection, he can anything he wants. And so it was that in the months leading up to the 2012 election gun sales once again soared. Obama was reelected. Nothing happened. Nada. Zip. My guess? If Sandy Hook, Las Vegas, Orlando, El Paso, Uvalde Elementary, Columbine High, Parkland High, and Virginia Tech (to name a few) werent enough to cause the gun-control needle to even quiver, then it is a very safe bet that no one is coming for your guns, or for the gun-sellers, in the foreseeable future. If any of you would like to bet that within the next 20 years that meaningful gun control legislation will be passed that limits your ability to buy anything from side-arms to assault rifles in the United States of America, Ill take that bet. I could use the money. And even if I lost the bet, a simple appeal to the Supreme Court would solve your problem quicker than you can say Gorsuch, Kavanaugh or Barrett. This issue is locked up tight for the next several decades. As the saying goes, once you strike oil, you can stop drilling. Nevertheless, politicians, gun-sellers, and the political-action committees that support them all know ongoing anxiety doesnt grow on trees, and so controversies, fake or otherwise, must be constantly ginned up to keep everyones blood pressure high. And so you will continue to buy guns. Wake up, they tell you, and smell the cordite. Well, two can play this game. I think Im going to find a guy with a camera and go stand by a flagpole to demand that the colors of the American flag should remain red, white, and blue. Nobody plans to change the colors, but why not suggest a controversy where none exists just to see what happens? I could make a killing in the flag-selling business. Better buy your flags now, before the thugs ban them. Cashing in on non-existent threats. Thats a bet I could make money on. Guaranteed. During my 36-year career in the telecommunications industry, I placed thousands of miles of telecommunication cable and wire across public and private land. I produced thousands of yards of sand, gravel and asphalt for public and private roads. My co-workers and I produced thousands of tons of steel, copper and other assorted by-products that go into the production of goods for the American economy. I know what it means to make difficult decisions that affect other people and communities. I want to go on record as supporting Alternative A of the draft EIS for the proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project for the following reasons: Climate change. Climate change is mentioned early on in the statement. This has now become a political religion bandied about by left and companies that are expecting significant revenue from projects such as this. Climate change has existed from the beginning of time to the present day and will continue until all life on earth ceases to exist. Mankind has nothing to do with climate change and wind generators will have no impact on what happens in the future. Air quality. All of the alternatives present vehicle trips in the millions except Alternative A. Trips in the millions with vehicles powered by diesel or gasoline will spew billions of additional pollutants into the air, CO, Nox, Sox, and the like. Stationary equipment such as generators, cranes and other ancillary equipment running constantly will add to the mix. Any proposed electric vehicles are currently propelled by coal or natural gas burned somewhere else. Land disturbance created by using existing or newly built roads will create dust pollution that does not currently exist. Building 400 tower pads will add to this, especially due to the amount of basalt that will need to be blasted. Additionally all ground disturbance throughout the area will result in wind transport of invasive species of weeds. Blasting. When blasting occurs in the near corridor where I live, we can feel it in the house. Those living near the site will also experience this effect day in and day out. As I am on well water, I have concerns that the amount of blasting could potentially alter the underground flow of water to me and the other residents of Jerome County. It could potentially affect the flow of water to the city of Twin Falls. In addition, continual blasting could introduce potential toxins into the water supply. Water supply. We do have a finite supply of water in the valley. Even though we have access outside the Magic Valley to a water source, we have to ask. Why should we allow a significant drain on an existing resource? Personnel. The types of jobs that building these towers requires is somewhat specialized occupations that are transitory in nature. While there may be some local people hired, for the most part, there are not enough facilities available in the immediate area to house personnel. Camping space is even more limited and we do not need a desert full of boondockers despoiling public land. The tradeoff for the few permanent jobs is not worth the risk. The socio-economic aspect would probably increase the likelihood of an additional criminal element in the area tasking local law enforcement personnel. Concrete. This has been in very short supply in the Magic Valley for the last two years. Due to my contacts, I have been able to procure concrete for projects I have been involved with. It has also become an expensive commodity. The nearest cement plant is located near Durfee, Oregon. Assuming the project has its own on site plant, this will still necessitate many cement hauling trips to and from the plant to provide the quantity of needed material for this project. Air space. We have several airports in the area; Jerome, Hazelton, Burley and Hailey. What effect will this have on local airports? How about crop dusters, that generally fly at altitudes lower than these towers? Private pilots in the area? Life Flight helicopters? Fire suppression aircraft? Local commerce roadblocks. Four-hundred towers will require 4,000 trips of major components such as tower tubes, nacelles and blades to the sites. We have many individuals in the area that have to commute to the Wood River Valley to work. We have local commodity transport such as milk, sugar beets, cattle, sheep and grain that have to go to market. Transporting these oversize pieces of equipment on the arterial highways from the interstate to their destination will hamper commerce. Bats and birds. The desert ecosystem is very fragile. Bats and birds continue to be a significant part of this overall ecosystem and it is impossible to predict how many of these creatures will be killed due to the construction taking place and the turbine system after operation begins. Therefore, why risk sacrificing any of the identified or non-identified species? The mortality rate of avian species around existing wind turbines has historically proven to be very high. Especially endangered birds are raptors, which typically soar in that area. Although studies do exist from Idaho Fish and Game concerning sage grouse population, they only identify those know to them. Hunters and sportsmen know of many others that are not identified by government entity. Cultural resources. BLM has identified a specific number of cultural resources in the area. As an avid outdoor person, my 46 years in the western United States has proven to be one of discovery after discovery of Native American habitat from the Mexican border to the northern reaches of the U.S. I and many others like me have discovered artifacts and locations unknown by official government entities that are cultural treasures and we may or may not choose to share that knowledge. This area probably contains more locations that are unknown and should continue to stay that way. A fire in the area around Mesa Verde National Monument several years ago in Colorado proved that to be true. The north side of the Snake River plain was also used by emigrants traveling to the west over a century ago and this area of forage for animals extended well beyond the canyon rim. Minidoka War Relocation Center. To build in and around this historic landmark would be an affront to our local Japanese ancestry population and other families now relocated from the area. One of my next door neighbors had immediate family members illegally detained at the camp by the hateful racist democratic party of the time. Physical impacts. My house is sited in a unique geophysical location. I can see the Sawtooth Mountains to the north, Humboldts of Nevada to the south, Presidentials to the east and the Snake River plain to the western horizon. My view toward the northeast would probably not cause me to view the wind turbines due to a ridge between me and that location. However thousands of Magic Valley residents and visitors would have this blighted eyesore vision of the towers. As this project will be of NO benefit to the Magic Valley, why site it here? Property values. Local property values are likely to plummet if residents are within the viewing scope of this project. Grazing. Local ranchers and businesses may be restricted from using legitimate grazing leases if this project moves forward costing them thousands of dollars with no compensation. Wildfires. Since living in the area for the last 25 years, I have witnessed fire after fire in the valley, one of which threatened to wipeout my subdivision, Sawtooth Acres, in 2007. Several of my past employees have been volunteer firefighters called out to assist BLM on these fires. When these fires occur in late June, July, August and September with all the dry rangegrass, cheatgrass and sagebrush they can travel at a high rate of speed. Hunting. Any largescale project of this kind has a severe disruption on large game populations such as deer, pronghorn and elk population. This project is located in the migratory path of these animals. I have personally witnessed hundreds of deer in the wintertime near the canyon rim. Acquaintances of mine have harvested trophy elk from the project area. OHV travel. As president of Snake River Canyons Park Board, two of our fellow board members represented of highway user groups. This is a popular past time of many residents and non-residents of the Magic Valley. This project activity would create an unnecessary burden for these user groups especially at certain times of the year. Soil and plant group materials. One of our SRCP Board members operates a business in land and soil use and this project would greatly infringe on an already fragile desert environment. Noxious weed spread and soil degradation would result. In conclusion, the effects of this project for the Magic Valley are negligible. A significant portion of our energy needs are generated by hydroelectric renewable power and efficient fossil fuel generation. Most, if not all, potential power to be generated by this project will be transported to locations far from Idaho. Wind energy is iffy at best when the wind blows and it is a severe disruption to the current existing energy grid. To paraphrase Warren Buffett, he says, If it wasnt for the tax reduction that Berkshire receives, I wouldnt be invested in wind. Therefore, if there were no government subsidies, wind power wouldnt exist. Wind generators have limited life span and no effective method to recycle their components. How much initial energy is invested in their manufacture? Other alternatives are on the horizon, such as mini-nuclear power plants that can be near the source needing them. A collection of Lava Ridge stories See more coverage of the Lava Ridge proposal from the Times-News. Its been nearly two months since the Idaho Legislature went to work, though wed guess some might argue they havent done much work at all. That Greater Idaho the ridiculously doomed movement to redraw the states border to relocate thousands of politically unhappy people in Oregon to the Gem State has received more floor debate than property tax relief you know, for the people who actually live here and are struggling to afford it tells us plenty about the legislatures stuck-in-neutral progress this session. Not only has Gov. Brad Littles pitch for $120 million in property tax relief been left to languish, so too have other priorities laid out to lawmakers by Little during his State of the State address on Jan. 9. Pay increases for teachers and law enforcement officers? Still waiting. The creation of an Idaho State Police team to step up the fight against fentanyl? Still waiting. How about that $1 billion to boost critical transportation and infrastructure projects? Still waiting. The governors Idaho Launch proposal, which he has traveled the state to promote, including in Twin Falls, did make it through the House by the slimmest of margins on Feb. 6. A month later, were still waiting for the Senate to take it up, which, as we hear, may happen in this coming week. But, whats taken so long? There was a contentious Senate vote this week on the creation of education savings accounts, ultimately defeated, as well as passage of a bill on Wednesday to create and mail a free informational voter guide to every household in the state before primary and general elections. Those two bills werent a waste of legislators time. But wed contend that the proposed scholarship program, potentially the largest single investment in career technical and workforce education in state history, and possibly the difference in seeking higher education for thousands of our children, should carry more weight. In neighboring Utah, for example, Gov. Spencer Cox prioritized teacher pay and education funding when the Beehive States legislature convened on Jan. 17, eight days after Idaho. Less than two weeks later, on Jan. 28, Cox put his signature on the first two bills of the legislative session including House Bill 215, which increases pay by $8,400 for teachers, librarians, guidance counselors and psychologists. The bill also created a scholarship program, or educational saving accounts, that will provide up to $8,000 per year for eligible students beginning in 2024. Regardless of whether you personally support such funding, Utah lawmakers are to be commended for their narrow focus on one of the priorities of both the governor and the people who sent them to Salt Lake City to work on their behalf. The Utah Legislature concluded its business on Friday. Who knows how much longer Idahos citizen legislators will go. So far, Little has scribbled his name on 11 bills which isnt considerably off the pace of the last five years for this point in the session, according to legislative records, and also not uncommon in a state where, traditionally, the bulk of the legislative action happens in a flurry somewhere around the 80-day mark of the session. There were 327 enacted laws out of the 2022 session, 364 in 2021, 341 in 2020, 329 in 2019 and 353 in 2018. By that measure, and with 400-plus published bills floating through the halls of the statehouse in Boise, we should brace ourselves for an onslaught of legislation. While were unconvinced thats the most effective way to govern, primarily because such a rush to the finish line leaves too little time to thoroughly review and adequately vet all legislation both for us and for the legislators themselves were resigned to reality. Our message to the legislature: Get to the priorities of the people, balance the budget and wrap it up, ladies and gentlemen. This isnt your full-time job. Global hyperloop pioneering companies - Hardt, Hyperloop One, Nevomo, TransPod, Swisspod Technologies, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies and Zeleros - have joined forces to set up 'The Hyperloop Association', the first global association within this 'gamechanger' industry. Hyperloop is a new, high-speed transportation system consisting of an autonomous, fully-electric pod levitating and travelling at high speeds in a low-pressure environment. It will significantly cut journey times of passengers and cargo between cities and countries and will be more energy efficient and sustainable than any current mode of mass transportation. The constitutive act of the association was signed on December 14, 2022, by the seven initiating companies. The royal decree establishing the association is expected in the next weeks, followed by an official announcement of the association, it stated. The Hyperloop Association aims to stimulate the development and growth of this emerging new transportation market, participate and support institutes in collaborating with government and regulatory agencies on transportation policy making, stated Ben Paczek, the CEO and co-founder of Nevomo, has been elected as the first president of the organization. Acting as a united entity representing the hyperloop industry, the newly formed associations main goals will be to: *Serve as the point of entry for the sector, positioning itself as the go-to organization for all hyperloop-related matters; *Represent, advocate for, elevate and defend its members interests in all hyperloop endeavours; *Leverage its expertise to provide guidance and insights to decision-makers and stakeholders on hyperloop and associated topics. Based in Brussels, the Hyperloop Association will work closely with the European Commission, the European Parliament, Europes Rail Joint Undertaking, industry value chain stakeholders, research centers, and academia to advance the progress and facilitate the widespread implementation of the innovative transportation system across Europe and globally. On the associations next steps, Paczek said: "In the upcoming months, we expect major developments in the hyperloop space. The European Commission will initiate the work on the hyperloop regulatory framework which is a significant milestone for the industry, not just in Europe but worldwide." Paczek invited corporations, public and private entities, and non-profit organizations that play a role in the hyperloop industrys value chain to join its Hyperloop association. "The Hyperloop Association is looking forward to collaborating with European and international institutions, as well as industry stakeholders on this landmark occasion and showcasing hyperloop technologies as a feasible cutting-edge, safe, and environmentally sustainable mobility solution of tomorrow," he stated. "We aim to promote inclusiveness and strong collaboration among industry experts, research and development entities, and academia," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Our fundamental right to the initiative and referendum process is under attack again by the Idaho Legislature. This shouldnt surprise anybody. Since Idahoans voted in 1912 to add to the Constitution their initiative and referendum rights, the states legislature has historically shown disdain for the process every time the voters use it successfully. Between 1984 and 2021, for example, the legislature made five attempts to take away the peoples rights to the initiative process or make it harder. The current threshold of getting signatures from 6% of registered voters from 18 out of 35 districts is already hard enough. But in 2021, the Legislature passed S1110, a bill requiring signatures from 6% of registered voters in all 35 districts; that law was struck down by the Idaho Supreme Court as unconstitutional, because it gave a single district veto power over all the others and established an impossible standard to meet. The court wrote the new law is, not reasonable or workable adding it turns a perceived fear of the tyranny of the majority into an actual tyranny of the minority. After that defeat, the Idaho GOP supermajoritys quest to end the initiative process appeared to be over. And then Senate Joint Resolution 101 was born. SJR101 proposes to enshrine the very standard from S1110 the standard rejected wholesale by the Idaho Supreme Court into the Constitution itself. The idea is the Idaho Supreme Court could not then criticize the standard, because the standard would be in the Constitution. But to pull off this plan, lawmakers have to convince voters to do it to themselves at the ballot box. Considering the realities of SJR101, the only honest question to put on the ballot would be, Do the people of Idaho want to eliminate from the Constitution their initiative and referendum right? The actual question will be much more confusing. Those in support of the proposal claim its a step to let the people decide, but the people have already decided repeatedly. This legislature wont take no for an answer out of fear that the voters, themselves, will take matters into their own hands as they have done in the past when faced with an unresponsive legislature. What the supermajority is letting the people decide is to take away a fundamental right from themselves. What other fundamental rights would the Legislature take away from Idahoans using this scheme? Ones right to life, liberty, and property, to free speech, a free press, freedom of worship and assembly? The fact is there is no problem to solve. In the last 20 years, only Medicaid Expansion in 2018 and a rejection of the Luna Laws in 2012 were adopted in the initiative process a process that is clearly not out-of-control. The only problem this seems to solve is the problem of Idahoans having the power to use their constitutional rights. In its current form, putting an initiative on the ballot is already very difficult, requiring thousands of hours from volunteers to collect the necessary signatures. Under the current system, we are not California or Colorado where initiatives and referendums regularly populate lines on the ballot. No, Idaho has found a workable, balanced solution. Citizens have used their right judiciously it hasnt been abused. Lawmakers should be working to protect the peoples fundamental rights, not find ways to degrade them. SJR101 should be defeated for the good of Idaho and its citizens. Ariel Johnson has many titles and responsibilities but they all connect back to her reducing harms associated with homelessness and substance use. Johnson graduated from Basset High School in 2009 and she attended Patrick & Henry Community College to get an associate degree in general studies before she moved to Indiana. While there she got ab associate degree in human services with a concentration in addiction studies from Ivy Tech Community College. Her husband, Seth Johnson, is from Indiana and when he got out of the army they lived there for six years, coming back to the MHC area around 2017. She attended Indiana Wesleyan University where she got a religious studies certification and a bachelors degree in social work. In December she finished her masters degree in social work from the same university. She finished those programs through a combination of in-person and online studies. She said that though she always thought she would end up moving to California or somewhere bigger than Martinsville, but when she moved away and finished her studies she didnt want to use her degrees anywhere but back here. A lot of the reason pulled me into being a social worker is a lot of what I experienced growing up, Johnson said. She also said she just enjoys the area in general because of the gas station food, kayaking on the Smith River, mountain access, hiking, outdoor activities and the best food in the world. Im obsessed with Martinsville, she added. I couldnt imagine not raising my kids here. Johnsons full-time job is as the Patient Navigation Director at the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition. The organization provides education, supplies and support for people who use drugs to support themselves, the community and their family and friends, she said. Our primary focus is reducing the harms associated with substance use, she added. Part of that is handing out syringes, handing out Naloxone, teaching people how to use Naloxone, teaching people how to use equipment in a way that is going to reduce risk of infection or disease transmission. The organization also conducts community testing for HIV and connects people to medical care, food stamps, housing and Medicaid coverage. Johnson is the director of the Martinsville-Henry County Warming Center which means she oversees the operations at the center, conducts case management, connects people with physicians and arranges community educational opportunities on homelessness. She does all that on a purely volunteer basis. She is also the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) mid-Atlantic Regional Consultant, a part-time contract job, and the West Piedmont Better Housing Coalition Outreach and Services Coordinator, as a volunteer. Even when the warming center is closed, I still go out into the community and Ill take out supplies and try to do outreach where people are at to connect them to services and reduce the harms of being homeless, Johnson said. At the end of the day, its all harm reduction." She went into the field, she said, because growing up she experienced poverty combined with a history of substance usage in her family and witnessed the harms of the stigma associated with substance use. I sincerely believe I have a calling, she said. Every time I try to get away from it and try to do anything else she just keeps being called back to the field of harm reduction services. Her favorite part of her job is hearing peoples stories -- "And then being able to see people achieve their successeswhatever that means for them. "It's my passion," she added. "At the end of the day ... I would do this regardless ... I'm doing exactly what I was put on this earth to do." The strategic military partnership existing between Morocco and the United States was reviewed in Rabat this Sunday at separate meetings between Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, Army General Mark Milley, and minister in charge of National Defense Administration, Abdeltif Loudyi, and Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Zone, Lieutenant General Belkhir El Farouk. The meeting between General Mark Milley and Loudyi, held in accordance with the royal instructions, provided an opportunity for the two officials to express their satisfaction with the excellent level achieved by the age-old relations of friendship and cooperation, consolidated by a strategic military partnership governed by an important legal arsenal, including the 2020-2030 roadmap for defense cooperation signed in October 2020, on the occasion of the visit to Morocco of the U.S. Secretary of Defense, the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces said in a statement. After they reviewed bilateral cooperation in matters of defense and opportunities to further strengthen this cooperation, the two officials welcomed the positive results of the Defense Advisory Committee and highlighted the importance of the combined annual exercise African Lion which represents a major lever for success serving the interoperability of the armed forces, the statement said. Loudyi referred to the tripartite declaration signed between Morocco, the United States and Israel in December 2020 before King Mohammed VI, as a means to strengthen peace and stability in North Africa and the Middle East. He also commended the recognition by the United States of America of the full sovereignty of the Kingdom over its Sahara. The same day, Army General Mark Milley, who is on a working visit in the Kingdom at the head of a large delegation, met with Lieutenant General Belkhir El Farouk, at the FAR General Staff in Rabat. During their meeting, which took place in the presence of the Chiefs of the General Staff of the FAR, senior U.S. military officials and the US Ambassador to Rabat, the two military officials expressed satisfaction over the positive results of the Defense Advisory Committee, the statement said. In this context, the two military officials reiterated their willingness to further strengthen cooperation and strategic partnership between the two armies. They also stressed the importance of the joint African Lion exercise. This being his first visit to the African continent as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the US General took this opportunity to highlight the important role played by Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, as an actor of stability and peace in Africa and the Middle East. At the end of this meeting, the two military leaders expressed once again their determination to consolidate this historic and exemplary partnership, the statement said. After his talks with the Moroccan officials, Army General Mark Milley told the media that Morocco is a partner and great ally of the United States and a stable country in a continent and a region in search of stability. For the United States, Morocco is a partner and great ally at the level not only of the region, but of the entire African continent, said the American official, who highlighted the depth of the relations that have existed between the two countries for more than two centuries, expressing his countrys desire to consolidate and expand these relations with the Kingdom, which was the first country to recognize the independence of the United States. Army General Mark Milley also welcomed the strong, concrete and excellent military relations between the United States and Morocco, citing the African Lion manoeuvres that have been taking place for almost 20 years and which have proven their effectiveness. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain An automated system that flags which patients could most benefit from an underused yet life-saving cardiology drug more than doubled new prescriptions, according to a pilot program test by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. "Our findings suggest that tailored electronic notifications can boost the prescription of life-saving drugs," said study lead author and cardiologist Amrita Mukhopadhyay, MD, a clinical instructor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Langone Health. "By compiling key information in one place, the system may help providers to spend less time searching through medical records during a visit and more time speaking with their patients." The trial applied the new tool to heart failure, the condition in which the heart is increasingly unable to pump enough blood. Medications called mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) can greatly increase survival rates, but past studies had shown that almost two-thirds of eligible patients are not prescribed these drugs. Other research has blamed this treatment gap for more than 20,000 preventable deaths each year in the United States. According to the study team, part of the challenge in prescribing MRAs is that the medical information needed to determine a patient's eligibility is scattered throughout their electronic health record. As a result, experts have been exploring the use of digital messaging tools that automatically analyze standard clinical guidelines and relevant medical data to make treatment decisions easier. The study is being presented at the annual conference of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) on March 5 and will be simultaneously published in the association's journal, JACC. According to the study authors, it is the first to directly compare the effectiveness of alert message types that address heart failure. In the pilot program designed to find the most effective type of digital alert, researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine tested two automated technologies over six months that screened the records of more than 2,220 men and women in treatment for heart failure. The results showed that cardiologists who received a banner-like alert on their computer screen prescribed MRA therapy for about 30% of their patients over the course of the trial. Those who were instead sent monthly email-like messages did so roughly 16% of the time. By contrast, those who received neither type of message prescribed the therapy for 12% of their patients. The research team tested the notification systems at more than 60 cardiology outpatient clinics within NYU Langone between April and October 2022. Adults with heart failure were randomly divided into three groups based on the type of support tool used by their cardiologist. In the first group, alerts appeared on the top corner of patient healthcare charts, which are routinely reviewed during visits. They included data that could inform decisions around MRA therapy, such as blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate (a measure of kidney function), and potassium levels in the blood. Mukhopadhyay notes that the researchers aimed to avert overwhelming physicians with too many prompts. To prevent alarm fatigue, the alert was designed to exclude anyone who might be harmed by MRA treatment, such as those with certain kidney disorders, or who were already taking the medications. For the second group of patients, cardiologists received a message each month that included a list of those eligible for MRAs. This system appeared similar to an email but was located within the healthcare system's internal messaging platform. Through this "email," healthcare providers could open medical charts and read information relevant for prescribing MRAs. Those caring for patients in the final group received neither kind of notification. "Even though monthly 'emails' limit interruptions during a consultation, alerts may be more effective because they allow physicians to discuss a recommended treatment in real-time," said study senior author Saul Blecker, MD. Blecker, an associate professor in the Departments of Medicine and Population Health at NYU Langone, cautions that the technologies were only tested in cardiology practices within a large, urban healthcare system. As a result, Blecker says the team next plans to explore the effectiveness of these tools in other settings, such as primary care practices and smaller clinics. In addition to Mukhopadhyay and Blecker, other NYU investigators involved in the study were Harmony Reynolds, MD; Lawrence Phillips, MD; Arielle Nagler, MD; William King, MS; Adam Szerencsy, DO; Archana Saxena, MD; Rod Aminian, MPH; Nathan Klapheke, BS; Leora Horwitz, MD; and Stuart Katz, MD. More information: Amrita Mukhopadhyay et al, Cluster-Randomized Trial Comparing Ambulatory Decision Support Tools to Improve Heart Failure Care, Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.02.005 Journal information: Journal of the American College of Cardiology 'On a Benediction of Wind' Wins the 2022 Montana Book Award The 2022 Montana Book Award winner is "On a Benediction of Wind: Poems and Photographs" by poet Charles Finn and photographer Barbara Michelman, published by Chatwin Books. This annual award recognizes literary and/or artistic excellence in a book written or illustrated by someone who lives in Montana, is set in Montana, or deals with Montana themes or issues. Presentations and a reception for the winning authors will take place on April 12, during the Montana Library Association Conference in Billings. "On a Benediction of Wind: Poems and Photographs" is a collaboration between Finn and Michelman that weaves a tapestry of words and images from the natural world in the Pacific Northwest, the American Southwest and Montana. This collection of free verse and prose poems is paired with black and white landscape photography that creates an intimacy, strength and lyricism to calm the spirit. Its emphasis on birds, the innate holiness of nature, and experiences shared by an unnamed couple invites the reader to leave the modern world behind and listen to "the confessions of snow" and "the breathing of stones." Three honor books were also chosen by the 2022 Montana Book Award Committee: Lucky Turtle by Bill Roorbach, published by Algonquin Books. Montana Modernists: Shifting Perceptions of Western Art by Michele Corriel, published by Washington State University Press. The River You Touch: Making a Life on Moving Water by Chris Dombrowski, published by Milkweed. The Montana Book Award was founded by the Friends of the Missoula Public Library in 2001 and winners are selected by a committee of individuals representing areas throughout Montana. Members of the 2022 Montana Book Award committee include Amanda Allpress, Missoula; Della Dubbe, Helena, Hannah Mundt, Bozeman, Starla Rice, Hot Springs; Chris Brenna, Livingston; Kayla Whitaker, Missoula; Alice Ebi, Great Falls; Olivia Headdress, Poplar; and Melody Karle, Cut Bank. 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the Montana Book Award recognizing and honoring achievements in Montana literature. Frenchtown Library: World Cinema Come join the Frenchtown Library branch at the Frenchtown High School Auditorium for an evening of world cinema! On March 6 beginning at 7 p.m. we will show "Seraphine" directed by Martin Provost. This movie is presented in French with English subtitles. Please note that some content may not be suitable for all ages, so parental discretion is advised. *Specific film may change due to availability. Check our Instagram page for up to date information: @frenchtown_world_cinema. Big Sky: Book Madness: Worlds Greatest Detectives, Super Sleuths, and Bounty Hunters! - Round 2 Book Madness Round 2: Sweet Sixteen! 16 of the literary worlds greatest detectives, super sleuths, and bounty hunters remain. Pick up a bracket to fill out at Missoula Public Library downtown or at the Big Sky High School branch during our after-school hours, or just vote online here:forms.gle/vP8htpoyjzPKtRZe6. New rounds start each Wednesday. Vote every week for a chance to win a prize! Tech Connect: Android Basics Work with a Missoula Public Library staff member in this Android Basics class, March 9 from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. in Cooper Room A on Level Four of the library. This class is for those who have a new Android mobile device (smartphone or tablet), or are considering getting one, and want to learn more about the basic functions. It will support attendees to get connected, identify common apps, and build confidence in using their device safely. MakerSpace: Open AIR Artist-Led Workshop: How Puzzling with Hannah Harvey Have you ever wanted to create your own jigsaw puzzle? Join us in the Missoula Public Library MakerSpace on March 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. for this workshop led by Open AIR artist Hannah Harvey. Participants of all ages will have the opportunity to design and cut their own puzzles using markers, paint, plywood, and a laser cutter! This class is perfect for adults and children hoping to hone their creativity and develop new skills. The workshop is free and all materials will be provided, but any donation is appreciated! Registration is required at: form.jotform.com/230264850313145. World Wide Cinema World Wide Cinema is Missoula Public Librarys free monthly film series of first-run independent and foreign films. March 10 the film is Queen of Glory, an American comedy-drama. Set in the Bronx, New York City, it depicts a Ghanaian-American scientist who inherits a Christian bookstore from her deceased mother. Running time is 78 minutes. All films are shown in the original language with English subtitles. Film is shown in Cooper Room A on Level Four of the library. Doors are open from 6:15 to 6:45 p.m. and the film starts at 6:30 p.m., late entry is not allowed. Attendees must enter from the librarys parking garage, all other doors are locked. Sound Art in the Makerspace: Piezoelectricity, DIY Microphones, and Intentional Listening In this free two-part workshop at Missoula Public Library, middle school-aged students will take a journey through sound waves with SPARK! Arts Teaching Artist Jesse Blumenthal. Using cardboard, wires, and thin slices of crystals we will construct our own sound generating sculptures with which to explore our sonic environments. Resulting works can be used as DIY microphones for your device, sound triggers for guitar pedals, or "noise toys" for fun times! The second part of this program is March 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Level One MakerSpace. Registration required at: eventbrite.com/e/piezoelectricity-diy-microphones-and-intentional-listening-tickets-508239336537. It wasn't the astronaut who had Montana Democrats over the moon Saturday night at the 45th annual Mansfield Metcalf Dinner in Helena, but the farmer. Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester announced in late February he will run for re-election to a fourth term in 2024, and used the 45th annual fundraising dinner for the Montana Democratic Party held at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds to kick-start his latest campaign. "I know the people in Washington don't understand what a hard day's work looks like; they often don't understand the challenges that working families are facing," Tester said to the crowd during his speech. "But that is exactly why I'm running. I am running to keep fighting for you, to keep fighting for Montana values, the state that we all love." Tester got a little help from keynote speaker of the evening, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona. "He wants to put the American people ahead of the American corporation," Kelly said of his fellow senator. "So that's why I'm here today it's very simple to help a man who is the right choice for Montana and he's the right choice for this country." Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy combat pilot, engineer and NASA astronaut, said the current balance of power in the Senate hinges on Tester's 2024 campaign. "If we want to hold onto the Senate, we need to make sure that Jon Tester wins this election," he said. Kelly, who is married to former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Arizona, took office in December 2020 after Arizonans elected him to fill out the remainder of the late Sen. John McCains term. And in 2022, Arizonans elected him to a full six-year term in the Senate. Tester's speech highlighted campaign priorities, including reproductive health rights and the cost of prescription drugs. "They forgot that just four months ago Montanans overwhelmingly rejected their attempts to tell women what they can do with their own body," he said, alluding to the Republican contingent of the state's delegation and the defeat of the Montana Born-Alive Infant Protection Act on the 2022 ballot. The barbs against U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, and Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Montana, were plentiful throughout the event. Tester, who has said he is the "only working farmer in the U.S. Senate," called them and others "a bunch of multimillionaires" who are "focused on empty political rhetoric instead of fighting for working families across this country." Kelly said Tester's re-election bid will need the support of Montana's Democrats. "It wasn't easy," he said, speaking of his own bid for re-election in 2022. "There was about $100 million spent attacking me, that and Steve Daines. He actually only came (to Arizona to campaign against Kelly) for a day. I don't want to make a big deal of it." Tester also made an appeal to the rank-and-file in the room. "In order to win this thing, I'm going to need your help both with shoe leather and with resources," he said. "It has never been easy in past elections, and this one ain't gonna be easy either, but I will tell you that most things worth fighting for aren't easy." But the rank-and-file Montana Democrats look different than in years past. Cody Marney is the chairman of the Teton County Democrats, headquartered in Choteau, and made the drive to Helena for the event. Marney said he wants to see highly-qualified candidates with experience in addition to younger candidates with "new ideas and new opinions." "Ultimately, they are the ones will will be leading us," he said. As treasurer of the Park County Democratic Central Committee, Judy Lewis, who also attended Saturday's event, said her organization was proud to have elected state Rep. Laurie Bishop, a Democrat, to the Montana House of Representatives for a third term in 2020. Lewis said it was accomplished with a "hardcore" group made up of "a lot of younger people." Izzy Milch, who works for a local nonprofit, also attended the dinner and said she keeps regularly involved in politics. Milch said she hears "a lot of whispering" among younger Democrats and is hopeful the inevitable changing of the guard "will make things better." But for now, it's Tester, and the majority of Montana Dems are happy to have the only working farmer in Washington's back. Chief of Staff for the Montana Senate Democratic Caucus George Wilcott said while Tester was expected to run for another term, "it's always good to know he is." "The energy in the room is strong," Wilcott said. "He's got a good chance, and there's a lot of people behind him." Lee Enterprises. On March 5, 1923, at the same hour, Montana and Nevada governors Joseph Dixon and James Scrugham signed Old Age Pension laws, becoming the first states with senior security programs. Lester Loble, a 29-year-old, freshman legislator from Helena, authored the bill and was particularly influential in its success. He had assumed the position of Democratic floor leader for the session, a rather auspicious start to his political career. The national order of Eagles was a prime mover in pushing for this legislation around the country and Loble was active locally. As it turns out, the state of Montana had greater success in maintaining its pension program through the 1920s than other early states, partly due to a decentralized model, putting the programs in the hands of county officials. Demands were very modest in those years, as the number of enrollees were a very small percentage of those eligible. Nevadas state legislature repealed its program two years after passing, because it was so ineffective. Pennsylvania, too, adopted such legislation in 1923, but one year later it was declared unconstitutional. It was not smooth sailing through the 1920s, but 11 additional states enacted pension laws by 1928. By 1933 there were 28 states having passed legislation with various designs, such as voluntary or mandatory participation, commitments of financial aid from local or state sources, and eligibility requirements. We need to remember Lester Loble. He was born in Helena in 1893, into a family that played a large role in the establishment of Helena and the culture of Montana. As with many of the families dating to the mid and late 19th century, the Lobles found extraordinary opportunities here, and, through familial and communal bonds, thrived. I fully recognize the profound cultural, and physical disruption, and legacy the settlers caused to native peoples. Lester Loble speaks volumes to the culture of justice and social support that has been a part of Montana history. Following his legislative tenure, Loble became a judge, becoming a national figure in juvenile justice. When Franklin Roosevelt was developing what became Social Security, he called on Loble to advise. Lester traveled to Washington and helped craft the Social Security Act, building on his own work as legislator and judge, and on the Montana experience. At the end of his life, he was still embraced by all generations, when made a delegate to the 1972 Democratic national convention. What lessons are there from the early 20th century? The United States was unique among industrialized nations in its lack of assistance for those too old to hold regular jobs. Sound familiar? The politics of Progressivism, of which Republicans Theodore Roosevelt and Governor Dixon are examples, pushed our country to look at social needs and how to address them. Laissez-faire was increasingly under scrutiny for its inability to reduce suffering and its incompatibility with building towards the common good. Struggles between powerful industrialists, (copper kings,) railroads, timber companies, ranchers, miners, laborers of all sorts, teachers, and small business folk inform the thinking in this state. Montana has a rich history and textured makeup. I am a son of Montana and proud of my heritage and the full-of-awe experience I grew up with. Montana was and is a part of the American experiment and still affords its citizens the possibility to embrace the strength of its people and the pure experience of this place. The governors of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho have been moving heaven and earth to expedite the removal of Endangered Species Act protections for grizzly bears and return management to the states. This devolution of authority would predictably result in efforts to reduce sizes of grizzly bear populations in the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide ecosystems, including through the use of a trophy hunt. At every turn, the governors have pointed to increasing bear numbers and human-bear conflicts as justification for removing protections and implementing punitive management. In total, we currently have perhaps a tad more than 2,000 grizzly bears, about 4 percent of the total western population during the mid-1800s and roughly twice what we had in the 1970s and 1980s, but distributed among four isolated or semi-isolated populations. Importantly, even the most optimistic population estimates do not provide reasonable assurance that grizzlies will survive in the Rockies. The emerging scientific consensus is that 2,000-8,000 bears all in a single inter-breeding population are needed to guarantee long-term viability. By this standard, our comparatively small and isolated populations are at risk. Management designed to reduce population sizes and perpetuate isolation would only compound this risk, as do the deteriorating environmental conditions were already seeing. Perhaps even more problematic, the politicians who so ardently promote removing ESA protections neglect history and almost totally disregard the interests and values of most people in this country. Grizzlies in the contiguous U.S. nearly succumbed to the murderous attitudes of European settlers in a startlingly brief 50-year period between 1870 and 1920. Small populations hung on in ecosystems centered on Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks as well as in northern Idaho and far northwestern Montana. Hard-fought implementation of the Endangered Species Act since the mid-1970s has rescued grizzly bear populations in the Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide ecosystems from their perilous state, although encounters with hunters and poachers, and conflicts with humans over livestock and garbage remain a source of worrisome mortality. Loss of key foods is also a threat. Tragically, populations in the Selkirk Mountains and Cabinet-Yaak region barely survive due to the loss of secure habitat and the toll taken by poachers. A recovery area centered on north-central Idaho has only a handful of bears. I grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota, not too far from where the last grizzlies in the region were killed. Coyotes and white-tailed deer were our largest surviving native mammals. Later during my career as a wildlife researcher, I was able to draw inspiration from the rescue of our surviving critically imperiled grizzly bear populations. My field studies also allowed me to experience the magic of grizzly bears through numerous close encounters a magic that millions of visitors to Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Glacier National Parks have experienced from afar. We are rediscovering what Indigenous people have known for a long time: Grizzlies are a source of powerful medicine. The management regime being developed by state managers and politicians seems to dismiss this inspiring connection between humans and bears out of hand, in addition to being anything but precautionary. Now is not the time to remove federal Endangered Species Act protections for grizzlies. Their populations are too small, fragmented and vulnerable to deteriorating environmental conditions. More important, politicians in the northern Rockies promise imprudent and vengeful management. If anything, we should be redoubling our commitment to restoring and protecting grizzly bears. The bears, as well as the multitudes of people throughout our country who cherish them, deserve no less. Last month this column celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act and the 16 species protected under the ESA in Montana. I am writing this from Hawaii. Nearly 500 species are protected under the ESA in Hawaii, by far the most in any state! In fact, nearly 20% of all listed species in the entire US are from Hawaii. What is going on? How can there be 30 times more ESA-protected species in tiny Hawaii than in Montana? The answer is splendid isolation." The Hawaiian Islands have arisen from the ocean bottom by volcanic activity over the last 10 million years, and they are more than 2,000 miles from the nearest continent. Their remote distance makes it difficult for plants and animals from other places to colonize without human intervention. This also means that most of the species are isolated; that is, they are not connected to other individuals of the same species that occur elsewhere. In contrast, most Montana species have a much greater range than Montana itself. For example, last month we considered the grizzly bear, a subspecies of brown bear which occurs in Canada, Alaska, and throughout northern Asia and Europe. Over 50% of the approximately 17,000 species that are native to Hawaii are endemic, meaning that they do not occur outside of Hawaii. In striking contrast, there are less than 50 endemic species in Montana. These small and isolated populations in Hawaii are much more prone to extinction than the large and connected populations that occur in Montana. Isolation is not the sole threat to Hawaii species protected by the ESA. Four listed sea turtle species are found throughout the worlds oceans. For example, green turtles live up to 70 years and reach sexual maturity at 25 to 35 years. Female turtles roam thousands of miles to feed in the ocean before they return home to nest on the beach where they hatched decades earlier. Climate change is one of the major threats to green turtles. Individual sex is determined by incubation temperature, with higher temperatures producing more females. Some populations of green turtles are now producing almost all females. One threat that Hawaii and Montana share is the harmful effects of introduced invasive species. However, introduced species have had a much more devastating effect in Hawaii than in Montana. There are more than 5,000 human-introduced species established in Hawaii, compared to less than 1,000 in Montana. The Pacific rat was introduced into Hawaii by the Polynesians who arrived in Hawaii over 1,000 years ago, and the larger Norwegian rat was introduced by Captain Cook in the 18th century. There are no native predators of rats so their numbers exploded, and they became a horrific nuisance. Owners of sugar cane plantations introduced the mongoose to control the rats. This was an epic fail. Rats are primarily active at night, and mongoose are active primarily during the day. The mongoose have had a devastating effect on native species. They eat the eggs and hatchlings of both ground nesting birds and sea turtles. How successful has the ESA been since its signing 50 years ago? There are many well-known successes to celebrate: American alligators, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and humpback whales. An estimated 200 species would have gone extinct since 1973 if it were not for the ESA. Nevertheless, funding per listed species has decreased 50% since 1985. Funding for species recovery needs to be increased if we are to honor President Nixons statement at signing that Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed. On the heels of an election in which Montanans rejected putting more restrictions on abortion services, thats unfortunately exactly what the state government is poised to do. If a new rule goes into effect, hundreds of Montanans will see their reproductive freedom taken away, with harms to working families that will last for generations. Under pressure from the governors office, the Department of Public Health and Human Services announced that they will soon make it virtually impossible for women to use their Medicaid insurance to cover the costs of an abortion. Instead, patients would need to come up with hundreds or even thousands of dollars out-of-pocket far more than many working Montana families can afford. Cutting Medicaid coverage for abortions will cause delays in medical treatment. Patients will spend critical time asking for money from friends or family with whom they wouldnt otherwise share their medical decisions, leading to more abortions later in pregnancy. The rule will also cause serious financial hardship. In a research study I conducted with colleagues in Texas that was published last year in the American Journal of Public Health, we found that many women who had to pay for their abortion out-of-pocket were forced to skip paying for child care, rent, and even groceries so they could save enough cash to pay for an essential medical service. Im an abortion provider in Montana, and I recently took care of a young woman with Medicaid coverage who lived in her parents home with her two small children. She worked two jobs but was barely making ends meet. She had gotten pregnant despite using birth control (which is common), and she opted to get a medication abortion through a telemedicine service, since that would allow her to avoid driving hundreds of miles to the nearest clinic. Over an encrypted video conferencing line, I determined that the abortion was medically necessary and ensured she met the criteria for telemedicine-based abortion care. She received the medications in the mail the next day, and she had the freedom to choose when to take them. She was able to end her pregnancy when it was still early in her first trimester, and that allowed her to get back to taking care of her family. Making patients wait to get abortions, as the new DPHHS rule threatens to do, will put hundreds of women at risk of financial hardship and health harms. It also would raise costs for taxpayers, and would fly in the face of Montana voters. Just a few months ago, a majority of Montanans rejected LR 131, a ballot measure written by anti-abortion extremists, despite the fact that the proposal (the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act) was deliberately written to confuse voters. Ever since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade last June, every state bordering Montana has tried to ban abortion. (North Dakota and Wyomings abortion bans are currently held up in court, while Idaho and South Dakota have already implemented total bans.) Fortunately, Montana has a history of protecting its citizens from government overreach. For decades, weve had stronger protections for abortion than our neighboring states, a testament to the importance we place on personal liberty. We shouldnt let a small group of anti-abortion extremists hijack our freedoms and put working families in Montana at risk. Leading players from global industry experts were in Riyadh recently to take part in a major forum hosted by Bloomberg that put spotlight on the challenges and opportunities presented by the kingdoms transformative reforms and the role of technology in shaping its future. The forum held under the topic Transformation in Saudi Arabia: infrastructure and Transport took place at the Four Seasons Resort Riyadh last week. The event brought together a diverse group of industry experts who held a successful discussion on the future of Saudi Arabias $500 billion five-year infrastructure pipeline and its impact on the banking sector, said the statement from Bloomberg. The high-profile speakers included Edmond Christou, Research Analyst GCC Financials, Bloomberg Intelligence; Matthew Martin, Banking and Finance Reporter, Bloomberg News; Sonia Baldeira, Senior Analyst: Infrastructure & Building, Bloomberg Intelligence; Salih Yilmaz, CFA, Senior Oil Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence; Micheal Dean, Senior Research Analyst, Bloomberg Intelligence; Fathi Al Tarouti, Head of Investments and Deputy Treasurer Bank Albilad; Abdulelah bin Abdulaziz Alsheikh, Country Director, Jacobs; Andre Olivenca, Partner, EY Middle East; Haytham Honjol, Head of Strategy & Initiatives at CEER; Fabrice Susini, CEO of Real Estate Refinance Company and Roland Bellegarde, Senior Advisor at Tadawul Group. The event featured several interesting panels including discussions on the viability of battery-electric-vehicles as a solution to greener transportation, the role of capital markets in revitalizing the Saudi banking sector, alternative solutions to the current infrastructure challenges, and the need for greater investment in charging infrastructure and green electricity, it stated. Commenting on Saudi Arabias banking sector, Christou said: "Saudi banking sector is thriving and has been experiencing remarkable growth in the mortgage market, with an impressive average annual increase of about 40% since 2019." "This growth is a testament to the country's strong economy and the dedication of its banking sector to providing the necessary resources to support it," he noted. "While the rising interest-rate environment presents some challenges, the Saudi banking sector has been working diligently to address them," he pointed out. "Structural changes in the economy, including decreased oil liquidity and changing depositor behavior, have motivated the sector to adopt more sustainable, long-term funding sourcesm," stated the industry expert. "Additionally, Saudi banks have been successful in raising funds through debt issuance, surpassing their GCC peers last year, with the issuance of $10 billion in debt. This achievement demonstrates the banking sector's commitment to adapting and evolving to meet the country's needs," he added. On the infrastructure challenges in the context of global auto demand, Dean said: "Policy support remains strong in major automotive markets, while more compelling Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) models are entering the market, and consumer interest is increasing.' "However, in this current climate, BEV sticker prices remain high, material costs are surging, supply chains are stretched, and it is clear much more investment is needed in charging infrastructure and green electricity," he noted. "Looking through the lens of both short- and long-term outlooks and from an automakers perspective, it raises an important question about whether or not BEVs are the only solution or if alternatives exist, and if so who can challenge Tesla in the race for BEV dominance and how can legacy automakers catch up in terms of integrated software and hardware?," explained Dean. "Our analysis shows that Volkswagen is the only real contender to take Telsas enviable BEV global crown in the medium term. BYD in China ranks third followed by a glut of legacy automakers languishing around the one million BEV sales mark by mid-decade and our research indicates it is unlikely we will see a Japanese or incumbent US challenger until later this decade," he added.-TradeArabia News Service The Rev. Dana Orwig stands in the kitchen of the Magdalene House OKC, a new nonprofit women's organization started by the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma. A house in Oklahoma City is destined to become a haven for the women who will soon call it home. After months of searching for just the right place, a residence was purchased to become the new Magdalene House OKC, founded by the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma. Joining the national Thistle Farms support network for women, Magdalene OKC is a nonprofit organization offering a residential program with recovery and healing support for women who have experienced abuse, sexual exploitation, addiction or incarceration. The Rev. Dana Orwig, a Magdalene House OKC board member and deacon at Yukon's Grace Episcopal Church, said women in the program may live in the newly purchased house at no cost for up to two years as they pursue sobriety, self-worth, health and financial independence. More:Narcissists often try to win back their exes with hoovering; experts say its emotional blackmail. "It's really designed to make sure that you've had the opportunity to get what you need to be able to survive and function, and we think that'll take a while," she said. Orwig said she hopes to see the first Magdalene House OKC residents, perhaps two or three initially, move in during the summer. She said as a general rule, the Magdalene OKC board will not disclose the address of the house to give its residents privacy as they recover and heal. The Rev. Tim Baer, Magdalene House OKC board president, said efforts are being made to raise an additional $50,000 for renovations to the house nestled in an Oklahoma City neighborhood. Baer, rector of Grace Episcopal Church, said the organization wants to add an additional bathroom, divide an old game room into several bedrooms and clean up the property's landscaping. "We want to make sure the house looks great in the neighborhood that it's in, not only for the neighbors, but we also want the house to look really good and well taken care of because that inspires the dignity and worth in the women who will be residents," Baer said. Story continues "We want them to invest in themselves and their growth, so we're making sure that the home is ready to be a true home more than a transitional home or a quick stop. We want it to be home for them while they're there." Baer said the purchase of the home was a major step in the process to get the program up and running. The next step besides additional fundraising and the house renovation is the hiring of an executive director for the residential women's residential program. He said a job description for the position will be publicized soon. The Rev. Tim Baer "Being able to purchase the house brings us a little bit closer to our ability to open the home," Baer said. "We've got the program support funded, and so those pieces are all falling into place." More:She killed her abuser. An Oklahoma House committee passed a bill that could set her free. 'Love heals' The Thistle Farms network was founded by the Rev. Becca Stevens, an Episcopal priest and author based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Magdalene House OKC program will be modeled after the first Magdalene House that Stevens opened in Nashville. Orwig and Baer were among a group of Oklahoma Episcopal leaders who were inspired to found Magdalene House OKC after Stevens' 2019 presentation at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in Oklahoma City. Stevens visited Oklahoma City at the invitation of the Rt. Rev. Ed Konieczny, who was bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, at that time. She addressed a large group of people as part of the annual Bishop's Lecture series and brought with her women who were part of her Thistle Farms network. The Rt. Rev. Poulson Reed, Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma bishop, made Magdalene House OKC the focus of his 2021 Bishop's Appeal fundraising initiative which raised more than $90,000 to get the program started. At the time, Reed said Magdalene House OKC would support women by helping them break cycles of addiction, trauma, sexual exploitation, poverty, incarceration and recidivism. The Rev. Dana Orwig walks inside the house that will be home to the nonprofit Magdalene House OKC, a women's residential program founded by the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma. Magdalene House OKC board members said other funding to help purchase the house and operate the program for several years came from the E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation, houses of worship and individuals. Orwig said a list of items for a registry for the home will be be publicized soon so that people may purchase sheets, towels and other household items for Magdalene House residents. She said board members are encouraging donors to purchase new items because they want the residents to feel loved following the motto of the Thistle Farms Magdalene House in Nashville: "Love heals." "So, we want everything in the house to be clear that it's been done with a lot of love and a lot of intention and a lot of respect," Orwig said. "That's really important to us." To learn more For more information about Magdalene House OKC, go to https://magdaleneokc.org/. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: House found for women's residential program in Oklahoma City Iredell County Emergency Management urges residents to prepare for severe weather that may occur with little to no warning this spring. March 5-11 is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in North Carolina. Iredell County officials urge residents to participate in the annual statewide tornado drill March 8 to practice their emergency plan in case severe weather strikes our state. Spring is around the corner but so is the potential for severe weather. Severe thunderstorms can develop rapidly and include a variety of weather conditions such as hail, flash floods and tornadoes. The best way to prepare for quick action is to have a family emergency plan, assemble a supplies kit and stay alert by listening to local radio, television or a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) radio for information on severe weather. Iredell County schools and government buildings will participate in the statewide tornado drill March 8, at 9:30 a.m. The National Weather Service (NWS) will broadcast the drill over NOAA weather radio stations and the Emergency Alert System. All county residents, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate in the drill. Practicing what to do is part of being prepared and knowing what to do when severe weather strikes. The time you take now to prepare will make all the difference if and when disaster strikes. In 2022, the NWS issued 107 tornado warnings for North Carolina and recorded 21 tornadoes. There were 74 flood incidents across the state. In addition, the NWS issued 752 severe thunderstorm warnings, and recorded 125 large hail events and 826 damaging thunderstorm wind events. Iredell County Emergency Management officials recommend having a family emergency plan in place so all members know where to go, who to call and what to do during a disaster. Officials also recommend staying alert by listening to weather radios that broadcast alerts from the National Weather Service. Emergency officials recommend residents use the following safety tips: Know the terms: WATCH means a tornado is possible. WARNING means a tornado has been spotted; take shelter immediately. Know where the nearest safe room is, such as a basement or interior room and away from windows, and go there immediately if you hear or see a tornado. If driving, you should leave your vehicle immediately to seek safety in an adequate structure. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your vehicle, and do not stop under an overpass or a bridge. If you are outdoors, and there is no shelter available, take cover in a low-lying flat area. Watch out for flying debris. Following a storm, wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves and gloves when walking on or near debris, and be aware of exposed nails and broken glass. Be aware of damaged power or gas lines and electrical systems that may cause fires, electrocution or explosions. More information on tornadoes and overall emergency preparedness can be found online at www.ReadyNC.gov. MISSOULA The University of Montana is staging the 23rd annual Odyssey of Our Stars, a time-honored annual celebration of the arts and media at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1, in the Montana Theatre in the PARTV Center on the UM campus. During the celebration, Butte native and UM alumnus Curt Olds will be honored. A 1989 graduate of Butte High School, Olds earned a bachelors of vocal performance from UM in 1994. He furthered his career at the New England Conservatory. Since then, he has become a critically acclaimed opera and musical theater performer and has performed on Broadway as well as at the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and internationally. Olds theatrical achievements include The Phantom of the Opera, The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, Cats and Guys and Dolls. Individual tickets for the celebration are $30 and go on sale Friday, March 10, via Griz Tix. Proceeds provide vital support to UMs arts and media students. Boja Kragulj, an accomplished clarinetist who once performed with orchestras in New York, Philadelphia, and Jacksonville, Florida, has already lost four teeth. And she expects to lose at least a dozen more. Five years ago, seeking to correct her bite and improve her breathing, Kragulj tried a dental device that she was told would put pressure on her upper palate, lengthening her jawbone to fix her issues without surgery, according to an ongoing lawsuit she has filed in federal court. Kragulj said she discovered the device through Facebook, and it sounded miraculous. What she said happened next was ghastly. Kragulj alleged in her lawsuit that instead of changing her jaw, the device pushed her teeth forward through the bone that anchors their roots in place, which put her front teeth in jeopardy. Dozens of photos provided by her attorney show that over time her teeth bulged out of her mouth, warping her smile into a twisted mess. In the three years since filing her suit, Kragulj has had four unsalvageable teeth removed and two others ground to nubs, she said. Now Kraguljs only option is to undergo far more extensive surgeries than she faced before, according to her lawsuit. She described pain when eating anything that must be chewed and sometimes struggles to speak clearly through false teeth. And her livelihood is lost: Despite decades of training, Kragulj recently said she can no longer play clarinet well enough to perform or teach. So now something I had only seen in very old studies that were published in black and white, on animals, I saw in my patients with 3D X-rays. Dr. Marianna Evans, orthodontist and periodontist More than 10,000 dental patients have been fitted with an Anterior Growth Guidance Appliance, or AGGA, according to court records. But the unproven and unregulated dental device, often costing patients about $7,000, has not been evaluated by the FDA, according to a months-long joint investigation by KHN and CBS News. The FDA relies on device companies to submit new products for evaluation, and because the AGGA was never submitted, it has been sold to patients without that government review. Theyre still selling it. And still teaching classes. And still putting it in peoples mouths, Kragulj, 42, said in an interview. Dentists across the country promote the AGGA on their websites, often claiming it can grow, remodel, or expand an adults jaw without surgery, sometimes saying it has the potential to make patients more attractive and treat common ailments like sleep apnea and TMJ. However, after reviewing dental scans that the AGGA inventor submitted in court to prove the device works, eight experts told KHN and CBS News the scans show signs of the AGGA displacing teeth instead of expanding the jaw. Some experts said, based on their experience with former AGGA patients, the device caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage to the patients mouths. Dr. Marianna Evans, a Philadelphia orthodontist and periodontist who has examined multiple AGGA patients experiencing pain or complications, said she was reminded of gruesome, decades-old experiments that intentionally displaced the teeth of monkeys and dogs to test the limits of orthodontia. These studies could not be done on humans because it was ethically wrong, Evans said. So now something I had only seen in very old studies that were published in black and white, on animals, I saw in my patients with 3D X-rays. At least 20 AGGA patients, including Kragulj, have in the past three years filed lawsuits detailing their complaints about the device, claiming it left them with flared teeth, damaged gums, exposed roots, or erosion of the bone that holds teeth in place. Some plaintiffs said in lawsuits they would lose teeth and added in interviews that they no longer have enough healthy bone to replace their teeth with dental implants. Most of their lawsuits do not name the dentists who installed the device as defendants, but are filed against the AGGAs inventor, its manufacturer, and companies that train dentists to use it, alleging they profit from false claims about a device that does not and cannot work. Galella, 70, a Tennessee dentist who invented the AGGA in the 1990s, declined to be interviewed after being contacted by phone, email, and in person. His attorney, Alan Fumuso, said in a written statement that Galella had not been made aware of any complaints about the device prior to the recent lawsuits. The [AGGA], when properly used, is safe and can achieve beneficial results for the patient, Fumuso said. This is not only the personal observation and experience of Dr. Galella, but also the experience of other dentists as well. The plaintiffs do not allege in their lawsuits that Galella treated them but that he or his company consulted with each of their dentists about their AGGA treatment. For this article, KHN and CBS News journalists interviewed 11 dental patients who said they were harmed by the AGGA eight of whom have active lawsuits concerning the device plus attorneys who said they represent or have represented at least 23 others. In every case, the patients said in lawsuits or interviews that they were convinced the device would expand their jaws or improve their breathing and mistakenly assumed the AGGA would not be for sale unless it was proven safe and effective. None of their jawbones expanded, the patients alleged in lawsuits and interviews. The entire concept of this device, of this treatment, makes zero sense. It doesnt grow the jaw. It doesnt widen the jaw. It just pushes the teeth out of their original position. Dr. Kasey Li, maxillofacial surgeon and sleep apnea specialist Leigh Peterson, 47, of Ohio, spent $7,000 on AGGA treatment in hopes of alleviating her TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, which had caused her pain since she was a teen. Within months of AGGA use, Peterson said, her teeth were so loose she could feel them move when rubbing moisturizer on her cheeks. Kissing her boyfriend became uncomfortable. Peterson, who does not have an active lawsuit, said that according to a dental specialist she will need at least one round of bone grafts to stabilize her teeth. I feel like all I have to look forward to now is treatment and pain and fear and debt, Peterson said. And I just regret it. I wish Id never done any of this. The AGGA, which was recently rebranded as the Osseo-Restoration Appliance, resembles a retainer and uses springs to apply pressure to the front teeth and upper palate, according to a patent application filed in 2021. The version of AGGA intended for adults is affixed to a patients molars, typically worn for several months, and must be removed by a medical professional. Galella said pressure from the device causes an adults jaw to remodel forward to where the body really wants it to be, according to video footage from one of his dentist trainings produced in discovery in an AGGA lawsuit. In the video, Galella describes this transformation as the key to curing patients and making them more beautiful. We fix the facial biology, Galella said in the video. However, in a series of interviews with orthodontists, periodontists, and maxillofacial surgeons all of whom have more training than the average dentist these experts said that while it is possible to expand the jaws of children without surgery, jawbones stop growing forward as people mature into adulthood. Experts who have examined patients fitted with an AGGA said the device aggressively moved teeth, sometimes creating an illusion of jaw growth by tilting some teeth forward and forcing gaps between others. In the worst cases, those experts have seen teeth shoved so far out of position that their roots are pushed free of the bone and into the gums. Dr. Kasey Li, a California maxillofacial surgeon and sleep apnea specialist, last year published a study the abstract of which appeared on a National Institutes of Health website describing loose teeth and bone loss among AGGA patients he has examined. In an interview, Li described the AGGA device as medieval and said using it to try to expand a jaw is not unlike trying to make your house bigger by simply pushing on the wooden framing in the walls. The entire concept of this device, of this treatment, makes zero sense, Li said. It doesnt grow the jaw. It doesnt widen the jaw. It just pushes the teeth out of their original position. Rolling Out the AGGA The AGGA device has been used on patients for about 15 years. Its biggest promoter is Galella, who operates out of a small, unremarkable clinic in a strip mall in the Memphis suburbs. Galella said in a 2021 sworn deposition in one of the lawsuits that he has applied the AGGA to about 600 patients and prepared treatment plans for patients getting an AGGA from another dentist on about 9,800 occasions, collecting a royalty of $50 to $65 each time the device is made. The Facial Beauty Institute has also taught an undisclosed number of dentists to use the device during three-day courses costing about $5,000, according to the companys website. The Las Vegas Institute, also known as LVI Global, offered similar AGGA classes for years and lists on its website about 75 dentists across the U.S. and Canada who have taken that class. Dave Hornblower, 36, of Ontario, who was fitted with an AGGA in 2019 by a dentist who trained at the Las Vegas Institute, now expects to lose multiple teeth, according to his lawsuit against the company, the inventor, and other defendants. Hornblower said in an interview the AGGA did not improve his breathing and he now feels pain whenever he makes a TH sound, brushing his tongue against the back of his front teeth. My dentist said hed went to courses, seen the evidence, and he seemed very sure of himself, so I was sure of him, Hornblower said. He told me it would do all that magical stuff, and I believed him. William Schuller, an attorney for the Las Vegas Institute, said in a phone interview that the Institute disputes claims the AGGA is inherently dangerous or has no utility to adults. Schuller said AGGA training is no longer offered at the institute and disputed that the institute ever taught dentists to use the device. I wouldnt go so far as to say that LVI directly taught dentists to use the AGGA device ever, he said. LVI is a campus that provides the ability to teach courses in a variety of procedures and techniques. The doctors who taught the courses were associated with Dr. Galella. It was his course and his course materials that he prepared. However, according to a sworn deposition filed in one of the AGGA lawsuits, the AGGA training at the Las Vegas Institute was for years taught by the companys co-orthodontic directors, Dr. David Buck and Dr. Timothy Gross. Buck said in that deposition he created lectures and wrote materials for the course, which were approved by Galella and the leadership of the institute, which kept 70% of the tuition paid for the trainings. A slideshow presentation from one of these training sessions, filed as an exhibit in another AGGA lawsuit, identifies Buck and Gross as clinical instructor[s] at the institute. We are not aware of any peer-reviewed articles regarding AGGA working and were not aware of any peer-reviewed articles regarding AGGA not working. William Schuller, attorney When pressed during his deposition, Galella said he was not aware of any peer-reviewed studies or clinical trials demonstrating that the AGGA works as claimed on patients whose jaws have finished growing. Galella said his confidence in the device comes from years of using it on patients and dental scans he had not published. It proved it to me, Galella said. But for the rest of the world, I hadnt posted anything. Sorry. Galellas company has posted a non-peer-reviewed white paper that summarizes the theory behind the AGGA and contains one image from a dental scan of an unidentified, presumably adult patient that describes 1 to 3 millimeters of outward relocation of the upper jawbone after wearing an AGGA for four months. The paper says research on the AGGA takes some time and we have begun this research in earnest. Schuller acknowledged the lack of peer-reviewed evidence behind the AGGA. We are not aware of any peer-reviewed articles regarding AGGA working, he said in an interview, and were not aware of any peer-reviewed articles regarding AGGA not working. So my understanding is that there is no literature to speak to it one way or the other. Faced with the lack of professional studies, a federal judge last year ordered Galella to turn over a sample of his dental scans. Galella was required to provide the plaintiffs with before-and-after scans from five patients over age 30 that demonstrate the AGGA is effective. Those scans offer no proof, according to an expert witness enlisted by the plaintiffs. In a sworn affidavit filed with the court, Dr. Ricky Harrell, who leads the residency program at the Georgia School of Orthodontics, said Galellas dental scans demonstrate no appreciable growth of the adult jawbones. KHN and CBS News had those scans reviewed by eight independent experts, including orthodontists, periodontists, maxillofacial surgeons, and faculty from dental colleges at Columbia, Harvard, and the University of Florida. None of these experts was involved in any of the AGGA lawsuits at the time of their interviews. Every expert had the same response: Galellas scans showed patients teeth had moved but their jaws remained unchanged. It is proof, said Dr. Richard Roblee, an Arkansas orthodontist who reviewed the scans. Proof that the [AGGA] is not working correctly, not doing what they say. That is the proof that he has given. Roblee said he has examined at least 15 people he said were harmed by the AGGA and has never seen another dental technique cause this much damage to so many patients. Dr. George Mandelaris, a Chicago-area periodontist and member of the American Academy of Periodontology Board of Trustees, said Galellas dental scans show harm to the bone that holds teeth in place. Mandelaris said he has consulted with 11 AGGA patients, including Kragulj, who looked as if a bomb went off in her mouth. Dr. Sercan Akyalcin, the head of orthodontics at Harvard, said the scans showed the patients upper frontmost teeth were pushed forward but did not show that their jawbones expanded. Dr. Millie Embree, a professor of orthodontics at Columbia, and Dr. Anita Gohel, the head of oral radiology at the University of Florida, each said they saw that patients were losing teeth in the scans that Galella chose to validate the AGGAs effectiveness. Im a little surprised that this was the best evidence, Gohel said. I wonder what the rest is. The AGGA appears to be off the radar of the FDA, which is responsible for regulating medical and dental devices in the United States. Device manufacturers are supposed to register new products with the agency, and any devices that pose even a moderate risk to a patient can be required to go through a pre-market review to check if they are safe and effective. In an emailed statement, the FDA confirmed it had no record of the AGGA being registered in its device database but would not comment on whether the device should have been registered or if it would be investigated. The agency would not say if it was aware of the AGGA prior to being contacted by KHN and CBS News. The AGGAs exclusive manufacturer, Johns Dental Laboratories, located in Indiana, said in a court document it has no record of communicating with the FDA about the AGGA before beginning to make or sell it. Johns Dental said in court the AGGA falls into the FDAs least-risky classification for devices, similar to a dental retainer, and is exempt from a pre-market clearance under a statutory exemption for dental labs. Johns Dental attorney Jeffrey Oberlies declined to comment. Galella said in his deposition that he believed the AGGA was outside of the FDAs jurisdiction. Cara Tenenbaum, a former senior policy adviser in the FDAs device center, said the AGGA is within FDA jurisdiction and it was incredibly problematic that it was not registered, at least in part because that is how the FDA collects reports of negative effects. If properly registered, Tenenbaum said, the AGGA might be classified with devices that reposition the jaw or prevent snoring, which are in a more tightly regulated category than what Johns Dental cited in court. Tenenbaum said the FDA was most likely unaware of the AGGA and she suspects it will investigate once alerted to allegations of patient harm. Scott Charnas, a New York attorney who represents numerous AGGA patients, said he believed a more proactive FDA would have discovered and investigated the device years ago. Its just going to go on and on unless someone does something about it, Charnas said. Somebody needs to step up. AGGA Inventor: Its OK to Make a Crapload of Money Both Galella and the Las Vegas Institute have said in dentist trainings that the AGGA can cure TMJ and sleep apnea, according to the AGGA training video footage and a slideshow presentation obtained from the ongoing lawsuits. Galella is heard in the video telling dentists that customers are gonna beat your door down because the AGGA can cure patients instead of merely treating their symptoms. He says some patients who want to lessen their pain or improve their looks will pay anything anything! to have that problem resolved. Its OK to make a crapload of money, Galella tells dentists in the video. Youre not ripping anybody off. Youre curing them. Youre helping them. Youre making their life totally beautiful forever and ever. Beauty was also a focal point of AGGA classes at the Las Vegas Institute, where the slideshow presentation features photos of celebrities and models. Images of decorated Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and Princess of Wales Kate Middleton are shown as examples of the kind of unattractive, underdeveloped midface that the AGGA is claimed to correct. Middleton is specifically described as remarkably not beautiful. Why are we here? reads the first page of the slideshow. To treat ugly faces. The Las Vegas Institute frequently promoted the AGGA in a Facebook group where many of the patients interviewed for this story say they were first persuaded to use the device. The group outwardly appears to be a discussion space for people with jaw problems, and membership is controlled by the Las Vegas Institute. We were looking for this holy grail type of deal, said Karan Gill, who wore an AGGA for months and alleges in a lawsuit his teeth were left loose and sensitive. The people who were promoting the AGGA in these Facebook groups and such thats the way they were talking about it. Five former members described the Facebook group as a pro-AGGA echo chamber, where anyone who asked for proof that the AGGA works was hushed or banned. If you seek the truth outside, you will be excommunicated, said Nick Hamilton, 40, a former member of the Facebook group who has an ongoing lawsuit against Galella. I was asking too many questions. And I started talking openly with other people that were having issues. And they kicked us all out. A KHN-CBS News review of the Facebook group postings the past six years uncovered at least five posts in which Las Vegas Institute CEO Bill Dickerson said that the AGGA is growing bone or can grow the maxilla, which is another name for the upper jaw. [I]nstead of just moving teeth we are growing bone its awesome, Dickerson wrote in a 2017 post about the AGGA in the Facebook group. Dickerson has since changed his view. Last year, in a sworn deposition filed in an ongoing lawsuit, Dickerson said he did not believe the AGGA could grow the maxilla and agreed it would be misleading to say it could. Dickerson said in the deposition he began to question the claims of what the AGGA could do in 2020, and after reviewing some patients dental scans, he severed ties with Galella and the Facial Beauty Institute. Kragulj, the clarinetist from the beginning of this article, said she discovered the AGGA through a Facebook video from Galellas Facial Beauty Institute. According to her lawsuit, she got a device in 2018 and wore it for about 14 months, by which point she had sustained irreversible damage to the bone that holds her teeth in place. Eventually, Kragulj sought help from the man who knew the AGGA better than anyone: Galella. She said she traveled to his Facial Beauty Institute for a consultation, expecting an elite academic facility but finding only a small clinic with aging wallpaper and broken equipment. Kragulj said Galella looked in her mouth and, after an audible sigh, offered to fix her for $15,000 plus as much as $15,000 more per tooth. Galella confirmed that meeting and approximate cost in his deposition. After the meeting, Kragulj decided she was done with Galella, according to her lawsuit. She said she returned to the traditional surgeons and specialists she once eschewed, and the first orthodontist she saw described her teeth as the worst thing hed ever seen. They were hanging on by a thread, and the bone was gone, Kragulj said in an interview. So it was an extravagant process to get to a place where I could even have fake teeth. Kragulj said that since abandoning the AGGA treatment she had to remove four front teeth and was fitted with a dental bridge of false teeth. She said she will need surgery to fix the underlying problems in her jaw and will likely need to replace her upper teeth with prosthetics. Her entire treatment will cost, by her estimate, a minimum of $150,000, followed by a lifetime of maintaining and replacing dental implants, she said. Kragulj said it is unlikely she will ever play the clarinet professionally again and as of now she cannot play properly for even a minute without pain. My inner world is very silent, Kragulj said. It was my voice. ___ 10 small, healthy things you should do for yourself every day 1. Find one small way to add more steps to your day. 2. Just be even for five minutes a day. 3. Make sleep a top priority. 4. Refill your water bottle. 5. Take a few deep breaths. 6. Wear something you love. 7. Make something in the kitchen. 8. Deliberately choose a healthy ingredient. 9. Pay attention to your needs. 10. Tell the truth as often as you can. Artist Ellen Oppenheimer is exhibiting her screen-printed quilts this March at the Napa County Library. Vibrant colors and linear structures are a hallmark of her complex designs. Oppenheimer, who has worked with quilts as a studio artist for more than 40 years, is recognized as one of the most important contemporary quilt makers in the country. Her work is included in the collections of The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, the Oakland Museum, and the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City. Meet the artist at a reception at the library, at 580 Coombs St., Napa, on Friday, March 10, from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Ukrainian poetry at the Yountville Library The Yountville Library will host a gathering to celebrate the 200th birthday of Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, a writer, artist, folklorist and political activist, on March 9 at 2 p.m. Register to attend at ukrainianlit.eventbrite.com. 'Mary Cassatt: Painting the Modern Woman' Jarvis Conservatory presents the art documentary film "Mary Cassatt: Painting the Modern Woman" on Saturday, March 11, at 4 and 7 p.m. Cassatt was a classically trained artist who joined a group of Parisian radicals, the Impressionists. She made a career painting the lives of the women around her. Her radical images showed them as intellectual, feminine and real a major shift in the way women appeared in art. Presenting her prints, pastels and paintings, this film introduces this often-overlooked Impressionist whose own career was as full of contradiction as the women she painted. Cassatt curators and scholars help tell this tale of great social and cultural change in a time when women were fighting for their rights and the language of art was completely re-written. Tickets are $20. Buy tickets at jarvisconservatory.com. Jarvis Conservatory is at 1711 Main St., Napa. Info, 707-255-5445. Book signing in St. Helena Napa Valley author Claudia Hagadus Long will sign copies of her new crime thriller, "Our Lying Kin," at Main Street Books/Napa Bookmine, St. Helena on March 11 from 11 a.m. to noon. "Our Lying Kin" is a follow-up to Long's murder mystery "Nine Tenths of the Law," a mystery-thriller about two sisters, Zara and Lilly, their mother and a Nazi thief. The latter story was adapted into a feature film and chosen as one of the top three screenplays at the Silicon Valley International Film Festival. The sisters return in "My Lying Kin," although their relationship has suffered through the long pandemic isolation. The more straight-laced Zara, an investigator, is increasingly alarmed by Lilly's dubious and not-particularly-legal adventures. As they attempt make peace, a woman calls, claiming a shocking connection to their deceased father. Zara and Lilly turn their sleuthing talents to unraveling a series of family mysteries, a quest that is complicated when the murderer and thief who nearly killed Lilly escapes from custody. Filled with humor, sibling rivalry and love, "Our Lying Kin," is a haunting, quirky, rollicking story of the ravages of the pandemic and the power of family. Claudia Hagadus Long is the author of four other novels: "Josefinas Sin," "The Duel for Consuelo" and "Chains of Silver," a trilogy of Colonial Mexico, 1690-1753) and "The Harlots Pen," about women in the labor movement in 1920 San Francisco. She is an attorney in Northern California. She lives with her husband and far too many animals. For more information, visit claudiahlong.com. Kith & Kin at the White Barn Napa Valleys own Celtic band makes a return engagement to the White Barn in St. Helena on Sunday, March 12, at 4 p.m. Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, musicians Kathi Brotemarkle, Ron Brunswick, Linda Howard, Ann Gilleran and Michael Waterson will offer up a lyrical, lilting, show of jigs, reels, ballads and blarney, accompanied by guitar, fiddle, accordion, mandolin, banjo, Irish bouzouki and bodhran. Tickets are $35 at thewhitebarn.org or 707-987-8225. Refreshments will be provided at intermission. The White Barn is at 2727 Sulphur Springs Ave., St. Helena. 'Close to You: The Songs of Burt Bacharach' Blue Note Napa presents Kellie Fuller and the Mike Greensill Trio for "Close to You: The Songs of Burt Bacharach" on Thursday, April 6, at 7 p.m. One of the most important composers of 20th century popular music, Burt Bacharach had hits across six decades with recordings that have become celebrated pop songs and standards, performed by superstars including Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin, Marilyn McCoo, Herb Alpert and dozens more. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner, wine, beer and cocktails are available throughout the evening. Tickets range from $20-$30 and can be purchased at bluenotenapa.com. Advance tickets are strongly recommended. For more information, please visit bluenotenapa.com or kelliefuller.com. Student stars in the arts in Napa County, December 2022, January 2023 Anna Thompkins April Shaw Cynthia Zaragoza Demian Gonzalez Dylan Arie Flavio Luis Silvestre Valentin Gabriel DuBois Jose Crespo Josiah Salazar Juliana Parker Marquez Junior Salvador Hansen-Rodriguez Karley Martin Kaya Querubin Keira Plotkin Megan McNamara Nathan Carandang Sawyer Spann Skylar Waite Vinx Vianey Martinez-Diaz Santa Rosa Police Chief John Cregan released a statement of his "commitment to safety" on Saturday after a 16-year-old student was stabbed to death at Montgomery High School. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. The 16-year-old boy, Jayden Jess Pienta, was fatally stabbed during a fight Wednesday morning in an art classroom. Cregan faced students at a news conference on Wednesday who questioned why there was no police presence on campus that could have responded quickly to the altercation. Cregan said that there used to be police stationed on campus, but that the school board changed that policy; he said he'd been advocating to have school resource officers return. Cregan has "hand-picked" three officers who will be on the Montgomery High campus starting Monday, he said. "Not only as your police chief but also as a father of children who go to school in Santa Rosa, I want to reassure the students, the families and the faculty that I and the entire Santa Rosa Police Department, the mayor and City Council, and the city manager are committed to ensuring our Santa Rosa schools are safe," he said in his statement. Cregan said the officers on campus will be there to be a "reassuring" presence on campus and will be available to talk to teachers, students and parents "to let them know they are safe." The Santa Rosa Police Department has been called to schools in the city 945 times in the past year, Cregan said, and 97 times at Montgomery High. Cregan would like to bring back the School Resource Officer Program, he said, "with any modifications that better meet the needs of our community today." Update: Santa Rosa teen who died in high school stabbing identified Detectives on Thursday were investigating what triggered a fight between three students at Montgomery High School that left a 16-year-old dead. A "listening session" will take place at the Friedman Event Center on Tuesday, hosted by Santa Rosa City Schools, Cregan said. It begins at 4:30 p.m. at 4676 Mayette Ave. in Santa Rosa. The events unfolded on Wednesday morning, when staff at the school called police at 11:11 a.m. to report a fight, Santa Rosa Police Sgt. Christopher Mahurin said. When officers arrived at 11:15 a.m., they found two boys with stab wounds and began life-saving efforts. The victims were taken to a hospital, where Pienta died. The other student, also a 16-year-old junior, suffered at least one stab wound but recovered. The suspect in the stabbing, a 15-year-old freshman at the school, fled and was eventually found by authorities hiding near a creek at Highway 12 and Farmers Lane. He was taken into custody and booked into the Sonoma County Juvenile Justice Center on suspicion of crimes that include homicide, attempted homicide, and having a weapon on a school campus. Investigators said that an argument preceded the stabbing. About 11 a.m., Pienta and the other 16-year-old junior had walked into an art class that they were not attending and a fight broke out with a 15-year-old freshman, police said. "The class teacher and three aides were able to briefly break up the fight, but the three students quickly began fighting again," Mahurin said. The 15-year-old brandished a knife and allegedly stabbed both 16-year-olds, according to police. The suspect then fled the classroom and ran from the school campus, while the two injured students walked to the school's medical office. During the fight, there were 27 other students in the class, authorities said. "This is truly a sad day," said Santa Rosa City Schools Superintendent Anna Trunnell at the Wednesday news conference. "The tragedy that happened here today is heartbreaking." Santa Rosa police detectives are investigating what led to the fight and the relationship between the students. Anyone who witnessed the fight is asked to talk to police detectives. In addition, police are seeking any video footage that might have been taken before and during the incident. Witnesses can reach out to Santa Rosa Police detectives at 707-543-3590. Napa County is seeking ways to make its rural road regulations consistent with revised California Minimum Fire Safe Regulations while also weighing possible costs to some rural businesses and residents. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. The issue isnt that the new California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention standards are drastically different. But one twist is small wineries in wildfire danger areas which is much of the county might trip them with even small, future growth requests. That could mean the winery might have to turn a long driveway into a two-lane road. This is a big deal, said Michelle Benvenuto, executive director of Winegrowers of Napa County. County officials, who have held several public and stakeholder meetings on the topic over the past year, didnt disagree. Weve never minimized or indicated they were negligible or would just be minor tweaks, Interim County Executive Officer David Morrison said. Weve always said this is a very significant change in our land use regulations. The Napa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday discussed how changes might affect wineries and wildfire rebuilds and what the county might do next. Cal Fire for more than a year has looked at its road and street standards in wildfire-prone areas, with revisions to take effect on April 1. The goal is to make certain firefighters can reach wildfires and people can evacuate. More than 73% of rural Napa County is subject to the state standards. That is much of the county away from the Napa Valley floor. One key issue for small wineries is how intensity is defined. Napa County officials proposed defining an intensity increase as adding one employee or one car trip. They said this should meet state intentions and stand up to potential public lawsuits. The county already requires a winery adding employees or visitors to revise its use permit. The difference is smaller wineries that previously didnt trip the road regulations with growth requests those generating 40 average daily trips or less might in the future do so. Right now, it can be handled at an administrative level, Morrison said. They dont trigger a whole suite of fairly Draconian road-and-street standards. Supervisors voiced concerns. I dont know that I can look anybody in the eye and say, One more person or One more car to a project is increasing intensity, county Supervisor Ryan Gregory said. Board of Supervisors Chairperson Belia Ramos suggested deleting the reference to one more person and stick with an increase to average daily trips. A winery might be able to add employees and have them carpool. Napa County is also looking at road requirements for people rebuilding houses and structures destroyed in wildfires. The Atlas, Nuns-Partrick and Tubbs fires of 2017 and Glass and LNU Lightning Complex fires of 2020 destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses. The county wants to exempt these wildfire victims from having to make costly road or driveway improvements. To qualify, people rebuilding would have to meet certain criteria, such as keeping the same square footage. Debra Dommen of Treasury Wine Estates talked about the situation facing its Sterling Vineyards, which sustained property damage during the 2020 Glass Fire. Sterling had two side-by-side buildings destroyed in the wildfire. The proposed county rules could allow Sterling to rebuild them without triggering road improvements requirements. But Sterling wants to combine the two buildings into one building with less total square footage. That might trigger road improvements. This doesnt make any sense to us whatsoever, Dommen said. Gregory expressed concerns for Mount Veeder residents who lost homes and other buildings to the 2017 Nuns Fire. Some of them might want to combine buildings while keeping the same square footage to save money. Very few have rebuilt, Gregory said. You know, theres a lot of cost to rebuilding four corners separately, (its) a lot more achievable for our fire victims to get that square footage within one set of four corners. Supervisor Anne Cottrell said she can appreciate the argument that one structure might be safer than two. Morrison said the county staff has taken a conservative approach in proposing how to make county road standards consistent with state standards. What Im hearing is the board may be interested in accepting a little bit more risk and being a little bit less conservative in looking at the definition of intensity or in looking at consolidating buildings, he said. The Board of Supervisors will continue the discussion at a future meeting. The state Minimum Fire Safe Regulations apply to the state responsibility area, which is where Cal Fire is responsible for fighting fires. That is 73% of the county. They also apply to the 700 acres of extremely high fire hazard zones in local responsibility areas. How wildfires have worsened in recent years How wildfires have worsened in recent years The number of wildfires is decreasing, but more acres are burning Wildfire seasons are getting longer Wildfire suppression costs have risen by billions of dollars Lightning fires are causing more damage in the West Californias wildfires continue to set records A hotel planned for the city of Napa's Oxbow neighborhood has a new developer who would like to nearly double the number of rooms previously approved at the downtown site. Formerly called the Foxbow hotel, the project is now known as the First and Oxbow Gateway. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Napa developer JB Leamer was originally listed as the developer. That has been changed to Stratus Development. A total of 74 rooms and two four-story buildings with the Napa Valley Wine Train tracks running in between narrowly won approval from the City Council in November 2020. That project totaled 122,666 square feet. However, a new application for the project, from Stratus Development, asks for 123 rooms and two four-story buildings, one on either side of the railroad tracks. The current addresses associated with the property include 711 and 713 First St., as well as several street numbers in the 800 block of First St. To make this project economically feasible and attract a national franchise firm, more rooms are required, said the application from Stratus Development. This has been achieved by reconfiguring the internal space and removing the third-party retail space. The square footage of the project, the footprint of the buildings, the number of stories and the height remain the same, it said. If it approves the changes, the city of Napa would receive essentially double the annual tax revenue from the expanded project, increasing from an estimated $1.1 million to about $2.3 million per year. Stratus also asked to create 154 parking spaces, instead of the original 121. Some 3,507 square feet of retail space would be eliminated and the previously approved public space would be reduced 39%, from 5,574 square feet to 3,375 square feet. The total project square footage would remain 122,666 square feet. Guests at this Oxbow hotel would expect to pay about $400 a night at the revised hotel. Annual revenue for the rooms is estimated at $15.2 million. Stratus is not new to Napa. The same developer oversaw the creation of the Cambria hotel at 320 Soscol Ave., which opened in October 2021 after four years of on-and-off construction. Napa council narrowly approves 4-story hotel for Oxbow District Dissenters worried that the four-story project would overwhelm the small homes still remaining in the Oxbow tourist zone. Two managers, Andrew Wood and David Wood, are listed as managers of Stratus, which is based in Newport Beach in Orange County. Property owners JB Leamer and Tim Herman could not immediately be reached to comment for this story. Andrew Wood declined to be interviewed for this story, except to say, We are very early in the planning process and would like to follow up and provide you a preview prior to our anticipated Planning Commission presentation this summer. Photos: Napa Valley hotels from the luxurious to the basics Cambria Hotel Napa Valley The Archer Napa Hotel The Archer Napa Hotel Cambria Hotel Napa Valley The Archer Napa Hotel Cambria Hotel Napa Valley Cambria Hotel Napa Valley Cambria Hotel Napa Valley Napas Vista Collina resort Napa County hotel visitors Archer Napa hotel Napa hotel Oriental Hotel at White Sulphur Springs, 1875 Embassy Suites Embassy Suites Embassy Suites, Napa Marriott hotel Embassy Suites Napa Winery Inn Stanly Ranch resort opens for business Stanly Ranch resort opens for business Stanly Ranch resort opens for business Stanly Ranch resort opens for business Stanly Ranch resort opens for business Stanly Ranch resort opens for business Stanly Ranch resort opens for business Stanly Ranch resort opens for business Jay Jeffers The Madrona Acacia House Las Alcobas Telegraph Alley History Mount View Hotel Mount View Hotel Sunburst Hotel Mount View Hotel at night Bergson hotel Brannan Cottage Inn wins award Calistoga Hotel The European Hotel Napa's McClelland House luxury inn Napa's McClelland House luxury inn Napa's McClelland House luxury inn Napa's McClelland House luxury inn The George The George Napa The George The George Beijing pledges to uphold One Country, Two Systems Beijing pledges to uphold One Country, Two Systems The 22nd edition of the Dubai World Dermatology and Laser Conference and Exhibition - Dubai Derma 2023 has concluded, generating a record-breaking amount of direct and indirect business deals valued at AED 2.2 billion ($600 million). The event attracted more than 24,000 visitors and participants from 114 countries, making it the largest edition to date. This highlights Dubai's position as a leading international city for major industries to connect, network, and explore partnerships, and underscores the UAE's position as an important frontrunner in the global medical and scientific sector. Dr Ibrahim Galadari, Professor of Dermatology and Chairman of Dubai Derma Conference, emphasised that the event serves as an educational institution and mentoring opportunity for newly graduated doctors to increase their medical and cosmetic abilities. Dr Galadari stressed the profession's ethical aspect and the need to maintain the high quality that is the interface of this specialty. Dubai Derma 2023, the largest scientific dermatology event in the Mena region, and the Indian Subcontinent region, featured prominent specialists and experts in the dermatology and cosmetics sector, industry leaders, and key decision-makers from the region and across the world over three days. Several new product launches were displayed throughout the exhibition, and the conference halls featured the latest breakthrough scientific research and findings in the field. Dr Abdul Salam Al Madani, Executive Chairman of Dubai Derma and Chairman of Index Holding, acknowledged the event's contribution to the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai's economy over the next decade and consolidate its position among the top three global cities. Dubai Derma 2023 featured more than 1,440 international brands on display from over 480 regional and global companies. Additionally, 340 international experts delivered 360 scientific sessions, held 80 specialized workshops, and showcased 90 digital poster presentations by international professionals, focusing on various developments related to cosmetic surgery, lasers, cosmetic dermatology, and anti-aging, among others. Dubai Derma is organised annually by Index Conferences and Exhibitions, a member of Index Holding, in cooperation with the Pan Arab League of Dermatology, Arab Academy of Dermatology Aesthetics (AADA), and GCC League of Dermatologists. The event was supported by the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL), Pakistan Association of Dermatologists, Sri Lanka College of Dermatologists, and Georgian Association of Photodermatology and Skin Cancer. Dubai Derma is also an official regional supporter of the World Congress of Dermatology, which will be held from July 3-8 and is organised by the International League of Dermatological Societies. The 23rd edition of Dubai Derma will be held from March 5-7, 2024. TradeArabia News Service Union Minister Piyush Goyal has said that India's overall export figure for last year had already crossed in the month of February and expressed confidence that merchandise and services exports would touch USD 750 billion in 2022-23 (April-March). Minister of Commerce and Industry Goyal said this while addressing the 8th edition of the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi on Saturday. During April-January 2022-23, overall export grew 17.33 per cent to USD 641.24. Responding to a question on India achieving the highest export figure in the past year, the Minister said that it was the result of a deep-dive analysis and extensive planning where India's capabilities were thoroughly assessed, new markets were sought out, districts, especially remote ones were empowered to become export hubs and all Indian Missions abroad were effectively leveraged to promote trade, technology and tourism. The Minister noted that last year, the merchandise and service trade had crossed USD 650 billion. Goyal noted that the transformational initiatives undertaken by the government over the last decade, such as the Swachh Bharat Mission, electrification of around 35 million homes in rural India, creation of a robust power grid, housing for all, free healthcare for over 500 million people had held India in good stead to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic. On semi-conductor production in India, the Minister said many companies were already in dialogue for investing in India because of India's stability and investor-friendly business ecosystem. Lastly, he reiterated that India would soon touch the mark of being a USD 5 trillion economy and said that it would emerge as the third-largest economy in the world by 2027-28. Currently, India is the fifth largest economy. By 2047, India will be a developed economy with a USD 32 trillion economy, he said, where every last citizen would have access to a good quality life. (ANI) Actor-comedian Rebel Wilson recently said that her first meeting with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which happened on a recent trip to Santa Barbara, California "could not have been nicer," reported Fox News, a USA-based news outlet. According to the outlet, Rebel told Andy Cohen on 'Watch What Happens Live' that Meghan was not very friendly with her. "Meghan was not as cool... She wasn't as naturally warm," she revealed, as fellow guest John Oliver cracked up while sitting next to her. She speculated that the reason why the duchess was so cold was that "my mom being Australian just asked her all these slightly rude questions like 'Where are your kids?' And things like that. I'm like, 'Mom, don't ask her that." "Maybe that's why she was a little standoffish?" Cohen teased as Wilson laughed, joking the royals would wonder, 'Who are these annoying convicts from Australia?'" continued Rebel, who stated that she met Harry and Meghan through a mutual polo player friend, reported Fox News. After leaving their position as senior royals in 2020, the Sussexes relocated to California. Since then, they have further distanced themselves from the royal family thanks to Harry's frank memoir 'Spare' and their Netflix documentary series 'Harry & Meghan' both of which scathingly criticize his father King Charles III, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and the monarchy in general. Previously too Meghan has been accused of being "difficult" before, including by her former Kensington Palace staffers who claimed they were bullied by the duchess while she lived there. In June, Buckingham Palace announced that it had investigated into this but those findings will remain private. In her podcast last year, Meghan stressed that being "particular," is not the same thing as being "difficult," as per Fox News. (ANI) On Sunday, a picture surfaced on social media in which the 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' actor could be seen posing with a local fan. In the viral picture, Salman donned a blue shirt and a French cap. https://www.instagram.com/p/CpZlTgXsVU5/ Reportedly, the picture is from the sets of 'Tiger 3'. Soon after the picture went viral, fans flooded the comment section with red hearts and fire emoticons. "Tiger abhi bhi zinda hai," a fan commented. Another fan wrote, "Love you bhaijaaann." A user wrote, "Exited for tiger 3." 'Tiger 3', the third part of the Tiger franchise has been directed by Maneesh Sharma. The film will release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu this Diwali. The upcoming actioner stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles. Apart from this, Salman will also be seen in the upcoming family entertainer film 'Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan' opposite actor Pooja Hegde. Makers of 'Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan' recently unveiled the second song of the film 'Billi Billi' which got massive responses from the fans. The film is all set to hit the theatres on the occasion of Eid 2023. (ANI) Telangana BJP leader Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy said on Saturday that Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) legislator K. Kavitha will soon go to jail in the Delhi liquor policy case. The former MLA said that Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekha Rao's daughter and BRS MLA Kavitha will go to jail tomorrow or day after. Talking to reporters after offering prayers at Sri Venkateswara temple atop Tirumala here, he alleged that Kavitha was a partner in the scam along with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders in Delhi. Earlier, another BJP leader, G. Vivek, had said that Kavitha will soon be arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the liquor policy case. Vivek had said this after former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested by the CBI. Vivek had also claimed that Kavitha had given Rs 150 crore to AAP for Punjab and Gujarat elections. Reddy on Saturday also said that there is no democracy in Telangana. "There is family rule and autocracy in Telangana," Reddy said, as he called for leaders to come together and rise above party lines to overthrow Chief Minister KCR. The BJP also leader claimed that in the by-election to the Munugode Assembly seat, KCR realised that people have turned against Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and to divert people's attention, he started a new drama by changing the name of the party to BRS. Reddy, who was defeated in the by-election, alleged that BRS spent thousands of crores of rupees and misused the official machinery, adding that the ruling party also carried out a false campaign against him that he got money from the BJP for resigning from Congress and joining the saffron camp. --IANS ms/arm ( 294 Words) 2023-03-04-19:40:04 (IANS) Sources in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said on Saturday that during the questionning of Manish Sisodia in connection with the 2021-22 excise policy case, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi was confronted with his ex-secretary C. Arvind, and former Excise Commissioner Arva Gopi. Now the CBI will confront Sisodia with a few more witnesses in the case. Meanwhile, Sisodia through his counsel said before the Rouse Avenue Courts on Saturday that Holi is a festival he wants to celebrate. His counsel argued that Sisodia should be released so that he could celebrate Holi, after which he will surrender. However, the court was not convinced with this argument, as it extended Sisodia's custody by two more days. The CBI has already filed a chargesheet against seven persons in the case and it is all set to file a supplementary chargesheet in the matter. The sources also claimed that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also likely to arrest Sisodia as ED officials need to interrogate him. --IANS atk/arm ( 181 Words) 2023-03-04-21:42:01 (IANS) An 11-member US delegation headed by Rear Admiral James Downey, Programme Executive Officer (PEO), Carriers visited various defence and industrial installations in Delhi and Kochi. The opening session of the Joint Working Group Meeting was held on February 27 in Delhi and was co-chaired by Rear Admiral Sandeep Mehta, Assistant Controller Carrier Projects (ACCP). During the meeting, Downey acknowledged India's status as one of the very few countries capable of constructing aircraft carriers, and appreciated India's landmark achievement of operating the indigenous aircraft, LCA, from the indigenous carrier in a short span of time post commissioning of the ship. Further, both sides highlighted the good work undertaken by the Joint Working Group so far. Plans for future co-operation under various aspects of Aircraft Carrier Technology were also discussed and a joint statement released. As part of the visit, the US delegation also interacted with the senior leadership in both Delhi and Kochi. The meeting marked yet another significant milestone in the ongoing co-operation between the two countries in the field of Aircraft Carrier technology. --IANS kvm/pgh ( 226 Words) 2023-03-04-21:54:03 (IANS) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and National Vice President of BJP, Vasundhara Raje hit out at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot while addressing a "mammoth" gathering assembled to celebrate her birthday at Salasar Balaji Dham in Churu district. Raje's birthday falls on March 8, however in wake of Holi, she advanced the celebrations. The former Chief Minister slammed the Gehlot government fiercely on the occasion. She said that those chosen for the safety of the public, were engaged in saving their chair all the time. "Rajasthan is burning due to anarchy and the Chief Minister is sleeping peacefully. This fire will soon reach his chair. Neither his government will be saved nor his chair," Raje said. She further said that on one hand, the country is celebrating Amrit Kaal under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi while on the other hand, people are "suffering due to anarchy" in Rajasthan. "Out of 33 lakh patients registered in Chiranjeevi scheme, not even 100 patients have been completely cured... Youths are demanding justice from the government for multiple paper leaks. Farmers who took loans from co-operative banks were not even given the insurance amount," the former Chief Minister alleged. She also said that the people who have come to attend her birthday celebration stood by her in every phase. "No matter how many obstacles came, how many difficulties came, they never left me. They stood like a rock..." She recalled veteran party leaders including Atal Behari Vajpayee and Bhairon Singh Shekahwat on the occasion. "Atal ji instilled courage to stand firm even in difficult circumstances and Bhairon Singh ji gave confidence." Raje said that in 2003, people of the state brought the BJP to power by giving it 120 seats for the first time, which followed 163 seats in 2013. "My government transformed a 'Bimaru' (an acronym for Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh) state into a developing state, but the Congress governments demolished the building of development that we had built," she asserted. She concluded the speech with two lines of Hanuman Chalisa. After this the gathering assembled there recited the Hanuman Chalisa collectively. --IANS arc/sha ( 367 Words) 2023-03-04-22:44:02 (IANS) The Sultanpur bird sanctuary, spread over an area of 350 acres, is a major wintering ground for birds from Europe, Siberia and Central Asia. A special exhibition was also organised to give detailed information about the migratory birds to the visiting guests. Representatives from various nations and organisations also planted saplings to create a lasting memory of the G-20 Anti-Corruption Working Group meeting in Gurugram. During the visit, the delegates explored the inspiring handicrafts made by a self-help group. The delegates appreciated their efforts to create self-employment opportunities for women in order to assist them to become financially independent. M.D. Sinha, Principal Secretary, Haryana Tourism, welcomed the guests on their arrival and shared the outline of the event in detail. He apprised the delegates about the importance of the sanctuary and its inclusion in the list of Ramsar sites. --IANS vg/arm ( 180 Words) 2023-03-04-22:46:02 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said the issues raised by the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) need to be discussed by the Centre and the new BJP government in Tripura. Sarma, who is also the convener of the BJP-led North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), said that talks between the BJP and the TMP may resume but it should be under the Constitutional framework, and not on the condition of dividing Tripura. The issues related to the tribals can be heard and discussed, the Assam Chief Minister told the media. "The election results were the outcome of people's faith and trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. BJP is keen to work with all concerned and for the benefit of all," said Sarma, who visited Tripura on Saturday for the first time after the BJP came to power in Tripura for the second consecutive term. Sarma, who before the assembly polls held several rounds of negotiations with TMP supremo and former royal scion Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barman, said that talks can resume but we cannot talk about 'Greater Tipraland State'. He said that because of Prime Minister Modi's good governance, the BJP and its allies are leading in most northeastern states. Sarma, who discussed with Tripura BJP leaders about the formation of a second saffron party-led government, said that the swearing in ceremony in Tripura would be held on March 8, while in Meghalaya and Nagaland, it would be held on March 7. The influential tribal based TMP, which has been demanding elevation of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) into a full-fledged state by granting a 'Greater Tipraland State' or a separate state under Article 2 and 3 of the Constitution, for the first time contested the Tripura assembly elections and secured 13 seats. Contesting assembly polls for the first time, the TMP fielded 42 seats in the February 16 elections. --IANS sc/pgh ( 336 Words) 2023-03-04-22:58:02 (IANS) Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader and former Tripura CM Manik Sarkar on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Bharatiya Janata Party and said 60 per cent of the electorate did not vote for the BJP and asked the people to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this. While talking to ANI, Sarkar said, "One thing is very clear, 60 per cent of the electorate did not vote for the BJP. The anti-BJP vote has been divided. I don't like to mention any party's name. I have categorically made my point." "Last time they got 50 plus (vote tally) but now it has gone down to 40 and their seats have also gone down. Why so, ask the Prime Minister. Muscle power, money power, and a large chunk of media were also with them. The central and state government offices were misused. They have just managed the majority numerically. This is not good for them," Sarkar added. Sarkar further stated that the results of the Tripura Assembly polls were "unexpected" and alleged that the polls were converted to a "farce". The former Tripura CM said, "It is unexpected as the government's performance was zero, democracy was attacked and the electorate's right to exercise franchise freely was snatched away. The polls were converted to a farce, and the Constitution didn't work." "The secular fabric of a state was destroyed. Because of all of this minorities were put under severe mental pressure. The crimes against mothers and sisters are rising like anything. On the other hand, the economic situation is very very bad. It is turning worse. There is no work, no income, and rampant starvation. In tribal areas in some pockets, parents are forced to sell their offspring," he added. On the Congress-Left alliance failing in Tripura, he said, "It was not an alliance but a seat adjustment. The Congress and Left arrangement will get many more seats." Attacking Mamata Banerjee led-Trinamool Congress, he said, "I want to ask what is Mamata Banerjee doing in West Bengal? TMC is destroying democracy there. Corruption is rising. Who does not know the things done by TMC leaders? BJP would not have won in two to three seats if TMC's vote was not there. TMC came to help the BJP." The former Tripura CM also targeted the post-poll violence in the state and said, "Post-poll violence started in the counting hall. That has spread throughout the state. Police are not doing any work. There must be instructions from the top. I will not blame the police. It is inhuman and barbaric. This is a dismal performance for the BJP." Notably, in the recently held Tripura Assembly election, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) returned to power by winning an absolute majority. According to the Election Commission of India, BJP won 32 seats with a vote share of around 39 per cent. Tipra Motha Party came second, winning 13 seats. Communist Party of India (Marxist) got 11 seats while Congress bagged three seats. The Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) managed to open its account by winning one seat. The CPI(M) and the Congress, arch rivals in Kerala, came together in the Northeast this time in a bid to oust the BJP from power. The combined vote share of CPI(M) and Congress remained around 33 per cent. The BJP, which had never won a single seat in Tripura before 2018, stormed to power in the last election in alliance with IPFT and ousted the Left Front which had been in power in the border state for 35 years since 1978. The BJP contested on 55 seats and its ally, IPFT, on six seats. But both allies had fielded candidates in the Ampinagar constituency in the Gomati district. The Left contested on 47 and Congress on 13 seats, respectively. Of the total 47 seats, the CPM contested 43 seats while the Forward Bloc, Communist Party of India (CPI) and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) contested one seat each. The CPI(M)-led Left Front ruled the state for nearly four decades, with a gap between 1988 and 1993, when the Congress was in power but this time both parties joined hands with the intention to oust BJP from power. (ANI) Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, a Mubadala Health partner, is set to welcome a group of world-class experts in the field of neurovascular and skull base disease for the second edition of the International Neuroscience Summit (INS). Healthcare professionals interested in interdisciplinary interventional neuroradiology and skull base surgery are invited to attend the three-day event at Rosewood Abu Dhabi, held from March 9 to 11, 2023. The symposium, led by the Cleveland Clinic Global Neuro Initiative from Ohio and Florida, US, and London, UK and organised by the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, will demonstrate the teamwork, expertise and shared philosophy of all Cleveland Clinic campuses. Global collaboration Dr Florian Roser, Institute Chair, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi said: As regional and global leaders in the field of neurointervention and skull base surgery, were proud to host global leaders on a world stage to conduct the next edition of the International Neuroscience Summit. We look forward to welcoming neurointerventionalists, neurosurgeons, stroke neurologists, neuroradiologists and neurointensivists into Abu Dhabi to learn about advances in treatment options, participate in consensus meetings and round tables, network with peers and learn from renowned speakers about topics as diverse as robotics in stroke management and moyamoya disease. This is in line with our vision of global collaboration, applying cutting-edge methodologies, and providing patient-centered care, which help us bring world-class healthcare closer to home. The summit adopts a unique format that focuses on examining complex patient case studies in which experts are challenged to share their individual perspectives. Global leaders including Basant Misra, Vice President of the World Federation of Skull Base Societies (WFSBS), Jacques Morcos, Professor and Co-Chairman of Neurosurgery University of Miami, Marc Ribo, Interventional Neurologist from Barcelona, Spain, and Adam Arthur, dual-trained neurosurgeon and neurointerventionalist, James T. Robertson Professor and Chair at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center will converge at the three-day event. Non clinical topics With the participation from Khalifa University and New York University Abu Dhabi, discussions on non-clinical topics such as the future of brain research, robotic application for stroke rehabilitation, use of brain-computer interfaces and imaging options will take place. Also, sessions on the future of academics that feature topics such as AI programmes like ChatGPT-3 shaping the world of publishing and a session on the future of education in the 21st century.-- TradeArabia News Service After the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, V.K. Saxena, approved the Education Department's proposal for training programme of primary teachers in Finland on Saturday, the Aam Aadmi party termed the approval a fraud upon the Constitution and the Supreme Court order. The party said that the L-G has acted like a 'mini dictator'. According to AAP, Saxena has returned the amended proposal for Finland teacher training programme after sitting on it for four months and ensuring that the proposal itself became infructuous since the trainings were to be held in December 2022 and March 2023. Earlier on Saturday, Saxena approved the Education Department's proposal for training programme for primary in-charges in Finland. However, the L-G has increased the number of primary in-charges, who were to proceed to Finland for training, from 52 to 87 so as to ensure equal representation of primary in-charges from all 29 administrative zones of the Education Department. "Now more than four months after the file was first submitted to him, the L-G has once again returned the proposal with amendments in flagrant violation of the Constitution and SC orders. In his amended proposal, the L-G has sought to modify the number of teachers to be sent for training, besides seeking to curtail such international training programmes in the future by mandating that the batch of teachers being sent should become trainers for the rest of the teachers," AAP said. AAP also said that the L-G's actions display a complete disregard and disrepect for the advice of SCERT Delhi, the expert body that has overseen all teacher training programmes for several decades. "L-G's comments on the file violate SC orders and the Constitution directly. A Constitution bench order dated July 4, 2018 had clearly laid down the law that the L-G of Delhi cannot taken any independent decision on any of the transferred subjects that come under the domain of the elected government, including education," AAP said. "The file for the Finland teacher training programme was sent to the L-G in October 2022 to decide whether he wishes to differ with the decision of the Education Minister. According to Rule 49 of the amended Transaction of Business of GNCTD 2021, in case of a difference of opinion between the L-G and the minister regarding any matter, the L-G must endeavour to resolve the difference of opinion through discussion within 15 days. If the difference of opinion persists, the matter is to be referred to the Council of Ministers," Delhi government said in a statement. "The Council of Ministers must then deliberate on the issue within 10 days and take a decision. If the matter still remains unresolved or a decision is not taken within the stipulated time period by the Council of Ministers, it is deemed that the difference of opinion continues to persist, and the matter must be referred to the President of India by the L-G for a final decision as per Rule 50," it added. Calling L-G's action as unqualified overreach, Delhi government said that there is no legal or academic basis on which the L-G can substitute the proposal made by an expert body of the government with his own misplaced wisdom. --IANS avr/arm ( 546 Words) 2023-03-04-23:08:03 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has said that the state government will extend all cooperation to preserve a folklore museum set up by PR Thippeswamy at the University of Mysore. Speaking at the birth centenary celebrations of Thippeswamy organized by PR Thippeswamy Foundation here on Saturday, Bommai said, "The late artist had linked folklore to painting and built the museum. The BBMP Commissioner will be instructed to name any road in Bengaluru after the noted artist Thippeswamy who had the strength to inspire the coming generation." "The need of the hour is to preserve it. The government will extend the cooperation to hold an endowment lecture and art exhibition in his name," Bommai added. Highlighting the importance of life, the Chief Minister said, "Today they are celebrating the birth centenary of Thippeswamy and this shows how important his life was. Every individual is blessed with some special character and understanding that will help them to understand the person. There will be lots of diversions in life and those who will decide their way leave their footsteps behind." "The lives of artists are tough. The works of Thippeswamy are exemplary and influence the Malnad region. The late artist not only did painting but also built a museum. The name of Thippeswamy who enriched folklore must remain forever," the CM Bommai added. (ANI) Tamil Nadu Public Sector Secretary D Jagannathan on Saturday termed the news of alleged assault on North Indian migrant labourers in the southern state as "false propaganda" to disrupt the state's relationship with Bihar. Jagannathan also held a consultation meeting with state officials regarding the matter. Talking to the media, Jagannathan said, "Northern state workers are working in Tamil Nadu in a good state. We are providing adequate support to them on behalf of Tamil Nadu." Highlighting the viral video of northeastern labours allegedly attacked in Tamil Nadu, Jagannathan said, "This false propaganda is being carried out to disrupt the relationship between the two states without citing the intelligence agency." "Bihar government officials also met Bihar association representatives in person and sought their views. The members of the business associations, hotels and trade unions also participated in this consultation meeting and gave their opinions", he added. A 4-member team reached Chennai on Saturday and participated in a meeting with Chennai District Collector, Commissioner of Tamil Nadu Labour Department and other government officials in connection with the matter. The four-member team includes Balamurugan, Secretary Rural Development Department Bihar, Kannan, Inspector General of Police (CID), Alok Kumar, Bihar Labour Commissioner, Santhosh Kumar, Superintendent of police (STF). Bihar State Rural Development Department Secretary IAS Balamurugan also expressed his gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government for their cooperation. "We are grateful to the Tamil Nadu government. We also spoke to the workers working in Tamil Nadu from Bihar over the phone. Tamil Nadu government is providing full cooperation to dispel the belief that fake videos are authentic," Balamurgan said. "Following the fake videos coming from Tiruppur and Coimbatore districts, we will inspect those places tomorrow and the day after tomorrow," he added. Earlier, the state's Director General of Police, Sylendra Babu, issued a statement saying that the video doing rounds of social media was "false" and "mischievous". "Somebody in Bihar posted false and mischievous videos saying that migrant workers were attacked in Tamil Nadu. Two videos were posted. Both are false as these incidents happened at an earlier date in Tiruppur and Coimbatore. One was a clash between two groups of migrant workers from Bihar while another was from a clash between two local residents in Coimbatore," the top cop said. Further, dismissing the rumours of Bihar migrant labourers being thrashed in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday said that those who are spreading rumours that migrant workers are being attacked in Tamil Nadu are against the nation and are causing harm to the integrity of the country. He further said that it is highly condemnable that some people are indulging in such dirty politics on social media. Also, in light of recent news reports, the Tamil Nadu police have opened helplines for migrant labourers. (ANI) In an attempt to echo the Opposition's voice in unison, nine leaders of eight political parties on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the arrest of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the excise policy case, and alleged that the "misuse" of the central agencies suggests that the country has "transitioned from being a democracy to an autocracy". The leaders alleged that the timings of the lodging of cases or arrests of the Opposition leaders "coincided with elections" which makes it clear that the action taken was "politically motivated". Among the Opposition leaders who were the signatories of the letter included BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao, JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah, AITC chief Mamata Banerjee, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. However, there were no representations from Congress, JDS, JD (U), and CPI (M) in the letter. "We hope you would agree that India is still a democratic country. The blatant misuse of central agencies against the members of the opposition appears to suggest that we have transitioned from being a democracy to an autocracy," the leaders wrote. Calling the action against Sisodia, who was arrested on February 26 by the CBI, a "long witch-hunt", the letter alleged that the allegations levelled in connection with the excise policy are a "smack of a political conspiracy". They claimed that Sisodia's arrest has "enraged" people across the country and alleged that his arrest will "confirm what the world was only suspecting" that India's democratic values were "threatened" under the BJP rule. "The allegations against Sisodia are outrightly baseless and smack of a political conspiracy. His arrest has enraged people across the country. Manish Sisodia is recognised globally for transforming Delhi's school education. His arrest will be cited worldwide as an example of a political witch-hunt and further confirm what the world was only suspecting - that India's democratic values stand threatened under an authoritarian BJP regime," the leaders wrote. The letter further accused the government of softening the investigation against the Opposition leaders who are being probed on different cases after they joined the BJP. Citing the example of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who was formerly a Congress leader who joined the BJP in 2015, the letter said that he was being probed by the central agencies over the Saradha chit fund scam, however, the case didn't progress after he joined the BJP. "Out of the total number of key politicians booked, arrested, raided, or interrogated by the investigation agencies under your administration since 2014, the maximum belongs to the opposition. Interestingly, investigation agencies go slow on cases against Opposition politicians who join the BJP," the letter said. "Former TMC leaders Shri Suvendu Adhikari and Mukul Roy were under the ED and CBI scanner in the Narada sting operation case but the cases didn't progress after they joined the BJP ahead of the assembly polls in the state. There are many such examples. including that of Narayan Rane of Maharashtra," it added. Pointing out the arrests of Opposition leaders including Lalu Prasad Yadav, Azam Khan, and others, the leaders wrote that the central agencies were working as "extended wings" of the BJP. "Since 2014, there has been an increase in the number of raids conducted, cases registered, and arrests of opposition leaders. Be it Lalu Prasad Yadav (Rashtriya Janata Dal), Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena), Azam Khan (Samajwadi Party), Nawab Malik, Anil Deshmukh (NCP), Abhishek Banerjee (TMC), central agencies have often sparked suspicion that they were working as extended wings of the ruling dispensation at the Centre. In many such cases, the timings of the cases lodged or arrests made have coincided with elections making it abundantly clear that they were politically motivated," the opposition leaders wrote. "The manner in which prominent members of the opposition have been targeted lends credence to the allegation that your government is using investigating agencies to target or eliminate the opposition," they alleged. Remaking on the role of the Governors, the Opposition leaders alleged that their offices in the country are "frequently hindering the governance of the state". "The offices of the Governors across the country are acting in violation of the constitutional provisions and frequently hindering the governance of the state. They are wilfully undermining democratically elected state governments and choosing instead to obstruct governance as per their whims and fancies," the letter said. Naming the Governors of various states and Union Territory, the leaders alleged that they have become the face of the "widening rift between the Centre and states run by the non-BJP governments". "Be it the Governor of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Punjab. Telangana or the Lt Governor of Delhi -- the Governors have become the face of the widening rift between the Centre and states run by the non-BJP governments and threaten the spirit of cooperative federalism, which the states continue to nurture in spite of a lack of expression by the Centre. As a result, the people of our country have now begun to question the role of the Governors in Indian democracy," it said. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the Post-Budget Webinar on 'Health and Medical Research' on Monday at 10 am via video conferencing. According to a government release, the webinar is part of a series of 12 Post-Budget Webinars organized by the Union Government to pool insights, ideas and suggestions for effective implementation of the initiatives announced in the Union Budget. The Union Budget 2023-24 is underpinned by seven priorities which complement each other and act as the 'Saptarishi' guiding through the Amrit Kaal. Inclusive development is one of the government's priorities, including establishing 157 new Nursing Colleges, encouraging Public and Private Medical Research in ICMR labs and Pharma Innovation and multidisciplinary courses for medical devices. The Webinar will have three simultaneous Breakout Sessions covering both Health and Pharma sectors. Besides Ministers and Secretaries of the concerned Central Government Ministries / Departments, a host of stakeholders drawn from Health Departments of State/UT Governments, subject experts, representatives of Industries/Associations, Private medical colleges/hospitals/institutes, etc. will attend the Webinar and contribute through suggestions for better implementation of the Budget Announcements. The themes of Breakout Sessions are Qualitative improvement in Nursing: Infrastructure, Education & Practice; Public and Private sector utilization of ICMR labs as facilitators for Medical Research; and Pharma innovation and multidisciplinary courses for medical devices. On February 1, 2023, the Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered the country's 2023 Union Budget. In the second term of the NDA administration, which began in 2020, this was the fourth budget. Prior to the budget, the Economic Report for 2022-2023 was published on January 31, 2023. (ANI) As per the Chief Minister's office, "The iconic Dakota Aircraft belongs to erstwhile Kalinga Airlines and was founded by Ex-Chief Minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik." The said airlines operated nearly a dozen Dakotas and the former CM and Naveen Patnaik's father Biju Patnaik was its Chief Pilot. "This Aircraft was used by Biju Patnaik to rescue former Indonesian Vice-President Md. Hatta and former Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir. For his effort, he was given honorary citizenship of Indonesia and awarded the title of "BHUMI PUTRA" by the Indonesian Government, a recognition rarely granted to a foreigner," the statement from CMO said. "The aircraft will resemble Odisha's rich aviation history which would be a befitting tribute to one of the most iconic personalities of Odisha. People will see this Dakota Aircraft as a memento of Patnaik's bravery and heroics." the statement added. With the efforts of the Odisha government, the Dakota Aircraft was shifted from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI) in Kolkata to Bhubaneswar on January 18 this year by road. The display of this Aircraft is expected to inspire the people of Odisha and propel them to Dream Big. (ANI) Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address the first edition of the Naval Commanders' conference onboard INS Vikrant, India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, scheduled to commence on March 6, an official release said. According to the government, Naval Commanders' conference has its own significance and relevance, due to the prevailing geostrategic situation in the region. It added that the conference serves as a platform for Naval Commanders to discuss important security issues at the military-strategic level as well as interact with Senior Government functionaries through an institutionalised forum. "The novelty of this year's conference lies in the fact that the first phase of the Commanders' Conference is being held at sea, and for the first-time, onboard India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant," the release said. The release said: "Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address the Naval Commanders onboard INS Vikrant on the conference's opening day. The Chief of Defence Staff and the Chiefs of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force would also interact with the Naval Commanders on subsequent days to address the convergence of the three Services vis-a-vis common operational environment, and avenues of augmenting Tri-Service synergy and readiness towards the defence of the nation and India's national interests. An operational demonstration at sea is also planned as part of the activities on Day 1". The Chief of the Naval Staff, along with other Naval Commanders will review major Operational, Materiel, Logistics, Human Resource Development, Training and Administrative activities undertaken by the Indian Navy in the last six months and further deliberate upon future plans for important activities and initiatives, it informed. During the conference, the release said that the Naval Commanders would also be provided with an update on the 'Agnipath Scheme' executed in the Indian Navy on November 22. It noted that due to the prevailing geostrategic situation in the region, the conference has its own significance and relevance. "The Navy has witnessed significant growth in its operational tasking over the years in consonance with India's growing maritime interests. The Commanders would also deliberate the Navy's readiness to address the challenges to our Maritime interests. The Indian Navy remains focused on being a combat-ready, credible, cohesive and future-proof force and continues to assiduously execute its mandate as the maritime security guarantor of the country," the release stated. (ANI) Hours after the arrest of an Indian who allegedly urinated on a US passenger on-board an international flight, Delhi Police on Sunday assured "strongest possible action" against him to send across a message to the flyers not to indulge in creating nuisance onboard in the future. The accused Indian flyer was caught for allegedly urinating on a US passenger mid-air on an American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi on Saturday night. Later, he was handed over to Delhi police for further action. The airline has also imposed a ban on the passenger from flying on any of its flights in the future. Senior officials with Delhi police said that the accused identified as Arya Vohra, a resident of Delhi, did not behave properly on-board. "We received a complaint from American Airlines stating that there is one accused identified as Arya Vohra, a resident of Delhi. They stated that he did not behave properly and created a nuisance and also urinated on the co-passenger. On the basis of the complaint, we are contemplating action under IPC and Civil Aviation Act. The strongest possible action will be taken against him to deter other flyers to not to behave in this manner or do any such activity in the future," Devesh Kumar Mahla, DCP, IGI Airport told ANI. The official informed that the victim, however, has not come forward to register the complaint so far, and the complaint was filed by the airlines, on the basis of which the police are taking action. "The airline has given a written complaint. The victim is not coming forward. On the basis of the complaint given by the airline as an authorised agent, we are moving forward. We will invoke sections as per the law. The airline handed over the accused along with the complaint to us and we are taking action accordingly," the DCP said. Meanwhile, Vohra who is a student in the US was drunk, an official earlier said. "American Airlines flight 292 with service from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) was met by local law enforcement upon arrival in DEL due to a disruptive customer. The flight landed safely at 9:50 pm," an American Airline statement said. The airline said that it has imposed a flying ban on the passenger for the future. "Upon aircraft arrival, Purser informed that the passenger was heavily intoxicated, and was not adhering to crew instructions on board. He was repeatedly arguing with the operating crew, was not willing to be seated and continuously endangering the safety of crew and aircraft and after disturbing safety of fellow passengers, finally urinated on pax seated on 15G," American Airlines said in a statement. Before landing American Airlines pilot contacted Delhi ATC regarding an unruly passenger on board and sought security and it was informed to CISF for take necessary action, "after landing of the aircraft, CISF personnel took him out from the aircraft and the said passenger misbehave with CISF personnel too," an airport official told ANI. The airport police have taken cognisance and taking legal action against the passenger. "We have received a complaint of Urination on a co-passenger from American Airlines against one person Arya Vohra who is a student in the USA and resident of Defence colony Delhi. We are taking necessary legal action," Delhi Police said. India's aviation regulator has also sought a detailed report from the airline company. "We have got a report from the concerned Airline. They seem to have handled the situation professionally and have taken all appropriate action," DGCA official told ANI. According to the airport sources accused was a student and he is studying at US University. Earlier on November 26 last year, a man named Shankar Mishra allegedly urinated on a 70-year-old woman co-passenger in an inebriated condition in business class of an Air India New York-New Delhi flight, but the incident was not reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) which was attributed to the delay in reporting the incident by the airline crew. Mishra was later arrested by Delhi Police. (ANI) The Vasai Court ordered Sheezan's bail with Rs 1 Lakh surety bond on Saturday and asked the actor to submit his passport as well. Sheezan was arrested in December last year and had been under judicial custody ever since. Last month the Waliv Police filed a 524-page chargesheet in the Vasai court accusing Sheezan in the 21-year-old actress' suicide case. Moreover, Sheezan's family had earlier claimed that he had been falsely implicated in the case by the late actor's mother and further claimed that Tunisha was like a "family" to them. Sheezan was reportedly dating his 'Ali Baba Dastaan-E-Kabul' co-star Tunisha, who was allegedly found hanging at a TV serial set, a fortnight after the duo broke up ending their months-long relationship. Within hours of the actress' death, Sheezan was arrested on the charges of 'Abetment to Suicide'. Tunisha's mother Vanita Sharma leveled heinous allegations against Sheezan after the actress' death stating that he used to beat Tunisha and forced her to adopt Islamic practices. Although, Sheezan's sister and fellow co-star Falaq Naaz, accused Tunisha's mother of "neglecting" her and the actress' depression was due to her childhood trauma. "Tunisha's mother accepted that she has been neglecting her daughter and didn't take care of her. Tunisha's depression was due to her childhood trauma," said Falaq Naaz. (ANI) A part of the question paper was recovered from the mobile phone of a student at Dr. Antonio D'Silva High School & Jr College in Dadar, police said. On Saturday, Class 12 Mathematics question paper was leaked half an hour before the exam. The accused student arrested in the case by a special team from the crime branch will be brought to Mumbai for further inquiry. More details are awaited on the matter. (ANI) Rakuten Symphony and Zain KSA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in building next-generation telecommunications networks based on open standards and network infrastructure. Rakuten Symphony assists telcos worldwide with the deployment of fully cloud-native network services based on open standards and advanced automation and orchestration, enabling companies to easily build secure and open mobile networks at high speed and low cost. The signing of the MoU was announced at MWC23, held in Barcelona from February 27 till March 2. Open technology Under the terms of the MoU, Rakuten Symphony and Zain KSA will collaborate to accelerate the delivery of mobile network services through the use of open technology that will facilitate and revolutionise wireless infrastructure, with the potential to deliver cost-effective solutions in a quick and efficient manner. Rakuten will work with Zain KSA on a blueprint for a cloud-native, fully virtualised, new-generation radio access solution architecture, which will be Open RAN 4G and 5G-based with advanced automation capabilities. Zain KSA Chief Technology Officer, Eng Abdulrahman Al-Mufadda, said: We will work closely with Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Symphony to drive innovation and deliver top-class services that meet and anticipate the ever-growing demand for reliable, secure, and ultramodern network experiences from our individual and enterprise customers. This collaboration will leverage and maximise the strengths of Zain KSA and Rakuten to accelerate innovation and drive the Saudi ICT sector toward achieving Saudi Vision 2030s goals to transform the kingdom into a digital hub that fosters a digital economy and hyper-connected society. Next-gen network We are very excited to collaborate with Zain KSA and share our expertise in building next-generation telecommunication networks, said Tareq Amin, CEO of Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Symphony. We believe that Rakuten Symphonys network automation and orchestration solutions for cost-effective network transformation and timely deployment of next-generation network services will help Zain KSA deliver a superior experience to their customers. The signing of this MoU is in alignment with Zain KSAs digital-first strategy and its goal of accelerating the inclusive digital transformation of Saudi Arabia while driving business growth and scaling up user experiences through a wide range of applications across sectors.--TradeArabia News Service The Nagpur citizen's Forum held a protest today demanding an increase in the number of public urinals for women under the 'Right to Pee' campaign. Nagpur Citizens Forum launched a 'Right to Pee' campaign to demand clean, safe and free toilets for the citizens on December 30, 2021. Under this campaign, the 'Nagpur Citizens Forum' surveyed and examined the situation by visiting the toilets available in different parts of the city", a member of the forum said. Various members of the Citizen's forum participated in the protest and raised slogans demanding better urinal facilities for women in public places from the government. Advocate Smita Singhalkar, a Women Activist and a member of the forum said that unhealthy urinals might lead to various diseases and improper public urinals site often result in crimes against women and girls. "The lack of adequate public toilets is a matter of concern. Women and girls are forced to use other people's improper or private washrooms, which may lead to crimes such as rape or sexual harassment," said Smita. "It's very important to provide better urinal facilities to females. Thus, on this women's day, we demand to increase the number of better public urinals under the Right to Pee campaign from the Maharashtra government," Smita added. Informing about the surveys conducted in the rural areas, Smita said, "Even the schools that are present in the rural areas do have not proper washrooms and girls are forced to request the nearby people to use their washroom. Such kind of negligence may lead to crimes against these girls". She also said that their organisation filed a PIL a few years back but no specific or recognisable actions have been taken by the government. Also, it is necessary to increase the number of public toilets in the area and provide better facilities in the existing washrooms such as better gates, tap water, electricity, etc. Further, they urged the government to take necessary actions in constructing hygienic and safe public toilets for women to avoid crimes against them. (ANI) A charred body of a 43-year-old man along with his burnt two-wheeler was found in the Bahadurpally village of Telangana's Medchal district, a police official said on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Tarakesh, 43, a resident of Bollaram. According to the police, the man left his house at 8 pm on Saturday and put his mobile phone on 'Flight' mode. A bottle was recovered near the place of the incident that smelled like petrol. The police said that they were informed about the charred body by the locals on Sunday morning following which a case of suspicious death was registered. "The burnt body of a man was found in Bahadurpally. His vehicle was also found burnt. We also found a bottle nearby that smelled like petrol. The man is identified as Tarakesh of age 43 residing in Bollaram. He came out of his house at night 8:00 pm yesterday after putting his phone on airplane mode. The locals had alerted the police about the body today morning. We have registered a case under suspicious death and also sent the deceased body for post-mortem. Further details will be known after PME," P Ramana Reddy, Inspector, Dundigal said. Further details into the matter are awaited. (ANI) The Incident took place late Saturday night. According to police, members of Karnataka Karmika parishad attempted to barge into a pub to complain about having a late-night party. Police added when bouncers at the pub tried to stop them, they got into an argument and allegedly attacked them. When informed about the incident, a local team from the Ashok Nagar police station rushed to the spot. "The police dispersed the crowd," the official informed. No one was injured during the incident, said police. More details are awaited (ANI). Delhi's Rohini court has recently granted bail to Islam accused in the alleged murder of Rinku Sharma in Delhi's Mangolpuri area in 2021. The court while granting bail noted that the accused is in custody since February 2021 and FSL report is yet to be filed. Rinku Sharma, 25, a hospital technician was allegedly stabbed by a group of persons on February 10, 2021. The situation had got tense after the incident and forces were deployed to control the situation. Additional sessions judge Neeraj Gaur on Friday granted bail to Islam on the condition that the accused shall not reside in the area of Mangolpuri. The court granted bail to the accused on furnishing a bail bond of Rs 35,000 and one surety in the like amount. Court also directed that the accused shall intimate the court in case of a change of his residential address. While granting bail the court observed that The accused had been in custody for about two years and the public witnesses have not been examined. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report is also not yet filed. "The applicant is in custody for about two years. As already discussed, the trial will take its own time. The public witnesses have not been examined but the reason, therefore, has been beyond the control of the court," the judge said in the order of March 3. " Similarly, the seriousness of the allegations and gravity of the offence is also not absolute grounds to deny bail. The non-examination of public witnesses cannot be made an absolute ground to deny all bail applications," the judge said.Advocate Ravi Drall, appearing for the accused, submitted that Islam has been in custody since February 2021 and the mere presence of an accused person can not render liable for constructive liability. He also submitted that although Islam's name was mentioned in the FIR. However, Islam was not seen with a weapon in CCTV footage. In fact, Islam was making a call to the police as soon as the tension arose between two groups of the same locality, the counsel argued. The bail application was vehemently opposed by the additional public prosecutor (APP) for the State. He submitted that the offence is of a serious nature. After hearing the submissions of both sides observed, "the court is to strike a balance between the liberty guaranteed to the accused persons and the rights of the victims." (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Sunday welcomed the Allahabad High Court's order, asking the Centre to take steps in prohibiting cow slaughter. While speaking to ANI, the BJP leader said, "The decision of the Hon'ble High Court is a welcome move. I personally welcome the decision. But the Central government will take a decision [for enacting a Central law against cow slaughter]." The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court has sought a decision from the Centre to declare cows as a 'protected national animal' and also enact an appropriate law to ban cow slaughter in the country. "Hope Centre will take a decision to ban cow slaughter, declare cows 'protected national animal', Allahabad High Court said. The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court has expressed hope that the Centre will take an appropriate decision to ban cow slaughter and declare it as a "protected national animal". "We live in a secular country and must have respect for all religions. In Hinduism, the belief is that the cow is the representative of divine and natural beneficence. Therefore it should be protected and venerated," Justice Shamim Ahmad said on February 14, dismissing a plea seeking the quashing of criminal proceedings against a person under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955. The petitioner, and a resident of Barabanki, Mohammad Abdul Khaliq, had pleaded that the police booked him without any evidence and hence the proceedings pending against him in the court of additional chief judicial magistrate should be quashed. Dismissing the plea, the bench held that from the facts on record, a prima- facie case was made out against the petitioner. While passing the order, the judge observed, "The cow has also been associated with various deities, notably Lord Shiva (whose steed is Nandi, a bull) Lord Indra (closely associated with Kamadhenu), Lord Krishna (a cowherd in his youth), and goddesses in general." The bench also noted that as per the legends, cows emerged from the ocean of milk at the time of Samudramanthan or the great churning of the ocean by the gods and demons and that she was presented to the seven sages, and in the course of time came into the custody of sage, Vasishta. The judge further said that a cow's legs symbolise the four Vedas and her milk is four "Purushartha" (or human objectives -- "dharma" or righteousness, "artha" or material wealth, "kama" or desire and "moksha" or salvation. "Her horns symbolise the gods, her face the sun and moon, and her shoulders "Agni" (the god of fire). The cow has also been described in other forms: Nanda, Sunanda, Surabhi, Susheela and Sumana," Justice Ahmad said. He said that the origin of the veneration of the cow can be traced to the Vedic period. (ANI) Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday questioned the "absence" of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak in the photo session at the end of the Budget Session and asked if their posts hold any importance or they were deliberately left out. Taking to Twitter, the former CM of Uttar Pradesh said, "The picture of the MLAs of the House, clicked without both the Deputy Chief Ministers is incomplete. We demand that an explanation for his absence should come from the government." In his tweet, he also asked the government to come clean on whether the Deputy CMs were absent or were not called. "Does the post of Deputy Chief Minister have any importance or not? Do they even count or not?" he asked further. However, when reached for comment on Yadav's barb, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak told ANI that he is unaware of the tweet. (ANI) A 15-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by five people in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh, the police said on Sunday. Informing about the incident, Aligarh SP City Kuldeep Singh Gunawat said, "A 15-year-old girl lodged a complaint against five people of her village on March 4, alleging that she was gang-raped by them on March 3." "Hearing the girl's complaint, she was immediately sent to the hospital for medical examination and a case under relevant sections has been registered against the accused," Gunawat added. SP said, "A team has been formed and efforts to nab the accused are on." Further investigation is underway. Previously on March 3, three youths were arrested for allegedly gang-raping a 14-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district, the police said on Friday. Officials said that the incident took place on Wednesday night. They said that the victim had gone to her maternal place, and was on her way home when she was intercepted by the three accused. On finding her all alone in the deserted area, the accused trio offered the girl to drop her home. When she refused, the accused allegedly forcefully took her to an isolated place and raped her, the girl's family told the police. Also, on February 20, a body of an eight-year-old minor girl, who was missing for hours, was found in a swamp in Bhuvani village of Uttar Pradesh's Basti on Sunday, officials said. According to locals, Purvi (8) attended a marriage function on Saturday night, and since then she was missing, later her body was recovered. In response to the incident, teams from Lalganj Police Station, the canine squad, forensics along with senior officers inspected the spot. "The body has been sent for a Post Mortem. On the basis of the complaint of family members, the accused is booked. A police force is deployed on the spot," ASP added. The police's investigation into this matter is underway. Further information is awaited. (ANI) Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday made a surprise visit to NEET PG Centre at Patiala and reviewed the conduct of the NEET PG Examination, an official release said. Mandavia also supervised all arrangements and interacted with parents of students appearing for the NEET PG 2023 exam, the release added. NBEMS is conducting NEET PG 2023 on a computer-based platform for 2,08,898 candidates at 902 examination centres spread across 277 cities. "This is the first time the Union Health Minister has visited a National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) exam centre while the examination is ongoing", read the release. Congratulating the students appearing for the NEET PG exam, the Union Health Minister said, "I'm satisfied with the arrangements at the examination centre. I had the opportunity to interact with the parents of students during my visit to the Patiala Exam centre. I wish them all the best for the exam today". "As a part of the zero-tolerance policy of NBEMS for the use of unfair means, strict vigilance is being observed at all the examination centres, including but not limited to biometric verification, CCTV surveillance, document verification, mobile phone jammers, etc," he added further. "Dr Abhijat Sheth, President NBEMS, is monitoring the conduct of the NEET PG from the command centre set up at Ahmedabad. A team of 90 members headed is making surprise visits at various test centres. This team has Governing body members of NBEMS, NBEMS officers and representatives of TCS," added the official release. Informing about the facilities to conduct the NEET-PG examination smoothly, officials said, "A command centre has been set up at the Dwarka office of NBEMS to monitor the conduct of NEET PG and resolve the issues of candidates appearing in the exam. The purpose is to ensure that NEET-PG is conducted smoothly on a Pan India basis." "The command centre is also receiving live feeds from various test centres. Police check post and medical assistance room have also been set up at Dwarka office of NBEMS as a part of emergency response team", they added. The official release also mentioned the surveillance command centre in Mumbai and said, "A Surveillance Command Centre is set up in Mumbai by TCS, manned by 10 associates with state-of-the-art technology. Keeping in view the sensitivity of the NEET PG exam, a dedicated security command centre is set up at Patna." "Regional Command centres have also been set up to monitor operational parameters to ensure that the exam commences & finishes on time. TCS iON is monitoring the conduct of this examination. 25 TCS team members are also available at the Command Centre established at NBEMS. Many centres are getting monitored through live CCTV as well", it added. (ANI) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday unveiled former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik's iconic "Dakota" DC3 (AT-AUI) aircraft for public display at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, said a statement. As per the Chief Minister's office, "The iconic Dakota Aircraft belongs to erstwhile Kalinga Airlines and was founded by Ex-Chief Minister of Odisha (Late) Biju Patnaik. The said airlines operated nearly a dozen Dakotas and Late. Biju Patnaik was its Chief Pilot." The statement further added, "This Aircraft was used by him to rescue former Indonesian Vice-President Md. Hatta and former Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir. For his effort, Late Biju Patnaik was given honorary citizenship of Indonesia and awarded the title of "Bhumi Putra" by the Indonesian Government, a recognition rarely granted to a foreigner." "Since, this aircraft is closely associated with Late. Biju Patnaik, it will resemble Odisha's rich aviation history which would be a befitting tribute to one of the most iconic personalities of Odisha. People will see this Dakota Aircraft as a memento of the Late Biju Patnaik's bravery and heroics, a statement from the CMO said. With the efforts of the Government of Odisha, the Dakota Aircraft was shifted from NSCBI Airport, Kolkata to Bhubaneswar on January 18 this year by road. The display of this Aircraft will inspire the people of Odisha and encourage them to Dream Big. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday urged the various manufacturing companies investing in the state to work towards developing the skills of the local youth along with expanding themselves through the operation of new units in the state. CM Yogi Adityanath virtually inaugurated a paint manufacturing facility at Hardoi. Addressing the gathering via video conferencing, the Chief Minister said, "Companies investing in the state along with starting their manufacturing units should commence skill development centres for the local youth. We must work together to ensure skilled manpower for the future." He said the Uttar Pradesh government entered into an MoA with Tata Technologies to upgrade 150 ITIs in the state to take forward the skill development programme for the youth with new-age trades. At least one skill development centre should be established in Hardoi, Sandila, for which full cooperation will be provided by Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA), he said. CM Yogi said an investment of over Rs 1,000 crore on the ground marks a new industrial revolution in Uttar Pradesh. In the midst of numerous challenges, the Industrial Development Department tried to create an opportunity in Sandila. Emphasising that investments are being made in every part of the state, the CM said that earlier whenever there were talks of investment, it was considered to mean the region of NCR - Noida, Greater Noida, Yamuna Authority and Ghaziabad. "Before 2017, the challenge before us was what should be done to remove the regional economic disparity. The investment could reach Lucknow to a great extent. Apart from this, there was no fifth place where one could go ahead with huge investment, however, all myths were destroyed by the Global Investors Summit," he remarked. The state has received investment proposals worth about Rs 35 lakh crore and proposals worth Rs 10 lakh crore and Rs 4.29 lakh crore have been received by Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand region respectively. Investment proposals have been received for all 75 districts. It projects Uttar Pradesh to the country and the world as one of the best investment destinations in the country. "Today, the law and order situation of Uttar Pradesh is an example in front of the country. Uttar Pradesh no longer has to pick and choose as it has sectoral policies now. We are also making the best use of technology, single window system, MoU monitoring system, Udyami Mitra and incentive monitoring system, leaving no room for human intervention and the results are in front of everyone," CM Yogi said. Chief Minister also appealed to all the public representatives of Hardoi to contribute to encouraging investment proposals to accelerate development and enhance employment prospects for thousands of people directly and indirectly. "This is an opportunity for us to better utilize the potential of our region for its development. For some time now we have seen in Sandila, especially after Berger Paints, there are various companies like Varun Beverages (Pepsi), ITC, Green Ply, Haldiram, Weebly Scott, Austin Ply, Pidilite, in the process of setting up their units. Currently, we are in the process of providing land to these companies," he said. "I assure all the investors making industrial investments that the Uttar Pradesh government guarantees the security of every investment made by them in Uttar Pradesh. The government will contribute to the growth of your business through not only safe but fruitful investments," he added. (ANI) Al Arabiya Network, the Arab worlds leading source of news, is celebrating its 20th anniversary of being on air. The network which launched on March 3, 2003 has been unwavering in its commitment to honesty and credibility, striving to provide unrivalled news coverage through its editorial approach. Al Arabiya Network emphasises impartiality towards its viewers by promoting responsible speech, truth, news, and free expression of opinions. The launch of Al Arabiya Network 20 years ago came at a time when the Arab region and the rest of the world were witnessing major historical and geopolitical transformations, most notably the Iraq War. It was throughout this period that the broadcaster cemented its position in the region as an important source of news as its highly skilled and dynamic team of journalists, editors, and producers delivered around-the-clock, impactful, and superior news coverage, in addition to local and global economic, social, and cultural affairs. Fearless reporting Over the last decade alone, Al Arabiya Network has fearlessly reported from the very epicentre of events, including the Syrian, Libyan, and Yemeni wars, in addition to live coverage of political movements in territories such as Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, and Turkey. Other notable events in recent history include the Covid-19 pandemic, the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and its resulting energy and supply chain crises. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the news network, Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, Chairman of both MBC GROUP and Al Arabiya Network, has revealed that theres a new strategy in place for the next phase of Al Arabiya Network. This phase of expansion has already commenced following the moving of the broadcasters headquarters to the Saudi capital of Riyadh, where the latest content is created from a brand-new state-of-the-art news television studio. Al Ibrahim stated: Broadcasting from Riyadh signifies a new phase in Al Arabiya Network. This new phase in our wider strategy also comprises digital expansion, artificial intelligence [AI], continued regional leadership, as well as a focus on global leadership. Media credibility He added: Over the last two decades, Al Arabiya Network has undergone both horizontal and vertical growth, transforming into a fully integrated news network. It has established itself as a beacon of media credibility, journalistic impartiality, and technological advancement across the world a well-deserved reputation that has aligned with Al Arabiya Networks vision since its inception in 2003. Mamdouh AlMuhaini, General Manager of Al Arabiya Network, added: Throughout its 20 years, Al Arabiya Network has worked to become a trusted source of news thanks to a highly qualified team of journalists and producers sharing events with our Arab viewers wherever they are. Al Arabiya Network continuously keeps pace with the major transformations witnessed by the Arab world and the world at large; as a result, it has been able to meet the needs of its audience by providing a reliable news service around the clock, in addition to constantly leading the way in utilising advanced technology available to the media industry. AlMuhaini continued: All of this wouldnt have been possible without Sheikh Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim and his board of directors, who since day one have been committed to drawing up a professional strategy focused on continuously and consistently developing and advancing Al Arabiya Networks capabilities. This has resulted in transcending regional boundaries and establishing Al Arabiya Network as a trusted source of news around the world. AI news production Considered a pioneer in adopting AI for news production, Al Arabiya Network became the first broadcaster of its kind to launch an AI journalist named Tamara. Unveiled at the 17th edition of the Arab Media Forum in 2018, Tamara can analyse and process millions of information pieces in just a few milliseconds, as well as identify fake or incorrect news, as well as rephrase news articles into different formats based on a journalist's requirements. Meanwhile, in late 2022, Al Arabiya Network unveiled its first AI host, Mira, who is fronting a programme called Tech. This marked the first time an AI presenter has hosted a regional show. Digital expansion Part of the Al Arabiya Network is Al Hadath, which focuses on extensive live coverage and news bulletins of events via TV and social media as they happen from across the Arab world and beyond. Al Arabiya Network also operates a number of digital platforms under its umbrella, as well as the leading podcast service in the region, which is followed by and interacted with by millions around the world. AlMuhaini explained: Today, the network boasts approximately 180 million followers on our social media platforms, with content produced by our editorial team and channel correspondents recording views exceeding one billion views per month! These figures no doubt place Al Arabiya Network at the forefront of Arab and regional news channels and is on par with global counterparts as well. In recent months, Al Arabiya Network was the recipient of four awards at the 2022 Peacock Social Media Awards part of the World Social Media Forum held in Amman, Jordan including the award for Best Podcast Service in Middle East. Another recent notable award saw Al Arabiya Network being honoured for Excellence in Visual Storytelling at the BroadcastPro ME Summit and Awards 2022 in Dubai, UAE. Akthar for Al Arabiya Network As mentioned, Al Arabiya Network has proven its superiority in keeping up with major events that occur across the world. In late 2022, it announced the launch of Akthar, a new digital content brand that features programmes focusing on various topics aimed at the regions increasingly tech savvy media consumers. The offering complementing Al Arabiya Network features eight social media channels covering travel, cryptocurrencies, motoring, health, and more. AlMuhaini elaborated: The word Akthar [which translates into More] is used to describe our commitment to continuously develop and expand Al Arabiya Network with no boundaries. And our celebrations have begun since broadcasting from our new studios in Riyadh. This development includes all stages of content production, with an unrivalled level of creativity. Arab youth AlMuhaini also touched upon Al Arabiya Networks commitment to providing opportunities for Arab youth, stating: Our young journalists and editors use the latest technologies available to deliver news and knowledge in a contemporary style that resonates with the new generations lifestyle and content requirements. Our constant commitment to innovation truly boosts pride of being part of the Al Arabiya Network family, which fosters an excellent work environment and builds on the strong traditions that Al Arabiya Network has established over time. The 20th anniversary of Al Arabiya Network also remembers those who lost their lives during their service reporting from war zones and conflicts. News Martyrs Referring to fallen colleagues as martyrs of credibility and impartial news, AlMuhaini acknowledged the sacrifices these individuals made in the pursuit of delivering the truth and overall journalistic excellence. AlMuhaini stated: I take this opportunity for us to once again pay tribute to our colleagues lost in service, and I extend my condolences to all of their friends and families. Their memories will always be cherished, especially during times of remembrance like these. He added: Id also like to pay tribute to those who risked their lives while reporting on important events, including kidnappings, imprisonment, and injuries. Despite the dangers they faced, including injury, these journalists remained committed to delivering accurate and truthful news to the public on behalf of Al Arabiya Network.-- TradeArabia News Service Students at the Banaras Hindu University have lashed out at the administration's directive prohibiting the celebration of Holi and playing music inside the campus. The BHU administration has issued an Advisory order saying that there will be a complete ban on celebrating Holi and playing music on the university campus. All the students and staff should follow this order seriously. The student organizations of the university are opposing this order of the university. While speaking with ANI the students castigated the university's guidelines on Holi and alleged that ever since Sudhir K Jain has held the post of Vice Chancellor he has repeatedly disrespected Hindu culture and tradition in the university. Terming the decision "ridiculous", a student said, "It is extremely disappointing that our Chief Proctor Professor Abhimanyu Singh is not aware of the Holi celebrations and the culture, we can't celebrate Holi alone, it is a festival of joy and belongingness which can only be enjoyed at a public place along with your closed ones, should we celebrate Holi inside a shopping mall." The student further added that the Chief Proctor is affected by a Phobia that makes him hate the Hindu culture and festivals. Furthermore, the students challenging the administration's call had decided to celebrate Holi inside the campus and said that they will celebrate Holi no matter what the administration has to say. "We will celebrate Holi in public if the administration has to take any action they can." However, opposite to the claims made by students, BHU's Chief Proctor Abhimanyu Singh said that the decision has been taken in view of the outsiders who enter the university premises during Holi and makes things worse. He further detailed, that the order prohibiting the celebration of Holi has only been banned in public places, which he claimed that students knew was only limited to Roads, the temple, and hospital. "We haven't prohibited the celebration of Holi inside the campus, the order only details the ban on gathering in public places, we have recently finished the celebration inside our campus along with 500 students and faculties," he added. (ANI) Widows of three soldiers who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack in 2019 held a protest in Jaipur on Sunday against the non-fulfilment of promises made to them by the Rajasthan government. They also sought permission from Governor Kalraj Mishra to end their own lives. However, Rajasthan Minister Pratap Khachariyawas said that the government is always there to provide all possible help to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty. "We respect the widows and families of martyrs a lot. We have given all support and package to the family of martyrs. We are always there to provide all possible help," Pratap Khachariyawas said. The women protesters also alleged that police assaulted them while they went to meet CM Ashok Gehlot on Saturday. BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena who has been sitting on a dharna here with the family members of the martyrs for the last few days said that the widows of martyrs were "insulted". "Yesterday's incident was very shameful. Widows of martyrs were insulted. During their meeting with Guv, the widows told their problems after which Governor asked them to meet CM," Meena said. (ANI) "Union Home Minister Amit Shah will arrive in Thrissur on March 12. Amit Shah's visit to Thrissur, which was supposed to take place on March 5, has been shifted to 12," Surendran said. Shah is scheduled to address a public meeting at Thekkinkad Maidan. Shah's visit to the southern state is very significant as the BJP is trying to make a mark in Kerala in the upcoming General Elections of 2024. (ANI) The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to close the institutions with a low enrolment of students. The state education department has identified and decided to shut down 286 primary and high schools with zero enrolment of students in different parts of the state. The staff of these schools would be shifted to the other schools, said Himachal Pradesh Education Minister Rohit Thakur on Sunday. "There has been a bad condition of the Education System in the state during five years of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governance. The fact-finding reports of ASAR (Annual Status of Education Report) and also the Performance Grading Index conditions are not good. There are over 3,000 schools where we have only a single teacher in primary school and over 12,000 posts of teaching and non-teaching staff are lying vacant," Thakur said. The Minister said there are 286 schools functioning where there are zero enrolments in schools including 228 primary schools and 56 middle schools. He said the state government has decided to close these schools and the staff would be shifted to schools with a shortage. There are vacancies of over 12,000 teaching and non-teaching staff in the schools in the state, Thakur said. "Out of the 920 institutions opened by the BJP government "just to seek votes" were reviewed by the state government and out of these institutions there are nearly 320 schools at different levels and keeping the liberal approach the congress government has set an enrolment even below the set parameters and will not be denotified if these schools fulfill the criterion. He said the schools with zero enrolment will be shut from the new academic session. "For these 320 institutions we have fixed a number the Primary schools with a strength of over 10 students will not be closed, middle schools with a strength of 15 students will be functional, The High Schools with a number of 20 schools will not be denotified and a maximum number of students to remain functional for Senior Secondary School has been fixed at 25. We have kept a liberal idea on it and have fixed the number for these 320 schools even below the basic parameters," Thakur told ANI. He said that certain parameters are set by the education department to shut down the institutions. "As far as the parameters for the functioning of the schools in the state are concerned we have a parameter on the basis of the survey done by the education department in the state. For Primary schools it is mandatory for 25 students enrolment mandatory, for High school it is 40 and for Senior Secondary it is 60. We will also keep in mind that on a need basis, the schools will be opened but there will not be any political parameter for it. The need of the hour is to provide a quality of education and job-based education in the state," the Minister added. As far as technical education is concerned, Thakur said the previous government had opened 18 institutions, the present government has kept 13 functional but five including pharmacy colleges have been closed as they were neither needed nor functional. Thakur said that the staff of the closed institutes would be shifted to other schools with a shortage of staff. "We will have to do the rationalization. There was a school at Nankhari in Shimla district where the student enrolment was two and the teachers were five. So we shall rationalise and as far as the students below 10 in a school is concerned we shall arrange transport for those students to nearby schools and the department is working on calculating the number of all such institutions to be closed in future," said Thakur Asked about BJP stating that they will soon form the government in Himachal Pradesh he said BJP was daydreaming to topple the Congress government in the state and there is no harm in dreaming. He said the previous BJP government was dreaming to be in power for 25 to 50 years and the people of the state had given a reply to them in the Assembly elections. "During the five years of the BJP government in Himachal Pradesh the governance has completely shattered and there was a complete failure in the state in each department including education. The financial condition of the state is in bad shape and there is a debt of Rs 75,000 crore direct debt and Rs 11,000 crore are other debt which includes the arrears and DA pending of employees and pensioners in the state. The BJP had been talking about coming back to power and continuing in the government in the state for 25 to 50 years but the people of the state have shown them the face," Thakur said. (ANI) Attack the centre in an interaction arranged by the Indian Journalists Association in London, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the recent raids conducted at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) offices across India a "suppression of voice", alleging that BJP under its "new Idea of India" wants India to be "silent". While speaking at the event, Rahul Gandhi was asked about the controversy regarding the BBC documentary, and centre's allegations of a "colonial hangover", to which Rahul Gandhi replied, "It's sort of similar to Mr Adani, it's also a colonial hangover." Addressing the event, Rahul Gandhi said, "You know every place there is Opposition, there is an excuse. You asked why we did the yatra, what was the idea behind the yatra. The idea behind the yatra was an expression of voice. And there is suppression of voice across the country. Example is the BBC, but BBC is just one element of it." "You found out, well, the BBC has found out now, but it's been going on in India for the last nine years, non-stop, everybody knows about that. Journalists are intimidated, they (are) attacked, they are threatened. And you know the journalists who toed the line of the government, are rewarded. So it's a part of a pattern, and I wouldn't expect anything different," he added. The Congress leader said that BJP wants India to be "silent" under the "new Idea of India". "If the BBC stops writing against the government, everything will go back to normal, all the cases will disappear, everything (will) go back to normal. So this is the new Idea of India. BJP wants India to be silent. They want it to be quiet, the Dalits, the lower castes, the Adivasis, the media they want silence, and they want silence because they want to be able to take what is India's and give it to their close friends," he said. He further added, "So that's basically the idea right, distract the population, and then hand over India's wealth to two, three, four, five big people. I mean we have seen this, we have seen this before also, but that's not something." Responding to audience's question regarding the BBC issue, Rahul Gandhi said, "The point I was making about the BBC was that anybody who supports the Prime Minister blindly is supported, and anybody who raises question on the Prime Minister is attacked, and that's what happened with the BBC. On being asked about the allegations of "defaming India on foreign soil" Rahul Gandhi said, "There's nothing defaming India in my Cambridge lecture." He said, "Last time I recall the Prime Minister going abroad, and announcing that there's nothing done in 60 years of Independence, 70 years of Independence. I remember him saying that, you know there is a lost decade of 10 years, there's unlimited corruption in India. I remember him saying this abroad. These were not things he said in India, these were things he said abroad." Rahul Gandhi accused BJP of "twisting" his statements, and the media of "playing it up". "So, I have never defamed my country, I am not interested in it and I will never do it. Of course, the BJP likes to twist what I say, and that's fine, and the media likes to sort of play it up. I mean, it gives TRPs and all, but the fact of the matter is the person who defames India is the Prime Minister of India." He further added, "You haven't heard his speech? where he said nothing happened in 70 years, insulting every single Indian parents, Indian grandparents. The independence is washed away, if that is not insult, then what's an insult? Or saying you know there was a lost decade, nothing happened in India for the last 10 years. So what about all those people who worked in India, who built India in those 10 years? He's doing on foreign soil." On being asked about how the narratives gets built up, the Congress leader alleged that it happens because there is Mr Adani behind the narrative. "Of course, it does (narrative gets built), because there's money behind the narrative, there's Mr Adani behind the narrative, there's billions of dollars behind the narrative. And there's a transfer taking place, and then India's wealth is given to Mr Adani, so that's the exchange, it's a transfer. We don't accept the transfer, we don't do it, hence no narrative," he further said. The I-T officials surveyed the UK-based broadcaster's offices over a charge of 'deliberate non-compliance with Indian laws', including 'transfer pricing rules and the diversion of profits illegally.' The BBC had in January this year released the documentary film titled 'India: The Modi Question," which features the Gujarat riots of 2002. The film caused controversy for alluding to the leadership of Modi as chief minister during the riots while disregarding the clean chit given by the Supreme Court. (ANI) Attacking the NDA government at the Centre, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar "does not understand the China threat," adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that "nobody has entered Indian territory" is an invitation to the Chinese that they can do it again. In a conversation with members of the Indian Journalists' Association in London, the Wayanad MP also said that he supports Indian foreign policy and doesn't have a huge disagreement with it with regard to India's position on the Russia-Ukraine war. "As far as Indian foreign policy is concerned, I support the Indian foreign policy and I am okay with it. I don't have a huge disagreement with it," he said when asked a hypothetical question that if China or Pakistan invaded India and since India hadn't taken a position on the Russia-Ukraine war, it could also be ignored by the World if an invasion into India happened. Gandhi said, "With regards to an invasion, we have already been invaded. We have got 2000 square km of our territory that is in the hands of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Prime Minister himself has stated that nobody has entered India, not a single inch of land has been taken and this destroyed our negotiation position because our negotiators are being asked what's the fuss about." "Your Prime Minister says that no land has been taken. So that's one aspect of it. The other aspect which I keep saying is India needs to be very, very careful with what the Chinese are doing at the border. The Chinese are acting in a hostile manner, in an aggressive manner and we need to be very very careful and I have been stating that again and again, I don't think the penny has dropped in the government. I think there is a risk as you say," added Gandhi. Speaking about Congress's China policy, Rahul Gandhi said that Congress's policy was that they would not allow anyone to enter Indian territory. "The Congress party's policy on China is very clear, we do not accept anybody entering our territory and pushing us around and bullying us. It doesn't matter who they are, that's not acceptable to us and what has happened is that the Chinese entered our territory, killed our soldiers and the prime minister has denied it," he said. "That's the problem. The idea, we have a relationship with the United States and we have a partnership with them and we have a shred democratic free idea. I think there is a coercive idea on a planet and there is a democratic idea on a planet and I think a democratic planet needs to be strengthened. But you will not strengthen the democratic idea unless you start to fundamentally think about things like production. The huge amount of inequality that is erupting in the West and India is a threat to the democratic idea. We have to think about that. We have to have a strategy for that and that's not on the table," he added. When asked about how India should deal with military threats, the Congress leader said, "You have to deal with military threats militarily. But you have to understand the nature of the threat and you have to respond to the nature of the threat. I had one conversation with the Foreign Minister in my view he doesn't understand the threat. The government is not understanding the actual threat from China. The Prime Minister stating that nobody has entered our territory demonstrates that he does not understand the threat because the message to China with that statement is you can do it again," added Rahul Gandhi in an interaction at the Indian Journalists Association in London. Earlier, hitting out at Rahul Gandhi who has been targeting the government over China's aggression on the LAC in eastern Ladakh, Jaishankar said that it is not the Congress leader but Prime Minister Narendra Modi who sent the Army to the Line of Actual Control as a countermeasure to troop deployment by China and the opposition party should have honesty to look at what happened in 1962. "When did that area actually come under Chinese control? They (Congress) must have some problem understanding words beginning with 'C'. I think they are deliberately misrepresenting the situation. The Chinese first came there in 1958 and the Chinese captured it in October 1962. Now you are going to blame the Modi government in 2023 for a bridge which the Chinese captured in 1962 and you don't have the honesty to say that it is where it happened," said Dr Jaishankar in an interview to ANI. "Rajiv Gandhi went to Beijing in 1988...signed agreements in 1993 and 1996. I do not think signing those agreements was wrong. This is not a political point I am making. I think those agreements were signed at that time because we needed to stabilise the border. And they did, stabilise the border," said Jaishankar. When asked that Rahul Gandhi thought S Jaishankar was insufficient. Jaishankar said that he was always open to listen. "I think he said this somewhere in a public meeting. It is probably in the context of China. All I can say in my defence is I have been the longest-serving ambassador in China. I have been dealing with a lot of these border issues for a very long time. I am not suggesting that I am necessarily the most knowledgeable person, but I would have a fairly good self-opinion of my understanding of what is up there. If he has superior knowledge and wisdom on China, I am always willing to listen. As I said, for me life is a learning process. If that is a possibility, I have never closed my mind to anything however improbable that may be," said Jaishankar. The External Affairs Minister stressed that when other countries' demands are not reasonable, the government will not be able to come to an agreement. Asked about the Congress party's allegation that the Modi government is defensive and reactive on the China issue, Jaishankar dismissed the claims saying there is currently the largest peacetime deployment along the China border. "If I would have to sum up this China thing, please do not buy this narrative that somewhere the government is on the defensive...somewhere we are being accommodative. I ask people if we were being accommodative who sent the Indian Army to the LAC (Line of Actual Control). Rahul Gandhi did not send them. Narendra Modi sent them. We have today the largest peacetime deployment in our history on the China border. We are keeping troops there at a huge cost with great effort. We have increased our infrastructure spending on the border five times in this government. Now tell me who is the defensive and accommodative person? Who is actually telling the truth? Who is depicting things accurately? Who is playing footsie with history?"," added Jaishankar in an interview to ANI. Asked about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks that S Jaishankar did not know much about foreign policy and needed to learn a little bit more, the External Affairs Minister took a veiled dig and said he is willing to listen to the Wayanad MP if he has "superior knowledge and wisdom" on China. (ANI) The accused in the alleged mid-air urination had come to India for attending his sister's wedding, which is scheduled for this month, the police sources said. Earlier, the Delhi Police said that the accused was given bail hours after being taken under police custody, and a case has also been registered against him. He was given bail as the offence comes under 'bailable sections', the police said. DCP, IGI Airport, Devesh Kumar Mahla said, "A case has been registered in the matter. We will do our best in this case. The accused Aryan Vohra has been released." Vohra, an accused in the case, was earlier handed over to the police by the airlines along with the complaint. He was caught allegedly urinating on a US passenger in mid-air on an American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi on Saturday night. The police said that they received information last night and legal action was initiated against him. The police registered a case under IPC and the Civil aviation act against him. His medical was conducted and he was under influence of alcohol. The accused is studying in the US, the police added. Earlier, the officials informed that an Indian passenger allegedly urinated on a US co-passenger mid-flight on an American Airlines (AA-292) flight to New Delhi from New York. The 21-year-old accused is a student in the US. He urinated on a US citizen on March 4, while he was drunk. "American Airlines flight 292 with service from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) was met by local law enforcement upon arrival in DEL due to a disruptive customer. The flight landed safely at 9:50 pm," an American Airline statement said. The airline company said that it will not allow the passenger on board in future. "Upon aircraft arrival, Purser informed that the passenger was heavily intoxicated, and was not adhering to crew instructions on board. He was repeatedly arguing with the operating crew, was not willing to be seated and continuously endangering the safety of crew and aircraft and after disturbing safety of fellow passengers, finally urinated on pax seated on 15G," American Airlines said. Before landing American Airlines pilot contacted Delhi ATC regarding an unruly passenger on board and sought security and it was informed to CISF for take necessary action, "after landing of the aircraft, CISF personnel took him out from the aircraft and the said passenger misbehave with CISF personnel too," an airport official told ANI. The airport police have taken cognisance and taking legal action against the passenger. "We have received a complaint of Urination on a co-passenger from American airline against one person Arya Vohra who is a student in the USA and resident of Defence colony Delhi. We are taking necessary legal action," Delhi Police said. India's aviation regulator has also sought a detailed report from the airline company. "We have got a report from the concerned Airline. They seem to have handled the situation professionally and have taken all appropriate action," DGCA official told ANI. According to the airport sources accused was a student and he is studying at US University. Earlier on November 26 last year, a man named Shankar Mishra allegedly urinated on a 70-year-old woman co-passenger in an inebriated condition in business class of an Air India New York-New Delhi flight, but the incident was not reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) which was attributed to the delay in reporting the incident by the airline crew. Mishra was later arrested by Delhi Police. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday extended his support to Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal's newly launched platform 'Insaaf ke Sipahi' and appealed to people especially lawyers to join it to fight injustice. Kapil Sibal on Saturday announced that he was setting up a new platform to fight injustice prevailing in the country. He also sought the support of chief ministers and leaders of opposition parties. Speaking to reporters, the Delhi Chief Minister said, "Kapil Sibal is a well-known lawyer of our country, who is very active when it comes to social and political issues. Yesterday, he has started a campaign called Insaf Ke Sipahi. Through this initiative, he wants to connect people belonging to various sections of society, especially lawyers across the country." The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener further said it is a very good initiative by Kapil Sibal. "If we look at the history of the world, be it the American Revolution or the French Revolution, lawyers took part in all of them. Kapil Sibal wants to connect lawyers from all over the country. And to connect them he has also launched a website called Insaaf Ke Sipahi.com. I appeal to the lawyers and people of the country to join this initiative and make every possible effort to help aggrieved persons get justice, wherever there is injustice with anybody," he added. "This is a very important initiative of Kapil Sibbal Sahib. I appeal to all that everyone should join them and together we will fight against injustice," Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi. Hitting out at the BJP-led central government, senior advocate Sibal on Saturday said the Centre 'overturned' eight elected governments and that the 10th schedule has become a "defectors' paradise". Claiming that the government had pitted itself against the citizens, Sibal said the 10th Schedule of the Constitution, which is intended to stop political defections motivated by the promise of office, material advantages, or other similar factors, was being misused under the current regime. The anti-defection statute, which was brought into force in 1985, was made stricter in 2002 to prevent political switchovers. "The 10th schedule has become a defectors' paradise. After 2014, 8 governments were overturned. No other democratic country in the world does this by paying money or taking money from people," Sibal said at a press conference in the national capital on Saturday. He said the CBI cannot act without the permission of the central government while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) can go anywhere without seeking the permission of the central government. "The CBI cannot take action without the permission of the central government but the Enforcement Directorate can go anywhere without seeking the consent of the central government. The fact of the matter is that we are in a situation where we see the government versus the citizens but we want a government for citizens, not against," he said. He said he has launched a dedicated website, 'Insaaf ke Sipahi', and would urge fellow lawyers io raise their voices against injustice through this cyber platform. Referring to the recovery of Rs 6 crore in alleged bribe money during a raid by the Karnataka Lokayukta on a sitting BJP MLA Maadal Virupakshappa's son Prashant Maadal, the former Union minister said that no action has yet been taken against the MLA's son. (ANI) During the meeting, they interacted upon many pertinent issues regarding the infrastructure, livelihood and vibrant village programmes in border areas of the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The Governor emphasised border area development programmes (BADP) to instil a sense of security amongst the people living in those remote areas. He further asked the Army authorities to take up civic-action programmes for the welfare of the common masses, besides working towards fostering goodwill among them for the armed forces. The GOC also briefed the Governor on the activities taken up by their Army Division in the districts covering Siang, Subansiri and Kurung Kumey belts. (ANI) The Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Bokajan, John Das told ANI that the police had intercepted a truck in the Karbi Anglong district. "The police team of Laharijan police post on Sunday, intercepted a truck bearing registration number AS-01 PC-3927 at Laharijan area in Karbi Anglong district," he said. He informed that the gibbons have been handed over to the Forest department. "During the search, the police team found two numbers of Hoolock Gibbon which were illegally transporting from Manipur. Later on, the Gibbons were handed over to the Forest department," John Das said. (ANI) A high-level delegation from Bahrain is attending the global energy conference, CERAWeek 2023 in Houston, Texas from March 6 to 10. This key energy conference aligns with Bahrains commitment to sustainability and the use of innovation and technology to meet the kingdoms current and future energy needs. The delegation includes representatives from the Ministry of Oil and Environment, The Oil and Gas Holding Company B.S.C (closed) (nogaholding), and its portfolio companies, Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) and Tatweer Petroleum. Deemed the worlds premier annual gathering of leaders from across the global energy and utilities industry, CERAWeek is organised by S&P Global. It provides a platform for attendees to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the future of energy under the theme Navigating a Turbulent World: Energy, Climate and Security. CERAWeek attendees will discuss how nations can accelerate capacity across alternative and renewable sources of energy, introduce innovative solutions to protect the environment, and increase efficiencies as the world transitions into a more sustainable energy era.-- TradeArabia News Service Ahead of oath taking ceremony on March 8, incumbent Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday visited Astabal Maidan to inspect the venue of the swearing in event. Saha also visited the Swami Vivekananda maidan where he along with the high officials inspected the preparations for the upcoming oath ceremony. While talking with the media he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend the event on March 8. "Last time, the oath taking ceremony took place at Assam Rifles Ground and this time it will take place at the Swami Vivekananda Maidan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will remain present in the ceremony," Saha told reporters. He further said that Bharatiya Janata Party National President JP Nadda will also visit the state to take part in the ceremony. "Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also be there during the Oath taking ceremony along with various other leaders of the party," he added. As per Saha, several chief ministers of BJP ruled states will also join the event. "We will visit the ground again and check all the facilities here," Shaha also said. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) returned to power in the state by winning an absolute majority. According to the Election Commission of India, BJP won 32 seats with a vote share of around 39 per cent. Tipra Motha Party came second by winning 13 seats. Communist Party of India (Marxist) got 11 seats while Congress bagged three seats. The Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) managed to open its account by winning one seat. The CPI(M) and the Congress, arch rivals in Kerala, came together in the Northeast this time in a bid to oust the BJP from power. The combined vote share of CPI(M) and Congress remained around 33 per cent. Chief Minister Saha defeated Congress' Asish Kumar Saha from the Town Bordowali seat by a margin of 1,257 votes. In the 60-member Tripura assembly, the majority mark is 31. The BJP, which had never won a single seat in Tripura before 2018, stormed to power in the last election in alliance with IPFT and had ousted the Left Front which had been in power in the border state for 35 years since 1978. The BJP contested on 55 seats and its ally, IPFT, on six seats. But both allies had fielded candidates in the Ampinagar constituency in the Gomati district. The Left contested on 47 and Congress on 13 seats, respectively. Of the total 47 seats, the CPM contested 43 seats while the Forward Bloc, Communist Party of India (CPI) and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) contested one seat each. The CPI(M)-led Left Front ruled the state for nearly four decades, with a gap between 1988 and 1993, when the Congress was in power but now both parties joined hands with the intention to oust BJP from power. Manik Saha on Friday submitted his resignation to Governor Satyadev Narayan Arya at Raj Bhavan in Agartala and the Governor asked him to continue till the new government is sworn in.(ANI) Based on the specific input about the presence of a Prepak Procadre involved in illicit activities like extortion, the troops of Assam Rifles undertook a joint operation with the CDO rep which led to the apprehension of an active Prepak Pro Cadre at Hiyanglam, Kakching District, added the press release. The arrested individual has been handed over to Hiyanglam Police Station for further investigation and necessary legal action, as per the statement. (ANI) Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav while extending his support to Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal's newly launched platform 'Insaaf ke Sipahi' took a potshot at the BJP-led centre and said that when the rulers have spread the ink of injustice, then it becomes very important to be a soldier of justice. Taking to Twitter, Yadav said, "When the rulers have spread the ink of injustice, then it has become very important to be a 'soldier of justice'! In this campaign for justice, we are with you Kapil Sibal," (roughly translated from Hindi). On Saturday, Kapil Sibal announced that he was setting up a new platform to fight injustice prevailing in the country. He also sought the support of chief ministers and leaders of opposition parties. Hitting out at the BJP-led central government, senior advocate Sibal on Saturday said the Centre 'overturned' eight elected governments and that the 10th schedule has become a "defectors' paradise". Claiming that the government had pitted itself against the citizens, Sibal said the 10th Schedule of the Constitution, which is intended to stop political defections motivated by the promise of office, material advantages, or other similar factors, was being misused under the current regime. The anti-defection statute, which was brought into force in 1985, was made stricter in 2002 to prevent political switchovers. "The 10th schedule has become a defectors' paradise. After 2014, 8 governments were overturned. No other democratic country in the world does this by paying money or taking money from people," Sibal said at a press conference in the national capital on Saturday. He said the CBI cannot act without the permission of the central government while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) can go anywhere without seeking the permission of the central government. "The CBI cannot take action without the permission of the central government but the Enforcement Directorate can go anywhere without seeking the consent of the central government. The fact of the matter is that we are in a situation where we see the government versus the citizens but we want a government for citizens, not against," he said. He said he has launched a dedicated website, 'Insaaf ke Sipahi', and would urge fellow lawyers io raise their voices against injustice through this cyber platform. Referring to the recovery of Rs 6 crore in alleged bribe money during a raid by the Karnataka Lokayukta on a sitting BJP MLA Maadal Virupakshappa's son Prashant Maadal, the former Union minister said that no action has yet been taken against the MLA's son. (ANI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during an interaction with the Indian diaspora in London, said that he found during the Bharat Jodo Yatra that the main issues in the country are price rise, unemployment and violence against women and third is a hidden issue. Speaking at an interaction here on Sunday, Rahul Gandhi said, "I was allowed to speak at the Cambridge University to give a talk there, on Indian politics and global politics, which I did, and it's quite a nice atmosphere there. I was thinking, while I was talking there, that it's quite strange that an Indian politican, a leader can give a speech at Cambridge University, and Harvard University but he can't give a talk in a university of India." Attacking the centre, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Opposition is not allowed to raise issues in Parliament. "The reason is our government simply does not allow any idea of the Opposition, any concept of the Opposition, to be discussed. Same happens in the Parliament House, when there are important things we have to talk about, Demonetisation, GST, the fact that Chinese were sitting inside our territory. When we try to raise these questions, we are not allowed to raise them in the house," he said. He added, "It's a fact, it's shameful, but it's true, and this is not the India that all of us are used to. Our country is an open country where we pride ourselves on intelligence, respect each other's opinion, listen to each other. And that narrative has been destroyed." Rahul Gandhi said that the idea behind the Bharat Jodo Yatra was to directly go to the public. "The reason we are forced to walk across India, the Bharat Jodo Yatra, was that all the institutions that protect the democracy, that allow the people to speak, that allow an expression of voice are captured by the BJP. And so we decided that a good way to think about it, a good way to act would be to go directly to the people of India. And do what used to be a tradition. The Yatra is not just a walk across the country," he said. The Congress leader said, "Many great people in India have gone on yatra, the most famous yatra was done by the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Vivekananda ji apparently walked across the country. Guru Nanak Ji walked across the country. So there's a list of people, who used this idea of yatra. And this yatra is actually an introspection, an attempt to listen to the people, and an attempt to listen to the voice of the people." Talking about the yatra, Rahul Gandhi said, price rise, unemployment and violence against women are the main issues in the country. "So it was a wonderful experience for me, we started from Kanyakumari, and went all the way to Kashmir, thousands of kilometres in the heat, in rain, in the snow. And we got to understand our country in great detail, we spoke to thousands and thousands of people, farmers, and students like you. We met youngsters, and the main issue, was violence, price rise, and the violence the Indian women face," Rahul Gandhi said. The Wayanad MP added, "The third one is a hidden issue, and no one talks about it, but when you walk across India and talk to people, these were the three main issues that you get. Most women complaining about the violence they are facing, the fact that they are worried to walk on the streets, huge amount of unemployment, price rise and concentration of wealth." (ANI) The Director General (DG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Dr Sujoy Lal Thaosen visited Ranchi on Saturday and Sunday to inspect Central Training College (Telecom and Information Technology) and review the anti-Naxal operations in the state. During the visit, the DG inspected CTC & IT campus, Dhurwa, Ranchi, and visited Anjedbera FOB in the Kolhan forest of West Singhbhum District.The DG appreciated the efforts of the officers and men of CRPF, Jharkhand Police, and Jharkhand Jaguar for their successful operations and for establishing the new FOBs in core areas. He urged them to continue their commitments towards Anti-Naxal operations and remain extra vigilant and careful during operations. The DG also distributed sweets and other essential items to Children and Villagers in a civic action program at Anjedbera village.During the visit, he along with senior officers of CRPF and Jharkhand state police reviewed the operational preparedness of the force and measures taken by SFs to ensure the safety and security of SF personnel and civilians against the threat of IEDs at the DIG (Operations) office in Chaibasa. He discussed the current security situation and further strategy of operations in Kolhan forest. Vitul Kumar, ADG Central Zone, Rajiv Singh, IG (Operations) CRPF, Amit Kumar, IG, Jharkhand Sector, CRPF, AV Homkar, IG(Operations) Jharkhand Police, Md Hasnain, IG (Comn.) CRPF along with senior officers of CRPF and state police were also present during the visit. (ANI) More than 1,500 police personnel of Pakistan's Special Security Unit have been deployed to provide security to Chinese nationals working on different projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, The News International reported citing officials. In addition to the Special Security Unit, a large number of police personnel of the district police, Elite Force and Frontier Reserve Police have also been deployed for the security of these foreigners and their projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to officials. Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan has confirmed the development at a function at China Window in Peshawar. Akhtar Hayat Khan said that he has already visited some of these projects to carry out an inspection of the security after assuming charge as IG, The News International reported. "Adequate security has been provided to the Chinese projects in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As many as 1,500 policemen of the SSU along with other cops from district police, Elite Force and FRP are providing them security in KP," The News International quoted Akhtar Hayat Khan as saying. Akhtar Hayat Khan said that security would be provided to all those playing a key role in the development of the province and Pakistan. Akhtar Hayat Khan said that a special security unit has been created in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police for the protection of foreigners and added that the unit has recently been upgraded. The police chief said that 495 terrorist attacks took place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa last year. He informed that the Counter-Terrorism Department has been reformed and made operational in the former tribal districts to end the menace of terrorism and restore peace, as per The News International report. Earlier in February, Pakistan Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah vowed to provide foolproof security for Chinese nationals in Gwadar, reported The Balochistan Post. "All locals and foreign nationals would be provided foolproof security," Sanaullah said while reviewing the security arrangements. Rana Sanaullah visited Gwadar and reviewed security arrangements for the Chinese nationals. He was briefed about the law and order situation in Gwadar and Mekran. Sanaullah stated that one per cent of all CPEC projects are allocated for security purposes, reported The Balochistan Post. The development comes after Pakistan directed the Chinese nationals to hire private firms for security after the blast took place at a mosque at Peshawar's Police Lines. The Punjab Home Department directed the Chinese nationals living in the province or working with private companies to hire private security companies of the A category for their security. (ANI) Chinese and Indian foreign ministers met recently and discussed future cooperation in various fields, people-to-people exchanges, and normalized management of the border situation. The Chinese media Xinhua has reported that in the meeting on Thursday, China and India "vowed" to improve the bilateral ties. The duo held the meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers' Meeting held from Wednesday to Thursday. Qin said during the meeting that as neighbouring countries and major emerging economies, China and India have far more common interests than differences. The development and revitalization of China and India display the strength of developing countries, which will change the future of one-third of the world's population, the future of Asia and even the whole world, Qin noted, the Chinese Media Xinhua reported. The two sides, said Qin, should view their bilateral relations in the context of the once-in-a-century changes in the world, understand bilateral cooperation from the perspective of their respective national rejuvenation, and be partners on the path to modernization. He said the two sides should implement the important consensus of the leaders of the two countries, maintain dialogue and properly resolve disputes, and promote the improvement of bilateral relations and the steady moving forward of the relations. The boundary issue should be put in the proper place in bilateral relations, Qin said, adding that the situation on the borders should be brought under normalized management as soon as possible. EAM Jaishankar agreed that bilateral relations should be understood and improved from a historical perspective and strategic height. More cooperation platforms should be established to promote India-China relations along the right track, the Chinese media reported. Jaishankar said the current border situation is gradually stabilizing, and both sides should work together to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas. Notably, while addressing the Forum For Nationalist Thinkers, Hyderabad Chapter Talk On 'India's G20 Presidency', External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that relations with China will not be normal until the issue of the face-off that happened at the beginning of the COVID lockdown is resolved. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the relations with China will not improve until the issue of the face-off that happened at the beginning of the COVID lockdown is resolved. While addressing the issues with China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that happened in 2020, the EAM said that we must not forget that it happened when our lockdown had just started. "We were completely preoccupied with the COVID challenge. Please appreciate the anonymity of what Prime Minister Modi did. He deployed forces at this great height in very difficult conditions in the middle of COVID. And then took this challenge head-on," he added. He further said while assuring, "I can tell you the entire world has taken notice of this. They have also noted that since then we have stood firm. We have made it very clear that until there is a resolution to this issue, our relations with China will not be normal." (ANI) A seminar titled "Forced Conversion of the Religion and its Reality" was organised by the Islamabad Bar Association under the leadership of Mian Abdul Haq Mithu, a notorious cleric involved in promoting the heinous crime, deep-rooted hatred and indifference against minorities, especially Hindu and Christian girls, Just Earth News (JEN) reported. The meeting was attended by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan of Jamaat-e-Islami, Nadeem Gilani, research scholar of the Institute of Policy Studies and Dr Akramullah, Secretary Council of Islamic Ideology. JEN reported that the chief guest of the seminar was Mian Abdul Haq Mian Mithu, the cleric known to be one of the most dreaded persons in the life of Hindus and Christians in Pakistan. Notably, Mian Abdul Haq Mithu has also been sanctioned by the UK over allegations of forced conversions. The JEN reported that he is so notorious in helping predatory men against innocent Hindu girls that he has been labelled as a "conversion factory". He achieved notoriety in 2012 when he forcibly converted a Hindu girl named Rinki Kumari in February 2012. Rinki Kumari was abducted, raped and converted by a Muslim man. In 2019, Mithu came to notice for leading a rioting mob in the Ghotki district in Sindh. The riot was engineered over allegations of blasphemy against a Hindu school principal. Hindu temples, the principal's house and several houses of Hindus were set on fire by the mob egged on by Mithu. His popularity had become so widespread that he was wooed by several mainstream political parties, including that Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. A Pakistan TV channel, Naya Daur, had described the cleric as belonging to an influential family in Sindh with links to political and religious figures in the province. He is also the custodian of the Bharchundi Sharif shrine in Sindh. "Inviting Mian Mithu to the seminar on forced conversion is like inviting a wild animal to a civilised gathering. Mithu has been involved in forced conversion of scores of Hindu girls," the JEN said. Recently, the UN experts on human rights had roundly blamed Pakistan for allowing such a crime against humanity to continue with direct or indirect connivance. The Pakistan Human Rights Commission in its report titled A Breach of Faith: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2021-22, pointed out that the "incidence of forced conversions in Sindh has remained worryingly consistent". Mian Mithu's infamy in these cases warrants greater scrutiny. Senator Mushtaq Ahmad, another guest at the seminar, has time and again strongly opposed any attempt to bring in anti-conversion laws. His argument has been that such laws were anti-Islam and that there were no forced conversions. He blamed the Hindu girls for running away from their poor families rather than predatory Muslim men who pick up young girls of their choice, rape them and then compel them to convert. He has supported the abduction, rape and conversion of several hundred Hindu and Christian girls in the past. As a member of the National Assembly, he has been at the forefront of challenging any law proposed to protect minority women. The coming together of these elements to campaign against forced rape and conversion of minority girls underlines the perversity that exists in today's Pakistani society. The fact that such seminars were being organised by lawyers in Islamabad establishes the deep support such heinous crimes have in civil society. Over a thousand Hindu and Christian girls are raped and converted every year, most of them in Sindh. The Muslim men and their families, with the support of influential religious leaders like Mian Mithu and Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, get away scot-free. Not one such predatory male or their family have been prosecuted. The Just Earth News reported, leave alone the police, and even the higher judiciary have supported the men, blaming women and their families on the issue of birth certificates and other legalities. (ANI) With the Covid-19 restrictions well and truly lifted, farmers in Samdrup Jongkhar have been able to fetch good prices for their ginger. Indian traders are now allowed to come into Samdrup Jongkhar to buy ginger helping farmers fetch a minimum of Nu 30 for a kilogram of ginger, Bhutan Live reported. Despite the government taking their ginger through the buyback scheme, farmers could only fetch a maximum of Nu 30 a kilogram for the past three years because of the COVID restrictions. But now with Indian traders back in the picture, Bhutanese ginger price has reached Nu 35 a kilogram, much to the delight of the farmers. Tshewang Tenzin a ginger grower in Pemathang Gewog said that during the pandemic, some villagers sold ginger at Nu 7 to 8 per kilogram. "Now with the Covid-19 restrictions lifted, we get between 32 to 35 ngultrum for a kilogram of ginger," he added. "Now Indian traders come here and buy our ginger. Last time, we got Nu 32 to Nu 35. Now Indian traders come to us and agree to give Nu 36 for one kilogram of ginger," said Phurpa Wangdi, a ginger farmer in Martshala Gewog. "Compared to last year, this year the prices are better. Last year, I got Nu 25 for one kilogram but this year I am getting Nu 30 per kilogram. So, there is a difference of Nu 7 to 8," said Ugyen Dorji, another farmer from Martshala Gewog. As per Agriculture Survey Report 2021, Samdrup Jongkhar district is the highest ginger producer in the country, Bhutan Live reported. For most villagers in the district, ginger is one of the primary sources of income. (ANI) China's unequal educational system and declining working-age population are proving to be a double whammy for China in accomplishing its economic ambitions, said a US Congressional panel on February 24, reported the Indo Pacific Center For Strategic Communications (IPCSC). The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, an independent panel established by the Congress in 2000, stated that the rural-urban divide in China on the educational front will prevent the country from surpassing the US in economy and science & technology fields at a time when China is aiming to replace the US by 2030 as the world's military and economic superpower. According to the South China Morning Post, citing a US Congressional panel, Chinese students in rural areas struggle with poor teachers, nutritional deficiencies, and mobility issues, whereas education in urban areas places a strong emphasis on creativity and innovation, assisting young people in arming themselves with knowledge and skills, IPCSC reported. Additionally, high school students in economically developed Chinese provinces excel in science and math and receive an education of a high calibre, but in less economically developed provinces of China, there is a gap in access to quality education, even in urban areas, according to a US Congressional panel. Although rural students make up two-thirds of all pupils in China, the rural-urban difference is still significant, according to the US Congressional panel. According to Prashant Loyalka, an associate professor at Stanford University, "Chinese students may be entering university with higher levels of achievement compared to their peers abroad, but they showed little progress in basic academic skills and critical thinking over the course of their studies." According to a report in IPCSC, Chinese thinkers are also concerned about the current quality of education in China at a time when international rivalry for the greatest technology to improve economies and societies is rising. Because it directly affects the quality of the workforce, the majority of whom are unable to manage China's shift towards production automation, which has become crucial for the country to deal with issues brought about by its ageing population. According to UN estimates from July 2022, China's population is expected to drop below 400 million by the year 2100. Additionally, according to a 2021 analysis by the international management consulting firm McKinsey, up to 220 million Chinese workers may need to change careers by 2030 as a result of automation. China's GDP increased by an average of more than 10 per cent a year between 1978 and 2013, according to World Scientific, a Singapore-based publishing house. As a result, the publishing company reported that China had overtaken the US as the second-largest economy since 2011. Unfortunately, it looks that the time of extraordinary economic development is coming to an end. According to World Scientific, China's annual GDP growth rate has fallen from 12 per cent to 6 per cent since 2011 and appears to be trending downward. The main causes of this have been attributed to the lack of skilled labour and the predominance of labour-intensive production methods in China's manufacturing units. A report in IPCSC read that in its seminal paper from 2011, the International Labour Organization (ILO) stated, "The cornerstone of a framework for developing a suitably skilled workforce is: Broad availability of good-quality education as a foundation for future training; a close matching of skills supply to the needs of enterprises and labour markets; enabling workers and enterprises to adjust to changes in technology and markets; and preparing for skill needs of future." In China, there is a severe shortage of highly trained workers, and experts believe that this shortage cannot be filled unless both urban and rural children are given access to high-quality education. Contrary to popular belief, only a small percentage of graduates in China are able to find employment in the industrial sector. Professor Li Jingkui of Zhejiang University's School of Economics in China argues that the education system in his nation, which is governed by "remnants of the backward ideology of the ancient feudal society," is the primary cause of the talent demand gap. In his piece titled "Why China has too many graduates and not enough skilled workers," Li Jingkui, a Beijing-based investigative journalist, stated, "China saw a record 9.09 million new graduates from the country's universities in 2021, an increase of 350,000 graduates over the previous year. Nonetheless, the nation's industrial sector has an approximately 30 million person talent demand gap. The professor of economics agrees that a lack of skill will cause China to fall into the middle-income trap. So, as long as the educational system is not reformed and young people are not taught to think critically, the East Asian nation's growth story will continue to be marred by a talent shortage, IPCSC reported. (ANI) South Africa: President Ramaphosa to announce new Cabinet on Monday President Cyril Ramaphosa will announce the new National Executive on Monday evening, Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has announced. Magwenya said this on Sunday during an engagement with media addressing the public discussion, including media coverage, of President Ramaphosas schedule and health during the course of this past week. Having exercised his constitutional prerogative, the President will announce the new National Executive at 7pm tomorrow, Monday, 6 March 2023. This will reinforce governments focus as the President said in the SONA - on those actions that will make a meaningful difference now, that will enable real progress within the next year and that will lay a foundation for a sustained recovery into the future, Magwenya said. Turning to the Presidents health, Magwenya said that the President has attended to his duties while treating a common cold, throughout this week. Magwenya quelled media reports and speculation on social media that the President postponed a Cabinet reshuffle announcement last Thursday due to ill health. He recalled that the Presidents discomfort was visible during his public appearances as part of the State Visit by his Ugandan Counterpart President Yoweri Museveni. Among the tasks the President undertook this week was continued consultation around forthcoming changes to the National Executive. But contrary to media coverage and speculation on social platforms, there was no plan for the President to announce changes to Cabinet on Thursday, the 2nd of March. As a result, there was no postponement or cancellation of such an announcement, he said. Magwenya told the media that on Friday President Ramaphosa honoured an engagement of the Ntaba Nyoni Cattle Stud, a dinner preceding an annual auction. He said that the dates for these events were scheduled a number of months ago. In view of his discomfort, the President made a brief stop at Fridays dinner to greet guests. President Ramaphosa did not attend the auction itself the following day as his cold persisted and required that he should rest. The accusations and misinformation we have seen around this matter are therefore completely unjustified, Magwenya said. While the President is nursing his common cold, Magwenya said that he is finalising his reconfiguration of the National Executive. Furthermore, he said there have been parliamentary processes such as the swearing in of certain members of Parliament that the President needed to take account of whilst he is finalising the formation of the executive. The President appreciates the importance of putting in place a National Executive that will build on the commitments government has made for faster growth through our investment drive, economic reforms, public employment programmes and an expanding infrastructure programme, he said. The Presidential spokesperson once again emphasised that the President is fully seized with and committed to his oath of office and the day-to-day tasks of leading the nation out of the difficulties the country faces. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Lazurde for Jewellery, the most prominent brand in designing, manufacturing and distributing jewellery in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, has won the title of the best retail jewellery brand in Saudi Arabia for the year 2022. The company, which had excelled among hundreds of participating entities, was presented the award during awards distribution ceremony at Dubai International Jewellery Forum, which was recently held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dubai. The award reflects the constant ambition of L'azurde to improve the concept of the world of jewellery and fashion at the global and local levels, as the company was able to implement a solid strategic plan, leading to the launch of the new brands "Miss L" and latest collection "L'azurde Instyle" to keep pace with the needs and requirements of Arab women in obtaining modern jewellery at affordable prices. On the sidelines of the ceremony, the CEO of L'azurde Company for Jewellery, Selim Chidiac, thanked in a speech, the organisers of the forum for their efforts to celebrate the world of jewellery in the Arab world and the Middle East and expressed his happiness to stand side by side with the most prominent sectors leaders in the region, in which the forum reviewed the current state of the gold and jewellery industry and the best ways in which jewellery retailers should develop their businesses to achieve high and sustainable profit margins.-- TradeArabia News Service Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently said Pakistan had been asked by the IMF "to take steps to be able to function as a country" and not get into a dangerous place where it needs debt restructuring, the Greek City Times reported. Greek City Times quoted The News International where the IMF chief said, "We are emphasising two things, number one, raising tax revenues, as those who are making good money in public or private sectors, need to contribute to the economy, and, number two, a fairer distribution of precious resources by taking subsidies away from people who don't need them. It shouldn't be that the wealthy benefit from subsidies. It should be the poor [who] benefit from them." She further added, "We (IMF) want the poor people of Pakistan to be protected." Consequently, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced on 26 February, a broad range of measures aiming to tighten the government's belt but warned people to brace for more price hikes due to the tough conditions imposed by the IMF. Prime Minister Sharif also unveiled the austerity measures approved by the federal cabinet and expressed the hope that the government would be able to take the masses out of the current economic conditions, the Greek City Times reported. The main highlight of the government's austerity measures was the withdrawal of salaries and perks of the Prime Minister, minister's special assistants and advisers, along with a 15 per cent cut in the expenses of all government departments. Essentially, the point that PM Sharif made while talking to the media was that the rich in Pakistan needed to make sacrifices for the country. Someone needs to ask the PM as to why the Pakistan Army, which has made "good money" over the years, is not being asked to sacrifice its funds for the betterment of Pakistan. All the lands that army officers own, the factories and industries that they operate, and funds parked in Swiss bank accounts could well be used to improve Pakistan's economic conditions. More than 20 per cent of Pakistan's annual budget goes to the Army. The current situation sees Pakistan facing multiple challenges in the form of a deep economic crisis, political turmoil, and intensified terror attacks in the northwestern areas. All this has drained Pakistan of its resources. Further, the country's economic deterioration has a direct impact on the people of Pakistan. Official sources told The News International that the IMF could help Pakistan overcome its looming Balance of Payments (BoP) crisis only by ensuring that the country remains able to pay its debt obligations without plunging into default. Revival of the IMF program is a pre-requisite for seeking any debt restructuring, so the government is focusing on it currently. It is only after this that debt restructuring, especially from non-Paris Club countries, might be considered. Pakistan will require external debt servicing both in the shape of principal and mark-up amounts to the tune of US$27 billion in the next financial year. The ongoing IMF program of US$6.5 billion under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) will expire on 30 June 2023 and there is no possibility of any further extension in the ongoing EFF arrangement. At that stage, Pakistan will have to seek a fresh IMF loan keeping in view the massive external debt servicing requirements and the possibility of lower foreign exchange reserves. Pakistan's historic high in petrol price and the IMF's delay in sending aid are pushing Pakistan's economy into a 'tailspin'. Geo News reported that Pakistan had hiked the prices of petrol to Pakistani Rupees Rs 272 per litre to appease the IMF for unlocking the critical loan tranche. Pakistan's current situation is the most difficult faced by the country in the last two decades, the Greek City Times reported. However, the IMF's recent review mission has made it clear that the government will have to undertake tax revenues from all those who possess income. There are only around 3.5 million return filers out of over 200 million population, so there is a need for broadening the narrow tax base. Under the IMF's prescriptions, the government unveiled the minibudget, slapping additional taxes of Pak Rs.170 billion and it was expected that it would soon be passed by the National Assembly. (ANI) Islamabad Police arrive at former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's residence at Zaman Park, Lahore to arrest him in the Toshakhana case, reports Pakistani Media. PTI threatens nationwide mass protests as police attempt to arrest Imran from Zaman Park residence. Islamabad Police along with their Punjab Police counterparts on Sunday reached PTI chairman Imran Khan's Zaman Park residence in Lahore to take him into custody for his persistent absences from Toshakhana court hearings, the Dawn reported. The 70-year-old former prime minister has thrice skipped indictment hearings in an Islamabad sessions court in the case. The Dawn reported that Islamabad Police were met by a large amount of PTI workers when they arrived at Imran's Zaman Park residence in Lahore to arrest him. they gathered there at Fawad Chaudhry's call. Non-bailable arrest warrants were issued by a sessions court judge for Imran's persistent no-shows in Toshakhana case hearings. And the Police have also said that those who obstruct arrest will be prosecuted. Imran is accused of allegedly concealing details of the gifts in his assets declarations he retained from the Toshakhana, a repository where presents handed to government officials from foreign officials are kept, the Dawn reported. Officials are legally allowed to retain gifts if they pay a pre-assessed amount, typically a fraction of the value of the gift. In a series of tweets today, the Islamabad Police said that an operation to arrest Imran was being conducted with the cooperation of the Lahore police. It stated that the PTI chief was "avoiding" the arrest, adding that the superintendent of police had "gone into Imran's room but he was not present there". "Legal action will be taken against those obstructing the execution of court orders," the police added. The Dawn reported that a footage on television show police officials being held back by PTI workers outside the Zaman Park residence. A short while later television footage showed Punjab police reinforcements arriving outside Imran's house. Additional District and Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal on Feb 28, issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the PTI chief when he failed to appear in person for the indictment. Imran had four in-person court hearings that day and managed to secure bail in three of the four cases. The warrant stated that Imran had repetitively failed to appear before the court. "The accused is making a pick and choose for courts and cases and this case is not included in his priority." "The accused be summoned through a non-bailable warrant of arrest for March 7," it added. On the other hand, Fawad Chaudhary has warned of country-wide protests if 'red line' crossed. In a press conference outside Imran's residence, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that the Islamabad Police had arrived at the ex-Prime Minister's residence to execute his arrest in the Toshakhana case. "There are 74 cases against Imran. It is humanly not possible for any person to appear in court in all these cases," he said, claiming that Imran's arrest was aimed at postponing the upcoming general elections in Punjab. Fawad stated that Imran had always respected the judiciary and appeared before courts whenever he was called. "But they want Imran Khan to go to court so that terrorists can target him again." He then called on party workers across the country to prepare. "If they cross the red line, there will be a protest that Pakistan has never seen before," Fawad added. On the other hand, PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi asked supporters not to panic. Imran was set to be indicted in the Toshakhana Reference on Feb 28, but his lawyer had requested ADSJ Iqbal that he be exempted from the hearing because he had to appear in several other courts. His indictment was deferred twice before. The judge had then issued arrest warrants for Imran and adjourned the hearing till March 7. The Toshakhana case refers that Imran had not shared details of the gifts he retained from the Toshaskhana (during his time as the prime minister) and proceeded with their reported sales, A case was filed by lawmakers from the ruling coalition last year. On October 21, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) concluded that the former premier had indeed made "false statements and incorrect declarations" regarding the gifts. The Toshakhana is a department under the Cabinet Division that stores gifts given to rulers and government officials by heads of other governments and foreign dignitaries. According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division. The watchdog's order had said Imran stood disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution, Pakistan's Dawn news reported. Subsequently, the ECP approached the Islamabad sessions court with a copy of the reference, seeking proceedings against Imran under criminal law for allegedly misleading officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure as the Prime Minister. (ANI) Even as more than three months have passed ever since the Chinese youth took to the streets to demonstrate against President Xi Jinping's 'Zero-Covid' policy in November 2022, their arrest continue to happen, reported Voices Against Autocracy. Unfortunately, many of the protesters who took part in the November 2022 street demonstrations in China against President Xi Jinping's "Zero-Covid" policy are no longer alive. Not only the public memory of these events is fading, but it's possible that the protests themselves may be forgotten in China as a result of China's harsh treatment of the protestors. According to estimates, more than 100 arrests have taken place since the rallies, and thousands of people are being investigated for taking part in the White Paper protests. In the dark, tens of thousands of people protested Covid's stringent restrictions around China by holding up blank white sheets. The ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and its leader Xi Jinping displayed a rare show of criticism against the protesters. Since then, the rallies have received less media coverage, and Chinese authorities have taken every legal measure at their disposal to detain young professionals who were merely expressing their anger at the Chinese government for failing to tackle the Covid pandemic. China's police made a number of arrests in the New Year; some sources put the number at over 100. Since several of the protesters had studied in the US and UK, international rights organisations and foreign institutions have been calling for their release, read a report in Voices Against Autocracy. Even lists of purported arrests, including those who participated in protests in Beijing and other cities including Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Nanjing, have been made public by activist groups. The majority of the inmates in Beijing belonged to an informal group of friends who enjoyed the arts and frequently hung out at book clubs, movie screenings, and talks. The majority of them have advanced degrees, and they include writers, journalists, musicians, teachers, and people working in the financial sector. Reporters Without Borders says that four of the inmates, including Li Siqiare journalists, called their detention "one more chilling warning to those who feel that real information should be reported even when it violates the government narrative." Human Rights Watch (HRW) remarked in response to the incident, "Young people in China are paying a terrible price for daring to speak up for freedom and human rights." HRW further stated that the authorities had threatened the detainees' friends and attorney. According to a report in Voices Against Autocracy, on November 27, 2022, a number of women participated in a peaceful vigil held along the Liangma River in Beijing. A number of impromptu memorial services were organised around China to honour the victims of an apartment fire in Urumqi that stunned the nation and many people believed the victims could not have escaped due to Covid restrictions. The vigil evolved into a nonviolent protest as participants held blank pieces of paper as a sign of dissatisfaction. Knowing well how quickly China is known to put an end to protests, none of those who took part gave much thought to the anticipated response of the Chinese government and, as a result, did nothing to conceal their identities. In meetings with European diplomats, China's leader Xi Jinping originally dismissed the vigils as the work of a few "frustrated student demonstrators." But, after that, Chinese authorities started utilising surveillance cameras and face recognition software to locate demonstrators and checked the phones of those who had been detained. The Ministry of Public Security could have located the protesters rather quickly. A Telegram group created by one of the prisoners grew from a few members to more than sixty. Many of them made use of telephones that were registered in their actual names. Through December and January, it seemed like the number of arrests increased as more friends were taken into custody one by one. By the middle of December 2022, the protestors' public narrative in China had changed. this narrative had not before been mentioned in official outlets. Without any supporting evidence, national bloggers on the internet alleged (NPR January 11, 2023) that foreign meddling was to blame for the upheaval. Several Chinese leaders promoted the idea that foreign nations were to blame, Voices Against Autocracy reported. The issue is that the CPC responds to protests by arresting people and typically making them "disappear," believing that any type of protest is directed against the Party. In what human rights activists refer to as "killing the chicken to scare the monkey," observers feel that authorities are trying to make a statement with the arrests. The Chinese government appears to be searching for those they consider primary organisers and leaders. The Chinese government also wants to blame "Western hostile forces" for the protests. It further highlights China's mistrust of the women's rights movement since many of the detained at present are female and have apparently been asked about supporting feminist causes. The CPC wanted to forget about the A4 protests, which peacefully criticised President Xi Jinping and his policies and were noteworthy for their occurrence. It further highlights China's mistrust of the women's rights movement since many of the detained at present are female and have apparently been asked about supporting feminist causes. The CPC wants to forget about the A4 protests, which peacefully criticised President Xi Jinping and his policies and were noteworthy for their occurrence. The issue is that Chinese individuals are being detained without their consent and do not even have the right to protest. The world needs to be on guard and defend the rights of peacefully protesting Chinese citizens, Voices Against Autocracy reported. (ANI) The third presidential election for Nepal is scheduled for March 9, 2023. After months of disagreement among Nepal's major parties, the date has been set. However, the declaration also brought to a political showdown between Ram Chandra Paudel, the leader of the Nepali Congress, and Subas Nembang, vice chair of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), who are both running for president, reported Pardafas. A weighted voting procedure is used to elect the president. As things stand, Paudel has the support of eight parties, including that of the CPN-Maoist Centre, led by current Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (also known as Prachanda), making him the candidate with the best chance of becoming the next head of state. The eight-party coalition has a total vote weightage of 31,711 votes, which is more than enough to win in favour of Nepali Congress candidate Paudel. The UML, on the other hand, only has 15,281 votes in total weight. The Nepali website, Pardafas, also reported that Prachanda's decision to oppose the nominee of its own alliance partner has heated up the political climate in Nepal, and the coalition government is beginning to display serious internal divisions. The Rashtriya Prajatantra Party already withdrew its support after Prachanda declared his support for Paudel over Nembang by resigning three ministers, among them Rajendra Lingden, the deputy prime minister. A hung parliament resulted from the Nepalese parliamentary elections held in November 2022. In the elections, Prachanda's Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), or CPN-MC, gained 38 seats, Oli's Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), got 78 seats, and the Nepali Congress, led by former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, formed the largest party with 89 seats. As a result of Deuba and Prachanda's failed negotiations, Prachanda and Oli opted to establish the government via rotation, with Prachanda serving as prime minister for the first term. It's crucial to remember that despite the fact that Oli and Prachanda support China, they do not get along. They had been at odds with one another for so long that Oli while serving as prime minister, claimed that Prachanda, supported by India, had ousted him from office during his previous term. So, the two opponents have united not out of doctrine but out of a desire for power, read a report in Pardafas. If the gulf between the coalition members widens further, the presidential elections and the upheaval that follows could lead to forming of a new coalition. India is anticipating the events as they continue to take place. Paudel being elected to the highest office will be better for India. India enjoys stronger relations with Paudel's party, the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led Nepali Congress. When KP Sharma Oli became Nepal's prime minister in 2018, there has been some simmering animosity between the two countries. The Oli government made it plain that it had a strong affinity for China and wasn't afraid to bring up controversial matters like the whereabouts of Lord Ram's birth and territory conflicts in Limpiyadhura, Kalapani, and Lipulekh. Even further, the former prime minister called the coronavirus the "Indian virus" and accused India of spreading it to Nepal. Experts contend that this anti-Indian sentiment is often encouraged by China and is a reflection of Nepal's domestic political unrest. A report in Pardafas read many people think the Oli government's India-bashing was a tactic to divert the public's attention from the state of affairs in Nepal's political circles because his own position in the coalition government is unstable and there is increasing political and economic pressure. Yet, relations improved as Sher Bahadur Deuba became Nepal's new prime minister. With Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, on Buddha Purnima last year, it reached a turning point. This outreach by the Indian Head of Government not only demonstrated to the two neighbours how highly cherished their common culture is, but it also demonstrated the importance and stress placed on mending the relationships at the highest levels. The joint India-Nepal plan to include Lumbini in the Buddhist circuit being promoted by Indian tour operators was also brought about by the visit. This project would be in addition to the plan to construct the Ramayan Circuit, which already connects a number of sites in the two neighbouring countries. The relationship was further strengthened when the Indian prime minister laid the cornerstone for an Indian monastery. Not only were agreements on infrastructure and other fronts made visible, but also soft power links. Nepal offered to let India take over its stalled West Seti hydropower project. A collaborative degree programme in education was developed by Kathmandu University and IIT Madras, and a Dr Ambedkar Chair for Buddhist Studies was established by Lumbini Buddhist University and the Indian Council of Cultural Relations. The basis for India's involvement in Nepal has been its "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family) ethos and "Neighborhood First" policy. India's main objective in this regard has been to promote infrastructural development in Nepal, establish cultural relations, assist in raising human development indicators, and support Nepal in times of need like the 2015 earthquake. India prefers a more moderate Nepali Congress leader Paudel as the country's president, but it never meddles in the internal affairs of another sovereign state and staunchly upholds this position. India's top aim continues to be a politically stable Nepal that respects the will of its inhabitants and looks for improved development partnerships and cooperation with political regimes of all stripes, reported Pardafas. (ANI) The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has imposed a ban on broadcasting "live and recorded" speeches and press conferences of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect, Pakistan based TV Network ARY News reported on Sunday. "It has been observed that Imran Khan [Chairman PTI] in his speeches/statements is continuously alleging state institutions by levelling baseless allegations and spreading hate speech through his provocative statements against state institutions and officers which is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order and is likely to disturb public peace and tranquillity," the PEMRA said. According to PEMRA, airing of "baseless allegations, hateful, slanderous and unwarranted statement" against state institutions and officers was in sheer violation of Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan and a judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) passed in a Suo Moto case. The authority further said that after analysing the content of Imran's speech, it has been observed that the content was aired live by the licensees without an effective time delay mechanism which is a violation provision of Pemra laws and in disobedience of judgements passed by the courts. "The competent authority i.e., Chairman PEMRA in view of the above-mentioned background and reasons, in the exercise of delegated powers of the Authority vested in Section 27(a) of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, hereby prohibits the broadcast of live speech of Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels with immediate effect," the authority added, according to ARY News. PEMRA further directed all satellite TV channels to ensure that an impartial Editorial Board is constituted as required under Clause 17 of the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisement) Code of Conduct 2015 in order to ensure that their platform is not used by anyone for uttering remarks in any manner "which are contemptuous and against any state institution and hateful, prejudicial to law and order situation". It warned of legal action as per PEMRA laws in case of any violation of the directives. Stating that "those in power" were behind the Wazirabad assassination attempt on him, Imran Khan on Sunday particularly named Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and an intelligence official, Pakistan-based Dawn newspaper reported. Khan was attacked in Wazirabad on November 23 while he was leading the "Azadi March" against the PML-N demanding snap polls. The law enforcement agencies arrested suspect Naveed Meher from the site of the attack, and the probe into the assassination attempt is on. Addressing PTI loyalists, Khan said he had never "bowed before any man or institution, and will never let you do so as well", Pakistan-based Dawn newspaper reported. The PTI chief was addressing his party workers and supporters at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore despite being "unavailable" to the police present outside to arrest him. Khan said he had called the public to Zaman Park to pay tribute to them for the way they participated in the 'Jail Bharo Tehreek' (court arrest movement). "I did not call you for my support but to thank you," he added. He said "only a nation, and not a group" could confront the challenges being faced by the country. (ANI) Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has written a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial requesting adequate security arrangements for his court appearances due to possible assassination attempts against him, The Express Tribune reported. "I wish to draw your attention to a very critical issue. Ever since the removal of my government through a regime change operation, I have been confronted with questionable FIRs, threats and finally an assassination attempt," the former prime minister stated in the letter on Sunday, according to The Express Tribune report. Imran Khan has complained of not being provided adequate security despite being the country's former PM. He alleged that the current Prime Minister and Interior Minister were involved in the failed assassination attempt against him. He said that there are clear indications of another assassination attempt against him. Khan said that till date, 74 cases have been registered against him, as per the news report. He said that he is the chairman of the largest political party in Pakistan. He stressed that the right to life is a fundamental right under the constitution and added that there is a "grave threat" to his life. "There are clear indications of another assassination attempt being plotted on my life," he said. "To date, there are 74 cases against me and I am being made to appear in court for hearings time and often. I am chairman of the largest political party in the country and wherever I go massive crowds naturally follow. This further aggravates the prevailing security threat. Right to life is a fundamental right under the Constitution and there is a grave threat to my life," he added. Imran Khan in his last appearance before Lahore High Court said that there was a "total failure" of official security, as per The Express Tribune report. He further stated that the same happened in Islamabad when he had to appear before different courts. He requested the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take action on the threat faced by him from those in power and to ensure adequate security if his appearance in court is necessary. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman requested a video link facility for court appearances due to severe threats to his life. Earlier in the day, Imran Khan demanded a "public trial" of the Toshakhana case before a crowd gathered inside Zaman Park, as per The Express Tribune report. On Sunday, Imran Khan while addressing PTI supporters said he had never "bowed before any man or institution, and will never let you do so as well", Dawn reported. The PTI chief was addressing his party workers and supporters at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore despite being "unavailable" to the police present outside to arrest him. Khan said he had called the public to Zaman Park to pay tribute to them for the way they participated in the 'Jail Bharo Tehreek' (court arrest movement), as per the Dawn report. "I did not call you for my support but to thank you," he added. He said "only a nation, and not a group" could confront the challenges being faced by the country. (ANI) Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly met with her Chinese counterpart Qin Gang on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in New Delhi. During the meeting, Joly told her Chinese counterpart that Canada will never tolerate any form of foreign interference in its internal affairs and democracy, according to the statement. During the meeting, Melanie Joly was "direct, firm and unequivocal." She told Qin Gang that Canada will never accept any breach by Chinese diplomats of the Vienna Convention on Canada's territory, according to the statement released by Melanie Joly on Twitter. "Canada will never tolerate any form of foreign interference in our democracy and internal affairs by China," Melanie Joly said in the meeting, according to the statement. "We will never accept any breach of our territorial integrity and sovereignty," Joly said. According to the statement, Melanie Joly said, "We will never accept any breach by Chinese diplomats of the Vienna Convention on Canada's soil." During the meeting, Joly reiterated Canada's "firm" position on China as highlighted in the Indo-Pacific strategy. Both leaders agreed to keep lines of communication open. In the statement, Joly noted that it was her first meeting with Qin Gang as he was recently appointed as China's Foreign Minister. Earlier in November, Melanie Joly had met China's former Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the margins of the G20 summit in Indonesia. Meanwhile, Qin Gang has refuted allegations that Chinese embassies and consulates in Canada were trying to interfere in Canadian elections, CBC News reported. He has termed the allegations "completely false and nonsensical." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been facing pressure from his political opponents to launch an inquiry after media reports citing unnamed sources said the Chinese communist government has co-opted some Canadian politicians, CBC News reported. A Commons committee on Thursday passed a motion in a bid to pressurise the government to take action, as per the news report. On March 3, Trudeau said his government has been seized with the issue of foreign interference for years and put in place a system to monitor meddling by China and other bad actors. He made the remarks at a childcare announcement in Winnipeg. Trudeau further said senior officials working on the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol (CEIPP) have already reviewed the 2019 and 2021 campaigns. According to him, they have concluded that while there was some Chinese interference, however, those actions did not compromise the final outcomes. (ANI) Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump (Phillip Caruso/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock) As society evolves, moments in films that were once beloved can start to sour in historys proverbial rear-view mirror. When Sandy (Olivia Newton John) revamps her entire look and personality to please her boyfriend Danny (John Travolta) at the end of Grease (1978), for example. Or when the cartoon crows in Disneys animated classic Dumbo are literally called The Jim Crows. Even plenty of Academy Award-winning movies have not aged particularly well. As the 94th Academy Awards approach this Sunday (27 March), here are 10 Oscar-winning films that are problematic in 2021. Green Book (2018) When Green Book, which won Best Picture at the 91st Academy Awards, arrived in cinemas a few years back, it quickly became a divisive topic of conversation. The picture, starring Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen, enjoyed early success with audiences and sailed through awards season, but critics lambasted it as being shortsighted in its depiction of race relations. About an unlikely friendship between a Black world-class pianist (Ali) touring the Deep South in 1962 and his bodyguard, Italian-American bouncer Tony Lip (Mortensen), Green Book was criticised for historical inaccuracies and depicting Alis character, Dr Don Shirley, as being a Magical Negro archetype whose main purpose in the film is to change a white man (Mortensen) for the better. American buddy comedies have generally mandated equal screen time to both characters except when one of those characters is black, and exists almost entirely to help transform his white companion on a quest toward salvation, wrote IndieWire. Dallas Buyers Club (2013) Jared Leto as Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club (Voltage Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock) This biographical drama chronicles the story of Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey), an Aids patient diagnosed in the mid 1980s who distributes unapproved pharmaceutical drugs to HIV/Aids patients. One of those patients is trans woman Rayon, played by Jared Leto, who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal. Now, critics wondered why a cisgendered actor (Leto) was offered the role instead of a trans actor. Additionally, the character, some felt, was written as less of a three-dimensional being than a vehicle for Rons character to get over his homophobia and transphobia. Rayon isnt a person, shes a function, wrote Paris Lees in The Independent at the time. Story continues Annie Hall (1977) Woody Allen and Diane Keaton in Annie Hall (Rollins-Joffe/United Artists/Kobal/Shutterstock) As a film, Annie Hall has historically been lauded as one of the most beloved romantic comedies of the 20th century, winning four Oscars at the 50th Academy Awards and nominated for five in total. But its been a bad few years for its prolific director Woody Allen, due to the recently reexamined allegations of sexual assault from his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow (Allen has continuously denied all allegations), and made worse by HBOs Allen v Farrow docuseries, which offers a closer look into the decades-old allegations and the subsequent media firestorm. The allegations have trickled down into a number of Allen films, Oscar-winning or not: in particular, the Oscar-nominated Manhattan (1979) depicts the director, then in his 40s, in a relationship with a 17-year-old high school student (Mariel Hemingway). In 1995s Mighty Aphrodite, for which supporting actor Mira Sorvino won the Oscar, 60-year-old Allen briefly romances Sorvinos much younger (though legal) and dim-witted character. Its a pattern that repeats itself over and over and even in Annie Hall an older but nebbishy and unassuming guy happens to fall into bed with a beautiful, young, usually rather innocent, woman. Such a repetition starts to feel uncomfortable particularly given the allegations brought by Dylan Farrow. Additionally, a number of top-tier Hollywood actors and directors have denounced Allen in recent years, with Kate Winslet, Colin Firth, Timothee Chalamet, Rachel Brosnahan, Rebecca Hall, and Greta Gerwig among the names to have publicly denounced him. Not to mention the fact that Annie Hall has a throwaway line about child molesters, one of many that show up in the directors work over the years. Taken together, its difficult to regard Annie Hall in quite the same way. American Beauty (1999) Kevin Spacey and Mena Suvari in American Beauty (Lorey Sebastian/Dreamworks/Kobal/Shutterstock) To begin with, the presence of disgraced actor Kevin Spacey (who won an Oscar for his role as midlife crisis-having protagonist Lester Burnham) definitely puts a damper on re-watching American Beauty, which won five Oscars in 2000, including Best Picture, Best Director (Sam Mendes), Best Screenplay (Alan Ball), and Best Actor (Spacey). In October 2017, actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of making a sexual advance toward him in 1986, when Rapp was only 14. Following Rapps allegations, more men came forward with allegations that the House of Cards actor had made unwanted advances and had sexually harassed them as well. Spacey denied the claims. Rapps lawsuit against Spacey was dismissed last year, with a New York jury concluding that Spacey did not molest Rapp. The film has also aged badly in its depiction of Lesters inappropriate crush on his daughters (Thora Birch) teenage best friend, played by Mena Suvari. The film, of course, doesnt act like the crush is right or OK. But its many scenes where Lester fantasises about Suvari, who is nude and covered in rose petals, caused critics at the time to liken her to a Lolita figure. Roger Ebert wrote at the time: Is it wrong for a man in his 40s to lust after a teenage girl? Any honest man understands what a complicated question this is. Wrong morally, certainly, and legally. But as every woman knows, men are born with wiring that goes directly from their eyes to their genitals, bypassing the higher centers of thought. They can disapprove of their thoughts, but they cannot stop themselves from having them. Suffice it to say, Eberts sorry, but men cant help it screed hasnt aged well either. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Jodie Foster in The Silence of the Lambs (Orion/Kobal/Shutterstock) Another film accused of misrepresenting the transgender and/or genderqueer experience, horror standout The Silence of the Lambs, which won an Oscar for Best Picture, is criticised these days for its portrayal of villain Buffalo Bill (played by Ted Levine). Buffalo Bill is a serial killer who wears his female victims skins, keeps their clothes, and dresses up like them. Though lead protagonist Clarice (Jody Foster) and her cannibal consultant Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) trade dialogue around how a) Bill isnt transgender, and b) theres no link between transgender identity and violence (even movie director Jonathan Demme has said that Bill is not meant to be trans), the intention is often lost on audiences. As Vox TV writer Emily VanDerWerff tweeted, Knowing the intent of a work doesnt mean s***, because the intent is less important than the impact. And when people saw SotL, they didnt hear Buffalo Bill isnt trans. They saw a weirdo serial killer dancing around in womens clothes. Driving Miss Daisy (1989) Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman in Driving Miss Daisy (Warner Bros/The Zanuck Company/Kobal/Shutterstock) When Driving Miss Motherf***ng Daisy won Best Picture, that hurt, director Spike Lee told New York Magazine in 2008. [But] no ones talking about Driving Miss Daisy now. The 1989 movie starring Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman, based on Alfred Uhrys Pulitzer Prize-winning play, is often (and rightly) criticised for its overly simplistic portrait of US race relations in the mid-20th century. The story of a retired schoolteacher (Tandy) living in Atlanta, who employs a Black chauffeur (Freeman), Driving Miss Daisy won Best Picture in 1989. Despite its Academy acclaim, numerous people, even Freeman, have attacked the movie as being two-dimensional, its Black characters stereotypes. In 2000, Freeman, who earned an Oscar nod for the role, referred to the movie as a mistake that led to him being typecast as noble, wise, dignified. The Help (2011) Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis, and Emma Stone in The Help (Dreamworks Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock) Another movie with noble intentions but an overly simplistic view on race relations, 2011 period drama The Help, based on the novel of the same name, is deservedly criticised for leaning on white characters to tell Black stories. Emma Stone stars as Eugenia, an aspiring journalist in Jackson, Mississippi, who wants to write a book from the point of view of the communitys Black maids, exposing the racism they regularly deal with as they work for white families. In the years since its release, Viola Davis, who plays maid Aibileen Clark, has expressed regret over starring in The Help, saying she feels like she betrayed myself and my people and that the film was created in the filter and the cesspool of systemic racism. Additionally, actor Bryce Dallas Howard, who also stars, has acknowledged that The Help is told through the perspective of a white character and was created by predominantly white storytellers. Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump (Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock) Forrest Gump (1994) Critics raise their eyebrows about a lot of things in Robert Zemeckis Oscar-winning comedy-drama, about a learning-disabled young man (Tom Hanks) who just happens to witness some of the most defining historical moments of the 20th century. The list typically includes Forrest Gumps depiction of people with learning disabilities, protestors, and Vietnam War veterans. The most offending detail, though, is the films treatment of Forrests best friend Jenny (Robin Wright), who is abused as a child by her father, and goes on to live a life of pure victimhood, performing at nude bars, dating abusive jerks, and eventually contracting Aids and dying young. As British GQ writer Matt Glasby put it, Jenny is a classic mother-madonna-whore figure who ultimately brings Forrest redemption by shagging him, siring him a son who's clever (and Haley Joel Osment) and then, conveniently for fans of films that end, dying. Crash (2004) Thandiwe Newton and Matt Dillon in Crash (Lorey Sebastian/Lions Gate/Kobal/Shutterstock) Paul Haggis' crime drama cleaned up at the 78th Academy Awards, garnering six nominations, and winning three for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. Crash has, however, been critiqued as being overly simplistic about how it portrays race relations and racial stereotypes. In 2009, when listing the Worst Movies of the Decade, Atlantic writer Ta-Nehisi Coates said, I don't think there's a single human being in Crash. Instead you have arguments and propaganda violently bumping into each other, impressed with their own quirkiness. ('Hey look, I'm a black carjacker who resents being stereotyped.') But more than a bad film, Crash, which won an Oscar (!), is the apotheosis of a kind of unthinking, incurious, nihilistic, multiculturalism. Gone With the Wind (1939) Vivien Leigh and Hattie McDaniel in Gone With the Wind (Selznick/Mgm/Kobal/Shutterstock) Few films have been reassessed the way Gone With the Wind has. Winning 10 Academy Awards out of 13 nominations, with Hattie McDaniel becoming the first Black woman to win an Oscar, the historical epic might have been seen as being progressive for its time, but it has decidedly not aged well. (Many will recall when HBO Max launched last year, it briefly pulled the film off the platform, citing the need for an explanation and a denouncement of the movies depictions of race relations. And, for what its worth, the film was heavily protested as being racist when it first came out in the 1930s.) Indeed, even filmmaker John Ridley wrote an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times lobbying for the film to be removed from HBO Max entirely. It is a film that glorifies the antebellum south, wrote Ridley, who won an Oscar for the 12 Years a Slave screenplay. It is a film that, when it is not ignoring the horrors of slavery, pauses only to perpetuate some of the most painful stereotypes of people of color. ScreenRants Kayleigh Donaldson also weighed in on the films historical misses, writing, The KKK are shown as heroic... Mammy, played by Hattie McDaniel, was seen as the exemplification of the Mammy archetype, a stereotype of a homely Black woman who dotes on her white boss/owner. Slavery as a whole is skimmed over by the movie, with the Civil War seen as a battle over traditional values rather than the right to literally own Black people, and the slaves shown on-screen mostly fit into the happy slave stereotype of Black men and women who were delighted by their lot in life, seen as too irresponsible to work and live free of ownership. This article was originally published in 2019 ILLUSTRATIVE PHOTO "This figure is not limited to women 39 men and 13 minors are among the victims," said Zelenska. Read also: Russians raped and killed civilians during retreat from Lyman, intercept shows These cases became known only because the victims have the courage to report the abuse, she said, adding that the real number of victims could be much higher as many suffer in silence. Zelenska said that the number of cases points to a deliberate policy of the Russian army. "This is their deliberate physical and psychological weapon against Ukrainians," she said. Read also: Russias own women being raped by Kremlins troops Zelenska stressed that punishing the Russians for their sexual and other war crimes should serve as a precedent of the inevitability of punishment. "The victim is never responsible for the crime only the offender is responsible... The victims should know that the state is always on their side... we all have to guarantee them the most important thing justice, punishment for their offenders. Punishing the Russians for their crimes will serve as a precedent that will show any potential aggressor that such crimes cannot be committed with impunity," Zelenska said. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Michael Lazarus' Big Board BIG BOARD is final: One team change in the hours before the bracket reveal as Princeton takes the Ivy League title. The Tigers are projected to play Tennessee as a 14 seed. Alabama's emphatic SEC Tournament win means I keep the Crimson Tide as the No. 1 overall seed. It's possible the committee will have Kansas overall No. 1 the difference is negligible. Arizona State is the final team in the bracket while Nevada is the first team out. No. 1 Seeds Alabama Kansas Houston Purdue Last 4 in Pittsburgh Utah State Rutgers Arizona State First 4 out Nevada Clemson North Carolina Vanderbilt Click here for the Big Board Once we get past the actual selections in Sunday, you take everything that we base bracket predictions on and throw it all away. Here are a few of the things I will be looking at when making actual picks. Early round Cinderellas It's going to be hard to duplicate what St. Peter's did a year ago as a 15-seed. The obvious choice here is projected 12-seed Oral Roberts. The Golden Eagles won two NCAA games in 2021, still have the same coach and star player Max Abnas is back. While Oral Roberts lost opportunities vs. Saint Mary's, Houston and Utah State during the regular season, it fits the profile of the always-dangerous 12-seed. Other possible Cinderellas: VCU, Toledo, Iona, Furman. Team to fade It's probably an easy choice to fade Tennessee as the recent tournament history of Rick Barnes leaves a lot to be desired; he's reached just one Sweet 16 in 10 tournament appearances since 2008. A season-ending injury to point guard Zakai Zeigler makes the Volunteers susceptible as a low 3/high 4-seed. Other fades: Kansas State, Saint Mary's, Marquette. Tournament dark horse Usually we know who the No. 1 overall team is and the likely 4 No. 1 seeds by Thursday of conference tournament week. That's not the case this year ahead of what figures to be a wide-open tournament. Among teams projected 3 or below, I'm looking at UConn to possibly make a big run. The Huskies had convincing nonconference wins over Alabama and Iowa State and have lost only once since January. Story continues Other dark horses: Duke, Miami (Fla.), Texas A&M. Who will win it all? Looking purely at results on the court I'm going to go with Alabama. Kansas is more battle-tested but it's extremely difficult to repeat. Almost every NCAA champion has clear NBA-level talent. The Crimson Tide has that and resiliency in close games, with three second-half comeback wins in the last two weeks. If Alabama gets hot shooting on the perimeter, it will be the toughest team to knock out. Other possibilities: Kansas, Arizona, Houston. Oman will showcase its tourism capabilities and unique sites in the country in cooperation with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) at Berlin International Travel and Tourism Fair (ITB 2023 ) from March 7 to 9. The Omani delegation will be led by Salim Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, reported Oman News Agency (ONA). ITB Berlin is the world's largest tourism industry fair. It brings together countries, tourist destinations, tour operators, airlines, travel agents, booking agents and hotels. The fair will include bilateral meetings between specialists in the Omani tourism sector and their counterparts abroad with the aim of promoting tourism exchange. This edition of the Berlin International Travel and Tourism Fair 2023 (ITB), comes with the tourism sector's recovery from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The statistical data for 2022, showed that the Sultanate of Oman received about 2.9 million visitors by the end of December 2022, recording an increase of 348.2%, compared with the same period of 2021. The data also showed that the total hotel revenues in Oman in 2022, reached RO186 million ($466 million). The volume of investments targeted in the tourism sector during 2021 to 2023 stands at RO3 billion. Work is underway in various investment projects related to tourism that worth RO1.7 billion. pay off mortgage with 401k The government offers several incentives for retirement accounts like 401(k)s. For instance, theyre a tax-deferred investment, meaning you wont pay taxes on them until you withdraw. 401(k) deposits also dont count as taxable income during the year that you make them, so you can use them to lower your tax liability. Just as they incentivize retirement investment, the government penalizes people who withdraw early. But in some scenarios, it may make sense to dip into your 401(k) early. One of these scenarios is to pay your mortgage. Before deciding to take money out of your retirement fund to pay for your mortgage you should weigh the pros and cons. You may also want to get expert advice from a financial advisor about your unique situation. Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage with Your 401(k)? Paying your mortgage off can feel like a relief, especially if the debt hurts your mental health. But you dont want to make this decision solely on that emotion. Your retirement is your nest egg. Before you dip into your retirement savings, there are four questions you need to answer. 1. How Old Are You? If youre under the age of 59.5, youll face an extra 10% penalty for withdrawing from your 401(k) early. Thats a huge blow that makes paying down your mortgage not worth it. That means if you take out $50,000 to pay down the mortgage, youll automatically be penalized $5,000. Thats before taxes, too, so your actual cash-in-hand will be even smaller. 2. How Much Do You Owe? How much you owe on your mortgage factors in a couple ways. For example, lets say you owe $200,000 on your mortgage. If you pay off your mortgage, not only will you not have to make the mortgage payment, but youll also avoid paying the interest on $200,000. However, if you take $200,000 out of your 401(k), youll have to pay tax on the distribution. For $200,000, this could result in owing thousands in taxes. 3. How Much Have You Saved? Depending on how big your nest egg is, paying off your mortgage with your 401(k) could make sense. However, look at your other savings or assets first. If you need to stretch your 401(k) into retirement, it may make more sense to keep it invested and use other assets to pay down your mortgage. Story continues 4. Whats Your Expected Rate of Return? This is a big one. If your 401(k) is reliably delivering a 7% rate of return, you should think before touching it. That rate of return is free money. For example, if you have $1 million in your 401(k), at 7% annually, thats earning you $70,000 a year. As you dip into your 401(k), this annual payment will shrink. If you take $300,000 out to pay off your mortgage, your annual growth will go from $70,000 down to $49,000. Pros of Paying Off Your Mortgage with Your 401(k) pay off mortgage with 401k When you pay off your mortgage, regardless of the method, it can feel rewarding and provide you with plenty of breathing room in your finances. Here are some of the most important things to consider that can be considered positives in your decision-making process. Reduced Monthly Costs: Theres something to be said about not having to pay your mortgage every month. If your mortgage payment is $2,500 a month, thats $30,000 every year that you dont need to worry about. If youre on a fixed income, eliminating this mortgage expense could drastically reduce your regular costs. Avoiding or Reducing Interest Payments: By paying off your mortgage early, youll cut down on the total interest you pay. For instance, if you have a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage of $400,000 at 7% interest, youll pay $558,035.59 in interest alone over that 30 years. The younger your mortgage is, the more this has an impact. Thats because of the way mortgages amortize. Borrowers pay the interest owed up front, gradually paying more of the principal over the loan term. If youre in the final five years of your 30-year mortgage, youve already paid most of the interest. However, if youre in the first five years of your mortgage, you still have most of the interest ahead of you. Planning Your Estate: Owning your home in full can make it easier for your heirs. When estate planning, you may decide to pay off your mortgage so your heirs receive it at full value. As you near the end of your life, owning the home outright can protect the asset for those youre leaving it to. Cons of Paying Off Your Mortgage with Your 401(k) Using your retirement funds always comes with some potential drawbacks to consider to ensure its the right decision for your situation. Here is what you should be aware of before moving forward. Reduced Retirement Assets: Paying off your mortgage with your 401(k) can significantly eat into your retirement assets, especially if you have a large balance left to pay. For instance, if youre paying off a $200,000 mortgage and you have $1,000,000 in retirement savings, thats 20% of your retirement. Loss of Potential for Retirement Asset Growth: If youre seeing 7% returns annually on your retirement savings, by reducing your 401(k), youre reducing your returns. This annual growth can be a large piece of what allows you to retire. By taking out a significant chunk to pay off your mortgage, youre cutting how much returns you can get. A Sizable Tax Bill: Perhaps one of the biggest deterrents to paying off your mortgage with a 401(k) is your tax bill. Remember, all the money you withdraw from your 401(k) will be counted as income on your income taxes. That means that if you withdraw $200,000 to pay off your mortgage, youre going to pay taxes on it. This could bump you up to another tax bracket, raising your effective tax rate. If youre going to pay off your mortgage with a 401(k) withdrawal, be prepared to pay a hefty tax bill. The Bottom Line pay off mortgage with 401k Paying off a mortgage with a 401(k) can make sense in specific scenarios. It removes the emotional weight of the debt, plus it can make things easier for your heirs when estate planning. However, you need to consider the cons carefully. You will end up paying taxes and you dont want to dip into your retirement savings to the point of it affecting your quality of life. Tips for Retirement and Mortgages Want to create a financial plan that grows your money and provides for a secure retirement? You might benefit from talking to a financial advisor. Finding a financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Use SmartAssets mortgage calculator to work out how much a new mortgage payment will be, see how the mortgage amortizes and how much interest you will pay throughout the loan. Check out SmartAssets income tax calculator, you can estimate how much tax you will pay due to a large withdrawal from your 401(k). Photo credit: iStock.com/Wasan Tita, iStock.com/FatCamera, iStock.com/AmnajKhetsamtip The post Using Your 401(k) to Pay Off Your Mortgage appeared first on SmartAsset Blog. At least five people were wounded in a shooting at Royal Palms Beach in San Pedro, California, on Saturday evening, authorities said. All five individuals are hospitalized, with at least two in critical condition the morning after the shooting, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Conditions of two of the other people shot were listed as serious when the LAPD received their latest update about the victims, a spokesperson for the police department said in a statement to CBS News on Sunday. The final person shot and wounded was stable, according to the spokesperson. The identities of those injured have not been shared publicly, although some reports suggest that one of them is a teenager. According to CBS Los Angeles, four of the individuals hospitalized are men, aged 51, 45, 28 and 15. "Five male Hispanic victims were at a barbeque, at the beach, with a group of approximately 10-20 people. Two male Hispanic suspects approached the group and engaged in a physical altercation," the police department spokesperson said on Sunday. "It is unknown at this time if the incident is gang related." Authorities have not located two suspects wanted in connection with the crime. Police with the Harbor division of the LAPD originally received a radio call reporting the shooting at around 5:45 p.m. PT, the department's public information officer wrote on Twitter. A preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects, two men, approached a group of people at Royal Palms Beach and "an altercation ensued which resulted in a shooting," according to the tweet. Five people were hit with gunfire before the suspects fled the scene, the public information officer wrote. Another tweet shared earlier to the same account said there was "not an active shooter situation." Authorities say the suspects were driving a silver sedan. After they fled the San Pedro beach where the shooting occurred, four of the five wounded individuals were transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles firefighters, according to the LAPD. The fifth person was taken to the hospital by a private party, the police department said. Story continues Please see my joint statement with Councilman @TimMcOskerLA on the shooting this evening at Royal Palms Beach in San Pedro. pic.twitter.com/0ORfxKNqNC Janice Hahn (@SupJaniceHahn) March 5, 2023 L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn and City Councilman Tim McOsker said in a joint statement shared on Twitter that they were "outraged and saddened" over the shooting in San Pedro. "We're outraged and saddened by the shooting at Royal Palms Beach in San Pedro that has left 5 people injured. It's tragically ironic that today we hosted a gun buy-back event just a few miles away from this location," their statement read. "Gun violence is wreaking havoc on our community." Royal Palms Beach will be closed on Sunday, and the beach will routinely close earlier on weekends "as we work on plans together to ensure safety and peaceful community use," said Hahn and McOsker. An update on Dominion Voting Systems | 60 Minutes David Byrne: The 60 Minutes Interview ChatGPT: Artificial Intelligence, chatbots and a world of unknowns | 60 Minutes SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined 50,000 revelers on Sunday in a march across Sydney's Harbour Bridge to celebrate the final day of WorldPride festival. The crowd, decked out in rainbow flags and colourful outfits, streamed across the bridge on Sunday morning in sight of the iconic Opera House, just off to their left. "This is just a great celebration and its symbolic of bringing people together, the unity, thats what a bridge does," said Albanese. "Over the last 17 days it has been a great moment of unity and celebrating the diversity in Australian society and also sending a message to the world that were enriched by it." Sydney is the first city in the southern hemisphere to host WorldPride, a global festival celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. The 17-day festival coincides with the fifth anniversary of Australia passing marriage equality legislation. "Im very proud to be marching with the community that I love so much and celebrate how far things have come," said "Jurassic Park" star Sam Neill during the march. Sharlene Dixon, who travelled from Perth for the march, said she was moved to tears by the procession of "78'ers" who led the march. The group is made up of participants of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1978. "I was in tears on the parade watching them, everything theyve done and where weve come has just been great. I was able to marry my wife and have a normal life, so to speak, so its pretty great." (Reporting by James Redmayne and Cordelia Hsu; writing by Lewis Jackson) Researcher Mikael Larsson examines samples of saffron found after nearly 500 years on the seabed on the wreck of the Gribshunden, a ship that sank in 1495 off Sweden's Baltic coast, as he works in a laboratory in Lund University, Sweden, March 2, 2023. Tom Little/Reuters Archaeologists have found a collection of well-preserved 500-year-old spices in a shipwreck. The ship belonged to King John of Denmark and sank off the coast of Sweden in 1495. The spices, which include saffron, peppercorns, and ginger, would have been a symbol of high status. Archaeologists have found a collection of well-preserved 500-year-old spices in the wreck of a royal ship that sank off the Baltic coast of Sweden. The royal ship, called Gribshunden, belonged to King John of Denmark, and it caught fire and sank off the coast of Sweden in 1495. The spices, which include saffron, peppercorns, and ginger, were discovered in the silt of the boat in an excavation led by Brendan Foley, an archaeological scientist at Lund University, Reuters reported. "The Baltic is strange - it's low oxygen, low temperature, low salinity, so many organic things are well preserved in the Baltic where they wouldn't be well preserved elsewhere in the world ocean system," Foley said, per Reuters. "But to find spices like this is quite extraordinary." The spices accompanying King John on his trip to Sweden would have been a symbol of high status as saffron or cloves would have been imported from outside Europe and would have been very expensive. "This is the only archaeological context where we've found saffron. So it's very unique, and it's very special," said Lund University researcher Mikael Larsson, who has been studying the findings. King John traveled to Sweden on the ship as part of a mission to unify Denmark, Norway, and Sweden under his rule, according to ABC News. The ship was docked, and the king was not on board when it caught fire and sank, but around 150 crewmen were killed. The ship, which is one of the best preserved from the late medieval period, was rediscovered in the 1960s, and subsequent excavations have found various items, including a 660-pound wooden figurehead of a sea monster that was thought to ward off evil spirits. Read the original article on Business Insider A 14-year-old boy with a cognitive disability was reunited with his family Sunday after a driver found him walking alone and called 911, according to the Wake County Sheriffs Office. The driver stopped to check on the teen, who was at the intersection of Poole and Hodge roads southeast of Raleigh at about 11:30 a.m. The boy was nonverbal, according to the sheriffs office, and the driver called for help. Sheriffs deputies responded and took the boy to WakeMed Childrens Hospital as a precaution. He was in good health, but authorities did not know his name or where he lived. So deputies asked Wake County Emergency Management to issue a community alert through the countys ReadyWake system, which sends text, phone or email messages to people who subscribe. The alert went out about 12:15 p.m. to about 50,000 people in a five-mile radius of where the boy was found. Deputies also drove around nearby neighborhoods, stopping to talk to whoever they saw, according to sheriffs spokeswoman Rosalia Fodera. It was that way that the boy was reunited with his family, Fodera said. The sheriffs office is still investigating how the boy ended up alone. The sheriffs office has not released the names of the boy or the driver but did send out a press release to praise the driver. We want to thank the driver who stopped to check on this child for being vigilant and quickly notifying us, it said. ZUG, SWITZERLAND - (NewMediaWire) - March 5, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - Inacta Group, a leading Swiss IT solution provider with a venture building arm focused on blockchain enabled business models, and Roland Berger, a global strategy consulting firm, have disclosed that they are working on joint Web3 projects and intend to closely cooperate on many more in the future. One of the projects is for the German utility giant E.On which was announced in December 2022, another is for a pharma- and consumer goods giant based in Switzerland. Inacta is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, in the heart of Crypto Valley, and has delivered many Digital Assets and Web3 projects for clients like AXA, InCore Bank, Swiss Post, Raiffeisen Bank and Visa. Additionally, Inacta has been one of the initiators of the fastest growing blockchain ecosystem in the world, MENA focused Crypto Oasis. Crypto Oasis has been the facilitator for this deal by connecting the stakeholders through their expert knowledge of the global Web3 network. "Many such deals, connecting global players, have been orchestrated by Crypto Oasis as we build on the strong infrastructure of the Middle East and the talent and capital migration into the region," says Saqr Ereiqat, Co-Founder of Crypto Oasis. Roland Berger has been at the forefront of advising blue-chip companies, investment funds and governments on Digital Assets, Web3 and Metaverse strategies and use cases. "Inacta is a reputable company in the Web3 ecosystem. With this new partnership, we extend our offering further towards the implementation of Web3 ventures, while still maintaining the necessary objectivity to be protocol- and vendor agnostic, a key value for us when advising clients," says Pierre Samaties, Partner and Global Head of Roland Berger's Digital Asset, Web3 and Metaverse practice. "Roland Berger is a thought leader among the top strategy consulting firms in the Digital Assets and Web3 space. With our strategic partnership, we can combine strong strategy consulting skills with Web3 implementation power for our clients. We leverage this experience out of Crypto Valley and the growth in Crypto Oasis to bring more Web3 and Digital Asset solutions into the corporate world. For us, it is not about trading of cryptocurrencies, it is about building infrastructure for Tokenisation, Provenance and Digital Identities in several areas," says Ralf Glabischnig, Managing Partner and founder of Inacta. ABOUT ROLAND BERGER Roland Berger is the only management consultancy of European heritage with a strong international footprint. As an independent firm, solely owned by its Partners, Roland Berger operates 51 offices in all major markets. Their 3,000 employees offer a unique combination of an analytical approach and an empathic attitude. Driven by the values of entrepreneurship, excellence and empathy, Roland Berger is convinced that the world needs a new sustainable paradigm that takes the entire value cycle into account. Working in cross-competence teams across all relevant industries and business functions, Roland Berger provides the best expertise worldwide to meet the profound challenges of today and tomorrow. ABOUT INACTA GROUP Digital, decentralised, innovative - Inacta AG, founded in 2009 and based in Zug, is an independent Swiss IT company. More than 100 experienced digitalisation experts support organizations from the insurance, banking, real estate, and healthcare industries. Also part of the Inacta Group are several international ventures with offices in Switzerland and the UAE. Inacta supports established companies as well as start-ups with consulting, project management, and software development. As a leading technology provider for many years, Inacta uses state-of-the-art methods and leads numerous blockchain projects worldwide. ABOUT CRYPTO OASIS Crypto Oasis is a MENA focused Blockchain Ecosystem headquartered in Dubai, UAE. The core elements needed for its growth are Talent, Capital, and Infrastructure. The Ecosystems stakeholders include Investors & Collectors, Start-Ups & Projects, Corporates, Science & Research Institutions, Service Providers and Government Entities & Associations. Crypto Oasis' vision is to be one of the leading Blockchain Ecosystems in the world. Today it is the fastest growing Blockchain Ecosystem in the world, with more than 1,650+ organisations identified in the UAE alone with more than 8,300+ individuals working in the space. RELATED LINKS: Roland Berger - www.rolandberger.com/en/ Inacta Group - https://inacta.ch/en Crypto Oasis - https://cryptooasis.ae Inacta Press Office Maurus Schupfer Communications Manager +41 41 725 08 54 maurus.schuepfer@inacta.ch Donald Trump turned back the clock to the darkest elements of his presidency on Saturday with a fiery address that showed the threat to American democracy is far from over. After a lacklustre start to his campaign, Trump appeared to launch his White House bid in earnest with a vintage display of demagoguery that framed the 2024 election as the final battle for America. The former president, wearing dark suit, white shirt and trademark red tie, also declared war on his own Republican party to the delight of ardent fans in the crowd chanting Trump! Trump! Trump! and USA! USA! USA! Related: Trump rival Nikki Haley seeks support from Republicans tired of losing Opinion polls suggest that Trumps grip on the party is slipping in the wake of the 6 January 2021, insurrection and a disappointing midterm performance. But he continues to rule supreme at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), billed as the biggest annual gathering of grassroots conservatives. Feeding off the energy of a crowd that wore Make America great again (Maga) caps, and watched by Brazils far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro, Trump returned to the authoritarian language that characterised his political rise seven years ago. In 2016, I declared: I am your voice, he said, speaking for just over 100 minutes from a bright blue and red stage in a cavernous ballroom at the closing speech of the CPAC event in Maryland. Today, I add: I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed: I am your retribution, he said. Trump left office in disgrace after two impeachments and a failed attempt to overturn his defeat by Joe Biden in the 2020 election, culminating in a deadly riot at the US Capitol. He faces an array of criminal investigations yet announced another run for president last November at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The subdued launch failed to deter rival Republicans rivals such as Nikki Haley, former ambassador to the UN, who has thrown her hat in the ring. Florida governor Ron DeSantis, seen as the most serious threat to Trump, opted out of CPAC and is instead meeting potential backers in California. Story continues The mood at CPAC, held at a convention centre at the National Harbor in Maryland, was sluggish for much of the week but on Saturday night the 45th president drew by far the biggest and noisiest crowd. I didnt know this was a rally, Matt, Trump said at one point to CPAC impresario Matt Schlapp. It really is a rally. Perhaps stung by critics who say Trump has lost the swagger of his first campaign, Trump seemed determined to tap into supporters nostalgia and make the case that, together, they could rekindle the old magic. For seven years you and I have been engaged in an epic struggle to rescue our country from the people who hate it and want to absolutely destroy it, he said. We are going to finish what we started. We started something that was a miracle. Were going to complete the mission, were going to see this battle through to ultimate victory. Were going to make America great again. As the crowd erupted in cheers and chants of Four more years!, Trump cast the upcoming election in Manichean terms, returning to his us-versus-them rhetoric of old. Supporters of Donald Trump as he speaks at CPAC. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images With you at my side, we will demolish the deep state. We will expel the war mongers... We will drive out the globalists. We will cast out the communists. We will throw off the political class that hates our country We will beat the Democrats. We will rout the fake news media. We will expose and appropriately deal with the Rinos [Republicans in name only]. We will evict Joe Biden from the White House. And we will liberate America from these villains and scoundrels once and for all, he said. Trump then sent a warning to the party that he has shaped in his own image in an effort to crush dissent. We had a Republican party that was ruled by freaks, neocons, globalists, open border zealots and fools but we are never going back to the party of Paul Ryan, Karl Rove and Jeb Bush. In a zigzagging speech, Trump avoided references to DeSantis but repeatedly turned his fire on Biden. This is the most dangerous time in our countrys history, and Joe Biden is leading us into oblivion, he said. Trump insisted that Russias Vladimir Putin decided to invade Ukraine because of the USs botched withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. And youre going to have world war three, by the way. Were going to have world war three if something doesnt happen fast. I am the only candidate who can make this promise: I will prevent world war three. He made the unlikely boast: Before I arrive in the Oval Office, I will have the disastrous war between Russia and Ukraine ended... I know what to say. Trump threw red meat to the base: additional border wall construction and a massive increase in border patrols to stop the flow of illegal drugs, one day voting with paper ballots, a crackdown on trans rights and gender affirmation surgeries. He repeated his false claim that he won the 2020 election by a lot when in fact Biden beat him by 7m votes. But before a cult-like crowd, Saturdays event was a warning against Democratic complacency, an indicator that Trump is down but not out and that, just as in 2016, history could take a perilous turn. We have no choice, he said in a startling contrast to Bidens pleas for unity, warning this is the final battle. He concluded: If we dont do this, our country will be lost forever. A man suspected of deliberately setting fire to ambulances intended to help Ukraine has been detained in Poland. Source: Polish TVN24 TV Channel, as reported by European Pravda Details: The incident occurred on 4 March. After 22:00, firefighters received a report of a burning car in the parking lot of the Radow Municipal Administration in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. As it turned out, an ambulance was set on fire. Two fire brigades arrived at the scene. However, the ambulance burned to the ground. The fire also damaged a second ambulance parked nearby and two other cars. These three vehicles are likely to be repairable. Police officers and a fire expert worked at the scene on the morning of 5 March. Quote: "Everything points to arson. At night, we detained one person suspected of committing this crime, but he has not yet been interrogated," said Tarnow police spokesman Pawe Klimek. Details: In the afternoon, police officers reported that a 35-year-old man had been detained. Two ambulances and two other vehicles were to leave on the morning of 5 March as part of a humanitarian convoy to Ukraine organised by the Future Force Foundation. A total of 10 vehicles, particularly 6 ambulances and 4 pickup trucks, were to go to Ukraine. After the fire, the convoy was reduced to four ambulances and two pickups. The second part of the transport, i.e., two trucks with medical equipment, was not damaged and also left for Ukraine. The burned ambulance was intended for a hospital in the city of Kharkiv. The Future Force Foundation is currently raising funds to purchase a new ambulance. Background: In early February, the EU handed over trucks, off-road vehicles, and ambulances to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! American Airlines plane on January 21, 2021 Getty Images A student traveling on an American Airlines flight was accused of urinating on another passenger. The airline company said the passenger would not be allowed on future flights. The 21-year-old on a New York-Delhi flight was "heavily intoxicated" at the time, according to ANI. A passenger with Indian citizenship was accused of urinating on a fellow passenger on an American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi on Saturday, a report says. According to the Indian news agency ANI, a named 21-year-old student in the US, was drunk when the incident involving a US citizen occurred during the flight. He is banned from traveling on American Airlines, the airline later said. "American Airlines flight 292, with service from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) was met by local law enforcement upon arrival in DEL due to a disruptive customer. The flight landed safely at 9:50 pm," an American Airline statement said, according to ANI. "Upon aircraft arrival, Purser informed that the passenger was heavily intoxicated and was not adhering to crew instructions on board. He was repeatedly arguing with the operating crew, was not willing to be seated and continuously endangering the safety of crew and aircraft and after disturbing safety of fellow passengers, finally urinated on pax seated on 15G," American Airlines said. American Airlines did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. The Press Trust of India reported that the intoxicated man was asleep when the incident occurred and that he later apologized to his fellow passenger who complained. Delhi Police said legal action is being taken on the basis of a complaint from American Airlines, per PTI. The flight took off from New York at 9:16 p.m. on Friday and landed nearly 15 hours later at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here at 10:12 p.m. on Saturday. A similar incident happened on a flight from New York to New Delhi in January. Wells Fargo fired an employee who was also accused of urinating on a fellow Air India passenger mid-flight, Insider reported. Read the original article on Business Insider Gruyere is the most popular Swiss cheese in Switzerland. Annick Vanderschelden/Getty Images "Gruyere" can be used for cheeses produced in the United States, an appeals court ruled. It's a victory for dairy groups in the US, but French and Swiss cheese-makers aren't happy. They've promised to "vigorously pursue" their efforts to protect the name. The term "gruyere" can be used for cheeses produced outside of the Gruyere region of Switzerland, a US appeals court ruled Friday. It's a victory for dairy groups in the US, but cheese-makers in Switzerland and France aren't happy. Gruyere is a firm yellow cheese named after the town of Gruyeres in Fribourg, Switzerland, where it originated. The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, concluded that "gruyere" is a common label for cheese sold in the US and can't be restricted to cheese from a specific region. It upheld an earlier ruling by the US Patent and Trademark Office. "Cheese regardless of its location of production has been labeled and sold as gruyere in America for decades," the court said in its ruling. "Cheese consumers in the United States understand 'gruyere' to refer to a type of cheese, which renders the term generic." Dairy groups from France and Switzerland the Swiss Interprofession du Gruyere and the French Syndicat Interprofessionel du Gruyere say they're "disappointed" to have lost their bid to restrict the name to cheeses from the region of Gruyere. "We believe that the actual situation in the US market is different from what the Court of Appeal described," the groups' attorney Richard Lehv told the news agency Agence France-Presse. He promised that they would "vigorously pursue" their efforts to protect the name. Krysta Harden, president of the US Dairy Export Council, called the ruling an "outstanding result for manufacturers and farmers here in the United States," per Reuters. Cheese names have long been a bone of contention. In the US "parmesan" cheese has become synonymous with Parmigiano Reggiano, but they are not the same thing. Story continues To earn Italy's official label of Denominazione d' Origine Protetta (DOP), or Protected Designation of Origin, Parmigiano Reggiano must be produced in a particular way within the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna. Read more about the Parmigiano here. Read the original article on Business Insider The upcoming 10th edition of the Arab Aviation Summit (AAS) in Ras Al Khaimah will feature discussions and debates on sustainability, the economic outlook, and key trends shaping the future of aviation. The event gets underway from March 14-16 at Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre. Organised under the theme Impactful sustainability in modern-day travel and tourism, the three-day summit hosting a distinguished gathering of thought-leaders, innovators, and industry experts, will explore decarbonising pathways in aviation and discuss the challenges and opportunities in the industry with the continued rise of disruptive technologies. Leading regional and global players in the aviation and travel industry will headline inspiring keynote addresses and participate in interactive panel discussions that offer a deep dive into best practices, sustainable business models, regional trends in aviation and tourism, and more. Prominent speakers at the event include Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum, first lieutenant pilot of the Dubai Police Airwing; Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA); Ilin Dimitrov, Minister of Tourism, Republic of Bulgaria, Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia and Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Secretary General, Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO). In a discussion with other industry experts, Ted O'Byrne Chief Executive at AviLease, and Mikail Houari, President, Africa and Middle East at Airbus, will explore the fundamentals of airline economics under the pillar of sustainability. Val Miftakhov Founder & CEO at ZeroAvia a company developing the world's first practical zero emission aviation powertrain, will discuss pathways to net zero in the aviation, travel and tourism industry while Andreas Slettvoll, CEO CHOOOSE, will be part of a discussion on the rise of the next generation traveller and share insights on how the industry is preparing for the future of travel. Dr Fethi Chebil, CEO and Founder of VPORTS, will offer insights into how advanced air mobility will shape airlines, airports and travel operations. Several other industry professionals at the Summit will also deliberate on the rise of travel destinations in the Middle East and offer varied perspectives on airport sustainability including how technology and influencers are shaping the travel and hospitality industry. Hosted in collaboration with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, AAS 2023 is supported by global industry partners such as Airbus, CFM, Collins Aerospace, Turkish Teknik, T3 Aviation Academy, and others. The Arab Aviation Summit is an industry initiative committed to improving the state of Arab aviation and tourism by facilitating a constructive dialogue for public-private co-operation. Referred to as the voice of the industry, this initiative attracts the largest assembly of top executives from the aviation and tourism sector as well as Arab media. TradeArabia News Service Grafton Group plc (LON:GFTU) last week reported its latest annual results, which makes it a good time for investors to dive in and see if the business is performing in line with expectations. The result was positive overall - although revenues of UK2.3b were in line with what the analysts predicted, Grafton Group surprised by delivering a statutory profit of UK0.89 per share, modestly greater than expected. This is an important time for investors, as they can track a company's performance in its report, look at what experts are forecasting for next year, and see if there has been any change to expectations for the business. We've gathered the most recent statutory forecasts to see whether the analysts have changed their earnings models, following these results. See our latest analysis for Grafton Group Following last week's earnings report, Grafton Group's nine analysts are forecasting 2023 revenues to be UK2.28b, approximately in line with the last 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are expected to dive 32% to UK0.64 in the same period. In the lead-up to this report, the analysts had been modelling revenues of UK2.24b and earnings per share (EPS) of UK0.62 in 2023. So the consensus seems to have become somewhat more optimistic on Grafton Group's earnings potential following these results. The consensus price target was unchanged at UK10.75, implying that the improved earnings outlook is not expected to have a long term impact on value creation for shareholders. That's not the only conclusion we can draw from this data however, as some investors also like to consider the spread in estimates when evaluating analyst price targets. The most optimistic Grafton Group analyst has a price target of UK13.00 per share, while the most pessimistic values it at UK9.50. There are definitely some different views on the stock, but the range of estimates is not wide enough as to imply that the situation is unforecastable, in our view. Story continues Another way we can view these estimates is in the context of the bigger picture, such as how the forecasts stack up against past performance, and whether forecasts are more or less bullish relative to other companies in the industry. One thing that stands out from these estimates is that shrinking revenues are expected to moderate over the period ending 2023 compared to the historical decline of 6.4% per annum over the past five years. By contrast, our data suggests that other companies (with analyst coverage) in a similar industry are forecast to see their revenue grow 4.9% per year. So it's pretty clear that, while it does have declining revenues, the analysts also expect Grafton Group to suffer worse than the wider industry. The Bottom Line The biggest takeaway for us is the consensus earnings per share upgrade, which suggests a clear improvement in sentiment around Grafton Group's earnings potential next year. Fortunately, the analysts also reconfirmed their revenue estimates, suggesting sales are tracking in line with expectations - although our data does suggest that Grafton Group's revenues are expected to perform worse than the wider industry. The consensus price target held steady at UK10.75, with the latest estimates not enough to have an impact on their price targets. With that in mind, we wouldn't be too quick to come to a conclusion on Grafton Group. Long-term earnings power is much more important than next year's profits. At Simply Wall St, we have a full range of analyst estimates for Grafton Group going out to 2025, and you can see them free on our platform here.. You still need to take note of risks, for example - Grafton Group has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Manchester United were beaten 7-0 at Anfield (Peter Byrne/PA). (PA Wire) Manchester Uniteds 7-0 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday was their heaviest ever in the Premier League. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at Uniteds five previous biggest Premier League losses. Man Utd 0-5 Liverpool, October 2021 Just over 10 years after Uniteds famous 6-1 home defeat to Manchester City, Liverpool scored five without reply at Old Trafford. Naby Keita and Diogo Jota put the visitors 2-0 up in the opening 13 minutes and after Mohamed Salahs double United were booed off at half-time. Salah sealed his hat-trick in the second period and Uniteds misery was complete when substitute Paul Pogba was sent off for a reckless challenge on Keita. Man Utd 1-6 Tottenham, October 2020 Bruno Fernandes second-minute penalty gave United the lead before Jose Mourinhos Tottenham struck twice in the next five minutes through Tanguy Ndombele and Son Heung-min. After United forward Anthony Martial was sent off for clashing with Eric Dier, Harry Kane and Son put Spurs 4-1 up before the interval and, after further second-half goals from Serge Aurier and Kane, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer declared it was his worst day ever. Man Utd 1-6 Man City, October 2011 City led their rivals 1-0 at half-time thanks to Mario Balotellis opener, but United fell apart after defender Jonny Evans was sent off for his foul on the Italian striker early in the second period. Balotelli and Sergio Aguero made it 3-0 and, after Darren Fletcher struck for United, the visitors scored three times in the closing stages, with Edin Dzeko notching a brace and David Silva completing the rout. Chelsea 5-0 Man Utd, October 1999 United had gone 29 games unbeaten in the Premier League when they kicked off at Stamford Bridge but fell behind inside the opening 30 seconds to Gus Poyets goal. Chris Sutton doubled Chelseas lead before Nicky Butt was shown a straight red card for lashing out at Dennis Wise after a heavy tackle. Poyet grabbed his second after the interval and after Henning Bergs own goal Jody Morris made it 5-0. Newcastle 5-0 Man Utd, October 1996 Newcastle gained revenge on United two months after losing 4-0 to them in the Charity Shield. Darren Peacock and David Ginola put the Magpies in control at half-time. Les Ferdinand appeared to have wrapped the points up by adding a third midway through the second period and it got better for the home fans in a full house at St James Park when Alan Shearer and Philippe Albert added to the scoreline. Cleanup efforts continue a day after nearly 30 cars detached from a Norfolk Southern freight train in Springfield Saturday. Multiple agencies were dispatched near state Route 41 and Gateway Boulevard in Springfield at around 4:45 p.m. Saturday after receiving an emergency alarm for a possible train derailment, according to Springfield Township Fire Chief Dave Nangle. >> PHOTOS: Cleanup underway after Norfolk Southern train derails in Springfield Once on scene crews realized that multiple trains had derailed and worked to make the scene safe for crews to begin cleanup. During the crash, a large high-tension power line was hit creating an electrical hazard and preventing crews from being able to get close to the scene, Nangle said. Ohio Edison cut power to the area impacting over 600 residents in the area. As of Sunday, power has been restored to most. >> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: No risk to public health after Norfolk Southern train derailment in Clark Co. Once it was safe, members of the Springfield Township Fire Department, Springfield Fire Division and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency viewed the scene from a helicopter. After this, and with an itinerary of what was inside the train cars provided by Norfolk Southern officials, all agencies determined there was no threat to public health. Unlike on Feb. 3, when a 38-car Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in East Palestine, carrying highly toxic and combustible chemical compounds that made cleanup difficult for crews and presented a danger to nearby residents with hazardous materials leaking into the environment. >> East Palestine derailment: Timeline of key events in toxic train disaster Crews made note of the four of the around 28 cars that derailed: two tankers with residual amounts of diesel exhaust fluid and the other two with residual amounts of polyacrylamide water solution. Polyacrylamide is a water-soluble polymer that is often used in paper production, agriculture, food processing, and even water treatment. Story continues There was no release of any chemical or any hazardous material to the soil to the air to the water. We are of course tracking that closely, Ohio EPA Director Ann Vogel said during a press conference Sunday afternoon. Vogel did add that non-hazardous PVC pellets did spill from one rail car and EPA will continue to monitor its impacts on the soil. >> PHOTOS: Drone footage shows train derailment near Clark County Fairgrounds Vogels statement were echoed by officials from the Clark County Combined Health District, Clark County EMA and hazmat coordinators. Were looking at clean air, clean soil, and clean water for our residents, Charles Patterson, health commissioner for Clark County Combined Health District said. Kraig Barner, general manager for Norfolk Southern, said his crews worked with first responders and hazmat teams overnight and will continue to do so as cleanup efforts continue. During the press conference Sunday, some questioned Barner on what is being done by Norfolk Southern after another derailment a little over a month after East Palestine. >> Regional, national leaders react to train derailment in Springfield Safety is our number one priority with this derailment, just like every other derailment. We do a full investigation and if theres takeaways or things we learn from the derailment, we implement those. I will say that derailments of this type for our company is actually on the decline year over year, Barner said. Barner said it is estimated that 12 hours of track work will need to be done after all the cars are cleared from the roadway. The company is expected to get asphalt in on Tuesday he added. State Route 41 remained closed during the cleanup. The Ohio Department of Transportation noted that official detours are: Northbound: I-70 west to S.R. 72 north to S.R. 41 north Southound: S.R. 72 south to I-70 east to S.R. 41 south The cause of the derailment remains under investigation, Barner said. This is a developing story and News Center 7 will continue to update as new information becomes available. Multiple cars of a Norfolk Southern train lie toppled after derailing at a train crossing with Ohio 41 in Clark County, Ohio, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Bill Lackey/Springfield-News Sun via AP) A Norfolk Southern cargo train car leans off the tracks after derailing in Clark County, Ohio, at a train crossing with Ohio 41 Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Bill Lackey/Springfield-News Sun via AP) Multiple cars of a Norfolk Southern train lie toppled on one another after derailing at a train crossing with Ohio 41 in Clark County, Ohio, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Bill Lackey/Springfield-News Sun via AP) Multiple cars of a Norfolk Southern cargo train lie toppled on one another after derailing at a train crossing with Ohio 41 in Clark County, Ohio, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Bill Lackey/Springfield-News Sun via AP) Photo from: Eric Higgenbotham/Staff Photo from: Eric Higgenbotham/Staff Photo from: Eric Higgenbotham/Staff Photo from: Eric Higgenbotham/Staff Photo from: Eric Higgenbotham/Staff The Darius inscription, which was announced as inauthentic on Friday Shai Halevi/ Israel Antiquities Authority An inscription bearing the name of a Persian king is "not authentic," the Israel Antiquities Authority said. In a demonstration, an expert in ancient inscriptions had etched the words into the shard last summer. The Antiquities Authority said they take "full responsibility for the unfortunate event." Antiquities authorities in Israel backpedaled on Friday after they announced a supposedly ancient inscription of the name of a Persian king was "not authentic." It turned out an expert in ancient Aramaic inscriptions had etched the words into the shard last summer. The finding of what was thought to be the first-ever discovery of an inscription with King Darius the Great's name received considerable publicity when it was announced on Wednesday. The supposed shard of pottery was found by a hiker last December in Tel Lachish National Park 25 miles southwest of Jerusalem. The inscription on the shard of pottery reads, "Year 24 of Darius," according to a government press release on Wednesday. This would have dated the inscription to 498 BC or 2,500 years ago. Darius the Great was the father of King Ahasuerus an important figure in the Jewish tradition linked to the story of Purim, which is celebrated next week. But after news broke about the seemingly serendipitous finding, an expert came forward to explain that she herself had carved the words into the shard, according to the Associated Press. The expert, who was not named by the Antiquities Authority, was giving a demonstration to students at an archeological site where a Canaanite city once stood and left the modified pottery behind last August. "The Israel Antiquities Authority takes full responsibility for the unfortunate event," said Professor Gideon Avni, the authority's chief scientist, according to Israeli news outlet i24. "In terms of ethical and scientific practices, we see this as a very severe occurrence," he said. The authority said in a statement they believed the researcher had left the shard "unintentionally and without malice," but that it was also "careless," which led to a "rare mistake" that "distorted the scientific truth." Story continues The piece of pottery was found to be ancient after being thoroughly examined in a laboratory, the Associated Press reported, which seemingly added to the confusion. The authority also said it would now review all of its procedures and policies. Darius I ruled the ancient Persian Achaemenid Empire from 522 BC until his death in 486 BC. Read the original article on Business Insider Studies in Hungary and other parts of Europe have proven AI to be effective at identifying breast cancer in mammograms like the one shown above. choja/Getty Images Experts are debating the most effective uses of artificial intelligence as the technology grows. One of the most beneficial use cases so far has been the tech's ability to identify cancer, the NYT reported. Studies in Hungary and other parts of Europe have found it equally as capable as humans. The ever-growing wave of artificial intelligence technology is continuing to expand into the field of medicine, as several clinics across the globe begin experimenting with AI to help doctors detect breast cancer. Hungary has been one of the largest and earliest adopters of the technology, as at least five hospitals or clinics that perform thousands of breast cancer scans per year have used AI programs since 2021, according to the New York Times. The success of using AI to detect cancer in the Hungarian clinics has inspired doctors in England, Scotland, and Finland to also experiment with the technology, per the Times. In a study published last year that charted an AI program's ability to identify breast cancer in 250,000 scans, the technology was found to be as effective, if not more so, than a human radiologist, and was also able to read scans more quickly overall. The study concluded that incorporating the technologies into the medical field could reduce the workload of radiologists by having an automated system that can provide a second opinion quickly and accurately. Companies have been developing such programs for years, as existing artificial intelligence technologies grow increasingly capable of more complex tasks. Insider previously reported on programs created by Google that were capable of sometimes outperforming doctors while they was still in development in 2020. One doctor who spoke to the Times said AI systems could help prevent human error caused by fatigue, as human radiologists could miss life-threatening cancer in a scan while working long shifts. Another told the Times he was shocked at how effective the AI programs were after he presented the software with some of the most difficult cases of his career including instances in which other radiologists had missed signs of cancer in a scan and the program correctly identified the cancer every time. Story continues However, several doctors and AI experts told the Times AI technology will never replace doctors, but instead by used to complement care, for example by having one or two doctors evaluate scans to look for cancer, and then using an AI system to double check anything they may have missed. "An AI-plus-doctor should replace doctor alone, but an AI should not replace the doctor," Peter Kecskemethy, a computer scientist and cofounder of a company that develops the AI programs assisting doctors, told the Times. Read the original article on Business Insider While Seven West Media Limited (ASX:SWM) might not be the most widely known stock at the moment, it received a lot of attention from a substantial price movement on the ASX over the last few months, increasing to AU$0.47 at one point, and dropping to the lows of AU$0.39. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether Seven West Media's current trading price of AU$0.41 reflective of the actual value of the small-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at Seven West Medias outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. See our latest analysis for Seven West Media What's The Opportunity In Seven West Media? Good news, investors! Seven West Media is still a bargain right now according to my price multiple model, which compares the company's price-to-earnings ratio to the industry average. In this instance, Ive used the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio given that there is not enough information to reliably forecast the stocks cash flows. I find that Seven West Medias ratio of 3.14x is below its peer average of 13.95x, which indicates the stock is trading at a lower price compared to the Media industry. Whats more interesting is that, Seven West Medias share price is quite volatile, which gives us more chances to buy since the share price could sink lower (or rise higher) in the future. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for how much the stock moves relative to the rest of the market. What does the future of Seven West Media look like? Future outlook is an important aspect when youre looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Although value investors would argue that its the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. Though in the case of Seven West Media, it is expected to deliver a highly negative earnings growth in the next few years, which doesnt help build up its investment thesis. It appears that risk of future uncertainty is high, at least in the near term. Story continues What This Means For You Are you a shareholder? Although SWM is currently trading below the industry PE ratio, the negative profit outlook does bring on some uncertainty, which equates to higher risk. Consider whether you want to increase your portfolio exposure to SWM, or whether diversifying into another stock may be a better move for your total risk and return. Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on SWM for a while, but hesitant on making the leap, I recommend you dig deeper into the stock. Given its current price multiple, now is a great time to make a decision. But keep in mind the risks that come with negative growth prospects in the future. So if you'd like to dive deeper into this stock, it's crucial to consider any risks it's facing. To that end, you should learn about the 4 warning signs we've spotted with Seven West Media (including 2 which make us uncomfortable). If you are no longer interested in Seven West Media, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here (Bloomberg) -- Austrias Socialist Party retained leadership of the Carinthia state legislature, yet its support faltered as the group struggled to counter resurgent anti-immigration rhetoric. Most Read from Bloomberg The socialists won 39% of the ballot in the southern region bordering Italy and Slovenia thats considered one of its traditional strongholds, according to an estimate published by the SORA research institute based on partial results from Sundays vote. Its backing fell 9 percentage points from previous elections in 2018. Support for the far-right Freedom Party to 24.8% from 23%, while Chancellor Karl Nehammers Peoples Party increased its backing to 17.8% from 15.5%. The socialists weakening support reflects their difficulties in addressing an electorate stung by the surging cost of living, as well as bickering among its national leadership. The Peoples Party was able to boost its backing with Nehammer having recently put immigration at the center of his political agenda. The Freedom Party last year became Austrias most popular political group in polls ahead of national elections scheduled for the second half of 2024. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. city of london The Bank of England has been accused of strangling the City in red tape after two of Britains biggest lenders warned they could be forced to set aside an extra 50bn from 2025. Barclays and NatWest disclosed they could be required to hold up to an extra 34bn and 18bn on their respective balance sheets, owing to proposed changes to capital requirement rules and other factors including increased lending. It comes after the Banks Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) announced that it would require banks to adhere to almost all of the so-called Basel 3.1 banking rules, despite Brussels watering down its own regulations. The Basel rulebook was introduced in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis in a bid to safeguard against future emergencies. The rules dictate bank capital requirements and require them to keep a cash buffer in case they face heavy losses in a downturn. Critics have argued that the PRAs proposed changes will reduce lending to small businesses and put the UK at a competitive disadvantage with the EU. Lenders have been told by the City minister that they could sue the Bank of England over tough new financial rules amid fears that Threadneedle Street's regulations are putting the City at risk. Andrew Griffith's unusual suggestion was regarded as a sign of deepening tensions between the Bank and the Government, which is attempting to make London more competitive following concerns that its role as a global financial hub is being eroded. Andrew Griffith is seen walking in Downing Street - REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo Officials are pushing on with the so-called Edinburgh reforms that will tweak a host of banking, capital raising and listing rules in a bid to boost the City. Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Griffith said: The UK must compete for every pound, dollar or euro... if we need to go further, then we will. Simon Morris, a partner at City law firm CMS, said: Proposing a substantial capital hike for the UKs largest banks can only result in less business at greater cost. It is surprising if the PRA really wants this for several reasons. First, it has repeatedly stated that UK banks are already strongly capitalised. Next, when interpreting Basel 3 requirements, the PRA has a record of deviating from EU norms to meet UK requirements without compromising prudential standards. Story continues It would be strange for it to reverse this stance especially when the Government is calling for enhanced UK financial competitiveness. The disclosures from NatWest and Barclays mark the first time large British banks have revealed the potential effect the PRAs changes will have on capital requirements. Barclays and NatWest both said they expect their risk-weighted assets (RWAs) to increase by between 5pc and 10pc from the start of 2025, with the former saying it expects the jump to be at the lower end of that scale. Barclays current RWAs are 336.5bn, while NatWests stand at 176.1bn. A source close to NatWest said the expected increase encompasses all RWA movements, including increased lending and risk parameter changes as well as reforms to Basel standards. Smaller banks are concerned they will be hit even harder, with one City banking boss saying he believes the changes will lead to a 1pc increase to the cost of small business lending. Phil Evans, the PRAs prudential policy director, previously said the regulators proposals will not significantly increase capital requirements. Barclays, NatWest and the Bank of England all declined to comment. Concerns about the Citys competitive position were exacerbated last week when building material giant CRH became the latest company to leave the London stock market for New York, while British technology darling Arm also said it was shunning London for its bumper listing. President Joe Biden. Oliver Contreras/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images President Biden will visit Selma, Alabama, on Sunday to mark the 58th anniversary of a violent attack against civil rights activists attempting to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The president is expected to deliver a speech on voting rights and the ongoing effort by Democrats to protect access to the ballot box. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that Biden would "highlight how the continued fight for voting rights is integral to delivering economic justice and civil rights for Black Americans," per The New York Times. The anniversary will mark one of the most defining moments of the 1960s, when protesters attempted to march across the bridge in an attempt to shine a light on efforts in Alabama to restrict Black voting. They were met with a violent response by Alabama state troopers, who beat them with clubs, chased them on horseback, and deployed tear gas in an attempt to drive them from the bridge. The day, which has become immortalized as "Bloody Sunday," was called a "seminal moment in the civil rights movement" by The Associated Press. The images of peaceful protesters being beaten caused outrage among Americans, and helped spur the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 just five months later. The courage of the protesters "inspired many to join the fight for civil rights," Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement. "If we are to truly honor the legacy of those who marched in Selma on Bloody Sunday, we must continue to fight to secure and safeguard the freedom to vote." Speaking in Selma in 2013, Biden, then the vice president, said that during Bloody Sunday, "we saw in stark relief the hatred, discrimination and violence that still existed in large parts of the nation." You may also like Camila Alves McConaughey describes 'chaos' on flight that 'dropped almost 4,000 feet' Biden unlikely to attend coronation of King Charles III, White House sources say Colombia proposes shipping invasive hippos to India and Mexico to control population The Italy Pavilion, organized by the Italian Trade Agency, has gathered27 Italian companies specialized in the production of maritime accessories and components to take part in the Dubai International Boat Show. The event is running from March 1-5 at Dubai Harbour. According to the latest Deloittes Boating Market Monitor report the retail market for new boats continues to grow, demonstrating great resilience and dynamism. From 2014 to 2021, the global market value has grown at an average rate of +10%, reaching a total value of around 28 billion euros. 90% of the global new boat retail market is generated by powerboats and 10% by sailboats. 2021 was the year that registered the greatest growth for the Italian maritime sector, with a total turnover increasing from 4.6 billion in 2020 to 6.1 billion euros (+31%). A remarkable number that brings the sector's turnover to almost the same level as the record two-year period of 2007-2008. The exports of shipbuilding production reached an all-time high of 3.37 billion euros (March 2022). One of the largest revenue sources of the Italian maritime industry are accessories and components that are in highly demanded globally for their excellent quality and technology. Italy is the world market leader in the components and accessories sector. In 2021 the total turnover reached a record of almost 1.2 billion euros, 50% generated from sales to foreign markets. When it comes to boat exports, leisure and sporting boats is the category that recorded the highest growth: exports have risen from 850 million euros in 2000 to 3 billion euros in 2021, recording a growth of 2.1 billion euros in monetary value and 247.6% in percent. Non-European countries are confirmed as the main destination of the overseas sales, direct exports to non-EU markets are valued at 2.2 billion euros, corresponding to 74.6% of Italian exports in the sector (compared to 64.3% in 2020). The export of leisure and sporting boats to the UAE had a triple digit growth rising by 261.5% to 39.1 million euros in 2021 (10.8 million euros in 2020). Italy ranks second in the global rank for export in the shipbuilding sector, with a share of 16% (value $ 3.5 billion). Confirming Italys leadership in the yachts sector, the Global Order Book 2022, a special ranking drawn up annually by the Showboats International magazine, places the Italian industry at the top of the world for orders of maxi-yacht, with 19,158 meters overall commissioned and 523 yachts under construction. Lorenzo Fanara, Ambassador of Italy to the UAE, said: The staggering growth of the Italian boat and ship manufacturing sector recorded in recent years proves the excellence of Italian nautical technology and design. In the UAE, Italian nautical manufacturing is synonym with luxury, elegance and quality. Exports to the UAE of leisure and sporting boats recorded an incredible growth of 261.5% in 2021, confirming the growing trust placed in Italian companies and the appreciation for the timeless quality Italy offers. Amedeo Scarpa, Director of ITA office in the UAE said: Italy is one main suppliers of ships and boats to the UAE ($39.1 million in 2021) and the export of nautical accessories, components and boats to the UAE reached 76 million euros in November 2022, confirming this country as one of the main destination markets for the Italian manufactures. The Dubai International Boat Show year after year reconfirms its role as an important promotional, networking and business matching platform for the nautical sector and in particular for the Italian companies. We are here to support the Made in Italy and with the slogan Sustainability is SustainabITALY this year we would like to bring the attention of the public and of the industry to one of the global hot topics: the respect of the environment at the different points of the life cycle of the marine products. TradeArabia News Service (Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden listed accomplishments in the White House, including appointing the first Black woman Supreme Court justice, as he sought to strengthen ties with Black voters at a hallowed site for the 1960s civil-rights movement ahead of a planned 2024 reelection bid. Most Read from Bloomberg Biden spoke in Selma, Alabama, to mark the 58th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when White state troopers attacked voting-rights demonstrators. It was his second attempt in less than two months to solidify support among Black voters after a speech at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta to mark Martin Luther King Jr.s birthday in January. My message to you is this: We see you, Biden told the crowd of several hundred at the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Sunday. Were fighting to make sure no one is left behind. This is a time of choosing and we need everybody engaged. Biden leaned heavily on Black voter support to resuscitate his flagging bid for the Democratic nomination in 2020 and deliver key swing states such as Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania on Election Day. He has backed changes to the Democratic primary calendar that make South Carolina the first state to vote a shift that also moves Georgia ahead of Super Tuesday and will elevate Black voters impact in future races. Taken together, the moves show that Biden who carried 87% of the Black vote in 2020 recognizes the importance that key Democratic voting bloc will play in his upcoming bid for a second term. Even while placing the 1965 clash at Selma in the sweep of US history, Biden used Sundays speech to make the case for his presidency. He mentioned legislation that lowered prescription-drug costs, efforts to reduce gun violence and his commitment to trying to pass fresh voting rights legislation. He also took a swipe at Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who has made headlines for barring critical race theory from advanced placement courses in Florida. Story continues The truth matters, notwithstanding what the other team is trying to hide, Biden said. We should learn everything the good, the bad, the truth of who we are as a nation, and everyone should know the truth of Selma. However, Biden is facing criticism that hes fallen short on his campaign promises. He has been stymied in his efforts to pass new voting-rights and police reform legislation. With Republicans in charge of the House, there is hardly any chance Democratic proposals to expand access to the ballot will make it into law before 2024. Last week, the Supreme Court weighed whether to strike down the presidents student-loan forgiveness program, which is tailored to offer additional savings to low-income students and has been a priority of civil rights groups. Bidens approval rating among Black voters is in decline, falling from 78% in a January 2022 Quinnipiac poll to 61% in February. In the newer Quinnipiac poll, 28% of Black voters had an unfavorable opinion of him. An October Morning Consult poll indicated that Bidens approval fell to 43% last year among Black voters, only a slightly higher average than for voters overall. As he did in Atlanta, Biden reminded the audience on Sunday of his appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson, who in April became the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. Last month, the president hosted a White House screening of the movie Till, which depicts the life of Mamie Till-Mobley, whose son Emmett Till, a Black teenager, was lynched in Mississippi in 1955. We hosted the screening because its important to say from the White House for the entire country to hear: History matters. History matters. And Black history matters, Biden said at a White House reception honoring Black History Month. Bidens visit also followed efforts by some parts of the Republican Party to exacerbate racial tensions in the wake of the Norfolk Southern Corp. train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, arguing that Biden has forsaken White, rural Americans. Progressive Democrats, meanwhile, have criticized Biden for saying he wont veto a measure overturning a District of Columbia law that reduces required penalties for some violent crimes such as carjackings and robberies. It was Bidens first trip to Selma as president. If you think about how the president got involved in politics, it was very much connected to the civil rights movement. So this is important to the president, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday. --With assistance from Gregory Korte. (Updates starting in first paragraph with Bidens speech.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. By Jeff Mason SELMA, Alabama (Reuters) -President Joe Biden pressed for the passage of measures to strengthen U.S. voting rights during a visit to Selma, Alabama, on Sunday to commemorate the 58th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday," when state troopers beat peaceful protesters marching against discrimination. Biden's trip is his latest event aimed at underscoring his commitment to Black voters, who helped propel him to the White House and remain a key constituency going into his expected 2024 re-election bid. It also came as his efforts to pass voting rights legislation have stalled in Congress. Selma is a reckoning. The right to vote and to have your vote counted is the threshold of democracy and liberty," Biden said in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where state troopers clubbed and used tear gas against the 1965 voting-rights marchers. "With it, anythings possible. Without it, without that right, nothing is possible. And this fundamental right remains under assault. After his remarks, Biden marched across the bridge accompanied by civil rights leaders Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and members of his administration. Coverage of the brutality of that day against the marchers, including John Lewis, a Black civil rights activist who went on to become a U.S. congressman, shocked the nation and helped spark the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Biden said Congress must pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, bills that would make Election Day a holiday, register new voters and strengthen U.S. Justice Department oversight of local election jurisdictions with a history of discrimination. Republicans, who control the U.S. House of Representatives, oppose the measures. Biden made a veiled reference to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a potential presidential candidate, and other Republicans who have criticized and even outlawed some educational efforts about racism and slavery. DeSantis recently rejected an Advanced Placement high school course in African American studies claiming that it contained a political agenda, drawing criticism from civil rights leaders and educators. Story continues "No matter how hard some people try, we can't just chose to learn what we want to know and not what we should know," Biden said. "We should learn everything: the good, the bad, the truth of who we are as a nation." The president, who has said he intends to run for re-election, has sought to buttress his support from African American voters. Last month, the Democratic National Committee approved a shakeup of the party's 2024 primary calendar, making South Carolina - a state with a high percentage of Black voters - first in line for holding its presidential nominating contest, displacing Iowa. In January, Biden spoke at the Atlanta church of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Biden's visit to Selma follows Vice President Kamala Harris's trip there last year for the anniversary of the march. "If we are to truly honor the legacy of those who marched in Selma on Bloody Sunday, we must continue to fight to secure and safeguard the freedom to vote," Harris said in a statement on Sunday. Then-President Barack Obama spoke at the 50th anniversary of the march in 2015 and walked across the bridge with his wife, Michelle, and Republican former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; additional reporting by James Oliphant in Washington; Editing by Paul Simao, Marguerita Choy and Lisa Shumaker) Phoebe Gates at an event with her father Bill in June 2022. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Phoebe Gates said the worst part of her TikTok fame is "misconceptions" about her family. The 20-year-old daughter of Bill Gates said people have "conspiracy theories" about them. The youngest Gates told The Information that people follow her because of my family name. Bill Gates' youngest daughter said the worst part about being famous on TikTok was the false opinions people have about her family. Phoebe Gates told The Information the greatest downside to posting on the platform was all the "misconceptions and conspiracy theories." The 20-year-old has more than 64,000 followers on TikTok and gives viewers a glimpse into her life with the Microsoft cofounder and her mother, Melinda French Gates. Her parents divorced in 2021 after 27 years of marriage. "I'm pretty realistic that people start following me because of my family name. And people probably find it funny to see my dad being a goof and playing Boxbollen," Gates told The Information in an email. She added: "But once they follow me, they stick around, and I think some of that is because of the issues that I post about, like women's health. And honestly, TikTok is fun." Gates recently shared clips from a "contraceptive talk with my mom" and a comical video of her dad dancing when he was younger. She posted one video that shows Bill Gates playing a "boxball" game, which has been viewed 8.3 million times since December. Phoebe is the youngest of Bill and Melinda Gates' three children. She studies at Stanford University and has interned at British Vogue. She also uses her social media to speak about the need for sustainability in fashion. She's planning to launch a start-up called Phia later this year with her Stanford roommate and climate campaigner Sophia Kianni. "We're building out an idea to help make fashion more sustainable ... social media is going to be a big part of that," Phoebe told The Information. Story continues Phoebe said her mom was "supportive and curious" about her use of social media and said she "gets" that it's a place for young people to grow, per The Information. "My dad publishes a lot on social, but he doesn't follow it much himself," she added. Phoebe also told the outlet she gets criticized by some users whenever she posts a picture of her boyfriend, another Stanford student, who is Black: "It's 2023. I'm done being memed for being in an interracial relationship." Phoebe Gates didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider (Reuters) -Binance, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, developed a plan to avoid the threat of prosecution by U.S. authorities as it started an American entity in 2019, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. Any lawsuit from U.S. regulators, who had signaled a coming crackdown on unregulated offshore crypto players, would be like "nuclear fall out" for Binance's business and its officers, the WSJ said, citing a Binance executive's warning to colleagues in a 2019 private chat. The report is based on messages and documents from 2018 to 2020 reviewed by The Wall Street Journal as well as interviews with former employees. Binance, founded in 2017, and Binance.US are more intertwined than the companies have disclosed, mixing staff and finances, and sharing an affiliated entity that bought and sold cryptocurrencies, the report said. It noted that Binance.com operated mainly from hubs in China and Japan, yet a fifth of its customers were based in the United States. Binance.US is based in San Francisco. Binance developers in China maintained the software code that supported Binance.US users' digital wallets, potentially giving Binance access to U.S. customer data, the WSJ reported. Since 2020, the Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission have been investigating Binance's relationship to Binance.US, the report said, citing subpoenas and people familiar with the matter. If U.S. regulators determine that Binance has control over its U.S. entity, they could claim the power to police Binance's entire business. In an emailed statement to Reuters, a Binance spokesperson said, "we have already acknowledged that we did not have adequate compliance and controls in place during those early years...we are a very different company today when it comes to compliance." Binance.US, the SEC and DOJ did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. Binance is under heightened scrutiny as three U.S. senators this week asked the giant cryptocurrency exchange and Binance.US for information about their regulatory compliance and finances. Reuters has reported that Binance.US was created as a de facto subsidiary in 2019 to draw the scrutiny of U.S. regulators away from Binance.com. (Reporting by Akriti Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Richard Chang and Diane Craft) An errant Google Forms account and an early trading launch were among the missteps that concerned team members at Binance, based outside of the United States, who worried that U.S. regulators would flag undue influence over its American licensee, Binance.US. This according to a Sunday Wall Street Journal report. The revelations come less than a month after company officials reportedly discussed paying monetary settlements in pending regulatory cases in the U.S. In December, the Justice Department was said to be mulling criminal charges against Binance CEO and founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao. Binanceby far the world's largest crypto exchangewas also among many firms that sought to bring Gary Gensler into the fold as an adviser while he was teaching at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the report said, as many as two years before Gensler became chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Binance US Moved $400M to Trading Firm Linked to CEO CZ: Reuters The Journal cited company documents and interviews with former employees, but also quoted from a group chat among key members of the Binance team, including Zhao. Of meetings with Gensler, Zhao reportedly wrote, "While Gensler declined advisor-ship, he was generous in sharing license strategies. Another employee messaged that Gensler was "likely back in a regulators seat if Dems win the 2020 election." After President Joe Biden was elected, Gensler served on his transition team and was ultimately nominated and confirmed by the Senate to chair the SEC in April 2021. He was granted a five-year term five days laterthrough 2026. A central concern of Binance was staying out of the crosshairs of U.S. regulators while courting U.S. customers. Citing an internal presentation titled "Insulate Binance from US Enforcement," the Journal noted that Binance wanted to stress that Binance.USestablished in 2019 under a a Delaware company named BAM Trading Services Inc.was merely a company that would license Binances technology and brand. Story continues That company, however, was reportedly controlled by Zhao. Binance CEO Tells Staff Next Few Months Will Be Bumpy: Report Binance struggled to separate its global and U.S. businesses, with more than 18% of page views on Binance.com coming from U.S. users. The Journal said a company compliance officer suggested on Telegram, "Have them be creative and VPN." When Binance.US was preparing to onboard new customers, an employee mistakenly created a Google Form using an account under the international company, reportedly causing a stir as the team tried to change the form's attribution from Binance.com to Binance.US. An employee fretted on Telegram that the error could be used as proof of "corporate veil piercing." If I were an AG, I would cite this as evidence," he continued. In a separate instance, the Journal reported that a Binance employee launched trading on Binance.US early, causing panic in the group chat. It was Zhao who eventually diagnosed where the mistake was made: "a guy here in Shanghai." Catherine Coleys quest to conquer crypto Catherine Coley, the first CEO of Binance US, was quoted as declaring that "we are a very separate entity" and "we are simply licensing software" to the public, but telling members of her team internally that they were also reporting to Binance executives "CZ/Wei"Zhao and then-CFO Wei Zhou. "Everyone please post your weeklies before tonight 7 pm est/4 pm pst so we can be in the good graces of Wei," she reportedly posted on Telegram. "Send me 2-5 bullet points of what we think CZ/Wei should know about your work." The Journal secured statements from both Binance and Binance.US, the former responding that Binance.com "did not have adequate compliance and controls in place during those early years... we are a very different company today when it comes to compliance. The U.S. spokesperson said simply, Binance.US was founded specifically to serve U.S. customers with products and services that adhere to U.S. rules and regulations. Decrypt has previously reported on Binances multiple compliance shortcomings, which have raised the ire of regulators in the United Kingdom, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore and many other jurisdictions. Biome Australia (ASX:BIO) First Half 2023 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: AU$3.38m (up 88% from 1H 2022). Net loss: AU$1.74m (loss narrowed by 30% from 1H 2022). AU$0.009 loss per share (improved from AU$0.012 loss in 1H 2022). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period Biome Australia shares are up 15% from a week ago. Risk Analysis What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Biome Australia (of which 1 shouldn't be ignored!) you should know about. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here HBO When single mother Costello Jones (Daisy May Cooper) is booted from her subsidized London flat in the first moments of HBOs new dramedy Rain Dogs, its still early in the day. Costello and her preteen daughter, Iris (Fleur Tashjian), have to hold their heads high as they stroll past looky-loo neighbors and cops, well before anyone has had time for a spot of tea. Poverty porn, at its finest! Costello yells to the crowd, swinging a trash bag of her possessions over her shoulder. Costellos declaration could just as well serve as Rain Dogs logline. The eight-episode first season, which begins airing weekly on March 6 and streams on HBO Max, follows Costello and Iris, as they try their best to navigate the massive wall of socioeconomic forces forged against them. The show takes a linear-yet-scattered approach to telling an untidy story. Episodes jump through time as Costello, an aspiring writer, hunts for new solutions to a problem always nipping at her heelsour only sense of time coming from Costellos sober-tracker app. Despite its chaotic narrative, Rain Dogs manages to craft a powerful and blisteringly authentic portrait of modern perseverance. The series is crass, off-color, and vibrantly British, but it never feels offensive or melodramatic, despite its mordant handling of heavy subjects. With sharp writing and an undeniably brilliant central performance from Cooper, Rain Dogs is set to be the dark horse of the spring television season. Created by playwright and author Cash Carraway, Rain Dogs explores similar subjects to whats found in Carraways 2019 memoir, Skint Estate. From its premiere alone, its quite clear that the series isnt a tale of poverty thrust through a studio filter. Costello and Iris story borrows from Carraways own experiences; the grime between the lines is real, not plastered on by some exploitative Hollywood hack. Yes, these misadventures of a mother and the daughter that shed do anything for are often frustrating, but thats life. All too often, one step forward pushes us 600 steps back, as we fall back on our asses each time we try to get back up. Story continues But Costellos not entirely alone, either. Unfortunately, thats part of her problem. Costellos best friend Gloria (Ronke Adekoluejo) is just as dysfunctional as Costello, only on another end of the spectrum of hard living. Gloria can take Iris on nights when Costello has to work peep shows on the seedy side of London, or while shes hunting for other sex work to try to make ends meet. All of these sordid experiences will hopefully, one day, result in a bestselling memoir. Like Oliver Twist, with big tits, Costello imagines. HBO Her penchant for indulging in lifes most noxious thrills for the sake of her writing has kept Costello reluctantly in touch with Selby (Jack Farthing), her best friend from University. Costello and Selbys dynamic gives an entirely new meaning to the phrase toxic relationship, as viewers find out when Selby is released from prison at the start of the series. Selby might be everything Costello isntgay, posh, and obnoxiously wealthybut somehow, they get along. Selby loves and cares for Iris as if shes his own daughter, and Iris is the one thing that doesnt keep her mother and father figure from tearing each other apart. Selbys weekly allowance from his estranged mother is given to Costello and Iris with abandon, propping them up, only to bring them tumbling down again when hes inevitably cut off for more bad behavior. After all, Selby has a penchant for punching the goons that Costello brings into her orbit. Its often difficult to ascertain which of Costello and Selbys actions toward one another are done out of love, and which are done out of hate. But their pernicious bond illustrates how incredibly difficult it can be to extricate yourself from a bad situation, once youre steeped in itthe same way Costello must constantly hack through the suffocating weeds of her economic class. New on HBO and HBO Max March 2023: Succession, The Last of Us, and More Rain Dogs has a new surprise at every turn, and not all of them are particularly cheery. Costello cleans the apartments of perverts (whom she has a keen affinity for, most of the time) while they masturbate to her dumping dirty mop water down a sink. Shes tricked by newspaper hucksters trying to sanitize her story for the snooty moms at Iris school. Shes fooled into modeling a nightgown for a lowly chap offering her a place to sleep. But shes resourceful as hell, unwilling to let any of the mountainous things that stand in her way keep her from climbing. Cooper is a revelation as Costello. Shes brash and hilarious as she threads the needle that stitches together her characters dual life. Magnetic as any seasoned performer, its a shock she hasnt yet broken out across the Atlanticespecially with two BAFTA wins under her belt. But Rain Dogs, which was produced in association with the BBC, just might be the heralding of a new comedic star in the States as well. Opposite Cooper, Farthing casts a gleefully demented glow as Selby, melding together the two most charismatic, British Grants: Hugh and Richard E., naturally. HBO While the series often ricochets between farcical and dramatically dour at a madcap pace, its would-be slapdash construction works in its favor. Each episode of Rain Dogs is no more than 27 minutes long, allowing viewers a nice taste of Costellos acerbity without ruminating too much on the intrinsic darkness of her situation. Were allowed to live this story through her eyes: trying to value the good and toss out the bad. In order for things not to plod or become histrionic, they have to keep moving. And thats just what Rain Dogs and Costello do so effectively: stay in flux. Each episode of Rain Dogs opens with a title card in a glowing, script font straight out of the marketing campaign for Sofia Coppolas The Beguiled. That title card alone highlights exactly what the series does so well: contrasting the inevitable grit of its premise with undeniable, unexpected beauty at the heart of Costello and Iris relationship. Rain Dogs certainly wont be for everyoneleast of all those who dont enjoy caustic, dark English humorbut thats why its so surprising. Heres one of the first series of the year that doesnt try to operate on a scale of mass appeal. Instead, its focused on itself, making sure that its characters find a way forward for a satisfying tale of what real tenacity looks like. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. (Bloomberg) -- Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said he intends to return this month to Brazil, where he faces multiple investigations, NBC News reported. Most Read from Bloomberg Bolsonaro, who traveled to the US after losing last years presidential election and applied for a six-month visa on Jan. 30, made the comment in an interview while attending the Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington, NBC reported. He has previously mentioned return dates that lapsed, telling CNN Brasil at one point that he planned to be back by the end of January. He also told his lawyer, Marcelo Bessa, that he can postpone his return until April, O Globo reported. He didnt mention a return date during a speech he gave to CPAC on Saturday. Bolsonaro is under investigation on multiple fronts, including his alleged involvement in the Jan. 8 riot targeting Brasilia, the capital, by supporters who refused to accept his election defeat by Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The former president denied responsibility for the attack, saying he was no longer president and out of the country and that his supporters wouldnt back such events, according to NBC. Lulas administration wants Bolsonaro to appear before Brazilian courts and is considering options to force him to return to the country if he doesnt voluntarily come back by the end of March. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. I love Montana's wilderness, but hate how cold it can get. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider I was born in Montana and lived there until I left for college. I go back a few times a year. As a kid, I dreamed of leaving. Now that I have, I see the state's pros and cons with more clarity. I love having the outdoors at my fingertips, but the lack of city life keeps me from moving back. I was born in Helena, Montana, and spent much of my 18 years there dreaming of leaving. The author in her hometown, Helena, as a child (left) and an adult. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider I had that special kind of resentment that many teens have for the place they're raised: It's too small, too boring, too whatever. But since leaving for college in 2015, I've developed a more nuanced view of my home state. Even though I still think there are downsides to living there (like the freezing winters), I can see the tremendous positives, and spend at least a month out of each year working remotely from my childhood home. From its vast outdoor spaces to its perfect summers, here are the best parts of living in Montana and what keeps me from moving back. Living in the Big Sky state means you have access to pristine wilderness everywhere you turn. The field in front of my childhood home (left), and the mountains behind it. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider When I return to my childhood home in Helena, I'm reminded just how important nature is to me and I don't have to go far to access it. If I walk out my back door, I can walk straight into the mountains for a hike. And just a few steps from my front porch is a sprawling field with a stream for my dog to splash around in during the summer. These aren't just perks of my neighborhood: In the middle of town is Mount Helena, a city park with miles of hiking trails. Even without leaving the city limits, residents have access to beautiful views and wide-open spaces. Going out for food and drinks is typically cheaper in Montana than in places like New York and there's no sales tax. The author at a bar in Montana, where there's no sales tax. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider When I go out for dinner or drinks in Montana, I feel like I get more without having to spend more. In my experience, drinks like White Claws can cost half as much as they do in New York City, where I'm based now, which makes a night out far more affordable. Story continues Plus, there's no local or state sales tax in Montana compared to New York City, where the total state and local sales tax comes to nearly 9% on food and beverages sold at restaurants. I love being able to drive anywhere I want, without getting stuck in gridlock traffic. The author and three friends at a hiking trail outside of Bozeman, Montana. Jordan Erb/Insider When I'm in Montana, I love being able to zip around town running errands without getting locked in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Even though Montana's cities are growing and of course experience traffic, it's nothing like that of major metropolitan cities. It feels so freeing to hop into the car and go wherever I want to go, without having to walk to the nearest train station or bus stop and wait for often-delayed public transit. The summer months are fairly temperate and, in my opinion, the perfect temperature. Montana's summers are the perfect temperature for outdoor recreation. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider Visiting Montana for the summer means soaking in all the great things about the state its rivers, lakes, and mountains without stifling heat. That's not to say Montana doesn't get hot. The average temperature in July is in the mid-80s, and there are certainly days better suited to relaxing indoors than heading on an outdoor adventure. But the humidity is low, making it far less sticky than a summer on the East Coast. The temperate summer months make it the perfect time to hike, kayak, and get outdoors. On the other hand, winters can be brutally cold. Enter: the downsides of living in Montana. In December 2022, the weather dropped to about -40 degrees Fahrenheit for days in a row. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider While I was home for the holidays in 2022, Montana was hit with a cold snap that sent temperatures spiraling to -40 degrees Fahrenheit for days in a row. The weather isn't always that extreme, but Montana's winters do get very cold. In Helena, the average low in January is 13 degrees and the high is 33 degrees, and snow typically starts in October, and can last until April or later. Montana's long, brutal winters keep me from enjoying all the state has to offer, and are one of the main reasons why I don't see myself moving back anytime soon. It can also be expensive to get to, depending on where you're coming from. Traveling to and from Montana can get pricey. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider I often joke with my family that it's cheaper for me to fly to Europe than to return to Montana, and there's a bit of truth behind the hyperbole. On a recent scan for flights from New York City to Helena, tickets were running for a whopping $700. For the same week, the cheapest tickets to London were selling for $422. Traveling is perhaps my greatest passion, and living in a large city like New York allows me to do it more often at a lower cost. Flights out of Montana can be exorbitantly high even if you're flying from one of its major airports creating a higher barrier to frequent travel. If you're shopping for or craving something in particular, you might have a hard time finding it when you need it. Without many big-box retailers, most of my shopping is done in Helena's downtown. Matt Volz/AP Photo Despite being the state's capital, it's always felt like there's been something of a big-box retailer curse over Helena. Growing up, the mall was a place where old people went to walk laps around its empty hallways until it was eventually shuttered and torn down. There are no department stores left in town; Macy's was the last one standing, and it closed its doors in 2020. The biggest stores are TJ Maxx, Target, and Walmart, and fast-casual restaurants like Sweetgreen have yet to touch down anywhere in the state. Because of that, I tend to do my shopping at small businesses and eat locally. I love supporting small businesses my family is made of entrepreneurs but if I'm looking for something specific, it can be frustrating to not have a variety of stores to choose from. The lack of city comforts is the primary thing that keeps me from moving back. I love the never-ending things to do in big cities something Montana towns don't necessarily have. Jordan Parker Erb/Insider I've always been drawn to city life: I've lived in Boston and New York City, as well as smaller metro areas like Indianapolis and Boise, Idaho. In each city, I've come to love the vast diversity of things to do and see. In New York, I love that there's always something happening and that the party never really ends. The city is vibrating with buzzy restaurants, hidden bars, and all-night bodegas all of which keep me from permanently moving home. Montana offers a quieter, quainter experience. It's one that I cherish, but one that I can't return to. At least not yet. Read the original article on Insider Elite travel curator Luxury Tribe is hosting the first in-person event of the Luxury Tribe India and ILLUME conference next week in Jaipur, India. Taking place from March 15 to 17 at Leela Palace in India's Pink City, the show follows two years of well-attended digital editions where industry experts and high-end hospitality brands explored the breadth of opportunities in India's luxury travel sector, said a statement. Similar to its virtual counterparts, the Spring/Summer edition -- an invitation-only event comprising ILLUME conference on the first day and two days of Luxury Tribe India marketplace -- will facilitate meetings between India's top luxury travel buyers, travel designers, and global luxury travel brands seeking to tap into India's robust market. Travel intelligence platform Skift sees Indian outbound travel fully recovering next year, with demand expected to outstrip that of former travel giant China. "The potential opportunities for travel providers in India's luxury sector, and brands looking to cater to it, are immense," remarks Sheetal Rastogi, Founder of Luxury Tribe India and Editorial Director of World Travel Magazine. "Travel inspires, and Indians want to light that spark again." Luxury Tribe India will pair selected participants for up to 36 pre-scheduled, 20-minute meetings, host networking sessions, and stage expert-led panels. "After a tough couple of years, we are excited that people can rediscover the joys of travel," notes Rastogi. "By hosting the event in person, industry insiders will make meaningful connections that will ultimately benefit every affluent Indian passionate about travel." The March event will be the first of two in-person shows this year and is expected to welcome more than 60 high-end buyers and travel curators from over 15 cities in India from Amritsar to Chennai, Mumbai to Kolkata. "Indian travellers are incredibly sophisticated, worldly, and inquisitive," continues Rastogi. "There is pent-up demand from them; they are keen to see what they have been missing and want unrivalled experiences." TTN spoke to Rastogi on the event and its programmes. Excerpts: How is the concept different from other luxury travel events? Luxury Tribe events add great value through ILLUME, our conference platform, pre-scheduled appointments with hand-picked and pre-screened buyers and creating lots of engaging, networking opportunities. In addition, Luxury Tribe is the only travel trade event which brings together hand-picked Indian luxury travel buyers under one roof. India is a diverse, emerging source market for luxury travel, and we are creating an opportunity for international suppliers to understand affluent Indian travellers preferences, wants, wishes, and desires, while building successful, long term repeat bookings. When is it expected to come to Dubai/anywhere in the Middle East? We have virtually hosted three highly successful Luxury Tribe events and two ILLUME conferences in 2021 & 2022 with over 60 international suppliers and over 80 hand selected Indian luxury travel buyers. We will be bringing Luxury Tribe: Autumn/Winter 2023 to Middle East in Q4. The location will be announced soon. Are there any buyers or exhibitors from the Middle East at the Jaipur show? Any registered interest? We have key luxury properties and tourism boards from the Middle East highly interested in Luxury Tribe & ILLUME. Dubai has been the go-to destination for Indian celebrities and luxury travellers for quite some time now, and we are seeing interest develop within the luxury traveller from India, to explore the rest of the Middle East as well, be it adventure or culture tourism. Our buyer and exhibitor profile represent this. Confirmed exhibitors from Middle East are: Alila Jabal Akhdar & Alila Hinu Bay Oman and Zulal Wellness Qatar. Boston Police are looking for the publics help in locating a missing teen from East Boston. Dana Barrientos, 16 of East Boston was last seen at 10 p.m. on Friday, March 3 Barrientos was last seen wearing a puffy black Michael Kors jacket and is described as a white Hispanic female, 5 foot 3 inches, 120 130lbs, with brown eyes, and multiple ear, face, and tongue piercings. Anyone with information is asked to contact 911 or A-7 Detectives at 617-343-4234. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg fired back at Republican criticism over his response to the derailment of a train carrying toxic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, blasting his critics as card-carrying members of the East Coast elite. Its really rich to see some of these folks the former president, these Fox hosts who are literally lifelong card-carrying members of the East Coast elite, whose top economic policy priority has always been tax cuts for the wealthy, and who wouldnt know their way around a T.J. Maxx if their life depended on it, to be presenting themselves as if they genuinely care about the forgotten middle of the country, Buttigieg said in an interview with CNN. Buttigieg has come under fire for a series of transportation woes, most recently the derailment in Ohio, which has caused mounting environmental and public health problems. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) became one of the latest Republicans to pile on Buttigieg late last week, arguing the Cabinet official was not ready for the responsibility he has. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has called for Buttigiegs resignation. Buttigieg reflected on mistakes he made after the derailment in the interview with CNN, saying he had not predicted the political fallout from the incident. He said he should have gone to East Palestine sooner he visited a day after former President Trump made a trip and used the opportunity to blast Democrats. But Buttigieg still countered Republican attacks, taking aim at Trump in particular. He said the former presidents visit to East Palestine was maddening, pointing the finger at the Trump administration for efforts to deregulate the rail industry. To see someone who did a lot [to] try to gut not just rail safety regulations, but the EPA, which is the number one thing standing between that community and a total loss of accountability for Norfolk Southern and then show up giving out bottled water and campaign swag? Buttigieg said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Sunday had sharp words for the chorus of Republican-led critics to his response to the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in February. In an interview with CNN, Buttigieg offered his most vociferous defense to date, seeking to rebut claims that the Biden administration doesn't care about the blue-collar town by casting his detractors as the ones truly out of touch. "It's really rich to see some of these folks -- the former president [Donald Trump], these Fox hosts -- who are literally lifelong card-carrying members of the East Coast elite, whose top economic policy priority has always been tax cuts for the wealthy, and who wouldnt know their way around a T.J. Maxx if their life depended on it, to be presenting themselves as if they genuinely care about the forgotten middle of the country," Buttigieg said. MORE: 'It shouldn't take a disaster' for Congress to ensure rail, aviation safety: Sen. Sullivan The transportation chief, a former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who also ran for president in 2020, took specific aim at Trump, who visited East Palestine last month. While in East Palestine, Trump praised local responders and said, "What this community needs now are not excuses ... but answers and results." Trump also said his trip pressured Buttigieg to subsequently make his own appearance. "That's bull----," Buttigieg told CNN. "We were already going to go." He said it was "somewhat maddening" that Trump would visit East Palestine after easing environmental and rail regulations during his time in the White House "and then show up giving out bottled water and campaign swag." Buttigieg has been the target of a fusillade of conservative attacks since last month's train derailment and concerns over the spread of the noxious chemicals that were on board. He conceded to CNN that he should have gone to the site of the crash sooner, saying, "Sometimes people need policy work, and sometimes people need performative work. And to get to this level, youve got to be ready to serve up both. Story continues PHOTO: FILE - Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks during a news conference, Feb. 23, 2023, near the site of the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. (Matt Freed/AP, FILE) Transportation secretaries do not typically visit train derailments, as some Biden administration supporters have noted. But being there in person was valuable, Buttigieg said: "I think it was important to hear and see how the community was responding, what they were worried about it just a different way that you can sense on paper." But Republicans have kept up their scrutiny, which follows past criticism of how the secretary handled issues like Southwest's holiday season flight meltdowns. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and others have said Buttigieg should resign. Some have personally targeted the first openly gay Cabinet member to be confirmed by the Senate, with attacks on his sexuality. Donald Trump Jr. insisted that Buttigieg was only tapped for his job because he was "that gay guy, while Fox News host Tucker Carlson has referred to him as "flamboyantly incompetent" to the point of "evil." MORE: East Palestine toxic train derailment shows urgency of passing new safety law, Sen. Brown says Buttigieg's Democratic defenders say those attacks are off base and that while Buttigieg could have made the trip earlier, Republicans are overestimating his ability to ameliorate the issue while using his past presidential bid as low hanging fruit for attacks. "Maybe they think that because he ran for president, hes an easy target to hit," outgoing Labor Secretary Marty Walsh told CNN. "People always say, 'What's Secretary Buttigieg going to do next? What's Buttigieg going to do next?' We've talked. What he's going to do next is be secretary of transportation." Buttigieg pushes back on East Palestine criticism, calls Trump's trip there 'somewhat maddening' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Sorry boaters, the right whales have the right of way. The Cape Cod Canal remains closed to all marine vessels as three right whales make their way through the 17.4 mile-long waterway, the US Coast Guard Northeast said Monday. Cape Cod Canal continues to remain closed to all vessel traffic, following @corpsnewengland sighting of the whale this morning. USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) March 6, 2023 The canal first closed on Sunday after spotting of three right whales in the canal. #happeningnow - The @CorpsNewEngland has closed the Cape Cod Canal to all vessel traffic, due to the spotting of three right whales in the canal.#News #CapeCod #USACE USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) March 5, 2023 In December 2022, a New England Aquarium official told Boston 25 News that the population for the North Atlantic right whales are in dire straights. Boston 25 News has reached out to the Massachusetts Environmental Police for more info but were told they could not comment at this time. Their numbers are below 350, said Kara Mahoney Robinson. South Shore man working to save North Atlantic right whales as species faces possible extinction She explained that right whales love to hug the coastline, particularly the busy waters up and down the Northeast. Thats left them susceptible to ship strikes and getting tangled in fishing gear. Story continues A pod of right whales was spotted off the Cape Cod Canal in April. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A New York man pleaded guilty on Friday to stealing a badge and radio from a police officer who was brutally beaten as rioters pulled him into the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol over two years ago, court record show. Thomas Sibick pleaded guilty to assault and theft charges for his role in the attack on Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson is scheduled to sentence Sibick on July 28. The judge allowed Sibick to remain free on bond until that hearing. Estimated sentencing guidelines call for Sibick to receive a prison sentence ranging from a low of two years and nine months to a high of nearly six years, according to his plea agreement. Rioters kicked, punched, grabbed and shocked Fanone with a stun gun after pulling him away from other officers who were guarding a tunnel entrance on the Capitol's Lower West Terrace. Another rioter threatened to take Fanone's gun and kill him. Fanone's body camera captured Sibick removing the officer's badge and radio from his tactical vest during the mob's attack, according to a court filing accompanying his guilty plea. Others in the crowd escorted Fanone back to the police line. Before FBI agents showed him the body camera video, Sibick initially denied assaulting Fanone and claimed that he tried in vain to pull the officer away from his attackers. Sibick said he buried Fanone's badge in his backyard after returning home to Buffalo, New York. He returned the badge, but Fanone's $5.500 radio hasn't been recovered. Other rioters have been charged with attacking Fanone, who lost consciousness and was taken to an emergency room. Albuquerque Cosper Head, a Tennessee man who dragged Fanone into the crowd, was sentenced in October 2022 to seven years and six month in prison. During Head's sentencing, Fanone said the attack gave him a heart attack and a traumatic brain injury and ultimately cost him his career. Story continues Kyle Young, an Iowa man who grabbed Fanone by the wrist and handed a stun gun to another rioter who used it on the officer, was sentenced in September 2022 to seven years and two months in prison. A California man, Daniel Rodriguez, pleaded guilty in February to using a stun gun on Fanone during the attack. Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16. Approximately 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the riot on Jan. 6, when the mob of Donald Trump supporters disrupted the joint session of Congress for certifying President Joe Biden's electoral victory. More than 500 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors. Approximately 400 have been sentenced, with over half getting terms of imprisonment ranging from seven days to 10 years. ___ For full coverage of the Capitol riot, go to https://www.apnews.com/capitol-siege Visitors wearing military camouflage stand at the entrance of the 'PMC Wagner Centre', which is associated with businessman and founder of the Wagner private military group Yevgeny Prigozhin, during the official opening of the office block during National Unity Day, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. Associated Press A man trained by Russia's Wagner Group said he didn't expect to survive his first mission, The Wall Street Journal reported. The man told the outlet he was a prisoner with convictions for murder and robbery. The Wagner Group earlier this month said it ended the practice of recruiting prisoners. A 48-year-old Russian inmate turned soldier told The Wall Street Journal that the Wagner Group only gave him three weeks of training and didn't expect him to survive his first mission. The unidentified man, who was captured by Ukrainian soldiers in March, told the Journal he was only trained in one skill how to crawl in a forest, which indicated to him that he was not expected to survive for very long on the battlefield. The Wagner Group, a powerful Russian paramilitary group, caused global controversy for offering convicted prisoners in Russia freedom for fighting against Ukraine. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the group and a longtime ally to Russian President Vladimir Putin, confirmed earlier this month in a Telegram statement that the organization has since stopped recruiting prisoners after fewer continued signing up to participate. The man, who the outlet reported had convictions for robbery, drug offenses, and murder, said on January 29, two squads of six convicts were ordered to assault a Ukrainian outpost in Bakhmut, according to The Wall Street Journal. The city of Bakhmut in Eastern Ukraine has been the site of some of the most deadly fighting in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. A retired US Marine estimated that the average life expectancy of a soldier on the front lines in eastern Ukraine is around four hours. Only four of the men were "combat fit" by the end of the night while the rest were dead or injured, the outlet reported. The man was given permission to pull back the following morning due to injuries to his arm, he told the Journal. "Two machine guns were blazing at us, people were being torn to bits, but they kept telling us: keep crawling ahead and dig in. It was just plain dumb," the man told the outlet. Story continues The man said that soldiers who were injured still had to be allowed by superiors to withdraw, according to the Journal. "If you don't push ahead and do what you're told, you simply get nullified," he said, according to the outlet. "Everyone knows that." "Nullified" is a Wagner term for being executed on the spot, the Journal reported. A doctor declared the man fit t serve again, and he was sent back to the front lines in Bakhmut where he saw hundreds of dead Wagner troops, he said, according to the outlet. "We would just stack up all the corpses in one place and leave them there, there was no time to deal with them," he said. The man said Wagner did not provide his detail with food, so the troops had to scavenge for their meals, and he was captured by Ukrainian forces after he stumbled into an outpost while lost, the Journal reported. Read the original article on Insider CAIRO (AP) A cargo vessel ran aground in the Suez Canal on Sunday, but traffic through the global waterway was not impacted, Egyptian authorities said. The Liberia-flagged MSC Istanbul, heading to Portugal from Malaysia, got stuck in a two-lane part of the Suez Canal, said Adm. Ossama Rabei, head of the Suez Canal Authority. He added that tugboats were deployed to help refloat the vessel. Despite the situation, convoys were transiting through the waterway without any problems, Rabei said, without elaborating on what had caused the ship to run aground. The Suez Canal allows for passage of two convoys of vessels a day in both directions. Later Sunday and after a five-hour effort, the MSC Istanbul was refloated. Built in 2015 and operated by the Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company, the MSC Istanbul is 399 meters (1,309 feet) long and 54 meters (177 feet) wide, according to Marine Traffic, a vessel tracking firm. The vessels length is similar to that of the Ever Given, a colossal container ship that crashed into a bank on a single-lane stretch of the canal in March 2021, blocking the waterway. A massive salvage effort by a flotilla of tugboats helped by the tides freed the skyscraper-sized vessel six days later, ending the crisis, and allowing hundreds of waiting ships to pass through the canal. After it was freed, the Ever Given was held for more than three months in Egypt amid a financial dispute with authorities. Its release came after its owner reached a settlement with canal authorities over compensation following weeks of negotiations and a court standoff. Officials did not reveal details on the terms of the settlement but canal authorities had sought more than $900 million in compensation. The canals blockage forced some ships at the time to take the lengthy alternate route around the Cape of Good Hope at Africas southern tip, requiring additional fuel and other costs. Hundreds of other ships waited in place for the blockage to end. Story continues Sunday's incident was the latest case of a vessel reported stuck in the key global waterway. A tanker transporting liquefied natural gas broke down in the canal last month, also without impacting traffic. In January, a cargo ship carrying corn went aground before being refloated; after a while, traffic through the waterway was restored. The canal, opened in 1869, provides a crucial link for oil, natural gas and cargo. About 10% of world trade flows through the canal, a major source of foreign currency for Egypt. According to the Suez Canal Authority, last year, 23,851 vessels passed through the waterway, compared to 20,649 vessels in 2021. The revenue from the canal in 2022 reached $8 billion, the highest in the Suez Canal's history. Central Florida is no stranger to the culinary scene; food lovers can soon taste some new options. We gathered the following restaurants that will be opening: Apopka food hall A 100-year-old feed store in Apopka will soon change into a food hall. Propagate Social House said it will purchase Halls Feed on East Fifth Street near South Central Avenue and will turn it into Halls on 5th. Buc-ees A popular gas station chain received the green light to open a new location in Ocala. No date has been announced. Read: Buc-ees receives approval for new Central Florida location; heres where it will be Jack in the Box The California burger chain announced it would open Orlando locations after 30 years. Jimmy Hulas If youre craving a taste of the Florida lifestyle, a well-known restaurant expanded to New Smyrna Beach on March 1. The restaurant is famous for its tacos, bowls, burgers and beers. Jimmy Hulas will add its tenth Florida location in New Smyrna Beach on March 1. Jimmy Hulas will add its tenth Florida location in New Smyrna Beach on March 1. Jimmy Hulas will add its tenth Florida location in New Smyrna Beach on March 1. Jimmy Hulas will add its tenth Florida location in New Smyrna Beach on March 1. Jimmy Hulas will add its tenth Florida location in New Smyrna Beach on March 1. Jimmy Hulas will add its tenth Florida location in New Smyrna Beach on March 1. Jimmy Hulas will add its tenth Florida location in New Smyrna Beach on March 1. JoJos Are you craving something sweet? Chicago-based JoJos ShakeBAR will arrive at the Pointe Orlando on International Drive on Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19. Read: JoJos ShakeBAR to open Orlando restaurant this month Rosa Mexicano A fine-dining Mexican restaurant announced plans to open a location at Walt Disney World. Roundup Rodeo BBQ Disney said that Roundup Rodeo BBQ, a Toy Story-themed restaurant in Disneys Hollywood Studios, will officially open on March 23. Read: Windermeres Feather & Quill restaurant closes Feather & Quill also announced this week it had closed its doors to regular food service, but will have catering. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Todd Williamson/Bravo Hashtag: Its all happening. A day after it was reported that Vanderpump Rules stars Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix had split after nine years of dating over his alleged unfaithfulnessspecifically, that he cheated on her with co-star Raquel LevissSandoval took to Instagram to address the chaos. Hey, I fully understand and deserve ur anger & disappointment towards me, he wrote, but please leave [co-star and business partner Tom] Schwartz my friends and family out of this situation Seemingly in response to fans calls to boycott and review-bomb Schwartz & Sandys, the new Los Angeles bar partly owned by Sandoval, he went on to ask that his audience direct ur anger towards me and not his business partners and staff. I will be taking a step back & taking a hiatus out of respect for my employees & partners, he concluded. I need some time to address everything else. Sorry for everything- Notably, his post did not mention Madix, who has yet to publicly address the situation. The break-up was first reported Friday by TMZ, with sources telling the outlet that Madix had discovered sexually explicit texts between Sandoval and Leviss that week. Other Vanderpump stars were quick to point out the omission. S*ndoval. Shut up. Employees, abort mission, LaLa Kent fumed on her Instagram Story. wheres Arianas apology in this? its called narcissism & its terrifying. Wheres the mention of hurting Ariana?! Katie Maloney added on her own Story. No apologies to her? The revelation of the affair reportedly took Madix by surprise, with an insider telling People that Sandoval and Leviss had been sneaking around for months. This has been going on for upwards of six monthsall the while, Tom was sleeping next to Ariana in bed, the person said. She was completely blindsided by this; devastated doesn't even scratch the surface of how she feels. Story continues This is someone she thought she knew; someone she planned to spend the rest of her life with, they continued. You can't even put into words that betrayal. On Sunday, Page Six reported that the former couple appeared to be awkwardly attempting to avoid each other at the Los Angeles home theyve shared for years. (Sandoval is reportedly in the process of moving out.) Madix was spotted by photographers rushing out of the house in fuzzy socks and no shoes, climbing into her car as Sandoval, who fronts a cover band called Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras, returned from the previous nights gig. He put on a great show, one person who was in the audience told E! News. Unless you know what's going on in the rumor mill, you would never know something was going on. That was not the case during Fridays show, when Sandoval asked the crowd, Have you ever been one of the most hated people in America? according to Page Six. Later, an audience member could be heard yelling, Ariana! In footage of the show shared on social media, Sandoval can be heard responding, We love her. A source told People on Friday that cameras are rolling right now on Vanderpumps 10th season, which premiered on Feb. 8, meaning that fans will get to see the fall of the pairs relationship play out in all of its grisly glory. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Lawmakers said on Sunday that it remained impossible to determine with any certainty the origins of Covid-19 because of continued obstruction by Chinas government. We have so few facts because the Chinese regime has obfuscated, Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) said on NBCs Meet the Press. Sundays discussion followed reports late last month that the Department of Energy had concluded that Covid-19 most likely began with an accidental laboratory leak in China a position it shares with the FBI. Other U.S. agencies, though, have said they think it was probably due to natural transmission from animals to humans. We have so few facts that, inevitably, different agencies are going to arrive at different conclusions, Himes said. Himes is the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. His view was shared by the panels chair, Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio). Theres no direct evidence, we dont have China admitting it, we dont have Wuhan Lab handing these things over, Turner said, referring to the city that is home to several laboratories and where the virus first circulated in late 2019. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) also blamed Chinas refusal to be open and honest about Covid-19 for continuing questions about its origin. If this virus had originated virtually anywhere else, we would have had world scientists there, he said on Fox News Sunday. He also told host Shannon Bream: You know, at the end of the day, weve got to keep looking, and weve got to make sure, in terms of future pandemics, that we can have access to where the source of these diseases originate a lot earlier on. Debate over Covid-19s origins has political implications, with the latest reports fueling demands in conservative circles for China to be punished in one way or another for unleashing it. More than a million deaths in the United States have been attributed to the coronavirus; the worldwide total is approaching 7 million. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said last Monday that the U.S. government still had not reached a consensus on how the pandemic started. President Joe Biden did not address the subject last week. Story continues Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Energy Department report supported the view he took back in 2020 when he was part of the Trump administration. Make no mistake, this is a Chinese virus that came from the laboratory, he said on Fox News Sunday. Pompeo also asserted that U.S. funding for international research might have played a part in the development of the virus a theory that Anthony Fauci, the now-retired top pandemic medical adviser, rejected when it first surfaced and that Chinas leadership had made it difficult to know the full scope of what occurred by destroying documents and censoring journalists. A different perspective on the various origin theories came from Leana Wen, former health commissioner of the city of Baltimore and a professor at George Washington University. I think at this point there is circumstantial evidence on both sides, she said on CNNs Fareed Zakaria GPS, but there is one thing that the intelligence community has found and, in fact, has been unanimously saying since early on, which is that this was not intentional. This was not a bio weapon or something that China or scientists or whatever politicians or political leaders were trying to do. (Bloomberg) -- China said its defense spending would grow by 7.2% this year the fastest pace since 2019 amid increasing tensions with the US on a range of issues, including Taiwan. Most Read from Bloomberg Military expenditure is expected to rise to 1.55 trillion yuan ($225 billion) in 2023, according to the Ministry of Finances annual report released Sunday at the start of the National Peoples Congress in Beijing. Spending on the Peoples Liberation Army has increased by at least 6.6% each year for the past three decades, keeping pace or often exceeding economic growth, although the figure is far surpassed by the USs military expenditures. Read: Chinas GDP Goal, Defense Budget, Disorderly Capital: NPC Update Chinese President Xi Jinping is seeking to build a world-class force by 2027, a deadline that coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Peoples Liberation Army. General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said Beijing may want to be ready for an invasion of Taiwan by that year, but has also said the PLA wont be prepared for some time. We in governments at all levels should give strong support to the development of national defense and the armed forces and conduct extensive activities to promote mutual support between civilian sectors and the military, Premier Li Keqiang said in his annual work report to the legislative session. In doing so, we will open a new chapter of unity between the military and the government and between the military and the people, he said. The defense figure that China unveils every year is among the few official announcements that offer signs of progress the PLA is making in its revamp. Analysts outside the nation say the actual amount far exceeds the official sum, partly because R&D expenditures are not included. Story continues This years figure feels in part a reflection of the growing increase in military spending we see globally and regionally, while also a reflection of increased sense of threat in Beijing and a need to be prepared for eventualities, said Raffaello Pantucci, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. Taiwan will clearly be seen as an important focus but my view would be that Chinese preparations go farther than this and remain about building a globally competitive military. China also plans to increase its public security budget by 6.4% the fastest pace in five years. That rise comes after the Asian nation experienced its most widespread protests in decades in November due to broad discontent over harsh Covid Zero rules. See: Why Taiwans Status Risks Igniting a US-China Clash: QuickTake The US spends more on its military than any other country, with a budget of $773 billion for 2023, putting China a distant second, although it has broader security commitments around the world. In a sign of the tensions between Washington and Beijing, the Pentagon recently said that top US and Chinese defense officials havent spoken since November. In early February, China rebuffed a US effort to arrange a call that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had sought with General Wei Fenghe to address the uproar over a balloon Washington said was spying and ordered shot down off the East Coast. China said that move as an overreaction, describing the craft as a civilian device collecting weather data that was blown off course. The incident undercut efforts by Xi and and US President Joe Biden to improve ties that got started in a meeting in Bali in November. Relations had suffered a blow in August, when Nancy Pelosi became the first sitting House speaker in 25 years to visit Taipei. Her successor, Speaker Kevin McCarthy, has signaled he intends to visit Taiwan at some point. The PLA responded to Pelosis visit with unprecedented military drills that appeared to practice a blockade of Taiwan, with exercises occurring off major cities and on the east and west sides of the island that China has pledged to one day bring under its control. China also launched missiles directly over Taiwan. The Defense Ministry in Taipei said Thursday that China sent 21 fighters into a sensitive area near Taiwan, a figure that was the highest in nearly two months. The incursions came after US approved the possible sale of $619 million worth of F-16 munitions and related equipment to Taiwan. --With assistance from Jing Li. (Updates with analyst comments.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. China on Sunday announced a 7.2% increase in its defense budget for the coming year, up slightly from last year's 7.1% rate of increase. That marks the eighth consecutive year of single-digit percentage point increases in what is now the worlds second-largest military budget. The 2023 figure was given as 1.55 trillion yuan ($224 billion), roughly double the figure from 2013. Along with the worlds biggest standing army, China has the worlds largest navy and recently launched its third aircraft carrier. According to the U.S., it also has the largest aviation force in the Indo-Pacific, with more than half of its fighter planes consisting of fourth or fifth generation models. China also boasts a massive stockpile of missiles, along with stealth aircraft, bombers capable of delivering nuclear weapons, advanced surface ships and nuclear powered submarines. The 2 million-member People's Liberation Army is the military wing of the ruling Communist Party, commanded by a party commission led by president and party leader Xi Jinping. In his report Sunday to the annual session of China's rubber-stamp parliament, Premier Li Keqiang said that over the past year, We remained committed to the Partys absolute leadership over the peoples armed forces. The peoples armed forces intensified efforts to enhance their political loyalty, to strengthen themselves through reform, scientific and technological advances, and personnel training, and to practice law-based governance, Li said. Li touched on what he called a number of major achievements in national defense and military development that have made the PLA a more modernized and capable fighting force. He offered no details but cited the armed forces' contributions to border defense, maritime rights protection, counterterrorism and stability maintenance, disaster rescue and relief, the escorting of merchant ships and China's draconian zero-COVID strategy that entailed lockdowns, quarantines and other coercive measures. Story continues "We should consolidate and enhance integration of national strategies and strategic capabilities and step up capacity building in science, technology and industries related to national defense." That includes promoting mutual support between civilian sectors and the military, he said. China spent 1.7% of GDP on its military in 2021, according to the World Bank, while the U.S., with its massive overseas obligations, spent a relatively high 3.5%. Although no longer increasing at the double-digit annual percentage rates of past decades, Chinas defense spending has remained relatively high despite skyrocketing levels of government debt and an economy that grew last year at its second-lowest level in at least four decades. Li set a growth target of around 5% in his address, as he announced plans for a consumer-led revival of the economy still struggling to shake off the effects of zero-COVID. While the government says most of the spending increases will go toward improving welfare for troops, the PLA has greatly expanded its overseas presence in recent years. China has already established one foreign military base in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti and is refurbishing Cambodias Ream Naval Base that could give it at least a semi-permanent presence on the Gulf of Thailand facing the disputed South China Sea. The modernization effort has prompted concerns among the U.S. and its allies, particularly over Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy that China claims as its territory to be brought under its control by force if necessary. That has prompted a steady flow of weapons sales to the island from the U.S., including ground systems, air defense missiles and F-16 fighters. Taiwan itself recently extended mandatory military service from four months to one year and has been revitalizing its own defense industries, including building submarines for the first time. In his remarks on Taiwan, Li said the government had followed the partys "overall policy for the new era on resolving the Taiwan question and resolutely fought against separatism and countered interference." Along with Taiwan, tensions have been rising with the U.S. over China's militarization of islands in the South China Sea, which it claims virtually in its entirety, and most recently, the shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon over the U.S. east coast. The huge capacity of China's defense industry and Russias massive expenditures of artillery shells and other materiel in its war on Ukraine have raised concerns in the U.S. and elsewhere that Beijing may provide Moscow with military assistance. By Yew Lun Tian and Ben Blanchard BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) -Chinese Premier Li Keqiang pledged "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan on Sunday as well as resolute steps to oppose Taiwan independence, with Taipei responding that Beijing should respect the Taiwanese people's commitment to democracy and freedom. China, which claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory, has increased its military activity near the island over the past three years, responding to what it calls "collusion" between Taipei and Washington, Taiwan's main international backer and arms supplier. In August, China staged war games around Taiwan in response to a visit to Taipei by then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Speaking at the opening of the annual meeting of China's parliament, Li said Beijing stands by the "one China" principle, which states that Taiwan is part of China, though did not directly threaten military action. The government should implement our party's policy for "resolving the Taiwan question" and "take resolute steps to oppose Taiwan independence and promote reunification", he told the roughly 3,000 delegates at Beijing's enormous Great Hall of the People. "We should promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and advance the process of China's peaceful reunification." Most Taiwanese people have shown no interest in being ruled by autocratic China, which has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. Li, in separate comments on defence, said the armed forces should boost combat preparedness, though did not mention Taiwan within that context. Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council responded to what it called Li's "reaffirmation" of China's Taiwan policy by saying Beijing should face up to the reality that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are "not subordinate to each other". Story continues China should "respect the Taiwanese people's commitment to the core concepts of holding fast to the sovereignty, democracy and freedom of the Republic of China", it said, using Taiwan's formal name. China should deal with cross-strait affairs pragmatically in a rational, equal and mutually respectful manner, so as to create conditions for healthy interactions, it added. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has repeatedly offered talks with China, which have been rebuffed as Beijing believes her to be a separatist. Taiwan's government strongly disputes Beijing's sovereignty claims, and says only the island's 23 million people can decide their future. Taiwan holds presidential and parliamentary elections in early 2024 and tensions with China are likely to dominate campaigning. (Reporting by Yew Lun Tian in Beijing and Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) By Yew Lun Tian BEIJING (Reuters) -China will boost defence spending by 7.2% this year, slightly outpacing last year's increase and faster than the government's modest economic growth forecast, as Premier Li Keqiang called for the armed forces to boost combat preparedness. The national budget released on Sunday showed 1.55 trillion yuan ($224 billion) allocated to military spending. The defence budget will be closely watched by China's neighbours and the United States, who are concerned by Beijing's strategic intentions and development of its military, especially as tensions have spiked in recent years over Taiwan. In his work report to the annual session of parliament, Li said military operations, capacity building and combat preparedness should be "well-coordinated in fulfilling major tasks". "Our armed forces, with a focus on the goals for the centenary of the People's Liberation Army in 2027, should work to carry out military operations, boost combat preparedness and enhance military capabilities," he said in the state-of-the-nation address to the largely rubber-stamp legislature. This year's hike in defence spending marks the eighth consecutive single-digit increase. As in previous years, no breakdown of the spending was given, only the overall amount and the rate of increase. The spending increase outpaces targeted economic growth of around 5%, which is slightly below last year's target as the world's second-largest economy faces domestic headwinds. Beijing is nervous about challenges on fronts ranging from Chinese-claimed Taiwan to U.S. naval and air missions in the disputed South China Sea near Chinese-occupied islands. China staged war games near Taiwan last August to express anger at the visit to Taipei of then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Li Mingjiang, associate professor at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said defence spending outpacing the economic growth forecast showed China anticipates facing greater pressures in its external security environment, especially from the United States and on the Taiwan issue. Story continues "Chinese leaders are clearly intensifying efforts to prepare the country militarily to meet all potential security challenges, including unexpected situations," he said. China, with the world's largest military in terms of personnel, is busy adding a slew of new hardware, including aircraft carriers and stealth fighters. 'STRENGTHEN MILITARY WORK' Beijing says its military spending for defensive purposes is a comparatively low percentage of its GDP and that critics want to demonise it as a threat to world peace. "The armed forces should intensify military training and preparedness across the board, develop new military strategic guidance, devote greater energy to training under combat conditions and make well-coordinated efforts to strengthen military work in all directions and domains," Premier Li said. Takashi Kawakami, a professor of Takushoku University in Tokyo, said China would probably give priority to its nuclear capability. "As China strengthens the new area of cognitive warfare over Taiwan, I think it will also use the budget to build up its cyber and space capabilities, as well as its submarine forces to target undersea cables," he said. China's reported defence budget in 2023 is around one quarter of proposed U.S. spending, though many diplomats and foreign experts believe Beijing under-reports the real number. The fiscal 2023 U.S. defence budget authorises $858 billion in military spending and includes funding for purchases of weapons, ships and aircraft, and support for Taiwan and for Ukraine as it fights an invasion by Russia. China has long argued that it needs to close the gap with the United States. China, for example, has three aircraft carriers, compared with 11 in active service for the United States. The Ukraine war has prompted some elements in China's military-industrial complex to call for an increase in the defence budget. An article published last October in the official journal of the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence, a central government ministry responsible for wartime logistics, recommended an increase in the military budget given surges in defence spending from NATO member-states besides the United States. "This matter is not about participating in the international arms race, but defending our national security," it said. ($1 = 6.9048 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Yew Lun Tian; Additional reporting by Eduardo Baptista, and Nobuhiro Kubo in Tokyo; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by William Mallard & Simon Cameron-Moore) China's President Xi Jinping during the opening session of the National People's Congress - AFP Xi Jinping will hike military spending to its fastest pace in four years because of what China perceives to be escalating foreign threats. Spending on defence will increase by 7.2 per cent to 1.55 trillion Yuan (187 billion) this year, which is the sharpest rise since 2019 when defence spending rose by 7.5 per cent to 1.19 trillion yuan. The announcement on Sunday comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing, territorial spats in the South China sea, border disputes with India, and its threat to invade Taiwan. Highlighting the renewed focus on defence spending, outgoing prime minister Li Keqiang set a more modest target for economic growth of around 5 per cent for this year. Its the lowest growth target in more than a quarter of a century despite the economy being battered by three years of strict Covid rules. [E]xternal attempts to suppress and contain China are escalating," he said at the annual session of Chinas rubber-stamp parliament. We remained committed to the Partys absolute leadership over the peoples armed forces. President Xi Jinping walks past delegates - AFP Last year, Beijing set a 5.5 per cent economic growth target but badly missed it as tourism, retail and property markets all suffered under draconian lockdowns. The economy grew just three per cent its second-worst performance since 1976, the final year of Mao Zedongs disastrous Cultural Revolution. This years increase on military spending will mark the eighth consecutive year of single-digit percentage point increases in what is now the worlds second-largest military budget. It comes as Beijing asserts itself abroad with a foreign military base in Djibouti and a naval base in Cambodias Ream Naval Base that could give it at least a semi-permanent presence on the Gulf of Thailand facing the disputed South China Sea. The moves have prompted concerns among the US and its allies, particularly over Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy that China claims as its territory to be brought under its control by force if necessary. Along with Taiwan, tensions have been rising with the US over Chinas militarisation of islands in the South China Sea, which it claims virtually in its entirety, and most recently, the shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon over the US east coast. The peoples armed forces intensified efforts to enhance their political loyalty, to strengthen themselves through reform, scientific and technological advances, and personnel training, and to practice law-based governance, Li said. By Eduardo Baptista and Brenda Goh BEIJING (Reuters) -China's science and technology policies should aim to build its strength and self-reliance, while the role of the government in pooling resources for key technological breakthroughs needed to be leveraged better, Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday. The nation effectively countered external attempts to suppress and contain Chinas development over the past five years by promoting development of the real economy through innovation and fostering new drivers of growth, Li said, without naming any countries. China is under increasing pressure from the United States, which has cited national security in restricting access to Chinese semiconductors and artificial intelligence technology. President Xi Jinping has urged the nation to strengthen its self-reliance in science and technology and continue to strive as a global tech power. China's record, however, suggests that self-sufficiency will be difficult to accomplish, despite a "sense of urgency" conveyed by the work report amid intense technological competition with the U.S., said Alfredo Montufar-Helu, Beijing-based head of the China Center at the Conference Board. Li, the outgoing premier, said in his work report to the opening of the annual meeting of China's parliament: "Scientific and technological policies should aim at building up our countrys strength and self-reliance in science and technology. "The new system for mobilizing resources nationwide should be improved, we should better leverage the role of the government in pooling resources to make key technological breakthroughs and enterprises should be the principal actors in innovation." Li said China should accelerate the research and development of cutting-edge technologies and promote their application. The development of the platform economy should be supported and regular oversight conducted, he added. The platform economy comprises China's largest tech companies, such as Alibaba Group and Tencent Holdings. Such firms were the targets of a long, bruising regulatory crackdown that Beijing says it is now easing. Story continues China's finance ministry and its state planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), published reports on Sunday that underlined their support for these goals. The finance ministry said it would boost special funds for the industrial and manufacturing sectors by 4.4 billion yuan this year to 13.3 billion yuan ($1.93 billion), to support areas such as integrated circuits. It announced 6.5 billion yuan for science and tech advancement at the local level, an increase of 2 billion yuan. The NDRC said it would accelerate the construction of hard tech infrastructure, including in artificial intelligence, 5G and big data, and promote the healthy development of instant-delivery online retail and e-commerce livestreaming, key marketing channels for China's consumer sector. It said it would consolidate China's "leading position" in areas such as electric vehicles and solar panels, where the country occupies key places in the global supply chain. Still, the state planner warned that China's supply chains faced the risk of numerous bottlenecks and "chokepoints", saying government would plan and implement a number of major science and technology projects to increase the country's strength in the "frontiers of international competition". Analyst Montufar-Helu noted that Made in China 2025, a high-tech industrial development push Beijing initiated in 2015, had not achieved its goal of producing 40% of the chips consumed in domestic value chains by 2020, and 70% in 2025, as China's microchip consumption was just 16% domestically made in 2021. "This is despite the hundreds of billions of yuan in investment that were injected into the sector over the past years," he said. ($1 = 6.9048 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Brenda Goh, Eduardo Baptista and Josh Horwitz; Editing by William Mallard) BEIJING (AP) BGI Group, one of the world's biggest genetics analysis companies, said Sunday it never would be involved in human rights abuses after the U.S. government said there was a danger some of its units might contribute to Chinese surveillance. Three BGI units were among Chinese companies added to an entity list last week that limits access to U.S. technology on security or human rights grounds. The Commerce Department cited a risk BGI technology might contribute to surveillance. Activists say Beijing is trying to create a database of genetic information from Muslims and other Chinese minorities. The Chinese government accused Washington on Friday of improperly attacking China's companies. BGI, headquartered in the southern city of Shenzhen, said its services are only for civilian and scientific purposes. The U.S. decision may have been impacted by misinformation and we are willing and able to clarify, BGI Group said in an emailed response to questions. It didn't mention Uyghurs or other Muslim minorities but previously has denied it provided technology to surveil them. BGI Group does not condone and would never be involved in any human-rights abuses, the company said. The entity list designation requires BGI Research, Forensic Genomics International and BGI Tech Solutions (Hongkong) Co., Ltd. to obtain government permission to acquire sensitive U.S. technology. Other Chinese companies were cited for their role in the ruling Communist Partys military modernization or weapons development by Iran and Pakistan and suspected human rights abuses in Myanmar. Washington has accused China of trying to use civilian companies to obtain processor chip, aerospace and other technologies with possible military or security uses. Beijing retaliated for earlier U.S. restrictions by creating its own unreliable entity list of foreign companies that might endanger Chinas national sovereignty, security or development interests. Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Technologies Corp.s Raytheon Missiles and Defense unit were added to the restricted list last month after they supplied weapons to Taiwan, the island democracy claimed by Beijing as part of its territory. They are barred from importing goods into China or making new investments in the country. Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images In Huangluo village of Guangxi Zhuang, hair is deeply connected to womanhood. The Red Yao women are widely known for growing their hair nearly six feet long as a sign of longevity. Maintenance involves washing their scalp and strands with fermented rice water in the nearby Jinsha River. The Red Yao women of Huangluo Yao village are visited by people from around the world to witness the most remarkable feature of beauty in their culture their hair. VW Pics/Getty Images Source: Vogue The Red Yao women, referring to their traditionally red clothing, only cut their hair once, typically on their 18th birthday. China News Service/Getty Images The centuries-long tradition is thought to bring longevity and prosperity. Source: Al Jazeera Growing their locks to nearly six feet long, the women have a traditional cleansing routine they follow to maintain hair health and color. Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images The natural "shampoo" includes a key ingredient: fermented rice water. Women for generations have attributed their hair length and health to rice water boiled with herbs, pomelo peels and tea bran. Using a wooden comb, the women distribute the mixture from the scalp to ends. Source: CNN/Great Big Story Yao women mark their first haircut as a sign they are open for marriage. This hair does not go to waste, however the hair is preserved by family until the woman is married. VCG/Getty Images Source: Outlook Traveller As the women mature, certain styles signify different marital and family statuses. VW Pics/Getty Images An unmarried woman typically wears a black scarf covering her head as hair is viewed as sacred and traditionally only seen by family members. If the hair is wrapped around the head, it means the woman is married with no children. Wrapped hair, along with a bun made from the preserved cut hair, signifies the woman is married with children. Source: Al Jazeera, CNN/Great Big Story For centuries, hair was so sacred there were specifications on who could or could not see a woman's hair. Tim Graham/Getty Images Until the 1980s, local lore said that if a man outside a woman's family laid eyes on her uncovered hair, he would have to stay with her family for three years. There were also legends that thousands of years ago, women would whip unwelcome suitors with their long hair. Story continues Source: Vogue One of the most unique results of their hair regimen has been eradicating grey hairs the Red Yao women claim that many do not experience hair graying until well into their 80s. VW Pics/Getty Images Source: Vogue People around the world marvel at the traditional beauty of the Red Yao women and their customs. They are lauded as the "rapunzels" of their province, which has created a substantial market to present the traditions they've preserved for centuries. VCG/Getty Image Source: Vogue Read the original article on Insider Meghan Markle in New York City on December 6, 2022 (left), Chris Rock in New York City on March 15, 2022 (right). ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images, Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for National Board of Review, Chris Rock took aim at Meghan Markle during his new Netflix comedy special, which aired on Saturday. Rock said Meghan accused the royal family of racism for things that he does not consider racist. He said the royals having "concerns" about Meghan's son's skin color is "in-law" behavior. Chris Rock said the royal family sharing "concerns" about the skin color of Meghan Markle's first-born son was not "racism," but rather typical "in-law" behavior. The comedian, 58, took aim at the Duchess of Sussex with a series of jokes in his new Netflix comedy special "Chris Rock: Selective Outrage," which was filmed in front of an audience in Baltimore, Maryland, on Saturday. In a first for Netflix, the special aired live on the platform. Rock began the bit by discussing people who he believes victimize themselves. "Everybody trying to be a victim," Rock said. "Meghan Markle, seem like a nice lady, just complaining. I was like 'Didn't she hit the light-skin lottery?'" Chris Rock backstage before presenting at the 94th Academy Awards in March 28, 2022. Al Seib/Getty After accusing Meghan of knowingly marrying into a family with a long history of racism, Rock said some examples she has given about racism within the royal family aren't actually racist. "It's the royal family! They're the original racists. They invented colonialism," Rock said. "Some of the shit she went through wasn't racism, it was just some in-law shit." Rock went on to reference when Meghan told Oprah Winfrey during her bombshell sit-down interview in 2021 that members of the royal family had "concerns and conversations" about how dark her son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor's skin would be before he was born. "In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, we have in tandem the conversation of he won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title, and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born," Meghan told Winfrey, who appeared stunned. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey. CBS Rock went on to say that the royals asking about Archie's skin color isn't racist because Black people ask the same questions. Story continues "That's not racist because even Black people want to know how brown the baby going to be," he said. Representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Neither Meghan nor Prince Harry has named the members of the royal family who they say had concerns about Archie's skin color. After the Winfrey episode aired, Buckingham Palace released a rare statement on behalf of the late Queen Elizabeth II that said the whole family was "saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been" for the couple. "The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately," it continued. Meghan wasn't the only public figure that Rock poked fun of during his comedy special. He also notably spent the last segment of his performance discussing Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's relationship and the 2022 Oscars slap, which he said "still hurts." Read the original article on Insider Chris Rock is ready to fully address "the slap." One year after Will Smith slapped him at the 2022 Academy Awards, the stand-up comedian has returned to the microphone to address what went down. On March 4, the Amsterdam actor touched on the incident while appearing on Netflixs first-ever live stand-up special, Chris Rock: Selective Outrage. The event, which streamed live from Baltimore, Maryland, featured appearances from fellow comedians Amy Schumer, Jerry Seinfeld, Arsenio Hall, Deon Cole, and Leslie Jones and saw The Daily Shows Ronny Chieng as host. Still, it was Rock and, more specifically, what he had to say of Smiths now infamous slap, that took center stage. I got smacked at the f---ing Oscars by this motherf---er, and people are like, Did it hurt? It still hurts, he told the crowd. I took that hit like Pacquiao. He then suggested that Smith practices selective outrage. Everybody who really knows, knows that I had nothing to do with that s---. I didnt have any entanglements, he said, referring to the relationship Jada Pinkett Smith said she had had with another man when separated from Will Smith. She hurt him way more than he hurt me. Everybody in the world called him a b----. I tried to call the motherf---er, I tried to call that man and give him my condolences, he didnt pick up for me. Everybody called him a b----. And who does he hit? Me. Rock later said that he has loved and rooted for Will Smith his whole life. And now I watch Emancipation just so I could watch him get whooped, he said. The slapping incident so scandalous that it now has its own Wikipedia page and has amassed nicknames such as Slapgate and The Slap saw the academy criticized for what was seen as a slow response. In the moments after the smack, Smith returned to his seat, shouting at Rock with obscenities. The actor remained for the rest of the ceremony and later delivered a speech when he won best actor for his performance in King Richard. Story continues In the days after the incident occurred, Smith resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science, and the organization issued a ban against the actor from its Oscars ceremonies for 10 years. More recently, on Feb. 22, the academy announced it had established a crisis team for its upcoming 2023 Oscars to get ahead of any potential real-time disturbances. Up until his live stand-up special for Netflix special, Rock has been brief with his commentary about Smiths behavior at the Oscars ceremony at length. Three days after the incident, Rock performed to a sold-out crowd for the opening show of his Ego Death World Tour in Boston. The actor appeared on stage to a standing ovation. How was your weekend? he asked, delivering a wink to the crowd. I dont have a bunch of s--- about what happened, so if you came to hear that, I have a whole show I wrote before this weekend, he added. Im still kind of processing what happened. So, at some point, Ill talk about that shit. And it will be serious and funny. According to Deadline, during a second show for his Ego Death World Tour at Bostons Wilbur Theatre, he told his audience, I havent talked to anyone despite what you may have heard. On July 24 of last year, Rock addressed the slap once more while at a comedy show in Holmdel, New Jersey, according to Variety. Speaking about the moment, Rock underlined that he wasnt a victim. Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face, he said. Im not a victim. Yeah, that s--- hurt, motherf-----. But I shook that s--- off and went to work the next day. I dont go to the hospital for a paper cut. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Chris Rock backstage at last year's Academy Awards. Getty Images Chris Rock spent the last segment of his new Netflix special discussing the 2022 Oscars slap. It incident involved Will Smith slapping Rock onstage after he joked about Jada Pinkett Smith. A year later, Rock told a live audience that the slap "still hurts," but that he's "not a victim." Chris Rock said getting slapped by Will Smith at the Oscars "still hurts" just over a year later in his new Netflix comedy special. Rock, 58, spoke at length about Smith slapping him onstage after he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's bald head at last year's award ceremony during his "Chris Rock: Selective Outrage" set. The special, which marked Netflix's first live-streamed program, took place at the Hippodrome Theater in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday night. "Ya'll know what happened to me, getting smacked by Suge Smith," the comedian joked. "People are like did it hurt? It still hurts! I got 'Summertime' ringing in my ear." "But I'm not a victim baby, you will never see me on Oprah or Gayle crying, you will never see it. Never going to happen," he added. "I took that hit like Pacquiao." Rock's new comedy special marks the first time he has spoken at length about the slap. He previously told a live audience he was still "processing" what happened during a stand-up performance he gave just four days after the 2022 Oscars. Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage at last year's Academy Awards. Chris Pizzello/AP A month later, he reportedly joked that he would address the slap until he got "paid." Later in the special, Rock said that Smith's anger was misdirected and should have been focused on his wife, who admitted to having an affair on an episode of her Facebook show, "Red Table Talk," in 2020. "Will Smith practices selective outrage, because everybody knows what the f--- happened," Rock said. "I didn't have any entanglements. Will Smith's wife was f---ing her son's friend, OK. Normally I would not talk about that s--- but for some reason they put that on the internet." "We've all been cheated on. None of us have ever been interviewed by the person we cheated on on television. She hurt him way more than he hurt me," he added. Story continues Smith has both apologized publicly and reached out to apologize to Rock following the incident. In November 2022, he told Trevor Noah on "The Daily Show" that the slap was a result of bottled-up "rage." "There's many nuances and complexities to it," Smith said. "But at the end of the day, I just I lost it, you know?" Read the original article on Insider Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, and Chris Rock. Getty Images Chris Rock said he tried to call Will Smith after Jada Pinkett Smith said she had an affair. The comedian said he wanted to offer Will his "condolences," but said he never answered his calls. Rock discussed the couple in his new Netflix special "Chris Rock: Selective Outrage." Chris Rock said Will Smith didn't pick up his calls when he tried reaching out to offer his condolences after Jada Pinkett Smith publicly discussed her affair. The comedian, 58, spent the last 10 minutes of his new Netflix comedy special, which aired live on Saturday night, joking about Will and Jada's relationship. The couple have been together for over 25 years and have two children. During a 2020 episode of Jada's Facebook show, "Red Table Talk," she admitted to having a relationship with rapper August Alsin while she and Will were "formally separated." During his set, Rock inferred that Will still harbored anger about the affair and directed it towards him when he slapped the comedian onstage at the 2022 Oscars. "Will Smith practices selective outrage, because everybody knows what the f--- happened," Rock said during his comedy special. "I had nothing to do with that s---. I didn't have any entanglements." "Will Smith's wife was f---ing her son's friend, OK. Normally I would not talk about that s--- but for some reason they put that on the internet," he added. Rock went on to say that after Jada went public about her affair, he tried reaching out to Will when he said "everybody in the world" was calling him a "b----." Chris Rock and Will Smith pictured in 2010. Kevin Mazur/WireImage "I tried to call the motherf----- and give my condolences. He ain't pick up for me," the comedian said. Rock later said he had admired Will for years prior to the Oscars. "I saw him open up for Run-DMC at Nassau Coliseum," he said. "He's made some great movies, I've rooted for Will Smith my whole life." Story continues He then joked that he now watches "Emancipation," a 2022 film in which Will plays a slave who flees a Louisiana plantation, to see him get "whooped." Representatives for Will Smith did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider, made outside normal working hours. Read the original article on Insider When the history of live television is written, there will be a chapter dedicated to the 2022 Oscars. Hosted by comedian Chris Rock, the show rumbled along, handing out awards to all sorts of rubbish films (who remembersCODA?) but then, suddenly, it sparked to life. Will Smith, moments away from winning Best Actor, walked onto the stage and slapped Rock. Keep my wifes name out your f***ing mouth! Smith roared after returning to his seat, launching a thousand memes and now, a year on, Rocks revenge tour. His new special, Selective Outrage, was broadcast live on Netflix, and marked the first time the comic has spoken about the 94th Academy Awards at length. But well come to that. Rock is a swaggering, charismatic, era-defining comedian. He saunters around the stage like he owns it. At 58, he has never been more confident or relaxed, even if he does appear to be powered by Botox. He knows who he is, and the audience does too. I didnt get rich and stay in shape to talk about Anita Baker, he informs them, in a riff about age-gap dating. Im trying to f*** Doja Cat. Other cultural targets range from Lulu Lemon and Subaru to SoulCycle and Burger King. He gets rounds of applause for his daughter and mother, anxious murmurs when he talks about Meghan Markle, and excited whispers when rappers, from Snoop Dogg to Jay-Z, are referenced. Rock has been so instrumental to the rhythm of stand-up over the past 30 years, that, at times, his set feels like parody. His constructions are so familiar theyre almost cosy, whatever the content. He tells the audience hes paid for more abortions than any woman in this room and paid off more college loans than Joe Biden. Performing in front a Baltimore audience, the extended gags about the curse of Robert Kardashian land better than a protracted segment about his daughter getting kicked out of private school. Comedians on stadium tours talking about the vexations of being mega rich has become the new whats the deal with airplane food?. Story continues Why was this broadcast live? To some extent, Netflix probably see it as a test, both for their technology and their subscribers appetites. For all that he touches upon subjects like the pro-life debate, opioid crisis and colonialism, Rock is not a particularly edgy comedian. Im rich but I identify as poor, he says. My pronoun is broke. The relative mildness of Rocks comedy is more manageable than some of the more tendentious performers who have graced Netflix in recent years, and always the spectre of the unexpected that night at the Oscars looms over this special. When will he talk about Will Smith? The wait continues for the best part of an hour. Before then, there is, of course, the now customary three-minute riff on trans people. I accept anyone, he tells the crowd, adding: In some situations, I prefer trans women to original recipe. Its a pointless detour as much of a creative dead-end as it was for Dave Chapelle or Ricky Gervais but one that is apparently mandatory in a show dealing with modernity. More effective are Rocks long ruminations on his own personal life, his singleness and avoidance of attachment. Of course, Rock (and Netflix) know the reason why were here. The reason why this special is being aired live. It is to address the events of a year ago, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where Hollywood royalty Smith smacked Rock. Yall know what happened to me, he says as the special arrives at its eagerly awaited climax. I got smacked at the f***ing Oscars by this motherf****er. Finally, in its last few minutes, Selective Outrage justifies its broadcast. The mood in the room switches from congratulatory to anticipatory; an edge creeps in and, thrillingly, Rock fluffs his lines, confusing the movies Concussion and Emancipation (easily done), a goof that requires him to reset a joke. But its still electric, because it feels real in a way that stand-up (especially a televised special) rarely does. Other than that moment though, there was little need for this to be broadcast live not least because Netflixs subtitling couldnt keep pace with Rocks delivery. The special itself is uninspired and regurgitative. Youll never see me on Oprah, crying, Rock claims. I took that hit like Pacquiao. And yet, given that this project exists to feed the tabloid frenzy around a slap so impactful that it has its own Wikipedia page, perhaps the intimacy of an interview wouldve been more interesting. For all that he willingly takes aim at the Pinkett-Smiths, Selective Outrage has little emotional insight. And, save for a few moments of nervous tension, the live broadcast is as pre-heated as, well, airplane food. When Will Smith slapped Chris Rock during the 2022 Oscars ceremony, many members of the live audience and TV viewers at home thought it was a joke until they realized, to their horror, that it wasn't. After making little comment about the incident during his concert tour last year, and turning down numerous interview requests, Rock finally hit back on Saturday with a flurry of brutal jabs at Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, bringing up allegations of infidelity in their marriage and describing his Oscar-winning foe repeatedly as a "b." The comedic slapback came during Rock's Netflix special "Selective Outrage," broadcast live globally from Baltimore's Hippodrome Theatre. "You never know who might get triggered," Rock, dressed in an all-white outfit, joked in a (thinly) veiled allusion to the slap in his set's opening moments, promising a show that would offend nobody. "Anybody who says 'Words hurt' has never been punched in the face." Later, during a riff on Snoop Dogg doing so many commercials, he made more pointed reference to Smith, who started out as a musician: "I'm not dissing Snoop," he said to raucous laughter. "The last thing I need is another mad rapper." For much of the special, though, Rock avoided the hotly anticipated subject of his run-in with Smith to follow his friend and fellow Netflix comedian Dave Chappelle in an extended discussion of wokeness including Chappelles regular target, trans people and nod to such low-hanging comic fruit as O.J. Simpson, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and the Kardashians. He also included edgy material about liking opioids and how the fact that he's paid for abortions is a sign that he's pro-choice: "I've paid for more abortions than any woman in this room." Rock also tapped a more personal vein, with extended attention to child-rearing and his love life and a mention that his mother was in the audience. When Rock finally confronted the slap head-on, in the set's final minutes, he pulled no punches. "I'm not a victim, baby. You'll never see me on Oprah or Gayle crying," he said, contrasting his response to Smith's. "I took that hit like Pacquiao." Story continues Rock dredged up the question of Pinkett Smith's alleged infidelity to her husband an "entanglement" the couple has addressed on the show "Red Table Talk" by saying theirs is not a "conventional marriage." "She hurt him way more than he hurt me," Rock quipped. He also cited her as a catalyst in the contretemps as well, drawing whistles and gasps from the audience: She starts it, I finish it. Nobodys pickin on this b. "You know what my parents told me?" he said, concluding the show with a literal mic drop. "Don't fight in front of white people." Anticipation had been high that Rock would discuss the attack during the special his first since Netflix's "Chris Rock: Tamborine" after previously telling audiences he would have to get paid before he would talk about the incident. The premiere of "Selective Outrage" comes just days after Smith received a special award from the African American Critics Assn. for his performance in "Emancipation," in which he plays a runaway slave. His appearance marked his first in-person speech since the Oscars ceremony. Earlier in the week, he was honored with an NAACP Image Award for outstanding actor in a motion picture for "Emancipation." The explosive Oscars moment came while Rock was presenting the award for best documentary. After Rock made a joke about Pinkett Smith, the actor leaped from his seat, went onstage and struck Rock across the face. Less than an hour later, Smith was back onstage, this time making tearful but awkward reference to the attack as he accepted the lead actor award for King Richard. Days later, he resigned from the Academy of Motion Pictures and was issued a 10-year ban from academy activities, including the Oscars. The assault became the dominant talking point of last years Academy Awards, tarnishing what, up to that point, was a powerful celebration of Black achievement and excellence. He has addressed the incident occasionally, posting an Instagram video in July and making brief comments during interviews promoting "Emancipation." Read Rock's full comments about the slap and the Smiths in "Selective Outrage" below. Will Smith slaps Chris Rock during the 2022 Oscars. (Myung Chun/Los Angeles Times) Y'all know what happened to me, getting smacked by Suge Smith. I got smacked at the Oscars by this motherf, and people ask, "Did it hurt?" It still hurts! I got "Summertime" ringing in my ears. But I'm not a victim, baby. You will never see me on Oprah or Gayle crying. Never gonna happen. I can't believe it, and I love "Men in Black." Never gonna happen. I took that hit like Pacquiao, motherf ... I know you can't tell on camera, but Will Smith is significantly bigger than me. We are not the same size. Will Smith does movies with his shirt off. You've never seen me do a movie with my shirt off. I'm in a movie getting open heart surgery, I'm in a sweater. Will Smith played Muhammad Ali in a movie. You think I auditioned for that part? I played Pookie in "New Jack City." ... Even in animation, this motherf is bigger. I'm a zebra, he's a shark. Will Smith practices selective outrage. Everybody knows what the f happened. Everybody who really knows, knows I had nothing to do with that s. I didn't have any "entanglements." ... His wife was f her son's friend. Now, I normally would not talk about this s. But for some reason [they] put that s on the internet. I have no idea why two talented people would do something that lowdown. ... We all been cheated on. Everybody in here's been cheated on. None of us have ever been interviewed by the person that cheated on us on television. "Hey, I was sucking somebody's d. How did that make you feel?" She hurt him way more than he hurt me, OK? Everybody in the world called him a b. I called the motherf to give him my condolences, he ain't pick up for me. ... They called him a b. They called his wife a predator. And who does he hit? Me. [Someone] he knows he can beat. That is some b-ass s. I didn't do nothing to this motherf, OK? Years ago, she said I should quit the Oscars. I shouldn't host because her man didn't get nominated [for "Concussion"]. The biggest piece of s ever. ... So I did some jokes about him. That's how it is. She starts it, I finish it. OK? That's what happened. Nobody's picking on this b. She started this s. Nobody was picking on her. She said me, a grown-ass man, should quit his job because her husband didn't get nominated. And then [he] gives me a concussion. What the f, man? I loved Will Smith. All my life I loved [him]. ... He made some great movies. I have rooted for Will Smith my whole life. And now I watch "Emancipation" just to see him get whupped. Got me rooting for massa. A lot of people say, "Chris, how come you didn't do nothing back?" Cause I got parents. Because I was raised, OK? You know what my parents taught me? Don't fight in front of white people. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu (R.), an expected 2024 GOP presidential contender who has not yet declared his bid, said Sunday that Governor Ron DeSantis would win his home state if the presidential election were held today. The popularity of the Florida governor is well established and growing, Sununu said on NBCs Meet the Press. Sununu said DeSantis is the effective, electorally competitive alternative to former president Trump that the GOP has been seeking to lead the party. The vast majority of the party [is] looking for an alternative to Trump, he said. Right now if the election were today, Ron DeSantis would win in New Hampshire. Theres no doubt about that in mind. DeSantis would also likely capture the crucial state of Florida in the race, Sununu said. In recent media appearances, Sununu has flirted with a 2024 presidential run, telling CBS News Face the Nation earlier this month that it would be a great opportunity to change things. While DeSantis has promoted the Florida blueprint for America, which includes a combination of economic freedom and a crackdown on wokeness in public and private institutions, Sununu said New Hampshires style of governance is valuable too. I think New Hampshire has this awesome model of Live Free or Die. Limited government, local control, individual responsibility, really putting the voters first, he told CBS. Send them some money, which is nice, but send them the regulatory authority, too. So, a little decentralizing out of Washington, and maybe a little better attitude would be a good thing for America. Sununu has not announced his candidacy yet. On Sunday, former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan removed himself from the potential 2024 lineup, framing his choice as as a self-sacrificial strategy to prevent Trump from securing the nomination. Urging the party to break-up with MAGA, Hogan said he was removing himself from the potential competition so as to avoid vote splitting among various GOP rivals and handing Trump the plurality. Story continues Sununu echoed the anti-Trump sentiment Sunday, saying the country would like to move on from him, although he is a known commodity with his own lane. I just dont believe that the Republican Party is going to say that the best leadership for America tomorrow is yesterdays leadership. That doesnt make any sense. Thats not in our DNA as America, Sununu said. Its kind of the antithesis of the American spirit to settle for yesterdays news. We want the next generation. The next big idea. And thats what were going to deliver. More from National Review Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) on Sunday appeared to poke fun at the size of the crowd that attended former President Trumps keynote speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) over the weekend, saying that the room was half-full. You saw the scenes at CPAC, that room was half-full, Christie said on ABCs This Week. The reason I dont think the rallies are going on I dont think the rallies would be nearly as big as they were before. Camera shots from Trumps speech at the conference showed that the room was not nearly at full capacity. Christie, who ran against Trump in the 2016 Republican primary and then worked on Trumps 2016 and 2020 campaigns, used the speechs attendance to point to what he thinks is Trumps waning support. There are lots of indicators here, that hes not what he used to be, in most respects, youre talking about and so were going to see how that plays out, Christie said. Trump, who was the first Republican to launch his bid for president right after the 2022 midterms, has been criticized for what some see as a subdued start to his campaign. But Trump still holds a lead in most polls, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has yet to announce a candidacy, in position so far as his main rival. Trump used the speech at CPAC to pitch himself as the savior of the Republican Party, telling voters he is the only one who can stop a coming onslaught against American democracy. In 2016, I declared I am your voice. Today I add: I am your warrior. I am your justice, and for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution, Trump said in the speech. Either they win, or we win. And if they win, we no longer have a country. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Russian occupation forces killed another two civilians in Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, according to Pavlo Kyrylenko, Head of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration. Source: Pavlo Kyrylenko on Telegram Details: Kyrylenko said that Russian forces killed two residents of Bakhmut on 4 March. Another seven civilians in Donetsk Oblast sustained injuries, one of them in Bakhmut. The Donetsk Oblast Military Administration stressed that it remains impossible to confirm the number of casualties and fatalities in Mariupol and Volnovakha. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - At 13, she was too young to be cleaning a meatpacking plant in the heart of Nebraska cattle country, working the graveyard shift amid the brisket saws and the bone cutters. The cleaning company broke the law when it hired her and more than two dozen other teenagers in this gritty industrial town, federal officials said. Since the U.S. Department of Labor raided the plant in October, Packers Sanitation Services, a contractor hired to clean the facility, has been fined for violating child labor laws. The girl, meanwhile, has watched her whole life unravel. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. First, she lost the job that burned and blistered her skin but paid her $19 an hour. Then a county judge sent her stepfather to jail for driving her to work each night, a violation of state child labor laws. Her mother also faces jail time for securing the fake papers that got the child the job in the first place. And her parents are terrified of being sent back to Guatemala, the country they left several years ago in search of a better life. "I have no words," the mother said last month, sobbing in the doorway of their pale-peach house hours after police had led her husband away in handcuffs. The girl, now 14, hugged her mother and struggled to describe how she felt. "Bad," she said, finally. A sweeping investigation of Packers found 102 teens, ages 13 to 17, scouring slaughterhouses in eight states, part of a growing wave of child workers illegally hired to fill jobs in some of the nation's most dangerous industries. Driven in part by persistent labor shortages and record numbers of unaccompanied migrant minors arriving from Central America, child labor violations have nearly quadrupled since 2015, according to Labor Department data, spiking in hazardous jobs that American citizens typically shun. Homeland Security Investigations has opened a criminal investigation into possible human trafficking related to the Department of Labor's civil probe, a spokesperson said, and the Biden administration this week pledged a broader crackdown. But the fallout in Grand Island illustrates the painful complexity of enforcing the nation's child labor laws. Story continues Packers has faced no criminal charges, despite evidence that it failed to take basic steps to verify the age of its young employees. Last month, it quickly resolved the case by paying a $1.5 million civil fine. The families of the teen workers, by contrast, have been exposed to child-abuse charges and potential deportation. None have applied for work permits and the protection against deportation that is available to the child workers, fearing retaliation in a company town where almost everyone's job is somehow tied to the meatpacking industry. Since the October raid, some of the children are nowhere to be found - dismissed from their jobs and no longer in school, according to two school employees. Migrant advocates said Labor Department officials raided the Grand Island plant with no plan for making sure all the children were safe and then declined to provide the children's names to organizations that could have helped them. "It's maddening," said Audrey Lutz, a former director of the nonprofit Multicultural Coalition, which provides services to immigrants. "We have no idea where they are." The Grand Island teens had been hired to scour blood and beef fat from the slippery "kill floor," using high-pressure hoses, scalding water and industrial foams and acids, according to the Labor Department in federal court records. They sanitized electric knives, fat skinners and 190-pound saws used to split cow carcasses, according to court records. Some students suffered chemical burns and were so sleep-deprived after working their night shifts that they dozed off in classes, according to a local prosecutor and court records. Packers officials said they have dismissed all the minor workers and fired two managers in Grand Island. They accused "rogue individuals" of using counterfeit documents to prove that the children were of legal age and emphasized that the 102 workers made up a tiny share of the company's 17,000-member workforce. The full statement from Packers is available here. "As parents and citizens, we don't want a single person under 18 working for [Packers], period," spokeswoman Gina Swenson said in an email. "Our company has a strong corporate commitment to our zero-tolerance policy against employing anyone under the age of 18," Swenson added. "As soon as we became aware of the [Labor Department's] allegations, we conducted multiple additional audits of our employee base, and hired a third-party law firm to review and help further strengthen our policies in this area - among numerous other steps." Packers is owned by Blackstone, one of the world's largest private-equity firms, which is valued in the market at more than $100 billion. A Blackstone official said that company, too, opposes child labor and is "pleased that PSSI has resolved this matter with the Department of Labor." The Grand Island meatpacking plant is owned by Brazil-based JBS, one of the world's biggest beef producers, which owns two other plants where children worked. In 2016, the Brazilian government fined JBS for illegally employing children, and, in 2021, a Brazilian anti-slavery group accused the company of buying cattle from ranches that used slave labor. None of the children in the Packers case were hired directly by the beef company. They all worked for Packers, a third-party contractor, said JBS spokeswoman Nikki Richardson. She said JBS has severed contracts with Packers in Grand Island and Worthington, Minn. JBS has faced not penalties in the case. "JBS USA has zero tolerance for child labor," Richardson said. "We expect and contractually require our vendors to adhere to the same high standards that we apply to the screening and eligibility of our own workforce." Since 1938, U.S. federal law has prohibited employers to hire people under age 18 to work in certain hazardous occupations. It also prohibits children under 16 from working long hours or late at night. The growth in violations comes at a moment of extraordinary scarcity in the labor market. The national unemployment rate fell to 3.4 percent in January, the lowest since 1969, and it's even lower in places such as Nebraska. In covid-ravaged industries such as meatpacking, employers have struggled to fill vacancies, prompting lawmakers in Iowa and Minnesota recently to propose lowering the legal age at which teens may work in some dangerous jobs. "We have never in my memory found the types of violations that are being found in hazardous occupations," said David Weil, a professor of social policy and management at Brandeis University who was a top labor official in the Obama administration. "It's outrageous." The Labor Department does not track how many child workers are immigrants, saying that is not relevant to its investigations. But advocates and industry watchdogs say immigration is a key factor in the increase. The girl in Grand Island - who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation in the community - is among a record number of unaccompanied minors arriving at the southern border, nearly half from Guatemala, since the Biden administration exempted them from a pandemic policy that expels migrants who cross illegally. Critics say the exemption is encouraging young people to head north, with many settling in rural areas in desperate need of workers. Grand Island, a town of 52,000 on the Nebraska plains, has received roughly 260 unaccompanied minors since 2019, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, which is responsible for placing unaccompanied minors with parents or guardians in the United States. The girl arrived in 2021 from Joyabaj, a poverty-stricken municipality in the Guatemalan highlands. The girl and her older sister had been living with grandparents since 2016, when their mother left for Grand Island, where she works 3 p.m. to midnight as a JBS meat cutter. After five years, she paid smugglers to bring her daughters north. The mother, who has seven children, said she wanted the girl to focus on school. But the girl said she grew bored in Grand Island and last summer applied online for the job at Packers so she could buy nice clothes and an iPhone 13. "I like money," the girl said with a shy smile during a recent interview in the family's sparsely furnished living room, which is dominated by a large shrine to Jesus and the Virgin of Guadalupe. "I like to buy things." She said she worked at the plant for barely three months, from June 1 to Aug. 22, 2022, emptying trash and cleaning sinks. The job came to an abrupt end after a nurse at Walnut Middle School found chemical burns, blisters and open wounds on her hands and one knee, according to county prosecutors. At the time, the girl said the wounds had been caused by cleaning chemicals that soaked through her gloves and clothes. Packers officials said internal records show no report of such injuries. The school alerted local authorities, who had received previous reports of children working at the plant. In 2016, Grand Island police were called to Walnut Middle School to investigate a 14-year-old student with injured hands, police records show. Local prosecutor Sarah Hinrichs said she reviewed a March 2022 report about another 14-year-old girl who fell asleep in class after working the night shift cleaning the JBS facility. In the 2022 case, the girl told authorities she was abused and forced to work for Packers to repay an $8,000 bill for smuggling her north from Guatemala. Her uncle pleaded no contest to felony child abuse and is awaiting sentencing; and the aunt has yet to enter a plea. In an interview, she denied mistreating the girl. Packers said the company was not alerted to either incident. Grand Island police said they forwarded the 2016 report to the Labor Department, but federal investigators say they have no record of that. The Labor Department staged the October raid after receiving a tip in August and interviewing some of the child workers at home and at school. In an interview, Shannon Rebolledo said she and other investigators had no trouble spotting underage workers when they searched the Grand Island plant. Many were suited up in green rubber overalls, steel-toed boots, gloves, hard hats and goggles - a clear sign that the job was hazardous. Some of the teens worked more than 40 hours a week in close contact with a multitude of adult employees, the Labor Department said in court records: Supervisors trained them for weeks. Security guards greeted them each night at the door. Co-workers did calisthenics with them before each shift and ate meals with them in the cafeteria. "You've got people within the community seeing them coming and going late at night and arriving to school," Rebolledo said. "All I keep thinking is: 'How did this happen? How did no one say anything?'" One former Packers worker who witnessed the raid told The Post that his young colleagues sometimes joked about their fake identities. He recalled one particularly childlike worker who claimed to be 37. The former worker spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of harming his prospects for future employment. Swenson, the Packers spokesperson, said company policy requires workers to report suspicions of identity fraud so the company can investigate and terminate minor workers. She said the company was tricked into hiring the children, calling identity fraud the "only way" to circumvent Packers' rigorous process of checking all new hires through the government's E-Verify system. Fake papers are a common hazard for employers. In January, a federal judge sentenced a Grand Island man from Guatemala to 15 months in federal prison for selling counterfeit driver's licenses and Social Security cards. It is unclear whether the man, who will be deported after serving his sentence, had any link to the Packers case. Indeed, the provenance of the fake documents remains a mystery. The girl from Joyabaj and her mother offered conflicting explanations of how the middle-schooler obtained papers saying she was 22. The mother told The Post a woman gave her daughter the documents; the girl said she got them at work. Local prosecutors have accused the mother of supplying the papers and confiscating the girl's earnings. Labor Department investigators said E-Verify is no shield against hiring child workers. The internet-based system allows employers to check an applicant's eligibility to work but does not verify age. Managers who are hiring workers are responsible for scrutinizing applicants' IDs, officials said, to make sure their faces match the photos and other identifying information. Packers also uses software that asks applicants to confirm that they are over 18. Several applicants declined to answer that question, Labor officials said, causing the software to issue warnings that Packers disregarded. "They're doing a lot of blaming of documents. But they've demonstrated that they would not have been looking regardless," said Michael Lazzeri, Chicago regional administrator of the Labor Department wage-and-hour division, which led the investigation. The Packers spokesperson said that the federal government promotes E-Verify as the best way to check identities, but it is just "one among a comprehensive set of tools we use to enforce our absolute prohibition against employing anyone under the age of 18," Swenson said. In response to the allegations, Swenson pointed to a sworn statement from Paul DeCamp, a former Labor Department official who oversaw child labor investigations during the George W. Bush administration. DeCamp, who has been retained by Packers as an expert witness, wrote that the department had investigated Packers at least a dozen times since 2010 without finding any child labor violations, a sign that the company generally complies with federal law and that "there is in no sense a broad practice at the company of hiring minors." Packers officials said Labor had given them the names of only 23 of the 102 minors. "The remaining 79 were not disclosed to us, because they were allegedly former employees," Swenson said. "Our audits and DOL's investigation confirmed that none of the individuals DOL cited as under the age of 18 work for the company today, and many had separated from employment with PSSI multiple years ago." Labor officials said they declined to give Packers all 102 names for fear of retaliation against the children or their relatives. Instead, Lazzeri said investigators instructed the company to find them. "It's really up to them to figure that out," he said. Lazzeri said investigators observed numerous Packers workers who appeared to be underage at the plants - far more than the 102 identified. Based on surveillance photos and investigator observations, he said, the actual number of teen workers could be "five times as many." Investigators did not try to track down those additional children, he said, adding: "We can only confirm so much." Though Rebolledo, the investigator, called Packers "the worst case that I've seen," the allegations of child labor have barely rippled the civic fabric of Grand Island. The matter has not come up at school board or city council meetings, minutes show. School officials and most school board members declined to comment, while most city councilors did not respond to phone calls from The Post. Mayor Roger Steele, a Republican, declined to be interviewed. Vaughn Minton, a former city councilor who left office in December, said reaction was muted because JBS immediately fired Packers. "The meatpacking plant did all the changes they were required to make," he said. Grand Island City Councilor Jack Sheard offered another reason for the silence. "It's embarrassing for any community to be attached to something like this," Sheard said. "I've tried to help make our community better about being more tolerant and open to immigrants, immigrant families, people who don't look just like me. . . . A lot of us are embarrassed it happened here." Grand Island is predominantly White. Immigrants make up about 16 percent of the local population. In interviews with more than two dozen residents, business owners, church leaders and lawyers, many said rumors of child labor at the meatpacking plant had circulated for years - long before JBS bought the plant in 2007 after an immigration raid upended the city. Former school board member Carlos Barcenas Jr. said he remembers a small number of classmates cleaning the plant at night when he was in high school in 1998. Another Grand Island resident, a migrant from Honduras who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid being deported, said he cleaned the meatpacking plant at night in 2002 when he was 17. "I wasn't the only one who worked there. There were many minors," said the man, who recalled blasting carcasses on the plant floor with chemicals for $14 an hour and napping between classes in the high school cafeteria. He said he quit after six months. "I don't understand how these children today . . . could have done something like this, because it's really rough," he said. "Working all night in a difficult place and then going to school." JBS has since donated millions for a city preschool, a high school medical program, food banks and a new bike path that leads to the plant. The company is widely viewed as a civic leader. While none of the 27 children identified by Labor investigators still work at the plant, it is unclear what happened to most of them. Only about a dozen were enrolled in school, according to community advocates and school staffers. Immediately after the raid, some skipped school for days to avoid talking to investigators. At least four have since dropped out, according to a school employee with direct knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case. Two of those students have fled town, the employee said, adding: "When the authorities came, the kids thought they would be taken away or deported." Labor officials said they tried to help the child workers by referring them to the schools and to other federal agencies such as HHS. They also asked the Department of Homeland Security to consider work permits and protection from deportation for current and former Packers employees. (A DHS official said department welcomes applications, but that, so far, none have been received.) However, caring for the minors is not part of the Labor Department's mission, Labor officials said. "I hope that they're safe. I hope that, if they're working, that they're working under safe conditions," Rebolledo said. "But I don't know." The lack of follow-up has frustrated immigrant advocates. The Immigrant Legal Center of Nebraska asked the Department of Labor to identify the child workers so the center could provide legal assistance and help them to apply for federal aid. Labor declined, citing the children's privacy rights, said the center's executive director, Erik Omar. "We are here to help. But we can't help if we don't know who the kids are," Omar said. A Labor official said the agency refers minors only "in accordance with privacy laws," adding that the White House has announced a task force to foster better collaboration with other agencies in such cases. As potential victims of human trafficking, the underage workers also may be entitled to federal assistance buying groceries and paying rent, said HHS spokeswoman Alyssa Jones. The mother of the girl from Joyabaj said her daughter received a letter offering such aid. But the mother, who said she cannot read or write in any language, said she was afraid the government would take her children away if the family accepted the money. Already, the mother faces charges of child abuse for allowing the girl to work at Packers. She has pleaded guilty and faces up to one year in jail. Her $24-an-hour job at JBS - with paid holidays and benefits she had hoped to keep forever - is at stake. One blustery day last month, the girl's stepfather, Manuel De la Cruz, arrived at the county courthouse in downtown Grand Island for sentencing in his own misdemeanor case. He had pleaded guilty to violating child labor laws by driving the middle-schooler to a dangerous job, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail. His lawyer asked the judge to impose a fine. The judge, Arthur Wetzel, called the case "extremely difficult." He accused Packers of "forcing young children to work on a kill floor." He blamed the girl's mother for obtaining the fake papers and collecting her pay. And he blamed "the elephant in the room, JBS," for "hiring a cleaning company such as this." "However, Mr. De la Cruz, you also are at fault," the judge said. "To have a 14-year-old daughter employed eight hours before she's expected to attend school under dangerous circumstances simply could not be condoned by this court." The judge sentenced De la Cruz to 30 days in jail. After serving his time, court records show, he could be deported. Through his lawyer, he declined to comment. An officer's handcuffs clicked open. At the back of the courtroom, De la Cruz's 19-year-old stepdaughter sobbed. Outside, his wife and young children watched as he was led away. The 14-year-old girl did not attend the hearing. For the moment, at least, she was still in school. Related Content As drug deaths soar, experts urge expanded access to methadone 'Daisy Jones & the Six,' rocking through the '70s with rote emotions Pregnant Russians are streaming into Argentina. Officials are suspicious. CNN anchor and chief national affairs analyst Kasie Hunt brought her daughter into the world at breakneck speed with a sudden birth on the bathroom floor of her home Wednesday morning. In an Instagram post, Hunt said she and her husband, Matthew Mario Rivera, were thrilled to introduce our daughter, Grey Hunt Rivera though really, she introduced herself. Grey was delivered by dad on the bathroom floor after 13 minutes of labor, before we even had time to dial 911, and 24 hours before she was scheduled to arrive via C section, Hunt wrote. She thanked District of Columbia fire and emergency medical personnel for talking them through the incredibly intense moments before she took her first breaths, and who arrived within minutes to bring mom and baby safely to the hospital. Their 3-year-old son, Mars, could not be more proud, she added. Grey was born at a healthy 8 pounds and 4 ounces, according to People. Grey is now safely back home, according to CNN. Hunt and Rivera married in 2017 after meeting while they both worked at NBC News in Washington. Today is shaping up negative for Cogstate Limited (ASX:CGS) shareholders, with the analysts delivering a substantial negative revision to this year's forecasts. Both revenue and earnings per share (EPS) forecasts went under the knife, suggesting the analysts have soured majorly on the business. Surprisingly the share price has been buoyant, rising 31% to AU$1.55 in the past 7 days. It will be interesting to see if the downgrade has an impact on buying demand for the company's shares. Following this downgrade, Cogstate's four analysts are forecasting 2023 revenues to be US$42m, approximately in line with the last 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are supposed to tumble 42% to US$0.012 in the same period. Prior to this update, the analysts had been forecasting revenues of US$47m and earnings per share (EPS) of US$0.051 in 2023. It looks like analyst sentiment has declined substantially, with a measurable cut to revenue estimates and a pretty serious decline to earnings per share numbers as well. See our latest analysis for Cogstate Despite the cuts to forecast earnings, there was no real change to the AU$1.96 price target, showing that the analysts don't think the changes have a meaningful impact on its intrinsic value. The consensus price target is just an average of individual analyst targets, so - it could be handy to see how wide the range of underlying estimates is. Currently, the most bullish analyst values Cogstate at AU$2.26 per share, while the most bearish prices it at AU$1.46. Analysts definitely have varying views on the business, but the spread of estimates is not wide enough in our view to suggest that extreme outcomes could await Cogstate shareholders. Looking at the bigger picture now, one of the ways we can make sense of these forecasts is to see how they measure up against both past performance and industry growth estimates. It's pretty clear that there is an expectation that Cogstate's revenue growth will slow down substantially, with revenues to the end of 2023 expected to display 2.6% growth on an annualised basis. This is compared to a historical growth rate of 14% over the past five years. Compare this against other companies (with analyst forecasts) in the industry, which are in aggregate expected to see revenue growth of 19% annually. So it's pretty clear that, while revenue growth is expected to slow down, the wider industry is also expected to grow faster than Cogstate. Story continues The Bottom Line The most important thing to take away is that analysts cut their earnings per share estimates, expecting a clear decline in business conditions. Unfortunately analysts also downgraded their revenue estimates, and industry data suggests that Cogstate's revenues are expected to grow slower than the wider market. We're also surprised to see that the price target went unchanged. Still, deteriorating business conditions (assuming accurate forecasts!) can be a leading indicator for the stock price, so we wouldn't blame investors for being more cautious on Cogstate after the downgrade. Even so, the longer term trajectory of the business is much more important for the value creation of shareholders. At Simply Wall St, we have a full range of analyst estimates for Cogstate going out to 2025, and you can see them free on our platform here. Of course, seeing company management invest large sums of money in a stock can be just as useful as knowing whether analysts are downgrading their estimates. So you may also wish to search this free list of stocks that insiders are buying. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here The Colorado Supreme Court sided with the 10th Judicial District Attorney's Office, ruling on Feb. 27 that Colorado courts cannot force a district attorney's office to participate in mediation. A Pueblo trial court had previously ordered the Pueblo County DA's office to participate in mediation with attorneys representing James Justice, who faces a wide range of criminal charges including attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, use of explosives or incendiary devices, and several others in four separate court cases, according to a case opinion authored by Justice Carlos Samour of the Colorado Supreme Court. Justice was on bond and contemplating a previous plea agreement that would apply to all three cases when he was arrested on the charges that encompass the fourth case, according to the opinion. After charges were filed, the DA's office offered a modified plea agreement less favorable to the defendant, according to Samour, which was then rejected by Justice. Justice's family hired private counsel to represent him in one of the four cases, although the Colorado State Public Defender's Office continued to represent him in the other three. Because the DA refused to offer a "more lenient" plea agreement, Justice's private counsel filed a motion seeking compulsory mediation in all four cases. In the motion, the attorney argued that there were a a number of serious charges, some of which carried mandatory prison sentences, and that mediation would create the opportunityfor all parties to have a frank exchange regarding their various position[s] and allow an objective person to give input on possible ways those positions might be reconciled. The motion was also supported by the deputy public defender representing Justice. In a hearing, the court agreed with the motion and orally ordered mediation over the objections of the deputy DA representing the state, stating it had the authority to do so, and that given the number of cases pending and jury trials set, it was appropriate to at least attempt mediation. Story continues The court clarified that, while it was not requiring the state to extend a plea offer, it did expect them to make a good faith attempt to see if theres some way to work these cases out." The court listed reasons such as the time required by community members to sit on a jury for multiple jury trials, staffing concerns for the district attorney's office, and the willingness of the defendant to consider pleading guilty. A week later, Samour wrote, the state filed a motion to vacate the mediation order, arguing that the order violated the separation of powers doctrine enshrined in Article III of the Colorado Constitution, specifically arguing that it was improper for the court, which is part of the judicial branch, to interfere with their office, which is part of the executive branch. Additionally, they argued that the court had no authority to order them to participate in mediation plea discussions. Rather, the motion argued, under Colorado law, they may, but are not required to, engage in plea discussions for the purpose of reaching a plea agreement. However, the court declined to drop the mediation order and ordered both parties to set a date and time with the appointed mediator. Parties were also required to provide to the mediator a "confidential settlement agreement," along with information including their "strengths and weaknesses" along with those perceived by the other side, and a synopsis of facts such as discovery for the case. In a court filing, the DA's office appealed to the Colorado Supreme Court, which sided with the DA's office in the majority decision written by Samour. In it, Samour argues that the DA's office is "without adequate remedy" on appeal of any decision reached during a mediation they were forced to take part in, as "requiring the people to raise the issue on direct appeal, after the proverbial ship has sailed and compulsory mediation has already occurred, would provide no relief." Secondly, Samour wrote, the question has the potential to impact many criminal cases throughout the state, as "multiple judicial districts appear to have ordered mediation in criminal cases in the past," and defense counsel admitted they have participated in court-ordered mediation in the 3rd and 16th Districts, covering Las Animas and Huerfano counties and Bent, Crowley and Otero counties, respectively. In the past, the state Supreme Court declined to hear a similar case out of the 4th Judicial District, which serves El Paso and Teller Counties. "Including the two cases before us, which are from the 10th Judicial District, the people are objecting to a past or present practice in as many as four judicial districts, and neither our court nor the court of appeals has ever (previously) resolved this issue," wrote Samour. "We believe the time has come for us to speak on it." In the decision, the Colorado Supreme Court declined to rule whether the district court had violated separation of powers in the case. However, the court firmly ruled that while a DA's office may engage in plea discussions, they are also necessarily vested with the discretion to choose to refrain from such if they believe it would "not serve the effective administration of criminal justice." "The decision to have or forgo plea discussions is the Peoples and the Peoples alone," Samour wrote. "It follows that a trial court can neither force the people to engage in plea discussions nor prevent the People from engaging in plea discussions. "Further, when the People do decide to participate in plea discussions, they have the discretion to determine what type of offer to make ... the People may decide to make a favorable recommendation concerning the charges filedand/or the applicable sentences in exchange for the defendants guilty plea to one or more offenses. "Of course, the defendant may reject any offer made its the defendants absolute prerogative to do so. What thedefendant cannot do is enlist the courts assistance via an order for mediation to try to force the People to extend an offer or to consider a more favorable offer. When the People extend an offer in a case, the court has no role in the process." District Attorney Jeff Chostner Tenth Judicial District Attorney Jeff Chostner stated he was happy with the decision. We believe this to be a significant decision that will have a statewide impact. There are limits to what a court can order and those limits were exceeded in this case," Chostner told the Chieftain in an email. "The Judiciary cannot order a prosecutor to enter into a process or resolution that it does not believe is in the best interests of the People. We have entered into mediation many times in the past and have found it, on occasion, to be a helpful process. But not always, and the People as represented by our Office should not be forced into a process it doesnt believe protects the People. We are greatly heartened by this decision. James Justice will next appear in court on March 1 for a review hearing on all four of his cases in the court of Judge Allison Ernst. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime. Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @jayreutter1. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Colorado Supreme Court rules courts cannot order mediation The Columbus Police officer who shot and killed an unarmed man while serving a warrant last year has retired in bad standing. >> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Family files wrongful death lawsuit against Columbus police officer who shot Donovan Lewis News Center 7 previously reported that a 20-year-old man, later identified as Donovan Lewis, was killed when Columbus officers executed a search warrant in the 3200 block of Sullivant Avenue on August 30, 2022. Body cam footage showed officers entering the home and commanding occupants to come out. Officers then opened a door next to the kitchen where policeman, Ricky Anderson, opened fire. At the time, Lewis was reportedly sleeping and was awoken by officers opening his bedroom door. Lewis was unarmed. He suffered a gunshot wound and was transported to Grant Medical Center where he died. A toxicology analysis showed that he died within minutes of being shot, WBNS reported. The bullet pierced through his abdomen, damaged internal organs, and became lodged in his pelvis. Anderson was placed on paid leave while the investigation ensued. However, in recent developments, Anderson retired, effective Friday, according to WBNS. Columbus Police reported that he retired in bad standing due to the ongoing criminal and administrative investigations into Lewiss death. During his 30-year career as a law enforcement agent, the officer had a total of 58 complaints against him, including use of force and sexual harassment. In May 2004, Anderson was terminated for cause by the Director of Public Safety, but had the termination overturned after challenging the decision alongside the Fraternal Order of Police, WBNS stated. Lewiss family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in February against Anderson, the other four responding officers, and the Columbus Police Department. The family is outraged that the city of Columbus allowed the officer who killed Mr. Lewis to retire rather than firing him as the family had repeatedly asked since his tragic death, attorneys representing the family stated. The roof of a police patrol car at night, with the blue and red lights flashing (stock photo). A shooting that transpired in the early hours Sunday morning on Columbus' West Side left two people dead and one hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Columbus police. The shooting was reported to police at 3:30 a.m. at the intersection of South Souder Avenue and West Mound Street. Officers who responded to the call found three victims in a vehicle all suffering from gunshot wounds. More:Northeast Side police shooting sends man to hospital in critical condition Two were taken to an area hospital in critical condition, where they later died, police said. A third victim was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition. The identities of those involved have not been made public, and no arrests have been reported as homicide detectives continue to investigate. More:Second person in six months dies after driving into West Side quarry elagatta@dispatch.com @EricLagatta This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus police investigate shooting that left two dead, one injured RVs are parked along Jefferson Boulevard as Scott Culbertson, executive director of Friends of the Ballona Wetlands, gives a tour of the destruction from an encampment encroaching on the Freshwater Marsh in Playa del Rey in June 2021. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) For five nights, Melissa Grady refused to sleep. She told me this on a recent afternoon, rubbing her eyes with blackened hands, while trying to ignore the burned husk of twisted metal that barely resembled the RV she had been sharing with her boyfriend, Woody Akiedis. No one knows for sure how it started, but over Presidents Day weekend, a fire engulfed their metal home, melting its tires to the pavement and sending a plume of dark smoke billowing over the Ballona Wetlands, Playa Vista and Playa del Rey. Grady, who had been asleep, saw the flames and dashed outside in panic. Akiedis did too. But then, for some reason, he went back in. Grady tried to chase him down, getting close enough to spot his ankle. But the heat was too much. Others who had run over from their own RVs couldn't get to him either. Eventually, firefighters found the body of Akiedis, charred and lifeless next to his prized, if now destroyed, collection of Hot Wheels toy cars. His friends said he was 60. "I just had cinnamon rolls with him," Grady told me in disbelief, taking a break from digging through the wreckage as a line of storm clouds moved in. "Cuddled in bed with him." What happened to Akiedis is just one of many truly terrible incidents to befall this encampment on Jefferson Boulevard. It's not far from my apartment, and since the start of the pandemic, I've watched the number of RVs and the number of desperate people living in them grow and shrink, and grow and shrink again. There have been fires and overdoses, and at least one deadly shooting. Meanwhile, the Ballona Wetlands and adjacent Freshwater Marsh, once prized destinations for bird watching, have taken a beating environmentally, with mature trees cut down, storm drains used as trash receptacles and the entire area doubling as a toilet. "Its so messy and so bad now," lamented Scott Culbertson, executive director of Friends of the Ballona Wetlands. That this encampment remains while so many tents have vanished from the Westside of Los Angeles under Mayor Karen Bass' new "Inside Safe" initiative has caused confusion and consternation among my housed neighbors and environmentalists alike. Story continues But there are reasons for the difference, so I've come to understand. Complicated reasons that more Angelenos should understand too, because what's happening on Jefferson Boulevard is all but certain to be repeated in other parts of Los Angeles, as the city scales up its efforts to get unhoused people indoors. "We have not resolved the RV issue yet," Bass acknowledged. "But we absolutely will because it's a very serious issue." Just don't expect it to happen quickly. Nearly a year after the L.A. City Council voted to lift a pandemic-era moratorium on towing oversize vehicles used as homes that had been parked for months on city streets, there are all sorts of logistical problems. Then as now, there aren't enough trucks capable of removing such large vehicles, not enough space to store them, and not enough money to pay for it all. More recently, finding the owners of RVs has become a challenge because, quite often, the occupants are merely renters, making towing a legally dubious decision. But those problems pale in comparison to changing the mindset of many of the people who live in those RVs. "They don't necessarily consider themselves as homeless," said Va Lecia Adams Kellum, the incoming chief executive of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. "This thing they had that kept them from being in a tent was extremely important to how they defined [and] how they saw themselves." After the storms that rolled through L.A. in January, for example, outreach workers in Venice were able to motivate people in tents to trade in their soaked bedding for a hotel room and the promise of future permanent housing. That probably won't work as well for those living in RVs on Jefferson Boulevard. They rolled through February's storms with roofs over their heads and dry, if dilapidated, places to sleep. "How," Adams Kellum continued, "do you convince someone that they're vulnerable and homeless, and they don't see themselves as homeless?" :: Wendy Lockett, who lives in a camper parked along West Jefferson Boulevard, with Scott Culbertson, executive director of Friends of the Ballona Wetlands, in June 2021. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) When I first met Wendy Lockett, she was the newest resident of the encampment on Jefferson Boulevard. It was deep in the pandemic in the summer of 2021. I had been trudging along a trail with Culbertson, who seemed as pained about the environmental damage to the Freshwater Marsh as the humanitarian crisis playing out alongside it, when we came upon a hand-painted sign. DO NOT THROW TRASH OVER THIS FENCE!! IF I CATCH YOU, I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND EAT YOU FOR BREAKFAST. Lockett, a slight woman with dark hair and piercing eyes, emerged from a white van, smiling proudly at her handiwork. She told us she had been living there for about six months. Nearly two years later, and she's still out there. Well, I should say she's back out there. For a time, she had moved into a hotel room near LAX, but told me she got "kicked out" for painting on the walls, mural-style. So, she got another RV and returned to the life and the people she knew. Now with Akiedis gone, Lockett has been at the encampment the longest and, as such, feels responsible for protecting Grady, even finding her another RV. "I'm kind of like the sheriff," Lockett told me. "He was the mayor, for lack of better terminology. He was very diplomatic, and knew how to handle stuff. I literally go after people with bats when I lose my temper." As if on cue, she spotted a man stealing something from a pile of belongings outside a neighbor's RV and took off after him yelling, her pit bull not far behind. "There she goes," Grady said, laughing as another woman handed her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Like it or not, this RV encampment, like so many others across Los Angeles, has evolved over the last three years into what can only be called a community. An entrenched one, at that. Those who live on Jefferson Boulevard see themselves as residents, the block along the Freshwater Marsh as their neighborhood, and their RVs spread throughout it like houses with addresses and yards. They look out for one another too. After the firefighters had put out the flames and removed Akiedis' remains, nosy housed residents from nearby neighborhoods started coming by. One man brought a camera and began taking photos. Lockett and other residents from the encampment pulled him aside and told him to leave, to be respectful of what had been Grady's home. "I was pretty disgusted by the behavior," Culbertson recounted. "Nobody's fought harder to get these RVs out of here than me, but for crying out loud, somebody just died." :: An unhoused woman walks with her belongings in Venice on Jan. 5. Many of those who once lived in encampments were moved into hotel rooms removed as part of Mayor Karen Bass' "Inside Safe" initiative. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) So how do you convince someone that they're vulnerable and homeless when they don't see themselves as homeless? Adams Kellum has ideas. One is to work with other organizations to secure cheap or free places to park RVs for people who have agreed to move indoors. It's hard to believe, but apparently there aren't enough underused, city-owned parking lots for this. Bass found that out while exploring whether to make the encampment on Jefferson Boulevard one of the first sites to try "Inside Safe." "We thought we had identified a property near the airport. But it turned out that the rent for that parking lot was going to be in the millions," she told me. "And then we had to decide, do we spend money that way? Or do we take the millions leasing motel rooms and getting people out of tents?" Her administration chose the latter. Another idea, which Bass favors, is to persuade people to give up their RVs for demolition. That could happen by offering to pay a lump sum for the vehicles or by wiping out parking tickets and warrants. L.A. City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez had some success with such incentives during a pilot program last year in her San Fernando Valley district. But to do this, city officials must first convince people like Lockett that it's worth the risk. That giving up the only shelter they have in hopes of securing something better won't backfire. After years of bureaucratic failures and broken promises for permanent and even temporary housing, such trust is a tough sell. "If people feel like their income is so unstable or their housing has been unstable all these years, it's hard for them, right? Their mindset is, 'I'm not in the tent,'" Adams Kellum said. "'What do I do if I fall out of housing? Like, what if I lose my voucher or I lose my job?'" What's clear is that offers of hotel rooms probably aren't going to be enough for RV dwellers, who feel as though they already are in a form of temporary housing. Permanent housing will be key, but it's in short supply. In the meantime, L.A. City Councilmember Traci Park, whose Westside district takes in the Ballona Wetlands and Freshwater Marsh, said city sanitation workers have visited the RV encampment on Jefferson Boulevard multiple times in the past two months, and have removed tens of thousands of pounds of trash and hazardous waste. The number of RVs, by her office's count, has dropped from 50 to about 25, thanks in part to efforts by outreach workers. Many more are parked across the city and unincorporated county. "I am extremely concerned about the unsafe conditions that those RVs present for the people who are living in them," Park said. "A lot of folks are using gas-powered generators for electricity and heat, folks are using space heaters and warmers inside those RVs, many of which cannot pass basic fire safety standards." I'm extremely concerned too. But watching Grady sift through lumps of burnt debris just feet from where Akiedis died, looking for anything salvageable enough to move to her new RV, it's clear that she wasn't. "I thank God we had him," Grady said, "even if it wasn't long enough." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. We can readily understand why investors are attracted to unprofitable companies. For example, although Amazon.com made losses for many years after listing, if you had bought and held the shares since 1999, you would have made a fortune. But while history lauds those rare successes, those that fail are often forgotten; who remembers Pets.com? So, the natural question for Proteomics International Laboratories (ASX:PIQ) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. In this article, we define cash burn as its annual (negative) free cash flow, which is the amount of money a company spends each year to fund its growth. The first step is to compare its cash burn with its cash reserves, to give us its 'cash runway'. See our latest analysis for Proteomics International Laboratories When Might Proteomics International Laboratories Run Out Of Money? A company's cash runway is the amount of time it would take to burn through its cash reserves at its current cash burn rate. As at December 2022, Proteomics International Laboratories had cash of AU$6.8m and no debt. In the last year, its cash burn was AU$5.3m. Therefore, from December 2022 it had roughly 15 months of cash runway. While that cash runway isn't too concerning, sensible holders would be peering into the distance, and considering what happens if the company runs out of cash. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time. How Is Proteomics International Laboratories' Cash Burn Changing Over Time? Although Proteomics International Laboratories had revenue of AU$3.6m in the last twelve months, its operating revenue was only AU$1.3m in that time period. Given how low that operating leverage is, we think it's too early to put much weight on the revenue growth, so we'll focus on how the cash burn is changing, instead. During the last twelve months, its cash burn actually ramped up 63%. Oftentimes, increased cash burn simply means a company is accelerating its business development, but one should always be mindful that this causes the cash runway to shrink. Clearly, however, the crucial factor is whether the company will grow its business going forward. For that reason, it makes a lot of sense to take a look at our analyst forecasts for the company. How Hard Would It Be For Proteomics International Laboratories To Raise More Cash For Growth? While Proteomics International Laboratories does have a solid cash runway, its cash burn trajectory may have some shareholders thinking ahead to when the company may need to raise more cash. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Commonly, a business will sell new shares in itself to raise cash and drive growth. We can compare a company's cash burn to its market capitalisation to get a sense for how many new shares a company would have to issue to fund one year's operations. Proteomics International Laboratories has a market capitalisation of AU$117m and burnt through AU$5.3m last year, which is 4.5% of the company's market value. That's a low proportion, so we figure the company would be able to raise more cash to fund growth, with a little dilution, or even to simply borrow some money. Is Proteomics International Laboratories' Cash Burn A Worry? Even though its increasing cash burn makes us a little nervous, we are compelled to mention that we thought Proteomics International Laboratories' cash burn relative to its market cap was relatively promising. Cash burning companies are always on the riskier side of things, but after considering all of the factors discussed in this short piece, we're not too worried about its rate of cash burn. Its important for readers to be cognizant of the risks that can affect the company's operations, and we've picked out 4 warning signs for Proteomics International Laboratories that investors should know when investing in the stock. Of course Proteomics International Laboratories may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks that insiders are buying. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here We agree with interim Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar that a Boise police officers mistreatment of a Black Boise teenager was not acceptable. But actions speak louder than words, and the Boise Police Departments handling of the situation suggests that the officers actions were acceptable. The officer is still on the force as a senior patrol officer, and whatever disciplinary action might have taken place is being kept a secret. Whats clear, though, is that the officer, Tyson Cooper, unnecessarily escalated a situation that led to the injury of a 17-year-old whose only crime, it turned out, was walking after midnight and having cigarettes in his pocket. Thats according to reporting by Idaho Statesman reporter Alex Brizee, based on a public records request that yielded body camera video footage of the November 2019 encounter and internal records. Theres no question, watching the footage of the incident, that the two juveniles acted disrespectfully and were antagonizing Cooper that night. But we expect police officers in a position of control and power to rise above such bad behavior whenever possible and not get baited by antagonism. Coopers reaction made a bad situation worse. After Cooper asked whether the teens were breaking into cars and peeping into windows, one of the teens told the officer to shut up, which triggered Cooper into his unacceptable behavior. Cooper placed his hand on the teenagers neck and said, You dont tell me to shut up, you understand? Youre not big enough. And if the teen had been bigger? From there, it escalated to Cooper handcuffing the teen and taking him to a patrol car, where the teen allegedly banged his own head into the car, leading Cooper to throw the handcuffed teen to the ground in an uncontrolled manner, causing him to hit his leg on a street sign. Watching the video, we cant help but think none of this would have happened had Cooper deescalated the situation instead of engaging in a petty battle of machismo with a 17-year-old. Story continues Cooper previously taught use-of-force classes, a troubling fact, given how he handled the situation in November 2019. The incident comes to light at a time when the city of Boise is investigating whether racist attitudes are pervasive within the department following revelations that a now-retired Boise captain, Matt Bryngelson, espoused racist views, which he expressed in writings and a video interview. Bryngelson had just been promoted to lieutenant at the time of the Nov. 26, 2019, incident with Cooper and two Black teenagers. Winegar contends that the officers were not racial profiling, yet he concedes that they were looking for Black males in a series of burglaries. No other details of a description of the burglary suspects was given, but an assumption of guilt based on race is the kind of attitude that Bryngelson expressed. Whatever the worst crime of the day is, its usually either a Black person or a non-white, Bryngelson said in a video interview that became public after he had retired. Winegar said the Office of Internal Affairs investigated the incident and closed the case. Corrective action was taken, but details not disclosed. Winegar told the Statesman that the department doesnt plan to reopen the investigation just because its become a news story. At the very least, though, it should become part of the investigation being conducted by the Steptoe law firm looking into whether Bryngelsons attitudes infected the department. The incident also highlights the desperate need for a strong, independent, effective Office of Police Accountability to investigate and fully report such incidents so that the public can maintain a level of trust in the Boise Police Department. Statesman editorials are the unsigned opinion of the Idaho Statesmans editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe and newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser. Michael Knowles at CPAC 2023 Right-wing commentator Michael Knowles of the Daily Wire said that transgenderism must be eradicated from public life entirely at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday. He added that it would be for the good of society. The transphobic remark left the internet stunned and horrified but was cheered on at the conservative political summit. "'Transgenderism' is widely recognized as an offensive term used by antiLGBT activists, to try and dehumanize trans people and reduce their humanity to a 'condition,' explained the LGBTQ+ Twitter account Queer Insider. Clips of the anti-trans comments made the rounds on Twitter. Harvard clinical law instructor Alejandra Caraballo posted video of Knowless comments on Twitter. She wrote that he was openly calling for genocide against trans people at CPAC. She added in a follow-up tweet, What exactly do you think eradication entails? If you ever wondered how we get from hate speech to genocide, this is it. This isn't some fringe figure, this is a Daily Wire host speaking at CPAC. \u201cMichael Knowles is openly calling for genocide against trans people at CPAC. "Transgenderism must be eradicated from public life entirely." https://t.co/uW6pAw02vI\u201d Alejandra Caraballo (@Alejandra Caraballo) 1677955206 Caraballos tweet has been seen more than 3.4 million times. Knowles has defended calling for a ban on transgenderism in the past, the Daily Beast reports. Then, he said it wasnt genocidal because trans identities are not a legitimate category of being. While Knowles previously said genocide is based on biology, the UNs definition of genocide refers to the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, in whole or in part. Huffpost notes that there are an estimated 1.6 million transgender people living in the U.S. Transgenderism is people. He's talking about eradicating people. When newspapers print scare stories about kids transitioning too early, when podcast hosts whine about girls' sports, when politicians snark about the definition of woman, this is what they're talking around, comedian and writer Raphael Bob-Waksberg wrote on Twitter. Story continues \u201c"Transgenderism" is people. He's talking about eradicating people. When newspapers print scare stories about kids transitioning too early, when podcast hosts whine about girls' sports, when politicians snark about the definition of "woman," this is what they're talking around.\u201d Raphael Bob-Waksberg (@Raphael Bob-Waksberg) 1677946913 Knowles also took to Twitter to call out those calling his comments genocidal, including Rolling Stone, which replaced a headline that originally read CPAC Speaker Calls for Transgender People to be Eradicated with CPAC Speaker Calls for Transgenderism to Be Eradicated after his tweet. Media Matterss Ari Drennan blasted the media outlet for the change. There is no difference between transgender people and transgenderism, we are all people just trying to live our lives, she tweeted. \u201cAnd just like that, @RollingStone rolls over for the right wing hate mob. Pathetic.\u201d Ari Drennen (@Ari Drennen) 1678045934 Rolling Stone changed the headline again for it to read: "CPAC Speaker Calls for Eradication of Transgenderism and Somehow Claims Hes Not calling for Elimination of Transgender People." HAVANA (Reuters) -Russian oil firm Rosneft's CEO Igor Sechin met with Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel, the island's leader said, amid an acute fuel shortage that has left service stations temporarily shuttered and caused hours-long gasoline queues. Sechin told Diaz-Canel late on Saturday that, when it comes to issues related to Cuba, "(Russian President Vladimir) Putin supervises them directly and personally", Diaz-Canel's office said in a statement released via Twitter. Tweets on Cuba's presidency account emphasized the good relations between the two countries, but did not specify the reason for the meeting. Sechin met earlier with Cuban Vice Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas to discuss "mutual collaboration, especially concerning the energy sector," according to a Sunday statement from the presidency. Sechin is set to travel to Venezuela for the tenth anniversary of the death of the South American country's former president Hugo Chavez, a close ally of both Cuba and Russia. Cuba's former leader Raul Castro has also flown to Caracas for the occasion, Cuban state-run media said. Communist-run Cuba is battling through its worst economic crisis in decades, its output decimated by the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. sanctions and an inefficient centrally planned economy that has struggled to respond to the challenges. Hours-long lines for food, fuel and medicine have ravaged the island and contributed to a mass exodus of Cubans in the past year, many headed north to the United States. Russia in February gave Cuba an "emergency" donation of 25,000 tons of wheat to combat shortages on the island, the second such gift in a year. Russia, hit by Western sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine, is looking to strengthen political and economic ties with other countries opposed to what it calls U.S. hegemony. Cuba has been under a U.S. economic embargo since 1962 after a Communist revolution led by former leader Fidel Castro. (Reporting by Dave Sherwood in Havana; Editing by Alexander Smith and John Stonestreet) D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) said that she did not want Congress meddling in the citys affairs after President Biden said he would be willing to sign a Republican-led resolution overturning a crime bill passed by the city. I will never say that we want the Congress meddling in the affairs of the District of Columbia, Bowser told Meet the Press NOW. Thats a slippery slope, again, that we endure not just with bills like this. We have a lot of issues to overcome with limited home rule. Although Bowser opposed the crime bill, issuing a veto that was overridden by the city council, she and other Democrats were blindsided by the presidents decision to not veto the Republican-backed resolution to block the new crime law. Proponents of D.C. statehood saw Bidens decision as a slight to the movement, for which he has voiced support in the past. Unfortunately, we live with the indignity of limited home rule in this in the District of Columbia, Bowser said during Fridays interview. Were taxpaying Americans. Were in the shadow of the Capitol, but we dont have two senators. We dont have a vote. And weve been working for decades to change that. And until we become a state, we live with this process. The crime bill, which would have eliminated most mandatory sentences and lowered penalties for violent offenses such as carjackings and robberies, drew the ire of Republicans and some moderate Democrats. As GOP lawmakers put the pressure on Biden to either nix the city bill or allow it to stand risking a soft-on-crime image entering the 2024 presidential campaign most Democrats expected Biden to veto the Republican resolution. House Democrats pointed out that the White House issued a Statement of Administration Policy that said it opposed the Republican push to block the bill and backed D.C. But in a swift turn, Biden told Senate Democrats late last week that he would not veto GOP resolution, sparking outrage from a number of Democrats. DC has a right to govern itself, like any other state or municipality, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said on Twitter. If the President supports DC statehood, he should govern like it. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) A Tennessee man on death row who was forced to act as his own lawyer is seeking a new trial, claiming multiple violations of his constitutional rights. Howard Willis was sentenced to death in 2010 for the murders of teenage newlyweds, 17-year-old Adam Chrismer and 16-year-old Samantha Leming Chrismer, both of Chickamauga, Georgia. The boys head and hands were found by fishermen in Boone Lake in northeastern Tennessee in October 2002. The bodies of both teens were found a few days later in a storage unit rented by Willis' mother in Johnson City. Willis had nine lawyers before the judge ruled that he would have to represent himself, accusing him of sowing conflict with his attorneys in an effort to avoid a trial. Willis current attorneys say that characterization is unfair. Representing himself at trial, Willis claimed that he was set up and that there was no evidence tying him to the murder weapon. The jury found otherwise and sentenced him to death. In his bid for a new trial, Willis claims the original was unfair because he was forced to act as his own attorney and because he wasnt afforded sufficient resources to defend himself, among other claims. Many of the attorneys left the case for reasons that had nothing to do with Willis, such as conflicts of interest or the need to care for a seriously ill relative. As for the other attorneys, Willis had legitimate complaints about their work, his new petition argues. One attorney spent only nine hours reading the discovery material in the case between his appointment at the end of May 2005 and his withdrawal three months later. Although it is inconvenient to have to replace a lawyer, if there are legitimate complaints about the performance of that lawyer, a citizen should be entitled to raise those issues and have the right to counsel protected, especially when they are facing the death penalty," the petition reads. In its response, attorneys for the state said many of Willis' complaints have already been considered by other courts and found to be without merit. Story continues The record clearly indicates that petitioner abused the dignity of the court by attempting to manipulate the court in order to delay or disrupt a trial, the states response said. If the petitioner was prejudiced ... the State would contend it was the direct result of his own calculated behavior. When the Chrismers were murdered in 2002, Willis was a Georgia trucker who was out on bond after an arrest in New York, where he was accused of smuggling cocaine from Texas to Brooklyn. Willis was already a suspect in the teens' deaths when he was arrested in Tennessee on a bond violation. His New York attorney called the jail to invoke his right to representation and right to silence meaning he should not be questioned about the Chrismers without his lawyer present. Law enforcement sought to circumvent that by working with Wills' ex-wife to solicit a confession in a taped jailhouse conversation. Willis' belief that the confession was obtained illegally and should have been thrown out was a major point of conflict with his attorneys. He felt they were not doing enough to get the confession tossed. For instance, they never called his New York attorney to testify. Willis' conflicts with his attorneys led to several withdrawing from the case. In 2008, the trial court judge ruled Willis had forfeited his right to an attorney. Willis appealed but lost. With the appeal over, he had only a few months to prepare his defense, according to the petition. That preparation was also seriously hindered by the fact that he was incarcerated. When he wanted to review previous court cases, he would have to leave a list on a Thursday for an investigator or public defender to bring the following Monday. Willis asked the court to fund three expert witnesses he hoped to have testify at his trial. He wanted to raise doubts about the prosecution's theory that the Chrismers were killed at Willis' mother's house, and rebut testimony from the state's entomologist that blow flies found in the storage unit with the bodies matched blow flies found at the home. He asked for money for an expert on false confessions, a crime scene expert and an entomologist. In the end, the judge only approved funding for an entomologist, and that person wasn't provided with the same raw data used by the state's expert a fact that was used to make him look untrustworthy at trial, according to the petition. Meanwhile, witnesses for the state included a forensic anthropologist, crime scene analysts from both the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and a medical examiner. The multiday hearing on Willis' petition for post-conviction relief is scheduled to begin Monday in Washington County Criminal Court in Jonesborough. Letitia James, Ron DeSantis By Devan Cole (CNN) -- A coalition of 16 Democratic attorneys general criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over his administration's request to public colleges in the state for information about students receiving gender-affirming care, saying it intimidates physicians and could have a chilling effect on students seeking the care. The coalition, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, said in a letter sent on Friday to DeSantis, a Republican, that they have an "interest in protecting the rights and medical decisions of the many students and staff members in the Florida state university system who are citizens of our states." "The information request you have issued threatens to undermine the private medical decisions made by transgender individuals together with their families and health care providers and risks the lives and welfare of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities," the letter says. It's unclear why DeSantis' administration is seeking this information. CNN has reached out to DeSantis' office for comment on the letter. Gender-affirming care -- particularly for trans youth -- has recently come under assault by conservatives, with several GOP-led states moving to restrict it for minors over the last few years. LGBTQ advocates and their supporters have said that targeting the care could have dire consequences for a vulnerable group that suffers from uniquely high rates of suicide. The attorneys general charged that the request "may be intended to intimidate, and will actually intimidate, university administrators and health care providers and chill vulnerable students, including the students or staff in Florida's state university system who are citizens of our states, from accessing necessary medical care." In January, Florida Office of Policy and Budget director Chris Spencer sent a memo to all public colleges in the state that said the agency "has learned that several state universities provide services to persons suffering from gender dysphoria." Story continues The memo included a four-page survey containing the various pieces of information the office wanted about the students seeking gender-affirming care, including "the number of encounters for sex-reassignment treatment or where such treatment was sought." Gender-affirming care is medically necessary, evidence-based care that uses a multidisciplinary approach to help a person transition from their assigned gender -- the one the person was designated at birth -- to their affirmed gender -- the gender by which one wants to be known. Though the care is highly individualized, some people may decide to use reversible puberty suppression therapy. This part of the process may also include hormone therapy that can lead to gender-affirming physical change. And some people may seek surgical interventions. Major medical associations agree that gender-affirming care is clinically appropriate for children and adults with gender dysphoria, which, according to the American Psychiatric Association, is psychological distress that may result when a person's gender identity and sex assigned at birth do not align. The Florida memo asked that the schools provide information about "the number of individuals" -- including their age -- who were prescribed puberty blockers, hormones and underwent medical procedures as part of their care. The attorneys general urged the governor to rescind his request to the colleges, though the memo from the state agency said that the information should be returned to the state by February 10. Under DeSantis, Florida has taken other steps to restrict gender-affirming care, with its Department of Health releasing new guidance last year that advises against any such care for children and adolescents. DeSantis also faced intense scrutiny last year for signing a measure that bans certain instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom. The-CNN-Wire & 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. House Democrats are vowing a fierce fight over Medicaid as Republicans eye plans to curb spending for the low-income health care program in the name of deficit reduction. Joining President Biden, the Democrats are warning that Medicaid cuts would disproportionately impact the same vulnerable populations least able to absorb the hit, including low-income kids, seniors and the disabled, who together represent almost three-quarters of Medicaid spending. Heading into the years coming budget battles, Democrats are pledging to defend the program from the GOPs cost-cutting designs, raising the stakes in the prickly debate over how to hike the debt ceiling and heightening the chances of a government shutdown later in the year. Were going to resist them completely, said Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (N.J.), senior Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Medicaid program. The federal entitlements have long been a target of a Republican Party whose traditional brand has featured ideological opposition to government-run health and retirement programs. This year, however, GOP leaders have repeatedly vowed to protect Social Security and Medicare a reversal heavily influenced by the 2016 arrival of Donald Trump, whose support for both programs helped fuel his populist campaign and propel him into the White House that year. Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has said both programs are off the table in the debt ceiling debate, and even deficit hawks in the far-right Freedom Caucus have endorsed that sentiment. Yet Republican leaders are also pledging to craft a federal budget that balances revenues and expenditures within a decade a promise McCarthy made to the conservative critics in his conference as a way of winning their support in his hard-fought bid for the Speakership in January. With major budget items off the table including tax hikes and cuts to the Pentagon, Social Security and Medicare many Republicans view Medicaid, as well as ObamaCare, as a key target in their deficit-reducing designs. Story continues A number of conservatives including Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) are lining up behind proposals to overhaul Medicaid, including plans to cap spending and apply strict new work requirements governing eligibility. And some of those ideas are receiving a welcome reception from other well-placed Republicans, including Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.), who chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee. McMorris Rodgers characterized Medicaid as a very important safety net one Republicans want to protect but pointed to several areas where Republicans see opportunities to cut costs. Shes questioning the wisdom of two Obama-era changes in particular: The expansion of Medicaid to cover almost everyone up to a certain income level, including able-bodied adults; and the enhanced matching rate, also adopted under ObamaCare, that bills most Medicaid costs for the expansion population to the federal government versus the states. Historically, Medicaid has been a partnership between the federal government and the state government, and for traditional Medicaid, its still 50-50. But for the expansion populations, its like a 90-10. And we need to look at that, McMorris Rodgers said. We need to make sure that we keep the strong safety net. But [we have] a lot of questions about: Is the match where it should be? McMorris Rodgers also expressed support for new work requirements as a condition of eligibility for certain beneficiaries. A lot of Republicans believe that more flexibility within Medicaid would lead to opportunities for better outcomes at a lower cost, she said. Some House Republicans are taking cues from Russ Vought, Trumps former budget director, who has distributed a lengthy set of cost-cutting proposals to guide the GOP through the looming budget debates. Among his recommendations are provisions to slash roughly $2 trillion from Medicaid, and more than $600 billion from ObamaCare, over the next decade. Those positions put Republicans on a collision course with Democrats, who consider those changes to be benefit cuts that theyd never support. As long as Ive been here, Republicans have always wanted to cut Medicaid, said Pallone. And we cant allow that, because the people on Medicaid are the lowest income. They have no alternative, so obviously were going to oppose any of those cuts. If theyre talking about these kinds of cuts I think Medicaid is definitely at risk, and yet its one of the most important things that we do to keep Americans healthier, echoed Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.). Rep. Raul Grijalva (Ariz.), another liberal Democrat, said the Republican strategy rests on the notion that Medicaid is not as popular or important as Medicare and Social Security, and therefore makes for an easier political target. That theory, he warned, is categorically untrue. They dont mention Medicaid because they dont perceive that as a political third rail. But it is, because youre going to see cities, states and communities across this country and the whole health industry react very negatively to any proposed cuts, Grijalva said. Theyre going to get a very serious backlash. Its not only blue states that have a stake in the fight. While the Supreme Court in 2012 shot down an ObamaCare provision requiring every state to adopt the Medicaid expansion, 39 states have done so voluntarily. And legislators in North Carolina announced a deal on Thursday that could make them the 40th. In their quest to protect Medicaid, Democrats on Capitol Hill have a strong ally in Biden, who used a speech in Virginia Tuesday to warn Republicans that any proposals to cut Medicaid or ObamaCare would be dead on arrival if they reach his desk. Make no mistake, if MAGA Republicans try to take away peoples health care by gutting Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, I will stop them, he said. Biden went after Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) for proposing to sunset all federal programs after five years, only to add exceptions last month for Social Security and Medicare after weeks of criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike. The fact that Medicaid was not also exempted from Scotts plan was not overlooked by the president. Now he says, Never mind, dont need to do that although I notice he didnt say never mind about Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, Biden said. Theyre still on the chopping block. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Deputies arrested a man suspected of striking and killing another man with a vehicle in Olympia on Friday night, according to the Thurston County Sheriffs Office. Deputies were dispatched to the reported collision in the 10900 block of Case Road Southwest at about 9:30 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene, deputies found the victim, a man in his early 60s, dead at the scene. The driver of the vehicle, also a man in his 60s, had left the scene before deputies arrived but later returned. According to TCSO, the driver struck the victim with his vehicle, then moved the victims body, placing him closer to a nearby residence. Authorities initial investigation indicated that the driver and the victim knew each other. Rather than seeking help for the victim, the driver called his acquaintances, who went to the crash scene, where they found the victim had died. The driver was arrested and booked into the Thurston County Jail for first-degree manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence. Authorities have yet to identify the victim or suspect in this incident. The investigation into this incident is ongoing. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Banning preferred pronouns at schools. Mandating K-12 libraries immediately remove and review books that are flagged as inappropriate. Prohibiting majors in gender studies. Florida's Republican leaders, who have restricted how race and gender are taught in schools and colleges, are poised to go even further in the next few months as they prepare to hand Gov. Ron DeSantis a new round of education victories he can tout while running for president. The sizable agenda ranges from targeting school unions to greatly expanding the use of state dollars to send children to private schools. GOP lawmakers, who have supermajorities in the House and Senate, are also gearing up to cancel diversity, equity and inclusion programs at colleges. "Whether it is education or health, keeping parents in the dark is unacceptable," state Republican Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said in a statement. "Our schools should be teaching students to respect and obey their parents, not hiding critical information from them." Republican policymakers are looking to reshape education in Floridas K-12 and universities, much like they did during the 2022 legislation sessions when GOP legislators approved bills that rooted out all traces of critical race theory within the state school system or banned educators from leading classroom lessons on gender identity or sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grade. But this year, there is added pressure as DeSantis prepares for a likely 2024 presidential bid, which hes expected to announce in late spring after Florida lawmakers complete the legislative session. The GOP governor has made education a vital part of his agenda and vows to continue to do so as he tours Florida and the nation. Are these public institutions supported by your tax dollars that should be serving the interest of what the public deems is the best interest? Or do they just get to do whatever they want and impose a political agenda regardless of elections and regardless of anything that happens? DeSantis said last week during a book tour event in Miami. We believe that, obviously, in a democratic society, these government institutions funded by your tax dollars need to be held accountable for performance and they need to be serving the mission that we as voters and elected officials set out for them to do. Story continues The proposed policies are already scoring criticism from LGBTQ advocacy groups that argue some proposals would ostracize LGBTQ students and their parents. Governor DeSantis and the lawmakers following him are hellbent on policing language, curriculum, and culture. Free states dont ban books or people, Equality Florida Public Policy Director Jon Harris Maurer said in a statement. Expanding Dont Say Gay One idea introduced ahead of session is to update to the Parental Rights in Education law passed in 2022, labeled as Dont Say Gay by its critics. Lawmakers recently filed bills in the House and Senate that target the use of pronouns by LGBTQ students and teachers alike. The bills, FL HB 1223 and FL SB 1320, stipulate that school employees cant ask students for their preferred pronouns and restricts school staff from sharing their pronouns with students if they do not correspond with their sex. Both bills also widen Floridas prohibition on teaching about sexual identity and gender orientation from kindergarten through third grade to pre-k through eighth grade. One group labeled the measure the Dont Say They bill. This legislation is about a fake moral panic, cooked up by Governor DeSantis to demonize LGBTQ people for his own political career, Maurer said. Republicans contend the parental rights law is necessary to ensure the states youngest students learn about sexual orientation and gender identity from their parents not at school. We want parents to be more responsible for their children, state Rep. Ralph Massullo (R-Lecanto), who chairs the top House education committee, said in an interview. And we believe preteens shouldnt be sexualized in schools by our education system. The two bills do have key differences, like how HB 1223 expands the parental rights policies to charter schools, something that would be a significant tweak from current law. And SB 1320 would create a new health education standard statewide requiring schools teach that biological males impregnate biological females. This provision, which is part of a separate bill in the House, FL HB 1069, also clarifies in law that these reproductive roles are binary, stable, and unchangeable. Another idea in these proposals stipulates that the Florida Department of Education, not local school boards, would approve sex education materials. Additionally, these two bills also broaden the states school library transparency laws, which were passed last year to give parents a better idea what books are available to students and a way to challenge titles they find objectionable. The legislation would extend school board authority to classroom libraries and require any book to be removed the shelves as soon as its flagged. Critics argue this is a harmful and censorious proposal to ban books that amounts to a hecklers veto that could remove any book about which there is the slightest bit of disagreement. Most of the education proposals floated by conservatives are likely to face vocal opposition from Democrats. But this session, the minority party has even less representation in Florida following midterm elections that saw Republicans dominate the statehouse down to local school boards bolstered by endorsements from DeSantis and other lawmakers. I just dont understand how the policies are not starting with the need, state Sen. Rosalind Osgood (D-Tamarac), a former Broward County school board member, said in an interview. Im not able to identify the need for all these bills, or the problems that were trying to fix. On the financial side, DeSantis wants to spend an additional $200 million on teacher salaries and bring the total to $1 billion for next school year. At the same time, DeSantis wants the Legislature to pass new restrictions for teachers unions such as a requirement that union officials cant be paid more than the highest member and preventing union dues from being automatically deducted from paychecks. We dont need these partisan unions being involved in the school system like they are, where they try to distort and use our schools for partisan purposes, DeSantis said recently in Miami. Lawmakers are pushing these policies in FL SB 256, which has been scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday and is opposed by the Florida Education Association, the states largest teachers union. This attack on educators freedom to join in union with their colleagues is just one more in a long line of insults and injuries to public schools and institutions of higher education, our students and us as professionals, FEA President Andrew Spar said in a statement. Higher Education and Beyond Floridas higher education system also is slated for notable reforms this year as conservatives in the state continue to rail on wokeness in colleges. One proposed package introduced several ideas suggested by DeSantis, such as prohibiting universities from spending funds on programs linked to diversity, equity and inclusion programs as well as critical race theory. This measure forbids schools from offering majors or minors in critical race theory and gender studies, plus gives trustee boards power to launch a tenure review at any time. Through policies like this, DeSantis said Florida would be saving academia from itself. Its about time that our higher education institutions reflected the values of the community that funds them, DeSantis said at an event Tuesday in the Villages. In some other proposals, the Legislature this year is again going to consider whether school board races should be labeled as partisan and if they should have shorter term limits after introducing them last year. There are bills in the Florida House that could bring about significant changes to school start times for middle and high school students. House leadership also has signaled a willingness to scale back students access to cell phones during class. And in what could be the most wide-ranging piece of education legislation to come out of Tallahassee this year, Florida Republicans in 2023 are also advancing a major plan to scale up state-funded vouchers for private schools. These proposals would open the Family Empowerment Scholarship to all K-12 students regardless of income and allow home schooled students access to a voucher for the first time. We can put that choice back in the hands of families, where I think it should have been to begin with, Massullo said. Former President Donald Trump at the 2023 Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Alex Brandon/AP Donald Trump gave a combative speech on Saturday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Trump told reporters he "wouldn't even think about leaving" if he was indicted, per CNN. Trump faces a mountain of legal battles and criminal probes as he embarks on his 2024 campaign. Donald Trump, who is waging a third election campaign as he faces a mountain of legal battles and criminal probes, said he would not drop out of the 2024 race if he were indicted. "I wouldn't even think about leaving," Trump told reporters on Saturday at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland, according to CNN. "Probably it will enhance my numbers," Trump added, per an ABC News report. Trump faces several criminal investigations and civil lawsuits as he ramps up his 2024 campaign. The Justice Department continues to investigate Trump's handling of classified government documents on top of his role in the January 6 Capitol riot. A special grand jury in Georgia is also preparing to recommend multiple indictments for those who may have been involved in the plot to interfere with the state's 2020 election. It's not known if Trump will be one of the people indicted. Then, there are a number of ongoing civil lawsuits, including New York Attorney General Letitia James' $250 million fraud lawsuit against Trump and his business, the Trump Organization. During his CPAC speech on Saturday to a small crowd, Trump appeared to vow that his 2024 presidency would be one marked by retaliation and vengeance. "If you put me back in the White House, their reign is over," he said. "Today, I add, I am your warrior, I am your justice, and for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution," he said. A Trump spokesperson did not return a request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Donald Trump is vowing to stay in the 2024 presidential race even if he is indicted in any of the multiple criminal investigations bearing down on him. Absolutely, I wouldnt even think about leaving, the former president told reporters ahead of his speech at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, speculating that being the target of a criminal indictment could even enhance his poll numbers. During his remarks, Mr Trump vowed to take revenge against Democrats, the media, and even fellow Republicans who opposed him. In 2016, I declared: I am your voice, he told the crowd. Today, I add: I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed: I am your retribution. Mr Trump announced his candidacy for the presidency in late 2022, immediately following the midterm election contests which saw several of his chosen congressional candidates go down in flames. Republican donors are reportedly hoping to move on from the former president and his brand of conservatism, but as of yet a credible alternative has yet to announce their candidacy. Polls suggest Mr Trump remains the frontrunner in the 2024 GOP field, followed closely by the ascendant Florida governor Ron DeSantis, a former ally. Criminal indictments are expected any moment from a Georgia investigation into the Trump campaigns efforts to sway election tallies during the 2020 presidential contest, including an infamous phone call between Mr Trump and the Georgia Secretary of State which took place in early 2021. On that call, Mr Trump famously asked Republican Brad Raffensperger to find nearly 12,000 votes which he would have needed to steal the state from Joe Biden. In January, a grand jury impaneled to investigate potential election crimes in the state concluded its work. The jury foreperson, Emily Kohrs, has hinted that the former president could be on the chopping block. Youre not going to be shocked. Its not rocket science, Emily Kohrs, foreperson of the jury, told the New York Times of who would be indicted. You wont be too surprised. Story continues We definitely started with the first phone call, the call to Secretary Raffensperger that was so publicized, she added. The Department of Justice is also looking at the efforts to overturn the 2020 election by Mr Trumps team, and in particular the attack on Congress which occurred on January 6, 2021. The House select committee to investigate that attack recommended that Mr Trump be charged with giving comfort to an insurrection, among other charges. Mr Trump has long claimed that any effort to investigate him by any legal authority is a witch hunt by his Democratic enemies to prevent him from winning office. The FBI raided his Mar-a-Lago estate last year as part of a third, entirely separate investigation into his handling of presidential records, including classified documents, which has since expanded to ensnare both President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence in similar embarrassing discoveries of classified materials at their residences. Im not working to retire: 'Soft saving' is Gen Z's firm but gentle response to hustle culture here's how to make it work for you Tay Ladd might not have retirement plans, but her mini goldendoodle, Gus, is pampered with professional groomers and market bowls, plus thousands in sweaters and silk scarves. I don't see myself retiring at all, she admits. Don't miss Rich young Americans have lost confidence in the stock market and are betting on these 3 assets instead. Get in now for strong long-term tailwinds UBS says 61% of millionaire collectors allocate up to 30% of their overall portfolio to this exclusive asset class Here's how much the average American 60-year-old holds in retirement savings how does your nest egg compare? Still, that doesnt mean shes not intentional with her money. Ladd, a millennial corporate lawyer, goes by @thecorporatedogmom on TikTok, where shes amassed over 60,000 followers. She posts videos about managing your work-life balance and how shes living her best soft life in the infamously expensive New York City. Ladd is applying this mindset toward her money as well, and is soft saving a trend thats been gaining popularity among young Americans instead of subscribing to hustle culture. A recent report from fintech company Intuit, found that Gen Z is taking a gentler approach to their finances with a very different definition of what it means to prosper. Im working just as hard, but I'm being more mindful about setting aside time for things that are important to me, Ladd says. What is a soft living? From cozy candlelit dinners to boujie bubble baths, the soft living trend has taken over social media with over 10.5 billion views on TikTok. Younger millennials like Ladd and Gen Z have moved on from FIRE mania and the older millennial girl boss era. Theyre choosing not to save their money as aggressively and to focus on the present. This is more about comfort, less stress, less pressure to save for the future and really balancing it out, explains Brittney Castro, certified financial planner and consumer finance advocate at Intuit. Gen Z is interested in living for now and having that better quality of life. Story continues According to Intuit, almost three in four young people say the current economic climate makes them hesitant to set up long-term goals, while two in three arent sure theyll ever have enough money to retire in the first place. Its no secret that the rising cost of living is keeping younger generations on edge, however Castro says the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a shift in priorities. Instead of manically saving for a future thats not promised, Gen Zers are investing their money into their personal growth and mental well-being. Young Americans choosing to live their best soft life Until last October, Ladd willingly participated in hustle culture but the high-stress lifestyle of working in private equity was catching up to her. She was losing her voice, there was even a day where she couldnt walk because she was completely exhausted. It was then she realized she needed to make a change. I was like, None of this matters if you're not here, she says. I haven't looked back since. While she hasnt left her high-pressure job, she reevaluated how she schedules her days and set firm boundaries to carve out time for herself and the things she enjoys. Now, she makes her mornings all about herself: a skincare routine, breakfast, Pilates class. She wont schedule calls during her personal time, and she splurges on things that make her feel good, like working out or vegan meal subscriptions. And then, when shes at work, shes able to give it her full attention. Shes brought her TikTok followers along with her on her soft living journey, sharing things like her home office setup, hanging out with her dog and aesthetic montages of her day-to-day life. I want to romanticize these things that are important to me because for so many years, I was not taking care of myself. I was neglecting my mental health and my well-being. Read more: 60% of working Americans aren't confident about retiring one day. Put those nagging thoughts to rest in as little as 3 minutes heading into a recession How do you soft save with intention? While it might sound like financial planners would worry about Ladds approach, Castro says soft saving isnt a bad financial move at all as long as its executed responsibly. It doesn't actually help anybody's health or mental well-being if there's so much stress or pressure to aggressively save, and you constantly feel behind on your financial goals. That said, Ladds luxurious lifestyle might not be for everyone especially if youre struggling to meet your basic needs. Castro warns not to go to an extreme and drain your savings entirely, and not to compare yourself to others, especially on social media. It's really about finding what prosperity means to you, she explains. Its more about just managing the money in a simple way to reach what is most important to you. And I think that's really, really key because everybody's life goals are going to look different. To find that happy medium, Castro recommends reviewing your budget, and assessing your income and expenses to narrow down your top financial goals for the year. This can be as simple as jotting notes down with a pen and paper, or using a budgeting app. Do your best to say, OK, even though maybe I'm not saving the full amount to build my cash cushion or home down payment or for retirement, I'm still going to put something over there. And then next year, work to increase it. Ladd puts 100% of her brand dealership revenue which she estimates at roughly $4,000 to $5,000 a month into her savings and is working on building an emergency fund to cover three to six months worth of expenses. She plans to start investing to accumulate wealth, but hasnt considered saving for her golden years just yet. Im not working to retire, she says. Ladd adds that you need to pick and choose what you want to spend your money on in order to make room for your financial goals. She doesnt mind splurging on her apartment with its pricey rent, but shell opt out of taking a lavish vacation. And she refuses to cut back on luxuries for Gus the mini goldendoodle, of course. He lives a soft life, she admits. What to read next Owning real estate for passive income is one of the biggest myths in investing but here is 1 simple way to really make it work Americans are paying nearly 40% more on home insurance compared to 12 years ago here's how to spend less on peace of mind Here's how much money the average middle-class American household makes how do you stack up? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Aaliyah Makanda had more than 55,000 worth of cocaine in her home. (Reach) A drug dealer caught with more than 55,000 worth of cocaine in her home has been spared prison. Aaliyah Makanda was the "custodian" of a huge drugs haul at her home in Kingstanding, Birmingham, which she blamed her then-boyfriend for bringing into the property. There was also a "sophisticated" cannabis factory, worth 4,200, set up in two bedrooms, Birmingham Crown Court heard. Judge Richard Bond compared the 58-year-old to other "greedy" dealers who he branded the "scourge of society". He said he had no doubt Makanda's actions warranted imprisonment, but ruled her case was "exceptional". Makanda previously known as Pauline Millwood admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine and production of cannabis. She was jailed for two years, but this was suspended. Makanda was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court. (Reach) Judge Bond said: "When people become involved in drugs in such quantities its really easy. It boils down to greed, its money. Your case is slightly different. "I'm to sentence you on the basis these drugs were brought in by your then-boyfriend and you were the custodian. But it crosses the custody threshold. "If women realise they can get away with community orders, if they say they are the custodians for their boyfriends of such drugs, I'm afraid women are going to be used. "It sounds utterly sexist I know. This has been my experience. "People who have criminal experience I'm talking about men ask their partners to look after drugs, there's other items as well. "People need to understand they are not going to escape an immediate custodial sentence just because they are looking after their boyfriends drugs. But it is different in your case." Read more: Drink-driver killed mother in one of 'worst hit-and-run cases ever seen' Judge Bond said he was suspending the sentence as the offences dated back to 2017, and since then Makanda has not committed any further crime, and that prior to that she had kept a clean record since 1998. Story continues Police had executed a warrant at her home in November 2017, with Makanda the only person present. Around 15 cannabis plants were discovered growing in the bedrooms. Cocaine was found in various places, including a number of wraps stashed in a Versace handbag. In total, the quantity of cocaine had a potential street value of 55,200 while the cannabis was worth up to 4,200. Theresa Hunt, defending, said: "She is somebody who has recognised the trigger to her offending, as in this case and former, is relationships." Read more: Honeytrap killers who drugged victim and called two men to kill him are jailed Passing sentence, Judge Bond said: "I am not a cruel man. You will be leaving this court through those [front] doors today. You won't be going to custody today but you need to listen very carefully. "I [would] have no problem in sending you to prison. No problem saying your offending is so serious only a custodial sentence can be justified." He then explained his reasoning for suspending the sentence and ordered Makanda to carry out up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity and pay a 140 victim surcharge. But Judge Bond warned the defendant he would send her to prison if she breached the sentence or committed another crime, adding: "I don't give second chances. I think I'm giving you a real chance today." For years, the Food and Drug Administration has defended its efforts to intercept prescription drugs coming from abroad by mail as necessary to keep out dangerous opioids, including fentanyl. The pharmaceutical industry frequently cites such concerns in its battle to stymie numerous proposals in Washington to allow Americans to buy drugs from Canada and other countries where prices are almost always much lower. But the agencys own data from recent years on its seizure of packages containing drugs coming through international mail provides scant evidence that a significant number of opioids enters this way. In the two years for which KHN obtained data from the agency, only a tiny fraction of the drugs inspected contained opioids. The overwhelming majority were uncontrolled prescription drugs that people had ordered, presumably because they cant afford the prices at home. The FDA still stops those drugs, because they lack U.S. labeling and packaging, which federal authorities say ensure they were made under U.S. supervision and tracking. The FDA said it found 33 packages of opioids and no fentanyl sent by mail in 2022 out of nearly 53,000 drug shipments its inspectors examined at international mail facilities. Thats about 0.06% of examined packages. According to a detailed breakdown of drugs intercepted in 2020, the lions share of what was intercepted and most often destroyed was pharmaceuticals. The No. 1 item was cheap erectile dysfunction pills, like generic Viagra. But there were also prescribed medicines to treat asthma, diabetes, cancer, and HIV. FDA spokesperson Devin Koontz said the figures dont reflect the full picture because U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the primary screener at the mail facilities. But data obtained from the customs agency shows it likewise found few opioids: Of more than 30,000 drugs it intercepted in 2022 at the international mail facilities, only 111 were fentanyl and 116 were other opioids. Story continues On average, Americans pay more than twice the price for exactly the same drugs as people in other countries. In polling, 7% of U.S. adults say they do not take their medicines because they cant afford them. About 8% admit they or someone else in their household has ordered medicines from overseas to save money, though it is technically illegal in most cases. At least four states Florida, Colorado, New Hampshire, and New Mexico have proposed programs that would allow residents to import drugs from Canada. While the FDA has found only a relatively small number of opioids, including fentanyl, in international mail, Congress gave the agency a total of $10 million in 2022 and 2023 to expand efforts to interdict shipments of opioids and other unapproved drugs. Additional staffing coupled with improved analytical technology and data analytics techniques will allow us to not only examine more packages but will also increase our targeting abilities to ensure we are examining packages with a high probability of containing violative products, said Dan Solis, assistant commissioner for import operations at the FDA. But drug importation proponents worry the increased inspections targeting opioids will result in more uncontrolled substances being blocked in the mail. The FDA continues to ask for more and more taxpayer money to stop fentanyl and opioids at international mail facilities, but it appears to be using that money to refuse and destroy an increasing number of regular international prescription drug orders, said Gabe Levitt, president of PharmacyChecker.com, which accredits foreign online pharmacies that sell medicines to customers in the U.S. and worldwide. The argument that importing drugs is going to inflame the opioid crisis doesnt make any sense. The nations fentanyl import crisis should not be conflated with safe personal drug importation, Levitt said. He was not surprised at the low number of opioids being sent through the mail: In 2022, an organization he heads called Prescription Justice received 2020 FDA data through a Freedom of Information Act request. It showed that FDA inspectors intercepted 214 packages with opioids and no fentanyl out of roughly 50,000 drug shipments. In contrast, they found nearly 12,000 packages containing erectile dysfunction pills. They also blocked thousands of packages containing prescription medicines to treat a host of other conditions. Over 90% of the drugs found at international mail facilities are destroyed or denied entry into the United States, FDA officials said. In 2019, an FDA document touted the agencys efforts to stop fentanyl coming into the United States by mail amid efforts to stop other illegal drugs. A narcotic detection dog alerts a U.S. Customs officer to a package containing a narcotic at the international mail facility in Chicago in 2017. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) Levitt was pleased that Congress in December added language to a federal spending bill that he said would refocus the FDA mail inspections. It said the FDAs efforts at International Mail Facilities must focus on preventing controlled, counterfeit, or otherwise dangerous pharmaceuticals from entering the United States. Further, funds made available in this Act should prioritize cases in which importation poses a significant threat to public health. Levitt said the language should shift the FDA from stopping shipments containing drugs for cancer, heart conditions, and erectile dysfunction to blocking controlled substances, including opioids. But the FDAs Koontz said the language wont change the type of drugs FDA inspectors examine, because every drug is potentially dangerous. Importing drugs from abroad simply for cost savings is not a good enough reason to expose yourself to the additional risks, he said. The drug may be fine, but we dont know, so we assume it is not. He said even drugs that are made in the same manufacturing facilities as drugs intended for sale in the United States can be dangerous because they lack U.S. labeling and packaging that ensure they were made properly and handled within the U.S. supply chain. FDA officials say drugs bought from foreign pharmacies are 10 times as likely to be counterfeit as drugs sold in the United States. To back up that claim, the FDA cites congressional testimony from a former agency official in 2005 who while working for a drug industry-funded think tank said between 8% and 10% of the global medicine supply chain is counterfeit. The FDA said it doesnt have data showing which drugs it finds are unsafe counterfeits and which drugs lack proper labeling or packaging. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows that, among the more than 30,000 drugs it inspected in 2022, it found 365 counterfeits. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the trade group for the industry, funds a nonprofit advocacy organization called Partnership for Safe Medicines, which has run media campaigns to oppose drug importation efforts with the argument that it would worsen the fentanyl epidemic. Shabbir Safdar, executive director of the Partnership for Safe Medicines, a group funded by U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers, said he was surprised the amount of fentanyl and opioids found by customs and FDA inspectors in the mail was so low. He said that historically it has been a problem, but he could not provide proof of that claim. He said federal agencies are not inspecting enough packages to get the full picture. With limited resources we may be getting fooled by the smugglers, he said. We need to be inspecting the right 50,000 packages each year. For decades, millions of Americans seeking to save money have bought drugs from foreign pharmacies, with most sales done online. Although the FDA says people are not allowed to bring prescription drugs into the United States except in rare cases, dozens of cities, county governments, and school districts help their employees buy drugs from abroad. The Trump administration said in 2020 that drugs could be safely imported and opened the door for states to apply to the FDA to start importation programs. But the Biden administration has yet to approve any. A federal judge in February threw out a lawsuit filed by PhRMA and the Partnership for Safe Medicines to block the federal drug importation program, saying its unclear when, if ever, the federal government would approve any state programs. Levitt and other importation advocates say the process is often safe largely because the drugs being sold to people with valid prescriptions via international mail are FDA-approved drugs with labeling different from that found at U.S. pharmacies, or foreign versions of FDA-approved drugs made at the same facilities as drugs sold in the U.S. or similarly regulated facilities. Most drugs sold at U.S. pharmacies are already produced abroad. Because of the sheer volume of mail, even as the FDA has stepped up staffing at the mail facilities in recent years, the agency can physically inspect fewer than 1% of packages presumed to contain drugs, FDA officials said. Solis said the agency targets its interdiction efforts to packages from countries from which it believes counterfeit or illegal drugs are more likely to come. Advocates for importation say efforts to block it protect the pharmaceutical industrys profits and hurt U.S. residents trying to afford their medicines. We have never seen a rash of deaths or harm from prescription drugs that people bring across the border from verified pharmacies, because these are the same drugs that people buy in American pharmacies, said Alex Lawson, executive director of Social Security Works, which advocates for lower drug prices. The pharmaceutical industry is using the FDA to protect their price monopoly to keep their prices high. KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation. Follow NBC HEALTH on Twitter & Facebook. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) is seen during a House Judiciary Committee hearing to examine "The Situation At The Southern Border" at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 1. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) When Republicans won control of the U.S. House in the 2022 elections, we expected they would use their power to push politically motivated investigations. And indeed they have done just that starting with the wasteful and pointless exercise of gathering evidence to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for his supposed mismanagement of U.S. border strategy. Its no surprise considering Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) has been clamoring since last year for Mayorkas to resign or face impeachment proceedings. Articles of impeachment were filed in early January, but the GOP effort gained steam last week with a House Homeland Security committee hearing about the effect of U.S.-Mexico border policies. Among the cast of characters testifying Tuesday was a Michigan mom who spoke about the fentanyl-related deaths of her two sons. Rebecca Kiesslings story was compelling, and one with which many parents can sympathize. Except that her sons died in July 2020 during the Trump administration and several months before President Biden appointed Mayorkas. Asked about the factual inconsistency, a spokesman for Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who sits on the Homeland Security committee, told CNN reporter Daniel Dale in colorful language that, essentially, facts are irrelevant in this case. Next up was Arizonas Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, a possible Republican contender for the U.S. Senate in 2024. He attested to a massive increase in fentanyl seizures since 2018, and in traffic stops for human smuggling and trafficking, though he noted most drivers are predominantly American. How is this related to Mayorkas? Only in his belief that the border is not secure right now. The truth invariably gets in the way of this bogus impeachment, but thankfully Republicans must still meet a high bar. To impeach Mayorkas, they must prove that he has committed high crimes and misdemeanors. They allege that Mayorkas has lost operational control of U.S. borders, and was criminally negligent by failing to prevent unlawful entries into the country by terrorists, undocumented immigrants, narcotics and weapons of terrorism. But, of course, migrants, drugs and weapons have been illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border over the course of several presidential administrations. Story continues The hearing on Tuesday offered an unsurprising look at the U.S.-Mexico border and how it relates to the deadly growth of fentanyl poisonings. David J. Bier, associate director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, offered possible solutions. More legal pathways for migrants would drastically reduce illegal crossings, he said. And he suggested that broadening distribution of fentanyl test strips for anyone to use to determine whether a drug contains fentanyl would go a long way toward reducing drug-related deaths. However, Republicans made it clear they are not looking for solutions, especially those with which they disagree. North Carolina Republican Rep. Dan Bishop, visibly agitated, chided Bier for advocating for open borders. This sideshow is about scoring political points, because even if the House did vote to impeach, Senate Republicans seem unwilling to participate in the charade. (Only once has a Cabinet secretary been impeached. In 1876, Secretary of War William Belknap was impeached by the House but acquitted by the Senate.) Nor would removing Mayorkas change border policy. Biden would simply appoint another like-minded secretary to head up homeland security. The hearing last week is one of several planned by Republicans along with photo-ops of legislators at the border. What a shame. If only House Republicans could put this much time and effort into working across the aisle to address the real problems at the border. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Aruba Airlines will pay $75,000 as part of a consent decree after an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit in Miami federal court alleged the airline fired a financial analyst for getting pregnant. As the consent decree says, officially, Aruba Airlines denies these allegations and states that, by entering into this ConsentDecree, it admits no wrongdoing or violation of the law. But, the airline is paying Belisa Gomez $75,000 in damages and entering into a four-year consent decree with the EEOC that requires all members of labor and management go through anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation training. READ MORE: A Miami Presidente Supermarket settles a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit The lawsuit stated that six months after Aruba Air hired Gomez as a financial analyst and two months after she got a raise in pay for completing her probationary period Gomez found out she was pregnant. That was late April 2018. Aruba Air fired her less than two months later, on June 15, 2018. A prison agent guards a gang member as he is processed - Secretaria de Prensa de la Presidencia/Handout via Reuters The president of El Salvador has defended making inmates destroy tombstones of gang members following criticism from human rights groups. The central American country is currently waging a war on gangs, including the notorious MS-13 group, and declared a state of emergency last year after a spike in murders and violent crime. More than 56,000 suspected gang members have been arrested as part of a crackdown which has sent the approval ratings of Nayib Bukele, the president, soaring to as high as 90 per cent, according to the International Crisis Group. However, some of his methods have been criticised by human rights groups who claim that people, including children, have been detained without due process and there have been deaths in custody. Prisoners have been sent to destroy tombstones with sledgehammers and crowbars. In a video posted to social media last week, Mr Bukele said the move had been applauded at home and abroad. He said: We are not prohibiting gang members from having graves. What we are prohibiting is for their tombstone to read: MS13 or 18th Street Gang. In El Salvador... those symbols are banned. Gang symbols are not allowed anywhere: not in graffiti, not at home, not on peoples bodies, not on peoples graves. He cited German attempts to denazify after the Second World War by banning the swastika. Two out of every 100 Salvadorans are currently locked up, leading to the country having the highest incarceration rate in the world. Last month, pictures were published showing the first inmates arriving at a new mega-prison in Tecoluca, about 50 miles from the capital San Salvador, which will eventually hold 40,000 inmates. The largest prison in the UK holds just over 1,800 prisoners. The MS-13 gang is said to be one of the most brutal in the world. It is understood to have been established by Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles and spread back to central America in the Nineties. Its members have been linked to mass murders and extreme violence in El Salvador and the US. Israeli air force perform a display. Ariel Schalit/AP Photo Reserve pilots in a top Israeli air force squadron are boycotting training in an anti-government protest. Reservists in one of Israel's elite intelligence units are also striking. Hundreds of thousands have been protesting a controversial overhaul of the legal system for two months. Most reservists in a top Israeli air force squadron are boycotting training in protest of the government's controversial judicial overhaul. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to overhaul the legal system and is pushing forward despite mass protests claiming the move undermines liberal democracy. Thirty-seven of the 40 reserve pilots in Israeli Air Force's 69th Squadron joined the protests by refusing to attend pre-scheduled training this week, the Jerusalem Post reports. The 69th Squadron is one of Israel's most prestigious air force units, according to Haaretz. It flies F-15 Thunderbird aircraft that have conducted long-range missions targeting Iranian positions in Syria in recent years, said the Israeli outlet. This move follows the reservists in the elite IDF 8200 intelligence unit, who are also striking in protest of government actions, the Post said, by not attending certain aspects of training. The Israel reserve is 465,00-strong, and the mandatory service is part of the national ethos. "Calls for insubordination hurts the Israeli military's ability to function and carry out its missions," said Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, per The Post. Protesters clash with officers on horses as they are blocking a main highway during a mass rally against the government proposed judicial overhaul on March 4, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Amir Levy/Getty Images According to Reuters, tens of thousands of people across Israel rallied against the law reform last night for the ninth week in a row, which would reduce the Supreme Court's abilities to contest to the legislature and the executive while simultaneously allowing lawmakers to appoint judges without contest. Critics of this plan by Netanyahu's right-wing government say that this will weaken Israel's courts, and reduce civil liberties, per Reuters. "There's a great danger that Israel will turn into a dictatorship. We came here to demonstrate over and over again until we win," School teacher Ophir Kubitsky, 68, said on Saturday, per Reuters. Story continues Police attacked protesters on Wednesday, firing stun grenades and water cannons, according to Reuters. Protesters responded by screaming "shame" and chanting: "We are the majority, and we are out on the streets." Read the original article on Business Insider This photo taken on March 4, 2023 shows the site of an explosion at an oxygen refilling plant in Chattogram, Bangladesh. An explosion occurred Saturday afternoon in an oxygen refilling plant at Sitakunda on the outskirts of Bangladesh's southeastern Chattogram city, leaving at least five people dead and dozens others injured. (Xinhua) CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh, March 4 (Xinhua) -- An explosion occurred Saturday afternoon in an oxygen refilling plant at Sitakunda on the outskirts of Bangladesh's southeastern Chattogram city, leaving at least five people dead and dozens others injured. The explosion took place during refilling of oxygen cylinders at the plant of Sheema Automatic Re-Rolling Mills Limited. More than 200 people were working at the plant at the time of the explosion, which was followed by a fire. Md Fakhruzzaman, deputy commissioner of Chattogram district, told the media: "The rescuers found five bodies from the site of the blast." At least 25 people suffered injuries in the explosion, he added. The fire service department said 10 units of the firefighters brought the flames under control in less than an hour at around 5:40 p.m. local time. The injured are being treated at Chattogram Medical College Hospital. TV footage from the incident site showed the blast ripped through metal structures. A three-member committee has been set up to investigate into the incident. This photo taken on March 4, 2023 shows the site of an explosion at an oxygen refilling plant in Chattogram, Bangladesh. An explosion occurred Saturday afternoon in an oxygen refilling plant at Sitakunda on the outskirts of Bangladesh's southeastern Chattogram city, leaving at least five people dead and dozens others injured. (Xinhua) This photo taken on March 4, 2023 shows the site of an explosion at an oxygen refilling plant in Chattogram, Bangladesh. An explosion occurred Saturday afternoon in an oxygen refilling plant at Sitakunda on the outskirts of Bangladesh's southeastern Chattogram city, leaving at least five people dead and dozens others injured. (Xinhua) Relatives of victims of an oxygen refilling plant explosion wail at a hospital in Chattogram, Bangladesh, March 4, 2023. An explosion occurred Saturday afternoon in an oxygen refilling plant at Sitakunda on the outskirts of Bangladesh's southeastern Chattogram city, leaving at least five people dead and dozens others injured. (Xinhua) Tessa Thompson and Michael B. Jordan in Creed III Creed 3 star and director Michael B. Jordan has revealed why Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa isn't in the movie, the character's first absence from the franchise since its inception in 1976. "First of all, Sly and Rocky's DNA is through this entire franchise," Jordan told HOT97 . "You can't have these movies [without that]. That underdog spirit, I think, connects the underdog in all of us. I think what we love about these movies so much is that we see somebody that's going through hardships, that's able to rise from the ashes and reach the mountaintop, and we connect with that. For us, we connect with characters that can do the same, and that's what we want to do with Adonis Creed." Whereas the first Creed movie had a lot of focus on Rocky and Apollo's relationship and Creed 2 was about Adonis forming his own legacy away from his father's shadow, Jordan emphasized that he wanted the third installment in the trilogy to be all Adonis. "I want Adonis to stand on his own two feet," he continued. "In order to do that, we had to go into the past. What were those transformative years, those childhood traumas that shaped [Adonis] today? I think the room for this story was really about Adonis Creed moving forward with his family, and having him move forward. That's kind of how we rolled out the story for this one." The childhood trauma in question concerns Damian Anderson, who's played by franchise newcomer Jonathan Majors. Damian and Adonis met while living in a group home in Los Angeles as teenagers, but their lives went in very different directions after one fateful night in 2002. Reunited in the present day, Adonis quickly learns that you cannot outrun the past. Creed 3 is in cinemas now. For more viewing inspiration, fill out your watch list with our picks of the best upcoming movies on the way in 2023 and beyond. For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it currently lacks a track record of revenue and profit. Unfortunately, these high risk investments often have little probability of ever paying off, and many investors pay a price to learn their lesson. Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, so investors in these companies may be taking on more risk than they should. If this kind of company isn't your style, you like companies that generate revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in Phoenix Mecano (VTX:PM). While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it. Check out our latest analysis for Phoenix Mecano How Fast Is Phoenix Mecano Growing Its Earnings Per Share? Even modest earnings per share growth (EPS) can create meaningful value, when it is sustained reliably from year to year. So it's easy to see why many investors focus in on EPS growth. Phoenix Mecano's EPS has risen over the last 12 months, growing from 25.25 to 29.36. There's little doubt shareholders would be happy with that 16% gain. Top-line growth is a great indicator that growth is sustainable, and combined with a high earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margin, it's a great way for a company to maintain a competitive advantage in the market. Phoenix Mecano maintained stable EBIT margins over the last year, all while growing revenue 4.2% to 819m. That's encouraging news for the company! In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings and revenue, over time. For finer detail, click on the image. You don't drive with your eyes on the rear-view mirror, so you might be more interested in this free report showing analyst forecasts for Phoenix Mecano's future profits. Are Phoenix Mecano Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? Theory would suggest that it's an encouraging sign to see high insider ownership of a company, since it ties company performance directly to the financial success of its management. So we're pleased to report that Phoenix Mecano insiders own a meaningful share of the business. Owning 37% of the company, insiders have plenty riding on the performance of the the share price. Those who are comforted by solid insider ownership like this should be happy, as it implies that those running the business are genuinely motivated to create shareholder value. With that sort of holding, insiders have about 134m riding on the stock, at current prices. That should be more than enough to keep them focussed on creating shareholder value! Story continues Should You Add Phoenix Mecano To Your Watchlist? As previously touched on, Phoenix Mecano is a growing business, which is encouraging. If that's not enough on its own, there is also the rather notable levels of insider ownership. These two factors are a huge highlight for the company which should be a strong contender your watchlists. What about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Phoenix Mecano you should know about. Although Phoenix Mecano certainly looks good, it may appeal to more investors if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see insider buying, then this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying, could be exactly what you're looking for. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Key Insights Keppel's estimated fair value is S$4.60 based on Dividend Discount Model Keppel's S$5.46 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate Our fair value estimate is 61% higher than Keppel's analyst price target of S$7.39 Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Keppel Corporation Limited (SGX:BN4) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. See our latest analysis for Keppel Crunching The Numbers We have to calculate the value of Keppel slightly differently to other stocks because it is a industrials company. Instead of using free cash flows, which are hard to estimate and often not reported by analysts in this industry, dividends per share (DPS) payments are used. Unless a company pays out the majority of its FCF as a dividend, this method will typically underestimate the value of the stock. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a company's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In this case we used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.9%). The expected dividend per share is then discounted to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.4%. Relative to the current share price of S$5.5, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. Story continues Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate) = S$0.3 / (8.4% 1.9%) = S$4.6 dcf The Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Keppel as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.093. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Keppel Strength Debt is well covered by earnings. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Industrials market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years. Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Paying a dividend but company has no free cash flows. Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Singaporean market. Next Steps: Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Keppel, we've put together three essential items you should assess: Risks: To that end, you should learn about the 4 warning signs we've spotted with Keppel (including 1 which is a bit unpleasant) . Future Earnings: How does BN4's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Singaporean stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, talked about the EU's commitment to bring to justice those guilty of Russian war crimes. Source: Metsola on Twitter Quote: "Peace requires accountability and freedom. I reiterated the EU's pledge to ensure perpetrators of Russian war crimes face justice, to Ukraines Prosecutor General, Andrii Kostin. Setting up the International Centre for Prosecution of Crimes of Aggression is an important step." Background: Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, arrived in Ukraine on an official visit on 4 March. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Eugene Levy is glad he's more famous for Schitt's Creek than American Pie these days. (Photo: Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) Eugene Levy says being best known these days as the patriarch of the Rose family on Schitt's Creek, is a welcome change from the nonstop attention he received after American Pie. The legendary actor and comedian, 76, opened up to the Guardian about being associated with the 1999 teen film, in which his character's son, played by Jason Biggs, was caught in sticky sexual situation with an apple pie. "The American Pie thing got a bit tedious. People would bring me apple pie every time I went into a restaurant or to a wedding," Levy revealed. "Which is kind of funny, but it did happen a lot." Levy is now hosting the travel series The Reluctant Traveler on Apple TV+. During the interview he reflected on his work as a co-writer and performer in Christopher Guest's iconic fake documentaries, including Best in Show and A Mighty Wind. Despite the films' success not to mention the career resurgence of co-star Jennifer Coolidge, whom Levy called a "very funny, quirky, beautiful person," thanks to White Lotus the Canadian comedian doesn't think they'll be making more. "Our last one was For Your Consideration back in 2006," Levy shared. "Our fake documentaries Chris [Guest] always hated the term 'mockumentary' because were not mocking, its more affectionate than that but they were getting a little cookie-cutter in terms of story. Everything was kind of the same, except we just changed the subject. At a certain point, that becomes predictable. In the interim, so many television shows have picked up that form and just destroyed it." That said, Levy's still got a soft spot for the Guest crew. "Funnily enough, a lot of the cast just got together in San Francisco for a reunion event, marking the 20th anniversary of A Mighty Wind. There was music, laughter, a lot of fun," he said. FEBRUARY 28: People gather during a protest in support of student debt cancellation as the Supreme Court begins oral arguments outside of the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday February 28, 2023. Sarah Silbiger for The Washington Post via Getty Images Supreme Court justices must first determine whether the cases blocking Biden's student-debt relief have standing. If they find there isn't standing, they aren't able to rule on whether the relief was an overreach of authority. The justices were skeptical of whether GOP-led states had standing to bring student-loan company MOHELA into their case. Supreme Court justices might not like President Joe Biden's student-loan forgiveness and they might not even think he has the authority to carry it out. But none of that matters if the court finds that a major legal condition doesn't exist: standing, in which a plaintiff must prove concrete injury caused by the policy they're challenging. When the Supreme Court took on the two cases that paused Biden's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for federal borrowers on Tuesday, all justices scrutinized whether the plaintiffs in both cases had the grounds to sue Biden's plan in the first place. The first case the court heard was brought by six Republican-led states who argued the debt relief would hurt their states' tax revenues, and the revenue of student-loan company MOHELA. The second case was brought on behalf of two student-loan borrowers who did not qualify for the full $20,000 amount of relief. Both cases brought up issues with Biden's authority to use the HEROES Act of 2003 to cancel student debt, which gives the Education Secretary the ability to waive or modify student-loan balances in connection with a national emergency, like COVID-19. They argued the president was demonstrating executive overreach using that law and said it's not what Congress intended. While the justices questioned all of those topics, they spent the bulk of the time drilling into the issue of standing. Article 3 standing is something all plaintiffs must prove that they would be injured by the policy, that the injury can be directly traced back to the defendant, and that the relief they're seeking would address those injuries. Story continues Abby Shafroth, director of the Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project at the National Consumer Law Center, explained to Insider that the Supreme Court must find the cases have standing first, above all else. "If there are five votes finding that neither of the parties bringing these lawsuits have standing, then the court doesn't have any authority to decide the issue of whether the action was legal here," Shafroth said. "That would be a finding that is not within the court's power to decide." So, as Shafroth said, it could be "entirely possible" that the Supreme Court ends up issuing an opinion that says they think Biden acted without proper authorization of Congress, but that justices will "recognize our own limits on authority by dismissing this case for lack of Article Three standing." And it looks like both conservative and liberal justices aren't sold on whether that conditions exists in the cases. Court would be "breaking new ground" if they found standing MOHELA's involvement in the GOP-led case had all of the justices questioning whether the states could allege an injury to MOHELA is an injury to Missouri, where the company is based. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, for example, asked Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar on behalf on Biden: "If MOHELA is being injured as a result of the plan or at least if that's the allegation, MOHELA has the ability to defend itself and its interests, correct?" Prelogar responded that MOHELA is its own entity, and can sue and be sued on its own. She agreed with Jackson when asked if they would be "breaking new ground" if they found the states have standing. "One of the critical facts the Court has highlighted is whether there's some impediment that would prevent the party whose rights and interests are implicated from pursuing its own claim," Prelogar said. "There is nothing like that here, and the Court has never recognized a doctrine of third-party standing on facts like these." If the court does find the case has standing, Shafroth said, "it would make it look very much look like the court is manipulating standing doctrine and its own constitutional limitations in order to pursue an ideological agenda against Biden's debt relief program." Still, the states' counsel Jim Campbell defended MOHELA's involvement in the case. "On standing, Missouri has the right to vindicate the harms to MOHELA," he said. "MOHELA is a state-created and state-controlled public instrumentality that performs the essential public function of providing financial aid to Missouri students." "The Secretary's program threatens to cut MOHELA's operating revenue by 40 percent," he continued. "That will directly undermine MOHELA's ability to further its critical public purposes, and the state has standing to assert those harms." The Supreme Court will issue a decision by June, when borrowers will find out if the justices' skeptical line of questioning on standing will hold up. Read the original article on Business Insider The Motorola Razr became one of the most iconic mobile phones when it was released in 2004. Damian Dovarganes/AP A new version the Motorola Razr is coming this year, the CEO of Lenovo told CNBC. The Motorola Razr became one of the most iconic mobile phones when it was released in 2004. Take a look at the evolution of Motorola phones, from the brick phone to the modernized 2020 Razr. Motorola DynaTAC 8000X The Motorola DynaTAC 8000x Motorola Motorola's DynaTAC (Dynamic Adaptive Total Area Coverage) line started with the DynaTAC 8000x which launched in 1984. It cost $3,995 when it was released. The Motorola DynaTAC 8000X was a result of a race between Motorola and Bell Labs. Former Motorola vice president Martin Cooper made the first private call from a mobile phone to Joel Engel, his Bell Labs rival. Source: PCMag, mobilecollectors.net, Insider Motorola MicroTac Elite Robert Weisshappel of Motorola Cellular Subscriber Group holding the MicroTac Elite cell phone and a mock quarter-pound cheeseburger at the Summer Consumer's Electronics Show in Chicago, Ill., June 23, 1994. Mark Elias/AP Photo The Motorola MicroTAC was released in 1989, and was one of the smallest and lightest phones at the time, meaning it was also easier to carry around. It retailed for $2,995 when it was released in the US. The phone could be folded in two places, making it pocket-size and technically a "flip phone." Source: Mobile Phone Museum, AP Newsroom, Insider Motorola International 3300 Kosta Tsiriotakis talking on his vintage analogue Motorola "brick" phone, the Motorola International 3300. Tory Zimmerman/Toronto Star via Getty Images The Motorola International 3300 was released in 1993. Its predecessor, the Motorola International 3200, was the first hand-sized digital mobile phone with 2G digital cellular network. Source: Getty Images, IT History, Insider Motorola 2900, "bag phone" Motorola 2900 bag phone Wikimedia Commons The Motorola 2900 was released in 1994 and was part of a line of car phones, also known as "bag phones." Inside the bag was a transceiver, battery, and corded headset used for talking. Compared to previous phones, bag phones allowed for longer talk times and had a larger transmission range. The bag could be carried around, but was mostly used in cars. The bag phone first used 1G networks, but started using 2G networks. Source: PCMag, Wikimedia Commons, Insider Motorola StarTAC Motorola StarTAC from 1996 Motorola The StarTAC, which was released in 1996, was called a "clamshell" for its ability to fold in half instead of folding in two parts like the MicroTAC. Story continues It was the first cell phone that operated with two batteries that were removable, so when one battery died, the user could use the other battery on the phone. The phone could support up to a four hour phone call, or 47 hours of standby time. Source: Reuters, Insider, Motorola Motorola Accompli A6188 Motorola Accompli A6188 Motorola The Motorola Accompli A6188 came out in 2000, and had a touch-screen display. The phone had Chinese handwriting recognition technology, an English and Chinese dictionary, an electronic organizer, and could access the internet. Source: Motorola From left to right: the Talkabout 192, the V66, and the Timeport 280 A woman holds up three new Motorola phones, from left to right: the Talkabout 192, the V66, and the Timeport 280 in Hanover, Germany on March 21, 2001. Reuters The Motorola Talkabout 192, V66, and Timeport 280 were released in 2001, and were part of Motorola's plan to increase its development of cell phones with high-speed data. The General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) was a new form of technology at the time that allowed phones to access to the web. The V66 handset was a tri-band phone, meaning the phone could be used around the world. The Talkabout 192 was supposed to be an inexpensive GPRS phone. Source: ABC News, Mobile Phone Museum, Reuters Motorola V600 Woman holding the Motorola V600 flip phone and a Bluetooth speakerphone in Bangkok, Thailand on June 10, 2004. SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images The V600 was released in 2004, and had a VGA camera, Bluetooth, USB syncing, and MP3 ringtones. It was part of Motorola's line of "triplets" phones that had cameras, alongside the V300 and the V500. Source: CNET, Getty Images, The Wall Street Journal Motorola Razr V3 Amazon The Motorola Razr V3 is possibly one of the most popular cell phones in history, and sold 50 million units by mid-2006. It was released in 2004, and was marketed as a "fashion" phone. The Razr V3 boosted the company's revenue in 2004, and was the the top-selling cell phone in North America, as well as the number two phone in the world. At the time it was released, the Razr V3 cost $449. Source: Insider, Fast Company, CNET Motorola Pebl Amazon The Pebl was able to flip open just by the flick of a thumb, the phone's "defining gesture" according to Jim Wicks, Motorola's former vice president and director of consumer-experience design. The phone was released in 2005. Source: Fast Company, GSMArena Motorola Rokr Sergio Dionisio/AP The Motorola Rokr was released in 2005, and was the first cell phone that supported iTunes. However, the phone's handset was slow, only stored 100 songs at a time, and needed a wire to download songs. At the time it was released, a new Rokr with iTunes pre-installed sold for $249.99. Source: CNET, Apple Motorola Cliq Motorola Cliq Motorola The Motorola Cliq, which was released in 2009 in response to Apple's iPhone, was Motorola's first cell phone that was based on the Android operating system. The touchscreen phone had a customizable homepage that users could access Facebook and Twitter from. It cost $199.99 at the time with a T-Mobile contract. Google, one of the developers behind the Android operating service, acquired Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion in 2012. Motorola Mobility made Android its sole operating system for its smartphones in 2008. Source: Wired, Insider, CNET, Google Motorola Droid AP The Motorola Droid, a more successful iPhone competitor, was released in 2009, and was a large reason for Android's popularity. Source: CNET, Insider Motorola Razr 5G Motorola Razr 5G. Motorola Fast forward a decade and the Motorola Razr 5G is the latest version of Motorola's Razr series, and was one of the first phones released that had a bendable screen. It currently costs $599.99, but was previously priced at $1,399.99. Yuanqing Yang, the CEO of Lenovo, told CNBC that Motorola plans to release another version of its foldable Motorola Razr "very soon." Lenovo bought Motorola from Google for $2.91 billion in 2014, but Google kept a majority of the 17,000 patents it acquired when it bought Motorola in 2012. Source: CNBC, Motorola, CNBC, Insider Read the original article on Business Insider AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Netherlands arm of climate activist group Extinction Rebellion protested on Sunday next to Rembrandt's painting The Night Watch in Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum. Two of the protesters held up a replica of the famous painting, in which the night watchmen depicted in the original artwork appear to be submerged in water, a nod to the group's slogan: "There is no art on a flooded planet". "The science is clear, we can no longer escape it: the earth is warming up, the sea level is rising and the weather is becoming more and more extreme. It is obvious that this is due to the fossil industry, an industry that the Rijksmuseum is still sponsoring", 19-year-old protester Yara said, referring to the museum's partnerships with airline KLM and bank ING. Ten protesters, aged between 15 and 22 years old, wore T-shirts emblazoned with climate slogans, while some of their parents and grandparents stood nearby in support. A spokesperson for Rijksmuseum told Dutch press agency ANP that the protest didn't cause any damage to The Night Watch and that the protesters were escorted outside without incident. Rijksmuseum did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Bernadette Baum) Marianne Ayala/Insider Police make requests for social-media user data to aid prosecution after a crime has been committed. Sometimes, the crime is abortion and social apps are turning over user chat logs and search history. One legal expert said platforms may cooperate with police even if they're not legally required to. As abortion bans across the nation are implemented and enforced, law enforcement is turning to social-media platforms to build cases to prosecute women seeking abortions or abortion-inducing medication and online platforms like Google and Facebook are helping. Through data collected by online pharmacies, social media posts, and user data requests from law enforcement for message and search logs, cases for prosecution can be built against women for seeking abortion and it has been happening since before Roe was overturned. This spring, a woman named Jessica Burgess and her daughter will stand trial in Nebraska after being accused of performing an illegal abortion with a key piece of evidence provided by Meta, the parent company of Facebook. Prosecutors said Burgess helped her daughter find and take pills that would induce an abortion. The teenage Burgess also faces charges of illegally disposing of the fetal remains. TechCrunch reported that internal chat logs were provided to law-enforcement officers by the social-media company, which indicated the pair had discussed their plan to find the medication through the app. Meta said in a statement regarding the Nebraska incident that it responded to "valid legal warrants from local law enforcement" prior to the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned nationwide abortion rights and allowed for bans in some states. And though the warrants Meta responded to in this case "did not mention abortion" since law enforcement had requested the chat logs while investigating the teen's disposal of the remains, which incidentally revealed the discussion of abortion pills the subsequent charges reveal how data released by social-media companies can be used to prosecute people for abortion, even when they are being investigated for other reasons. Story continues Pharmacies sharing data An investigation by ProPublica found online pharmacies that sell abortion medication such as mifepristone and misoprostol are sharing sensitive data, including users' web addresses, relative location, and search data, with Google and other third-party sites which allows the data to be recoverable through law-enforcement requests. ProPublica found similar web trackers that capture user data on the sites of at least nine online pharmacies that offer abortion pills by mail, including Abortion Ease, BestAbortionPill.com, PrivacyPillRX, PillsOnlineRX, Secure Abortion Pills, AbortionRx, Generic Abortion Pills, Abortion Privacy, and Online Abortion Pill Rx. None of the pharmacies immediately responded to Insider's requests for comment. Google search histories have been used to prosecute women for their reproductive health choices since before the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year. In 2018, a Mississippi woman named Latice Fisher was charged with second-degree murder after she delivered a stillborn baby paramedics discovered the child lifeless, in the woman's toilet, when she called for help. The charges were based in part on her Google search history, which included a query for "buy Misopristol Abortion Pill Online'' 10 days earlier, The Washington Post reported. Officers discovered Fisher's search history after she surrendered her phone. Representatives for Google told Insider the company has a policy on user data requested by the government, which requires law enforcement to "attest that their requests for user data do not pertain to certain abortion-related investigations" as set forth by a California law that prohibits search warrants for electronic communications that are based on abortion investigations. The California-based company applies this standard for all state law enforcement requests. However, as in the case of Burgess and her daughter, law enforcement requests may not be specifically looking for abortion-related data in their investigations, but may prosecute abortion-related crimes based on what they find. Representatives for the FBI told Insider they were "unable to accommodate" Insider's detailed request for information about the criteria required for officers to issue a request for a civilian's social media or internet history, what information is generally turned over to them in the pursuit of such information, and what channels officers used to make those requests. Representatives the Los Angeles and New York police departments, two of the largest police forces in the country, did not respond to Insider's requests for comment. "We comply with government requests for user information only where we have a good-faith belief that the law requires us to do so," a spokesperson for Meta told Insider. "In addition, we assess whether a request is consistent with internationally recognized standards on human rights, including due process, privacy, free expression and the rule of law. When we do comply, we only produce information that is narrowly tailored to that request. If we determine that a request appears to be deficient or overly broad, we push back and will fight in court, if necessary. We do not provide governments with 'back doors' to people's information." According to internal statistics provided by Meta, the company complies with government requests for user data more than 70% of the time and receives more than 400,000 requests a year. "Certainly, we expect that social-media companies are gonna cooperate with law enforcement when they make legitimate information requests, we need them to do that," Eric Goldman, a law professor at Santa Clara University School of Law and the codirector of the school's High Tech Law Institute, told Insider. "But we also know that social media isn't likely to stand up to illegitimate law-enforcement requests, because of the fact that they fear their own liability, or because of the fact that it's just too costly to stand up." Goldman indicated examples where internet services affirmatively go to court to protect user interest, "but those are the exceptions." "There's thousands of requests for every one of those cases, and there's thousands of other decisions that the company made to just turn over the data because it's just easier, quicker that way," Goldman said. "So law enforcement knows that they can make requests of social media, including court requests that do not comply with law, and expect to get most of them honored simply because that is the path of least resistance for the social-media services." No incentive to protect privacy While cases against people seeking abortions can increasingly be informed by user data provided by social-media companies, those aren't the only prosecutions being built off of what people share online. Public social-media posts can be used to build cases against people for major cases including child abuse and murder, as well as against less serious incidents that could have First Amendment implications, such as jokesters who tweeted threats against airlines and memes interpreted by the DOJ as election interference. Private content by users such as location data or messages requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant before it can be turned over. But "social media companies don't really have incentives to protect privacy," Sharon Docter, a professor of legal issues and new media at California Lutheran University, told Insider. She said because the platforms themselves are unlikely to prioritize user privacy, the burden to do so falls on the individual user. "Users of social media need to be concerned about privacy, and that users really need to think through the fact that their digital footprint might potentially be available to law enforcement if there's a valid search warrant," Docter added. "And they should do all they can really to protect their privacy, by looking into sending encrypted messages, by making sure their location data is off, by engaging in any efforts that they can to understand the privacy policies of the platforms that they use." Meta, which owns WhatsApp, Instagram, as well as Facebook, is working to roll out encryption as a default setting across its messaging platforms by year's end, according to a spokesperson. Currently, encryption is standard on WhatsApp, and is available for users who opt-in on Instagram and Facebook. But user data across social media platforms, not just Meta and Google, are at risk for similar law enforcement requests. Expecting social-media companies across the board to change their policies or standardize encryption is unlikely, Docter and Goldman told Insider, since they aren't incentivized by law or user pressure to do so. However, overly broad requests made by the government are the key point of the problem, Goldman noted not that social media is cooperating with law enforcement in the first place. "All the angst directed at social-media services for being a pawn in law enforcement's game seems misdirected to me. Social media is in fact a pawn in that game," Goldman told Insider, adding people often don't want to get mad at law enforcement or the government for overreaching and instead get angry at Facebook or Google for complying with sometimes illegal requests. "We say, 'Law enforcement is just trying to do their job,' right, and 'If they get some wrong along the way, but they get the bad guys, you know, the ends justify the means,'" Goldman added. "It's so tempting to give benefit of the doubt to law enforcement, and that's why it's so hard for us to confront the reality: Maybe there are times they don't deserve that benefit." Read the original article on Business Insider Business Insider/Mary Hanbury Family Dollar's stores are going to get even fuller as the chain makes its shelves taller. Its CEO said this means it can add 1,000 more items to its product range. Family Dollar's stores are often cluttered. Dead rodents were found at a distribution center last year. Family Dollar is making its shelves even taller to enable it to add hundreds more products to its stores. "We have begun raising the shelf height to a 70-inch profile throughout the stores to enable us to broaden the product offering for our shoppers," Rick Dreiling, CEO of parent company Dollar Tree, said at its fourth-quarter earnings call on Wednesday. "This profit-enhancing initiative allows us to grow our SKU base by 1,000 items." SKUs or stock-keeping units refer to how many unique items a company sells. Family Dollar stores are already bursting full of merchandise. Dreiling, who took over as CEO in January, emphasized his desire to clean up Family Dollar and Dollar Tree's stores during the call. "We must improve our store and DC conditions, and we are in the process of doing so," Dreiling told investors, referring to its distribution centers. "Frankly, stores and DCs were not being maintained up to our new leadership standards. We are actively transitioning from what we consider to be reactive to proactive maintenance approach." The chain's stores are known for their mess and disorganization, with one worker telling Insider the store they worked at was "unhygienic and disgusting." Concerns about Family Dollar's stores escalated when federal inspectors found live and dead rodents, dead birds, and animal droppings inside a distribution center last year. Family Dollar temporarily closed 404 stores that had received products from the facility 5% of its total US store count and issued a voluntary recall of some of the products. It ultimately closed the distribution center. A retail consultant told Insider that inventory pile-ups and staffing shortages could be to blame for the infestation. Story continues During Wednesday's call, Dreiling spoke about the importance of swiftly moving items to the shop floor. "As a high transaction volume business, it's critical we have processes in place to get product onto our shelves quickly," he said. "I am certain that we can't sell a product if it's in the backroom." Dreiling discussed some plans to change the layout of Family Dollar's stores, including adding more cooler doors for frozen and refrigerated items. The chain's goal is to have 30 doors per store, he said. Read the original article on Business Insider A conditional settlement has been reached in a lawsuit filed against the city of Fresno by the family of a man shot to death by police inside an apartment in 2019, officials confirm. Court records do not reveal details of the proposed settlement. Officers with SWAT shot and killed Oliver Hernandez, 29, on Jan. 5, 2019, after a roughly six-hour standoff at the Village Apartments on Ninth Street and Bulldog Lane. Police said he was armed with an ax. Hernandezs family has said Hernandez was sitting down when he was shot and was not an immediate threat to anyone because he was alone. The family sued the city on Jan. 1, 2020, alleging wrongful death, negligence, battery and violation of civil rights. The case was scheduled for a jury trial beginning Monday, but court records show a conditional settlement was reached Wednesday. Attorney Stuart Chandler, who represents Hernandezs mother, said Saturday that there are still some details that need to be worked out, including approval from the City Council. Councilmember Miguel Arias expressed frustration with the citys practice to insist officers acted according to policy yet pay out a hefty settlement to avoid a more costly sum in a trial. I want to make sure that these kind of cases have intellectual honesty, he said. We should be willing to make that case to a jury instead of talk out of both sides of our mouth. Taking the case to court would show whether the citys policies are truly correct or if they need to be reformed, he said. Recent settlements in such cases by the city include a $4.4 million payout in the excessive force case in the 2015 police shooting death of Casimero Shane Casillas. Complaints have been filed with the Federal Election Commission over allegations that Fox Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch shared unaired political advertisements and debate strategy from President Bidens 2020 campaign with Jared Kushner, former President Trumps son-in-law and then-senior adviser. A complaint was filed by progressive nonprofit Media Matters, arguing that Murdoch broke the law by sharing the ads. NBC News reported on Friday that End Citizens United PAC filed a similar complaint to the FEC. The revelation that Murdoch shared the ads was first made public in a lawsuit against Fox by Dominion Voting Systems, who is suing Murdoch and the company for defamation by airing false claims peddled by Trump in the weeks following the 2020 election. The FEC complaint by Media Matters alleges that by sharing rival political ads with the Trump campaign, Murdoch was making an illegal corporate in-kind contribution that cant be protected by a press exemption and that in turn the Trump campaign accepted such a contribution illegally. This distribution is diametrically opposed to Fox Corporations regular press activity broadcasting news programming through television and radio outlets and online publications, the complaint read. Murdochs secret conveyance of the Biden advertisement is even less like press activity than a cablecasting company sending campaign flyers in its bills and neither can be protected by the press exemption. The complaint includes allegations that Murdoch sent over the Biden ads through a private, and secret, direct communication that, together with the fact that the ads had not aired and werent available to the public, highlights the non-press nature of the information-sharing. Fox Corporation, through Murdoch, appears to have engaged in the exact type of campaign activity to which the Commission has repeatedly affirmed the press exemption does not apply. Therefore, Fox Corporation cannot try to exploit the press exemption to avoid the consequences of making an illegal corporate in-kind contribution, the complaint read. Story continues Respondents actions are not only an egregious violation of the Act and the Commissions regulations, but also a nefarious attempt by people in power to operate a press entity as a political organization, in blatant disregard of the rules that govern our elections and democracy, according to the complaint. Media Matters asks the FEC to fine Murdoch the maximum amount permitted by law and take appropriate remedial action. Murdoch admitted last week that some top Fox News hosts endorsed Trumps false claims of election fraud during the 2020 election after a court filing in the Dominion suit purportedly showed some at the network knew the claims were unfounded but reported otherwise on air. The Hill has reached out to Fox, the Trump campaign and the White House for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Approximately 40 firefighters responded to a fire at a commercial building in south Everett on Friday night, according to the Everett Fire Department. Just before 7:30 p.m., dispatchers received several reports of a fire in the 2100 block of West Seattle Road. Heavy smoke and fire were coming from the building, a former machine shop that had been closed, when the first engine arrived at the scene. According to EFD, fire crews initially worked to extinguish the fire from outside before moving inside the building. It took about an hour to fully extinguish the fire, and no injuries were reported. Casino Road was closed in both directions for several hours while firefighters worked to put the fire out. Crews from South County Fire and Mukilteo Fire also responded to the scene to provide mutual aid. Everett Fire investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire. (Reuters) - Azerbaijani troops and ethnic Armenians exchanged gunfire on Sunday in Azerbaijan's contested region of Nagorno-Karabakh, killing at least five people, according to reports from Azerbaijan and Armenia. Nagorno-Karabakh was the focal point of two wars that have pitted Azerbaijan against Azerbaijan in the more than 30 years since both ex-Soviet states have achieved attendance. Azerbaijan's defence ministry said two servicemen were killed in an exchange of fire after Azerbaijani troops stopped a convoy it suspected of carrying weapons from the region's main town to outlying areas. It said the convoy had used an unauthorised road. Armenia's foreign ministry said three officials from the Karabakh interior ministry were killed. It said the convoy had been carrying documents and a service pistol and dismissed as "absurd" Azerbaijani allegations that weapons were being carried. Nagorno-Karabakh has long been recognised internationally as part of Azerbaijan, though its population is made up predominantly of ethnic Armenians. Armenian forces took control of Karabakh in a war that gripped the region as Soviet rule was collapsing in the early 1990s. Azerbaijan recaptured large swathes of territory in a six-week conflict in 2020 that ended with a truce and the dispatch of Russian peacekeepers, who remain in the region. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have met several times as part of efforts to resolve the conflict, but periodic violence has hurt peace efforts. For the past three months, Azeri environmentalists have been blockading the Lachin corridor linking Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, saying they oppose mining operations in the region. Armenia says the protesters are political activists acting at the behest of Azerbaijan's authorities. The World Court ordered Azerbaijan last month on Wednesday to ensure free movement through the Lachin corridor. (Reporting Naila Bagirova, Writing by Ron Popeski; Editing by Marguerita Choy) Donald Trump loomed large over the annual Conservative Action Political Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Md., this week, demonstrating the iron grip the former president still maintains over the GOPs ultra-conservative base. Trump won the events straw poll with 62 percent support, while his intraparty rival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) came in a distant second with 20 percent support. However, this years CPAC lacked the excitement seen in past years and featured far fewer party leaders, in part due to the conservative Club for Growths donor retreat in Florida happening at the same time. The dueling events underscored a growing divide in the Republican Party going into 2024. Here are five takeaways from this years CPAC: Its the Trump show If CPAC made one thing clear, its that the former president trumped all else at the conference. Attendees showed up in Trump-inspired attire, wearing pins and even dresses with the former presidents face, in addition to his signature red Make America Great Again hats, and many of the speakers were among the former presidents most vocal proponents. Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) were among some of this years notable speakers, all of whom are staunch Trump supporters. Gaetz told The Hill in a brief interview regarding his support for Trumps 2024 White House campaign that the former president has a special magic, an energy, a coalition that excites people and welcomes people in. Other Republicans acknowledged that the former president was still a formidable candidate, while pushing back against the notion that he held a vice-like grip on CPAC. Theres no question he is the frontrunner, but this is not a Trump event, former Trump White House press secretary Sean Spicer said of the event. Meanwhile, the event was just as notable for those who skipped the event such as widely speculated GOP presidential candidates Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), former Vice President Mike Pence, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) suggesting Republicans might be interested in forging their own path without the platform of institutions like CPAC. Story continues White House rivals fail to make waves The event was sparsely attended by Trumps potential 2024 rivals, with the exception of former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Pompeo spoke to a small crowd and took a swipe at the former presidents administration for adding nearly $8 trillion to the national debt. Meanwhile, Haley made her pitch to a half-full ballroom, telling attendees to vote for her if they were tired of losing. Later, attendees shouted chants of We love Trump as she snapped photos with supporters. Some of the biggest potential 2024 contenders, such as DeSantis, were absent from the event. However, a CPAC promotional video played minutes before Trumps address showed clips of DeSantis addressing last years CPAC gathering in Orlando and drew applause from the crowd. Michigan businessman Perry Johnson, who was removed from the states gubernatorial ballot last year for filing fraudulent nominating signatures and who was camped out all week at the event, came in third place in the straw poll, with 5 percent support. Haley came in with 3 percent support, while Ramaswamy and Pompeo received 1 percent support each. Other potential 2024 GOP hopefuls, including Pence, Scott, Youngkin, Republican New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), all clocked in with less than 1 percent support. The event is losing its luster This years CPAC attracted thinner crowds than in years past making it feel like a ghost of the event that was once all-encompassing of the Republican Partys many different groups. Groups mingling in the halls were smaller. The auditorium for Haley and Pompeo some of the conferences most high-profile speakers was sparsely populated during their speeches. While Trump attracted a larger crowd, even his presence at CPAC was not enough to fill the entire ballroom, as a wide section of seats in the back of the room remained empty. Against the backdrop of a diminished CPAC were also allegations that CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp groped a former staffer who worked on former Senate candidate Herschel Walkers (R) campaign. An attorney for Schlapp has denied the accusations. But they undeniably colored the event. Grievance politics take center stage Throughout the multiday event, Trump and his allies used their platforms to promote unfounded claims of election fraud and target critics many of them Republicans. Steve Bannon, Trumps former White House strategist, lashed out at Fox News and the Murdochs, alleging they werent covering the former presidents campaign enough, while also falsely referring to the 2020 election as stolen. Trump himself repeated his unfounded election claims during his closing speech, and falsely suggested that Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake (R) lost her race last year due to election malfeasance. Meanwhile, he took frequent aim at his adversaries, including some of his Republican foes: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), former White House candidate, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) and others. We are never going back to the party of Paul Ryan, Karl Rove, and Jeb Bush, Trump said to loud applause. Bush said in a recent interview that he hoped DeSantis would run for president in 2024 and has previously expressed support for having Trump face a primary challenger during the 2020 GOP presidential primary. Ryan, a former Speaker and another Trump critic, said earlier this year that the former president is a proven loser. He cost us the House in 18, he cost us the White House in 20, he cost us the Senate again and again, Ryan said at the time. Meanwhile, Romney drew Trumps ire as he was the only Senate Republican to vote to convict the former president during both impeachment trials. But the former president also took aim at McConnell. During his speech, he criticized China-loving politicians before referencing the Senate GOP leader and saying You listening to this, Mitch McConnell? You listening to this? The former president has repeatedly attacked McConnells wife, former Trump Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, drawing accusations of racism. 2024 could get ugly While the GOP primary field is still solidifying, the event put into sharp relief the divisions within the Republican Party and pointed to a contentious general election as Trump framed the race in war-like terms. Though DeSantis has been pitched by some Republicans as a formidable alternative to Trump, CPAC demonstrated that the former president still maintains a strong influence over the party and hinted at a potentially volatile primary. Meanwhile, Trump did not hold back when it came to his 2020 rival, the current occupant of the White House. Trump lobbed countless attacks against President Biden and Democrats in his address, which included a joke about the president falling. You know, we all smile when he falls down stairs and things. Its cute, Trump quipped, adding that he was surprised that the reporters didnt catch him when he fell off of his bicycle. The former president also suggested that his campaign to take back the White House in 2024 was a quest to get back at his adversaries on both sides of the aisle in Washington. In 2016, I declared, I am your voice. Today I add: I am your warrior, I am your justice, and for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution! Trump exclaimed to the crowd. Updated on March 5 at 5:29 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. La Compagnie's small fleet of Airbus A321neos are fitted with only business class lounger seats no economy here. Taylor Rains/Insider French boutique airline La Compagnie flies a pair of Airbus A321neo jets between the US and Europe. It is the only all-business class carrier in the world other airlines have ended similar services. I flew on La Compagnie from Paris to Newark, New Jersey, to try out the unique service for myself. French boutique airline La Compagnie is the only all-business class carrier in the world with a small fleet of Airbus A321neos. A La Compagnie Airbus A321neo. Thomas Pallini/Insider Source: Planespotters The company flies between New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport and Paris and Milan year-round, as well as seasonally to Nice, France. The cockpit of La Compagnie's Airbus A321neo. Thomas Pallini/Insider I toured La Compagnie, the all-business class airline flying between the US and France. It's the closest thing to flying private across the Atlantic. A few other carriers also tried the unique configuration, including Qatar Airways, which flew deep-pocket customers between Doha and London and later Doha and Dubai using an Airbus A319LR. Qatar Airways' all-business class Airbus A319LR. Qatar Airways/Flickr Qatar Airways Made An All-Business Class Plane For Flights To London Meanwhile, British Airways ferried premium travelers between New York and London on an all-business class Airbus A318. The service ended in 2020, with the airline citing falling demand and the pandemic. It's important to note that both Qatar and British Airways are not all-business class airlines, they just configured a few jets with an all-business layout as an option on more premium routes. Thomas Pallini/Business Insider British Airways has reportedly sent its most iconic jet since the Concorde to be scrapped. See inside the plane that shuttled VIP flyers between New York and London. In an interview with Insider in 2019, the cofounder and EVP of La Compagnie, Jean-Charles Perino, said the business model is intended to split the difference between expensive business class seats and cheaper economy seats. United 767-300ER cabin. Taylor Rains/Insider Startup airline La Compagnie found its niche as a low-cost business-class-only carrier. Now it's nearing profitability after just 5 years. Instead of selling roundtrip business for several thousand dollars, and then charging in the hundreds per economy seat, Perino decided to put 76 lie-flat loungers on a plane and price it somewhere in the middle. According to La Compagnie, fares start at $2,000 to Milan, $2,350 to Nice, and $2,400 to Paris all roundtrip and subject to availability. Thomas Pallini/Insider It's almost like crossing the Atlantic on a private jet for a fraction of the cost, though passengers won't get the added comforts like a theater or double bed onboard. Story continues Pictured is the bed inside a Bombardier Global 7500 private jet. Taylor Rains/Insider I flew on a private jet and Spirit Airlines back-to-back. Here's how my $92 flight compared to a Bombardier Global 7500, which can cost $20,000 an hour to charter. Perino said that the seat is affordable for travelers who are already going to pay extra for more legroom or premium economy seats, which are sometimes just as expensive as La Compagnie's round-trip airfare. Delta's Premium Select cabin is $4,501 round-trip from New York-JFK to Paris CDG airport on April 9-15. La Compagnie flying on the same dates from Newark to Paris Orly is $4,079. Neither is refundable and both airlines charge $400-$500 more to make it refundable. Delta Air Lines I've been wanting to try the all-business-class airline for years and was finally able to check it off my bucket list in February. Here's what it was like flying from Paris to Newark. Taylor Rains/Insider My journey started at Paris' Orly Airport, which is about 12 miles from the city center. Because I decided to stay at a hotel southwest of the city, it was only a 20-minute drive. Taylor Rains/Insider My flight was scheduled to leave at 10:30 a.m. for a 1:00 p.m. arrival in Newark, New Jersey, and every instinct told me to arrive at Orly by 7:30 a.m. at the latest to ensure there would be enough time for check-in, passport control, and security. Taylor Rains/Insider But, because La Compagnie's fast-track options were included with my ticket, I was encouraged to arrive around 9:00 a.m. just one and a half hours early. Acces N1 is the priority access lane for security and passport control at Paris airports, including Orly and Charles de Gaulle. Taylor Rains/Insider I'm glad they were true to their word, because I arrived at Orly's Terminal 4 at 9:15 a.m. due to traffic, but was still at the gate by 9:45 a.m. Taylor Rains/Insider It was speedy for a few reasons. First, I could get my boarding pass online without having to first go to the check-in counter to verify my passport, which is not always the case on other airlines. I was able to add my boarding pass to my Apple Wallet, and "Access N1" was indicated above the QR code. Taylor Rains/Insider I also only had a carry-on, so I could skip the bag drop. Even if there was a line, there were two attendants assisting with checked luggage, and there is only a maximum of 76 people on the flight. Taylor Rains/Insider Meanwhile, accessing the secured area was a breeze. With my business class ticket, I could use the "Acces N 1" priority line at security and passport control, so I was through in minutes. Taylor Rains/Insider Gate F04 was a short walk from there. Taylor Rains/Insider Typically, La Compagnie passengers can use an airport lounge to eat and rest before the flight, but it is undergoing renovation. So, they provided a 20 coupon for the nearby restaurant, EXK. Taylor Rains/Insider I got a ham and cheese quiche, fruit, coffee, and orange juice. It was surprisingly good for airport food, and I appreciated the gesture from the airline. Taylor Rains/Insider Unfortunately, we did get delayed about 30 minutes due to crew rest, but started to board around 10:45 am., and I got my first look at the all-business class plane. Taylor Rains/Insider I was immediately impressed by the look of the cabin the aesthetic was elegant and the baby blue color scheme was soothing. Taylor Rains/Insider The lounger itself didn't disappoint either. The A321neo has 19 rows of 4 seats in a 2x2 layout. I noticed the plane skipped row number 13 I guess that's to ward off any bad luck. Taylor Rains/Insider After stowing my luggage, which I had more than enough space for, I found my seat. Taylor Rains/Insider The lounger came will all the usual bells and whistles I look for when I fly business class, including a large touchscreen TV Taylor Rains/Insider a remote control Taylor Rains/Insider a reading light and a coat hook Taylor Rains/Insider an adjustable headrest Taylor Rains/Insider good-quality headphones... There is a hook to hang up the headphones (on the blue wall pictured), but I moved them beside me for better access. Taylor Rains/Insider a USB port and a power outlet These are located in between the two lounges below the table. Taylor Rains/Insider ...the option to have a recliner with a leg rest or a fully lie-flat lounger... Taylor Rains/Insider a privacy divider, which helped create a cozy space when sleeping Taylor Rains/Insider free in-flight WiFi, which was fast and reliable Taylor Rains/Insider\ plush linens branded with the La Compagnie colors and logo Taylor Rains/Insider a large, foldable tray table big enough for my laptop... If the tray is folded, there is a cup nook in the top right corner. Taylor Rains/Insider and plenty of leg space thanks to the 62 inches of pitch in most seats. At just 5'3", I could stretch my legs all the way out, and the lounger is 26 inches wide, so I had a lot of wiggle room too. Taylor Rains/Insider The exit row seats offer even more space with 72 inches of pitch. The trade-off for more legroom in the exit row is that the screen is a little further away. Taylor Rains/Insider There was also a table in between the two loungers... Taylor Rains/Insider and a few small storage spots, including the side pocket The pocket was good for small items, like a water bottle or magazine. Taylor Rains/Insider under the footrest This area was big enough for a purse or small duffle bag. Taylor Rains/Insider to the back-right of the seat where the headphones plug in Taylor Rains/Insider and under the TV. The slit was narrow, so I imagine it would be best for things like books or a laptop. My purse barely fit, and I had to squish it in. Taylor Rains/Insider When I got to my seat, I found a complimentary water bottle and an amenity kit, which is the norm for business class. Taylor Rains/Insider But, the kit turned out to be my favorite yet. Inside were toiletries, socks, an eye mask, and lotions Taylor Rains/Insider and the bag itself was big and had two pockets perfect to use on future trips for my own toiletries. Taylor Rains/Insider Aside from the storage slots being smaller than I'd like, I noticed that passengers sitting in the window seat had to crawl over the aisle when their beds were fully-flat. Taylor Rains/Insider After settling into my seat, the flight attendant came by with orange juice and Champagne I ended up combining them to make a morning mimosa. Taylor Rains/Insider We pushed back from the gate soon after but ended up going back due to a paperwork issue. This was a little frustrating as I got to Newark, New Jersey, one and a half hours late, but I've had delays on every airline I've flown on. Taylor Rains/Insider We were finally on our way at around 12:20 p.m., and I was excited to kick back and enjoy the ride. Taylor Rains/Insider During taxi, a yoga-themed in-flight safety video came on to go over emergency procedures. I thought the stretching and breathing exercises were an interesting way to grab people's attention. Taylor Rains/Insider Shortly after takeoff, the flight attendants came through the cabin with drinks and a serving of nuts. I opted for the red wine, which was nice and smooth. Taylor Rains/Insider Then, we were served our first meal. La Compagnie says it prides itself on its in-flight cuisine, which is made in partnership with guest chefs, like Michelin-starred chefs David Toutain The pigeon dish made by David Toutain at his restaurant in Paris (not offered on La Compagnie). Taylor Rains/Insider and Franco Sampogna. The collaborations have taken place since 2017 with the help of Christophe Langree, the former chef at the French prime minister's residence, the Hotel Matignon. Flights from New York to Paris, Milan, and Nice will be served a light dinner and a breakfast to provide passengers with the "freedom to rest." Taylor Rains/Insider Sampogna, who is from Brazil but has a New York City restaurant called Frevo, was onboard my flight to serve his course blanquette of scallops and cauliflower topped with truffles. I am continuously impressed by most airline business-class meals, but this dish hit it out of the park. Taylor Rains/Insider I thought the meal was incredible, and the scallops were cooked perfectly. A spokesperson for La Compagnie told Insider that the food is prepared within 24 hours of the flights much sooner to takeoff than the 48-72 hours on most other airlines. The meal without the truffles. Taylor Rains/Insider Source: Insider In addition to the main dish, I was also given an appetizer, which was a delicious salmon salad with sesame, lemon, and trout eggs. Taylor Rains/Insider A cheese plate, bread, and a caramelized apple tart were also served. I was so full I couldn't finish all of it, but the tart and salmon were definitely my favorites. For those who have certain diets, the airline can accommodate special meal requests if they are submitted no later than 51 hours before the flight. Taylor Rains/Insider Source: La Compagnie I'm a sucker for seafood and loved that courses one and two were fish. But, the airline will switch the main dish to chicken or cod steak in March, according to its online menu. I also loved that the meals all came with actual glassware and silverware. Taylor Rains/Insider Source: La Compagnie I thought the crew was extremely professional and attentive during the meal service. Because the plane is so small, Perino said flight attendants often know passengers by name: "That's something that the big guys could not do." Chef Franco Sampogna with the flight attendants. Taylor Rains/Insider Source: Insider I decided to take a nap around three hours into the flight, and I slept great thanks to the privacy of the cocoon, the padded lie-flat bed, and the plush, warm linens. Taylor Rains/Insider As someone who likes to kick a knee out when I sleep, I even had enough room to do so by lowering the window-side armrest. The aisle-side armrest is also adjustable. The armrests next to the window and on the aisle could be adjusted up and down. Taylor Rains/Insider Granted, my feet nearly reached the end of the foot nook when laying fully flat, and I'm only 5'3." So, taller passengers would definitely have to crunch up a little more. My legs almost at the end of the foot nook. Taylor Rains/Insider But, I think there is still plenty of wiggle room to get comfortable, and I was happy that the tray table stowed into the side of the seat and completely out of the way of the lounger. The tray table had to be pulled out from the middle table top. Taylor Rains/Insider After a nap, I woke up and watched a movie until the next meal service. I will say that the lineup was pretty random, with movies like Kung Fu Panda 2 and Land of the Lost. Will Ferrell in Land of the Lost. Taylor Rains/Insider La Compagnie did have more recent movies available too, like Black Adam and Ticket to Paradise, as well as a meditation course and a flight map. Taylor Rains/Insider The second meal was served a little over an hour from landing. We were given the choice of pastries or an eggplant and tomato sandwich I chose the pastries, which came with a macaron, pudding, and cookie-like treats. Taylor Rains/Insider I'm not a huge fan of chocolate in general, but I liked the crumble and macaron. Next time, I'd probably go with the sandwich though. While I don't like chocolate, I'm sure its delicious for those who do. Taylor Rains/Insider After dessert, I ordered tea and then headed to the lavatory to freshen up before landing. Taylor Rains/Insider I thought the bathroom was very nice and clean, and I liked the gray accents that made it feel homier similar to the wood-like finishes in Singapore Airlines' lavatories. Taylor Rains/Insider The wallpaper was even La Compagnie-branded. Taylor Rains/Insider We landed at 2:30 p.m. and had to be towed into the gate, which a flight attendant said is standard procedure when La Compagnie lands in Newark, New Jersey. A view of our gate with ramp agents during tow in. Taylor Rains/Insider We parked at gate 51 and everyone deplaned quickly thanks to the low-capacity plane. I was off the jet and through customs within minutes another reason I encourage frequent fliers to get Global Entry. A view of Newark airport after parking. Taylor Rains/Insider Overall, I loved my experience flying on La Compagnie, and I think that the price tag is extremely reasonable for the service. Although Insider paid a media rate, I think the carrier is perfect for people looking to splurge on a honeymoon, family vacation, or solo getaway. Taylor Rains/Insider Overall, the flight is more affordable than traveling business on a mainline carrier, and I think that the service is comparable to competitors like Delta One or United Polaris. United Airlines Polaris business class seat, which also has direct-aisles access for all passengers a perk lacking on La Compagnie. United Airlines Granted, I will say it can't beat Singapore Airlines' business class, which has a much larger bed and more storage space Singapore Airlines A350 business class. Sorbis/Shutterstock I flew on the world's longest flight in business class and thought the 18-hour trip from Singapore to New York was nearly flawless and United and Delta's cabins do feel a little roomier with more table space, in my experience. Both also have direct-aisle access for all seats a feature lacking in La Compagnie. Delta One suite on the 767-400ER, which also has direct-aisle access for all travelers. Delta Air Lines Nevertheless, I wouldn't hesitate to fly La Compagnie again they even returned my jacket to me, which I stupidly left on the plane. One of the perks of using a small airline. A La Compagnie Airbus A321neo. Thomas Pallini/Insider Read the original article on Business Insider Republican state senator Jason Brodeur of Florida has proposed a new bill that would require bloggers who write about Gov. Ron DeSantis, his Cabinet officers, and members of the Florida legislature to register with the state. Senate Bill 1316 proposed that bloggers who receive compensation for their posts would have to register with the Florida Office of Legislative Services or the Commission on Ethics. However, the requirement would not apply to the websites of newspapers or similar sites. According to the proposed Information Dissemination bill, if a blogger writes about an elected state officer and receives compensation for that post, they must register with the appropriate office within five days after the first 164 by the blogger which mentions an elected state officer. If the blogger posts additional articles about elected state officers, they would have to file monthly reports detailing where, when, and by whom the post was published, as well as the amount of compensation received. Failure to file reports could result in fines. The proposed bill covers elected state officers, including the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, a Cabinet officer, or any member of the Legislature. A blog is defined in the bill as a website or webpage that hosts any blogger and is frequently updated with opinion, commentary, or business content, and a blog post as an individual webpage on a blog which contains an article, a story, or a series of stories. Critics of the bill have raised concerns about the potential impact on free speech and the chilling effect it could have on bloggers who cover elected officials in the state. However, supporters of the bill argue that it would provide greater transparency and accountability in the online world. It remains to be seen whether the proposed bill will be passed into law. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. The Florida Department of Education Division of Blind Services announced the first in the nation job apprenticeship program. The apprenticeship program was implemented to create employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired individuals, training them to enhance website accessibility for internet users for all disabilities. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<< According to a news release, the departments new Web Accessibility Specialist Registered Apprenticeship Program combines on-the-job training with educational instruction to progressively increase workers skill levels, wages and career options. We are proud of the work DBS is doing every day for the blind and visually impaired community, said Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. Todays announcement doubles down on their daily efforts by creating the first internship of its kind in the nation. I look forward to seeing the new apprentices in action! Read: Florida bill guts local governments power to protect tenants Graduates will also receive internationally recognized portable credentials, and their training may be applied toward further post-secondary education. This is a significant advancement for DBS clients, said Senior Chancellor Henry Mack. It provides the benefit of being employed while also allowing participants to gain valuable skills that will enable them to make the web more accessible for themselves and their peers. We are very excited to launch this program. Read: Chris Rock addresses Oscars slap in new special Interested applicants should contact their DBS counselor and must: Have a high school diploma or equivalent. Be a proficient reader of Braille or large print. Have proficient computer skills. Use a keyboard proficiently. Be able to use the Nonvisual Desktop Access screen reader. Have the ability to use the Google Chrome Browser and Chrome extensions. Have the ability to adapt to difficult challenges. Meet eligibility requirements for entry into to the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Story continues Read: Ricou Browning, underwater film star from Creature from the Black Lagoon, dies at 93 Apprentices selected into the program will serve as DBS employees and receive training at the DBS Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The competency-based apprenticeship is approximately 12 months. For more information about the Florida Department of Educations Division of Blind Services, visit: www.dbs.fldoe.org. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Racecar-loving Ford CEO Jim Farley is in the midst of what may be the biggest challenge of his professional life. Ford (F), which is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, is pushing hard into what could be its path forward for the next century. Farleys focus on EVs and transitioning the business is tantamount to the automakers future, and he has put his money where his mouth is from an organizational standpoint. The iconic automaker will begin reporting its results as three separate organizations Ford Blue (for its traditional gas powered business), Ford Commercial (for commercial trucks and clients), and Ford Model E (for its EV business) with their Q1 2023 earnings, expected May 2. There will be no place to hide loss-producing units like EVs after this transition. "We do think they're following the right strategy by taking a more balanced approach towards EV growth and really focusing on building excitement surrounding individual EV models, as opposed to setting a date in the future in which they're going to be all-electric," CFRA analyst Garrett Nelson told Yahoo Finance. "We think the balanced approach is the right one, just given the fact that EVs still accounted for less than 6% of all US new vehicle sales last year." The performance of the EV business is the one investors and Wall Street analysts are most keenly focused on for Q1. When the announcement was made about the re-org back in March last year, Wall Street rewarded the companys stock with a bullish bump in price. The initial read: better accountability, a tighter grip on costs and more electrified profits. But for Ford investors, that excitement seems like eons ago. After the good news of the F-150 Lightning going on sale back in April 2022, Ford has faced a series of setbacks. Ford reported disappointing third quarter earnings after the company decided to shut down its Argo AI autonomous tech joint-venture due to issues with developing the technology and funding. Ford took a $2.7 billion impairment from the move and said its third quarter earnings were impacted by $1 billion in higher costs. Story continues Fords fourth quarter earnings report wasnt much better, with the company missing its full-year EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) forecast by over $1 billion. "We should have done much better last year," Ford CEO Jim Farley said. "We left about $2 billion in profits on the table that were within our control, and were going to correct that with improved execution and performance." This came after crosstown rival GM reported a monster quarter and full-year profit guidance well above consensus estimates. Many on the street saw this as evidence of GM's operational prowess as it gears up for its EV transition. "With this exceptional performance and guide from GM, we believe this was a strong statement to the Street expressing that demand worries and supply shortages are a thing of the past and to focus on the massive opportunity ahead as GM continues chipping away at its transformational story," Wedbush analyst Dan Ives wrote in a note to investors following GM's report. The Ford F-150 Lightning displayed at the Philadelphia Auto Show, Jan. 27, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) Production hiccups Fords recent issues that are most concerning to investors revolve around production and reliability. Ford is still struggling with reliability and recall costs, with the brand having the most cars subject to recall since the start of 2022 (totaling over 9 million vehicles). Farley himself has called out the high cost of recalls affecting the brands financial performance. And then came production issues with its most important product release to date: the F-150 Lightning. A battery issue resulted in a fire in an F-150 that was awaiting final inspection, and the fire spread to two other vehicles. Ford halted production in early February with battery supplier SK On and wont restart production until March 13. "In the weeks ahead, we will continue to apply our learnings and work with SK Ons team to ensure we continue delivering high-quality battery packs down to the battery cells," a Ford spokesperson told Yahoo Finance in a statement. The question for investors and analysts is whether Fords production and reliability issues are going to plague its F-150 Lightning rollout, which is still in its nascent stage and figures to be a huge growth driver for its EV unit in the years to come. Ford Motor Company's electric F-150 Lightning on the production line at their Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan on September 8, 2022. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP) In the case of the Lightning, it appears to be one incident that was caught before getting to the customer, and the company is being appropriately cautious with the response, Guidehouse Insights analyst Mike Austin told Yahoo Finance. The bigger problem is that its a reminder of Fords continued trouble with product launches but I think that the EV-specific issues are short-term and not a strategic error. CFRA analyst Garrett Nelson echoed that view, noting that Ford isnt the only one struggling with EV reliability. We think it's more of a short-term thing, Nelson says, noting that Ford's not the only one that's had battery issues. You look at some of the smaller EV manufacturers like Lucid and Rivian, their production ramp-ups have been very disappointing. And General Motors' Chevy Bolt battery, he added, required a costly recall and remediation. The hope for Ford is it solves the issue with its battery partner SK On and moves forward. Ford has around 200,000 pre-orders for the Lightning, and the last thing it wants to do is have customers cancel orders because of reliability fears. Ford CEO Jim Farley speaks during the official launch of the all-new Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck at the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. April 26, 2022. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook 'A lot of investors are thinking they would be further along' The emergence of car-guy CEO Jim Farley in October 2020 was a breath of fresh air for Ford faithful following the tenure of its last CEO, Jim Hackett, who had no automotive experience to speak of (he worked at a furniture company), and it showed during Hacketts brief, yet rocky tenure. Farley has spent years at the company in various roles, most recently as COO, and prior to that roles including running Ford's EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) business and serving as chief of marketing and sales at Lincoln. Prior to joining Ford in 2007, Farley was VP and GM of Toyota's Lexus luxury division and ran all of Toyota's marketing and advertising activities in the U.S. And Bill Ford, the executive chairman of Ford (and the great grandson of Henry Ford), is still a believer in his CEO, despite recent hiccups. Its been episodic for a lot of my career, Ford said last month at the announcement of a new $3.5 billion battery plant in Michigan. We get it right, we slide back, we get it right. I think we probably had so much focus on the future that we perhaps took the eye off the ball a little bit on the present. But Jims got a full-court press on it, and we are already starting to see results. Guidehouses Austin said that "Farley has a good perspective on the big picture, especially with his global experience within Ford, and he seems to understand the urgency of transforming the company." Ford Motor Company Chief Executive Bill Ford announces Ford will partner with Chinese-based, Amperex Technology, to build an all-electric vehicle battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, during a press conference in Romulus, Michigan U.S., February 13, 2023. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook Nevertheless, some investors are growing impatient: After shooting from around $5 a share when Farley became CEO to around $25 a share in early January of 2022, shares have stumbled and sit around $13. Be patient with Ford," Farley said in an interview with Yahoo Finance in early February. We are under double transformation. Some things are going really fast, like we're now number two in EVs, the Lightning is sold out for like another year. I kind of didn't think that would happen this fast. On the other hand, the industrial system purchasing supply chain or manufacturing or engineering, we just have to get a lot of costs out. It funds the whole future of the business. To placate investors, the company declared a supplemental dividend in addition to its regular dividend. Barclays Dan Levy, who initiated coverage of Ford in mid-February with an Equal Weight rating and $13 price target, believes Ford is facing more difficulties with its transformation than some competitors. Ford is facing recessionary pressures that stand to challenge its recently robust pricing power alongside its own cost challenges, and also facing what we expect to be challenging near-term margins during the ramp of its of its EV transition, Levy wrote in a recent note to clients. Accordingly, we dont see a compelling reason to own the stock today, but would rather wait for better opportunities ahead. CFRAs Nelson, who has a Buy rating on Ford with a $15 price target, explained that a lot of investors didn't have an appreciation for how difficult what a massive global footprint that Ford has. And so I think after 2 and 1/2 years, a lot of investors are thinking they would be further along. So really, there's a lot of pressure on Farley, and he's going to really have to show some execution here in the coming quarters. Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram. For the latest earnings reports and analysis, earnings whispers and expectations, and company earnings news, click here Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson at a hearing on Capitol Hill on June 22, 2021. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images Trump baselessly alleged voter fraud after losing the 2020 election and has maintained that view. Former GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Trump's campaign message of "revenge" is bad for the party. Hutchinson's name has also been floated as a potential 2024 presidential candidate. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said former President Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign message is bad for Republicans. Hutchinson, a potential 2024 presidential candidate, told CNN's Dana Bash on Sunday that he thinks more voices countering Trump's message is the "best thing in the right direction." "We need to have alternatives again to Donald Trump. We don't need to be led by arrogance and revenge in the future. We need to be led by those that are problem-solving. That want to stick to the principals of our party and unite us together," Hutchinson said. Hutchinson, who has not decided whether he will run for president, said he disagreed with the idea that there will be too many people running in the GOP race that could allow Trump to win since the votes would be split. "This is not 2016. Donald Trump is a known quantity. He makes his message of revenge clear," he told CNN. Trump lost the 2020 election to President Joe Biden but has spent years flouting baseless theory of election fraud and that the election was stolen from him. Trump and his associates waged dozens of unsuccessful lawsuits in various swing states in an attempt to overturn the election. The former governor said he sees some distinctions between Trump's 2016 and the upcoming election, noting that while the Evangelical community played a pivotal role in electing Trump, they're now convinced that there needs to be a different "type of leadership in the future." "It should not be someone that's going to appeal to the worst instincts of our country," Hutchinson said. Read the original article on Business Insider Former Republican governor Larry Hogan announced Sunday that he wont run for president in 2024. Hogan framed his choice as as a self-sacrificial strategy to prevent former president Trump from securing the nomination. Urging the party to break-up with MAGA, Hogan said he was removing himself from the potential competition so as to avoid vote splitting among various GOP rivals and handing Trump the plurality. To once again be a successful governing party, we must move on from Donald Trump. There are several competent Republican leaders who have the potential to step up and lead, Hogan wrote in a statement. But the stakes are too high for me to risk being part of another multicar pileup that could potentially help Mr.Trump recapture the nomination. The centerpiece of Hogans announcement was the survival and future success of the Republican Party, which he said he cares more about than securing my own future within the Republican Party. Hogan said he believes the GOP platform should still be primarily about fiscal responsibility, economic freedom, and limited government. Education, a growing GOP priority, and culture war issues such as critical race theory and gender ideology in K-12 schools were not mentioned. After the pandemic, Maryland was among the last states in the country to open classrooms for in-person learning. Academic performance among children dropped in Maryland as it did in many states. Working class voters have flocked to the GOP in response to the excesses of progressive elites, Hogan said. While this has been a positive development, it has also empowered populist candidates who have exploited angry, performative politics, he added. These new individuals on the scene have departed from principle by proposing bigger government, which is antithetical to conservatism, he suggested. After eight years as serving as governor in Maryland, Hogan said he plans to return to the private sector, back to founding and running businesses. Story continues Hogan said the GOP still has electoral promise and is capable of winning both the electoral college and the popular vote with the right messaging, that also welcomes working class voters into the fold. Our nation faces great challenges; we cant afford to be consumed by the pettiest grievances. We can push back and defeat the excesses of elitist policies on the left without resorting to angry, divisive and performative politics, he said. We can deliver safe streets, more economic opportunity and respect for traditional values without abandoning our limited government conservative principles and Americas role as leader of the free world. Hogans news come after Trump spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he decried an older era of the GOP during which America was taken advantage of by Democrats and foreign foes, he said. We had a Republican Party that was ruled by freaks, neo-cons, globalists, open borders zealots and fools. But we are never going back to the party of Paul Ryan, Karl Rove and Jeb Bush, Trump told the crowd. More from National Review WASHINGTON Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan won't be running for president next year, leaving one of Donald Trump's sharpest critics within the GOP out of the 2024 field. "I did give it serious consideration and I talked to people everywhere and I talked to my family. And it was a tough decision," Hogan told CBS' Face the Nation in an interview that aired Sunday. But I've decided that I will not be a candidate for the Republican nomination for president." Hogan, who served eight years as the Republican governor of a solidly blue state, had been a consistent critic of the former president amid speculation he would challenge Trump for the 2024 nomination. Former GOP Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Though not as vocally critical of Trump as other Republicans, notably former Reps. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., or Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., Hogan had earned the ire of the former president for famously saying he would not support Trump in the 2020 election. Hogan told Face the Nation that Trump's barbs against him including referring to him as 'shutdown RINO' (Republican in Name Only) had little bearing on his decision. "That didn't really scare me," the former governor said. "You're right. It would be a tough race. And he's very tough. But, you know, I beat life-threatening cancer. So having Trump call me names on Twitter didn't - didn't really scare me off." Hogan also worried a large GOP field would help the former president who won the 2016 nomination by emerging from a large group of rivals who had split the anti-Trump vote. So far, only Trump and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley are the only prominent Republicans who have announced their seeking the nomination. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is widely expected to join them. GOP field: Nikki Haley on 2024 White House campaign: 'Why not me?' "I didn't want to have a pile up of a bunch of people fighting," he told Face the Nation. "Right now, you have Trump and DeSantis at the top of the field, theyre soaking up all the oxygen, getting all the attention. And then a whole lot of the rest of us in single digits and the more of them you have, the less chance you have for somebody rising up." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump critic Larry Hogan not seeking 2024 GOP presidential nomination Former NATO chief James Stavridis on Sunday encouraged Americans to remain optimistic about the state of global affairs, even in the face of concerning situations with Russias war in Ukraine and tense U.S. relations with China. There is nothing we cannot overcome as Americans, Stavridis said on WABC 770 AM morning show The Cats Roundtable. We just have to pull together as Americans, he told host John Catsimatidis. Weve got political divisions in the country. We need to pull together. If we do, we can overcome all of these challenges. More than a year in, the war in Ukraine continues to rage on. Russia recently launched its long-awaited counteroffensive in eastern Ukraine, sending in tens of thousands of new recruits. The U.S. and its Western allies have continued to supply Kyiv with increasingly heavy weaponry to support the fight against Russia, most recently several American-made Abrams tanks and German-made Leopard 2 tanks. U.S.-China relations which were already tense over Beijings threatening stance toward Taiwan and expansion in the South China Sea have deteriorated in recent weeks over a Chinese surveillance balloon in U.S. airspace and allegations that Beijing is considering providing Russia with lethal aid for its war in Ukraine. Its perfectly understandable that people open up a newspaper, turn on the television, and they see very concerning situations, Stavridis said. The war in Ukraine; China on the march in the South China Sea, Iran and North Korea Its very concerning. He added that there will be a lot of these ups and downs and tactical flashpoints. But I think strategically the long throw of history is marching along towards a more integrated global economy, toward cooperation, Stavridis said. And certainly, we will see competition from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, but they dont have the global economic throw weight to really disrupt the world, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Representative Ronny Jackson, the former top White House physician, called Joe Biden a cancer on Sunday, after it was reported that the president had a cancerous lesion removed from his chest during a February physical. Biden is the cancer, Mr Jackson, a Texas Republican, said on Fox News. Hes what needs to be removed, not the lesion they found. This is just another effort from his physician, his medical team to distract. On Friday, Mr Bidens doctor, Dr Kevin OConnor, announced a cancerous legion had been removed from the presidents test in February, but that Mr Biden is healing well and not at risk. The site of the biopsy has healed nicely, and the president will continue dermatologic surveillance as part of his ongoing comprehensive health care, Dr OConnor wrote in a memo to press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the New York Times reports. A biopsy of the legion showed it contained basal cell carcinoma, a common and unaggressive form of skin cancer, according to the memo. Doctors scraped the area and used electric current to remove the tissue from Mr Biden. Following the presidents physical last month at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Dr OConnor found Mr Biden fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency. Rep Jackson served in both the Trump and Obama administrations as a White House physician, and likely wouldve come into close contact with Mr Biden. However, since being elected in 2020 as a GOP congressman for Texas, Dr Jackson has repeatedly attacked Mr Biden and questioned his mental and physical fitness for office, including repeated calls for Mr Biden to undergo mental testing. The attacks reportedly earned Mr Jackson an angry email from Barack Obama, according to the doctors memoir Holding the Line. The former president wrote that he always spoke highly of the Texas physician, considering him a fine doctor and service member but also a friend. Thats why I have to express my disappointment at the cheap shot you took at Joe Biden via Twitter, the email reportedly read. It was unprofessional and beneath the office that you once held. It was also disrespectful to me and the many friends you had in our administrationa. Story continues Rep Jackson was once nominated to lead the Veterans Affairs administration, but withdrew his name from consideration over allegations of workplace misconduct. A report from the Department of Defense inspector general, based on 78 witness interviews and White House documents, found that Dr Jackson berated employees, made sexual comments about a female subordinate, and violated policy for drinking on presidential trips during his time in the White House. Rep Jackson told the Texas Tribune he was proud of the work environment I fostered under three different Presidents of both parties. I take my professional responsibility with respect to prescription drug practices seriously; and I flat out reject any allegation that I consumed alcohol while on duty, he said. Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge James W. Brown, administrative judge for the court's domestic relations and juvenile division, gives a tour Feb. 17 of the Family Protection Center in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Building. Judge Brown hopes to expand the centers capabilities this year. About 10 individuals each weekday, and a few thousand annually, ask Franklin County Common Pleas Courts domestic relations division to issue an order protecting them from a domestic abuser. To better serve these individuals in crisis, the court is expanding and improving its pioneering Family Protection Center a unique center in Ohio courts and one of a few such centers in the country, said Judge James Brown, administrative judge for the county's Domestic Relations and Juvenile Division. The center provides a safe and streamlined process for individuals applying for civil protection orders. Brown hopes more domestic violence victims will feel empowered by the center to seek a protection order. Related:Ohio nonprofit offers online tool for domestic violence victims seeking protection orders What does the Family Protection Center offer? Before the center opened about two years ago, protection order petitioners (applicants) filled out forms in the hallway of the court. They also had to travel to different offices on different floors of the court building to submit forms. This process exposed applicants to possible confrontation by their abusers, Brown said. That was unacceptable, Brown said. Today, applicants get buzzed into a locked waiting room where they and their kids can safely wait and fill out forms in one location. What new services does the Family Protection Center offer? Judge Brown wanted the applicants applying for civil protection orders from their abusers to receive more services, but he noted that the court must above all remain impartial. As part of a partnership between the court and Nationwide Childrens Hospital Center for Family Safety and Healing, a community response advocate paid by Nationwide has been placed in the Family Protection Center. Mei-Ling Cerezo, a family advocacy clinician, works with the court staff to assess applicants situations, help them with safety planning to protect themselves, and connects those individuals with resources they might need in the community such as. food assistance, child care, etc. Story continues It has been a very rewarding job working along with the court clerks and everybody there just to make adult survivors of domestic violence feel very comfortable and feel they have a safe space," Cerezo said. "Thats the main goal of this project. And I think we are accomplishing it little by little. The main window at the Family Protection Center in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas in downtown Columbus. What other improvements is the court planning for the Family Protection Center? Brown said the court plans to build an additional waiting room for the center, to be available when more than one applicant is there, especially for situations when two people are filing petitions for protection orders against the other at the same time. The court also plans to turn a courtroom a short distance from these waiting rooms into a dedicated hearing room for civil protection orders, Brown said. That way, petitioners can wait in the secured lobby on their court date and be escorted across the public hallway without the fear of facing intimidation. Brown also wants the court to begin sometime this year issuing "Hope Cards," wallet-sized cards that contain information a person with an active civil protection order can hand to a law enforcement officer if needed, even discreetly if their abuser is present. Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge James W. Brown, administrative judge for the court's domestic relations division, holds a "Hope Card" that he hopes to provide to people who have an active civil protection order that help identify that person in an interaction with law enforcement. Then if they need to prove they have an order in the future, instead of carrying a six-page document, they can bring that (card) out and it has all the reference numbers, Brown said. Other communities around the country print similar cards. Brown gave an example from Virginia, where a woman with a civil protection order was pulled over by police and was able to discreetly alert them her abuser was in the passenger seat by handing the officer her Hope Card with her drivers license. The officer realized what it was, called it in and they were able to save her, Brown said. The judge said the court will work with local law enforcement agencies to train them on what the Hope Cards mean. How many civil protection orders are there in Franklin County? Last year, Franklin County residents filed 2,435 domestic violence cases with Franklin County Common Pleas Courts domestic relations division, according to court data. Of those, 714 domestic violence victims went through the process and were granted civil protection orders in 2022. In 2021, there were 878 civil protection orders granted, and there were 696 orders granted in 2020 when the pandemic may have affected filings. What is a civil protection order? Civil protection orders and juvenile protection orders are very powerful, Judge Brown said. The orders last up to five years and can include: Prohibiting the abuser from contacting the victim or other family members, including going to their home, school or work. Evicting the abuser from a shared home and granting immediate possession of the home to the victim. Ordering support, custody, visitation or uses of property, which may include a car. How to apply for a civil protection order Franklin County residents seeking a civil protection order or juvenile protection order can go to the sixth floor of the Franklin County Courthouse, 373 South High St., between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays. The entire process, including speaking with a magistrate judge in an initial ex-parte hearing (a hearing at which only the petitioner is present) takes a minimum of three hours. The magistrate may decide to issue a temporary order commanding the respondent (the alleged abuser) to maintain a certain distance, leave a shared residence or take other appropriate steps. A full hearing will be set for about a week after the petition is filed, and the temporary order will remain in effect until that hearing. At the final hearing, the judge will hear from both sides, consider evidence and decide whether to issue a full civil protection order. You can contact the Family Protection Center at drj_familyprotectioncenterCPOdesk@fccourts.org. jlaird@dispatch.com @LairdWrites This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Franklin County court wants domestic violence victims to seek help By Mathieu Rosemain and Benjamin Mallet PARIS (Reuters) - Industrial action in France over the government's planned pensions overhaul will cause heavy disruption to public transport again on Tuesday, the transport minister and several public transport authorities said on Sunday. For the sixth time since the start of the year, unions are calling for a nationwide day of strikes and demonstrations, aiming to repeat the large turnout seen on the first major protest on Jan. 19 when more than a million people marched against the pension reform. "There will be very strong impacts," Transport Minister Clement Beaune said in an interview with France 3 TV station, adding that he expected the strike to be "one of the most difficult ones" for travellers since the start of the protests. "For many it will be a real hassle", he said. Some unions, such as the hardline CGT, called for a rolling strike at refineries and at the national railway operator SNCF. "We are moving up a gear," the head of CGT, Philippe Martinez, told French weekly JDD. "The ball is now in the president's court. It is up to him to withdraw this reform," he said, referring to President Emmanuel Macron. Macron is pushing for the reform, which would raise the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64, calling it vital to avoid the collapse of the state pension system. The strikes have already curbed power generation at some of EDF's nuclear plants. SNCF said in a statement that it expected one high-speed train in five to run on Tuesday. Almost all of its regular Intercites trains will be cancelled, it predicted. RATP, the public transport operator for the Ile-de-France region around Paris, also said metro lines and suburban trains will be heavily disrupted, with some metro lines only running at peak hours. France's DGAC aviation authority said earlier this week it had asked airlines to reduce flights by 20% at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport and by 30% at Orly airport on March 7-8. (Reporting by Benjamin Mallet and Mathieu Rosemain; Editing by Hugh Lawson) UPDATE: Suspect shot officer in vest before fatal response One person died late Saturday afternoon in an incident later confirmed as an officer-involved shooting, drawing a heavy police presence to an area along Herndon Avenue near a Fresno Walmart. It is believed police shortly before 5 p.m. were following a car connected to the incident. A car at the scene appeared to have been hit by multiple shots. There was no indication any officers were hurt. Officers from the Fresno Police Department were involved in a shooting at Herndon and Ingram this evening, agency spokesman Lt. Bill Dooley said in an email just before 7 p.m. Fresno police blocked off Herndon Avenue and part of a Walmart parking lot as they investigate a death Saturday, March 4, 2023. Herndon from Blackstone to Palm avenues and part of the Walmart parking lot remained blocked off as of 6:30 p.m. Police warned drivers to seek alternate routes for at least a few hours. Fresno police remained on the scene into the early evening after blocking off Herndon Avenue and part of a Walmart parking lot as they investigate a death Saturday, March 4, 2023. Fresno Police Deputy Chief Mindy Casto was expected to provide additional details, Dooley wrote. The Walmart and other businesses in the area appeared to have remained open. This story will be updated. A car that appears to have sustained hits from gunfire is seen Saturday, March 4, 2023, as Fresno police investigate a death that occurred in the late afternoon along Herndon Avenue. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu on Sunday told NBC News that he will support the 2024 nominee. But Sununu, a potential presidential contender, predicted Donald Trump won't be the 2024 GOP nominee. RNC leadership said GOP candidates must sign a pledge to support the nominee to participate in debates. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said he plans to support the Republican presidential nominee in the 2024 election, but he doesn't believe it's going to be former President Donald Trump. "I'm a lifelong Republican. I'm going to support the Republican nominee," Sununu said on "Meet the Press" on NBC News. "As far as former President Trump, I think he's going to run obviously he's in the race. He's not going to be the nominee. That's just not going to happen." The embattled former president who announced his 2024 candidacy rather early in November of 2022 faces investigations in Georgia, New York, and two from the federal government. Republican candidates like former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley have launched their own bids for the GOP presidential nomination, and several others are expected to announce soon. "I'm really confident that whoever comes out of the Republican nomination process is going to lead this country and will be able to deliver a win in '24, and I'll back them," Sununu, a potential presidential contender, said on Sunday. With Trump, Sununu said there are "very few people that are on the fence, whether they're with him or not with him." "I think he just has his lane, and then there's everyone else, which is a vast majority of the party that's looking for an alternative," Sununu said. "I think the former President is trying to find a path to be back that that leading voice of the party. I think a lot of us are, you know, that potentially may get in the race want to have something to say about the direction of that conversation." The governor added: "We're moving on. I just don't believe the Republican party is going to say that the best leadership for America tomorrow is yesterday's leadership. That doesn't make any sense. That is not in our DNA as Americans. It's kind of the antithesis of the American spirit to settle for yesterday's news. We want the next generation, the next big idea, and that's what we're going to deliver." Story continues RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said that in order to participate in the primary debates, GOP candidates will be required to sign a loyalty pledge promising to support the winning nominee, CNN previously reported. In response to that news, a Trump campaign spokesperson told CNN: "President Trump will support the Republican nominee because it will be him." Read the original article on Business Insider (Bloomberg) -- Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a vocal GOP critic of Donald Trump, said he will not seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 because he doesnt want divide the Republican field and help to hand Trump a victory. Most Read from Bloomberg There are several competent Republican leaders who have the potential to step up and lead, Hogan said in a guest essay on Sunday in the New York Times. But the stakes are too high for me to risk being part of another multi-car pileup that could potentially help Mr. Trump recapture the nomination. Hogan, a popular two-term Maryland governor who left office in January because of term limits, had been laying the groundwork for a presidential bid. The more of them you have, the less chance you have for somebody rising up, he told CBS News in a Face the Nation interview that aired Sunday. Two other possible Republican contenders pushed back on that idea. I actually think that more voices right now in opposition or providing an alternative to Donald Trump is the best thing and the right direction, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said on CNNs State of the Union. He said hell decide about a possible 2024 bid in April. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, another possible Trump rival, wouldnt commit to a timeline for his decision to get in the race but said it was just important to know when to get out. You cant tell people not to run. If someone really wants to run, theyre going to run, and thats fine, he said on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. But unlike 2016, Im going to make sure, and I think other folks are going to make sure, that we all have the discipline to get out before its too late. Story continues For his part, Trump has said the more the merrier because hes hoping a large field will help him win the nomination with a mere plurality, just as he did in 2016 when 17 major GOP candidates ran. The first declared GOP candidates are former South Carolina Governor and Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, Ohio anti-ESG crusader Vivek Ramaswamy and Michigan businessman Perry Johnson. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is widely expected to jump into the race sometime after the Florida legislative session ends in May. Other Republicans considering a White House bid include former Vice President Mike Pence; former Secretary of State Michael Pompeo; US Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina; former governors Chris Christie of New Jersey; and governors Kristi Noem of South Dakota and Glenn Youngkin of Virginia. Trump promised at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday night to finish what we started in another term, vowing to run even if hes indicted and despite polls showing many GOP voters want an alternative. Hogan said in the New York Times essay that he believes the tides are finally turning and that Republican voters are growing tired of the drama and are open to new leadership and to win again after three successive disappointing federal elections under Trump. But he stopped short of endorsing a specific alternative to Trump. He told CBS that DeSantis wants to be the younger version of Donald Trump and criticized some of the Florida governors heavy-handed policies in going after companies like the Walt Disney Co. My point is you have to focus on swing voters as well or else well have Joe Biden as president, he said. --With assistance from Ian Fisher. (Updates with Hutchinson and Sununu comments starting in third paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) speaks during a news conference. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Sen. Dan Sullivan said whether Trump gets indicted as he runs for president is a "huge hypothetical". Without endorsing or refusing Trump, Sullivan said on ABC News he plans to support the GOP nominee. Donald Trump faces two federal investigations as well as probes from New York and Georgia. GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan said it remains a "huge hypothetical" whether former President Donald Trump will be criminally indicted during his 2024 presidential run. Sullivan, the junior senator from Alaska, said on ABC News' "This Week" on Sunday that he would support the Republican nominee but that he was skeptical Trump would face indictment when anchor George Stephanopoulos asked. "Look, that's a huge hypothetical right now on the indictment issue. We'll see if that plays out," Sullivan said, adding that he plans to "support who becomes the nominee." The embattled former president faces investigations from Georgia, New York, and two from the federal government. Two Republicans have launched presidential campaigns against Trump for the nomination, while several others are waiting in the wings. "I think what's happening, though, within the Republican Party right now, in terms of presidential candidates, is healthy, right?" Sullivan said. "We not only have President Trump, but we have a number of other, I think, very qualified candidates who are throwing their hat in the ring." Trump's top potential challenger is thought to be Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who Trump has increasingly targeted with criticisms and name-calling in recent months. "I think you're going to see some others throwing their hat in the ring very soon," Sullivan said on "This Week". "I think having a good, competitive primary with a new generation of Republicans, by the way, is healthy for our party. It's healthy for the country." Read the original article on Business Insider During the night of March 4, Russian forces shelled the city of Kupiansk, just 30 kilometers southwest of the Russian border, head of Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Oleh Syniehubov reported on March 5. A 65-year-old man was killed when a projectile hit a residential building. Yesterday, after 11 p.m., as a result of shelling in Kupiansk, at least five residential buildings and commercial buildings were destroyed. Several fires occurred due to shelling, commented Syniehubov. He also added that as a result of the shelling, an educational institution and maternity hospital were damaged. On March 2, the military administration of Kharkiv Oblast ordered a partial mandatory evacuation for families with children and residents with physical disabilities in Kupiansk. ATHENS (Reuters) - The station master at Greece's Larissa railway station was detained pending trial on Sunday, his lawyer said, on charges related to the country's deadliest train crash on record. The man was arrested on March 1, hours after a passenger train with more than 350 people on board collided head-on with a freight train near the city of Larissa, in central Greece, killing at least 57 people injuring scores more. Felony charges were brought on Thursday against the 59-year-old, who cannot be named under Greek law, for disrupting transport and putting lives at risk. He appeared before a magistrate on Sunday to respond to the charges. "It was expected due to the significance of the case, the burden, the responsibility," his lawyer Stefanos Pantzartzidis told reporters, adding that his client was "devastated" and had told the magistrate "the truth without fear". On Thursday, he said that his client had assumed responsibility "proportionate to him", but other factors were also at play, without elaborating. Greek railway unions have long complained of slipping safety standards, which place both passengers and workers at risk. (Reporting by Renee Maltezou and Michele Kambas; Editing by Alexander Smith) All three women claim to have been contacted by "Chad" on TikTok. @spacey.tracy.71/TikTok Three women allege they were victims of an online scam after sending ashes to a TikTok artist for memorial paintings, USA Today reported. The unidentified scammer reportedly demanded money if the women hoped to see their loved ones' ashes again. The women were offered free paintings dedicated to their loved ones by someone impersonating TikTok creator Federico Portalupi. Grieving TikTokers are warning others of scam artists offering to create memorials using the ashes of their lost loved ones, only to hold the remains for ransom. Tennessee resident Kari Ide told USA Today a TikTok artist who went by "Chad" offered to incorporate her late mother's ashes into a painting for free in December, a proposal she assumed was a generous holiday gesture. She only realized it was a scam shortly after mailing the remains to Georgia, she said in a TikTok video. "I stupidly sent them the cremation remains that I have of my mother who passed away a little over a year ago, and it was a scam," Ide said in a video. In conversations about the project, the artist told Ide that he'd gotten a contract to work in Cambodia. But, after she sent her mom's ashes to an address in Georgia, she received a troubling email from a sender claiming to be Cambodian customs, USA Today reported. In the email, the supposed Cambodian customs agent told Ide they had her mother's ashes and a painting, but she'd need to pay $3,576 as a "clearance fee" if she wanted to receive them. Ide said she immediately called the police, explaining the incident in a January TikTok she shared with the caption, "I got Scammed.He stole my Moms Cremation Remains." Ide wasn't the only person to fall victim to the mysterious TikTok scammer. Just days after she shared her story, Jocelyn Cronin of Petaluma, California said in a video that she'd sent her late husband's ashes to the same Georgia address. Story continues Cronin told USA Today that she'd commented on one of "Chad's" videos, and a woman reached out to her offering to gift her a portrait if she'd send off her husband's ashes. After Cronin obliged, she received the same email as Ide asking for a $3,576 clearance fee. "My heart is crushed," Cronin wrote in her January TikTok. "They have my husband's ashes." Alabama's Wendy Bailey said that she was also scammed by the artist in December after he contacted her asking for an online shoutout in exchange for art using her grandparents' ashes, per USA Today. After she mailed the cremated remains to the Georgia address, the artist asked Bailey for $200 for supplies. When Bailey declined the request, the artist claimed he'd sent the ashes to Cambodia and she'd have to pay $1,000 to get them back. "Cashapp me $1000 and get your ashes sent back to you," a message from the alleged scammer read. At the time of the scam, the three victims were unaware that the scammer had stolen the online identity of a real artist named Federico Portalupi, and that they were unknowingly sending their loved ones' remains to confused Georgia resident, James Turner. The 62-year-old living in Woodstock told USA Today that he'd tried to return the first package after he mysteriously received it in the mail, but couldn't afford it so ultimately threw the ashes away. By the time Turner received the second package in January, police in Woodstock had been notified by Bailey. As of Today, Cronin and Ide still haven't gotten the loved ones' ashes back, and Bailey drove two hours from Alabama to Georgia to retrieve those of her grandparents. When the three women attempted to identify the scammer using CashApp, they were unsuccessful. According to USA Today, none of the women sent the accused scammer money, and reports have been filed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Woodstock Police Department. Portalupi, the real artist of the advertised paintings, told USA Today he was unaware of the impersonator until after the women had already been scammed. "I am mind blown by this," he said, per USA Today. "You gain popularity, and people abuse what you do. Why do humans do this kind of stuff?" Read the original article on Business Insider I've always had a passion for the exploration of style and wanted to incorporate more color variety into my wardrobe. Ashley Probst I asked stylist Caroline Vazzana for expert advice on balancing a colorful and mature wardrobe. Vazzana recommended brighter colors and swapping out neutral accessories for pieces that pop. After receiving these tips, I applied them to each outfit and loved most of the outcomes. I let fashion expert Caroline Vazzana critique some of my go-to outfits to make them even better. Caroline Vazzana is an author, fashion editor, and stylist. Alexandra Folster Fashion has always been key to my self-expression. After recently attempting to create a sort-of capsule wardrobe, I ended up with a lot of neutral tones in my closet. But my favorite color palette is rainbow, and I feel like there should be a way for my wardrobe to reflect this aspect of my personality while maintaining a sense of maturity as a woman in my late 20s. It felt like fate when I connected with Caroline Vazzana, fashion editor, stylist, author of "Making It in Manhattan," and self-described, modern-day Carrie Bradshaw. I shared five of my go-to outfits with Vazzana and asked her how to align them with my style goals. My first outfit was something I'd wear on a night out. I love wearing all-black outfits, especially this lace bodysuit and silk skirt paired with my favorite accessories. Ashley Probst One of my signature aesthetics is an all-black ensemble, which I especially like to lean into on a night out. It's an easy way to create simple, stylish outfits that can withstand the test of time. But this style has the potential to become basic and monotonous. And it certainly doesn't make one stand out in a crowd though, admittedly, I sometimes see that as a good thing. Vazzana suggested swapping for more vibrant accessories. My all-black ensembles sometimes feel a bit too basic. Ashley Probst Vazzana thought this was a really fun look and loved the two-piece set. In order to add more color to make the look pop, she suggested starting with my accessories. "Instead of the black backpack, I'd try a colorful clutch, maybe hot pink," the stylist said. "And for shoes on a night out, I'd go for something sparkly." While shopping for these swaps, I found my dream clutch and the perfect sandals to match. Per Vazzanas recommendations, I added a bit more sparkle to my outfit. Ashley Probst My original intention was to find a hot-pink bag like Vazzana suggested. But when I found this beaded, multicolored clutch, I simply couldn't resist buying it. Story continues Though it's quite fragile because of all the beads, I love that it matches and elevates virtually any outfit. I also found the perfect pair of rhinestone sandals to go with it. They looked exactly like my black, braided sandals, but with much more sparkle, just like Vazzana envisioned. The clutch was a wonderful way to add more color to my wardrobe. Paired with the sparkly sandals and one of my nice dresses or two-piece sets, these new accessories gave me a foolproof outfit formula for nights out on the town. The second outfit we workshopped was a bit more casual. I love the combination of this reversible top and flowy skirt, which has oh-so-precious pockets. Ashley Probst Both the top and skirt are from a local boutique in Hawaii that's been one of my go-to clothing stores since I was a teenager. I love that the nude top is reversible, essentially making it two tops in one. And though I typically refrain from buying the same silhouette in multiple colors, I adore this pocketed skirt so much that I have it in two different floral patterns. The outfit also features my go-to accessories: a leather backpack and black braided sandals. Vazzana advised me to incorporate a vivid color palette. This outfit is cute, but the colors are dull. Ashley Probst Vazzana's main piece of advice for this outfit was to go brighter. "I always love a long, flowy skirt, but maybe opt for one in a bright color," she said, noting that she'd still incorporate one with a fun print. "Pick one of the colors in the skirt and match a solid-colored top with it." She also said that if the outfit was really colorful, I could stick with the black bag and shoes. Updating my casual outfit made it more dramatic and flattering. I went brighter and bolder with the colors in my casual outfit. Ashley Probst While trying on this bright floral maxi skirt, I walked out of the dressing room to show my friends, and they said it looked like I already owned it. On my way to the check-out counter, I came across a lavender lace crop top that matched the purple flowers in the skirt. Immediately, I knew they were meant for each other. Upon putting the pieces together, I realized that the high slit on the skirt and the cut of the top were both more flattering for my body type. I also love that I can mix and match these pieces with other items in my wardrobe. My third outfit featured a semi-casual dress that can translate between work and play. This breezy, baby-blue dress is a recent addition to my wardrobe. Ashley Probst In Hawaii, my hometown of Lahaina translates to "cruel sun," so it's essential to have a few breathable dresses for sweltering hot days, especially with massive heat waves in the summer. My blue dress is a versatile piece that I can wear to work, to the beach, out to brunch, or to drinks with friends. But I feel like my repetitive accessories were dragging down the look. Vazzana recommended ways to elevate the outfit for social gatherings and how to tone it down for running errands. This dress is definitely versatile, and Vazzana showed me how to dress it both up and down. Ashley Probst The light-blue hue of the piece stood out to Vazzana, who described it as a sweet, summer dress. "To elevate this outfit for a dinner date, night with friends, or brunch, I'd add a printed block heel," she said. "I love a block heel because it can still be as comfortable as a slide, but just helps to add more interest to the look." For errand-filled days, she suggested I pair the dress with white sneakers and a large tote bag. I couldn't find the right pair of block heels, but I had everything else I needed in my closet. I already had white sneakers and a tote bag in my closet. Ashley Probst Shopping for a printed block heel was not as successful as my other ventures. I found some beautiful shoes, but none of them paired well with the blue. I also wanted to ensure I was purchasing things I'd actually wear, and I tend to avoid heels unless they're on boots. Thankfully, I was able to shop my closet for white sneakers and a tote bag. The only thing I bought for this outfit was new shoelaces as my old ones were beyond saving. Though I could still pair this dress with my signature black backpack and braided sandals, I felt like my white, leather Converse and leopard-print tote bag helped create a cohesive color palette with lighter tones. My fourth outfit represented something I'd wear to work as a vendor. On work days, I tend to get sweaty, so I dress accordingly. Ashley Probst Once a week, I set up a vendor booth to sell crystals and divination tools and offer tarot-card readings. I have to dress accordingly, knowing that I always work up a sweat assembling and breaking down the tent by myself. I normally go for a breathable minidress in a dark color that'll help hide sweat marks or a simple crop top and shorts, which I shared with Vazzana. Vazzana would replace this outfit with her own go-to summer ensemble. Denim shorts can be too restricting and make Vazzana even hotter on blistering days. Ashley Probst Many people understand the struggle of increasingly hot summer days, including Vazzana. "Instead of denim shorts which, for me personally, can feel restricting and even make me more hot I'd get a long flowy thin printed tank dress," the stylist said. "They are all I've been living in around the house this summer, and with a nice slide, it's the perfect casual summer outfit formula." I wasn't in love with the new outfit and probably wouldn't wear it to work. This outfit looks soft and sweet, but something about it didnt feel right to me. Ashley Probst The particular tank silhouette was difficult for me to track down. Since I live in Hawaii, a lot of the dresses I found resembled a muumuu (a traditional Hawaiian dress that tends to be looser), which wasn't quite the look I was going for. I had nearly admitted defeat but figured it wouldn't hurt to try thrifting at my favorite secondhand store. When I tried on this long, pink tulip-print dress, it was a flattering fit, and I liked the slit. I thought it was exactly what I needed. After bringing it home, I started to feel buyer's remorse. I realized the outfit was kind of giving elementary-school-teacher vibes, especially once I added my mom's Vince Camuto slides. I can't imagine ever choosing to wear this to work as a vendor, but I can definitely see myself wearing it around the house like Vazzana does with hers. The fifth outfit was my favorite, before and after our transformation. This is an outfit Id wear on a first date. Ashley Probst After recently going on five first dates in one month, I put together plenty of date-night outfits. My absolute favorite was a beige body-con dress with a wide-brimmed hat and suede boots. The silhouette makes me feel sexy, and always feel confident while rocking these accessories. But the neutral tones leave something to be desired. Vazzana suggested I stick to the silhouette but find it in red or pink. Vazzana wanted me to spice up the outfit with reds, pinks, and blues. Ashley Probst I felt validated when Vazzana agreed that she loved the shape of this dress and encouraged me to find something similar that would align with my style goals. "Get the same silhouette dress in a red or pink," she said. "I always joke that red is a neutral, and it's the easiest way to start adding more color to your wardrobe." She also suggested that if my heart was set on the tan dress, I could add bold accessories, like cobalt-blue shoes and a printed clutch. But since red is one of my favorite colors to wear, I jumped at the opportunity to incorporate more of it in my closet. I found the perfect red dress, and I'd live in it if it wasn't so fancy. This sexy red number is the perfect alternative to my tan body-con dress. Ashley Probst When I slipped into this sultry body-con dress, I knew it was meant to be mine because it fit like a glove. The ruching fell in all the right places, which accentuated my curves, and the cowl neckline didn't hide my chest like the high neck on my tan dress. The only unfortunate thing is that I'm a bit burnt out on dating, so I don't foresee any romantic evenings in my immediate future. But perhaps I'll take myself on a date, just so I can wear it. The red dress also paired with my new clutch and sparkly sandals. My favorite discovery was that my new, sparkly accessories also go with this red dress. Ashley Probst While taking photos for this story, I decided to try the multicolored clutch and sparkly sandals with this dress. It was a great match, and I may even like this outfit better than the version with my black accessories. It's definitely a much fancier look, which may be a bit too upscale for my laid-back lifestyle on Maui. That said, it's ideal for attending a formal event or if I simply feel like standing out. Overall, I felt like these wardrobe changes reflected my style goals. I'm excited to cherish these new clothes and accessories after updating my go-to outfits. Ashley Probst Working with Vazzana on updating my go-to outfits certainly paid off, and I'm ecstatic about the majority of new pieces in my wardrobe. Finding the exact same silhouettes for my date-night dress and braided sandals felt like the ultimate win. And I've already worn the multicolored clutch and sparkly shoe combination on a night out (with yet another dress) and received gushing compliments. I also enjoyed the challenge of trying to find pieces that were secondhand or sustainably made, even if I wasn't 100% successful with that endeavor. The silver lining is that these new items I purchased are things I will cherish, and hopefully be able to wear for years to come. Read the original article on Insider Photo: UBC/Andrew Trites Environmental groups are praising a newly signed treaty that will help protect biodiversity in the high seas, where conservation across vast stretches of the planet have been hampered by a confusing patchwork of laws. The unified agreement treaty, which applies to nearly half the planet's surface, was reached late Saturday after it was agreed upon by United Nations members. Greenpeace Canada took to social media to celebrate the news, saying on Twitter that this is a major milestone to protect the oceans. SeaBlue Canada issued a tweet describing the deal as an incredible move for marine protection across the ocean and thanking those involved in the historic moment. An updated framework to protect marine life in the regions outside national boundary waters, known as the high seas, had been in discussions for more than 20 years, but previous efforts to reach an agreement had repeatedly stalled. The treaty will create a new body to manage conservation of ocean life and establish marine protected areas in the high seas. Pingdemic crisis It was, for several months at least, the most dreaded sound in any factory, warehouse, shop or cafe. Ping. The NHS app notifying a colleague they had been in contact with someone who had tested positive for Covid-19. In a flash, workers would depart, and schedules would have to be hastily re-organised. For months, businesses were barely able to operate normally, output collapsed, and a culture of absenteeism was created that the UK is still struggling with three years later. And yet, it now appears the isolation rules were for some time far stricter than they needed to be. The "pingdemic" may have been unnecessary - and so too the damage to businesses that it caused. Isolation has always been one of the oldest ways of coping with a pandemic, and one of the most effective as well. Isolate everyone who comes into contact with the virus until it has passed and you can kill it off. There was nothing wrong with the basic theory. The trouble is, as The Lockdown Files now reveal, it was imposed with a strictness that was not always justified by the actual evidence. In November 2020, during the second lockdown, the Chief Medical Officer advised first that 14 days of isolation was only marginally safer than 10 days, and that even that could be replaced with five days of daily testing. It was rejected by Matt Hancock, the then health secretary. In fairness, tweaks to the rules were made. In mid-December 2020, the 14-day rule was cut to 10. Then in August 2021, after the pingdemic reached its height, the isolation rule was lifted if you were under 18 or fully vaccinated. Pingdemic crippled businesses with staff shortages However, the important point is this: for a long stretch of 2021 we may not have needed such rigid isolation rules for contacts of those with Covid. And yet at that time, it was already clear to everyone that isolation was having a devastating impact on the economy. It was hard enough for anyone to operate any kind of a business during the chaos of lockdown, with its bewildering mess of constantly changing rules on what you could and couldnt sell, to whom, and under what conditions. Story continues To make a bad situation even worse, however, the pingdemic meant any kind of commercial operation was constantly crippled by staff shortages. Looking back at the news stories from the time, businesses were pleading for something to be done. Simon Thomas, the boss of Londons Hippodrome casino, called on the prime minister to end the pingdemic hell. Ross Morgan, the chief executive of the Heart of London Business Alliance, argued in 2021 that ending the restrictions would provide a lifeline to central Londons businesses, many of which are now being forced to shut or scale back their operations. Businesses exhausted their contingency plans A report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research estimated that a 25 per cent absenteeism rate in many industries would cost the UK as much as 35 billion in lost output over two months alone. The current approach to self-isolation is closing down the economy rather than opening it up, argued Tony Danker, the director-general of the CBI in July, 2021. This is surely the opposite of what the Government intended. Businesses have exhausted their contingency plans and are at risk of grinding to a halt in the next few weeks. And, according to Michelle Ovens, the founder of Small Business Britain, staff shortages caused by the pingdemic were simply unacceptable for many business owners. The list goes on and on. Companies right across the country were complaining about the isolation rules. Small businesses and manual labour hit hardest It may not have made much difference to the white-collar workers, with whom ministers and their senior advisers mostly mix. Bankers, accountants, lawyers and consultants could all happily work from home while they were isolating. But you can't drive a forklift truck, or operate a lathe, or serve a cappuccino, over Zoom. Likewise, very big companies could shift staff around so that at least their most crucial operations could continue. Yet small companies didnt have that option, and with 20 per cent or more of their employees pinged, they often had no choice but to close down completely. Isolation hit the productive heartlands of the economy - manufacturing, construction and distribution - hardest of all. And the smaller the business, the more it suffered. If you wanted to come up with the perfect formula for inflicting maximum damage on the UKs ability to earn a living, the 14-day and even 10-day isolation rule would be hard to beat. That had dire economic consequences. First, the UK lost a huge amount of output. The near 10 per cent drop in GDP during the pandemic was the worst in British economic history. How much of that was accounted for by over-zealous interpretation of the isolation guidelines, we will never know for certain. But even if it was only a couple of percentage points that could have been saved, that would have made a huge difference to the final cost of Covid-19. Crisis of absenteeism continues today Next, it created a culture of absenteeism. If you wanted to take a few days off work, there was never an easier time. Simply report that you had been pinged and few questions would ever be asked. That has carried on, even after the virus has disappeared. The Office for National Statistics reports that days off for sickness are running at the highest level for more than a decade, while a more recent survey by Fruitful Research found a 29 per cent increase in absenteeism since the pandemic ended. The UK already had a dreadful record on productivity, but the pandemic made it a whole lot worse. Finally, we have been left with a legacy of debt. Companies had to borrow money or dip into their reserves to cope with closures, while the Government was forced to borrow far more to deal with higher costs on the back of lower tax revenues. It will take generations to pay all that back. In reality, it might have seemed easier at the time to err on the side of caution, to contain the virus, and to impose the strictest rules imaginable. After all, what difference does a few extra days of isolation make? Looking back, however, we can now see how flawed that reasoning was. We could have cut the time much earlier than we did and saved the economy a huge amount of pain. REUTERS/Toby Melville Welcome to this weeks edition of Royalist, The Daily Beasts newsletter for all things royal and Royal Family. Subscribe here to get it in your inbox every Sunday. Harry and Meghans Coronation guessing game Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have received email correspondence about the Coronation from King Charles, their office said Saturday night, strongly suggesting they have been invited to attend the landmark event, as The Royalist has long predicted they would be. However the couple said they will not, for now, say if they are going. In a statement reported by The Sunday Times, a spokesperson for the couple said that Harry had recently received email correspondence from His Majestys office regarding the coronation. An immediate decision on whether the Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time. Prince William Backed King Charles Decision to Evict Harry and Meghan The Daily Beast reported this week that, despite new evidence of the extent of the estrangement between the Sussexes and the Windsors emerging after they were told to get out of their U.K. home, Frogmore Cottage (for more on this, see below) the working assumption was that Harry and Meghan would be invited to the ceremony and would come. Harry suggested in some interviews promoting his book earlier this year that a condition of his attendance was an apology for the way he says he and Meghan were treated by the family saying the ball was in their court. But friends of the royals have dismissed any chance of that, with one saying this week: It is clearly entirely up to them if they accept the invite. Plans are being made on the basis that they will. While Charles genuinely wants Harry to come, William is less keen, but happy to support his fathers wishes. One source told The Daily Beast earlier this week: William wont shed a tear if Harry doesnt make it. He feels utterly betrayed by Harry. Relations have never been this bad and he hates him for what he has done to the family in the books and interviews. He will support whatever decision his dad makes but its no secret he would prefer it if he wasnt there, or, indeed, never stepped foot in England again. Story continues Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the opening ceremony of the One Young World summit, in Manchester, Britain September 5, 2022. REUTERS/Molly Darlington Royal commentator Duncan Larcombe, a former royal editor of the Sun, previously told The Daily Beast: There is a strong commercial imperative for them to attend as their entire brand is predicated on their connection to royalty. Also, if they are invited and dont come, they will look petty for snubbing Charles big day. So youd have to say the odds are that they will be there. Larcombe said he suspected that as Harry and Meghan have no official role in the ceremony, they would be seated in the second tier of family, with the likes of the Duke of Gloucester, as they were at Queen Elizabeths platinum jubilee. Harry and Meghans big royal accommodation mystery The ongoing saga around where very rich members of the royal family will live in very big palaces continues. Two British newspapers are saying entirely different things this morning about the great royal Monopoly game, as a cost-of-living crisis grips the rest of Britain. The Sunday Telegraph reports that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not been offered alternative royal accommodation after being chucked out of Frogmore Cottage, and say visiting Britain with their children will be complicated if they live outside the security perimeters of a royal estate. Its not just his son, its his grandchildren too, a source noted of how King Charles family relationships may suffer. However, according to the Mail on Sunday, King Charles is going to offer Harry and Meghan accommodation space at Buckingham Palace, This is after he evicted them from Frogmore Cottage, a state of affairs they were reportedly were pretty unbothered by. The Telegraph report takes. adifferent tack; they say the Sussexes were disappointed by the decision, but also recognized the great privilege they had. Britain's Kate, Princess of Wales, and Prince William visit Windsor Foodshare as they learn more about the support that the organization provides to individuals and families living in the local area, before helping volunteers to sort food donations and prepare packages for the charity's clients, in Windsor, Britain, Jan. 26, 2023. Alastair Grant/Pool via REUTERS Theres a problem, because this is the royals. Charles may offer the couple a suite of rooms previously occupied by Prince Andrew, which Harry and Meghan may not be too keen on. Andrew, after all, is alleged to have sexually abused Virginia Giuffre when she was underage and being sexually trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein, which he emphatically denies (paying her millions of dollars in an out-of-court settlement last year). Andrew, meanwhile, would be vacating Royal Lodge, which is reportedly being lined up for William and Kate. The property, the Mail said, may need extensive renovationsnot to mention the sage. William and Kate are presently living in Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, which they see as too small; that residence may be offered to Andrew's youngest daughter, Eugenie, who is pregnant with her second child, and who was previously renting Frogmore. A source told the Mail: His Majesty is furious, as is William. But the King is not a bad man. He has no wish to see his brother Andrew homeless or penniless. Nor does he wish to deprive the Sussexes of a base in the UK. London is a better fit. The Sussexes have always wanted rooms at Buckingham Palace. They could have Andrews old rooms there, which are currently being vacated. Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York attends the Royal Family's Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene's church, as the Royals take residence at the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Britain December 25, 2022. REUTERS/Toby Melville A source added: Royal Lodge is far too grand and much too big for Prince Andrew's current status. Plus it is geared towards children, with its Wendy house and pool, so of course it has long been the natural choice for Prince William. Adelaide Cottage is too small for a future king and queen in the long term. There isn't enough room for all the security they and their children will need in the years ahead, which is why Royal Lodge was being openly discussed as far back as January. It has been an idea on the agenda for much longer than that, since the queen was alive. Another source told the Mail that Frogmore Cottage has been offered to Andrew on a take-it-or-leave-it basis, adding: Andrew can have Frogmore Cottage or nothing. But at least Adelaide could eventually end up in the hands of one of his daughters. Subscribe here to get all the latest royal news and gossip with Tom Sykes and Tim Teeman. Fergie salutes the queen, praises Andrew Sarah Ferguson is back on her promotional rounds having co-written a new novel, entitled, A Most Intriguing Lady, which she is mercilessly plugging. The only problem is that all anyone wants to talk to her about is her disgraced husband Prince Andrew. In a long interview with the Telegraph she stuck up for him, casting her support for him, rather cleverly, as an act of fealty to the queen, saying at one point: During the last three years, her poor son has been going through such a tumultuous time, and I think HM was very relieved I could help her with him, so we became even closer, thenShe knew I will always be there. Always. Because I love her. Picture shows Sarah Ferguson attending the funeral of Her Majesty the Queen at Westminster, September 19, 2022. Geoff Pugh for the Telegraph/Pool via REUTERS Fergies rather good on the queen, as it happens, saying: She was able to completely and utterly dilute chaos. And still carry on. And still smile. And still go through everything that she went through. Incredibly, the interview, in a restaurant, ends with Fergie ordering a slice of chocolate cake for Andrew to take away. He really must be economizing. What more is there to say Harry? Prince Harrys strangely non-compelling interview with Dr Gabor Mate yesterday was a reminder that Harrys poor-me schtick is fast running out of road. Despite saying that he did not see himself as a victim, Harry sounded like he did as he laid the blame for his unhappiness on his upbringing and vowed not to pass on any trauma or negative experiences that Ive had as a kid to his own children. The doctor was kind enough not to suggest that courting the global media by producing multiple mega-blockbusters about what a load of complete bastards your family are might not be the best way to ensure your kids have as normal as possible an upbringing. This week in royal history Happy birthday Prince Edward! He turns 59 on Friday March 10. The late queens youngest son was born at Buckingham Palace. Unanswered questions So, have Harry and Meghan been offered royal rooms or not? And when will they declare their decision about attending the Coronation? And if they do come where will they stay? Love The Daily Beasts royal coverage? Sign up here to get Royalist newsletters sent straight to your inbox. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The board of Hextar Global Berhad (KLSE:HEXTAR) has announced that it will pay a dividend on the 3rd of April, with investors receiving MYR0.02 per share. This payment means the dividend yield will be 1.5%, which is below the average for the industry. See our latest analysis for Hextar Global Berhad Hextar Global Berhad's Payment Has Solid Earnings Coverage It would be nice for the yield to be higher, but we should also check if higher levels of dividend payment would be sustainable. Prior to this announcement, Hextar Global Berhad's dividend made up quite a large proportion of earnings but only 42% of free cash flows. This leaves plenty of cash for reinvestment into the business. The next year is set to see EPS grow by 18.5%. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio will be 64%, which would make us comfortable with the sustainability of the dividend, despite the levels currently being quite high. Hextar Global Berhad's Dividend Has Lacked Consistency Even in its short history, we have seen the dividend cut. Since 2020, the annual payment back then was MYR0.0448, compared to the most recent full-year payment of MYR0.03. The dividend has fallen 33% over that period. Declining dividends isn't generally what we look for as they can indicate that the company is running into some challenges. The Dividend Has Growth Potential Given that the track record hasn't been stellar, we really want to see earnings per share growing over time. Hextar Global Berhad has seen EPS rising for the last five years, at 6.7% per annum. Past earnings growth has been decent, but unless this is one of those rare businesses that can grow without additional capital investment or marketing spend, we'd generally expect the higher payout ratio to limit its future growth prospects. Our Thoughts On Hextar Global Berhad's Dividend In summary, while it's good to see that the dividend hasn't been cut, we are a bit cautious about Hextar Global Berhad's payments, as there could be some issues with sustaining them into the future. The payments haven't been particularly stable and we don't see huge growth potential, but with the dividend well covered by cash flows it could prove to be reliable over the short term. Overall, we don't think this company has the makings of a good income stock. Story continues Market movements attest to how highly valued a consistent dividend policy is compared to one which is more unpredictable. At the same time, there are other factors our readers should be conscious of before pouring capital into a stock. For example, we've picked out 1 warning sign for Hextar Global Berhad that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here MUNCIE, Ind. -- Indiana is home to about 1 in 6 of all Amish Americans, with estimates from 2022 at about 62,000 adherents. The Amish, as most readers will know, are a Christian religious denomination who arrived from Germany and Switzerland in the early 1800s. Their members are recognizable by their style of dress and transportation. Michael Hicks Again, most folks know this, but newcomers to Indiana may not. Amish men and women can be seen wearing work clothes of simple designsblack trousers and jacket for men, simple dresses for women. They are recognizable traveling by bicycle or horse-drawn carriage. Amish farms and families have a quaint, 19th-century look about them. This is purposeful, with an intention to preserve a way of life that is focused on spiritual observance. In many ways, this is not remarkablewe have many religious groups who wish to sustain their identity in an America awash with options. We often forget how new our modern conveniences truly are, and that a sizable share of Americans lived like the Amish less than a century ago. While many people find much about their lifestyle to be endlessly fascinating, to an economist, the Amish are simply part of an ever-changing tapestry of the United States. The Amish live so separately that their presence is worth noting in the ways they affect the economy. This influence on primarily the local economy is driven by the focus on the community and household being self-sufficient. This self-sufficiency often means that households will establish themselves on subsistence-size farms, which is less than 50 acres. Because the Amish largely forbid modern agricultural machinery, most of their farms rely on animal power. This limits the scale of farming to about the size of a family farm in the late 19th century. One result of the proliferation of these small farms, is that after a couple of generations of nature taking its course, the population outgrows the available farms and neighborhood, which is an inevitable economic consequence of clinging to technologies and practices of the 19th century. This has two notable effects that are reminiscent of much of the Midwest just before the turn of the 20th century. Story continues The first of these effects is the diaspora. As they were crowded out of small farms, Amish families moved westward and southward across the country. Here in Indiana, Amish communities have migrated from Pennsylvania to Wayne and Parke counties over the last three decades. Meanwhile, productivity growth in agriculture increasingly makes part of Americas farmland redundant. This dynamic allows the Amish to re-establish family farms in places where they have not been economically viable for generations. The second big trend is the movement of the Amish into non-agricultural occupations. Today, a substantial share of Amish men and women work in manufacturing, construction, food services and retail. This shift is a direct corollary to what occurred in the late 19th century as Midwestern family farms started to feel the effects of growing populations and better technology. Some of todays Amish families might be able to survive on a small farm, but they increasingly rely on supplemental work elsewhere. You can farm like it is 1900 if you wish, but the produce you sell will face 2022 prices. That limits what can be profitably grown on a family farm. The Amish pay most taxes, including income, sales and property taxes, and in return they receive most government benefits, including a judicial system, national defense, police and fire protection and other public services. They also receive public goods as they choose, such as roads. The Amish are pacifists and do not serve in the armed forces. Likewise, they do not participate in Social Security, so they do not pay FICA payroll taxes. The Amish typically do not attend public schools; they attend schools operated by their local community, ending their formal education after eighth grade. Additionally, the Amish typically dont participate in poverty relief programs or Medicaid. There are exceptions to many of these cases, determined by local bishops, ministers and deacons. There are regional variations in the rules of each community. For example, someone with a close eye might notice some buggies are equipped with safety reflectors, while buggies in another county are not. With very few Amish attending high school or college, the educational attainment data in counties with large Amish populations are poor measures of human capital. LaGrange County is a good example. A whopping 40 percent of adults are listed as having not completed high school. The Amish population in the county is 44 percent, so one can assume that nearly every non-Amish resident has completed high school. Given the Amish focus on the ability to read the Bible, LaGrange County might possess the highest literacy rate in the United States. It is hard not to draw similarities between the Amish and newer immigrant groups. The literacy example is perfect for this comparison. Many immigrants to the USA, particularly illegal immigrants or refugees, have poorly measured human capital. A typical Guatemalan immigrant to the USA will not have attended high school. For good reason, that credential is a critical measure of cognitive ability and motivation among native-born Americans. Among immigrant groups, that is not the case. Lack of universal secondary education, means many intelligent adults do not possess that credential. So, measures of formal schooling loses its ability to measure cognitive ability. As for motivation, that walk from Guatemala to Texas speaks for itself. It is unsurprising that the Amish work alongside immigrants in many businesses around Indiana. Individuals from both groups often lack formal credentials that attest to human capital. The other striking comparison of the Amish to immigrants is the difference in assimilation. Todays immigrants typically assimilate quickly. Children are given Americanized names and English language typically supplants Spanish, Arabic or Hindi, in a single generation. While religion is more persistent, children or grandchildren are far more likely to marry outside of their ethnicity and religion. The Amish have clung to a 19th century lifestyle for more than 150 years. There are other religious minorities who cling to a very separate lifestyle. The Mennonites, Hutterites and Hasidim come to mind. But, no immigrant group in our history remained as non-assimilated as the Amish. Yet, the effect of this unassimilated population is modest. Theres an interesting lesson in that. Michael J. Hicks, PhD, is the director of the Center for Business and Economic Research and the George and Frances Ball distinguished professor of economics in the Miller College of Business at Ball State University. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Hicks: The Amish in Indiana, part of our economy It has been almost two decades in the making, but late on Saturday night in New York, after days of gruelling round-the-clock talks, UN member states finally agreed on a treaty to protect the high seas. A full day after the deadline for talks had officially passed, the conference president, Rena Lee of Singapore, took to the floor of room 2 of the UN headquarters in New York and announced that the treaty had been agreed. At a later date, the delegates will meet for half a day to formally adopt the text. She made it clear the text would not be reopened. Related: The most important talks no one has heard of: why the high seas treaty matters In Singapore, we like to go on learning journeys, and this has been the learning journey of a lifetime, Lee said. She thanked delegates for their dedication and commitment. The success is also yours, she told them. She received cheers and a standing ovation from delegates in the room who had not left the conference hall for two days and worked through the night in order to get the deal done. The historic treaty is crucial for enforcing the 30x30 pledge made by countries at the UN biodiversity conference in December, to protect a third of the sea (and land) by 2030. Without a treaty, this target would certainly fail, as until now no legal mechanism existed to set up MPAs on the high seas. Covering almost two-thirds of the ocean that lies outside national boundaries, the treaty will provide a legal framework for establishing vast marine protected areas (MPAs) to protect against the loss of wildlife and share out the genetic resources of the high seas. It will establish a conference of the parties (Cop) that will meet periodically and enable member states to be held to account on issues such as governance and biodiversity. Ocean ecosystems produce half the oxygen we breathe, represent 95% of the planets biosphere and soak up carbon dioxide, as the worlds largest carbon sink. Yet until now, fragmented and loosely enforced rules governing the high seas have rendered this area more susceptible than coastal waters to exploitation. Story continues Veronica Frank, political adviser for Greenpeace, said that while the organisation hadnt seen the latest text, We are really happy. The world is so divided and to see multilateralism supported is so important. Whats really important is now to use this tool to develop this 30x30 target into force really quickly. The Pew Charitable Trust welcomed the landmark international agreement. Activists from Greenpeace display a banner before the United Nations headquarters during ongoing negotiations at the UN on a treaty to protect the high seas in New York Photograph: Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images High seas marine protected areas can play a critical role in the impacts of climate change, said Liz Karan, director of Pews ocean governance project. Governments and civil society must now ensure the agreement is adopted and rapidly enters into force and is effectively implemented to safeguard high seas biodiversity. The High Ambition Coalition which includes the EU, US, UK and China were key players in brokering the deal, building coalitions instead of sowing division and showing willingness to compromise in the final days of talks. The Global South led the way in ensuring the treaty could be put into practice in a fair and equitable way. The European commissioner for the environment, ocean and fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevicius, described the agreement as a historic moment for the ocean and the culmination of more than a decade of work and international negotiations. With the agreement on the UN High Seas Treaty, we take a crucial step forward to preserve the marine life and biodiversity that are essential for us and the generations to come, he said. It is also a proof of strengthened multilateral cooperation with our partners and a major asset to implement our COP 15 goal for 30% ocean protection. I am very proud of our outcome. Michael Imran Kanu, the head of the African Group and ambassador and deputy permanent representative to the UN for legal affairs of Sierra Leone, said the treaty was robust and ambitious. Kanu, who expressed concerns during talks over the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, said: We really achieved amazing results on this issue. Monetary and non-monetary benefits would be shared and an initial upfront fund would be set up under the treaty. He welcomed the adoption of the common heritage of humankind as a key principle for the high seas, which was a red line for many developing states. That was significant for us, he said. Related: Watered down: why negotiators at Cop15 are barely mentioning the ocean It is the third time in less than a year that member states have hunkered down in the UNs headquarters in New York to thrash out a final deal. The negotiations, which ran over two weeks from 20 February were the fifth round of talks after earlier negotiations ended last August without agreement. That an agreement was reached between 193 nations at all, was a huge achievement, but conservationists say it leaves significant scope for improvement. In particular, countries agreed that existing bodies already responsible for regulating activities such as fisheries, shipping and deep-sea mining could continue to do so without having to carry out environmental impact assessments laid out by the treaty. One of the key stumbling blocks, which divided developing and developed nations, was how to fairly share marine genetic resources (MGR) and the eventual profits. MGR, which consist of the genetic material of deep-sea marine sponges, krill, corals, seaweeds and bacteria, are attracting increasing scientific and commercial attention due to their potential use in medicines and cosmetics. Others sticking points included the procedure for creating marine protected areas and the model for environmental impact studies of planned activities on the high seas. In a move seen as an attempt to build trust between rich and poor countries, the European Union pledged 40m ($42m) in New York to facilitate the ratification of the treaty and its early implementation. Monica Medina, the US assistant secretary for oceans, international environment and scientific affairs, who attended the negotiations in New York, said: We leave here with the ability to create protected areas in the high seas and achieve the ambitious goal of conserving 30% of the ocean by 2030. And the time to start is now. She said the US was pleased to agree on the major element of a high seas treaty that includes a strong, coordinated approach to establishing marine protected areas. Rebecca Hubbard, director of the High Seas Alliance, said: Following a two-week-long rollercoaster of a ride of negotiations and superhero efforts in the last 48 hours, governments reached agreement on key issues that will advance protection and better management of marine biodiversity in the high seas. What happens on the high seas will no longer be out of sight, out of mind, said Jessica Battle of WWF in a statement after leading the groups team at the negotiations. We can now look at the cumulative impacts on our ocean in a way that reflects the interconnected blue economy and the ecosystems that support it. There is too much internet and our attempts to keep up with the breakneck pace of, well, everything these days it is breaking our brains. Parsing through the deluge of inundating information hoisted up by algorithmic systems built to maximize engagement has trained us as slavering Pavlovian dogs to rely on snap judgements and gut feelings in our decision making and opinion formation rather than deliberation and introspection. Which is fine when you're deciding between Italian and Indian for dinner or are waffling on a new paint color for the hallway, but not when we're out here basing existential life choices on friggin' vibes. In his latest book, I, HUMAN: AI, Automation, and the Quest to Reclaim What Makes Us Unique, professor of business psychology and Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup, Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic explores the myriad ways that AI systems now govern our daily lives and interactions. From finding love to finding gainful employment to finding out the score of yesterday's game, AI has streamlined the information gathering process. But, as Chamorro-Premuzic argues in the excerpt below, that information revolution is actively changing our behavior, and not always for the better. light blue background, black serif text for Reprinted by permission of Harvard Business Review Press. Excerpted from I, HUMAN: AI, Automation, and the Quest to Reclaim What Makes Us Unique by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic. Copyright 2023 Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic. All rights reserved. Our Brain on Speed If the AI age requires our brains to be always alert to minor changes and react quickly, optimizing for speed rather than accuracy and functioning on what behavioral economists have labeled System 1 mode (impulsive, intuitive, automatic, and unconscious decision-making), then it shouldnt surprise us that we are turning into a less patient version of ourselves. Of course, sometimes its optimal to react quickly or trust our guts. The real problem comes when fast mindlessness is our primary mode of decision-making. It causes us to make mistakes and impairs our ability to detect mistakes. More often than not, speedy decisions are borne out of ignorance. Story continues Intuition can be great, but it ought to be hard-earned. Experts, for example, are able to think on their feet because theyve invested thousands of hours in learning and practice: their intuition has become data-driven. Only then are they able to act quickly in accordance with their internalized expertise and evidence-based experience. Alas, most people are not experts, though they often think they are. Most of us, especially when we interact with others on Twitter, act with expert-like speed, assertiveness, and conviction, offering a wide range of opinions on epidemiology and global crises, without the substance of knowledge that underpins it. And thanks to AI, which ensures that our messages are delivered to an audience more prone to believing it, our delusions of expertise can be reinforced by our personal filter bubble. We have an interesting tendency to find people more open-minded, rational, and sensible when they think just like us. Our digital impulsivity and general impatience impair our ability to grow intellectually, develop expertise, and acquire knowledge. Consider the little perseverance and meticulousness with which we consume actual information. And I say consume rather than inspect, analyze, or vet. One academic study estimated that the top-10 percent digital rumors (many of them fake news) account for up to 36 percent of retweets, and that this effect is best explained in terms of the so-called echo chamber, whereby retweets are based on clickbait that matches the retweeters views, beliefs, and ideology, to the point that any discrepancy between those beliefs and the actual content of the underlying article may go unnoticed. Patience would mean spending time determining whether something is real or fake news, or whether there are any serious reasons to believe in someones point of view, especially when we agree with it. Its not the absence of fact-checking algorithms during presidential debates that deters us from voting for incompetent or dishonest politicians, but rather our intuition. Two factors mainly predict whether someone will win a presidential candidacy in the United Statesthe candidates height and whether we would want to have a beer with them. While AI-based internet platforms are a relatively recent type of technology, their impact on human behavior is consistent with previous evidence about the impact of other forms of mass media, such as TV or video games, which show a tendency to fuel ADHD-like symptoms, like impulsivity, attention deficits, and restless hyperactivity. As the world increases in complexity and access to knowledge widens, we avoid slowing down to pause, think, and reflect, behaving like mindless automatons instead. Research indicates that faster information gathering online, for example, through instant Googling of pressing questions, impairs long-term knowledge acquisition as well as the ability to recall where our facts and information came from. Unfortunately, its not so easy to fight against our impulsive behavior or keep our impatience in check. The brain is a highly malleable organ, with an ability to become intertwined with the objects and tools it utilizes. Some of these adaptations may seem pathological in certain contexts or cultures, but they are essential survival tools in others: restless impatience and fast-paced impulsivity are no exception. Although we have the power to shape our habits and default patterns of behaviors to adjust to our habitat, if pace rather than patience is rewarded, then our impulsivity will be rewarded more than our patience. And if any adaptation is overly rewarded, it becomes a commoditized and overused strength, making us more rigid, less flexible, and a slave to our own habits, as well as less capable of displaying the reverse type of behavior. The downside of our adaptive nature is that we quickly become an exaggerated version of ourselves: we mold ourselves into the very objects of our experience, amplifying the patterns that ensure fit. When thats the case, then our behaviors become harder to move or change. When I first returned to my hometown in Argentina after having spent a full year in London, my childhood friends wondered why my pace was so unnecessarily acceleratedWhy are you in such a hurry? Fifteen years later, I experienced the same disconnect in speed when returning to London from New York City, where the pace is significantly faster. Yet most New Yorkers seem slow by the relative standards of Hong Kong, a place where the button to close the elevator doors (two inward-looking arrows facing each other) is usually worn out, and the automatic doors of the taxis open and close while the taxis are still moving. Snooze, and you truly lose. There may be limited advantages to boosting our patience when the world moves faster and faster. The right level of patience is always that which aligns with environmental demands and best suits the problems you need to solve. Patience is not always a virtue. If you are waiting longer than you should, then you are wasting your time. When patience breeds complacency or a false sense of optimism, or when it nurtures inaction and passivity, then it may not be the most desirable state of mind and more of a character liability than a mental muscle. In a similar vein, it is easy to think of real-life problems that arise from having too much patience or, if you prefer, would benefit from a bit of impatience: for example, asking for a promotion is usually a quicker way of getting it than patiently waiting for one; refraining from giving someone (e.g., a date, colleague, client, or past employer) a second chance can help you avoid predictable disappointments; and waiting patiently for an important email that never arrives can harm your ability to make better, alternative choices. In short, a strategic sense of urgencywhich is the reverse of patiencecan be rather advantageous. There are also many moments when patience, and its deeper psychological enabler of self-control, may be an indispensable adaptation. If the AI age seems disinterested in our capacity to wait and delay gratification, and patience becomes somewhat of a lost virtue, we risk becoming a narrower and shallower version of ourselves. Experts share the best ways for parents to discuss their child's treatment plan with them. (Photo: Getty) In a perfect world, your kid would blissfully sail through childhood in perfect health. In reality, kids get sick and sometimes they need regular medication or therapy to deal with larger health issues. It can be overwhelming if your child receives a serious or chronic diagnosis, and it's understandable to have to process a lot in your own mind in order to help convey what's going on to your child. But, when it comes to treatment, experts say it's vital to make sure your child understands what's recommended for them, and why it's so crucial that they follow their care plan. Here's how to navigate this. Why should you talk to children about their treatment plan? Doctors may recommend regular medications and therapy for a child for a slew of health conditions, ranging from ADHD to diabetes to depression. Regardless of your child's diagnosis, "it's important to be as up front and transparent with them as possible" about what's going on, clinical psychologist Thea Gallagher, a clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health and co-host of the Mind in View podcast, tells Yahoo Life. Dr. Danelle Fisher, pediatrician and chair of pediatrics at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., agrees. "It's really important to involve a child in their own health care and explain what we're doing," she tells Yahoo Life. "It's only fair. A child deserves an explanation about what's been going on with their health and why they're taking medication, if it's recommended." This isn't just something that should come from you: Your child's doctor should also try to communicate with your child as clearly as possible about their diagnosis and treatment, Dr. Ashanti Woods, a pediatrician at Mercy Family Care Physician in Baltimore, Md., tells Yahoo Life. "Starting as early as possible, it is important for a physician to communicate to any patient, especially a child, the importance of taking control of his or her own health," he says. "This means everything from taking and completing a medication course to taking medications daily for a prolonged period." Story continues Children should also be informed about what can happen if they don't take their medication or complete it to help them understand why it's so important to be consistent, Woods says. At what age should you have this conversation? "We start talking to kids about this as soon as they can hear," Fisher says. "Kids should always understand what medication or treatment is. Otherwise, we're not going to get them to buy in and feel better." Messaging around the importance of taking medications may need to be reemphasized during the teenage years, even if your child has a medication they've been on for years, Woods says. "It is often during these preteen and teen years that children have a sense of independence and autonomy and may decide that they do not want to take the medication, regardless of the consequences," he says. How to talk to your child about a treatment plan Of course, age matters and what you say to a toddler is very different from how you would explain this to an adolescent. "This is hard to explain to a 3-year-old, but you can say something like, 'This inhaler helps with your breathing' that's all they really need to know and will understand," Fisher says. "As they get older, you can add more: 'This pill is for your allergies.' 'This inhaler is for your asthma, and it helps open your airways.'" If your child needs to undergo therapy for a mental health issue, Gallagher also recommends being up front about why it's recommended versus simply telling them they need to see a therapist. "You don't want it to feel punitive," she says. "You'll set the therapist up to fail if it feels like a punishment." She suggests having a conversation like, "We're going to go talk to somebody who is a licensed professional who will help you and me address what's been going on lately. Then, we can figure out how to help you." Gallagher says the conversation should be "no different than you would talk to your kid about going to the pediatrician," adding that the overall message should be that "sometimes we need to go to the doctor when we can't manage things." Your child may have questions about why they need medication or therapy, and Fisher says it's important to "be honest when answering questions and speak to them as simply as possible" to help them understand what's going on. If your child has questions about their treatment that you can't answer, Fisher recommends talking to your prescribing doctor. "They should be able to give an explanation, as well as answer any questions," she says. Ultimately, Gallagher stresses the importance of being candid with your child as much as possible. "No secrets and no surprises," she says. Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here. Oksana Voloshchuk (a.k.a. Ksyusha Maneken) The comment was provided to NVs sister publication Ukrainska Pravda on March 5. HUR said that its tasks are performed by many public and non-public people who do not advertise their activities. Read also: Ukrainian blogger who interviews Russian POWs shares his experiences Military intelligence, especially in a country at war, is a special structure that performs sometimes very special tasks. For obvious reasons, intelligence cannot disclose all methods of its activities to the general public, HUR said. The department stated that various representatives of society are ready to help Ukraine. It is, however, unable to publicize all the tools it uses at least until victory. Online communities were outraged that Instagram blogger 'Ksyusha Maneken' received an award from the agency for assisting the military intelligence of Ukraine. The blogger is known for earlier commenting that it doesnt matter whose Crimea. 'Ksyusha Maneken' boasted about the award after a meeting with Presidential Office adviser Mykhailo Podolyak on March 3. The award itself states that it was awarded on Oct. 13, 2022. Read also: Russian military doctrine a failure, bloggers exaggerating Russian successes near Bakhmut, says ISW The blogger said that she will be able to tell the details of how it happened and why she received the award at the end of the war. Subsequently, Mykhailo Podolyak explained the purpose of his meeting with bloggers, noting that Russias war against Ukraine includes an information front and that influencers can impact millions of people. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) (ASX:HTA) Full Year 2022 Results Key Financial Results Net loss: AU$398.4m (loss widened by AU$376.7m from FY 2021). AU$0.029 loss per share (further deteriorated from AU$0.002 loss in FY 2021). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) shares are up 7.1% from a week ago. Risk Analysis We should say that we've discovered 1 warning sign for Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) that you should be aware of before investing here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Photo: Bruce Stotesbury/Times Colonist A Vancouver Island man who sexually assaulted his children and another child for years has been handed an 18-year prison sentence. In a decision released on March 3, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Kathleen Ker called the 39-year-old man's acts of incest and sexual assault "vile, evil and reprehensible." The father, who was between the ages of 28 and 35 during the offences, used treats or candy to bribe his daughters in exchange for him touching them or taking child pornography. The offences started when the girls were seven or eight years old. The third victim is the daughter of one of his former intimate partners and was friends with one of his children. "[He] made a conscious and renewed choice to victimize his own daughters and their friend each and every time that he assaulted them to satisfy his own depraved sexual urges. That choice was made repeatedly over the span of years," wrote Ker. The man was charged with incest, sexual assault, sexual touching, sexual interference and making child pornography. He was convicted of all eight counts. The offences, except for one, occurred at his home during parenting time. The offences took place over seven years for one daughter, three and a half for the other, and over six years for the friend. Court heard one daughter was subjected to forced intercourse up to three times a month. In August 2019, one of the daughters fought off her father. The attacks, which started in 2012, stopped in 2019. "The offending conduct is insidious, highly blameworthy, and a gross and continuing betrayal of significant trust relationships," wrote Ker, noting the emotional and psychological consequences of these offences will no doubt haunt the victims for years to come. The father owned a technology business and volunteered in many sporting events in the Greater Victoria area. He is to have no communication with any of the victims. The recent price decline of 10% in Inland Homes plc's (LON:INL) stock may have disappointed insiders who bought UK179k worth of shares at an average price of UK0.28 in the past 12 months. Insiders invest with the hopes of seeing their money grow in value over time. However, as a result of recent losses, their initial investment is now only worth UK60k, which is not what they expected. While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. See our latest analysis for Inland Homes Inland Homes Insider Transactions Over The Last Year Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Advisory Stephen Wicks for UK80k worth of shares, at about UK0.40 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being UK0.095). It's very possible they regret the purchase, but it's more likely they are bullish about the company. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. Generally speaking, it catches our eye when insiders have purchased shares at above current prices, as it suggests they believed the shares were worth buying, even at a higher price. In the last twelve months Inland Homes insiders were buying shares, but not selling. Their average price was about UK0.28. These transactions suggest that insiders have considered the current price attractive. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction! Inland Homes is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Insider Ownership I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. Inland Homes insiders own about UK3.7m worth of shares. That equates to 17% of the company. We've certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders. Story continues So What Do The Inland Homes Insider Transactions Indicate? It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Inland Homes shares in the last quarter. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. Insiders own shares in Inland Homes and we see no evidence to suggest they are worried about the future. In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing Inland Homes. For instance, we've identified 4 warning signs for Inland Homes (2 are a bit unpleasant) you should be aware of. If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Timed to open in tandem with the observance of Juneteenth, Charlestons new International African American Museum has been 20 years in the making. Twenty years after its inception and six months past its initial launch date, the International African American Museum (IAAM) will at last open this June in Charleston, S.C. According to a press release, the museum will officially open its doors to the public on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Were excited to open IAAMs doors and showcase the incredible breadth of African American history, said Dr. Tonya Matthews, president and CEO of the International African American Museum, in a statement provided to theGrio. IAAM strives not only to provide a space for all visitors to celebrate and connect to this history, to these stories, and to this art, but also to find meaning within their own stories. The African American journey is far longer than the 20 years it took to build this museum, and we are humbly proud to step up and play our part in this story. It is time. The International African American Museum in Charleston, S.C. (Photo: Greg Noire) As previously reported by theGrio, the IAAMs initial launch date, January 21, was delayed due to concerns about humidity and temperature levels within the newly constructed building, which have since been stabilized by the City of Charleston. While the IAAM wont officially open until June, the museum has already been engaging with the public; most recently, this February, via virtual and in-person programming in honor of Black History Month. Several in-person programs for the surrounding community are planned in the weeks leading up to the IAAMs opening date, chosen to coincide with this years celebration of Juneteenth. As a continuation of local festivities in the city of Charleston, the launch of the museum will be preceded by a series of community events and an opening ceremony on June 24. As this magnificent new museum demonstrates, Charleston isnt just a city where history happened its a city where history is still being made every day, said Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg in a statement. I couldnt be prouder of this extraordinary achievement, and of all the people whove worked so hard over the past two decades to make it a reality. Story continues Interior detail of the International African American Museum in Charleston, S.C. (Photo: Greg Noire) Positioned on Charlestons historic Gadsdens Wharf, one of the nations most prolific former slave trading ports, the building includes nine core exhibition galleries and a special exhibition gallery, as well as a floating gallery that weaves contemporary art throughout the museum. According to the release, at the time of its opening, the IAAM will house over 700 artifacts dating from 17th century to contemporary objects, alongside 1000 image and media collection pieces. It will also be home to the Center for Family History, a world-class genealogy and ancestry resource center which has hosted genealogy classes and workshops since 2020, connecting African Americans to both their legacy in the United States and the African diaspora. Through programming and unique, authentic, empathetic storytelling, the IAAM activates its mission to honor the untold stories of the African American journey celebrating the connections and contributions to American and global cultures in unique and thought-provoking ways, states the press release. For more information, visit iaamuseum.org or call 843-872-5352. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. TheGrios Black Podcast Network is free too. Download theGrio mobile apps today! Listen to Writing Black with Maiysha Kai. The post The International African American Museum to open this June in South Carolina appeared first on TheGrio. When we invest, we're generally looking for stocks that outperform the market average. And the truth is, you can make significant gains if you buy good quality businesses at the right price. To wit, the New York Times share price has climbed 59% in five years, easily topping the market return of 40% (ignoring dividends). With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies. Check out our latest analysis for New York Times There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. Over half a decade, New York Times managed to grow its earnings per share at 105% a year. This EPS growth is higher than the 10% average annual increase in the share price. Therefore, it seems the market has become relatively pessimistic about the company. The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on New York Times' earnings, revenue and cash flow. What About Dividends? As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for New York Times the TSR over the last 5 years was 65%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective While the broader market lost about 6.2% in the twelve months, New York Times shareholders did even worse, losing 14% (even including dividends). However, it could simply be that the share price has been impacted by broader market jitters. It might be worth keeping an eye on the fundamentals, in case there's a good opportunity. On the bright side, long term shareholders have made money, with a gain of 10% per year over half a decade. It could be that the recent sell-off is an opportunity, so it may be worth checking the fundamental data for signs of a long term growth trend. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for New York Times that you should be aware of before investing here. Story continues But note: New York Times may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here (Bloomberg) -- The United Nations atomic watchdog said Iran still needs to explain precisely how uranium particles enriched to just-below weapons grade came to be at one of its fuel facilities, walking back assertions made just hours before by Tehrans top nuclear official that the issue was settled. Most Read from Bloomberg The International Atomic Energy Agency reported last week that inspectors detected uranium particles enriched to 84% purity in Iran, a potential major new escalation that US officials called worrisome. The Persian Gulf countrys expanding atomic program, along with its closer military collaboration with Russia, has prompted Israel to ponder a potential strike. The head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Eslami, claimed earlier on Saturday that ambiguities have been resolved over the presence of the particles at its Fordow enrichment plant. But arriving back in Vienna just hours later, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said more work needs to be done. The IAEA and Iran will convene more technical meetings very soon in Tehran to clarify investigators questions, Grossi said late Saturday in Vienna. Sometimes in this kind of facility there can be oscillations that can be accidental, he said. But it can be otherwise. The idea of this process is to determine how it happened. Grossis visit follows nearly two years of diplomatic efforts, including a flurry of indirect talks between Iran and the US, to resuscitate the 2015 nuclear deal that former US President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018. Iran retaliated by gradually ramping up its nuclear work and restricting surveillance at some of its nuclear facilities. Story continues The IAEAs 35-member board of governors convenes its quarterly meeting next week in the Austrian capital, with diplomats weighing whether or not to formally censure Iran for its lack of cooperation with monitors. Grossi was more upbeat over his meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, saying that the conversation resulted in a marked improvement in dialog. The Islamic Republic has stonewalled a separate IAEA investigation into particles discovered at three undeclared sites for almost four years. Iran agreed to give IAEA inspectors more access to people, places and information as well increase the frequency of visits to enrichment facilities, Grossi said. Critically, the Persian Gulf country also pledged to re-install IAEA cameras at some of its nuclear sites. The process has been long, Grossi said. I have not hidden that for us it has been too long. We have put a tourniquet on the bleeding of information and the continuity of knowledge. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Pakistan authorities moved to arrest opposition leader Imran Khan for not showing up to a court hearing and banned him from television, raising political tensions as the country struggles to shore up its finances and avoid default. Most Read from Bloomberg A police team on Sunday arrived at Khans residence in the central city of Lahore but said he wasnt immediately found, according to Taqi Jawad, spokesman of Islamabad police. The 70-year-old former premier later addressed supporters at his home as his party called on members to rally around him. I bow only in front of god and no other power or institution, Khan told cheering supporters. This is our war for real freedom, he added while attacking Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who took power 11 months ago after Khan lost a confidence vote in parliament. After Khans remarks, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority barred television channels from airing the former cricket stars speeches, saying his comments were prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order and likely to disturb public peace and tranquility. It directed satellite channels not to broadcast any recorded or live news conferences or speeches, warning that licenses will be suspended for non-compliance. The episode underscores how Pakistans political tensions are only set to heat up ahead of the election, posing a risk to Sharifs efforts to secure bailout loans from the International Monetary Fund to fend off potential bankruptcy. Pakistans central bank last week raised its benchmark interest rate to a 25-year high as Moodys Investors Services downgraded the nation deeper into junk on concerns about debt payments as default nears. Foreign exchange reserves have dropped to cover less than a month of imports. Story continues The real problem is the economy, said Shaista Tabassum, the head of the international relations department at the University of Karachi. This political chaos, which keeps deepening, is most likely to sabotage Pakistans possible deal with the IMF. Pakistans rupee has dropped by about 18% this year, making it the fourth worst performer globally, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The nations dollar bonds have continued to trade in distressed levels. Legal Process Khan, who has drawn tens of thousands to his rallies in recent months, has encouraged supporters to get arrested to push his demands for an early election. Sharif, who has vowed to complete his term that ends in August, risks looking weak if his government doesnt enforce the courts orders. Khan must be presented before the court for a hearing on March 7, Akbar Nasir Khan, the inspector-general of the Islamabad police, told local media. The police must arrest him, he told ARY Television. We appeal to the people not to hinder the legal process. Supporters in Khans Tehreek-e-Insaf party have surrounded his residence in Lahore with tents in the past few months to defend their leader in the event of an arrest. Party leaders have taken to social media to urge supporters to gather at Khans home. Attempting to arrest Imran Khan on fake and flimsy cases will be extremely destabilizing in a system that is already under stress, Hammad Azhar, a senior PTI leader, told Bloomberg News. There will be countrywide protests. A Pakistani court issued an arrest warrant against Khan last week after he didnt appear in a hearing for a complaint over his failure to declare his assets. The Election Commission had disqualified the former cricket star in October for allegedly hiding money earned from selling state gifts he received when he was prime minister. Khan has denied any wrongdoing. He attended multiple court hearings last week, emerging for the first time in months since he was shot and wounded in the leg during a street protest in November. Khan has blamed Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, and a general in the countrys powerful spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence, for the attack. All three have denied his allegation. Khan wrote a letter to Pakistans Chief Justice on Sunday, asking for permission to appear for his court cases using video link as there are clear indications of another assassination attempt being plotted on my life. He didnt give further details. To date there are 74 cases against me and I am being made to appear in court for hearings time and often, Khan said in the letter published by his party on Twitter. Where ever I go, massive crowds naturally follow. This further aggravates the prevailing security threat. --With assistance from Saritha Rai, Muneeza Naqvi and Faseeh Mangi. (Updates with Imran Khan writing letter to the chief justice, analyst comments and market moves) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Jamie Lee Curtis at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 4, 2023, in Santa Monica, California. Jemal Countess/WireImage Jamie Lee Curtis is skipping the Oscars nominee dinner because she doesn't want to be up late. The actor told The Hollywood Reporter at the Film Independent Spirit Awards Saturday that "mommy goes to bed early." She also joked that there's "nothing good happening with [her] after nine o'clock." Jamie Lee Curtis isn't going to let her first-ever Oscars nomination get in the way of a good night's sleep. At the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, the actor told The Hollywood Reporter she's skipping the Oscars nominee dinner on March 9 because she doesn't want to stay up late. She's up for best actress in a supporting role for her portrayal of IRS agent Deirdre Beaubeirdre in "Everything Everywhere All at Once." In a clip of the conversation shared by the publication on TikTok, Curtis said the event, which starts at 7:30 p.m., would end too late for her because "mommy goes to bed early." She noted that her publicist, Heidi Schaeffer, would be "mad" that she was sharing why she wouldn't be in attendance. "Now you might say, 'Jamie, you're nominated for an Academy Award. You're gonna be in the room with only nominees for the Academy Award,' and I have declined," she said. She continued: "Why? Because mommy goes to bed early. 'Cause 7:30 is gonna be 9 before we get food, and you know what? There's nothing good happening with me after 9 o'clock. Nothing. Zero!" Curtis has had a number of standout moments on the red carpet this awards season. After Ariana DeBose's BAFTAs opening number was skewered online in February, the "Halloween" actor spoke out strongly in support of DeBose, telling Deadline that critics should "shut the fuck up." "I'm unclear as to what the fuck people are on about, and for me, it was joyous, celebratory, sisterly, hot, spicy, and she's just so incredibly talented," she said at the Producer's Guild Awards on February 25. Story continues #PGAAwards Jamie Lee Curtis explains the mood inside the room at the BAFTAs during Ariana DeBose's rap: "She's fantastic" pic.twitter.com/B9flGFwi0m Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) February 26, 2023 She also explained that part of the reason the audience may have looked bewildered was that cameras were put so close to people's faces. "She is a fantastic talent, these people should shut the fuck up, back the fuck off, and let this woman just shine her light, 'cause she is fantastic," Curtis said. Read the original article on Insider (Bloomberg) -- Japan will cease to exist if it cant slow a fall in its birth rate that threatens to wreck the social safety net and economy, according to an adviser to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Most Read from Bloomberg If we go on like this, the country will disappear, Masako Mori said in an interview in Tokyo after Japan announced on Feb. 28 the number of babies born last year slumped to a record low. Its the people who have to live through the process of disappearance who will face enormous harm. Its a terrible disease that will afflict those children, she added. Last year, about twice as many people died as were born in Japan, with fewer than 800,000 births and about 1.58 million deaths. An alarmed Kishida has vowed to double spending on children and families in a bid to control the slide, which is progressing even faster than forecast. The population has fallen to 124.6 million from a peak of just over 128 million reached in 2008, and the pace of decline is increasing. Meanwhile the proportion of people 65 or over rose to more than 29% last year. While South Korea has a lower fertility rate, Japans population is shrinking faster. Japanese Births Hit Record Low as Years-Long Decline Accelerates Its not falling gradually, its heading straight down, said Mori, an upper house lawmaker and former minister who advises Kishida on the birthrate problem and LGBTQ issues. A nosedive means children being born now will be thrown into a society that becomes distorted, shrinks and loses its ability to function. If nothings done, the social security system would collapse, industrial and economic strength would decline and there wouldnt be enough recruits for the Self-Defense Forces to protect the country, she added. Story continues Korea Again Smashes Own Record for Worlds Lowest Fertility Rate While reversing the slide now would be extremely difficult due to the fall in the number of women of child-bearing age, the government must do everything it can to slow the plunge and help mitigate the damage, Mori said. Kishida has yet to announce the content of his new spending package, but has said it will be on a different dimension from previous policies. So far hes mentioned increasing child allowances, improving childcare provision and changing working styles. But critics contend throwing money at families who have children is not enough to address the problem. A paper from a government panel on gender equality said comprehensive changes are needed that include reducing the burden on women of raising children and making it easier for them to participate in the workforce after giving birth. Mori criticized what she said was a tendency to think about the issue separately from finance, trade, and particularly from female empowerment. Womens empowerment and birth rate policies are the same, she said. If you deal with these things separately, it wont be effective. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Sunday wouldnt criticize President Biden over his pledge to sign a Republican-led effort to block a Washington, D.C., crime reform bill. Did President Biden pull the rug out from under you and your fellow House Democrats? asked anchor Dana Bash on CNNs State of the Union, noting that Jeffries voted in favor of keeping the bill in place when it passed the House. Not at all. We have the House, we have the Senate, and then we have the White House. In terms of my particular reasons for voting the way that I did, one, I believe that local government should have control over local matters. And thats a principle that Ive supported from the moment that I arrived in Washington, D.C. Its one of the reasons why I believe in D.C. statehood. And in this particular case, I voted to affirm local rule, Jeffries said. Jeffries was among 173 House Democrats who voted against a GOP effort to override the D.C. crime bill. Biden last week told Senate Democrats that he would not veto the measure when it landed at his desk, bucking a majority of his partys stances. Bash pressed the House Democratic leader on whether he was OK with Biden overriding the effort he supports. Well, lets take it one step at a time. We have to see what happens in the United States Senate next week. Depending on what the Senate does, the president will have to respond one way or another. I havent had an opportunity to talk to the White House yet about the presidents views, so Im not going to characterize his position one way or the other, until weve had a chance to talk about that issue, Jeffries said. The crime bill passed the D.C. City Council unanimously earlier this year, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) vetoed it which the City Council then overrode it 12-1. The bill would eliminate most mandatory sentences and lower penalties for some violent offenses, among other measures. Jeffries said Sunday hes gotten the sense that House Democrats are frustrated with the White House over the bill and repeated that he didnt want to characterize what Biden may or may not do on the matter. What I can say is that I will continue to support the principle of local government control over local matters. There are more than 700,000 people in the District of Columbia. They elect the City Council, they elect the mayor, they can continue to work out those issues. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden would never even discuss taking a mental competency test suggested by Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley for politicians older than 75, first lady Jill Biden said. Most Read from Bloomberg Her comments to CNN come in the context of Bidens expected bid for a second term, which would make him 82 at his inauguration if he won reelection. In previously released interview excerpts, the first lady said shes all for her husband running in 2024 and pointed to his recent trip to Ukraine that included a nine-hour train ride from Poland. Ridiculous, Jill Biden said when asked about Haleys proposal and whether the president would consider taking such a test. We would never even discuss something like that. Haley, 51, who is running against her former boss, ex-president Donald Trump, 76, proposed a mandatory mental competency test for politicians over the age of 75 in February. Another contender expected to enter the GOP fray is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, whos 44. Biden, the oldest person to serve as US president, has said he intends to run in 2024 but hasnt announced a decision. His wife is understood to be his closest confidante within the White House. Biden has cited his family or a surprise development, such as a health crisis, as potential deterrents to another run. Biden has faced questions and Republican attacks based on his age in the buildup to 2024. Its legitimate for people to raise issues about my age, he said in an ABC News interview in February. Its totally legitimate to do that. And, the only thing I can say is watch me. The presidents doctor said Biden is healthy and vigorous following a routine physical on Feb. 16. On Friday, the White House said Biden had a cancerous skin lesion removed from his chest during the annual check-up, requiring no further treatment. Story continues Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Mayor Cermak being helped to an auto after a bullet from an assassin's gun inflicted a wound. Chicago Mayor Anton J. Cermak was helped by members of Roosevelt's party in a park in Miami, Florida after being shot in 1933. The mayor had greeted Mr. Roosevelt and was turning away from his car when he was shot. L.L. Lee, city manager of Miami, is second from left in white suit. W.W. Wood, Democratic committeeman, right, is also assisting Mr. Cermak. (Chicago Tribune archive) As President-elect Franklin Delano Roosevelt finished speaking, he signaled Anton Cermak with a flick of his wrist to meet him at Roosevelts nearby car. Advertisement Chicagos mayor was in Miami to convey his citys needs to FDR, who was returning from a Caribbean fishing trip. It was 1933, a bleak Depression year. The citys coffers were empty. Its schoolteachers werent being paid. Cermak barely got to speak to Roosevelt that Feb. 15. Just as he reached him, a bystander named Lillian Cross saw a man in front of her take a gun out of his pocket. I saw the man level the gun, it seemed to me, at Mr. Roosevelts head and he fired one shot, Cross told the Tribune. Advertisement Grabbing the arm of the gunman, later identified as Giuseppe Zangara, an Italian anarchist, she deflected three more shots. FDR lived to dramatically remake the federal government. But Cermak was badly wounded and died a few weeks later, on March 6, 1933. The family of Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak stands next to his casket on a train car en route to Chicago in March 1933. From left are, Vivian Graham, granddaughter; Mrs. Emma Kallal, sister; Mrs. Joseph Cermak, sister-in-law; Richey V. Graham, son-in-law; Mrs. Lillian Graham, daughter; Dr. Frank Jirka, son-in-law; Mrs. Ella Jirka, daughter; and Mrs. Helen Kenlay, daughter of Cermak. (Chicago Tribune historical photo) The funeral procession of Chicago Mayor Anton J. Cermak heads down West Flagler Street in Miami in March 1933. (International News Photo ) He had been mayor less than two years, but during a career in public office that began many years earlier, Cermak politically remade Chicago. By bringing ethnic communities into the political establishment, then virtually a WASP monopoly, he created the fabled Chicago machine. He was a credit to the country of his birth Bohemia and to the country he adopted in early youth, John Prystalski, chief justice of the criminal court, told the Tribune upon learning of Cermaks death. Cermak wasnt a back-slapper or a spellbinding speaker. He appeared to take pride in his own absence of polish, his biographer Alex Gottfried reported in Boss Cermak of Chicago. But as Chicagos first foreign-born mayor, he had two things going for him: Prohibition and changing demographics. He understood that immigrants wanted a glass of beer after work, just like they had in the old country. Cermak made his position clear five years before Prohibition went into effect. Coffee and frankfurters were fed to Chicago's unemployed at the Mission of the Holy Cross in January 1930. Food was donated by Anton J. Cermak, then president of the Cook County Board. The mission was at Des Plaines and Randolph streets. More than 1,500 were fed. (Chicago Tribune historical photo) In 1915, he was an organizer of a massive parade through the Loop sponsored by the United Societies For Local Self-Government that opposed banning booze. We propose to bring home to the taxpayers of Chicago the calamity that will follow if Chicago should be voted dry, said Cermak, then chief bailiff of the Municipal Court. The pastor of the Moody Church on LaSalle Street denounced the demonstration as a serpents parade. Advertisement His position was echoed by other Protestant ministers, and middle-class reformers supported Prohibition. But the constituencies of both were shrinking in the city. Older Chicago Protestant families were beginning their short march to the suburbs more recently arrived Catholic and Jewish families were moving into vacated Protestant neighborhoods, Paul Green noted in a 1987 anthology, The Mayors: The Chicago Political Tradition. Cermak lived in a Czech and Slovak enclave on the West Side. Just to the north was a large Jewish community. Nearby was a Polish settlement. Some residents were precinct captains, but the aldermen and ward committeemen were more likely Irish. Virtually the only Catholics in the Democratic Partys higher ranks, the Irish had the advantage of speaking English when they came to Chicago. As Cermak moved from one elective office to another, he witnessed the frustration of the ethnic Chicagoans who didnt have that opportunity. He realized there was political capital to be made by forming a coalition of the excluded. Jacob Arvey, a Jewish politico, and Cermak became lifelong friends. Cermak made enemies among the Irish by giving other ethnic groups an equitable share of the pie. Anton Cermak doffs his hat in 1931, when he ran for mayor of Chicago and won. (Chicago Herald and Examiner) An Irish police captain cursed the no-good Bohunk, adding that opposing Cermak was futile because he would crucify you. Another view was more diplomatic. You couldnt love Cermak, a reformer named Frank Busch said. He didnt have personal warmth. Advertisement Busch also noted: You wouldnt fool him. He always knew how much influence each one had in his ward. Cermaks knack for sizing up people was honed in various workplaces. As a teenager, he was a coal miner in Braidwood. He worked in a stable in Chicagos Pilsen neighborhood, bought a horse and cart, and wound up with a drayage business. By 1911, he was also a political powerhouse. That year, Carter Harrison Jr.s run for mayor was backed by a series of foreign voter clubs. The Czech voters of Cermaks 12th Ward organization gave Harrison the largest plurality of any ward in the city, making him an immediate favorite with the political powers that ran the city. The more prominent Cermak became, the more friends and foes focused on his ethnicity. The Tribune so credited his administrative skills when he was up for reelection as president of the Cook County Board in 1926: Mr. Cermak is of Czecho-Slovakian blood, and those who have watched his career say that certain characteristics of this people, such as a close watch on detail and small expenditure, have been demonstrated in his career as head of the county board. Advertisement Anton J. Cermak, president of the County Board with jail plans, circa 1926. (Chicago Herald and Examiner) He ran for mayor two years before Chicagos Century of Progress Exposition. An opponent who followed him to the podium of a candidates forum alluded to Cermaks grammatical errors. When you think of selecting your Worlds Fair mayor, he said, think of the beautiful and exquisite English you have heard here tonight. The incumbent mayor, William Hale Big Bill Thompson, played cowboy in Wyoming at an age when Cermak was digging coal in Braidwood. Thompsons father, a prominent businessman, intended his son to have an Ivy League education. But when Thompson refused to go, his father bought a ranch for him to manage. His election strategy in 1931 contrasted his patrician roots with Cermaks plebian origins. In one instance, with a bit of doggerel: I wont take a back seat to that Bohunk, Chairmock Chermack or whatever his name is Advertisement Tony, Tony, wheres your pushcart at? Cermak responded: Of course we couldnt all come over on the Mayflower, or maybe the boat would have sunk. But I got here as soon as I could, and I never wanted to go back, because to me it is a great privilege to be an American citizen. Immigrant baiting previously worked for Thompson, who was in his third term. It distracted voters attention from Big Bills outrageous grafting and his buddying up to Al Capone. But by then, in a city where many residents were either foreign born or the children of immigrants, there were lots of voters who heard Thompsons putdowns of Cermak as a slur on their own ethnic heritage. Vintage Chicago Tribune Weekly The Vintage Tribune newsletter is a deep dive into the Chicago Tribune's archives featuring photos and stories about the people, places and events that shape the city's past, present and future. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Cermak beat Thompson by almost 195,000 votes and had just enough time before Zangaras bullet struck to blueprint his political thinking. The back room is gone, he told the press. Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak being sworn in to office on April 9, 1931. (Chicago American) In its place, he started a weekly radio program, so Chicagoans would know his plans. We need your constructive criticism, Cermak said. FDR later followed his lead with his Fireside Chat broadcasts. Advertisement Having created the Chicago machine, Cermak devised a measure of its efficacy: a scientific mathematically exact grading of the vote getting machinery in each of Chicagos fifty wards. He was obsessing about what still needed to be done, as he lay dying in a Miami Beach hospital bed 90 years ago this month. I do not know whether Im going to get well, he said. I hope whoever succeeds me will make his first duty the payment of money owed (the teachers). If this will have helped me get loans I am glad I was shot. This bit of lead is not too burdensome for me to carry. For a long time I have had lead in my heart over their distress. Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Ron Grossman and Marianne Mather at rgrossman@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com. President Joe Biden talks to reporters after a lunch with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Democrats about his upcoming budget and political agenda, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) - AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite It would be the biggest new oil field in decades. It could supply as much as 2pc of all the oil needed by the United States. And it would be large enough by itself to make a significant difference to the global price, dealing yet another blow to Vladimir Putins collapsing war machine in Ukraine. Over the next couple of weeks, President Joe Biden is expected to approve the Willow Project, a vast new fossil fuel development in Alaska. Despite the fierce opposition of environmental protesters, Biden has decided that the US, and indeed the world, still needs oil. If the Left-leaning, climate-friendly Biden can approve new energy projects, why cant we do the same in the UK? No one could possibly accuse Biden of being a climate change denying reactionary. And yet in the US, unlike most of Europe, the debate about energy still has some vague connection to reality. It recognises that it will take a while and cost a lot to switch to renewables. In the meantime you will need oil and gas and you might as well produce it yourself rather than buy it from Saudi Arabia. With plenty of reserves available in this country, perhaps it is time the UK learnt a lesson from Biden and started to open up some new oil and gas fields of our own. President Biden is not ignoring climate change or in hock to the oil industry. He is spending so much money on putting the US at the forefront of the shift to green energy that every other country in the world is complaining about the support he is offering. From subsidies for electric vehicles, to investment in wind and solar power to building the infrastructure for carbon neutral heating, industrial and transport systems he is spending hundreds of billions of dollars to hit net zero as quickly as any other country. On any measure you care to look at, the Biden White House takes this stuff seriously. And yet, despite that, he is about to approve the biggest new oil field in years. Led by the energy giant ConocoPhillips, the Willow Project in Alaska has the capacity to generate 180,000 barrels of oil a day, or 1.5pc of the USs total energy needs. Story continues It will add an extra third to Alaskas annual production. Unsurprisingly, there has been an outcry from environmental activists, with opposition petitions attracting more than a million signatures, and accusations that Biden is breaking his election pledge not to allow new oil drilling on federal land (which, in fairness, has more than an element of truth to it). Even so, the president is poised to ignore all that and approve the project. Drilling could start before the end of the year. So if the United States, which is largely energy independent, can decide to go ahead with developing new fossil fuels, then why cant we do the same in the UK? It is about being realistic. Renewable energy capacity takes a long time, and it will be years before we can switch heating systems and cars to electricity. In the meantime, we will still need oil and gas, and we might as well produce it ourselves, creating wealth, jobs and tax revenues in the process, instead of buying it from Russia or Saudi Arabia instead. In Washington, that is just obvious. In London, unfortunately, it still isnt. The UK ought to get over its bone-headed opposition to new energy production. In the North Sea, producers have been harassed and taxed out of existence. Nicola Sturgeons Scottish government did everything in its power to stop new licences being approved, even though it is one of the countrys most important industries. Windfall taxes have been slapped on the sector, with the Labour Party calling for those to be even higher. When energy giants such as Shell or BP announce bumper profits hardly a surprise when energy prices are so high they are vilified, and face calls for even stiffer levies. In response, projects have been put on hold, and investment stalled. Shell said last year it was reviewing (corporate speak for scrapping) the money spent in the North Sea, and so has Norways Equinor. We can hardly complain if output is falling. The record on fracking has been even worse. Even though it enabled the US to be independent in energy, and although Texas has hardly been convulsed by earthquakes, in this country it has been effectively banned despite the fact we have vast reserves of shale oil and gas in the North. Liz Trusss doomed pro-growth government briefly tried to revive it, but was shot down in a hail of opposition. The result? The UK has a huge deficit in energy, importing 2 billion more a month in oil alone than we export. But, heck, who cares. Apparently it is better to just buy energy from Qatar, or indeed from Bidens America, than produce the stuff ourselves. That is ridiculous. It doesnt make any difference to the environment whether the oil is extracted in this country or somewhere else. Nor does running down oil capacity do anything to speed up green technology. It just puts us at risk of shortages when supply is tight. Biden at least has the guts to realise we will still need oil for a while longer, and it might as well be American oil instead of anyone elses. It might be too much to hope for from anyone in charge of British energy policy but it is time we took a lesson from Washington and approved some new energy projects in this country as well. Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Reuters There is a school of thought that says that whatever is going on with Sen. John Fettermanboth his physical well-being and his mental health, following a stroke in May of last yearis a private matter between him and his doctors. Its no one elses business. And so, the argument goes, Americans should mind their manners and stop speculating about whether the newly sworn-in Pennsylvania senator can continue to serve out his six-year term, and what it would mean for the delicate balance of power in the Senate if the answer is no. I Serve With Sen. John Fetterman. I Struggled With Depression, Too But there is also a counterargument that says elected leaders surrender at least some of their right to privacy when they ask the public to put its trust in them. And so, Fettermans health and long-term prospects for recovery are most certainly the business of the nearly 13 million residents of the Keystone State. Furthermore, this line of thinking suggests, the question of whether Fetterman can go the distance impacts all Americans because it could affect which party controls the Senate. The 48 Democrats in the upper chamber are holding onto control by a thread, thanks in large part to the three independents who caucus with them. The 49 Republicans are in the minority. But this could easily change in 2024. But when I think about Fettermans healthsomething Ive done often since the senator checked himself into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Feb. 16 to be treated for clinical depression, after being hospitalized the week before for lightheadednessI dont think about politics or the Senate. Instead, I think about three things. First, I think about what my mother told me my whole life about how our health is the most important thing, and how our bodies will have the final say about what we can do and when we can do it. It seems obvious that Fettermans body would like to have a word. The senator admits thatsince his stroke occurred in the middle of a campaignhe rushed the rehabilitation process and skipped steps that may have been necessary in order for a stroke patient to make a full recovery. Some of the damage done by the stroke was already known to the public. Fettermans staff have acknowledged that the senator now has audio processing issues that necessitate the use of closed caption devices at his desk and in committee hearings. Story continues Next, I think about how Fetterman severely endangered his own healthand maybe even shortened his life spanbecause he and his political handlers were convinced that, if he didnt get back out on the campaign trail, his Senate race would be over. Thats a high price to pay for political ambition. After all, there is always another election and another campaign. But we only get one life. Like It or Not: Heres 5 Good Things About Trumps Presidency One of the things we ostensibly look for in our elected officials is good judgment. Fettermans decision to put his own health at risk because he feared that Americans were too ableist to give him a fair shake if they believed him to be infirmed or incapacitated shows the opposite. He should have been honest with the voters of Pennsylvania, and just told them he needed time to recover properly so he was going to ease off the campaigning. He could have remained in the racewhich was, at the time, for the Democratic nomination to run for the Senate seatand invited voters along as he went through his recovery. Instead, he shortchanged his health and the voters. And finally, I think about how the worst part of this story is the way in which Fettermanby pretending everything was all right after his strokerobbed America of a necessary conversation about what it means to be physically challenged. For millions of Americans, this is a fact of life. By the way, I dont like words such as disabled or handicapped because the implication is that a person is someone broken, damaged or incapable of performing even the most basic of tasks. Challenges can be overcome. This topic is personal for me, which helps explain why Im so disappointed in Fetterman and so frustrated by the poor decisions regarding his health. I was physically challenged for a really long time, but unlike most people who can say that, I no longer am. How long? As far back as 2010, I recall that I had a limp on the right side. Eventually, I would learn that it was my hip, and that the joint had slowly deteriorated since a car accident many years earlier. I wasnt in pain, but my mobility was severely limited. In 2022, 12 years later, I would finally get the total hip replacement that gave me my life back. As I got around on a cane, I knew that I was but a tourist in this world. The things I sawfrom the perspective of those who struggle every day to move, walk, get up from sitting, etc.changed me forever. I knew that someday my life would go back to normal. So I took note of what I was experiencing. And Ive listened to the stories of others who courageously face challenges much greater than mine. These are my people, and they always will be. March is National Disabilities Awareness Month. But I have to wonder: How self-aware is John Fetterman? Is the senator a member of our club or not? Does he see the physically challenged as his people? John Fetterman Should Have Just Been Transparent With Voters After His Stroke From what weve seen, he ought to. And if hes embarrassed to admit that hes one of those brave Americans who are constantly negotiating with their bodies as to what is possible, then I feel sorry for him. A senior aide to Fetterman recently told the Wall Street Journal that his hospital stay could last more than a month as doctors test out new medications and treatments. The aide said that the senator will also undergo speech therapy. Lets hope he finds his voice. Before Fetterman ever walked onto the Senate floor, he had an important mission: to make Americans better people by humanizing the millions of people in this country who have some sort of physical limitations and, every single day, heroically strive to overcome them. After his stroke, he was in the perfect position to start a national conversationan honest and candid dialogue about what human beings can accomplish even when their bodies fail them. Sadly, he cowered to ableism and squandered that opportunity. That might be an exercise in self-preservation. But its not courage, and its not leadership. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The sprawling Tudor-style home in Colorado where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead in 1996 is on sale for nearly $7m. The Boulder mansion became the center of conspiracy theories when Ramsey, a 6-year-old, was found dead in a windowless utility room several hours after her mother Patsy called 911 to report her daughter missing with a ransom note left behind. No charges were ever filed in the death, and it technically remains under investigation by Colorado police. The listing for the house at 749 15th St doesnt mention that famous death that took place at the address, instead focusing on the homes amenities. Stately and modernized 1920s Tudor estate in an epic Boulder location, on three lots, stunning curb appeal with amazing Flatiron views, a Zillow listing for the property reads. Surrounded by luxury homes, a beautiful stroll to Pearl Street shops, restaurants, CU and easy access to Denver. An impressive Boulder estate with timeless appeal in an unbeatable location. The home, originally purchased for $500,000 in 1991, is now owned by Tim and Carol Milner. Ms Milner is the daughter of Hour of Power televangelist Robert Schuler. Ms Milner told Westworld that she doesnt get caught in the speculation about the home. Ive never been one to back away from something just because its a challenge or odd, she said. Id been tutored by my father and my faith to be thinking outside the box constantly. In fact, one of his famous sayings is, Make your box big enough for God to fit in, which I think is pretty cool. So I thought I couldnt just not go in because of this silliness in my brain. And the minute we walked across the threshold, there was such a whoosh of peace and anticipation." "I saw that there was a lot of history before the Ramseys lived there, she added. It was built in 1926. The property has been sold multiple times since the Ramseys left the home in 1996, according to the Denver Gazette. Later owners reportedly installed a wrought-iron fence and security gate around the home, which is a popular stop for tourists. As The Independent has reported, houses that are the site of famous deaths or crimes have a way of becoming a morbid curiosity to the public, sometimes attracting buyers who explicitly want to live somewhere they read about in the headlines, such as the Colorado home where Chris Watts killed his entire family in 2018. Disability rights leader, activist and author Judith Judy Heumann died on Saturday at age 75, her team confirmed on Saturday. Known as the mother of the disability rights movement, Heumann became an internationally recognized leader for her instrumental work pushing for historic legislation, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Heumann became physically disabled and a wheelchair user after developing polio at an early age in 1949. At 5 years old, she was denied the right to attend school because she was considered a fire hazard. However, herparents fought for her right to an education, and she eventually attended a special school and high school. Ultimately, she went on to study at Long Island University, where she organized protests and rallies advocating for students with disabilities to have better access to campus buildings and facilities. Shelater received a masters degree from the University of California, Berkeley. In 1970, Heumann was denied her New York teaching license by the Board of Education despite passing the oral and written exams. She sued the board for discrimination and settled without a trial. As a result, Heumann became the first wheelchair user to teach in New York City. Heumann was a founding member of the Berkeley Center for Independent Living the first grassroots center in 1975, where she served on the board for five years. She also helped launch the Independent Living Movement, which espoused that disabled people should have access to resources and services to allow them to live in their communities. In 1977, Heumann fought for meaningful regulations to the Rehabilitation Act of 1978. Finally, after a 28-day sit-in in the U.S. Health, Education, and Welfare federal building, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act was signed, marking the first U.S. federal legislation granting civil rights protection for people with disabilities. Story continues In 1983, Heumann co-founded the World Disability Institute, which was one of the first global disability rights organizations founded and led by disabled people to fully integrate people with disabilities into the communities around them. Heumann has also served as a board member for disability organizations, including the American Association of People with Disabilities, the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund and more. Between 1993 and 2001, Heumann worked in the Clinton administration as the assistant secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services in the Department of Education. From 2002 to 2006, she served as the World Banks first adviser on disability and development. In 2010, former President Barack Obama appointed Heumann to serve as the first special advisor on the international disability rights for the State Department. Heumanns story was featured in the 2020 award-winning and Oscar-nominated Netflix documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, which captured the groundbreaking start of the disability rights movement and its early leaders. In 2016, Heumann delivered a TedTalk focused on disability rights and was featured on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah in 2020. In addition, she released a memoir titled Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist in 2020, followed by a young adult version titled Rolling Warrior the following year. Some people say that what I did changed the world, she wrote in her memoir. But really, I simply refused to accept what I was told about who I could be. And I was willing to make a fuss about it. Heumann uplifted the voices within the disability community through her podcast, The Heumann Perspective. In 2021 the Heumann-Armstrong Award was launched to honor disabled students who have fought against ableism in schools and higher education. She received several awards in her lifetime, including seven honorary doctorates. She gave a commencement speech at New York University in May 2022, where she received her most recent honorary doctorate. Related... Reuters Former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway and husband George have confirmed that they are in the final stages of an amicable divorce. We married more than two decades ago, cherish the many happy years (and four corgis) we've shared, and above all else, our four incredible children, who remain the heartbeat of our family and our top priority, the pair said in a statement late Saturday, before asking that the public respect our privacy. After initial reports of the split surfaced, a spat broke out between George and Donald Trump on social media. The former president was among the first to chime in on the situation late Friday, writing on Truth Social: Congratulations to Kellyanne Conway on her DIVORCE from her wacko husband, Mr. Kellyanne Conway. Free at last, she has finally gotten rid of the disgusting albatross around her neck. George Conway fired back Saturday morning, replying to Trumps post: Looking forward to seeing you in New York at E. Jean's trial next month! Hugs and kisses . Conway is referring to E Jean Carrolls sexual assault allegations against the former president, which will go to trial in April. The reports of divorce initially came from Page Six, which cited unnamed sources late Friday to claim the pair tried to fix issues in their marriage, but are now preparing for a divorce. Both have now hired lawyers, according to Page Six. Married since 2001, the couples relationship frequently made headlines during Kellyannes time in the White House, when her husband routinely blasted Trump publicly even as she talked him up. In her 2022 memoir, Kellyanne herself hinted at some friction in the marriage due to their politics, noting that Ivanka Trump had once even suggested couples therapy. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. King River Resources (ASX:KRR) First Half 2023 Results Key Financial Results Net income: AU$10.4k (up from AU$1.30m loss in 1H 2022). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period King River Resources' share price is broadly unchanged from a week ago. Risk Analysis It's necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 5 warning signs with King River Resources (at least 3 which don't sit too well with us), and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here On 2 March, a Russian missile attack on a five-storey building in the city of Zaporizhzhia killed Kamila and Illia Furnyk, along with their eight-month-old daughter Emiliia. Kamila's parents and little Emiliia's godmother waited for two days for news from rescuers at the entrance, hoping that the young woman, her husband and child would be found alive. The bodies of the couple and the child were taken out of the rubble by rescue workers. The relatives of the victims did not want to believe that the young family was gone until the last moment. "Pain, just pain, they ruthlessly tore out my heart, broke and crippled my soul... A thousand words why? I waited for two days at the entrance, prayed and believed that you would be found alive, why? Eternal memory and a wound for life... Rest peacefully, my little girl with a forever smiling face, I'm sorry that you were not saved," Anna, Emiliias godmother, wrote. Kamila and Illia Furnyk with their eight-month-old daughter Emiliia. Photo: social media The apartment where the family used to live was completely destroyed. Little Emiliia Photo: anechka_10001 According to the public organisation Khortytska Varta, at the beginning of the war, the Furnyk family left their occupied home village of Verbove, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The couple lived for some time in western Ukraine. The Furnyk family came back to Zaporizhzhia a few days before the tragedy. On the night of 2 March, the Russian occupiers conducted an airstrike on Zaporizhzhia, which resulted in damage to a residential building. As of now, 13 residents of the building have been reported killed. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Finally, the Riverside County sheriffs department will be getting some oversight. The Desert Sun Editorial Board commends Attorney General Rob Bonta for launching an investigation into whether sheriff's department practices have violated civil rights. Bonta announced Feb. 23 that his investigators will probe whether Sheriff Chad Bianco's department has taken part in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional conduct in violation of state or federal law, citing a sharp and "disturbing" rise in deaths in the county's jails, as well as allegations of excessive force and other misconduct. Bianco decried the investigation on a YouTube video: "This investigation is based on nothing but false, and misleading statements, and straight-out lies from activists, including their attorneys," Bianco said. "This will prove to be a complete waste of time and resources." This brash statement is utterly dismissive of the members of the public, activists and journalists who have been trying for over a year to get factual clarity, often through public records requests, as to why there were 19 deaths in county jails last year. It is also deeply disrespectful toward family members of the deceased, many of whom waited weeks or months to find out how their loved one died in jail. According to recent Press Enterprise reporting, the union representing sheriffs deputies, corrections officers and other law enforcement personnel is standing by Bianco. Drug overdoses and inmate-on-inmate violence constitute the vast majority of inmate deaths in the Riverside County jails, Riverside Sheriffs Association President Bill Young said. A fair, unbiased investigation of the jail system will reveal no systematic mistreatment of inmates by Riverside County Sheriff employees. Young is all but declaring one possible outcome for this probe, which is that the sheriffs department did nothing wrong. Thats not how investigations work. Story continues With all due respect, Young, you dont get to narrate the facts of 20 prison deaths once the state Attorney General starts asking the questions. People in law enforcement should respect the process, and respect the attorney general's investigation. And to be clear, if its a fentanyl crisis in the jails, its the sheriff's job to keep fentanyl out of these facilities. Its also his job to manage inmates so they dont kill one another. While we commend the Board of Supervisors for finally stepping up and calling for more oversight and information, we think they could have done more, and sooner. Why? County supervisors got in-depth briefs from sheriffs executive staff on the overdose deaths, the smuggling of drugs into the jails, a review of the reporting requirements for the department, Supervisor Kevin Jeffries admitted to the Press Enterprise. The deaths have been very tragic, and the circumstances as to how the drugs are making it into the jails are suspicious and deserving of further in-depth review, said Jeffries, the boards 2023 chairperson. I am certain that fellow members of the Board of Supervisors will be looking for options to seek continuing improvements. Asked by The Desert Sun about those briefs, Jeffries said the supervisors got access to these from several members of the sheriffs executive staff late last year. When asked if the Board shared the information with the public, and why or why not, Jeffries responded: They were closed session discussions. Sensitive jail security issues (illegal drug smuggling tactics and countermeasures). We may have also had a grieving family threatening litigation but I am not sure of that one. Unless the discussions around prison deaths were related to specific personnel issues or pending litigation, these talks should have been held in public. Theres no good reason to keep this behind closed doors. We urge Bonta to provide a timeline and frequent updates during the investigation to ensure transparency and build back public trust. He must also ensure this investigation is expedient, particularly as jails are already overcrowded, and people are sitting for extended periods of time awaiting trial. We hope this takes months, not years. The process should play out in public, not behind closed doors as it has to our countys detriment for far too long. Bianco has another five years on the job. If he actually takes this probe seriously, and whatever recommendations come out of it, there is hope for change. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Kudos to Bonta for investigating Riverside County sheriff's department One LaGrange male is dead following a shooting Saturday night, according to police. Police found Nasir Truitt with multiple gunshot wounds on Pierce Street behind South Bend Skate Park where the shooting occurred, according to officials. Police say Truitt was taken to Well Star West Georgia Medical Center where he died from his injuries. A 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged with murder and four counts of aggravated assault, according to a release. Officials say the juvenile is being held with no bond, and the case is still under investigation. Anyone with information regarding the incident can contact the LaGrange Police Department at 706-883-2603 or Troup County Crime Stoppers at 706-812-1000. FILE - Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., lead a group across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., Sunday, March 3, 2013. Biden will travel to Alabama on Sunday, March 5, 2023, to mark the 58th anniversary of a landmark event of the civil rights movement. The visit comes as the city that served as a crucible of the civil rights movement is fighting to recover from a January tornado. (Dave Martin/AP) SELMA, Ala. President Joe Biden arrived in Alabama to pay tribute to the heroes of Bloody Sunday, joining thousands for the annual commemoration of the seminal moment in the civil rights movement that led to passage of landmark voting rights legislation nearly 60 years ago. The visit to Selma also is an opportunity for Biden to speak directly to the current generation of civil rights activists. Many feel dejected because Biden has been unable to make good on a campaign pledge to bolster voting rights and are eager to see his administration keep the issue in the spotlight. Advertisement Biden intends to use his remarks to emphasize the importance of commemorating Bloody Sunday so that history cannot be erased, while trying to make the case that the fight for voting rights remains integral to economic justice and civil rights for Black Americans, White House officials said. This years commemoration comes as the historic city of roughly 18,000 is still digging out from the aftermath of a January EF-2 tornado that destroyed or damaged thousands of properties in and around Selma. The scars of that storm are still evident. Blocks from the stage where Biden was to speak were houses that sat crumbled or without roofs. Orange spray paint marked buildings beyond salvage with instructions to tear down. Advertisement Before Bidens visit, the Rev. William Barber II, a co-chair of Poor Peoples Campaign, and six other activists wrote Biden and members of Congress to express their frustration with the lack of progress on voting rights legislation. They urged Washington politicians visiting Selma not to sully the memories of the late civil rights activists John Lewis, Hosea Williams and others with empty platitudes. Were saying to President Biden, lets frame this to America as a moral issue, and lets show how it effects everybody, Barber said in an interview. When voting rights passed after Selma, it didnt just help Black people. It helped America itself. We need the president to reframe this: When you block voting rights, youre not just hurting Black people. Youre hurting America itself. Few moments have had as lasting importance to the civil rights movement as what happened on March 7, 1965, in Selma and in the weeks that followed. Some 600 peaceful demonstrators led by Lewis and Williams had gathered that day, just weeks after the fatal shooting of a young Black man, Jimmie Lee Jackson, by an Alabama trooper. Lewis, who would later serve in the U.S. House representing Georgia, and the others were brutally beaten by Alabama troopers and sheriffs deputies as they tried to cross Selmas Edmund Pettus Bridge at the start of what was supposed to be a 54-mile walk to the state capital in Montgomery as part of a larger effort to register Black voters in the South The images of the police violence sparked outrage across the country. Days later, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. led what became known as the Turnaround Tuesday march, in which marchers approached a wall of police at the bridge and prayed before turning back. President Lyndon B. Johnson introduced the Voting Rights Act of 1965 eight days after Bloody Sunday, calling Selma one those rare moments in American history where history and fate meet at a single time. On March 21, King began a third march, under federal protection, that grew by thousands by the time they arrived at the state capital. Five months later, Johnson signed the bill into law. As a candidate in 2020, Biden promised to pursue sweeping legislation to bolster protection of voting rights. His 2021 legislation, named the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, included provisions to restrict partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts, strike down hurdles to voting and bring transparency to a campaign finance system that allows wealthy donors to bankroll political causes anonymously. Advertisement It passed the then-Democratic-controlled House, but failed to draw the 60 votes needed to win passage in the Senate. With Republicans now in control of the House, passage of such legislation is highly unlikely. Everything takes time. And it might take him another term to actually accomplish all the things that he wants to do for the nation, said Harriett Thomas, 76, who was a college student when she set off on the march that would become known as Bloody Sunday. Several hundred lined up in downtown Selma well before Bidens appearance, including Delores Gresham, 65, a retired health care worker from Birmingham. She was there four hours early, grabbing a front-row spot so her grandchildren could hear the president and see the commemoration. I want them to know what happened here, she said. Two years ago on the anniversary, Biden issued an executive order directing federal agencies to expand access to voter registration, called on the heads of agencies to come up with plans to give federal employees time off to vote or volunteer as nonpartisan poll workers, and more. But many federal agencies are lagging in meeting the voting registration provision of Bidens order, according to a report published Thursday by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. The group says fully implementing registration efforts laid out in the order would mean an additional 3.5 million voter registration applications annually. Advertisement Selma officials hope Biden will also address the January tornado that devastated the city and laid bare issues of poverty that have persisted in Selma for decades. Biden approved a disaster declaration and agreed to provide extra help for debris cleanup and removal, a cost that Mayor James Perkins said the small city could not afford on its own. I understand other communities our size and our demographics have similar challenges but I dont think anyone can claim what Selma has done for this nation and the contributions that we made to this nation, he said. Hydrogen-powered cars line up in Diamond Bar at one of the handful of fueling stations in Southern California on June 28, 2021. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) To the editor: While I understand columnist George Skelton's desire to have a backup plan for electric vehicles, hydrogen just doesn't pencil out. Most methods for obtaining hydrogen fuel involve making lots of carbon dioxide. ("Hydrogen cars should be a bigger part of California's battle against carbon emissions," column, March 2) Even "green hydrogen," which is made with renewable energy, has its problems. For that, you have to use solar panels to make electricity to make hydrogen. Instead, you can use those same solar panels to fill up battery storage, which could be used at an electric vehicle charger. This is much more efficient than using that electricity to make hydrogen fuel. Then there's the fact that we still need to spend billions on research and development for hydrogen. We would do better to spend our money building out the electric grid to accommodate EVs. We should also change building codes to support EV charging, and we should subsidize the installation of chargers at existing apartment and condo complexes. EV technology development is just about done. Now, it's all about scaling and a small amount of refinement. No hydrogen backup plan is needed. Tony Anthony, Torrance .. To the editor: Thanks to Skelton for remembering there is a clean-energy alternative to electric vehicles. The batteries for electric cars cannot be recycled, and their building components are not renewable. These materials are being scraped out of the earth from Asia to Africa. There are alternative fuels that are able to power combustion engines more cleanly than fossil gasoline. There used to be a real effort to use biofuels, and I'd like to know where that went and why it was replaced with environmentally damaging battery-electric power. Linda Bradshaw Carpenter, Los Angeles .. To the editor: Normally a fan of Skelton, I was disappointed in his column on hydrogen cars. While I know that some people believe that there won't be enough grid capacity to handle all of the future electric cars, it's conjecture at this point and certainly not a fact. Story continues Skelton mentions charging for people without garages. There are already people who depend on public stations to charge their vehicles. There's no reason we can't expand the number to accommodate all who need them. We just need the political will. And charging during a blackout? Last time I looked, all the hydrogen stations run on electricity. And by the way, more electric vehicles are being designed so that if there is a power outage, the owner can power their home with their car. I'm not against hydrogen for cars, but let's not build a phony case to promote it. Bruce Weiner, San Marcos .. To the editor: Skelton mentions the 300 to 400 miles a hydrogen-fueled car can travel on a full tank. Last December, I bought a used 2019 Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen car. I am lucky to get to get 240 miles after a fill-up. Toyota and Hyundai, the only current manufactures of fuel-cell vehicles, provide $15,000 in complimentary hydrogen fuel with the purchase or lease of a car. Since my car is used, Toyota gave $15,000 to the original owner or lessee, and then $15,000 to me. This can hardly be a sustainable business model. Randy Mathews, Whittier This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Ncnean has a reputation for being one of the most remote distilleries in the land of whisky (AKA Scotland) (NcNean) I have a confession to make: I dont like whisky. I cant drink it neat, which Ive always thought of as the proper way to drink it. Theres also the idea that whisky is only for men; an idea perpetuated by my whisky-loving father and uncles. So why on earth am I in one of the most remote whisky distilleries in Scotland, all the way in the Morvern peninsula in the Highlands, having travelled nearly 14 hours to get here? Ncnean has a reputation for being one of the most remote distilleries in the land of whisky (AKA Scotland). If youre not already in Scotland, you have to get yourself there first. Then you have to get yourself to the Highlands, which tacks on a few more hours. Then, you have to drive another hour plus to get to a tiny port and onto a tiny ferry that will charge you an extortionate 10 to take you two minutes across a loch. After that, its a nearly three-hour drive to get to the Drimnim estate, where the distillery is located. Whew. I arrive on a windy, drizzly day, barely awake after spending a night on the Caledonian Sleeper. Our taxi driver Alastair Burns (I promised I would mention him hello Alastair!) gave us quite the tour of the Highlands, but now it was time to bid him goodbye and say hello to Ncnean. Founder Annabel Thomas comes out to greet me, and almost immediately we head on a tour of the distillery. One of Ncneans main goals is to disrupt what is usually perceived as a rather stuffy industry and drag it kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Having built the distillery from scratch, Thomas has been able to drill down into the details in a way other established distilleries have not, and in doing so, reimagine how whisky can be made in a more sustainable, earth-friendly way. After her parents bought the Drimnim estate in retirement, Thomas says her family always thought about dabbling in whisky, but nothing ever came of it. We would talk about it often and say, Well you cant be in the Highlands without thinking about whisky! she says. And then I finally said, okay well, what if we took this seriously? What kind of distillery would we want? Story continues Whisky is a cherished spirit and those who make it fiercely protect their heritage and rightly so, as it has such a long and storied history. But the industry has faced criticism for being largely dominated by men and for using peat to create the drinks distinct smoky flavour, as declining peatlands in the UK lead to harmful gases being released into the air and contributing to climate change. Founder Annabel Thomas built the distillery from scratch (Ncnean) With Ncnean, Thomas knew she could do things differently. She spent two years fundraising 7m and then another two years actually building the distillery. She had a biomass fuel burner brought in from Germany quite a task on a single-track road with more twists and turns than an ITV drama and sources her barley grains from two organic Scottish farmers in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. No peat. A closed-loop cooling pond was dug on-site to facilitate steaming and cooling processes needed to distil the spirit. A filter was installed to capture any polluting particulates from emissions produced by the distillery to ensure only the cleanest air possible could exit the system. In 2021, Ncnean became a certified B corp company, which means the company is held to stringent environmental and ethical standards. Thomas couches this by saying things are not perfect at the distillery, but it is an impressive feat and makes Ncnean one of about a dozen distilleries globally that have achieved the status. Being a B corp means that we must continually meet the standard in order to maintain the status. That means were always looking for new ways to reduce emissions, reduce waste, be more sustainable, she explains. I think companies should be held accountable for their impact on the environment, and B corp status helps do just that. Inside the distillery in the Highlands (Ncnean) But aside from their commitment to sustainability, Ncnean is also unique because it has quite a different approach to how whisky should be drunk. In fact, Im exactly the kind of customer Ncnean wants someone who doesnt particularly enjoy the drink and is hesitant about trying to get into it. Why should there be a proper way to drink whisky? she asks. Theres so much haughtiness around how people should drink it. Especially for women, theres that feeling that drinking whisky is a bit of a boys club because they have all these rules. But drink it in a cocktail! Drink it with soda! Drink it whichever way it tastes best for you because, at the end of the day, the important thing is that youre drinking it. Does Thomas think about the fact shes one of very few female founders in the whisky distillery? Not really, is her answer. Im sceptical at first surely its an important part of her brand. But she continues: There are other female founders, although I am aware its a rarity. But its not something I sit down and think about regularly, Im too busy running the business. Im much more interested in making sure Ncnean is as sustainable as can be, because thats whats important to me. The Scotch Whisky Association launched a sustainability strategy in 2021, pledging that the sector would reach net-zero emissions in its operations by 2040. It also plans to reduce the environmental impact of whisky Scotlands national drink dramatically in other areas. But perhaps the industry should look to smaller, newer players like Ncnean to learn how things could be. Theyve certainly made a massive head start in the arena. Malala Yousafzai attends the Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery European premiere on the closing night of the 66th BFI London Film Festival on October 16, 2022, in London, England. Dave J Hogan / Getty Images Malala Yousafzai, the activist for girls education who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, joked in a recent interview that she deserves tickets to both Beyonce and Taylor Swift. During Saturdays episode of NPRs Wait Wait Dont Tell Me, author and comedian Josh Gondelman gave Yousafzai a scenario: If her Nobel Peace Prize came with free concert tickets, would she want to see Beyonce or Taylor Swift? Yousafzai had to think about it. When I was little, I used to, like, sing the Love Story song together with my friends, Yousafzai said. So that was like one of the first two songs we started singing back in Pakistan. And Beyonce, I mean, she's a legend, so I would want both tickets. I have the Nobel Peace Prize and I demand both, she added as the audience laughed. Gondelman responded with, Yeah, incredible answer. And thus, an internet war between the Swifties and the Beyhive was avoided. After the podcast episode aired, Yousafzai retweeted a Taylor Swift fan account, adding a caption saying she would never want any bad blood between us, a nod to Swifts 2014 song Bad Blood. I would never want any bad blood between us https://t.co/R5tuhtIFDX 06:11 PM - 04 Mar 2023 In the Wait Wait Dont Tell Me interview, Yousafzai also spoke about where she keeps her Nobel Peace Prize (she wont say) and where she was when she found out she won the award (chemistry class). The hosts also asked her if there was ever a time when she wasnt peaceful. Im not a big fan of [the] gym, running, walking, Yousafzai said. I need to sit and I need to relax. ... I stand up for education, other than that... In 2014, Yousafzai became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize , when she was honored at age 17 for her work advocating for girls right to education. In a news release at the time, the Nobel Committee wrote that Yousafzai was an activist under the most dangerous circumstances. In 2012, Yousafzai survived being shot in the head by a Taliban gunman while she was riding the bus home from school. Story continues In 2023, Yousafzai may have more awards on the horizon: A short documentary she executive produced, Stranger at the Gate , is up for an Oscar. The film, nominated in the Best Documentary Short Film category, tells the story of an Afghan refugee who meets a US marine planning to bomb her mosque. Yousafzai said that since she finished college two years ago, she has more time to focus on her mission of empowering young women and girls from different backgrounds to get the opportunity to share how they see the world. She told Gondelman and Mo Rocca that she will be attending the Oscars ceremony on March 12 and that she is so nervous to meet the celebrities. She said she already met some at the Oscars luncheon on Feb. 13, including Tom Cruise, Michelle Oh, and Austin Butler and his deep voice. An amazing day at the Oscars Luncheon via @Malala 09:13 PM - 16 Feb 2023 More on this A 28-year-old Panama City man was rescued from the water just before 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon after he jumped from his moving vehicle, ran to the top of the Navarre Beach Causeway bridge and jumped into the water. The man was driving a U-Haul in the southbound lane and allowed it to travel to the northbound lane before he ran from the van while it was still in motion, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A nearby fisherman who saw the man jump, pulled him from the water and transported him to the Navarre Beach Boat Ramp near Juanitas Beach Bar. EMS treated the man and he was life-flighted to Fort Walton Beach for observation. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Man jumped into Navarre Beach Causeway bridge from U-Haul van WASHINGTON Self-help author Marianne Williamson, whose 2020 White House campaign featured more quirky calls for spiritual healing than actual voter support, launched another longshot bid for the presidency on Saturday, becoming the first Democrat to formally challenge President Joe Biden for the 2024 nomination. We are upset about this country, were worried about this country, Williamson told a crowd of more than 600 at a kickoff in the nations capital. It is our job to create a vision of justice and love that is so powerful that it will override the forces of hatred and injustice and fear. The 70-year-old onetime spiritual adviser to Oprah Winfrey should provide only token primary opposition a testament to how strongly national Democrats are united behind Biden. Still, she tweaked the president, a longtime Amtrak rider, by holding her opening rally at the ornately marble-columned presidential suite at Union Station, Washingtons railway hub. Biden gave his own speech from Union Station just before last Novembers elections, when he led Democrats to a surprisingly strong showing, urging voters to reject political extremism and saying democracy itself was at stake. Williamson, whose red, blue and black campaign signs feature the dual slogans A New Beginning and Disrupt the System, says shell be campaigning in early-voting states on the 2024 election calendar. That includes New Hampshire, which has threatened to defy a Biden-backed plan by the Democratic National Committee to have South Carolina lead off the nominating contests. Democrats and Republicans in New Hampshire have warned that if Biden skips the states unsanctioned primary and a rival wins it, that outcome could prove embarrassing for the sitting president even if that challenger has no real shot of actually being the nominee. Striking a defiant tone Saturday, Williamson denounced those who feel they are the adults in the room and arent taking her candidacy seriously, proclaiming, Let me in there. Story continues I have run for president before. I am not naive about these forces which have no intention of allowing anyone into this conversation who does not align with their predetermined agenda, she said. I understand that, in their mind, only people who previously have been entrenched in the car that brought us into this ditch can possibly be considered qualified to bring us out of it. Luke Stowell, 20, a musician and student at American University in Washington who sat in the front row for Williamsons announcement, said she has a really nice message that incorporates all of the prejudices and the social structures that inhibit, I think, a lot of people on a daily basis. Seated next to him, 24-year-old American University law student Ivan Claudio noted that, should he win a second term, Biden would be in his late 80s by the time he leaves office and I think it is a cause for concern. She didnt mention Biden by name in her speech, and though Williamson noted that Trump not being reelected in 2020 kept the country from going over the cliff, she also said it was still six inches from doing so. Williamson said she was opposing a free market mindset and corrupt political system that she said prioritized greed above all else like an atomizer spray of economic injustice. The American people have been trained to expect so little, she said. The American people have been played. A Texas native who now lives in Beverly Hills, California, Williamson is the author of more than a dozen books and ran an unsuccessful independent congressional campaign in California in 2014. In 2020, she was best known for wanting to create a Department of Peace and arguing the federal government should pay large financial reparations to Black Americans as atonement for centuries of slavery and discrimination. Arguably her most memorable moment of that campaign came during a primary debate when she called for a moral uprising, but she dropped out of the race shortly before the leadoff Iowa caucuses began. She said Saturday that the nation faced so many challenges, Im not saying one person can fix it. Not even one president can fix it. But let me tell you something, Williamson added. A president who tells it like it is would do a lot of good. Marianne Williamson Sean Rayford/Getty Images Marianne Williamson launched her second presidential campaign on Saturday. Williamson on Sunday told ABC that the DNC is "rigging" the primary system for President Joe Biden. Williamson ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat in the 2020 presidential election. Democratic 2024 presidential candidate Marianne Williamson says she wants to debate President Joe Biden for the party's nomination and claimed that the DNC is "rigging" the primary system in his favor. Jonathan Karl asked Williamson on ABC "This Week" if she expected that Biden would debate her if the DNC held debates. "He certainly should debate me. It's called democracy. And I'm running as well," Williamson responded. Williamson, who launched a failed presidential campaign in 2020 that lasted just under a year, announced her second bid for the presidency on Saturday. Williamson also told NBC on Sunday that she thinks she can "beat DeSantis or Trump" in the 2024 general election. The Democratic National Committee voted in February to move its first national primary out of New Hampshire and to South Carolina, a state which gave then-candidate Biden a huge boost during the 2020 Democratic primaries. Karl asked Williamson if she would still be competing in the New Hampshire primary election, which she said she would. "This is a democracy. This is the thing," Williamson said. "The DNC should not be rigging this system. They don't even pretend anymore." Karl asked Williamson to clarify that she meant "rigging the system" in favor of Biden, to which she responded; "They even admit that, Jonathan." "They admit that. They know that the president did not do well in New Hampshire," Williamson said. "They know that New Hampshirites are very open to independent and more progressive voices." A representative for the DNC did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said on Sunday he will not seek the 2024 Republican U.S. presidential nomination, aiming to avoid inadvertently boosting Donald Trump's chances by creating a "multicar pileup" crowded field of candidates beneficial to the former president's candidacy. Hogan, who served eight years as Maryland governor ending in January, is considered a moderate in a party that has moved rightward. Trump won his party's 2016 nomination after facing off against 16 other Republican candidates. In that large field, various candidates split the anti-Trump vote in the state-by-state battle for the nomination, allowing him to prevail in a battle of attrition. Trump went on to defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton, but lost his 2020 re-election bid to Democrat Joe Biden, who is expected to run again in 2024. "To once again be a successful governing party, we must move on from Mr. Trump," Hogan wrote in a New York Times opinion piece published on Sunday. "The stakes are too high for me to risk being part of another multicar pileup that could potentially help Mr. Trump recapture the nomination." Trump announced his 2024 candidacy in November. He has one major opponent announced for the Republican nomination - former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley - though activist investor Vivek Ramaswamy also has entered the race. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are among those considering challenging Trump for the nomination. (Reporting by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Will Dunham) A Massachusetts man says he plans to buy a house in Maine after recently winning $4 million on scratch ticket he purchased at a convenience store. Paul Nugent, of Cambridge, opted to receive his 100X The Money instant ticket game prize in the form of a one-time payment of $2,600,000, according to the Massachusetts Lottery Commission. Man visiting Massachusetts for birth of his 4th grandchild wins $4M scratch ticket prize Nugent chose this particular ticket because he was attracted to its green color, the Lottery said. He purchased his winning ticket at Luigis Variety on Cambridge Street in Cambridge. The store will receive a $40,000 bonus for its sale of this ticket. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW An American flag is draped over the coffin of Reyna Cristina Ical Seb, who was found fatally shot last week in the Little Village neighborhood, on Feb. 27, 2023. She emigrated from Guatemala late last year. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) The last time that Reyna Cristina Ical Seb saw her family, she promised them that she would send enough money to fix their small home in a rural Indigenous town in Guatemala. At just 20 years old, she made her way north, crossing several borders before settling in Chicago last October. Ical Seb was hopeful that she would be able to help her parents after finding a job shortly after arriving in the city where she had no other family, only colleagues from other towns in her native country. Advertisement She just had many dreams, just like all of us, said her friend, Josue Isaias Caal. But she couldnt keep her promise to her parents. Advertisement Just days after her birthday, Feb. 22, Ical Seb was found dead in a dark alley in the Little Village neighborhood. She had been killed while making her way home from work, her friend said. Her death brought together the Guatemalan community in Chicago to raise money to ensure that Ical Sebs remains could make it back home to her parents, and to honor the sacrifice that the young woman made by migrating to the United States, eager to work. She had made it so far, and came here to die, said Caal. Like Ical Seb, most of the Guatemalans that attended her Feb. 27 funeral service in Chicago are from Indigenous towns. Many have recently arrived in the city and only speak Mayan. They have found a community in La Villita, or Little Village, the predominantly Mexican immigrant neighborhood on the Southwest Side. While staring at her coffin, draped in an American flag, hundreds lamented Ical Sebs death, and encouraged each other to take care of one another. On March 3, her body was repatriated to her hometown. Hundreds of Guatemalans waited alongside her parents for the return of her body to pay tribute to the woman who has become a symbol in the country of the dangers of migrating north, said Mario Caz Yaxcal, a friend of the family that assisted Ical Sebs parents with translating information in Spanish to Mayan. Young girls from her hometown held American and Guatemalan flags as they walked through the streets before the burial. Caz is also a journalist in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, the municipality where her family lives. Aldea Chantaca in San Pedro Carcha has nearly 100 families, he said and their livelihoods depend on agriculture. Theyre a very humble family, Caz said. They cant comprehend what happened to their daughter. Advertisement More than two weeks since her body was found, the Chicago Police Department says the investigation is ongoing and have not provided information on any leads. A neighbor discovered her body while returning home from work about 2:55 a.m. on Feb. 22 in the 2200 block of South Drake Avenue. She died several blocks from where she lived in the 4100 block of West 24th Place., said police and the Cook County medical examiners office. Ical Seb died of a gunshot wound to the head, according to the medical examiners office. Her death was ruled a homicide. Her family, and those who knew the young woman, are in shock at the killing, still trying to find answers and praying for resolution, said Caz. They learned of her death after several people in Chicago watched a news report about the lifeless body and suspected it was Ical Seb after realizing she was missing from her home. Caal, one of the few friends that Ical Seb had in Chicago, said he is heartbroken and in disbelief. He was the one who went into the morgue to identify her body after communicating with her family in her hometown. I wish we werent sending her back home in a coffin, he said. Ical Seb, who was found on her 21st birthday, was quiet and sweet, her friends said. She was hardworking and while living in her hometown, spent most of her time in church. Advertisement Her family does not believe that the killing was targeted, Caz said. She didnt deserve that. And though nothing will ease their pain, they hope to get some clarity of the murder. Why Reyna? he asked. Local leaders, immigrant-rights advocates and Guatemalan social media influencers have demanded that the investigation continue and that police solve her slaying. Pablo Pineda, president of the Coalicion Coordinadora Guatemalteca in Chicago, said that the killing has sparked fear and concern among the citys growing Guatemalan community. But it has also shown them that they are not alone, he said. They may not have family here, but we have each other, Pineda said. Afternoon Briefing Daily Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > More than 1,000 people attended Ical Sebs funeral service in Chicago. Most were from neighboring towns in Guatemala, some were her friends and others just wanted to support and pay tribute to the young woman. Tenemos que compartir el dolor, said Rutilia Coc, We must share the pain. Advertisement I hope that we learn to take care of each other, she added. Coc did not know Ical Seb but can see her younger self in her story, she said. We all come here hoping to change our life and the lives of those who we love, she said. Even though she arrived in Chicago five years ago, she still wears her traditional huipil and it wasnt until recently that she learned Spanish. Pineda made a call to local leaders to be more aware of the needs of recent migrants in their neighborhoods and promote public safety by encouraging them to be aware of their surroundings and always share their location. But he also hopes that leaders in Guatemala feel the pain of the family of Ical Seb to begin making moves to create jobs and stability in their town and avoid pushing them to migrate north. Larodriguez@chicagotribune.com Image via YouTube The Creed III rollout has led to another viral moment. Ahead of the movies U.S. premiere, stars Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors sat down for a joint interview with Pay or Wait. Their conversation with journalist Sharronda Williams was both entertaining and informative, as the trio engaged in some light banter and touched on serious topics like masculinity, overcoming past trauma, and living in the moment; however, it was the end of the interview that really had fans talking. After thanking the actors for their time, Williams is seen getting up from her chair and proceeds to walk away. The camera stayed on the Creed III co-stars, who were seemingly caught checking Williams out. Several outlets, including the Shade Room, shared the viral moment on social media, prompting a wide range of reactions from fans. Shorty got video proof in 4K that two hottest A List actors in the world couldnt help but watch her big ol butt as she walked away ... one person wrote. Michael B was smooth with it, only his eyes moved and gave a little thank you, another user pointed out. Jonathan, on the other hand, cocked his neck and rolled his head to look lol. Williams reshared the viral clip on her Instagram story, writing: Yall this is so wild. What is happening?!?!?! She then took advantage of the clip and provided some more info about her life and work. Jordan recently made headlines for a viral interview at a Creed III premiere event. The actor accused media personality Lorel, who was also his former classmate, of calling him corny in a podcast episode. Despite, Lorel denying she called Jordan corny, she claims shes still receiving hate. The bully narrative is crazy, she told TMZ. And the things people are saying to me, like, they hope I get raped and killed and popped in my head I just think if you were upset cause you thought I called him corny, and those are things that youre rebuttaling with, the crime and punishment it doesnt even match up. Story continues Related Articles More Complex Sign up for the Complex Newsletter for breaking news, events, and unique stories. Follow Complex on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson have been in an onscreen relationship for eight years and across three movies in the Creed franchise. And as with every relationship, apparently even the fictional ones, there's work to be done to keep that spark alive. In an interview with Refinery29, Thompson revealed that in preparation for Creed III, she and Jordan actually went to couples therapy in character as Adonis "Donnie" Creed and Bianca Taylor, and found that the experience helped them in their real-life relationships as well. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (13786061p) Michael B. Jordan, left, and Tessa Thompson arrive at the premiere of "Creed III", at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles LA Premiere of "Creed III", Los Angeles, United States - 27 Feb 2023 Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson on a red carpet for 'Creed III' "The line sometimes between character and us gets blurred because we bring so much of what we're exploring personally to the characters in general," Thompson said. "I'll say it was an early experience in couples therapy for us both [personally], but it was as these characters, which is very weird." Thompson goes on to explain that therapy can be useful even a seemingly healthy relationship because it can help "sharpen communication and figure out how someone works." She added that having worked together on these movies for the better part of a decade, she and Jordan have "seen each other through various stages in our own romantic things." "So we know stuff about each other's lives," Thompson said. "We shared and talked about it. So therapy ended up starting at work and getting more personal. Also, it was a chance for us to really talk to a couples therapist and understand what are some of the things [for] young parents who are trying to balance their own dreams and aspirations." Creed III, which also features Jonathan Majors as Adonis Creed's best friend turned rival Damian "Diamond Dame" Anderson, is something of "a full PSA for therapy" Thompson jokes, citing her character Bianca and her journey lowering her defenses around Adonis. "I think the moral of Creed III is that all people should go to therapy," Thompson said. Presumably people should go to therapy as themselves, but going as someone else seems to work pretty well, too. Story continues Want more movie news? Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. Related content: Chips at a semiconductor factory. VCG/VCG via Getty Images The smartest insight and analysis, from all perspectives, rounded up from around the web: The Biden administration this week launched a much-anticipated $52 billion CHIPS Act with an "aggressive" series of rules that seek "to bend the behavior of corporate America," said Jim Tankersley and Ana Swanson in The New York Times. The legislation was passed last year, with bipartisan support, in hopes of reducing U.S. reliance on foreign plants for crucial components that are now essential in everything from computers to cars. The promised subsidies, though, will come with significant conditions. Companies that take the money will have to share a portion of their "upside" with the federal government, and preference will go to companies that avoid stock buybacks. Other requirements include new labor standards, and the provision of "high-quality" child care. "Championed by liberals," the rules may "set a fraught precedent for attaching policy strings to federal funding." Even before the CHIPS Act program kicked into gear, said Yuka Hayashi and Asa Fitch in The Wall Street Journal, it had "triggered an investment boom" in the U.S. Foreign and domestic chipmakers have already announced more than 40 projects worth nearly $200 billion. The law combines $39 billion in direct subsidies for building chip plants with tax incentives, as well as research and workforce training, with the goal of creating at least two "leading-edge" semiconductor manufacturing clusters in the U.S. We currently have just 10 percent of the world's chip production and none of the world's most advanced factories. What the U.S. is aiming for here is a "manufacturing moon shot," said Rana Foroohar in the Financial Times. The country's education system isn't set up for modern manufacturing, and to achieve its goals, the U.S. will need to "triple the number of college graduates in semiconductor-related fields" over the next decade. Dealing with an American workforce has already been one of the biggest challenges for TSMC, the world's most important chipmaker, said John Liu and Paul Mozur in The New York Times. Taiwan-based TSMC has committed to building a $40 billion plant in Arizona, but has already been plagued by "managerial challenges." Inside TSMC there are complaints that the project has yielded "very little benefit," with labor expenses, permits, and other costs "at least four times" higher than in Taiwan. "Political considerations" might have "forced" the semiconductor giant to set up a plant in Arizona in 2020, amid the "deepening battle between the United States and China." But at TSMC, "doubts are mounting," and some insiders now call the U.S. plant a "bad business decision." Story continues "Government subsidies are never free," said The Wall Street Journal in an editorial, and manufacturers are just finding out the price here. The CHIPS Act is filled with the "social policy that was in the failed Build Back Better bill." It's littered with bureaucratic shibboleths, demanding, for instance, that chipmakers craft "child-care plans in tandem with community stakeholders." And if chipmakers manage to turn a profit, they will have to give the government its cut. These requirements "will do nothing to bolster national security, the ostensible purpose of the subsidies." But they do give the U.S. a chance to test the kind of government-managed industrial policy that has failed everywhere else. This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here. You may also like Biden unlikely to attend coronation of King Charles III, White House sources say Camila Alves McConaughey describes 'chaos' on flight that 'dropped almost 4,000 feet' Philippines says it spotted Chinese naval ship near disputed island Regular readers will know that we love our dividends at Simply Wall St, which is why it's exciting to see ASX Limited (ASX:ASX) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 4 days. The ex-dividend date is one business day before the record date, which is the cut-off date for shareholders to be present on the company's books to be eligible for a dividend payment. The ex-dividend date is important as the process of settlement involves two full business days. So if you miss that date, you would not show up on the company's books on the record date. Accordingly, ASX investors that purchase the stock on or after the 9th of March will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 29th of March. The company's upcoming dividend is AU$1.16 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of AU$2.36 per share to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, ASX stock has a trailing yield of around 3.5% on the current share price of A$66.87. We love seeing companies pay a dividend, but it's also important to be sure that laying the golden eggs isn't going to kill our golden goose! So we need to check whether the dividend payments are covered, and if earnings are growing. View our latest analysis for ASX Dividends are usually paid out of company profits, so if a company pays out more than it earned then its dividend is usually at greater risk of being cut. ASX distributed an unsustainably high 138% of its profit as dividends to shareholders last year. Without extenuating circumstances, we'd consider the dividend at risk of a cut. When the dividend payout ratio is high, as it is in this case, the dividend is usually at greater risk of being cut in the future. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Companies with falling earnings are riskier for dividend shareholders. If business enters a downturn and the dividend is cut, the company could see its value fall precipitously. Readers will understand then, why we're concerned to see ASX's earnings per share have dropped 5.2% a year over the past five years. When earnings per share fall, the maximum amount of dividends that can be paid also falls. Story continues Another key way to measure a company's dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. ASX has delivered 2.9% dividend growth per year on average over the past 10 years. That's intriguing, but the combination of growing dividends despite declining earnings can typically only be achieved by paying out a larger percentage of profits. ASX is already paying out a high percentage of its income, so without earnings growth, we're doubtful of whether this dividend will grow much in the future. Final Takeaway From a dividend perspective, should investors buy or avoid ASX? Earnings per share are in decline and ASX is paying out what we feel is an uncomfortably high percentage of its profit as dividends. It's not that we hate the business, but we feel that these characeristics are not desirable for investors seeking a reliable dividend stock to own for the long term. These characteristics don't generally lead to outstanding dividend performance, and investors may not be happy with the results of owning this stock for its dividend. Although, if you're still interested in ASX and want to know more, you'll find it very useful to know what risks this stock faces. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for ASX you should know about. Generally, we wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see. Here's a curated list of interesting stocks that are strong dividend payers. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Fox News Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tried hard to make his case against former President Donald Trumpby saying his former boss isnt a true conservative at all. Speaking with host Shannon Bream on Fox News Sunday, Pompeo was asked if he would do a better job at managing the federal deficit and the onslaught of federal debt incurred by Trump during his tenure. His response included attacking his former boss as a poor money manager, lumping him in with classic Republican scapegoats like Barack Obama and, oddly, George W. Bush. Trump Added More to the National Debt Than Obama and Bush I think President Pompeo or any conservative president will do better than not only we did during the four years in the Trump administration, Barack Obama, George Bushthe list is long, Shannon, of folks who come to Washington on one theory and arent prepared to stand up and explain to the American people how were actually going to get that right, he said. Its going to take a true conservative leader, Shannon. Bream seemed surprised at Pompeos implication. Are you saying that former President Trump wasnt a true conservative leader? she asked. Pompeo was frank in his response, opting away from the standard defense a former Trump official usually employs for the former president. Six trillion dollars more in debt. Thats never the right direction for the country, Shannon. Trump Org Pays $1.6 Million Fine for Tax Fraud Conviction What Pompeo did not acknowledge: The federal debt actually increased by nearly $7.8 trillion during the Trump administration, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Pompeo, whos widely expected to announce a White House run, used the Sunday appearance to continue a weekend-long rebuke of Trump and his ideology. It followed a stark speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Friday that called out the ex-president in everything but name (and correctly named the increase in the federal debt). Story continues We shouldnt look for larger-than-life personalities, but rather we should find power in the rooms like this one, he told a diminished crowd, later adding: We cant become the left, following celebrity leaders with their own brand of identity politicsthose with fragile egos who refuse to acknowledge reality. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. By Divya Rajagopal TORONTO (Reuters) - Junior mining companies hoping to produce lithium, nickel and other green energy metals are worried that Canada's crackdown on some overseas investors may limit their ability to raise funds for mines and related facilities. Ottawa last fall proposed bolstering its Investment Canada Act (ICA) to give government ministers power to block or unwind critical minerals investments if they believe such deals threaten national security. The changes would essentially give the government greater control over companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and are expected to be finalized this spring. That tension will be top of mind at this week's annual Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto, one of the world's largest gatherings of mining companies and their financiers. Nearly half of the world's mining companies are listed in Toronto and the city has long been a premier destination for junior mining companies to raise funds, above even rival exchanges in Sydney, New York and London. "The ICA review process could be lengthy and unpredictable, leading to uncertainty for potential investors and may make it more difficult for junior miners to attract investments," said Stephen Payne, who runs the energy and natural resources team at consultancy BDO Advisory. The changes are widely seen as a defensive measure against China, which has invested $7 billion in Canada's base metals sector in the past 20 years, according to S&P Market Intelligence. Canadian officials last fall ordered Chinese companies to sell stakes in three Toronto-listed lithium companies, two of which are developing mines outside Canada. "The effect of these orders was to spook investors and likely drive capital and mining entrepreneurs to other jurisdictions," said Paul Fornazzari, an attorney for one of the companies forced to shed its Chinese investors. Canada's Industry Ministry, which is spearheading the rules change, called critical minerals "key to the future prosperity of our country." Story continues "We are determined to work with Canadian businesses to attract foreign direct investments from partners that share our interests and values," said a spokesperson for Industry Minister Francois Philippe Champagne. However, the government's crackdown could rebound and hurt Canada as the mining industry underpins a large part of the country's economy, investors and analysts say. "No doubt the implications of a decision to restrict a major avenue of capital flow needs to be supplemented by capital that is similar in size and timely," said Dean McPherson, head of global mining at the Toronto Stock Exchange. Ottawa last year had launched plans to invest C$3.8 billion ($2.79 billion) to boost Canada's own critical materials sector and streamline mine permitting. "The government has to be mindful that they're potentially creating a gap that has to be filled," said Pierre Gratton, president of the Mining Association of Canada, an industry trade group. ($1 = 1.3603 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Divya Rajagopal; Editing by Josie Kao) Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, pictured on Friday, is facing calls to publish his messages with Sue Gray. (PA Images via Getty Images) A minister has called for Sir Keir Starmer to release all his messages with Sue Gray in the wake of appointing the Partygate investigator as his chief-of-staff. Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said releasing the messages would clear this up in seconds. Labour leader Starmers appointment of Gray - whose report in May last year into Downing Street parties during COVID lockdowns was a key factor in Boris Johnson being forced to resign as prime minister weeks later - has been leapt on by Johnson and allies. They are questioning her impartiality as part of attempts to discredit a separate and ongoing House of Commons committee inquiry into whether he lied to MPs over the lockdown breaches. Heaton-Harris, who was Johnson's chief whip last year, was asked on Skys Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme if he had a problem with the appointment. Watch: Starmer refuses to say when Sue Gray was first approached for Labour role He said no, but in an apparent attempt to pressure Starmer, added: "Actually, this is where Keir can help out over his new chief-of-staff by just publishing all the messages and things he might have had with her at that point in time. "I've dealt with Sue Gray in the Northern Ireland office as a civil servant. I see her as a woman of integrity as well, so I have no issue with that and I think Keir can clear this up in seconds by saying, 'This is what we talked about at that time, there is nothing to see here.'" It's a topical theme in a week where leaked WhatsApp messages involving former health secretary Matt Hancock, published daily in The Telegraph, have exposed the inner workings of Johnson's government during the height of the pandemic. Heaton-Harris's call comes after Starmer dodged questions about when Labour first approached Gray. Senior civil servant Sue Gray has quit the Cabinet Office to take up a role as Sir Keir Starmer's chief-of-staff. (PA) Starmer would only say on Friday: "I think it has been known for some time that I have been looking for a chief-of-staff and I am very focused on what it is I need from a chief-of-staff." Story continues On the same day, Johnson suggested the appointment of Gray raised questions about her motives while conducting her inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street. He said: "I am sure that people may want to draw their own conclusions about the confidence they can place in the motives behind her, and the way she conducted her inquiry and in her report. I think people may look at it in a different light." Gray's report into lockdown parties was a key factor that brought down Boris Johnson's government. (Getty Images) Read more: Hes gone full Trump: Tories turn on Boris Johnson over Partygate Appearing on the same programme as Heaton-Harris, Labour shadow minister Jonathan Ashworth said hiring Gray shows how seriously the party is taking the prospect of being in government. Gray, however, is expected to await the decision of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) before starting the role. Parliament's anti-corruption watchdog can advise waiting periods before civil servants like Gray can take on other jobs and Rishi Sunak will ultimately make the final decision. Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson greets his supporters during his election victory celebration at the Marriott Marquis Chicago hotel on April 4, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) Just months ago, few Chicagoans would have expected Paul Vallas or Brandon Johnson to best incumbent Lori Lightfoot and survive to the mayoral runoff election. But before voters decide which of the two upstarts will claim City Hall, each candidate faces a steep challenge courting the roughly 45% of the electorate who preferred someone else in Tuesdays first round of balloting. Advertisement To become Chicagos top elected official in the April 4 runoff, Vallas and Johnson will need to expand their bases, raise money to spread their messages and reckon with not-so-distant comments on policing and education that might alienate moderates. As two candidates with bases on the extreme left and the extreme right, the one who most effectively gets to the middle is going to be successful, Thomas Bowen, a Democratic strategist who has worked on Lightfoots and Rahm Emanuels campaigns, said. Advertisement Unofficial election results show Vallas and Johnson had obvious bases of support, with clear room for potential growth. Vallas was strongest in the conservative white bungalow belts along the Northwest and Southwest sides and found backers along the lakefront near downtown. But it was Lightfoot who won all the citys Black wards, while U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia was successful in low-voting Latino wards and generated some white lakefront support. Johnsons best showings were in progressive areas around the northern lakefront, though he also won some Black votes. Bowen said the largely college-educated bloc of white liberals on the North Side will be listening to how candidates communicate on a variety of issues beyond violence, such as transportation and homelessness. Liberal voters in any electorate can change their mind rapidly and in inconsistent ways, Bowen said. The thing about that electorate is its volatile, and it isnt just as simple as, Well, crime is the top issue, so thats determinative that Paul Vallas has won already. Rebecca Williams, a political strategist who works with progressive politicians, agreed that Vallas and Johnson were two of the more polarizing candidates. Now, the challenge becomes moving to the middle without compromising beliefs that won them their respective bases, she said. Chicago mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson visits with Betty Rogers, center, and Deborah Reed on bingo night at the Paul G. Stewart Apartments on Chicago's South Side Thursday, two days after winning a place in the April 4 mayoral runoff. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) Johnson has done a tremendous job of bringing together a rainbow coalition, Williams added. But his positions including that he hasnt promised more cops in response to gun violence might also box him in, she said. I dont think he brings together an ideologically diverse room, Williams said. Hes going to have to say some things that are going to upset his base, who have been really hard in the paint for him because of his position around policing. But if he wants to win this election, hes absolutely going to need to articulate a public safety plan thats going to resonate with Black, Latino voters. For Johnson, expanding support with white voters along the lakefront and courting Black voters will be critical. To that end, Johnson has sought to highlight remarks Vallas has made about critical race theory where he said such curriculum in schools was harming families and taking emphasis off more important subjects. His strategy will take a page out of Lightfoots book against Vallas as he tries to argue that the former schools chief is a Republican, which Vallas has vehemently denied. Advertisement A day after Election Day, Paul Vallas greets people outside the Thompson Center. Vallas and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson will face off in the April 4 runoff election to become Chicagos next mayor. (Shanna Madison / Chicago Tribune) Vallas, meanwhile, is taking steps to counteract the negative attacks against him from the first leg of the campaign and diversify his coalition. After the election, Vallas immediately went to work building up his support and on Thursday secured an endorsement from the popular former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. The only white candidate to jump into the election, Vallas has been courting others in the community too, including his friend Willie Wilson, who won roughly 10% of the vote, mostly from Black neighborhoods. Vallas also received an endorsement from Gery Chico, a Latino former CPS board president who also served in Mayor Richard M. Daleys administration. Veteran political consultant Delmarie Cobb said she isnt surprised by Whites endorsement. But while White is popular, she said, it also gives Johnson an opportunity to argue that the endorsement represents the politics of old that got us in this mess in the first place. I think Vallas can consolidate the leaders, and Johnson can consolidate the voters, Cobb said. The morning after coming out on top in Tuesdays election, Vallas demurred on his path to expanding his voter base and said: Look, my coalition is the entire city. Johnson, meanwhile, simply told reporters Thursday that his strategy is building a multicultural, multigenerational movement. But even before rolling out the White endorsement, Vallas was already indicating that he was making a serious play for the majority Black wards that went for Lightfoot. Advertisement I actually did well in every ward, and I dont think Brandon won a single Black ward, Vallas said Wednesday morning. So I just want to point that out. Johnson went right to work on attempting to build Black support by hitting South Side locations such as a Bronzeville senior center where he tried to charm a crowd of seniors by promising the women a dance on Inauguration Day should he win. One 76-year-old woman watching Johnson, however, was focused more on his message that grew more impassioned as the candidate scoffed at detractors who said he was too radical, listing off campaign promises that included fully funded schools, guaranteed housing and reliable transportation. As time went on, it got better and better, Orema Roark of Bronzeville told Johnson afterward. You got to get direct to the people. Johnson is also vying for Lightfoots and Garcias endorsements, telling reporters Thursday that hes in conversations with them but not elaborating further. Such support at this point appears more likely to come from Garcia, who competed with Johnson for the progressive vote yet refrained from digging into his rival as much as Lightfoot and others did. Before the election, Garcia spoke about the importance of unifying progressive forces. Advertisement I think weve got to treat this cycle like a primary where good people came out and debated and showed what they believe in. I think we can unify progressives coming out of this race, Garcia said. I, for one, feel that I conducted myself the way I said I would: no friendly fire and stuck to the issues, and I feel great about the prospects for rebuilding a progressive coalition. Whether Garcia endorses remains an open question, however, after a disappointing campaign in which he placed fourth. And while Garcias strongholds could be an important factor, turnout was low in the citys majority-Latino wards, which could limit their influence. Johnson already has support from progressive Latinos on the Northwest Side including state Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas and U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez. Activist Nury Ortega has been an advocate for immigrant rights in the Little Village neighborhood for almost a decade. During the most recent election, Ortega held meetings with parents and other neighbors to discuss the platforms of the candidates but very early on realized that few were interested in voting, she said. A day after the election, Ortega went over to a restaurant where a group of men often gather to drink coffee. She wanted to know how they felt about Vallas and Johnson. Its from one extreme to the other, Ortega said. None of them really speak to them (the Latino community), at least the older ones. Advertisement Those men Ortega met with said they are not planning to vote in April. Tomatoes' ancestors looked very different. Foxys Forest Manufacture/Shutterstock The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work. The Big Idea: The tomatos path from wild plant to household staple is much more complex than researchers have long thought. For many years, scientists believed that humans domesticated the tomato in two major phases. First, native people in South America cultivated blueberry-sized wild tomatoes about 7,000 years ago to breed a plant with a cherry-sized fruit. Later, people in Mesoamerica bred this intermediate group further to form the large cultivated tomatoes that we eat today. But in a 2020 study, we show that the cherry-sized tomato likely originated in Ecuador around 80,000 years ago. No human groups were domesticating plants that long ago, so this implies that it started as a wild species, although people in Peru and Ecuador probably cultivated it later. We also found that two subgroups from this intermediate group spread northward to Central America and Mexico, possibly as weedy companions to other crops. As this happened, their fruit traits changed radically. They came to look more like wild plants, with smaller fruits than their South American counterparts and higher levels of citric acid and beta carotene. We were surprised to find that modern cultivated tomatoes seem most closely related to this wild-like tomato group, which is still found in Mexico, although farmers dont deliberately cultivate it. Average fruit size in the cultivated tomato in comparison with its semi-domesticated and fully wild relatives. Hamid Razifard, CC BY-ND Why it matters: This research has direct implications for crop improvement. For example, some intermediate tomato groups have high levels of glucose, which makes the fruit sweeter. Breeders could use those plants to make cultivated tomatoes more attractive to consumers. We also saw signals that some varieties in this intermediate group had traits that promoted disease resistance and drought tolerance. Those plants could be used to breed hardier tomatoes. What still isnt known: We dont know how the intermediate group of tomatoes spread from South America to Central America and Mexico. Birds may have eaten the fruits and excreted the seeds elsewhere, or humans may have cultivated or traded them. Story continues Another question is why this intermediate group regressed and lost so many domestication traits once it spread north. Natural selection in new northern habitats may have actively favored tomatoes with more wild-like traits. It also could be that humans werent breeding these plants and selecting for domestication traits, such as large fruits, which may require plants to use more energy than they would put into fruiting naturally. How we do our work: We reconstruct tomato history by sequencing the genomes of wild, intermediate and domesticated tomato varieties. We also carry out population genomic analyses, in which we use models and statistics to deduce the changes that have occurred to tomatoes over time. This work involves writing a lot of computer codes to analyze large amounts of data and look at patterns of variation in DNA sequences. We also work with other scientists to grow tomato samples and record data on many traits, such as fruit size, sugar content, acid content and flavor compounds. What else is happening in the field: Feeding a growing human population will require improving crop yields and quality. To do this, scientists need to know more about plant genes that are involved in phenomena such as fruit development and flavor and disease resistance. For example, research led by Zachary Lippman at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York is using genome editing to manipulate traits that can help improve tomato yield. By tweaking genes native to two popular varieties of tomato plants, they have devised a rapid method to make the plants flower and produce ripe fruit more quickly. This means more plantings per growing season, which increases yield. It also means that the plant can be grown in latitudes more northerly than currently possible an important attribute as the Earths climate warms. Whats next for you: Our research provides an atlas of candidates for future tomato gene function studies. We now can identify which genes were important at each stage of domestication history, and discover what they do. We also can search for beneficial alleles, or variants of specific genes, that may have been lost or diminished as the tomato was domesticated. We want to find out whether some of those lost variants could be used to improve growth and desirable traits in cultivated tomatoes. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation has a variety of fascinating free newsletters. It was written by: Hamid Razifard, University of Massachusetts Amherst and Ana Caicedo, University of Massachusetts Amherst. Read more: Hamid Razifard receives funding from National Science Foundation of USA. Ana Caicedo receives funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the USA and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) of the USA. More young people are committing crimes in North Carolina, and theyre using guns more often to carry them out. Thats according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety, which updated the Governors Crime Commission last week on juvenile crime in the state. Juvenile offenses overall increased nearly 24% from 29,013 to 35,883 offenses during the reporting year that ended July 30, 2022. Perhaps most concerning in this data is the increase in violent offenses by juveniles, William L. Lassiter, the deputy secretary for Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention, told The News & Observer. Juvenile violent crimes jumped 21%, from 1,822 to 2,213 during the reporting period, The News & Observer previously reported. The number of North Carolina youth charged with these crimes rose by 9% to 990 individuals, The N&O previously reported. Those crimes include robberies, shootings and murders. Most involve firearms 65% of the cases where minors were arrested for violent crimes. The big takeaway from this data is that we must look to ways of keeping firearms out of the hands of juveniles, to include educating parents and adults in our communities about the responsible ownership and safe storage of their firearms, Lassiter told The N&O in an interview Friday. Since Dec. 1, 2019, 16- and 17-year-olds are no longer prosecuted as adults due to the Raise the Age campaign that changed North Carolina law. Instead they are tried under the Juvenile Justice system, which is meant to be more age-appropriate and rehabilitative. Since the change in the law, 16- and 17-year-olds have accounted for two-thirds of all juvenile firearm offenses in the 2022 calendar year alleged against individuals under 18 years of age. 2022: 1,585 juveniles. 537 were under 16. two lines above we say there were 1,492 firearm offenses involving kids under 16, but here we say just 537. Which is it? Whats behind juvenile crime in NC? Statewide from 2021 to 2022, youth nonviolent firearm offenses, such as possession of a handgun by a minor and larceny of a firearm, increased by 26% to 3,008, The N&O reported previously. Story continues Experts attribute some of the increase in firearm offenses to more young people being involved in gangs. One of the ways that kids move up in gangs is stealing firearms, Lassiter said, Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson, who attended the Governors Crime Commission meeting, could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon. Gang-involved youth in the state increased in 2022, according to Juvenile Justice data. There were 1,260 gang-involved juveniles out of 14,805 total juveniles arrested, up from 1,116 in 2021 and from 978 juveniles in 2020. The state only began collecting criminal charge data on juveniles 17 and younger since the law changed in 2019, so experts are cautious about how to interpret the data. The rise in juvenile crimes also coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, when juveniles had less access to social services, extracurricular activities and schools were closed. Gun sales also rose during that time. Encouraging safe and proper storage of firearms kept in homes and vehicles. Dispelling myths about firearm storage. Increasing audiences self-confidence in pursuing safe behavior. Focusing on building confidence and trust to facilitate taking the next step in safely storing firearms. The Juvenile Justice division is currently working with a vendor to develop a statewide safe gun storage campaign and to hold local events this year. Virginia Bridges contributed to this story. The mixture of cultures is important and beautiful, but it can also create conflicts, which I often write about (Thron Ullberg) Whenever Ann-Helen Laestadius starts to write, she returns to her hometown of Kiruna. From this Arctic city in the northernmost reaches of Sweden, the author travels out to her parents villages of Nedre Soppero and Silkimuotka to seek inspiration for her novels. When I am home in the villages during summer, we always go out and fish in the Lainio River, and I have a special rock there that I stand on, she says. Things happen when I stand there looking out over the rapids; stories and ideas come to me, as well as characters. Kiruna, which sits above a vast iron ore mine, is often used as a starting point by travellers looking for adventure, enticed by such Arctic marvels as the northern lights, the midnight sun, and the strikingly beautiful, if hostile, wilderness. Its become known as the city on the move thanks to an ambitious and controversial project to shift the entire town, building by building, 3km to the east to prevent it from quite literally collapsing into the mine below. But to around 18,000 people, including Laestadius, the city is home. The writer, who is of Sami and Tornedalian descent two of Swedens national minorities describes it as a special town. You can walk around and hear Swedish, Finnish, Meankieli, and Sami spoken. The mixture of cultures is important and beautiful, but it can also create conflicts, which I often write about. Conflict is a central theme in Laestadiuss novel Stolen, which was released in the UK last month and is now being adapted into a Netflix film with Sami director Elle MaIrjaI Eira. It tells the story of nine-year-old Sami girl Elsa, who witnesses the brutal killing of her reindeer calf by a local hunter; he later threatens her into silence, forcing her to carry her secret into adulthood. A decade on, Elsa struggles to find justice in the face of escalating violence and prejudice that terrorises her family and community. Tensions rage between the villagers and Sami reindeer herders, as well as within Elsa herself. Story continues Its not hard to see how the pages will translate to screen: the simple storytelling, told through the eyes of a child, lurches into the brooding darkness of a thriller, with more than a touch of Nordic noir. Stolen was a bestseller in Sweden and is the first adult novel from Laestadius, who has previously produced nine young-adult and childrens books, including the award-winning Ten Past One. Last month, her second adult book Straff was published in Sweden. A former journalist, Laestadius is part of a growing number of Sami authors who are taking a stand against the way their histories have been told by outsiders; they are now reclaiming their stories. Numbering an estimated 80,000 across the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola peninsula in northwestern Russia, the Indigenous Sami have faced persecution and racism for centuries. As late as the 1970s, the Sami in Sweden (where the population is thought to be around 20,000) were subject to inhumane assimilation policies, and to this day are a target of harassment and discrimination. I think a lot of people outside of Sweden but also in Sweden dont know about the hatred directed at Samis. Sweden is very good at saying Were such a good democratic country and we take care of everyone. But they dont. They have a really bad history with a lot of dark chapters on how they have mistreated us Sami people. And we are living the consequences still, Laestadius explains. She sighs as she admits that she often finds it exhausting to write about such dark and disturbing issues, but that she feels a responsibility to share the trauma suffered by the Indigenous Sami people. Disputes over land rights have caused tensions for decades between Sami and local Swedish people, with resentments spilling into violence. In 2020, after the Swedish Supreme Court gave the Girjas Sami reindeer-herding community the right to manage hunting and fishing in the region, the Sami Council reported that hate speech had exploded online, with threats directed against both the Sami people and, significantly, their reindeer. Until recently, reindeer herding was the staple livelihood for Sami people, and, although today only a minority still make a living this way, the animals hold tremendous cultural significance. Before writing Stolen, Laestadius accessed more than 100 police reports on the torture and killing of reindeer, none of which had been properly investigated or led to prosecution, and she spent time among reindeer herders who had suffered devastating violence against their animals. She explains that, to the Sami people, reindeer are more than simply a job. Stolen is being adapted into a film for Netflix with Sami director Elle Marja Eira (Netflix) The reindeer herders have a close relationship to their animals, as they are so closely tied to the lands and the places where our ancestors have roamed. Reindeer herding is also one of the most important arenas for preserving language, culture, and traditions, she tells me. Often the herders have a personal connection with their reindeer, recognising them individually and giving them names. The reindeer become something that the whole family gathers around, creating a bond that unites them. Although her books are fiction, as the daughter of a reindeer-herder family (her mothers side are all Sami), Laestadius often weaves her own life experiences into her work. It was tough growing up in Kiruna in the 1970s and the 1980s, she says. There was always this feeling that, as a Sami, you werent accepted. In Stolen, Elsas young world is rocked by a suicide, and many of the male figures in the novel grapple with mental health issues as they struggle with the pressures of being a reindeer herder in the modern world. Laestadius herself lost two cousins to suicide, both young men, and says that it was important to her to break the culture of shame and silence that surrounds mental health in the Sami community. There was always this feeling that, as a Sami, you werent accepted There is a very dangerous silence. We just dont speak about the hard things. In Stolen, the boys and the men have to be so tough, and so macho, and they have to live up to all these expectations, she explains. Its hard when you dont feel that you have the strength any more, and you feel that you dont have anyone to talk to. And then its easy to be so sad and lonely. Now living in Solna, just outside Stockholm, Laestadius describes how this culture of silence seeped into her childhood, as her mother refused to teach her the Sami language spoken by her family the only language her grandparents could speak. I knew that something was wrong, but I didnt know exactly what was wrong, she says. And then when I started school, it was clear to me that I shouldnt tell anyone that I was Sami, because the Sami children were bullied and called ugly names. They had a really hard time in school. At the time, Laestadius wasnt aware that in the 1930s, her mother, aged just seven years old, had been forcibly sent away to one of Swedens so-called nomad schools an experience that left her with a sense of fear and shame about speaking her native language. Laestadiuss book Straff whose title, roughly translated, means penalty or punished focuses on these nomad schools, where Sami children were subjected to Swedification policies, barred from speaking their own language, and often suffered horrific physical and mental abuse. I understand now that my mother was trying to protect me, she says. Its not coming from something mean, when people dont speak to one another; its coming from not wanting to hurt anyone. But it is dangerous. At that point I couldnt really put words to what I was feeling, because I knew there was some kind of trauma, but I didnt know exactly what. Speaking to her mother about her experiences at a nomad school while writing Straff was a healing experience for Laestadius after years of struggling to find her identity between two cultures, both of which had been suppressed. Her teen years were tumultuous as she tried to understand the parts of her Sami heritage that had been kept from her, while also contending with the fact that many considered her not fully Sami since her father was Tornedalian. Another of the countrys minority groups, Tornedalians were also victims of Swedens assimilation policies, and have fought to retain their own culture against a backdrop of marginalisation and discrimination. (Bloomsbury) Stolen may reflect the despair and anger felt by many Sami people today, but it also tenderly depicts some of the details of daily life that Laestadius remembers growing up, such as joiking (traditional Sami singing), the closeness of family, and the Sami handicrafts her grandparents worked with. It was also important to Laestadius to show strong Sami reindeer-herder women, like those she knows from her own family, who are making their way in a traditionally male-dominated world. Laestadius sometimes seems weary when discussing her books sad, even. But she is ultimately hopeful that attitudes are shifting, and is encouraged by the increase in Sami voices in arts and literature. She is particularly moved by Ella-Maria Nuttis 2022 novel Coffee with Milk, which tells the story of a Sami woman carrying a painful secret, as well as Tina Harnesks tale of relationships and broken Sami family ties in Those Who Sow in Snow, which will be published in the UK next year. Something is happening now, Laestadius says. There are more and more Sami authors telling their stories, and Im extremely glad for that. Its so important for us to take power over our own story and history. To tell it in our own way. Stolen is available to buy online at Amazon and Waterstones J. Scott Gannon, of Wellesley, was recently named vice president of residential and consumer lending at the Bank of Canton. He brings more than 30 years of related experience. He is responsible for all aspects of the bank's retail and wholesale residential mortgage program and consumer loan department, including loan originations, underwriting and processing, servicing, compliance and secondary market efforts. Gannon Gannon's previous roles include leadership positions at local, regional and national mortgage companies and banks, and a $2.5 billion credit union. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. ###### Dr. Karen Jeng, of Medway, has joined Milford Regional Physician Group. She is returning to the Caring for Women office on Medway Road in Milford after spending 13 years at UMass Memorial Medical Group. Jeng holds a medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and an MBA from University of Texas. Her postdoctoral training brought her to University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, where she completed her internship and residency. Jeng Most recently, she earned a masters degree in legal studies from Washington University in St. Louis. Currently an assistant professor in OB/GYN at UMass Memorial in Worcester, Jeng has held several academic appointments and leadership positions, including OB/GYN medical student clerkship director at Milford Regional Medical Center, where she was department chair of OB/GYN from 2014-17. ####### Tyler Bay was recently promoted to assistant vice president and business banking relationship manager in the Framingham office of MutualOne Bank. His responsibilities include being responsible for managing and mentoring business banking specialists as well as providing business service support to customers and branch staff. Bay Bay has been with MutualOne since 2018. He previously worked at State Street Bank Corp., The RooseveltInvestment Group and Cambridge Savings Bank. Story continues He holds a master of business administration degree from Assumption College and a bachelor of science degree in accounting from UMass Dartmouth. MutualOne Bank, which operates under an 1889 state charter, has full-service offices at 828 Concord St. and 1 Lincoln St. in Framingham and at 49 Main St. in Natick; a commercial loan center at 160 Cochituate Road in Framingham; and a residential loan center at 49 Main St. in Natick. ###### Brendan Tibbert, a registered nurse in the endoscopy unit at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, was recently selected to receive the hospital's "Daisy Award." The DAISY (acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation was formed in November 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died of an autoimmune disease at age 33. Barnes' family was deeply touched by the care Patrick received and established the DAISY award in his honor and memory. Nurses are nominated by patients, families and other members of the health care team. Recipiemts get a hand-carved healing touch statue, certificate and DAISY pin. The award is presented in more than 54,000 health care organizations in 35 countries and territories. ###### Alfred Spittler, of Milford, was recently selected to receive a CAYL fellowship in early care and education. The award is given in support of educators and leaders in early care and education to strengthen public policy for children in Massachusetts. Spittler Spittler, who with his wife runs a day care center at his church, was among 23 fellows chosen statewide. Fellows seek to build public will and improve public policy to achieve quality education for all students. Spittler has worked with nonprofits for more than 20 years. In addition to the day care center, he coordinates a community supper program, providing meals to more than 50 people weekly. This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Scott Gannon Wellesley is VP Bank of Canton; Tibbert MetroWest Medical New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said on Sunday that he expects fellow Republicans to choose someone other than Donald Trump as the partys 2024 presidential nominee, despite the indicted former president continuing to rally his followers ahead of the next election. The moderate Republican, who himself is expected to announce a presidential run, told Chuck Todd on NBCs Meet the Press that he is a lifelong Republican who will support the GOP nominee. But when asked if that would change should Trump win the nomination, Sununu said that is just not going to happen. Obviously hes in the race. Hes not going to be the nominee. Thats just not going to happen, the governor said of Trump, adding that there is a lot of opportunity to bring the Republican Party forward without yesterdays leadership or crying about what happened in November of 22. Im really confident that whoever comes out of the Republican nomination process is going to lead this country and will be able to deliver a win in 24 and Ill back them. Former President Donald Trump walks out to speak on the third and final day of the Conservative Political Action Conference held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on Saturday in Fort Washington, Maryland. Former President Donald Trump walks out to speak on the third and final day of the Conservative Political Action Conference held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on Saturday in Fort Washington, Maryland. Sununu has previously predicted that Trump would not be the GOP presidential nominee, saying last month that the 2024 race is just not going that way for Trump. On Saturday, the twice-impeached former president took the stage at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference to repeat his usual list of lies and grievances the closest thing to a campaign rally since announcing his 2024 candidacy in November. During his speech, Trump promised he would take revenge on people who didnt respect his followers should he win reelection. Todd framed the efforts by the former president who is a major voice for the party and tried to incite an insurrection to keep himself in power as an attempt to position himself as the outsider candidate in whats expected to be a crowded pool of 2024 hopefuls. Story continues I think the former president has his own lane. He doesnt need to carve anything, said Sununu, who is also trying to carve out a position as the outsider. Hes an absolute known commodity to every American in this country, right. Theres very few people that are on the fence, whether theyre with him or not with him, or whatever it might be. In addition to Trump, over a dozen Republicans have either announced a 2024 run or are likely to enter the race though only three attended CPAC over the weekend, including onetime United Nations ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, one of Trumps strongest critics in the party, confirmed on Sunday that he will not run for president. In CPACs straw poll of declared and likely candidates, 62% of respondents said they would support Trump if the 2024 presidential primary were held today. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to be a top GOP contender, received the second highest votes. EXCLUSIVE: @GovChrisSununu says if the election were held today, "Ron DeSantis would win in New Hampshire." "A vast majority of the party [is] looking for an alternative [to Trump]. ... It's kind of the antithesis of the American spirit to settle for yesterday's news." pic.twitter.com/mnckRQHbjX Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) March 5, 2023 Right now, if the election were today, Ron DeSantis would win in New Hampshire, theres no doubt about that in my mind. I think Ron DeSantis would win in Florida. So, I think the former president is trying to find a path to be back to that leading voice of the party, said Sununu, a change of support from earlier comments in which he threw shade at the governor. I think a lot of us that potentially may get in the race want to have something to say about the direction of that conversation. But look, again, thank you for your service. Were moving on, he continued. I just dont believe the Republican Party is going to say that the best leadership for America tomorrow is yesterdays leadership. That doesnt make any sense. That is not in our DNA as Americans. Its kind of the antithesis of the American spirit to settle for yesterdays news. We want the next generation, the next big idea, and thats what were going to deliver. Sununu said it would be detrimental for the party to stay in this ultra-conservative extreme lane because the GOP needs independent voters in order to win the race. The New Hampshire governor declined to say if he is any closer to announcing his own run for president, stressing that he wants to focus on moving the party as a whole forward. Blood, claw marks and signs of struggle led to the arrest of a Naples woman on animal cruelty charges after witnesses found a dead dog in the back of a hot car. Allison Christian, 45, of Naples, is charged with aggravated animal cruelty in connection with the death of a 3-year-old Labrador retriever mix named Tucker. Authorities say Tucker was a registered service animal. Detectives said Christian got into a verbal dispute with her boyfriend around 2:30 p.m. Thursday after she found him inside an RV with another woman, Tuckers owner. Depositions announced:Depositions announced in case accusing Naples man of fatally beating puppy Buzz Lightyear That trial date:Trial date set for Naples man accused of beating puppy Buzz Lightyear to death During the dispute, Tucker ran out of the RV and into a nearby parked car. Christian secured Tucker in the vehicle, shut the door and left the residence. She returned 20 minutes later, but deputies say she never checked on Tucker as he sweltered inside the locked car with the doors and windows closed in 83-degree heat. Christian's boyfriend and Tucker's owner searched for Tucker, but couldn't find him, according to the affidavit. About 5:30 p.m., Christian's boyfriend entered the car and noticed the late dog. Deputies reported the dog was stiff and there were "obvious signs of struggle" inside the car, as well as several smear marks from Tucker's mouth and nasal area on all the windows. Authorities also found claw marks, feces and blood in the car. She has a history of animal-related cases in which dogs have been removed from her care and custody, according to her arrest report. Court records indicate Christian's arraignment is slated March 27. Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples woman charged aggravated animal cruelty after dog dies in car Chase Elliott (#9 Hendrick Motorsports NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet) prepares for qualfying for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Xfinity 500 on October 29, 2022 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, VA. Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Chase Elliott is taking several weeks away from the track as he recovers from a broken leg. The NASCAR driver, 27, suffered a fractured tibia in his left leg during a snowboarding accident in Colorado and "underwent a successful surgery" on Friday, Hendrick Motorsports shared in a news release, announcing that he will not race Sunday at the NASCAR Cup Series in Las Vegas. "There is no timeline at this point," said Jeff Andrews, Hendrick Motorsports president and general manager, in a statement about Elliott's recovery, noting that it will likely take "several weeks" and the team is working with Elliott's doctors to find out more. RELATED: NASCAR's Chase Elliott Says He's Glad 'No One Got Hurt' During Ross Chastain's Risky Racing Move "For Mr. Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports, the most important thing is Chase's health and his well-being. We'll work with him on that timeline," added Andrews. "We are going to race a long time together with Chase Elliott, and we are going to win a lot more races together. Certainly, this is a little bit of a setback and Chase is very disappointed. We'll have a seat ready for him when he is healthy and ready to get back in a race car." Following Friday's three-hour surgery, Elliott is expected to be released from the hospital on Saturday. Hendrick Motorsports is applying for a waiver from NASCAR to keep Elliot eligible for the playoffs. RELATED: Nascar's Chase Elliott Gives Kyle Busch the Middle Finger at Toyota 500 Meanwhile, Josh Berry will fill in for Elliott at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Berry, 32, said that Elliott reached out to him ahead of Sunday's race. RELATED VIDEO: NASCAR's Chase Elliott Talks About Sacrifices He Made to Go After a Career in Racing "He shot me a text and just thanked me for helping out," he said. "I thanked him for thinking of me and considering me for this fill-in position. Chase has been a good friend to me over the years. Even dating back to when I would make a couple of Xfinity Series starts years ago at JR Motorsports. He was always one of the first ones to help me whenever I needed it." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "I'm thankful for these guys for giving me this opportunity. I obviously wish him well and going forward, I'll do whatever these guys need and we'll take it from there," added Berry. This year saw an almost 20% increase in the number of claims filed to have Detroit property tax assessments reconsidered over the last year. Owners of nearly 2,000 parcels across the city believe they were overassessed and filed paperwork with the city assessor, in an effort to reduce their property tax bills and even avoid tax foreclosure. City tax assessments, a measure of how much a property is worth, were sent to property owners in early February. Property owners then had a three-week period to contest these assessments through the assessor. Detroit homeowners have historically been victimized by overtaxation between 2010 and 2016, homeowners were overtaxed by at least $600 million. This year, appeals for 1,987 parcels were filed, an 18% increase from the number of appeals filed in 2022 Detroits Assessor and Deputy Chief Financial Officer Alvin Horhn told Outlier Media. Almost all the owners who appealed, 1,741, had their assessments reduced, according to Horhn. There are nearly 400,000 property parcels in the city. This article was produced in partnership with Outlier Media, a news organization that runs a text messaging service to share critical information with Detroiters. Text "Detroit" to 67485 for information and resources. More:Great Lakes Water Authority launches new affordability program To make an appeal, property owners must make a case for why the citys assessment is too high. Successful challengers are able to show the assessment isnt in line with surrounding property values or that there are facts about the property that are wrong, like how many bedrooms it has or what kind of condition it is in. Property owners who filed appeals through the assessor's review but were rejected or think they deserve a further reduction in their assessment can appeal at the March Board of Review, which begins March 7. The majority of appeals filed, 1,467, were for residential properties, Horhn said. The office also saw an increase in appeals from investors who own multiple properties which he said is the first increase in appeals by investors since 2017. Story continues Horhn could not provide how much claimants received in reductions, on average, this year, until his office completes all of the appeals. Of the hundreds of Detroiters who appealed, 168 did so with the help of the Property Tax Appeals Project (PTAP), a free service run by the nonprofit Street Democracy program. Marie Sheehan, director of PTAP, said that while assessments are getting increasingly more accurate, approximately 12% of clients were illegally overassessed last year. She expects the number to be similar this year. The lowest-valued homes are the most overassessed and the highest-valued homes are most underassessed, Sheehan said. The problem is not just the illegal overtaxation, its also the inequitable taxation. Street Democracy is one of 17 organizations in the Coalition for Property Tax Justice, a collective of groups working to end illegal overassessments. The group argues that Detroit systematically assesses low-value homes above the state limit, which leads to homeowners falling into delinquency, thereby displacing Detroiters and threatening families generational wealth. More:Michigan Nordic Festival draws in thousands as burning ship steals the show Property taxes have risen in Detroit over the last six years as home values have increased. In 2022, neighborhoods across the city saw home values increase by 20%, on average. Homeowners are protected against dramatic property tax increases even when property values go up. State law caps annual increases at 5% or the consumer price index, whichever is lower. Its important that the conversation around assessments isnt just about appealing, but also about reforming how the city is doing assessing and whose burden is it to get the assessment right in the first place, Sheehan said. When we over-rely on the appeal system, the burden is on the taxpayer to really scrutinize their tax bill and make sure its correct. And the burden should always be on the city to get it right in the first instance. In January, Mayor Mike Duggan voiced his support for property tax reform in the city, including a proposed split-rate tax system that involves higher tax rates for vacant land and lower rates for structures offering a reprieve for homeowners and incentivizing development. In a report, city officials said the new tax system could benefit residential properties and discourage speculators from holding empty lots. Until tangible reform is in motion, advocates are continuing a call for better systems in place to protect homeowners. The Coalition for Property Tax Justice is hosting a town hall meeting on property tax reform and transforming the assessment system at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Muslim Center at 1605 Davison Freeway. Local elected leaders are expected to attend, including state Sen. Stephanie Chang, state Rep. Abraham Aiyash and Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield. For those who completed the Board of Assessors Review and wish to appeal at the March Board of Review, it is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday. You can schedule your hearing here. Contact Miriam Marini: mmarini@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit property owners fight assessment, get tax bills reduced People visit the first edition of the Baby Expo in Windhoek, Namibia, on March 4, 2023. From baby clothing to toys, the first edition of the Baby Expo, held on Saturday in Windhoek, spotlighted early childhood development. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua) WINDHOEK, March 4 (Xinhua) -- From baby clothing to toys, the first edition of the Baby Expo, held on Saturday in the Namibian capital of Windhoek, spotlighted early childhood development. Magnolia Lawrence, the organizer of the expo, said the hosting of the expo aims to address challenges faced by parents locating services necessary in nurturing children. "Most parents often struggle to access certain services easily. The expo is a consolidating effort to bring services to one central point and to fill the gap. I know that from my experience," she said. The event attracted nearly 30 exhibitors, including fertility clinics and educational institutions. The expo was intended to debunk stereotypes through access to information. "We have even invited some often derided as taboo to help those struggling with certain aspects regarding fertility and pregnancy, and possibly give them hope through access to information," Lawrence added. Local entrepreneurs also seized the chance to market, provide services and sell products. For Marion van de Merwe from Kinderkinetics, the expo was a platform to promote the business that specializes in improving babies' cognitive and physical development. "Our participation here was motivated by our passion for ensuring healthy and holistic child care. Showcasing our services means providing quality information to parents and people to do what is best for children," she said. Faith Marais, the founder of Little Adventure, a company that sells assorted baby products, participated in the expo to network and for exposure. "Apart from marketing the products, we hope to interact with people with common interests. Networking may lead to new partnerships. Another aim is to generate income and drive up sales," she said. Meanwhile, the expo provided a unique platform for both businesses and locals for mutual exchange. The excitement of some visitors at the expo was profound as they strolled various stalls displaying products. "I learned much about services I had never known before, such as baby gyms, and I now know there to take my children in instances of obesity or delayed progress in areas such as motor skills," said David Kavare, a 42-year-old parent based in Windhoek. Besides, the event organizers are exploring ways to host the annual event in March. "From the interest expressed at the expo, we hope to create a mobile application where local parents and aspirants can easily access information in one platform in the palm of their hands," Lawrence said. Voters cast their ballots at the Vaughan Athletic Center in Aurora in November. The next general election in the Aurora area is set for April 4. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News) The League of Women Voters of the Aurora Area is hosting four candidate forums for the April 4 local elections in the coming week. All four forums will be on Tuesday and Wednesday and be conducted online. Advertisement At 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, candidates for the East Aurora School Board will be featured, and at 8 p.m., candidates for the school board for Oswego-based School District 308 will take part. At 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, candidates in Auroras 3rd Ward City Council race and for alderman at-large will be featured, and at 8 p.m., candidates in the City Council contests in the 5th, 6th and 8th wards will take part. Advertisement At this time, all candidates for the Aurora aldermanic races and East Aurora School Board have agreed to participate in the virtual forums. All but one candidate for the School District 308 forum has agreed to participate. The forums will be streamed live on the League of Women Voters Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LWVAuroraArea The forums will also be recorded and available online afterward at www.lwvauroraarea.org Voters are invited to submit questions to candidates by emailing them to lwvauroraarea@gmail.com no later than 5 p.m. on the day of the forums. Unlike a debate, a forum involves a neutral, trained moderator from outside the district who presents questions to candidates for their live responses, according to League of Women Voters officials. The League of Women Voters Aurora Area was founded in 2019 and includes the surrounding areas of Oswego, North Aurora, Sugar Grove and Montgomery. TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said the remarks by a key Cabinet ally calling for a Palestinian town to be erased were inappropriate, after the United States demanded that he reject the statement. In a Twitter thread posted in English shortly after midnight, Netanyahu did not appear to condemn the remarks outright and implied that the ally, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, misspoke. Netanyahu thanked Smotrich for later walking the comments back and making clear that his choice of words was inappropriate. The bulk of the thread urged the international community to seek condemnations from the Palestinians over attacks against Israelis. It appeared to be his first public response to Smotrich's remarks since they were made on Wednesday. Netanyahu's Twitter thread underlines how the Israeli leader has had to balance the ideologies of the far-right members of his government with the expectations of Israel's chief ally, the United States. Smotrich is the head of one of several ultranationalist parties that help make up Netanyahus government, Israel's most right-wing ever. Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank last week rampaged through the Palestinian town of Hawara, where earlier in the day two Israeli brothers were killed in a Palestinian shooting attack. Later in the week, Smotrich said the town should be erased by Israeli forces and not by private citizens. Smotrich later backtracked, saying he didnt mean for the Hawara to be erased but for Israel to operate surgically within it against Palestinian militants. Still, his earlier comments sparked an international outcry. The U.S. called them repugnant and urged Netanyahu to publicly and clearly reject and disavow them. The United Nations and Middle East powerhouses Egypt and Saudi Arabia also condemned Smotrich's remarks. In a Hebrew tweet posted around the same time as his English thread, Netanyahu said even foreign diplomats make mistakes, an apparent reference to a report by Israeli Channel 12 that U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides made disparaging remarks about Smotrich ahead of his visit to Washington this week, saying he would throw him off the plane, if he could. The U.S. Embassy denied the ambassador had made the remarks. Story continues The White House said Smotrich would not be meeting any U.S. government officials during the upcoming trip. Smotrich, in a tweet Saturday, said he was convinced that he didn't mean to incite to kill me when he said I must be thrown from the plane just as I didn't mean to harm innocents when I said Hawara must be erased. In his tweets, Netanyahu wrote that "it is important for all of us to work to tone down the rhetoric" amid a spiraling wave of violence between Israel and the Palestinians. That includes speaking out forcefully against inappropriate statements and even correcting our own statements when we misspeak or when our words are taken out of context, he posted. Netanyahu then slammed the Palestinian Authority for not condemning Palestinian attacks against Israelis, and the international community for not demanding condemnations from the Palestinians. Israel has long claimed the international community has a double standard in its expectations from Israel and the Palestinians. Israel captured the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war, territories the Palestinians seek for their future state. Israel maintains a 55-year, open-ended occupation over Palestinians in the West Bank and a blockade, along with Egypt, of the Gaza Strip. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel rebuffed as "unworthy" on Sunday comments by the U.N. nuclear watchdog chief that any Israeli or U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities would be illegal. Having visited Tehran in a bid to loosen deadlocked talks on renewing its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, International Atomic Energy Agency chairman Raphael Grossi on Saturday said "any military attack on nuclear facilities is outlawed". He was responding to a reporter's question about threats by Israel and the United States to attack Iran's nuclear facilities if they deem diplomacy meant to deny it the bomb to be at a dead end. Tehran says its nuclear programme is peaceful. "Rafael Grossi is a worthy person who made an unworthy remark," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet in televised remarks on Sunday. "Outside what law? Is it permissible for Iran, which openly calls for our destruction, to organise the tools of slaughter for our destruction? Are we forbidden from defending ourselves? We are obviously permitted to do this." The IAEA said on Saturday Grossi had received sweeping assurances from Iran that it will assist a long-stalled investigation into uranium particles found at undeclared sites and re-install removed monitoring equipment. (Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Christina Fincher) By Dan Williams JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought on Sunday to soften international outcry over a call by a far-right member of his cabinet for a flashpoint Palestinian village to be "erased", saying those remarks had been "inappropriate". But Netanyahu also pushed back against censure of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, accusing foreign powers of playing down Palestinian violence like the Feb. 26 killing of two Israeli brothers in Huwara village that sparked a settler rampage there. Smotrich said last week that while he opposed vigilantism, he believed "that Huwara needs to be erased" by Israel. The U.S. State Department called the comments "irresponsible," "repugnant" and "disgusting" and said Netanyahu should reject and disavow them. The U.N. human rights chief said Smotrich had made "an unfathomable statement of incitement to violence". With Israeli media speculating that Smotrich, who is due to visit Washington next week, would be snubbed by the U.S. administration and complicate its ties to the Netanyahu government, he offered a retraction on Saturday but no apology. "Being upset, I misspoke," Smotrich told Channel 12 TV. The Palestinians have urged the U.S. administration not to receive Smotrich. Netanyahu has said that he - and not coalition partners like Smotrich - calls the shots on Israeli diplomacy. "It is important for all of us to work to tone down the rhetoric, lower the temperature," Netanyahu tweeted on Sunday, thanking Smotrich "for making clear that his choice of words ... was inappropriate". "I am still waiting to hear a condemnation from the Palestinian Authority for the murder of the Yaniv brothers," Netanyahu added. "And Israel is waiting for the international community to insist that the PA condemn that attack. Not only has it not done so, it continues to turn a blind eye to the PA's rampant incitement." Story continues On Thursday, State Department spokesperson Ned Price tweeted: "Just as we condemn Palestinian incitement to violence, we condemn Finance Minister Smotrich's provocative remarks that also amount to incitement of violence. It is imperative that Palestinians and Israelis work together to restore calm." At least 62 Palestinians, including gunmen and civilians, have been killed since the start of 2023, the Palestinian health ministry said. Thirteen Israelis and a Ukrainian tourist died in Palestinian attacks in the same period, according to Israel. The brothers killed in Huwara were from a nearby Jewish settlement, a community the Palestinians consider interlopers on occupied West Bank land that they want for a future state. Most world powers deem the settlements illegal. Israel disputes this. Hours after the brothers were shot in their car by a gunman who fled the scene, settlers rioted in Huwara. A Palestinian man was shot dead, dozens of others were wounded and houses and cars were set ablaze. Israel has arrested 10 suspects in the rampage. Smotrich is slated to appear at a March 12 meeting of Israel Bonds, whose website says the event will also feature a "high-level U.S. Government speaker". That speaker is not named. (Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Bernadette Baum) Nevada Democrats ousted incumbent party chair Judith Whitmer in favor of moderate state assemblywoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno on Saturday, following several years of turmoil within the state party. Monroe-Moreno was elected as the first black female chair of the Nevada Democratic Party in a 314-99 vote, along with her slate of fellow unity candidates, according to The Nevada Independent. Thank you, Nevada Democrats! This victory belongs to all of us fighting to unite our Democratic family because we know how much we are capable of when we come together as one team. Lets get to work! the sitting assemblywoman wrote in a tweet on Saturday night. The vote represents a sharp rebuke of Whitmer, a democratic socialist whose two years as party chair were plagued by a growing rift between progressive and moderate factions of the state party. Whitmer and her fellow progressive candidates took control of the state party from the famed Reid machine named for the late Sen. Harry Reid (D-N.V.) in 2021. However, career Democratic operatives and the entire permanent staff of the Nevada Democratic Party quickly resigned en masse and, according to progressives, took much of the partys money with them. Those who left formed a new organization, Nevada Democratic Victory, which some have referred to as a shadow party. Tensions boiled over last month after Whitmer removed more than 230 members of the Nevada State Democratic Partys governing body ahead of the elections. Although she argued the move was not politically motivated, Whitmer faced calls to resign from top elected officials. The shift in leadership comes as Nevada Democrats look ahead to the 2024 elections, when the Silver State will take on the No. 2 spot in the Democratic primary lineup alongside New Hampshire. Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen (D), one of the Senates most vulnerable candidates, will also be up for reelection next year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Senate Bill 152 would create a committee tasked with exploring the workforce needs of a Gulf of Maine offshore wind industry. The anticipated development of wind power off New Hampshires coastline will require a workforce likely numbering in the thousands. Though a project is still years away from becoming a reality, a group of senators is urging the state to start looking toward the future now, potentially through the creation of an offshore wind workforce training center. Passed in the state Senate last month by a voice vote, Senate Bill 152 would create a committee tasked with exploring the workforce needs of a Gulf of Maine offshore wind industry, including the possibility of a training center conveniently located near the Port of Portsmouth. The committee would also make a plan for including Seacoast-area career and technical education centers, Great Bay Community College, and union apprenticeship and training programs. The prime sponsor of SB 152, Sen. David Watters, a Dover Democrat, introduced it in the context of New Hampshires critical workforce shortage. A workforce training center, he said, would service and bolster a Gulf of Maine project. The nations first utility-scale wind farm being constructed 15 miles south of Marthas Vineyard, Vineyard Wind is expected to ultimately create 3,600 jobs, for example. In the blue-collar city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, which will have several key sites related to the development, that could mean an economic boom. In its first annual report submitted last fall to the Massachusetts Department of Energy, Vineyard Wind said its development phase from 2017-2021 produced 666 jobs, $59.3 million in labor income, $79.1 million in value added, and $166.6 million in economic output. Requested by Gov. Chris Sununu in 2019, the U.S. Department of the Interiors Bureau of Ocean Energy Management convened a Gulf of Maine task force with New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. Sununu, in an introductory letter as part of a state report last year on the potential for offshore wind, wrote, New Hampshire is uniquely situated to benefit from this new industry in ways that will attract investment, boost the states economy, and create good paying jobs. Story continues Gulf of Maine RFCI area The Gulf of Maine could see up to 12 floating wind turbines generating up to 144 megawatts of renewable energy, the BOEM has said, and the proposed area is located approximately 37 miles off the coast of New Castle. A series of public meetings held in January, including one in Portsmouth, updated on the progress. Maine has submitted an application to the BOEM to lease a limited site about 44 miles off the coast of Portland for the nations first floating offshore wind research site in federal waters. This story was originally published by New Hampshire Bulletin This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH considers offshore wind workforce training center in Portsmouth Key Insights The considerable ownership by private companies in Nickel Industries indicates that they collectively have a greater say in management and business strategy A total of 6 investors have a majority stake in the company with 52% ownership Institutions own 25% of Nickel Industries If you want to know who really controls Nickel Industries Limited (ASX:NIC), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are private companies with 36% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk). Individual investors, on the other hand, account for 30% of the company's stockholders. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Nickel Industries. View our latest analysis for Nickel Industries What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Nickel Industries? Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index. We can see that Nickel Industries does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Nickel Industries' earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters. Nickel Industries is not owned by hedge funds. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Tsingshan Holding Group Co., Ltd. with 19% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 12% and 5.8% of the stock. Additionally, the company's CEO Justin Werner directly holds 1.0% of the total shares outstanding. Story continues We also observed that the top 6 shareholders account for more than half of the share register, with a few smaller shareholders to balance the interests of the larger ones to a certain extent. While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too. Insider Ownership Of Nickel Industries The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO. I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions. Shareholders would probably be interested to learn that insiders own shares in Nickel Industries Limited. This is a big company, so it is good to see this level of alignment. Insiders own AU$236m worth of shares (at current prices). Most would say this shows alignment of interests between shareholders and the board. Still, it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling. General Public Ownership The general public-- including retail investors -- own 30% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Private Company Ownership Our data indicates that Private Companies hold 36%, of the company's shares. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Case in point: We've spotted 3 warning signs for Nickel Industries you should be aware of. If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Families of those on board Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared mysteriously nine years ago, called on the Malaysian government on Sunday to allow U.S. seabed exploration firm Ocean Infinity to mount a new search for the missing plane. The fate of flight MH370 became one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries when it disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014. In 2018, Malaysia engaged Ocean Infinity to search for the aircraft in the southern Indian Ocean, offering to pay up to $70 million if it found the plane. But its operation came up short. The firm's search came after Malaysia, China and Australia ended a fruitless two-year, A$200 million ($135.36 million) underwater hunt in January 2017 after finding no trace of the plane. On Sunday, Voice370 - a grouping of relatives of those aboard the plane - said Ocean Infinity hoped to embark on a new search as early as this summer and urged the Malaysian government to accept any proposals from the firm on a conditional fee basis, such that the firm would only be paid if successful. "Ocean Infinity, over the last 12 months have made real progress working with many people to further understand... the events in 2014," Voice370 said in a statement, following a memorial event to mark the ninth year since MH370's disappearance. "Ultimately, this has greatly improved their chances of conducting a successful search." Ocean Infinity and Malaysia's transport ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But in a message to families read out at the memorial event, Transport Minister Anthony Loke vowed not to "close the book" on MH370, adding that due consideration would be given to future searches if there was "new and credible information" on the aircraft's potential location. Debris confirmed or believed to be from the MH370 aircraft has washed up along the African coast and on islands in the Indian Ocean. Story continues Malaysian investigators previously drew no conclusion about what happened aboard the flight, but did not rule out the possibility that the aircraft had been deliberately taken off course. ($1 = 1.4775 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Christina Fincher) A Norfolk Southern train derailed in Ohio on Saturday evening, marking the second train derailment of the companys in just one month. However, unlike last months derailment, which has caused mounting environmental and public health concerns, officials said there were no hazardous materials on board in the latest accident. County officials said the incident occurred at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday in Clark County, when 20 of the trains 212 cars derailed carrying four tankers, which were labeled as carrying non-hazardous materials. Clark Country Emergency Management Agency said in a statement that there were no injuries and that there was no evidence of any spillage from the cars. Clark County officials issued a shelter-in-place order for residents who lived within 1,000 feet of the site out of an abundance of caution on Saturday evening. After the derailment, more than 1,500 residents reported power outages, and county officials said on Saturday that it was unclear how long it would take before power is restored. The shelter-in-place order has since been lifted. Norfolk Southern confirmed in an emailed statement that no hazardous materials were on derailed cars and that no injuries were reported. The company added that their crew responded to the derailment overnight and started the cleanup process Sunday morning. Late this afternoon an @nscorp train derailed in Clark County. We dont believe hazardous materials were involved. @OhioEPA, @Ohio_EMA, & @OSHP are on scene supporting first responders. President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg called me to offer help from the federal government, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said in a statement on Saturday. This derailment comes just one month after a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio on Feb. 3, which spilled hazardous materials and prompted evacuation orders. Residents have raised ongoing concerns about public health and the environment as Norfolk Southern begins to clean up the derailment site. Story continues I have been briefed by [Federal Railroad Administration] leadership and spoke with Gov. DeWine to offer our support after the derailment today in Clark County, Ohio. No hazardous material release has been reported, but we will continue to monitor closely and [Federal Railroad Administration] personnel are en route, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement on Saturday. Since the February derailment, Buttigieg has faced criticism for his departments handling of the derailment in East Palestine. Last month, he unveiled a series of railroad reforms in response to the high-profile incident. Updated: 3:44 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Sunday he doesnt see Mayor Lori Lightfoots loss in Chicagos mayoral election as a cautionary tale for his own future as the leader of Americas largest city. To the contrary, Adams told host CNN Dana Bash when asked if Lightfoots historic defeat Tuesday in the country's third-largest city was a warning sign. I think it's a warning sign for the country, Adams said on "State of the Union," pointing to his own tough-on-crime message during his campaign and first year in office. I think if anything, it is really stating that this is what I have been talking about. America, we have to be safe, Adams added. Lightfoot, who was elected in 2019, came under fire from voters and her eight challengers for her handling of crime in Chicago. On Tuesday night, Lightfoot conceded after gaining about 17% of the vote, coming in third behind former public schools chief Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, who will face off in a runoff. She was the first elected Chicago mayor to lose reelection since Jane Byrne in 1983. When it comes to crime, mayors are the closest to the problem Adams said Sunday, calling public safety a prerequisite to prosperity. That is why we're zero-focused, double-digit decrease in shooters, double-digit decrease in homicides," Adams said. "We have witnessed this year, particularly in the month of February, all of our index crimes is low, low for the entire year." Extensive bridge rehabilitation work will temporarily reduce traffic lanes on the western end of the Indiana Toll Road this spring, the roads management company has announced. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune) (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune) Extensive bridge rehabilitation work will temporarily reduce traffic lanes on the western end of the Indiana Toll Road this spring, the roads management company has announced. ITR Concession Company LLC manages the 157-mile Indiana Toll Road, designated as Interstate 90 through northern Indiana. Advertisement The work is scheduled to begin Monday, March 6, on six bridges around the Westpoint Toll Plaza at the Illinois/Indiana state line, and is expected to continue until May 20. During the work there, traffic through the toll plaza will be reduced to four lanes in each direction. Just east of there, eastbound and westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane and then two lanes. Advertisement The westbound Exit 0 will remain open, but the ramp entrance to the eastbound Toll Road from 108th Street will be closed. Traffic to the eastbound entrance there will be detoured down U.S. 41 to the Hammond (Exit 5) entrance. Local traffic on 108th Street will be closed, and detour signs will be posted. Eastbound and westbound Toll Road traffic will be reduced to two lanes from Mile Marker 1.1 to MM 2.2. Starting March 20, rehabilitation work is to begin on 12 bridges at the Toll Roads Exit 10 (Cline Avenue) and on guardrail improvements between there and Exit 5 (Hammond). At least one lane of traffic will remain open in all directions on Exit 10 through the construction, the company said, but there will be ramp closures. Most of the construction work will take place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, the company said. More details on lane closures and detours is available at the Northwest Indiana Bridge Rehabilitation project page at http://www.indianatollroad.org/travel-advisory/ Our goal is to minimize the impact to travelers by keeping traffic moving safely while proactively communicating with our customers and community stakeholders, ITRCC Chief Operating Officer Rick Fedder said in the companys news release. Advertisement Built in 1956, the Indiana Toll Road was the first limited-access interstate highway across Northwest Indiana and is still the only one that crosses all of northern Indiana, from Illinois to Ohio. All of the bridges being worked on at Exit 0 and the two Exit 10 mainline bridges were built in the 1950s, the company said. The remaining Exit 10 bridges were built in the 1980s when the Cline Avenue interchange was added. Improvements to the bridges include substructure patching, beam painting, bearing replacements, fatigue retrofitting, and deck replacements. Illinois Constructors is the contractor for the work on Exit 0 and east of there, and Rieth Riley is the contractor for the Exit 10 work. ITRCC did not disclose the cost. The Toll Road was managed by the Indiana Department of Transportation until 2006, when ITRCC took over the Toll Road management under a long-term lease from the state. Tim Zorn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. New York City mayor Eric Adams (D) said on Sunday that fellow Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoots loss in Chicago is a warning sign for the country. During an appearance on CNNs State of the Union, anchor Dana Bash asked Adams if Lightfoots loss was a warning sign for his own prospects in New York. To the contrary, I think its a warning sign for the country, Adams responded. Eric Adams has been talking about public safety, not only on the campaign trail, but for the first year. I showed up at crime scenes. I knew what New Yorkers were saying. And I saw it all over the country, he said. I think, if anything, it is really stating that this is what I have been talking about. America, we have to be safe. Lightfoot, 60, became the first incumbent mayor in 40 years to lose her reelection bid last week. Chicagoians instead voted for Paul Vallas, former Chicago Public Schools CEO, and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson to face off in the April 4 runoff election. Adams remarks come as Lightfoot was seen as an underdog in her citys mayoral election, with voters heading into the polls showing their displeasure with the issue of crime in the city. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Teenagers born in 2006 are being urgently registered for military service in occupied Luhansk Oblast. Source: Luhansk Oblast Military Administration Details: Reportedly, enlistment offices for the initial registration of citizens for military service are already in operation. By 31 March, they need to find and register male citizens born in 2006 living in the so-called "Luhansk Peoples Republic". Luhansk Oblast Military Administration states that the occupiers may dispatch them to the front next year instead of the regular Russian army. Meanwhile, search measures for individuals who evade the draft have been intensified in the oblast. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Police have launched an investigation after one person was shot to death at an apartment complex in Bostons Roxbury neighborhood on Saturday afternoon. Officers responding to a report of a shooting at an apartment building on Weaver Way around 3:30 p.m. found a man suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, according to the Boston Police Department. The man, whose name hasnt been released, was pronounced dead at the scene. Video from the scene showed multiple cruisers parked outside the apartment building. Officers remained there Sunday morning, about 16 hours after the shooting. The deadly incident marks the latest of eight homicides in the city since the start of 2023. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Boston police homicide detectives at 617-343-4470. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, National Tyre & Wheel fair value estimate is AU$0.94 National Tyre & Wheel is estimated to be 42% undervalued based on current share price of AU$0.55 The average premium for National Tyre & Wheel's competitorsis currently 382% Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of National Tyre & Wheel Limited (ASX:NTD) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for National Tyre & Wheel Is National Tyre & Wheel Fairly Valued? We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$10.5m AU$29.7m AU$22.0m AU$17.9m AU$15.6m AU$14.4m AU$13.6m AU$13.2m AU$13.0m AU$12.9m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ -18.65% Est @ -12.48% Est @ -8.16% Est @ -5.13% Est @ -3.01% Est @ -1.53% Est @ -0.49% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 13% AU$9.2 AU$23.1 AU$15.1 AU$10.9 AU$8.4 AU$6.8 AU$5.7 AU$4.9 AU$4.3 AU$3.7 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$92m Story continues We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.9%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 13%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032 (1 + g) (r g) = AU$13m (1 + 1.9%) (13% 1.9%) = AU$117m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$117m ( 1 + 13%)10= AU$34m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is AU$126m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of AU$0.5, the company appears quite undervalued at a 42% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. dcf Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at National Tyre & Wheel as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 13%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.902. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for National Tyre & Wheel Strength No major strengths identified for NTD. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Interest payments on debt are not well covered. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian market. Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Next Steps: Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For National Tyre & Wheel, we've put together three important aspects you should explore: Risks: You should be aware of the 3 warning signs for National Tyre & Wheel (1 shouldn't be ignored!) we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does NTD's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Kylian Mbappe celebrates after becoming Paris St Germains all-time top scorer (Franck Fife/AP) (AP) Kylian Mbappe scored late on against Nantes on Saturday to become Paris St Germains record goalscorer. The France stars 201st goal for the capital club moved him clear of Edinson Cavani in their all-time scoring list and here, we look at his goals and how he compares. Ligue 1 Mbappes goal against Nantes was his 136th for PSG in the French top flight since he joined the club in 2017, having scored 16 for Monaco as a teenager. He scored 13 in his first season at the Parc des Princes and a career-best 33 in 29 appearances in his second, during which he turned 20. His 18 the following season came in only 20 league appearances and he followed that up with 27 and then 28, top scorer in the league on both occasions. He holds that status again this time around, three clear of Reims on-loan Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, and with 18 in 22 games he is on course for another impressive tally. Mbappe remains two behind Cavanis league tally for the club of 138, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic (113) the only other man in three figures. Champions League A further 36 of Mbappes record-breaking tally have come in Europe as PSG seek to translate their domestic dominance into Champions League glory. With seven this season, he is within one of his best tally in the competition set in 2020-21 when his side reached the semi-finals before losing to Manchester City. With six for Monaco taking his total to 40, the 24-year-old already ranks 17th on the competitions scoring list since its inception in its current form in 1992. Two of the players ahead of him are his current strike partners Lionel Messi, second behind Cristiano Ronaldo with 129, and Neymar on 43. Ibrahimovic scored 48 while Cavani ranks one place behind Mbappe with 35. Story continues Other competitions Mbappe has scored 27 times for PSG in the Coupe de France, including in the 2020-21 final against his former club Monaco. That is one of three times Mbappe has helped PSG win the competition and crowned his best goal tally of seven, which also included doubles against Lille in the last 16 and Montpellier in the semi-final. They also reached the 2019 final but Mbappe was sent off late in extra time before they lost to Rennes on penalties. He scored twice in the Coupe de la Ligue in 2019-20, the last edition of Frances second cup, as well as in the Trophee des Champions Frances Super Cup between the league and cup winners the same season. His overall record for the club reads 201 goals in 247 appearances in all competitions. He scored 27 Monaco goals in total before moving to PSG and has 36 for France, ranking sixth all-time for Les Bleus and just one behind fifth-placed Karim Benzema. Record scorers Mbappe had moved level with Cavani on 200 goals for PSG with a double against Marseille last week before nudging ahead on Saturday. The pair are clear of third-placed Ibrahimovic, on 156, with Neymar on 118 and looking to move past the Swede in the coming seasons. Pauleta (109) and Dominique Rocheteau (100) are PSGs only other centurions. Paris Hilton has revealed that the 'abuse' she experienced as a teenager meant she 'feared' sex. (Getty Images) Paris Hilton has opened up about how she 'feared' sex despite being widely thought of as a sex symbol. The reality star, 42, revealed that the "abuse and degradation" she suffered as a teenager had a lasting impact on her relationships. She previously alleged in October how she was sexually assaulted by a male teacher during the year she spent at a Utah boarding school. Now, in an extract from her upcoming book Paris: The Memoir published in The Sunday Times, Hilton said: "The ironic thing is, because of the abuse and degradation I survived at the schools I was sent away to as a teenager and maybe partly because of the way I was raised I feared sex. "I hated the idea of sex. I avoided sex until it was absolutely unavoidable." Hilton, pictured in 2000, was aged 19 when she appeared in a sex tape. (Getty Images) This meant that Hilton said she was reluctant to record, aged 19, a sex tape, with her then-boyfriend who remains unnamed in the memoir that was then subsequently leaked by him in 2004. Read more: Paris Hilton reveals son's name and it's based on another city She said: "The world thinks of me as a sex symbol, and I'm here for that, because symbol literally means icon. "But when people saw that sex tape, they didn't say 'icon', they said 'slut'. They said 'whore'. And they weren't shy about it." Hilton is now married to businessman Carter Reum. (Getty Images) Last month, Hilton revealed that her first sexual experience, aged 15, was non-consensual when she was "drugged and raped" by an older man. She told Glamour UK: "I remembered it. I have visions of him on top of me, covering my mouth, being like, 'You're dreaming, you're dreaming,' and whispering that in my ear." Read more: Paris Hilton shares sweet throwback snaps of her as a baby ahead of memoir launch In January, Hilton welcomed her first child with husband Carter Reum, via surrogate, announcing the news in an Instagram post showing her holding the baby's tiny hand. However, the couple, who married in 2021, only revealed his name, Phoenix, late last month. Watch: Paris Hilton undergoes another IVF round in a bid to have a daughter Paris Hilton attends the 65th Grammy Awards on February 5, 2023. Amy Sussman/Getty Images Paris Hilton revealed that she took quaaludes and drank in order to participate in her sex tape. Hilton wrote about the tape in an exclusive extract of "Paris: The Memoir" published in The Sunday Times. The heiress also discussed the backlash she received after her sex tape was leaked in 2004. In an exclusive extract of "Paris: The Memoir" published in The Sunday Times on Saturday, Paris Hilton revealed that she took quaaludes and drank in order to participate in her sex tape. Hilton, 42, detailed the events that led to the filming of her sex tape with ex-boyfriend Rick Salomon. According to a July 2020 report by People, the tape was filmed in 2001 and leaked in 2004. While Hilton does not name Salomon in the excerpt, she writes that she and the professional poker player began dating when she was 18. According to Hilton, Salomon "kept pushing" for them to make a tape together. She eventually agreed. "I wasn't capable of the level of trust required to make a videotape like that. I had to drink myself silly. Quaaludes helped. But I did it. I have to own that. I knew what he wanted, and I went with it," Hilton writes. Hilton revealed that Salomon said he could "easily" find someone else to make a sex tape with if Hilton didn't agree to it. "I needed to prove something to him and to myself, so I got hammered, and I did it," Hilton writes. The heiress also clarified in the extract that she had nothing to do with the leak. "Most important: if this was something I had chosen to do, I would have owned it ... I would have stood by it, capitalized on it, licensed the shit out of every frame, and then boogied on over to the bank without apologizing to anyone," Hilton wrote. At the time, Hilton felt confused regarding her sexuality. Only later did Hilton have the terminology to understand how she felt about sex. "I had no language for it. I'd never heard the word asexual," she wrote, adding that as a teenager she "hated the idea of sex," and avoided it until it was "absolutely unavoidable." Story continues Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie pose for a promotion photo for "A Simple Life." Facebook/Paris Hilton In 2004 Hilton was informed that a video of her having sex was circulating on the internet. In her memoir, Hilton reflected on the aftermath of the sex-tape leak. "The tape was everywhere, and everyone was talking about it, shaking their heads, and saying I had no decency. Funny, no one mentioned the decency of people who watch creepy sex videos of teenage girls," Hilton wrote. In the 2018 documentary "The American Meme," Hilton opened up about the toll the sex-tape scandal took on her. "It was like being raped," she says in the documentary, according to USA Today. "It felt like I'd lost part of my soul and been talked about in such cruel and mean ways. I literally wanted to die at some points. I was like, 'I just don't want to live,' because I thought everything was taken away from me. I didn't want to be known as that." When her sex tape leaked, Hilton's reality show "A Simple Life" with Nicole Richie was in the works. Hilton recalled having to tell the producers and her parents what happened. At the time, she was unsure if the reality series would suffer due to the scandal. "A Simple Life" would continue for five seasons, from 2003 to 2007. "Paris: The Memoir" will be released on March 14. Read the original article on Insider An American Airlines passenger was arrested after urinating on a flight from New York to New Delhi (Getty Images) A US college student was arrested for allegedly urinating on a business class passenger and being abusive towards cabin crew on an American Airlines flight from New York to Delhi, according to reports. Aryan Vohra, a 21-year-old Indian national, was met by police when flight AA 292 from JFK landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport early on Saturday evening local time, officials told the ANI news agency. In a statement, American Airlines told ANI that Mr Vohra was heavily intoxicated and ignoring the crews instructions. He was repeatedly arguing with the operating crew, was not willing to be seated, and continuously endangering the safety of the crew and aircraft and after disturbing (the) safety of fellow passengers finally urinated on (a passenger) in 15g, the airline told the news site. The pilot had radioed ahead to warn airport security of the unruly passenger. He continued to misbehave after being led from the plane by security officials, the airports deputy chief of police Devesh Kumar Mahla told ANI. Mr Mahla said the strongest possible action would be taken against the passenger as a deterrent to other travellers. The victim, a US citizen who was flying business class, did not make a complaint with police, Mr Mahla added. However, the suspect would still be prosecuted for endangering flight safety under Indias Civil Aviation Act, Mr Mahla said. Mr Vohla was handed over to Delhi Police before being released on Sunday afternoon, he added. American Airlines flight 292 from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) was met by local law enforcement upon arrival in Delhi due to a disruptive customer, a spokesperson for American Airlines said in a statement to The Independent. Were grateful to our crew members who are consistently dedicated to the safety and care of our customers and handled the circumstances with the utmost professionalism. Mr Vohra will be permanently banned from flying on American Airlines, ANI reported. The driver of an SUV did not stop after hitting and killing a 26-year-old mother on a busy southwest Charlotte road Saturday night, police said. Around 10 p.m. on Saturday, MEDIC was called to an area of Nations Ford Road at the Interstate 77 interchange for a pedestrian-struck call. ALSO READ: Woman hit, killed by car while walking backward away from police, CMPD says Police said Olivia Lapiana Kowalski was crossing the road when the SUV hit her on its front, left side. Kowalski died at the scene, MEDIC said. She would light up every room she walked in, said Molly Greene, Kowalskis best friend. Kowalski was a nail tech, dedicated friend, and loving mother to her eight-year-old son Kayden, Greene told Channel 9s Joe Bruno. I just want her to be remembered as the beautiful, loving, caring, selfless person that she was, Greene said. The SUV drove onto I-77 North after the wreck without stopping to help Kowalski, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said. The news reports are, Oh it was a pedestrian, Greene said. It is not just a pedestrian. She was a mother. She was a daughter. She was a sister. She was a friend. She was important. She meant something to all of us. Greene and a group of Kowalskis friends are pushing for justice. They want whoever struck and killed their friend to come forward. The fact that someone could do that to her and it could be so brutal, and then to keep going, Greene said. How do you even sleep at night? Detectives have video of the crash and are working to identify the vehicle and its driver. If no one else is watching, God is watching, Greene said in a message to the driver. God is watching you and he knows what you did. So come forward. Speed does not appear to be a factor and its not known if the driver was impaired. This is a developing story; check back at wsoctv.com for updates. (WATCH BELOW: Pedestrian struck and killed in southwest Charlotte, MEDIC says) A literature exhibition on the great Chinese ancient encyclopedia "Yongle Dadian" officially opened at the Lanzhou Museum in northwest China's Gansu Province on Tuesday, with some 70 pieces of material related to Lanzhou City in the classic for visitors to enjoy. The "Yongle Dadian," commissioned by Emperor Yongle in 1403, collected more than 7,000 kinds of ancient Chinese books and records, covering literature, art, history, geography, philosophy and religion from the pre-Qin period (pre-221 B.C.) to the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). With a total of 11,095 volumes and about 370 million characters, the "Yongle Dadian" was lauded as the "largest encyclopedia in the world" by the "Encyclopedia Britannica." In an effort to protect this world-renowned compilation, Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty ordered a re-recording of the classic. The copying work took five years to complete. Despite meticulous protection, hand-copied books have been gradually lost over the long course of history. Today, only slightly over 400 volumes and a few fragments of the "Yongle Dadian" remain in the world, which is less than 4 percent of the original book. To facilitate public dissemination and professional study of the great ancient encyclopedia, the Yongle Canon HD Images Database was released by the National Library of China in Beijing this February, which is freely accessible to the public for reference. Using advanced technology, China has stepped up efforts to bring classic literature back to daily life. In 2022, Chinese central authorities issued a set of guidelines, promising greater efforts to digitize ancient books and encouraging libraries and archives to open their collections and digital resources to the public. Ancient books are vital to China's efforts to carry on its cultural tradition, foster a Chinese ethos and enhance its cultural strength, said the guidelines. The National Library of China Publishing House and the Research Center for Digital Humanities of Peking University jointly developed the Yongle Canon HD Images Database. Currently, it contains the content of 1,800 books from the National Library of China's collection of the "Yongle Dadian." Based on the high-definition images, the database adopts GIS techniques and three-dimension restoration techniques to vividly display the binding and layout of the encyclopedia and the whereabouts of the existing volumes, according to Wei Chong, director of the National Library of China Publishing House. Likewise, the "Complete Library in Four Sections," also known as "Siku Quanshu," a collection of Chinese classical works, is being digitized in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province. Created in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), "Siku Quanshu" had seven duplicates, which were originally stored in seven imperial libraries located in Beijing, east China's Yangtze River Delta, and Shenyang in northeast China's Liaoning Province, among other locations. Currently, only three and a half duplicates remain. The duplicate stored in the Wensu Pavilion library in Lanzhou, which was built in 2005, contains 36,315 volumes. It was initially stored in the Shenyang Imperial Palace, and moved to Lanzhou in the 1960s. Significant efforts have been made to preserve this valuable copy. The local government has invested over 100 million yuan (about 14.57 million U.S. dollars) to continuously upgrade the library's conditions. According to the library director Chen Jun, the library uses international-standard, temperature- and humidity-controlled storage with an average temperature of 12 degrees Celsius in January and a constant humidity of around 50 percent throughout the year. To make the copy more accessible to the public, digitization efforts began in 2021 and are expected to be completed by 2024. Chen said the library plans to make the digitized resources of the ancient texts available for various purposes, such as research and development of cultural products, while ensuring copyright protection. "This effort aims to promote the in-depth study of cultural relics and bring them closer to the general public," said Chen. In south China's Guangdong Province, the Sun Yat-sen Library has finished digitizing several rare and precious editions of ancient books, 1,013 kinds of periodicals and 480 kinds of newspapers published before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, among others. To further improve the efficiency of using the library's collection, the library has carried out text data recognition and database-building work on about 20,000 microforms, enabling functions including full-text search and text copying, according to the deputy director of the library's digitization department Zhang Hongxin. "Digital transformation is a trend of the times. Ancient books will be integrated with other cultural carriers in the digital space, allowing the public to understand the overall picture of our traditional culture through various digital forms," said Liang Jihong, director of the digital humanities research and education office at the Renmin University of China. Former Vice President Mike Pence hinted once again on Saturday that his decision on a potential 2024 presidential bid is imminent. The American people love competition, Pence said in an interview with Fox News Digital. And its a free country. Everyone is entitled to vie for offices in this country of their choosing. I do believe that different times call for different leadership, he later added. Pence has previously suggested that he will make a decision on his election plans by the spring, a point that he reiterated in Saturdays interview. We think weve got time to be discerning, to be reflective, to listen, he said. And my wife and I both believe that well have a clear sense of our call sometime this spring. The former vice president also indicated that he would comply with a new Republican National Committee (RNC) loyalty pledge if he were to enter the race. RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel said last weekend that any candidate that wants to participate in the first GOP primary debate will be required to sign a pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee. Ive supported Republican candidates for my entire adult life since I joined the Reagan revolution as a young man, Pence said. And if Im a candidate for president, I have every confidence that well meet the obligations that the RNC sets for the debate. Pence was notably absent from the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this week. All three announced Republican candidates, including former President Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, were on the schedule to speak during the conference. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. UPDATE 3/5/23 Counties across the area had multiple roads closed throughout the day as downed trees ripped through powerlines and onto the ground during Friday nights storm. RELATED COVERAGE >>> Strong winds cause damage, thousands of power outages throughout Fayette County On Saturday, PennDOT initially released a list of roads that were expected to stay closed for a bit. An updated list was released Sunday night. Route 2004 in Greene County was removed from the list, but there were no changes made in Fayette or Westmoreland counties. 3/4/23 Saturday evening, PennDot sent out a list of about a half dozen roads that are still closed. Those roads are: Fayette County Route 1056 (Kreinbrook Road) is closed in Bullskin Township from Ohler Road to Rydle Road due to downed trees and wires. Route 2010 (Chalk Hill Ohiopyle Road) is closed in Wharton Township from Old Mill Road to Greenbrier Road due to downed trees and wires. Route 3004 (Wymps Gap Road) is closed in Springhill Township from the West Virginia State Line to Spring Hill Furnace Road due to downed trees and wires. Greene County Route 2004 (Taylortown Road) is closed in Dunkard Township from the West Virginia State Line to Bald Hill Church Road due to a downed utility. Westmoreland County: Route 982 is closed in Mount Pleasant Township from Alice Road to Moccasin Hollow Road due to downed trees and wires. Route 982 is closed in Mount Pleasant Township from Tall Pine Drive to Route 130 due to downed trees and wires. Route 1023 (Nature Run Road) is closed in Ligonier Township from Hall Road to Kissell Springs Road due to downed trees and wires. Route 2025 (Ankney Hill Road/Clay Pike Road) is closed in Mount Pleasant Township from Clay Pike Road/Kecksburg Road to Sawmill Road due to downed trees. Route 259 is closed in Ligonier Township from McCurdy Trail to Austraw Road due to downed trees and wires. Route 271 is closed in Ligonier Township from Turkey Inn Road to Mill Road due to downed trees and wires. Route 1007 (Ross Mountain Park Road) is closed from Umheys Road in Ligonier Township to Route 1002 (Mountain View Road) in Fairfield Township due to downed trees and wires. Story continues PennDOT said crews are working throughout the night and addressing the issues that will allow the roads to reopen. You can visit PennDOTs website to continue to monitor the road closures. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Pittsburgh woman missing for more than 30 years found alive in Puerto Rico Family of local teacher left with brain injury from car crash searching for healthcare options Video shows man arrested by heavy police presence outside hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh VIDEO: Dozens arrested after year-long federal investigation, drugs removed from Western Pa. DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Pete Buttigieg has admitted he miscalculated in not visiting the site of a toxic train derailment in the Ohio town of East Palestine sooner. But the Transport Secretary hit back against the spiteful criticism he has faced from political opponents and rightwing commentators in a new interview with CNN. Its really rich to see some of these folks the former president, these Fox hosts who are literally lifelong card-carrying members of the East Coast elite, whose top economic policy priority has always been tax cuts for the wealthy, Mr Buttigieg told CNN. You think Tucker Carlson knows the difference between a T.J. Maxx and a Kohls? Mr Buttigieg told the cable news network that he had failed to anticipated the fallout from the 3 February Norfolk Southern train derailment. The accident saw poisonous vinyl chloride chemicals seep into the air and water supply after a controlled burn off was carried out. The 2020 presidential candidate said he conducted 23 interviews in the weeks before the derailment was picked up by Republican lawmakers and Fox News as an example of how Democrats were neglecting the forgotten middle of the country, and wasnt asked a single question about it. Pete Buttigieg admitted that he had waited too long to visit the East Palestine derailment site (AP) He eventually visited East Palestine on 23 February, one day after Donald Trump toured the crash site. Mr Buttigieg told CNN he found the experience of seeing the twisted train wreckage and tasting the chemical residue in the air confronting. I could get technical readouts, information about the response. But I think it was important to hear and see how the community was responding, what they were worried about it just a different way that you can sense on paper, he said. Coverage of the visit fixated on his choice of boots, which Mr Buttigieg admitted he found maddening. Mr Buttigieg has been a frequent target during his tenure as Transport Secretary for incidents like the Southwest Airlines meltdown at New Years, but argues that hes being blamed for events that are mostly out of his control. Story continues The criticism has ranged from calls for his resignation, to homophobic attacks from the likes of Donald Trump Jr. He said that the environmental disaster in East Palestine wouldnt have been different had he visited the town sooner, and that no previous Transport Secretary had toured a derailment site. He added that the job entailed far more public relations than he had anticipated. Sometimes people need policy work, and sometimes people need performative work, he told CNN. And to get to this level, youve got to be ready to serve up both. WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 1: Secretary of transportation Pete Butt Secretary of transportation Pete Buttigieg, speaks during a television interview outside the White House in Washington, DC in March 1, 2022. Credit - Oliver ContrerasFor The Washington Post/ Getty Images On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg conceded that he had a slow response to the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, saying that he should have gone to the city sooner. In an exclusive interview with CNN, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana and former presidential candidate, admitted his shortcomings, but he also denounced his critics, arguing prominent conservative politicians and figureheads could not act like they truly care about working class Americans affected by this disaster. Its really rich to see some of these folks the former president, these Fox hosts who are literally lifelong card-carrying members of the East Coast elite, whose top economic policy priority has always been tax cuts for the wealthy, and who wouldnt know their way around a T.J. Maxx if their life depended on it, to be presenting themselves as if they genuinely care about the forgotten middle of the country, Buttigieg said. You think Tucker Carlson knows the difference between a T.J. Maxx and a Kohls? The Transportation Secretary has faced staunch criticism for the past few weeks, both from members of Congress and social media users. Sen. Marco Rubio called for Buttigiegs resignation, saying Buttigieg has downplayed and ignored crisis after crisis, while prioritizing topics of little relevance to our nations transportation system. On the Senate floor, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that Buttigieg was more interested in pursuing press coverage for woke initiatives and climate nonsense than in attending to basic elements of his day job. But much of the fallout hes facing, Buttigieg says, is due to factors that are out of his control. He said he recognizes he should have visited East Palestine earlier, though he added there would not have been a substantial difference in the aftermath of the derailment because it does not have much to do with the Department of Transportation. No other Transportation Secretary had ever visited a derailment site before the incident in Ohio. Sometimes people need policy work, and sometimes people need performative work, Buttigieg said. And to get to this level, youve got to be ready to serve up both. Story continues Buttigieg eventually traveled to the derailment site on Feb. 23, a day after former President Donald Trumps visit. The secretary criticized Trump, calling it somewhat maddening to see a figure who did so much to decrease not just rail safety regulations, but the EPA, which is the number one thing standing between that community and a total loss of accountability, visit. Trump also suggested Buttigieg only visited the site because he was prompted by Trumps visit. Although the Environmental Protection Agency has been the leading agency dealing with the train derailment, officials say Buttigieg has been targeted because his former presidential run makes him a bigger figure thats much easier to attack. Maybe they think that because he ran for president, hes an easy target to hit, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh told CNN. Regardless, Buttigieg is hoping that his opponents will turn their criticism into action. People who have sided with the rail industry again and again and again are suddenly acting like rail safety advocates, Buttigieg told CNN. But it also creates the chance to call them to the table and say, OK, if were serious now, lets do this. A weekend winter storm dumped snow across many areas of Massachusetts and New Hampshire on Saturday. While most southern and coastal communities only saw a smattering of flakes mixed with rain, many communities received more than 8 inches of snow and one town was even buried under a foot of the white stuff. Boston 25 News asked for your photos of the snowfall in your town and you delivered. Worcester was a winter wonderland in March. Chris Jello shared a photo of a street that looked closer to Christmas Day than St Patricks Day. Ashburnham was pounded with more than 9.3 inches of snow. Kyle Eaton seemed to enjoy the day with some chicken wings that had gone a bit cold. Warren, Mass received 3.4 inches of snow by Saturday night. Bob Kheller shared a photo of snow coating his yard and car. Look at those frost-tipped tree tops in Townsend. Emily Ann shared a photo of the 7 inches of snow the town received. Laura Beth shared a photo of a snow-coated grill in Winchendon. Good thing Memorial Day is still 12 weekends away. Liz Martin shared a photo of a brave winter warrior doing battle with 5.6 inches of snow in Greenfield. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The Watertown Police Department arrested a Henry School District teacher Sunday following a report of a sex crime. A release from the department says it arrested Shanna Ries, 41 of Watertown, saying she is accused of sexual contact with a 16-year-old student. Ries was arrested for sexual contact with a child under 18 position of authority (Class 6 Felony) and sexual exploitation of a minor (Class 6 Felony). A Class 6 Felony is punishable by two years imprisonment in the state penitentiary or a fine of four thousand dollars, or both, according to the release. "The school has been notified about the investigation," police said. "The investigation is ongoing andadditional charges are pending. The Watertown Police Department was assisted by the Codington County Sheriffs Office." This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Police arrest Henry teacher, suspicion of sexual contact with student Jacksonville police using bloodhounds, drones and divers found a missing 2 1/2-year-old child unresponsive in a pond near the youngster's Westside home Friday evening. Life-saving efforts to revive the toddler at the scene were unsuccessful and the youngster was pronounced dead at a local hospital, Lt. Mike Silcox of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said at the scene. The Sheriff's Office didn't identify the child who Silcox said had been reported missing about at 5:45 p.m. in the 1600 block of Avenger Lane near Normandy Boulevard and Herlong Road. Home security camera video showed the direction the child was going. A Sheriff's Office bloodhound then tracked the toddler to one of several ponds in the neighborhood, he said. Retention pond danger:Jacksonville toddler in critical condition after being pulled from water Girl drowns:Body of 4-year-old girl pulled from Westside Jacksonville pond About 40 minutes after the search began, Silcox said officers pulled the child from the pond about 6:20 p.m. and began CPR. The child was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead. Because the investigation was in the preliminary stages, it wasn't known immediately how long the child might have been in the water. The Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Children & Families are investigating the death. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children age 1 to 4 years old according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The death is the second drowning of a Jacksonville child this year. On Jan. 28 another toddler, a 2-year-old girl, died after wandering into a swimming pool at her family's home on the Westside, according to the Sheriff's Office. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville police investigating drowning of 2 1/2-year-old child Polish President Andrzej Duda has stated that Russias aggression against Ukraine is of a neo-colonial nature and Russia intends to exploit Ukraine economically. Source: Andrzej Duda, at the 5th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Qatar, as reported by European Pravda, citing Polskie Radio Details: Duda said the Russians wanted to conquer and exploit their neighbours, which is a continuation of historical colonialism. He said Poland had also been its victim in the past. "The empire abducts people, including children, and takes them away deep into Russia. The Ukrainians say that the Russians have abducted 100,000 children. If anyone does not obey its will, the empire kills them. Doesnt this sound familiar? Hasn't this happened in the history of many countries? I am saying this openly, because in the past, Poland has been a victim of the cruel policies of neighbouring empires," added the Polish president. Duda also said that supporting people who live in the least developed countries should remain one of the EUs priorities. He noted that these countries have also suffered greatly as a result of Russias invasion of Ukraine, and that includes the damage done by rising food prices. Background: Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in Qatar on Sunday that Ankara is making every effort to extend the "grain deal" on the transportation of Ukrainian agricultural products through the Black Sea. Ukraines business community has issued a joint call to the guarantors of the Black Sea Grain Initiative to facilitate its stable operation, continuation and expansion. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The Zoom event with Christopher Waller was canceled after the intruder joined. Getty Imates A virtual meeting with a Federal Reserve governor was canceled after being "Zoom-bombed", per Reuters. The intruder showed porn images on the call, which had more than 200 participants. The hacker displayed the images a few minutes before the conference was due to start. A virtual conference with a member of the Federal Reserve's board of governors was hijacked by a "Zoom-bomber" who showed porn images, Reuters reported. The Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America (MBCA) was forced to cancel the online event Thursday with Christopher Waller after an intruder joined the call and displayed explicit images. More than 200 people were logged on when the conference was "Zoom-bombed." One participant with the display name "Dan" started showing porn photos a few minutes before the event started, according to a Reuters reporter who was in the meeting. "Zoom-bombing" is where a virtual call is interrupted by users who are uninvited and gatecrash a meeting. "We were a victim of a teleconference, or Zoom, hijacking and we are trying to understand what we need to do going forward to prevent this from ever happening again. It is an incident we deeply regret," executive director of the MBCA, Brent Tjarks, told Reuters. He said the incident was a first for the organization and thought incorrect settings for muting participants may be to blame. The FBI issued a warning about Zoom-bombing in March 2020, advising that meetings should be made private with a password to gain access, and not to post links on social media. The caution came after some hackers joined school classes and in one case displayed swastika tattoos. In another incident in 2020, trolls joined Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and told participants in recovery that "alcohol is soooo good." The rise of Zoom meetings and subsequent Zoom-bombing during the pandemic led the company to place a 90-day freeze on new features in April 2020 while it focused on bolstering the platform's security. Zoom spokesman Matt Nagel told Reuters in a statement: "We have been deeply upset to hear about these types of incidents, and Zoom strongly condemns such behavior." He said the company took such incidents "extremely seriously" and worked with law enforcement when needed. The MBCA and Zoom did not respond to requests for comment from Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider Power has been restored to all Ohio Edison customers in Clark County following Saturdays train derailment in Springfield. >>Transparency matters; Clark County, state officials stress no dangers to public after derailment The derailment knocked out power to 688 Ohio Edison Customers and all but 47 were restored late Saturday night, an Ohio Edison spokesperson told News Center 7. Power was restored to those remaining customers at around 3:50 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Ohio Edison crews had to switch electricity around the areas of damage and the services could not have been restored until they were permitted into the area of the derailment, the spokesperson said. >>ORIGINAL: Power outages reported following train derailment in Clark County The outages were in the area of State Route 41 between S Bird Road and Gateway Boulevard. At least 1,500 Clark County residents were without power Saturday night due to down power lines following the train derailment, according to the Clark County Government Facebook page. No injuries were reported with this derailment and the shelter in place has been lifted. News Center 7 will continue following this developing story. China will unswervingly consolidate and develop the public sector and unswervingly encourage, support and guide the development of the non-public sector, according to a government work report submitted Sunday to the national legislature for deliberation. China will deepen reform of state-owned capital and state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and enhance the core competitiveness of the SOEs, said the report. China will also encourage and support the private sector and private businesses in growing and expanding and support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed individuals in business development, the report said. China will create an environment in which enterprises under all forms of ownership can compete and grow on a level playing field, it added. Practical Move, with jockey Ramon Vazquez, wins the Grade II $400,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Saturday. (Benoit Photo via the Associated Press) It made perfect sense that Tim Yakteen would find himself in the winners circle after Saturdays running of the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes, a major prep race leading to the Kentucky Derby, at Santa Anita Park. After all, he had five starters in the race by virtue of inheriting four horses from fellow trainer Bob Baffert, so those horses would be eligible to win Derby qualifying points while Baffert is banned at Churchill Downs. What few thought, though, is the winner would be the lone entrant that Yakteen has trained since the 3-year-old started racing last year. Practical Move virtually assured himself a spot in Kentucky after gaining 50 qualifying points with his 2-length win. He now has 60 points after also winning the Los Alamitos Futurity in December. Yakteen wouldnt say if it was more satisfying to win with a horse hes had for eight months rather than one week. Winning is winning; there is nothing more satisfying, he said. The San Felipe started with Hejazi taking the lead in front of race favorite Geaux Rocket Ride. They ran down the backstretch that way with Practical Move content in fourth. Practical Move started his move around the far turn and hit the top of the stretch with a lead of 1 lengths. Practical Move paid $10.40, $5.20 and $3.20. Geaux Rocket Ride was second, followed by Skinner, Hejazi, Fort Bragg, Mr Fisk, Chase The Chaos, Genius Jimmy and Bluegrass Go Go. Yakteen also trained Hejazi, Fort Bragg and Mr Fisk. His fifth horse, the morning-line favorite National Treasure, was scratched because of a bruise on his left front hoof. Yakteen said hell return to the Derby trail hopefully this month. Jockey Ramon Vazquez celebrates after riding Practical Move to victory in the San Felipe Stakes on Saturday. (Benoit Photo via the Associated Press) This horse keeps getting better and better every day, winning jockey Ramon Vazquez said of Practical Move. He can go inside or outside. He is comfortable wherever. He lets me do my job and he does the rest. I have always dreamed of winning the Kentucky Derby. I had a previous chance in 2015 [riding Mr. Z] for Mr. [Wayne] Lukas. Im hoping for another chance here. Story continues Owners Jean Pierre and Leslie Amestoy, who primarily race quarter horses, bought the colt for $230,000 last April. He was sent to Yakteen and made his debut at the Del Mar. Weve been running against Baffert all summer, Jean Pierre Amestoy said. It was three against one and two against one, but this horse finally beat them on a disqualification [of Fort Bragg in October at Santa Anita.] And we beat him at Los Alamitos and we beat him here again. Were good. I like my horse. I like my chances. Even though Practical Move has enough points to make the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field, Amestoy plans to run him again. The plan would be well probably start him again, Yakteen said. I think well have one more stop. Yakteen would not commit to where, as he has to balance the idea of not running Practical Move against some of his other Derby hopefuls and hurting their chances. Lets just leave the canvas blank and Ill color it in a little bit later, Yakteen said. There were two other major Kentucky Derby prep races Saturday. Forte, winner of the Breeders Cup Juvenile, looked dominant in winning the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Florida's Gulfstream Park by 4 lengths. Raise Cain also looked strong while winning the Gotham Stakes at New York's Aqueduct by 7 lengths. All three Saturday preps were run at 1-1/16 miles or less. In the next round of prep races, which includes the Santa Anita Derby, the winner and runner-up get 100 and 50 points, respectively. Most of those races are run at 1-1/8 miles. The Kentucky Derby will be the first time a horse runs 1 miles. Baffert is serving a two-year suspension by Churchill Downs after his horse Medina Spirit tested positive for a medication that's banned on race day following his victory in the 2021 Kentucky Derby. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) Tim Yakteen got the best of his former boss, Bob Baffert, with Practical Move's 2 1/2-length victory in the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday. At Floridas Gulfstream, Forte easily won the $400,000 Fountain of Youth as the 1-2 favorite in his 3-year-old debut. The early Kentucky Derby favorite ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.12. Forte earned 50 points toward qualifying for the Derbys 20-horse field. He had not raced since winning the Breeders Cup Juvenile at Keeneland in November, which helped him earn juvenile champion honors last year. At New Yorks Aqueduct, Raise Cain won the $300,000 Gotham and paid $49 to win on a busy day of Kentucky Derby preps around the country. He also earned 50 Derby qualifying points. At Santa Anita, Yakteen was busy saddling three other colts that were recently transferred from Baffert's barn to him. The trio of Hejazi, Fort Bragg and Mr Fisk finished fourth, fifth and sixth. The transfer was required in order for them to earn Derby qualifying points. Baffert is serving a two-year ban by Churchill Downs Inc., which will keep him out of the Derby for the second straight year. National Treasure, another of Bafferts colts taken over by Yakteen, was scratched because of a bruised right front foot. He is likely to race again later this month. But it was Practical Move, a colt Yakteen has developed himself, that stole the show. Hes developed really well from a 2-year-old old to a 3-year-old, said Yakteen, who was an assistant to Baffert years ago. Just a gifted, gifted individual. Practical Move ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.01 under Ramon Vazquez. He paid $10.40, $5.20 and $3.20. The colt earned 50 points toward Kentucky Derby qualifying. This horse keeps getting better and better every day, Vazquez said. Geaux Rocket Ride, the 5-2 favorite, returned $5 and $3.20. Skinner was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third and paid $2.80 to show. Practical Move was bred by prominent trainer Chad Brown and was purchased for $230,000 by Leslie and Jean Pierre Amestoy, along with another partner. The Amestoys, who have had most of their success with quarter horses in New Mexico, don't mind that Yakteen will possibly be overseeing Baffert's colts in the Kentucky Derby. Story continues The couple noted they've beaten Baffert-trained horses three times, including Practical Move's win in the Los Alamitos Futurity in December. Were good, Leslie Amestoy said, smiling. Her husband added, I like my horse. ___ AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports LONDON (AP) King Charles III's office has been in touch with Prince Harry about the new monarch's coronation, raising the possibility the prince will attend the historic ceremony despite tensions within the royal family. If Harry and his wife, Meghan, were to attend the May 6 coronation at Westminster Abbey in London, it would be the first meeting between Charles and his younger son since Harry deepened the rift within the House of Windsor by revealing family secrets in his bestselling book, Spare. A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan, also known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, confirmed Sunday that Harry had received email correspondence from the kings office about the coronation. Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An immediate decision on whether the Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time, the couples office said in a statement. Speculation about whether Harry and Meghan would be invited to the coronation has raged since the release of Harrys explosive memoir, which contained damning allegations of intrigue behind the palace walls. The disclosures, including details of private conversations with his father and brother, Prince William, fanned tensions between Harry and his family that became public when he and his wife moved to North America in 2020. The book also included allegations that members of the royal family regularly feed the press unflattering information about other members of the House of Windsor in exchange for positive coverage of themselves. The prince singled out Camilla, the queen consort, accusing her of leaking private conversations to the media as she sought to rehabilitate her image after marrying Charles. Camilla was once reviled for her long-term affair with Charles, which contributed to the breakdown of his marriage to the late Prince Diana, Harry and Williams mother. The acrimony between Harry and his family once again spilled into public view this week when the Sussexes acknowledged they were asked to vacate their home in Britain. Story continues Frogmore Cottage, on the grounds of Windsor Castle west of London, was the couples main residence before they gave up royal duties and moved to Montecito, a wealthy enclave in Southern California. The Sun newspaper reported that Charles asked them to relinquish the dwelling on Jan. 11, the day after Harrys memoir was published. But issues other than the book may have sparked the request. Charles, who became king after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September, has said he plans to cut the number of working royals and reduce the cost of the monarchy as he seeks to modernize the 1,000-year-old institution in hopes of ensuring its survival. With Harry and Meghan now living in California, leaving a royal residence without occupants so they have a place to stay on their occasional visits to the U.K. may have been seen as a bad look. Harry, meanwhile, continues to share his personal experiences and critique of the royal family as he promotes his book. While taking part Saturday in a live-streamed conversation with Dr. Gabor Mate, author of The Myth Of Normal: Trauma, Illness & Healing In A Toxic Culture, the prince discussed his past drug use and said he had urged other members of the family to have therapy. He said criticism of Spare'' wont make him be silent because talking about these issues has helped him deal with the trauma in his life. The more they criticize, the more they comment, the more I feel the need to share, Harry said. I found a way to be able to look around, and firstly ignore, the criticisms and the abuse. The Duke of Sussex has opened up about how he always felt slightly different from other members of the royal family and said his mother felt the same way. In a new interview for readers of his memoir Spare, Prince Harry spoke about grieving his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, and what it is like to live with loss. He also said he does not consider himself a victim and thought that sharing his experiences through his book would help some people out there. Speaking to author Gabor Mate, an expert in trauma and healing, Harry said that the release of his book made him feel incredibly free, despite sources saying his father and brother are furious about it. He described feeling slightly different to the rest of my family while growing up and that he lived in a bubble that was eventually burst by going to therapy. During the livestreamed event, Harry said he felt a huge weight off my shoulders after Spare was released in January. It went on to become the fastest-selling non-fiction book ever, with 400,000 copies across hardback, ebook and audio formats sold on its first day of publication. He told Dr Mate how therapy helped him overcome his mothers death. Diana died in a fatal car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997, at the age of 36, when Harry was just 12. My awareness to my own story, my own self, was distorted, perhaps because of my environment and what it does to you, but also because of society, he said. When I started to unpack 12-year-old Harry and when my mother died, it was scary. I thought that when I went to therapy that it would cure me, and that I would lose whatever I had left of my mother it was the opposite I turned into what I thought should be sadness to show that I missed her, into knowing that she would want me to be happy. The interview did not address recent revelations that the Sussexes were asked to vacate their UK home, Frogmore Cottage. Members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace (AFP via Getty Images) A royal expert told The Independent that it was impossible not to link King Charles IIIs decision to evict the couple from the Windsor property, which was gifted to them by the late Queen Elizabeth II after their wedding in 2018, to the release of Spare. Story continues It is understood that the King has offered the keys to Frogmore Cottage to his brother, the Duke of York, and wishes for him to move out of the Royal Lodge. However, Prince Andrew who stepped down as a working royal over his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein is said to be resisting any move out of his current residence. Harry and Meghan are not fighting the eviction, another source said. The couple live in a mansion in Montecito, California, with their two children, Archie and Lilibet. It was suggested that what Harry said in his recent interview could determine whether or not he and Meghan will receive an invitation to the King and Queen Consorts coronation this May. Sources have now said that they will still get an invitation. However, without their usual accommodation, it is not known where the couple will stay if they do attend the coronation, although no commitments have been made as Harry is said to be seeking an apology from the King and Prince William. It was reported today (Sunday 5 March) that the King may offer Andrews old suite of rooms in Buckingham Palace to the Sussexes for them to use during visits to the UK. Russian military "By March 31, they need to find and register male citizens born in 2006 who live in the so-called 'LPR.' That is, those who will be able to be sent to the front next year instead of the regular Russian army," it said. Read also: 12-year-old schoolboy receives draft notice in Russia They also continue to summon older residents who are "required" to be on the "military registry," but are not. They use enhanced search measures for persons who evade the "draft." On the basis of requests from the "military commissariat," such men will be detained and immediately taken to "conscription points." In addition, the so-called "Kadyrovites," mercenaries of the Kremlin's puppet warlord in Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov, took 200 "difficult" teenagers to a "military patriotic boot camp" outside the temporarily occupied Luhansk Oblast. Read also: Kadyrov claims he will send his teenage sons to the frontline in Ukraine The General Staff of the Armed Forces earlier reported that Russian invaders were planning to start mobilizing residents of occupied Horlivka, Donetsk Oblast, on March 5. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Photo Illustration by Erin OFlynn/The Daily Beast/Reuters and Wikimedia Commons Its one of the oldest philosophical debates in history: does evil exist? Humankinds original word for evil, pronounced namhulemerged 6,000 years ago in Sumer, one of the cradles of civilization located within the borders of modern-day Iraq. It was applied to a wicked despot: The Sumer tablets describe an evil leader as one who oppresses orphans and widows; those who do not seek equity under the law; do nothing to prevent chaos, and murder their own people, explains Dr. Jonathan Tenney, Cambridge University assistant professor of Assyriology and a specialist in the Sumer language. Namhul is also an abstract for rottenness. Six millennia later, another rotten leader stalks the Earth. Evil is still around today, and when evil comes after you, Zelensky warns, there will be no one to protect you. The unleashing of an all-out ground war in 21st-century Europe was something that many governments thought impossible, and yet the only reasonable forecasts one can make 12 months later would suggest the misery is going to intensify. The liquidation of Ukraine is the only formula for peace, Vladimir Putins televised pitchman Sergey Mardan recently told 143 million Russians in a verbal barrage to intensify the estimated $1.2 trillion of damage Putin has rained on Ukraine over the past 12 months. The evil Zelensky sees percolating in Putin is like the universe: large, not fully understoodand expanding. The Crazy Mystical Impulses Sending Putin Wild in Ukraine It encourages those around him to behave in the same way. The St. Petersburg hotdog vendor, ex-convict and infamous military contractor Yevgeny Prigozhin perhaps most clearly personifies the Sumers definition of evil. Prigozhin, who owns and operates the Russian mercenary force Wagner Group and other companies under U.S. Treasury Department sanctions, is quite literally Putins hatchet man in Ukraine. These abominations are not tolerated, warns the Sumerian Hymn to Enlil. The evil and wicked man do not escape. Story continues But they do have lawyers. Prigozhin is currently represented by teams of high-profile attorneys in London and Washington. In one recent litigation, the U.K. government remarkably gave his counsel special authorization to represent their sanctioned client in a libel claim against journalists. Last January, when The Financial Times asked one of Wagners gunslingers if the group was a terrorist organization, Prigozhins answer arrived over the Russian social media site Telegram. If you think that my employee will respond to this endless chewing of shit in his mouth, in turn I would like to respond to The Financial Times, Prigozhin wrote. Spit that shit out, breathe some fresh air. There is little fresh air in Ukraine. Multiple scientific studies show that 12 months of Russian bombardment and the fallout of structural fires have resulted in severe long-term health and environmental concerns throughout the region. Prigozhins power is that hes an evil person, says Dmitry Palyuga, a counselor for the Putin-allied Yabloko Party. Prigozhin can say it publicly that, Yes, Im doing some evil stuff but if I dont do it we will lose. Prigozhin is the devil with a bow tie, adds Russian opposition politician Igor Yakovenko. The West is not ready to accept this evil. Its not clear what it is. As Yakovenko sees it, Prigozhin and Putin are two pieces in the devils jigsaw, a puzzle with a sinister solution eternally in dispute. For Dante, evil was a 14th-century poetic meditation, a Divine Comedy charted by navigating the conical structure of Hell. Hannah Arendt categorized evil as a phenomenon embodied in the Nazi war criminal and Holocaust architect Adolph Eichmann, whose 1961 prosecution she covered for The New Yorker. Arendt said that her pervasive description the banality of evil could not be ascribed to any particular wickedness, pathology, ideological conviction or the doer, but resulted from a phenomenon which starred one in the face at the trial. The evil exposed in Eichmanns expression was not exceptional, profound or demonic. It was dull, boringand thrived because Adolf Hitler had codified the Holocaust into law. The law of Hitlers land, Arendt said, demanded that the voice of conscience tell everybody thou shall kill, although the organizers of the massacre knew full well that murder was against the normal desires and inclinations of most peoples. Putin, too, has validated moralitys concept of evil as a legalized albeit criminal activity, and the International Criminal Court does not try defendants in absentia. Putin must first be captured and extradited before he can stand trial for crimes against humanity including more than 7,000 civilians dead and over 200,000 military casualties on both sides, according to General Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Cannot be cured But Putin and his martinets are immune from prosecution for evil, because there are no secular laws to deliver us from evil. History shows us that evil and the rule of law can coexist, says the American attorney and Cambridge University legal scholar Anna Lukina. The language of law and political science fails to get to the core of (Putin), says Andrei Babitsky at the Washington-based Wilson Centers Kennan Institute for advanced research on Russia. We should not be shy to use evil in these debates. Western leaders agree. What Putin has done is evil, says former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. It probably follows that if you are what you do, then certainly. Adds former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul: I did not expect Putin to be as evil in the way he is fighting this war that he has been. Putin Isnt Just Insane. Its Far Worse Than That. U.S. President Joe Biden last April refused to mince his words. Yes, I called it genocide, Biden said, responding to questions after delivering a speech on Putins attempt to exterminate Ukraine. It has become clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even beingbeing able to be Ukrainian. Perhaps Putins most remarkable achievement is that hes helped Zelensky cut through the ambiguity of evil, and obliged the U.S., NATO and the 54 countries in the Ukraine Contact Group to spurn negotiation and instead arm Zelensky combat the mayhems, mischiefs and manipulations of the Kremlin despot. Putin and Prigozhin did not respond to requests for comment. Evil is very sensitive to cowardice, Zelensky warned his Western allies during the battle of Dnipro. Evil always remembers those who fear it or try to bargain with it. Back at the Cambridge University archaeology department, Dr. Tenney says Putin is a poster boy for what the Sumer civilization typified as an evil leader. Its an apt description of Putin, he says. But is evil intentional and, if Putin is its synonym, could he grasp the fiendishness of his actions in Ukraine? Would he be capable of sorrow, guilt, negotiated redemption? The distinguished American psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Dr. Juan Rene Geada, whos spent three decades and in multiple languages exploring the dark corners of the devils jigsaw, says the answer is no. Evil cannot be cured, Dr. Geada says. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Quanex Building Products Corporation (NYSE:NX) will pay a dividend of $0.08 on the 31st of March. This payment means the dividend yield will be 1.2%, which is below the average for the industry. Check out our latest analysis for Quanex Building Products Quanex Building Products' Payment Has Solid Earnings Coverage If it is predictable over a long period, even low dividend yields can be attractive. However, prior to this announcement, Quanex Building Products' dividend was comfortably covered by both cash flow and earnings. This means that most of its earnings are being retained to grow the business. Over the next year, EPS is forecast to fall by 5.1%. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio could be 14%, which we consider to be quite comfortable, with most of the company's earnings left over to grow the business in the future. Quanex Building Products Has A Solid Track Record The company has been paying a dividend for a long time, and it has been quite stable which gives us confidence in the future dividend potential. The annual payment during the last 10 years was $0.16 in 2013, and the most recent fiscal year payment was $0.32. This means that it has been growing its distributions at 7.2% per annum over that time. The growth of the dividend has been pretty reliable, so we think this can offer investors some nice additional income in their portfolio. The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow The company's investors will be pleased to have been receiving dividend income for some time. Quanex Building Products has impressed us by growing EPS at 37% per year over the past five years. Earnings have been growing rapidly, and with a low payout ratio we think that the company could turn out to be a great dividend stock. We Really Like Quanex Building Products' Dividend In summary, it is good to see that the dividend is staying consistent, and we don't think there is any reason to suspect this might change over the medium term. The distributions are easily covered by earnings, and there is plenty of cash being generated as well. We should point out that the earnings are expected to fall over the next 12 months, which won't be a problem if this doesn't become a trend, but could cause some turbulence in the next year. All in all, this checks a lot of the boxes we look for when choosing an income stock. Story continues Companies possessing a stable dividend policy will likely enjoy greater investor interest than those suffering from a more inconsistent approach. At the same time, there are other factors our readers should be conscious of before pouring capital into a stock. For example, we've picked out 1 warning sign for Quanex Building Products that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Usually, when one insider buys stock, it might not be a monumental event. But when multiple insiders are buying like they did in the case of Insurance Australia Group Limited (ASX:IAG), that sends out a positive message to the company's shareholders. While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether. View our latest analysis for Insurance Australia Group The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Insurance Australia Group Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Independent Non Executive Director Simon Allen for AU$136k worth of shares, at about AU$4.53 per share. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at around the current price of AU$4.65. Of course they may have changed their mind. But this suggests they are optimistic. If someone buys shares at well below current prices, it's a good sign on balance, but keep in mind they may no longer see value. In this case we're pleased to report that the insider purchases were made at close to current prices. Insurance Australia Group insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Insider Ownership Of Insurance Australia Group Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. Insurance Australia Group insiders own about AU$17m worth of shares. That equates to 0.1% of the company. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment. Story continues So What Do The Insurance Australia Group Insider Transactions Indicate? It doesn't really mean much that no insider has traded Insurance Australia Group shares in the last quarter. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. Insiders do have a stake in Insurance Australia Group and their transactions don't cause us concern. If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future. If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here The opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] China's top political advisory body kicked off its annual session on Saturday, marking the start of the "two sessions" in a crucial year as China gathers steam for building a great modern socialist country. President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Wang Yang, chairman of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, delivered a work report to the CPPCC National Committee session, in which he said the political advisory body has built broad consensus and contributed wisdom and strength to achieving the two centenary goals. The "two sessions" refer to the annual meetings of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, and the CPPCC National Committee. The NPC session will open on Sunday. The "two sessions" are of great importance in the country's political calendar, during which the central government will deliver a work report that usually reviews past achievements and sets development targets for the year and beyond. Thousands of national legislators and political advisors will review and discuss the report, as well as reports of the national legislature, the top court and the top procuratorate. This year's political gatherings carry extra weight. The election of new leading officials of state institutions and the new leadership of the CPPCC National Committee is an important task of the "two sessions" this year. Also, the planned reform of the State Council institutions will be deliberated. In addition, lawmakers will deliberate a draft amendment to the Legislation Law. The CPPCC National Committee session, meanwhile, will review and approve an amendment to the CPPCC charter. Addressing national political advisors, Wang hailed China's past five years as "truly extraordinary." China has realized its First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects on schedule, said Wang. "The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is now on an irreversible historical course." The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), held in October 2022, charted the course for China to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building a great modern socialist country in all respects by the middle of this century. As a major political event taking place after the CPC meeting, the "two sessions" are expected to further mobilize the nation to fulfill the modernization goals. "Getting off to a good start is of great importance," said Sun Changlong, a member of the CPPCC National Committee. "We political advisors shall conduct extensive problem-oriented research to assist with the high-quality development," said Sun. Chen Huiqing, a deputy to the NPC and mayor of Zhuzhou City in Hunan Province, agrees that the "two sessions" will pool nationwide wisdom to push ahead the course of modernization. "We will carefully review the documents and reports and put forward suggestions in light of local conditions," Chen said. Since the start of this year, the country has sent out fresh signals of robust consumption and factory activities. The purchasing managers' index for China's manufacturing sector came in at 52.6 in February, up from 50.1 in January. This figure marked the strongest level since April 2012. More than half of China's provincial-level regions have set their 2023 GDP growth targets at 6 percent or higher. Observers have anticipated the "two sessions" to build on such momentum and further rally confidence for the world's second-largest economy under the backdrop of domestic and external challenges. "I expect this year's 'two sessions' to offer further guidance and more policies on boosting the economy, improving the industrial structure, and encouraging corporate innovation," said Qiu Jihua, a national lawmaker. "China is striving to secure stable economic growth this year, so the 'two sessions' are of special significance in boosting confidence and gathering strength," said Yang Hui, a national political advisor. Rebel Wilson has opened up about meeting Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. (Getty Images) Rebel Wilson has revealed her thoughts after meeting Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for the first time. The actress, 43, was introduced to the couple through a mutual friend and shared her experience of the occasion with US chat show host Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live. While the Duke of Sussex "could not have been nicer", Wilson admitted that the Duchess of Sussex "was not as cool" with her. She added that "Meghan wasn't as naturally warm" during the awkward encounter, which took place on an undisclosed date and possibly in California where they all live. The actress said the Duke of Sussex 'could not have been nicer' during their meeting, while the Duchess of Sussex 'was not as cool'. (Getty Images) However, Wilson suggested that the duchess's reaction may have been as a result of her mother, Sue Bownds, asking the royal mother-of-two "slightly rude" questions. She said: "My mum being Australian asked her all these slightly rude questions like, 'Where are your kids?' and things like that." Read more: Rebel Wilson is engaged to girlfriend Ramona Agruma one year after hosting BAFTAs The star joked: "Maybe that's why she was like, 'Who are these annoying convicts from Australia?' I'm like, 'Mum, don't ask her that.'" In November, Wilson announced the birth of her daughter Royce, born via surrogate with now-fiancee Ramona Agruma. The star made the comments during an interview on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. (Getty Images) The couple, who revealed their relationship last summer, gave their baby girl the middle name Elizabeth "after the late Queen", Harry's grandmother. Last month, exactly one year after Wilson hosted the Baftas, she revealed that she had asked Agruma to marry her with a diamond Tiffany ring. Read more: Rebel Wilson gives baby born by surrogate the middle name Elizabeth 'after the late Queen' The pair became engaged in a "magical surprise" at Disney, where they have since said they plan to wed at a later date. Posting the happy news on Instagram, the Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids star wrote: "We said YES!" Watch: Rebel Wilson says Meghan Markle is 'not as cool' as Prince Harry Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in New York City on December 6 (left), Rebel Wilson on "Watch What Happens Live" (right). PA Wire/PA Images via Getty Images, Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images Rebel Wilson said Meghan Markle wasn't "warm" when she met her. The actor said she took her mom to meet Meghan and Prince Harry, who she has a mutual friend with. "Meghan was not as cool," Wilson said, but did say her mom was asking "slightly rude questions." It's safe to say Rebel Wilson's first impression of Meghan Markle wasn't exactly pitch perfect. During an appearance on "Watch What Happens Live" with Andy Cohen Thursday, the Australian actor said that she and her mother once met up with Meghan and Prince Harry in Santa Barbara, California. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved to Montecito, a coastal town near Santa Barbara, in July 2020. She told Cohen that met up with the couple because she and Harry have a mutual friend who plays polo. "We went up to Santa Barbara, met Harry, could not have been nicer," she said. "But then Meghan was not as cool." According to the "Pitch Perfect" star, Meghan wasn't "warm" to her or her mother. "She wasn't as naturally warm," Wilson said, seemingly comparing her to how Harry came across in her view. However, the actor went on to say that Meghan may have been that way because her mother asked her questions non-stop. "My mom, being Australian, just asked her all these like slightly rude questions," she said. "Like 'Where are your kids?' and things like that. And I'm like 'Mom don't ask her that.'" Wilson joked that perhaps all of the questions made Meghan think "who are these annoying convicts from Australia?" Representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Wilson may or may not be Meghan's biggest fan, but the Duchess of Sussex does have a host of celebrity friends. Story continues Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres' vow renewal. TheEllenShow/YouTube Her A-list friends include Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra, and Ellen DeGeneres, who once called both Meghan and Harry the "most down-to-earth people." In February, the couple was among a close circle of friends, including the likes of Kris Jenner, who attended Portia de Rossi and DeGeneres' vow renewal. Read the original article on Insider Republicans are grappling with an increasingly apparent and to some, uncomfortable reality that a potentially crowded 2024 primary field could once again boost former President Trump to the GOP nomination. With three declared candidates already in the race and several more expected to announce campaigns in the coming months, Trump and his allies are betting that a jam-packed primary will divide Republican voters between several candidates and prevent a clear alternative from emerging as a genuine threat to the former president. And early polling suggests that such a strategy just might work. While most surveys show Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is actively preparing for a likely presidential bid, leading Trump in hypothetical head-to-head match-up, the former president is the clear front-runner when other candidates are added into the mix. The one thing to always remember is Trump has the highest floor, DeSantis has the highest ceiling, Ford OConnell, a Republican strategist and former congressional candidate, said. And in a seven-ring circus, the highest floor is more important. Now, if its a two-ring circus, thats a different story. A Fox News poll released this week found Trump leading a hypothetical 15-candidate primary field with 43 percent of the vote. DeSantis trailed him in second place with 28 percent of the vote, while no other contender broke double-digit support. Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who entered the race last month, and former Vice President Mike Pence, who hasnt yet announced a campaign, were tied for third place with just 7 percent support each. A Quinnipiac University poll released last week told a similar story. Trump beat out 13 other declared or potential primary rivals with 42 percent of the vote, while DeSantis notched 36 percent support. Haley and Pence received 5 percent and 4 percent support, respectively, putting them in a distant third and fourth place. Story continues For some Republicans, Trumps dominance over a potentially crowded primary field has resurfaced memories of the partys 2016 nominating contest, when the list of prominent candidates reached 17 at one point. The dynamics of that race were complicated, but some Republicans say that it should serve as a warning to many would-be contenders who are hoping to supplant Trump in the 2024 race. Its not a one-to-one comparison with 2016, but I think everyone needs to be clear-headed about their chances here, one Republican consultant who worked on a 2016 primary campaign said. There are a lot of people that think they can be the one to take Trump down, but there comes a point where youre hurting your own cause. In addition to Trump and Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy jumped into the fray last week. Pence has said that he will make a decision on a bid by this spring, while DeSantis is expected to wait until the Florida state legislature wraps up its regular session in May to make a final call. But the list of prospective candidates is much longer; former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, among others, are weighing bids of their own. And while many Republicans say theyre doubtful that the primary field will get as crowded as it did seven years ago, the simple fact that GOP voters havent coalesced around one clear alternative to Trump helps the former president, at least for the time being. I think itll be a four- or five-person race and that certainly helps Donald Trump, said Katon Dawson, a former South Carolina GOP chair who is backing Haley in the contest. So the question is: who can take some away from Donald Trump and who can get the other 50-something percent out there who are still undecided? There are signs that Trumps standing among Republicans is more tenuous than it once was. An NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist national poll released last month found his favorability rating among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents dropping to 68 percent the lowest recorded by that poll since September 2016. At the same time, hes facing fresh skepticism from many in the party after Republicans dramatically underperformed in the 2022 midterm elections including several candidates whom he emphatically endorsed. And there are few polls that show Trump cracking 50 percent in a hypothetical Republican presidential primary. The NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll found that a majority of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents 54 percent believe the party has a better chance at recapturing the White House in 2024 with someone other than Trump as the partys nominee. But Trump doesnt need to win a majority of the primary vote to clinch the nomination once again. Instead, he just needs to win a plurality of the vote in individual state nominating contests to put him on the path to victory. I think the first big question in all of this is: Is it going to be Trump or not? And for a majority of the party, in every poll you see, the answer is no, said Dallas Woodhouse, a longtime Republican operative and the executive director of the conservative South Carolina Policy Council. But a majority doesnt do it. He can become the nominee with 30 or 35 percent support in the party. Keith Naughton, a veteran Republican strategist, played down the notion that a crowded primary field would propel Trump to the nomination. While there are several would-be candidates waiting in the wings, he said, they likely wont last long once the first nominating contests get under way. He acknowledged that a crowded primary field definitely helps [Trump] in the first three states Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina but argued that the list of candidates will likely winnow quickly after that. The Republican side is a lot more goal oriented; we have to have a nominee, lets figure out who it is, Naughton said. The bottom line is the first three contests are going to decide whos viable. Maybe theres a surprise and you have someone sneak through and last a little bit longer. But, if Trump wins all three, he has the nomination, its all over, he added. If DeSantis wins two out of three, he can knock out Trump pretty quickly. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The GOP's fractures were put into sharp relief at this year's Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC), with Republican strategists and activists simultaneously mourning and praising the transformation of a once-seminal event. Party operatives who spoke to ABC News lamented the makeover of the annual conservative event from a headquarters for broad debate into a confab seemingly hostile to ideas that deviate from former President Donald Trump's "America First" populism. But conferencegoers, decked out in "Make America Great Again" hats and Trump paraphernalia, were content with the conference's narrow focus -- and, in some cases, eager to taper it more. "It is a broad cross section, but that's kind of a bad thing, you almost don't want that," Joe Walters, a 24-year-old attendee from Westchester County, N.Y., said, claiming that the "establishment" had "turned its talking points into something that sounds more Trumpian." "I wish it were more Trumpian in some sense." Guests listen as former U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on March 4, 2023 in National Harbor, Maryland. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Founded in 1974, CPAC became known as "Woodstock for conservatives," drawing in a broad cross section of Republican activists and lawmakers looking to jump up the political ladder, including Ronald Reagan, who debuted his "city on a hill" vision at the inaugural conference. And while CPAC often followed emerging attitudes among the grassroots, it regularly featured speakers from across the Republican spectrum. However, the conference in recent years began shunning those who didn't espouse the populism that has engulfed the grassroots since Trump's 2016 campaign. MORE: Mike Pence declines invitation to CPAC as event's leader comes under fire That trend was laid bare at this year's meeting, with several likely presidential candidates choosing to not even come, and a hostile reception waiting for those who did. Prospective candidates like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and more chose to spend their time elsewhere -- including, some, at a donor retreat in Florida hosted by the anti-tax Club for Growth, a powerful group embroiled in a feud with Trump. Story continues PHOTO: Former U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on March 4, 2023 in National Harbor, Maryland. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) And while former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who launched her presidential campaign last month, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is actively mulling a campaign, made the trip, they were met with only tepid applause during their red-meat-packed speeches. After leaving the ballroom following her speech, Haley was accosted by attendees shouting Trump's name before aides escorted her away. "Ten years ago, it was an opportunity to test your messages to conservative leaders and influencers all over the country and to have a big audience get to know you from the podium and everything else that was included. And I don't think that's where it is today. I think it's a narrow, small tent," said one aide to a possible 2024 contender. "I think last time I was there, it almost felt like a college crowd than it did a serious thinker crowd." "As somebody that's been involved in the movement for 20-plus years, it's sad, because it was at one time the premier event for conservatives to come together." When asked if they thought CPAC could expand its focus to the broader GOP tent rather than on one tentpole, the person was pessimistic. "I think there's a lot of people that hope so. But there's gonna have to be a wholesale change over there, and I don't see that coming anytime soon," the source said. "Sometimes you just have to have a hard reset." At CPAC, though, such a "reset" seemed unlikely. Trump's imprint on the party was apparent across the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center outside of Washington, with a mockup of his Oval Office set up and clothing stalls seen in the conference's shop and allies like Steve Bannon holding court in the hallways. And while years ago, conspiracy theorists were kept away from the event, this year, Kari Lake, the 2022 Arizona GOP gubernatorial nominee who attributes her narrow loss to widespread election fraud, was picked for the keynote address at this year's Ronald Reagan dinner. "I had a feeling that after this week at CPAC, with all of the patriots that we've seen come on stage, we have that fire stirring in our belly. We have that DNA rising up in us -- that founding father kind of patriots stuff -- and we're ready to go out there and fight these people," she said. When over a dozen conferencegoers were asked by ABC News who they were planning on voting for in the 2024 GOP primary, all but one said they were backing Trump, with the lone dissenter saying he's planning on voting for DeSantis. "Trump forever. It's always Trump first before anybody else," said Adam Radogna, a 33-year-old small business owner from Cleveland, Ohio. "I'm sick of hearing all these other candidates. It's always Trump unless he's not on there." And when asked whether they'd like to see other would-be contenders speak at CPAC, some scoffed at the prospect of people like Pence addressing the MAGA faithful. "He will get booed. No, nobody wants Pence," said Melissa Locurto, real estate broker from Long Island, citing Pence's refusal to overturn Trump's loss in 2020. "I'm glad he's not here. I'm not a supporter." Nikki Haley, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and 2024 presidential election candidate, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at Gaylord National Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, U.S. (Sarah Silbiger/Reuters) MORE: Nikki Haley, Mike Pompeo get tepid response at CPAC The event represents a potent reality check as the 2024 primary gets underway. Speculation outside of the halls of CPAC has run rampant over the power Trump's continued sway in the GOP, with strategists forecasting a competitive nominating contest while conceding that the former president remains the frontrunner. But this year's conference underscored the fact that the former president maintains immovable support among a section of the GOP grassroots, as highlighted by the results of this year's straw poll. "Feels like MAGA country," Donald Trump Jr. said in his speech Friday. In CPAC's famed straw poll, 62% of respondents said they want to see Trump as the 2024 GOP nominee, while DeSantis, thought to be the former president's toughest rival, came in second with 20%. And in his speech, Trump sounded a defiant tone, indicating he'll try to bulldoze any opponent, Democrat or Republican, and "throw off the political class that hates our country." "We will route the fake news media, we will expose and appropriately deal with the RINOs," he said, using the slur for Republican in name only. "We will evict Joe Biden from the White House. And we will liberate America from these villains and scoundrels once and for all." With Trump's sway at CPAC, even attendees looking for alternatives to the former president in the next election sounded doubtful. "I haven't talked to anyone that's a DeSantis supporter. I've only really seen Trump people," said Ben Kelley, a 23-year-old DeSantis supporter. "Maybe if I ask around, more will be for DeSantis." Republicans torn over reduced CPAC, party divides originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The FBI continues searching for a reputed gang member after a series of simultaneous raids targeting the Chuco Tango gang on Friday morning in various locations in El Paso County, FBI officials said. The FBI El Pasos Violent Crime and Gang Task Force served search and arrest warrants resulting in one arrest and the seizure of illegal drugs, a loaded firearm, ammunition, thousands of dollars in cash and other evidence allegedly linked to the gang, FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey said in a statement. The raids were part of an ongoing federal investigation by the FBI in El Paso, officials said. The name of the person who was arrested was not immediately disclosed. SWAT teams searching for alleged gang member Joshua Moreno, 34, raided residences on La Luz Avenue behind the old Alta Vista Elementary at Copia Street and Montana Avenue. "FBI El Paso had probable cause to believe (Joshua) Moreno, a known Chuco Tango gang member with an active federal warrant was living in the referenced location," Downey said. Joshua Moreno, a reputed Chuco Tango gang member, is wanted by the FBI following a raid at an El Paso home on Friday, March 3, 2023. Residents of the home told Channel 9-KTSM that they were frightened and their home was damaged in a shocking morning raid as FBI agents shattered windows, knocked down a chain link fence and placed them in handcuffs before releasing them. The FBI said that Moreno was not at the residence at the time of the raid and a search for him continues. The charges Moreno faces have not been disclosed. Moreno has several distinct face tattoos, including "915" inked on his chin. Anyone with information on his whereabouts may call the FBI El Paso office at 915-832-5000. More:El Paso County sheriff's deputies arrest reputed Chuco Tango gang member in assault case Chuco Tango is the El Paso clique of the prison-based Tango Blast gang, which has branches in the major cities of Texas. The gang gets its name from the "El Chuco" nickname for El Paso and in recent years has become among the most active gangs in the city. Story continues The raids were carried out by the FBI with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Border Patrol tactical unit, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations and El Paso County constables. More:El Paso, Juarez migrant smugglers sentenced to prison after Lower Valley hostage rescue This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Reputed Chuco Tango member sought after FBI raids target El Paso gang Finding a business that has the potential to grow substantially is not easy, but it is possible if we look at a few key financial metrics. Ideally, a business will show two trends; firstly a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an increasing amount of capital employed. Put simply, these types of businesses are compounding machines, meaning they are continually reinvesting their earnings at ever-higher rates of return. Having said that, from a first glance at DHT Holdings (NYSE:DHT) we aren't jumping out of our chairs at how returns are trending, but let's have a deeper look. What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)? For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. The formula for this calculation on DHT Holdings is: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.038 = US$55m (US$1.5b - US$64m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2022). So, DHT Holdings has an ROCE of 3.8%. Ultimately, that's a low return and it under-performs the Oil and Gas industry average of 21%. See our latest analysis for DHT Holdings roce Above you can see how the current ROCE for DHT Holdings compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free report for DHT Holdings. The Trend Of ROCE There hasn't been much to report for DHT Holdings' returns and its level of capital employed because both metrics have been steady for the past five years. This tells us the company isn't reinvesting in itself, so it's plausible that it's past the growth phase. With that in mind, unless investment picks up again in the future, we wouldn't expect DHT Holdings to be a multi-bagger going forward. That being the case, it makes sense that DHT Holdings has been paying out 123% of its earnings to its shareholders. Most shareholders probably know this and own the stock for its dividend. Story continues The Key Takeaway In a nutshell, DHT Holdings has been trudging along with the same returns from the same amount of capital over the last five years. Yet to long term shareholders the stock has gifted them an incredible 376% return in the last five years, so the market appears to be rosy about its future. Ultimately, if the underlying trends persist, we wouldn't hold our breath on it being a multi-bagger going forward. DHT Holdings does have some risks though, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for DHT Holdings that you might be interested in. For those who like to invest in solid companies, check out this free list of companies with solid balance sheets and high returns on equity. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Shutterstock The video was not exactly the stuff of viral TikTok gold: a middle-aged guy talking directly to the camera, in a casually low monotone, about his new job. There have been some IT conversations that have made me feel a little young, said the man, in a TikTok video posted in January. So, like, when they gave me my laptop, they looked me dead in the eye and said, Sir, do you need help turning this on? he continued, as a GIF of a cat clamoring on a keyboard played in the bottom half of the screen. And that was when I realized I might not be their average congressional customer. That final throwaway joke explains why the post ultimately racked up 2.7 million views. The new job Jeff Jackson was talking about was his gig as the congressman from the 14th District of North Carolinaand a lot of people like seeing him talk about it on the wildly popular video-sharing social media platform. Keep this type of content coming, one user responded to Jackson's video. This is SUCH a good way to get people interested in representation, gushed another. For the ambitious and savvy 40-year old Democrat, one company towns trash is turning out to be his treasure. Since that first viral post, Jackson has attracted nearly 500,000 followers on TikTok, and his plainspoken, no-frills videos careen through the apps algorithm before plopping into the feeds of somewhere between 1 and 3 million people on any given day. But on Capitol Hill, Jackson is a rare breed: hes just one of roughly 30 members with TikTok accounts, and part of an increasingly small cohort of politicians more broadly who use one. Owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, TikTok has become Washingtons favorite political pinata to bash. Both Republicans and Democrats have loudly voiced concerns that it is a surveillance tool for China and harms young users mental health. The recent move to ban the app from government devices was a bipartisan one; now, theres chatter about banning the app from the U.S., period. Story continues China Roasts U.S. Over TikTok Bans as Abusing State Power The security concerns are real, Jackson told The Daily Beast on Thursday, in between events at the House Democrats annual retreat in Baltimore. He said he keeps the app on a separate phone solely dedicated to receiving uploads from his Sony camera. Otherwise, Jackson is just a self-described guy in a kitchen who happens to have struck gold in the social medias latest equivalent to 1849 in Northern California. With a budget of zero dollars, he has cornered a sizable audience and is tallying over 1 million views on each new video since mid-January. That includes some of his posts on less-than-viral topics like Chinese-Taiwanese relations, military aid to Ukraine, his committee assignments, the debt ceiling, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Its not the first time Jackson has leveraged a new social media platform to his advantage. In 2015, as a newly minted North Carolina state senator, he live-tweeted his experience of being the only member to show up at the Capitol during a snowstorm, putting him on the map in the state. Jackson maintained a TikTok account through the 2022 midterm season, when he initially ran for U.S. Senate before bowing out of the Democratic primary against former North Carolina Chief Justice Cheri Beasley. Later, he ran for a newly drawn Democratic House seat in the Charlotte suburbs. After he was elected last November, he said he made a conscious shift in his approach to his TikTok account after getting elected. Id been putting up little videos on TikTok throughout most of the campaign, stuff like, you know, cute moments with my family, Jackson said. And I decided to take a different approach completely after the election. What I wanted to do across the board with all my political communication was to give people a sense of what it was like to get elected to Congress. Despite the risks in an anti-China political climate, Jacksons PR boost from TikTok may be too good to pass up. Hell need all the help he can get, since North Carolinas conservative Supreme Court is set to undo the current congressional map and, likely, erase Jacksons district. As Jackson eyes his next movewhether a statewide run or something elsegetting in on the ground floor of the new attention economy could be the best gamble hes ever made. TikTok Unveils Utterly Useless Feature to Stop Kids Doomscrolling Editing his videos himself, Jackson is not gaming the algorithm with excessive hashtags or picking the right viral soundtrack. While lawmakers such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) have large followingsSanders with 1.4 million and Ocasio-Cortez with just shy of 57,000, but with fan accounts totalling hundreds of thousands of followers combinedJackson is punching far above his weight in views per video, now steadily banking at least one million. Unlike those figures, Jackson lacks a pre-existing online fanbase or national political notoriety, making his TikTok success all the more notable. It also bucks much of the conventional wisdom around digital strategy in Washington, where consultants charge politicians hefty rates to maximize their exposure around cable news hits and paid ads. Without spending any money on a reworked bookshelf for MSNBC appearance backdrops or overhauling a wardrobe, Jackson is reaching audiences larger than the top-rated primetime cable shows and building a brand in a medium where he has far less competition. Jackson said his viral blow up has shown him how large the appetite is for substantive political engagement. We are saturated with people who want to give us the daily talking points or the daily outrage, he continued. I dont need to add to that. We are full. Instead, Jackson has leaned into the boringand surprised himself in the process. There arent a whole lot of people who are using their platform just to level with folks about where things stand with respect to an issue in Congress, he said. And as it turns out, just being a halfway sensible person and speaking directly to people in a normal tone of voice about serving in Congress is pretty compelling for a lot of people. Im somewhat surprised by this, Jackson said, but Im also really encouraged. Will Democratic Lawmakers Really Leave Elon Musks Twitter? Though the apps China-related concerns still loom large for Jackson, some of his colleagues rhetoric on TikTok has reached the outer levels of hyperbole. Having TikTok on our phones is like having 80 million Chinese spy balloons flying over America, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) said earlier this month. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) called the app a Trojan horse on your phone. Democrats have been vocal, too. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) recently sent a letter to Apple and Google encouraging them to remove TikTok from their app stores, arguing it is an unacceptable national security threat. FBI Director Christopher Wray warned in December, meanwhile, of possible espionage and influence operations led by the Chinese government via the American version of TikTok. Ive read what FBI Director Wray thinks about it and I take his assessment seriously, Jackson said. I agree that not allowing TikTok on government phones is a good idea. I keep the app on a non-government phone and that phone only has one app on it, and thats TikTok. As far as Jacksons own user experience goes, hes noticed only one red flag so far. Instead of sending Jackson down a rabbit hole of new age wellness trends or QAnon conspiracies, TikTok began radicalizing him over what the father of three chalked up to a demographic guess: baking sourdough bread. I remember because my wife and I talked about it, there were several days where it kept feeding me sourdough baking videos to the point where I tried it and failed miserably, he said. Its harder than youd be led to believe, based on a two-minute video. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. ATLANTA (AP) Matheus Rossetto scored the equalizer in the second half and Atlanta United earned a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC on Saturday night. Rossetto scored the tying goal in the 60th minute for Atlanta United (1-0-1), which improved to 3-0-4 all-time in regular-season home matches against Toronto. New striker Giorgos Giakoumakis made his debut for Atlanta United after his visa was cleared this week. The hosts were trying to become the first team to win their first two home matches in four straight seasons. Federico Bernardeschi gave Toronto (0-1-1) the lead with a goal in the 52nd minute on an assist from Michael Bradley. Atlanta United outshot Toronto 9-5, with a 5-3 edge in shots on goal. Brad Guzan saved five of the six shots he faced for United. Sean Johnson had 10 saves for Toronto, which ended a six-match losing streak dating to last season. Both teams next play Saturday. United visits Charlotte FC and Toronto hosts the Columbus Crew. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. The head of military intelligence Kyrylo Budanov at his office on January 20, 2023. Serhiy Morgunov for The Washington Post/Getty Images) Russia could run out of "military tools" by the spring, Ukraine's spy chief told USA Today. The country has wasted "human resources, armaments, and materials," Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov said. Budanov also predicted the two nations would soon fight a "decisive battle" in the months to come. A top Ukraine military leader anticipated that Russia could be out of "military tools" if the country "fails in its aims" by spring. "Russia has wasted huge amounts of human resources, armaments, and materials. Its economy and production cannot cover these losses," Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's military intelligence chief, told USA Today in an interview published on Thursday. As Russia's invasion of Ukraine entered its second year, Budanoc speculated on when it might end. He said the two nations would fight "a decisive battle this spring, and this battle will be the final one before this war ends." But he did not provide any specific details about this prediction. Ukrainian soldiers on the outskirts of Bakhmut on January 14, 2023. Spencer Platt/Getty Images In recent weeks, Russian forces have made limited advances in war-torn eastern Ukraine a Ukrainian commander recently said that the situation in the city of Bakhmut is "critical," Insider previously reported. But Russian troops on the front line are facing heavy casualties, as the country sends "ill-equipped, ill-trained" soldiers into battle with Soviet-era weapons. Meanwhile, questions over whether China will keep providing Russia with lethal aid continue as Ukraine pushes for increased military assistance from allies. "This conflict has already grown into an existential war between Russia and the West," Budanov said in the USA Today interview. "This means a Ukrainian victory over Russia is a common victory," he added. "And if Ukraine falls though unlikely it's a defeat for all of Western civilization." Read the original article on Business Insider China's annual defense budget will remain single-digit growth for the eighth year in a row, with an increase of 7.2 percent in 2023, according to a draft budget on Sunday. The world's second largest economy's planned defense spending will be 1.5537 trillion yuan (about 224.79 billion U.S. dollars) this year, read the report on the draft central and local budgets submitted to the ongoing session of China's national legislature. The figure for last year was 7.1 percent. China's military spending has long been at the center of Western scrutiny, and so-called "China threat" has been hyped up almost every year. Describing China's defense budget increase as "appropriate and reasonable," Wang Chao, spokesperson for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress, told reporters Saturday that the growth is needed for meeting complex security challenges and for China to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country. China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. It has stressed on multiple occasions that no mater how much defense expenditure is invested or how modernized its armed forces are, China will never seek hegemony, expansion, or sphere of influence. This is in stark contrast to the United States, which currently has about 800 overseas military bases, with 173,000 troops deployed in 159 countries. In recent years, the U.S. average annual military budget has accounted for over 40 percent of the world's total, more than the 15 countries behind it combined. China's defense budget is about one-quarter of that of the United States, which amounted to some 858 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. In per-capita terms, China's defense spending is only one-sixteenth of that of the United States. Noting that defense spending is determined based on the overall consideration of the need for defense building and the economic development level of a country, Wang said China's defense spending as a share of GDP, which is lower than the world average, has been kept basically stable for many years. "China's future is closely intertwined with that of the entire world. China's military modernization will not be a threat to any country. On the contrary, it will only be a positive force for safeguarding regional stability and world peace," he said. China is a major contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget and the largest troop-contributing country among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, sending more than 50,000 personnel on peacekeeping missions over the last three decades. Russia has rerouted its oil exports away from Europe towards Asia. Suriyapong Thongsawang/Getty Images India's new role as a key buyer of oil for Russia is here to stay, a top Kpler analyst told Insider. Even if the Ukraine war ends, Moscow will keep its crude prices cheap for India, Viktor Katona said. The countries' interaction will last because there's a mutual interest in keeping it going, he said. Russia's bumped-up oil exports to India are here to stay as the two are building a long-term relationship based on cheap prices, according to a top Kpler analyst. The shift in flows of Moscow's crude exports to the Asian country will stick as it's to the benefit of both sides, Viktor Katona told Insider. "The entire India-to-Russia story is a long-term story, which will not suddenly stop. It's going to be a new kind of feature of the market," said Katona, the lead crude oil analyst at commodities intelligence firm Kpler. While China is the top importer of Russia's crude, Moscow has a keen interest in keeping its foot in the door with India. The country's refiners have become an increasingly important market for it after the G-7 countries imposed a price cap and other sanctions meant to crush Russia's energy revenues funding its war in Ukraine. Even if the Ukraine war ends, Katona thinks the discounts will almost certainly remain in place and the prices might get cheaper from where they are now. India is paying about $10 to $12 dollars below the price for global crude benchmark Brent futures, he estimates. "Russian oil is now discounted in the long term. So yes, should the war end, India would still be buying, because it's the discounts making it interesting for them," he said. India bought almost no Russian crude oil one year ago, but has been snapping up record amounts of crude at discounted costs this year after other countries backed away from Moscow. The country is also gradually buying new energy products like diesel from Russia that it hasn't in the past. It's a signal of an even stronger trading relationship between the two. Story continues "India is not only buying Russian oil, it's also buying Russian products. It's kind of expanding the scale of what it buys, so it's not just one thing that it used to buy, but it's gradually picking up new things as it moves along the way," Katona said. "The interaction between these two countries will be much longer than the naysayers might assume, because there's a mutual interest in having it longer," he added. Moscow prefers to sell its crude to India rather than China and not just because it's a much longer distance when redirecting barrels that used to ship to Europe. A key reason is that Indian companies pay on a delivered basis, meaning they don't handle the shipping and insurance. Russia can maximize its profits for the whole transaction in its charges for those extras. Chinese purchasers, in contrast, might insist on using their own fleets, Katona said. Plus, he pointed out that big Russian companies don't have equity in China, while they do have ownership stakes in Indian refiners. Musical chairs In January, Russia sent almost 2 million barrels of crude a day to India, not far behind China's nearly 2.5 million, according to Kpler data. Its number three importer is on the edge of the Asia market Turkey, well behind at around 400 thousand barrels a day. But the overall volume of crude flowing across the seas is more or less the same, data show. "In a sense, it's not much of a change, because it's only a reshuffling of what was flowing where initially. Europe was buying this. Now India is buying this. It's taken on a longer route, but it's also more discounted," Katona said. "It's a game of musical chairs rather Russia pushes out Saudi Arabia from India, so Saudi Arabia sells more to China," he said. Increase in the share of crude supplied by Russia (in blue) to India which is likely to continue, according to data from Vortexa. Vortexa That said, the switch still feeds into a larger narrative, that Asia has been given a competitive advantage in the global oil market. India and China, the economic powerhouses of the region, are both buying crude below market levels. Meanwhile, importers in Europe and the US have to pay full price. That means there's a "slackening Atlantic basin" for crude shipments, according to Katona. Meanwhile, a resurgent Asia where China has reopened its economy by lifting strict pandemic restrictions is bent on maximizing its profit and is more aggressive going into the market. Whether it's China trading with fully-sanctioned Iran and Venezuela, or India buying from halfway-sanctioned Russia, both players are keen on taking on risks, Katona said. Read the original article on Business Insider UPAB-1500 V glide bombs can be dropped 40 km from the target The first use of this type of ammunition was recorded a few weeks ago against a facility in Chernihiv Oblast, the north of Ukraine. A piece of bomb debris had a marking reading UPAB-1500 V. The UPAB-1500 V was first presented at a military exhibition in 2019 by developer GNPP Region, part of JSC Tactical Missiles Corporation a major Russian weapon manufacturer. At the time, it was reported that it had already been tested and put into service with the Russian Aerospace Forces and had received the first export orders. Read also: Ukraine needs up to 200 multipurpose aircraft, F-16 most likely candidate to replace Soviet-era jets The UPAB-1500 V is a serious threat because of its technology and explosive power.Equipped with inertial and satellite navigation, the 1,010-kg warhead is designed to destroy heavily fortified objects. These bombs can be dropped 40 km from the target, although aircraft can be no lower than 14 km in the air. The use of glide bombs by Russia remains rare. The launch of such ammunition requires Russian attack aircraft to fly at a considerable height, amplifying the ease of identifying and targeting the carrier. Analysts assume that the Russian Su-34 front-line bomber, which was shot down in the Yenakiyevo area, Donetsk Oblast, on March 3, was carrying the UPAB-1500 V bombs. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russian invaders shell Kherson Oblast every day (archive photo) The house where the victims were at the moment of the attack was destroyed. Read also: Russian missile attack on Zaporizhzhya kills at least 3 civilians, injures six On March 4, Russian troops shelled Kherson Oblast 78 times. The city of Kherson alone was hit 11 times. Houses, residential buildings and an industrial facility were damaged. One person was killed and another three were wounded on that day. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A view of Russian positions from a Ukrainian trench near Vugledar, Donetsk Oblast Read also: Russian mobilized soldiers storm Ukrainian positions with spades, UK intel reports This "Cossack detachment" was sent to Vuhledar to reinforce the 155th separate marine brigade of Russias Pacific Fleet, which the Armed Forces of Ukraine had previously defeated at the same place, with serious enemy losses of both personnel and equipment. Carrying out tasks in the Vuhledar area, the Step/Tigr "Cossack detachment" is tasked with carrying out enemy objectives, but dissatisfaction with the leadership of Russias Armed Forces has led the group to sever interactions with Russias occupying army units, says the General Staff. Malyar added that refusing to obey commands is becoming a trend observed in other enemy units. In response, Russian occupation forces' command have intensified their use of coercive and punitive measures to improve military discipline and discourage cases of mass mutiny or desertion in combat areas. Read also: Russias losses up to 200,000 soldiers, most killed by artillery UK MoD Malyar added that the Russian invasion forces continue to suffer heavy losses in manpower. Medical facilities in Russian-occupied Ukraine are full of seriously injured soldiers, as they are rarely relocated back to Russia. Worried about Russian casualties information getting out, these records are held exclusively by Russian military medics. Information about the real losses of the Russian Armed Forces spreads quickly among the military and contributes to demoralizing the enemy. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov has said that he came under fire while visiting a position of the 155th Separate Marine Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces near Vuhledar, Donetsk Oblast. Source: Solovyov, on the air of his program on Russia-1 TV channel, reports TASS Quote: "Intense artillery shelling started at the settlement where our meeting took place. But anyway, everything was well. I think the military counter-intelligence will find out how the enemy learned about our movements." Details: According to Solovyov, on Sunday, it became clear that there was a leak of information about his presence in that area. "Strikes began during our conversation with the marines; they (the strikes ed.) were adjusted from the quadcopter, there were many hits," he said. Solovyov claimed that none of the occupiers were killed or wounded in the shooting. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! On Sunday, in the village of Budarky in Kharkiv Oblast, a husband and wife, whose car was hit by a shell, were killed in Russian shelling. Source: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office Quote: "According to the investigation, on 5 March 2023, the Russian military carried out an artillery shelling of the village of Budarky in Vovchansk hromada [an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories] of the Chuhuiv district. The occupiers hit the car with the couple inside. A man and a woman died on the spot from their injuries." Details: District prosecutor's office started a pre-trial investigation into the fact of violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russian shelling destroyed homes and killed one person in northern Ukraine's Kharkiv province, the region's governor said Sunday, while fighting raged in the fiercely contested eastern city of Bakhmut. The town of Kupiansk is about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the Russian border; the region has come under frequent attacks even though Russian ground forces withdrew from the area nearly six months ago. Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said at least five homes were razed in the latest attack that left a 65-year-old man dead. Two civilians were killed over the past day in Bakhmut, Donetsk province Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said. Russian forces have spent months trying to capture the city as part of their offensive in eastern Ukraine, and the area has seen some of the bloodiest ground fighting of the war. In recent days, Ukrainian units destroyed two key bridges just outside Bakhmut, including one linking it to the nearby town of Chasiv Yar along the last remaining Ukrainian resupply route, according to U.K. military intelligence officials and other Western analysts. Associated Press journalists near Bakhmut on Saturday saw a pontoon bridge set up by Ukrainian soldiers to help the few remaining residents reach the nearby village of Khromove. Later, the AP team saw at least five houses on fire as a result of attacks in Khromove, a nearby settlement. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, assessed last week that Kyivs actions may point to a looming pullout from parts of the city. It said Ukrainian troops may conduct a limited and controlled withdrawal from particularly difficult sections of eastern Bakhmut, while seeking to inhibit Russian movement there and limit exit routes to the west. Capturing Bakhmut would not only give Russian fighters a rare battlefield gain after months of setbacks but might rupture Ukraines supply lines and allow the Kremlins forces to press on toward other Ukrainian strongholds in Donetsk province. Story continues In southern Ukraine, a woman and two children were killed in a residential building in the Kherson region village of Poniativka, the Ukrainian president's office reported. A Russian artillery shell hit a car in Burdarky, another Kharkiv province village, killing a man and his wife, the regional prosecutor's office said. Casualties increased from an attack earlier in the week. Ukraines emergency services reported Sunday that the death toll from a Russian missile strike that hit a five-story apartment building in southern Ukraine on Thursday rose to 13. One of the few areas where Russia and Ukraine have cooperated during the war is grain shipments. On that front, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Sunday his country is engaged in intense efforts to extend an agreement that allowed Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports. The deal, which the U.N. and Turkey brokered in July 2022 and was extended by four months in November, is set to expire March 18. In a speech at the opening of the U.N. Conference on Least Developed Countries in Doha, Qatar, Cavusoglu said he had discussed another extension with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The agreement, which also allows Russia to export food and fertilizers, has helped temper rising global food prices. However, Russian officials have complained that shipments of the countrys fertilizer were not being facilitated under the agreement, leaving the deal's renewal in question. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Russian reservists recruited during the partial mobilisation of troops attend a ceremony before departing to the zone of Russia-Ukraine conflict, in the Rostov region, Russia October 31, 2022. REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov Russian soldiers were told to fight with only "firearms and shovels," the Ministry of Defence said The shovels are believed to be the MPL-50 entrenching tool, designed in1869, said the UK ministry. The order showed the "brutal and low-tech fighting" that now characterizes the war, said the MoD. Russian soldiers are being ordered to fight Ukrainian forces with only "firearms and shovels," said the UK's Ministry of Defence. An intelligence briefing from the UK Ministry of Defence details that Russian reservists were ordered to "assault a Ukrainian concrete strong point armed with only firearms and shovels'" in February 2023. "The 'shovels' are likely entrenching tools being employed for hand-to-hand combat," said the briefing. It is thought that the "shovels" in question are the renowned MPL-50 entrenching tools first designed in 1869. Soviet special forces used it in close-quarters combat and as throwing weapons. The MPL-50 as a weapon had been "mythologized" in Russia, said the MoD. Russian MPL 50 WikiCommons Using the entrenching tool, "little changed since it was designed in 1869," highlighted the brutal and low-tech fighting which has come to characterize the year-long war between Russia and Ukraine, said the MoD. The increase in hand-to-hand combat in Ukraine was due to a declining number of troops, artillery, and munition, it said. Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) March 5, 2023 The intelligence briefing also raised the question of the welfare of Russian troops, stating that a reservist said they were not "physically or psychologically" ready for the war. The fighting ability and morale of Putin's mobilized troops were highlighted in previous intelligence from the Ministry of Defence, saying they were called to fight despite having "serious, chronic health conditions." Indeed, it has been reported that Russian forces have been deploying "barrier troops" or "blocking units" to shoot Russian soldiers who defect and desert the war. According to a brief from the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), between 60,000 and 70,000 Russian soldiers have been killed on the battlefield in Ukraine since the invasion began on February 24 2022. Read the original article on Business Insider On 5 March, Russian occupiers killed three people during an attack on Kherson Oblast. Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration; Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Details: As reported, the Russian army deployed mortars to hit the settlement of Poniativka in Darivka hromada [an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.] at noon. Occupiers attacked a residential building in which people were. According to preliminary reports, three civilians were killed in this Russian attack. The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine clarified that a woman and two children were killed. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Ukraines Ministry of Defence says that the Russians are in despair due to their lack of success at the front and are using more and more terror tactics. Source: Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk, First Deputy Minister of Defence, during a meeting of the Congress of Local and Oblast Authorities under the President of Ukraine, reported by Ukrinform Quote: "The Russians are in despair. Due to their lack of success at the front, their tactics are becoming more and more terroristic: they are attacking regions, killing the civilian population, destroying the infrastructure." Details: Pavliuk emphasised that the defence forces of Ukraine are relentlessly regaining control over Ukrainian cities, villages and towns. He added that with the return of the Ukrainian flag to the liberated territories, life is being restored there, and this process is one of the most difficult challenges to be overcome in Ukraine. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! You are here: China Xi Jinping arrives for the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Xi Jinping attended the opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) on Sunday morning in Beijing. The black-and-white images that flickered across television sets from that Bloody Sunday in Selma horrified the nation. Alabama state troopers savagely clubbing peaceful marchers as they tried to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The screams of terror. The thick clouds of tear gas. The deputies on horseback, chasing frightened men, women and children back across the steel-arched structure. Beating them again and again with clubs, whips and rubber tubing wrapped in barbed wire. "On this bridge, blood was given to help redeem the soul of America," President Joe Biden said Sunday during remarks commemorating the voting-rights demonstration. Biden visited Selma on Sunday to mark the 58th anniversary of the march, now regarded as one of the defining moments in the nations civil rights movement. He delivered remarks at the Edmund Pettus Bridge and participated in the re-enactment of the bridge crossing. "We see you are fighting to make sure no one's left behind. This is a time of choosing and we need everybody engaged," Biden said during his remarks. In his closing remarks, he quoted activist Amelia Boynton Robinson, who walked across the bridge with 600 others on the Sunday morning of March 7, 1965. "'You can never know where you're going, unless you know where you've been,'" Biden said. "We know where we've been. And we know more importantly, where we have to go. Forward, together." President Barack Obama holds hands with Amelia Boynton Robinson, who was beaten during "Bloody Sunday," as the first family and others including Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., in 2015. They were marking the 50th anniversary of a voting rights march now considered a defining moment of the civil rights movement. What was Bloody Sunday? It began as a march for voting rights for Black Americans, who faced barriers to the right to vote across much of the segregated south. Civil rights leaders planned to take their cause directly to Alabama Gov. George Wallace by marching 54 miles from Selma to the state capital of Montgomery. Some 600 marchers, including future Georgia Congressman John Lewis, set out from the Brown Chapel AME Church on Sunday, March 7, 1965. As the demonstrators crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge over the Alabama River, they found a line of state troops awaiting them. Behind the marchers were sheriffs deputies and white spectators waving Confederate flags. When the peaceful protesters refused law enforcements orders to disperse, the officers attacked. Story continues Television footage of the assault so enraged Americans that, just five months later, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark law that prohibited racial discrimination in voting. President Joe Biden and US Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., gesture before Biden's remarks to mark the 58th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on March 5, 2023. Why political leaders flock to Selma Attendance at the anniversary crossing of the bridge has become a rite of passage for presidents and other politicians. Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have all made the pilgrimage there, each one joining modern-day civil rights activists as they traced the same path across the bridge made by those marchers nearly six decades ago. Kamala Harris, the first woman to serve as vice president, led the procession last year. Bidens visit on Sunday will mark the third time he has participated in the commemoration. The first vice president to take part in the annual re-enactment in 2013, he returned seven years later, this time as a presidential candidate. He delivered remarks at the citys historic Brown Chapel AME Church just hours after strong support from Black voters in South Carolina propelled him to his first primary victory. During both visits, Biden warned of erosions to the protections for voting rights won in the city decades ago. This year, his message is likely to hit on the same theme while also emphasizing the importance of economic justice and civil rights for black Americans. The Edmund Pettus Bridge, the site of the "Bloody Sunday" attack against demonstrators marching to demand voting rights in 1965. Why voting rights are at risk Biden promised to make voting rights a top priority for his administration. But civil-rights activists have grown frustrated as Republican-led states have moved to restrict the right to vote and bills to protect hard-won voting rights have stalled in Congress. A coalition of faith leaders issued an open letter last month to Biden and members of Congress, putting them on notice that, should they decide to attend Sundays commemoration in Selma, they should come with more than empty platitudes. They should come with a commitment to restore and expand voting rights, intensify the battle for living wages and increase economic investment in rural areas, the letter said. Selma is sacred ground, the faith leaders wrote. It is, in a very real sense, the delivery room where the possibility of a true democracy was born. It is no place to play or to be for political pretense. Either you're serious or not. Dig deeper 'This is not a great outcome': Supreme Court ruling brings fear of explosion in voting restrictions Analysis: Laws aimed at voter suppression are the worst since Jim Crow. How Black voter trends could be impacted. What's next?Biden agenda faces uphill climb in new Congress as Republicans take over House Contributing: The Associated Press Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on Twitter @mcollinsNEWS. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Selma march: Biden recognizes 'Bloody Sunday' civil-rights anniversary German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that the West is ready to consider security guarantees for Ukraine, but "in peaceful times". He said this in an interview that was broadcasted on CNN, in the Fareed Zakaria GPS program on Sunday, European Pravda reports. The chancellor answered the question whether an agreement is possible, according to which Kyiv will be offered to accept the loss of part of the territories occupied by Russia in exchange for certain security guarantees from NATO or joining the European Union. "We told them (Ukrainians) that they can apply for membership in the European Union. And they are working to achieve progress and implementation of the criteria that are important for this," Scholz said. "I think that they (Ukrainians) know that we are ready to organise a certain way of guaranteeing security for the country in a peaceful time that will come. But we are not there yet," he added. According to Scholz, Russian President Vladimir Putin must understand that he has to withdraw the troops; and this is the basic condition for negotiations. Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Britain, Germany and France had offered Ukraine a rapprochement agreement with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) that would give it greater access to Western military equipment, but at the same time would involve the resumption of negotiations with Russia. The German government denied this statement. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that the responsibility for ending the war in Ukraine lies with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Source: European Pravda citing Politico Details: "To my view, it is necessary that Putin understands that he will not succeed with his invasion and his imperialistic aggression and that he has to withdraw troops. This is the basis for talks," he said in an interview that aired Sunday on CNNs Fareed Zakaria GPS. The German leader acknowledged that the Russian-Ukrainian war that has been lasting for more than a year now has reached a dead end and is inflicting a huge amount of damage on Ukraine. But he said he would not press Ukrainians to make any uncomfortable compromises. "There will be no decisions without the Ukrainians," Scholz said, saying Putin had clearly misjudged "the strength of Ukraine" as well as the "unity" of "all the friends of Ukraine" in challenging the Russian invasion. "It is very difficult to judge what will be the next things to happen in Ukraine, but there is something which is absolutely clear: We will continue to support Ukraine with financial, humanitarian aid, and also with weapons," he said. Scholz also spoke well of President Joe Biden and his leadership during the current international crisis. "He is very informed about international relations," Scholz said. "I think he's one of the most skilled presidents knowing how things are running in the world, which is important in times that are becoming more dangerous," Scholz said. Background: US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had a meeting in Washington on 3 March. They confirmed intentions to punish Russia for the war in Ukraine for as long as necessary. On 3 March, the US also officially announced a new US$400 million military aid package for Ukraine, which will include ammunition for HIMARS, howitzers and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and other equipment. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Scientists discovered a compound in Pseudomonas bacteria that can effectively kill certain fungi. German researchers named the fungus killer after the actor Keanu Reeves. The study authors say the compounds could be used to effectively treat both crops and humans. Like John Wick, new compounds discovered by scientists are effective killers. But instead of killing bad guys, they kill fungi. Researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology in Germany found certain bacteria naturally contained compounds effective at killing fungi that affect plants and humans. The scientists named them keanumycins A, B, and C after the actor Keanu Reeves. The three keanumycins lipopeptides in bacteria of the Pseudomonas genus, commonly found in soil and water were isolated by scientists, who tested their deadly properties. They found the compounds got rid of amoebas and fungi. "The lipopeptides kill so efficiently that we named them after Keanu Reeves because he, too, is extremely deadly in his roles," the study's main author, Sebastian Gotze, said in a press release. The scientists released their findings in the Journal of the American Chemical Society in January. The keanumycins were most effective at killing Botrytis cinerea a fungus that produces gray mold rot. The fungus ruins crops like strawberries and wine grapes, and farmers usually use chemical fungicides to prevent it from growing. The study authors are testing the theory that a fungicide containing keanumycins could kill fungus on crops and provide a biodegradable option that won't leave chemicals in the soil or on fruit. The scientists also say it can help with human fungal infections that are becoming more resistant to antifungal treatments. The study authors say keanumycins are effective at treating the human-pathogenic fungus responsible for yeast infections and are not toxic to humans. "We have a crisis in anti-infectives," Gotze said in the release. "Many human-pathogenic fungi are now resistant to antimycotics partly because they are used in large quantities in agricultural fields." Story continues So far, 2023 has seen the names of several significant scientific discoveries inspired by celebrities. Recently, biologists in Ecuador found a mystical stream frog and named it after the fantasy author J.R.R. Tolkien. Another pair of biologists discovered five new species of snakes in Central and South America. The actor Leonardo DiCaprio named one of them an orange-eyed, snail-eating snake that produces a "musky and distasteful odor" after his mother, Irmelin Indenbirken. Correction: March 9, 2023 An earlier version of this story misstated why scientists view keanumycins as a promising antifungal treatment. The compounds were touted as an alternative to human fungal infections that are becoming more resistant to antifungal treatments, not less resistant. Read the original article on Business Insider A second train derailment in Ohio Saturday has lawmakers calling for additional freight safety rules at a time when the industry is already on the defensive following last month's disastrous toxic chemical derailment. I am very concerned about the power of the railroads to beat back safety regulations, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said on ABCs This Week. Saturdays derailment involved about 20 cars of a cargo train owned by Norfolk Southern, the same company that saw another one of its trains derail in East Palestine on Feb. 3. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio walks to a closed-door, classified briefing for Senators at U.S. Capitol Building on February 14, 2023 in Washington, DC. The February derailment spewed hazardous material, resulting in a toxic chemical leak in the town. There's no evidence Saturday's latest derailment leaked any hazardous materials. Luckily it seems we may have missed a bullet in this one, said Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, who called the derailment outrageous on NBCs Meet the Press. Stay in the conversation on politics: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter After the toxic derailment in East Palestine, some bipartisan consensus emerged on Capitol Hill with lawmakers demanding changes to rail safety regulations. On Wednesday, Brown teamed up with fellow Ohio Republican Senator J.D. Vance and a group of other senators to introduce a bill aimed at establishing additional safety rules. Multiple cars of a Norfolk Southern train lie toppled after derailing at a train crossing with Ohio 41 in Clark County, Ohio, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Bill Lackey/Springfield-News Sun via AP) Titled the Railway Safety Act of 2023, the bill would raise fines for safety violations, increase safety inspections, and requirer companies to disclose to states when trains with hazardous materials will pass through their borders. The bill, which could pass the Democratic-controlled Senate in the coming weeks, has murkier prospects in the Republican-controlled House. Related: White House blames Trump administration and Republicans over East Palestine, Ohio spill It shouldnt take a rail disaster to get us working together like that, said Brown, who noted that the bill has good chances in the Senate, but declined to say whether he thinks the House will take up the bill. Story continues I make no predictions in the House, continued Brown. Keep in mind who has the influence in the House of Representatives. The big railroads have weakened safety rules or resisted safety rules for years." Related: Pete Buttigieg has become the GOP's favorite lightning rod for controversy. Why him? Asked by NBCs Chuck Todd whether the rail industry requires new regulations, Turner responded: Absolutely. The fact that were having derailment after derailment, shows really the lack of investment, the disinvestment in our infrastructure, and that needs to change. Turner said. A view of the scene Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, as the cleanup continues at the site of of a Norfolk Southern freight train derailment that happened on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio. (AP Photo/Matt Freed) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Second Ohio derailment puts congressional spotlight on rail industry (Bloomberg) -- A second freight train derailment in Ohio within a month is giving new impetus for rail safety legislation in Congress, as Democrats and Republicans prepare to grill Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw when he testifies to a Senate committee Thursday. Most Read from Bloomberg The big railroads have weakened safety rules or resisted safety rules for years, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown said on ABCs This Week on Sunday. But youd think a disaster that happened in East Palestine would have gotten their attention. Saturdays train derailment happened outside Springfield, Ohio about 180 miles (400 kilometers) west of East Palestine, where a derailment last month spilled toxic chemicals into the rural community along the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. Initial reports indicate that there were no hazardous materials spilled in the Springfield incident, and officials quickly lifted a shelter-in-place order. But Brown said he wants to know if there were any residual contaminants left in the 20 mostly-empty train cars that went off track. The railroads got a lot of questions theyve got to answer and they really havent done it very well yet, he said. Brown is the lead sponsor of a rail-safety bill that would require more disclosure of hazardous materials traversing states, inspections of wheel bearings and mandate minimum crew sizes. And it would increase penalties for violations. Browns bill has co-sponsors from across the political spectrum, including Republicans JD Vance of Ohio, Marco Rubio of Florida and Josh Hawley of Missouri as well as Democrats Bob Casey and John Fetterman of neighboring Pennsylvania. Story continues Ohio Republican Representative Mike Turner, who represents the area around Saturdays derailment, added his own frustration with the rail industry, calling the spate of Ohio derailments now four in the last five months outrageous. What weve seen, you know, recently with the risk to communities is unacceptable, he said on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. And the fact that were having derailment after derailment shows really the lack of investment, the disinvestment, in our infrastructure, and that needs to change. Still, some ideological rifts were apparent. Brown blamed the derailments in part on stock buybacks, CEO pay and workforce reductions issues unlikely to get agreement from Republicans. Joe Manchin, a conservative Democrat from West Virginia, said opposition to pipelines had put more stress on the rail system. Pipelines would help alleviate a lot of this problem with the oil that we need in our country, he said on CBSs Face the Nation. And Vance told Fox News on Friday that attempts to blame President Donald Trumps administration which killed a train braking rule designed to prevent incidents like the one in East Palestine complete partisan hackery. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. SELMA, Ala. President Joe Biden used the searing memories of Selmas Bloody Sunday to recommit to a cornerstone of democracy, lionizing a seminal moment from the civil rights movement at a time when he has been unable to push enhanced voting protections through Congress and a conservative Supreme Court has undermined a landmark voting law. Selma is a reckoning. The right to vote ... to have your vote counted is the threshold of democracy and liberty. With it anythings possible, Biden told a crowd of more than 1,000 people seated on one side of the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge, named for a reputed Ku Klux Klan leader. This fundamental right remains under assault. The conservative Supreme Court has gutted the Voting Rights Act over the years. Since the 2020 election, a wave of states and dozens and dozens of anti-voting laws fueled by the Big Lie and the election deniers now elected to office, he said. As a candidate in 2020, Biden promised to pursue sweeping legislation to bolster protection of voting rights. Two years ago, his 2021 legislation, named after civil right leader John Lewis, the late Georgia congressman, included provisions to restrict partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts, strike down hurdles to voting and bring transparency to a campaign finance system that allows wealthy donors to bankroll political causes anonymously. It passed the then-Democratic-controlled House, but it failed to draw the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate. With Republicans now in control of the House, passage of such legislation is highly unlikely. We know we must get the votes in Congress, Biden said, but there seems no viable path right now. The visit to Selma was a chance for Biden to speak directly to the current generation of civil rights activists. Many feel let down because of the lack of progress on voting rights and they are eager to see his administration keep the issue in the spotlight. Few moments have had as lasting importance to the civil rights movement as what happened on March 7, 1965, in Selma and in the weeks that followed. Story continues Some 600 peaceful demonstrators led by Lewis and fellow activist Hosea Williams had gathered that day, just weeks after the fatal shooting of a young Black man, Jimmie Lee Jackson, by an Alabama trooper. Lewis and the others were brutally beaten by Alabama troopers and sheriffs deputies as they tried to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge at the start of what was supposed to be a 54-mile walk to the state Capitol in Montgomery as part of a larger effort to register Black voters in the South. On this bridge, blood was given to help redeem the soul of America, Biden said. The images of the police violence sparked outrage across the country. Days later, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. led what became known as the Turnaround Tuesday march, in which marchers approached a wall of police at the bridge and prayed before turning back. President Lyndon B. Johnson introduced the Voting Rights Act of 1965 eight days after Bloody Sunday, calling Selma one those rare moments in American history where history and fate meet at a single time. On March 21, King began a third march, under federal protection, that grew by thousands by the time they arrived at the state Capitol. Five months later, Johnson signed the bill into law. This years commemoration came as the historic city of roughly 18,000 was still digging out from the aftermath of a January EF-2 tornado that destroyed or damaged thousands of properties in and around Selma. The scars of that storm were still evident Sunday. Blocks from the stage where Biden spoke, houses sat crumbled or without roofs. Orange spray paint marked buildings beyond salvage with instructions to tear down. We remain Selma strong, Mayor James Perkins said, adding that we will build back better. He thanked Biden for approving a disaster declaration that helped the small city with the cost of debris cleanup and removal. Before Bidens visit, the Rev. William Barber II, a co-chair of Poor Peoples Campaign, and six other activists wrote Biden and members of Congress to express their frustration with the lack of progress on voting rights legislation. They urged Washington politicians visiting Selma not to sully the memories of Lewis and Williams and other civil rights activists with empty platitudes. Were saying to President Biden, lets frame this to America as a moral issue, and lets show how it effects everybody, Barber said in an interview. Among those sharing the stage with Biden before the march across the bridge were Barber, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King III and the Rev. Al Sharpton. BELGRADE (Reuters) - Hundreds of Serb nationalists and Orthodox Christians marched in Belgrade on Sunday to protest against a Western plan aimed at mending ties between Serbia and its former province Kosovo. Many Serbs view Kosovo, home to the Serbian Orthodox faith's main churches and monasteries, as the heartland of the Serb nation. Serbian nationalists who also want closer ties with Russia, Serbia's longtime ally, criticise President Aleksandar Vucic for his role in talks over a Western-backed deal with Kosovo. On Feb. 27, Vucic and Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti tentatively agreed to the deal about normalisation of relations, but did not sign it. "The people of Serbia which soiled this land with blood will not give away Serbian Kosovo, because Kosovo is sacred," said Zorica Mojsic from Belgrade as he walked with other marchers. The Serbian Orthodox Church organised its own prayers for Kosovo, set to last until Easter, but did not endorse the march and its clergy did not participate. On Friday, the Serbian Orthodox church's Patriarch Porfirije said in a sermon "no one should teach the church ... what is Kosovo... Liberating Kosovo with words is easy." Kosovo, which has an ethnic Albanian majority, declared independence in 2008, almost a decade after a war that brought an end to Serbian rule. But Serbia still regards Kosovo as its territory and flare-ups of violence have stoked fears of a return to conflict. More talks are needed on the implementation of the pact and the two leaders will meet again under EU auspices in North Macedonia lakeside city of Ohrid on March 18. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Ros Russell) Two people are in custody after a homeowner caught a suspect allegedly breaking into their garage in Butler County. Sunday deputies with the Butler County Sheriffs Office were called to a home in the 6200 block of Browns Run Road to reports of a homeowner who had a man at gunpoint who allegedly broke into their garage, according to a media release. Deputies said the homeowner was permitted to carry a concealed weapon. The homeowner told deputies that he caught a suspect, identified as Raymond Flack, 29, trying to cut into a safe in their detached garage. >> Officials: No risk to public health after Norfolk Southern train derails in Clark Co. Flack ran away from the homeowner and met up with another suspect, identified as Emily Bush, 29, who was driving a white truck, according to deputies. Deputies located the truck and stopped it. Both Flack and Bush were taken into custody. Flack was charged with burglary, safecracking, possessing criminal tools and criminal damaging. Bush was charged with complicity to all of Flacks charges. Both were booked into Middletown City Jail. You are here: China China's PM2.5 density, a key indicator of air pollution, fell 57 percent during the past 10 years, said Huang Runqiu, minister of ecology and environment, on Sunday. China's carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP declined by 34.4 percent from 2012 to 2021, Huang told journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing "two sessions." In 2022, the PM2.5 density dropped 3.3 percent year on year to 29 micrograms per cubic meter, data from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment showed. China will step up its efforts on pollution prevention and control in 2023, according to the minister. Sen. Sherrod Brown said Sunday he is not entirely satisfied with the response from Norfolk Southern after another train derailed near Springfield, Ohio, on Saturday evening. I'm not entirely satisfied, because I want to know [if there] are some sort of remnants of something that might have been in those cars, Brown (D-Ohio) said during an interview on ABCs This Week. Those cars were mostly empty. But I want to know if there are any contaminants sort of left in those mostly empty cars that might have affected Clark County near the fairgrounds, all the way into Springfield. About 20 cars on a 212-car Norfolk Southern cargo train derailed Saturday evening, according to a Norfolk Southern spokesperson. But unlike the Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, no hazardous materials were released as a result, and there was no threat to the public, officials said. Brown said he had spoken with state and local officials, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who were all pretty satisfied with Norfolk Southerns response to the Saturday crash. But Brown still wants more information about the latest crash, as well as the fiery derailment last month that caused residents of East Palestine to have to evacuate. Residents of that community have continued to express fears about threats to their health. People are still concerned. My couple trips in the last two weeks I've made to East Palestine, and the railroad's still not answering all the questions, Brown said Sunday. Last week, Brown sponsored bipartisan legislation with newly elected Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) to tighten safety requirements on trains and increase fines on railroad companies. Brown said the chances that legislation will pass the Senate are good, but hes unsure how the House will vote. I make no predictions in the House, Brown said, adding later: But youd think a disaster that happened in East Palestine would have gotten their attention. Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Travelers say its as good as any you can get in Ireland. Travel + Leisure / Tyler Roeland Wouldnt we all love to take a luxurious trip to the Irish countryside, soaking in the lush views and picking up an authentic sweater along the way? If you dont have any plans to journey abroad anytime soon, we have some good news: We found an amazing deal on an Irish Aran sweater that ships directly from Ireland, so now theres nothing stopping you from rocking the classic Irish sweater style without ever leaving the comfort of your home. Adored by shoppers, the Irish Aran Knitwear Merino Wool Cardigan is currently on sale for a whopping 79 percent off at Amazon. At just $17, this is the lowest price its been in a month, so you wont want to miss out on this slice of the countryside in the form of a luxe, stylish winter staple that can easily transition into those chilly spring days, too. Amazon To buy: amazon.com, $17 (originally $80) This classic chunky mens sweater channels the timeless style of Irish cardigans into a high-quality, affordable piece accessible to shoppers worldwide. Cozy merino wool is knit into stunning Aran stitches, and delicate brown buttons contribute to the appeal of this sweater. The brand was even established by Molly Cullen the granddaughter of the first craftswoman in Ireland to commerically sell her hand-knitted cardigans. Many wool sweaters can feel itchy and stiff, but this cardigan is soft and gentle against the skin, not to mention the fitted style is universally flattering. Plus, on chilly days there are two front pockets perfect for keeping your hands warm or even stowing your essentials while roaming around a new travel destination. Its available in two neutral colors that go with everything: charcoal and oatmeal in sizes Small to XXL. And dont worry: The sweater really is made in Ireland. Its not easy to find cardigans that represent the same quality as traditional Irish sweaters, but shoppers are impressed with the craftsmanship of this piece. In fact, one customer admitted that the cardigans are as good as any I [have] received from family/friends in County Kerry and County Cork, Ireland, adding that once again, Ireland warms my heart (and my old bones.) Meanwhile, another shopper agreed that the cardigan featured beautiful workmanship as well as a perfect fit and great value. Story continues Amazon To buy: amazon.com, $23 (originally $78) If youre looking for a cozy sweater to live in throughout the winter, spring, or even your next trip to the Emerald Isle, shoppers swear this is the cardigan for the job. One customer even touted it as probably the most comfortable piece of clothing I own, calling it very soft and warm and adding that they usually have to take it off at work because otherwise Ill want to take a nap at my desk. Speaking to the quality of the cardigan, another shopper noted that you can tell its made with care and pride, after revealing that its their favorite sweater. On sale for up to 79 percent off right now in two classic colors, this well-made, cozy cardigan might just be the best deal weve seen at Amazon all week and it will transport you straight to Ireland everytime you slip on the merino wool sleeves and fasten the timeless wood brown buttons. Perfect for the winter and spring weather and adored by shoppers for its high-quality design and authentic Irish craftsmanship, the stylish Irish Aran Knitwear Merino Wool Cardigan will bring a little piece of Ireland to you as you plan your next international getaway. But hurry, deals this good dont last forever. At the time of publishing, the price started at $17. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and well send you our favorite travel products each week. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. When it was introduced in 1951, reporter David H. Smith called the Sioux Falls Public Librarys Bookmobile Parnassus on Wheels, likening it to the subject of Christopher Morleys 1917 book of the same name. Mount Parnassus, in Greek mythology, was home to the muses; the inspirational goddesses of literature, science and the arts. To children of the time, it was like a piece of the downtown library had come to visit their own neighborhoods. More:Looking Back: The booming business of The Sioux Falls Paper Company In November of 1950, bids for a bookmobile were requested. Head librarian Lora E. Crouch saw a bookmobile as a way to reach more of the outlying parts of Sioux Falls expanding area. At the time, Sioux Falls only library, the Carnegie Library, at the southeast corner of 10th Street and Dakota Avenue, was being outgrown. There were so many books that new books were difficult to find room for. A bookmobile could store and distribute 2,500 books from the collection. The lowest, and only, bid for Sioux Falls bookmobile was submitted by the Gerstenslager Company of Wooster, Ohio. Gerstenslager built a number of similar vehicles for other communities, and before long, became known for building remote television vans and Oscar Mayers Wienermobile. The cost of the bookmobile was $7,301.46, and its cost was afforded entirely with late fees collected over the previous 11 years. Pauline Streimer and the Sioux Falls' first Bookmobile in 1951 Pauline Streimer, a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota Library School, was chosen to take the wheel. Prior to college, she had worked for two years in the Martin County library in Fairmont, Minnesota. Streimer was no stranger to the library arts, and soon she would be in charge of multiple bookmobiles for the Sioux Falls Public Library. The bookmobile was used year-round and was equipped with its own generator and heater. Electric lights made books easy to find, even on overcast days, or on winter days, when the sun would fade from the sky before closing time. The shelves in the bookmobile were angled to help books stay in place while the mobile was en route. Story continues Sioux Falls first Bookmobile was in operation five days a week, making two stops a day between 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. On Monday, the rolling library could be found at Russell Street and Dakota Avenue, and at the airbase school grounds. Tuesday brought it to Axtell Park, then 15th Street and Western Avenue. Wednesday, it could be found at 8th Street and Lowell Avenue and Franklin School. On Thursday, Streimer would drive out to 26th Street and Cliff Avenue and Beadle School. Friday, children could find the bookmobile at the Sunshine at 26th and Minnesota, and at the Jefferson School grounds. More:How the Happy Hour Bar maintained a history of class in Sioux Falls: Looking back On June 13, 1954, the Childrens Library opened at 416 S. Phillips. This helped to alleviate the stress on the resources at the Carnegie. The Carnegie childrens department, which had been located in the basement, was replaced by a department for teens and young adults. On September 1, 1957, the citys second bookmobile was put into service. This one was of the same design as the first, and also built by the Gerstenslager Company. The second was paid for with tax dollars and was made necessary by the citys expansion. By 1959, the twin bookmobiles would circulate 11,207 books in the month of January alone. By comparison, the Childrens Library hustled 10,764. The citys third bookmobile was ordered in December 1959. Pauline Streimer and the Sioux Falls' first Bookmobile in 1951 The bookmobile program was a resounding success and continued for decades. Pauline Streimer was in charge for the length of her career with the library. She shared her love of books with adults and children alike. On November 3, 1970, the citys first bookmobile, by then nicknamed Old Chugger was retired. Its replacement was built by Gerstenslager Company for $23,995. It was seven feet longer than the one that proceeded it, and carried 3,100 books. The second and third mobiles were still in use at this time. Children remember the regular appearances of the Parnassus on Wheels and looked forward to the next. Over the years, muses, in the form of books, inspired thousands of children in their lives, hobbies, and careers. The Bookmobile is currently undergoing repairs, but when in operation, is available by request for events, daycares, schools, neighborhoods, and nearby towns. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: How Sioux Falls started its first-ever 'Parnassus on wheels': Looking back Saturday Night Lives cold open went after Fox News over its conspicuous silence about damning revelations in a $1.6bn defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems. Internal communications and sworn depositions in the court battle have revealed that Foxs star anchors and executives knew that Donald Trumps false 2020 election fraud claims were bogus. Since the allegations were made public in unsealed court filings last week, Fox News has barely acknowledged them. SNLs cold open on 4 March featured a Fox & Friends spoof with cast members Mikey Day as Steve Doocy, Heidi Gardner as Ainsley Earhardt and Bowen Yang as Brian Kilmeade. The hosts began by discussing why the lawsuit hasnt been attracting much coverage on the rightwing network. Rupert Murdoch admitted that Fox News aired election fraud conspiracies to get ratings, even though everyone at Fox knew they were false, Day says. Yang, as Kilmeade, responds, saying: I didnt. Loop a brother in next time, Now you may be wondering if its such a big story, why havent I heard about it on Fox, Gardner, as Earhardt then says. I think its because theyre suing us for $1.6bn, says Yang. No, its because its complete BS. The media is taking private texts from Fox News hosts and showing them completely out of context. The trio then poke fun at text messages between Fox hosts where Sean Hannity called Rudy Giuliani insane. How could you leave out the rest? says Yang. Rudy Giuliani is insanely hot, I just wanna lick that head dye right off. From left: SNLs Mikey Day, Heidi Gardner and Bowen Yang spoofed Fox & Friends in its latest cold open (NBC) MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, played by the versatile James Austin Johnson, is then introduced lived from CPac, and he couldnt help himself from having a crack at the vote processing company. Every Dominion machine has a Venezuelan Oompa Loompa inside, Johnson says. The skit also showed Gardner confusing Mr Murdoch, the Fox Corporation chairman, with convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh. Meanwhile, the legal woes continue to mount for Fox. On Friday, progressive watchdog Media Matters filed a lawsuit with the Federal Election Commission alleging that Fox made an illegal contribution to the Trump campaign when it shared confidential campaign information with the former presidents son-n-law Jared Kushner. NBC Just days after Rupert Murdochs unsealed deposition in the Dominion Lawsuit revealed that the Fox News mogul could have easily stopped his most MAGA-fied hosts from pushing Trump & Co.s 2020 election fraud liesbut I didntSaturday Night Lives version of Fox & Friends aimed, shot, and fired straight at the media mogulonce they got their stories straight. Steve Doocy (Mikey Day), Ainsley Earhardt (Heidi Gardner), and Brian Kilmeade (Bowen Yang) beamed in from their studio in New York City (What a cesspool!, sneered Kilmeade) to discuss, among other things, Dominion Voting Systems $1.6 billion lawsuit against the network. While its been going on for years now, each of the hosts seem somewhat surprised to learn about italbeit each of them for different reasons. While Kilmeade was disappointed, given how much he loves da Minions with their little overalls and love of bananas, Doocy attempted to clarify the details of the case. Earhardt chimed in to make it known how closely shes been following all of whats going on, and how much she disagrees with the legal proceedings. This whole trial has been so unfair, Earhardt said. They have been raking him over the coals. Rupert Murdoch would never murder anyone! While Doocy was uncharacteristically confused, Earhardt continued to fill in the blanks of what was happening for both her co-host and viewers. They sent him away for life, she insisted. Look how sad he looks! After pulling up a photo of Alex Murdaugh (cosplaying as Murdoch in Earhardts mind), Doocyever the voice of reasonexplained that she was confusing Murdoch and Murdaugh, which only seemed to embolden Earhardt: Well we just blew the case wide opentheyve got the wrong guy. Doocy made his thoughts on Dominions lawsuit crystal clear when he called it complete BS and criticized the medias decision to share private texts between Fox News hosts like Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham without any sort of context. Story continues Kilmeade, for example, got all worked up about a text Sean Hannity sent to Tucker Carlson in early 2021, in which he stated that Rudy Giuliani is insane. But Kilmeade knows there was more to the text than thatand what Hannity meant to say was that Rudy Giuliani is insanely hot. I just wanna lick that head dye off. But what would any talk of Dominions lawsuit be without involving Mike Lindell (James Austin Johnson)? The MyPillow guy showed up just in time to explain his latest election fraud theory: Every Dominion machine has a Venezuelan Oompa Loompa inside. Which isnt necessarily the wildest suggestion Lindell has ever made. The comedy sketch evidently got under Fox News skin enough that the network emailed a statement to The Daily Beast after it aired, which said, in part, that Dominions suit against the network takes an unsupported view of defamation law that would prevent journalists from basic reporting and their efforts to publicly smear FOX for covering and commenting on allegations by a sitting President of the United States should be recognized for what it is: a blatant violation of the First Amendment." For more, listen and subscribe to The Last Laugh podcast. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Bernie Sanders was asked at a CNN-sponsored town hall about socialism. CNN screenshot This article was published in 2020 Bernie Sanders has emerged as the Democratic front-runner in the race for the presidential nomination. Yet even some left-leaning pundits and publications are concerned about what they see as Sanders potential lack of electability. Sanders is a Democratic Socialist. And the label socialist is a political liability in American culture. According to a Gallup poll released on Feb. 11, 2020, only 45% of Americans would vote for a socialist. I am a scholar of American culture with an interest in the relationship between political ideologies and popular culture. In my research, I have found that this antipathy toward socialism may not be an accident: American identity today is strongly tied to an image of capitalism crafted and advertised by the Ad Council and American corporate interests over decades, often with the support of the U.S. government. A screenshot from one of the corporate Cold War-era cartoons linking the Bill of Rights to free-enterprise ideology. Internet Archive, Prelinger Collection Business and government solidarity In 1942, a group of advertising and industry executives created the War Advertising Council, to promote the war effort. The government compensated the companies that created or donated ads by allowing them to deduct some of their costs from their taxable incomes. Renamed the Ad Council in 1943, the organization applied the same wartime persuasive techniques of advertising and psychological manipulation during the Cold War years, the post-war period when the geopolitical rivalry between the U.S., the USSR and their respective allies raged. One of their goals: promoting the virtues of capitalism and free enterprise in America while simultaneously demonizing the alternative socialism which was often conflated with communism. Government propaganda at home portrayed the communist USSR as godless, tyrannical and antithetical to individual freedoms. As a counterpoint, America became everything the Soviet Union was not. This link between capitalism and American national identity was advertised through a sophisticated, corporate effort as efficient and ubiquitous as state-driven propaganda behind the Iron Curtain. Story continues The campaigns used the ideological divisions of the Cold War to emphasize the relevance of their message. In a 1948 report, the Ad Council explained its goal to the public: The world today is engaged in a colossal struggle to determine whether freedom or statism will dominate. Extolling capitalisms virtues The campaigns started as a public-private partnership. At the end of World War II, the government worried about the spread of communism at home. Business interests worried about government regulations and about the rising popularity of unions. The Cold War provided both parties with a shared enemy. In 1947, President Truman asked the Ad Council to organize the Freedom Train Campaign, focusing on the history of Americas political freedoms. Paramount Pictures, U.S. Steel, DuPont, General Electric and Standard Oil provided financial support. For two years the train crisscrossed the nation, carrying original documents that included the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. One of the Ad Councils messages about capitalism in America. Outdoor Advertising Association of America Archives, Duke University Libraries The following year, the Ad Council launched a business-led campaign, called The Miracle of America, intended to foster support for the American model of capitalism, as distinct from its Western European version, which was more friendly to government intervention. It urged increased productivity by U.S. workers, linked economic and political freedom and, paradoxically, asserted capitalisms collaborative nature. Sure, America is going ahead if we all pull together, read a brochure. Another flyer, Comes the Revolution!, cast its support of American capitalism in the language of global struggle: If we continue to make that system workthen other nations will follow us. If we dont, then theyll probably go communist or fascist. In its first two years, the Miracle of America message reached American audiences via 250 radio and television stations and 7,000 outdoor billboards. Newspapers printed 13 million lines of free advertising. The Ad Council boasted that the campaign made over 1 billion radio listener impressions. American factory workers received about half of the 1.84 million copies of the free pamphlet The Miracle of America. One-quarter were distributed free of charge to schools, and 76 universities ordered the booklet. This pro-business propaganda, expressed in the language of Cold War patriotism, had reached roughly 70% of the American population by the end of the campaign. Cartoon capitalism The efforts produced more than just print and billboard messages. In 1946, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, founded by the former head of General Motors, paid the evangelical Harding College to produce Fun and Facts about American Business, a series of educational cartoon videos about capitalism, produced by a former Disney employee. Between 1949 and 1952, Metro Goldwyn Mayer distributed them in theaters, schools, colleges, churches and workplaces. The films promoted the same messages as the Ad Council campaigns, although they were not part of the project. They continued a decade-long effort by the Sloan Foundation to start, in the words of its executive director, a bombardment of the American mind with elementary economic principles through partnering with educational institutions. To both Sloan and the movements backers, business interests were synonymous with the national interest. The free-enterprise system was a shorthand for freedom, democracy and patriotism. Unlike in Europe, the videos suggested, class struggle of the kind that required unions did not exist in the U.S. In the cartoon Meet the King, Joe, the archetypal American worker, realizes he is not an exploited proletarian. Instead, hes a king, because he can buy more with his wages than any other worker on the globe. Conversely, government regulations of, or interventions in, the economy were described in the cartoons as socialist tendencies, bound to lead to communism and tyranny. Make Mine Freedom, and Its Everybodys Business presented the state as a perpetual threat. A money-sucking tax monster, the government reduces everyones profits, crushes private enterprise and takes away individual freedoms: No more private property, no more you. According to an estimate from Fortune magazine, by 1952, American businesses spent US0 million each year, independent from any Ad Council campaigns, promoting free enterprise. Peanuts pushes freedom In the early 1970s, business responded to rising negativity about corporate power with a new campaign coordinated by the Ad Council. The American Economic System and Your Part in It was launched alongside the bicentennial national celebrations. It was the largest centralized pro-business public relations project thus far, but only one of many independently run by corporations. Part of a page from the 1970s booklet that used Charles Schultzs Peanuts comic strips to explain the benefits of Americas economic system. Amazon The media industry donated million in free space and air time in the first year of the campaign. The Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor contributed about half a million dollars toward the production costs for a 20-page booklet. That booklet used data provided by the departments of Commerce and Labor and Charles Schulzs Peanuts comic strips to explain the benefits of Americas economic system. The system was again presented as a foundational freedom protected by a Constitution whose goal was to maintain a climate in which people could work, invest, and prosper. By 1979, 13 million copies had been distributed to schools, universities, libraries, civic organizations and workplaces. Echoes now? For four decades, the Cold War provided a simple good-vs.-evil axis that consolidated the association between freedom, American-ness and free-enterprise capitalism. The business community, independently and through the Ad Council, funded massive top-down economic education programs which shaped American perceptions of business and government and of capitalism and socialism. The Cold War ended 30 years ago, but its cultural structures and divisions endure perhaps, even, in the responses of some Americans to Bernie Sanders socialism. Editors note: The Conversation has received grant funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. If you found it interesting, you could subscribe to our weekly newsletter. It was written by: Oana Godeanu-Kenworthy, Miami University. Read more: Oana Godeanu-Kenworthy received funding from the Fulbright Commission and The Library of Congress. JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will announce changes to the national executive at 7:00 p.m. (1700 GMT) on Monday, presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya said on Sunday. A cabinet reshuffle has been widely expected since Ramaphosa was re-elected leader of the governing African National Congress (ANC) at a party leadership contest in December, paving the way for him to run for a second term in 2024. "The president is finalising his reconfiguration of the national executive," Magwenya said at a news briefing, adding that he was taking into account the swearing in of some members of parliament before announcing the reshuffle. Ramaphosa is expected to name a new deputy president after the Presidency announced David Mabuza's resignation from the post on Wednesday. The new position of electricity minister is among the roles to be filled. He announced last month he would create the position of electricity minister to help address the nation's power crisis, as state utility Eskom implements the worst power cuts on record. (This story has been refiled to clarify the second part of Magwenya's remarks in paragraph 3) (Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Bernadette Baum) SEOUL/TOKYO (Reuters) - South Korea and Japan may be near resolving a dispute over colonial-era forced labour that has overshadowed political and trade relations between the two neighbours, with media reports saying Seoul could announce plans on Monday. The South Korean government plans to announce on Monday morning its solution to the historical and legal dispute over compensating people forced to work under Japan's 1910-1945 occupation of Korea, Japan's Kyodo news reported, citing unnamed diplomatic sources. The labour dispute and one over women forced into Japanese military brothels have bedevilled ties between the two pivotal U.S. allies for years. South Korea's foreign ministry, asked about the reported agreement, said negotiations were ongoing. "The government is continuing to consult in various ways between diplomatic authorities at all levels in order to come up with a reasonable solution that meets the common interests of Korea and Japan as soon as possible," it said in a statement. Japan's Cabinet Office and Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to phone and email requests for comment. Relations plunged to their lowest point in decades after South Korea's Supreme Court in 2018 ordered Japanese firms to pay reparations to former forced labourers. Fifteen South Koreans have won such cases, but none has been compensated. The row spilled over into a trade dispute. Japan has maintained the compensation issue was settled under earlier treaties. 'VOLUNTARY' FUND, SUMMIT Seoul unveiled a plan in January to compensate former forced labourers through a South Korean public foundation. The proposal sparked backlash from victims and their families because it did not include contributions from Japanese companies, including those ordered by South Korean courts to pay reparations. Japan could allow its companies to "voluntarily" contribute to the foundation, and the two governments are aiming for South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol to visit Japan this month, Kyodo reported. Story continues South Korea's Yonhap news agency, citing unnamed government sources, said Seoul and Tokyo had tentatively agreed to create a "future youth fund" to sponsor scholarships for students as part of the deal. The fund would be jointly formed by the Federation of Korean Industries, South Korea's big business lobby, and its Japanese counterpart, Keidanren, the report said. Japan's Nikkei reported that a Korean foundation would pay compensation on behalf of Japan, and the Japanese side would acknowledge expressions of apology and reflection made by previous administrations. Prime Minster Fumio Kishida plans to say he is extending past statements on wartime forced labour, which include an apology for Japans colonialism, Japan's Yomiuri reported on Saturday. The newspaper said Tokyo could lift restrictions on exports of key electronics components to South Korea, as part of a deal for Seoul to withdraw its complaint to the World Trade Organization over the trade dispute. The conservative Yoon, who took office in May, has vowed to improve ties with Japan. In September, he met Kishida in the two countries' first summit since 2019. On the dispute over Korean women forced into wartime brothels, euphemistically called comfort women, a 2015 agreement that was supposed to "irreversibly" resolve the claims fell apart after backlash from many of the victims. (Reporting by Josh Smith in Seoul and Rocky Swift in Tokyo; Editing by William Mallard) Passengers traverse a concourse at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Elijah Nouvelage/Reuters Southwest is testing several new ways to get passengers moving and onto their planes. The airline is using Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as an "innovation zone," according to the Wall Street Journal. Among the new ideas are kiosks, special staging areas, and flashing lights at the start of boarding. Long boarding times frustrate passengers and the flight attendants who usher them through the loading bridge and to their seats. But Southwest Airlines is on a mission to change that. Southwest is testing several out-of-the-box methods at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, part of an effort to improve and expedite the boarding process, according to the Wall Street Journal. The airline is using parts of the airport as a testing ground called the "innovation zone," where it is experimenting with 11 new concepts in hopes of slashing five minutes off the average flight's boarding time which currently lasts 40 minutes for smaller jets and up to 50 for larger ones, per the Journal. "We want to truly understand at its most granular level of detail how passengers move on and off our aircraft,'' Angela Marano, Southwest's vice president of business transformation, told the Journal. "How can we better understand some of the human behavior that slows that process down?'' The new boarding practices include highly visible changes like upbeat music on the jet bridge and video monitors that tell passengers when boarding will begin. The monitors also include lights that flash during boarding, according to the Journal. "It's giving the customers, especially the customers coming in late or just not paying attention, information on when it is their turn," Kaci McCartan, senior innovation designer at Southwest, told the Journal. But some of the airline's ideas are less consumer-facing, and focus on optimizing the boarding process from the airline's side of operations. One idea Southwest is testing is a group chat between workers on the ground, on the plane, and at the gate an addition that aims to improve coordination between airline employees, the Journal reported. Story continues One further change the airline will test is self-serve kiosks at the gate, according to The Street. There, passengers can streamline the boarding process and potentially even upgrade their tickets before they get on a plane. The tests in Atlanta further Southwest's ongoing efforts to reshape the way passengers board planes. The airline notoriously doesn't assign seats to its passengers they get to choose where to sit when they get on the plane. That boarding system also allows families to board and sit together on Southwest flights in what the company calls "Family Boarding," according to Cleveland's Fox8 news station. For those families as well as wheelchair users, Southwest is also testing out a separate staging area aimed at easing access to the plane. "If we spot stuff that works and it can work stand-alone, we will roll that out,'' Andrew Watterson, the airline's chief operating officer, told the Journal. "But we're not looking for all quickies. At the end of this we want to get our turn times down five minutes and have it be in a quality, customer-friendly way.'' Read the original article on Business Insider WORCESTER A Spencer man was sentenced to more than two years in prison for possession of child pornography. Joseph Michael Smith, 60, was sentenced Monday in federal court in Worcester to 27 months in prison and five years of supervised release. Smith pleaded guilty in November to one count of possession of child pornography. Smith faced up to 20 years in jail per federal guidelines for one charge of possession of child pornography. Plus, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. Investigators received several tips that child pornography was shared from messenger accounts tied to Smiths address. During a search of Smiths home, a computer drive was seized and a forensic analysis revealed 35 videos of children as young at 2 years old being sexually abused. Investigators also found over 300 images of child pornography that had been downloaded and deleted from a USB drive. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. It was launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice. Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @henrytelegram This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Massachusetts man sentenced to prison for possession of child porn Ten people were hospitalized after a Spirit Airlines flight made an emergency landing in Jacksonville, Florida on Wednesday. Spirit Airlines flight 259, which was traveling to Orlando after departing from Dallas around 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, made an emergency landing when a fire broke out inside the cabin, First Coast News reports. According to the airline, a guests personal item caused the fire, filling the cabin with smoke. The post Spirit Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing After A Fire Breaks Out, 10 Hospitalized appeared first on Blavity. Spirit Airlines flight 259 from Dallas (DFW) to Orlando (MCO) diverted to Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) following whats believed to be a battery fire from a Guest item in an overhead bin that was extinguished inflight, officials stated according to First Coast News. The plane landed at JAX and taxied to the terminal without incident. We thank our crew and Guests for their quick actions to ensure the safety of everyone onboard, and we thank first responders for meeting the aircraft. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department said some crew members were among the people who were taken to the hospital, but all the patients are expected to be OK. I was right across from a luggage bin and I saw smoke coming out of it and I wasnt sure what it was, passenger Kerri Arakawa told First Coast News. And then all of a sudden just a ton of smoke came out. There was a retired fireman that jumped up and flight crew came in and they tried putting water on it . . . and another guy went and got a bucket because I think the fireman reached in and grabbed it and they got it put out, but it took about 20 minutes. In two weeks, the population in Southie will swell from 33,000 to one million -- at least temporarily. Organizers expect hundreds of thousands of visitors to attend the annual St. Patricks Day parade, which usually draws tourists from around the world. What some elected leaders hope the parade wont draw: members of The Nationalist Social Club, or NSC-131. Theyre identified by the Anti-Defamation League as a neo-Nazi organization, said State Sen. Nick Collins of South Boston. When people come together to exercise their first amendment rights, I think theres a notion that can be a free-for-all for anybody. Last year, about a dozen members of NSC-131 attended the St. Patricks Day parade, wearing face masks and standing behind a banner that read Keep Boston Irish. If they do something similar this year, Collins indicates they could be arrested. You cant deface public property, you cant use public assets without authorization, Collins said. Everything they did last year was misuse, unauthorized use or defacing or destruction of public property. For example, that offensive banner was hung on crowd-control fencing owned by the city. And Collins said the MBTA had to deal with graffiti the group applied to some subway cars. Collins and other elected officials are calling for a meeting with the chief of the Transit Police, so as to plan for this years parade. Were coming together early to come up with a plan to make sure that all riders in the city feel safe, said Collins. We want to make sure people that come to the parade feel safe, theyre not intimidated and theyre not harassed like they were last year by this organization. NSC-131 conducted one other protest in Boston recently. Last July, the group demonstrated at a Drag Queen story hour in Jamaica Plain. Police wound up arresting one of its leaders, after a confrontation with counter-demonstrators escalated. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The piece of memorabilia honoring a deceased South End bar owner will soon be back where it rightfully belongs. A firemans hat was nabbed off the walls of The Kartal last weekend, the bar owners told Boston 25 News on Wednesday. The Kartal opened on Tremont Street four months ago in the spot previously occupied by the Boston Eagle. The firemans hat was just one of several pieces of memorabilia honoring the spots previous tenant, The Boston Eagle, one of Bostons longest-running LGBTQ+ establishments. The hat was returned Saturday after somebody noticed the hat at a house party, owner Elizabeth Georgantas told Boston 25 News. Eagle statues are on display in different areas of the bar, and a memorabilia wall pays tribute to the late owner of the Boston Eagle, Jack Repetti. The owner of the Eagle for more than 40 years, Repetii died in November after a battle with cancer. It was a way for me to still have Jack here and for everyone who comes here to have a piece of Jack, said Elizabeth Georgantas. Georgantas said she was most heartbroken to pass along the news to Repettis surviving partner Leo. He now sits at Kartal every night at the bar that he and Repetti once operated together for over four decades. We were together for 50 years, he told Boston 25 News. I walk around the house talking to him, and I ask why he died. The theft of an item that doesnt have a price tag follows an ongoing pattern of people stealing things from inside the bar. Eighteen table lamps were also recently lifted from the bar. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis on Sunday called on authorities to stop human traffickers operating in the Mediterranean, as he expressed his sorrow over last week's migrant boat disaster off Italy's Calabrian coast, in which dozens of people were killed. "I renew my appeal to prevent such tragedies from happening again. May traffickers of human beings be stopped," the pope said in his weekly address to crowds in St. Peter's Square. Local authorities said 70 bodies had so far been recovered following the incident. The migrants had departed from Turkey and were from countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Somalia and Syria. "May journeys of hope never again turn into journeys of death, may the clear waters of the Mediterranean no longer be bloodied by such dramatic accidents," the pope said. Around 80 people survived after the boat broke up and sank in rough seas near Steccato di Cutro, a resort on the Calabria region's eastern coast. Authorities estimated it had carried up to 200 migrants. Three alleged traffickers were arrested this week and prosecutors began looking into the way emergency services responded to the disaster, after accusations that authorities were slow to react. "I pray for the many victims of the shipwreck, for their families and for those who survived," the pope said. Right-wing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who this week called on fellow European Union leaders to do more to halt illegal immigration, praised the pope's remarks. The government was "continuing to deploy all necessary forces to combat human traffickers and stop deaths at sea," she said in a post on Facebook. (Reporting by Angelo Amante;Editing by Bernadette Baum) The Atlanta streetcar is back months after it was removed, according to a Thursday news release from MARTA. MARTA removed the four streetcar vehicles from service on Nov. 29, 2022, after engineers discovered wheel deterioration could pose a safety risk. Only one of the four streetcars has been replaced as of Thursday, however, the other three vehicles will be replaced in the coming weeks. After a couple of days of testing, the streetcar is ready to resume its route, said MARTA Chief Operating Officer George Wright. We ask that everyone who works, lives, or visits downtown to TRENDING STORIES: MARTA shuttle vans, wrapped to look like the streetcar, will continue servicing the route until all vehicles return to service. The cost of the replacement wheels for four vehicles was approximately $400,000 and paid through MARTAs capital budget, according to a news release. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R), a potential 2024 contender, on Sunday predicted that former President Trump, whos running for another White House term, wont be the GOPs nominee when it comes the presidential primaries. As far as former President Trump, I think hes going to run obviously hes in the race. Hes not going to be the nominee. Thats just not going to happen, Sununu said on NBCs Meet the Press. Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said last week that she expects the party will ask candidates participating on the GOP debate stage to sign a pledge saying theyll support whoever eventually clinches the nomination something Trump himself hasnt firmly agreed to. NBC host Chuck Todd on Sunday asked Sununu whether hed be comfortable signing that pledge if Trump was involved. Im a lifelong Republican. Im going to support the Republican nominee. When you look at whats coming out of the White House, it isnt Democrat policies. Its real left-wing extreme agenda type stuff that is not in the best interest of this country and I have no doubt that any solid Republican is, is would be better than, than what comes out, Sununu said. But the governor stressed he didnt think Trump could get the nomination. I think theres a lot of opportunity to bring forward what the Republican Party not what we were not, yesterdays leadership or yesterdays story, or crying about what happened in November of 22. But what were going to bring to the table and get done tomorrow, and thats what America is looking for, he said, adding that hes really confident in whomever will secure the nomination. The New Hampshire governor hasnt officially announced a 2024 campaign, but has taken some steps hinting that hell run, including setting up a political action committee. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A 74-year-old woman who subleased a room in her Visalia home might have suffered a cruel death at the hands of a roommate who lived with her for only a few months. Family members of Rafaela Espindola remain in mourning following her Feb. 20 death and said they still are trying to understand what wouldve caused her roommate Michael Major to allegedly kill the grandmother of 20 grandkids. Major, 54, was charged with one count of murder with the special allegations of use of a deadly weapon, sexual assault by force, assault with chemicals, as well as a hate crime, according to the Tulare County Districts Attorneys Office. Whats really sad is one of the last things shed told us about her roommate was that (Major) seemed like a nice man, and she was trying to help get him back on his feet, granddaughter Yenizel Rizzo said. She said shed cooked for him and told us he enjoyed her food. My grandmother was a quiet person and kept to herself. But she also was a loving woman and would try to take care of those around her. Then this happened. Major faces additional charges from a separate assault when he allegedly attacked a restaurant employee with a 10-inch sledgehammer. He faces hate crime charges from that incident, too. Blood found in hallway Police said that after apprehending Major and questioning him about the brutal restaurant attack inside Nashs Steakhouse in Visalia, he told officers to check a home on the 500 block of North Stevenson Street. The location is where Major lived the past two to three months with Espindola, along with a third roommate who is 80-plus years old, according to the victims family. Rizzo said her family found a lot of blood in the hallway that connected her grandmothers master bedroom to Majors subleased room. A criminal complaint stated that Espindola was beaten to death with a hammer. Espindola, who is originally from Mexico and lived in Visalia for roughly the past 40 years, had sublet a room out of her home to various people for many years to help her cover rent on the entire home. And she rarely, if ever, had issues before. Story continues But by subleasing to Major, she rented a room to a man who unknowingly to her, had mental issues, and was murdered by him, according to the familys post on GoFundMe page that was set up to help pay for her funeral costs. My grandmother wasnt the type to run a background check, Rizzo said. She really didnt look at peoples past like that. She took people for who they were at the time and mostly just kept to herself. Hate speech written on papers Despite having roommates and a small home, Rizzo still hosted family from out of town for many holidays. If she had us come over, shed make sure to go to the market and shed cook fresh goat for us, Rizzo recalled. She also lived next to an orange orchard and gave us oranges all the time. Just a very caring person. While family wasnt sure exactly how Espindola got connected with Major, Rizzo said her grandmother usually found roommates over the years based on recommendations from those she knew. In regards to the third roommates whereabouts during Espindolas death, Rizzo said the family was told by police that the elderly man was not at home at the time of the incident. Rizzo said it was later discovered that Major had notes and journals inside his room. Some had bible scripture written or referenced God, including a note that was hanging from a ceiling fan in Majors room that read Only God can judge me, according to Rizzo. Rizzo said there also was hate speech written on some papers. Perhaps what made Espindolas death all the more upsetting was the fact that she had just battled breast cancer and was recovering from chemotherapy treatment, according to family. She was just trying to get back to her normal life, Rizzo said. That alone was really scary for our family. What were dealing with now, its just so surreal. Youre sad. Youre scared. Youre upset. If convicted on all charges, Major faces life in prison. Surrey House Prices Surrey Heath has been named the house price discount capital of Britain, with three out of five sales done at a cut the price to their initial listing. The Home Counties borough, which covers towns such as Camberley, Frimley and Bagshot, had almost double the national average of discounted property sales last month. 59pc of homes sold in the Surrey commuter belt district in February had a price change before a sale was agreed, according to TwentyCi, a data company. The national average last month stood at 32pc. Julian de la Poer Beresford, of Hamptons estate agents in Sunningdale, said discounts in Surrey Heath average between 5pc and 8pc. Discounted property sales are on the rise nationally as high mortgage rates and a cost-of-living squeeze hit buyer demand and put downward pressure on prices. Sellers in London and the South East are having to make the biggest adjustments. Across the South East, more than 5,000 properties were sold at a discount in February, accounting for 37pc of all sales in the region. A year earlier only 26pc of sales in the South East faced a discount. The South East is particularly exposed to the current downturn because high house prices in relation to earnings mean buyers are more dependent on mortgage borrowing. The area is also suffering from a drop in demand after the end of the so-called race for space, where people moved out of cities during the pandemic. Daniel Burstow, regional director of the Home Counties at Strutt & Parker estate agents, said: Compared to the pandemic when we had huge numbers of buyers, we have probably seen at least a 50pc reduction in inquiries on properties. He added: 18 months ago, the South East property market was driven by a huge surge in buyers from London. Now that London is open again, a lot of people are thinking do we actually need to move out? Asking prices have come down by between 5pc and 10pc year-on-year, Mr Burstow said. Agreed sales across the South East were down by a quarter year-on-year, according to TwentyCi. Nationally, sales fell by 22pc. Richard Winter, a Surrey buying agent, said: We have just bought a property that was listed last year for 1.75m. Back then, before Liz Truss, it had five or six people offering on it and the sale was agreed for just shy of 2m. That fell through at Christmas. Weve just bought it for 1.6m. Police in Brevard County is investigating an overnight shooting that ended with a teen being airlifted to the hospital. The shooting happened early Sunday morning just after midnight at the Hammock Harbor Apartments in Rockledge. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<< Police said the teen was shot and transported to Arnold Palmer Hospital. No one else was hurt during this shooting. Read: Downtown Orlando ensures safety during busy, event-filled weekend Rockledge police are investigating and will release more details when they become available. Read: Heres a good way to get yourself killed: sheriff says after group of motorcyclists flee deputies Channel 9 has a crew on the way and will bring you the latest live on Channel 9 News at noon. Read: Pedestrian killed after being struck by at least two vehicles in Volusia County, troopers say Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The Texas Republican Party on Saturday voted to censure Rep. Tony Gonzales for breaking with his GOP colleagues in a handful of votes. At its quarterly meeting in Austin, the 64-member State Republican Executive Committee passed a censure resolution in a 57-5 vote, with one abstention. The Texas GOP said in a statement that it is imposing the "full set of penalties allowed by the rules, for lack of fidelity to Republican principles and priorities." "Rule 44 of the Republican Party of Texas allows the party to censure elected officials who violate Texas Republican Party principles and priorities three times or more in a given biennium," the state party said. The resolution, which required a three-fifths vote to pass, said that Gonzales, a moderate Republican, voted in favor of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act landmark gun legislation that was written in response to shootings in Uvalde, which is in Gonzales district, and Buffalo, New York. Gonzales was one of 14 House Republicans who joined Democrats in voting for the package, which President Joe Biden signed into law last year. The resolution also noted Gonzales vote in favor of legislation to protect same-sex marriage, and that he was the only Republican to vote against the House rules package for the current Congress. The Republicans said Gonzales, whose district covers much of the Texas-Mexico border, has also not expressed support for the Border Safety and Security Act of 2023, a bill that would allow the Department of Homeland Security to turn away non-U.S. nationals without valid entry documents. NBC News has reached out to Gonzales campaign for comment. Penalties could include the state party waiving rules and bylaws that mandate its neutrality in primary contests and declaring that Gonzales is discouraged from participating in the coming GOP primary. However, party rules do not allow for his removal from office and they also cant stop him from running for re-election as a Republican. Story continues The original censure resolution was approved by Medina County Republicans in February and was supported by more than a dozen other counties in Gonzales' district, according to the state party. Gonzales, a two-term lawmaker, was first elected in 2020, succeeding moderate Republican Will Hurd, who did not seek re-election that year. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Fox New studios in New York on November 28, 2018. Mark Lennihan/AP Fox News was heavily criticized by its viewers after it called Arizona for Biden in 2020. After the immediate backlash, Fox News President Jay Wallace was reluctant to call Nevada, per NYT. Nevada's election result would have made Joe Biden's victory all but certain. Fox News President Jay Wallace was reluctant to call Nevada's 2020 election result just days after the network was heavily criticized by its viewers for being the first to call Arizona for Joe Biden, according to text messages obtained by The New York Times. The network's election team was prepared to call Nevada on November 6, NYT reported, which would have all but cemented Biden's victory. But in a text message reviewed by the Times, Wallace, who has been the network president since 2018, refused to air the result. "I'm not there yet since it's for all the marbles just a heavier burden than an individual state call," he wrote, according to NYT. It was not specified who Wallace was messaging. When Fox News was the first network to correctly call Arizona's results for Biden on election night, the backlash from viewers and Donald Trump's campaign was almost immediate. Trump flew into a rage asking, "What the f---? How can they call this," according to Michael Wolff's book, "Landslide: The Final Days of the Trump Presidency." Trump's campaign then attacked the network's Decision Desk Director Arnon Mishkin as a "Clinton-voting, Biden-donating Democrat" and accused him of "prematurely" calling the state's election result. Jason Miller, Trump's chief 2020 campaign adviser, accused Fox News of trying to "invalidate" people's votes. In an internal post-mortem discussion of Fox News' handling of the 2020 election, top network executives mulled over reverting back to an older, less accurate system for elections projection, considered accounting for viewer reactions instead of solely relying on numbers when calling results, and discussed delaying calls in general, according to NYT, which obtained a recording on the November 16, 2020, meeting. Story continues "FOX News stood by the Arizona call despite intense scrutiny," the network said in a statement. "Given the extremely narrow 0.3% margin and a new projection mechanism that no other network had, of course there would be a wide-ranging postmortem surrounding the call and how it was executed no matter the candidates." A spokesperson declined to comment on Wallace's text message. Fox News has also been under scrutiny after documents in an ongoing defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems revealed how top anchors and executives privately knew that the conspiracy theories claiming a rigged 2020 election were false. Read the original article on Business Insider By Alkis Konstantinidis and Stelios Misinas ATHENS (Reuters) -A Greek railway employee was jailed on Sunday pending trial over a deadly train crash that killed at least 57 people, as Greeks seethed with anger over the worst rail disaster in living memory. Protests continued to reverberate days after a head-on collision of a passenger train and a freight carrier on the Athens-Thessaloniki route late in the evening of Feb. 28. Clashes erupted between police and demonstrators in Athens on Sunday, after thousands rallied to protest over the crash. The 59-year-old Larissa station master faces multiple charges of disrupting transport and putting lives at risk. The man, who cannot be named under Greek law, was questioned for seven hours before a magistrate on Sunday before being detained. "For about 20 cursed minutes he was responsible for the safety of the whole of central Greece," his lawyer Stefanos Pantzartzidis said. On Thursday, Pantzartzidis said that his client was devastated and had assumed responsibility "proportionate to him" but other factors were also at play, without elaborating. Railway workers say the country's rail network has been creaking under cost-cutting and underinvestment, a legacy of Greece's debilitating debt crisis from 2010 to 2018. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who blamed the crash on human error, acknowledged that decades of neglect could have contributed to the disaster. "As prime minister, I owe everyone, but most of all the relatives of the victims, an apology," he wrote on his Facebook account. "Justice will very fast investigate the tragedy and determine liabilities." After protests over the past three days across the country, some 10,000 people gathered in an Athens square on Sunday to express sympathy for the lives lost and to demand better safety standards on the rail network. "That crime won't be forgotten," protesters shouted as they released black balloons into the sky. A placard read: "Their policies cost human lives." Story continues Railway workers' unions say safety systems throughout the rail network have been deficient for years as a remote surveillance and signalling system has not been delivered on time. They have called on the government to provide a timetable for the implementation of safety protocols. Mitsotakis said on Sunday that if there had been a remote system in place throughout the rail network "it would have been, in practice, impossible for the accident to happen". (Reporting by Alkis Konstantinidis and Stelios Misinas; Additional reporting by Renee Maltezou, Angeliki Koutantou and Michele Kambas and Angelo Amante in RomeWriting by Angeliki KoutantouEditing by Frances Kerry and Lisa Shumaker) The Indonesian government asked TikTok to take down the videos. Getty Images TikTok has taken down "poverty porn" videos after Indonesia banned them, Rest of World reported. The trend involves showing women shivering in mud baths and sometimes crying. A woman who said she earned $600 in nine sessions said it was better than working for $2 a day. TikTok has taken down "poverty porn" videos of women sitting in mud baths and crying after they were banned by the Indonesian government. The trend known as "mandi lumpur," or mud baths, involves Indonesian women in their fifties and sixties sitting in a pool of water and mud while being shown on a TikTok livestream. Viewers send "coins" and gifts that are exchanged for cash. Tri Rismaharini, Indonesia's minister of social affairs, urged local administrations to enforce new rules against uploading mud content earlier this year, according to nonprofit tech publication Rest of World, in an attempt to tackle what is considered to be "poverty porn" exploitation. A takedown request was issued to TikTok by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology on January 30, and the company had complied, per the outlet. The women could make about $130 per livestream, according to the man who claimed to be responsible for the trend, Rest of World reported. Inak Mawar, 55, told Indonesian media outlet Detik she preferred taking part in the videos after she earned almost $600 in nine sessions, compared to making just $2 a day working in rice fields. In a statement to Rest of World, TikTok said the safety of its community was its top priority: "With regard to the recent trend in question, we are deeply concerned by such content and we would like to remind our community members not to participate in activities that could put them in harm's way." TikTok didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider, made outside normal working hours. Indonesia is TikTok's second-largest market after the United States with about 107 million users, according to Oberlo data. Mutiara Ika Pratiwi, the head of Perempuan Mahardhika, an Indonesian women's rights organization, told Rest of World: "The government must intervene to fix the root of the problem namely, poverty, and the problem of gender inequality." Read the original article on Business Insider WASHINGTON More than 50 years after Congress set in motion the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, the movement to provide women with more equality under the law is gaining new life on Capitol Hill. On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary committee revisited the ERA by holding a hearing the first in the Senate on the ERA since 1984. It follows reinvigorated efforts to bolster women's rights after the "Me Too" movement in 2017 and the Supreme Court decision in 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion. Now, lawmakers are considering a joint resolution that would repeal a deadline to ratify the ERA so that it can be enshrined in the Constitution. "It's time to clear the path to equality," said Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, who chairs the committee. Smart analysis delivered to your inbox: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter Equal Rights Amendment: Will women ever have equal rights under federal law? What is the Equal Rights Amendment? A woman hold up a sign as members of Congress and representatives of women's groups hold a rally to mark the 40th anniversary of congressional passage of the Equal Rights Amendment outside the U.S. Capitol March 22, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The Equal Rights Amendment states: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex." Congress first approved a resolution formally proposing the amendment in 1972, triggering the requirement that 38 states ratify it before enshrinement to the U.S. Constitution. Lawmakers set a seven-year deadline for the ratification process, then extended it by another three years. Only 35 states adopted the amendment by the extended 10-year deadline. But in 2020, Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the amendment, meeting the threshold required but doing so nearly four decades after the deadline lapsed. The House in 2020 and 2021 voted to remove the expired deadline to ratify the amendment after the 38-state threshold had been met, but the Justice Department under the former President Donald Trump's administration claimed it would not be possible because the deadline expired. Story continues President Joe Biden has made no moves to rescind the Justice Department's opinion. More: 'Me too' movement renews Equal Rights Amendment push More: Biden taking hands-off approach to Justice Department barrier on Equal Rights Amendment, White House says 'Congress needs to complete the job' Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., questions Internal Revenue Service Commissioner nominee Daniel Werfel during his nomination hearing on February 15, 2023 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., who co-sponsored the bipartisan resolution to repeal the deadline, said the Equal Rights Amendment would advance equality for workforce and pay, sexual harassment and violence and protect the LGBTQ+ community. "Most Americans already believe this is in our Constitution," he said. "But Congress needs to complete the job and remove any ambiguity." Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said she has introduced this resolution with Cardin during three congressional sessions and said she does not feel there's been enough attention on the amendment by the Senate. "As I talk to so many people, they say, 'Well we thought the ERA had already been adopted'," she said during Tuesday's hearing. More: House votes to revive Equal Rights Amendment for women despite legal questions Sen. Graham: Vote for Equal Rights Amendment 'will fall well short' Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks during a news conference about refusing Russian annexation of any portion of Ukraine, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., who opposes the resolution, pointed to how women's rights have advanced "by leaps and bounds" since the ERA was introduced and did so without its enshrinement. Women are already protected by discriminations under the law through the 14th amendment and other legislation, she said, adding that adoption of the ERA would undo "many of these great achievements." "The equal rights amendment would only muddy the waters because of it's vague language," Hyde-Smith said. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, argued the amendment not only failed to meet the designated timeline, but also pointed out that five states that ratified the amendment rescinded it before 1982. "I think it will fall well short of the 60 votes necessary," he said of the resolution's prospects on the Senate floor. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lawmakers hold hearing in effort to ratify Equal Rights Amendment Why does China's "two sessions" matter to the world? 08:28, March 05, 2023 By Rick O'Shea ( Xinhua The opening meeting of the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- It is China's annual "two sessions" time again. In the following week or so, for anyone interested in observing and understanding China, the political event is something they don't want to miss. I am an American who has been living in China for four decades. From my point of view, the "two sessions" is an important window to learn about China's current development, understand China's political system and forecast its future path. During this period, foreigners can find out what hot topics are being discussed on the ground, which issues concern Chinese leaders the most, what development objectives have been set, how China interacts with other countries, etc. The "two sessions" refers to the annual sessions of China's National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. They are known as the country's top legislature and national political advisory body, respectively. A PLATFORM SOLVING PRACTICAL PROBLEMS The "two sessions" is a platform on which different regions and groups voice their opinions and reach a consensus. Lawmakers submit motions and suggestions, while political advisors offer proposals and insights. The origins of many significant laws, regulations and policies that concern various sectors and groups -- such as those in the areas from environmental protection to poverty alleviation, from education to health care, from urban issues to rural issues -- were in the motions and proposals handed by lawmakers and political advisors to the "two sessions." The "two sessions" also works as a platform that facilitates the resolution of practical problems faced by ordinary Chinese, such as building roads in the countryside, easing extracurricular burdens on students, and protecting the rights of deliverymen, among others. Aerial photo taken on Sept. 17, 2020 shows the Houhai area in Nanshan District of Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) DECOUPLING FROM CHINA COMES AT A GREAT COST China is the world's second largest economy after the United States. To some extent, to observe China's "two sessions" is actually to observe Chinese economy. One of the major tasks of the "two sessions" is to map out China's annual economic development, set the growth target, and announce macroeconomic policies. And a document called the government work report gives answers to all of them. Although the prospects for the global economy may not look bright this year, China has expressed its confidence by saying that the country's economy will "expect an upturn on the whole, and there is a high probability that the growth rate will hit its normal level." Many of my foreign friends, including those living in the United States, are closely watching what economic target the Chinese government will set for 2023, and what policies and measures will be taken accordingly. The Chinese economy has grown so titanic and so intertwined with the rest of the world that we can't talk about the prospects of the world economy without talking about China. I've heard some Americans argue for decoupling from the Chinese economy, but I think it will come at a great cost. The fact is that China is the world's most promising market, with a middle-income population of over 400 million. Some agencies predicted that this middle-income group will surpass 800 million in the next 15 years, which is definitely an astonishing figure. Recently I noticed that the IMF lifted its forecast of China's economic growth rate for 2023 to 5.2 percent. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said it is highly likely that China's development will be the most important factor in driving global growth in 2023. You would agree with this point if you have seen Beijing's packed restaurants, shopping malls and cinemas. This aerial photo taken on Nov. 25, 2022 shows country roads leading to Dongmenguan Village winding on mountains in Zhushan Township in Xuan'en County, central China's Hubei Province. (Photo by Song Wen/Xinhua) CHINESE MODERNIZATION MATTERS TO WORLD The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the country's ruling political party, was convened in October last year. The key congress stressed "to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization." As this year marks the first year of this new journey, the new measures that will be unveiled at the "two sessions" not only matter to China, but to other countries as well. I am also attracted to topics on China's rural areas. I have been to China's countryside many times. After China announced that it eliminated absolute poverty in 2021, I am eager to find out what on earth has happened in the countryside and how it will get better in the future. That is, how will China push forward its rural revitalization? In the past decades, especially in the past ten years, great transformations have happened in China's rural areas, which may shed light on the path of narrowing the rich-poor gap for other countries. After living in China for such a long time, one thing that I can't ignore is the bluer sky and clearer water. Green development is transforming China. China has been striving to develop new energy industries such as photovoltaics and wind energy after it announced ambitious plans to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Since China has become a world leader in tackling climate change, its future efforts to support new energy development are without doubt under the world's spotlight. U.S.-CHINA COOPERATION INDISPENSABLE IN MANY SECTORS In fact, any changes that happen in China will affect other countries directly or indirectly. It is no exaggeration to say that for many American multinational corporations, they have to take Chinese consumers and policies into consideration before making any big decisions. And the "two sessions" is a key opportunity to find out valuable information. During the "two sessions," Foreign Minister Qin Gang, former ambassador of China to the United States, will answer questions from the media. U.S.-China relations are no doubt the most important bilateral relationship in the current world, and one of the topics that I personally care most about. I am eager to see how China's foreign minister will describe this relationship. To me, and I believe it's true to many Americans as well, if the two leading countries were to lock themselves in confrontation and conflict, it would be a disaster for the world. I believe despite the twists and turns that happened in their bilateral relations in the past several years, there is still a need for cooperation. After all, people of the two countries share the same vision, which is a safe and prosperous world, and a better future for our children. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) Flash Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian meets with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Tehran, Iran, March 4, 2023. [Photo/Iranian Foreign Ministry] Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), wrapped his high-profile visit to Iran on Saturday as Iran agrees to allow the international watchdog to implement more "appropriate verification and monitoring activities." The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and IAEA have reached a consensus that their interactions should be carried out "in a spirit of collaboration and in full conformity with the competencies of the IAEA and Iran's rights and obligations," according to a jointed statement by the AEOI and IAEA issued on Saturday. Iran also expressed readiness to provide more "information and access" to address the IAEA's concerns over the safeguards issues, namely the alleged "uranium traces" found at three undeclared sites, the statement said. The statement also noted that a technical meeting between the IAEA and AEOI will take place in Tehran soon to sort out the "modalities" of their cooperation. Grossi arrived in Tehran on Friday and held talks with senior Iranian officials, including President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and AEOI President Mohammad Eslami. The Iranian president, who met Grossi on Saturday, said he expects the IAEA to adopt a "professional" approach to the Iranian nuclear issue and prevent certain countries from affecting the nuclear watchdog's decisions, according to a report on the website of the president's office. Countries like Israel and the United States use the nuclear issue as an "excuse" to further pressure the Iranian people, said the president, pointing out that it was the United States that violated the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. Iran has had "the highest level" of cooperation with the IAEA, and expects the agency to tell the truth about Iran's nuclear program and the country's commitment to its regulations, he noted. Meanwhile, the Iranian foreign minister said in his meeting with Grossi that Iran is firmly determined to technically resolve the safeguards issues as soon as possible. Grossi stressed the importance of resorting to diplomacy and dialogue for the resolution of the issues, welcoming any initiative that would help the Vienna talks make progress and come to fruition. In recent months, the IAEA had criticized Iran for its lack of cooperation with the agency. In November last year, the IAEA's Board of Governors passed a resolution proposed by the United States, Britain, France and Germany that called on Iran to collaborate with the agency's investigators regarding "uranium traces." Iran has repeatedly rejected such allegations and emphasized the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. Iran signed the JCPOA with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country. The United States, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments under the deal. The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Vienna. No breakthrough has been achieved after the latest round of talks in August 2022. This image contained in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022, and redacted by in part by the FBI, shows a photo of documents seized during the Aug. 8 search by the FBI of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Department of Justice via AP Top House Intel committee members told NBC News the FBI hasn't told them what's in seized documents. The DOJ has seized classified documents from Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Mike Pence. "Administration after administration is apparently sloppy and messy" with such docs, Rep. Turner said. The top Democrat and the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee said the FBI hasn't told them what's actually in the classified documents it seized from Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. Ohio Republican Rep. Mike Turner said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that the "FBI is not being forthcoming. They are not giving us the information." "They're claiming that it's going to affect the outcome of their investigation, which of course it can't, because the people who are the targets of their investigation know what are in those documents," Turner told host Chuck Todd on Sunday. The FBI didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on Sunday. Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) March 5, 2023 Turner said Avril Haines, the director of national intelligence, wasn't consulted before the August 2022 raid on Donal Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. The FBI also searched one of Biden's old offices last year after aides said they found classified documents there. And the DOJ also found classified documents in former Vice President Mike Pence's home in January. "The thing that we know is that it's unbelievable that administration after administration is apparently sloppy and messy, in their use of classified documents, and that's one thing on a bipartisan basis we have to address well beyond just this," Turner said. "This has to change, where classified documents are under a certain amount of control," Turner continued. Todd asked Democratic Rep. Jim Himes if there is a distinction between the documents found in the possession of Pence, Trump, and Biden, and Himes said neither he nor Turner was "satisfied that we got enough information to execute our primary responsibility of making sure the sources and methods have been protected." Story continues Himes said they don't know exactly what's in the documents but that they have gotten a "flavor for what was there" and that it's a "very serious issue." "This wasn't stuff that we can say clearly does not matter. It matters," Himes said. Read the original article on Business Insider Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) said it may be forever before the U.S. government knows for sure where COVID-19 came from, despite some Republicans pointing a new intelligence assessment as proof that the virus leaked from a lab in China. We have so few facts that inevitably different agencies are going to arrive at different conclusions, Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said on NBCs Meet The Press. It may be forever before we actually know exactly what happened, he added. Himess comments come after the Department of Energy reportedly concluded with low confidence that the source of the virus was a leak from a lab. The lab leak theory has been popular in conservative circles since early in the pandemic, and Republicans pounced on the conclusion from the agency. FBI Director Christopher Wray also confirmed last week that the agency has assessed that the origin of the virus was likely a lab incident in Wuhan, China. But Democrats had a more lukewarm reaction to the news, with the White House pointing out that other government agencies believe the virus has natural origins. Himes pointed to the opaque nature of the Chinese government to explain why it would be hard for the U.S. government to ever reach a firm answer on what exactly happened. We have so few facts because the Chinese regime has obfuscated, Himes said. And when an agency slightly adjusts its interpretation as the Department of Energy may have done, that doesnt mean that all of a sudden the government has a firm view. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Here's a look at some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of Feb. 26, supported by your subscriptions. The Roger Williams University School of Law is requiring all students to take a class exploring how race has shaped American law, and now they are helping other law schools across the country launch similar courses. But the move has faced some resistance on campus, mirroring the fraught national debate over critical race theory. The House Judiciary Committee on Thursday heard a slate of bills to boost tenant rights and push back on landlord authority. While renters might be thrilled, for landlords, the feeling isn't mutual. What might these bills mean for Rhode Island renters? Amy Russo has a full breakdown. Recovery Connection Centers of America, an addiction recovery agency with offices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, defrauded health insurers out of millions while depriving as many as 1,800 patients of vital drug treatment services, federal officials said Thursday. U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha described the case as "one of the most brazen and egregious examples of health care fraud the FBI has seen here in Rhode Island in recent history." What's on tap for the second annual RI Craft Beer Week? Food editor Gail Ciampa has 17 ways to savor the state's local brews, from mini-golf to trivia nights to a Saugy showdown. For coverage of college and high school sports, including the runup to the boys and girls state basketball tournaments and profiles of the fall 2022 All-State Athletes, go to providencejournal.com/sports. Here are the week's top reads on providencejournal.com: The Rhode Island State House in Providence. At least 369 state employees who make too much money to qualify were nonetheless being carried on the state's Medicaid health insurance rolls until January, when a routine data analysis by the auditor general's office found their state pay exceeded federal income limits. Story continues The discovery came to light Wednesday, when a letter from the state's interim auditor general, David Bergantino, to top state officials was made public at a legislative hearing. The letter revealed the kinds of undetected problems state officials may face in April when they resume the recertification of Medicaid recipients, a process that was suspended during the pandemic. And Bergantino said the auditors found even more basic and serious problems that merit "immediate investigation." Government: Auditors find hundreds of ineligible RI state workers on Medicaid rolls "Whatever it is, it was photographed by Harold A. Trudel in Woonsocket" reads the caption on this 1967 clip from the Evening Bulletin about a UFO sighting in RI. Rhode Island may not feel like "UFO Central," but the Ocean State ranks 15th nationally in sightings per person, according to Stacker.com, a data journalism hub that compiled data from the National UFO Reporting Center. The center's a real place where the Federal Aviation Administration refers people who want to report UFO sightings. Stacker notes that Rhode Island's UFO history includes "two of the most iconic flying saucer photos of the '60s," including shots taken by a Woonsocket man who claimed he saw an unknown object hovering over power lines in the city just before a 1967 power failure. Local: Two of the most iconic flying saucer photos ever are from RI? Our history of UFO sightings Here in Rhode Island, rank-and-file legislators get $17,626.63 a year, their leaders, twice that. Not bad for a side gig, right? One state over, however, their counterparts in the lawmaking business make more than $70,000 in base pay, with legislative leaders making more than $220K. Has the time come to ask the once-a-decade question: Should Rhode Island's part-time legislators also go full-time with a salary big enough for them to give up their full-time gigs? What about shrinking the size of the House and Senate, raising their pay, or giving them four-year terms? Political Scene: Should Rhode Island have a full-time legislature? We asked and here's what lawmakers said. Thayer Street in Providence offers all kinds of dining. Dining on Thayer Street is built for college students. That's not a surprise, as it is surrounded by Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design. But its varied restaurants, serving Korean, Thai, Mexican, Greek, Indian, French, Portuguese and Mediterranean foods plus vegan, seafood dishes, pizza, all-day breakfast and even hamburgers and hot dogs, have something for every taste and price point. Here's a guide to 10 dine-in restaurants and 10 takeout spots on Thayer and adjacent streets. This list will prove that you can find any kind of food you want on College Hill. Dining: From fast-casual to dining in, a guide to where to eat on Thayer Street Finding the headspace, motivation and gear to work out can be a lot of work before the workout even begins. Nothing helps with that quite like a workout guide (or buddy), which is where the fitness influencers come in. Available with just a few clicks whenever you need a bit of motivation or a workout plan, fitness influencers have created a new easily accessible way to exercise with options for all types of training. We introduce you to some of the Rhode Island fitness influencers making a name for themselves on social media. Exercise: Looking for a workout? Here are 3 RI fitness influencers with big followings To read the full stories, go to providencejournal.com. Find out how to subscribe here. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Journal top stories: Medicaid audit; UFOs; Thayer St. food Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley made a rare and unannounced visit to Syria over the weekend, reiterating what he said is the importance of a U.S. presence in the war-torn country. In the visit to an Army base in the northeast of Syria, Milley met with soldiers and assessed the U.S. militarys efforts to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State in the country, which once held vast swaths of land in both Syria and Iraq. Even as the groups geographic caliphate fell in 2019, there are still pockets of the group that are camped out in remote areas. Milley said that the U.S. presence in Syria, which includes a deployment of about 900 troops, was directly tied to the security of the U.S. and its allies. If you think that thats important, then the answer is Yes, Milley told reporters when asked if the deployment of troops in Syria was worth the risk, according to Reuters. So I think that an enduring defeat of ISIS and continuing to support our friends and allies in the region I think those are important tasks that can be done. American officials have warned that the group could reemeerge as a major threat once again in underscoring the important of a U.S. military presence in the region. The public has largely grown weary of direct U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, especially the deployment of troops, after decades of war in the Middle East. But a poll conducted by The Hill in 2019 found that most Americans supported the U.S. presence in Syria. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Maybe you're swimming. Maybe you're SCUBA diving or wading. Maybe you're in a boat, and you see these massive, peaceful creatures sail majestically past. What do you do if you get near a manatee? Manatees are regular visitors to many waterways in Florida (ours are a native subspecies of the West Indian manatee). They come here for the warm waters to swim, graze and sleep. Manatees are peaceful herbivores, averaging from 10 to 13 feet in length and weighing from 1,200 to 3,000 pounds, and they love to play and barrel roll and somersault in the water. Who wouldn't want to play with one? Here are the guidelines from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that you need to know. Saying hello:Manatee surrounded by red tide makes an appearance near Fort Myers Beach Can you legally touch a manatee? Can I be arrested for touching a manatee? You will not be arrested if a manatee brushes up against you. But practically anything you might want to do to a manatee is illegal. Ask Ryan William Waterman, who was arrested in 2013 after he reportedly posted pics of himself and his two young children petting a manatee calf, lifting it partly out of the water and letting one child sit on it. Waterman faced a fine of $500 and up to 60 days in jail. Manatees are extremely sensitive and interactions with humans can cause severe stress, especially in young ones. Manatees that feel threatened may move away from warm waters and may suffer cold-stress syndrome, which can cause death in extreme cases. Possibly worse, manatees that get used to human interaction may lose their fear of humans or boats and increase the likelihood of getting injured or killed. They are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1973 and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978. It is illegal to feed, harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, annoy or molest manatees. That includes: Giving food or water to manatees, or using food or water to attract manatees Separating a mother and calf Disturbing manatee mating herds Pursuing or chasing manatees either while swimming or with a vessel Disturbing resting manatees Hitting, jumping on, standing on, holding on to or attempting to ride manatees Blocking a manatees path Fishing for or attempting to hook or catch a manatee Story continues Jacksonville manatees:A zeal to save the embattled gentle giant often seen in Jacksonville waters, the manatee What will I be charged with if I touch a manatee? Touching a manatee is punishable under the Manatee Sanctuary Act, with a fine of up to $500 and/or a jail term of up to 60 days. But if you abuse or harass the animal or your actions result in its injury or death, then the Federal Protection Laws may be applied with up to a $50,000 fine and/or up to 1 year imprisonment. What happens if a manatee touches you? Mostly, it means you let it get too close. You won't get penalized if a manatee touches you and it's highly unlikely it will hurt you, but you should move away from it as soon and as carefully as you can. Look, but don't touch. If one approaches you or you accidentally get too near one, move out of its way and do not chase it or try to get closer. Don't try to single out an individual manatee from its group and never separate a cow and her calf. Never poke, prod or stab a manatee with your hands, feet or any object. Don't attempt to snag, hook, hold, grab, pinch, hit or ride a manatee. Avoid excessive noise and splashing if a manatee appears near you. Manatees can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes and it may have surfaced without being aware you're there, and you could frighten it. If the manatee is tagged or has research equipment attached to it, leave it alone. Can I feed manatees? No. Don't feed manatees or give them water. The more they get used to being around people, the more they lose their natural fear of humans and boats which can be very dangerous for the animal. Also, it's illegal (see above). How can you help manatees? Volusia County needs Manatee Watch volunteers. Manatee-watching:6 places to see manatees in Southwest Florida Is it OK to swim with manatees? Only if you follow the guidelines above. You can't really swim with manatees, but you can swim where you can see them. There also are places around the state that offer manatee tours, and in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge area, swimmers are monitored. In most manatee-friendly locations, such as Blue Spring in Orange City, viewing stands or a boardwalk are provided for visitors to safely observe the manatees without bothering them. If you are swimming, boating or paddling and see an area designated NO ENTRY MANATEE REFUGE, stay out. Those are areas identified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as crucial for manatee survival. Consider using snorkel gear when diving near manatees as the sound of air bubbles from SCUBA gear can disturb them. 'It's just magical': Manatees flock to Blue Spring in west Volusia for holiday cold spell New record:Blue Spring State Park sets single-day manatee record in Orange City Twins! Blue Spring manatee mother reported with two calves in 'extremely rare' occurrence What do I do if I hit a manatee with my boat? You will not be cited if you accidentally collide with a manatee while obeying posted speed zone restrictions. Please report any vessel collisions with manatees as soon as possible to increase the manatees chance of survival. The largest cause of human-related manatee mortality in Florida is watercraft collision, according to the FWC. Manatee deaths from watercraft are caused by propellor cuts and impacts and many manatees have scars on their backs and tails from surviving a collision. Here's what you can do: Give a manatee plenty of room; if you see one, there's probably more, maybe even a calf. Try not to pass directly over one. Watch for "manatee footprints," the circular wave pattern left on the surface of the water by the manatee's tail as it swims underwater. Wear polarized sunglasses to reduce glare so it's easier to see manatees under the water. Be aware that manatees in shallow areas will frequently move into the channels when they hear boats approach. Keep unwanted plastics, monofilament line, rope and other gear out of the water and throw them away properly once you're back at the marina or onshore. What do I do if I see a manatee near me while I'm paddle boarding? Be careful if you're paddling near seagrass beds or near manatee sanctuaries. Do not paddle over the top of submerged manatees because they need to surface to breathe and may come up under you, startling them and possibly knocking you in the water. What do I do if I see a sick, injured or dead manatee? Report any manatee injuries or related crimes to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission wildlife emergency hotline, 1-888-404-3922. Cellular phone users can also call *FWC or #FWC, or send a text to Tip@MyFWC.com. Be ready to answer questions, if you can. Is the manatee alive or dead? When did you see the manatee? What is the exact location of the manatee? How long have you observed the manatee? What is the approximate size of the manatee? What is the location of the public boat ramp closest to the manatee? Does the manatee have a tag attached near its tail? Can you provide a contact number where you can be reached for further information? Back in the water:12 manatees released into Blue Spring in West Volusia after rehabilitation SwimShady, Lil Peep and more: Meet the 12 manatees that were released into Blue Spring 'Disturbing':Federal authorities investigating after manatee found with TRUMP etched in algae on its back If possible, get photos or video to send to the manatee biologist who will contact you to help them determine what's wrong or to help identify it if it leaves the area. If you see an entangled or distressed manatee, please don't try to rescue it yourself. Manatee biologists are trained to disentangle the manatee without hurting or frightening the animal. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida manatees: What's legal, what isn't, what to do if you see one Investors who take an interest in Odyssey Gold Limited (ASX:ODY) should definitely note that insider Gregory Howe recently paid AU$0.049 per share to buy AU$264k worth of the stock. That's a very decent purchase to our minds and it grew their holding by a solid 23%. Check out our latest analysis for Odyssey Gold Odyssey Gold Insider Transactions Over The Last Year In fact, the recent purchase by Gregory Howe was the biggest purchase of Odyssey Gold shares made by an insider individual in the last twelve months, according to our records. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being AU$0.03). It's very possible they regret the purchase, but it's more likely they are bullish about the company. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. Generally speaking, it catches our eye when insiders have purchased shares at above current prices, as it suggests they believed the shares were worth buying, even at a higher price. In the last twelve months Odyssey Gold insiders were buying shares, but not selling. The average buy price was around AU$0.035. These transactions suggest that insiders have considered the current price attractive. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! Odyssey Gold is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Insider Ownership For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Odyssey Gold insiders own about AU$4.2m worth of shares. That equates to 18% of the company. We've certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders. Story continues What Might The Insider Transactions At Odyssey Gold Tell Us? It's certainly positive to see the recent insider purchase. We also take confidence from the longer term picture of insider transactions. But we don't feel the same about the fact the company is making losses. Insiders likely see value in Odyssey Gold shares, given these transactions (along with notable insider ownership of the company). In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing Odyssey Gold. Our analysis shows 5 warning signs for Odyssey Gold (3 don't sit too well with us!) and we strongly recommend you look at them before investing. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here The following is a transcript of an interview with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker that aired on "Face the Nation" on Sunday, March 5, 2023. MARGARET BRENNAN: We want to go now to Democratic governor JB Pritzker of Illinois. Good morning to you, Governor. GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER: Good morning, Margaret. MARGARET BRENNAN: I have a lot to get to with you. But I want to get something out of the way. New York Times has a big feature on you calling you the Democrats' SOS candidate, saying you're keeping your options open for a presidential run in 2024. In case Biden doesn't run, is that true? GOV. PRITZKER: No, I'm supporting Joe Biden. He's running for reelection, and he's going to get re-elected. I'm just, you know, happy that people think of me in that way. That's certainly very flattering, but I intend to serve out my term as Governor of Illinois. MARGARET BRENNAN: Because you are, according to CBS reporting, potentially serving on an advisory board to the President, if he does run for reelection. You might have heard Joe Manchin, who just told us that it was kind of an open question as to who would be running, he said, let's see who all the players are. He didn't endorse the president. That surprised you? GOV. PRITZKER: Well, I'm sorry to hear that. It does surprise me a bit. I will say that Joe Biden has an awful lot that he gets to run on here. He's gotten a tremendous amount done for the country, saved literally hundreds of thousands of lives by making sure that vaccines were distributed. He passed legislation in a bipartisan fashion, you know, we got the IRA, which is going to help us fight climate change, infrastructure, which is helping everybody across the country. The CHIPS and Science Act, which is going to help us bring manufacturing back to the United States. And what is Joe Biden's superpower? And that is he demonstrates empathy in everything that he does, he truly cares about the American people. Story continues MARGARET BRENNAN: So do you think he needs to make it official and say he's running so that there isn't more speculation or people considering other options? GOV. PRITZKER: I don't think there's anybody that's serious, that's actually considering running against Joe Biden, because he's done such a great job. MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to ask you on the issue set that Democrats are running on, your office told- told us you're very focused on school board races in Illinois to make sure extreme right wing candidates aren't dominating them. I'm wondering how strong the Republican ground operation is on things like school boards. Is parents' rights really something you think Democrats need to be concerned about on a national scale? GOV. PRITZKER: Well, what Republicans are trying to do is, of course, ban books in libraries, they're trying to keep our schools from teaching black history. They make up things about CRT in schools that just don't exist. And so they've got a lot of extreme right wing candidates, frankly, on the crazy end of things that are running and we just want to make sure that people know who they are and know not to vote for them. MARGARET BRENNAN: All right, Governor, there's a lot I want to get to with you on the other side of this commercial breaks up, please stay with us. And we'll be right back. PART 2 MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome back to FACE THE NATION. We want to continue our conversation now with Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Governor, thank you for staying with us through the break. I'm going to follow up on something you said right before we took that break. You said you want to make sure people know who they are and not to vote for them. You were talking about Republicans, you said trying to do things like ban teaching Black history, banned books and banned CRT? Are you talking about people in Illinois who you're talking about? Where's that happening? GOV. PRITZKER: Well, you asked- you asked me about school boards. And I'm telling you, we've got people running at the local level who believe that but of course, the Republicans are carrying this as a national message. And honestly, it's something that's offensive to most Americans. This idea of banning Black history. It's important for people to understand the history of slavery in the United States, you know, in our- our entire US history, warts and all. MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay, in Florida, who, where I think you're gesturing to they are not blan- banning black history, it was specifically that AP college course that's what you're referring to there? That version of it. GOV. PRITZKER: Well, when they're trying to dive in and take over a an AP History exam, and edit it and edit out parts that they don't like, that's banning history. That's what they're doing in Florida. That's what Ron DeSantis is doing. MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay, a potential 2024 candidate. I want to ask you about the issue of abortion. Because I know you are one of 20 Democratic governors very much deeply involved in-in trying to build a firewall here against restrictions. There's a Texas judge who may soon decide a case that could revoke the approval of the abortion pill which is the most common kind of abortion in this country. If there is a ruling to restrict it, how will governors respond? What will you do? GOV. PRITZKER: Well, in Illinois, we protect the other abortion drugs that are available, and we protect women's right to express their reproductive freedom. And so we're helping our clinics in Illinois, we're making sure that all the refugees from the states around us that have banned abortion, know that there's an oasis here in the Midwest here in the state of Illinois to protect their health and their reproductive rights. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, Walgreens is an Illinois based pharmacy. I know you called in their CEO Roz Brewer for a meeting on Friday, they had announced they won't sell abortion pills in states in which Republican attorneys general have threatened legal action. Can you get them to change the policy? And that they're still waiting, I guess, on certification to sell the pill in Illinois itself. Can you get them approval? GOV. PRITZKER: Well, that's something that happens at the federal level. But I offered to them to work with the federal government to try to speed up the process of certification. They want to certify it in Illinois, and they want to be able to sell it here. So we're going to help in any way that they ask us to. But look on a broader scale, we should just recognize that these pharmacies need to protect women's health. That is the business that they should be in. And so in states where it's legal to have an abortion and legal to sell an abortion pill, they should still be doing it and I've told them that we need to make sure that the other pharmacies do the same. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, we'll be following that. I want to ask you as well about crime as an issue for Democrats. In the city of Chicago, the mayor Lori Lightfoot just failed to make the runoff in the Democratic primary. She was challenged by a former school CEO backed by a police union and the Cook County Commissioner who was endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union. So I'm wondering what the takeaway message is here for Democrats? Is it don't take on the teachers unions as she did or is it to focus more on violent crime? Sen. Joe Manchin says he will support proposed bipartisan rail safety legislation Open: This is "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," March 5 Extended Interview - Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" - Part 2 The following is a transcript of an interview with Rep. Brad Wenstrup, Republican of Ohio, that aired on "Face the Nation" on Sunday, March 5, 2023. MARGARET BRENNAN: We turn now to Ohio Congressman Brad Wenstrup, who chairs the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. Doctor, welcome to the program. REPRESENTATIVE BRAD WENSTRUP: Thank you. MARGARET BRENNAN: There are 18 different intelligence agencies in this country, no consensus on COVID's origins. Two intel agencies undecided, four say it was natural transmission. And then last week, we learned that the Energy Department has joined the FBI in saying the virus likely spread through a mishap at a Chinese lab. Is all of the evidence circumstantial? Have you seen the intelligence? REP. WENSTRUP: I've seen quite a bit of intelligence, as you might imagine, sitting on the Intelligence Committee. We haven't seen all that we want to see necessarily. And some of it is very classified that I have seen. And so we have to continue driving forward and getting questions answered because the more we find, the more questions that we may have. So you do have a variety of opinions. And really, what we are trying to do is to follow the breadcrumbs, if you will. Look at the forensics of what took place. Obviously, this is one of the more serious things that ever- has ever happened to mankind. And so it is important to find the origins of COVID. And so we're going to continue to investigate. And I encourage the agencies to continue to looking into this as apparently they have been doing. MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you expect the FBI and the Energy Department to testify to your committee? REP. WENSTRUP: That- there may come a time for that. I would hope that they do it willingly and depends on which committee you're talking about, because some of the testimony likely at this point would be classified. And we would have that in the Intelligence Committee. And then others may be on the subcommittee-- Story continues MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. REP. WENSTRUP: where it's more open source or non-classified material. So it may be a combination of both. MARGARET BRENNAN: So if this was indeed the result of a lab leak, what is Congress doing to prevent this from ever happening again? REP. WENSTRUP: Well, it's interesting, that's kind of the role of the subcommittee, if you will, this is an after-action review in my mind, and we want to find lessons learned along the way. And we want to have a best path forward. And I'm hoping at the end of the day with the subcommittee, that we have a bipartisan product that can really help us with our readiness going into the future. I keep using a variety of terms that we want to be able to predict a pandemic, we want to prepare for a pandemic, we want to protect ourselves from a pandemic and hopefully prevent a pandemic. And that should be our goal. And we're going to have to work with a lot of scientists and specialists to be able to do that. But we have to get to the truth of what actually happened in this pandemic. And what- how we responded, the subcommittee's looking at everything: the effects on education, the effects on people's health, the effects of the programs that we as Congress put in place, and looking at some of the fraud or abuse that may have taken place, but also origins of COVID. So-- MARGARET BRENNAN: Yeah. REP. WENSTRUP: we're looking at all these things across the board, what we did right and what we did wrong and how we can do better in the future. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, in terms of the specifics, I know the White House is said to be considering recommendations from the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity to put oversight on gain of function experiments, those are the things that I guess genetically alter a virus to enhance its functions and maybe make it more deadly. This was allegedly what was happening at this lab in Wuhan. Would you want this kind of regulation? And does that come from the White House? Does that come from Congress? REP. WENSTRUP: Well, it may be a combination of both at the end of the day. And I think it is important that we do that. Look, if we were taking- taking taxpayer dollars to fund research, not only in the United States but in China, concerning this type of methodology, the creation of a chimera, or it's called gain of function research, where you can take two viruses and put them into one. I don't see a whole lot of commercial use for that necessarily. So it's something that if it's going to take place, it certainly should have oversight or should have had oversight. In 2015, Ralph Baric in North Carolina, along with Dr. Zhengli Shi in China, published their article about the ability to create these chimeras, and they did that, so we know that this technology exists. My real question is why are we doing this with an adversary like China? And we have to look into what the reasoning was for that, and what actually took place, where the money went, and why did it go there? MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, I know that there has been a lot of focus on Dr. Fauci who has since retired from NIH. And I wonder if you think that is misplaced to personalize the scrutiny so much when the intelligence agencies are all so divided? I mean, can you reasonably probe this question in a bipartisan way without villainizing people? REP. WENSTRUP: Well, I think that's the goal. I mean, I just want to get to facts. And when I was asked to chair this select subcommittee, one of the first things I did was call Dr. Raul Ruiz, Democrat from California, Emergency Physician. As physicians, we have worked on many bills together. And we get along very well. We may disagree on a lot of other policies. But we work very well together, especially when it comes to health. And this- certainly this is a health issue. I asked him to try and get on the subcommittee and possibly be ranking member. And he did get that position. And I think we're on the same page of what we want to do to conduct this professionally. There's going to be some moments I'm sure of some emotions flaring. The last three years have been tough on everybody. MARGARET BRENNAN: Yeah. REP. WENSTRUP: But at the same time, let's just stick to the facts and- and gather what we know from what we know, and- and who has that information. MARGARET BRENNAN: I think a lot of people would welcome just sticking to the facts, which is why I want to ask you about the membership on your committee because you have Marjorie Taylor Greene on it. She shared misleading information about deaths and COVID vaccines. She compared vaccines to Nazis, forcing Jews to wear gold stars. Dr. Ronny Jackson, who said masks never worked. He called the Omicron variant, the midterm election variant. How do people take your committee work seriously with members like this on it? REP. WENSTRUP: Well, I think we have a lot of serious members that, on both sides of the aisle, that are- are just after the truth. I think that they come from a variety of backgrounds. Look, there were things that were said, Hey, this is a conspiracy theory, stop this conspiracy theory that it may have come from the lab. Well, now you have agencies that are coming forward and saying that we do think it came from the lab. Look, we have to conduct ourselves in a way that is professional, and I hope that we will. I can't control everybody. And-- MARGARET BRENNAN: Yeah. REP. WENSTRUP: that goes on both sides of the aisle. Dr. Ruiz can't- can't either. But at the same time, what I'm seeing from- from all the members is that they have backgrounds of severe interest, significant interest, they either owned a business, they're health care providers, they're concerned about the adverse events that may come from the vaccine. These are legitimate things for Americans to be concerned about-- MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. REP. WENSTRUP: And through this process, I think we took doctors out of the equation all too often, and left it up to non-physicians to tell America how to treat themselves. MARGARET BRENNAN: You're from Ohio, so I want to make sure I ask you about what was a second train derailment from Norfolk Southern in your state yesterday, on top of this toxic one. President Biden has praised some of the bipartisan legislation in the Senate that would up railway safety. Do you see a need for this kind of legislation right now? REP. WENSTRUP: Well, certainly in any after-action review or review of something that happened, if we see that there's some gaps in our safety, then we should take a look at that. Let's not put things out there that aren't necessarily facts and say that there was a safety issue if it wasn't. But at the same time, you do want to address these issues. Look, we're always trying to do better, I hope that we can. And the other thing that I would like to see come out of all this, especially with the one where there was such a chemical toxic reaction, and with the fires that were started from the derailment, is do we have a standard operating procedure of how we manage a community? What our reaction is from the government? What are we looking for? How do we protect our people? Let's make sure that we have a good standard operating procedure, so although these instances are rare, according to the numbers, we have to be prepared for that 0.1% or whatever the case may be. MARGARET BRENNAN: All right. Dr. Wenstrup. We'll be watching the hearing this week. Thanks for your time. We'll be right back. Extend Interview: Rep. Brad Wenstrup says House COVID subcommittee hasn't "seen all that we want to see" about intelligence on virus origins Flashback: Bob Schieffer visits Selma with John Lewis Dr. Scott Gottlieb says COVID origins may never be known "with certainty," but focus should be on "taking the steps" to ensure a lab leak never happens Courtesy of Ricardo Araujo The trip was about to start, and Ricardo Araujo needed to find a mermaid. His client, the heir to a large American family fortune, was embarking on a three-week cruise that would follow the path of the epic poem The Odyssey. Araujo, a luxury travel agent who specializes in bespoke vacations, had spent six months and millions of dollars planning the trip, and he needed something truly spectacular to finish it off. When he heard the clients granddaughter loved mermaids, he knew what it was. Araujo scoured social media for the perfect professional mermaidyes, they existthen flew her from Scotland to Capri. He hired a submarine and made the driver and the actress rehearse ceaselessly, mapping out her entrance, her exit, the direction shed be swimming when the submarine passed. He even looped in the familys security detail, to make sure the mermaid wouldnt be taken out if she swam too close. Two weeks into the trip, the girl and her mother got on the submarine to look at deep-water fish. On their way back up, the vessel turned suddenly, revealing a brief glimpse of a gorgeous, aqua-tailed mermaid wiggling past the window. When they returned to New York, Araujo said, the girl was still jumping up and down and screaming about the sighting. I havent seen a happier kid ever, he said. Her mother was less happy. What am I supposed to tell her? Araujo says she asked him. Im supposed to say mermaids dont exist." This was one of the seemingly magical moments created by Araujo, a travel planner who clients call a magician and the press has deemed a travel alchemist. His business, as the founder and CEO of Ariodante Travel, is to pull off the seemingly impossible, from mermaid sightings to a private visit to the Vatican to a night on top of the Arc de Triomphe. But the secret to Araujos artistry isnt magic, its money: His trips cost anywhere from $250,000 to $22 million, and he targets customers with a personal fortune of at least $400 millionrich enough to give him what he calls a blank check to design the vacation of their dreams. Story continues While most Americans are scaling back their travel plans or scrapping them altogether due to the economy, Aruajos fat-cat clients have no such concerns. "Its the haute couture of travel, Araujo said. But its not about moneyeven though, as you can imagine, it costs a fortune. Its about meaning." Araujo was born in Colombia, the son of a diplomat who moved the family to Brussels and back again before he was 13, and he originally trained as a classical pianist and composer. He came to London in 2014 to pitch a startup idea, an app that would teach people to read music using AI, but bristled against the rigid structures of the venture capital world. He landed a temporary job lecturing on music and philosophy at King's College and a radio show where he answered questions about music. After a few months, Airbnb reached out to see if he would host one of their local experiences, taking travelers to classical music concerts. I said, Why not? he recalls. Its a free concert. One of Araujos first clients was a wealthy couple from Boston who liked him so much they asked him to join them at the Royal Opera House the next night. Araujo said he would be delighted to, but that the concert was sold out. The couple called him a few hours later to say they had not only secured three tickets, but some of the best seats in the house. That was when he learned what exactly money could buy. Araujo got his start taking clients backstage at Londons Royal Opera House. Courtesy of Ricardo Araujo Later, after a celebratory dinner and several glasses of whisky, Araujo proposed taking the couple back to the opera house for a backstage tour. He had some friends in the business who owed him a favor; it would only be a matter of making a few calls. The couple was thrilled. They spent the next day touring the orchestra pits, accidentally stumbling into rehearsals, and eating the rubbish chicken in the cafeteria. Then they returned to Boston and told all of their friends about the experience. Suddenly, Araujo had a new business. But Araujo wanted more than just taking moneyed Americans to the opera house. These were ludicrously wealthy retirees with boundless time and seemingly endless resources. He didnt blame themWhen you dont know something is possible, you cant ask for it, he saysbut Araujo wanted to give them something more. So when a client called asking for a tour of all the Tudor palaces in England, he jumped at the opportunity. He dubbed the trip idea boring and suggested a new one, based on the clients love of Shakespearea tour of the Tudor palaces through the eyes of the Bard of Avon. Over the next several weeks, Araujo called in every favor he had, using his art-world connections for access to hidden archives and his gift of the gab for everything else. In the end, he took the client on a tour around southern England, visiting Tudor palaces, viewing some of Shakespeares verified signatures, and visiting the house where Christopher Marlowewho some suspect was the real Shakespearewas killed. He capped it off with a visit to an elementary school in the town where Shakespeare was born, where the students performed a play directed by actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company. The actors performed for the client in a local pub later. One client asked Araujo for a tour of all the Tudor palaces in England. Courtesy of Ricardo Araujo The client was ecstatic. This was what Araujo wanted. This was alchemy. In the years that followed, Araujo expanded his vision, planning approximately 15 trips across 30 countries. These days, Araujo wont plan a vacation in less than two countries or for less than $250,000 (excluding the cost of travel; clients often want to use their own private jets). He signs ultra-rigid agreements that prevent him from disclosing his clients full identities but describes them as the financial and intellectual elite wealthy, but with a passion for history or culture. His process goes something like this: He interviews the client, sussing out their interests, their passions, their dreams. He uses that to generate an idea for a trip, writes out a plan, and conducts the research on how to make it possible. He calls his clients personal assistants, chauffeurs, and chefs, pulling out the tiny, personal details that will make the trip special. (How does the clients daughter like her orange juice? Does the family have a preferred brand of almond milk?) Then, and only then, does he discuss the budget. Budget is a term Araujo uses loosely, preferring to focus on the end result rather than the ticket price. He compares the process to designing haute couture: If youre ordering a custom-made dress, you dont know how much youre going to pay going in. You may want additional adornments, more alterations, or a different material. At the beginning, I dont know if its going to cost $100,000, $500,000, a million, $500 million, he says. Some materials are worth more than gold. Thats why Araujo has two rules for his clients: no last-minute bookingsmagic takes timeand no itemized receipts. Take the couple who spent the night on the Arc de Triomphe. Araujo had to haggle with the French ministry to get permission for the sleepover, then spent months hassling French architects to construct the virtually invisible, all-glass suite. As a final touch, he outfitted the room with a bottle of Krug champagne from the year the couple were married. The champagne was a surpriseone that cost him approximately $20,000 at an auction in Hong Kong. If hed listed it as a line item, it would have ruined the thrill. Plus, he knew they could afford it. Is that bottle worth $20,000, or is it worth $1 million? he asks. Its worth anything, because its a memory they will never forget. Getting access to these exclusive experiences requires money, yes, but also connectionsand more than a little creativity. When approaching a museum or other cultural institution, he polls his network for the right contact, then thinks of a problem he can solve for them. "They always say no, its not possible. And then you have to find out, why is it not possible? he says. And then its like, How can I solve their problems before they say there is a problem? The other secret to warming up potential contacts? Poker, Aruajo says.A lot of poker" Theres another reason Araujo doesnt like simply paying his way in. Rich peopleand here he chooses his words carefullywell, they tend to get bored easily. Not because they are uninterested people, but because they are used to seeing and experiencing extraordinary things. If you are a billionaire and you go to Louis Vuitton, you get the private VIP room, you are treated like a queen, he said. For you, it becomes normal. Clients whove seen it all wont be wowed by a restaurant or museum itselfthey need the people inside it: a chef whose family lived in the area for decades, a librarian who gets so swept up in the story he runs into the archives to grab more documents. (The latter actually happened on a trip to the site where the first French constitution was signed; the ecstatic archivist grabbed the original minutes from Marie Antoinettes execution.) To perform his best, Araujo needs to embody the mindset of the filthy richso it helps that he comes from a relatively privileged background. His mothers family were well-to-do and his fathers family were prominent in Colombian politics. (He claims he received presents from presidents on his birthday.) The travel agent is rarely impressed by his well-heeled clientele; nor does he seem especially troubled by the sheer extravagance involved in his trips. In fact, he makes a practice of never asking his clients how they made their money. Its not about that, he says: For me, its about their passions. Which, while nice in theory, has backfired on him at least once. A map shows where the BBCs Top Gear traveled when trying to reach the Magnetic North Pole, compared to where Araujo wanted to take his client. Courtesy of Ricardo Araujo Araujo planned to take one client to the northernmost point on land, in Greenland. Ariodante; Nomadic Road Two years ago, Araujo was talking to a business partner who suggestedsomewhat jokinglythat he devise an expedition to the northernmost point on land. The location, at the northernmost tip of Greenland, had never been reached by land, much less by car. Anyone who went would be setting multiple world records. Araujo decided he had to go. Without a client lined up, Araujo spent eight monthsand consulted more than 120 peopleto construct the dream vacation. His team built satellites and custom tanks to drive on the icy ground; they interviewed experts and sent reconnaissance planes to take pictures and scout the route. Araujo even talked the Danish military into letting them fly into a military base. The final team included scientistsmuch of the trip would be recorded for climate change researchvideographers, a doctor, and of course, a chef. A cruise ship was arranged to pick them up at the end. In December 2021, Aruao secured the final element of the trip: a client. A friend of a friend suggested a Russian billionaire who was passionate about scientific research and willing to pay the roughly $22 million price tag. They were well into discussions about when to depart when Russia invaded Ukraine, and the West issued a list of oligarchs to be sanctioned. Araujos client was top of the list. I couldnt believe it, he said. I was like, come on, am I cursed or what? Araujo is planning a new, murder mystery-themed trip on the S.S. Delphine. Courtesy of Ricardo Araujo The murder mystery cruise will take place over four days in the Mediterranean. Courtesy of Ricardo Araujo Araujo still dreams of that record-setting expedition, but he knows it could take a while to find another client. In the meantime, hes planning another fantasy vacation: a multi-day murder mystery in the Mediterranean. Guests will be flown to Paris for custom-made outfits, learn the Charleston dance in a famous brothel, and be served onboard by Michelin-starred chefs. Then theyll be transported to an old steamship, which is where the mystery begins. Its a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Araujo said. Tickets start at $400,000. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Most of us are helplessly addicted to our phones. I tried a new app that can help you reclaim your time. Will Varner/Insider A simple trick can cure your addiction to social media My phone has hacked my attention. No matter where I am or what I'm doing brushing my teeth, watching TV, or crossing a street I find myself incessantly scrolling and tapping on my phone. When I do manage to put it down, I pick it up again a few minutes later. And once I pick it up, I get sucked in: I unlock my phone to check the weather, and somehow I end up on Instagram for half an hour. Most of the time, I don't even realize that I'm doing it. I'm far from alone. People's screen time has shot through the roof most of us now spend about a quarter of our waking hours looking at our phones. Even the absence of a phone's weight from their pockets is enough to make many people anxious. Researchers say that looking at our phones is akin to pulling a slot machine. It exploits our psychological vulnerabilities, Maria Bridge, the chief operations officer at the Center for Humane Technology, told me. We are hooked to the variable dopamine rewards phones offer like a drug addict, Bridge said. And the constant usage has real consequences, research by a San Diego State University professor has found that addictive phone use is linked to depression, poor sleep cycles, and higher suicidal risk. Our collective device addiction is no accident. Tech companies have designed their apps and devices to keep you engaged for as long as possible. The key to enabling this addictive behavior is eliminating "friction" between you and the phone. Mark Zuckerberg famously said in 2011 that he wanted to enable "real-time serendipity in friction-less experiences." Over a decade later, smartphones have achieved just that. All you have to do is pull out your phone, which unlocks to your home screen, tap the Instagram icon, where you're already signed in, and videos start playing that snag your attention. It's far too easy and far too instantaneous, and it's seriously affecting people's mental health. Story continues To try and break my social media addiction, I decided to slow down my phone experience with a new app called One Sec. While there is irony in using an app to cure an app addiction, One Sec acts as more of an intervention than a replacement. The app uses a simple trick: It asks me to breathe before opening certain apps. By forcing me to be more intentional about how I use my phone, it ended up reducing my screen time more than any other trick I've tried and I've tried them all. Digital drugs Dr. Anna Lembke, a psychiatrist, professor at Stanford University, and the author of "Dopamine Nation," which explores the smartphone's role as the "modern-day hypodermic needle for a wired generation," told me that we are "being held hostage by these digital drugs." Because our phones are causing our brains to release dopamine around the clock, she explained, the brain adapts by decreasing its own dopamine transmission to the nerves that reward us with signals like joy and pleasure. This means that we begin depending on our phones to retain our mind's baseline dopamine levels, keeping us clicking and swiping to prevent it from falling into a deficit state. The effects of this dopamine warping across society have been substantial. Studies have found that teens who spend seven hours or more a day on screens are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression or anxiety as those who use them for just an hour a day. Similarly, adults who spend six hours or more in front of screens have a higher risk of depression. And while most of us understand the downsides, we also can't quit. Whether it's an urgent email notification or our need to keep up with social feeds, we invariably find a reason to take out our phones and jump back in. Over the past few years, as researchers have discovered the negative effects of our smartphone overuse, the very companies that have facilitated our dependence Apple, Google, Facebook, and the like have tried to take up the mantle of digital-detox therapists. They have introduced tools to monitor and limit screen time, made it easier for parents to control their kids' smartphone use, and set boundaries on who can contact you in your downtime hours. While these efforts are commendable, I can't help but think about the conflicting interests here. Tech companies' digital well-being tools are never the default, and when they are like Instagram's alert that you've seen everything in your feed they are always easy to ignore and keep on scrolling. Plus, studies have shown that things like app limits that merely measure your screen time won't break compulsive habits. In my experience, once the timer lifts the next day, I'm back to fidgeting with my phone. These interventions are no more than Band-Aids for tech companies, since their bottom line depends on keeping you hooked. Un-hacking the brain I grew tired of how my phone was sucking up my time, so in an attempt to break my addiction, I decided to spend two weeks using the app One Sec, which promises to help break compulsive phone habits. The two-year-old app is simple: Before letting me open certain apps, One Sec will run a full-screen animation paired with a drumbeat of subtle haptic vibrations that guides me through a 10-second breathing exercise. When that's done, it gives me two options: I could either select "I don't want to open Twitter," if I no longer have the urge to check my feed, or "Continue to Twitter." Sandy Gould, a senior computer-science lecturer at Cardiff University, has researched ways to curb our compulsive phone tendencies. When we perform actions on autopilot, Gould told me, we don't think much about consequences. And most of our smartphone habits have evolved to work on autopilot. The trick then is to switch smartphone use from an automatic, compulsive action to something more intentional. Adding an intervention forces people to be deliberate and consider "why am I opening this?" potentially breaking our compulsive habits. Unlike screen limits, One Sec doesn't outright ban me from accessing Twitter. Instead, it enables me to reflect and decide on my own whether I truly want to use the app. After a couple of days with One Sec, I realized I was now on Twitter only when I had a specific purpose in mind, such as responding to a message or reading what people are tweeting about a particular news event. When I would try to mindlessly open Twitter, I felt as if One Sec's breathing exercise was snapping me back into consciousness. Ian Anderson, a social-psychology researcher at University of Southern California, isn't surprised One Sec would reduce app usage. "Setting boundaries like this helps us reevaluate our present habits and potentially create better social-media habits that align more with our well-being," Anderson told me. Frederik Riedel, the German-based developer of the app, told me that creating better boundaries was the motivation behind the development of the app. "I felt worse after scrolling for 30 minutes on Instagram," he told me. "I asked myself: Why do I always come back to this app, even though I don't want it, and even though I feel worse afterward?" In a study Riedel conducted with the Max Planck Institute and the University of Heidelberg in 2022, researchers found that among participants who used One Sec for six weeks, it reduced their app usage by 57%. I can attest to that figure: One Sec has nearly halved my compulsive Twitter use. Before, I was averaging 193 Twitter opens in a week, but now I only open the app 86 times a week. If each session is assumed to be a couple of minutes, that means I've saved more than three hours of mindless doom scrolling. One Sec already has close to a million downloads, according to Riedel (Sensor Tower, an independent tracker, puts the number closer to 600,000 downloads), and uses several clever and subtle psychological mechanisms in addition to the breathing exercise. After the 10-second pause, One Sec shows me how many times I've tried to open Twitter in the past 24 hours, and because I opted into the "intention picker" tool, it forces me to specify why I want to open Twitter by choosing one of several intentions I preset like "Work" and "Can't sleep." The app can also send you a "Don't get lost" notification after you have spent a few minutes on an app. A common shortcoming of similar apps is that you can get used to the tool's interventions and start automatically bypassing them. One Sec overcomes this by changing up what it shows you before you can open an app. Sometimes it's the breathing exercise, but sometimes it can ask you to follow a circle on a blank screen or turn on your front-facing camera, so you're suddenly looking at yourself. Georgia Turner, a neuroscience researcher and Ph.D. student at Cambridge University, told me that One Sec's constantly changing prompts avoid the risk that people can become immune to intervention over time and simply integrate the prompt into their automatic routines. Bridge, from the Center for Humane Technology, has been a One Sec user for weeks and managed to get her impulsive email habits under control. She told me that the little psychological elements are what makes this app so powerful. The only complaint I have about One Sec is that its browser extensions and Android app are too limited and lack the extensive range of tools found on its iPhone counterpart. At $4 a month, its subscription price is also on the higher side, but there's a free version if you, like me, are looking to restrict just one app. The internet finally gets speed bumps More companies are trying to introduce "speed bumps" to slow down how quickly we operate online. When Twitter added an extra step for retweeting tweets with links, for example, the company said that 40% more users read them before sharing. Similarly, simple friction mechanisms like the one Twitter rolled out have been found to be effective at stemming the tide of misinformation online. But often, tech companies have little incentive to make these changes especially not to the extent that people would stop using their apps altogether. Bridge believes the only path forward is regulating the trillion-dollar attention economy that's "hacking our human psychology, that puts profits over people." And there's some concern that additional tech can only go so far to curb our addictions. Even though an app like One Sec can snap me out of a compulsive habit, it doesn't kick me off of the phone altogether. On some occasions, when One Sec prevented me from entering an app like Instagram, I simply moved to a different one I hadn't blocked yet. Eventually, people will need to break away from the devices completely rather than using tricks and hacks. "At some point, we need to separate from the devices themselves in order to let our brains rest and recover," Lembke, the psychiatrist and professor, told me. "It's not just a matter of what we're doing on our phones. It's also the sheer amount of time we spend looking at them, holding them, swiping them, almost as if they're alive and we're their caretakers." At stake is not only our mental health but also our ability to think. Phones allow us to fill pockets of free time and boredom instead of using that time more intentionally, Adam Alter, a marketing professor at the New York University Stern School of Business and the author of "Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked," said. "We're short-circuiting our ability to be creative to push against the obvious, which tends to happen when we're idle, bored, or not focusing intently on a specific concept," he added. For now, using tools that can help us be more intentional about how we spend our time online is an important step toward breaking our collective phone addiction. If my experience is any indication, apps like One Sec can be successful to counteract bad habits. A few weeks into using the app, it was clear to me that I wasn't addicted to Twitter or Instagram I had just formed a compulsive habit that unintentionally steered me to those apps throughout the day. Once I was able to recognize that habit, it was easy for me to break free and reclaim the lost hours. Shubham Agarwal is a freelance technology journalist from Ahmedabad, India whose work has appeared in Wired, The Verge, Fast Company, and more. Read the original article on Business Insider Flash Cambodian Ministry of Tourism's Secretary of State Top Sopheak (C) presents flowers to a Chinese pilot at the Siem Reap International Airport in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, on March 3, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Cambodia has welcomed the resumption of China Eastern Airlines flights to its Siem Reap cultural province, the country's Ministry of Tourism said in a press statement on Saturday. China Eastern Airlines flight MU2091, carrying some 132 Chinese tourists, arrived at the Siem Reap International Airport from Shanghai Friday night and received a warm welcome from Cambodian tourism officials, local authorities and tour and travel operators, the statement said. The Ministry of Tourism's Secretary of State Top Sopheak, who greeted the tourists upon their arrivals, said that China Eastern Airlines would operate direct flights between Shanghai and Siem Reap on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday weekly. "The return of Chinese tourists and investors is a good sign for Cambodia's tourism and economy in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era," he said. Sopheak said the Southeast Asian nation is expected to attract 4 million international tourists, including 800,000 to 1 million Chinese tourists, in 2023. China was the largest source of foreign tourists to Cambodia in the pre-pandemic era, a Ministry of Tourism's report said, adding that the kingdom received 2.36 million Chinese tourists in 2019, accounting for 35.7 percent of total tourist arrivals to the country and generating about 1.8 billion U.S. dollars in revenue. Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, said the comeback of Chinese tourists gave "high hopes" for the country's tourism industry and economic growth in the post-pandemic era. "I think the famed Angkor archaeological park in Siem Reap and coastal areas in Sihanoukville will remain the most attractive destinations for Chinese tourists," she said. Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia's economy. The country attracted up to 6.61 million international tourists in 2019, generating a gross revenue of 4.92 billion dollars, according to the Ministry of Tourism. (AFP via Getty Images) Just over two years after Donald Trump helicoptered away from the White House rather than greet Joe Biden and accompany him to his inauguration, one of the three Republicans who hope Mr Biden will greet them on the White House steps in January 2025 was making his case to a group of GOP activists in a hotel room not far from Washington. The candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, made his way through the throngs of college-aged Conservative Political Action Conference attendees whod been drawn to the 18th floor hotel suite with promises of free food and drink. After the crowd had been sufficiently quieted, the former biotechnology entrepreneur turned anti-woke pundit launched into a three-minute explanation of his theory of what the next year of the presidential campaign will be about. This year is about the what and the why, what do we stand for as a movement? Why do we stand for it? he said. Over the past week at CPAC, throughout panels and public speeches from Trumpworld dignitaries, it was clear the GOP still solidly stands for Donald J Trump. Mr Trumps dominance was on display despite Florida Gov Ron DeSantis making the rounds to promote his new political memoir, often an early warning signal of an imminent campaign. The 45th presidents status as both a frontrunner for the GOP nomination and a subject in multiple criminal probes at the federal and state level appeared not to faze most of the Maga faithful who flocked to suburban Washington DC to hear a whos who of the extreme right opine on the evils of the left and the wonder of Mr Trump and the policies he favours. Grievance carries themost weight in todays GOP, and with few exceptions the CPAC main stage was a place to revel in it, not indulge any dissent from that worldview. Mr DeSantis was almost an afterthought, as the three-day conference celebrates the former president day after day. The mega-Maga crowd seemed to suggest that Mr DeSantis despite his conservative bonafides earned from a duel with Disney didnt pose much of a threat to the former president. Story continues That much was clear when the conferences annual straw poll was released ahead of Mr Trumps address. Predictably, the former president dominated carrying 62 per cent of the vote, while Mr DeSantis attracted just 20 per cent. Some respondents were open to Mr DeSantis as Mr Trumps running mate, however. Thank you for that beautiful straw poll. That was a big win, Mr Trump said in appreciation Saturday evening. President Donald Trump talks to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, during a visit to Lake Okeechobee and Herbert Hoover Dike at Canal Point, Fla., March 29, 2019. (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The challengers to Mr Trump actual and potential only dared criticise him or his former administration in the most oblique terms. The assembled speakers shied away from as much as a passing mention of Mr Trumps name except in praise, as when Mr Ramaswamy described the ex-president as a friend. Mike Pompeo, who spent Mr Trumps term as CIA director and secretary of state, came closest to attacking his former boss in personal terms, telling CPAC attendees that conservatives cant become the left, following celebrity leaders with their own brand of identity politics those with fragile egos who refuse to acknowledge reality. We cant shift blame to others, but must accept the responsibility that comes to those of us who step forward and lead, he added. He also appeared to take aim at another potential challenger to Mr Trump, Mr DeSantis, when he said Republicans should not hand that government more power under the guise of conservatism or look for larger-than-life personalities. Mr DeSantis, who spoke at CPAC last year when it was held in Orlando, was not on the roster of GOP leaders who took to the stage in Maryland this weekend. Instead, he has embarked on a book tour of early primary states to sell his memoir, The Courage to Be Free. Most opinion polls of Republican primary voters show Mr Trump holding a solid lead over Mr DeSantis, and the ex-president still has a firm grip on the hearts and minds of a large swath of the GOP. A booth selling hats is seen at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023, cheers during the session, at the National Harbor, in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) (AP) Yet at the same time, party elites have fixated on Mr DeSantis as someone who can advance the Trumpian grievance agenda against all things woke. The Florida governor, along with Mr Pompeo, Mr Ramaswamy, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununnu, spent part of the weekend at an exclusive confab held by the conservative Club for Growth. Pointedly, Mr Trump was not invited. One of Mr Trumps most fervent boosters, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, went on an unhinged rant about Mr DeSantis near his booth on the CPAC convention floor, accusing the Florida governor of being a Trojan Horse for the left. The media is covering up for Ron DeSantis he is a Trojan Horse; he is the Trojan Horse. Do not believe anything youre reading by the media about Ron DeSantis, he said. Yet Mr Lindell was an outlier in his enthusiasm for attacking the potential Trump challenger in such direct terms. Other activists and pro-Trump figures who were at CPAC took a more conciliatory line, praising DeSantis but suggesting he wasnt ready to step up to the presidency. (EPA) Steve Bannon, the former adviser to Mr Trump who now hosts a popular right-wing podcast, has said Mr DeSantis is a competent governor and has not attacked him openly, but at CPAC he said Mr Trump is the one Republicans should unite behind because he gave Americans four years of peace and prosperity and is ready to take the job of president once more. We dont have time for on-the-job training, he said. He also used his own speaking slot at the conference to attack Fox News, which has given Mr DeSantis a prominent platform while largely ignoring the ex-president. Note to Fox News senior management: When Donald J Trump talks, its newsworthy, he said. The Murdochs immediately have to start covering President Trump. No special deals, just cover the man, ask the tough questions. But we need to hear the voice of Donald J. Trump. Former Trump adviser and Donald Trump Jrs fiancee Kimberly Guilfoyle poses with election conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell at CPAC on 2 March 2023. (John Bowden / The Independent) Mr DeSantis, for his part, has been on something of a media blitz with Mr Murdochs publications. The Florida governor was the subject of a feature in the Times of London as well as a prominent op-ed in the Wall Street Journal. Mr Trump in recent days has raged against Mr Murdoch in recent days, and reports have surfaced that Mr Trump faces a soft ban at Fox News. The conservative network still dominates among GOP voters, far beyond the echoes of CPAC, and any candidate seeking the secure the 2024 GOP nomination needs the networks support. Fox did air Mr Trumps speech on Saturday. Blake Marnell, another prominent booster of Mr Trump who frequently appears at his events wearing a suit meant to look like a brick wall, told The Independent Mr DeSantis decision not to speak at CPAC was a good tactical move because he would lose the CPAC straw poll and look weak. I think he made a calculated choice not to come because he didnt see a beneficial outcome for him, he said. Mr Marnell added that Mr DeSantis is a very capable governor who is running his state really well. Hes been a very good example of what a conservative governor can do in a Republican state to advance the causes of his state. And I look at him as a model for what other Republican governors can become, he said. But Mr Marnell suggested that Mr DeSantis, who has operated with a loyal Republican legislature and without the glare of the national press, is untested and wont be ready to deal with the sort of opposition that Mr Trump has already faced. The people who are opposed to conservative president, which includes Democrats, which includes Antifa, which includes George Soros, which includes BLM, they have seen that if they apply pressure, that they can stall a presidency by raising false allegations and just throwing stuff against the wall and making the president less effective in his agenda, he said. I have no reassurance that Ron DeSantis will be able to stand that type of pressure is resilient, right. But Trump, theyve thrown it all against him, and hes still standing and hes still the best choice. Hes proven himself in that regard. Former President Trump is asking a federal judge to block a subpoena for his former vice president, Mike Pence, to testify before a grand jury that is investigating Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election, according to multiple reports. Trumps lawyers cite executive privilege over Pences testimony in the motion to have the subpoena blocked that was first reported by CNN, which cited unidentified sources. The move by Trumps team was expected, but showcases the motivation to keep those that were closest to the former president from testifying in criminal investigations into his actions. Jack Smith, the special counsel that is overseeing the Department of Justices criminal probes of Trump, is looking into Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of classified information. The grand jury is seeking documents and testimony from Pence regarding the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, but Smith has already faced difficulty getting Pence to cooperate with the subpoena, with the former vice president vowing to fight it last month. Im going to fight the Biden DOJs subpoena for me to appear before the grand jury because I believe its unconstitutional, and its unprecedented, Pence told reporters after an event in Iowa. The resistance from Trump and Pence comes as the federal investigations into the former president, who has launched his campaign for the White House in 2024, show signs of ramping up. Trumps daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, were subpoenaed by the grand jury last month, The New York Times noted in its reporting. The Times also confirmed Trumps attempt to block Pences testimony, citing a person briefed on the matter. The subpoenas of Pence, Ivanka Trump and Kushner outline the grand jurys desire to draw information from those who were closest to Trump on the day of the Capitol riots: Pence, who faced enormous pressure from former President Trump to block the certification of the 2020 election; Ivanka Trump, who was in the Oval Office with her father that day; and Kushner, who was also at the White House. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Getty Images) Former president Donald Trump delivered the closing speech of the 2023 Conservative Political Action Conference as he targeted his enemies not just in the Democratic Party and the media but also the Republican Party. The former president spoke before a crowd at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Md. on the third full day of the gathering of right-wing elected officials and activists. "This is the final battle," Trump told the crowd at CPAC. "This is it." And if he loses 2024 race, "we no longer have a country." Throughout the address he also called out Republican establishment figures like former speaker Paul Ryan, who led the House of Representatives for the first two years of his presidency, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, whom he has frequently criticised for not helping him overturn the 2020 presidential election results. The Republican Party was ruled by freaks, neocons, open border zealots and fools, he said. We're never going back to the party of Paul Ryan, Karl Rove, and Jeb Bush. His speech came shortly after the conference revealed that 62 per cent of attendees preferred him for president. His closest potential challenger, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, earned only 20 per cent of the support. The governor chose not to attend the conference after he hosted the last two annual conferences in Florida. Mr Trump also used the venue to criticise President Joe Biden and lay out his new initiatives, pledging he would stop World War III while criticising aid to Ukraine and Nato. Larry Hogan, the former governor of Maryland who has been considered a potential moderate Republican challenger to Donald Trump, announced on Sunday that he will not run for president in 2024. To once again be a successful governing party, we must move on from Mr Trump, Mr Hogan wrote in The New York Times. There are several competent Republican leaders who have the potential to step up and lead. But the stakes are too high for me to risk being part of another multicar pileup that could potentially help Mr. Trump recapture the nomination. The Maryland official argued that to be successful, the Republican party needs to cease being a cult of personality around Donald Trump. He also claimed that many in the GOP share his opinion behind closed doors. Mr Hogan was a very different kind of Republican than Donald Trump, serving eight years over multiple terms as governor of Maryland, even though the state went two-thirds for Joe Biden in 2020. In his time as governor, Mr Hogan was one of the few high-profile Republicans willing to outwardly criticise Mr Trump, on issues like racism, the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, and the presidents woeful handling of the Covid pandemic. Id watched as the president downplayed the outbreaks severity and as the White House failed to issue public warnings, draw up a 50-state strategy, or dispatch medical gear or lifesaving ventilators from the national stockpile to American hospitals, Mr Hogan wrote in the Washington Post in 2020, detailing how he had to personally source Covid tests from South Korea in the absence of support from the White House. Eventually, it was clear that waiting around for the president to run the nations response was hopeless; if we delayed any longer, wed be condemning more of our citizens to suffering and death. Such stances may have won Mr Hogan support in a more liberal state like Maryland, but polls suggest firebrand Republicans are still in the leading position as potential candidates jockey for the 2024 GOP nomination. Donald Trump and Florida governor Ron DeSantis, a former ally and protege of supports, have been trading top spots when it comes to support from the Republican base. Both men drive hard on far-right positions, with Mr Trump continuing to make false claims about the 2020 election and Mr DeSantis unleashing numerous bills and attacks along with his allies on LGTBQ+ youth in Florida. With his third presidential bid underway, former President Donald Trump painted a grandiose picture of what the country could look like if voters gave him another chance and it wasnt too dissimilar from The Jetsons. By the time the first Trump administration concluded, the country was left reeling from an unprecedented, violent attack on the Capitol and a deadly pandemic. But a second Trump administration would bring a quantum leap in the American standard of living, Trump said, with brand-new cities, another baby boom and a push to develop flying vehicles. Past generations of Americans pursued big dreams and daring projects that once seemed absolutely impossible, he began a new four-minute campaign video posted to Truth Social, the Twitter knockoff he launched after being booted from mainstream social media for refusing to stop spreading misinformation. Trump proposed a contest to develop 10 new cities on federal land nationwide, nicknamed Freedom Cities. Grants would apparently be awarded to those who came up with the best city plans, although Trump offered almost zero specific details. The Freedom Cities would reopen the frontier by giving hundreds of thousands of young people and other people a chance to buy new homes and new cars, which would somehow also be cheaper. Meanwhile, he claimed plans to push American companies to outmaneuver their Chinese counterparts in developing vertical takeoff and landing vehicles for families and individuals. While such vehicles are in development, they are not widely viewed as being close to market. Trump also claimed he would ask Congress to support a baby bonus to encourage a new baby boom, presumably to populate the new Freedom Cities, even though proposals to supportparents of young children have already faced staunch and widespread opposition from Republicans. Lastly, Trump spoke of efforts to beautify the country, saying that he would challenge governors nationwide to get rid of ugly buildings, revitalize parks and ensure a pristine environment that features towering monuments to our true American heroes. Story continues He took a moment to praise local police, saying, They will do the job the way they have to. Trumps ability to cinch the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, however, is far from certain. Related... NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. Donald Trump seemed to have Gov. Ron DeSantis on his mind here Saturday evening during his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Addressing an audience of devoted fans at the annual CPAC gathering, the former president called out Republicans who, in the past, have favored cuts to entitlement programs. Were not going back to people that want to destroy our great Social Security system, Trump said in his speech. Even some in our own party. Trump then added coyly: I wonder who that might be. He never mentioned the Florida governor by name. But DeSantis, a former member of Congress, recently made headlines for retreating from past votes and comments in favor of raising the retirement age and privatizing Social Security and Medicare. Trump's subtle dig comes as the two Republicans are seemingly on a collision course for the 2024 Republican presidential primary. Polls have consistently shown DeSantis as Trumps strongest potential competitor for the nomination. Former President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before his speech at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md., on March 4, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images) Trump, in his nearly two-hour speech, also called for Republicans to once and for all renounce the George W. Bush-era conservatism that preceded his rise in politics a rebuke of a GOP establishment that has signaled interest in moving on from Trump. Before he came along, Trump argued, the party was run by freaks and fools. We are never going back to the party of Paul Ryan, Karl Rove and Jeb Bush, Trump said, singling out by name a former House speaker, the architect of former President George W. Bushs political career and Bushs younger brother, who lost to Trump in the 2016 primaries. The callbacks to the Bush family are reminiscent of 2016, when Trump emphasized the bad intelligence that preceded former President George W. Bushs invasion of Iraq and mocked Jeb Bushs candidacy as low energy. They also served as another thinly veiled arrow in DeSantis direction. Jeb Bush, himself a former Florida governor, has praised DeSantis in interviews. Story continues Trump, who has said falsely that the 2020 election was stolen from him, repeated his skepticism of how states conduct elections. But he also offered his most forceful endorsement of mail-in balloting which he's been highly critical of in the past, to the dismay of other Republicans. "All Republican governors," Trump said, "should immediately go for paper ballots, one-day voting and voter ID." "But until that day comes," he said, "Republicans must compete using every lawful means to win. That means swamping the left with mail-in votes, early votes and Election Day votes. Have to do it. We have to change our thinking." The scene at this years CPAC overwhelmingly supported Trump, the halls lined with backers decked out in Trump or MAGA gear. The former president easily won the conference's annual straw poll, beating DeSantis by more than 40 points. His victory was hardly a surprise, given the absence of DeSantis and most other announced or prospective 2024 hopefuls. The event, once a big-tent forum for conservative activists and donors, has largely been rebranded around Trumps personality-driven politics of antagonism and grievances. DeSantis instead attended a private donor retreat for the Club for Growth, a conservative organization that has distanced itself from Trump and made trips to Texas and California to speak to GOP groups a priority. Speaking with reporters before his CPAC speech, Trump deflected questions about DeSantis potential candidacy by talking up his own record as president. Ive always had a good relationship with him, Trump said when asked by NBC News if hed consider DeSantis as his running mate for vice president. But its much too early to talk about. Donald Trump Jr. speaks at CPAC in Fort Washington, Md., on March 3, 2023. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News) Trumps speech included broad and vague pledges if he gets elected in 2024, some of them rooted in the culture wars surrounding school curriculums and transgender rights that DeSantis has fought in Florida. Trump called for the direct election of school principals, saying parents should have the power to fire them. His remarks were heavy on name-calling. Our enemies, he said at one point, are lunatics and maniacs. Trump also vowed political revenge against those enemies. If you put me back in White House, their reign is over, he said. In 2016, I declared, 'I am your voice.' Today I add, I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution. Trump's CPAC speech, like others he has given during this campaign, painted a dark picture of America teetering on the edge. This is the final battle. They know it. I know it. You know it. Everybody knows that this is it, Trump said. Either they win or we win. And if they win, we no longer have a country. Trump has repeatedly said the country is "at the brink of World War III" and made the case that he is the one to bring it back to peace and prosperity. Trump spent considerable time lamenting the governments many investigations into him, from the classified documents case to the investigation into Trumps actions around the 2020 election before a grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia. Trump tore into the district attorney there, as well as the grand jury foreperson who has discussed the proceedings in recent interviews. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., speaks to reporters after her speech at CPAC in Fort Washington, Md., on March 3, 2023. (Frank Thorp V / NBC News) Its totally out of control, Trump said. The district attorney, he added, has a kangaroo court focused on a perfect phone call that I made while her jury foreman, a rather bizarre young woman, is going around doing media interviews and saying exactly whats going on. Trumps speech closed out a four-day conference in which he and his closest allies were by far the biggest crowd pleasers. The few declared or prospective rivals of his who attended including his former U.N. ambassador, Nikki Haley were greeted with an inhospitable mix of heckling and indifference. The absences opened more space for Trump fandom to reign. Outside the main hall where he spoke, supporters gathered early in line, chanting Trump! Trump! Trump! and belting out the national anthem. And the dozens of speakers preceding Trump were a whos who of MAGA world, including Donald Trump Jr., Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Kari Lake, a prominent election denier who lost her bid for Arizona governor last year. Ive come here because I support Trump. He deserves the chance to finish what he started, said Melissa Elliott, of Richmond, Virginia. CPAC, she said, was one of the few places today where you can find like-minded people in one room. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisia's president denounced racism on Sunday and pointed to possible legal consequences for perpetrators 10 days after announcing a crackdown on illegal migration using language the African Union condemned as "racialised hate speech". During a statement on Feb. 21 telling security forces to expel all illegal immigrants, President Kais Saied called migration a conspiracy to change Tunisia's demographics by making it more African and less Arab. Police detained hundreds of migrants, landlords summarily evicted hundreds from their homes and hundreds of others were fired from work, rights groups say. Many migrants said they had been attacked, including being pelted with stones by gangs of youths in their neighbourhoods, and rights groups said police had been slow to respond to such assaults. While Saied denied racism in a statement on Feb. 23, he repeated his view of immigration as a demographic plot. Before Sunday, Saied had not publicly warned of any legal consequences for the attacks. In Sunday's statement he described the accusations of racism as a campaign against the country "from known sources", without elaborating. But he added that Tunisia was honoured to be an African country and announced a relaxation of visa rules for African citizens, allowing stays of up to six months instead of three without seeking residency, and of a year for students. He said migrants who had overstayed could leave without penalty after many of those authorities sought to deport had proven unable to pay fines for late stays. He painted his crackdown on illegal migration as being a campaign against human trafficking and pointed to a law passed in 2018 against discrimination to say that any verbal or physical attacks on foreigners would be prosecuted. Opposition parties and rights groups have said Saied's crackdown on immigrants, which coincided with arrests of senior opposition figures, was aimed at distracting from Tunisia's economic crisis. Story continues Saied seized most powers in 2021, shutting down the elected parliament, moving to rule by decree and rewriting the constitution, steps his foes including the main political parties call a coup. He has said his actions were legal and needed to save Tunisia from chaos. (Reporting by Angus McDowall; editing by Diane Craft) ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Sunday that Ankara is working hard to extend a U.N.-backed initiative that has enabled Ukraine to export grain from ports blockaded by Russia following its invasion. The Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered by the United Nations and Turkey last July allowed grain to be exported from three Ukrainian ports. The agreement was extended in November and will expire on March 18 unless an extension is agreed. Russia has signalled it is unhappy with aspects of the deal. "We are working hard for the smooth implementation and further extension of the Black Sea grain deal," Cavusoglu said in a speech at the United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries being held in Doha, Qatar. Russia has said it would only agree to extend the Black Sea grain deal if the interests of its own agricultural producers are taken into account. On Sunday, Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, reiterated this position. "If this agreement is equal, then we have always fulfilled our part and are going to fulfil it in all the agreements," she said according to TASS news wire, adding that Russia would be against "goading and machinations". Russia's agricultural exports have not been explicitly targeted by Western sanctions, but Moscow says restrictions on its payments, logistics and insurance industries are a "barrier" to it being able to export its own grains and fertilisers. Cavusoglu said he also discussed efforts to discuss the extension of the deal with U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Almost 23 million tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs have been exported via the Black Sea Grain Initiative as of March 3, according to the Joint coordination Centre in Turkey which oversees implementation of the deal. (Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun, additional reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) Flash A migrant woman and her child are seen at the Eleonas refugee camp, in Athens, Greece, on April 21, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua] Interior ministers of five European Union (EU) Mediterranean countries on Saturday called for more EU solidarity on migration and more efforts to prevent irregular migration. At the end of the so-called "Med 5" ministerial-level meeting held in Malta's capital Valletta on Friday and Saturday, ministers of Malta, Greece, Italy, Spain and Cyprus signed a joint declaration. The meeting was held just days after a deadly migrant shipwreck off Italy. At least 64 migrants died on Feb. 26 when their boat hit rocks near the coast of the southern Italian region of Calabria. The five ministers agreed that more work needs to be done at a European level to address the root causes of migration and prevent irregular migration, according to the joint declaration released by the Maltese Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality. They reaffirmed their position on the need to "strike a balance between (EU) Member States' responsibilities on the one hand and the need for solidarity on the other," the joint declaration said. They also called for more efforts for "the establishment of a permanent and mandatory solidarity mechanism that factors the real needs of frontline Member States and ensures that these needs are fully met through the solidarity contributions." Turkey working to renew Black Sea grain deal "We are working hard for the smooth implementation and further extension of the Black Sea grain deal," Reuters quoted Cavusoglu as saying. Read also: Black Sea grain deal set to expire soon, Ukraine warns The minister added he had discussed their efforts to extend the deal with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Russia said on March 1 that it would agree to an extension only if its agricultural interests were taken into account. Read also: EU to help Ukraine to export its grain The Black Sea Grain Initiative launched on Aug. 1, 2022, as a result of the joint efforts of Turkey and the UN. It allows Ukraine to unblock the Black Sea ports for resumption of food exports. The grain deal was prolonged for four months on Nov. 17 and it is to expire on March 18. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) said on Sunday that that there would be an inexhaustible source of weapons if China started to aid Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. The problem with China entering this is because youve got the West giving weapons to Ukraine, Turner told Chuck Todd on NBCs Meet the Press. Youve got Russia depleting their stores. We obviously the West together have an ability to impact Ukraine greater than Russia alone does. But that could change if Beijing began supplying Moscows war, he added. That would be an inexhaustible source of weapons if China in its production capacity supported Russia and that would change the dynamic, Turner said. The U.S. has warned China of unspecific consequences if it provides lethal aid to Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. Sanctions would be a likely start to that response. China has fired back against U.S. claims that it is considering sending lethal aid to Russia, saying that the country is on the side of peace and dialogue. China called for a cease-fire in the Russia-Ukraine war last month and outlined a 12-point peace plan to negotiate a resolution between the two countries. President Biden said last month that a proposed peace plan by China is not rational, adding that the only country the plan would benefit is Russia. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Reports from the Lake City Police Department state that on on Sunday, at 11:05 a.m., officers from the LCPD were dispatched to north west Alma Avenue to the report of gunshots. Before arriving, officers were advised by Lake City Police Department Communications officers of several persons shot. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Upon arrival, officers and deputies from the Columbia County Sheriffs Office spoke with four male victims, one with a wound to the shoulder, one with a wound to the neck, one with a wound to the leg and one with a wound to the stomach. Officer administered medical treatment to the injured before they were transported to a local hospital for their injuries, three were later transferred to an area trauma unit. Officers, deputies and troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol canvased the area for evidence, possible witnesses and the location of surveillance cameras. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] At 12:21 p.m., our communications center received a call of another incident involving gunfire on south east Avalon Avenue. The reporting person, along with witnesses at the scene provided a description of the suspect vehicle which was the same as the earlier incident on north east Alma Avenue. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] No one was injured in this incident. Both crime scenes were processed by Investigators from the Lake City Police Departments Criminal Investigation Division with the assistance of Crime Scene Technicians from the Columbia County Sheriffs Office Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Two Ukrainian pilots are in the United States for an assessment of their skills in flying fighter jets, according to three people familiar with the discussions, even as administration officials say there are no plans to send F-16s to Kyiv for now. During the program, which is taking place at an Air National Guard base in Tuscon, Ariz., the pilots have been flying aircraft simulators so the U.S. military can evaluate their flying and mission-planning capabilities, said the people, who were granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive effort. The pilots will not fly U.S. aircraft. The aim is to assess their overall skills and what training they need to better use their own capabilities and capabilities we have provided them on their own planes, said one of the three, who is a U.S. official. The U.S. has provided bombs, missiles and guidance kits for Ukraines Soviet-era aircraft. The program involves watching how Ukrainian pilots conduct their mission planning and execution in flight simulators in order to determine how we can better advise the Ukrainian Air Force, the U.S. official said. A Defense Department official and another person familiar with the program said the aim is to evaluate how long it will take Ukrainian pilots to learn to fly modern fighter aircraft, including F-16s. The program was supposed to begin late last year, but was delayed, the people said. The pilots have been at the base for a week and will stay for at least one more week. A Defense Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The news, first reported by NBC News, comes as top Biden administration officials repeatedly bat down the idea of sending the jets anytime soon. F-16s are a question for a later time, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said during a recent interview on CNNs State of the Union. And thats why President Biden said that, for now, hes not moving forward with those. Colin Kahl, the Pentagons top policy official, told the House Armed Services Committee last week that the U.S. has not started training Ukrainians on F-16s, and that the timeline for delivering the aircraft is estimated at 18 months. Since we havent made the decision to provide F-16s and neither have our allies and partners, it doesnt make sense to start to train them on a system they may never get, Kahl said. The decision to bring Ukrainian pilots over to the U.S. for an assessment does not change the thinking on whether to provide F-16s to Kyiv, the U.S. official said. By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) -Jordan's King Abdullah told U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday a surge in West Bank violence threatened regional stability and asked for assistance to fight a growing drug war along its borders with Syria blamed on Iranian-backed militias, Jordanian officials said. Austin arrived in Jordan earlier at the start of a Middle East tour that will also take him to Israel and Egypt in a show of support for its main regional allies against the growing threat posed by Iran, U.S. officials said. He wrote on Twitter before his departure that he would meet key leaders and "reaffirm the U.S. commitment to regional stability and advancing the shared interests of our allies and partners." King Abdullah, whose country hosted the first Israeli-Palestinian meeting in Aqaba last week with the participation of top U.S. and Egyptian officials, said efforts must be accelerated to bring about a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace deal based on a two-state solution. "There is a need for calm and to reduce escalation in Palestinian territories and stop any unilateral steps that undermined stability and abort chances of attaining peace," a palace statement said after the talks between the king and Austin. In Israel, Austin will also raise concerns about the violence in the West Bank that has alarmed Jordan and Arab leaders and discuss diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions ahead of Muslim and Jewish religious holidays, U.S. officials said. The U.S. Defense Department said ahead of the visit that discussions would focus on the growing threat Iran poses to regional stability, and on advancing multilateral security cooperation with integrated air and missile defenses. Central to discussion will be the "full constellation of Iran-associated threats..," a senior defense official was quoted as saying on the Pentagon's official site ahead of the visit. "Those threats include Iran's arming, training and funding of violent proxy groups, aggression at sea, cyber threats, its ballistic missile program and drone attacks," he added. Story continues The king discussed with Austin Jordan's concerns over the growing entrenchment of Iranian-backed militias in southern Syria whom officials say have stepped up drug-smuggling operations through its borders to reach markets in the Gulf, a Jordanian official told Reuters. Amman wants more U.S. military aid to bolster security on the border, where Washington has since the more than decade-long conflict began given around $1 billion to establish border posts, Jordanian officials say. Jordan has a roughly 375 km-long border with Syria. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Hugh Lawson) This article was published in partnership with ProPublica, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive ProPublicas biggest stories as soon as theyre published. For decades, famed professor Tim White used a vast collection of human remains bones sorted by body part and stored in wooden bins to teach his anthropology students at the University of California, Berkeley. White, a world-renowned expert on human evolution, said the collection was passed down through generations of anthropology professors before he started teaching with it in the late 1970s. It came with no records, he said. Most were not labeled at all or said only lab. But that simple description masked a dark history, UC Berkeley administrators recently acknowledged. UC Berkeley conducted an analysis of the collection after White reported its contents in response to a university systemwide order in 2020 to search for human remains. Administrators disclosed to state officials in May that the analysis found the collection includes the remains of at least 95 people excavated from gravesites many of them likely Native Americans from California, according to previously unreported documents obtained by ProPublica and NBC News. The universitys disclosure was particularly painful because it involved a professor who many Indigenous people already viewed as a primary antagonist, according to interviews with tribal members. White holds a replica of a 1.7-million-year-old homo erectus skull in the National Research Centre on Human Evolution in Burgos, Spain. (Ricardo Ordonez / El Pais) UC Berkeley has long angered tribal nations with its handling of thousands of ancestral remains amassed during the universitys centurylong campaign of excavating Indigenous burial grounds. More than three decades ago, Congress ordered museums, universities and government agencies that receive federal funding to publicly report any human remains in their collections that they believed to be Native American and then return them to tribal nations. UC Berkeley has been slow to do so. The university estimates that it still holds the remains of 9,000 Indigenous people in the campus Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology more than any other U.S. institution bound by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, or NAGPRA, according to a ProPublica analysis of federal data. Story continues That tally does not include the remains that White reported and relinquished in 2020. For decades, White served as an expert adviser in the universitys repatriation decisions, sitting on committees that weighed whether to grant or deny tribes requests, according to a review of hundreds of pages of federal testimony and internal university documents. White said the collection did not need to be reported under NAGPRA because there is no way to determine the origin of the bones and therefore the law does not apply. The collection has exposed deep rifts at UC Berkeley, pitting a prominent professor who said hes done nothing wrong against university administrators who have apologized to tribes for not sharing information about the remains sooner. For tribes the episode follows a familiar pattern of UC Berkeleys delays and failures to be transparent with them. This is a major moral, ethical and potentially legal violation, said Laura Miranda, a member of the Pechanga Band of Indians and chair of the California Native American Heritage Commission. She made her comments at a July hearing held by the commission, which oversees the university systems handling of Indigenous remains. UC Berkeley officials declined interview requests, saying tribes have asked us not to. In a statement, the university said White was no longer involved in repatriation decisions. There is now a moratorium on using ancestral remains for teaching or research purposes, according to the statement. The Hearst Museum is currently closed to the public so that staff can prioritize repatriation. The university also acknowledged that, in the past, UC Berkeley had mishandled its repatriation responsibilities. The campus privileged some kinds of scientific and scholarly evidence over tribal interests and evidence provided by tribes, the university said in the statement. The Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley. (Justin Katigbak for ProPublica) In an interview with ProPublica and NBC News, White said hes been villainized for strictly adhering to the federal law, which he said requires balancing scientific proof with other evidence. In the years immediately after Congress passed NAGPRA, UC Berkeley relied on Whites expertise as curator of the museums skeletal collection to challenge Indigenous peoples repatriation requests, according to testimony before a federal advisory committee. Some tribal members accused him of demanding too high a burden of scientific proof for repatriations and discounting knowledge passed down through the generations. In the 1990s, he made headlines for fighting to use Native American remains as teaching tools, arguing that students should not be deprived of the opportunity to learn from them. He later sued to block the UC system from returning two sets of remains estimated to date from 9,000 years ago. NAGPRA does not require definitive scientific proof for repatriation, only that institutions report human remains that could potentially be Native American and consult with the affected tribal nations, said Sherry Hutt, an attorney who is a former program manager of the federal National NAGPRA Program. Its not a scientific standard. Its a legal standard, she said. White often had the backing of university administrators in disputes over remains, but not anymore. At the July hearing before the California Native American Heritage Commission, UC Berkeley administrators cited an analysis by another anthropologist at the school, Sabrina Agarwal, that determined thousands of the bones in the collection were excavated from gravesites. Given UC Berkeleys legacy of raiding Native American graves, it is likely the collection White taught with contains the remains of Native Americans from what is currently California, said Linda Rugg, associate vice chancellor for research at the university. I want to apologize for the pain that we caused by holding on to this collection, Rugg said at the hearing. When we found out about it, we were dismayed ourselves. A university spokesperson said staff and administrators are consulting with several tribes on next steps. Federal officials confirmed UC Berkeley has contacted them requesting guidance. White, who retired last spring but is still a professor emeritus, said administrators knew about the collection, which was used to teach hundreds of students over the years. It is very disappointing to find the Berkeley employees are making false allegations and misrepresentations, he said. Behind UC Berkeleys reckoning is the centurylong saga about a powerful, progressive institution that is finally confronting its past. Isaac Bojorquez, chairman of the KaKoon Ta Ruk Band of Ohlone-Costanoan Indians of the Big Sur Rancheria, called for accountability for the newly reported remains, but also for UC Berkeleys decadeslong delays and denials of other tribes repatriation requests. We want our ancestors, he said. They should have never been disturbed in the first place. A painful history With no documentation for the origin of his teaching collection, White surmised in a report to university officials in 2020 that it dated back to UC Berkeleys early days and the universitys first anthropology professor, Alfred Louis Kroeber. Ishi, the last known member of the Yahi tribe, with anthropologist Alfred L. Kroeber in 1911. (Online Archive of California) Kroeber, who joined the faculty in 1901, became a world-renowned scholar for his research on Native Americans in California, encouraging the excavations of Indigenous gravesites during his four-decade tenure. His name recently was stripped from Berkeleys anthropology building, in part for housing an Indigenous man found in the Sierra Foothills as a living exhibit at what would later become the Hearst Museum. Described as the last living member of his band of Yahi Indians, the man whom Kroeber called Ishi was studied and made to craft arrows and greet visitors for nearly five years, until his death in 1916. The Hearst Museum continued for decades to voraciously collect Native American remains and funerary objects, trying to assemble a collection to rival the British Museum and Harvard University, said historian Tony Platt, a distinguished affiliated scholar at UC Berkeleys Center for the Study of Law and Society. To be a great university youve got to acquire stuff, youve got to hoard massive amounts of things, Platt said. The vast majority of UC Berkeleys collection of remains came from sacred ancestral sites in California, according to ProPublicas analysis of federal data. The collection included ancestors of the Ohlone, the tribe whose land was seized by the federal government to fund public universities, including UC Berkeley. The university eventually amassed the remains of about 11,600 Native Americans, stored in the basement beneath its gymnasium swimming pool and in other campus buildings. But Platt said that number is likely an undercount because museum records often counted multiple remains excavated from the same gravesite as one person. In the early 1970s, Native American activists long-standing resistance to the grave robbing started gaining momentum amid protests that stealing from Native Americans burial sites in the name of science was a human rights violation. By then, the teaching collection that anthropology professors used had grown to thousands of bones and teeth that White said in his report to university administrators had been commingled with others donated by amateur gravediggers, dentists, anatomists, physicians, law enforcement and biological supply companies. The remains were unceremoniously sorted by body part so students could study them. A jumble of teeth. A drawer of clavicles. Separate bins for skulls. For decades, anthropologists added to the collection, used it in their classes and then passed it along to the professors who came after them, White said. It was this collection that White started teaching with when he joined UC Berkeleys anthropology faculty in 1977. The Anthropology and Art Practice Building at the University of California, Berkeley. (Justin Katigbak for ProPublica) UC Berkeley hired White, then 27, soon after he had obtained his Ph.D. in biological anthropology from the University of Michigan. He already was collaborating with a team to analyze Lucy, a 3.2-million-year-old human ancestor. White published articles in prestigious journals and co-authored a textbook, Human Osteology, that boasted of UC Berkeleys collection of human remains and called ancient skeletons ambassadors from the past. Congress passed NAGPRA in 1990, recognizing that human remains of any ancestry must at all times be treated with dignity and respect. As UC Berkeley prepared to comply with the new law, the campus museum appointed White curator of biological anthropology, overseeing the universitys collection of human remains. Almost as soon as tribes started making claims to ancestral remains under NAGPRA, Indigenous people accused White of undermining their efforts to rebury their ancestors, according to a review of hundreds of pages of testimony before a federal review committee tasked with mediating NAGPRA disputes. Since NAGPRA only applied to federally recognized tribal nations, many tribes in California were not entitled to seek repatriation. (Of the 183 tribes in the state, 68 still lack federal recognition, according to the Native American Heritage Commission.) UC Berkeleys collection of remains included those of thousands of people designated as unavailable for repatriation because they came from tribes lacking federal recognition. Recourse under the law was limited, leaving tribal nations to file formal challenges with the federal NAGPRA Review Committee, an advisory group whose members represent tribal, scientific and museum organizations. It can only offer recommendations in response to disputes. In the first challenge following the passage of the law, in February 1993 the Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawaii Nei, a Native Hawaiian organization, took a dispute over repatriation of two ancestral remains before the federal committee. The remains had been donated to UC Berkeley in 1935, at which time a museum curator classified them as Polynesian. White disagreed. Addressing the committee, White introduced himself as the individual who is responsible for the skeletal collections at Berkeley. He argued the remains might not be Native Hawaiian and could belong to victims of shipwrecks, drownings or crimes. They should be preserved for study, he added, making an analogy to UC Berkeleys library book collection, where historians access volumes for years as their understanding evolves. Edward Halealoha Ayau, then the Native Hawaiian organizations executive director, pounded his fists on the table in outrage. We do not have cultural sensitivity to books. We did not descend from books, he said, according to a transcript of the meeting. Ancestral remains are not research material, Ayau said, they are people with whom he shares a connection a perspective that is central to Native Hawaiian culture. Edward Halealoha Ayau, right, was part of a Hawaiian delegation that traveled to Germany in 2022 to accept the return of human remains from a museum in Bremen. (Sina Schuldt / picture alliance via Getty Images) White recently said that his analogy comparing human remains to books was taken out of context. Both hold information, he said. I was obviously speaking metaphorically. Instead of recommending that both ancestors remains be repatriated directly to the Hui Malama, the committee advised UC Berkeley to return one of them and send the other to the Bishop Museum in Honolulu for analysis, Ayau said. There, researchers finally agreed that the remains were Native Hawaiian but only after conducting a scientific analysis over Ayaus objections. I just started crying, Ayau, who now chairs the federal NAGPRA Review Committee, recalled in a recent interview. We failed to prevent one more form of desecration. The Bishop Museum declined to comment on its role in the 1993 repatriation, saying it happened too long ago for anyone to have knowledge of it. For Ayau, the experience left him with a sense of loss over the treatment of his ancestors. To have someone disturb them is really bad, he said. But then to have them steal them and then fight you to get them back is beyond horrific. 'Berkeley should be ashamed' Whites fight to use a set of Native American remains he had borrowed from the Hearst Museum for teaching purposes made headlines in the 1990s after he clashed with then-museum director Rosemary Joyce. She said when she was hired in 1994, it was common practice for White and other museum curators with keys to borrow ancestral remains and belongings without documenting what theyd taken. Just leaving aside NAGPRA, as a museum anthropologist, thats an unacceptable thing, she told ProPublica and NBC News. When materials are not in the physical control of the staff of the museum, you need legal documentation. She changed the locks on the museums storage space. Heeding requests from tribes, she tried to recall a museum collection of Native American remains that White kept on loan in his lab and used for teaching. White refused to return them. The vice provost for research of the UC system sent Jay Stowsky, then the systems director of research policy, to mediate the dispute between White and Joyce. Stowsky agreed with Joyce, calling the lack of controls at the museum terrible. He said human remains were just sort of thrown into boxes with a label on them. Berkeley should be ashamed of itself on so many levels, Stowsky, now a senior academic administrator at UC Berkeley, said in a recent interview. Drawers in the Osteology Teaching Collection in one of the letters White sent to UCB White filed a whistleblower complaint with the university in 1997 accusing the museum, under Joyces leadership, of seeking an unnecessary extension to NAGPRAs reporting deadline. (Campus investigators found no improper activity, according to White.) Joyce said she was simply trying to account for all the remains that would need to be reported under NAGPRA. Its really kind of insane to have to say, I did the thing that the law said I should do, she told ProPublica and NBC News. Joyce said the complaints were found to be meritless. White then filed an internal grievance against Joyce with the schools Academic Senate, alleging that by asking him to relinquish the human remains she had infringed on his academic privileges. The university brokered a deal: White could keep ancestral remains provided museum staff and tribes could access them to conduct inventory and report them under NAGPRA. Joyce said the arrangement was untenable and she felt unsupported by the universitys leadership. White continued to teach with the remains. A decade after NAGPRA Myra Masiel-Zamora, now an archaeologist for the Pechanga Band of Indians, enrolled in Whites osteology class more than 20 years ago when she was 18 and a first-year student. But, she said, she withdrew from the course after a teaching assistant told her the human remains belonged to Native Americans. That was the first time I really truly learned that an institution could and can and is using real Native American ancestors as teaching tools, she said. I was really upset. Concern over institutions handling of Indigenous remains extended beyond the classroom. Troubled by the slow pace of repatriations under NAGPRA, California lawmakers passed their own version of the law in 2001, aiming to close loopholes in the federal statute and allow tribes to claim remains regardless of whether they have federal recognition. But the state failed to fund an oversight committee established by the bill. In 2007, without consulting tribes or offering public explanation, UC Berkeley abruptly fired museum employees who were responsible for NAGPRA compliance, and named White and others to a newly formed campus repatriation committee, according to tribal leaders. That upset tribal members, who brought their concerns about the new committee to state senators. The firings eliminated the only staff at the university that would stand up to Mr. Tim White and his offensive remarks regarding Native American tribes and our ancestral remains, Reno Franklin, then a council member and now the chairman of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, said during a 2008 state legislative hearing. In emails sent to ProPublica and NBC News, White sought to discredit the testimony by Franklin and others at the hearing by saying that it had been the result of a decadeslong effort by the university to use him as a scapegoat for its failures. White said he only held an advisory role and did not make final repatriation decisions. Meanwhile, Whites career was skyrocketing after he co-led a team that discovered and excavated a 4.4-million-year-old hominid unearthed in Ethiopia. It was deemed the scientific breakthrough of the year in 2009 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and cemented his reputation in the field. It also landed him, along with the likes of Barack Obama and Steve Jobs, on Time magazines 2010 list of the worlds 100 most influential people. Tim White attends the Time100 gala at Lincoln Center in New York in 2010. (Timothy A. Clary / AFP via Getty Images) Two years later, White and two other professors sued to block the repatriation of two 9,000-year-old skeletons to the Kumeyaay, 12 tribes whose homelands straddle the U.S.-Mexico border near San Diego. White and the other professors wanted to study the remains, which had been unearthed in 1976 from the grounds of the chancellors house on the University of California, San Diego, campus. They argued that there wasnt enough evidence to support the Kumeyaays ancestral connection to the remains, and that the UC system had failed to prove that the remains could legally be considered Native American. Based on the professors interpretation of the law, human remains had to have a cultural or biological link to a present-day tribe to be considered Native American. They said that not allowing them to study the remains violated their rights as researchers. An appeals court ruled against the professors, citing the Kumeyaays sovereign immunity, meaning they couldnt be sued. As tribes frustration with the lack of progress on repatriations grew, UC Berkeley convened a tribal forum in 2017. In the private gathering, tribal leaders and others expressed anger that university staff, including White, had resisted their requests to repatriate and that the university was requiring an excessive amount of proof to reclaim ancestors, according to an internal university report. The following year, UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ disbanded the campus NAGPRA committee that White had served on, records show. The university established a new one that did not include him. Meanwhile, Berkeley prepared for its biggest repatriation to date: the return of more than 1,400 ancestors to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, a small tribe whose ancestors remains were excavated from burial grounds along Californias coast and Channel Islands. According to the schools NAGPRA inventory records, many of the remains had been taken by an archaeologist in 1901 whose expeditions were funded by Phoebe Apperson Hearst, wife of mining magnate George Hearst and namesake of UC Berkeleys anthropology museum. UC Berkeley held on to the Chumash remains and loaned some to White for research projects, before returning them to the tribe in the summer of 2018. The Santa Ynez Valley (Alejandra Rubio for NBC News and ProPublica) When the repatriation day finally came, Nakia Zavalla and other tribal members drove 300 miles to campus and entered a backroom of the anthropology building where UC Berkeley stored their ancestors. Going into that facility for the first time was horrifying. Literally shelves of human remains, said Zavalla, the tribes cultural director. And you pull them out, and theres ancestors mixed all together, sometimes just all femur bones, a tray full of skulls. Zavalla said tribal members had to bring their own cardboard boxes to carry their ancestors home for burial a complaint other tribal nations have made in dealing with the university. UC Berkeley officials said they were unaware of Zavallas disturbing account but have changed their policies to ensure they provide assistance as requested by Tribes. Zavalla said the visit highlighted how the university had deprived the tribe of more than ancestral remains, she said. The university housed recordings and items that ethnographers and anthropologists had previously collected from Chumash elders. For Zavalla, the information could have benefited her and other tribal members efforts to revitalize the Santa Ynez Chumashs language and traditions which government policies once sought to eradicate. But the information was not freely shared, she said: They stole those items. Nakia Zavalla at the Chumash tribal office in Santa Ynez, Calif. (Alejandra Rubio for NBC News and ProPublica) 'They need to go home' California state lawmakers passed a bill in 2018 to expand the Native American Heritage Commissions oversight of repatriation policies and compliance committees within the UC system. The legislation called for an audit of all UC campuses compliance with NAGPRA. The following year, UC Berkeley finally barred the use of Native American remains for teaching or research, according to the university. The state auditors office announced the results of its review in 2020, singling out UC Berkeley for making onerous demands of tribes claiming remains. The auditor also noted that UC Berkeley had identified 180 missing artifacts or human remains. In a statement, UC Berkeley said staff had searched for the missing remains and artifacts, some of which had been lost for more than a century. Soon after the audit, the UC presidents office called for all campuses to search departments that historically studied human remains for any that had not been previously reported. In August 2020, White reported the contents of the collection he taught with to university administrators. White told ProPublica and NBC News that given the lack of documentation, it would be impossible to determine if they were Native American, much less say which tribe they should be returned to. Theres nobody on this planet who can sit down and tell you what the cultural affiliation of this lower jaw is, or that lower jaw is. Nobody can do that, he said. The Native American Heritage Commission, or NAHC, is continuing to press UC Berkeley for answers and accountability for its handling of the collection White reported. Bojorquez, the tribal chairman and an NAHC commissioner, said it was mind-blowing that Berkeley still has not provided any documentation on the origins of the collection. The university should have consulted tribes sooner, he said, to ensure the remains were handled respectfully and to help speed the repatriation process. So much happened to these ancestors, he said they should not be in a box or on a shelf. They need to go home, he said. More missing Separate from the teaching collection that White reported in 2020, he also notified administrators that hed discovered remains with museum labels stashed in gray bins in a teaching laboratory. They later were identified as the partial remains of six ancestors of the Santa Ynez Chumash that were supposed to have been repatriated in 2018. When UC Berkeley finally informed the Chumash six months later, it felt like a blow to the chest, said Zavalla, the tribes cultural director. Zavalla and other tribal staff members drove to Berkeley to retrieve the remains. I felt lied to, she said. They did not give us all of the ancestors, and they didnt do their due diligence. The discovery of the missing remains outraged Sam Cohen, an attorney for the tribe, who called for probes into whether UC Berkeley or White had violated policies or laws. Sam Cohen, attorney for the Chumash tribe. (Alejandra Rubio for NBC News and ProPublica) He is considered untouchable, I think, by Berkeley because hes so famous in human evolution, Cohen said of White. He basically wasnt going to voluntarily comply with anything until he was forced. White said he was unsure how the remains ended up in the teaching laboratory. He suggested they may have been mistakenly placed in his lab during a move years ago while he was overseas. He provided ProPublica and NBC News with a copy of an email from an investigator with UC Berkeleys Office of Risk and Compliance Services, which said the office found no violation on his part regarding the Chumash remains. UC Berkeley declined to comment on the outcome of the investigation, calling it a personnel matter. I have accounted for everything that happened in granular detail, White said in an interview. Chancellor Christ apologized to the tribe in December in a letter and acknowledged: We do understand that, given our history, it is difficult for tribes to have confidence in our university and Professor White. The apology was little consolation, Cohen said, especially since it came with yet another painful acknowledgement. University records show there are still more unreturned Chumash ancestors. So far, they have yet to be found. Christ assured the Chumash that the university was committed to returning all Native American ancestors to all tribes. UC Berkeley officials estimate it will be at least a decade before that happens. The Chumash cultural museum in Santa Ynez, Calif. (Alejandra Rubio for NBC News and ProPublica) CORRECTION: (March 16, 2023, 4:28 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article incorrectly described Whites argument in a lawsuit seeking to block a repatriation of human remains to the Kumeyaay tribes. The lawsuit argued that there wasnt enough evidence to support their ancestral connection to the remains and that the UC system had failed to prove that the remains could legally be considered Native American. It did not argue that the remains were too old to be linked to any living descendants. CLARIFICATION: (March 16, 2023, 4:28 p.m. ET): This article was updated after publication to more fully describe Whites role in the discovery and excavation of the fossil Ardi. He co-led the international team. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The modern fighter jets are needed in order to protect against the new gliding bombs that Russia has begun to use against Ukraine. Source: Yurii Ihnat, spokesman for the Air Force, on air of national joint 24/7 newscast Details: Ihnat confirmed the information that the Russians have begun to use new UPAB-1500B 1,500 kg gliding bombs against Ukraine. Quote: "Absolutely correct, it is so, this information isnt new. They [the Russians ed.] can use missiles remotely, the way they did in spring, but they can also use guided aircraft bombs. The enemy's missile capabilities are not unlimited either. The planning bombs, gliding aircraft bombs that have wings, can fly tens of kilometres. It is likely that the Su-34 fighter-bomber that was [recently] shot down attacked Ukraine with such bombs. That is why we are now talking about modern fighters with a large effective range. Why do we need F-16s or other aircraft? To counter this threat, to protect our cities and villages." More details: Ihnat noted that aircraft bombs of such type can cause more damage than missiles. Patriot air defence systems can help Ukrainians protect themselves, but plenty of such systems would be needed. "The planes are more mobile, they can scramble to intercept the same bombers, and with missiles with a range of more than 150 kilometres, chase away at least those planes and prevent them from dropping these bombs. That is why we need modern fighters, because our Soviet planes cannot do this," he emphasised. Background: On 4 March, the Defense Express agency, citing its sources, reported that a few weeks ago, Russian troops used a new and quite dangerous weapon against Ukraine for the first time; these were UPAB-1500Bs, 1,500 kg gliding bombs. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Zemledeliye remote mining system The unit was blown up by ammunition dropped from a drone. The Russian Tor-M1 air defense system was destroyed in the same way. An enemy BM-21 Grad MRLS and two 2C1 Gvozdika howitzers were also eliminated. Read also: Ukrainian army destroys artillery and two Grad rocket systems Russians used to attack Kherson Oblast According to the Ukrainian military news site Defense Express, this is the first documented case of the destruction of a Zemledeliye system in combat. Read also: Ukrainian army destroys range of enemy military equipment, ammo depot in past day Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The Ukrainian Armed Forces have successfully defended their position near Avdiivka It was reported that on March 4 soldiers of the second mechanized battalion, together with artillery from the 55th separate artillery brigade and the 110th separate mechanized brigade, destroyed three tanks and five armored personnel carriers that tried storming Ukrainian positions. Six enemy troops were also taken prisoner. On March 5, a video appeared to feature the second attempt by Russia to advance. "Supported by a tank, the enemy again stormed the positions of our second mech(anized) battalion. The assault ended with the enemy's tank hit and infantry hiding on all fours in shrubs from our grenade launchers," the message reads. Read also: Ukraine won largest tank battle of the war in Vuhledar, NYT reports Russia has lost 153,120 soldiers since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, with 930 eliminated in the last 24 hours. The enemy also lost five tanks, nine armored vehicles and twelve artillery systems in the past day alone. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine KOSTIANTYNIVKA Russias relentless assault on Bakhmut is sacrificing waves and waves of unprepared men being sent to their deaths. But multiple defenders of this embattled city in Donetsk Oblast feel that they are in a similar boat, according to interviews with more than a dozen soldiers currently fighting in or around Bakhmut. During their brief visits to the nearby town of Kostiantynivka, Ukrainian infantrymen told the Kyiv Independent of unprepared, poorly-trained battalions being thrown into the front line meat grinder to survive as best they could with little support from armored vehicles, mortars, artillery, drones and tactical information. We dont get any support, says a soldier named Serhiy, who has been fighting on the front lines in Bakhmut, sitting down with his friend, also named Serhiy, for a conversation in a small cafe in the Kostiantynivka market. Both men are in their 40s but one of them is a bit older than the other. All soldiers in this article have been identified only by first name or callsign because they spoke to a publication without authorization by a press officer. They say that Russian artillery, infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers are often allowed to strike Ukrainian positions for hours or days without being shut down by Ukrainian heavy weapons. Some complained of poor coordination and situational awareness, allowing this to happen or making it even worse. Mortarmen spoke of extreme ammunition scarcity and having to use weapons dating back to World War II. Drones that are supposed to provide critical reconnaissance information are also scarce and are being lost at very high rates in some parts of the battlefield. All this leads to terrifying casualties of both dead and wounded. "The battalion came in in the middle of December between all the different platoons, there were 500 of us," says Borys, a combat medic from Odesa Oblast fighting around Bakhmut. "A month ago, there were literally 150 of us." Story continues When you go out to the position, its not even a 50/50 chance that youll come out of there (alive), says the older Serhiy. Its more like 30/70. The Office of the President of Ukraine has claimed that Russia may have lost tens of thousands of men during the Battle of Bakhmut as of mid-January. Fighting has since only intensified, with Ukraine repeatedly claiming close to a thousand Russians dead in its daily updates. As Bakhmut is seeing the heaviest fighting, most of these casualties are likely in that area. Authorities havent revealed any information on Ukrainian losses in the Battle of Bakhmut. Based on the soldiers testimonies, Ukrainian losses appear to be high as well. Worse by the day Bakhmut has been the site of very heavy fighting for months, but in the past few weeks, Russian attacks have intensified to an insane degree according to most interviewees. Multiple soldiers say that they are under massive assault from both Wagner Group mercenaries and regular Russian forces. Theres Wagner and theres two brigades of airborne assault, says Oleksandr, an infantryman from Sumy, who is part of a Ukrainian assault battalion in Bakhmut. Its rough. Constant waves, nonstop. Some have characterized the Russian attacks as huge waves of cannon fodder, while others say that the invaders tactics have evolved to keep up with the battlefield. The older Serhiy says that the enemy likes to send a team of three or four expendable foot soldiers to attack and make the Ukrainians expose themselves by shooting at them. At that point, the more elite forces zero in on the defenders position. Once they begin exchanging fire, the Ukrainians are struck with heavier weapons like Russian mortars and rockets from Grad multiple launch rocket systems or BMP infantry fighting vehicles and BTR armored personnel carriers with machine guns. They get the positions where we are, establish the coordinates, then they hit us from seven to nine kilometers out with mortars, as well as from closer by with grenade launchers, says the older Serhiy. They wait for the house to fall so we have to jump out. The building catches fire and then they try to finish us off. Their birds come out and they chase us with fire, adds the younger Serhiy, referring to Russian UAVs, like quadcopters and Orlan-10 fixed wing drones that spot distant heavy weapons. They hit accurately. As Russians destroy more and more buildings, Ukrainians keep losing more places where they can reliably take cover. Borys the medic says people have been lost when their entrenched positions collapsed from heavy Russian fire, suffocating them. Ill put it like this, we should get our people out because if we dont take off, then in the next few weeks, its going to be bad, says Oleksandr. A mortarman named Illia agrees that Bakhmut is practically encircled. On March 3, a key bridge connecting Bakhmut with the village of Khromove on its edge was destroyed. This was a vital artery for evacuating civilians and transporting supplies from the town of Chasiv Yar. CNN reported and soldiers confirmed that the bridge was destroyed by a Russian attack. The Institute for the Study of War on March 3 said that it appeared that Ukrainian forces were preparing the battlefield for an orderly withdrawal from Bakhmut, but followed up with a March 4 evaluation that Russian forces are unlikely to surround the city soon. Military leadership denied that Ukrainian forces are pulling out and said that Ukrainian forces will only withdraw from the city if they have to. No support Some infantrymen told the Kyiv Independent that they often cant rely on friendly artillery and mortar attacks against heavier Russian weapons. "A mortar could be attacking us for three hours, we wait for support, there's no support," says the older Serhiy. "They tell us hang on, you will get support in half an hour to an hour. We wait for seven hours, there's no support," the younger Serhiy chimes in. Russian forces dont seem to have this problem, the two comrades say. Russian shelling and attacks with vehicle-mounted weapons are abundant. When Ukrainian forces do get mortar support, the mortars often miss by a wide margin, some soldiers claim. Ukrainian troops also say they acutely feel the lack of infantry vehicles on the front lines. With the exception of light Territorial Defense forces, the Ukrainian infantry is supposed to be mechanized, per military policy. I heard that infantry (units) need to be mechanized, says the older Serhiy. We, it seems, are following the old system, no one knows this. Where are our BMPs? Where is our artillery? Illia confirms that what is supposed to be mechanized infantry on paper, is often just infantry on foot in practice. He says Ukraine critically needs infantry vehicles, as the insufficiently few that it has are being expended in combat. The two Serhiys questioned why they were seeing Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicles in the rear lines, while on the front they barely see them at all. Why are they here? They should be over there, says the older Serhiy. Here, its waiting for them (the Russians) to come. It could have been used to destroy them over there. No ammo Illia, a mortarman with the 3017th unit of Ukraines National Guard offers a simple explanation for the lack of indirect support fire. "When we get ammo, we get 10 shells per day, 120 millimeter shells," Illia says. "That's enough for one minute of work." The mortars themselves date back to the years 1938-1943 and hitting something with them takes a miracle. But Ukrainian mortars still manage to hit their targets despite all these challenges, he says."We need ammo, ammo, ammo," Illia adds. "If we keep getting 10 shells, Bakhmut will quickly be surrounded." The younger Serhiy says the mortar shells are often old and useless, either failing to fly on target or failing to explode. This is not the case everywhere. Mykola, a mortarman from Odesa Oblast, says that with Soviet ammo dwindling to critical levels, his unit now gets NATO mortar shells, even though their tubes are still from World War II. But Mykola confirms that they dont get enough ammo. Mortar shells were more abundant when Ukraine defended the town of Soledar but since the battle moved to Bakhmut itself, there were shortages, he says. Poor communication Some say the disorganization goes beyond ammunition shortages. The younger Serhiy says that logistics and signals are of very poor quality, adding that his battalion fails to make good use of its drone, which provides no help in the urban battlefield. While units have access to radios to communicate, a lack of better communication equipment and specialists to operate it leads to some very difficult moments, the younger Serhiy adds. A Russian BTR terrorized Ukrainian infantry around a part of Bakhmut for a month, without being shot by heavy weapons even once, even though it had been reported up the chain of command multiple times and multiple soldiers confirmed the casualties it was causing. "That's why positions get given up," says the younger Serhiy. "They wouldn't be given up if you could transmit that a BTR's been riding around for a month (shooting people). If they took care of that BTR, the positions would have been secure." Multiple soldiers say there aren't enough drones or people to use them properly, which is why they are often being lost, on top of being forced down by the Russians' electronic countermeasures. Callsign Lawyer, an aerial reconnaissance specialist based in Kostyantinivka who goes on missions closer to the front with a drone team, says drones are in fewer numbers in Bakhmut than they are outside it and attrition rates are higher there. Russians have many directional electronic weapons that can force close-flying drones to land. Poor preparation Multiple soldiers say Bakhmut troops are barely given enough time to learn to shoot a rifle sometimes their training is just 2 weeks, before theyre dropped into the hottest parts of the most intense current battle of the war. They would have preferred for troops to get a minimum of two or three months of training before being deployed to such a hot spot. Two weeks live training and theyre sent here. You cant do that, says the older Serhiy. Or its a person who once served in the army, how long ago was that? Obviously they forgot everything. We were promised that we wouldnt be sent to the zero line right away, that at first wed be sent to the second or third line, he continues. And then we came here in the middle of the night and they immediately sent us to Bakhmut. Obviously a person starts freaking out. To tell you the truth, if they didnt fire at me first, I wouldnt have fired a shot. But I have bullets coming within 50 centimeters of me, thats when I started shooting. According to both soldiers named Serhiy, most brigades are insufficiently trained and lack the experience for an environment as brutal as Bakhmut. People are taken at night to a place theyd never seen before and the battle starts in the morning. This is why positions are abandoned, people are there for the first time, says the younger Serhiy. I went to a position three times and was given six people who hadnt fought at all before. We had a few dead and wounded that had to be evacuated Our people are not being protected. Oleksandr confirms that while some battalions fighting in Bakhmut are well-trained and ready, most of them arent and many were thrown in at night without much preparation. Yes, thats true, my battalion was not prepared, he says. After five months without a single break from the fighting, only half of Oleksandrs battalion is left, he says. They shouldnt have rushed to throw everyone in there, says the younger Serhiy. Better to abandon those positions, who cares? Its better to properly train people. ____________________ Note from the author: Hi, this is Igor Kossov, I hope you enjoyed reading my article. I consider it a privilege to keep you informed about one of this century's greatest tragedies, Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. With the help of my colleagues, I will continue to bring you in-depth insights into Ukraine's war effort, its international impacts, and the economic, social, and human cost of this war. But I cannot do it without your help. To support independent Ukrainian journalists, please consider becoming our patron. Thank you very much. Cedric Wins (centre), a retired army general, is the colleges superintendent, the institutions first black leader in its 183-year history - Justin Ide/Getty Images One of the USs oldest and most esteemed military colleges is entangled in a culture war with alumni over its push to make the institution more welcoming to women and ethnic minorities. The Virginia Military Institute (VMI), whose most famous graduates include Gen George Marshall and Gen George Patton, has been under scrutiny since an independent 2021 report found it failed to address institutional racism and sexism. Cedric Wins, a retired army general, was later appointed as the VMIs superintendent, the institutions first black leader in its 183-year history. He vowed to take a zero-tolerance approach to racism and sexism and defended the decision to remove a statue of Stonewall Jackson, famed Confederate general and former VMI professor, amid fierce opposition. He has also overseen reforms such as mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training for administrators. But the initiatives have prompted a fierce backlash from a group of powerful alumni, who have refuted the suggestion that the VMI is inherently, or in any other way racist. Former alumni of the Virginia Military Institute have noted that the share of cadets of colour nearly doubled from 1992 to 2020 - Justin Ide/Getty Images They have formed a political action committee named the Spirit of the VMI and raised more than $273,000 to lobby politicians over the states latest culture war. Reject the woke assault on VMI, close ranks, one of its websites states. The opposition is being led by Matt Daniel, a former classmate of Mr Wins. Both graduated from the college in 1985. Mr Daniel, 60, a white former US Marine, was initially supportive of his brother rat, as VMI classmates are known. He wrote of Mr Wins appointment in an alumni magazine: If there was ever a leader to take the helm and navigate VMI through such odd and dark shark-infested waters, it is Cedric Wins. But Mr Daniel and other VMI graduates are now at war with Mr Wins, 59, over the colleges future. Since Mr Wins appointment, the institution has removed Confederate emblems from its campus and hired diversity officers and admissions counsellors to attract more ethnic minority and female students. Story continues The group has taken particular umbrage with DEI, which it argued is unnecessary, promotes racial division [and] encourages victimhood. Mocking cartoons posted It has posted cartoons mocking Mr Wins initiatives. It published one showing a woman stuffed inside a bin, upside down, with her high heels hanging over the top and a DEI sign sticking out. Mr Daniel, chairman of the Spirit of VMI, said the colleges focus should be on ensuring equality of opportunity, which has been the keystone of the institute since its inception. Founded in 1839, the VMI was a key training ground for Confederate soldiers during the US Civil War, and did not admit black cadets until 1968, or women until 1997, when it was compelled to do so by a landmark Supreme Court ruling. Its 1,500 students remain mostly white and male, with black students making up about 8 per cent of the cadets, and women accounting for 13.5 per cent. A Washington Post report alleging rampant racism at the institution triggered a state-ordered investigation into racism and sexism at the school in 2020. A probe by a law firm found racial slurs and jokes are not uncommon at the institution, and contribute to an atmosphere of hostility toward minorities. The report noted that VMI has no explicitly racist or sexist policies that it enforces but the facts reflect an overall racist and sexist culture. The findings were heavily criticised by some former alumni, who said while racist incidents occurred, the claims of ongoing institutional racism were simply inaccurate. They noted that the share of cadets of colour nearly doubled from 1992 to 2020. THAILAND, Lopburi (Reuters) - American soldiers received Muay Thai lessons from a champion fighter in Thailand during the annual multilateral "Cobra Gold" military drills hosted by the Asian nation. Soldiers took instruction and punched and kicked alongside Thai champion Sombat Banchamek, or Buakaw (White Lotus) as he is widely known in the country. "For every U.S. soldier who came to train in Cobra Gold, they also want to exchange and study our culture regarding Muay Thai, which is our national art, Buakaw said. The 42nd annual Cobra Gold exercises, a war games event, was attended by 7,394 personnel from 30 countries this year. "This stuff we need to know how to do and to learn from one of the best in the entire world," said U.S. soldier SPC Adam Castle. "Its been really great to learn some skills that we can take back and use in the future," he added. (Reporting by Artorn Pookasook, Napat Wesshasarta, writing by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Hugh Lawson) Vesuvius plc (LON:VSVS) will increase its dividend on the 31st of May to 0.1575, which is 5.0% higher than last year's payment from the same period of 0.15. This will take the dividend yield to an attractive 5.1%, providing a nice boost to shareholder returns. View our latest analysis for Vesuvius Vesuvius' Earnings Easily Cover The Distributions A big dividend yield for a few years doesn't mean much if it can't be sustained. However, prior to this announcement, Vesuvius' dividend was comfortably covered by both cash flow and earnings. As a result, a large proportion of what it earned was being reinvested back into the business. Looking forward, earnings per share is forecast to fall by 19.6% over the next year. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio could be 42%, which we consider to be quite comfortable, with most of the company's earnings left over to grow the business in the future. Dividend Volatility While the company has been paying a dividend for a long time, it has cut the dividend at least once in the last 10 years. Since 2013, the annual payment back then was 0.218, compared to the most recent full-year payment of 0.223. Dividend payments have been growing, but very slowly over the period. We're glad to see the dividend has risen, but with a limited rate of growth and fluctuations in the payments the total shareholder return may be limited. The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to evaluate if earnings per share is growing, which could point to a growing dividend in the future. We are encouraged to see that Vesuvius has grown earnings per share at 38% per year over the past five years. A low payout ratio gives the company a lot of flexibility, and growing earnings also make it very easy for it to grow the dividend. Vesuvius Looks Like A Great Dividend Stock Overall, a dividend increase is always good, and we think that Vesuvius is a strong income stock thanks to its track record and growing earnings. The distributions are easily covered by earnings, and there is plenty of cash being generated as well. If earnings do fall over the next 12 months, the dividend could be buffeted a little bit, but we don't think it should cause too much of a problem in the long term. All in all, this checks a lot of the boxes we look for when choosing an income stock. Story continues Companies possessing a stable dividend policy will likely enjoy greater investor interest than those suffering from a more inconsistent approach. Still, investors need to consider a host of other factors, apart from dividend payments, when analysing a company. Case in point: We've spotted 2 warning signs for Vesuvius (of which 1 is potentially serious!) you should know about. Looking for more high-yielding dividend ideas? Try our collection of strong dividend payers. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Reports from the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office state that at approximately 11:45 Saturday night, Deputies were dispatched to a local hospital because someone had been shot. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Deputies a man in his early 20s with a gunshot wound to his lower extremities. Thankfully, officials state that the injuries are non-life threatening. Officers determined the incident occurred in the 5600 Collins Road and at this time the suspect is unknown and still outstanding. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Violent Crime Detectives and Crime Scene Detectives have responded to the scene and are currently conducting their investigation. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] If you have any other information about this incident, please call the JSO non-emergency number (904) 630-0500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. LAS CRUCES - Property crime reports rose last year. That news won't come as a surprise to many Las Cruces residents. Yet, despite a historic increase in vehicle thefts, many crimes including burglary, sexual assault and robbery remained at or near their 30-year average. Las Cruces Police Department Chief Miguel Dominguez presented the crime data and provided updates about staffing during a city council work session Feb. 27. Dominguez, who's led the department since November 2020, began his two-hour presentation by acknowledging the officers he leads. "I'm proud of every single one of them," Dominguez said. "They do an exceptional job under a lot of duress." Violent crime Overall, violent crime trends mostly stagnated in 2022. Reports of criminal homicides, sexual assaults, robberies and aggravated assaults totaled similar to those reported in 2021. Reports of homicide totaled 10 in 2022 and nine in 2021. Typically, LCPD investigates five murders per year. But the last three years have seen that rate nearly double. Reports of aggravated assaults tapered off in 2022, however. The FBI defines aggravated assaults as any use of force or threat of use of force for categorization. The double meaning can create a confusing distinction between the category of aggravated assault and the crime defined in New Mexico law as aggravated assault. But in this context, the category can include everything from a bar brawl to a non-fatal shooting. Las Cruces has seen a drastic rise in aggravated assaults in recent years and reached an historic high in 2021 of 562 reports. In 2022, the department received 551 reports. Like aggravated assault, reports of robberies also tapered in 2022. The FBI defines robbery as the use of force or threat of force to take something from someone which is different from burglary or theft. Because of its aggressive nature, the FBI and LCPD classify robbery as violent. On average, Las Cruces reports about 80 robberies per year. LCPD reported 78 robberies in 2022. Story continues Unlike aggravated assaults, reported robberies remain below historic highs. That distinction belongs to the mid-1990s. For example, LCPD reported 124 robberies in 1993 and 1995, the highest ever reported. Still, reports of robberies had declined until 2019, when they shot up to median levels. The last category of violent crime is also the least certain. Sexual assault encompasses crimes such as criminal sexual penetration and criminal sexual contact, commonly referred to as rape and molestation. Sexual assault crimes are historically underreported. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, or RAINN a national advocacy group for sexual assault survivors estimates that two of every three sexual assaults go unreported to police. RAINN also estimates that eight in every 10 sexual assault survivors knew the perpetrators before the assault occurred, creating a complicating factor that disincentivizes reporting. According to RAINN, romantic partners and family members make up the largest group of perpetrators. In Las Cruces, 2022 saw a slight increase in the number of reported sexual assaults, which was already above the 30-year average. On average, LCPD reports 50 sexual assaults annually; in 2022, the department reported 60. Property crime Crimes against property broke down differently than crimes against people. Burglary, felony larceny, vehicle theft, and arson rose by at least 20 percent from 2021 to 2022. Despite a sharp decline in 2021, burglaries (which include residential and commercial burglaries) reached a 10-year high in 2022. While 2022 marked a 10-year increase in reported burglaries, 2022's total of 965 reports only exceeds the 30-year average by about 15. This is because burglary reports rose and stayed high in the 1990s before declining in the following decades. But no report of any crime ballooned as much as vehicle thefts. Three times as many vehicles were stolen in 2022 compared to 30-year averages. Before that, 2021 saw the highest number of reported vehicle thefts during that same period. During the council meeting, Dominguez said LCPD recovered about 68% of stolen vehicles. "We locate many of those vehicles somewhere in the county," Dominguez said, speculating that many of the rest are taken to Texas. Staffing issues Dominguez also updated the council on LCPD's staffing. As of his presentation, Dominguez said LCPD operates with a force of 169 officers. "These are actually the officers that are on the street right now," Dominguez said. "We have more on paper, but they're on extended leave for things like military leave and leaves of absences." According to budget documents, the department can staff 202 officers. But in recent years, LCPD has struggled to retain a full roster of officers. Staffing shortages result in high caseloads on detectives, limit how long patrol officers can spend on each call, delay response time and force LCPD to stay reactive when addressing crime, Dominguez said. It's also ballooned LCPD's overtime cost by 136%, according to Dominguez. Dominguez added that he expects more officers to enter the department's ranks in the coming weeks. LCPD's academy will graduate 18 cadets and is looking to hire six officers from other departments. "Combined, that should be 24 officers that are hitting field training in April, and that's going to be a big help for us," he said. Dominguez plans to request a budget increase for LCPD to hire 20 more officers next year. LCPD consumes the biggest chunk of the city's general fund, about 40%, every year. Justin Garcia covers crime, courts and public safety. He can be reached via email at JEGarcia@lcsun-news.com. Others are reading: This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: 2022 crime trends near 30-year average, historic highs for some A fire lit by a protester in Athens, Greece over a recent train crash. Costas Baltas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Tempers flared in Greece on Sunday as protesters clashed with police over a deadly train crash that killed 57 people, in the worst rail disaster in Greek history. Demonstrators gathered outside the Greek Parliament building in Athens BBC News estimated that the crowd numbered at least 12,000. Violence soon erupted, with police using tear gas to drive the protesters back as they began throwing Molotov cocktails and lighting trash bins on fire. Greece has erupted in anger following the crash last Tuesday between a freight train and a passenger train. The two trains collided head-on, causing both to derail and burst into flames. While the cause of the crash is under investigation, The New York Times reported that the trains were speeding at each other for at least 12 minutes before colliding. Greece has long had one of Europe's worst rail safety records, with CNN citing "the highest railway fatality rate per million train kilometers from 2018 to 2020 among 28 nations." Protesters have been demanding reforms to the country's railway regulations, and the Greek transport minister has already resigned in the wake of the crash. The protests continued even as Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis apologized for the accident. In a translated statement from Facebook, Mitsotakis wrote that he owes "everyone, but above all the relatives of the victims, a big SORRY." "We all know that the country's railways are deeply troubled," Mitsotakis added. "It is perhaps the extreme expression of a Greece that does not suit us and we want to leave it behind." Despite the apology, the protests continued in Athens throughout the day. You may also like Companies are turning to personality tests as remote and hybrid work becomes normal Chris Rock rips Will Smith over Oscars slap in live Netflix special 7 on-the-nose cartoons about 'canceling' Dilbert Volkswagen Group-backed Scout Motors announced on Friday a massive investment in Blythewood, South Carolina. The company has pledged to invest $2 billion there to build its first manufacturing facility, which has the potential of creating at least 4,000 permanent jobs. Scout Motors, a spinoff of Volkswagen, will build all-electric trucks and rugged SUVs from a facility at the Blythewood Industrial Site, off Interstate 77, according to a news release from the South Carolina Department of Commerce. ALSO READ: Group hopes to recruit high school students to take up manufacturing jobs The Richland County plant is expected to occupy 1,100 acres of the 1,600-acre site. Blythewood is a small town about 22 miles north of Columbia and 93 miles away from Charlotte. Read more here. (WATCH BELOW: Group hopes to recruit high school students to join manufacturing jobs) The Washington State Senate passed Senator Claire Wilsons bill on Thursday that would increase access to affordable childcare and strengthen Washingtons childcare workforce, Sen. Wilson announced in a news release on Friday. The goal of Senate Bill 5225 is to allow more families to qualify for state-subsidized childcare. To do this, the bill would expand the eligibility requirements for the Working Connections Child Care program. Childcare providers are struggling to find employees. This is often because the staff cant find their own childcare. SB 5225 would make childcare employees eligible for the subsidy, so they can go back to work, the news release said. Expanding eligibility to more families will not only result in children getting more care, but it will also make for a strong, stable, and available workforce, said Sen. Wilson. The bill would also expand the eligibility for families in the therapeutic court system. Along with providing stable and consistent care for their children. SB 5225 would also allow childcare access for parents who arent eligible because of documentation status. via Twitter Just as the Wagner Group appears on track to bring Moscow its first battlefield win in Ukraine in months, founder Yevgeny Prigozhin has released a nearly four-minute video apparently issuing a veiled threat to the Kremlin. Unlike a video released a day earlier, in which Prigozhin gleefully boasted that Wagner was on the brink of victory in Bakhmut, this time he spoke solemnly in a dark room to warn of the bloody consequences for Russia if his men were to now retreat. If Wagner retreats from Bakhmut now, the whole front will collapse, he said. The situation will be unpleasant for all military formations protecting Russias interests, he added, claiming the [Russian] army would be forced to stabilize the front while Crimea falls and there would be many other cataclysms. Predicting that Wagner would be scapegoated for Russia losing the war, he said mercenaries under his command would know exactly who to blame for the betrayal. And this is exactly the problem with ammunition hunger. Regular fighters They will come and say, Boss, could it be that this story is being played up somewhere deep in the Defense Ministry, or maybe higher, in order to explain to the Russian people why we ended up in this trouble? What if they want to set us up and say we are villains, and thats why we arent given ammo and weapons and allowed to reinforce personnel, including convicts? Apparently trying to drill home the message that Wagnerand not Russias regular armywas the one keeping the Kremlins war machine afloat, Prigozhin repeatedly described his mercenaries as the cement holding the whole war effort together at the very top. It was not clear if his message was meant as an ultimatum to strong-arm defense officials into sending Wagner the help Prigozhin has repeatedly alleged the Defense Ministry is deliberately withholding. Or if it was simply a demand for the mercenary group to get credit for its ruthless performance on the battlefield. Story continues While Prigozhin is long said to have had President Vladimir Putins ear, there have been growing signs in recent weeks that hes now become a thorn in the Kremlins side. His simmering feud with top Russian military brass erupted last month into him publicly accusing Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov of committing treason by trying to destroy Wagner, supposedly because they were jealous that the shadowy group had outshined regular troops on the battlefield. He suggested they were also to blame for Wagner having been sidelined from recruiting convicts for the war effort. But the Kremlin so far has stood by its own military brass and omitted Wagner from its announcements about the state of the war. And some close to Prigozhin reportedly fear that his power grab might dramatically backfire. One unnamed source in his circle told the Financial Times late last month, Theres a risk he could end up like Icarus. , , , . pic.twitter.com/1eHPg6LKvb AB (@ABnewsReal) March 4, 2023 Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Making his daily rounds, Dr. Oleh Berezyuk admittedly tried his hardest to downplay Feb. 24 as just another day. The psychiatrist and psychotherapist didnt want to appear somber or overly reflective on the one-year mark of the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine. He didn't want to further disrupt the mental states of his patients suffering from PTSD and other stress-related conditions. He also hadnt heard any air raid sirens yet. Right now, we are not counting them; we used to, said Berezyuk, the director of the first-of-its-kind mental health center in Lviv. (The sirens) are a part of our lives now. We know how to respond. Today is a peaceful day so far. As the war enters its second year, the 5-month-old center shows how Ukraine is making mental health a big-picture priority in the midst of a deadly conflict the world is watching. For Berezyuk, the work is personal. He visited the room of a soldier with a traumatic brain injury after at least 15 concussions since the Russian invasion. Next, Berezyuk checks on another soldier who had his lower limbs amputated from battling in combat. About a third of the center's patients have participated in the Ukrainian military, Berezyuk said. The doctor pauses, then takes a deep breath, knowing that the work of his team of fellow physicians to heal their patients' spirits must go on. "We are doing our jobs. Nothing more, nothing less," Berezyuk said. "We have adapted to war and the challenges that come with it. Oleh Berezyuk, left, talks with JustAnswer CEO Andy Kurtzig and a group of physicians about his goals during the opening of a mental health center in Lviv, Ukraine as the war-torn country is putting an emphasis on improving its citizens' mental health. Ukrainians' well-being in the spotlight According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 5 people (22%) who live in a region affected by conflict in a 10-year period is estimated to have some mental health condition ranging from mild depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or psychosis. In relation to the conflict in Ukraine, the WHO estimates that as many as 9.6 million people may have a mental health condition, of whom 3.9 million may have needs that are moderate or severe. Story continues Ukrainians' well-being has become a focal point for Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska who is working with the WHO to create a mental health and psychosocial roadmap with the input of more than 1,000 experts worldwide to help strengthen her country's mental health system. Last month, WHO's Regional Director for Europe Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge tweeted that Zelenska summed up the situation in Ukraine: "Everyone in society has to become a psychologist." Kludge said the ongoing war is placing "an enormous strain on the mental health and well-being of all Ukrainians, and its vital we begin addressing this now. Those sentiments are shared by Berezyuk and other local leaders in Lviv a city with a population of about 700,000 that was once considered a safe haven but is now a frequent target for Russian forces to push for a facility focusing on mental health. "For us, it's very important to have such staunch support," Berezyuk said. "But we can't do it by ourselves. We need help." Ukraine mental health center is 'not some makeshift operation' Officially known as the Lviv Mental Health Center, the 5,000-square-foot renovated space offers free and low-cost services from about a dozen professional psychotherapists and psychiatrists. The goal is to treat wounded Ukrainian soldiers and locals suffering from PTSD and other stress-related conditions brought on by the war. "This is not some makeshift operation," JustAnswer founder and CEO Andy Kurtzig told USA TODAY. A bulk of the costs to construct the mental health center in Lviv came from Kurtzig and his wife Sara's nonprofit the Arizae Foundation. He projects the mental health center will conduct more than 40,000 consultations in 2023. Housed in a reconstructed building, both the mental health center and a rehabilitation center that shares the same space are adjacent to the Lviv Emergency City Hospital, which previously served as a general health clinic for non-urgent care. SUPPORT FOR GIVING UKRAINE WEAPONS FADE: A majority of the Russian army is now in Ukraine US TECH CEO TAKES FAMILY TO HELP UKRAINE: Tech CEO and family spend spring break helping colleagues in war-ravaged Ukraine Lviv's mental health center receives both local government and private funding, including from the Lviv IT Cluster, a local trade organization renowned for its charity work, Berezyuk said. The center has 15 rooms for individual and group therapy sessions. Many patients arrive by train from eastern Ukraine, where much of the war's hostile activities occur, Berezyuk said, adding that Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are usually big days for patient admissions. Berezyuk and his team have set out to ensure patients meet a psychotherapist or psychiatrist usually within a day after arrival. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, left, presents JustAnswer CEO Andy Kurtzig, center, with gifts during the grand opening of a mental health center in the Ukrainian city in October 2022. Kurtzig's nonprofit helped fund the center, which opened eight months after Russia invaded Ukraine. Kurtzig's company has dozens of employees still working in Ukraine. A critical time for providing services The mental health center's presence comes as Ukraine's Minister of Health Viktor Liashko recently said that more than 1,200 health care institutions across the country have been damaged because of the war. This includes 540 hospitals partially destroyed and 173 completely ruined, Liashko told media outlet Ukrinform. The health minister also said the World Bank and the WHO estimate the losses to Ukraine's health care system to be in the tens of billions of dollars. The most recent figure they presented in September was around $26 billion. Liashko said restoring some of those structures to pre-pandemic condition could cost upward of $1 billion. US HAS SPENT BILLIONS ON UKRAINE WAR AID: But is that money landing in corrupt pockets? BIDEN'S SURPRISE VISIT TO UKRAINE: How President Biden pulled off a secret trip to Ukraine one year into Russia's war During his visit to a recently-opened mental health center in Lviv, Ukraine last year, JustAnswer CEO Andy Kurtzig, right, posed with a staffer, left, and a Ukrainian soldier who had part of his right leg amputated after fighting in the war with Russia. Berezyuk told USA TODAY that the mental health center has become a "life-saving tool" as more than a third of patients who use it are military personnel suffering from depression, PTSD, anxiety, and psychosomatic disorders. Berezyuk, a former Ukrainian politician, hopes the center will have more advanced psychotherapeutic tools for cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, prolonged exposure therapy, body-oriented therapy, art therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. He also wants to get more staff onboard as well. "Working in the difficult conditions of war and helping people with severe reactions to war trauma, we must pay more attention to the health of the employees of our center, preventing the development of secondary PTSD and burnout," Berezyuk said. Expert: Ukraine upgrading its mental health system during war is rare The fact Ukraine is taking the steps to strengthen its mental health system in multiple ways during an ongoing war is rare, said Michelle Engels, a mental health and psychosocial support advisor for International Medical Corps, a humanitarian group that is providing medical and mental health services in Ukraine. "It's incredibly ambitious as you often don't see that in active conflict," Engels said. Engels is a clinical psychologist currently leading a Kyiv-based team of psychologists and social workers helping Ukrainians cope with the war. Her organization is partnering with the country's Ministry of Health to also offer mobile mental health training to local first responders and non-health specialists. This may include helping traumatized residents with stress management techniques, and breathing exercises to "help keep them grounded amid chaos," Engels said. There is a need for mental health resources across Ukraine, said Abraham Flaxman, a global health professor at the University of Washington. "In some ways, you really can't call what Ukrainians are going through post-traumatic stress because they are in the midst of this continuous stress," said Flaxman, who was a data scientist on the international team that compiled the latest war-related mental health statistics for the WHO. While Engels said her organization is usually going from region to region, she appreciates that a mental health center in Lviv can also provide access to Ukrainians navigating an overwhelming environment. She said a similar mental health center opened in the city of Bucha, near Kyiv, in August that also has governmental backing. "There is a unique momentum to see such community-based care here," said Engels who's been on mental health response missions in other war-torn countries including Iraq, Turkey, and Syria in her 20-year career. "This is not something you see in every country." UKRAINE WAR WEARING ON THE US: As Americans grow weary of the Ukraine war, Biden marked the Russia invasion milestone US WANTS CHINA TO STEER CLEAR OF UKRAINE: As war in Ukraine continues, US officials warn Beijing to stay out of it While not unparalleled to those other afflicted nations, the mental health crisis in Ukraine is also with cause. According to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, more than 8,000 civilians have been killed and more than 13,000 injured since Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago. Engels said it's unfair to compare Ukraine's mental health strategy with other war-torn environments. "I think you really can't. An atrocity is an atrocity because there are so many human rights abuses, trauma, and terror in the other countries I've worked in," Engels said. "Unfortunately, Ukraine is no exception." 'Our mental health will be a part of our survival' Berezyuk said since the mental health center in Lviv opened in October, at least four smaller community clinics have also opened across the city. "Communities are the most important part of the healing process," Berezyuk said. Flaxman, the University of Washington health professor, praises Berezyuk, Kurtzig and many others who are putting their resources into an "underappreciated and overlooked" area of health. "This is the most dire of situations," Flaxman said. "So any resources, be it public, private, and philanthropic, will be valuable for Ukraine for many years to come." Berezyuk hopes so. "The war is making us stronger and we will survive and win. Our mental health will be a part of our survival," he said. Oleh Berezyuk, director of the Lviv National Mental Health Center, left, chats with JustAnswer CEO Andy Kurtzig during the center's grand opening in October 2022. Berezyuk said more than a third of its patients are those serving in the military. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine gets new mental health center for soldiers, locals with trauma The Biden administration is keeping the door open when it comes to U.S. support for Ukraine taking back Russian-occupied Crimea. Administration officials have repeatedly sidestepped questions about whether Washington would support Kyivs efforts to retake the annexed peninsula, punting the issue to further down the road. Even as some lawmakers have called for the administration to be clearer about its stance, experts say the strategy of ambiguity is a way for the United States to hedge its bets on a contested piece of land that may help bring Russia to the negotiating table to end the war. They may believe that there is value in holding Crimea at risk in order to put pressure on the Russians to come to the negotiating table, said Chris Chivvis, a former U.S. national intelligence officer in Europe and current director of the American Statecraft Program at the Carnegie Endowment. Its possible that thats driving their policy. Even if they dont actually believe that its likely that Crimea will be returned to Ukraine militarily. The Crimean Peninsula has been a conflict zone since Russia invaded and annexed it in early 2014, with little Ukrainian progress on taking it back until this past year. While still considered official Ukrainian territory with the West denouncing the invasion many gave Kyiv little chance to reclaim it given geographic and military limitations. That mindset has shifted, however, a year after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his now-disastrous war. As Ukrainian troops continue to reclaim large swaths of land from Russian forces, the view has changed over Kyivs potential to take Crimea back. Ukraine has been clear that its own goal is to reclaim the peninsula, with President Volodymyr Zelensky in September vowing that his forces would claw back every bit of territory the Russians had taken. We can return the Ukrainian flag to our entire territory. We can do it with the force of arms, he said in a video address to the United Nations General Assembly. But we need time. Zelensky repeated that view in a video appearance at the World Economic Forums annual meeting in January, asserting that Crimea is our land, our territory. we will return what is ours. Though U.S. officials have said that Washington will support Ukraine for however long it takes for them to win the war, theyve been unwilling to give full support to Kyivs ambitions in Crimea. Thats in part due to the heavy arms long-range missiles, tanks and aircraft that would likely be required to mount a successful offensive to regain control of Crimea. National security adviser Jake Sullivan last month dodged questions on whether the Biden administration would support the Ukrainian goal. The critical thing right now is that they need to take back the territory in the south and the east that they are currently focused on and we need to give them the tools to be able to do that, Sullivan said on NBCs Meet The Press. The question of Crimea, and the question of what happens down the road, is something that we will come to, Sullivan added. The Pentagon also touched on the subject in January, when deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said the U.S. has long held the position that Crimea is part of Ukraine and supports the Ukrainians taking back their territory by any means that they can. But she declined to say if the U.S. military endorses such a move on Crimea specifically, telling reporters that we dont dictate to the Ukrainians how to run their operations. When asked this past week about the Pentagons stance on the issue, a spokesperson declined to offer anything further. Senior Defense Department officials in early February also told lawmakers that Ukrainian forces are unlikely to be able to retake Crimea from Russia in the near future, Politico reported. Lawmakers have since expressed doubt over whether Ukraine can conceivably recapture the peninsula, with House Armed Services Committee ranking member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) last month saying theres more of a consensus that Ukraine is not going to militarily retake Crimea. Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.), a fellow committee member, also believes the U.S. strategy is one that leaves the door open for peace negotiations. Its important before negotiations even begin that we dont try to prejudge what the outcomes could be, Kim told The Hill. Ive seen a lot of negotiations lead in very different places than we initially expected. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), who also sits on the panel, said U.S. ambiguity on Crimea suits our purposes. I dont think the administration should be dictating Ukrainian operational policy, Gallagher said. We can provide them weapons, but we dont need to say take XYZ. Not everyone has been pleased with the U.S. stance, with some GOP lawmakers pressing the administration to provide an outlook for what the end of the war between Russia and Ukraine might look like. Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan (R) on Feb. 26 said U.S. officials should be more clear about whether U.S. support for Ukraine extends to retaking Russian-occupied Crimea. Michael Kimmage, a historian of U.S.-Russian relations at the Catholic University of America, said if you squint between the lines of what the Biden administration has so far said, it appears that theyre not crazy about the idea of Ukraine really putting Crimea in its sights. In terms of any sort of major military events, its probably not in the cards this year, for practical, military reasons, said Kimmage, who also held the Russia/Ukraine portfolio on the State Departments policy planning staff from 2014 to 2016. He added that, for the time being, the U.S. had more urgent tasks in its sights, including the battle thats raging around Bakhmut, the possibility Ukraine could take back more territory in the Donbas, and fear over a potential Russian strike in the north. There are lots of things to worry about that are not particularly connected to Crimea, that may just fall higher on the agenda, Kimmage said. Joe Biden. Illustrated | Gettyimages On Thursday, President Biden announced he would support a GOP-led effort to overturn a recently-passed criminal code reform bill for Washington, D.C., writing that while he supports "D.C. statehood and home rule" he doesn't support "some of the changes" the city council passed over mayor Muriel Bowser's objections. "If the Senate votes to overturn what D.C. Council did," he promised, "I'll sign it." Predictably, Biden's contortionist act in service of a Republican legislative push has angered a large swath of his own party, for whom the issue of D.C.'s ability to self-govern has long been a major priority. And that the president had initially opposed efforts to overturn the D.C. Council's bill has only exacerbated the sense from some Democrats that his decision is a sign of ideological inconsistency in the service of political expediency. At the heart of all this is the "Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022" a years-in-the-making bill that updates the District's criminal code for the first time since it was chartered in 1901. In November, the D.C. Council unanimously approved the revised code, only to have Mayor Bowser veto the act two months later on the grounds that certain reforms would overwhelm an already stretched-thin justice system and might "send the wrong message." That same month, however, the council overrode Bowser's veto by a 12-1 vote, setting up the Capitol Hill clash in which Biden now finds himself. Since D.C. remains ultimately governed by Congress, House Republicans and several dozen Democrats successfully voted to nix the crime bill, while the bulk of the Democratic minority voted to essentially let it stand, believing at the time that they were following the guidance of the White House and its broad support for D.C. self-governance. Even before Biden voiced his opposition to the revision, the measure to kill the act looked set to pass the Senate, with moderate Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) pledging to side with Republicans. Now, by announcing his intent to sign the GOP-led bill, Biden has ostensibly given other centrist Democrats the political coverage to join with the right and enact their national legislative will over the objections of D.C. residents themselves including Bowser, who, despite her opposition to the substance of the act, has petitioned Congress to let the law stand on the grounds of "basic democratic principles of self-determination and local control." Story continues Democrats aren't happy "I think it is all political," Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), who represents D.C. in Congress, told Politico after Biden's announcement. "It comes at a time when crime is going up around the country. I had hoped that [Biden] would stick to where he usually has been, which is to support home rule, whatever the District says. But this issue stands out because it affects so many members." "A lot of us who are allies voted no in order to support what the White House wanted," one unnamed House Democrat told The Hill. "Now we are being hung out to dry. F****** (sic) AMATEUR HOUR. HEADS SHOULD ROLL OVER AT THE WHITE HOUSE OVER THIS." Local D.C. officials have also spoken out against Biden's announcement. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said efforts to nix the law "[degrade] the right of [D.C.'s] nearly 700,000 residents and elected officials to self-govern a right that almost every other American has," while Councilmember Charles Allen noted that "until the nearly 700,000 residents of D.C. have full statehood and autonomy, we will be seen and treated as a colony, even by those who purport to support us." "These issues should not be decided by us for the D.C. people," Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) told NPR. "They should have their own representatives doing that." The bigger picture? Ultimately, Biden's decision to backtrack means he believes the GOP-forged criticism that crime "is a serious vulnerability for Democrats," Politico's Ryan Lizza, Rachael Bade, and Eugene Daniels concluded. "[He believes] his party should insulate itself, even if that means violating a core principle about self-governance." "Biden could be looking ahead to 2024, although he hasn't officially announced his plans to seek reelection," The Hill's Brett Samuels and Alex Gangitano concurred. "A veto would undoubtedly be used by the GOP in campaign ads and arguments for the rest of the cycle as Republicans push out the rhetoric that Democrats are too soft on crime." Meanwhile, the high-profile debate over the bill has once again pushed the broader issue of statehood into the national spotlight. In a letter to The Wall Street Journal opinion section following an editorial denouncing the District's municipal legislation, Mayor Bowser wrote bluntly that "if the sanity of a jurisdiction's local laws were the measure of whether statehood should be granted, I'm not sure we'd have any states at all. A quick internet search unearths hundreds of local laws that might seem crazy to you or me." "But, frankly, it's none of my business or yours," she concluded. "That's the whole point of our representative government. We, the people, get to decide." You may also like Biden unlikely to attend coronation of King Charles III, White House sources say Camila Alves McConaughey describes 'chaos' on flight that 'dropped almost 4,000 feet' Philippines says it spotted Chinese naval ship near disputed island Marianne Williamson, the first officially declared Democratic candidate for president in 2024, accused the Democratic National Committee (DNC) of rigging the primary system in favor of President Biden as she begins her long-shot bid to win the partys nomination. The DNC should not be rigging this system, Williamson said in an interview with ABCs This Week. They dont even pretend anymore. Theyre not even covert about their swaying the primary season. Theyre very overt about it. The rigging that Williamson railed against included the Biden-backed plan to move New Hampshire from its place as the first primary of election season and replace it with South Carolina, which Biden won overwhelmingly in 2020. Williamson said that people in New Hampshire were not happy about that. Williamson welcomed an opportunity to debate Biden, though the DNC has yet to plan any presidential debates for the 2024 election. Williamson said that Biden should debate her and give the voters a chance to decide who should be the nominee. It should be the voters who decide, Williamson said. It should not be the DNC that decides. Williamson said that she will absolutely compete in the New Hampshire primary, even as party leaders try to scrap it as the first primary state. Williamson has pitched herself as a more progressive candidate than Biden she endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) when she dropped out of the 2020 Democratic primary. But she said she does not intend to take personal shots at the president, whom she called a nice man. I dont see myself as running against Joe Biden, Williamson said. I see this campaign as challenging a system. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Wilmington Railroad Museum on Nutt Street downtown. A railroad police officer who was murdered a century ago will be honored in Washington, D.C., this year thanks to research done by a Wilmington museum. Holli Saperstein, executive director of the Wilmington Railroad Museum, said the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., recently notified her that William C. Callihan's name will be added to the memorial during a ceremony scheduled for May 13 in Washington. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 2016. Saperstein said that in the course of doing research on railroad police for an upcoming museum exhibit, a volunteer, Christine Williams, discovered that Callihan, who was a police officer for the Wilmington-based Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL), did not have his name included on the memorial. Callihan is already honored on law enforcement memorials at the state capitol in Raleigh and in Cumberland County, where he lived and was a deputy sheriff, in addition to his ACL duties. He was killed near Fayetteville on Feb. 24, 1923. William C. Callihan, who was a police officer for the Wilmington-based Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, was murdered by one or more bootleggers in the line of duty in 2023. Williams is a "historian and retired police officer who spent months researching and documenting the crime and Callihan's story," Saperstein said. "She made it her calling." A resident of Appleton, Wisconsin, Williams began volunteering at the Railroad Museum in January of 2022 when she spent the winter in Wilmington, where her husband works. "This has been a big education for me," Williams said, in that while she'd volunteered for museums and done historical research in Wisconsin, she'd never delved into railroad history specifically. "I didn't even known railroad police existed until recently." She presented her findings to the nonprofit that runs the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, which accepted them. The names of several ACL police officers killed in the line of duty are on the memorial, but Callihan's wasn't. Established in 1984, the memorial honors more than 23,000 U.S. law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty throughout American history. Story continues A tragic tale The story of Callihan's murder is a tragic one, a tale of multiple lives needlessly ruined by violence, greed and possibly racism and a wrongful conviction. "It feels like one of those true-crime dramas," Saperstein said. According to a Fayetteville Observer article from 1980, Callihan, a special deputy for the ACL's railroad police, was in the woods with two friends when he saw two men drive up, get out of the car and hide several large bags in the woods. Those bags turned out to be filled with jars of moonshine whiskey. Prohibition was in effect in 1923 and possessing or consuming alcohol was outlawed. The manufacture, distribution and sale of illegal alcohol, known as "bootlegging," was a potentially lucrative and risky pastime, both for those who engaged in it and those who tried to stop it. While Callihan was investigating the hidden bags, the bootleggers returned and one of them shot Callihan, who died four hours later in a Fayetteville hospital. A man named John Smith was quickly arrested for the crime. Things then took a turn. A few days after his arrest, Smith, who was white, was released and a man named Joel Levy, a Native American descended from the Croatan tribe that once inhabited Cumberland, Sampson, and Harnett counties, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. During Levy's first trial, several people, including a police officer, testified to having seen Levy in Fayetteville at the time of the murder. In addition, a nurse at the Fayetteville hospital where Callihan was taken said the officer told her before he died that Smith was the person who shot him. That trial ended in a mistrial, but the second time he was tried Levy was convicted of second-degree murder. Smith was never prosecuted. According to The Fayetteville Observer story from 1980, the paper in 1923 "was sharply critical" of the police investigation of the shooting, "accusing the (department) of cloaking their inquiry with unexplained secrecy." One of Levy's defense attorneys, a man named J. Bayard Clark, who would later be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, said publicly that "Joel Levy was brought into court by one of the most diabolical frame-ups ever hatched in Cumberland County." Williams interviewed Callihans granddaughter, Barbara Capps of Fayetteville, in the course of her research. Williams said Capps told her that she remembered hearing her grandmother say, "The Indian didn't do it." (Newspaper accounts of the day spelled the slain officer's name as "Callahan," which is how it's spelled on the memorials in Raleigh and Cumberland County. Capps spells the family name "Callihan.") The Wilmington Railroad Museum on Nutt Street downtown. "My next step I would like to take would be to work with someone to try to get Levy pardoned," Williams said. The Wilmington Railroad Museum, established in 1979, preserves the history of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and the history of railroads in Wilmington and the southeastern United States. It's located on Nutt Street in downtown Wilmington, in an old ACL freight office that dates to 1883. "We're going to definitely feature something about" Callihan in a future exhibit, Saperstein said. "It's too bad it's taken 100 years." This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington NC museum recognizes forgotten slain officer from 1923 By James Oliphant OXON HILL, Maryland (Reuters) - Reminders of former President Donald Trump's towering influence over the Republican Party were everywhere at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference this weekend in Washington. There were kiosks hawking Trump hats and shirts, attendees sporting "Make America Great Again" stickers and even a mock Oval Office where attendees could be photographed next to Trump's picture. The three-day conference illustrated the iron grip he holds over the right-wing, grassroots base of his party and how hard it could be for a challenger to deny Trump the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. At the same time, it remains an open question whether Trump's appeal still extends beyond his hard-core loyalists. Public opinion polls showing many Republicans are looking for an alternative such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, believing they may offer a better chance of winning the White House. Trump served as the closing speaker for the event on Saturday. We are going to finish what we started," he said. "Were going to complete the mission. The capacity crowd in the ballroom chanted "Four more years!" While Trump and his supporters were holding forth at CPAC, DeSantis, who has not yet declared a presidential run, was busy burnishing his national profile and connecting with potential high-dollar campaign donors. He spoke at Republican fundraisers in Houston and Dallas and is expected to give a speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California on Sunday. DeSantis also attended a gathering for Republican donors in Florida held by the anti-tax group Club for Growth to which Trump was not invited. While he has spoken at past events, DeSantis skipped CPAC this time around. Still, his influence could be felt. Multiple speakers talked about pushing back against "wokeness," diversity and equity plans in education and transgender student athletes, key themes for DeSantis that have taken root among conservatives nationwide. Story continues The event, however, was heavily weighted toward Trump. The list of speakers was packed with Trump supporters such as U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, longtime allies including his former campaign adviser Steve Bannon, and members of Trump's family, who often received louder ovations than the officeholders who spoke. Kari Lake, who last year lost her bid to become Arizona's governor and who is an outspoken supporter of Trump's false claims that the 2020 election was riddled with fraud, was given a prime speaking slot, as was Jair Bolsonaro, the former right-wing president of Brazil. Both complained their elections had been stolen and both were greeted with applause from attendees. By contrast, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who is also seeking the Republican nomination, received a polite, if tepid response from the crowd, as did former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, another potential presidential candidate. Haley was met with chants of "Trump" in the hallway outside the ballroom where she gave her speech. Haley and Pompeo raised the loudest cheers when they were detailing the accomplishments of the Trump administration. In his remarks, Bannon maintained that Trump should be the Republican nominee, saying DeSantis and other potential challengers lacked experience. "We don't have time for on-the-job training," he said. Trump and DeSantis both are scheduled in the coming days to visit Iowa, which holds the first Republican nominating contest next year. SKIPPED BY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS CPAC once was a premier gathering of the party's Republicans in Washington but of late has become dominated by Trump and his supporters to the extent that it was skipped this year by most Republican members of Congress and the nation's Republican governors. Many speakers spoke to a half-empty ballroom and attendance overall seemed noticeably lower than in years past. Marleen Beck, 71, of Howard County, Maryland, said she would stand by Trump after voting for him twice. "Ron DeSantis is a good governor for Florida, but I don't think he's the person to run the country," she said. Beck said she was present for Trump's speech in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, when his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and argued he deserves no blame for the incident. Several attendees wore shirts memorializing Ashli Babbitt, who was killed by police inside the Capitol building. Lisa Friedman, 54, of Colchester, Vermont, was selling Trump T-shirts in the exhibit hall and wore one herself that read: "Ultra MAGA." She said DeSantis should stay out of the race. "I think he should wait until next time around," she said. But Riley Kass, 24, of Cassopolis, Michigan, said he voted for Trump in 2020 but had an open mind about the upcoming primary. "I think competition is good," Kass said, adding that he wished DeSantis had attended the conference. J. Hogan Gidley, a former White House spokesman for Trump, said the show of support for Trump by rank-and-file Republicans at the event demonstrated why he will be a formidable candidate. "These are the folks who are responsible for the blocking and tackling to win you elections, especially in the early primary states," Gidley said. (Reporting by James Oliphant; editing by Daniel Wallis and Jonathan Oatis) Rome police are investigating a shooting that left one woman dead Saturday night. Authorities said at 10:52 p.m. Saturday, officers received reports of a woman who was shot outside a house located on Shadow Brook Drive in Rome. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to the investigation, a domestic altercation between 21-year-old Ellis Geoffery Marrs and a 51-year-old woman resulted in the woman getting shot in the chest. Officers added that the situation included other household members but did not specify who. TRENDING STORIES: The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity has not been released. The relationship between Marrs and the victim is unknown. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Marrs was arrested and charged with murder. Police said additional charges are possible. The investigation remains ongoing. IN OTHER NEWS: The couple (not pictured) took part in the documentary for BrutX. Getty Images French documentary maker BrutX conducted a month-long experiment with six volunteers. They were challenged to live without using any screen, including smartphones and TVs, for a month. Paris-based Chiekh, 28, said he found not having access to Instagram to be "too much." Is it possible to live without a smartphone or television now that such devices have become integral parts of many people's lives? That's what a journalist sought to find out in a TV documentary released last year on a French streaming platform called BrutX. Tarik Khaldi found six volunteers to take part in an experiment called "Prives d'ecrans," or "Deprived of Screens," and asked them to live for a month without using any device or television. Two couples and two sisters participated in the experiment, although the sisters, aged 15 and 10, only did so for a week. A neuroscience expert Albert Moukheiber, said in the documentary that screens make people become "sedentary." One of the couples, Cheikh and Yaaba, both 28 and living in Paris, said screens were a big part of their life, and Cheikh admitted to being addicted to Instagram. On the first day of the experiment, his partner Yaaba worried about the silence brought about without a television. That prompted them to buy a record player. On day four, Yaaba said her husband was "depressed," as Cheikh could be seen lying on their sofa. "I feel things, but I don't what," he said. "I know something's happening in my body." "I feel a void, clearly," Cheikh said. "I don't have Instagram, or anything else. It's too much. I didn't sign for that." During the experiment, Cheikh realized that he wouldn't be able see what his relatives and friends were doing without access to their Instagram posts and stories. His mother, who suggested he take part in the experiment, told him that social media gave people the impression of living "a reality that isn't real." Story continues A fortnight into the experiment, Yaaba told a producer: "All this time without screens helped me define what I really like, what drives me, and thrills me." Cheikh revealed that not being constantly focused on a smartphone had allowed him to hear his own thoughts. The couple traveled to Venice, Italy, but resorted to downloading navigation apps when they struggled to find their way around. Moukheiber said smartphones have allowed what he described as "instantaneity." Removing that meant people weren't "happy," he added. Days after their trip to Italy, Cheikh had another slip-up and went on Instagram while at work, but said it wasn't a "moment of weakness." The neuroscience expert said the decision was "bath faith," but that "very few things are solely down to someone's willingness." At the end of the experiment, Cheikh vowed not to download Instagram again but it wasn't clear whether he would be able to maintain his resolve. Read the original article on Business Insider Jonathan Drake/Reuters A second Norfolk Southern train derailed in Ohio on Friday, springing authorities into clean-up dutyagainand residents fearful for their safety. The derailment occurred near state Route 41 in Springfield just before 5 p.m., according to WHIO. Of the trains 212 cars, about 20 derailed, with four containing residual amounts of diesel exhaust fuel and polyacrylamide water solution. It led to a temporary shelter-in-place order for nearby residents that was lifted early Saturday morning. Feds Order Norfolk Southern to Pay Up for Toxic Train Mess There is no indication of any injuries or risk to public health at this time, the Clark County government wrote on Facebook. Agencies that responded included Springfields fire, rescue, and police departments; the Ohio State Highway Patrol; the Ohio Department of Public Safety; the Ohio Department of Transportation; and the states Environmental Protection Agency. On Sunday night, the NTSB confirmed it is investigating the March 4 derailment, with investigators planning to arrive on scene Monday. Authorities noted that both substances are commonly transported by rail, and because Springfield was not near a protected water supply, the areas water was safe to consume. Still, residents who witnessed the derailment worried as debris flew from the wrecked train cars. I was just sitting at the intersection when the trains going by; and, I was playing on my phone, witness Shawn Heaton told WHIO. When I looked up, all kinds of debris was shooting out from underneath the train so, I started recording. The Lie Giuliani Told Victims of the Ohio Railroad Disaster The recording ended as cars turned around to flee the crash site. I mean, it was just time to go, he said. The train derailment is the companys third in the nation since early February, when 38 cars of a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3. Some of the trains cars burned for days, sending toxic chemicals into the air and water supply and making clean-up crews sick as they responded. The incident forced emergency responses from officials in Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, and forced residents within a mile of the site to evacuate. Story continues Officials have removed more than 700 tons of contaminated soil and almost two million gallons of liquid from the site so far, according to NPR. A second derailment happened on Feb. 16 outside of Detroit, with four Norfolk Southern rail cars tipping over. One of the trains cars contained liquid chlorine, but it was far removed from the four derailed cars and was one of the first ones sequestered once authorities responded, according to WHIO. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Layla Zaidane, president & CEO at Millennial Action Project, sits at left during the project's recent Passing the Torch: How Young Legislators Shape Our Future" panel discussion. Joining Zaidane were, from left to right, members of The Oklahoma Future Caucus, state Rep. Ajay Pittman, state Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, state Rep. Daniel Pae and state Sen. John Michael Montgomery. A single party holds the vast majority of the Oklahoma Legislature's 149 seats, but a group of young lawmakers who want to see more bipartisanship are working hard to write good public policy with input from both sides. Four leaders of the Oklahoma Future Caucus, a project aligned with the Millennial Action Project, spoke at a recent roundtable panel about how they work together and avoid the pitfalls of highly polarized rhetoric and behavior often seen at the state Capitol. Despite his party's strong hold on the legislative majority, state Sen. John Michael Montgomery said he still wants and needs support from across the aisle. Mongtomery recalled that a few years ago when pushing legislation to create the Revenue Stabilization Fund, Scott Inman, then the firebrand Democratic leader of the House, stood up to support his bill. "For me, it was actually a really cool moment of bipartisanship that I hadn't really seen up to that point," said Montgomery, R-Lawton. "It hits home, you know, that that's actually something that can happen, that you can get things done by working with the minority party in some cases." The Millennial Action Project is a national nonpartisan organization that encourages young lawmakers to bridge the partisan divide. The organization first helped form a caucus, or group of lawmakers, in the U.S. Congress and has expanded its network to include members of 31 state legislatures. The Future Caucus Network is the largest nonpartisan organization of millennial and Gen Z elected officials in the United States. Montgomery was joined on the panel by fellow state Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, a Democrat from Tulsa, and state Reps. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, and Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City. Pittman described being an advocate for Black and Native American women while also having to navigate the sometimes treacherous halls of politics in Oklahoma. When your side of the aisle only has 20 of the 51 votes needed to pass legislation, she said, every successful bill is a bipartisan victory. Story continues From left to right, Layla Zaidane, president & CEO at Millennial Action Project, sits with members of The Oklahoma Future Caucus, state Rep. Ajay Pittman, state Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, state Rep. Daniel Pae and state Sen. John Michael Montgomery, as they participate in a roundtable panel in February. "Everything is a compromise," Pittman said. "And when you're accustomed to getting the least of it, a compromise is a win." She looks forward to building a bipartisan coalition of support for her "Handle With Care" legislation, which directs the Oklahoma State Department of Education to create a program where law enforcement officers and state agencies must notify school representatives when a child has undergone a traumatic event that inhibits their performance in school. House Bill 2513 advanced from committee and can now be heard on the House floor. Pae, who has begun his fifth session as a state representative, represents thousands of current and former military members around the Fort Sill U.S. Army Base in Lawton. His constituents, he said, prefer straightforward solutions to real problems. "I've always viewed governing as like riding a bike. When you ride a bike, you can't lean too far to the left or too far to the right," he said. "You have to be balanced in your approach and be mindful of your surroundings. That's what I've done since day one." Pae, a Republican, said he makes it a point to talk with Democratic lawmakers about the bills he introduces, even if he technically doesn't need their votes for it to pass. He's also worked across the aisle on legislation that might seem unusual for a member of the GOP to champion. One would let persons with an individual tax identification number sign up for state ID cards and driver's licenses, regardless of their immigration status. Another would make it legal in Oklahoma to do research on the therapeutic value of psilocybin, commonly referred to as "magic mushrooms." Members of the Oklahoma Future Caucus also are working together on legislation. Pae and Dossett, a Tulsa Democrat, have drafted legislation together that would require the state to dole out at least 5% of its contracts to young companies that have been created within the past five years. "We found out that was too much, too fast," Dossett said. Instead, the pair coauthored a bill that would generate an annual report on the amount of state contracts that already go to young companies. Senate Bill 812 was heard in committee, and approved, just hours before the panel discussion. Dossett said Republican members of the committee debated in favor of her bill. "That felt really, really good," she said. "But I will say that it goes back to two years and sessions worth of hard work, making sure that your majority members can trust you and that you're not a lightning rod all the time for issues that they find offensive in their districts." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Young legislators work toward more bipartisanship in Oklahoma Frank Mario Vennero has fond memories of making homemade pizzas for his children when they were growing up in Connecticut and he actually, got pretty good at it. We have some family members from Rhode Island who are Italians, and they have a really good unique sauce for pizza, so I learned to make that and just kept making it better and better, he said last week in the Craft Beer Cellar on Wards Road. Every Friday night in the Vennero house was pizza night. After perfecting the dough, he decided it was good enough to sell. He created a concept called Blackbox Pizza which would sell fresh-to-frozen cheese pizzas, and business owners or the general public could purchase the pizza, reheat it and add their own toppings. The company was originally founded in 2018 in Connecticut, but once it started getting off the ground, the COVID-19 pandemic killed it, Vennero said. It was also very difficult because my goal was to convince all the breweries that they could cook the pizza on a countertop oven and they could sell it to their customers, he said. And back then it was so new and young, and they said Oh no, we cant do that, we dont have a license for that, and I said, You do, I already checked with the health department. All breweries, wineries or even places like the Craft Beer Cellar, which sells the pizza, need is a freezer. Vennero supplies the pizza oven. He said these types of business are allowed by health code to sell ready to eat food. So they never lose their profit, he said. They buy it at a low cost and decide what they sell it for. After graduating from Liberty University, Venneros daughter, Joanna Reyle, decided to make Lynchburg her home with her husband and baby daughter. This is definitely where we feel like God has us, so we stayed here and weve just been pursuing our own career ventures down here, she said. And I didnt know what to do but Ive always loved to cook and Ive always loved to be in that customer service realm. Reyle shared an interest in being a partner in the business with her father. After her parents decided to move to Lynchburg last year, the father and daughter teamed up to launch Blackbox Pizza again in January this year. To be able to do that with my dad is really cool, she said. Since then, the business has just been steamrolling. The 10-inch by 10-inch square, shrink-wrapped pizzas are made with fresh ingredients, organic flour, sea salt and extra virgin olive oil. Reyle said the business model is frozen pizza reinvented. Its frozen but everything is completely fresh, she said. We really believe in our product and what were selling and what were making the people. My dad has always been big into quality of product and what hes feeding us and what he was feeding himself. So to be able to do that in our own pizza for other people has been huge and to be able to do it at an affordable price. The pizzas can be ordered online and either picked up locally or delivered. Estephanie Luperon, a Lynchburg resident, happened to stumble across Blackboxs Instagram page because she follows hashtags for Lynchburg to discover new things in the area. What intrigues me about their pizza the most are the ingredients used, she said. They use top-quality products and homemade sauce. She said she ended up in Craft Beer Cellar one day after a tattoo consultation and Blackbox was there installing the pizza oven and handing out samples. I enjoyed the flavor and the crust. The first bite took me back to the days of making homemade pizza with my mom when I was younger, Luperon said. Shes a chef by trade and I could tell that Blackbox put love and care into making their pizza. A week later, she ordered her first set of pizzas to have at home and said Reyle was able to meet with her at her convenience. I definitely loved the convenience of having pizza in the freezer for a quick, fun dinner that I dont have to feel guilty about because of the ingredients, she said. I plan on restocking my freezer at least once a month and look forward to seeing the Lynchburg community open them with welcome arms. Ryan Maas, owner of Craft Beer Cellar at 3813 Wards Road Suite 6, started offering the pizzas to customers two weeks ago. After recent renovations inside the beer cellar that opened up space for a bar and seating, he was looking to add something different to his food menu. Vennero came to him at the right time, he said. I have to sell a certain amount of food every month to serve alcohol and wanted to add something new to my menu; it was just a hodgepodge of offerings, he said. Maas buys the plain cheese pizzas from Vennero and then adds his own spin on them with toppings like pepperoni, sausage, bacon, onion, green pepper and jalapeno. With Blackbox Pizza added to the mix, Maas said he has his best food sales month last month. In the future, Vennero hopes to have Blackbox Pizza in area wineries and breweries for sale but right now Craft Beer Cellar is the only business who sells the pizzas. We dont want to get too big too quick but well probably outgrow where were at, he said, as the father and daughter are cranking out about 80 pizzas per week. We definitely just want people to know its not impossible to eat good, whole-quality pizza, Reyle said. And we love being able to bring our family tradition into someone elses home. Students packed the gymnasium at Lynchburgs Jubilee Family Development Center on Saturday as the Coalition for HIV Awareness and Prevention (CHAP) of Central Virginia hosted a Taking the Lead youth summit in conjunction with Horizon Behavioral Health. This years summit was a return to an in-person version after the last two years were held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to CHAP, the summit was held for students ages 11 to 19, aimed at educating and empowering them on important topics such as staying drug-free, mental health, and social media safety. During the morning session, several speakers talked to the students about affirmation, knowing you are enough, and the importance of healthy relationships. We have to let go of the things that dont serve us at all, said Christen Moore, an educator from the Petersburg area. ... Dont get yourself into something that you cannot get out of, or its too hard for you to get out of because you love him or you love her. Later in the morning, students heard from a group of their peers members of the Lynchburg Mayors Youth Council and the Hype Club. The panel discussed mental health coming out of the pandemic. Sameria Lamberth, the president of the mayors youth council, spoke about how the unknown of the pandemic affected her. It was a sense of the unknown, because the schools were closing and we didnt know when schools were going to open again, so it was always like the fear, What is happening next? Lamberth said. Around the summits halfway point, the large group of students split into breakout sessions, convening as smaller groups to have more in-depth conversations about topics such as social media safety, substance abuse and goal setting. Sterling Wilder, executive director of the Jubilee Center and Ward II Lynchburg City Councilor, said on Saturday that More than ever ... these events are important for our youth so they can connect with other positive youths so you can hear positive stories. Also because of COVID, because theyve been locked down so long, to talk about mental health, and how to, if you are hurting, who to talk to ... about dating relationships, talk about substance abuse, about AIDS awareness, adding the event is not only great for the youth but parents as well. Ashley Moore, another speaker, implored the students to know you are enough. Speak positivity in life, because some people dont want you to be here right now. Some people pray on your downfall. Some people look in your face and they smile, but they want you to be sad inside, Moore said. For ourselves, we need to know, first and foremost, I am enough. They can say what they want to say, but you best believe, baby. Im going to make it. Im going to be successful. RESTON When Sen. Janet Howell, D-Fairfax, was poised to become the first woman to chair the Senate Finance Committee, she received a luncheon invitation from the man who already had broken ground by appointing her to the panel former Chairman John Chichester, a Republican from Fredericksburg. He kind of had in his mind that it was time for a woman to serve on the finance committee, Howell said in an interview in her home here. She wasnt first in line. Ahead of her was Sen. Dick Saslaw, a fellow Democrat from Fairfax County who is now Senate majority leader. Saslaw offered to step aside for the appointment in 1997 because he, too, thought it was time for the finance committee to include a woman as a member. Chichester, now 85 and out of office for 15 years, acknowledged that Howell was a liberal Democrat while he was a conservative Republican, but he explained, Theres something to be said for surrounding yourself with people of all persuasions. Now, Howell and Saslaw are both about to leave the General Assembly as part of an exodus of legislative experience the likes of which no one in Virginia politics can recall in the modern era, dating back a half-century. So far six of the 40 senators are not running for re-election, not including Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, who won a special election for a congressional seat and will be sworn in on Tuesday. Three redrawn Senate districts still feature two incumbents each, which means at least three more senators will leave the chamber. In the House, 14 of the 100 delegates have announced they are not seeking re-election. An additional 13 are running for state Senate seats. Five other House districts still feature paired incumbents. This means the Senate is assured of at least a 25% turnover and the House is set to upend nearly a third of its membership, before the first votes are cast in summer primaries and fall elections. Finance & AppropriationsThe impending departures may have their most profound effect on what is now known as the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee, where senior members of both parties play a central role in shaping the budget that sets the states priorities. Co-Chair George Barker, D-Fairfax, isnt retiring but faces a Democratic primary challenge from Stella Pekarsky, a member of the Fairfax County School Board, in a much different district than the one he currently represents in Northern Virginia. Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, another Democratic budget negotiator, who has served in the chamber since 1992, is now paired in a district with Sen. Lionell Spruill Sr., D-Chesapeake. One of the senators will oust the other in a nomination fight. I cant recall this many senior people bowing out, said Saslaw, who was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1976 and the Senate in 1980. Its not just senior Democrats who are leaving Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment, R-James City, a senator since 1992, also is stepping down. Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta, a senator since 1996, chose not to take on Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, with whom he was paired in a redrawn 2nd District in the Shenandoah Valley. If Hanger chooses to run in the 3rd District, stretching from Augusta County to Roanoke County, he faces a nomination fight with Del. Chris Head, R-Botetourt. Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, a senator since 1996, is paired in a district with Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, and still has not decided whether to run for re-election. Among the committees 16 members, at least six are leaving and four more could lose their seats. Sen. Jill Vogel, R-Fauquier, is not seeking re-election. Neither will Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke City. Like Lucas, Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, faces a tough primary battle. Deeds faces Del. Sally Hudson, D-Charlottesville, in a new Senate district based in Albemarle County and Charlottesville. If Lucas, Newman and Hanger join Saslaw, Howell, Norment and Edwards in leaving the chamber, the Senate will lose its top seven members in seniority. Nor is the Senate alone. Del. Ken Plum, D-Fairfax, the senior member of the House of Delegates with 44 years of service, is leaving at the end of his term. So is Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle, a 22-year House veteran and chair of the House Courts of Justice Committee. A trio of influential Republican women wont be back Del. Kathy Byron, R-Bedford, a member of the House since 1998 and chair of House Commerce and Energy; Del. Roxann Robinson, R-Chesterfield, a 13-year House veteran and chair of House Finance; and Del. Margaret Ransone, R-Westmoreland, a delegate since 2012 and chair of House Privileges & Elections. You dont get any tougher than them, said House Appropriations Chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, who may be spared a primary fight with Del. Glenn Davis, a fellow Virginia Beach Republican and the chairman of the House Education Committee, who is widely expected to take a job in Gov. Glenn Youngkins administration. All told, Chris Saxman, a former Republican delegate from Staunton, is predicting a potential loss of nearly 500 years of legislative experience. Its a huge wave of institutional knowledge thats leaving the building, said Eva Teig Hardy, a longtime lobbyist and former Cabinet secretary who first came to the assembly as legislative aide to Lt. Gov. Dick Davis in 1982. Redistricting earthquakeThis sea change in leadership isnt just about time and age. Its also about a political redistricting process in 2021 that caused an earthquake in Virginia politics. Instead of controlling redistricting as the political party in power, divided Democrats agreed to give the responsibility to a bipartisan redistricting commission, which failed and left it to the Virginia Supreme Court to revise legislative districts. The court approved the final legislative maps at the end of 2021 that, for the first time, paid no regard to where incumbents lived. The new maps paired dozens of lawmakers in districts with fellow incumbents, prompting many to move or retire. Some lawmakers face formidable challenges in primaries this spring or the general election in November. The foremost cost of the new redistricting is experience and institutional memory, both of which matter enormously for a legislature, said Larry Sabato, president of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, Sabato, who has closely followed state politics and governance for more than 50 years, called the leadership upheaval a serious blow to informed government in Virginia. It also may be a gift to Youngkin, a political outsider holding his first elected office and who has been dealing with legislators with decades of experience. This is going to weaken the legislature versus the governor, Sabato predicted. Youngkin, asked this week about the impending shift in assembly leadership, said he isnt concerned about the effect on governance, even though the new assembly that meets in January will act on the two-year budget he will propose in December. One of the great realities of Virginia is that with a citizen legislature, we draw on extraordinary talent, the governor said. And Im looking forward to seeing some of the new faces next year in our General Assembly. Howell, 78, doesnt look back on her 32-year legislative career with many regrets, but one of them was her vote on the 2021 redistricting. If I look at the votes I wish I had done differently, that was one of them, she said. I just didnt see the long-term implications. I think we need people with some experience, Howell added. Ive never bought the idea that incumbency doesnt mean anything. Deepening divisionsThe loss of experience isnt the only thing that members of both parties fear about the impending shift in leadership. They also worry that deepening political divisions will block bipartisan cooperation and, more fundamentally, human understanding of legislators with different backgrounds and viewpoints. Its important that even if we disagree strongly on policy, were not disagreeable, said Newman, in his 28th year in the Senate. That is especially true on the assembly money committees Senate Finance and House Appropriations which ultimately must resolve wide policy differences in a budget that balances in a process that depends on cross-party collaboration and hours spent with one another in close quarters. Janet Howell has been a very collaborative leader, said Newman, a conservative Republican who counts her and her fellow Democrats, such as Saslaw and Lucas as close friends. Howell has a similar relationship with Knight, her Republican counterpart in the House, whom she got to know on a fact-finding trip to Southwest Virginia with her husband, Hunt. We just hit it off, said Knight, who recalls sitting with the Howells on the train trip through the New River Valley and descending together into a coal mine wearing Tyvek suits. The General Assembly is going to be worse for her leaving, he said. She is a tough negotiator, but she is friendly about it. Howell cites the advice that Chichester gave her at lunch after her last election, when it was clear she would lead the finance committee. He was really stressing the importance of listening to everybody and the importance of what they need for their districts, she said. Ive tried to be the chairman he was because I really respect him. For state legislators, serving on the Senate Finance or House Appropriations committee requires a broader view and set of skills, Chichester said. I didnt know anything about the General Assembly until I got put on Finance. ... In the Senate, thats where it all happens. Serving as a money committee chair requires another kind of education. Chichester said former Senate Majority Leader and Finance Chairman Hunter Andrews, D-Hampton, started grooming me surreptitiously to help lead the committee after Democrats suffered big losses in the Senate elections in 1991 (Howells first). Andrews, a Democratic titan who would lose his seat four years later, put the Republican on multiple subcommittees so I would know something about everything for finance. Howell, who quietly installed Barker as her co-chair last August, recalls her own education as finance chief in 2020. I found it was a much bigger job than I had imagined, she said, and I thought I knew. She worries about the polarized political climate, which she said isnt helped by Virginias practice of electing one-term governors the year after a presidential election. Virginia and New Jersey are the only states that elect a governor the year after a presidential contest. That often leads to national attention and talk of a Virginia governor like Youngkin as a potential candidate for national office. But more fundamentally, Howell and Saslaw say increasing political division has made it harder for legislators from different backgrounds and viewpoints to get to know one another, or even have dinner together. This country is being driven farther and farther apart because people dont want to associate with anyone who isnt like them, Saslaw said. Howell said shes less worried than others about the institutional change that the assembly faces next year. After all, she calls herself the miracle senator because she never expected to win her first election in fact, her husband was planning for them to move to Peru after she lost. Change is inevitable, Howell said. Ehime is one of the top emerging travel destinations in Japan! Only a short flight from Tokyo, Ehime is on Shikoku, the smallest of Japans four major islands. We sent KTea there to check out the unique sustainable travel experiences of the region, including the historical castle district of Ozu City, as well as the regions capital, Matsuyama, to see everything Ehime has to offer! Tokyo Disneyland celebrates 40 years with fanfare, iconic characters Japan Today - Apr 16 Tokyo Disneyland on Saturday celebrated 40 years since first opening its doors to visitors, marking the milestone with colorful celebrations featuring Mickey Mouse and other iconic characters after weathering the COVID-19 pandemic. Tokyo Disneyland on Saturday celebrated 40 years since first opening its doors to visitors, marking the milestone with colorful celebrations featuring Mickey Mouse and other iconic characters after weathering the COVID-19 pandemic. Yellow sand observed across much of Japan, effects likely to continue in east NHK - Apr 13 Japanese weather officials say yellow sand from China's deserts has blown across much of Japan from the northern to western regions. The dust was observed in central Tokyo on Thursday. Japanese weather officials say yellow sand from China's deserts has blown across much of Japan from the northern to western regions. The dust was observed in central Tokyo on Thursday. Annual Tokyo fireworks festival to be held for 1st time in 4 years Kyodo - Apr 12 A major annual firework festival in Tokyo will be held this summer for the first time in four years after the display was repeatedly canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event's organizer said Tuesday. A major annual firework festival in Tokyo will be held this summer for the first time in four years after the display was repeatedly canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event's organizer said Tuesday. 'Out of season snow' competing with cherry blossoms in full bloom NOJ - Apr 10 Snow fell for the first time in three weeks in Yamagata Prefecture while cherry blossoms were in full bloom. Snow fell for the first time in three weeks in Yamagata Prefecture while cherry blossoms were in full bloom. Is It Cultural Appropriation To Wear A Kimono In Japan? | Photoshoot In Kyoto Alina Mcleod - Apr 09 The beauty of the kimono is known worldwide and is an integral part of Japanese culture, but is it socially acceptable for a tourist to wear one? The beauty of the kimono is known worldwide and is an integral part of Japanese culture, but is it socially acceptable for a tourist to wear one? Narita airport to build 3rd runway and consolidate 3 terminals NHK - Apr 09 The operator of Narita Airport near Tokyo has compiled an interim plan to consolidate its three terminals to improve efficiency and convenience for users. The operator of Narita Airport near Tokyo has compiled an interim plan to consolidate its three terminals to improve efficiency and convenience for users. Cherry Blossoms Scenes 2023 TV Asahi - Apr 08 Carefully selected footage shot by TV Asahi news. Carefully selected footage shot by TV Asahi news. Annual cherry blossom viewing starts at Japan Mint in Osaka Japan Today - Apr 07 An annual cherry blossom viewing event began Thursday at the Japan Mint in Osaka, with elderly and disabled invitees enjoying the sight a day before the famous springtime fixture opens to the general public. An annual cherry blossom viewing event began Thursday at the Japan Mint in Osaka, with elderly and disabled invitees enjoying the sight a day before the famous springtime fixture opens to the general public. Skyscraper to open in Tokyo's Kabukicho nightlife area NHK - Apr 07 One of the latest editions to Tokyo's skyline is set to open in the capital's Kabukicho district next Friday. One of the latest editions to Tokyo's skyline is set to open in the capital's Kabukicho district next Friday. Touring a Tranquil Japanese-Style Home Dabl - Apr 06 George Clarke is feeling at peace touring this home built with minimal and tranquil Japanese design cues. George Clarke is feeling at peace touring this home built with minimal and tranquil Japanese design cues. How To Rent Bikes in Japan - Docomo Bike Share, Hello Cycling, LUUP GaijinPot - Apr 06 Heidi goes over the cost and process of renting bicycles in Japan from Docomo Bike Share, Hello Cycling, and LUUP. Heidi goes over the cost and process of renting bicycles in Japan from Docomo Bike Share, Hello Cycling, and LUUP. Japan's Most Advanced Station | Face-Recognition Ticket Gate in Operation travelgeek - Apr 03 Osaka Station has installed the Japan's first facial-recognition ticket gate (hands-free ticket gate) in their new entrance. Osaka Station has installed the Japan's first facial-recognition ticket gate (hands-free ticket gate) in their new entrance. Travelers from China to Japan no longer required to have negative test from Wed. NHK - Apr 03 The Japanese government says that starting on Wednesday it will not require travelers from China to show a negative coronavirus test result if they have been vaccinated three times. The Japanese government says that starting on Wednesday it will not require travelers from China to show a negative coronavirus test result if they have been vaccinated three times. Why Nara should be on your bucketlist Alina Mcleod - Apr 03 Nara is absolutely magical and has the most adorable welcome greeters! Cute Deer, Amazing Temples + Traditional Japanese Food Nara is absolutely magical and has the most adorable welcome greeters! Cute Deer, Amazing Temples + Traditional Japanese Food A Journey to Mino, The Beautiful and Traditional Town in Japan Ninja Walking - Apr 03 Mino, is a town with a traditional and beautiful Japanese townscape. This town is also the birthplace of a well-known hero. More details in the video. Mino, is a town with a traditional and beautiful Japanese townscape. This town is also the birthplace of a well-known hero. More details in the video. HANCOCK, Iowa Families had chance Saturday to spend time in the great outdoors at Pottawattamie Conservations annual Maple Tree Tap event, watching park rangers and staff from Botna Bend Park demonstrate harvesting sap from maple trees for the bounty of maple syrup, one of natures sublime pleasure foods. Park Ranger Jon Fenner showed everyone what a spile is its the little funnel tapped into a tree to collected the sap and how to tap it into a tree once one has drilled a hole to start the spile. A plastic tube is then hung on the spile and its other end is put into a five-gallon bucket. The sugar content of the trees sap is about 3%, he said. Well end up making somewhere between nine and 13 gallons of syrup for our pancake feed in September. Fenner said that a tree will produce enough sap to fill the bucket in a days time. Once the temperature stays above freezing throughout the 24-hour day, the sap quits moving and we quit harvesting, Fenner said. Fenner had attendees move from his demonstration table to a bucket of sap running out of a maple tree for a taste of the genuine article. Beginning with a lesson in tree biology, staff member Renee Stroud helped explain how trees function by moving sap up from the roots to feed the tree. This movement of sap happens under the bark and begins to move as the weather begins to warm. We see doing the Tree Tap as part of our over-arching goal of showing people where their food comes from, the natural resources of our food and general information about our trees, she said. Next stop was Fenners demonstration and then to Sugar Shack, where the sap was being cooked down to syrup. Assistant Park Ranger Cory Thomas is keeping an eye on the evaporator as a batch of syrup is getting ready to finish. Put on the fire last Tuesday, the syrup is nearly ready. Thomas keeps a fire going underneath the pans of sap/syrup for about five days. We cant keep up with the trees, Thomas said. Theyre running us ragged! In September, the Botna Bend Park staff will put on their pancake feed. The cakes will be drowned in the maple syrup from the trees in the park. Morocco, an indisputable oasis of social and economic stability in the region, must be regarded as an indispensable nation in the European Unions Neighborhood Policy, particularly with regard to its southern flank, commented NE Global News Service, an independent media outlet. In a story on Morocco-EU relations, the media outlet highlighted the successive visits by EU officials to Morocco, including those of the EUs foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, and Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, Oliver Varhelyi, which came on the heels of an unusual number of high-level trips, including by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, to Rabat. These series of Morocco-EU meetings are meant to solidify Moroccos place as a strategic partner for the EU, as the nation of 37 million people continues to occupy a privileged place in the political agenda of European officials, the outlet pointed out. The international news organization neglobal.eu explains that Morocco is uniquely one of the best interlocutors in the western Mediterranean; one which can advance Brussels self-proclaimed Neighborhood Policy the foreign affairs framework aimed at bringing the EU and its eastern and southern neighbors closer politically and economically. The diplomatic pas de deux between top officials in Rabat and Brussels bureaucrats has set lofty goals for the two sides, and the visits have helped strengthen the relationship between the EU and the Kingdom of Morocco, while at the same time helping to usher in an unparalleled deepening of the two sides bilateral cooperation. The outlet which brought up the many instabilities that have emerged in the Maghreb the Francophone areas of North Africa since the revolutions of the Arab Spring shook the region more than a decade ago, pointed out that Morocco has positioned and developed itself as an indisputable oasis of social and economic stability in a part of the world where such claims are few and far between; a fact that is not lost on many of Europes politicians. Surveying the core of Morocco-EU relations, the outlet explained that Rabats energy, migration, security, counter-terrorism, climate and education policies are all issues that form the basis of its relationships with Europe. Taking fossil fuels out of the equation, the EUs trade with Morocco already amounts to roughly 44 billion. In a focus on bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, the media outlet noted that the green partnership that has been developed between Rabat and Brussels is the first of its kind to be signed with a country that is not a member of the EU. Moroccos climate adaptation strategies and green energy transition, which includes its development of hydrogen, have caused a flurry of activity from investors coming from Europe, all of which are scrambling to take full advantage of the new economic opportunities in the country. This has placed Morocco in one of the most advantageous positions to fully benefit from the green energy revolution, as its production costs are some of the lowest in the world. The outlet recalled how Frans Timmermans, the European Commissions Green Deal czar, has described the Morocco-EU partnership as the kick-off for a development that will link up the whole of Europe and the whole of Africa. In this connection, the media outlet pointed out that since its return to the African Union in 2017, Morocco is geographically, politically and economically an essential link between the northern and southern Mediterranean. Timmermans words reveal a simple foreign affairs maxim that Brussels must follow Morocco must be regarded, particularly with regard to its southern flank, as an indispensable nation in the EUs Neighborhood Policy. The strategic military partnership existing between Morocco and the United States was reviewed in Rabat this Sunday at separate meetings between Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, Army General Mark Milley, and minister in charge of National Defense Administration, Abdeltif Loudyi, and Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Zone, Lieutenant General Belkhir El Farouk. The meeting between General Mark Milley and Loudyi, held in accordance with the royal instructions, provided an opportunity for the two officials to express their satisfaction with the excellent level achieved by the age-old relations of friendship and cooperation, consolidated by a strategic military partnership governed by an important legal arsenal, including the 2020-2030 roadmap for defense cooperation signed in October 2020, on the occasion of the visit to Morocco of the U.S. Secretary of Defense, the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces said in a statement. After they reviewed bilateral cooperation in matters of defense and opportunities to further strengthen this cooperation, the two officials welcomed the positive results of the Defense Advisory Committee and highlighted the importance of the combined annual exercise African Lion which represents a major lever for success serving the interoperability of the armed forces, the statement said. Loudyi referred to the tripartite declaration signed between Morocco, the United States and Israel in December 2020 before King Mohammed VI, as a means to strengthen peace and stability in North Africa and the Middle East. He also commended the recognition by the United States of America of the full sovereignty of the Kingdom over its Sahara. The same day, Army General Mark Milley, who is on a working visit in the Kingdom at the head of a large delegation, met with Lieutenant General Belkhir El Farouk, at the FAR General Staff in Rabat. During their meeting, which took place in the presence of the Chiefs of the General Staff of the FAR, senior U.S. military officials and the US Ambassador to Rabat, the two military officials expressed satisfaction over the positive results of the Defense Advisory Committee, the statement said. In this context, the two military officials reiterated their willingness to further strengthen cooperation and strategic partnership between the two armies. They also stressed the importance of the joint African Lion exercise. This being his first visit to the African continent as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the US General took this opportunity to highlight the important role played by Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, as an actor of stability and peace in Africa and the Middle East. At the end of this meeting, the two military leaders expressed once again their determination to consolidate this historic and exemplary partnership, the statement said. After his talks with the Moroccan officials, Army General Mark Milley told the media that Morocco is a partner and great ally of the United States and a stable country in a continent and a region in search of stability. For the United States, Morocco is a partner and great ally at the level not only of the region, but of the entire African continent, said the American official, who highlighted the depth of the relations that have existed between the two countries for more than two centuries, expressing his countrys desire to consolidate and expand these relations with the Kingdom, which was the first country to recognize the independence of the United States. Army General Mark Milley also welcomed the strong, concrete and excellent military relations between the United States and Morocco, citing the African Lion manoeuvres that have been taking place for almost 20 years and which have proven their effectiveness. A 2014 sale deed, and what it appears to say about water rights, resurfaced last week in a State Capitol outbreak of Lincoln Countys chronic heartburn over the 11-year-old NCORPE water augmentation project. State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard brought it up during a public hearing Wednesday on Legislative Bill 396, the latest attempt to force the projects 18,221 surface acres back onto county property tax rolls without shutting off its groundwater access in the process. When the Nebraska Cooperative Republican Platte Enhancement project sold 313 of its original 19,500 acres in April 2014, he said, it asserted in the deed that it was retaining groundwater rights under it precisely what his bill would authorize. They retained the opportunity to pump the water after they sold the land. (Its) proof that we can sell the land, said the District 47 senator, who has picked up from former North Platte Sen. Mike Groene in voicing neighbors complaints about having to make up most of some $900,000 a year in property taxes from when NCORPEs land was privately owned. If passed, LB 396 would force water augmentation projects to sell off their land once their wells and piping systems are in place. But they may retain and reserve the right to the groundwater located beneath such land, it says. No one else spoke before the Legislatures Natural Resources Committee in favor of the bill, which includes North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobson as a cosponsor. Several state, regional and local natural resources leaders renewed their warnings from hearings on past NCORPE bills that disposing of the projects land could endanger Nebraskas compliance with multistate water compacts. In introducing his bill, Erdman referred to a deed filed at the Lincoln County Courthouse on April 15, 2014, a day after NCORPE sold the two parcels north of Wellfleet. Theyre located east of both U.S. Highway 83 and NCORPEs two current groups of parcels on either side of Nebraska Highway 23 east of Dickens. NCORPE, the deed said, reserves to itself and its successors or assigns all rights to the use of groundwater appurtenant (pertinent) to the property. The project, founded in 2012 by four southwest Nebraska natural resources districts, shall have the sole and exclusive right to the use of such groundwater, the deed adds. Thats precisely what LB 396 and other recent NCORPE bills have sought to do, Erdman said: return its land to private hands but enable NCORPE to keep using its groundwater to satisfy water-supply requirements in the Republican and Platte river basins. Theres no reason why we cant sell the land, he told committee members. Theyve already done it. Theyre proven that they can do it. General managers of two of NCORPEs participating NRDs, joined by project manager Kyle Shepherd, agreed Friday that the 2014 sale deed asserted legal access to the water below the land. But it isnt legally clear NCORPE could use that water even if it wanted to, they said. I have words on paper, said Jasper Fanning of Imperial, general manager of the Upper Republican NRD. If I go and operate on those words, I can operate on them until someone challenges it in court. Fanning, who testified against LB 396 at Wednesdays hearing, joined other opponents in saying Nebraska water law flatly links land ownership to legal use of its groundwater which, they said, in fact belongs to all Nebraskans. The Nebraska Supreme Court reiterated that in a June 2018 decision involving his own NRDs 12-year-old Rock Creek augmentation project in Dundy County, he said Friday. The right to use the groundwater does not float in a vacuum of abstraction but exists only in reference to and results from ownership of the overlying land, the high court said, quoting an opinion it issued in 1985. Kent Miller, whos marking his 50th anniversary in 2023 as general manager of the Twin Platte NRD, said thats how hes always understood Nebraska law. I just assumed my entire career you could not separate the water from the land in Nebraska, he said Friday. In Colorado, you can. Water (there) is a mineral right. Miller, Fanning and Shepherd said NCORPEs piping system has never been connected to the groundwater below the two parcels east of U.S. 83. The four NRDs organized the project in September 2012 and bought its original 19,500 acres three months later for $83 million from Lincoln Farm LLC, an East Coast hedge fund. The Middle Republican and Lower Republican NRDs are the other partners. NCORPEs board, made up of one representative from each NRD, sold the two parcels as it sought to pick up others contiguous to their two main pumping areas, Fanning said. Before the sale, however, NCORPE retired their irrigation wells as part of its overall conversion of the land it owned to grassland and pasture land. The Middle Republican NRD governs groundwater use on those two parcels east of U.S. 83. Even though NCORPE doesnt pump that, Fanning said, its groundwater counts toward water Nebraska must supply Kansas under the three-state Republican River Compact. NCORPE was founded in response to successful Kansas lawsuits saying Nebraska wasnt living up to the compact. He said NCORPE added the language at issue in the 2014 sale deed as a warning that future owners cannot restore those parcels irrigation wells to use for farming. The parcels original purchaser has since resold them. It was mostly a belt-and-suspenders approach to provide notice that this land is now dryland and cannot be irrigated in the future, Fanning said. NCORPEs assertion hasnt been legally challenged, he added, but the 2018 Supreme Court ruling makes it likely anyone who might would prevail. That would also be true of LB 396 were it to pass, Fanning said. You can write a statute and operate under that statute, but until youre challenged and you survive a challenge in the Supreme Court, youre not risk-free. Jacobson, who sits on the Natural Resources Committee, asked several questions of LB 396s opponents that covered NCORPEs outstanding indebtedness and the status of the projects in-lieu-of-tax payments to Lincoln County governments. Shepherd, who attended Wednesdays hearing but didnt testify, told The Telegraph Friday that NCORPE issued bonds with a combined $108.26 million face value to finance its lands purchase and construction of its pumping system. The four-NRD project has paid nearly $31.4 million in principal, he said, leaving obligations of nearly $76.9 million in principal and $11.23 million in interest. The NRDs charge a $10-per-acre occupation tax to their districts irrigation users. It generated $7.2 million in 2022, 94.7% of which went to debt repayment, Shepherd said. He and the two NRD managers said NCORPE has made in-lieu-of-tax payments to Lincoln County to offset at least some of its lands lost property taxes even before a 2018 state law authorized them to do so. The projects most recent in-lieu-of-tax payment was $122,179 in 2021, Shepherd said, based on the County Assessors Offices estimate of NCORPEs taxable value as grassland were it still on the tax rolls. But NCORPE also paid $30,136 in 2021 property taxes, he added. That was based on the assessors judgment that leases of about 20% of its land were for private uses instead of public ones. The resulting $152,314 in 2021 payments to Lincoln County represents about one-sixth of the lands pre-project property tax yield. The 2018 state law couldnt mandate in-lieu-of-tax payments, Fanning said, because the Nebraska Constitution forbids charging taxes to landowners deemed to be tax-exempt. But the NCORPE board has formally committed to keep making the payments, he said. Even so, Erdman said Wednesday, the projects taxes and in-lieu payments amount to a fraction of what the county, the Wallace school district and other school districts touching NCORPE received prior to 2012. Committee Chairman Sen. Bruce Bostelman of Brainard asked Erdman whether the $10-per-acre occupation tax could be ended once NCORPE pays off its bonds. How would that help the (local) taxpayers pay off that $750,000 in lost taxes? Erdman replied. Even were NCORPEs land to be sold off as LB 396 would mandate, opponents told the committee, it wouldnt replace that money because that land would remain grassland for tax purposes. Worse yet, they added, a lawsuit might well see the state Supreme Court rule that access to the projects water would belong to the lands new owner. If NCORPE cant pump it, Kansas likely would sue Nebraska for a third time for violating the Republican River Compact. Ive already had a discussion, a call from Kansas about this as they monitor our activities, looking for assurance that well still meet our compliance, Nebraska Department of Natural Resources Director Tom Riley told the Unicameral committee Wednesday. If Nebraska doesnt comply, certainly wed have to look at taking 100,000 acres of irrigated land out of production if we didnt have access to this (NCORPE) system and program. Jacobson said hes in full support of what NCORPEs doing, adding that I would be reluctant to support LB 396 shouldnt advance unless an opinion requested from state Attorney General Mike Hilgers says it wouldnt put the state at risk. Still, as long as were delivering the water to them, why is it any of (Kansas) business who owns the land? he asked. Well, I think their interest is how we can remain in compliance, Riley replied. Youve had chances for three years to read in The Telegraph about state Sen. Steve Erdmans consumption tax. With Erdmans latest version having received public hearings Friday, and with him promising a petition drive if the Legislature wont go along, the time to focus on it has arrived. He wants voters to chop down all three legs of Nebraskas fiscal stool income, sales and property taxes and put a state consumption tax in its place. A pair of constitutional amendments would abolish all current taxes at the end of 2025 (except excise taxes, which would still be allowed) and impose a consumption tax on services and new products (not used ones), except for groceries and products under excise tax. One amendment would let senators allow cities, villages and counties to add local consumption taxes. Otherwise, theyd depend on state consumption taxes for their funding. So would schools. And all other local governments. How would all this be done? Erdmans third measure, Legislative Bill 79, gives details. Its his 2023 priority bill. This type of thing has been a long time coming. We warned in 2020 that rural Nebraskans patience with temporary measures and half-measures on property tax relief was nearing its limit. We also called Erdmans plan to blow up the tax system a very un-conservative idea. We wrote here Dec. 11 that we hadnt dismissed consumption taxes, but how likely is an all-new system to pass when the Legislature cant find enough courage to make less sweeping changes to help our property owners? Not likely at all. That leaves the promised petition drive. And thats why we must disagree with the lawmaker from Bayard. Erdmans 2020 and 2022 versions proposed initial consumption tax rates in double-digit percentages. A new OpenSky Policy Institute estimate, by contrast, holds that itd take a 22% rate to fund current state operations alone. Thats three times what you pay the county now after you buy a car. Backers say youd be able to cut state and local government, in part because the entire property-tax apparatus would become obsolete. True. But LB 79 proposes starting the state consumption tax at just 7.5%. For perspective: Come April 1, that percentage will be North Plattes combined state and local sales tax rate. And a consumption tax rate of 7.5% is supposed to replace billions statewide in sales, income and property taxes? Now, that does suggest an experiment: Senators could first abolish every sales tax exemption right now. Except, of course, for food. Then see how much money a 7.5% rate generates. But a new feature in the 2023 version of Erdmans plan might be especially hard to swallow. LB 79 would impose two statewide equalization and review boards atop local budget processes one for K-12 schools, one for everyone else. Governing boards would still set their budgets, but theyd send them to their county en route to one or the other equalization board. Each such board would have one member from each of five districts. LB 79 would have voters elect them, but Erdman has since proposed having each districts county boards choose their district representative jointly. Each equalization board would write a manual that local budgets would have to satisfy. If it doesnt, LB 79 says this: If the district representative, the (governor-appointed) secretary and the (state) Auditor of Public Accounts find that a preliminary budget proposal is unsatisfactory, the county or political subdivision shall have until Oct. 15 to correct the proposal If the revised budget proposal remains unsatisfactory after the Oct. 15 deadline, the district representative shall have authority to make any necessary revisions to the budget proposal. One person elected by voters, but maybe not would have ultimate power over local budgets in multiple counties. Erdmans statement of intent for LB 79 says it retains local control over the budgeting process. Really? No one in the State Capitol has that kind of power today. Nebraskans wouldnt stand for it. We dont see Erdmans colleagues adopting his consumption tax. But what if petition circulators soon come up to you and say, Want to sign these petitions to get rid of property, sales and income taxes? Read their petitions first. Carefully. If they still match what LB 79 says, be prepared to kiss local control goodbye. After conducting a traffic stop on Tuesday, Auburn police arrested Kimosolona Gatewante Floyd, 43, of Auburn, on a felony warrant for certain persons forbidden to possess a pistol. Police said the traffic stop was initiated after police observed a traffic violation on East Glenn Avenue near Bent Creek Road on Monday. Floyd was identified as the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, the police report said. During the stop, an investigation was initiated and police said they recovered a firearm, which led to Floyd being arrested for obstructing government operations. During the post-arrest investigation, Auburn police received information confirming that Floyds possession of a firearm was a felony according to Alabama law, the police report said. A felony warrant for certain persons forbidden to possess a pistol was obtained, and Floyd was arrested in obedience to the warrant on (Tuesday) at the Lee County Jail. Floyd was held at the Lee County Jail on a $10,000 bond. He "finally addressed"? Could have sworn he talked before about how he was "punched". Reply Thread Link The man never stopped talking. Reply Parent Thread Link I thought he mentioned it only once in some podcast? I assumed he was waiting for a lucrative $$$ interview offer that never came. Reply Parent Thread Link Yet another reason to be glad I cancelled my Netflix subscription almost two years ago. Reply Thread Link Same. I cancelled it because they wouldnt stop supporting shitty male comedians, too. Reply Parent Thread Link How much is netflix spending on this shit while canceling good shows? Reply Thread Link he signed a two part special deal w/ netflix for $40m in 2016. this was his second special. Reply Parent Thread Link Seriously whats with the cancelling of shows after like two seasons idgi Edited at 2023-03-05 02:19 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link not sure how true it is but I read somewhere that if a show gets a third season, all the crew and stuff get a pay raise. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Honestly his deal is probably a GameStop situation for Netflix. I was wondering if it originally happened as a sweetener to Adam Sandlers setup. Reply Parent Thread Link "im not owned! im not owned!!", i continue to insist as i slowly shrink and transform into a corn cob wint (@dril) November 11, 2011 Reply Thread Link Oh was he slapped? I havent heard him go on and on about it. Reply Thread Link Oh GOD here he goes again Reply Thread Link men are weak pt 324908302394 Reply Thread Link Obviously, Will could have and should have made a different choice, but lets not pretend that Chris has not been talking shit about Jada for years. Reply Thread Link Will could have and should have made a different choice Fully agree, he should've punched Chris right in the teeth, maybe broken a glass on his head but I don't think the Oscars serve food and drinks. Reply Parent Thread Link They've got a bar in the back that some attendees just hang out at the entire time. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link notice how saw beyonce at burger king Reply Thread Link I forgot Jonny makeup existed Reply Parent Thread Link thank you for activating this core memory i forgot i had Reply Parent Thread Link Wait...this man cannot be serious this is too outrageous to be real Reply Parent Thread Link Serial Mom needs to be giffed more, and also available on streaming!! I want to watch it again Reply Parent Thread Link P.S. I sent you a DM on how I watch serial mom :) I hope it works! Edited at 2023-03-05 05:24 pm (UTC) YES!! 100%! I JUST got a serial mom shirt! I really want an icon of the iconic portrait in her living room but since idk how to make icons the one in this comment is the only one I could make P.S. I sent you a DM on how I watch serial mom :) I hope it works! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Its not streaming anywhere? I love this movie lol. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Did you see that? She just said FUCK YOU to me! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Chris Rock just slapped Will Smith the right way on stage. pic.twitter.com/eHAWXQlIso Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) March 5, 2023 Reply Thread Link Oh yeah hes totally not mad about this at all lmao Reply Parent Thread Link Lets see him say this with Will standing in front of him Reply Parent Thread Link He would just be proving what Chris said at the end right. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link lmaoooo I forgot Jada fucked his son's friend It's so funny too because there's some oscars roundtable where Will says he was driven to be the biggest actor in the world so no one could ever cheat on him again. ok buddy! Reply Parent Thread Link He mad, huh? Reply Parent Thread Link Chris comes across like he's more mad at Will Smith for not hating Jada as much as Chris does. It's like some weird patriarchal, toxic masculinity bullshit campaign that's been going on for years. If Will thinks his issues with his wife are mendable, that's between him, Jada, and their kids. Even if we assume that Chris has good intentions and is calling out Jada on behalf of Will, there's no defending the way he's going about it. It's completely unhinged. This is shit that needs be dealt with behind closed doors and not dragged to public for the entire world to give their two cents on. "I normally would not talk about this shit"; okay well don't. Nobody in the Smith family gaf about his unsolicited hot-takes. He's infinitely worse than the tabloids and I'm side-eyeing anyone who finds his exploitive material funny. He's an irrelevant outsider to everything going on in that family. Does anyone know if he's an addict of sorts? Because he's exhibiting the same type of obsessive fixation that The Situation, from Jersey Shore, has on Angelina's marriage and sex life after getting out of jail and becoming sober. It's like Mike has shifted his addiction to drugs to food and going out of his way to stalk and judge Angelina like he's entitled to it or something. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm pro slap, but points were made. Reply Parent Thread Link I've seen Chris Rock's old stand up, and like... is this actually funny? Or has my taste in comedy just changed? He just sounds like he's airing his grievance rather than turning the situation into something humorous. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link ...so he mad that she was fucking the friend and never him, eh? Reply Parent Thread Link You can tell people who've never really been hit in the face as an adult because there is a smug air of untouchability around them that makes them infinitely more punchable. Reply Parent Thread Link w h y Reply Parent Thread Link why is this so much more satisfying to watch lmao Reply Parent Thread Link this took too long, he shouldve started a whole new routine on tour like the very next week now im looking at these mid ass jokes likethats what you came up with after a year? Reply Thread Link I used to think he was so funny and now its like hes stopped trying. Reply Parent Thread Link What most comedians do is, they will work out material in smaller clubs over a period of time. Then, when they have enough material for an hour or so, they will do a tour. Then, if they're big enough, they'll end the "era", so to speak, by filming it for a tv special. Chris was already touring when the Oscars thing happened, but obviously incorporated it into the act. Also, the whole special isn't about Will. Reply Parent Thread Link Dealmaking in the mining industry just became hotter this year after an unsolicited proposal to combine two of the world's top senior gold producersa merger that could turn into the biggest gold mining sector acquisition ever. Newmont Corporation's bid to acquire 100% of Australia's Newcrest Miningrejected by the takeover target at this pointsparked talk about a new wave of consolidation in the mining sector, driven by high gold prices and the pursuit of supply of key metals for the energy transition, including copper and lithium. Analysts and industry professionals expect mining companies to accelerate M&A activity this year. Following Newmont's $16.9 billion bid, Newcrest's board unanimously rejected the offer "as it does not represent sufficient value for Newcrest shareholders," but said that it was ready to provide non-exclusive access to some limited non-public information "in order to determine if Newmont can provide an improved proposal for consideration by the Board that appropriately reflects the value of Newcrest." Regardless of whether Newmont will submit a higher offer for Newcrest, the mining industry is set for a new wave of consolidation, industry executives say. This year is likely to see more mergers in the gold mining sector, Endeavour Mining's President and chief executive Sebastien de Montessus told Reuters in an interview last month, days after news broke of Newmont's mega-merger proposal. "I think we will probably see more [deals], simply because some companies are lacking a clear strategy," de Montessus told Reuters. "You've got historical companies like IAMGOLD, Gold Fields, AngloGold, Kinross, where there are a lot of questions about whether their portfolio is well-suited, and whether their strategy is clear enough for investors and shareholders." More mergers and acquisitions in the gold mining sector are inevitable as companies will look to replace depleting assets, Harmony Gold's CEO Peter Steenkamp told Reuters this week. Related: UAE Has Internal Debate About Leaving OPEC It's not only the gold sector that is ripe for consolidation, according to industry professionals. Alex Christopher, president of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), told Bloomberg that a lot of the associations' small to medium-sized firms would be looking for growth through deals. "Clearly a lot of them look to M&A for growth, though. They're often trying to discover assets that a bigger company would later take on," Christopher told Bloomberg ahead of the world's premier mineral exploration and mining conference in Toronto beginning on March 5. Weeks before the conference, several major mining deals were announced or completed. Rio Tinto, for example, has completed its acquisition of Turquoise Hill Resources for around $3.1 billion, significantly strengthening Rio Tinto's copper portfolio. B2Gold has agreed to buy Sabina Gold & Silver Corp and its gold-mining project in Canada, while mining giant BHP could be close to its biggest acquisition in over a decade with the proposal to buy Australian copper-gold producer OZ Minerals. Companies are adding more copper assets in view of an expected copper supply crunch in the energy transition. A huge shortage of copper is looming, mining and commodities giant Glencore said at the end of last year, reiterating warnings from other industry players and analysts that a supply crunch could slow the energy transition. Growing efforts at decarbonization are raising demand for key metals such as lithium, cobalt, copper, and nickel. The energy transition was the key driver behind 25% of the top 20 mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals in mining in 2022, as the industry responded to consumer and shareholder demand for portfolio diversification and sustainability, data and analytics company GlobalData said in a report last month. ADVERTISEMENT "Mining companies are shifting their portfolios to focus more on future-facing metals," William Tyson, Associate Analyst, Thematic Intelligence at GlobalData, said, commenting on the report. "The shortages of these metals and the growth in demand for EVs have prompted M&A deal activity as mining companies consolidate to fill the gap in supply." By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Matt and Marc Johnson , along with their sons, Mitchell and Andrew , are proud to announce the expansion of DRM into a dual-brand restaurant franchise within the Inspire Brands family. DRM currently owns 98 Arby's restaurants in six Midwest states. Over the next three years throughout Omaha, NE and Wisconsin, DRM will build ten Buffalo Wild Wings GO restaurants. BWW GO is a new takeout and delivery-focused model designed to offer the brand's chicken wings and 26 signature sauces and seasoning options, plus a few other fan favorites. The father-son duos are Omaha natives and part of a third-generation family business founded in 1977. Owners, Matt and Marc joined the business with their father Dean in 1984 and grew the business from just six Arby's restaurants. Matt and Marc have always had a strong vision for the future and believe, "When better is achievable, then good is not good enough." Mitchell and Andrew, who became minority owners in 2021 and Executive Vice Presidents in 2023, share the same passion and believe, "As long as our team has the energy and excitement to do more and be more, there is no limit to our potential and what we can accomplish!" Matt, Marc, Mitchell and Andrew look forward to the next generation of growth and opportunities for the DReaM team for many years to come! BOUSQUET, FRIEDMAN, KELLY, KRUEGER & VANDERLOO RECOGNIZED AS FIVE OF LPL FINANCIAL'S TOP FINANCIAL ADVISORS Silverleaf Wealth Management is proud to announce Tonya Bousquet, Jeremy Friedman, Tim Kelly, Curt Krueger, and Tim Vanderloo as recipients of LPL's 2023 awards: Jeremy is named as a Patriot's Club recipient. This elite award is presented to less than 7% of LPL advisors. Curt and Tim V. are named as Director's Club recipients, presented to the top 15% of LPL advisors. Tonya and Tim K. are named Freedom's Club recipients, presented to the top 23% of LPL advisors. With more than 21,000 LPL-affiliated advisors nationwide, LPL awards this distinction to select advisors based upon their business success*. "On behalf of LPL, I'm thrilled to congratulate Tonya, Jeremy, Tim K., Curt and Tim V." said Angela Xavier, LPL executive vice president, Independent Advisor Services. "It is an honor to support them with the technological infrastructure, integrated products and differentiated services that help advisors run a thriving practice. We wish Tonya Bousquet, Jeremy Friedman, Tim Kelly, Curt Krueger, Tim Vanderloo, and their entire team even greater success as they continue to help their clients work towards their financial goals in the years ahead." About Silverleaf Wealth Management: Silverleaf has a team of 21 including 12 producing advisors collectively responsible for managing over $1Billion in discretionary and non-discretionary assets with Gladstone Institutional Advisory, A Registered Investment Advisor. Silverleaf provides a full range of personalized services, including retirement and financial planning as well as tax and estate planning strategies. Silverleafwealth.com Bousquet, Friedman, Kelly, Krueger and Vanderloo are affiliated with LPL Financial, a leading wealth management firm. LPL provides the resources, tools and technology that support advisors in their work to enrich their clients' financial lives. *Achievement is based on annual production among LPL Advisors only. **Top RIA custodian (Cerulli Associates, 2020 U.S. RIA Marketplace Report). No. 1 Independent Broker-Dealer in the U.S. (Based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine 1996-2022). Among third-party providers of brokerage services to banks and credit unions, No. 1 in AUM Growth from Financial Institutions; No. 1 in Market Share of AUM from Financial Institutions; No. 1 in Market Share of Revenue from Financial Institutions; No. 1 on Financial Institution Market Share; No. 1 on Share of Advisors. (2021-2022 Kehrer Bielan Research & Consulting Annual TPM Report). Fortune 500 as of June 2021. LPL and its affiliated companies provide financial services only from the United States. Throughout this communication, the terms "financial advisors" and "advisors" include registered representatives and/or investment adviser representatives affiliated with LPL Financial LLC, an SEC registered broker-dealer and investment adviser. Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Gladstone Institutional Advisory, A Registered Investment Advisor. Gladstone Institutional Advisory and Silverleaf Wealth Management are separate entities from LPL Financial. Do you hear the people sing? You will soon. Omaha Performing Arts is bringing the legendary, Tony Award-winning musical Les Miserables to the Orpheum Theater beginning Tuesday night for a six-day run, ending March 12. The show is part of OPAs 2022-23 Broadway series. Based on Victor Hugos 1862 novel of the same title, the show was adapted for musical theater by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg. It premiered on a Paris stage in 1980 and came to New York Citys Broadway in 1987. Over the last few decades, film versions both musical and nonmusical have been released. The critically acclaimed score includes famous numbers such as Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More and I Dreamed a Dream. Set in early 1800s France, Les Miserables is the story of Jean Valjean, a prisoner who is released after serving nearly 20 years in jail for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sisters starving child. Driven by a desire to begin a new life, Valjean breaks the terms of his parole. He is then hunted by Javert, a driven and persistent police inspector who vows not to let Valjean escape what he perceives as justice. Over the years, Valjean meets others who change his life and affect his decisions as he seeks redemption amid revolutionary times. New York City resident Preston Truman Boyd plays Javert in the upcoming Omaha performances. It is his second time playing the role in an Omaha production. In a recent interview with The World-Herald, Boyd said one of the shows central themes is one people can relate to, even today: the survival of the human spirit. Weve all recently been through so many hardships financially and socially coming out of the pandemic, I hope more people now realize whats important in life, he said. Just being a part of this story and hearing from people who come to the show about what it means to them ... whether you have overcome something or if theres something standing in your way, hopefully this story inspires people to appreciate where they are. Boyd said the most challenging aspect of playing Javert is embracing the characters restraint. He described Javert as having an Old Testament way about him, in that his beliefs at the beginning of the show are very black and white in terms of right and wrong. Those beliefs ultimately become obstacles as he doggedly pursues Valjean throughout the show. We both have such a symbiotic relationship in this story where we both help each other see the world through different sets of eyes and we both have very different endings, Boyd said. As time goes on through the story, you see my character shift in a way that he begins questioning certain things about how the system is set up. ... He mentally snaps and all of his cellular makeup rearranges and he doesnt even know how to live inside of his body. Boyd encouraged those coming to see Les Miserables for the first time to read a brief summary on the plot without delving into too many spoilers and to avoid listening to the soundtrack ahead of time. Hearing the songs performed live, he said, is a special moment. He said the company himself included is always pushing for the best performance possible. Im still learning new things about it every night, which is exciting as an actor to grow within a very set parameter. It is exciting to surprise yourself on stage every night and to get to know your character on a more human level. Were trying to bring as much humanity to these roles as we can. ABOUT THE SHOW What: Omaha Performing Arts presents the award-winning musical "Les Miserables" When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. March 12. Where: Omaha's Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Tickets: Range between $40 and $130 depending on date and performance time. Tickets can be purchased at ticketomaha.com or at the Omaha Performing Arts Center box office inside the Holland Center, 1200 Douglas St. More information: o-pa.org Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2023 In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nebraska Medical Center was at the forefront of an international clinical trial of the drug remdesivir, which was sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. The hope was the drug would be effective against the virus. By April 2020, the early trial showed that remdesivir shortened the time it took for all patients hospitalized for COVID-19 to recover by five days overall, compared with those who received a placebo. Patients who got the drug also were less likely to require oxygen or mechanical ventilation and less likely to die. But use of remdesivir was not officially recommended by major health organizations for most hospitalized patients at that time two initially recommended it only for those on supplemental oxygen. A study published last week in the British medical journal The Lancet Respiratory Medicine confirmed findings of the initial NIH trial. Dr. Andre Kalil, who led the Omaha-based arm of the trial, said its always important to see studies replicated by other researchers. But Kalil, in an invited commentary on the Lancet study, noted that a number of public health and medical bodies delayed acting on the early beneficial results and recommending the drug in guidelines for clinicians. The National Institutes of Health and the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for nearly two years recommended remdesivir only for hospitalized patients who received supplemental oxygen. Only after that time did the groups recommend it for patients who were hospitalized but did not need supplemental oxygen. The World Health Organization didnt recommend remdesivir for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 until late 2022. Regrettably, the delays in recommendation of remdesivir for patients even after the initial remdesivir shortage was resolved adversely shaped antimicrobial policy in hospitals around the world, preventing patients from receiving timely remdesivir, wrote Kalil, a University of Nebraska Medical Center professor and an infectious diseases physician with Nebraska Medicine, the health system that includes the Nebraska Medical Center. In an interview, Kalil said he believes more lives could have been saved if the guideline panels had been more timely in making their recommendations. All three now recommend remdesivir for hospitalized patients. He said his intent in writing the commentary was to discuss the results of the new study and comment on the lessons learned from the last three years. He said he realizes the panel members are invested in doing the right thing. But its important to recognize mistakes in order to avoid repeating them and to better patient care and public health. You have to recognize your mistakes to improve, Kalil said. If you dont recognize what was done right or not ... you cant make progress. Thats really among the main intents of this piece. He also said he believes researchers need to learn to prioritize the results of high-quality, randomized trials like the one that launched in Omaha. The early trial run by the NIH eventually tested remdesivir versus placebo in 1,063 hospitalized coronavirus patients around the world and found significant clinical benefits faster recovery, shorter hospital stay, less need for mechanical ventilation and better survival in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Nebraska Medicine continued to use the drug in hospitalized patients based on the results of the trial. The Food and Drug Administration authorized the drug for emergency use in May 2020 and followed with full approval for hospitalized patients 12 and older in October 2020. In the new Lancet study, Swiss researchers pooled patient data from eight randomized, controlled studies covering nearly 10,500 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, including the study that launched in Omaha. The researchers found that patients who got remdesivir were significantly more likely to survive than those who did not. They also were less likely to need mechanical ventilation. The drug provided the greatest benefit for patients who didnt need oxygen or who got supplemental oxygen. The study did not detect a definite benefit of the drug for patients who were on mechanical ventilators, however. Not enough ventilated patients were included to reach a conclusion in that group. In a crisis like the pandemic, Kalil said, researchers keep learning at breakneck speed. Science itself, by its nature, continuously evolves. But thats what really makes us successful as human beings, is learning and moving forward, he said. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2023 The Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District is legally responsible for mold that grew inside heating and air-conditioning ductwork during construction of U.S. Strategic Commands new headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, a federal contract appeals board has ruled. The decision could potentially cost the corps (and taxpayers) more than $40 million. A three-judge panel of the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals determined the corps defective design led the mold to grow like ants following a line of honey on an adhesive used in fiberglass ductwork that lined the interior of the HVAC ducts. The discovery of the mold in September 2015 three years into the construction of StratComs $1.3 billion headquarters forced the lead contractor, KiewitPhelps, to tear out and replace about 3 miles of ductwork. The snafu set back construction on the trouble-plagued project by 209 days, according to court documents. The building finally opened in 2019, three years behind schedule. KiewitPhelps (a partnership of Omaha-based Kiewit Corp. and Colorado-based Hensel Phelps) sought damages from the corps totaling more than $40.7 million. The Omaha district commander denied the claim in 2017, alleging that the mold was caused by the negligence of the KiewitPhelps subcontractor in charge of installing the ductwork. The same year, KiewitPhelps appealed to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, a federal administrative tribunal tasked with hearing contract disputes between government contractors and the Defense Department. The board heard testimony during a hearing that lasted nine days. The projects contracting officer, Ann Young, testified that lined ductwork was part of the original design by HDR, an Omaha architecture firm. She said insulation was essential for security so that sounds could not travel between spaces in the building, which she described as a large SCIF, or Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility. Its the mission thats sensitive and the documentation and the discussions that people have, Young testified. So (SCIF buildings) are built in such a fashion that ... information cannot be detected or heard in other areas. The plan called for insulating ductwork in the building with a rigid fiberglass liner, using an adhesive to insulate joints and seams. Both HDR and KiewitPhelps argued against the use of lined ductwork, which is generally forbidden by federal construction guidelines due to the risk of bits of fiberglass floating loose inside the ducts. The corps disregarded their advice, for reasons that arent explained in the boards ruling. KiewitPhelps selected an adhesive called CP-135, and the corps approved its use. None of them, though, foresaw the mold infestation that would bedevil the StratCom project at the end of the wet summer of 2015. On Sept. 9, a corps inspector discovered mold inside joints and seams of some of the ductwork (as well as a dead mouse). He also found mold in trash piles, wood panels, drywall and buckets of water. Two days later, the corps issued a stop-work order pending an investigation and remediation plan. The mold wasnt the first problem to plague the StratCom project. Soon after groundbreaking in October 2012, the high water table on the 80-acre site a short distance from the Missouri River caused moisture to seep into anchor points in a bathtub-like retention wall surrounding the buildings underground command center. Then, in fall 2014, engineers discovered that some of the concrete floors hadnt been properly designed to withstand a progressive structural collapse of the type that brought down the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Each problem took several months to correct. The costly delays hit the project hard, in part because the corps had awarded KiewitPhelps as a high-risk project with only 1.1% in contingency funds for changes or emergencies. That forced the corps to ask Congress for an extra $37 million in funding even before the mold was discovered. The type of mold that settled in the ducts required very little moisture, according to an experts testimony, and it found an excellent food source in the CP-135 adhesive. In fact, it grew only in the joints and seams where the CP-135 had been applied, prompting one witness to make the ants-to-honey comparison. In late 2015 and early 2016, KiewitPhelps inspected and removed thousands of feet of moldy ductwork. It once again recommended using unlined ducts, but the corps instead approved new ones that used a different adhesive. Later inspections showed no mold in the new ductwork. In its decision, the board rejected the corps contention that KiewitPhelps was to blame for the mold because it selected the defective adhesive, and because a subcontractor allowed some of the ductwork to be stored outside in the rain. Instead, the board concluded, KiewitPhelps was essentially following the corps orders when it chose the CP-135. And the mold would have formed even in a dryer environment. The board directed the two sides to come up with a financial settlement. By law, KiewitPhelps is entitled to accrued interest, which could push the figure higher than the $40.7 million originally claimed. Its not clear whether they have reached an agreement, or if Congress will have to appropriate new funds to cover the damages. Both the corps and Kiewit Corp. declined to answer questions about the ruling. Kiewit released a brief statement noting the board had found the corps ductwork design was defective, adding, The panel ordered that KiewitPhelps is entitled to compensation ... for construction changes directed by USACE to correct the defective design. A spokesperson for the corps said it does not comment on ongoing litigation. A father and son in western Nebraska have been charged with animal abuse after authorities found over 150 dead cattle on their farmstead near North Platte. Larry E. Mikoloyck, 75, and Matthew J. Mikoloyck, 41, were each charged last week with 10 counts of intentional animal abuse, according to Lincoln County court documents. The men, who face up to three years in prison on each count, both paid 10% of their $100,000 bail, $10,000, and were released from jail. According to an affidavit filed in court, deputies searched the mens property at 4908 N. Homestead Road on Wednesday and found over 150 dead cattle. Deceased cattle were found in the same pastures where live cattle were housed and fed, according to the affidavit. So many dead cattle were piled up in one area that they were too numerous to count. Authorities seized more than 1,000 bulls, cows and calves from the farmstead. The animals were taken to the North Platte Sale Barn for inspection by a veterinarian. Residents in Lincoln and Logan Counties assisted with the effort. Numerous cattle had to be put down on scene as they were very sick, injured and dying, according to a statement from the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office. Deputies noted there was little food and not enough water to sustain most of the herd, according to the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, which had been investigating the Mikoloycks for several weeks with the assistance of the Nebraska Brand Committee and the Nebraska State Patrol. The Logan and Thomas County Sheriffs Offices also assisted in the investigation. Maybe some of you can recall a time back in middle school when even though the teacher knew which kid was responsible for a serious breach of school rules the entire class was punished as a collective by making them all stay after school. It was not fair and it did not really solve the problem. But it was easier to ignore reality, avoid a confrontation and instead punish the innocent along with the guilty. That in effect is what some pundits and presidential candidates are doing when calling for a discriminatory mental competency test for political candidates of a certain age. One suggested the cut-off age for a cognitive test be over 75. That raises a couple of questions: why have any age-related test at all, and why the seemingly arbitrary age of 75? Surely, the proponents of this are aware that cognitive impairment is not limited to persons over 75. Indeed, younger people are subject to various types of cognitive problems. And many people over 75 (including a number of current and former office-holders) are still functioning well and able to do the job perhaps even a better job than some younger candidates. Furthermore, in the few cases where an office-holder really is cognitively impaired, the problem usually is quite apparent. Yet, voters have cast their votes for the candidate in spite of those cognitive limitations. Why then would voters believe a test score or diagnosis if they much like Baghdad Bob of Iraq war fame are in denial of the real world evidence that is right before their eyes? Instead, ageism perhaps the last acceptable prejudice is brought out of the box to offer age as a proxy for cognitive impairment, and to justify a call for a new generation ( i.e. younger) of leaders. Individuals run for and hold office. Each should be judged on his/her individual merit, experience and capability, not some category such as age, over which they have no control. Finally, age as a proxy for mental impairment may end up backfiring on those who have proposed it. A reporter for a foreign broadcaster said it well when he reminded his audience that these proponents of age limits and cognitive tests would do well to remember that older individuals tend to vote in higher percentages than others and may not like being dismissed as mentally impaired. To benefit the Humane Society of Central Illinois Saturday, March 4 ISU Brown Ballroom After two years of holding virtual events, the Humane Society returned to in-person event for their annual gala. Guests loved the 1920s theme, and the ballroom was filled with guys and dolls, flappers and fellas. The auction included items such as trips, condo rentals, paint your pet opportunities, as well as a wine pull and a trip raffle. Mike Bliss, a magician/comedian, entertained the crowds with mind-boggling sleights of hand featuring plenty of audience participation. Proceeds from the event support the work of the Humane Society of Central Illinois, (HSCI) which cares for abandoned, abused, or unwanted pets in the area, while finding them forever homes. HSCI runs 100% on donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations. FUNKS GROVE Visitors enjoying the trails and woods at Sugar Grove Nature Center recently may have noticed a missing presence: honeybees. After the Central Illinois Beekeepers Association ended its partnership with Sugar Grove in February, Patti Koranda, CIBA treasurer, relocated the half-dozen or so hives to her home southwest of Heyworth. Koranda, "PK" to her friends, said she had been caring for the hives for at least six years, but the abrupt changes to staffing at Sugar Grove caused CIBA to rethink the relationship. "I said, 'If I'm not sure where you're going with this center, I would like to wait until the dust clears,'" Koranda said. CIBA had four styles of outdoor hives located south of the visitors center at Sugar Grove, each with unique teaching purposes: Langstroth, top-bar, long hive and a polystyrene hive. Each hive held between 50,000 and 100,000 bees and can weigh hundreds of pounds when full of honey, Koranda said. She and about 10 other volunteers gathered on Feb. 18 to lock down the hives, transport them about 150 yards to their vehicles, and then drive them to Koranda's house, where they will reside for the foreseeable future. Among the hives moved was an Ulster observation hive inside the visitors center and designed to let viewers observe bees in the hive, including the queen. According to a June 2014 article in the American Bee Journal, the observation hive was installed that year as a joint agreement between Sugar Grove and the Illinois State University Beekeepers Association. Koranda said that, over time, the ISU Beekeepers Association had to shift and "morph" into another entity as students graduated and faculty retired. According to CIBA's website, CIBA is the "continuation" of that club. Koranda said she enjoyed using the observation hive to teach curious visitors. "I'd check the bees on the inside, looking for the queen and stuff," she said, "and then kids would kind of come out, 'What are you doing?'" Tricia Braid, board president of Sugar Grove Nature Center, said she was aware that Koranda had removed the observation hive from the visitors center, where staff worked, but had hoped to keep the partnership alive. "My understanding was that it (the observation hive) would be moved somewhere else at Sugar Grove because PK said where it was located was difficult to manage," Braid said. Braid said Sugar Grove has partnerships with several other organizations, like the Twin City Amateur Astronomers, but those partnerships involved written land and building use agreements. Braid reached out to Tom Kretz, CIBA president, via Facebook Messenger on Feb. 15 about such an agreement. That conversation, among other exchanges, was made available to The Pantagraph. Braid asked Kretz if he knew of a formal agreement between Sugar Grove and CIBA, to which Kretz replied, "I'm not sure about any written agreement with SGNC. I will check with my board members." Three days later, after the hives had been removed, Kretz sent an email to Braid. He thanked Braid for the offer to continue their partnership, but said CIBA board members ultimately decided to "suspend our current and planned programming activities at the SGNC." Kretz said CIBA had "significant concerns regarding the current operating environment at Sugar Grove Nature Center," citing access to the visitors center, lack of staff and educational programs, and concerns that "if the situation deteriorated further, we won't be in a position to safely remove (the hives) on short notice." Kretz told The Pantagraph that CIBA is "trying to keep things open and transparent with the Sugar Grove Nature board," but that the current situation is "too unpredictable." "Moving bees can be tricky," Kretz said. "We did not want to risk any decision being made by their board (at Sugar Grove) that we had to move the bees out (on short notice)." Responding to Kretz's email, Braid said Sugar Grove can now "move ahead with other folks who have expressed interest in apiary programs at Sugar Grove." Koranda already had several honeybee hives on her property, so she said it was logical to take the hives from Sugar Grove home with her. CIBA holds regular events at a number of places to teach safe beekeeping practices like honey extraction, inspection of hive health, hive splitting and swarm transport, along with mead making. From now on, Sugar Grove's bees will be part of CIBA events that Koranda hosts on her own property. "I will do the same thing at my house," she said. "It's a little more convenient for me, actually, because they're going to be right there." However, she said there will be something missing: curiosity. "The thing that will be missing is that spontaneous education," she said. Hundreds fill up on Kiwanis pancake breakfast in Bloomington 022623-blm-loc-1pancakeday.JPG 022623-blm-loc-2pancakeday.JPG 022623-blm-loc-3pancakeday.JPG 022623-blm-loc-4pancakeday.JPG BLOOMINGTON A Chicago man being jailed in the McLean County Detention Facility is charged again with battering a correctional officer. Arrest affidavits state that Allen L. Douglas, 35, has been charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, a Class 2 felony. The documents state on Friday, he hit a correctional officer in the face and then charged the officer. Records also said two inmates helped pull Douglas off of the officer. In a Saturday bond court hearing, a judge set Douglas' bond at $10,000, with 10% to apply for release. His arraignment was scheduled for 9 a.m. April 5. Douglas is being held on several other felony battery charges, per court records. He was initially charged in November with aggravated battery in a public place, a Class 3 felony, and misdemeanor resisting arrest. Court records state Douglas is due to appear at 1:30 p.m. March 27 for a hearing to review his fitness for trial in the November battery case. Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Noah R. Demuth Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson Charles J. Tankson OAK LAWN A suburban Chicago police officer has pleaded not guilty to punching a 17-year-old boy during an arrest last summer that led to protests by members of the Arab American community. Oak Lawn Officer Patrick O'Donnell's plea to aggravated battery and official misconduct charges came Wednesday in Leighton Criminal Court in Chicago. A grand jury indicted him last month, and his next court date is April 4. The Cook County prosecutor's office has said that Hadi Abuatelah was struck more than 10 times July 27 with a closed fist and that another officer knelt on the teen's legs while both officers shouted commands, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Abuatelah sustained fractures to his face, skull and pelvis. He also had swelling of his brain and spent six days in a hospital. A federal civil rights lawsuit has been filed by his family against Oak Lawn. A bystander videotaped the beating. The police department was accused by some in the community of profiling and harassment. The teen later was charged by the state's attorney's office with illegally possessing a gun. That case is pending in juvenile court. Oak Lawn Police Chief Daniel Vittorio has said departmental training was followed, that Abuatelah refused to follow commands and was reaching for a shoulder bag that contained a loaded handgun, according to the newspaper. O'Donnell's attorney, James McKay, said Abuatelah had been "trying to get that gun." O'Donnell, 33, was hired by the police department in 2014. He has been assigned to administrative duties. Today in history: Mar. 4 1789: Constitution of the United States 1917:Jeannette Rankin 1933: Franklin D. Roosevelt 1966: John Lennon 1987: Ronald Reagan 1994: John Candy 2012: Vladimir Putin 2015: The Justice Department 2021: Kay Ivey My family relocated to the Bloomington-Normal area in the summer of 2019. At the time, moving into the Unit 5 School District was an easy decision. The course and extra-curricular offerings were endless, and the staff was dedicated. Kelly Pyle was one of the first people I met while chatting during a swim team practice for our kids. We discussed the community and bonded over our shared interest in education. Since we both work in higher education, I connected with her and found her a valuable community resource. Kelly's personal and professional experience has made her an asset to the Unit 5 school board. There is a common misconception that school board members are paid for their roles in the district. In fact, the opposite is true. School board members like Kelly Pyle volunteer their time and service to the school district and community. If you see Kelly at a swim meet, cross country meets, or out grocery shopping, she will stop and talk to you about the issues. Being a school member means being accountable to various stakeholders; students, teachers, support staff, administrators, parents, and community members. Kelly has repeatedly demonstrated she's willing to make tough decisions for the greater good of the community. There is a lot at stake in the election on April 4. My children, currently in seventh and eighth grade, are not yet old enough to vote, but I will vote for Kelly Pyle to ensure their future in Unit 5 is in good hands. Sara Piotrowski, Bloomington The police have arrested over 250 motorbike riders for jumping red lights traffic in Accra. The move is part of the Police Action Against Rider Indiscipline (PAARI) programme, a road safety intervention to check indiscipline among motorcycle users on Ghanas roads. Launched in April 2023, motorcycle users who were arrested in violation of road traffic regulations and other traffic offences within the period were sensitised and taken through some road traffic education and subsequently cautioned to be law-abiding. A press statement issued by the Police Service on Friday, March 2023 said Following the introduction of the initiative, it has been observed that a good number of riders are now obeying traffic regulations, especially in the areas of not jumping the red light, avoiding riding on pedestrian walkways and facing oncoming traffic. The benefit of Operation PAARI is reflected in available data on road traffic accidents in the country which indicates that for the first time in a long while, road traffic crashes involving motorbikes have reduced significantly. While we commend all law-abiding riders for adhering to road traffic regulations, we would like to caution recalcitrant riders against the blatant disregard for traffic regulations since the law will definitely catch up with them", it added. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Police are on the hunt for Pius Anundoabil Ayoma, a private security officer who is said to have escaped from the Manet Police Station in Accra, where he was remanded pending his transfer to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison. The suspect was hauled before an Accra High Court over charges of robbery and attempted murder of his former employers, and was remanded into prison custody following a request by the prosecution. But a source close to the issue told DAILY GUIDE that the accused person absconded from the Manet Police Station at the dawn of Thursday, and is yet to be apprehended by the police. Prosecuting documents filed before the court indicate that Pius Anundoabil Ayoma, who lives off the Spintex Road in Accra, works with a private security company and was assigned to a couple who are the complaints in the case. He served as a security guard for the couple until he was relieved of that post upon a complaint made by the couple to his (the accused persons) supervisor for petty stealing at their residence. He went back to the complainants house on January 21, 2020, where he attacked the security man on duty, tied his legs and arms with rope and neck tie, and hit him several times with the but of a gun. He then gained access to the main house with a duplicate key which he already had, and forcefully broke into their bathroom where one of the complainants (the wife) was freshening up to go to church. He then ordered her to transfer some money from her phone to a mobile number, which investigations later revealed was registered in his name. The complainant transferred GH2,000 to the number, and the accused later assaulted her and tied her in the room where he kept the security man. The accused went ahead and ransacked the rooms and collected various items belonging to the couple, including two iPhones, one Dell laptop computer, one DSTV decoder, one Subwoofer, a 32 inches Samsung television, and one 55-inch Philip flat screen television. Pius Anundoabil Ayoma, according to court documents, ordered the woman to order an Uber with her phone, which she did, and the accused conveyed the stolen items into the vehicle with the assistance of the driver. He then laid ambush in wait for the husband who had returned from work and shot at him after he tried to rescue his wife, who was tied to a toilet seat. The accused then entered the Uber and ordered the driver at gunpoint to drive, but the accused during the trip ordered the Uber driver to stop a taxi for him, which he transferred his booty. The police at this point had been informed about the activities of the accused, and they traced him to Kassapreko in Accra, where they met him in the taxi. The accused however pointed a gun at the police and managed to escape, leaving the booty behind. He then fled to Fumbisi, in the Upper East Region, where he was arrested, but had fired at the police and injured some officers in the process. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Director of Local Government Services at the Office of the President, Dennis Miracles Aboagye has castigated the Minority in Parliament and the National Democratic Congress for opposing the new Constitutional Instrument (C.I) proposed by the Electoral Commission. With the new C.I, the EC seeks to use Ghana Card as the only identification medium to qualify eligible Ghanaians to be enrolled onto the voters' register. According to the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, this new C.I if passed by Parliament will "guarantee the credibility of the register and elections, prevent enrolment of minors, prevent foreigners from voting, eliminate the guarantor". She emphasized, in her speech at Parliament, that "the Ghana Card will not be used to vote in the 2024 elections. The Ghana Card is only a requirement to register as a voter", adding we do not intend to disenfranchise persons who qualify to vote. It is in our interest to register them. It will be an antithesis to deny any Ghanaian the right to vote. But the Minority has raised concerns over this request and registered their intention to oppose it. To Dennis Miracles, the NDC is opposed to the new C.I proposal because it will prevent them from rigging the elections. "I am not surprised if they are opposing something that will not take anybody's life away. The NDC are not against the Ghana Card registration. They are worried about the breakdown of their election rigging machinery...The real fight the NDC are fighting for is that crude primitive way of registration", he told Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo". He touted the use of the Ghana Card as a major improvement on the electoral process. "We should be improving. Elsewhere in the world, don't they post ballot paper to the electorates in the house? Elsewhere in the world, you receive at home your ballot paper by post, so with them, some even cast their votes by post days before the election day. So, countries improve; we evolve. "We get better but in getting better, there will always be challenges. Why? We all know that the guarantor system was not the best but we were using it. So, if there are going to be challenges with the use of the NIA, it doesn't mean we shouldn't use it. We should use and then improve upon the challenges", he argued. Contrary to views that the use of the Ghana Card will erase the guarantor system, Dennis Miracles further argued that "if you want to use the guarantor system, no problem. Go and use that process to get an NIA card and come and register for your Electoral Commission card". "Do we have to fight over this?", he questioned. He however called for national and parliamentary support for the new C.I, stressing "it is that election rigging machinery that Togolese, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast people can come and vote here is what the NDC is afraid of but it will be broken down. Whether they like it or not, it will be broken down. Only Ghanaians should vote!" Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former President John Dramani Mahama has come under fire from a mammoth number of Ghanaians on social media for using what has been described as "insulting words" against his critics who doubt his sincerity to cancel ex gratia payments. The former President, in an address to NDC party delegates in the Volta Region, said if Ghanaians return him to power, he will scrap the constitutional ex gratia payments to Article 71 holders. But as one of the longest and biggest beneficiary of ex gratia payments as a four-term MP, Vice President, President and ex-President for the past 27 years under the Constitution, many people have cast doubts on his honesty and commitment to fulfill his promise to cancel what he has benefitted for years. Also, the likes of Lawyer Martin Kpebu have asked the former President to return his ex gratia payments to demonstrate he truly detests ex gratia and as a show of faith in his promise to the Ghanaian populace. To the surprise of many, however, former President Mahama went acerbic, launching scathing attacks on those who commented and described their suggestions as "silly". "I said categorically that we will cancel ex gratia. And then somebody who should know better, a lawyer, he said then I should refund all the ex gratia we took before to show that we are serious about cancelling it. He does not even know the principle in our constitution that says you cannot pass retrospective legislation...if you pass legislation today, it does not affect what happened in the past. And what he says is a bit silly because it's like saying that because we have introduced free SHS, all of us should go and get refund of our school fees that we paid," former President Mahama said. However, many Ghanaians, apart from disagreeing with the analogy of the Mahama, have also expressed surprise at his disrespect to his critics. With Togbe Afede and First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo on record to have returned ex gratia payments, many wondered what is preventing former President Mahama from returning his over two-decade ex gratia payments he continues to receive. Below are some comments from the public: Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Akufo-Addo believes Ghana as a country still has a long way to go when it comes to development. He, however, admits there has been some level of growth over the years. But insist there is still more to be done to achieve the expected development. This was when he addressed attendees of the 2023 Presidents Independence Day Awards held in Accra ahead of the countrys 66th independence anniversary celebration scheduled for Volta Region on Monday, March 7, 2023. He noted, we must have the pride to acknowledge we have made positive strides and we must also have the humility to appreciate that we still have a long way to go. He has, therefore, made a passionate appeal for Ghana to eschew all forms of self-centeredness and divisiveness for the sake of the collective development of the nation. In spite of the challenges the nation face, he insisted a lot has been achieved by the nation, and the citizenry must have the propensity to celebrate the achievements and to acknowledge the collective challenges of the state. As we prepare to celebrate 66 years of independence from the British colonial power on the theme: Our Unity, Our Strength, Our Purpose, the formal commemoration of the anniversary taking place in Ho and Adaklu, in the Volta Region, let us eschew all acts of divisiveness and self-centered tendencies which will only retard our forward march, was his charge. Apart from that, he said we must have the patience to accept that just as our fight for freedom and independence was not achieved in a day, so too our national prosperity will not come overnight and that we will have to work hard for it. He was, however, optimistic that in peace and unity, I am certain that we can build a new Ghanaian civilisation that will attract the admiration of Africa and the world. In a brief statement, Minister for Education, Yaw Osei Adutwum said over 500,000 students have so far been placed in various senior high schools across the country in the ongoing 2023 school placement exercise. He also commended the awardees for their achievement whilst urging them not to relent in their efforts to climb up the academic ladder at the various senior high schools they have been admitted to. Managing Director Nestle Ghana Limited, headline sponsor of the Presidents Independence Awards, Georgios Badaro, on his part, applauded the award recipients for their achievements. He noted that for 16 years, Nestle has supported the awards in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the presidency of Ghana to reward Ghanaian students and talents who excel in the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE). We [Nestle] do this because we believe that recognising, celebrating, supporting the achievements of our young talents can only urge them and motivate them to stay on course of their growth and development, Georgios Badaro said. The Awards The ceremony saw the President presenting awards to 36 deserving students for the year 2021, and 36 students for the year 2022, bring the total to 72. The 2021 ceremony was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was therefore inculcated into the 2022 edition. The Presidents Independence Day Awards, since its inception in 1993, annually rewards young, brilliant students (male and female) between the ages of 14 and 19 from all the regions of Ghana. The awardees are selected based on their exceptional academic performances in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). The objectives are essentially, to recognise and reward academic excellence and to promote and encourage students with additional educational needs. The criteria used in selecting the awardees are excellent performance in the 2021 & 2022 BECE. The overall best male and female students from public schools in the 16 regions are selected based on their raw scores obtained from the West African Examination Council (WAEC). Overall best male and female students with additional educational needs such as visual and hearing impairments are also selected to receive awards. Where there is a tie, the core subjects (English, Mathematics, General Science, and Social Studies only) are used to break the tie. To ensure absolute transparency and fairness, the best male, and female students from public schools in each region are selected based on the raw scores obtained from WAEC. These students become the representing awardees for their regions. For inclusivity, the four overall best male and female students with visual and hearing challenges are also selected based on their BECE raw scores. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Nollywood veteran actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo had decided not to celebrate his birthday on March 1 because he says Nigerians are not happy about the outcome of their Presidential election. Nigerias electoral commission chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced the former Lagos governor as the winner of the February 25 election at the National Collation Centre in Abuja. The actor, who turned 61 on March 1, made it known that he is not happy about the results and that the Independent and National Electoral Commission, INEC, sold shame in the market. He wrote, I am not celebrating my birthday today because INEC sold shame in the market. God bless you, my fans and well-wishers, for your support and prayers. Tinubus victory in the 2023 Nigerian presidential election has elicited a range of reactions from celebrities across the country. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video As a child, the mall is a wondrous, mysterious place. All of lifes finer, and fattening, things under one roof with impressive ceilings and water features that collect pennies with whispered secrets living inside. Toys, treats and carousels make for a childhood fantasy home. Shopping centers across the country have taken steps to bring that fantasy back to life while redefining what a mall offers the community including luxurious living accommodations. And those efforts now include malls in the Glens Falls area. The past: Getting out of the rain Debuting in 1956, malls were built to get the shopper out of the harsh weather, and they introduced consumers to shopping complexes as complete worlds of their own. According to research in the 1990s, by 1960 there were 4,500 malls nationwide, accounting for 14% of retail sales. By 1975, there were 16,400 shopping centers accounting for 33% of retail sales. In 1987, there were 30,000 malls accounting for over 50% of all retail dollars spent, which was about $676 billion, 8% of the labor force and 13% of our gross national product. Somewhere along the way since the turn of the new millennium, malls started to fall out of favor, as online shopping ravaged traditional brick and mortar stores annual sales. As more and more national department store chains were forced to close select locations, downsize or file bankruptcy, the small shops surrounding them stopped bringing in the traffic. On Feb. 28, 2013, Latham Circle Mall in Albany County was demolished after years of stores closing and numerous reinvention attempts, such as hosting pet adoption clinics and housing Mildred Elley College for a time. But when Burlington Coat Factory closed in 2012, retail at the mall was down to JCPenney, the movie theater and Lowes, which later became a part of the new shopping plaza. The future: Shopping, sipping and sleeping Recently, Wilton Mall in Saratoga County has taken steps in the same direction as Latham Circle, hosting indoor RV and boat shows to drive traffic, as well as the grocery store and gym also offered at the shopping center, but the mall manager and property owners hope to change their fate before its too late. Plans are in motion to redevelop the old Bon-Ton store on the mall property by creating 386 luxury apartments that would connect to the existing shopping center and create a community for residents to live, work and play. Developers, who held a media event last month to discuss the plans, are asking those familiar with the mall, which opened in 1990, to reimagine what it could be like with a residential element. The project is currently under review by the Wilton Town Board and the towns Planning Board. Developers want you to 'reimagine' Wilton Mall Plans for apartments at Wilton Mall go before the Wilton Town Board again on March 2. While its neighbor to south is moving ahead with redevelopment, the Aviation Mall in Queensbury is somewhat at a standstill. While the town supervisor is confident plans are progressing for 200 new apartments there, the mall manager and owners remain tight-lipped. Project plans first surfaced in early 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Well, theyre still working on it and I think they are closer to getting the residential component of the mall in place, Supervisor John Strough said over the phone on Tuesday. I think this is the strategy of the future and its a very workable strategy that we came up with some time ago and were not alone. The old practice of having retail the total, 100% experience of the mall worked for decades, but for a variety of reasons, it isnt working now. Mall manager James Griffith indicated on Thursday that no new developments were underway currently at Aviation Mall, which is owned by the Syracuse-based Pyramid Management Group, the same company that owns the massive Crossgates Mall in Guilderland. The present: Quiet at Aviation Mall A walk through Aviation now is a little eerie, almost haunted, as the shells of once populated storefronts sit empty and dimly lit behind metal curtains. For every one store that is still open or just moved in, there are two more vacant beside it. JCPenney, Target and Dicks Sporting Goods are the only remaining anchor stores, since Bon-Ton has since been turned into Ollies Bargain Outlet and the former Sears location remains vacant since it was last used as a COVID-19 testing site. Options for food have become slim, too, as a Chinese food restaurant and Auntie Annies pretzels are the only fast food, if you dont have time to dine at the 99 Restaurant. Planet Fitness and JCPenney sandwich the restaurant, with Dicks and Target not far away, making that section of the mall more lively, but the now vacant former Victorias Secret, PINK, AT&T and Verizon stores just around the corner are a reminder of the slow decline of a once popular destination. An elderly couple walking laps around the mall on Thursday afternoon were discussing the old tenants and their spaces that were never refilled, like the former home of TJ Maxx and Claires or American Eagle, which now has signs for an American Red Cross blood drive. Just like the developers and owners of Wilton Mall, Strough cited the trend of adding living space to shopping centers across the nation. In other parts of the country they have adopted this formula or reinvention of themselves. We have to develop new strategies. I call this the Main Street Strategy because now you have a residential component, a strong one. The project here would be 200 apartments which would translate to 300 to 400, maybe even 500 people that will be injected into a living experience. Aviation Mall wants apartments by closed Sears Aviation Mall has formally applied for permission to build an apartment complex near the former Sears Auto Center. Strough said the millennial generation especially likes the idea of walkable amenities. It would help bring in some new energy to the restaurants and coffee shops. Those businesses and open mics and the movie theater are all walkable from this living experience so once you get the snowball going down the hill, it will catalyze other symbiotic relationships, and I think we have to move away from strictly retail to something more mixed, he said. The supervisor thinks adding housing to the property would help energize the mall and encourage the entire community to make better use of it. He also noted the additional tax dollars that would flow to the town, which as a result would reduce the tax burden on local residents. Aviation opened in 1975 with JCPenney and Denbys, a regional chain at the time, as the anchor stores. The mall was later expanded with Sears and then Caldor. It was rezoned by the town in 2020 to allow for residential development, however plans have since been stalled, for reasons that have not been shared with the public by the mall or its owners. It just takes some creative thinking. I do know the Pyramid Company is in negotiation with a developer who is interested in building these apartments, Strough shared without naming the developer. But I was assured by the mall, progress is being made. PHOTOS: Inside Aviation Mall CAMBRIDGE The village of Cambridge has been awarded a $2.25 million grant from the New York Forward program, Gov. Kathy Hochuls office announced Friday. The village was one of 19 villages and small towns to apply from the Capital Region Economic Development Council and one of three recipients. On behalf of the village of Cambridge, we are honored to be the recipient of the NY Forward grant. We look forward to working with the state to bring our downtown revitalization plan to life, Cambridge Village Mayor Carman Bogle said in a statement released by the governors office. The news came less than 48 hours after the village decided not to pursue a village wastewater system for which it had received a $10.8 million USDA grant. Residents of the village and neighboring towns packed a public information meeting Monday to oppose the project, which would have required a $16.2 million local match plus ongoing costs for the systems customers. The New York Forward program, announced by Hochul in July, is modeled on the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, but is aimed at rural communities with historic character. Applicants could apply for up to $4.5 million in state funds. The states 10 regional economic development councils could select two recipients for $4.5 million each or one at $4.5 million and two at $2.25 million. Cambridge is splitting the Capital Regions award with the villages of Coxsackie in Greene County, and Kinderhook in Columbia County. The Cambridge Valley Community Development and Preservation Partnership Inc. (the Community Partnership) led the villages application effort. After submitting a letter of interest in August, community members met with a state planner to identify projects that would benefit the community and spark private and public investment. The completed application, submitted in September, identified a 20-acre area, dubbed the Owlkill Commons, between Railroad Avenue and Memorial Drive and mostly south of West Main Street, where investment could have a significant impact. Participants proposed 11 projects in the Commons. Estimated costs ranged from $1.75 million for expansion of the Cambridge Public Library to $25,000 for wayfinding signs. The total estimated costs were $7.25 million, with private investments and other grants expected to make up the difference. The application can be viewed at https://www.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/Village_of_Cambridge_NYF_1_Application.pdf. If the village didnt receive the full $4.5 million, priorities were the library expansion, which is already on the drawing board, $1.5 million for repairs and improvements to VARAK Park, a 19th century industrial complex that now houses artists, small businesses, and professional offices, and redevelopment of the former lumberyard property east of VARAK Park for housing, commerce, parking, and outdoor recreation, Bogle said in an interview in October. The NY Forward application built on previous revitalization efforts including the Freight Yard project behind Hubbard Hall, the Community Partnerships purchase of the lumber yard property in 2021, local participation in the federal Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program, establishment of the Cambridge Community Forest just outside the village, and previous successful New York Main Street grants, said Sarah Ashton, executive directory of the Community Partnership. Being awarded the grant is an opportunity to work with the state to make a strategic investment plan, Ashton said. Planners provided by the state will work with community members to decide how to advance the communitys top priorities for the site, she said. The local planning effort will determine whats proposed to the state at the end of this year, then well see whats awarded, Ashton said. Its amazing that well have planners helping to facilitate this process to revitalize downtown. Small communities dont have that capacity. Ashton said she didnt have a schedule but expected the planning to take 10 months. Since this is the first year of the program, it was hard to say how it would unfold, she said. Greenwich The village of Greenwich also submitted an application but was turned down. It was, however, chosen last December for a $1.6 million Restore NY grant towards renovation and replacement of three buildings damaged or destroyed by the Wilmarth Building fire in February 2022. Owners of the properties plan to redevelop them for housing and commercial spaces. They were successful in a different way, Ashton said. ALBANY Billions of dollars stolen in pandemic unemployment benefits will likely never be recovered by investigators because the money was looted by foreign cyber criminals, the chief of the state Department of Labor has concluded. Testifying before lawmakers last week, Roberta Reardon, the state labor commissioner, said her agency believes $4 billion was lost through fraudulent claims, far less than the $11 billion estimated by the office of state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Reardon also said her agency dispensed a total of $105 billion in unemployment benefits following a surge in jobless claims triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. The fraudulent claims accounted for about 3.8% of the total, said Reardon, initially appointed to the post by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and then kept on by his successor, current Gov. Kathy Hochul, both Democrats. Fraud in the benefits program, she acknowledged, has been a long-standing problem. But we are on top of it, Reardon added, listing a number of theft-prevention measures instituted in response to the massive loss of public funds. Reardon also told lawmakers that the fact the money may never be recovered is a hard pill to swallow. Meanwhile, a coalition of groups representing businesses, including the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, the Business Council of New York State, the National Federation of Independent Business and the New York Farm Bureau, is urging the Hochul administration and the Legislature to address what it calls the lingering financial burdens triggered by the $8 billion in federal loans to the state unemployment insurance program during the pandemic. So far, a total of 33 states have used federal CARES Act or other federal stimulus money to pay off the federal advances, the coalition points out. The state has also paid more money in unemployment benefits to some individuals than they were entitled to receive, and, according to Reardon, the labor agency is seeking to recover the overpayments. Those who received overpayments can request waives from those obligations, and those requests will be examined, Reardon told lawmakers. Ashley Ranslow, director of the New York NFIB branch, said the state should consider applying any overpayments sent out to recipients to the sums employers have had to pay in additional unemployment taxes and special assessments, noting that those businesses should bear no responsibility for the states overpayments. State Sen. Dan Stec. R-Queensbury, told CNHI he believes its unfair for the state to heap more costs on businesses to deal with the money lost through inadequate oversight of the unemployment fund, as was pointed out in the comptrollers audit of the program. Somebodys got to be held accountable for this mess, said Stec. He added that many questions also remain about the theft of vouchers awarded to recipients of a special undocumented worker fund, set up to provide benefits to undocumented immigrants who did not qualify for the pandemic unemployment benefits. Sen. Peter Oberacker, R-Otsego County, suggested the labor agency should have instituted tighter controls much earlier than it did, pointing out the DiNapoli audit found the agency was put on notice several years before the benefits debacle after a 2015 audit warned the jobless benefits system was vulnerable to a workload surge and was operating with outdated technology. Oberacker has introduced legislation calling for a forensic audit of the states information technology systems, contending such a review is long overdue, but should now be a top priority in light of the scope of the thievery that has taken place. We have seen no accountability with this, the senator said. Ranslow agreed that a deep review is needed of the states information technology systems, suggesting that the labor agencys failure to vigorously address the concerns brought to light in 2015 amounts to neglect by the state. Reardon told lawmakers that the state continues to seek to recoup money stolen via schemes originating within the U.S., with an estimated $500 million recovered so far. We have referred over a million claims to the federal government, Reardon said. It is a federal crime to steal this money. We are working with the FBI. We work with the O.I.G. (Office of the Inspector General) on the national level. We work with the states Attorney General. We work with the district attorneys. The commissioner estimated the effort to recover the stolen money will take a long time. While the business community has been clamoring for months for some measure of relief from the added unemployment insurance payments tacked onto their obligations, the Democratic leaders of the state Senate and Assembly have given no indication that the matter will be addressed when the two chambers issue their formal response to the governors budget proposal in the coming weeks. ATLANTIC CITY New Jersey has a massive boating scene, whether it be commercial or recreational, so its no wonder thousands of people set their sights on the annual Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show over the weekend. The five-day maritime-themed show at the Atlantic City Convention Center is one of the largest, most-anticipated and well-known boat shows across the country. The Atlantic City show is very significant, said John Pritko, manager for the boat show for more than 20 years. This show brings in big business, so its very important. Pritko said the annual boat show, which has been around since 1980, attracts 32,000 to 43,000 people to the city Wednesday through Sunday. On Saturday, the shows biggest day, Pritko estimated at least 18,000 people attended. Recreational boating has an annual economic impact for the state of New Jersey over $6.6 billion, and it supports over 29,000 jobs, Pritko said. And commercial fishing in New Jersey also contributes more than $1 billion to the states economy, according to data from the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium. Bill Wiggins, the owner of Fin-Atics, an Ocean City saltwater tackle store that also sells fishing equipment, marine supplies and kayaks, said the boat show is great for business. Were getting our name out, and we do pretty well in sales, said Wiggins, whos been participating in the boat show as a vendor for more than 10 years. Wiggins said Fin-Atics sells more from Wednesday to Sunday at the boat show than it usually would in a week of business. Its best sellers at the show are the paddleboards and Hobie brand fishing kayaks. A total of 427 boat vendors a 40% to 46% increase from last year, according to Pritko sold a variety of boats, paddleboards, kayaks, rafts, personal watercraft and other marine conveyances. Vendors also sold boat parts, floating docks, tiki bars, navigational systems, accessories and apparel, scuba diving gear, fishing gear and boat insurance. The boat show also had seminars like Boating 101 or Discover Fishing for novices, virtual fishing simulators and an AC Says No to Plastic Clean Water Contest for elementary and middle schoolers. Its a nice, fun day to walk around and see all the boats, said Leah Cacopardo, from Brigantine, whos been coming to the boat show for at least 10 years. She brought her son, Rocco, with her Saturday. Cacopardo said the boat show attracts people to Atlantic who arent just there to gamble or go to a casino.She said she bought her 21-foot Carolina Skiff fiberglass boat at the boat show four years ago. She enjoys being part of the boat life. Traveling between all the islands, the barrier island, its fun to be on a boat, said Cacopardo, who added she enjoys traveling to restaurants by boat, fishing (Roccos favorite) and just generally being on the water. Pritko said the boat show provides a camaraderie among boaters or anyone interested in buying into the boat lifestyle, and that there was a boat for every lifestyle and budget. The boat show concluded Sunday. GALLERY: 2023 Atlantic City Boat Show PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. ATLANTIC CITY Police arrested two people Thursday as a result of motor vehicle stops that turned into drug and weapons searches. At 8:46 p.m., Officer Giselle Garcia pulled over a vehicle in the 200 block of North South Carolina Avenue after observing a motor vehicle infraction, police said Saturday in a news release. Officer Jesse Oliver-Logan and his K9 partner, Gee, were summoned to the scene. Gee indicated there were drugs in the vehicle. Police asked passenger Semaj Poteat and the driver to step out of the vehicle. Poteat was found to be in possession of 54 grams of suspected crack cocaine, 6 grams of suspected heroin and $730 believed to be proceeds of illegal narcotics sales, police said. Poteat was taken into custody. The driver was issued a motor vehicle summons and sent on his way. Poteat, 22, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, two counts of possession with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on a summons pending court. Later, at 11:27 p.m. Thursday, Officer Ivaylo Penchev conducted a motor vehicle stop in the 1500 block of Atlantic Avenue after previously observing the vehicle commit several violations, police said. Officers also determined the license of the registered owner of the vehicle was suspended. Penchev made contact with the driver, Joshua Ceasar, who exited the vehicle, became uncooperative and attempted to walk away from the stop. Penchev detained Ceasar in furtherance of the investigation, police said. Oliver-Logan and Gee were again summoned to the scene. Gee once again indicated there were drugs in the vehicle, leading to a search. Police said they found numerous plastic baggies commonly used in the packaging and distribution of narcotics, as well as two Springfield Armory M1 rifles and a large-capacity magazine loaded with .308 ammunition. As a result, Ceasar was taken into custody. Ceasar, 33, of Egg Harbor Township, was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon (rifle), possession of a high-capacity magazine, certain persons not to possess weapons and possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as numerous traffic summonses. He was sent to the Atlantic County jail. GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP A community is mourning Holocaust survivor Betty Grebenschikoff, who fled two countries due to antisemitism before building a life in South Jersey that focused on teaching others about her experiences and the value of tolerance. Grebenschikoff died Feb. 22 at 93 at her home in St. Petersburg, Florida. She previously lived in Ventnor. According to her obituary, no public funeral services were held. Gail Rosenthal, director of the Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University, said that without a chance for those whose lives were touched by Grebenschikoffs message to say goodbye, it was essential that she speak about her legacy. And that was what Rosenthal and Assistant Director Irvin Moreno-Rodriguez have sought to do in recent days, she said. From the center, located within Stockton Universitys library, Rosenthal has received calls from community members seeking closure, which she is unable to provide, so they share stories honoring Grebenschikoff. Because this is her only remembrance, she said. Because if not us, there will be nobody. And so thats the way it is. As recently as December, Grebenschikoff was speaking out against antisemitism, an endeavor she felt passionately about having grown up being bullied and mistreated as a result of others hatred of Jewish people. Grebenschikoff, Betty Betty, Grebenschikoff, - 93, of St. Petersburg, FL, Betty Grebenschikoff, nee Ilse Kohn, die It was something she experienced at a young age. Even before Grebenschikoff and her family fled Berlin, she described being teased by children at school, the students repeating old beliefs portraying Jewish people as agents of the devil. After her family fled Germany, they were among 20,000 Jews to find refuge in Shanghai, China, the only country at the time to allow Jews to enter without passports. This sanctuary was temporary, however, and the Jews were put into ghettos, which Grebenschikoff left for Australia before eventually settling in America, by then with her own family. Grebenschikoff often shared a story about her entry to America, where she and her children arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in the summertime, and were kindly offered two bottles of Coca-Cola by a man who realized they were new to the country. Despite admitting later that she didnt particularly care for the drink then or much later, for her it was the act of kindness that mattered. Rosenthal recalls a time when Grebenschikoff was speaking to a group about her experience and pursuing opportunities in life. A young man approached her afterward, distraught, telling her of the barriers keeping him from attending college despite being a hardworking student at the top of his class. With Grebenschikoffs help, that young man went on to attend a community college, and then a four-year university, and eventually worked his way up to becoming a successful lawyer. Many believe that hearing from survivors, or the accounts from their children, is the most effective means of changing peoples beliefs about Jewish people or the Holocaust. Local Holocaust survivor to speak at virtual Stockton event GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP Holocaust survivor and Ventnor resident Betty Grebenschikoff will share Rosenthal said her favorite things about Grebenschikoff were her positivity, her optimism and her smile. Grebenschikoffs warmth and caring were something youll never forget, Moreno-Rodriguez said. He has his own account of the impact Grebenschikoff had on him, starting with a school talk she gave to his middle school class. Did I remember everything that she talked about? No. But what I do remember is how kind she was, you know. So I remember just that warmth, and her caring, and asking us about our days and what we wanted to do and how we were doing in class, Moreno-Rodriguez said. Moreno-Rodriguez is now a program assistant in the Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center, a result of attending Stockton and taking Holocaust studies classes. Grebenschikoff spoke often of hope and resilience. She would tell students that what she wanted them to remember was to try to do one good deed every day. Beyond the Resource Center, Grebenschikoff published a memoir, Once My Name Was Sara, and was featured in two documentaries, Shanghai Ghetto (2002) and Survival in Shanghai (2018). Additionally, Grebenschikoff served as a board member to the Shanghai Sonatas Foundation, which is producing a new musical called Shanghai Sonatas, for which Grebenschikoff was credited as being a volunteer consultant. She was predeceased by her husband, Oleg Grebenschikoff, in 2002, and was the mother of five children. For more information, visit bettygrebenschikoff.com. Gov. Kim Reynolds on Friday reappointed two regents charged with governing Iowas public universities and named one new appointee to the nine-member board former Republican congressional candidate Robert Cramer. Cramer, who serves as president and chief administrative officer of road construction company Cramer & Associates in Grimes, in 2014 ran to represent Iowas third congressional district in the U.S. House. He lost the Republican nomination to David Young, who served in the U.S. House from 2015 to 2019 and now serves in the Iowa House of Representatives. Cramer, if confirmed, would replace Nancy Boettger on the Board of Regents shifting its gender balance to five men and four women. Boettger is among three regents with terms expiring in April including Nancy Dunkel and Sherry Bates, both of whom were reappointed Friday. Bates appointment is her third, after former Gov. Terry Branstad chose her to fill the unexpired term of Nicole Carroll in 2014 and reappointed her to serve a full six-year term in 2017, when both Dunkel and Boettger were appointed to their first terms. Dunkels reappointment keeps her as the sole Democrat on the board, which Iowa law mandates must have both gender and political balance. Bates is among three registered as independents including the boards student representative. In replacing Republican member Boettger, Cramers appointment maintains the boards Republican stronghold at five members, including board President Michael Richards and members Greta Rouse, David Barker, and JC Risewick. All five have made political donations to Reynolds and Republicans in recent years, including Barker, whos given nearly $350,000 in monetary and in-kind contributions like flights to Republicans since 2019; Risewick, who over the past two years has given $59,517 in cash and plane flights to Reynolds; and Richards, who since 2019 has donated $31,552 to Reynolds and other Republicans, according to the states campaign finance disclosure site. The newly-appointed Cramer since 2019 has given $37,871.36 to Republicans and Reynolds in cash and in-kind contributions including more than $27,500 to Reynolds in the fall of 2021. Reynolds regent appointments must be confirmed by two-thirds of the Iowa Senate. Because Risewick was appointed in June when the Legislature was out of session to fill the vacancy of Milt Dakovich who died in February 2022 of cancer senators this session will be considering the appointments of Cramer, Bates, Dunkel, and Risewick. The boards charge is to enhance the quality of life for Iowans by maintaining the educational quality, accessibility, and public service activities of Iowa's three public universities the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa; and two special K-12 entities the Iowa School for the Deaf and the Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The board in September asked lawmakers to up its $575.9 million in education appropriations by nearly $35 million, bringing the total to $610.5 million. That is the largest funding increase ask in nearly a decade. Regents are next scheduled to meet April 19 and 20 on the ISU campus. That will mark Boettgers final meeting, should the governors appointments stand. FULTON, Ill. Two people suffered severe injuries early Saturday when the vehicle they were riding in crashed into a tree and rolled over, Whiteside County Sheriff John Booker said in a news release. The crash occurred at 1:10 a.m. at Illinois Route 84 and U.S. Highway 30. Sheriffs investigators said the vehicle was northbound on Illinois Route 84 between the Union Pacific railroad tracks and U.S. 30. The vehicle went onto the west shoulder of the roadway and the driver over-corrected. The vehicle then went back across the northbound lane and into the ditch on the east side of the roadway. The vehicle then struck a tree and rolled over. Both people in the vehicle, whom Booker described only as juveniles, suffered severe injuries and were taken to MercyOne Clinton Medical Center in Clinton. Their condition was not available late Saturday. Whiteside County deputies were assisted at the scene by the Fulton Police Department, Fulton Fire Department, Fulton Ambulance, Clinton Fire Department and Midwest Towing. CHICAGO The No. 66 bus is packed on a recent weekday afternoon as it starts and stops its way from Chicago's near west side to Navy Pier along the Lake Michigan shore. The seats and windows squeak and rattle just like a regular diesel bus, but no one seems to notice the high-pitched whine of the electric motor that makes it go. That's just what Chicago Transit Authority wants. Buses that don't pollute the air yet can run the route with the same reliability as those that do, even when cold weather cuts into the battery range. Yet to make electric buses work, the CTA has had to go to great lengths and expense. It built fast-charging sites on both ends of the No. 66 route that plug into the bus rooftops. Drivers constantly monitor the batteries to make sure they don't get depleted, risking the bus getting stranded. If they get below 50% charge, they're supposed to top them off at a charger. "We're working through the day-to-day challenges of inclement weather in Chicago," said Don Hargrove, senior maintenance manager at the garage that's home to most of the authority's 23 electric buses. The CTA started experimenting with electric buses in 2014, and has developed a system that Hargrove says will work as the transit authority moves to an all-electric fleet by 2040. Other transit systems are going through the same process to help cut pollution and fight climate change. Cold weather is the CTA's biggest problem. As the temperature drops, lithium-ion batteries that run the buses aren't as efficient and lose range. Most of the energy drained from the batteries goes to keep the bus interior heated to 70 degrees. "Every time the bus stops to pick up passengers, let people off, the doors are opened," said Richard Lin, assistant chief bus equipment engineer. "You've got to heat that new batch of cold air." The electric buses do have a small diesel engine that heats the interior in extreme temperatures to extend the battery range, Lin said. But most of the time the buses use electric coil heaters, similar to a giant toaster, which can zap batteries. When the CTA bought its buses, more efficient heat pumps weren't available as an option, he said. On each 10-mile one-way trip on the No. 66 route, the electric buses lose about 8% of their battery energy. In the winter, they start with roughly 100 miles of range when fully charged. So after about six one-way trips, policy says drivers have to charge as they get below 50%. Normally the schedule has 10 to 15 minutes built in for charging, and the buses get around 1% of a full charge for every minute they're plugged in. With enough chargers, the electric buses can run all routes, Lin said. "It's just a matter of our strategy with placing the chargers at the correct locations, having enough chargers available as we scale up our fleet." At present, the CTA has about 1,900 buses and most run on diesel fuel. The transit system is starting to swap them out for electric ones, but the investment is huge. Each electric bus costs about $1.1 million, about $500,000 more than a diesel model. But after the initial capital outlay for the buses and charging stations, the electric buses are much less expensive to operate. The CTA calculates it costs $2.01 per mile to run the 40-foot-long electric buses. For a diesel bus it's $3.08, and $2.63 per mile for a diesel-electric hybrid. It would take decades for the authority to get its investment back in the electric buses, but CTA officials say the cost of electric buses will come down as more are sold. In the capital of Alaska, Juneau, which has a more temperate climate but winter temperatures can still drop below zero, officials also have plans for an all-electric bus fleet, though one they got in 2020 has been plagued by mechanical problems. Capital City Transit has ordered seven electric buses to replace diesel models from 2010, said Rich Ross, operations superintendent. The new buses are expected to run regular routes due to increased battery capacity, "which wasn't available when we ordered our first bus," he said. Cold winter conditions could still knock 100 miles off the expected 282-mile range of the new buses, so on the coldest days, they could be put on commuter routes that run only during the peak transit hours, Ross said. Like Chicago, Capital City Transit is also planning to construct an "on route" charging station for buses to plug in if they run low. Back on the No. 66 in Chicago, Dawn Carter, 54, says she's glad electric buses are running the route because they're good for the environment. About the only difference is the electric buses are quieter than those with clattering diesel engines and noisy heaters, but few people notice, she says. "When I'm coming to work, everybody's just rushing to get on and off," she says. "It's just quieter. It's easier to talk to people. When the heat goes on and off you barely notice it." ____ AP reporter Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska, and Video Journalist Teresa Crawford in Chicago contributed to this story. Just the facts, maam, was the infamous introductory phrase Sgt. Joe Friday would use when interrogating a witness in the whodunit TV series "Dragnet." Jack Webb (1920-1982) played Sgt. Friday during Dragnets 1951-1959 lifespan. Dragnets civil servant show often dealt with complex social issues. Lets apply Sgt. Fridays flat and concise just the facts, maam line to the current book banning craze before offering an opinion. Fact 1: According to Pen America, 2,532 books were banned across 32 states including all red states -- during the 2021-2022 school year. Fact 2: Over 50 major groups with affiliate groups exceeding 300 are advocates for banning books in school districts and public libraries. Fact 3: Book-banning groups, like Moms for Liberty, Parents Defending Education and No Left Turn in Education are linked to Republican mega-donor Charles Koch and GOP donor Leonard Lee, a former VP of the Koch-funded Federalist Society (Adam Gabbatt, The Guardian, Jan. 24, 2022) Fact 4: Under Adolf Hitlers dictatorial orders, more than 4,000 books were banned and burned in Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945. Fact 5: A Feb., 2022 CNN Poll found only 12% of Americans believe parents should control which library books are on the shelves. Fact 6: A CBS News/YouGov survey of Americans found: A) 83% dont want books banned that criticize U.S. history, B) 85% dont want books banned that offer different political ideas, C) 87% dont want books banned that depict slavery and D) 87% dont want books banned that discuss race. Fact 7: A plethora of research reveals a LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum promotes a positive school environment and student well-being (American Bar Association, July 5, 2022). Fact 8: The predominant advocates of the Nazi-like book banning conspiracy are Republican legislators and GOP governors from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Fact 9: The children predominantly affected by the book banning craze are Gen Z (ages 10-26). Pew Research Center notes Gen Z is more racially and ethnically diverse than previous generations. Gen Z individuals are independent learners who value diversity and inclusive cultures. Pat Scales, author of Scales on Censorship (2007) an ardent First Amendment advocate notes outright censorship is only one aspect of book banning. Shelving books by keeping them out of readers hands is about control, a far-right, Nazi, fascism, authoritarian and totalitarian ideology tactic. Scales notes intellectual freedom is about respect. It appears book banning advocates dont respect the intellectual freedom and First Amendment rights of Gen Z students who want to become knowledgeable about history and 21st century reality. For parents who dont want their child to learn about this diverse world, please do your utmost to shelter your child. First of all, take your child out of school as a certified teacher or peer student may expose your child to knowledge that may be offensive to you. Next, television, radio, social media and newspapers should become taboo in your household. Of course, all books and the internet will be off limits. For goodness sake, dont let your child play outside as they may observe or hear something that is offensive to you. Dont permit your child to hold a part-time or Lord be a full-time job as they may interact with a non-homogenized person. Growing up and adulthood is dangerous to ones health. Protect your child and hope that someday s/he will live alone on a small planet. Politicians book banning censorship actions are all about controlling children under the age of consent from the real world, a red flag behavior. Book banners dont value democracy, they crave authoritarian rule. Do you have an event or calendar item you would like published in the Ravalli Republic? Please email your submission to events@ravallirepublic.com. Submit information in paragraph form. Posters and flyers will not be accepted. Monday, March 6 Bitterroot Public Library, Shrinky Dink Take Home Kit for Kids. First come, first served, grab-bag kit. Instructions and materials included to create this kit together at home.For more information call 406-363-1670. 306 State St., Hamilton. bitterrootpubliclibrary.org. North Valley Public Library, Art for Kids ages 5-10 4-5 p.m. Beginning Belly Dance, 6-6:45 p.m., adults. For more information call 406-777-5061. 208 Main St., Stevensville, northvalleylibrary.org. Hamilton Senior Center, lunch is served 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $5; Hand and foot (canasta) $2, every Monday, 12:30 p.m. 820 N. 4th St., Hamilton. Stevensville Senior Center, 8 a.m. Coffee Club, meals at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; Pinochle at 7 p.m. 100 Mission St., Stevensville. Golden Age Club, light exercise, 9-10 a.m., $1. 727 S. 5th St., Hamilton. Tuesday, March 7 Bitterroot Public Library, Coloring Club for Adults, meeting room, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Builders Club, 4 to 5 p.m., meeting room, registration required. Socrates Cafe, 6:30 to 9 p.m. meeting room, no registration required. For more information call 406-363-1670. 306 State St., Hamilton. bitterrootpubliclibrary.org. North Valley Public Library, Library Board and MMW architects meeting, 10 a.m. to noon. Role playing games, 4-6 p.m., in-person or online (teens). For more information call 406-777-5061. 208 Main St., Stevensville, northvalleylibrary.org. Stevensville Senior Center, 8 a.m. Coffee Club. Exercise, 10 a.m., Tuesday and Thursday. 100 Mission St., Stevensville. Journey Through Grief Support, a six-week series for anyone who is grieving the death of a loved one. Tuesdays, Jan. 3 March 28, 2:30 p.m., at St Francis of Assisi, 411 S. 5th St, Hamilton. Please RSVP at stfrancishwm@gmail.com. Fly Fishers of the Bitterroot monthly meeting, BJs Restaurant in Hamilton. Social/Cocktail hour is 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dinner is optional. Guest speaker will be Dan Shepard from Fly Fishing Adventure Travel. Dan has been traveling the world for the past 22 years and gaining valuable experience in adventure fly fishing. Dan was the managing partner for Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop in Missoula for 15 years and was a producer for multiple episodes of the Outdoor Channels television series Wild On The Fly. Dan also loves to saltwater fly fish and has hosted several trips to exotic places. Dans presentation will focus on his recent December 2022 trip to Argentina, fishing lakes, rivers & spring creeks of Patagonia Argentina for Brown, Rainbow, and big Brook trout. He will also give a short presentation in search of marble trout, big bows, strong browns, and trophy Adriatic grayling in Slovenia. He has some remaining slots for his June 2023 trip to the sunny side of the Alps. Dan will take time to answer questions about any of his fishing destinations. If you love to fish, this is the social club for you. For more information call Phil 406-361-1516. Wednesday, March 8 Bitterroot Public Library, Baby and Toddler Story time, meeting room, 10:30 a.m., registration required. For more information call 406-363-1670. 306 State St., Hamilton. bitterrootpubliclibrary.org. North Valley Public Library, Songs & Stories for Preschoolers, 10:30-11 a.m. (children, babies, toddlers). Wild & Weird Wednesdays with Science Officer Lisa, 4-5 p.m. (children). For more information call 406-777-5061. 208 Main St., Stevensville, northvalleylibrary.org. Hamilton Senior Center, lunch is served 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $5; 820 N. 4th St., Hamilton. Stevensville Senior Center, 8 a.m. Coffee Club, meals at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 100 Mission St., Stevensville. Golden Age Club, light exercise, 9-10 a.m., $1. Pinochle games, 1 p.m., $3, coffee provided. 727 S. 5th St., Hamilton. Hamilton School District, Special Board Meeting, noon, District Office Conference Room. Governance Committee Meeting, Immediately Following the Special Board Meeting. Thursday, March 9 Bitterroot Public Library, Little Explorers, meeting room, 10 to 11 a.m., registration required For more information call 406-363-1670. 306 State St., Hamilton. bitterrootpubliclibrary.org. North Valley Public Library, 1-on-1 Technology Assistance, 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. (adults). Step One to Beekeeping 6:30-7:30 p.m. (adults). For more information call 406-777-5061. 208 Main St., Stevensville, northvalleylibrary.org. Stevensville Senior Center, 8 a.m. Coffee Club. Exercise, 10 a.m., Tuesday and Thursday. 100 Mission St., Stevensville. Bitterroot Womens Newcomers Club, Are you new to the Bitterroot Valley? Perhaps you are recently retired? Or you have been living in the valley for quite sometime but would like to meet new and interesting women? If so, you are welcome to attend our next meeting from 10 a.m. to noon at the First Christian Church, 328 Fairgrounds Rd., Hamilton. After a short business meeting, the program will include a a presentation by Stephanie Sipes from the Bitterroot Land Trust. Friday, March 10 Bitterroot Public Library, Preschool Story time, 10:30 a.m., meeting room, registration required. One on One Tech Support, 10 a.m. to noon, reservations recommended. Full STEAM Ahead, 3:30 to 5 p.m., meeting room, registration required. For more information call 406-363-1670. 306 State St., Hamilton. bitterrootpubliclibrary.org. North Valley Public Library, Open World Fridays, 4:00pm6:00pm, Teen, For more information call 406-777-5061. 208 Main St., Stevensville, northvalleylibrary.org. Hamilton Senior Center, lunch is served 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $5; Pinochle games, 1 p.m., $3. 820 N. 4th St., Hamilton. Stevensville Senior Center, 8 a.m. Coffee Club, meals at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 100 Mission St., Stevensville. Golden Age Club, light exercise, 9-10 a.m., $1. 727 S. 5th St., Hamilton. Saturday, March 11 Hamilton Senior Center, bingo is every first and third Saturday, opens at noon, play begins at 1 p.m. $2 entry fee. $10/15 games. Must be 18+ to play. Flea Market is the 2nd Saturday of every month from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., September to May. 820 N. 4th St., Hamilton. Stevensville Senior Center, pinochle at 7 p.m. 100 Mission St., Stevensville. AA Meeting, 6-10 p.m., Bitterroot Public Library, 306 State St. The Witness Protection Program is a procedure established by the United States government to protect the safety of witnesses who could be in danger due to their testimony in criminal cases. The program has a history dating back to 1970. It has played a critical role in securing convictions in some of the most high-profile cases in American history. The program was created in 1970 as part of the Organized Crime Control Act. The program was initially designed to protect witnesses who were cooperating with the government in cases involving organized crime syndicates such as the Mafia. Witness protection was seen as a necessary tool to break the code of silence that existed within these criminal organizations. The first witness to enter the Witness Protection Program was Joseph Valachi, a member of the Genovese crime family who provided crucial testimony to Congress in 1963 about the inner workings of the Mafia. Valachis testimony exposed the existence of the Mafia to the American public and provided law enforcement with valuable intelligence on the organizations structure and operations. In exchange for his cooperation, Valachi was given a new identity and placed in the Witness Protection Program. Over the years, the Witness Protection Program has expanded beyond its initial focus on organized crime to include witnesses in other types of criminal cases, such as drug trafficking, terrorism and white-collar crime. The program has also been used to protect witnesses in cases involving domestic violence and human trafficking. To enter the Witness Protection Program, witnesses must first meet certain criteria. They must have information that is crucial to the prosecution of a case, and they must be in danger as a result of their testimony. Witnesses are typically vetted extensively by law enforcement and must be willing to leave their old lives behind and commit to a do-over with their life. Once accepted into the program, witnesses are given new identities (including birth certificates and social security numbers) and then relocated to a safe location, often in a different state. They are provided with housing, employment and initial financial assistance to help them rebuild their lives. One of the most famous cases involving the Witness Protection Program was the prosecution of John Gotti, boss of the Gambino crime family. In 1992, Gotti was convicted of racketeering and murder charges, primarily due to the testimony of Sammy The Bull Gravano, a former high-ranking member of the Gambino family who subsequently entered the Witness Protection Program. Gravanos testimony was crucial to the prosecutions case. Without the protection of the Witness Protection Program, Gravano probably would not have been willing to testify. The Witness Protection Program has not been without controversy. Critics argue that the program is expensive ($10 million per year) and that witnesses who enter the program are often able to avoid punishment for their own criminal activities. Some have also pointed out that several witnesses in the program have been murdered in the past. Despite these criticisms, the Witness Protection Program remains an important tool in the fight against organized crime and other forms of criminal activity. The program has provided critical testimony in high-profile cases by helping to break the code of silence that has long protected criminal organizations. While the program may not be perfect, it has undoubtedly saved countless lives and helped to bring many criminals to justice. In a recent discrimination case, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in January that an organizations documentation demonstrated that the employees performance was the reason for her transfer, not her race. The employee, Catrina Bragg, who is Black, entered into a 90-day orientation program for newly licensed nurses at a hospital. She was denied full-time employment and transferred to another position with lower compensation after 90 days. She alleged that these adverse employment actions were based on racially discriminatory evaluations of her performance and were retaliatory, and she sued under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The District Court dismissed the case on summary judgment and the appeals court affirmed. Bragg cited several instances of conduct she deemed racially insensitive and also pointed to the challenges Black women face in the workplace. However, the appeals court evaluated only the facts before it in concluding that Bragg produced insufficient evidence of discrimination, and that the employer produced sufficient documentation to demonstrate that Braggs performance was substandard, and that these performance concerns were adequately shared with Bragg. To prove discrimination, the employee needed to show that she was a member of a protected class (which she asserted was her race), that she performed reasonably on the job in accord with her employers legitimate expectations, that despite her reasonable performance she was subjected to an adverse employment action, and that similarly situated employees outside of her protected class were treated more favorably by the employer. After these allegations are made, the burden shifts to the employer to articulate a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for adverse employment action. After thats done, the burden shifts back to the employee to submit evidence that the employers explanation is pretextual. The court held that the employer had abundant evidence of Braggs substandard performance, documented in the Progress Meetings and Progress forms. The employee produced several arguments contending that she didnt understand the performance concerns. Bragg did not show, however, that Communitys communications with her left any room for doubt, the court explained. The hospital produced four Progress Forms and records from six Progress Meetings, dating between Oct. 1 and Dec. 9, 2018. Braggs signature is on the first three Progress Forms but was missing from others. The court added, Bragg asks us to infer from the absence of her signature that Community never discussed the four unsigned forms with her. The court continued: Even if we give Bragg the benefit of the doubt, however, the record is still devoid of evidence that would permit a reasonable jury to find that Community failed to alert her to the performance problems that led to the denial of a position at the hospital. There is too much other evidence that Bragg knew of Communitys concerns with her performance. In fact, two weeks before her dismissal, Bragg signed a form that stated that she needed significant more time than was available to complete the orientation, adding that she still required prompting to complete basic tasks, had never completed a patient admission, still needed to develop critical-thinking skills to anticipate patient needs and was not yet managing a full patient load. The court reasoned, That timeline also rules out any suggestion that Community fabricated its criticism of Braggs performance after the fact. Interestingly, Bragg also alleged that Communitys explanation was pretextual because it transferred her instead of firing her. Community responded that she was ill-suited for acute care but could do better in a long-term facility. There was also evidence that a certain preceptor wanted to get Bragg fired, and she closely monitored Bragg, seemingly to develop a legal record in case of termination. The court questioned why the preceptor was doing this and whether it was motivated by racism or due to performance concerns. On this point the court held, Bragg did not proffer evidence that would allow a fact-finder to connect [the preceptors] close supervision to an unlawfully discriminatory motive. The record showed that other preceptors had similar performance concerns about Bragg, and there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the preceptors overbearing attitude was motivated by racism. This case is a textbook example of where honest, objective and clear documented conversations with an employee about performance concerns will hold the most weight in any dispute about discrimination. It isnt enough to document performance concerns. It isnt enough to talk to the employee about performance concerns. The magic happens with the organization documents the conversation with the employee. Employers need to stop avoiding these conversations, and need to stop having conversations that are not documented. It does no good to paper the file with concerns that are never discussed with the employee. And, even here where the company documented concerns, the employer must prove that the employee received the documentation and that the conversation took place. If an employee refuses to sign documentation, bring in a witness to sign that the documentation was received by the employee. Richmond-area business expansions, openings and closings RICH Nail Lounge Sycamore Jewelers, Midlothian Mi Casita Restaurant Ironclad Coffee Grit Coffee Rockler Woodworking and Hardware Boiling Crab Richmond Blue Cow Ice Cream Co. Suzy Sno Diablo Doughnuts RVA The Brass Tap Graybo's Sports Cards Blue Ridge Cyclery BigWife's Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams CarLotz Acacia Midtown Zoom Room Richmond Torchy's Tacos Planet Fitness Raising Canes Chicken Fingers Three Notch'd Brewing Retail or Resell Marshalls Raising Cane's My Favorite Muffin Mattress King Anthony's on the Hill The Mill on MacArthur I am running a campaign from a dorm room, Jacob Boykin said during a Zoom call, with a colorful tapestry tacked up on the wall behind him. Boykin, 20, is among a handful of Democratic candidates under 30 years old who are running for local or state office in Virginia this year. For state offices, candidates must be at least 21 by the election date to qualify and, for local offices, candidates need to be at least 18. At the time of this publication, Republicans were aware of no GOP candidates under 30. With all 140 legislative seats up for election in November, a number of the young Democratic hopefuls are making what could be longshot bids in strong Republican districts. Yet they say it is important to give voters a choice and perhaps a new perspective on state politics. While four Republicans are set to face off in a future convention or primary for their partys nomination, Boykin is so far the only Democrat to offer himself up to represent the strongly Republican 10th Senate District that stretches from Hanover and Louisa counties southwest to Appomattox. Boykin will face a challenging campaign. But, he said, his bid is about more than trying to win. It is about giving voters more options and encouraging political parties to engage more to recruit candidates even in the districts that seem to favor the other side or where a longtime incumbent has not faced much challenge. Boykins face became more animated when talking about education; he said he will push for raising teacher pay and school funding, especially in rural areas. In recent years, legislators have tried unsuccessfully to give all cities and counties the option to ask their voters to levy additional local sales taxes to fund school construction or renovation. So far, the General Assembly has given that special permission to eight counties and the city of Danville. Boykin plans to support the bill if it comes up again, along with providing funding to rural areas that do not have a big tax base to draw from. The quality of schools in my district as you go further west or further northwest, they get worse, he said. Originally from the Powhatan area, Boykin is studying political science at James Madison University. His permanent address is in the 10th district. If elected, he plans to spend a lot more time in his home turf. He also previously served as a page in the General Assembly, where he witnessed the legislative session unfold and assisted lawmakers. With a pulse on current and debated policies, each candidate also has district-specific issues they want to tackle. For Jade Harris, who is running in the 3rd Senate District another GOP-dominant district that extends from Augusta County south to Roanoke County it is local infrastructure. Though Harris has what she describes as a baby face and is only 25 years old, she has already gained some political experience serving as vice mayor on the Glasgow Town Council in Rockbridge County. She is also familiar with uphill legislative contests. On Jan. 10, she lost a special election for the House of Delegates to Ellen Campbell, the widow of former Del. Ronnie Campbell, R-Rockbridge. Asked what she would like to work on if elected, Harris lists a handful of local issues in her district. I really want to work on fixing [Interstate] 81, she said. I know its one of those impossible tasks. But theres definitely work that can be done, at least to mitigate the amount of head-on collisions, she said. And along those lines, just general infrastructure projects replacing a lot of our water treatment systems, getting them up to the 21st century. Along with that, expanding rural broadband. Much of my district is extremely rural. Harris knows she will face an uphill battle as a Democrat in a Republican-leaning district. Del. Chris Head, R-Botetourt, a member of the House since 2012, is also seeking the seat. Its hard, she said. But her campaign, she added, is less about politics and more about policy. Additionally, she said, her campaign is about serving all of the shades of red and blue in her district. There are Democrats here. Just because the map is red every election doesnt mean that the Democratic candidate got zero votes. Those constituents need to be supported, she said. And on the Republican side, a lot of them just dont know that theres [Democrats] out there who are gonna fight for them, too. One of the other young candidates this year, Dashad Cooper, 29, is running in the safely Democratic 54th House District to represent Charlottesville and part of Albemarle County, but he will face several more established Democrats in a primary this summer, including an Albemarle County School Board member and a former Charlottesville mayor. Like many young folks running, he is a first-time candidate. But he has worked in and volunteered for local government. Cooper works as a social services assistant in the city of Charlottesville and served on the citys Police Civilian Oversight Board. Amid a gun violence spike in Charlottesville and Albemarle, he is passionate about state-level solutions to reduce gun violence. He said he supports many of the Democratic-proposed bills that failed this legislative session, such as gun storage requirements and bans on the sale of assault-style firearms. There are just a whole bunch of guns out on the streets that anybody can get their hands on, he said. Its a problem. On abortion, Cooper said he is listening to the women and will work to protect access in Virginia. While same-sex marriage remains federally legal, Virginias state code still includes language to prohibit such unions. A proposed constitutional amendment to remove the language, sponsored by Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, and Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax, failed in the House this year. Cooper plans to support the bill if elected. Over in Virginia Beach, Zach Coltrain, 20, is running for the 98th District seat in the House another strong GOP district against either Del. Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, a 14-year House veteran who chairs the Finance Committee, or Del. Glenn Davis, R-Virginia Beach, a nine-year veteran who leads the House Education Committee. In the new district maps that the Virginia Supreme Court imposed in December 2021, Knight and Davis have been paired together. It remains unclear whether they will compete with each other for the GOP nomination. Coltrain is a music therapy student at Appalachian State University. He has gained political experience through internships with then-Rep. Elaine Luria, D-2nd, who previously represented the Virginia Beach area, and the Federal Probation Office in Norfolk. On legislative priorities, Coltrain said he is trying to balance the needs of the rural and urban portions of the district with what young Gen Z voters say they need. Environmental protection is a big part of that. He also said he plans to help Virginia set up a legal cannabis market. When legislators decriminalized possession two years ago, with Democrats in charge of the House and Senate and holding the governorship, the intent was to set up a legal market by 2024. With Republicans holding the governors office and control of the House, the measures failed in 2023, but Coltrain said setting up the market can particularly benefit his district. Both of those impact the agricultural industry for sure in our area, as well as the importance that we see in Gen Z campaigning and through Virginia teen [Democrats] or on nationwide scales, he said. Coltrain said environmental stewardship could only grow more significant with each younger generation. This is our future that youre handing us, he said. This is our world that youre handing us, and its going to be our responsibility to fix it. Closer to Richmond, Jason Melendez, 18, is seeking a seat on the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. Though the Dale District is a longtime Democratically held seat, he feels the incumbent Jim Holland is due for a same-party challenger after holding the seat for 14 years. Central to my race is really just bringing in a new set of eyes, a fresh voice, Melendez said. And I think after 14 years, folks are willing to have the conversation about is someone else going to step up and run, no matter what their age is? Having graduated high school early, Melendez is a sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University, and he works as a finance manager for Community Staffing, a company that helps people with job searches and transportation. Helping others is what drives him professionally and politically, he said. With Chesterfield among the fastest growing localities in the state, Melendez said he will focus on how the county can improve transportation constructing bus routes, bike lanes and sidewalks where they do not currently exist. The younger residents that move here want connectivity. A lot of the older residents who are moving here, which is a big demographic, want a little bit of suburban connectivity as well, Melendez said. So its all about public safety in that aspect. Several of the candidates cited inspiration from young millennials and Gen Z people recently elected to Congress such as Democrats Maxwell Frost, in Floridas 10th District, who took office this year at 29 years old, or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New Yorks 14th District, who took office in 2019 when she was 29. Republican Madison Cawthorne, of North Carolinas 11th District, took office in 2021 at 25 as the first member of Congress born in the 1990s. (Cawthorne lost a GOP primary in 2022.) The Pew Research Center defines Gen Z as people born after 1997 and millennials as people born between 1981 and 1996. I think we need more Gen Z representation in Virginia because you know, Gen Z has proven time and time again we come out and were voting and we have made that very clear, Boykin said. But now its time for us to start putting our own names on the ballot. Richmond spring festivals: Arts in the Park, Dominion Riverrock & Richmond Greek Festival Swine & Brine Something in the Water Blues & Brews in the Bottom Arts in the Park Que Pasa? Festival Dominion Energy Riverrock Lebanese Food Festival Richmond Greek Festival Xi sends congratulatory message to Nigeria's President-elect Tinubu Xinhua) 08:30, March 05, 2023 BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a congratulatory message to Bola Tinubu on his election as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In the message, Xi noted that Nigeria is an important strategic partner of China in Africa, adding that the development of bilateral relations has enjoyed a sound momentum in recent years, with practical cooperation in various fields yielding fruitful results. The two countries have supported each other on issues relating to their core interests and major concerns, and have closely coordinated in international and regional affairs, he said. Xi also said that he highly regards the development of China-Nigeria relations and stands ready to work with Tinubu to take the strategic partnership between the two countries to new heights. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chaolan) If the General Assembly and Gov. Glenn Youngkin want to address increased crime rates in Virginia, it is imperative that they provide funding for the Delinquency Prevention and Youth Development Act, which is currently included in the budget approved by the state Senate, but not the Houses budget. The DPYDA is a law originally passed by the Virginia state legislature in 1979 on the recommendation of a task force created to study delinquency prevention. It was created to empower local communities to use state funding to provide community-led early intervention programs for at-risk youth. Under the DPYDA, communities can apply for grant funding, then use those funds to conduct youth outreach and programming. According to an analysis from the Justice Department, in the years it was active (1979-2008), communities utilizing program funding saw tremendous success in reducing juvenile crime. This rate of success is in large part because the DPYDA does not require the targeting of individual youths. Instead, localities typically use DPYDA funds to address the needs of large groups of children who might be at risk of delinquent behavior. Additionally, DPYDA grants require the involvement of a broad cross-section of individuals, including community leaders, service agencies and young people, in deciding how to apportion funds, bringing together a host of knowledgeable individuals with varied perspectives to make the best possible decisions for their own communities. Last year, as a student in the University of Virginia School of Laws State and Local Government Policy Clinic, I researched the history and impact of the DPYDA and heard from state agencies and local stakeholders about the effectiveness of the program while I worked with state Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, to help update the law. This research made clear that the DPYDA provided the flexibility and funding necessary for many localities to carry out the innovative programming necessary to meet youth needs, and that its presence has been sorely missed since funding for it lapsed during the 2008 financial crisis. The General Assembly updated the law last year, but now must provide funding so that communities across Virginia can make necessary investments in services and supports for children. The DPYDAs historical success is due in part to its greater flexibility when compared with other funds for at-risk youth available in Virginia, most of which require that children commit delinquent acts or be in severe crisis before those funds can be used. Conversely, the DPYDA does not require children to engage in criminal conduct before they get support. Instead, local communities can use DPYDA funding to engage in broad preventive services reaching youth before they commit a crime or interact with the justice system. The program gives local communities greater latitude in how they choose to spend the funds and structure their programs than other state funding sources do. Although the DPYDA enjoyed success and popularity while it was active, its funding was cut as a cost-saving measure in 2008 and it has not been included in the state budget since. Now is the perfect time to resume its funding and invest in our communities again. With the rise in violent crimes in some communities, Virginians are asking for the measures that they know to be successful: namely, increased funding for community-led youth intervention services. Funding for the DPYDA does not require lengthy negotiations or the creation of a complex bureaucracy. It is a simple matter of including funding in the state budget so that the Department of Juvenile Justice can restart this important program and begin sending resources to communities that have the passion and expertise necessary to help young people stay on the right track and be successful. We know that the pandemic had a negative impact on all of our children. Rates of mental and behavioral health challenges are on the rise for young people at a time when key indicators, such as academic success, are declining. The pandemic also fractured the support services and relationships that vulnerable children depend on. To help children and communities heal, we need more support for youth than ever before. The General Assembly and Gov. Youngkin should make sure that our final state budget includes that support. Close 06-20-1978 (cutline): Automobiles, along with other scrap metal, await shredding. 1951: Scrap goes to mills--Typical scens in a Richmond junk yard. Giant railway crane picks up four automobile engines with magnetized block and loads them in freight car. 1951: Richmond junk yards 06-20-1976 (cutline): Automobile is fed into gigantic fragmentizer. Hammers weighing about 370 pounds each do the job. From the Archives: Richmond Junk Yards Interested in a copy of one of these photos? Click here. 06-20-1978 (cutline): Automobiles, along with other scrap metal, await shredding. 1951: Scrap goes to mills--Typical scens in a Richmond junk yard. Giant railway crane picks up four automobile engines with magnetized block and loads them in freight car. 1951: Richmond junk yards 06-20-1976 (cutline): Automobile is fed into gigantic fragmentizer. Hammers weighing about 370 pounds each do the job. Chiapas man arrested for trafficking in Playa del Carmen after police find illegal migrants in SUV Playa del Carmen, Q.R. One male remains in police custody after a Friday arrest from a Playa del Carmen highway. Solidaridad police made the arrest after a black SUV failed to stop at a south police filter. Several units eventually intercepted and surrounded the SUV at the other end of the city just before the set of traffic lights at Avenue Xcalacoco. Inside the private vehicle were eight illegal migrants. According to a news brief from SSP Solidaridad, In a quick reaction of the Solidaridad Police, nine people are seized, five of whom are minors, after ignoring the instructions to stop when they passed in a SUV through the police filter. Officers located seven illegal migrants from Honduras and one from Guatemala. Five of those inside the SUV were minors. Taken into custody for trafficking was 24-year-old Lazaro N from Chiapas. 24-year-old Lazaro N from Chiapas was arrested for trafficking. Photo: March 3, 2023. The three illegal adults inside the SUV were 24, 25 and 26 years old. The five minors ranged in age from six to 17. The minors have been turned over to officers from the Specialized Group for Attention to Family and Gender Violence (Geavig). Wilton South Roanoke expects to complete its first seven homes in April, according to developer Alexander Boone of ABoone Real Estate Inc. Boone called it the first community developed in south Roanoke in 60 years. He said the first phase has 24 lots and that Wilton is designed to have 77 lots at conclusion. The setting, located in a previously wooded area between Peakwood Drive and the Mill Mountain Parkway, is a short drive from the Franklin Road Southwest business corridor and Carilion Clinic. Theres direct access to the Chestnut Ridge trail network. Boone, in an email interview, made a point about the floor plans available.We are introducing to Roanoke a concept we build in Richmond a finished attic! Many of our lots require a house built on a slab. Instead of a basement, we are finishing attics to create recreation rooms, playrooms and additional bedrooms on the third floor with views, he said. Boone briefly sketched the projects long history, saying that after the development process began in 2005, plaintiffs sued the city to stop the project. Boones company joined with the city to defend the project and won a favorable state supreme court ruling in 2008. Due to the state of the economy in 2008, we delayed the development of the community. I started the engineering process again in 2016 and began development in 2020, he said. Office occupancy rate climbs The occupancy rate for rental office space in the Roanoke Valley climbed from 85% a year ago to 88% in January, according to Poe & Cronk. Breaking that down further, the central business district, which covers downtown Roanoke, held steady at 87%. The southern business district rose from 90% to 94%, while the northern business district rose from 76% to 81%, according to the report, which is available at poecronk.com. New look at the Roanoke Valley Google Earth has updated its imagery of the region, which is good news for people who enjoy checking out aerial pictures. The new version is dated Oct. 10, 2022, and captures such major-league changes as the redevelopment of the Valley Metro bus station and completion of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. The new imagery replaced, in downtown, imagery from July, 22, 2021. But the previously available imagery for the greater Roanoke Valley outside downtown was more than three years old. A technical note is needed here. To access the new imagery I am using Google Earth Pro version 7.3.6.9345 installed on my work computer. The online version of Google Earth still displays older images. I love Google Earth and look at it frequently. I wrote to its help desk a couple of months ago asking the company to update the Roanoke area imagery. I dont know if that request triggered this update, but it may have. Taking a look? If you spot something interesting that belongs in this column, drop me a note. Hemp shop goes out of business Your CBD Store in Roanoke County closed Jan. 28 after three years in business. Weve faced many challenges recently, and this decision did not come lightly, reads a sign on its door. The Roanoke County office of economic development described the merchandise available as CBD products to people (and pets) of all ages, with tinctures, lotions, bath bombs, pet treats, and more. A new owner plans to upgrade Oak Grove Plaza, a sleepy Roanoke County suburban shopping center thats ripe for new homes and businesses, according to a community study. The venerable strip mall at Electric Road and Grandin Road Extention is showing its age. In the opinion of area residents, its tired-looking and unkept. Weather has begun to wear away the raised letters of its roadside marquee. Kirtesh Patel, the managing member of a real estate company that bought the commercial complex recently, agreed during an interview that the plaza, built in 1964, is an eyesore today. Patel said he is talking with a possible national tenant for the centers largest space, measuring 12,000 square feet, which is now empty. A lease on the anchor space will fund needed maintenance work, he said, which will involve installing new roofing and HVAC units, resurfacing the parking lot, upgrading parking lot lights and the shopping center sign and repainting buildings. Our goal for the next three years is to just keep the money in it, improve it and hopefully after that break even, Patel said. I bought it to keep it. Patel is a real estate developer with Omma Management LLC in Salem. An affiliate of Omma paid $4.8 million for the center Jan. 30, according to online Roanoke County real estate records. Cushman & Wakefield Thalhimer announced the sale. At least 16 businesses operate there, including three restaurants. Nickey Roberts, who operates a pet grooming business in the plaza, said she would welcome sitting down with Patel to discuss her lease. Because her lease renews monthly, its been years of uncertainty here, she said. I havent wanted to invest any money in it because without a lease, they can tell you to get out. Patel said that, under his plan, each tenant will get a longer lease so they can invest in their business and feel more secure about staying there. Five tenants have signed new leases so far, Patel said. On a separate parcel, the owner of a convenience store and gas station has placed his big bet on the Electric Road business corridor. Timir Patel of Bonsack bought a closed service station that had been a Shell and undertook a total makeover. For nearly $1.4 million, he acquired the old station, removed a mechanics shop, built a convenience store, changed the pumps and improved the buildings exterior, he said. A muralist drew a young woman and a flock of butterflies on the side of the building so it no longer would have a gas station look and feel, he said. We are doing much better than what we had projected, he said. Oak Grove Plaza is the first parcel west of Roanoke city limits at Electric Road and Grandin Road Extension. County and city officials have published a 20-year plan on the future of the Oak Grove area. The plan described Electric Road as an aging commercial corridor brimming with opportunities for commercial and residential investment.Before 225 years ago, Native AmericansAmerican Indians called the land with two creeks below Poor Mountain home. Scotch-Irish and German immigrants pushed them out and took up farming starting in about 1799, the Oak Grove plan said. Developers further transformed the area from the 1960s to the 1980s from an agricultural area to an auto-centric suburb, with the new, four-laned Virginia 419 (Electric Road) as its Main Street. The plazas first tenant was the grocer Mick-or-Mack, which occupied the now-vacant space Patel is trying to fill. A gas station, pharmacy and bank established locations in the plaza and McDonalds opened in 1996. Despite the presence of Oak Grove Elementary School and nearby neighborhoods of single family homes, there are virtually no sidewalks, except for in small patches of newer development. Eighty-six percent of Oak Grove area residents are white and the average household income is high for the Roanoke Valley at $87,013, the Oak Grove study, adopted in 2021, found. During the next 10 to 20 years, planners advocate for a medium density infill and mixed-use type development pattern, with walkable, dense, one to two-story development with on-street parking, outdoor seating and wide, landscaped sidewalks. Further, the plan calls for new buildings located along 419 in current parking lots. The area around the plaza is ideal for new housing and a community center with public events. Members of the public trashed Oak Grove Plaza in comments to study consultants. Aesthetics of Oak Grove Plaza are terrible. Needs to be demolished and completely rebuilt, said one commenter. Oak Grove Plaza is, another said, really a disgrace. Others like the area as it is. NO to this reimagining! NO to high density housing here, a commenter said. Government staff intend to work with private property and business owners to identify and support development or redevelopment of potential catalyst sites, the plan said. The area also needs pedestrian and bike lanes on Electric Road, better intersections, more landscaping, new signs and street furniture, the plan said. Kirtesh Patel said he had not read the plan and didnt consider it before the purchase. His focus is facility upgrades, along with transitioning the plazas tenants away from month-to-month leases. Asked if he would consider new construction beside Electric Road, Patel said, That would be my future, thats not my immediate goal. My immediate goal is to stabilize it. I think thats more important than building a new space for profit. Correction March 6, 2023, 11 a.m.: Katherine Grimes is a professor in Ferrum Colleges English department. Her job title was incorrect in the originally published column, which has been updated. A bunch of readers took notice of the recent column about Rep. Morgan Griffith, the nature of evidence and the congressmans apparently evolving views. Hes a lawyer, recall, and a graduate of Washington and Lee Universitys School of Law. The Feb. 23 column riffed on Griffiths quotes in a Feb. 8 New York Times article by Sheryl Gay Stolberg. She covered a congressional subcommittee hearing on the federal governments response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Griffith, the subcommittees chairman, convened it. There, Dr. Lawrence Tabak, acting director of the National Institutes of Health, insisted to the subcommittee it was impossible for bat coronavirus research, funded by NIH at a lab in Wuhan, China, to have produced the COVID-19 virus that first erupted in that city. The DNA sequences of the coronaviruses studied with the NIH funds differed vastly from the pandemic virus, Tabak testified. He likened the dissimilarity to that of between a human and a cow. But the Salem Republican seemed to disagree. What he has is a lack of evidence, The Times quoted Griffith saying about Dr. Tabak. He does not have evidence that [a lab in Wuhan, China] didnt study the coronavirus that became Covid-19. Another passage quoted Griffith saying he was convinced beyond a reasonable doubt the pandemic started with a Chinese lab leak. For the full context, you should read the original column. To date, Griffiths communications director, Mollie Timmons, hasnt responded to questions I emailed her Feb. 14 and again Feb. 17 about those comments. However, Griffith addressed the issue in his most recent constituent newsletter, sent out Friday. He wrote, in late 2020 or early 2021 I came to the conclusion there is substantial circumstantial evidence favoring a lab source. He ended the newsletter promising: Over the next two years, I will do everything I can to get to the truth on COVID-19. (In some related news that broke last week, the U.S. Department of Energy said it believed with low confidence that a biolab leak in Wuhan was most likely responsible for COVID-19. The FBI has concluded much the same, although thats a minority view among U.S. intel agencies that have expressed an opinion.) At this point, its worth noting that among Tabak and Griffith, only the NIH director was speaking under oath. (Griffith personally swore Tabak in.) Thus, the NIH directors statements are evidence. The column also pointed out theres a lack of evidence Morgan Griffith has never set foot on the moon but that hardly constitutes proof he has. The line prompted a riposte from reader Rich Alvis of Christiansburg. As a citizen living in the 9th District, I can testify under oath that Mr. Griffith has spent a significant amount of time either on the moon or possibly another planet, Alvis wrote. So many of his actions as our congressman have been so absurd its hard to believe he is of this Earth. The column drew more terrestrial responses from two local academics. The first was an email from Christopher J. Richter, professor emeritus of communications studies at Hollins University. In Griffiths own words, he is drawing his conclusion based on a lack of evidence. [English philosopher/physician] John Locke probably coined the term that logicians use for this type of reasoning, argument from ignorance, sometimes also referred to as appeal to ignorance. Readers can learn more from Wikipedia, Richter wrote. You suggest that our 9th District Congressman may have lied. But one thing is certain, by his admission: He has a warm relationship with ignorance! The next was from Katherine Grimes, a professor in Ferrum Colleges English department. She expanded on the same point in an online comment she posted to the story. In logic, the fallacy appeal to ignorance or shifting the burden of proof is saying that one is right because one cannot be proven wrong; for example, You cant prove that there arent 50 ghosts in this room, so there must be 50 ghosts in this room. Such an example shows the absurdity of such a comment. Or try this one, Grimes added. You cant prove that Joe Biden (or Donald Trump; take your pick) isnt the second coming of Jesus, so he must be the second coming of Jesus. A person doesnt have to be a logician or a lawyer to see how ridiculous such statements are. Rodney Byrd of Roanoke sent the following email, which makes a salient point. I read your article on Morgan Griffith and the lack of evidence is evidence. If you recall, this was the basis of their [lawsuits] over the election and every other complaint of theirs. So Im not surprised. (By the way, Griffith signed onto one of those silly 2020 election lawsuits, brought by the state of Texas. It was so frivolous the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear arguments.) Then there was this, in an online comment posted to the story from Sandi Saunders in Hardy: This perfect example of warped thinking is part and parcel of The Right in this nation. It is why the divide is so wide and a bridge will never be built. You cannot argue with fools because a fool only needs to believe they are correct. He can say governments lie, scientists lie, Democrats lie, yet he is telling the truth; because he is a lawyer, not in spite of it. Steve Hatchett of Roanoke emailed this question: Why is it that these MAGAts, conspiracists, repubs/right-wingers and congressmen like [Morgan] Griffith and his ilk never seem to have proof of their allegations/conspiracy theories? A bit of a head scratcher, especially when they spout their allegations/conspiracy theories as gospel, Hatchett added. Reader Harold Dill described himself as one of three Democrats in Vinton, and sent me a blessing. You are such an excellent pain in Morgan Griffiths ample [posterior], Dill texted my email account. God bless you. Thank you, Harold. Same to you. Lastly, I received an email from Dick Hammerstrom of Fairfax. He was an editor at The Roanoke Times many moons ago, but left for another newspaper before my hiring in 1994. Enjoyed your story about Morgan Griffith, he wrote. Just a side observation: [Sheryl Gay] Stolberg did a summer internship at The Roanoke World-News while she was a student at UVa. I think it was about 1980. I was working there too. Hammerstroms now retired, and added that he reads The Roanoke Times online daily. Thank you for the information, Dick. The world just got a little bit smaller. One person was shot and injured after a resident of a Roanoke County apartment complex told police that they had fired their gun in response to a break-in early Sunday morning, according to the Roanoke County Police Department. Police said the injured person was transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The incident, which was reported at 2:41 a.m., occurred at the North Point apartments on Archcrest Drive, according to police. Roanoke County police said the resident is cooperating fully, and that the case is an ongoing investigation. The agency said Sunday morning that no arrests have been made. Police officials havent immediately responded to requests for further information on the subject and whether an arrest has in fact been made. The city of Roanokes most ambitious community engagement effort in years will help shape the future of its largest remaining undeveloped area of land, Evans Spring. The city is holding a community meeting 6:30 p.m. March 9 at Williams Memorial Baptist Church to kick off the thorough public input process for the Evans Spring area master plan. According to the master plan development contract, the city will pay Land Planning and Design Associates (LPDA) up to $215,517 to develop the plan. LPDA has already brought a few firms on board as subcontractors to help with the master planning effort: RKG EPR-PC, Downtown Economics and Community Engagement and Charrette Associates. The Evans Spring planning area is made up about 150 undeveloped acres located across Interstate 581 from Valley View Mall. The land is owned by more than a dozen different entities and individuals. The area is hemmed in by 581 to the northeast and bordered by the Fairland and Melrose-Rugby neighborhoods to the west and south, respectively. This isnt the first attempt to do something with the property, but previous efforts stalled out after encountering neighborhood opposition and development challenges. After the last attempt by a private developer failed in 2020, the city stepped in to come up with a process to try to find a plan that can move forward. The ongoing master plan effort has a dedicated website, evansspring.com. The website includes a link to a community survey for the master planning effort. The citys own website also has a page dedicated to Evans Spring, which contains a link to a 2013 Evans Spring Area Plan, now characterized as the framework plan. As we move from the general framework plan of 2013 into the master plan process, citizens will be engaged in developing a far more detailed layout as it evolves, Planning Director and Assistant City Manager Apprentice Chris Chittum wrote Wednesday in an email to The Roanoke Times. We asked the consultant to provide at least that level of engagement and more as we get into greater detail about how the development might look. Accordingly, we see the consulting team using an all of the above approach that uses traditional meetings and interviews but also adds in community surveys and door-to-door canvassing. Chuck DAprix, one of the subcontractors working on the Evans Spring community engagement effort, described the planned outreach as probably the most extensive community engagement effort in the city in years. This master plan rests on all voices being heard, DAprix said. Engagement wont end with the March 9 meeting, although DAprix noted that it is probably the most important event. Outreach will continue with meetings for neighborhoods, civic organizations and a planning session for physical components like land use and architecture. We are charged with being very objective, in other words listening to the community and then going back to the technical folks on the consulting team ... the city council ... the city manager and saying, This is what we heard from the community. ... Our goal is to hear from as many people as possible, DAprix said. Rosemary Ann St. Jacques, a member of the Friends of Evans Spring community group, said the engagement team has been good to work with. so far. St. Jacques is encouraging everyone she knows to fill out the community survey, which is open to all Roanoke community members. Her concern for the Evans Spring area flows from her interest in the natural springs located throughout the city. It could be a wonderful recreational place, but really only when its not storming [and flooded], St. Jacques said, of the Evans Spring property. They say these are the last pieces of undeveloped Roanoke ... and theres a reason why they were not developed. Our forefathers knew you didnt want anything to do with that land. Thats the only reason why its still left over. The Evans Spring property is part of the Lick Run Watershed and contains a floodplain and wetlands. The scope of services outlined in the citys contract with LPDA requires the team to address storm water management and, Chittum wrote, identify how flood plain and floodway areas of Lick Run might be integrated into the development. The plan should include strategies for streambank restoration and associated incentives that may be available, Chittum said. The challenges associated with the area dont stop there, though. Currently, the surrounding neighborhoods are crisscrossed by a network of narrow roads built on steep grades. Any new development must be able to manage significantly more traffic. Developers still need to build a bridge from the [I-581 interchange] ramp to gain access to the site, the page on the citys website states. One significant challenge for the consultant will be to identify a feasible design and provide strategies for funding the construction. Balancing those concerns is the pressure to make use of all the land in the city. Since the mid-1970s, Virginia has had a moratorium on annexation by cities, Chittum wrote. Unlike most states where cities can expand to bring in the development and economic activity they generate, Roanoke cannot expand its boundaries. ... Roanoke is solely reliant on existing land area which is locked in at 43 square miles. Roanoke must therefore accommodate economic and residential growth through development of any land that is not otherwise set aside for conservation or recreation. Photos: A look at Roanoke's Evans Spring property Self-care and gun violence dominated conversations Saturday at Roanokes annual Youth Summit for middle and high school students. The Youth Services Citizen Board organized the summit, held Saturday at William Fleming High School, but Youth Services Citizen Board members and city of Roanoke high school seniors Kennady Wade and Jayveon Tucker said attending students decided the course of conversation. The summit was organized into a series of workshops, followed by a free Chick-fil-A lunch and prize giveaways. The summit also gave students a chance to engage with various organizations, including colleges, Virginia Career Works, the Humble Hustle Company and local law enforcement. The workshops focused on self-care, personal safety and building confidence. Youth circle segments also gave students a chance to practice mindfulness, self-affirmations and communication. It was actually closed to a lot of adults, just so the students could be open and as honest as possible with no judgement or Oh they dont know what theyre talking about, Tucker said. The workshops included trained adult leaders, but Tucker said the conversations were driven by the students present. He also stressed the summits goal was to create a safe space for students to talk freely with each other and build community among peers. Self-care was also a hot topic. Wade and Tucker said self-care and self-love are important topics in general, but especially now. We feel like today, as a teenager, social media and everything around us is really putting a negative image on teens of how they look at themselves, what they wear, what they look like, Wade said. Ongoing adjustments three years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic are also a factor, Tucker said. Being [alone], you kind of lose your self-worth because you dont have support. ... So its a lot about self-image with that, too, Tucker said. Some of the conversations also touched on gun violence in Roanoke, as did a workshop about the role of art in revealing the gunfire epidemic in our neighborhoods and imagining better, safer communities. Those are hard conversations, Wade said, but important ones. As a person who has lost friends to gun violence, its something that we really need to talk about. If we cant talk about it, its going to continue to happen, Wade said. And we hope that these events will start creating change, making more students think about, What can I do to advocate for these things? Its about letting people know there are other ways out, there are other things you can do to deal with how you feel and if you have a conflict. Saturdays youth summit also represented a return to normalcy, as the first held at William Fleming High School in at least three years. Wade and Tucker said the 2021 youth summit was held virtually and the 2022 summit was held outside without the usual slate of workshops. In the last two years it has been hard to connect on a deeper level, Tucker said. This year a big thing for us was making sure we had this back in person, Wade said. This years summit also kept an eye focused on next year, with a big wall for students to share post-it notes detailing what they want to see more of. Youth Services Citizen Board member Anita James Price said there was also discussion about how to remove transportation as a barrier to the summit and make sure the students interested in attending are able to get there. Price said anyone interested in helping out on that front can contact the Roanoke city managers office at 540-853-2333. Roughly 80 youths attended this years summit, Price said. Thats a great turnout, Tucker said, but Wade made sure to add that there is always room for more. One of the SEAHIVE units is lowered into the ocean off northern Miami Beach. Credit: Photos: Joshua Prezant/University of Miami The first piece of a series of concrete structures was lowered into the water off the coast of Miami Beach on Wednesday morning, a massive crane on the deck of a floating barge hoisting the unit into the air and sinking it to the seabed. During the next six hours, crewmembers aboard the barge would repeat that process until the structures, some stacked on top of each other, were settled on the seafloor, 14 feet below the surface. To casual observers onshore, the daylong operation might have seemed routine. But this maritime activity was hardly run-of-the-mill. In a project that could pave the way for greater efforts to protect coastlines from sea level rise and storm surge and serve as an innovative base structure to develop thriving coral reefs, a team of researchers and scientists from the University of Miami sunk 27 interlocking concrete structures that will form two hybrid reef units 1,000 feet offshore of North Beach Oceanside Park, at the northern edge of Miami Beach. The units are the centerpiece of a project called Engineering Coastal Resilience Through Hybrid Reef Restoration, or ECoREEF, which combines cement- and nature-based strategies to foster coastal resilience. Supported by the University's Laboratory for Integrative Knowledge (U-LINK) and the City of Miami Beach, the project was developed at a time when coral reefs are struggling to survive. A recent study indicates that half of the world's living coral reefs have died since the 1950s. Meanwhile, other research has shown that healthy and complex coral reefs are able to buffer up to 97 percent of the energy from waves and can also reduce flooding frequency. "Coral reefs are disappearing at alarming rates throughout the world as a result of disease and warming oceans, so our reefs have lost a lot of the structure they need to reduce wave energy," said ECoREEF lead investigator, Diego Lirman, an associate professor of marine biology and ecology at the University's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. "By placing these [hybrid] reefs near the shoreline and planting stress-tolerant corals on them, we hope to recover some of the lost services provided by healthy reefs, such as coastal protection, and to build a habitat for organisms like fish and lobsters." One of the hollow structures submerged this week was shaped like a trapezoid, with rocks on its outer surface to mimic the texture of coral reefs and to attract marine life. The other unit is a series of hexagons, the iconic honeycomb-like shape that is being incorporated into more and more projects, including the powerful Webb Telescope. Perforated to allow seawater to flow through them, the hollow, hexagonal SEAHIVE structurestubes that look like honeycomb and each weighing 2,500 poundsare stacked in a pyramid-like shape and attached to a few solid concrete SEAHIVEs to enhance the stability of the structure. To build the hybrid structures, researchers also used an eco-friendly concrete mixture, with composite reinforcements instead of steel, both for durability and to attract marine life. Haus and Rhode-Barbarigos peer through a six-foot-tall perforated SEAHIVE unit, which they designed with other faculty members, on the barge that lowered dozens of the units into the ocean. "Designing structures to dissipate wave energy while providing a hospitable environment for corals has been a challenge," said Landolf Rhode-Barbarigos, an assistant professor in the College of Engineering, and one of the project's lead investigators. "There are no design guidelines for nature, but hopefully this can be translated into something bigger and provide novel solutions for coastal protection." It was Rhode-Barbarigos, along with Lirman, marine biologist Andrew Baker, ocean scientist Brian Haus, sustainable architect Sonia Chao, and communications expert Jyotika Ramaprasad, who joined forces in 2018 to address challenges of coastal resilience. They hope the ECoREEF project will lead to a better understanding of the types of structures that can help protect South Florida's vulnerable coastline from erosion and storm surge. "We want to see how these two different alternatives for a hybrid, engineered structure and a natural reef compare," Haus said. "This is a research installation, so we'll be examining it in a variety of ways." Corals grown at the Rosenstiel School's three nurseries will eventually be attached to the hybrid reefs, allowing them to thrive and replace some of the area's many coral reefs lost to disease and bleaching that is the result of warming ocean temperatures. "We are hoping that we can get baby corals to attach and get a community that looks similar to a natural reef developing on these structures over time," Lirman said. But for now, the reefs must get acclimated to their new underwater environment. Divers and drones will help monitor the structures; and soon, researchers will install current meters and wave sensors from the U.S. Geological Survey to measure wave energy and flow on the surface of the reefs, according to Brian Haus, professor and chair of ocean sciences at the Rosenstiel School. After two previous attempts to deploy the structures were called off because of inclement weather, ideal conditionscalm waters and little to no windmade it possible for crews to sink the structures. Onboard the barge which carried the hybrid reefsafter a tugboat had brought them more than 100-nautical-miles from Fort Pierce to Miami BeachHaus and Rhode-Barbarigos helped orchestrate the deployment, directing the crane that lowered the structures into the water and making sure the reefs were positioned and stacked correctly on the seabed. A diver who patrolled the seafloor ensured the structures aligned properly. "We got our hands a little bit dirty today, but it was worth it," said Haus, who oversees the Rosenstiel School's 75-foot-long, 38,000-gallon Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. SUSTAIN Laboratory wind-wave tank, which researchers used to test small-scale versions of the hybrid reefs. Should a tropical cyclone threaten or even strike South Florida this coming hurricane season, the hybrid reefs could get their first big test, which is why the team went through a meticulous permitting process, Rhode-Barbarigos said. A grant from U-LINK helped jump-start the project, and the group soon partnered with the City of Miami Beach. The U-LINK initiative was founded in 2018 to offer interdisciplinary faculty teams seed funding to devise novel solutions to pressing societal issues. Since then, 40 other teams have been formed, and many of them have garnered additional external funding. Last summer, Baker, Lirman, Rhode-Barbarigos and Haus, among others, received a massive grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a division of the U.S. Department of Defense, to scale up their designs and help protect military and civilian infrastructure along the coast. "This EcoReefs project will give us a test bed for this technology, before we do a deployment of a much larger structure for the DARPA grant elsewhere in Florida," Lirman pointed out. While the U-LINK project was evolving, Rhode-Barbarigos was also working with Haus and College of Engineering faculty members Antonio Nanni, Esber Andiroglu, and Prannoy Suraneni to develop the SEAHIVE structure through grants from the National Comparative Highway Research Program and the Florida Department of Transportation. Initially created as an alternative to traditional seawalls because of their ability to mitigate wave energy, the honeycomb-shaped SEAHIVE units are also set to be tested at two other South Florida locations. Miami Beach officials are eager to see how both hybrid reefs perform in the waters off North Beach Oceanside Park. "The launch of this experimental [hybrid] reef marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to protect Miami Beach from coastal erosion and restore our coral ecosystem," said Ricky Arriola, a Miami Beach commissioner. "Not only will this innovative solution help safeguard our shores, but it will also drive ecotourism and further establish Miami Beach as a leader in sustainable coastal management." Amy Knowles, the city's chief resilience officer, agreed. "We can't wait to see how this hybrid reef grows," she said. "Coral reefs are an important part of marine life, and our coastal resilience to storm surge and sea level rise for Miami Beach and our broader region." For the faculty members who worked on the project since its inception four years ago, this deployment marked an achievement. "It's been a long adventure, so we're understandably excited," Rhode-Barbarigos said. "It's a milestone moment because we'll be able to learn from these units both from an engineering and ecological perspective. What we accomplished today is the end of one phase, but the beginning of another." Provided by University of Miami The scientists installed electronic tracking sensors on the seals that received veterinary treatment. The instruments will determine the exact location of the animals, the depth of immersion and establish whether the seal is on ice or in water. Credit: Tommi Nyman Pollution, illegal hunting, global warming and disease pose a serious threat to the Caspian seal. NIBIO's genetic experts have now teamed up with the Caspian Seal Research and Rehabilitation Center in Kazakhstan to help save this endangered, red-listed species. The Caspian seal (Pusa caspica) is a species native to the Caspian Sea which lies in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. For centuries the seal has been hunted, and since the start of the 20th Century, its population has declined from an estimated 1 million seals to just above 70,000. Recent estimations show that the population is currently declining by 34% per year. In 2009, the Caspian seal was listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In 2018, following an initiative from the Caspian Seal Research and Rehabilitation Center (CSRRC) in Kazakhstan, it was entered into the country's Red Book. Despite this, poaching continues in the region, along with the continuous threat to its survival from oil spills and other pollution, diseases, and climate change related issues. "Oil, industrial and heavy metals, agricultural pesticides, radioactive waste, wastewater, and household waste have all entered the sea and poisoned the seal's habitat. Not only that, we have estimations that show that up to 70% of female seals may now be barren, unable to produce offspring," says Ms. Aselle Tasmagambetova, founder of the CSRRC. According to the Center's website, another reason for the seals' decline is due to illegal fishing nets being put out in which seals are caught. "Since we opened our seal rehabilitation center in Aktau, Kazakhstan two years ago, we've treated around 70 seals. Approximately half of these were caught in illegal nets, so this is definitely an issue which needs addressing," she says. Genetic diversity essential to species survival The CSRRC was established as an effort to save the Caspian Seal, which is regarded as a key indicator for the health of the Caspian Sea upon which the livelihoods of many people depend. The Center collaborates with similar organizations in the surrounding countries and has recently established contact with the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, NIBIO. Researcher at NIBIO Svanhovd Molecular Center, Dr. Tommi Nyman, is an expert on genetic variation in populations. Among other things, he has extensive experience in studying an extremely rare Finnish seal species, the Saimaa ringed seal (Pusa hispida saimensis), of which only around 400 individuals remain. "There are some similarities between the situation of the seals in the Caspian Sea and the seals endemic to Lake Saimaa in Finland. However, whereas the Caspian seal population is declining, we've actually seen a slow increase of the Saimaa seals with numbers rising from a mere 150 in the 1980's to just above 400 now. This is most likely due to new restrictions concerning fishing nets," he says. Dr. Nyman and colleagues show, however, that the genetic diversity of the Saimaa ringed seals is very low, suggesting significant inbreeding within the population. "This is unfortunate, as preservation of genetic diversity is essential to the conservation efforts of endangered species. Decreasing population size and increasing isolation, which is the case for the Caspian seal, may result in reduced fitness both at individual and population level," Dr. Nyman says. Genetic analyses of seal parasites can reveal inbreeding To find out if inbreeding may be a threat to the Caspian seal population, Dr. Tommi Nyman recently traveled to Kazakhstan to join a seal expedition led by the CSRRC. The aim was to search the seals for host-specialist seal parasites, namely lice, which only transmit from one seal to the other through close contact, i.e., during mating and nursing. "Our genetic analyses of lice sampled from individual seals in Lake Saimaa, showed that the seals' low diversity and distinct spatial genetic structure was reflected in the genetic composition of their lice," Dr. Nyman says. "Put more simply, if pairs of lice found on individual seals have the same genetic make-up, this indicates that the lice are inbreeding, which in turn tells us that the seals are doing the same." Unfortunately for Dr. Nyman, no parasites were found on the seals they came across during the expedition on the ice-covered Caspian Sea. However, the CSRRC have found and sent several lice samples to Dr. Nyman at Svanhovd's DNA laboratory for genomic resequencing and other genetic analyses. The analyses will later be broadened to include also other parasites of Caspian seals. Unified transnational policies necessary Ms. Tasmagambetova at the CSRRC says that NIBIO's genetic studies on seal parasites can provide a broader understanding of the Caspian seals' origin, health and life cycle, also for future seal generations. "Our aim is to gather enough scientific data so that we can build a comprehensive database which provides us with a full overview of population structure, parasites and more among the marine mammals of the Caspian Sea," she says. As of today, there are few unified policies in place for saving the seals between the countries surrounding the Caspian Sea. "Due to the fact that the seals migrate with no regard to borders, it is important that all countries handle them and their situation in a unified and systemic way," says Ms. Tasmagambetova. She points out that there is a lot of oil production activity in the Northern part of the Caspian Sea. "We need to reach an agreement with the surrounding countries to ensure that everyone puts an effort in saving the environment of the Caspian Sea along with its marine inhabitants," she says. "Our hope is that the Tehran Convention Process, which serves as an overarching governance framework and lays down systemic mechanisms for environmental protection and sustainable development in the Caspian Sea region, can help in this regard. All our research, analyses and studies can be used to develop targeted transnational policies to reverse the current seal population decline." Climate change and mass mortality cases Global warming is an important issue for all marine ecosystems, and the Caspian Sea is no exception. Ms. Aselle Tasmagambetova at the Caspian Seal Research and Rehabilitation Center (CSRRC) in Kazakhstan says that particularly the North side of the sea in the Kazakh region is important, as it makes out the breeding ground for the seals during winter. "The Caspian seals breed, give birth, nurse and train their pups on ice only. Global warming, also in regard to the already documented water level decline, will thus have a major impact on the seals' most important habitat," she says, adding that the CSRRC are currently collaborating with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia to develop sensors which track the seals' migration pattern. "Hopefully, the data gathered from these sensors will provide us with important information on how the seals cope with temperature change, in that they may have to try and find new areas to live in the future," she says. In addition to the threat from global warming, there have been several mass mortality cases among the Caspian seals during the past decades. The last one was observed in November 2022, for which the CSRRC requested a full report. A group made up of representatives from scientific organizations and government bodies concluded that the main cause of death for most of the seals was virus-associated acute pneumonia as a result of an outbreak of mixed influenza and morbillivirus infection. "The report confirmed our suspicions over the past years, in that the accumulation of toxic metals and chemicals in the water, soil and ice may load the seals' immune systems, making them more vulnerable to viruses." Ms. Tasmagambetova says. The CSRRC was set up in order to protect the Caspian seal, an animal that has been brought to the brink of extinction by illegal and legal hunting and the deterioration of their habitat in the Caspian Sea. On the 6th August 2019, the Saby Charitable Foundation together with the Central Asian Institute for Ecological Research opened the Caspian Seal Research and Rehabilitation Center (CSRRC) in Aktau, Kazakhstan, to restore the Caspian Seal population in the Kazakhstani sector of the Caspian Sea. Kazakhstan makes up 33% of the Caspian Sea's coastline. The CSRRC uses modern technology to rehabilitate sick and injured seals, and conducts research on the changing environment of the Caspian Sea, in particular how pollution and climate change are impacting seal populations. The Center also monitors seals for disease. The CSRRC is the first of its kind in Kazakhstan, equipped with the latest rehabilitative technologies and staffed by seal specialists. Provided by Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research The passing of Bill Kinney of Bennettsville last Sunday has left many, me included, very sad. We must remember, however, the accomplishments and recognitions related to his 65 years of incredible achievementsnot only in his home town but throughout the state of South Carolina and nationally. The purpose of my writing this op-ed is to recall several areas of mutual interest which I had with Bill over the years. FirstWofford College Bills grandfather, father, three uncles and son all attended Wofford. He presently has a grandson who is a sophomore student there. He graduated in three years with a BS in pre-med intending to be a physician and he was accepted to medical school before completing his third/senior year. During his 3rd year he served as student body president, editor of the college handbook and the yearbook and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Then he an epiphany and decided to return to Bennettsville to live his life as a journalist and historian. In 1995 he was given an honorary doctorate of humane letters by Wofford College. He said, This was my most cherished distinction. I can only say that when I attended Wofford it was hopefully to make me a better student. When Bill went to Wofford it made Wofford a better college. Bills son William Light Kinney III (Light) died in a tragic auto accident in 1989. He was a rising junior at Wofford. In memory of Light, Bill and the family endowed a memorial scholarship at WoffordThe William Light Kinney Scholar program. In addition, Bill and his late wife, Peggy Kinney, made a gift of a life-size statue of Light to the college and it stands at the entrance to the college library, Sandor Teszler Library. It is the only statue standing on the Wofford College campus grounds! My other special memory of Bill was his involvement at his First United Methodist Church to chair a committee to raise money for the purchase of a new vehicle for the Methodist project in Jeremie, Haiti. Needless to say his fundraising efforts were successful. In 1976 Bill went to Jeremie to visit the project. I was on my way to Jeremie at the same time to do eye surgery. Bill, my son Mark and I spent a wonderful week together. He returned to write an extensive and informative article in the South Carolina Methodist Advocate. This article brought everyone up to date on the Jeremie project. I could ramble philosophic about Bill for a long time. His obituary in the Tuesday, February 21, Morning News is remarkable in covering so much of this Marlboro County Renaissance Man. It was my privilege to have known Bill, to have had him as a good friend and to be able to say thank you for all you did. BERESFORD, S.D. -- The Farmers Cooperative Society this week announced plans to build a state-of-the-art soybean elevator at the northern edge of Union County, about nine miles south of Beresford and adjacent to Interstate 29. The Sioux Center-based, member-owned Farmers Coop plans to break ground this week on the facility, referred to in a press release as the "Union Grove" elevator. It's about a mile or two north of the Union Grove State Park. Plans call for the elevator to be ready to receive soybeans by the fall, said FCS Director of Marketing & Communications Jen Sawyer. Once completed, the outfit will consist of a 2.5 million-bushel flat-storage building, plus an office and a scale; the unloading system will be capable of handling 30,000 bushels of soybeans per hour. (The flat-storage building, as the name implies, is not a tall structure the way many grain elevators are; still, it can be considered an "elevator" in the broader sense of being a place where grain is received, weighed, priced, stored and shipped in bulk.) "There was definitely a need for it in this area," Sawyer said in a phone call. "Our South Dakota locations, they're very, very busy." The facility, which Sawyer described as a "several million dollar" investment, will be FCS's 10th site overall and third in South Dakota. The cooperative operates in Northwest Iowa, Southeast South Dakota and into a portion of Minnesota. "Over the past several years, we've been expanding more into South Dakota," Sawyer said. The site offers the opportunity for future expansion, Sawyer said. The coop would like to add corn facilities to the site at some point "in the near future, in the next couple of years." "One of the great things about this site is that we have room for expansion," Sawyer said. The race to Nome has 33 mushers - its smallest field ever - in this years Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska. The mushers were to take off every two minutes in a staggered start across a frozen lake about 70 miles north of Anchorage starting Sunday afternoon. They will travel nearly a thousand miles over the unforgiving Alaska winterscape, climbing over two mountain ranges, mushing on frozen rivers and across the treacherous Bering Sea ice. SOUTH SIOUX CITY South Sioux City is closing in on finishing a $45 million wastewater treatment plant, which is expected to begin taking industrial wastewater in April. Theyll take it slowly, because youve got to build up the bugs in the process. It should be complete by approximately June, South Sioux City Administrator Lance Hedquist said. Roughly two years ago, the city broke ground on the plant next to the Missouri River and north of the Tyson Fresh Meats lagoons. John T. Jones, of Fargo, North Dakota, is the contractor for the plant. HDR, Inc. and JEO Consulting Group are also involved in the project, which Hedquist said is coming to fruition ahead of schedule and under budget. Nick Milbrodt, an engineer with JEO Consulting Group, said contractors are currently in the process of installing the plants electrical components. The lights are on and the heaters are running. I believe in the next two or three weeks, well be getting boilers going, getting the water started processing through our system, as far as our clean water, he said. And, then, I believe, at the start of April, were going to start transitioning to our new wastewater and making sure the process actually does what it needs to. New treatment technology Pollutants must be removed from wastewater in order to protect the environment and public health. Milbrodt said the current game plan is for 2 million gallons of industrial wastewater to flow into and out of South Sioux Citys plant per day. Initially, he said wastewater will flow from industries in view of the plant to covered anaerobic lagoons, where microorganisms, or bugs, eat fat, oil, grease and high strength waste. Those will do most of the wastewater treatment that we have. And, then, from there, we can either recirculate to keep water warm, treat as needed, keep the microorganisms growing at a healthy rate, Milbrodt said as he stood on the plants grounds on a bitterly cold, overcast day, last month. The lagoons will generate biogas naturally through the bugs. One of the benefits to that is we can use that to heat the boiler system as a fuel, burn the excess off, or, in the future, if it becomes apparent we have plenty, we can sell it off. From the lagoons, the wastewater is pumped into the AquaNereda Aerobic Granular Sludge system, an advanced, compact and energy efficient nutrient removal process. South Sioux Citys plant will be the first wastewater treatment plant in Nebraska and one of only a small number of plants in the country to utilize this technology. Nereda is the name given to Royal HaskoningDHVs biological wastewater treatment technology, also known as AGS, which purifies based on bacteria growing into compact granules. The inside of the granule doesnt have oxygen, so you have anaerobic ones. And, then, kind of in the mid space, theres a little bit of oxygen, but not much, so you have a different type of bacteria. On the top is separate bacteria that like air and need oxygen. They all work together, Ethan Joy, branch manager/project engineer for JEO Consulting Group, said of the patented process. The plant will also use ultraviolent (UV) disinfection as another wastewater treatment step, before discharging into the Missouri River. Otherwise, the sludge that gets manufactured or processed will settle, concentrate and, then, well make a cake out of it for land applications, Milbrodt said. Oscar Gomez, South Sioux Citys assistant city administrator, said industries south of Sioux City are looking to send their wastewater to the plant. He noted the city has plenty of room for growth when it comes to industry. We have over 200 acres under option that have all the utilities water, sewer, fiber, electricity available thats next to this location, he said. Then, we have over 400 acres on the other side by Tyson, so weve got plenty of land for new industries. Future expansion All wastewater from South Sioux City, North Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff is currently treated at Sioux Citys regional wastewater treatment plant. On Nov. 25, 2019, the City of Sioux City gave notice of termination to its sister cities, including South Sioux City. Each of the cities received a letter signed by Mayor Bob Scott, warning that the city may end the contracts that govern the amount of waste each community can send to Sioux Citys regional wastewater treatment plant at 3100 S. Lewis Blvd. and the rates each city pays. The termination notice was to become effective four years after receipt of the notice. The previous agreement with South Sioux City had been in place for 38 years. The letter triggered the building of South Sioux Citys plant, according to Hedquist. We were told that we had to find an alternative source for our industries in our area. We went about to have the proper zoning take place. Obviously, we had to obtain the funds to build the facility. Were fortunate to get those things done and move forward with the plan, he said. The City of South Sioux City was awarded a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support construction. The project also capitalized on a nearly $12.2 million U.S Department of Commerce Economic Development Assistance grant and on the Nebraska Department of Environmental and Energy State Revolving Loan Fund. Sioux City is currently examining rebuilding its aging wastewater treatment plant at an estimated $580 million cost. The Sioux City Council approved new 25-year sewer treatment agreements with North Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff in November and Dakota Dunes in December. An agreement of the same length was approved with South Sioux City in January. Hedquist said a subsequent expansion to South Sioux Citys new plant will allow it to take on residential waste. Construction on the residential portion of the plant, which is estimated at $22 million, is expected to begin late this year. Hedquist said it will take approximately 3 1/2 years to build. One of the basic functions of the city is to provide sewer services to people. Its a basic function we want to make sure we have in place and that the citizens of South Sioux City and future residents have adequate facilities to flush their toilet, he said. OXON HILL, Md. Former President Donald Trump cast himself Saturday as the only Republican candidate who can build on his White House legacy but shied away from directly critiquing his potential rivals, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump, giving the headlining address at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, told a cheering crowd that he was engaged in his "final battle" as he tries to return to the White House. "We are going to finish what we started," he said. "We're going to complete the mission. We're going to see this battle through to ultimate victory." Though DeSantis, seen as Trump's biggest potential rival, is frequently a subject of name-calling and other attacks in Trump's social media posts and in interviews, he wasn't mentioned directly in Trump's address before conservative activists, who earlier in the day applauded when an old video clip of the Florida governor was shown in a montage. While CPAC was once a must-stop for candidates mulling Republican presidential runs, DeSantis and other major likely contenders skipped this year's gathering amid scandal and as the group increasingly became aligned with Trump. The former president's enduring popularity with this segment of voters was on display throughout the conference this week. Some attendees wore Trump-themed outfits, with "MAGA" hats and sequined jackets. Members of his family and his presidential administration were swarmed like celebrities and dominated the list of speakers. Other potential and declared candidates who spoke received only tepid applause. And the annual CPAC straw poll, an unscientific survey of attendees, found Trump the top choice to be the party's nominee, with 62% support, trailed by DeSantis at 20% and businessman Perry Johnson, who announced his long-shot bid at the conference, with 5%. Nearly all 95% of respondents said they approved of Trump's performance as president. Ahead of his speech, Trump told reporters he would continue his third presidential campaign even if indicted. He is under investigation by prosecutors probing his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia and by the U.S. Justice Department, as well as his handling of classified documents, among other issues. He condemned all the probes as politically motivated and vowed that criminal charges wouldn't deter him. "Oh, absolutely, I won't even think about leaving," he told reporters, adding that "probably, it'll enhance my numbers, but it's a very bad thing for America. It's very bad for the country." "This is an audience that supports President Trump," said Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., the No. 3 House Republican, who endorsed Trump days before he officially launched his 2024 campaign. The only member of House leadership to attend the conference, Stefanik told The Associated Press that "President Trump is in a very strong position and I think he will be the Republican nominee." While Trump did not launch broadsides against his potential White House challengers, many of whom were pitching themselves to conservative donors near his Florida home this week, he did repeatedly criticize the old guard of the Republican Party, which is eager to move past him. "We had a Republican Party that was ruled by freaks, neo-cons, globalists, open borders zealots and fools," he said. "But we are never going back to the party of Paul Ryan, Karl Rove and Jeb Bush." He took only a veiled jab at DeSantis, calling out those who have proposed raising the age for Social Security or privatizing Medicare positions DeSantis expressed support for in the past but since abandoned. Trump threaded his speech with grievances related to his term in office and outlined his agenda for a second, including restrictions on gender-affirming care and transgender athletes, which drew some of the strongest applause from the room and was a recurrent theme in speeches at the four-day conference. While many top Republicans steered clear of the conference, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a potential candidate, and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who declared her candidacy last month, spoke Friday and made shrouded critiques of Trump. Their refusal to call him out by name underscored the risks faced by challengers looking to offer an alternative in a party in which Trump remains the dominant force. "There is no one in that field I want as my president other than Donald J. Trump," said Waverly Woods, a Republican activist and marketer from Virginia Beach, Virginia, who said she likes DeSantis but Trump has first claim on the hearts of many at the conference. That includes Woods' sometimes partner in local GOP races, Kim Shourds, whose car bears a "TRUMP WON" license plate. DeSantis? She likes him, she said, but not enough. She wants the governor to sit down "and let my man come in and run this country," Shourds said. But not everyone at CPAC was on board. E. Payne Kilbourn, a retired Navy submarine captain from Neavitt, Maryland, who now writes and advocates for carbon dioxide, said he was "very, very" happy with Trump's presidency, but now thinks it's time for the party to move on. "I think Donald Trump's just too toxic for most of the country," said Kilbourn, 69, an independent who votes for Republicans in general elections and wishes Trump would "bow out and just be the guy behind the scenes." Here are 20 Republicans considering 2024 presidential runs In: Donald Trump In: Nikki Haley Ron DeSantis Mike Pence Tim Scott Ted Cruz Glenn Youngkin Chris Sununu Kristi Noem Greg Abbott Out: Larry Hogan Asa Hutchinson Chris Christie Mike Pompeo Liz Cheney Will Hurd Keep an eye on: Brian Kemp Keep an eye on: Rick Scott Keep an eye on: Josh Hawley Keep an eye on: John Bolton DES MOINES Among the bills that didnt survive Fridays legislative funnel deadline were those dealing with abortion, including proposals to ban nearly all abortions and the use of abortion pills in Iowa. The bills show an eagerness by rank-and-file Republicans to ban abortion following the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in June, removing the federal right to an abortion and sending the issue back to states. But GOP leaders have said they want to wait, for now, on the outcome of an Iowa Supreme Court ruling that could clear the way to ban abortions in Iowa after six weeks into a pregnancy. As of now, abortion remains legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks. But Iowas legal landscape remains unsettled when it comes to abortion restrictions. Abortion-rights advocates warn abortion access in Iowa hangs by a thread, and that GOP leaders have ways to revive legislation later in the session if they want to impose restrictions. Walgreens also announced last week it will not distribute abortion pills in states including Iowa where Republican attorneys general have threatened legal action if the company began distributing the drugs, which have become the nations most popular method for ending a pregnancy. And lawmakers were successful in advancing Senate File 324 that includes portions of Gov. Kim Reynolds sweeping health care bill, including a $1.5 million increase in funding to the 55 pregnancy resource centers in the state that counsel against abortion. For now, abortion remains safe and legal in Iowa, thanks to the uproar from Iowans about the proposed abortion ban, said Mazie Stilwell, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa. But, make no mistake, this fight is far from over. Even though Republicans in Iowa cant agree on how or when to ban abortion, their intent to outlaw it is crystal clear. We stand with Iowans and arent backing down, because people not politicians or judges should control their bodies and future. ABORTION PILLS Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird signed on to a letter last month warning pharmacy chains Walgreens and CVS of legal trouble if they follow through on plans to deliver abortion pills by mail. The letter, signed by 20 Republican attorneys general, argued the pharmacies risked violating federal law by mailing abortion pills known as a medication abortion contradicting guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which recently loosened restrictions allowing patients to be prescribed the two-dose regimen without an in-person visit. Bird told the Quad-City Times she disagreed with the way the drug, mifepristone, was approved for distribution and had safety concerns about the broader accessibility of medication abortions. Abortion pills carry the added risk that when these heightened complications invariably occur, women suffer those harms at home, away from medical help, the Republican attorneys general wrote in their letter. And finally, mail-order abortion pills also invite the horror of an increase in coerced abortions. Outside the regulated medical context, a person can obtain an abortion pill quite easily and then coerce a woman into taking it. Medication abortions which remain legal in Iowa are safe and effective, with fewer than 1 percent of patients having complications, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. More than 79 percent of the 4,058 abortions performed in the state in 2020 were medically induced. Final data for 2021 was not yet available. Iowa was one of 13 states that participated in a national pilot and research project the FDA used to suspend in-person dispensing requirements for abortion pills for the duration of the pandemic. Sites sent study packages containing mifepristone and misoprostol by mail and had remote follow-up consultations within one month. Researchers determined that outcomes were comparable to in-clinic care and that the direct-to-patient telemedicine service was highly effective and critical to protecting patient safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. LEGISLATION Twenty House Republicans introduced a bill, House File 510, that states life begins at fertilization and ban nearly all abortions in Iowa. The bill titled the Iowa Human Life Protection Act - states unborn human beings are entitled to the full and equal protection of the laws that prohibit violence against other human beings. Abortion is a murderous act of violence that purposefully and knowingly terminates a human life in the womb, the bill states. The bill would allow Iowans to file lawsuits against anyone who performs an elective abortion, administers a drug that is intended to cause an elective abortion or aids or abets someone seeking an elective abortion in the state. Lawsuits, though, could not be brought against a pregnant woman who gets an abortion. The measure also would require internet providers to block Iowans access to websites related to abortion care. The spiked proposal contained exemptions for in vitro fertility treatments, for emergency contraception such as Plan B, for intrauterine devices and medical care that is intended to treat miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies, for a medical emergency or to save the life or preserve the health of an unborn child. House File 146 would ban the prescribing, sale or transfer of mifepristone and other common drugs used for medication abortions. If the bill passes and is signed into law, dispensing the drugs would be a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $13,660. Both bills were quickly squashed by House leadership and never assigned a subcommittee hearing. SUPREME COURT CASE Leaders in the Republican-led Legislature say theyre waiting on an Iowa Supreme Court decision on whether to reinstate a blocked law that would ban the procedure except in the earliest weeks of pregnancy before taking any more steps to restrict abortion in the state. Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley of New Hartford told reporters Thursday his position and that of Senate leaders and the governor hasnt changed. I wouldnt look at that as any sort of broad framework thats been laid out by leadership by any means, Grassley said of House File 510. We have members of our caucus that are very passionate about the issue and protecting the unborn. But, from my perspective, until we see what the court does, I dont think youre going to see any action on pieces of legislation until we see what the court standards are set out. The Iowa Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments April 11 on a request by Reynolds to reinstate a 2018 law that would effectively ban most abortions once cardiac activity is detected, around the sixth week of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. The Iowa Supreme Court in June reversed its 2018 decision and now holds that the Iowa Constitution does not provide a fundamental right to an abortion. But justices have not said what standard they would use to view any new potential laws. STOP AT NOTHING We have said from the beginning that House Republicans will stop at nothing until every Iowan has lost their right to make their own health care decisions when it comes to the issue of reproductive freedom, House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst told reporters Thursday. Konfrst said the proposed near-total abortion ban bill is proof that this is true. We hear a lot of times theyre not going to do anything this year: Were going to wait. Were going to wait, the Windsor Heights Democrat said. I will believe it when I see it. Otherwise, I believe they simply cant help themselves. This is an issue, again, that rallies their base and goes too far. Its not what Iowans want, she said. More than 60 percent of Iowans surveyed believe abortion should be legal in most or all cases, according to a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll from October. Caleb McCullough of The Journal Des Moines Bureau contributed to this report. Beth Corymb is a fourth-generation farmer living in Scottsbluff. Although she grew up on her familys farm, she was not always sure that was the life she wanted to pursue. I left for 37 years because I wanted to experience something different, but I told myself never to forget, Corymb said. She went to college to study music, but after taking an ecological course, she said her mind was opened to the reality of what was happening to the earth. She was soon introduced to the concept of biodynamics. Biodynamic farming combines the relationship between the plants, animals and soil to use a farms resources instead of importing materials. It includes using herbs, minerals and cow manure to fertilize crops and growing most of the feed and bedding for the livestock. I found out about a couple of intentional communities where they had biodynamic training, Corymb said. These communities were run by a social initiative called Camphill, a worldwide organization of communities including people with and without special needs working to foster holistic wellness and growing the majority of the communitys food using biodynamic practices. It was here where she first learned the fundamentals surrounding biodynamic farming. History of biodynamics The early concepts of biodynamic farming were formed in 1924 by Austrian scientist and philosopher Rudolf Steiner. He gave a series of lectures in response to a complaint by a group of European farmers who were noticing a quick decline in soil conditions, crop quality and animal health due to the use of chemical pesticides. Steiner presented the farm as a living organism that is self-sustainable, with its crop growth, soil vitality and livestock all interconnected. In 1928, The Demeter Biodynamic Standard for certification was established and is currently regulated by Demeter International. In the United States, Demeter USA manages biodynamic certification. Farming is a significant part of the impact on the environment. Biodynamics has some tools that can bring back the vitality of the soil, said Evrett Lunquist, director of Certification for Demeter USA and co-owner of Common Good biodynamic farm in Raymond, Nebraska. Lunquist founded Common Good in 1996 along with his wife, Ruth Chantry, who is board president of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society. Lunquist studied agronomy in college, and while doing a comparison study between two farms, he first learned about biodynamic agriculture. It was the piece that had been missing in my college studies, Lunquist said. Difference between organic and biodynamic While organic farming mainly focuses on farming without synthetic chemicals, biodynamic agriculture takes it one step further. For the certification for biodynamic, you look at the whole farm, Lunquist said. The Demeter Biodynamic Farm Standard requires that the whole farm is certified, not just a specific crop. For organic farms, one field could be organic, and another could be conventional. Biodynamic farms work to not only produce high-quality food but also improve the health of the entire farm ecosystem. Biodynamic farms must meet all the organic requirements, as well as the additional standards laid out by Demeter. This includes dedicating at least 10% of the land as a wildland reserve, generating the farms fertility, and using biodynamic preparations like field sprays and composting. The goal is sustainability, where the waste of one part of the farm becomes energy for another part. Instead of having a huge carbon footprint, youre actually refocusing on having a carbon negative footprint, Lunquist said. With minimal use of imported materials, the farm generates its own fertility instead of relying on transported fertilizers, unlike many organic farms. Although biodynamic farms may not be as common as organic farms, the number continues to rise. According to Demeter International, biodynamic farms worldwide increased by more than 47% between 2000 and 2018. In 2019, there were 118 Biodynamic certified farms in the U.S., including the two in Nebraska. Right now, there are about 140 certified biodynamic farms, Lunquist said. We are looking forward to more sustainable growth. After returning to Scottsbluff in 2010, Corymb and her husband Nathan started a biodynamic seed company. Their farm, Meadowlark Hearth, received the biodynamic certification one year later. They now own 540 acres of land, with 150 acres designated as a natural reserve to encourage the biodiversity of plants and animals. Where the produce is sold The Corymbs sell their produce at farmers markets, as well as through Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, where consumers purchase produce shares at the beginning of the year. Lunquist and his wife have also used farmers markets and CSA; however, more recently, they have used email lists and grocery stores. For example, Common Good offers an option to pre-order their produce, meat and eggs for farm pickup, and they also sell their eggs at Natural Grocers and The Mercato in Lincoln. However, one of their long-time partners is Open Harvest, a co-op grocery store in south Lincoln. Common Good has been selling its eggs, produce, meat and plant seedlings there for more 24 years. Open Harvest is the only co-op grocery store in Lincoln, and its mission is to provide access to nutritious, local and organic foods. They have been in business for 48 years and have sold 269,052 Common Good eggs in just the past five years. People go nuts. We cant keep them on the shelf, said Amy Tabor, general manager of Open Harvest. Every year, Open Harvest also hosts a large plant sale with Common Good, where they bring in vegetables, herbs and flowers from the farm to sell during the spring and early summer. They do a fantastic job with the variety they offer, and the quality is really good, Tabor said. Lunquist said there is value in buying locally and when customers become acquainted with the farms name. When you eat the food, its nourishment. But then theres another nourishment that comes from eating food where you have either been to the farm, or you know the farmer. It is part of the experience, Lunquist said. Instead of being just food for the body, Lunquist said biodynamic agriculture produces food for the soul. Photos, video: New life on Nebraska farms, ranches Sheep Heart calf Foal Watch now: Newborn calf stands up for the first time Quest, stud colt Lambs Baby bison Calf Calving Baby lambs Angus calf Calf Near Beaver Crossing New calf New calf New calf New calf New calf New calf New calf New calf New calf New calf New calf New calf New calf New calf New calf New calf New calf New calf New calf Calf Calves New life New life New life Calving Calving New calf KYIV, Ukraine Dont tell Ievgen Klopotenko that borsch is just food. For him, that bowl of beet-and-meat soup is the embodiment of everything Ukraine is fighting for. Food is a powerful social instrument by which you can unite or divide a nation, said Klopotenko, Ukraines most recognizable celebrity chef and the man who in the midst of a bloody war spearheaded what would become an unlikely cultural victory over Russia. Its our symbol, Klopotenko said. Borsch is our leader. If that seems hyperbolic, you underestimate how intrinsic borsch (the preferred Ukrainian spelling) is to this countrys soul. More than a meal, it represents history, family and centuries of tradition. It is eaten always and everywhere, and its preparation is described almost reverentially. And now, at the one-year mark of the war with Russia, Klopotenko uses the dish as a rallying call for preserving Ukrainian identity. Its an act of culinary defiance against one of Moscows widely discredited justifications of the war that Ukraine is culturally indistinct from Russia. Thanks to a lobbying effort that Klopotenko helped lead, UNESCO issued a fast-track decision last July declaring Ukrainian borsch an asset of intangible cultural heritage in need of preservation. Although the declaration noted borsch is consumed elsewhere in the region, and that no exclusivity was implied, the move infuriated Russia. A Russian foreign ministry spokesperson accused Ukraine of appropriating the dish and called the move an act of xenophobia and Nazism. But in Ukraine, where until a year ago Russian was as widely spoken as Ukrainian, the declaration legitimized a notion that many had struggled to express. People started to understand that they are Ukrainians, Klopotenko said recently while preparing borsch at his Kyiv apartment. From his living room window, the husk of a high-rise gutted by Russian missiles dominated the view. A lot of people started to eat Ukrainian food. A lot of people began to discover Ukrainian traditions, he said. Klopotenko, 36, is an unlikely figure to grab headlines during a war that has left hundreds of thousands from all sides dead or wounded. But the television chef and restaurateur recognizable by an unruly head of curls, rapid-fire dialogue and lively fashion sense began his mission to elevate Ukrainian food years before Russias invasion in February 2022. Though born in Kyiv, Klopotenko had by age 5 spent months at a time living with his grandmother, who had moved just outside Manchester, England. He'd been raised on bland Soviet-era cuisine, and this was a culinary awakening. He encountered waves of new flavors and ingredients, experiences that set him on a path to restaurant work. His break came in 2015 when he won the television competition MasterChef Ukraine. He parlayed that into study at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and later a successful campaign to overhaul the Soviet-influenced cafeteria menus in Ukrainian schools. Always in the background was his sense that Ukrainian food ditto the countrys culture writ large wasnt being true to itself. Much of Ukraine's identity, he felt, from language and food to fashion and architecture, had been subjugated to Russian influences. Before the start of Soviet rule in 1917, Ukrainian cuisine was more diverse and robustly seasoned. That was quashed in favor of a more uniform palate with socialist sensibilities. Even after the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, Ukraines cuisine didnt quite bounce back. But Russias invasion and annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 was a trigger. Trying to identify and hold onto Ukrainian heritage, Klopotenko and others began researching pre-Soviet Ukrainian cooking, hoping to return it to the mainstream and give people another toehold for reclaiming their culture. In 2019, he opened his Kyiv restaurant, 100 Rokiv Tomu Vpered (100 Years Ago Ahead), a reference to what Ukrainian cuisine was before Soviet rule, and what it could be again. The menu draws heavily on flavors and ingredients many have forgotten. Roasted parsnips with smoked sour cream. Buckwheat bread flavored with chamomile. Banosh, a sort of corn porridge topped with cottage cheese, mushrooms and apples. And, of course, borsch seasoned with the traditional smoked pears. Written records tie the recipe to Ukraine over many centuries. The effort to have it declared a cultural asset began in 2018, when Klopotenko enlisted the help of Maryna Sobotiuk, an adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Information Policy and co-founder of the Institute of Culture of Ukraine. They assembled a dossier that would become the countrys application to UNESCO. Their work took on greater urgency after Russias invasion a year ago and received the blessing of Ukraines government. Like Klopotenko, Sobotiuk said its a cause much deeper than dinner. Our neighbors want to not just take our territory, but also our culture and our history, she said, calling culinary heritage a soft power with tremendous potential to motivate and inspire. It is important to give people something they can align with Ukraine except war. 8 things Americans can learn from food habits around the world International vs American eating habits Eat fresh fish like Iceland Season your food like Singapore Follow Swedens traffic signal Or, follow Japans spinning top Sip, savor and serve small like the French Incorporate fermented foods like South Korea Enjoy fruits and vegetables year-round like Spain Eat beans like Sardinia One year into Russias unprovoked attack and spree of war crimes, its fair to assess the status of the conflict. We should not, however, doubt its importance to American interests. There are security, economic and moral reasons to support Ukraine. Stability in Europe enhances our security and economy. Supporting Ukraine ensures NATO allies are not directly facing an expansionist Russia. Our actions also send a strong message to China about our ability and willingness to defend against aggression. Economically, Ukraine supplies over a quarter of the wheat imported to many North African and Middle Eastern countries. The lack of affordable food contributes to instability in an already volatile region. Ukraine has expressed a desire to integrate its economy with the West and could serve as a market for our goods. Russia has demonstrated its willingness to use its energy resources as blackmail against other countries. If they were to control Ukraines agricultural resources, they could blackmail the worlds food supply. They have already worked to block Ukrainian exports of agricultural goods. Morally, we need to remember that Russia invaded a sovereign country posing no security risk. Ukraine allowed nuclear weapons to be removed from its territory in exchange for territorial sovereignty. The US and Russia were guarantors of that treaty. We should maintain our word. Some have expressed opposition to supporting Ukraine based on the risk of getting involved in the war. Many American leaders extolled the macho hype videos of Russian propaganda before the war. The eclectic mix of supposedly soft Americans and Europeans has demonstrated capabilities far beyond what Russia can deliver. The US-led NATO alliance will exercise appropriate caution but should not self-deter. Others cite concerns about cost. Representative Marjorie Taylor Green has asked where U.S. support to Ukraine has gone thus far. Id start by pointing out the more than 40,000 Russians killed, along with the 3,000 plus tanks, 300 aircraft, and 650 armored personnel carriers destroyed. The bulk of our aid has consisted of excess weapons and munitions causing that destruction. Our support has been matched by our allies. Still others allege that the United States should focus on our own border. Using artillery, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Abrams tanks against unarmed civilians would be a war crime. Unfortunately, it might explain the high regard some in America have for Vladimir Putin. There has also been criticism of American efforts for being too slow. It takes a lot of time to move equipment and to train personnel. Russias problems in supplying and maintaining equipment, along with not training their soldiers, has contributed to their failures. Ukraine is a sovereign country under unprovoked attack. It deserves the resources to defend itself. To the extent it can effectively operate and sustain tanks, aircraft, and long-range indirect fire systems, we should support Ukraines requests. There was a time to be cautious. That time was over even before Russia started targeting civilians. It was certainly over when they targeted electric and utility plants of limited military value as winter started, eliminating power to half of all Ukrainians. These acts are war crimes, and Ukraine should be empowered to deter or prevent such attacks. The war could end tomorrow if Russia returned to its pre-2014 boundaries. It could also end if Ukraine surrendered. Ukraine has been what author Timothy Snyder called a Bloodlands, caught between expansionist Germany and Russia for generations. It should be able to shape its own destiny, not have it determined by others. We ought to support Ukraine just as we supported the British at the start of World War II and the French supported us during our fight for independence. Their fight is our fight and a living embodiment of the adage that freedom is not free. A Sioux City resident, Steve Warnstadt is government affairs coordinator for Western Iowa Tech Community College. He is a former Democratic state senator and retired Army National Guard brigadier general. He and his wife, Mary, are the parents of one son and one daughter.(tncms-asset)731871ea-d4f1-11eb-b1df-00163ec2aa77[0](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)cf205eb0-b455-11eb-8b0e-00163ec2aa77[1](/tncms-asset)(tncms-asset)a2b5ec36-f5fb-11eb-8586-00163ec2aa77[2](/tncms-asset) The forecast is calling for cold temperatures in Sioux City Sunday. The forecast calls for it to be a cool 46 degrees. 32 degrees is today's low. How likely is it that it'll rain on your picnic? The weather forecast calls for a 51% chance of rain. Sioux City could see periods of brisk winds today, with winds reaching 18 miles per hour, coming from the East. This report is created automatically with weather data provided by TownNews.com. Stay in the know. Visit siouxcityjournal.com for local news and weather. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230304/czech-president-elect-to-visit-neighboring-states-kiev-after-inauguration-1108026015.html Czech President-Elect to Visit Neighboring States, Kiev After Inauguration Czech President-Elect to Visit Neighboring States, Kiev After Inauguration Czech President-elect Petr Pavel is planning to visit the capitals of all neighboring countries, as well as Kiev and Brussels, in the first 100 days after assuming office on March 9, media reported on Saturday. 2023-03-04T22:29+0000 2023-03-04T22:29+0000 2023-03-04T22:29+0000 world petr pavel czech republic czech republic czech republik kiev kiev /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102280/63/1022806303_0:124:1563:1003_1920x0_80_0_0_19dbfd9a9e7d44beefbfd0467ccb94f5.jpg Pavel's first two trips to Slovakia and Poland will take place in the first weeks after his inauguration, followed by a visit to Germany from March 21-22, the Czech Radio broadcaster reported. The report also said that the Czech president-elect would travel to Brussels in April to visit the NATO and the EU headquarters, and would depart to Ukraine later in the same month. In May, Pavel will head to Austria and Hungary, the report added. Pavel, a 61-year-old retired Czech army general and former chair of the NATO Military Committee, scored a landslide victory in the Czech Republic's presidential election on January 28. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230122/more-czech-voters-give-preference-to-petr-pavel-according-to-poll-1106562703.html czech republic czech republic czech republik kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International petr pavel, kiev, czech republic, brussels https://sputnikglobe.com/20230304/iran-will-allow-iaea-to-conduct-verification-monitoring-activities-in-country-says-the-iaea-1108025722.html Iran Will Allow IAEA to Conduct Verification, Monitoring Activities in Country, Says the IAEA Iran Will Allow IAEA to Conduct Verification, Monitoring Activities in Country, Says the IAEA Iran will voluntarily allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to conduct verification and monitoring activities in the country and will agree the modalities at a technical meeting in Tehran soon, the IAEA said. 2023-03-04T21:37+0000 2023-03-04T21:37+0000 2023-03-04T21:37+0000 world iran iaea international atomic energy agency (iaea) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/03/1107966138_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_6af983055b300aa035b823e55e8cf222.jpg "Iran, on a voluntary basis will allow the IAEA to implement further appropriate verification and monitoring activities. Modalities will be agreed between the two sides in the course of a technical meeting which will take place soon in Tehran," the agency said in a joint statement with the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). The statement also said that Iran had expressed its readiness "to continue its cooperation and provide further information and access to address the outstanding safeguards issues." Earlier this month, international atomic monitors in Iran reportedly found uranium enriched to 84% of purity, which is the highest level detected by inspectors in the country so far and almost enough for the production of nuclear weapons. The AEOI has insisted that Iran's nuclear program continues to remain exclusively peaceful. In 2015, Iran and China, France, Russia, the UK, the US plus Germany and the EU signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal, which envisaged lifting sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restricting the Iranian nuclear program. Under Donald Trump, the US withdrew from the deal, reimposing sanctions against Iran. The country reacted by reducing its obligations under the deal, including those concerning nuclear research, centrifuges and uranium enrichment levels. In December 2021, talks on the resumption of the JCPOA were resumed, however, a year later the progress on the deal became largely frozen. iran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International iaea, iran, international atomic energy agency, tehran https://sputnikglobe.com/20230304/macron-says-drc-should-not-shift-responsibility-for-countrys-security-issues-to-france-1108026146.html Macron Says DRC Should Not Shift Responsibility for Country's Security Issues to France Macron Says DRC Should Not Shift Responsibility for Country's Security Issues to France French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday said that the DRC should not "look for the guilty side" with regard to the security situation in the country. 2023-03-04T22:41+0000 2023-03-04T22:41+0000 2023-03-05T06:30+0000 france emmanuel macron drc africa democratic republic of the congo security central africa /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/02/1107945335_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_b3872ffa1174df53707e254ec3d236ec.jpg On Wednesday, Macron began a five-day tour to Africa and paid working visits to Congo, Gabon, Angola and the DRC. According to the Elysee Palace, the visit aims to enhance bilateral cooperation with countries in the region. The French president also called on the republic's authorities to ensure justice in the country and not to blame France in those issues, which depend on the DRC's government. The presidential visit takes place amid a surge in anti-French sentiment and the growth of Chinese and Russian influence in Africa. Last year, French troops withdrew from Mali, where they were deployed since 2014 on a counter-terrorist mission. In January, Burkina Faso officially ended all France-led operations on its territory, where French forces were present under the 2018 agreement according to which Paris would help the country to combat militant Islamist groups. At the same time, Russia and China are increasing trade volumes with African countries and replacing France as leading partners on the continent. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230220/france-ends-military-operations-in-burkina-faso-1107605714.html france africa democratic republic of the congo central africa Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International macron, french president emmanuel macron, drc, africa, security https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/americans-have-final-word-in-european-war--hungarys-orban-hits-back-at-western-elites-1108028398.html Americans Have Final Word in European War: Hungarys Orban Hits Back at Western Elites Americans Have Final Word in European War: Hungarys Orban Hits Back at Western Elites Amid ongoing Western efforts to draw his nation into a proxy war between NATO and Russia, the Prime Minister of Hungary promised his countrys leadership is strong enough to keep the war away from our country. 2023-03-05T03:56+0000 2023-03-05T03:56+0000 2023-03-05T06:01+0000 viktor orban ukraine ukraine crisis us-ukraine relations russia us-russia relations world /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/12/1107582042_0:0:2772:1560_1920x0_80_0_0_858e34524413c0d911f176c4e8544d67.jpg Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had pointed words for those pushing Hungary to join the Western proxy war against Russia this week.There are some who want to force Hungary into the war, and they are not picky about the means with which to achieve that goal, Orban told a Swiss outlet this week, a summary published on his website indicates.But Hungarys leadership is strong enough to keep the war away from our country, he reiterated.Still, its an enduring challenge, the Hungarian head of state noted, because his countrymen are the people most affected by the EU sanctions introduced against Russia.Ukraine is our neighbor where Hungarians live as well, Orban reportedly stated. They are being conscripted and are dying by the hundreds on the front.Unfortunately, at this point, the matter seems to be out of their hands.Europe has retired from the debate, Orban lamented. In the decisions adopted in Brussels, I recognize American interests more frequently than European ones.In a war that is taking place in Europe the Americans have the final word, he added.The prime minister agreed with the journalists assumption that the deeper causes of Europes weakness should be sought in the European Union, because it is destroying the nation states without replacing them with anything workable.Asked by the interviewer whether the deeper reason for Europe's weakness is to be found in the European Union because it breaks up nation-states without putting anything workable in their place, Orban responded in the affirmative.As for the ultimate direction of the ongoing Western proxy war against Russia, Orban insisted that no one can win it.There is a nuclear power with a population of 140 million up against the Ukrainians, while there is the whole of NATO up against the Russians, he stated.This is what makes things so dangerous, according to Hungarys prime minister, who claims the conflict has transformed into a stalemate which can easily escalate into a world war.Illustrating his knowledge of the Russian perspective towards the conflict, Orban recounted his February 2022 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who he spoke with in Moscow two weeks prior to the initiation of the special military operation.Additionally, the Americans terminated important disarmament treaties, he explained, noting: This is why Putin could no longer have a good nights sleep. ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Wyatt Reed Wyatt Reed News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Wyatt Reed prime minister viktor orban, russia, hungary, ukraine, european union sanctions https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/at-least-10000-people-protesting-in-athens-after-deadly-train-crash-1108070385.html Video: At Least 10,000 People Protesting in Athens After Deadly Train Crash Video: At Least 10,000 People Protesting in Athens After Deadly Train Crash At least 10,000 people are protesting in the Greek capital, Athens, to demand a proper investigation into this week's deadly train crash, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Sunday 2023-03-05T14:22+0000 2023-03-05T14:22+0000 2023-03-05T14:28+0000 world train crash greece athens /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/04/1108011920_0:156:3001:1844_1920x0_80_0_0_2e0fff5600d5741adc478c16c41fc61b.jpg Many people have taken to the streets with black balloons. The demonstrators are holding posters with slogans "Killers! Privatization kills!", "This is not an accident. This is a crime," and chanting "You are counting income, while we are counting the lost lives." The rioters also stressed that there were not enough railway personnel and that people were "working themselves to the bone," as stated in the letters. On Tuesday, a passenger train collided with a freight train near the city of Larissa. The passenger train had switched to the freight train's lane before the accident, which brought them both on the same track and resulted in a head-on collision. The Greek police said that 57 people had been killed and 48 others injured in the accident. Media reported on Saturday that EU prosecutors had been probing a contract that would have had an electronic control system installed on the Greek railways, potentially averting the train wreck, if implemented. The upgrade to the signaling and remote control system on the Athens-Thessaloniki-Promachona railway was agreed in 2014, but a series of thefts and acts of vandalism stopped the contract's implementation in its tracks, the reports said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230304/1108011583.html greece athens Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International riots in athens, train crash in greece, protests in athens, riots in greece, deadly train crash in greece https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/azerbaijan-says-2-servicemen-killed-in-karabakh-shootout-1108075211.html Azerbaijan Says 2 Servicemen Killed in Karabakh Shootout Azerbaijan Says 2 Servicemen Killed in Karabakh Shootout Azerbaijan says that two Azeri servicemen were killed on Sunday in a shootout with Armenian forces on a countryside side in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. 2023-03-05T20:21+0000 2023-03-05T20:21+0000 2023-03-05T20:21+0000 world azerbaijan azerbaijan armenia armenia armenia nagorno-karabakh: flare-up between armenia, azerbaijan /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0b/18/1104667112_19:0:732:401_1920x0_80_0_0_a80d19a20fe4224fc0cb5a0b1cd91f97.png "As a result of the provocation committed by illegal Armenian formations during the morning of March 5, servicemen of the Azerbaijan Army Alibeyli Shakhriyar Ramiz and Huseynov Eshgin Jamil became Shehids," the Defense Ministry said, referring to their death on duty. The Azeri Foreign Ministry said an Azeri military patrol was shot at when it tried to inspect an Armenian vehicle that was suspected of transporting weapons and landmines, in violation of the November 2020 truce that Russia brokered between the two nations. Azerbaijan said Armenia was to blame for the bloodshed and demanded an immediate withdrawal of Armenian troops from what it considers as its territory. The Armenian Foreign Ministry accused Azerbaijan of organizing an ambush that killed three police officers from the Interior Ministry's passport and visa department and denied arms smuggling claims as "disinformation." Armenia said that Azeri forces shot at the police minivan as it was travelling south from Nagorno-Karabakh's main city of Stepanakert (Khankendi) to two villages near the Armenian border. azerbaijan azerbaijan armenia armenia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International nagorno-karabakh, azerbaijan, armenia, azeri foreign ministry https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/burkina-faso-establishes-curfews-to-intensify-fight-against-terrorists-1108071410.html Burkina Faso Establishes Curfews to Intensify Fight Against Terrorists, Reports Say Burkina Faso Establishes Curfews to Intensify Fight Against Terrorists, Reports Say Curfews were introduced in some areas of Burkina Faso, including provinces in the North and Centre East regions, as part of the country's efforts to combat the terrorist threat, media has reported. 2023-03-05T15:32+0000 2023-03-05T15:32+0000 2023-03-05T15:32+0000 africa west africa burkina faso curfew terrorism counter-terrorism anti-terrorism terrorist groups jihadists /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/05/1108071230_0:166:3000:1854_1920x0_80_0_0_ad0527c7b272a46bf6c74885226f08f0.jpg Curfews have reportedly been introduced in some areas of Burkina Faso, including provinces in the north and center east, as part of the country's efforts to combat the terrorist threat, media has reported, citing official documents. In its press release, regional authorities explained that this measure aims to facilitate the actions of the defense and security forces, as well as volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland. During the curfew, the movement of people, the use of four and two-wheeled vehicles, tricycles and bicycles is strictly prohibited. The official also asked the residents to strictly respect this decision by staying at home. It was added that the curfew would help the army in the region bordering Mali to address the insurgency that swept it years ago. According to the media, a curfew was also established from March 1 to March 30 in the province of Koulpelogo, located in the center-east bordering Ghana and Togo.Burkina Faso has been facing an increase in jihadist activities in recent months, in particular since the beginning of the year with several dozen deaths of soldiers and civilians being reported. Against this backdrop, the country's interim leader Captain Ibrahim Traore announced the government's goal to "reconquer" the territory occupied by terrorists and intensify the army's operations against them.As part of these efforts, the country's government organized at least three recruitment drives in less than a year. Last month, it launched the "exceptional recruitment" of 5,000 soldiers to serve in the army for five years. * Daesh and al-Qaeda are terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries around the world. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230224/burkina-faso-to-enlist-5000-soldiers-to-bolster-fight-against-terrorism-1107769358.html africa west africa burkina faso Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Maria Konokhova Maria Konokhova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Maria Konokhova west africa, burkina faso, terrorism, curfew, terrorist groups, insurgency, army, security forces https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/churchills-iron-curtain-speech-in-perspective-1107974686.html Churchills 'Iron Curtain' Speech in Perspective Churchills 'Iron Curtain' Speech in Perspective On March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill arrived in the small town of Fulton, Missouri. 05.03.2023, Sputnik International 2023-03-05T09:00+0000 2023-03-05T09:00+0000 2023-03-05T09:00+0000 columnists world winston churchill fulton speech iron curtain cold war /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/08/18/1099943001_0:80:2048:1232_1920x0_80_0_0_db08e7debfcc18b9d4b56660fc041714.jpg Some seven months earlier, Churchill had been voted out of the office of prime minister that he had held for the five most tumultuous years in the history of Great Britain, during which the UK contributed to defeat Nazi Germany. Churchill was accompanied by Harry Truman, the former Missouri senator who had served as President Franklin D. Roosevelts vice president until Roosevelts passing on April 12, 1945 propelled him into the role of Americas commander in chief. Truman had arranged for Churchill to receive an honorary degree from Westminster College, after which the famously loquacious English politician would deliver an address.The American presidents motivations were two-fold. First, he sought to lift the sagging spirits of a wartime ally whom he had only met in passing at the summit in Potsdam, Germany, in July-August 1945, after the surrender of Nazi Germany. Churchill had arrived in Potsdam distracted by the prospects of being voted out of office. He was deeply depressed, refusing to read the briefing documents his staff had prepared for him, resulting in lengthy and disjointed dialogue with his counterparts. Churchills fears were realized when, with the conference still in session, the results of the British elections were announced; Churchill had been defeated, and his place at the conference was taken over by the new British prime minister, Clement Attlee.Churchill took the defeat poorly, sinking further into depression as his health failed him, leaving him struggling to find his place in the world. He vacationed in France, where he spent hours painting. Upon his return to Great Britain, Churchill busied himself by working on his wartime memoir. Despite his defeat as prime minister, Churchill remained a member of Parliament, and as such he was a leader of the opposition. Politics was in his blood, and eventually the former prime minister began to reengage in the affairs of his nation, which included casting a critical eye towards post-war relations with the Soviet Union, whose leader at the time, Joseph Stalin, Churchill openly mistrusted.At the time Truman extended his invitation to Churchill, American policy toward its wartime ally, the Soviet Union, was in a flux. Stalins refusal to participate in the post-war dollar-dominated economy outlined in the 1944 Bretton Woods agreement was viewed by many as proof positive of the anti-Western proclivities of the Soviet Union. This posturing, when combined with angst over Soviet post-war policies in Poland, which both Truman and Churchill viewed as breaking with agreements reached during both the Yalta and Potsdam summits, had led to an overall environment of distrust and disengagement.A speech delivered by Joseph Stalin on February 9, 1946 sent shockwaves through the American public, driven by media accounts which lambasted the presentation as warlike, despite the fact that it almost exclusively addressed domestic matters. An American diplomat in Moscow, George Kennan, initially shrugged off Stalins address as being routine in nature. However, upon receiving instructions from the US State Department to provide a more detailed analysis of the speech and what it said about Soviet attitudes toward the West, Kennan proceeded to write an 8,000-word report which became known as the long telegram.The long telegram was dispatched on February 22, and soon it became the talk of the town in Washington, DC. Churchill was in the United States vacationing in Florida when Kennans missive was written, and was subsequently invited to travel to the US Capitol to visit with Truman before heading to Fulton, Missouri. He was sequestered by the American president and his secretary of state, James F. Byrnes, to discuss the themes Churchill would present in his address. Both Truman and Byrnes were sensitive to the vagaries of American public opinion, which had not yet been turned against the Soviet Union and its leader, whom many Americans still considered an ally. By inviting Churchill to speak in Fulton, Truman hoped to use the famous Englishmans oratory skills to his advantage, and help shape American attitude regarding the need for a more confrontational posture vis-a-vis the Soviet Union.Churchill did not disappoint. In a speech he titled The Sinews of Peace, Churchill outlined his vision of post-war reality, one where the US and the British Commonwealth enjoyed a special relationship designed to guide the international community in confronting the growing threat posed by the Soviet Union. In typical fashion, Churchill crafted words which graphically captured his sentiments, including the following sentence, From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent, which introduced the term iron curtain into the lexicon of American discourse regarding the Soviet Union.The Iron Curtain speech, as it subsequently became known, was a defining moment in history, and has become known as the event which defined the start of what became known as the Cold War, an existential struggle defined more by ideology than force of arms between a Western world led by the special relationship between the US and Great Britain, and those lands ensconced behind the Iron Curtain that fell under the sway of the Soviet Union. Truman went on to use the themes set forth in Churchills speech and Kennans long telegram to craft a formal policy known as the Truman Doctrine, which was announced to the US Congress on March 12, 1947nearly a year after Churchills landmark address. The policy announced as the primary goal of American policy the containment of Soviet power and influence around the world.And so began the Cold War, born from the confluence of one mans depression, and another mans indecision. The irony, however, is that the aggressive policy of containment, based as it was on military power, was not something Kennan was advocating for when he wrote the long telegram. Kennan did not believe the Soviet Union to be either expansionistic or militaristic in its approach toward the West and was appalled when the Truman Doctrine became policy.The policy journey that saw the long telegram transformed into the foundational doctrine of American containment policy, however, passed through Fulton, Missouri, where the words of Winston Churchills historic address served as an ideological forge, transforming Trumans uncertainty over the state of relations with his erstwhile wartime ally into a stark determination to confront Soviet power which, thanks to Churchill, was subsequently deemed a threat to international peace and security.Today, the United States and its allies find themselves on the cusp of a new Cold War with Russia. Unlike the original, which was born of the nexus between Churchillian depression and Truman indecision which twisted the intellectual musings of an American diplomat into a doctrine of global confrontation, the current Cold War is the byproduct of deliberate actions by those in the so-called collective West who seek to hold onto the post-war world shaped by the containment policies that defined the Cold War by resurrecting the same irrational fears that had been generated under Truman.But the world was a different place during the original Cold War, defined by two different approaches toward global relations that were shaped by which side of the Churchillian Iron Curtain one resided. The United States and its allies were able to prevail for a number of reasons, including their ability to sow dissent within the ranks of the Soviet-dominated Eastern bloc, driving a wedge between Moscow and Beijing, and undermining Soviet influence and control over Eastern Europe.Today, the world isnt defined by a bipolar West-versus-East reality, but rather a more complex, and highly nuanced multipolarity, where the United States continued adherence to Cold War mentalities places it at a disadvantage when dealing with a world that has, for the most part, moved on from the limitations imposed by any articulation of an Iron Curtain. Indeed, Americas continuing embrace of Churchillian concepts has transformed the Iron Curtain into a self-imposed prison, isolating the United States from a growing global reality where the American singularity, enhanced by a special relationship with the United Kingdom, no longer reigns supreme. The British stopped being relevant years ago, and the allure of America as the shining city on the hill has long since faded.The premise of the original Cold War was based upon a flawed perception of malign Soviet intent, the notion that Joseph Stalin was consolidating his power behind an ideological Iron Curtain until which time he could sortie forth and bring the rest of Europe, and by extension, the world, under his sway. Today, one can see the echoes of this Cold War mindset in the way so-called Russia experts, such as Michael McFaul and Fiona Hill, articulate the policies and posture of modern-day Russia and its leader, President Vladimir Putin. Just as a negative Soviet reaction to the global economic prescriptions of the Bretton Woods agreement led to George Kennans misinterpretation of Soviet intent, the Russian reaction to the expansion of NATO to its borders is likewise being misinterpreteddeliberately soby McFaul, Hill, and others as a sign of Russian aggression.The main difference between the present and the past is the fact that despite its flawed intellectual foundation, the original containment policy assiduously avoided having the Cold Wartransition into a hot conflict. Today, while historians and current affairs analysts debate whether the current state of affairs between the US and Russia qualifies as a new Cold War, the aggressive containment-based policies that are manifest in the expansion of NATO have morphed away from restraining Russia, to defeating Russia. As such, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict that has resulted from this aggressive expansion of NATO has transformed into a proxy hot war between Russia and the US-led NATO alliance, which is unlike anything experienced during the Cold War. As such, the current state of US-Russian relations is not defined by competing ideologies, but rather brute-force politics, where one side (the US) seeks the physical destruction of the other (Russia).This is the legacy of Churchills famous address, where Cold War rhetoric has transformed into post-Cold War conflict. The only good news is that US power and prestige today is but a shadow of what it was when the Cold War originated. Back then, the allure of US democracy marketed using the Bretton Woods-enhanced dollar-dominated global economy was real. Today, American democracy has been exposed as a flawed dream which, in many ways, manifests itself as a nightmare. The "Iron Curtain" has been transformed into an American Rust Belt, where the promise of the past has failed to meet the expectation of the present.The fact is, there will be no Cold War 2.0, if for the simple fact that the world will not allow it. Rather than enabling a modern-day variation of the Churchillian ideological divide envisioned in his Iron Curtain speech, the international community seems to prefer to resolve the differences between Russia and the collective West in a more deliberative fashion, choosing compromise over conflict.All that is needed is for the US-led collective West to recognize the reality of the world today, and drop the pretense of Cold War posturing built on Winston Churchills flawed and dated oration. Sadly, the ongoing tragedy that is unfolding in Ukraine today is proof positive that such a realization has yet to be reached. The consequences of this failure are real, and meaningful, and are propelling US-Russian relations on a trajectory which bypasses the niceties of Cold War containment, into the horrors of Hot War conflict. https://sputnikglobe.com/20221012/white-house-unveils-new-security-strategy-saying-us-not-seeking-conflict-or-new-cold-war-1101775757.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20221124/eastern-europe-arms-production-highest-since-cold-war-as-money-funneled-to-ukraine-1104662466.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Scott Ritter https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0c/17/1105733958_0:0:334:334_100x100_80_0_0_b457e4e9c850ef224b0cc79059bb38df.jpg Scott Ritter https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0c/17/1105733958_0:0:334:334_100x100_80_0_0_b457e4e9c850ef224b0cc79059bb38df.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Scott Ritter https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0c/17/1105733958_0:0:334:334_100x100_80_0_0_b457e4e9c850ef224b0cc79059bb38df.jpg columnists, winston churchill, fulton speech, iron curtain, cold war https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/cold-war-20-why-current-crisis-is-far-more-dangerous-than-20th-centurys-long-twilight-struggle-1108022288.html Cold War 2.0: Why Current Crisis is Far More Dangerous Than 20th Centurys Long Twilight Struggle Cold War 2.0: Why Current Crisis is Far More Dangerous Than 20th Centurys Long Twilight Struggle Amid the ongoing NATO-Russia proxy conflict in Ukraine, more and more Western media outlets, historians and think tank figures have referred to the crisis as a new Cold War. On the anniversary of Winston Churchills 1946 Iron Curtain speech, a leading Russian arms control expert explains why the sequel to the Cold War is far more dangerous. 2023-03-05T04:00+0000 2023-03-05T04:00+0000 2023-03-05T11:38+0000 analysis cold war new cold war russia us ukraine conflict proxy wars /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102250/67/1022506720_0:97:1024:673_1920x0_80_0_0_4de71a4ac1278930a350fb8ae2404f8b.jpg March 5 marks another anniversary of Winston Churchills 1946 Iron Curtain speech.In the spring of 1946, as Europe lay in ruins and the WWII Allies the USSR, Britain, and the USA approached the uncertain post-war order, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill traveled to Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri to speak about how, from Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent, separating the Soviet sphere from free nations.Many Western scholars mark Churchills speech as the historical waypoint marking the dawn of the Cold War. Just a month earlier, in February 1946, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin gave a speech in Moscow on the origins of the Second World War and the reasons for the Allies victory. He referred to the United States and Britain as great, freedom-loving countries, praised their decisive role in the defeat of Nazi Germany and militarist Japan, and emphasized that Moscows post-war priorities would revolve around reconstruction and peaceful economic development, making no mention of a new confrontation with the West. Stalin warned, however, that monopolistic capital and imperialism, the same forces which brought about the Second World War, may conspire to spark a new conflict.In the four decades that followed, the Western and Eastern political, economic and military blocs stared one another down at the barrel of a gun, and, eventually, nuclear warhead-tipped missiles.Tensions eased dramatically from the late 1980s and through the 1990s, as Soviet and Russian leaders Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin took a series of (often unilateral steps) to reduce tensions, increase trust and bring an end to the Cold War, sometimes even at the cost of Russias pride and strategic security interests. Both men undoubtedly expected that the West would reciprocate, reject the Cold War mentality and perhaps even dissolve NATO, just as the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact was liquidated in the winter of 1991.But the US and its allies expressed no desire to do so, and on the contrary began a decades-long push to expand NATO toward Russias borders. Assured again and again that the alliance was no longer an anti-Russian bloc, Moscow humbly inquired about whether it too would be allowed to join, but got no answer.In 2014, having absorbed every former member of the former Warsaw Pact, three post-Soviet republics and several Balkan countries, the West set its sights on Ukraine, one of Moscows biggest economic and trade partners, and a country with which Russia shares centuries of common history, cultural, linguistic and other links, thus sparking the current crisis.The Ukrainian conflict, which Russian officials including President Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have referred to as a proxy war by NATO against Russia, has been characterized as a new Cold War by many Western journalists and scholars, from Foreign Policy contributor Michael Hirsh to historian Niall Ferguson.Cold War II: Why Its WorseIt can be said in principle that we are now in a Cold War, yes. We can say that this is a second iteration of the Cold War, although the nature of these wars is completely different, says Evgeny Buzhinsky, a retired Lieutenant-General of the Russian Armed Forces, veteran of the first Cold War, and Russias top arms control negotiator between 2001 to 2009.The USSR had its own socialist camp, had its allies, the Warsaw Pact and its own sphere of influence. The West tried to intervene, but in general, its efforts were quite futile. There was normal trade, within reasonable limits. Of course, there were restrictions on technology exports, but there were no sanctions packages. There was the Jackson-Vanik Amendment [on Jewish emigration from the USSR, ed.] but its impact was very limited. It affected not so much the economy, as I remember, as it meant individual restrictions.Todays crisis is not ideological, Buzhinsky says.Indeed, both Russia and the Western countries position themselves as market economies and functioning democracies, although Moscow, unlike Washington, does not portend to engage in democracy promotion abroad, either by economic, political or military means.According to the retired general, todays conflict is an existential struggle, with the United States fighting for its leadership, fighting for its position in the world, while Russia, for its part, is engaged in a struggle with the West over its red lines, security and otherwise.The Americans are very fond of the expression American leadership, and cling to it in every possible way. Russia, of course - in 2007 President Putin clearly indicated that the world of one master, of one world hegemon is unacceptable to us, and we will never agree to it, Buzhinsky recalled.Hearing ProblemsOne of causes of the current crisis, according to the veteran military negotiator, lies in the mentality of US policymakers, their unwillingness to make concessions, and refusal to recognize the other sides interests.The same was the case when [US Secretary of State Antony] Blinken went to Central Asia to try to explain to these countries that they shouldnt be friends with Russia, and need to be friends with the United States. The Americans couldnt give a damn that we have millions of Uzbeks and Tajiks working in RussiaThey dont understand that America is far away. Yes, it can provide some kind of economic assistance, but they think in return all these Central Asian republics should just fully follow their advice and recommendations, former officer noted.More Dangerous Than Cuban Missile CrisisBuzhinsky believes the Ukrainian crisis is far more dangerous than the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962, when the world was on the brink of nuclear war.Its more dangerous, for two reasons. Firstly, the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis was decided by two people Kennedy and Khrushchev and their advisors. Today, perhaps if it was just Putin and Biden, things would be easier. But in fact that there are so many assistants, the Poles, the Balts, the Czechs, who, should Biden and Putin reach an agreement tomorrow, would grit their teeth, but agree, forcibly, because nobody will dare challenge the Americans, especially today. They would keep to themselves, but at the same time spoil everything as much as possible through the European Union.The danger of the Ukrainian crisis descending into a global war revolves around the fact that its taking place along an escalation ladder, with NATO consistently testing Russias responses with every delivery of new and more advanced weapons, according to Buzhinsky.Right now theyre talking about the delivery of warplanes. The Ukrainians are asking for them. My only hope is in Bidens common sense not so much his sanity, given his not very stable mental state, in my opinion, but that instinctively, he remembers the 1970s and 1980s, he grew up during the Cold War, both physically and as a politician. Therefore, he understands how this could all end. But this brazen generation, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, the leadership at the Pentagon, these are people who have never fought anywhere. The bombings of Yugoslavia, Libya, Syria, all these took place without significant losses [for the Americans]. These werent wars.Deploying Western warplanes in Ukraine is effectively impossible, Buzhinsky says, because aircraft require a large ecosystem of support behind them.The threat of a direct clash between Russia and NATO not only exists today, but is substantially higher than it was during the Cold War, Buzhinsky fears.Another problem, Buzhinsky says, is that the current conflict isnt a Cuban Missile Crisis-style standoff, but an actual hot conflict, a Western-backed proxy conflict between Russia and Ukraine.Lets say Putin and Biden reach an agreement. What can they agree to? Take the four regions which became part of Russia, they are ours. We wont give them up. What will Biden say? Sure guy, I agree, well stop? I think thats unlikely. And the Ukrainians will say we want to fight, and the Poles and Lithuanians and Estonians will cry how can that be? Where s the strategic defeat [of Russia] you promised? Thats the issue. Unlike the Cuban Missile Crisis, here too many parties are involved in this conflict. In their rhetoric they have driven themselves so far into a corner that its now very difficult to agree to anything, the observer said.Strategic Dead EndSputnik also asked Buzhinsky his views on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which Russia suspended last month, citing problems with inspections, and US aid to Ukrainian drone attacks on an airbase hosting Russias strategic aviation.You know, I am not a supporter of exiting agreements. Furthermore, I believe New START is a very good agreement. I started the negotiations on this treaty with the Americans in Rome back in 2008, but unfortunately was unable to finish them. Therefore, I dont believe we should withdraw. Even before the Ukrainian crisis sentiments were expressed that we should exit, especially in the Duma. Why do we need these agreements? was the sentiment. We need them because knowing is better than not knowing. Thanks to the agreements we have an idea, and the Americans have an idea, about one anothers nuclear strategic potential, the negotiator said.At the same time Buzhinsky said Moscows decision to freeze the agreement is understandable in the present situation, given the fact that the American side has effectively rendered it impossible for Russian inspectors to carry out their work, given sanctions, visa restrictions, the closure of airspace to Russian aircraft, etc.The last straw, of course, was the Ukrainian attempt to strike at our airfield in Engels, where our strategic aviation is based. Moreover, these Strizh drones were improved with the help of the Americans. After that, Putin made his completely predictable, reasoned decision.As for a new treaty to replace New START, which is set to expire in 2026, the observer believes its prospects are very obscure at this stage. Everything the US side might want in the new treaty, including accounting for new types of weapons, non-strategic nuclear weapons, all this is possible, but all of this would take time, years of time, and the clock is already ticking. Simply redrafting the existing treaty is also impossible, Buzhinsky believes, because lawmakers in the US Congress wouldnt accept it.And if the Republicans come to power they in general have a very negative attitude toward any form of arms agreements. They believe theyre to the advantage of the weaker side, Buzhinsky said.For these reasons, the arms control expert believes theres only about a 10 percent chance of a new treaty being realized.The failure to reach an agreement would hit both sides, and inevitably lead to a new arms race, the retired general says.Their Trident missiles, for example, can theoretically hold 10-14 warheads, depending on throw weight, but are restricted to six. In order to know how many there are, you have to come up to the missile, lift up the lid and take a look. You cant see this from space, Buzhinsky noted. Therefore, the Americans could easily double the number of warheads on their missile carriers, so not 1,550, but 3,000. The same is true for us, except we have fewer opportunities for reloading. Thats the risk. And of course, we will proceed from the worst-case scenario, that is, assume that they have not 1,550, but 3,000. An arms race like in the 1960s, when each country accumulated 30,000 warheads, is expensive and unnecessary. But some sort of arms race will take place, the expert concluded. https://sputnikglobe.com/20220831/gorbachev-was-promised-non-expansion-of-nato-his-mistake-was-to-believe-it-ex-us-official-says-1100199807.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20210712/on-the-historical-unity-of-russians-and-ukrainians-1083375385.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230210/putins-2007-munich-speech-stark-prophecy-or-reasonable-warning-that-fell-on-deaf-ears-1107315834.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230301/blinkens-central-asia-trip-was-meant-to-open-a-second-front-against-russia-why-it-failed-1107915046.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230302/medvedev-delivery-of-nato-aircraft-to-kiev-will-mean-alliances-war-against-russia-1107959202.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20221016/cuban-missile-crisis-60-years-on-nuke-risk-higher-today-amid-diplomatic-deficits-1101892889.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230302/scott-ritter-new-start-all-but-collapsed-due-to-us-duplicity-negotiating-in-bad-faith-1107951693.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20210918/us-conducts-successful-test-of-trident-ii-missile-navy-says-1089195659.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov cold war, new cold war, russia, united states, us, ukraine, proxy conflict, nuclear dangers, threat https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/damascus-condemns-us-generals-illegal-trip-to-us-base-in-syria-1108073811.html Damascus Condemns US General's 'Illegal' Trip to US Base in Syria Damascus Condemns US General's 'Illegal' Trip to US Base in Syria The Syrian Foreign Ministry has condemned the recent trip of US Gen. Mark Milley to a US base in northeastern Syria as a violation of the country's sovereignty, Syrian state news agency reported on Sunday. 2023-03-05T17:37+0000 2023-03-05T17:37+0000 2023-03-05T17:37+0000 world syria middle east us mark milley /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/06/12/1083185050_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_fe33f3afc3281eb621f462dfa22dfdf8.jpg "Syria strongly condemns the illegal visit of the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff to an illegal US military base in northeastern Syria," the ministry said, calling it a flagrant violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Multiple US media have reported about the unannounced trip that took place on Saturday. Gen. Milley is said to have visited a logistics base in a Kurdish-held area to talk with troops and prepare recommendations for the Pentagon. The mission was allegedly in support of the US operation to defeat the Islamic State terror group (banned in Russia). https://sputnikglobe.com/20230304/us-continues-looting-of-quake-hit-syria-ships-dozens-of-tankers-worth-of-oil-out-of-occupied-areas-1108025021.html syria Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us occupation of syria, mark milley, damascus, syrian foreign ministry https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/doha-continues-efforts-for-drc-rwanda-talks-amid-crisis-media-say-1108031811.html Doha Continues Efforts for DRC, Rwanda Talks Amid Crisis, Media Say Doha Continues Efforts for DRC, Rwanda Talks Amid Crisis, Media Say Despite a failed January attempt to convene a meeting between the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Thisekedi and Rwanda's Paul Kagame, Doha is still making efforts to bring peace to the African countries 2023-03-05T09:06+0000 2023-03-05T09:06+0000 2023-03-05T09:06+0000 africa central africa east africa rwanda democratic republic of the congo m23 tensions /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105435/15/1054351558_0:84:1601:984_1920x0_80_0_0_1a22039a8927d395bead73605bae4554.jpg Despite a failed January attempt to convene a meeting between the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Thisekedi and Rwanda's Paul Kagame due to a no-show by the former, Doha is still making efforts to bring peace to the two African countries, media say.Recently, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi, Assistant Foreign Minister for Regional Affairs of Qatar, visited Africa where he met with the presidents of Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, and Angola and delivered a written message to them on behalf of Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.While Doha is keen to hold a meeting between Kagame and Thisekedi, the date has yet to be set, media report.However, during his press briefing on February 22, Rwanda's president emphasized the lack of progress after a number of meetings at the regional and international levels.Kagame explained that the issue had been discussed at almost all the meetings, saying the future attempt to hold talks between Rwanda and the DRC may fail, as the previous one did.The relations between Kinshasa and Kigali have lately been seeing higher tension as the Congolese government accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels which are operating mainly in the North Kivu province, east DRC - an accusation denied by Rwandan authorities.The DRC saw the creation of the March 23 Movement in 2012, which later, in 2021, began an insurgency, capturing a large part of the country.Amid the deteriorated relations, in November 2022, the leaders of the DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, and Angola gathered in Luanda in order to discuss the restoration of peace in the eastern DRC, which became a joint effort to ensure the region's stability.The situation was exacerbated in January this year when Rwanda reportedly shot at a Congolese military aircraft which had allegedly violated the country's airspace. Kigali said the fighter jet violated its airspace three times, which became the reason for shooting. However, the Congolese government denounced the attack on its aircraft, saying it was shot within airspace of the DRC. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230304/macron-says-drc-should-not-shift-responsibility-for-countrys-security-issues-to-france-1108026146.html africa central africa east africa rwanda democratic republic of the congo Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Roman Sanin Roman Sanin News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Roman Sanin paul kagame, felix thisekedi, negitiations, the democration republic of congo, the march 23 group https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/eu-has-no-proof-of-china-supplying-weapons-to-russia-1108073912.html EU Has No Proof of China Supplying Weapons to Russia EU Has No Proof of China Supplying Weapons to Russia European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday that her office had received no evidence from the United States that China was sending weapons to Russia. 2023-03-05T17:43+0000 2023-03-05T17:43+0000 2023-03-05T17:43+0000 military european union (eu) ursula von der leyen china russia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/05/13/1095638815_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_442c4787086a0aaef384a5cfcfaf66e6.jpg "So far, we have no such evidence, but this needs to be monitored daily," von der Leyen told a press conference alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. When asked whether Brussels would press sanctions against China if such fact was confirmed, the European Commission chief said that it would be addressed "only when it becomes reality." The German chancellor chimed in saying that China should never supply weapons to Russia and that Beijing had said it would not supply any.In late February, US State Secretary Antony Blinken said that China mulled the possibility to provide "lethal" military assistance to Russia, including either weapons or ammunition. Until now, he said, private Chinese companies have provided Russia with only "non-lethal" support. He also threatened China with "real consequences," should it send military supplies to Russia.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said it was the United States who was funneling weapons to Ukraine and urged Washington to "stop shifting responsibility and spreading false information." https://sputnikglobe.com/20230227/beijing-dismisses-as-disinformation-us-claims-its-considering-sending-russia-weapons-1107849837.html china russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International chinese weapons, chinese weapons for russia, eu has no evidence https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/hungarian-lawmaker-says-lethal-aid-makes-eu-nato-nations-party-to-ukraine-conflict-1108071993.html Hungarian Lawmaker Says Lethal Aid Makes EU, NATO Nations Party to Ukraine Conflict Hungarian Lawmaker Says Lethal Aid Makes EU, NATO Nations Party to Ukraine Conflict Supplies of lethal military assistance to Kiev make some EU and NATO nations parties to the Ukraine conflict, even if they are not directly involved in the hostilities, Hungarian parliamentary speaker Laszlo Kover said on Sunday. 2023-03-05T15:40+0000 2023-03-05T15:40+0000 2023-04-12T17:05+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine hungary nato viktor orban european union (eu) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105496/94/1054969424_0:256:4784:2947_1920x0_80_0_0_b5a239234125486a74bf305d837cce8f.jpg Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban cautioned the European Union last month that it could sleepwalk into an armed conflict with Russia by sending increasingly deadly weapons to Ukraine. He argued that a negotiated solution was needed to avoid further casualties. hungary Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International eu party in ukraine conflict, nato party in ukraine conflict, ukrainian crisis, sending weapons to kiev, arming kiev https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/israeli-forces-demolish-palestinian-mosque-in-west-bank-southeast-of-bethlehem-1108075584.html Israeli Forces Demolish Palestinian Mosque in West Bank Southeast of Bethlehem Israeli Forces Demolish Palestinian Mosque in West Bank Southeast of Bethlehem The Israeli forces have demolished a Palestinian mosque and a shack in the occupied West Bank southeast of Bethlehem because of alleged absence of a building permit, media reported on Sunday. 2023-03-05T22:57+0000 2023-03-05T22:57+0000 2023-03-05T22:57+0000 world palestine israel israeli-palestinian conflict /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107961/23/1079612396_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_965c3c2b619deb1239bcd07f5f421007.jpg The Israeli troops have stormed the Umm Said area, located between the towns of Beit Fajjar and the village of Marah Mualla, and demolished the mosque built on a land owned by a Palestinian resident, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. The report added that the shack for selling awnings had been pulled down in the village of Beit Tamar. In February, independent United Nations experts called on the international community to take action against Israel's systematic destruction of Palestinian buildings in the West Bank. Israel demolished 132 Palestinian structures, including 34 residential and 15 donor-funded, across 38 communities in the West Bank in January alone, up 135% compared to the same period last year, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Relations between Israel and Palestine have been adversarial since the founding of Israel in 1948. Palestinians seek diplomatic recognition of their independent state on the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is partially occupied by Israel, and the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government has refused to recognize Palestine as an independent political and diplomatic entity, and has been constructing settlements in the occupied areas despite objections from the United Nations. israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International israel, palestine, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian mosque, west bank, bethlehem, office of un high commissioner for human rights, ohchr Ukraine Loses Over 210 Troops in Donetsk Direction Over Past 24 Hours Ukraine lost more than 210 servicemen and the US-made M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer in the Donetsk direction over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday. "In the Donetsk direction, during the continuation of the active operations of the southern group of [Russian] troops, as well as air strikes and artillery fire, over 210 Ukrainian servicemen, one infantry fighting vehicle, four armored combat vehicles, seven vehicles, the M777 howitzer, the US-made M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, the Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, the Tyulpan self-propelled mortar, the Smerch self-propelled multiple rocket launcher, and the D-30 howitzer were destroyed over the past 24 hours," the ministry said in a statement. The Russian armed forces also destroyed the US-made AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery radar system near the settlement of Nikolayevka in the Donetsk People's Republic, and the AN/TPQ-37 counter-battery radar system close to the settlement of Varvarovka in the Zaporozhye Region, the statement read. In addition, in the Kupyansk and Liman directions, the Russian military eliminated about 220 Ukrainian soldiers, the ministry added. In total, since the start of Moscow's military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the Russian armed forces destroyed 394 Ukrainian military aircraft, 216 helicopters, 3,336 drones, 409 anti-aircraft missile systems, 8,162 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,050 multiple launch rocket systems, 4,282 units of field artillery and mortars, as well as 8,746 special military vehicles. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/scone-cold-rejection-scots-are-against-sending-stone-to-charles-iiis-coronation-1108031660.html Scone Cold Rejection: Scots Are Against Sending Stone to Charles III's Coronation Scone Cold Rejection: Scots Are Against Sending Stone to Charles III's Coronation Scottish politicians believe that they should not send national relics to Charles III's coronation since British authorities have ignored their plea for an independence referendum. 2023-03-05T08:52+0000 2023-03-05T08:52+0000 2023-03-05T09:36+0000 world king charles iii uk westminster abbey alex salmond /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/0c/1100678039_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_9ac46e34c440ea67ed078e46fbedcfda.jpg Alex Salmond - former Scottish First Minister and leader of the Alba Party has called on Scotland to forego sending a national relic the Stone of Scone to the coronation of British King Charles III.The object in question is a 152 kg block of sandstone which had been used in coronations of Scottish monarchs for centuries. In 1296, the relic - also known as the Stone of Destiny - was taken by English soldiers from Scone Abbey and from that moment on, it was used in coronations of English rulers. In 1996, exactly 700 years after the theft, British authorities returned the artifact to Edinburgh.The Stone of Scone was intended to be sent to Westminster Abbey as a part of the coronation ritual. However, Salmond argues that this would be unacceptable for Scotland. The politician reminded that British authorities ignored the desire of the Scots to hold a referendum on self-determination. Therefore, Salmond insists, there is no reason to transfer to Westminster what was "stolen 700 years ago."The official coronation ceremony of the new ruler of Great Britain, Charles III, will take place on May 6, 2023. The current monarch became King of Great Britain after the death of his mother, Elizabeth II. He waited almost 70 years for the opportunity to ascend the throne - longer than all other heirs in the history of the country. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230304/biden-could-skip-coronation-of-king-charles-iii-reports-say-1108003083.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International scone stone, national relics, stone of destiny, king charles iii, king charles iii coronation, uk https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/serbian-president-denies-reports-of-supplying-weapons-to-ukraine-1108067720.html Serbian President Denies Reports of Supplying Weapons to Ukraine Serbian President Denies Reports of Supplying Weapons to Ukraine Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Sunday media were peddling blatant lies when they claimed that his administration had authorized sales of weapons to Ukraine. 2023-03-05T12:45+0000 2023-03-05T12:45+0000 2023-03-05T12:45+0000 military serbia russia ukraine ukrainian crisis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/05/1108067571_0:18:3147:1788_1920x0_80_0_0_4d6b48cf8a441409b74a098ae510b0a4.jpg "It is a blatant lie. Serbia did not send weapons to anyone. Serbia makes and sells munitions We have sold no munitions or other weapons to either Ukraine or Russia," he told reporters in Qatar. The Serbian Defense Ministry confirmed to Sputnik this week that Serbia exported weapons only to countries on the international whitelist and had banned their resale to Ukraine or Russia. The Serbian Defense Ministry said Belgrade had asked foreign state agencies that are suspected of having given a greenlight to resales to clarify the matter and ensure compliance with its rules. Serbian defense contractor Krusik earlier denied media reports that alleged it sold Grad missiles to Ukraine to be used with its Soviet-made multiple launch rocket systems. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230303/serbian-defense-ministry-says-did-not-supply-ammunition-to-end-users-in-ukraine-1107990410.html serbia russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International serbian weapons, no serbian weapons for ukraine, no serbian weapons for russia, aleksandar vucic https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/shelter-in-place-another-derailment-involving-norfolk-southern-train-occurs-in-ohio-1108029307.html Shelter in Place: Another Derailment Involving Norfolk Southern Train Occurs in Ohio Shelter in Place: Another Derailment Involving Norfolk Southern Train Occurs in Ohio The Springfield wreck follows the February 3 train derailment in Ohio, when at least ten cars carrying hazardous substances released toxic chemicals into the environment. 2023-03-05T05:13+0000 2023-03-05T05:13+0000 2023-03-05T06:52+0000 americas us ohio train derailment /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/05/1108029494_0:72:925:592_1920x0_80_0_0_3a8eb3d876c3b8f4b193fd6d380959a3.png Another train of the US rail operator Norfolk Southern has derailed near the city of Springfield in southwestern Ohio, prompting local authorities to ask nearby residents to stay in a safe indoor place or building.The outlet also cited Norfolk Southern spokesperson Connor Spielmaker as saying that twenty cars of the freight train derailed as it headed south in the Springfield area.The Clark County Emergency Management Agency in turn urged those who were within 1,000 feet (304 meters) of the train derailment to shelter in place out of an abundance of caution.The developments come after a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3, releasing toxic chemicals, including hydrogen chloride, phosgene, butyl acrylate, and ethylene, into the environment.The CEO of Norfolk Southern has been heavily criticized by East Palestine residents and politicians for the company's lack of engagement following the February 3 disaster. Norfolk Southern's president visited East Palestine, Ohio, but company representatives did not show up at a public meeting last week where residents gathered, citing fear of physical threats.Despite repeated assurances that the air and water are safe, residents in the area have told Sputnik of recent health impacts, including headaches, burning skin and irritated eyes as well as anxiety about long-term health risks such as cancer. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources told Sputnik in mid-February that approximately 3,500 fish had died in waterways near the train derailment site. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230220/1107611074.html americas ohio Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg february 3 ohio train derailment, 'shelter-in-place' order by authorities, a train of the us rail operator norfolk southern, springfield train derailment https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/south-africas-ramaphosa-to-announce-cabinet-reshuffle-on-monday-1108071077.html South Africa's Ramaphosa to Announce Cabinet Reshuffle on Monday South Africa's Ramaphosa to Announce Cabinet Reshuffle on Monday South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa will announce his cabinet reshuffle on Monday, his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has told press. 2023-03-05T15:30+0000 2023-03-05T15:30+0000 2023-03-05T15:30+0000 africa southern africa south africa ramaphosa cyril ramaphosa reshuffle cabinet reshuffle /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0a/03/1101455963_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_c77671ff29d9a6988c82d4c17c54d4a4.jpg South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa will announce a cabinet reshuffle on Monday, his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has told press.As Ramaphsoa began his second term as president of the ruling African National Congress in December 2022, which will last until 2024, the country has been waiting for changes in his cabinet.The president is expected to name new transport, electricity, and public service and administration ministers as well as a new deputy president after David Mabuza's resignation was announced March 1.A number of his allies already occupy senior positions in the party, thus making their inclusion in the cabinet more probable.For instance, the head of the infrastructure office in the presidency Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has been chosen as a candidate for the electricity minister office.Since 2020, Ramaphosa had been facing a corruption scandal when former South African State Security Agency chief Arthur Fraser accused him of $4 million theft, which led to numerous calls for the president to resign.In particular, Ramaphosa was accused of money-laundering and bribe taking. However, South Africa's president stated that he had informed police of the crime at the time and insisted that the reason for the accusation was "dirty politics." Eventually, Ramaphosa's impeachment did not pass, as the majority of the parliament members voted against it. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/african-solutions-to-african-problems-ramaphosa-says-1108056718.html africa southern africa south africa Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Roman Sanin Roman Sanin News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Roman Sanin cyril ramaphosa, south africa cabinet reshuffle https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/tens-of-thousands-protest-against-legal-reform-in-israel-1108026739.html Tens of Thousands Protest Against Legal Reform in Israel Tens of Thousands Protest Against Legal Reform in Israel About 160,000 people have participated in yet another protest in Tel Aviv against the controversial Israeli judicial reform, The Times of Israel reports. 2023-03-05T00:30+0000 2023-03-05T00:30+0000 2023-03-05T00:34+0000 world tel aviv israel protests /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/01/15/1106561772_52:0:1314:710_1920x0_80_0_0_360e4cf6145ca11f5fc5d724301173a0.png Israelis have been holding weekly protests against the reform for nine straight weeks. The Saturday protest came after the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, approved the second part of the controversial reform on Wednesday. The Times of Israel said on Saturday that about 160,000 attended the protest in Tel Aviv, and tens of thousands went out into the streets across Israel. The newspaper cited the organizers of the protests as saying that bout 400,000 Israelis demonstrated against the legal reform across the country on Saturday.According to the newspaper, police used water cannons to disperse the demonstrators in Tel Aviv. At least four people were detained in Tel Aviv during clashes with law enforcement, The Times of Israel said citing a police spokesperson. In January, Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin rolled out a legal reform package that would limit the authority of the Supreme Court by giving the cabinet control over the selection of new judges, as well as allowing the Knesset to override the court's rulings with an absolute majority. In mid-February, the Israeli parliament approved the first part of the legislation. The reform's opponents argue it will undermine democracy in Israel and put the country on the verge of a social and constitutional crisis. The current Israeli judicial system has been in place since the establishment of the state in 1948. In accordance with this system, the Supreme Court provides constitutional oversight, since Israel does not have a constitution and a constitutional court. Government decisions are largely controlled by the Supreme Court, which can overrule them if necessary. tel aviv israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International tel aviv, israel, protests, judicial reform https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/trump-says-would-have-been-no-dead-people-in-ukraine-if-he-were-president-1108027855.html Trump Says Would Have Been No Dead People in Ukraine if He Were President Trump Says Would Have Been No Dead People in Ukraine if He Were President Former US President Donald Trump says that ending conflicts, including the one in Ukraine, will be at the top of his list if he is elected president. 2023-03-05T03:04+0000 2023-03-05T03:04+0000 2023-03-05T03:04+0000 americas donald trump cpac cpac ukraine us-ukraine relations china /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/05/1108027035_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_b1dcfce31729c08b515a4f423594ca9d.jpg "I was the only president in decades that didnt have a war," Trump said at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at Gaylord National Resort in Maryland on Saturday. He reiterated that the Ukraine conflict would not have happened if he were president and that if he is elected president again in 2024 "I will get the problem solved and I will get it solved in rapid order and it will take me no longer than one day." Trump blamed the current US administration for exacerbating the Ukraine conflict. "Ukraine would have been thriving, there would have been no dead people, no obliterated cities that can never be rebuilt," Trump said, adding that the United States is going through "the most dangerous times and [US President] Joe Biden is leading us into oblivion." Trump recalled that he allegedly warned Russian President Vladimir Putin about the consequences of launching a special military operation in Ukraine. He added that he wished his conversations with Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping would have been recorded. "People would think a lot of me," Trump said. He stressed that the US oil policy has brought Russia, China and Iran closer together. "China has its eyes strongly focused on Taiwan and we could soon have a nuclear armed Iran, thats the saddest thing of all," Trump told the CPAC audience. He said that he had always been warned against allowing Moscow and Beijing to develop closer ties, but that is what has happened under the current US administration. In January, Trump said the world has become "more dangerous" under President Joe Biden and that the nuclear rhetoric was not employed against the US under his administration, but that foreign adversaries are using it now because they lack respect for the present US leadership. americas ukraine china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International trump, ukraine, russia, china, cpac, united states, donald trump https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/turkiye-working-hard-to-get-russia-ukraine-grain-export-deal-extended-1108036846.html Turkiye Working Hard to Get Russia-Ukraine Grain Export Deal Extended Turkiye Working Hard to Get Russia-Ukraine Grain Export Deal Extended Turkiye is making every effort to have Russia and Ukraine extend a deal that secured grain export through the Black Sea last year, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Sunday. 2023-03-05T10:38+0000 2023-03-05T10:38+0000 2023-03-05T10:38+0000 istanbul grain deal russia turkiye ukraine the united nations (un) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/01/07/1106110845_0:169:3043:1880_1920x0_80_0_0_3f0dc9ff8b13b66bbb6b7233d4931068.jpg Cavusoglu recalled that the initiative had helped households in the least developed countries by bringing down global food prices. On July 22, 2022, Russia, Ukraine, Turkiye and the United Nations struck a deal to provide a humanitarian maritime corridor for ships with food and fertilizer exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports. The agreement was extended in November and is now set to expire in less than two weeks, on March 18. A source familiar with the talks on its extension told Sputnik on Friday that the process was deadlocked. One of the stumble blocks, they said, was guarantees for the access of Russian food and fertilizers to the global market. russia turkiye ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International istanbul grain deal, russia ukraine grain deal, grain deal https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/two-police-officers-injured-during-anarchist-protest-in-italys-turin-1108026896.html Two Police Officers Injured During Anarchist Protest in Italys Turin Two Police Officers Injured During Anarchist Protest in Italys Turin About 1,000 people have participated in a demonstration in support of anarchist Alfredo Cospito in the city of Turin in northern Italy, Italian media report. 2023-03-05T01:06+0000 2023-03-05T01:06+0000 2023-03-05T11:00+0000 world italy protest protest rome milan bologna /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/05/1106982512_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_39cd0681252b47e1dbab09c204749626.jpg Two law enforcement officers were injured during the Saturday protest, the Askanews news agency said. Anarchists were setting trash cans on fire, breaking shop windows and throwing firecrackers. Several cars were damaged. The Italian TGcom24 news channel said that five protesters were detained and the identities of 150 protesters were recorded. Cospito is serving a life sentence for organizing a series of extremist actions. He has been on a hunger strike for months, which has prompted his supporters to stage several protests in Rome, Milan, and Bologna. italy rome milan bologna Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International alfredo cospito, turin, northern italy, protests, milan, rome, bologna https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/what-is-non-proliferation-treaty-and-how-it-put-brakes-on-us-triggered-nuclear-adventurism-1108072917.html What is Non-Proliferation Treaty and How it Put Brakes on US-Triggered Nuclear Adventurism What is Non-Proliferation Treaty and How it Put Brakes on US-Triggered Nuclear Adventurism March 5, 2023, marks the 53rd anniversary of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) which entered into force in 1970. The NPT is the only... 05.03.2023, Sputnik International 2023-03-05T17:19+0000 2023-03-05T17:19+0000 2023-03-05T18:00+0000 sputnik explains us europe russia nuclear weapons npt nuclear non-proliferation treaty (npt) treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons (npt) cuban missile crisis of 1962 jfk /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106306/79/1063067909_0:354:1019:927_1920x0_80_0_0_6619ab410f5eacf4cf8521786de17836.jpg The Non-Proliferation Treaty is seen as the foundation of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. It looks to prevent the spread of atomic arms and weapons technology and requires nuclear-weapon states to "pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to the cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament."The accords were prepared by the UN Disarmament Committee and approved by the UN General Assembly on June 12, 1968, following three years of negotiations by the Eighteen Nation Committee on Disarmament, a United Nations-sponsored organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. The treaty was opened for signature on July 1, 1968, in Moscow, Washington and London and came into effect on March 5, 1970. Twenty-five years later, the treaty was extended indefinitely.The treaty defines nuclear-weapon states as those that have manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device prior to January 1, 1967. These are the United States (1945), Russia (1949), the United Kingdom (1952), France (1960), and China (1964). Four other states known to possess nuclear weapons are India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel, which is deliberately ambiguous regarding its nuclear weapons status.To achieve the goal of non-proliferation, the treaty established a safeguards system under the responsibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which verifies compliance with the accords through inspections. The NPT particularly promotes equal access to peaceful nuclear technology and cooperation in the field, while at the same time prohibiting the diversion of fissile material for weapons use.From Trinity Test to Operation DropshotWhy would the world need such a treaty and how did it all begin? The first nation that obtained nuclear arms was the United States which kicked off its Manhattan Project in August 1942. The US created three nuclear bombs within the framework of the project, dubbed the Gadget, Fat Man, and Little Boy.On July 16, 1945, the United States Army conducted the first-ever nuclear test when a plutonium implosion device, "the Gadget", was blasted in the Jornada del Muerto desert, New Mexico. Two other bombs plutonium Fat Man and gun-type uranium Little Boy were dropped by the US on Nagasaki and Hiroshima in August 1945.The bombings killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people, mostly Japanese civilians. Neither Hiroshima nor Nagasaki hosted any important military installations. Despite Washington later claiming that the bombings caused Tokyo to lay down arms, in reality Japan's decision to surrender was made by then-Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki after the Soviet Union entered the war with Japan at 11 am on August 9, 1945. International military experts and diplomats argue that there was zero need to bomb the two Japanese cities, adding that the strike was nothing but a demonstration of force by the US.Washington's next potential target became its former anti-Nazi coalition ally, the USSR. Even though it is a common belief that the Cold War de facto started on March 5, 1946, when then former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivered his famous speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, in reality the UK and US unleashed it much earlier. On May 22, 1945, two weeks after the end of the war in Europe, Churchill and the British Armed Forces Joint Planning Staff came up with Operation Unthinkable. The plan envisaged attacking the USSR on July 1, 1945, by a joint force consisting of 47 British and US combat divisions, elements of the Polish army, as well as 10-12 German divisions formed from the remnants of the Wehrmacht.On December 3, 1945, the Pentagon presented the list of 20 Soviet cities chosen for atomic bombing by American aircraft under Plan Totality, launched in August 1945. Some experts argue that the plan was actually a "disinformation" ploy aimed at deterring the Soviet Union. They cite the fact that Washington did not possess enough nuclear bombs at that time. However, as the US nuclear stockpiles grew, the US government came up with more sinister plans of destroying Soviet cities and obliterating its former ally.Plan Totality was followed by Operation Dropshot, which was presented by the Pentagon on December 19, 1949. The operation allegedly envisaged using 300 nuclear bombs and 29,000 high-explosive bombs on 200 targets in 100 cities to eliminate 85% of the USSR's industrial potential with a single stroke. Under the plan, the strike was scheduled for January 1, 1957.The USSR was aware of the US plans and did not sit on its thumbs, either. In late September 1942, over a month after the US launched its Manhattan Project, then Soviet leader Joseph Stalin ordered the foundation of a special atomic laboratory at the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. These works were kicked off after the Soviet intelligence informed the Kremlin that the US allocated huge funds for the secretive nuclear weapons program. It also became known that the UK also started work on the creation of an atomic bomb.The USSR secretly tested its first nuclear bomb on August 29, 1949, at the Semipalatinsk-21 in Kazakhstan. The RDS-1, also known as Izdeliye 501 (device 501) and First Lightning, was the nuclear bomb exploded by the Soviet Union. Moscow's nuclear test somehow cooled down the enthusiasm of the US military planners.However, the Pentagon continued to come up with new and new plans aimed at conducting a first disarming strike against the USSR. According to some estimates, the probability of US losses in bombers was around 55%. The US military planners did not rule out a retaliatory strike on their own territory, either. At the same time, estimated Soviet casualties in the result of a US nuclear attack was projected to reach 100 million people.Since the time of President Harry Truman, the United States has proceeded on the principle of proactivity and preventive strike. In contrast, the USSR and Russia's nuclear military doctrine used to be based on the principle of retaliatory actions. That is why Moscow placed an emphasis on mobile nuclear armed systems, including wheeled complexes, submarine missile carriers, silo positions in remote regions, which are hard to detect and destroy during the first strike.Cuban Missile CrisisIt is believed that the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 forced the world's major power to re-evaluate the threats associated with the nuclear arms race. Remarkably, the crisis occurred as a result of Washington's defiance of the Soviet Union's "red lines" amid the Cold War.In 1961, US President John F. Kennedy ordered the largest peacetime expansion of Americas military power, and specifically the colossal growth of its strategic nuclear forces. This included the deployment of intermediate-range 'Jupiter' nuclear missiles in Italy and Turkey. From there, the nuclear rocket could easily reach the western part of the USSR, including Moscow and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Furthermore, by that time, American-built Thor intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) had already been deployed in the United Kingdom targeting the USSR under Project Emily.On September 9, 1962, Soviet missiles were delivered to Cuba under Moscow's secret Operation Anadyr. The US had been unaware for a whole month that Soviet rockets had already been deployed in the Caribbean nation.Following tense back-and-forths between Moscow and Washington, the US agreed to Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev's quid-pro-quo offer which envisioned the Kennedy administration's removal of Jupiter missiles from Turkey in exchange for the Soviet Union's dismantling its rockets in Cuba, according to documents which were de-classified in the late 1980s.JFK Learnt His Lesson, NPT Started to Take ShapeIt appears that JFK learned the Cuban Missile Crisis lesson. On March 21, 1963, the US president told the press: "I see the possibility in the 1970s of the president of the United States having to face a world in which 15 or 20 or 25 nations may have [nuclear] weapons. I regard that as the greatest possible danger and hazard."The announcement came as a secret Pentagon memorandum revealed at the time that eight countries (Canada, China, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Sweden, and West Germany) could gain the capability of manufacturing nuclear weapons within ten years.In December 1964, the UN General Assembly unanimously approved Resolution 1665 which called for negotiations to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons to additional states. The resolution also emphasized that countries already possessing nuclear arms would "undertake to refrain from relinquishing control" of them to others and would refrain "from transmitting information for their manufacture to States not possessing" them.For their part, countries which do not have atomic weapons would agree not to receive or produce them. According to international observers, the ideas outlined in Resolution 1665 created the basis for the NPT. Earlier, in July 1957, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was formed with the mission of promoting and overseeing the peaceful use of nuclear technology. The agency later became instrumental in ensuring that the NPT would work.In 1965, the United States and the USSR submitted their first separate draft proposals on how to prevent the spread of nuclear arms to the Eighteen Nation Disarmament Committee.On June 12, 1968, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2373, approving the draft text of the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), while on July 1, 1968, the NPT was opened for signature and signed by the USSR, the US and the UK.The NPT did not stop the Cold War; neither did it prevent some states from secretly obtaining nuclear arms technologies. However, it substantially limited the number of countries possessing and testing atomic arms; raised international awareness of potential dangers and risks of nuclear proliferation; helped create a club of responsible atomic powers; and limited nuclear adventurism demonstrated by Washington in 1945. https://sputnikglobe.com/20221025/why-us-nuking-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-should-be-legally-assessed-by-intl-court-1102647785.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20200522/revealed-why-churchill-considered-operation-unthinkable-surprise-attack-on-moscow-in-1945-1079391874.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230302/scott-ritter-new-start-all-but-collapsed-due-to-us-duplicity-negotiating-in-bad-faith-1107951693.html russia hiroshima nagasaki Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova npt, non-prolifiration treaty of 1968, us first nuclear test, us nuclear bombing of hiroshima and nagasaki, operation unthinkable, operation dropshot, us preemptive strike, soviet nuclear weapons, cuban missile crisis, jfk, iaea creation, nuclear parity https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/yerevan-slams-bakus-actions-during-recent-shooting-in-nagorno-karabakh-as-terrorism-1108075342.html Yerevan Slams Baku's Actions During Recent Shooting in Nagorno-Karabakh as 'Terrorism' Yerevan Slams Baku's Actions During Recent Shooting in Nagorno-Karabakh as 'Terrorism' The Armenian Foreign Ministry slammed actions of the Azerbaijani armed forces as "terrorism" on Sunday, after three Armenian police officers were killed in a deadly armed clash in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region. 2023-03-05T20:44+0000 2023-03-05T20:44+0000 2023-03-05T20:44+0000 world armenia armenia azerbaijan azerbaijan nagorno-karabakh: flare-up between armenia, azerbaijan /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/0b/10/1081178809_0:159:3079:1890_1920x0_80_0_0_126d615631c1e525cd4448919895c8ef.jpg Earlier in the day, Yerevan and Baku reported a shootout between the security forces of the two countries in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan said that the shooting had left casualties on both sides, while Armenia called the incident a staged provocation, adding that Baku spread fake information about Yerevan's alleged transfer of personnel and weapons to the conflict region. Yerevan also urged the global community and international organizations interested in the establishment of real peace in the region "to strongly condemn the use of force and the threat of force by Azerbaijan, as well as another manifestation of provoking large-scale hostilities," and called for "active steps to prevent further violations of Azerbaijan's own international obligations." The South Caucasus is considered one of the most conflict-ridden regions of the globe, primarily due to the long-standing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region (also known as the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh). The most serious escalation of a protracted standoff in years took place in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2022. The hostilities then ended with a Moscow-brokered trilateral declaration signed in November 2020. Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to completely cease fire and exchange prisoners. However, the situation in the region has still remained tense, with occasional clashes happening between the two countries. In particular, in September 2022, a new wave of hostilities between Yerevan and Baku broke out in an area unrelated to Nagorno-Karabakh, marking the most dangerous situation in the region since 2020. armenia armenia azerbaijan azerbaijan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International nagorno-karabakh, armenia, azerbaijan, clash, casualties A local military veteran and his family are beginning a new chapter of their lives in a new home and community thanks to the support of a national nonprofit and countless local supporters. Friends, family and community members gathered to welcome and honor Army Staff Sgt. Timothy Kramer and his family as they received the keys to their new home in Minatare on Saturday morning. The house was built and donated to the Kramers by the national nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops in recognition of the great sacrifice made by Kramer during his military service. Kramer was injured by an improvised explosive device on Aug. 6, 2006, while on his second tour in Iraq. Kramer completed his deployment, but after his return to the United States, his health began to decline. He suffered a stroke in 2009 that detrimentally affected the use of his left hand and foot and resulted in bilateral hearing loss, seizures and traumatic headaches. Saturdays ceremony was the end result of a years-long process that Kramer initially did not expect to reach fruition. He first heard of Homes For Our Troops from a Veterans Affairs caregiver during his recovery process and filled out an application with no real hope that his family would be chosen as a beneficiary. We filled out the application and sent it off, but that sort of thing just doesnt happen to people out here in the sticks, said Kramer. You dont hear about winning the lottery that doesnt happen here it happens on the east coast (or) west coast. The Kramers waited for years after being told that the organization hadnt yet extended as far as Nebraska. Then one day in 2019 they received a call inviting them to a conference in Massachusetts. At that time, they had the opportunity to design every detail of the home that would become theirs in March of 2023, complete with more than 40 major special adaptations to provide a good quality of life and additional safety for Kramer. Out of all the organizations weve gone to throughout the years, this organization is one of the best, said Kramer. They truly put the vets first. Not only the vets, but my family, too, and to me that means a lot. The home presented to the Kramer family is the first built by Homes For Our Troops in the state of Nebraska and the 352nd home built by the organization across 45 states since the organization was founded in 2004. Homes For Our Troops has 69 additional building projects currently active across the country, all homes that will be gifted to injured veterans just like Timothy Kramer. As Kramer and his family begin to settle into the Minatare community, he continues to fix his eyes on the horizon and continue to serve others in whatever way he can. His plans for the future involve starting his own organization to help injured veterans remain active and involved in outdoor activities. Id like to start something for other veterans who have trouble transitioning into more of a disability lifestyle, injured lifestyle. Showing them that you can still go out and fish, go out and hunt, you can still do all those things. It just takes a little more time and a little more patience, he said. Kramer and his wife, Cassidy, expressed their heartfelt thanks to every person involved in the process that led them to the home of their dreams, and made sure that they knew what it meant for them and their kids that will get to grow up there. As we write this next chapter, I just cant wait to see the memories were going to make and the fun and laughter were going to have in our little piece of heaven out there, said Kramer. Kevin Spencer was the first city manager and chief of police to receive the League of Nebraska Municipalities League Distinguished Service Award, an award that historically was given to only state senators and was last presented in 2007. The League recognizes the tremendous work Spencer did to advocate for the passage of this landmark legislation, the league press release reads. (His) numerous trips to Lincoln, countless hours on Zoom meetings with state senators, law enforcement agencies, the league and other stakeholders. Spencer, who serves as the Scottsbluff chief of police and city manager, was recognized for his exceptional leadership, dedication and advocacy resulting in passage of LB 1014 and LB 1241 during the 2022 legislative session, according to the release. He also served as president of the Police Chiefs Association of Nebraska during this time. Im blessed to have the support of all the chiefs across the state, he said. It was great leading them for the two years that I did. Spencer knew he was nominated for the award, but his recognition was a bigger deal than he imagined. However, he said the passage of the legislative bills was a collaborative effort. It was quite the honor, he told the Star-Herald. I definitely want to give credit to Lynn Rex (league executive director) and her staff, Buffalo County Sheriff Neil Miller and Dawson County Sheriff Mark Montgomery. We all worked really hard on this and we all contributed. Spencer played an instrumental role in the passage of the two bills as he testified in front of the judiciary and appropriations committees. The bills are making transformational improvements in training facilities and laws to benefit law enforcement agencies statewide. Former Gov. Pete Ricketts referred to the 2022 session as the year for law enforcement. LB 1014 appropriates funds to upgrade the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island. Spencer participated in nearly every monthly Zoom meeting Ricketts hosted with municipal officials where he emphasized the value of allocating $50 million of the states American Rescue Plan funds to complete COVID-19-related infrastructure upgrades to the training center. Ricketts assigned $47.4 million in LB 1014 in his ARP Act budget presented to the legislature. We want to make sure were able to attract and retain the best officers that we can, Spencer told the Star-Herald. We think we have a great state-of-the-art training facility that we will attract the best. Not only that, but its going to be a place Nebraska certified officers and maybe officers from out of state can come and train in a great facility. He added, This was truly one way to touch every community in Nebraska; this is going to provide every community with well-trained officers who feel appreciated and have a good training facility. All Scottsbluff police officers will go through the academy at the Grand Island facility as well as additional trainings at later times. LB 1241 expedited reciprocity applications of officers transferring from other states to support increasing vacancies in law enforcement due to COVID-19, elevated caseloads, increased violence and criminal activity. The bill helps address the ongoing statewide crisis by helping agencies attract and retain officers, including those certified in other states. Spencer added how the support of his wife, Rhonda, was vital during the late-night rides home from Lincoln. It was really a fun, rewarding time to be doing that kind of work, he said. It was just refreshing. We knew we were blessed to be living in the Midwest, specifically western Nebraska, because the community the support that we do enjoy. As a member of law enforcement, Spencer said the goal is to be engaged in the communities to better peoples lives and keep the communities safe. At the time, the national news narrative toward law enforcement juxtaposed that seen in Nebraska, which Spencer said was validation that, as a state, they are doing something right to earn the support from the community and legislature. The league acknowledged Spencers extraordinary leadership, dedication and advocacy on behalf of law enforcement officers in Nebraska. The impact of Spencers work continues to benefit police departments and citizens across the state. Here's how to watch the Unicameral from afar Heres how to watch the Legislatures activities and follow bills by using the Unicamerals website at nebraskalegislature.org: Click on the Nebraska Public Media logo and look under Streaming Now or Coming Soon for the schedule of livestreamed floor debates and public hearings by committees. Floor debate also is telecast live by Nebraska Public Media on NE-W, formerly known as NET2 (Allo Communications Channel 11 or Spectrum in Scottsbluff-Gering). If you know the number of a legislative bill or constitutional amendment, type it under Search Current Bills to call up the measures text and related votes and documents. (For the language of current state laws, type their number or keywords under Search Laws.) Computer users can leave comments of up to 500 words on individual bills by clicking the appropriate spot on the main page for that bill. If the bill hasnt yet had its public hearing, users may ask their comments to be included in the bills official hearing record. Such requests must be made by noon CT (11 a.m. MT) on the last work day before the hearing. Nebraskans with disabilities as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act can do likewise but also can attach PDF files or supporting documents. Click on Hearing schedules on the main Unicameral webpage, choose the appropriate week and click either Submit Comment Online or ADA Accommodation Testimony, depending on whether you qualify for the latter. The Unicameral website offers many other documents for understanding and following the Legislature, including its online Unicameral Update newsletter. Todd von Kampen Constituents often ask me in person or in their letters what my favorite part of serving as your senator is. I always give the same answer: returning to Nebraska and hearing directly from you, my fellow Nebraskans. That is what I did this past week while the Senate was in recess. Despite the weathers best efforts to keep us home, I was able to visit with individuals and businesses alike across southeast Nebraska. We kicked off our travels this week in Syracuse, where I connected with some locals over coffee. I appreciated hearing directly from them about the issues, including economic and agricultural policies that affect them directly. Next, we stopped by Tecumseh, where I had the chance to speak with the local paper, the Tecumseh Chieftain, about this years upcoming Farm Bill, the disaster at our southern border, and ongoing threats from China. While I was there, I also had the opportunity to tour the Johnson County Hospital. Hospital staff and I had a meaningful discussion about the importance of rural health care and the 340B Program, which helps maintain health care access for low-income patients. Whenever we travel the state, I appreciate opportunities to highlight local restaurants and other small businesses. This time, we stopped for lunch at the delicious Keeping Room cafe in Nebraska City, where I had a great Reuben and a cup of gumbo. Great food, a great atmosphere, and visited with some great folks. The same day, I visited the Arbor Day Foundation, a nonprofit that educates on the importance of nurturing our environment. Meeting with the organizations leadership team was a wonderful opportunity to hear about their work. The foundation, founded in our home state, encourages planting trees and learning more about the gifts of nature. The Arbor Day Foundation has grown into one of the worlds largest nonprofit membership organizations for planting trees, and I enjoyed seeing the many natural attractions people of all ages can enjoy at its headquarters. I was also excited to visit Garner Industries, headquartered in Lincoln. In 1953, Garner Industries was a small tool and die company. Today, its a top manufactured parts company run by dedicated, hardworking staff. After a tour of their facilities, I appreciated hearing directly from employees about their work and the issues affecting their everyday lives. The same day, I had the privilege of visiting Haleon, a healthcare product company. I was impressed by the work they do as the worlds producer of Excedrin. In Gretna, I joined in on two fish fries, one at American Legion Post 216 and one at St. Patricks Church. What great events. Fish fries have brought communities together for food and fellowship for decades. Fellow Nebraskans and I, all from different walks of life, spent time talking and getting to know one another over dinner. Being a senator is being a listener, and Im grateful for the time I get every weekend and during recess weeks to hear more about Nebraskans needs and priorities. It is an honor serving as your senior senator. Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week. Cowlitz County had the second-highest rate of residents in state prisons in Washington, according to an August report based on census data. While the most populous counties in the state like King and Pierce had the most imprisoned residents, Cowlitz and other southwest Washington counties had the highest rates per 100,000 people, according to the Prison Policy Initiative, a research and advocacy nonprofit focused on mass incarceration. The report states that nationwide research has found correlations between imprisonment and poverty, employment, education and health factors which affect Cowlitz Countys high rate, according to local criminal justice system officials. Changes like supporting youth, improving economic opportunities, and helping people reentering the community after time in prison or jail are needed to bring down the high rate, officials said. In 2019, Washington enacted an anti-gerrymandering law that required people incarcerated in state prisons be counted as residents of their last known home address. That allowed the Prison Policy Initiative to use 2020 census data to look at the number of people in prison by county, city or zip code per 100,000 people. Statewide, 15,094 Washington residents were in state prisons in 2020, with an imprisonment rate of 197 per 100,000 people, according to the initiatives August 2022 report. That does not include those in county jails. In Washington, people sentenced to more than 365 days of incarceration are sent to prison, while shorter sentences are served in jail. Three southwest Washington counties had the highest imprisonment rates: Grays Harbor County with 470 per 100,000 people, Cowlitz County with 417 per 100,000 and Lewis County with 364 per 100,000. King County had the highest number of residents imprisoned 3,072 but the tenth lowest rate at 135 per 100,000. Nationally, Washington had the 12th lowest rate of all prisoners per 100,000 people, according to a 2021 Prison Policy Initiative report. That includes people in federal and state prisons, county jails, juvenile justice facilities and those involuntarily committed to other confinement. The United States has the highest incarceration rate globally, and almost all states have higher rates than any other country, according to the report. Crime levels Many different factors play into Cowlitz Countys high imprisonment rate, according to local law enforcement and criminal justice system officials. Cowlitz Countys incarceration rate is higher in part because the crime rate in the more urban parts of the county is higher than the state average, said Longview Police Chief Robert Huhta in November. In 2021, the rate of Group A offenses such as murder, rape, assault, kidnapping, robbery, burglary in Longview was about 78 per 1,000 people compared to the state average of about 63 per 1,000, according to Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs data. Serious offense rates were also above state average in Kelso and Woodland, but lower in unincorporated Cowlitz County, Kalama and Castle Rock, according to the associations 2021 report. In Longview, and likely the rest of Cowlitz County, a lot of crime is related to drugs, even if the crime is not a drug offense, Huhta said. A February 2021 state Supreme Court ruling, known as the Blake decision, threw out the states simple drug possession law and state legislators replaced the felony measure with a misdemeanor that requires two referrals to drug treatment before arresting suspects. The temporary fix is set to expire in July. This change is not reflected in the imprisonment rate report, and 2021 rates were likely down because of the Blake decision, Huhta said. Its unclear if the Blake decision will decrease the incarceration rate in the long term or if people will get arrested for different offenses, he said. Beyond the initial arrest, police do not determine charges, convictions or sentences, Huhta said. Our officers, detectives do a great job to get the best case possible, but once we do our work, its out of our hands, he said. Charges and sentences After someone is arrested, the Prosecuting Attorneys Office decides if they are charged and for what, which affects if and how long someone is incarcerated. In general, the Cowlitz County office receives more felony referrals than other similarly-sized counties, said Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Jurvakainen in August. After a drop in 2021 following the Blake decision, felony referrals rebounded somewhat in 2022 but remained on the low-end historically, Jurvakainen said. For some, the countys therapeutic courts provide an alternative to prison, Jurvakainen said. Cowlitz Countys Drug Court participation increased in late 2022 after a decline because of the pandemic and Blake decision, he said. Mental Health Court numbers were also up. In response to the Blake decision, the Prosecuting Attorneys Office expanded Drug Court eligibility, which allows people an opportunity to get help while resolving cases, Jurvakainen said. After someone is convicted, any prison sentence depends on the crime and the persons felony history. Washingtons sentencing regulations include a grid that weighs the seriousness of the crime with an offender score based on past felonies, Jurvakainen said. Prior convictions of serious felonies, like first-degree assault, murder, and sex crimes, will always be included in the offender score, while others may drop off over time, according to state law. For example, if someone is convicted of second-degree burglary, that person would have to have an offender score of four or higher to go to prison, Jurvakainen said. What Washington is dealing with is a lot of people sentenced to prison for a long time because of a serious crime, he said. For Cowlitz, its a mix of people with one or a few serious crimes and a long history that adds up. Of the 13,117 individuals incarcerated as of Dec. 31, 2022, about 29% had assault as their most serious current offense, according to the Department of Corrections. Thats followed by 25% with sex crimes, 18% with first- or second-degree murder and 11% with property crimes. Judges determining sentences are limited by state and federal law, including Sentencing Reform Acts passed in the mid-1980s, Cowlitz County Superior Court Michael Evans said in an email on behalf of the bench. Mandatory minimum sentences have also removed judges discretion, Evans said. Socioeconomic factors Many factors have led to the United States having the highest incarceration rate in the world, including a history of punitive policies targeting low-income communities, Evans said. Addressing racial disparities among prisoners could also decrease the incarceration rate, he said. In Washington, as of Dec. 31, 2022, Black people made up 17.3% of those incarcerated in state prisons, compared to 4.5% of the state population, according to the Department of Corrections. American Indian and Alaska Natives were 5.5% of state prisoners compared to 2% of the population. Intertwining factors, rules, laws and funding affect Cowlitz Countys rate, including these national policies, Evans said. Cowlitz Countys location on the Interstate 5 corridor is a main thoroughfare for drug trafficking, Evans said. People with a lower level of education or who are unemployed are more likely to be incarcerated, Evans said. In turn, having a criminal history limits opportunities for school, the military or employment, he said. About 17% of Cowlitz County residents 25 and older had a Bachelors degree or higher compared to 37% statewide, according to the Census Bureau. The states high school graduation rate was also slightly higher at about 92% compared to 90% in Cowlitz County. Cowlitz Countys unemployment rate of 5.8% in December 2022 was higher than the state rate of 4.2% and national rate of 3.5%, according to the Employment Security Department. The county also had a higher poverty rate. Many people who go to jail or prison have mental health challenges. Statewide, the number of referrals for competency restoration evaluations and services increased 87% over the last seven fiscal years, according to the state Department Social and Health Services. Potential solutions Increasing the availability of mental health and substance use treatment, family wage jobs and focus on reentry into society after prison or jail would help decrease the countys high imprisonment rate, Evans said. Statewide, about 30% of people released will return to prison within three years, according to the Department of Corrections. Access to safe and affordable housing is the primary barrier to successful reentry, according to the Washington Statewide Reentry Councils 2020 biennial report. Successful reentry requires individual planning that includes safe and affordable housing, strong community supports and access to technology, the report states. The Cowlitz County community, and society overall, needs to find a way to make an impact on people early in life so they dont commit crimes, said Longview Police Chief Huhta. That could include connecting with youth facing problems at home or other stresses and teaching them healthy coping mechanisms, he said. Cowlitz County has many good programs and resources but it can be hard to navigate those when in a crisis, Huhta said. Insufficient funding for mental health programs, the Blake decision and lack of housing are contributing factors to Cowlitz Countys higher incarceration rate. While not unique to the county, those challenges had a drastic impact in the last few years, he said. We have to start trying to tackle them, Huhta said. Theres no perfect solution. We have to work together and agree enough to help us get out of the situation. The question of who can sell coffee at Kelsos annual Highlander Festival has escalated to absurd heights of venom, once again proving the old adage that politics only get more vicious as the stakes grow smaller. Its become a nasty fight where both sides have made themselves look bad. Recently, The Daily News reported on a Feb. 7 meeting of the events leadership board, where they discussed a complaint from Red Leaf Coffee about the process of vendor selection. Red Leaf said they werent given a fair chance to apply, and they were right. The festivals leadership restricts the number of vendors by product and gives preference to last years vendors. The festival board paints this policy as a way to keep the peace, but its more like an old boys network making sure the in-group doesnt have to deal with competition. The event committee also said they give preference to vendors which operate in a manner consistent with highlander culture. Perhaps Scotsman Espresso the current, long-running festival coffee vendor could explain the deep Scottish roots of serving an Italian beverage made from the seeds of a plant native to West Africa, but we just dont see it. The policy of only allowing one vendor of any given type seems to exist specifically to pick winners and losers. Keeping the peace this way perpetuates deals with a few favored businesses who are allowed to keep a monopoly on a particular product. The kicker? The Highlander Festival is not an independent event; its tied to the city. The festivals commission was created by a Kelso city ordinance, and the City Council appoints members. City events should avoid even the appearance of favoritism. Far from avoiding conflict, the City Council has actually fostered it. When asked by the council for a review of the festival boards operations, the festival board, instead, discussed not holding the event at all if the City Council brought more oversight. As a result, City Council members narrowly voted in favor of the board planning the festival with its own vendor requirements still in place. That was the wrong call; the festival board needs more oversight if theyre going to continue to be supported by Kelso. But dont think weve let Red Leaf Coffee off the hook. Yes, the companys initial complaint made a very good point about the vendor process at the festival. And we dont think it makes sense to cut out such a prominent local business in favor of someone from Snohomish, the location of Scotsman Espresso. However, Kalei LaFaves followup at the council meeting last month has made us rethink what was once wholehearted support. She suggested the company might cut back on its involvement with Kelso if the business didnt receive a vendor spot. We are hoping this was a bluff, but its very disappointing to hear nonetheless. Red Leaf is an important local business, and its nonprofit work makes a real difference to local communities. However, LaFave seems to regard Red Leafs local involvement as a transactional relationship, rather than something the company does because it has inherent value. Red Leafs ultimatum puts local governments in a bind, with the implication that the company will only give back to communities until they do something it disagrees with. Nobody wants to spurn a local business, but tiptoeing around them isnt a good way to lead. The festival vendor policies need to be fixed, theres no doubt about that. Protecting established vendors from any competition generates the kind of monopolists that Scottish philosopher and economist Adam Smith railed against. If the festivals chain of command runs back to the city, then new contenders like Red Leaf are owed a hearing. But LaFaves implication that nonprofit work is contingent on getting access to the festival makes all their work look like its only done in exchange for rewards. WALTERBORO, South Carolina The longest criminal trial in South Carolina history finally ended Friday, marking the end, too, of the nearly 100-year legal reign of the Murdaugh family in the states 14th Circuit and, according to generations of locals, their selectively applied rule of law. Alex Murdaugh, once a friendly, outgoing trial lawyer, in the words of the judge who sentenced him to two consecutive life terms, left the courtroom in prison garb and shackles, his head hanging low, as the jurors watched this time from the public gallery. Lead prosecutor Creighton Waters made his case for sentencing Murdaugh to the full extent of the law, referring to his cunning manipulation of people and his placing himself above all others, including his family. He repeated testimonial descriptions of Murdaughs late son, Paul, as fun-loving and a loyal friend, and his murdered wife, Maggie, as a sweet girls girl who adored her sons. Waters told presiding Judge Clifton Newman how Murdaugh liked to stare at the prosecutor when he walked by. Looking into his eyes, Waters said, I saw who he really is. Murdaughs only words to the court were: Im innocent. I would never, under any circumstances, hurt my wife, Maggie, and I would never, under any circumstances, hurt my son Paul. Newman was having none of it. In an extended rebuke, he reminded Murdaugh that he had betrayed his respected familys legacy. It was personally heartbreaking, he said, to watch Murdaugh, who previously had appeared before him as a lawyer in court, go from a grieving father to the person indicted and convicted for being the person who killed them. The judge asked Murdaugh what he had meant when he said on the witness stand, Oh, what a tangled web we weave. Newman must know the phrase that follows in Sir Walter Scotts poem: When first we practice to deceive. Murdaugh said he was referring to his lies, whereupon Newman said, The question is, when will it end? He said 99% of the people in the room probably thought Murdaugh was lying still. Chillingly, Newman said he was sure that Maggie and Paul now visit their husband and father often and that they will continue to. In this, he was reflecting prosecutor John Meadorss dramatic rebuttal to the defenses closing argument. Meadors, mustering the zeal and cadence of a Baptist preacher, said the three indisputable witnesses to the executions were Paul, Maggie and Bubba, the family dog Alex Murdaugh called to in the video on Pauls phone, which placed him at the murder scene within minutes of the slaughters. Meadors (whose father was, indeed, a Baptist preacher) imagined Paul saying to his father: You may lie, but Im going to get you. He imagined Maggie saying, He shot me here. He shot me here, referring to the five bullet wounds from a .300 Blackout semiautomatic rifle. As for Bubba, Meadors said to Murdaugh: The best witness is your dog. The so-called trial of the century, having riveted the world, left lawyers, family members, victims, jurors and the media spent. For many who visited the courtroom as spectators, justice was served. Earlier in the final week, those lined up hoping to snare a seat inside had cheered prosecutors as they passed. After court adjourned, jurors left through a rear door and were greeted with applause. As trial lawyer Joe McCulloch said to me afterward, Generational payback is hell. For the dozens of reporters, writers, bloggers, YouTube celebrities, TV anchors and columnists, relief and reflection would have to wait. Stories had to be told and written. For me (and probably others), emotional exhaustion was setting in. No matter ones experience, hearing the gruesome details of murder takes a toll. Reporters spoke of feeling empty, sad and empathetic toward the family, especially Murdaughs surviving son, Buster. Thursday night, when word came that the jury had reached a verdict after just three hours, reporters were shocked. We had followed every word, compared notes and spent hours speculating about the how and why of the murders. I had just sat down at a restaurant and ordered a glass of wine when my phone pinged with a text: Verdict ten minutes. I sprinted for the courtroom, which filled quickly and buzzed with low chatter. A young television correspondent whispered, I feel sick. No one could believe the jury was already done; the trial had been so grave and complicated and so long. But the jurors had made up their minds, probably well before closing arguments. Maybe we could have predicted their solidarity after they all showed up on Valentines Day wearing pink and red. Whatever took place during those three hours seems to have been a matter of polite formality. Things might have gone very differently, however, had one of the jurors not been dismissed the very morning of closing arguments. A woman was reported and dismissed for talking about the trial outside the courtroom. What she said to someone who turned her in was: Hes not guilty. Thus, what if, the poltergeist of history, becomes the unavoidable, unanswerable question. What if the woman had remained on the jury and stood her ground? There might have been a hung jury. What if Paul had never made that kennel video? His friend Rogan Gibson had asked him to FaceTime his dog Cashs tail so he could see if it was injured. When FaceTime didnt work, Paul made the video instead. What if Cash hadnt been staying at the Murdaughs kennels? What if Alex hadnt called out to Bubba so he could extract a chicken from the dogs jaws? What if Alex had kept his mouth shut? Heres what: Murder charges probably would not have been brought against him, and this trial would not have happened. Without the voice on the video, Alex Murdaugh could have stuck to the lie that he never went to the kennels that night, and people probably would have believed him. People who like the idea of a Five Points roundabout say it will improve safety. City Councilman Mitch Nickerson says, "Anything new is scary to most people, and I think our previous roundabouts have proven successful." He agrees with the concerns of some people. There "are going to be times that it's going to be extremely congested," just as the 13th and North Road roundabout is when people are going to work and to school. "I think we're going to have some congestion there, but under normal circumstances, I think the roundabout's going to do exactly what it's supposed to do," Nickerson said. After the project is built, the intersection won't exactly involve five points. The points will be rounded. "Yeah, but it's still going to be Five Points," Nickerson said. The five points won't go away. The only thing that will change is the way "that we navigate the intersection," Nickerson said. Nickerson says he's seen many near-misses at the intersection the way it is now, often involving "people who've never been on it before." Drivers who are in the wrong lane start to move over into someone else's lane. Nickerson has never seen any accidents at the intersection, but he understands there have been. He believes the roundabout will lead to a safer navigation process. Congestion occurs at any intersection that sees heavy traffic during certain times of the day, Nickerson said. "If it gets to be a pain in the neck, I'm going to avoid it," he said. There are other ways to get places. "And I would recommend that people who become very aggravated by it find another route in those peak times. But other than those non-peak times, I think it's going to run smoother than it is now." City Councilwoman Michelle Fitzke believes the Five Points intersection will be safer as a roundabout. She thinks the roundabout will be safe for kids to cross. Right now, if you cross on foot "you have to pretty much run across" the street, Fitzke said. "I know that the town is torn about it," and she knows there are a lot of opinions, she said. The roundabout will be big. She's also concerned about Grand Island Senior High students driving through the traffic circle. It will be hard for people to get used to the change, she said. There will be good and bad aspects to the roundabout, Fitzke said. So she could go either way on the subject. Councilman Chuck Haase said he's heard from both sides on the Five Points issue. The issue was debated several times at council meetings and public hearings. Safety is important, and safety is a primary reason why council members have supported it, Haase said. Concerns have been addressed about how people will cross the intersection, Haase said. The city's engineering staff and state officials have assured council members about the safety. How do people in Haase's district feel about the project? "Typically, on something like this, I usually hear the negatives," he said. The people "who are supportive of it don't necessarily reach out to their council person. I would certainly say there's a majority in Ward 5 that do support it but have concerns." A roundabout is supposed to be a much safer way of structuring the intersection, he said. "It's not good the way it is," Haase said, adding that he's "sat there at that intersection I can't tell you how many times." "We're getting more and more used to roundabouts," he said. The state of Nebraska provides funding for roundabouts, and they're becoming more common across the state. "And so I think it's a good project to move forward at this time," Haase said. Councilman Mark Stelk was against the roundabout to begin with, but he voted in favor of it in the end. He opposed the project initially out of concern for the safety of the children going to the nearby park and schools. But he was reassured when told the crosswalks would make things safe for young people. "And I could see how it improves the flow of traffic, and it reduces the number of accidents," Stelk said. He's observed the intersection and the use of roundabouts on Old Potash. The True North Christian Church now only has a preschool, where parents drop off kids and pick them up. So students from that school won't be crossing Five Points on foot. Stelk has listened to people and talked to people at Five Points Bank. People "kind of get used to" roundabouts and learn how to navigate them, he said. Councilman Jason Conley feels that roundabouts work. Members of his family complain about a roundabout at Five Points. But he points to the one at Hy-Vee. "How can you tell me that doesn't work?" he says to them. "I mean, the traffic flows. It doesn't get backed up." Some people don't like change, Conley said. If people slow down and pay attention, the traffic flows nicely at a roundabout, he said. Some say the Five Points roundabout will work; some say it won't work. "I think we have to give it a chance," Conley said. Jack Sheard, who was elected in November, wasn't around to vote on the roundabout. Sheard is in favor of the "best, safest, scientific" answer for any issue, including roundabouts. "If the studies say that a roundabout is the better solution, then I'm for that," he said. "People will get used to them," Sheard said. He lives on the west side of town "and I love going through roundabouts," he said. He can pass through them a lot faster than a four-way stop. "I think they're a huge improvement over four-way stops," he said. Sheard doesn't think people use the current Five Points intersection correctly. "I see people go through it incorrectly every other time I'm there, and I'm not exaggerating," he said. "I go through it a lot. I see people screw that up quite a bit." Building a roundabout at Five Points is "a great opportunity," Sheard said. Mayor Roger Steele points out that the Five Points roundabout is a Nebraska Department of Roads project. As the managing entity, that department acquired the right-of-way and contracted with Olsson Associates for design and Diamond Engineering for the construction. "The city's a participant," Steele said. The state is picking up 64% of the $4.1 million roundabout cost, and the city's share will be 36%, said project engineer Tim Golka of the Grand Island Public Works Department. "Personally, I think the roundabouts we have installed so far have proven to be safer than traditional intersections," Steele said. Golka said a public meeting was held to talk about the roundabout, and the city did "extensive public outreach," which was required because of the use of federal funds. Of the comments the city received, "about 60% were positive and about 40% of them were negative," Golka said. The meeting was held before the opening of the roundabout next to Hy-Vee. Golka hopes opinion has become more favorable "now that people are seeing how efficient they are," he said. "And I hope people are becoming more comfortable utilizing them," he said. Golka believes Five Points is "a perfect application for a roundabout," because of the unusual lane configurations that come in and out of the intersection. Traffic signals are not a good fit because of all the different timings required at the intersection. The addition of the extra leg requires one more signal phase than you'd find at a four-legged intersection. That phase means that motorists spend longer periods waiting for the lights to change. Because traffic in a roundabout flows continuously, "I think it's going to work wonderfully," Golka said. The digital version of the Northwest High School Saga arrived mid-week. Early last summer, the student newspaper program was cancelled after its Pride issue. In November, reports were that the district would bring back both the class and the publication spring semester, digitally. That semester officially began Jan. 4, according to the Northwest Public Schools district calendar. The Independent reported on Sunday that the student publication digital version not yet been published. Northwest Public Schools published a digital version of the Saga and shared it on its Facebook page. It was also distributed digitally to faculty and staff. A former Saga staffer told The Independent before the digital Sagas release, The fact that it was going digital was like a slap in the face of the school newspaper's former glory. It meant that nobody would read it unless they willingly went to the website. The student requested their name be withheld. Stories in Wednesday's edition included stories about the districts random drug test policy, the schools winter ball and a debate about humorous social media accounts related to the school. The site has a quality design. Five students are listed as staff members, along with a sixth contributing student. As of press time, it was not available on the Northwest Public Schools homepage. Neither the Saga nor reference to any sort of newspaper program or activity is listed in Northwests 2022-2023 student handbook. The Saga adviser is Alex Hull, an English teacher at Northwest High School. Hull replaced Kirsten Gilliland, who was not retained to run the Saga in its digital form. She teaches English at Northwest High School. She remains adviser of the school yearbook. The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. South Carolina cotton farmers will receive the latest updates on the states successful fight against the boll weevil Wednesday, March 15, in Cayce. The meeting will include updates from the S.C. Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation, the Southeastern Boll Weevil Eradication Program and Clemson University Extension, research and regulatory programs. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. at the Farm Bureau Office located at 724 Knox Abbott Drive in Cayce. Registration is not required. The Boll Weevil Eradication Program is one of the most successful such efforts ever devised against an invasive agricultural pest. Cooperation among farmers and others in the cotton industry as well as researchers, regulatory officials and Extension professionals is key to that success, said Steven Long, assistant director and state plant regulatory official in Clemsons Department of Plant Industry. We appreciate input from all who are involved in this extensive effort. Experts will provide brief reports of activities associated with the Boll Weevil Eradication program during the growing season. The board of directors will meet immediately following this meeting to discuss the South Carolina program budget, the 2023 assessment rate and the regional program expenses/progress and how they affect the states program. For more information, contact the South Carolina Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation at plantindustry@clemson.edu, or (864) 646-2140. The Boll Weevil Eradication Program, first organized more than 30 years ago, combined coordinated pesticide applications with baited traps to methodically fight the insect. An early system of weevil traps was established wherever cotton is grown as an early warning system against highly mobile insects. The last boll weevil caught in South Carolina appeared in 1997. Re-infestation of the pest would be devastating to the economy. Cotton is the states most valuable field crop and routinely covers 300,000 acres. The vigilance of the Boll Weevil Eradication Program is essential to protecting our cotton industry, Long said. Regular input from farmers and industry helps defend against this devastating pest. SANTEE -- Producers attending the 2023 South Carolina Peanut Growers Meeting learned cotton costs and price may help peanuts gain some ground in South Carolina in 2023. Nathan Smith, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service agricultural economist and agribusiness program team director, said tightened peanut stocks, lower cotton prices and a rebound in consumption could result in more acres planted in peanuts this year. Crop insurance prices for 2023 are in the discovery phase right now, Smith said. Those prices are reflecting 2022 prices for peanuts, which were higher because of the lower acreage and the higher prices in cotton. A slow economy and reduced demand coupled with a carryover increase is pushing down cotton acreage. Increased cotton production costs may also help increase peanut acreage. Generally, peanuts dont require fertilizer, whereas cotton is a high-input crop, Smith said. And so, with higher fertilizer prices, this may help peanuts out a little bit this year. Also, cotton prices are down, so cottons probably going to give up some ground to peanuts this year. In a presentation on runner peanut maturity, Dan Anco, Clemson Extension peanut specialist, said newer runners appear to mature quicker than standards. Peanut sustainability Peanuts have been a profitable crop for South Carolina. Dell Cotton, manager for the Peanut Growers Marketing Association, said peanut growers have seen increased yields for the past two years. South Carolina growers harvested more than 4,000 pounds per acre in 2021 and 2022, Cotton said. Yields have been increasing across the United States. Contracts come out in the next few weeks and then well see. But if cotton prices remain low, I believe well see more acres grown in peanuts. South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers confirmed peanut production is increasing in the state. A new grower-owned peanut-shelling company, Premium Peanut, is establishing operations in Orangeburg County. Peanut growers in South Carolina will benefit from having a locally owned operation, he said. Companies like the Premium Peanut operation are needed to help ensure peanut sustainability. Eric Coronel from the American Peanut Council talked about programs the council is involved in such as the Sustainable U.S. Peanuts initiative that uses data supplied by peanut growers who want to tell their sustainability story. The council also has created the Peanut Trust Protocol, which helps set standards for more sustainably grown peanuts. Peanut-shelling plants groundbreaking celebrated; Premium Peanut bringing 130 jobs SANTEE Calhoun County farmer Joe Haigler has great hopes for the state's first-of-its-kind peanut shelling plant. A sustainable future for peanuts means producing peanuts that can withstand climate change. In a peanut/climate change study, a group of researchers led by Clemson University Plant and Environmental Sciences assistant professor Sruthi Narayanan is working to develop heat-tolerant peanut varieties they hope will help maintain peanut production and profitability. Additional climate smart research also is being conducted at Clemson. One involves a $70 million grant from the United States Department of Agricultures Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. The project focuses on agricultural production sectors of South Carolina and will ensure meaningful involvement of small and underserved producers. Anco explained this award will provide incentives and technical support to South Carolina farmers, enabling them to implement selected conservation practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. The initial pilot of this project will focus on production of peanuts, leafy greens, forages for beef cattle and forest products. For information, contact Kelly Flynn at kgilker@clemson.edu or call 864-656-3386. Information also can be found at www.climatesmartsc.org. JERUSALEM, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday acknowledged a senior cabinet minister's call to "erase" a Palestinian village as "inappropriate," after the United States had urged the prime minister to reject it. In his Twitter post, Netanyahu stopped short of outright condemnation of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, but said the minister "misspoke" and thanked him for admitting "his choice of words" was "inappropriate." Most of his tweet, however, focused on calling on the international community to further condemn Palestinian attacks against Israelis. The village of Hawara in the occupied West Bank was rampaged by hundreds of Israeli settlers last Sunday, who torched dozens of homes, cars and shops and killed livestock animals. A Palestinian man was shot dead, apparently by an Israeli soldier, during the attack. The attack came hours after two Israeli brothers from a nearby settlement were killed in a shooting attack outside Hawara. Smotrich, the ultra-nationalist leader of the pro-settler Religious Zionist Party, said during a conference on Wednesday that Hawara "must be erased. I think the State of Israel needs to do, not the settlers." He later told Channel 12 news TV that this was "not the right choice of words," attributing the remarks to "a slip of the tongue in a torrent of emotion." It was Netanyahu's first official comment on Smotrich's controversial remark which had sparked an international outcry, including condemnations by the United Nations and several Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt. In a statement, U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price described the remark as "repugnant" and "irresponsible," urging Netanyahu to "publicly and clearly reject" it. WALTERBORO Walterboro native Danny Murdaugh is ready for his small South Carolina town to return to normal following the double murder trial of a distant relative that drew global attention and sullied his familys surname. He lamented the circus brought to Walterboro by the six-week trial of Alex Murdaugh, which ended this week with the disgraced attorney sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murdering his wife and son. The spectacle altered life in Walterboro for over a month as an influx of locals, tourists and media flocked to the otherwise quiet downtown area to join the gripping trial. Teachers adjusted drop-off and pickup routines at the school down the street from the courthouse. On the other side of the street, entrepreneurs parked food trucks to cash in on the crowds. A newly opened pottery gift shop nearby set up a photo opportunity that read I was at the Murdaugh trial. Walterboro Police Chief Kevin Martin said the city incurred $35,500 in overtime pay, facilities rentals and technology upgrades related to the trial not including costs this week. Regular appearances from elected officials like South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and television personalities like legal analyst Nancy Grace also turned heads. The only thing I havent seen is elephants and acrobats, Danny Murdaugh said. For some the attention provided a welcome economic jolt. Nyan Tara Ruth, who runs Sisters Seafood and Soul, said the past six weeks brought her Walterboro-based food truck more business than ever before and helped her through a period of financial trouble. Im sorry that the occasion happened in the murder case, Ruth said. But I definitely had the opportunity to set up and I made good money here. Rebecca Eggers, an artist who makes clay figures and cartoons at Ahabs Arts and Crafts Mall near the courthouse, said it was nice to see a buzz around the downtown that is normally dead. She called the food trucks a wonderful alternative to other nearby chains. For some entrepreneurs, the sagas actual details took a backseat to its boost for business. Jessica Burdick, co-owner of the boutique Twig, said she would only receive trial updates from customers. Between her multiple jobs, she had no time to follow the proceedings intensely. It has its side element of intrigue, she said. But, alas, I have to work. Katie Dearybury arrived Friday from Charleston with her 1-year-old daughter. She could not miss the end to a case where she felt like a 13th juror or 14th juror. Others poured in from around South Carolina and the East Coast, from New York to Florida. Now that trial put the town billed as The Porch of the Lowcountry on the global map, one resident celebrated that shed never again have to tell someone where Walterboro is located. Still, by Friday, many residents were ready for the attention to subside. Sandy Alberts, a teacher, said she was looking forward to no longer needing to allow an extra half-hour for travel when making plans downtown. Eggers said she was ultimately wary of the attention given the circumstances. It brought a lot of people into Walterboro, she said. Granted, it wasnt a good type of publicity because a mans life was on the line. Im glad things will return to normal, she added. Danny Murdaugh said he falls on the poor side of the Murdaugh family, which climbed to prominence with members such as Alex Murdaughs father, grandfather and great-grandfather serving as the areas powerful elected prosecutors for more than 80 years. He also hurt the Murdaugh family name, Danny Murdaugh said. Our life has been an honorable lifestyle. We dont go out. We dont cause trouble. We try to help when we can. Other Colleton County residents severely impacted by the frenzy were the 12 jurors and lone alternate left standing by trials end. After the jury delivered its verdict Thursday, Judge Clifton Newman thanked the members. He noted one juror who faced potential job loss. Before dismissing the jury, Newman also assured them he would handle any reports of harassment. And he informed them they would be ineligible for jury duty through the next year and exempt from service for two more years. You did not volunteer for this service. You were called upon by being summoned to appear, Newman said. Providence have brought you to this moment in time, to these weeks in time. COLUMBIA -- The Palmetto AgriBusiness Council recently announced the election of officers for 2023. Sarah Windham, partner with FORVIS, was elected chair; Fred West, vice president with Amick Farms was elected vice chair, and Bryant Sansbury, CEO with ArborOne, was elected secretary/treasurer. PABC represents some of the largest agribusiness employers in the state with a mission to promote the economic viability of South Carolinas largest industry. Sarah Windham serves as the market leader of the Charleston office of FORVIS as well as the assistant managing partner for the South Carolina/Western Carolina practice. She has been practicing as a CPA since 2001, and her client service has afforded her opportunities to work with a wide variety of clients, including many family-owned and multigenerational businesses. Throughout her career with FORVIS, she has developed extensive experience in several financial areas, including tax planning, business consultation and generational wealth planning/succession planning, as well as tax research and compliance for corporations, partnerships, limited-liability entities and individuals with high net worth. Her industry knowledge includes construction, real estate, and agribusiness. As a valued consultant to her clients and their industries, Windham has served as a speaker and CPE presenter at a variety of industry association conferences and events and has provided testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Subcommittee on behalf of South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation. She continues to be a vital part of the organization through her knowledge and support of South Carolina family farms and agriculture and was recognized by the SC Farm Bureau Federation as a 2014 Government Relations All-Star. She is a graduate of Wofford College with a B.S. degree in accounting. Fred West, a native of South Carolina, has been a member of the senior executive team at Amick Farms for over 22 years. Amick Farms is a privately owned poultry processing company with over 3500 team members and facilities in South Carolina, Maryland and Mississippi. As vice president, his primary responsibilities are leadership and operational support for all business units, human resources, safety, environmental/permitting, compliance, regulatory, legislative, and governmental affairs, public relations and engineering. West is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelors degree in business administration and has over 30 years of experience in building, leading, and working with teams. He has served as an executive board member on the Palmetto AgriBusiness Council and the South Carolina Poultry Federation and serves on a variety of committees with the National Chicken Council. He is also a member and elder of Rivercrest Presbyterian church in Lexington. Bryant Sansbury is the chief executive officer for ArborOne Farm Credit, an agricultural credit association and cooperative headquartered in Florence, South Carolina. ArborOne Farm Credit is part of the Farm Credit System and provides agricultural financing and farm related services in the Pee Dee Area of South Carolina. Sansbury holds a bachelor of business administration in finance from the University of Georgia. He is also a graduate of the Southeastern Agricultural Lending School (SEALS). He began his career in the Farm Credit System in 2013. Prior to working for ArborOne Farm Credit, Sansbury acquired over 20 years of commercial banking and real estate experience. Additionally, he serves as a commissioner for the Florence County Soil & Water Conservation District. PABCs CEO Ronnie Summers said, We are looking forward to benefiting from the leadership of this experienced and knowledgeable team of officers as we continue PABCs commitment to sustain and grow South Carolinas agribusiness industry. Learning about others may be one of the best ways to learn about ourselves. In her book In Order to Live, Yeonmi Park chronicled her escape from North Korea with her family to China and then to South Korea. As defectors from the hermit kingdom, Park and her family faced increasingly dangerous obstacles to reach freedom all along the way. Park wrote, In North Korea, its not enough for the government to control where you go, what you learn, where you work, and what you say. They need to control you through your emotions, making you a slave to the state by destroying your individuality, and your ability to react to situations based on your own experience of the world. What a hostile and dark place North Korea is, especially in small towns where Park grew up. Food shortages and intermittent electricity were norms and many people were driven to smuggle cigarettes and other contraband to provide the barest essentials for their families and neighbors. Each of us has expectations based on experiences as well as promises. As a child, Park grew up hoping for one good meal each day. She and her sister would dream about how much bread each could eat if given the chance. Few if any Americans can identify with defectors like Park and her family who sacrificed so many things for years to escape institutional slavery. America and other free nations are not concerned about citizens fleeing freedom. On the other hand, millions of illegal immigrants have crossed our borders the past two years from more than 140 nations. Millions of got-aways are hiding heaven knows where for whatever purposes. After Park and her mother finally arrived in South Korea, they were ushered into programs to help them learn about living in the free world. Park particularly enjoyed educational opportunities and proved to be a very fast learner. She wrote, I crammed twelve years of education into the next eighteen months of my life. She continued, I vowed to myself to read one hundred books a year, and I did. I read to fill my mind and to block out the bad memories. But I found that as I read more, my thoughts were getting deeper, my vision wider, and my emotions less shallow. The vocabulary in South Korea was so much richer than the one I had known, and when you have more words to describe the world, you increase your ability to think complex thoughts. In contrast Park wrote, In North Korea, the regime doesnt want you to think, and they hate subtlety. Everything is either black or white, with no shades of gray. Today Park holds dual citizenship with South Korea and America, and has earned a BA at Columbia University. Americans, particularly those in high school and college, could learn a lot about freedom and slavery from Park. For nearly 250 years, American patriots have declared our independence, fought for our individual God-given rights and died so that future generations could enjoy freedoms from government tyranny. Our enemies have been working a plan to destroy America from the inside out. There is no other nation on earth to run to for freedom. If we dont fight to keep our rights, we will collapse into a wad of tyranny and become a footnote in history. Freedom is worth whatever it takes. (TBTCO) - Thi truong chung khoan tuan qua chiu ap luc ban ra ngay cang manh hon. Chi so VN-Index co them mot tuan giam iem, trong o luong iem giam chu yeu tao ra o phien cuoi tuan. Thanh khoan chung van duy tri o muc kha cao, nhung dong tien mua ang co chieu huong than trong va yeu hon. Do vay, ap luc ieu chinh len VN-Index co the se gia tang va vung nang o se xuat hien o 1.030 - 1.040 iem. Art can come in many forms: paintings, music, poetry, sculptures. On Thursday night at the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper, it came in the form of dance. Living, breathing, stomping dance. As a celebration of the GROUNDED exhibit, which features the work of several Indigenous artists and is running through March 15, the museum hosted the Wind River Dancers for a night of Native American dance and culture. In the McMurry Foundation Gallery, a tipi sat in the middle of the room, lit from within. Rows of chairs formed semicircles both before and behind the tipi. Those chairs were quickly filled, and attendees then lined the walls and clustered in the corners of the room. Rev. Roxanne Friday, an enrolled Eastern Shoshone tribal member who is also part of the Seneca Nation of Indians, an Indigenous tribe in Salamanca, New York, gave the opening message. Wearing a brightly patterned skirt, moccasins and a teal sweater over the traditional clerical collar, she spoke about Native American spirituality. Her grandmothers had taught her to take care of others, and she is grateful for their instruction. She also recalled seeing Native American representation in movies like Dances with Wolves, which came out in 1990. We never stopped being who we are as a Native people, she said. Weve become a changing society throughout the decades, because Native spirituality attracts many different people, generations of people, looking for that spiritual connection to Mother Earth. History cannot be changed, but we can change the future for the betterment of the next generation. Im talking about powwows. These are the times that we gather, people. ... Powwows are a time to honor those that died, to honor those serving in the military, to honor our elders, to honor our graduates, have giveaways, play games and many more activities. But most of all, showcasing the dance is the main event at the powwow. As she spoke, the dancers, dressed in traditional Native American garments, could be heard outside the gallery, their outfits clinking musically. Many Indigenous tribes believe that the drumbeat of the dances is the heartbeat of the Earth. Some songs are healing, some invigorating, some celebratory. But theyre all meant to bring people together, Friday said. My hope today is that you will go home this evening still hearing the songs youre gonna hear and seeing in your mind a part of the Native American culture that makes us feel good, and tonight we share our culture with you, so that the next generation really understands what Native American spirituality really means. Then it was time to dance. The master of ceremonies, Darrell LoneBear, introduced the drummers there were two and they each gave a few introductory taps when he announced their names. They knew hundreds of songs by memory, LoneBear said, so it might take them a few seconds to remember the tempo and rhythm of the one he directed them to play. The first dance involved all the dancers, spinning and stomping around the tipi. Some of the dances were named for the kinds of garments the dancer wore while performing. So it was with the first individual dancer, the Fancy Shawl. A young woman wearing a white shawl with fringe and colorful, embroidered flowers began the program, circling the tipi and stretching the shawl out so it looked almost like wings. The colors of her outfit pink, white, turquoise evoked thoughts of springtime and renewal. There was also the Jingle Dress dance. That dance tradition comes from the Ojibwa people, LoneBear explained. A Native American man whose granddaughter was sick had a dream that a dress with jingling attachments would be healing for her. When he woke up, he and his wife made the dress just as he had seen it in his dream. He put it on his granddaughter and, as those around her danced, she gradually regained strength and health, eventually dancing herself. For that reason, the jingle dress is thought to have healing properties. There were about six dancers who got a chance to dance different styles, which included mens traditional, womens traditional and mens prairie chicken style. Each dancer had a distinct outfit on, complete with a headdress and symbolic adornments. One featured the feathers of an golden eagle, which many Native Americans hold the highest respect for, LoneBear said, because the golden eagle flies the highest to the Creator and therefore carries the prayers of the people. One of the dancers was slightly smaller than the rest. He was LoneBears 5-year-old grandson, whom LoneBear has raised. I dont go anywheres without him, LoneBear said. Or he dont go anywheres without me, I guess, to put it that way. The crowd chuckled. Just starting to learn the dances, the little boy stomped calmly and quietly along with the music. As he moved around the tipi, he and his grandfather locked eyes. LoneBear had been moving almost reflexively with the other dancers, but now, as his kin watched him, his movements turned into a how-to: move with me, he seemed to be telling his grandson. Ill show you how to do it. And just like Friday had emphasized earlier, the traditions of Wyomings Indigenous people were being passed down to the next generation, right there in the gallery. It should come as no surprise that a legislative session defined by its focus on out-of-state issues would climax in a confrontation driven, in large part, by forces beyond our borders. Speaker of the House Albert Sommers was relentlessly attacked in the closing days of the session for his decision to hold back a handful of bills championed by the far right. Before it was over, Fox News, a string of conservative publications and even the Wisconsin governor had weighed in. Rep. Harriet Hageman, in a departure from the longstanding practice of Wyomings DC delegation, also joined in to pressure Sommers, amplifying the message of the State Freedom Caucus Network, a group thats working with the Wyoming Freedom Caucus to pursue a far-right agenda here. Others piled on. Sommers, a western Wyoming rancher with generational roots in the state, was depicted as out of touch and beholden to the states teachers union (The out-of-staters apparently dont realize that the Wyoming Education Association is not actually a union). As an editorial board, weve warned against the growing nationalization of Wyoming politics. Weve increasingly seen outside forces wanting to mettle in our affairs for their own ends. This is unfortunately only the most recent example. And it begs the question: Regardless of how you feel about these bills, do you really want Wyomings politics to be steered from outside our state? First a bit of background: In Wyomings statehouse, leadership routinely decides which bills to prioritize, which bills to put at the bottom of the stack and which bills to stop altogether. This happens every session and is used by both the traditional and far-right factions of the Republican Party. This session, Senate President Ogden Driskill, a member of the traditional camp, used his powers to extract concessions on an abortion ban bill namely, the addition of exemptions for rape and incest victims. Similarly, House Majority Floor Leader Chip Neiman, whos aligned with the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, prevented a debate and vote on Medicaid expansion. Leadership holds back bills for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, they are concerned that certain bills are distractions from the less exciting but more essential business of the state. Sometimes, they believe legislation, however popular, is redundant or violates the U.S. or Wyoming constitutions. And sometimes, as in the case of Driskill and the abortion bill, they want to see changes before allowing a measure to proceed. In this case, much of the anger directed at Sommers focused on three bills that he kept in his drawer, as they say in the Capitol. One was a similar measure to what is known nationally as Floridas Dont Say Gay bill, which prevents the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. The second banned transgender medical procedures for children. The third was designed to create an education savings account that would have been used to give parents money to send their children to private schools or home-school them. In explaining his position, Sommers correctly noted sexual orientation and gender ideology arent taught to young students in Wyoming. He noted that the transgender medical procedure bill was redundant because another was already proceeding through the statehouse (its worth noting that gender-affirming surgical procedures arent performed in Wyoming). Finally, he said the education bill was likely unconstitutional and is a big enough policy shift that it should be vetted as an interim legislative topic. But really, our concern is less about whether Sommers was justified or not and more about whether we want to allow the national political discourse to set Wyomings own political agenda. Wyomings legislative sessions are measured in only weeks, so time spent debating bans on practices that dont occur here is time taken away from addressing the long-term problems our state faces: an economy and state government overly reliant on the volatile fossil fuel industry, and the flood of young people who leave the state after high school and dont come back. The advocacy groups that centered their ire on Sommers arent interested in whether Wyoming has a flourishing, sustainable economy. Theyre not sending Twitter hordes at the speaker of the House in order to reverse the trend of Wyomings shrinking small towns. They want to pursue their own ends, driven by an out-of-state agenda, pure and simple. But we shouldnt let them use Wyoming as a vehicle to achieve those goals. Wyoming politics should be about solving Wyomings problems, not someone elses. The regional symposium on crime to be held tomorrow and Tuesday is an important step toward addressing the problem facing Caricom countries. So said Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne yesterday. Trinidad and Tobago will host the two-day symposium at the Hyatt Regency (Trinidad) hotel in Port of Spain. BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- In 2017, Jilie Ziri, the first college student from the mountainous Abuluoha Village in southwest China's Sichuan Province, decided to give up his job and return to his hometown. Serving as the secretary of the Communist Party of China's (CPC's) village branch, Jilie Ziri has led local residents in combatting poverty and pursuing a prosperous life. After years of efforts by Jilie Ziri and his fellow villagers, the once isolated town has been linked to the outside world with a paved road, and the people's living standard has been greatly improved. Now, the young man, born in 1995 and from the Yi ethnic group, is in Beijing for the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), where he and other deputies to the 14th NPC will discuss and decide how to bring a better life to the Chinese people. As global observers are closely watching the NPC and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), known as the "two sessions," Jilie Ziri's experience provides a personal perspective for them to better understand China's whole-process people's democracy. POWER IN HANDS OF PEOPLE "I was following the two sessions last year. There was a driver who was one of the deputies appointed to sit in that body. There were delivery riders, farmers, teachers, cooks, doctors, journalists, who ordinarily will not make it to an institution where laws are made," said Eric Biegon, a journalist at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. He was deeply impressed by the wide representation of the deputies. "What captures my attention when it comes to China and (its) politics is that (the Chinese) have chosen a path that tends to bring people at the center of decision-making," he said. When talking about China's "two sessions," many overseas observers like Biegon spontaneously mention broad representation, which features prominently in China's whole-process people's democracy. In their eyes, broad representation is a necessary requirement for ensuring that the people are the masters of the country. The 2,977 deputies to the 14th NPC make up a broad cross-section of people, with every region, ethnic group and sector of society having an appropriate number of representatives. In the new lineup, 497 deputies are workers and farmers, 634 technical personnel, accounting for 16.69 percent and 21.3 percent, respectively. The 2,172 members of the 14th CPPCC National Committee are from all of China's 56 ethnic groups, and 60.8 percent of them are not CPC members. Zia Banday, senior research fellow at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, said deputies and members of the "two sessions" in China represent the interests of the people. They prepare for a long time each year, put forward opinions and suggestions, conduct deliberations and discussions, and provide ideas for national and people's livelihoods. This unique model ensures that the "two sessions" can fully reflect the voice of the Chinese people, he said. The decision-making in the "two sessions" is open to all Chinese and friends who are interested in the overall development of the country, said Ronnie Lins, director of the China-Brazil Center for Research and Business and a senior expert on China's decision-making mechanism. "I think the outcomes that China has achieved in recent years show that the process is broad in opinion and effective in results. The country's economic and social achievements speak for themselves." FROM THE PEOPLE & FOR THE PEOPLE Every year, topics discussed at China's "two sessions" are always the focus of international attention. Development and people's livelihood have always been important issues in China's "two sessions," fully reflecting the importance of "the people" in China's socialist democracy, Patricio Giusto, director of the Sino-Argentine Observatory, told Xinhua. Last year, 92 changes were made to The Report on the Work of the Government based on the suggestions put forward by the NPC deputies and CPPCC members. Offices and departments under the State Council handled 8,721 suggestions from NPC deputies and 5,865 proposals submitted by CPPCC National Committee members, accounting for 94.8 percent and 95 percent of the total number of suggestions and proposals, respectively. Sommad Pholsena, vice president of the Lao National Assembly, pointed out that Chinese leaders not only communicate with the NPC deputies and CPPCC members during the "two sessions," but also often conduct research at the grassroots level, which reflects that the thoughts and concerns of the Chinese people are at the heart of the CPC at all times. The CPC and the government have always given thoughtful and scientific policy responses to the people's needs and appeals through collective thinking, he noted, saying that China's whole-process people's democracy integrates process-oriented democracy with results-oriented democracy, procedural democracy with substantive democracy, direct democracy with indirect democracy, and people's democracy with the will of the state. Jean Christophe Iseux von Pfetten, president of the Institute for East-West Strategic Studies in Britain, was invited by the then mayor of Changchun to be a specially invited member of the CPPCC. As a long-time observer of China, Pfetten told Xinhua that through his personal experience, he found that China's democratic practice is devoted to solving practical problems, as he witnessed how the local two sessions focused on addressing issues related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers. The China hand also participated in the discussion with his experience of working for the World Trade Organization. The NPC deputies and CPPCC members will review the government work report delivered at the beginning of the annual session of the NPC, and make amendments and put forward new proposals and new suggestions and make it a very useful document, said Muhammad Asghar, special correspondent of Associated Press of Pakistan in China. So, the "two sessions" are very important as they make policies and plans for the next year, said Asghar, noting that they implement all of the plans which are always very beneficial for the people. Pooling wisdom and seeking benefits for all, China's rapid economic and social development and effective governance cannot be separated from the whole-process people's democracy. The truth is that with this political system, China has done very well in terms of economic development and social welfare in general, and became the second-largest economy in the world, said Giusto, the Argentina expert. A NEW PATH OF DEMOCRACY "I have been to China many times. I understand that China's progress is not accidental. This is due to the unity of the Chinese people, together with the vision of the leadership of the Communist Party of China," said Chea Munyrith, president of the Cambodian Chinese Evolution Researcher Association. Recalling his visit to Xishuangbanna in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan, Munyrith said that "I saw the spirit of development under the image of a united people force, which is a form of democracy with the Chinese characteristic. The development of villages is the decision of the people in the village and with the consultation and guidance of local CPC members." "I have always admired and shared this picture with the villagers in Cambodia, and I have always talked with my government officials and friends in Cambodia about this good form of democracy," he added. The Chinese style democratic model adopts an approach featuring consultative democracy under the CPC leadership. Such a system, seeking to bring its people together for a common goal, proves to be a story of success and serves as an inspiring paradigm for other developing countries. The Chinese democracy has pulled 800 million people out of poverty and contributed to establishing infrastructure and health systems that benefit the Chinese people, said Asghar, the Pakistani journalist. "I think that the Chinese democratic system is becoming a model for so many countries," Asghar added. For Munyrith, who was once the head of the translation team for the Cambodian version of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," what impressed him most about China's democratic system is that the CPC has always put the people first. "As the ruling party, the Communist Party of China represents the interests of the people, and all policies put the interests of the people first," he added. Pointing out that there are various types of democratic system models, Pfetten emphasized that the Chinese socialist consultative democracy provides an elegant way of solving the antithesis between equality and liberty. The British scholar is writing a book on Chinese democracy, elaborating on the achievements of the Chinese democracy to readers based on his individual experience in China. Sommad Pholsena, vice president of the Lao National Assembly, said that the innovative proposal of whole-process people's democracy demonstrates the self-confidence of the CPC, and offers fresh insights into the democratic building in other countries. During an Easter Sunday break from my column, I was forcibly struck by the disconnect between the official messages about Easter from those clothed with high constitutional authority and the grim reality on the ground. Many persons would have been engaged in pleasurable activities over the Easter weekend. However, the country remains gripped by fear of violent crime, in respect of which the official messages have long ceased to be comforting or inspiring. How can it be otherwise when, in addition to rampant murder, we are frequently confronted with the results of brutal home invasions? Bisbees popular (and only) attorney has been found beaten to within an inch of his life for reasons that are clear to exactly no one but Cat Miranda plans to get to the bottom of the attack on her old school chum in this latest outing for C.J. Shanes full-time art gallery owner and part-time sleuth. In the company of her handsome British novio (she resists calling him her boyfriend because it feels silly), Cat learns that peaceful Bisbee has been the scene of other, seemingly unrelated crimes, including the apparently random and brutal murder of a young couple and the theft of a painting from her own gallery. Its a bewildering series of dots to connect, one that will take a village of friends, neighbors, a former British police detective and a newly-acquired Great Dane (engaging characters all) to help Cat separate the clues from the red herrings. Shanes lively storytelling takes her irresistible heroine along a dangerous path to the center of a nefarious scheme ripped straight from the headlines. Author and visual artist C.J. Shane, a former newspaper reporter and academic reference librarian, is the author of eight nonfiction books, as well as the Letty Valdez, Tucson Investigator mystery series. She lives in Tucson. Helene Woodhams The Japanese American Experience: Change and Continuity by Minoru Yanagihashi. Liberty Hill Publishing. 274 pages. $17.49; Kindle $8.99. In a little less than 100 years, the Nisei American-born children of Japanese immigrant parents achieved remarkable success in the United States despite enormous obstacles. So opines author, educator and U.S. Army veteran Minoru Yanagihashi, and he explains how in this informative volume of history, sociology and personal reflections. The Japanese arrived in Hawaii looking for economic stability; by 1900, they accounted for 40% of Hawaiis population. Yanagihashi, who was born in Hawaii to Japanese immigrant parents, begins with an overview of how the experiences of the Japanese who settled in Hawaii differed from the experiences of those who moved on to the mainland. His primary focus is on Nisei born between the 1920s and the start of World War II, a group he likens to Tom Brokaws Greatest Generation for their resilience in the face of racism, exclusionary policies and the dystopian experience of war-time internment by their own government. Of particular interest is the authors discussion of Arizonas Poston and Gila River internment camps, the Leupp Isolation Center on the Navajo Reservation, and the prison work camp in the Santa Catalina Mountains. But it is his observations of the post-war Japanese-American experience that are perhaps most revealing. As the sands of time run out for this generation of Nisei, their crowning achievement has been to assimilate into American society while preserving Japanese culture and tradition for future generations. The passing of this baton is meaningful for the author, who is a charter member of the Pan-Asian Community Alliance, the Japan-America Society of Tucson and the Southern Arizona Japanese Cultural Coalition. Helene Woodhams Bird of Passage by Nooshie Motaref. A3D Impressions. 215 pages. $14.95. That Zoroastrianism and Mohammads Islam the religions of ancient Persia were more enlightened than 20th century Islam in Iran is a thread that runs through and enhances this engaging and timely novel. Bird of Passage features a young woman resisting the strictures of Irans 1979 religious revolution. Tucson author Nooshie Motaref, who herself left her university position in Tehran due to Iranian fundamentalist pressure 30 years ago, creates central character Mitra who flees Iran for the West in search of personal and intellectual independence. Defying her culture but encouraged by her parents, Mitra pursues education rather than marriage, but shes not averse to romance. Motaref mixes mythology, a tale of romance and a bit of danger with cultural criticism and contrast East to West; the Shah to Khomeini; womens rights through history; the Islamic revolution to current womens protests. That would make Bird of Passage a natural for a book club selection. Christine Wald-Hopkins The Insurrection Protocol by D K Harris. Kindle Direct Publishing/Amazon, Inc. 390 pages. $13.85. D K Harris throws together some unlikely ingredients in this second Jake Ankyer action adventure: a biologically-enhanced 21st century U.S. special operative, guided by satellite communication, accompanied by a trained wolf in Kevlar, atop a white stallion, armed with a crossbow, fighting Qatari slave traders in the Libyan desert. Throw in a paranoid, narcissistic U.S. president fuming because he cant get Mt. Rushmored or awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and a nefarious, rich, ambitious, female executive whos in cahoots with the Chinese, along with super advanced quantum computers, and youve got yourself an adventure stew. Jake Ankyer is a member of the Red Protocol Group, a small, secret NSA branch dedicated to thwarting threats to American democracy. In The Insurrection Protocol, set in 2017, its tasked with preventing an unhinged POTUS from killing off his cabinet and Congressional leaders and declaring martial law. As the rest of the Red Protocol band catalyze their considerable computing, analyzing and infiltrating skills, Jake heads to Libya to rescue the kidnapped grandson of the Emir of Qatar. Flying body parts, vomited stomachs, and exploding heads ensue, along with flaming race car wheels, and the need to land a jet fighter on an aircraft carrier during a Category 5 hurricane. Its a good thing Jake is on it. Harris clearly likes his smart Red Protocol crew. And, yes, they are high-energy, nonstop entertaining. Did I mention Jakes new Qatari sheikh-dom in that stew? It comes with a 60,000 square-foot palace and full complement of luxury cars. Ten to one well see more of that in the next-in-the-Jake Ankyer series. Christine Wald-Hopkins A Southern Story: Family and Race, ca. 1650-2021 by Sterling Vinson. Resource Publications. 86 pages. $12. Paperback; also available on Kindle. Really, writes archeologist and retired Pima College instructor Sterling Vinson, in this thoughtful and informative volume, the United States can never come to terms with its racism until it admits that the South won the war with Union help. Yes, the Confederate army was destroyed, he continues, the Confederate government was dissolved and many leaders were jailed. But the Union allowed the social and economic systems of the South to remain unchanged for the next one hundred years. After Union troops departed, the old power structure resurfaced, he asserts, and the federal government provided Black people no protection. Even now despite the 1964 and 65 Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights act in 2013. America can take strong action for a short time but is unwilling to make the sustained effort required to eliminate racism. A Southern Story is an examination of racism in America through the lens of Vinsons family history and his life growing up in 40s and 50s Little Rock, Arkansas. A product of White privilege, descendant of American colonists, he grew up in a grand house, with African-American nannies and household help. He was raised to honor endurance, resistance and deep suspicion of authority, but his parents also instilled in him a sense of racial justice. As he would discover, however, his family history has a dark side: slave owners, masters of indentured servants, Confederate soldiers; a member of the KKK; possible involvements in lynching. Leaving the South for a progressive boarding school in Vermont expanded his social awareness, and we see him by the 1990s deeply involved in the sanctuary movement in Tucson. The book is a valuable and relatable compendium of family stories, Ancestry.com, history and personal reflection. Still engaged in human rights, Vinson suggests that his border and ACLU work are a means of redemption for personal and family transgressions. Christine Wald-Hopkins Helene Woodhams is retired from Pima County Public Library, where she was literary arts librarian and coordinator of Southwest Books of the Year, the librarys annual literature review. Christine Wald-Hopkins, a former educator and occasional essayist, has long been a book critic for national, regional and local newspapers. Evamaria Tanori-Contreras enjoys college life at the University of Arizona. As a sophomore honors biology major, she goes to class, spends time with friends and procrastinates on homework. In her free time, she likes playing the violin in the UAs mariachi band, listening to audiobooks and enjoying some reality television with her constant sidekick and service dog, Chauncey. Chauncey helps her get around campus, but when it came to acing the organic chemistry course, she did that on her own. Thanks to accessible accommodations made by her professor and her tenacious passion for learning, Tanori-Contreras passed with flying colors. Tucson native and first-generation college student Tanori-Contreras was the first blind student to take the organic chemistry course at the UA last fall, according to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. And not only did she take the course, but she earned a high A. It was the first time in college that I only had to worry about learning, and not getting access or accommodations or anything like that, Tanori-Contreras said during a Zoom call from Italy, where she is studying this semester. And that was an incredible feeling that I was just learning, and thats all I had to put my energy toward. Throughout his 19-year teaching career, with around 600 students a year, professor Jon T. Njardarson had never taught a blind student. The organic chemistry course requires a massive visual component, and students must be able to communicate effectively through a three-dimensional language in building chemical structures. But with a hands-on approach that included weekly review meetings with class preceptors, as well as accessibility resources including tactile drawing boards and Braille transcriptions of course content, Njardarson was able to successfully teach the course in a way that accommodated Tanori-Contrerass visual impairment. A lot of the time in my classes, I have to put in probably twice or three times as much work to understand the material, Tanori-Contreras said. But in this class, I feel like my amount of outside work was average compared to my other peers, and not necessarily extra. Along with post-lecture review meetings, Tanori-Contreras was lucky enough to room with one of the courses preceptors, UA junior Cassidy Zimmerman, which allowed for additional assistance outside of class and consolidated her workload. Njardarson is writing an article for the Journal of Chemical Education detailing what he learned from his work with Tanori-Contreras last fall. He said he wants to establish a list of best practices as a guide for professors. This wasnt like me teaching an extra class, it was incredibly rewarding, Njardarson said. Now I learned something about things I dont know, and now I can also communicate to other teachers and professors around the world about things we did that we think are successful. Working alongside the UAs Disability Resource Center, Njardarson was able to transcribe into Braille the textbook used for the course, allowing Tanori-Contreras to stay on track with the pace of the class. Using a special Braille font that he obtained from the DRC, Njardarson also was able to create custom content in Braille for her to work on. Dawn Hunziker, associate director of the UA DRC, said that the center is one of the largest in the nation and accommodates around 4,000 students on campus who have disclosed their disability status. Hunziker said that some of their more popular accommodations for students include allowing extra time for taking exams, converting PDFs into Word documents to allow for better text-to-speech capabilities and providing ASL interpreters for deaf students. We reached out to Jon before the beginning of the semester to talk about his course, and what his content looked like for his course, Hunziker said. We found out what book he was using, and then we actually received a copy of that book to send off to someone who would transcribe it into Braille, so we had a Braille transcription of the course materials created for Evamaria. The DRC also assisted by acquiring tactile drawing boards, a learning resource that one can use to illustrate raised-line drawings instantly. The drawing boards allowed Njardarson and the preceptors to draw out chemical structures that Tanori-Contreras could then feel out and comprehend through touch. Tanori-Contreras recommended a model of tactile boards that she preferred, and the DRC was able to provide enough of them for her, Njardarson and each of the preceptors. Tanori-Contrerass roommate Zimmerman, who studies veterinary science, would draw out structures on the board and question Tanori-Contreras, which let her work on the course content outside of the classroom. Eva is extremely smart, so my work wasnt very hard, Zimmerman said. She just has a natural gift that shes super, super smart. Alongside the accessible resources provided by the DRC, Tanori-Contreras would attend multiple after-class review sessions every week with preceptors. On Mondays and Fridays after lectures, Zimmerman said that Tanori-Contreras and the preceptors would meet in Njardarsons office to go over the days lecture material. On Wednesdays, Njardarson met with her one-on-one, where he said he would ask her about what was working well and what they could improve on to support her learning experience. (The review sessions) were definitely where the most of my learning happened. They were very instrumental, Tanori-Contreras said. I feel like without them, I definitely would not have understood the majority of the class. Njardarson said that he wanted to make sure Tanori-Contreras was able to stay on pace with the other students in the class, and be able to take the exams around the same time as her peers. Njardarson would print the exams in Braille, and have her take them one-on-one with him in his office in an oral exam-style format. It was something that he enjoyed, that he genuinely wanted to do, that he genuinely had fun and enjoyed that I could learn, Tanori-Contreras said. And that was really incredible. At the end of the semester, Tanori-Contreras finished the course with a high A, a feat that many students struggle to achieve. I dont think I necessarily felt like, Wow, Im blind and I was able to do good in a course that other people who can see do really terribly, Tanori-Contreras said. It was more like, Wow, I was able to learn without worrying about access or anything else. And I think that is what I was most proud about and happy about. The achievement proved significant not only for Tanori-Contreras, but also for those who aided her in her success. Zimmerman said that living and working with Tanori-Contreras was an eye-opening experience and gave her a better understanding of how people who are visually impaired are able to get through everyday life. Shes so self-sufficient, shes so intelligent, Zimmerman said. And Ive told her this. I (told her), You have allowed me to experience a culture I never thought I would be able to experience. Its just really cool. Tanori-Contreras said she wants to switch her major from biology to neuroscience and hopes one day to become a physical therapist. During the spring semester, she is studying abroad in Italy, finishing up her minor in classics while exploring the historic country with her best pal Chauncey at her side. I feel really proud, Tanori-Contreras said. I was so happy I got to have a normal taking a really hard course experience. Just learning.